HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Tricks and Kisses,
Sprinkles
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Saturday, October 31, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Sweets with Sweets
I cannot recall the last time I decorated cookies. My rusty skills revealed themselves today during Bridget and her son Logan's visit to my place for Halloween-themed cupcakes and cookie decorating.
My visitors were so sweet! They brought me flowers. Bridget handed me a vibrant summer-like mix while Logan had to bring me his own separate single pink rose. I immediately prepared them in a large vase before we headed out for a quick Greek lunch down the road...
Disney's "Lilo and Stitch" played on the DVD while we decorated the cupcakes Bridget baked and the cookies I made. Logan did participate; however, it was Bridget who got more out of it by learning how to color buttercream and royal icing with the new electric gel colors I received in the mail earlier in the week. My memory was short on how involved the whole activity could become, but it was worth a creative afternoon.
In between decorating, Logan would show me his mini Legos shaped like helicopters and trucks. It was all very complicated and told him so. Bolstered with the fearless spirit of an eight-year old, he commanded his knowledge of building each bit. He proceeded to hand me five pieces to put together a miniature helicopter pilot: three black pieces for the body, one for the white helmet and a yellow tinted clear acrylic mask for the helmet. After I struggled a little with my long nails to put them all together, he rewarded me with a smile. What a ladykiller!
Here are some pics of their decorating. Luckily for me they took most everything home. My kitchen and dining room were decorating disaster areas. Ha! All cleaned up in over an hour thank goodness.
As a result of today, I am definitely going to bake again for Christmas with the 15-year old butter cookie recipe I've kept and never used until this afternoon. It was a recipe from a lady named Nancy I worked part-time at Williams-Sonoma back in Chicago. For years I saw it hidden in between other pages of my personal recipe treasure book, but never had the heart to throw it away. Delayed surprises can be best and sweet, too!
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My visitors were so sweet! They brought me flowers. Bridget handed me a vibrant summer-like mix while Logan had to bring me his own separate single pink rose. I immediately prepared them in a large vase before we headed out for a quick Greek lunch down the road...
Disney's "Lilo and Stitch" played on the DVD while we decorated the cupcakes Bridget baked and the cookies I made. Logan did participate; however, it was Bridget who got more out of it by learning how to color buttercream and royal icing with the new electric gel colors I received in the mail earlier in the week. My memory was short on how involved the whole activity could become, but it was worth a creative afternoon.
In between decorating, Logan would show me his mini Legos shaped like helicopters and trucks. It was all very complicated and told him so. Bolstered with the fearless spirit of an eight-year old, he commanded his knowledge of building each bit. He proceeded to hand me five pieces to put together a miniature helicopter pilot: three black pieces for the body, one for the white helmet and a yellow tinted clear acrylic mask for the helmet. After I struggled a little with my long nails to put them all together, he rewarded me with a smile. What a ladykiller!
Here are some pics of their decorating. Luckily for me they took most everything home. My kitchen and dining room were decorating disaster areas. Ha! All cleaned up in over an hour thank goodness.
As a result of today, I am definitely going to bake again for Christmas with the 15-year old butter cookie recipe I've kept and never used until this afternoon. It was a recipe from a lady named Nancy I worked part-time at Williams-Sonoma back in Chicago. For years I saw it hidden in between other pages of my personal recipe treasure book, but never had the heart to throw it away. Delayed surprises can be best and sweet, too!
.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Cookie Doctor
I know I am treading on dangerous ground as I discuss a visit to my new "cookie doctor" yesterday. As millions of women around the world know, it is not the most dignified exam whether is it given by a male or female doctor.
After years of dealing with a male, I decided to switch to a women's group five minutes from my apartment. From the first call to make the appointment to the end of the visit, it was the best experience. They managed your expectations and made you proud to have chosen them.
Hello Hollywood...The lobby reminded you of an upscale hotel with wood and cushioned furniture set in conversation groups surrounded by deep sand colored walls. This facility was packed with women waiting to be seen, mostly by pregnant women. Navy blue jackets adorned the ladies sitting behind the reception windows like tetras in a fishbowl and friendly nurses milled about in cheerful rose pink scrubs. Everyone welcomed you with a smile and addressed you formally by "Mrs --" or "Ms --". Later I found my exam room already prepared for my visit with vials marked with my name in bold letters.
My new doctor has a cozy office decorated with formal heavy furniture and one wall hung a big photo cloud sculpture of babies she had delivered. In front of her was a mini laptop where she made notes of some symptoms I had been experiencing. We talked in general, agreed to a battery of blood work to get a baseline and she hinted that part of my issue could be age (horror!) related. "Women in their late 30s...blah blah blah". Nice. Yes, even your AGOL suffers from human maladies.
I normally get anxious in any doctor's offices and was dumbstruck when the nurse told me my blood pressure reading was normal. The exam itself was uneventful thanks to smaller instruments and the butterfly gentle care of my doctor. My experience with male doctors for some reason tend to use bigger instruments in this case -- the speculum. It's not like they need to be spelunking in there. Contrary to scorned ex-husbands, no stalactites have ever been found in any woman's vagina, I'm sure.
Why post about such a routine event? Well, sometimes it is enriching to share what is right with the medical world when women run it. They run it with themselves in mind and the sensitivity with dignity women are entitled to have each and every day. Hell, I told my girlies that the experience was so freeing that I would go daily for fun and take it up as a hobby. Uhm...That is a joke my lovelies.
.
After years of dealing with a male, I decided to switch to a women's group five minutes from my apartment. From the first call to make the appointment to the end of the visit, it was the best experience. They managed your expectations and made you proud to have chosen them.
Hello Hollywood...The lobby reminded you of an upscale hotel with wood and cushioned furniture set in conversation groups surrounded by deep sand colored walls. This facility was packed with women waiting to be seen, mostly by pregnant women. Navy blue jackets adorned the ladies sitting behind the reception windows like tetras in a fishbowl and friendly nurses milled about in cheerful rose pink scrubs. Everyone welcomed you with a smile and addressed you formally by "Mrs --" or "Ms --". Later I found my exam room already prepared for my visit with vials marked with my name in bold letters.
My new doctor has a cozy office decorated with formal heavy furniture and one wall hung a big photo cloud sculpture of babies she had delivered. In front of her was a mini laptop where she made notes of some symptoms I had been experiencing. We talked in general, agreed to a battery of blood work to get a baseline and she hinted that part of my issue could be age (horror!) related. "Women in their late 30s...blah blah blah". Nice. Yes, even your AGOL suffers from human maladies.
I normally get anxious in any doctor's offices and was dumbstruck when the nurse told me my blood pressure reading was normal. The exam itself was uneventful thanks to smaller instruments and the butterfly gentle care of my doctor. My experience with male doctors for some reason tend to use bigger instruments in this case -- the speculum. It's not like they need to be spelunking in there. Contrary to scorned ex-husbands, no stalactites have ever been found in any woman's vagina, I'm sure.
Why post about such a routine event? Well, sometimes it is enriching to share what is right with the medical world when women run it. They run it with themselves in mind and the sensitivity with dignity women are entitled to have each and every day. Hell, I told my girlies that the experience was so freeing that I would go daily for fun and take it up as a hobby. Uhm...That is a joke my lovelies.
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Sunday, October 18, 2009
Dumpling Love
Jonesing for dumplings. Yeah, I know. "What happened to rice?" Ever since I've been exclusively eating brown rice (short grain and Jasmine long grain), I haven't been craving it as much. So now enter the dumplings or maybe is it the endless possibilities of the fillings?
Last weekend I made a seasoned pork and shrimp filling that I stuffed into square wonton skins. Several have been cooked in a chicken broth, ladled in a bowl and sprinkled with fresh chopped baby bok choy and several more steam-fried and finished with Indonesian soy sauce (thick and sweet).
Below are frozen rows still waiting to be cooked.
This evening had me making pumpkin dumpling raviolis. If I have to do this next time, I would just stuff one round skin and fold in half like the wontons. This was either too much dough or not enough filling in the dough for me.
Oooh. Pumpkin Ravioli Patch. Pillows and pillows.
I didn't feel like defrosting the red sauce from a previous batch in the freezer so I melted some butter with olive oil and added chopped spinach in a pan. When the pumpkin raviolis were done boiling, I quickly tossed them in the pan with spinach before plating them and sprinkled some Parmesan cheese on top. This would have been tastier with toasted pine nuts. Instead of a butter/olive oil mix, you could brown the butter and some sage together before incorporating the the dumplings with it.
Now to clean-up the dishes...
FYI & Warning - You will have loads to freeze of both these dumplings for future use:
Wonton Filling: fresh ground pork, fresh chopped peeled shrimp, finely chopped waterchestnuts, finely chopped shallots, sweet rice wine, ground ginger, pressed garlic, sesame oil, salt & pepper.
Dumpling Ravioli Filling: cooked squash, potato flakes, grated Parmesan, finely chopped shallot, pressed garlic, nutmeg, salt & pepper.
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Last weekend I made a seasoned pork and shrimp filling that I stuffed into square wonton skins. Several have been cooked in a chicken broth, ladled in a bowl and sprinkled with fresh chopped baby bok choy and several more steam-fried and finished with Indonesian soy sauce (thick and sweet).
Below are frozen rows still waiting to be cooked.
This evening had me making pumpkin dumpling raviolis. If I have to do this next time, I would just stuff one round skin and fold in half like the wontons. This was either too much dough or not enough filling in the dough for me.
Oooh. Pumpkin Ravioli Patch. Pillows and pillows.
I didn't feel like defrosting the red sauce from a previous batch in the freezer so I melted some butter with olive oil and added chopped spinach in a pan. When the pumpkin raviolis were done boiling, I quickly tossed them in the pan with spinach before plating them and sprinkled some Parmesan cheese on top. This would have been tastier with toasted pine nuts. Instead of a butter/olive oil mix, you could brown the butter and some sage together before incorporating the the dumplings with it.
Now to clean-up the dishes...
FYI & Warning - You will have loads to freeze of both these dumplings for future use:
Wonton Filling: fresh ground pork, fresh chopped peeled shrimp, finely chopped waterchestnuts, finely chopped shallots, sweet rice wine, ground ginger, pressed garlic, sesame oil, salt & pepper.
Dumpling Ravioli Filling: cooked squash, potato flakes, grated Parmesan, finely chopped shallot, pressed garlic, nutmeg, salt & pepper.
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Friday, October 16, 2009
Watching Wild Things
This long week deserved a nice feel-good ending. I was supposed to be hanging out with my old friend Jill, but I was afraid to drive home late from her home as tired as I have been. The evening may have involved some libations. You remember me and my night blindness? Anyhoo, Tawny asked me to see a later showing of "Where the Wild Things Are", an adaptation of the children's book by Maurice Sendak.
During Comic-Con* in July, I had the pleasure of seeing a preview of the movie. Clips shown to us included behind the scenes and some of Sendak. All of this will probably appear on the DVD later.
Representing his movie at Comic-Con was the child actor, Max Records, who portrays a child who basically has a tantrum. He leaves his home wearing a wolf costume and ends up sailing to, you guess it, where the wild things are.
Max Records below on two jumbo screens.
I felt the same sense of wonder tonight as I did in July. The cinematography was breathtaking with the tight shots -- Spike Jonze (director) did an amazing job. You can really get the sense from a child's point of view. The special effects didn't smack you over the head either; the story stayed center stage.
Your AGOL highly recommends seeing this movie. Its simplicity is beautiful and heart-warming. When was the last time a movie told you a story without engaging you in too many complicated subplots and distracting special effects? Exactly.
*Yes, I know I owe you pics of celebrities and events of this portion of my vacation. Still thinking about it.
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During Comic-Con* in July, I had the pleasure of seeing a preview of the movie. Clips shown to us included behind the scenes and some of Sendak. All of this will probably appear on the DVD later.
Representing his movie at Comic-Con was the child actor, Max Records, who portrays a child who basically has a tantrum. He leaves his home wearing a wolf costume and ends up sailing to, you guess it, where the wild things are.
Max Records below on two jumbo screens.
I felt the same sense of wonder tonight as I did in July. The cinematography was breathtaking with the tight shots -- Spike Jonze (director) did an amazing job. You can really get the sense from a child's point of view. The special effects didn't smack you over the head either; the story stayed center stage.
Your AGOL highly recommends seeing this movie. Its simplicity is beautiful and heart-warming. When was the last time a movie told you a story without engaging you in too many complicated subplots and distracting special effects? Exactly.
*Yes, I know I owe you pics of celebrities and events of this portion of my vacation. Still thinking about it.
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Saturday, September 19, 2009
Sunny Somewhere
Very beary delicious brownie! You can create this beach scene, too, if you're pressed for an idea to bring for dessert and if you have a dose of baking insanity (aka Sprinkles Magic).
I brought this to Kristey's house last Saturday for an evening with her and Myrna. We also got to see her backyard beach and the tiki bar upgrade her husband made. They are officially ready for serious entertaining in their big yard.
Wouldn't you know it? Rain. We had to enjoy everything from the confines of her living room instead as the dark sky and continued precipitation discouraged any outdoor appreciation.
Luckily, these bears were there to remind us that is was sunny somewhere:
The beach sand was made with processed mini graham bear cookies (eek!) and those that survived the food processor were allowed to bask the indoor sun and enjoy the water made of blue tinted sugar gel. (Hint: Spread gel first before the sand - you'll thank me for it!) Their towels were cut from the bottoms of cupcake liners. You know my drink parasols had to be included as their umbrellas! The sand barriers in the back were mini stick pretzels lined against the cake. Underneath is a vanilla frosted fudgey (dense not cakey!) brownie cake.
More details...Notice the green decorating sugar near the pretzel sticks -- I needed "grass". Basking bears were stuck to the paper with a dot of white vanilla frosting. The floating rings in the blue gel were made of oval dollops of shimmering pink gel with the bears plunged in.
The girls laughed, took pictures and later we all had a sampling. I made them transfer parts of it in separate containers for themselves so I wasn't tempted at home.
Bringing you a smile and scenes of the sun,
Sprinkles
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I brought this to Kristey's house last Saturday for an evening with her and Myrna. We also got to see her backyard beach and the tiki bar upgrade her husband made. They are officially ready for serious entertaining in their big yard.
Wouldn't you know it? Rain. We had to enjoy everything from the confines of her living room instead as the dark sky and continued precipitation discouraged any outdoor appreciation.
Luckily, these bears were there to remind us that is was sunny somewhere:
The beach sand was made with processed mini graham bear cookies (eek!) and those that survived the food processor were allowed to bask the indoor sun and enjoy the water made of blue tinted sugar gel. (Hint: Spread gel first before the sand - you'll thank me for it!) Their towels were cut from the bottoms of cupcake liners. You know my drink parasols had to be included as their umbrellas! The sand barriers in the back were mini stick pretzels lined against the cake. Underneath is a vanilla frosted fudgey (dense not cakey!) brownie cake.
More details...Notice the green decorating sugar near the pretzel sticks -- I needed "grass". Basking bears were stuck to the paper with a dot of white vanilla frosting. The floating rings in the blue gel were made of oval dollops of shimmering pink gel with the bears plunged in.
The girls laughed, took pictures and later we all had a sampling. I made them transfer parts of it in separate containers for themselves so I wasn't tempted at home.
Bringing you a smile and scenes of the sun,
Sprinkles
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Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Date an Asian Man Video
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Soak Your Fallopian Tubes
Maybe it is good that I am not much of a drinker. With my brain cells taxed at work, I need to remember as much as I can. Ha! This weekend was the long-awaited "Soak Your Fallopian Tubes" weekend with Tawny and Kathy. Tawny was deserving of time away from everyone and Kathy needed some company while her man was in DC.
Friday...Got kicked out of work at 3pm so the movers could move our office with the rest of the clan in Tower Four. Drove home and did a few quick errands before picking up Tawny to make our way to Jacksonville while singing in the car. (Talk about dorks!) We arrived to wine and snackies before 9pm. The three of us polished off two bottles of wine before bedtime.
Saturday...Awoke early enough to enjoy delicious French Toast made by Kathy and jugs of coffee. Drove all over the city and ended up at Whole Foods where we had an incredible lunch. Shopping..More shopping which included a stop at an adult superstore for fun. We were home for a spell before heading back out to see "The Time Traveler's Wife". Tawny and I cried during the movie while Kathy endured. It was fun to watch a complete chick flick with my girlies. Eric Bana was hhhhhhhhhoooootttt !! Yowza. Stopped for veggie pizza and back for more wine and vodka.
This is what happened to the bottle of Riesling we were chilling on Friday night. We forgot about it and discovered a science experiment on Saturday. Pop! goes the freezer..
Yes, it was still drinkable. Hee.
Sunday...Late start. Kathy drove us to Cracker Barrel for a fortifying brunch. Around 3pm Tawny and I made our way back to Tampa. Getting back to a clean apartment and all the laundry done was great. It pays to scramble before a trip to get that all complete.
This is Kathy's dog Belka. She is attention seeking, loving and just adorable. I love her coloring. Her body is sleek. This is what she thought of us during the whole weekend when she'd tire of us. It is also what your AGOL did when she got home, only on the sofa.
Lessons Learned:
Friday...Got kicked out of work at 3pm so the movers could move our office with the rest of the clan in Tower Four. Drove home and did a few quick errands before picking up Tawny to make our way to Jacksonville while singing in the car. (Talk about dorks!) We arrived to wine and snackies before 9pm. The three of us polished off two bottles of wine before bedtime.
Saturday...Awoke early enough to enjoy delicious French Toast made by Kathy and jugs of coffee. Drove all over the city and ended up at Whole Foods where we had an incredible lunch. Shopping..More shopping which included a stop at an adult superstore for fun. We were home for a spell before heading back out to see "The Time Traveler's Wife". Tawny and I cried during the movie while Kathy endured. It was fun to watch a complete chick flick with my girlies. Eric Bana was hhhhhhhhhoooootttt !! Yowza. Stopped for veggie pizza and back for more wine and vodka.
This is what happened to the bottle of Riesling we were chilling on Friday night. We forgot about it and discovered a science experiment on Saturday. Pop! goes the freezer..
Yes, it was still drinkable. Hee.
Sunday...Late start. Kathy drove us to Cracker Barrel for a fortifying brunch. Around 3pm Tawny and I made our way back to Tampa. Getting back to a clean apartment and all the laundry done was great. It pays to scramble before a trip to get that all complete.
This is Kathy's dog Belka. She is attention seeking, loving and just adorable. I love her coloring. Her body is sleek. This is what she thought of us during the whole weekend when she'd tire of us. It is also what your AGOL did when she got home, only on the sofa.
Lessons Learned:
- Don't underestimate the power of being with your girlfriends and keeping in touch no matter what else is going on in your lives.
- Adult superstores have kinda lost their allure -- read as "Sprinkles is jaded".
- Sprinkles still can't hold her liquor. .
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Saturday, June 20, 2009
Hot and Cold
Feeling the artificial breeze move across the top sheet covering my body reminded me that I had a mission this morning. The air conditioning had gone on the fritz again yesterday. It wasn't blowing any cold air and indoors registered 82 degrees when I got home. By 8am today, the humidity had thickened within Chez Sprinklesville. Oppressive! A small oscillating fan I kept in the storage room outside moved with me from room to room lessening my discomfort.
I rushed through breakfast scarfing down cold cantaloupe pieces and a stick of cheese. The cloying warmth didn't encourage any cooking. A quick shower followed but I stopped myself from the instinctual urge to shampoo my hair. The last thing I wanted was to use a hot hair dryer on it and I refuse to go out with wet hair.
An hour after I visited the main office, one of the maintenance guys came to investigate. He soon discovered the problem outside - a burnt wire! Thank goddess it was easily rectified to bring back the cool in Chez Sprinklesville. When it was chilled enough I trekked to the other side of town to spend the afternoon and early evening at my aunt's.
I gave my uncle his Father's Day gift one day early (a rare bottled six-pack of San Miguel beer imported from the Philippines) and a humorous card filled with heart Sprinkles he had to dump out from his netbook. They scattered all over as he opened to read the card. Whoops!
............................................................
Sharing some pics...
Stuffed Bell Pepper with Rice and Kale. Two of these were perfect for lunch during the week.
This was done for instructional purposes only. Zucchini ribbons are a great alternative to pasta. These were too thin really to blanch for a minute or two. I should have eaten it raw with the hot tomato sauce I made. If you were to use a mandolin slicer or a vegetable peeler, you can get thicker and more firm ribbons to blanch and hold their shape better. I used a saladacco (spiral slicer) which can also be used to do spaghetti-style noodles.
Yes, I used chopsticks. I included the pic of my personal stash. Round chopsticks not square, mind you, are my preference.
AND THEN....(There is always an AND THEN, right?)
My eyes bore into the title and picture of this DVD at the craft supercenter during a trip with my aunt to today. What was the author thinking? Why did the producers allow this? Egads!
Just sayin'.
.
I rushed through breakfast scarfing down cold cantaloupe pieces and a stick of cheese. The cloying warmth didn't encourage any cooking. A quick shower followed but I stopped myself from the instinctual urge to shampoo my hair. The last thing I wanted was to use a hot hair dryer on it and I refuse to go out with wet hair.
An hour after I visited the main office, one of the maintenance guys came to investigate. He soon discovered the problem outside - a burnt wire! Thank goddess it was easily rectified to bring back the cool in Chez Sprinklesville. When it was chilled enough I trekked to the other side of town to spend the afternoon and early evening at my aunt's.
I gave my uncle his Father's Day gift one day early (a rare bottled six-pack of San Miguel beer imported from the Philippines) and a humorous card filled with heart Sprinkles he had to dump out from his netbook. They scattered all over as he opened to read the card. Whoops!
............................................................
Sharing some pics...
Stuffed Bell Pepper with Rice and Kale. Two of these were perfect for lunch during the week.
This was done for instructional purposes only. Zucchini ribbons are a great alternative to pasta. These were too thin really to blanch for a minute or two. I should have eaten it raw with the hot tomato sauce I made. If you were to use a mandolin slicer or a vegetable peeler, you can get thicker and more firm ribbons to blanch and hold their shape better. I used a saladacco (spiral slicer) which can also be used to do spaghetti-style noodles.
Yes, I used chopsticks. I included the pic of my personal stash. Round chopsticks not square, mind you, are my preference.
AND THEN....(There is always an AND THEN, right?)
My eyes bore into the title and picture of this DVD at the craft supercenter during a trip with my aunt to today. What was the author thinking? Why did the producers allow this? Egads!
Just sayin'.
.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
I Hate Popcorn...for Other Reasons
I actually love popcorn, but I can no longer eat more than 1/2 cup. To that end I avoid it completely. My body balks at its intrusion into my system. You may recall a trip to the emergency room and then doctor about a year ago. No repeats - no, thank you. Craving it when someone cooks a bag of it at work is no longer an issue. The shame of not being able to indulge in it during a movie theater outing has lessened, too.
This evening my enquiring mind led me to "How Stuff Works" website which is filled with fascinating information. It is pure joy to read their pages. Feels like drinking in words through my eyes and nourishing my mind. The added knowledge are like tiny electric flowers swaying and basking in the energy of my body. I love learning...until the small and galling hiccup in numbers 12 and 13 in Twenty Things You Didn't Know About Popcorn.
I recoiled and huffed when I read the following obscenities:
Perhaps I am bristling too much. Still. Damn kernels.
.
This evening my enquiring mind led me to "How Stuff Works" website which is filled with fascinating information. It is pure joy to read their pages. Feels like drinking in words through my eyes and nourishing my mind. The added knowledge are like tiny electric flowers swaying and basking in the energy of my body. I love learning...until the small and galling hiccup in numbers 12 and 13 in Twenty Things You Didn't Know About Popcorn.
I recoiled and huffed when I read the following obscenities:
12. Unpopped kernels are called "old maids" or "spinsters."
13. There are two possible explanations for old maids. The first is that they didn't contain sufficient moisture to create an explosion; the second is that their outer coating (the hull) was damaged, so that steam escaped gradually, rather than with a pop. Good popcorn should produce less than 2 percent old maids.
Perhaps I am bristling too much. Still. Damn kernels.
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Sunday, June 14, 2009
Still Sprinkles
While I enjoy living in Florida, there are two things you can count on during the summer, the rising heat from the blinding sun and the intense humidity that hangs around it like a lusty lover that cares for nothing else but merging with it. The product of that post coital bliss is left for us Floridians and visitors to bear from June to September.
Maybe it is the heat that has made my blogging sluggish? Truth be told -- I've started a few entries and never finished them. As you read I did keep some pics to remind me what I've been doing. Just about the time I get the inspiration to write again, a week has gone by and I decide to start over. After umpteenth attempt, let me catch up with you with some life lessons I've been reminded lately.
IKEA in Tampa opened the beginning of May. I was invited to go the first weekend it opened. The traffic was diverted and managed like that of a big sports event. The cult of IKEA was in full force. My pals and I survived the mad crush and later stopped at the art center and then for ice cream. The little girl [pictured below] ordered the most sugar laden ice cream and topping combination that was poured into this chocolate and sprinkle dipped waffle cone. Her enthusiasm reminded me the idealism of childhood and the joy that can be experienced when you allow yourself to live in the moment. Especially during the sweetest moments. (She is also going to be Tawny's future step granddaughter.)
A couple of weekends later had me attending my cousin Dave's kids' First Communion mass. My aunt and uncle had just arrived back the day before from their week-long cruise around the Caribbean and Virgin Islands. They remind me of what true love can be like as long as it is cherished and not taken for granted. Look how happy they are! While sitting one pew behind them, I noticed how they would find ways to touch each other and what made me really chuckle was when my aunt would sway her hips to left to lightly bump my uncle's right hip in a playful gesture during the hymns we sang standing up. I hope to rock like them in my 60s.
These custom made First Communion outfits came directly from the Philippines thanks to their mom's relatives still living there. I should have taken a picture of Kristen's hair from the back because it was really cute woven with silk ribbons and flowers. Carter in his traditional Filipino "Barong Tagalog" shirt was quite the little man. He read from scripture with a deliberate and thoughtful delivery. We all felt such pride in them both. I got to see them again the following weekend during Kristen's dance recital event at the performing arts center.
Two Fridays ago I took as a vacation day to just "chill" from the hectic work pace. Tawny and I hung out (rare moment!) most of the afternoon and joined me again later for dinner before we left to see her youngest son play at a bar several miles up the road. I hadn't seen the boys play in a couple of months. Their improvement was impressive. In fact, a touring band that played after them was horrible in comparison. Singing death metal incorrectly can make you sound like the Cookie Monster on meth. Really.
It was on to new worlds the next day. I drove 240 miles north to Jacksonville, Florida to visit Kathy and Jamie in their new home. Kathy advised me that it would take me about 3.5 hours to get there. Erm...uh...I made it in under 3 hours. My personal speed limit was mostly 80mph. I only slowed when I went through Orlando and a couple of rainy spots.
It was a fun change to get away from Tampa for a weekend and I missed Kathy a bunch. Within an hour of getting there, she took me to a tasty Filipino restaurant. With the exception of dessert items, there were only two things she could eat off the menu as a vegetarian. She still ate well and we went crazy on dessert. We worked it off by shopping a few hours.
In the evening we ended up at the movie theaters watching "Star Trek" with Jamie. He and I agreed ahead of time that I would explain things to Kathy during the movie if she had any questions. Kathy is not a trekkie even in the loose sense of the term. The movie was a lot of fun and the new Captain Kirk was rowrrr!
I drove back on Sunday afternoon accompanied by the Twilight series (vampire theme) audio books playing in my car. Listening to the first book made the drive back home pass magically. I am still listening to the first book to and from work creating a zen feeling. Being incredibly relaxed driving is a new sensation for sure.
Now to the present...This weekend was supposed to be my hermit weekend. Not so, said fate. Ant called me yesterday to invite me to lunch with his wife Becca and cutie pie son, Garrett at a German restaurant near me. He is such a good and flirty baby.
Tawny called me in the evening to go to the art center. They were hosting a small high school band that was going to do 80s covers. How could I say no? The band ended up being really entertaining. The kids were set up in the garage facing the street with amps, lighting and their instruments. The songs could be heard down the street and caused cars to pause as they drove by. When "What I Like About You" came on, I had no choice but to do an impromptu 80s style dance in the middle of the street in front of strangers. Tawny, my ultra cool pal, joined me while her husband embarrassed by our antics retreated back inside the art gallery. We laughed in response.
I am about to make some stuffed zucchini using seasoned vegetarian crumbles, brown rice, red dal and sweet potato. I will also make some stuffed red peppers with kale, brown rice and my special tomato sauce I have already cooked and reduced. These will be my lunches these week. Cooking and freezing whole foods versus paying more for processed junk or buying junk is more in line with what I am trying to achieve. My goals are of increasing fiber, nutritive values and lowering meat intake. It is a delicious time all the way!
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Maybe it is the heat that has made my blogging sluggish? Truth be told -- I've started a few entries and never finished them. As you read I did keep some pics to remind me what I've been doing. Just about the time I get the inspiration to write again, a week has gone by and I decide to start over. After umpteenth attempt, let me catch up with you with some life lessons I've been reminded lately.
IKEA in Tampa opened the beginning of May. I was invited to go the first weekend it opened. The traffic was diverted and managed like that of a big sports event. The cult of IKEA was in full force. My pals and I survived the mad crush and later stopped at the art center and then for ice cream. The little girl [pictured below] ordered the most sugar laden ice cream and topping combination that was poured into this chocolate and sprinkle dipped waffle cone. Her enthusiasm reminded me the idealism of childhood and the joy that can be experienced when you allow yourself to live in the moment. Especially during the sweetest moments. (She is also going to be Tawny's future step granddaughter.)
A couple of weekends later had me attending my cousin Dave's kids' First Communion mass. My aunt and uncle had just arrived back the day before from their week-long cruise around the Caribbean and Virgin Islands. They remind me of what true love can be like as long as it is cherished and not taken for granted. Look how happy they are! While sitting one pew behind them, I noticed how they would find ways to touch each other and what made me really chuckle was when my aunt would sway her hips to left to lightly bump my uncle's right hip in a playful gesture during the hymns we sang standing up. I hope to rock like them in my 60s.
These custom made First Communion outfits came directly from the Philippines thanks to their mom's relatives still living there. I should have taken a picture of Kristen's hair from the back because it was really cute woven with silk ribbons and flowers. Carter in his traditional Filipino "Barong Tagalog" shirt was quite the little man. He read from scripture with a deliberate and thoughtful delivery. We all felt such pride in them both. I got to see them again the following weekend during Kristen's dance recital event at the performing arts center.
Two Fridays ago I took as a vacation day to just "chill" from the hectic work pace. Tawny and I hung out (rare moment!) most of the afternoon and joined me again later for dinner before we left to see her youngest son play at a bar several miles up the road. I hadn't seen the boys play in a couple of months. Their improvement was impressive. In fact, a touring band that played after them was horrible in comparison. Singing death metal incorrectly can make you sound like the Cookie Monster on meth. Really.
It was on to new worlds the next day. I drove 240 miles north to Jacksonville, Florida to visit Kathy and Jamie in their new home. Kathy advised me that it would take me about 3.5 hours to get there. Erm...uh...I made it in under 3 hours. My personal speed limit was mostly 80mph. I only slowed when I went through Orlando and a couple of rainy spots.
It was a fun change to get away from Tampa for a weekend and I missed Kathy a bunch. Within an hour of getting there, she took me to a tasty Filipino restaurant. With the exception of dessert items, there were only two things she could eat off the menu as a vegetarian. She still ate well and we went crazy on dessert. We worked it off by shopping a few hours.
In the evening we ended up at the movie theaters watching "Star Trek" with Jamie. He and I agreed ahead of time that I would explain things to Kathy during the movie if she had any questions. Kathy is not a trekkie even in the loose sense of the term. The movie was a lot of fun and the new Captain Kirk was rowrrr!
I drove back on Sunday afternoon accompanied by the Twilight series (vampire theme) audio books playing in my car. Listening to the first book made the drive back home pass magically. I am still listening to the first book to and from work creating a zen feeling. Being incredibly relaxed driving is a new sensation for sure.
Now to the present...This weekend was supposed to be my hermit weekend. Not so, said fate. Ant called me yesterday to invite me to lunch with his wife Becca and cutie pie son, Garrett at a German restaurant near me. He is such a good and flirty baby.
Tawny called me in the evening to go to the art center. They were hosting a small high school band that was going to do 80s covers. How could I say no? The band ended up being really entertaining. The kids were set up in the garage facing the street with amps, lighting and their instruments. The songs could be heard down the street and caused cars to pause as they drove by. When "What I Like About You" came on, I had no choice but to do an impromptu 80s style dance in the middle of the street in front of strangers. Tawny, my ultra cool pal, joined me while her husband embarrassed by our antics retreated back inside the art gallery. We laughed in response.
I am about to make some stuffed zucchini using seasoned vegetarian crumbles, brown rice, red dal and sweet potato. I will also make some stuffed red peppers with kale, brown rice and my special tomato sauce I have already cooked and reduced. These will be my lunches these week. Cooking and freezing whole foods versus paying more for processed junk or buying junk is more in line with what I am trying to achieve. My goals are of increasing fiber, nutritive values and lowering meat intake. It is a delicious time all the way!
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Sunday, May 17, 2009
Rediscovered...DISEDERATA
Happy Sunday, my lovelies! It is with great joy that I rediscovered Disederata* this morning. Reading it again with fresh eyes and a more experienced soul gives me a "soul hug" for my new appreciation. (My favorite part is in bold.)
Before you begin reading, I give you another pic from EPCOT for your visual "soul hug"...
DESIDERATA
by Max Ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
*Desiderata is Latin for "Things to be Desired."
XOXO,
Sprinkles
.
Before you begin reading, I give you another pic from EPCOT for your visual "soul hug"...
DESIDERATA
by Max Ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
*Desiderata is Latin for "Things to be Desired."
XOXO,
Sprinkles
.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
EPCOT Pictorial
Two days prior we were experiencing another reduction in force nationwide. I started to feel peculiar because my emotions were not tied to the people getting laid off, even the ones I knew. Some sadness was there, but mostly I felt numb. We've let go of hundreds of people nationwide in the last year and a half. What was another few hundred? I was thankful I could escape today to help celebrate my friend Myrna's 47th birthday at a Disney park: EPCOT.
Months ago we decided we would attend the Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT. We would go on her birthday so she could get in free with advance registration. This has got to be one of the best thing's Disney has implemented. The celebrant also receives a giant pin with Happy Birthday and their name written on the pin. I would say that about 90% of the employees we encountered wished Myrna a happy birthday during our trek around the park.
Myrna was greeted at my the door with brownie cake I made sporting several lit candles. The running joke is that there were several years I was not advancing Myrna's age when her birthday came around. She was turning 42 when we met. Something like, "You're turning 42, right?" would escape me every year. This is the first year I am acknowledging that she is 47.
We had breakfast on the way to Orlando and after the 45-minute drive, we were soon ogling all the topiaries and bright colors offered for the festival.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
The icon of EPCOT: Spaceship Earth which contains a ride that take you from the dinosaur age to computers, showing how technology has evolved in the world. I could've sworn it was Dame Judy Dench narrating the exhibit.
I love this pattern. Hmm..How many sides are there?
Three ostrich looking mighty fine.
Lady and the Tramp! So cute.
Bromeliad Dragon: This was in front of the China exhibit. The colors are stunning.
Just a view of the dozens of gardens showcased in the event.
Fleur-de-lys in the France exhibit.
Bulletins pasted on a column -- also in the France exhibit.
Sleeping Beauty (aka Princess Aurora) was one of the many characters walking around greeting guests and available for photo opportunities like this with a young visitor.
A scary troll topiary in front of the Norway exhibit.
If you've seen the movie Finding Nemo then you'll recognize these characters.
Beauty and the Beast
This is a great pic of Cinderella in front of Spaceship Earth.
I was teasing Myrna that Cinderella had been waiting for her prince so long that she grew moss.
We arrived at my apartment safe and sound not to mention tired! I had to work the next day and Myrna had to hurry home to her husband and celebrate what was left of her day. I went to bed dreaming of gardens and mossy princes. Ha.
Months ago we decided we would attend the Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT. We would go on her birthday so she could get in free with advance registration. This has got to be one of the best thing's Disney has implemented. The celebrant also receives a giant pin with Happy Birthday and their name written on the pin. I would say that about 90% of the employees we encountered wished Myrna a happy birthday during our trek around the park.
Myrna was greeted at my the door with brownie cake I made sporting several lit candles. The running joke is that there were several years I was not advancing Myrna's age when her birthday came around. She was turning 42 when we met. Something like, "You're turning 42, right?" would escape me every year. This is the first year I am acknowledging that she is 47.
We had breakfast on the way to Orlando and after the 45-minute drive, we were soon ogling all the topiaries and bright colors offered for the festival.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
The icon of EPCOT: Spaceship Earth which contains a ride that take you from the dinosaur age to computers, showing how technology has evolved in the world. I could've sworn it was Dame Judy Dench narrating the exhibit.
I love this pattern. Hmm..How many sides are there?
Three ostrich looking mighty fine.
Lady and the Tramp! So cute.
Bromeliad Dragon: This was in front of the China exhibit. The colors are stunning.
Just a view of the dozens of gardens showcased in the event.
Fleur-de-lys in the France exhibit.
Bulletins pasted on a column -- also in the France exhibit.
Sleeping Beauty (aka Princess Aurora) was one of the many characters walking around greeting guests and available for photo opportunities like this with a young visitor.
A scary troll topiary in front of the Norway exhibit.
If you've seen the movie Finding Nemo then you'll recognize these characters.
Beauty and the Beast
This is a great pic of Cinderella in front of Spaceship Earth.
I was teasing Myrna that Cinderella had been waiting for her prince so long that she grew moss.
We arrived at my apartment safe and sound not to mention tired! I had to work the next day and Myrna had to hurry home to her husband and celebrate what was left of her day. I went to bed dreaming of gardens and mossy princes. Ha.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Floaty and Fruity
My boss has been laughing at me. Every time he turns the corner of my cube wall to come to my desk, he never knows what kind of Asian freaky food or whatnot he will be greeted with each day. I like to keep him on his toes. What made him really investigate was a jug of flavored water I started bring in to take the place of my moratorium on coffee.
There was recent TV coverage on a college in Minnesota encouraging their students to drink more water in lieu of drinking colas in their lunchrooms. They introduced a colorful water bar of clear urns filled with filtered water, ice and sliced fruit. The students are now drinking 150 gallons of water a day.
The Inspiration...
Well, I remembered a similar thing in the Philippines where we would grate cantaloupe to mix with ice, water and sugar to make a flavored drink during the summers. I decided to take that happy memory and recreate it for work. My goal is to successfully drink 3 liters of water a day (via flavored filtered water and hot jasmine green tea). My increase in sleep precludes me from using coffee as a crutch to jumpstart me in the morning. Besides my coffee intake throughout the day was easily an extra 800 calories a day with the cream and table sugar. Now I don't have to add sugar to my drinks and if I do, a packet or two of Splenda is fine. Instead of grating the fruit, I am cutting them into chunks so I can have them for a snack when the water has run out. Clever, eh?
The Result...Cantaloupe and Watermelon Infused Waters
Two Fridays in a row I have gotten home very late from being at the art center after work. I worked as a bartender during the swing/jazz band concert last Friday and hung out with my buddies this Friday. Once I shower and ready for bed about 1.5 hours later, it is around 2:30am on Saturday. My bladder wakes me up around 6am and my body decides it doesn't have a care by going back to sleep until between 1-2pm. I KNOW! Crazy isn't it?
I shopped at the Asian store this afternoon for fresh produce which I've already prepared for my lettuce wraps tomorrow. I've sliced into thin strips cucumber, zucchini, carrots, broccoli, scallions and snowpeas. I will arrange some on a Boston or bibb lettuce leaf, top with bean sprouts and some hoisin sauce I watered down just a bit to drizzle easier. Roll everything up in the lettuce and you have my version of an Asian lettuce wrap. The hoisin sauce makes it extra yummy.
I will leave you my breakfast pear to ponder. This always happens when I use the apple slicer on my pears. It's like a flower with a...a..stem! Yes, that's it. Wink!
Fruit Bloom
.
There was recent TV coverage on a college in Minnesota encouraging their students to drink more water in lieu of drinking colas in their lunchrooms. They introduced a colorful water bar of clear urns filled with filtered water, ice and sliced fruit. The students are now drinking 150 gallons of water a day.
The Inspiration...
Well, I remembered a similar thing in the Philippines where we would grate cantaloupe to mix with ice, water and sugar to make a flavored drink during the summers. I decided to take that happy memory and recreate it for work. My goal is to successfully drink 3 liters of water a day (via flavored filtered water and hot jasmine green tea). My increase in sleep precludes me from using coffee as a crutch to jumpstart me in the morning. Besides my coffee intake throughout the day was easily an extra 800 calories a day with the cream and table sugar. Now I don't have to add sugar to my drinks and if I do, a packet or two of Splenda is fine. Instead of grating the fruit, I am cutting them into chunks so I can have them for a snack when the water has run out. Clever, eh?
The Result...Cantaloupe and Watermelon Infused Waters
Two Fridays in a row I have gotten home very late from being at the art center after work. I worked as a bartender during the swing/jazz band concert last Friday and hung out with my buddies this Friday. Once I shower and ready for bed about 1.5 hours later, it is around 2:30am on Saturday. My bladder wakes me up around 6am and my body decides it doesn't have a care by going back to sleep until between 1-2pm. I KNOW! Crazy isn't it?
I shopped at the Asian store this afternoon for fresh produce which I've already prepared for my lettuce wraps tomorrow. I've sliced into thin strips cucumber, zucchini, carrots, broccoli, scallions and snowpeas. I will arrange some on a Boston or bibb lettuce leaf, top with bean sprouts and some hoisin sauce I watered down just a bit to drizzle easier. Roll everything up in the lettuce and you have my version of an Asian lettuce wrap. The hoisin sauce makes it extra yummy.
I will leave you my breakfast pear to ponder. This always happens when I use the apple slicer on my pears. It's like a flower with a...a..stem! Yes, that's it. Wink!
Fruit Bloom
.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
And AGOL Created Many Suns...
Hey Everybody! Just quickly checking in when I should be sleeping. This is the third night in a row I have been up late. The first two were spent creating pins out of polymer clay. Here's the process if you're so inclined to be insane:
1) Roll clay in sheets using dedicated non-food pasta machine. Repeat a few times.
2) Fold clay and press together to desired thickness.
3) Stamp clay with image.
4) Trim excess clay. [Ouch..cut myself with clay blade.]
5) Bake clay and then let cool. [Ouch..burned myself.]
6) Paint clay using acrylic paint and dry.
7) Rub metallic rub-on paint on stamped image. [No fingerprint left!]
8) Spray two coats of gloss sealer, letting dry in between. [Try not to get high on fumes...]
9) Adhere pinback using extremely strong glue [...without sticking your fingers together. Eek!]
I left the task of putting them into small cello bags and sealing with them with thin metallic ribbon to my project partner Sharon. What's all the fuss? Today is "Take Your Son/Daughter to Work Day" and we will be handing them out to the kids who are participating. There are about 30. I decided that Sharon and I could tout ourselves as Smile Ambassadors and talk about maintaining a positive attitude at work and they, too, could be Smile Ambassadors for the day by wearing the pin. I know -- you're getting cavities.
Photos taken from my cellphone camera - pardon the quality...
Tonight I completed my mid-year review while dyeing a pair of pants black again. Thanks to my obsession with detergent, they have grayed a bit. This is one of the little issues that plague the AGOL. Sigh.
I've been desperate to post so here it is for now... Did I mention the "passports" I designed for the kids to take with them throughout the day to be filled with stickers and stamps from the speakers/classes? Nites.. xxoo
.
1) Roll clay in sheets using dedicated non-food pasta machine. Repeat a few times.
2) Fold clay and press together to desired thickness.
3) Stamp clay with image.
4) Trim excess clay. [Ouch..cut myself with clay blade.]
5) Bake clay and then let cool. [Ouch..burned myself.]
6) Paint clay using acrylic paint and dry.
7) Rub metallic rub-on paint on stamped image. [No fingerprint left!]
8) Spray two coats of gloss sealer, letting dry in between. [Try not to get high on fumes...]
9) Adhere pinback using extremely strong glue [...without sticking your fingers together. Eek!]
I left the task of putting them into small cello bags and sealing with them with thin metallic ribbon to my project partner Sharon. What's all the fuss? Today is "Take Your Son/Daughter to Work Day" and we will be handing them out to the kids who are participating. There are about 30. I decided that Sharon and I could tout ourselves as Smile Ambassadors and talk about maintaining a positive attitude at work and they, too, could be Smile Ambassadors for the day by wearing the pin. I know -- you're getting cavities.
Photos taken from my cellphone camera - pardon the quality...
Tonight I completed my mid-year review while dyeing a pair of pants black again. Thanks to my obsession with detergent, they have grayed a bit. This is one of the little issues that plague the AGOL. Sigh.
I've been desperate to post so here it is for now... Did I mention the "passports" I designed for the kids to take with them throughout the day to be filled with stickers and stamps from the speakers/classes? Nites.. xxoo
.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Talisman
This morning had me remembering a childhood habit of making the sign of the cross right before I left the house for school. It is a Catholic thing, I guess -- maybe more of a thing to keep your safety in mind as you move through the world.
I was trying to think of what I would do since I no longer believe in making the sign of the cross, not with the true conviction of a believer or the 10 year old child I once was so long ago. Don't get me wrong, I believe in a Higher Power. I just don't believe in a middle-person between me and my Source...
The reason for my dilemma was that I was leaving the sanctuary of my apartment for the first time since Friday night. I had spent a majority of the day and good part of the evening at my aunt's helping her with her new Cricut craft gadget I mentioned in a previous post. Work was not too far from the day either. I logged in the morning before I left and late afternoon to give my approvals for requests in the afternoon. No, it was not a full day off.
Any plans I had for the weekend I scrapped in lieu of getting more sleep, doing chores and achieving peace. It worked and was in danger of getting disrupted yesterday when I ran out of ingredients to make good food. I was saved by a quick order from a national pizza delivery chain. Thirty minutes later, I was enjoying my veggie pizza. My Chinese place doesn't deliver and I wasn't about to leave my apartment to break the peaceful spell.
So what did I use or do when I left the house today? Star Trek. Okay, not quite. I just used the words "shields up" before I walked out. Like in most anything in the world, the only thing that can protect you is you. Your luck is not improved by things like a rabbit's foot or by not stepping on a crack. In today's case other people's energies didn't bother me as it normally would after a long weekend without physical human contact. People who normally suck the life energy out of me to catch up on weekend happenings never materialized or stayed long. Only you can attract the universal forces that can keep you safe.
I am my talisman.
.
I was trying to think of what I would do since I no longer believe in making the sign of the cross, not with the true conviction of a believer or the 10 year old child I once was so long ago. Don't get me wrong, I believe in a Higher Power. I just don't believe in a middle-person between me and my Source...
The reason for my dilemma was that I was leaving the sanctuary of my apartment for the first time since Friday night. I had spent a majority of the day and good part of the evening at my aunt's helping her with her new Cricut craft gadget I mentioned in a previous post. Work was not too far from the day either. I logged in the morning before I left and late afternoon to give my approvals for requests in the afternoon. No, it was not a full day off.
Any plans I had for the weekend I scrapped in lieu of getting more sleep, doing chores and achieving peace. It worked and was in danger of getting disrupted yesterday when I ran out of ingredients to make good food. I was saved by a quick order from a national pizza delivery chain. Thirty minutes later, I was enjoying my veggie pizza. My Chinese place doesn't deliver and I wasn't about to leave my apartment to break the peaceful spell.
So what did I use or do when I left the house today? Star Trek. Okay, not quite. I just used the words "shields up" before I walked out. Like in most anything in the world, the only thing that can protect you is you. Your luck is not improved by things like a rabbit's foot or by not stepping on a crack. In today's case other people's energies didn't bother me as it normally would after a long weekend without physical human contact. People who normally suck the life energy out of me to catch up on weekend happenings never materialized or stayed long. Only you can attract the universal forces that can keep you safe.
I am my talisman.
.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Days That Don't Begin with S
I am breaking my bedtime by posting. Naughty Sprinkles.
It was supposed to be my day off. Relax, sleep in late and spend time with Tawny. My co-conspirator at work, Bridget, was already scheduled to take Monday and Tuesday off to extend a long weekend with her son. He was sick last Friday and then she caught the bug. She was still sick yesterday and was asked to work from home today so she wouldn't spread her cooties before my boss left for his vacation tomorrow. I had no choice but to show up in case she couldn't work at all. Just as well, Tawny had to accompany her husband to his medical tests all day.
Sacrificing a scheduled day off to put back in my vacation bank is not necessarily worth not taking the time off. I need it; however, my sense of duty of doing what is right reared its stupid head yesterday and today! Looks like I may have to tell my aunt tomorrow that I may not be preparing our lunch with her and we may need to postpone our project until the evening. Bridget will text me tomorrow morning to let me know how much involvement may be required of me. At the very least, I will have my laptop with me and if need be, I would be 20 minutes away from work.
Sometimes I feel other people are taking huge blocks of time off but me. I have been taking one or two days here and there. Look, not asking for your sympathy -- this blog is also my mental therapy to dump what is on my mind...
My old chum Sam called me this evening to ask if I had visited our high school reunion site. The e-mail notice for our 20-year reunion had come weeks before but I had not formally checked it out. It is set to take place in Wyoming the weekend after I get back from Los Angeles in July. We'll see. Even though I was one of the most active students at school with clubs and events, there are only a handful of people I am interested in speaking with and catching up. I already have those people in my facebook and cell phone. Does that sound bad?
I lived in a place where mediocrity thrived and uniqueness and being exotic was "different". If Sam is anything to go by, not much has changed. Do others feel this way? I know my friends feel this way about where they grew up. Are we unique in our feelings? or just feel that way within our circle? Not many of my friends followed what was expected of them, other than being productive and loving citizens. They are also creative and innovative. The talent pool they represent barely swum thanks to life's interruptions like marriage and children. That's another post.
What I'm trying to say is that I am tired and I want days off or vacation days on days that don't begin with S.
[Yes, I am long-winded!
:::sticking my tongue out:::
to Angie and Tawny]
.
It was supposed to be my day off. Relax, sleep in late and spend time with Tawny. My co-conspirator at work, Bridget, was already scheduled to take Monday and Tuesday off to extend a long weekend with her son. He was sick last Friday and then she caught the bug. She was still sick yesterday and was asked to work from home today so she wouldn't spread her cooties before my boss left for his vacation tomorrow. I had no choice but to show up in case she couldn't work at all. Just as well, Tawny had to accompany her husband to his medical tests all day.
Sacrificing a scheduled day off to put back in my vacation bank is not necessarily worth not taking the time off. I need it; however, my sense of duty of doing what is right reared its stupid head yesterday and today! Looks like I may have to tell my aunt tomorrow that I may not be preparing our lunch with her and we may need to postpone our project until the evening. Bridget will text me tomorrow morning to let me know how much involvement may be required of me. At the very least, I will have my laptop with me and if need be, I would be 20 minutes away from work.
Sometimes I feel other people are taking huge blocks of time off but me. I have been taking one or two days here and there. Look, not asking for your sympathy -- this blog is also my mental therapy to dump what is on my mind...
My old chum Sam called me this evening to ask if I had visited our high school reunion site. The e-mail notice for our 20-year reunion had come weeks before but I had not formally checked it out. It is set to take place in Wyoming the weekend after I get back from Los Angeles in July. We'll see. Even though I was one of the most active students at school with clubs and events, there are only a handful of people I am interested in speaking with and catching up. I already have those people in my facebook and cell phone. Does that sound bad?
I lived in a place where mediocrity thrived and uniqueness and being exotic was "different". If Sam is anything to go by, not much has changed. Do others feel this way? I know my friends feel this way about where they grew up. Are we unique in our feelings? or just feel that way within our circle? Not many of my friends followed what was expected of them, other than being productive and loving citizens. They are also creative and innovative. The talent pool they represent barely swum thanks to life's interruptions like marriage and children. That's another post.
What I'm trying to say is that I am tired and I want days off or vacation days on days that don't begin with S.
[Yes, I am long-winded!
:::sticking my tongue out:::
to Angie and Tawny]
.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Ciao Sprinkles
It wasn't Chicago Italian, but it was still a good time with good eats. Sharon and I meandered around the Festa Italiana in Tampa today. The gods on Vesuvius were also generous by arranging the rain to move away by the time the festa was in full swing.
A hearty "salut" and a toast of our plastic flutes filled with a nice slice of fresh peach, chilled peach puree and sparkling prosecco for the famous Italian cocktail Bellini christened our day. We received quite a few queries along our trek around the park where we bought the colorful drinks.
The park swelled with guests as the hours wore on making standing in line for the different vendors and moving around a challenge. Sharon and I shared a dish sample from several vendors so we could get a good taste of more instead of filling up on fewer items. We ended the feast with cannolis from a local bakery known for good food and one more Bellini each. There were still a few hours left and we could have stayed for more of the entertainment, but we were full from food and the heat was pressing on us not to mention the humidity from the light storm in the morning.
We walked a couple blocks to the art center to see the building and Tawny, but Tawny was doing a beer and wine run for their evening event. Her husband Jeff was present making final arrangements for the event. A quick tour and some hanging around wound us down. We were both ready for a nap. I dropped Sharon off at work where I picked her up earlier for our meet-up.
The nap never materialized thanks to me fiddling online with e-mails and this blog. I spoke to my aunt and then later her daughter Angie in LA...It is 9:23pm and I am still wired from a second surge of energy. Sipping warm jasmine tea isn't helping me that much. I know I have to be in bed soon to continue my commitment to getting more sleep. It is a conscious effort each evening and I keep that effort as it has become paramount to my goal. I try to keep the lights low in the evening so that my body starts to produce melatonin to signal sleep. Are you laughing? It is funny. Honeys, if I don't approach this scientifically, I am not going to be as successful. At least, that's what I tell myself.
.
A hearty "salut" and a toast of our plastic flutes filled with a nice slice of fresh peach, chilled peach puree and sparkling prosecco for the famous Italian cocktail Bellini christened our day. We received quite a few queries along our trek around the park where we bought the colorful drinks.
The park swelled with guests as the hours wore on making standing in line for the different vendors and moving around a challenge. Sharon and I shared a dish sample from several vendors so we could get a good taste of more instead of filling up on fewer items. We ended the feast with cannolis from a local bakery known for good food and one more Bellini each. There were still a few hours left and we could have stayed for more of the entertainment, but we were full from food and the heat was pressing on us not to mention the humidity from the light storm in the morning.
We walked a couple blocks to the art center to see the building and Tawny, but Tawny was doing a beer and wine run for their evening event. Her husband Jeff was present making final arrangements for the event. A quick tour and some hanging around wound us down. We were both ready for a nap. I dropped Sharon off at work where I picked her up earlier for our meet-up.
The nap never materialized thanks to me fiddling online with e-mails and this blog. I spoke to my aunt and then later her daughter Angie in LA...It is 9:23pm and I am still wired from a second surge of energy. Sipping warm jasmine tea isn't helping me that much. I know I have to be in bed soon to continue my commitment to getting more sleep. It is a conscious effort each evening and I keep that effort as it has become paramount to my goal. I try to keep the lights low in the evening so that my body starts to produce melatonin to signal sleep. Are you laughing? It is funny. Honeys, if I don't approach this scientifically, I am not going to be as successful. At least, that's what I tell myself.
.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Footloose and Fancy Free
I cannot believe how fast last week flew by. It was my plan to update midweek. My workload in the office had other plans for me. I've been simply too preoccupied. No, not too busy to have fun. I am working my way to enjoying being footloose and fancy free...
You may recall my nonexistent sleep patterns or just plain lack of sleep. With Cabal no longer waking me up early, my sleep habits have dramatically improved. I am able to sleep six hours on any given night. I am working my way to 7-8 hours. My goal is to decrease cortisol levels (stress hormone) and increase natural production of human growth hormone to help with physical repair of the body from working out, etc. All in all it is to help me feel less stress and more happy. So far, so good.
Last weekend I spent with part of my Asian Mafia lunch bunch. Sharon was the designated driver for her visiting friend Michael, Kim and me. It started out with a couple of hours of sushi/sashimi/sake action followed by an unexpected stop at an Irish Bar where I had a nice cold Guinness. (Of course, the chickie did not know how to pour the thing. There IS a science to it. SIGH.) Why the stop? We were too early for the wine tasting party. Ha!
The wine tasting...Let's just say thank goddess there was food because we tasted almost two dozen wines. The hostess' home was full of people and our group was in a hurry for our next adventure of the evening. Those two combinations had us rushing through the blind taste test. There was no swishing, sniffing or ooh'ing/aah'ing. Either you liked it or you didn't. My peeps were in a corner while I brought each wine to pour and sip for immediate judgement. Your AGOL doesn't mess around when there is a schedule to follow.
We drove miles back for Korean Karaoke after our quick exit from the wine tasting. We moved to beer and cold sake. We had so much fun singing and carrying on. The poor manager downstairs had been ready to close up until we came in. It wasn't a long stay. Kim had to be dropped off home and Sharon wanted to stop at one more bar to see what it was like inside. Those deeds done, the three of us retired to Michael's suite where he had plenty of room for us crazy girls. Get yer minds outta the gutter! There were two double beds and one pull out sofa bed. It was arranged before the evening started.
I was dressed and ready to go before my suite mates in the morning. Less than 45 minutes after, we checked out and made our way for breakfast at a very casual family restaurant. Racy jokes and innuendos were traded in between bites of pancakes, eggs and sausage. The jokes continued when there was a young gal making balloon animals for kiddies in exchange for tips. I had a flower made, but she could barely get through it from laughing with us. The rest of that Sunday seemed blah in comparison. Of course, I didn't quite remember as I slept the day away later in the afternoon.
Fast forward to today. I spent it with my cousin's daughter Kristen after picking her up from her dance class. In my attempt to expand her horizon as a "cool auntie", we had lunch at Acropolis in Ybor which is the sister restaurant to the one by me. My little dolly surprised me by mentioning she liked squid so we had their Greek version of calamari. I also asked the waiter to get a small sampling of the lamb used for the gyro sandwiches so she could try it first. Kristen liked the lamb. After fighting over the "squigglies" (tentacles), we chowed down our gyro sandwiches. It was an enjoyable dining experience with a 10-year old.
The other cool thing we get to do together is some form of art. We about badgered Tawny to let us play with her Cricut machine which can custom cut pre-programmed shapes and letters like the one below. My aunt has one which I know I will have to show her how to operate later this week.
The word love was done in white vellum and the heart in regular red cardstock. The flash wasn't on the camera and it still amazingly produced an interesting picture.
After cutting shapes, I asked Tawny if she could get her beads out and show Kristen how to layout/design her own necklace and have her thread it herself. Twenty minutes later a new souvenir from our outing was hanging around Kristen's neck. How she loves creating art! The little minx is also realizing through conversations that I have boxes and bins of art supplies in my apartment so I guess I will have to let her play with my stuff during our next outing. I've got until early May.
At this very moment I feel that the world is my oyster. I have a clean slate. No attachments and no immediate worries. No, I am not getting a puppy anytime soon despite begging from an adorable 10-year old girl. Let's just see what I can find around the corner now that I have more freedom to plan and to truly play again.
.
You may recall my nonexistent sleep patterns or just plain lack of sleep. With Cabal no longer waking me up early, my sleep habits have dramatically improved. I am able to sleep six hours on any given night. I am working my way to 7-8 hours. My goal is to decrease cortisol levels (stress hormone) and increase natural production of human growth hormone to help with physical repair of the body from working out, etc. All in all it is to help me feel less stress and more happy. So far, so good.
Last weekend I spent with part of my Asian Mafia lunch bunch. Sharon was the designated driver for her visiting friend Michael, Kim and me. It started out with a couple of hours of sushi/sashimi/sake action followed by an unexpected stop at an Irish Bar where I had a nice cold Guinness. (Of course, the chickie did not know how to pour the thing. There IS a science to it. SIGH.) Why the stop? We were too early for the wine tasting party. Ha!
The wine tasting...Let's just say thank goddess there was food because we tasted almost two dozen wines. The hostess' home was full of people and our group was in a hurry for our next adventure of the evening. Those two combinations had us rushing through the blind taste test. There was no swishing, sniffing or ooh'ing/aah'ing. Either you liked it or you didn't. My peeps were in a corner while I brought each wine to pour and sip for immediate judgement. Your AGOL doesn't mess around when there is a schedule to follow.
We drove miles back for Korean Karaoke after our quick exit from the wine tasting. We moved to beer and cold sake. We had so much fun singing and carrying on. The poor manager downstairs had been ready to close up until we came in. It wasn't a long stay. Kim had to be dropped off home and Sharon wanted to stop at one more bar to see what it was like inside. Those deeds done, the three of us retired to Michael's suite where he had plenty of room for us crazy girls. Get yer minds outta the gutter! There were two double beds and one pull out sofa bed. It was arranged before the evening started.
I was dressed and ready to go before my suite mates in the morning. Less than 45 minutes after, we checked out and made our way for breakfast at a very casual family restaurant. Racy jokes and innuendos were traded in between bites of pancakes, eggs and sausage. The jokes continued when there was a young gal making balloon animals for kiddies in exchange for tips. I had a flower made, but she could barely get through it from laughing with us. The rest of that Sunday seemed blah in comparison. Of course, I didn't quite remember as I slept the day away later in the afternoon.
Fast forward to today. I spent it with my cousin's daughter Kristen after picking her up from her dance class. In my attempt to expand her horizon as a "cool auntie", we had lunch at Acropolis in Ybor which is the sister restaurant to the one by me. My little dolly surprised me by mentioning she liked squid so we had their Greek version of calamari. I also asked the waiter to get a small sampling of the lamb used for the gyro sandwiches so she could try it first. Kristen liked the lamb. After fighting over the "squigglies" (tentacles), we chowed down our gyro sandwiches. It was an enjoyable dining experience with a 10-year old.
The other cool thing we get to do together is some form of art. We about badgered Tawny to let us play with her Cricut machine which can custom cut pre-programmed shapes and letters like the one below. My aunt has one which I know I will have to show her how to operate later this week.
The word love was done in white vellum and the heart in regular red cardstock. The flash wasn't on the camera and it still amazingly produced an interesting picture.
After cutting shapes, I asked Tawny if she could get her beads out and show Kristen how to layout/design her own necklace and have her thread it herself. Twenty minutes later a new souvenir from our outing was hanging around Kristen's neck. How she loves creating art! The little minx is also realizing through conversations that I have boxes and bins of art supplies in my apartment so I guess I will have to let her play with my stuff during our next outing. I've got until early May.
At this very moment I feel that the world is my oyster. I have a clean slate. No attachments and no immediate worries. No, I am not getting a puppy anytime soon despite begging from an adorable 10-year old girl. Let's just see what I can find around the corner now that I have more freedom to plan and to truly play again.
.
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