Oh the Gingerbread House

Since traditions are an obsession of mine, Zac and I started one this Sunday; gingerbread house decorating. Growing up, I don't remember ever making gingerbread houses until my brother became a cubscout and one of his activities was to build and decorate a gingerbread house. His den mother went crazy with the candy options and filled the inside of my brother's house with tons of whoopie cookies, chocolate covered marshmallow Santa Clauses, OREOS, gummy bears and plenty other sugary goodies. When he brought it home I was convinced gingerbread house making had to be a future tradition of mine, and thankfully, Zac surrendered and thus began our gingerbread house escapade...on a married-couples budget. The decor only consisted of 10 cent boxes of mike n' ike's, hotamales, gumdrops, and jelly beans. All in all it only cost us 4 bucks to make. I was pretty excited about that. Oh, and since my baking is iffy, we got a pre-baked house from IKEA, which I HIGHLY recommend. Anyways, we had limited supplies but it turned out great, and we love our gingerbread house. Next year will be big.

Puerto Vallarta

Zac and I just got back from our honeymoon. It was so much fun we almost did not want to come back, which I contribute mostly to the fact that school starts TOMORROW.

So here are the top 20 highlights of the trip. 

20. Zac's Dad dropped us off at the airport and we talked about being careful since we were going to Mexico and to look directly for the people in the green shirts who were set up to meet us at the airport. As we walked off the plain and through customs things got crazy and we got snagged by a man named Alfonso. We thought we were being conned into signing up for a free breakfast and business presentation for time-shares....He gave us some pointers on where to go in town and how to get there. We totally thought he was just fooling us and trying to get our money since he asked us to make a fully refundable deposit of 20 bucks as collateral for attending his free breakfast and time share offer. We gave him the 20 simply because we just wanted to get to our hotel...more of this later.

19. Our room was amazing. It was 1,200 square feet of luxury goodness. We had a huge california king, jacuzzi, patio, hammock, an amazing view and a huge T.V. (this was a plus since there were rentals at the concierge desk). It really was beautiful. 

18. Even though we thought it was all-inclusive and it turned out we only had 100 dollars in credit for food, the services we did choose from were great. The first night we chowed down burgers and fries. (I know, I know that was what we had at our reception the night before, but we didn't even get to try them!).

17. So Alfonso was no con after all. He came to our hotel at 8:00 in the morning as we "agreed" to take us to our breakfast and presentation. Unfortunately, we were not ever planning on seeing him or our 20 dollars again so didn't go for breakfast or the presentation. Instead, we booked the same deal with our hotel concierge and got our free papas frances, frutas y jugo de naranja at 11:00 am instead. Oh, and a timeshare presenter tried really hard to convince us that we should invest 300 dollars a month for next few years so that we could have timeshares in Puerto Vallarta. Painfully, we said no. 

16. That afternoon we went to the city of Malecon. It was amazing. We had tacos at this shack and loved it. (We actually had breakfast there the next day too...) After that dinner we walked the board walk and got caricature artist to draw us for 150 pesos. While we were being drawn a very clever salesman tried to sell me bracelets. HE even figured out that we were mormon and told us how much he liked his mormon friends. But no, I did not buy a bracelet. 

15. The pool was great. We swam in it a couple times, laid out in the sun to tan and played connect four.

14. When our 100.00 credit started running dry we went back to town to find a grocery store. We decided that breakfast and lunch would have to be off of cornflakes, bread, butter, jam and cheese. It was the cheapest things we could find. 

13. I had a cold at the beginning of the trip and passed it on to Zac. He spent plenty of hours sleeping to get better. It worked really well!

12. One of the days we went to the city and bought some souvenirs. Zac got a sweet chess set. It was 85 bucks, but according to him it was worth it since the original price was 200 dollars. I got a purple dress. 

11. Our bargaining skills were increased 10 fold. 

10. We walked through a TORRENTIAL rain storm. It was crazy. I haven't seen it rain like that since the Philippines. 

9. We ate at the restaurant in our hotel it was pretty good but not as good as...

8. El Senor. That place was amazing. Zac got carnitas and I got the carne asada. The flan, was, according to Zac the best flan he had ever tasted in his life. 

7. We went to "Rhythm of the Night." Everyone recommended it. It was a night that started with a boat ride to a place were they had a show about a Mexican love story. Then there was a buffet dinner. 

6. The entertainment on our boat ride home was interesting. The crew on the boat dressed up as Michael Jackson, the Mask, and Elvis Presley. It was hilarious. 

5. We went zip lining. I was so nervous! I thought we were going to die for sure. But it was so much fu and worth every minute.

 

4. We watched a bunch of movies...for some reason the only one I can remember is entrapment. It was nice to just relax and not have to be stressed about anything.

3. On our flight home we stopped by some souvenir shops at the airport.  We decided we would buy a bowl from every place we visited and started our tradition by purchasing a clay bowl with ancient writings on it.

2. I got me some real Mexican vanilla :)

1. We got home safe and... real life began.

We had a great time! 

Mawwage...Mawwage is what brings us together today.

We got married!!

Zac and I got married in the Manti Temple. It was a beautiful sealing. We had a luncheon directly after at the Manti Bed and Breakfast across the street. It was such a cute luncheon. Zac's parents and sister Chantal dressed up in hats to carry on an English tradition. We had chicken and green beans and mashed potatoes and raspberry cheesecake. Jarvie, our photographer did a great job capturing the day. Later that evening we had our reception at Le Jardin in Sandy. Everything from the flowers, to the decorations to the food (sliders, fries, and apple pie) was wonderful. We are the happiest couple and are so thankful that we got married. Cheers to eternity.

There is something sparkly on my finger...

When I wake up, I rub the sleep off my eyes, take a few minutes to reacquaint myself with the things that need to get done for the day, and then, as my mind wanders it often settles on the something sparkly that fits around my ring finger. It used to be a loud pelt of the following words: "I am getting married!" that occurred every morning, followed by a running around my apartment spell to make sure I wasn't asleep. But, finally, I have realized that my roommates sleep in later than I do on most days and a quiet whisper to myself accomplishes a similar awareness-of-whats-materializing-affect. Yes, I am still in the I can't believe that this is happening phase. Am I excited? Heck yah!!!

The Finally I can list and the New Shift

Finally, I can...

walk to campus without a jacket at 8:00 am and expect the weather to stay beautiful until I get off campus at 8:00pm

wear sandals and shorts and capris and get my legs tan again

go on a tandem bike ride

make more than just $65.75 a week

have the time to read

find ripe watermelon

paint my nails extra bright orange or pink and not feel out-of-season

sleep in until 10 three days a week

see greenery and color sprouting from the trees and shrubbery around campus

consider camping and not have to worry too much about being so cold at night

have a better selection of produce at the market

feel justified in purchasing Alba's Botanical Sunblock that I have been wanting for weeks ever since I tried a sample, from what unfortunately was not a test bottle....oops

go bathing suit shopping!

get serious about getting to my beach-body worthy goal...which should have started weeks ago...but has been rejuvenated by the perfect jog-the-pounds off weather

...I could go on FOREVER...

There are many very good things happening right now but the one thing I figured I'd share was the added benefits of working the night shift at the BYU bookstore. I start at 5pm and get off at 8pm. Between those hours I can be counted lucky if I get more than a dozen customers through my line. So what do I do with all the free time on my hands?... I indulge. Indulge in the array of cookbooks that line the shelves behind my register and in the rows of non-fiction books that lie about five feet away from me. It is a cook-lovers, non-fiction-fanaticist dream come true. Thank goodness that combination of literary genre is exactly me :)

My absolute favorite read is Cook's Illustrated. It is the best! Many of my culinary quandaries have been answered already!

Day 28 A picture of something you are afraid of

I am not exactly afraid of heights. But when I saw the tree I had to climb to do the zip-line at our Family Reunion I freaked out!! Then I saw my 75 year old grandmother do it...haha there was no way I was gonna be be the only one in our family not to do it, so I did, nearly peed in my pants, but its was so much fun!!!!!

Day 27 A picture of you and a family member

This is me and my cousin Shazer. He makes the BEST funny faces ever!!

day 26 A picture of your day

My best friend from high school gave me these shoes. Handmade. Leather. From Turkey.

Day 25 A picture of your day

Sadly, nothing too exciting took place today. The highlight was probably my bonding moment with my new cookbook. And if only I had a picture of my slipping in the snow instant, that would have been the kodak moment to record :)

p.s. I realize the whole thumbs up thing is becoming a trend in many of my pictures. I'm working on that one.

The Oldies

I have a thing for old people-music-stuff etcetera etcetera... Today, I went to the Jamestown Courtyard Retirement Home with a friend, only it didn't feel anything like a retirement home. We walked into what looked liked the lobby of the Plaza hotel and right before us was a massive and fully adorned dining room where elderly men, women, and couples were chowing down what appeared to be a gourmet meal on some really fancy set tables. I know, I know, not the average retirement home by far!

this is a picture of one of their tables, cute huh?

Anyways I got to play bingo with some of them and it was such a good time! The ladies I sat with were so vibrant, and they reminded me of the little kids I used to babysit because they were so friendly and fun to be around.

I realized two things while at the retirement home:

1. When I step outside of myself I feel happier

2. Everyone appreciates genuine friendship

I loved it. Can't wait for Saturday morning when we do manicures! Wish I had taken a picture with them!

Day 23 A picture of Your Favorite Book

I am by no means a Fantasy book reader but this one is the only exception. I loved it when I first read it in the fifth grade and I still love it today. My future children will have to endure this one for their bedtime stories because its my very favorite :)

Day 22 A picture of something you wish you were better at

Excuse the presence of my phone. But see that handmade Turkish purse? That would be my wallet which I lost two weeks ago along with my keys to my apartment. I tend to lose those all the time. Believe me, it is super awkward to have to use your passport as a form of ID!

Day 21 A picture of Something you wish you could forget

In case its not obvious...No, ORANGE is not my natural hair color. That was pretty much a disaster hair coloring experiment which, thankfully, my mother fixed!

Day 20 A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

So Im about done with the cold weather. I wore sandals today and it was snowing in Park City, because yes, I am that anxious for warm weather! This is called the Green Island and since I love anything green I want to go there, someday.

Day 17 A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

You have no idea what heaven is like until you've had a donut at the Provo Bakery. Life changing experience? Yes indeed!

Day 16 A picture of someone who inspires you

This is my Ama. She inspires me in so many ways. I love you Ama!

Day 15 A Picture of something you want to do before you die

So this place is probably bigger than anything my budget could ever afford in the future but I do want to open my own bistro one day. Nothing big. Just simple, easy to eat and down to earth good food. I liked the tropical feel of this one. But, even if I had a vendor stand or a little bus, that would be sweet!

There are a few things that I demand on the menu...

1. Really good Pina Coladas

2. Barbecued everything...from pork to bananas (on a stick)

3. A darn good cheeseburger

I realize there is no continuity in these items but they are my favorite things to eat :)

Day 14 A picture of someone you can't picture your life without

This is my brother. He is the coolest kid you will ever meet and the greatest example to me of a person that loves you no matter what.

Day 13 A picture of your favorite band or artist

I feel like this is weird of me to like. But I love Cat Stevens.

Day 12 A Picture of something you love

LA VILLA Grandma's Pizza.

It is the BEST pizza I have ever tasted. When I go to New York that is the FIRST place I want to eat out :)

Day 10 A picture with someone you do the craziest things with

Oh just packing snow on our buddies' door at 2 in the morning.

Haha...

Guilty as charged.

Day 09 A picture of someone who has gotten you through the most

When I have NO idea what I'm doing, that woman in the middle, the most incredible woman I know is who I turn to. Josh being in this pic is an added bonus cause he's one heck of a brother :)

Day 08 A picture that makes you laugh

This here is my Uncle Gene. He was trying to get one of my younger cousins to smile for a Family picture and his teeth popped out!

So funny :)

Day 07 A picture of your most prized possession

Its kinda hard to see. But that gold band is my most prized possession. No a boy did not give it to me. Its my CTR ring and it fits perfectly on my ring finger. Even though my home teachers have recommended that I find another finger to put it on I find myself putting it back where it first went four years ago.

Maybe this is clearer picture...

Day 06 A picture of someone you want to trade lives with for one day

She's gorgeous.

She can cook.

She has a family.

She is successful.

She ALWAYS looks happy.

Day 05 A picture of a favorite memory from the past year

This was my las day in provo last winter semester. It was spent with some of the coolest people I have ever known. Oh and the guy in the middle, I was just looking out for him hence the blurrage.

Day 04 A Picture of your night

Tonight was a good one :)

Day 03 Dahil May Isang Ikaw

I guess its not my all time favorite show but its last the series I saw from start to finish that I really liked. Theres a soft spot in my heart for Filipino soaps and this one hit the spot just right. My mom and I lost probably four solid days just watching this show, it was intense.

Day 2 A picture with someone you are close with

This is Sonny. He is form Indonesia and we met when I was about 10 years old in primary and have been great friends ever since. He is in New York right now but we still catch up and keep each other updated on our lives. He's such a cool kid.

Day One

A picture of yourself with ten facts

1. I have brown eyes.

2. I can speak four languages...ish

3. I spent 5 years in the Philippines, 13 years in New York, 2 years in Utah and 5 months in Texas.

4. I love anything thats green.

5. I sleep with a giant yellow stuffed duck that I call Luscious Lou.

6. I love to write.

7. I could watch foodnetwork ALL DAY.

8. My favorite dessert is apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

9. I'm always on the search for the perfect burger.

10. I'm a planner and I like to set and accomplish my goals.

Fill in the Blank Fridays

I know, I know... I really should be doing my O-Chem lab that I ditched. In my defense, I peeked inside the room my lab was meeting in and I can assure you only 35% of the class was there and not single one of my group members was in sight.

So, Fill in the Blank Friday's is an idea I got from a good friend. She totally sold me on the whole idea and so I'm excited to test it out, thank goodness today is Friday or else I would have never remembered to do this otherwise.

Friday, January 28th 2011

I want to step out of myself and do a fill-in-the-blanks exercise for someone else.

He is a listener

He always exercises

He likes animals

He gives the best hugs

He loves cinnamon

He doesn't remember anything

He dresses well

He is excellent at video games

He can't cook

He looks athletic

Yep... thats my Brother for you in a nutshell

31 A Picture of Yourself with 15 facts

1. My favorite color is green.

2. I was born in the Philippines.

3. I struggle behind the steering wheel.

4. I like routines and consistency.

5. I never measure when I cook. NEVER...which is why my baking is questionable.

6. I rely way too much on my magic 8 ball for the answers to my questions.

7. I have two brothers. But I only know one of them. He's kinda my best friend.

8. I have 10 moles on my face.

9. William Blake is my literary idol.

10. I keep my book bag on while I take an exam. (Its a security issue).

11. My nails are always painted. Well, 95% of the time.

12. I work in a bookstore as a cashier. I like making people who come through my line smile.

13. I have a deep passion for cheeseburgers with sweet potato fries and onion rings.

14. I can't function in a messy kitchen.

15. The best way to make me laugh is through a knock-knock joke.

30 a Picture of Someone that you miss

My cousin Emma is the cutest thing ever. This was a photo taken back in 2007. She is much bigger now, and ever so beautiful!

29 A Picture that will ALWAYS make you smile

We were in an apartment photo contest with some good buddies. This was one of our attempts. I call it, "Pirates in a Shopping Cart and their Goldfish." This picture never fails to put a smile on my face.

28 (+3) Picture Challenge

Starting on February 1st I'm going to begin my 28 Picture Challenge. Since the original challenge requires 31, I'm going to do the extra 3 between now and and the first.

Heres the challenge list...

31 DAY PICTURE CHALLENGE
Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show
Day 04 - A picture of your night
Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory in the past year
Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day
Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the craziest things with
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate
Day 12 - A picture of something you love
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity
Day 19 - A picture and a letter
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel
Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change
Day 25 - A picture of your day
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss
Day 31 - A picture of yourself with 15 facts

Burgers, Schnieppers Style

I have been craving burgers for a while now. And its not just any kind of burger, I'm feelin' a Schnippers cheeseburger with a side of sweet potato fries and maple dressing. I had a good friend that shared this place with me, and its DANG good.

Paul's Place between 7th and St. MArk's Place is also the bomb! I recommend the hidalgo Burger cause its got sweet and spicy jalepenos. This place has limited seating and only accepts cash but everything from their rough-gruff-nicer-than-they-look staff, to their amazing milkshakes are to die for...Major props to my Aunt for bringing me there one fateful winter's evening.

Dreaming of Food

Lately, I have had the weirdest dreams. Most people dream about the people they like, or the classes they are in, or that they are flying or falling off a building or being chased... I'm a little different. I dream about food. Often. Very often...I just woke up from one that was particularly pleasant. it felt so real. Heres what happened : I was making a dessert for a party and it felt as is every knife stroke, every pat of butter, every taste of raspberry cream and, every stroke of the whisk was actually taking place in my kitchen. Nigella Lawson, a culinary goddess, if I may say so was there in the kitchen with me cutting through mounds of pound cake that turned, somehow, into stacks of chocolate. Anyways, I remember everything from that dream, including what I put in that trifle that Im going to make soon!

See, when it comes to food, before I get ready to make anything I'm usually just sitting down or doing homework and then this taste comes to my mind, and then I realize I'm hungry! Before I know it, I'm imagining what I want to eat and this index card just floats into my head and all the ingredients I think will make that initially desired taste kind of just appear there, and then I make it. Its beyond explainable.

Whats Been On My Mind

Its no Shakespearean Sonnet but its 14 lines of what I think every guy should know ::

Words of Advice.

behind the gaze of every stare

lies withdrawn, her hearts true care.

If what you said was what she heard

and what she heard remained unstirred

then take a moment, just assume

that what you said was long untombed.

For if the page that you do stride

should be the one where her heart reside

there is no doubt she thought it too

yes, when in love all queries brew.

When she responds as if bereft

be prepared :: here comes a theft.

What she embezzles aim to regain

:: In this truth lies her soul's campaign.

-Jalipa

New Semester, New Love

I just started my semester. To my surprise my favorite classes are the two I feared the most when I registered for them. These classes are Bio-Chem 285 (the status on this may change), and Anatomy 220 (the status on this is unchangeable, my professor is that good!).

There is so much information, and I just know I'm going to be living in the library for the next four months but I think it will be so worth it...I'm tempted to look into pre-med.

My next favorite class is probably my Volleyball coaching one since my teacher is none other than the Women's Volleyball coach! I'm pretty stoked on that and for when the class moves onto the court.

The Human body is incredible and I am so excited that I get to learn about it and, gain a greater appreciation for Heavenly Father's creations.

So...I"m putting my heart and souls into this. I have a good feeling though that this is what I'm supposed to be doing. English and Culinary school can wait.

2011 Reading List

One of my resolutions this year is to read one novel every month that steps outside of the my academic requirements. Yale offers a free two hour course online where many of these novels are discussed. While I will not be enrolling and doing the papers required by the course I will be participating in the lectures and lucky enough, many of these books match with the assigned reading.

Here they are...

January : Beyond good and Evil, Nietzsche

February: Wise Blood, O'Connor

March: Slaughter House 5, Vonnegut

April: On the Road, Kerouac

May: The Confession, Grisham

June: Crying of Lot 49, Pynchon

July: Bleak House, Dickens

August: Housekeeping, Robinson

September: The Human Stain, Roth

October: The Known World, Jones

November: Everything is Illuminated, Foer

December: The Corrections, Franzen

If you have any suggestions, I am very flexible on this list. So by all means, enlighten me.

My Favorite Poet:: William Blake

In my senior year of High School my AP English teacher Mr. Avitabile assigned our class a poetry project. This assignment encouraged an exploration of poetry as a form of human expression. I LOVED it. I also learned that I loved the poetry of the Romanticists. My favorite poem by Blake, "the Chimney Sweeper" is remarkable. I'd tell you what I think about it, but, in my opinion its best when it stands alone without critique or analysis.

Enjoy!

When my mother died I was very young,
And my father sold me while yet my tongue
Could scarcely cry 'weep! 'weep! 'weep! 'weep!
So your chimneys I sweep, and in soot I sleep.

There's little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head,
That curled like a lamb's back, was shaved: so I said,
"Hush, Tom! never mind it, for when your head's bare,
You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair."

And so he was quiet; and that very night,
As Tom was a-sleeping, he had such a sight, -
That thousands of sweepers, Dick, Joe, Ned, and Jack,
Were all of them locked up in coffins of black.

And by came an angel who had a bright key,
And he opened the coffins and set them all free;
Then down a green plain leaping, laughing, they run,
And wash in a river, and shine in the sun.

Then naked and white, all their bags left behind,
They rise upon clouds and sport in the wind;
And the angel told Tom, if he'd be a good boy,
He'd have God for his father, and never want joy.

And so Tom awoke; and we rose in the dark,
And got with our bags and our brushes to work.
Though the morning was cold, Tom was happy and warm;
So if all do their duty they need not fear harm.