Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 77)

January 27th, 2012 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays) 6 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we discuss our superstitions.


Youtube Link

I talk about some weird ones I inherited from my mom. Like not gifting drinking glasses, cups, or mugs. It’s supposed to mean the friendship would end. So if I were to give you cups or mugs, I’d ask for a quarter or something to simulate selling instead of gifting. I also talk about two Arabic phrases I picked up as superstitions. Comment below and let me know what your superstitions are. I’d love to know!


2.

Happy Lunar New Year! It’s the year of the Dragon. I meant to mention some Lunar New Year superstitions. A lot of these might just be Vietnamese but here are the ones passed on to me from my mom. We are to eat vegetarian for good luck the first day of the holiday (It’s a two week holiday.) The first day of the year, you’re supposed to have a fairly clean house but you’re not supposed to clean. Also, no taking out the trash! It symbolizes throwing out money. I also read from another Vietnamese blogger that you’re supposed to not wash your hair for that same reason and wear red for prosperity.

I wore red but my hair needs to be washed everyday.


3.

I’ve had these kids I babysit for since they were both born. They’re the only kids I babysit. I truly love them. Really. I will always babysit them til they no longer need it or I’m no longer in the same city. Anyway, I’m digging their conversations lately.

4 Year Old:
I had a bad day

8 Year Old:
How come you had a bad day?

4 Year Old:
The other kids laughed at me during lunch.

8 Year Old:
[Redacted], when I was your age and kids laughed at me, I just pretended they weren’t even in the room.

4 Year Old:
Oh! Okay. I’ll try that next time.


4.

One of my goals is to have my mom meet Bob. She’s terrified of dogs. My parents live close to where they run their store. She once walked to the store carrying my dad’s dinner that she had just cooked when a neighborhood dog approached her. What did she do? She threw my dad’s dinner at it!

Recently she cooked me a huge batch of bone marrow. I love bone marrow. (Refer to my Totes Awesome Channel vlog about ideal meals.) I posted the picture of mom’s bone marrow on Facebook and my crass Best Dudie Friend commented, “Oh No! I’m going to miss you, Bob!” I thought it was hilarious and told my mom that BDF thinks she cooked up Bob.

“Tell him how can I cook Bob when I don’t even want to TOUCH Bob?”


5.

The Sketchbook Project needs to be postmarked by Tuesday and I have 13 more pages to complete! Panic!! I’ll be out of town this weekend and busy too so it’ll leave me Sunday night and Monday night. Last year by the first of the year, I had all the pages planned and mostly done! Anyway, want to see two pages of what I have done?

Hee.


6.

I took today off of work because we’re going to Dallas for the weekend for a wedding. Sadly, there won’t be any time for us to stop by In ‘N Out. I guess I will just wait til when I go to Vegas!


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ a close friend to laugh with and make cleaning dog poop out of my car bearable ♥ a well-timed hug ♥ a supreme burger along side chili cheese fries and a decadent nutella milkshake with chocolate covered pretzel crumbles ♥ new music from Treavor and Peter ♥ planning Valentines with a few girlfriends ♥ authentic Chinese food date with Brandi ♥ cuddles ♥ vote of confidence from Cindy ♥ Deesh and Bing taking in Bob for the weekend ♥ blueberries and strawberries in my cereal ♥ BDF helping my friends draft professional correspondences ♥ BFF helping me come up with 7 quick takes ♥ one of my favorite months drawing near


Question: What are some of your superstitions?

Baby Steps

January 26th, 2012 · · pursuit of happiness 21 comments - Tags:

I have been in a funk for a couple of long months now. It has affected my blog posting frequency. When I’m down and out I hate blogging about it. It feels repetitive, unproductive, burdensome, and negative. When I’m down and out, I like attacking things with action or I ruminate over it until it compels me into action.

It feels so contradictory to feel both extremely happy and discontent at the same time. I’m happy with my social life and relationships. I’m in a wonderful place with Alan. It’s been 5 months since moving in with him and we’ve found that comfortable pace. I see my friends when I can, call the long distance ones semi-regularly, and have tried over 50 recipes in the last 5 months. I feel fulfilled outside of work. So these things make me very happy. It’s the lack of direction and calling that makes me feel restless.

A little over two weeks ago, as part of the 30 Day Reinvention, I was prompted to evaluate these pieces of my life: Confidence, Education, Career, Finances, Heath, Physical Activity, Home Cooking, Relationships, Social Life, Creativity, Spirituality, Home Environment. I gave myself grades and the only A’s and B’s I granted myself were in Creativity, Education, Home Cooking, Relationships, and Social Life. This leaves me a lot of areas to improve.

After a while of self-pity and stewing, I’m finally compelled to action. Baby steps. I’m baby stepping out of my rut. I’ve made time for the elliptical machine and for long walks on Town Lake almost every night the last two weeks. I’ve been writing in my journal most mornings. I’ve reinstated my 15 minutes a day of decluttering and an hour a week of cleaning on top of that. Hell, I’ve even flossed for three nights straight! I got my parking ticket waived and sent off payment for my speeding ticket. I’ve finally logged into LinkedIn and updated my connections. All these are incremental tiny steps. One foot after the other. Just like Bill Murray in one of my favorite movies.

What I know about baby steps is that it may feel like nothing is happening, but a year later when you look up, the scenery will have changed. Here’s hoping for better scenery!


Question: How do you feel about these areas of your life: Confidence, Education, Career, Finances, Heath, Physical Activity, Home Cooking, Relationships, Social Life, Creativity, Spirituality, Home Environment?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 76)

January 20th, 2012 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), videos, wanderlust, We Blog We Vlog 21 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we discuss our Myers-Briggs personality types.


Youtube Link

I’m an ENFJ. What are you?


2.


January 20th is Penguin Awareness Day! Did you know that? Last year with We Blog, We Vlog, we honored the day by vlogging about a long journey we plan on embarking on in 2011. This year we’re doing it again! Anyone can participate. Find out how here.


Youtube Link

I mentioned the trips I hope to take this year (Pittsburgh, Marfa, Vegas, Seattle, and somewhere in Kansas) and my more abstract journey is to find that dang calling.


3.

I’ve been spackling up my life. Made that dreaded dentist appointment. Scheduled more walking time in hopes to flirt with a more active life. Morning pages are written more often than not. Finally logged into my LinkedIn account and uploaded a profile picture and accepted all my invites. I love baby steps and breaking down big goals into tiny actions. I want this year to be a great year and that’s going to require a lot of due diligence.


4.


I cut my finger yesterday. I did not respect the knife or the lemongrass stalk and the knife rolled. Thank goodness my nail was in the way because I think I would have cut off my fingertip had the nail not slow it down. My oldest half brother actually cut off his fingertip. If I do it too, it might mean something. Anyway, I never made that lemongrass chicken but plan to try again tomorrow? I’m a little skittish now. Hope it heals quickly! Putting pressure on it is unbearable. I couldn’t buckle my jeans this morning!


5.

Speaking of jean buckles, my jean button fell off during work this week. I borrowed a graduate student’s belt to keep my pants up. Oh and I got a parking ticket. My life is in shambles!


6.

This quotation is why I have a standing Take 7.

“For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are that you’re not going to be very happy. If someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great new job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness.”
– Andy Rooney


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ puppy snores ♥ Madam Mams with Cindy ♥ Madam Mams again to help me eat my feelings after I cut my finger ♥ date night ♥ registering for Bloggers in Sin City ♥ one particularly well-timed hug ♥ having a belt available to borrow after the button to my jeans fell off ♥ our president signing Al Green ♥ Rick Perry withdrawing from the race ♥ reading time ♥ cookie butter ♥ 4 day work week ♥ green tea ice cream parfait and tonpei yaki at Kome


Question: What small tasks have you completed that is setting the tone for grander things?

Bloggers in Sin City

January 17th, 2012 · · new thing(s) of the week, scary thing(s) of the week, wanderlust 22 comments - Tags: , ,

Saturday afternoon, I was walking my dog along side the lake when I decided to check my timer on my phone. I usually ignore emails while I’m on the trail but I didn’t resist the temptation this time. It was Ashley emailing the rest of the Totes Awesome Channel with, “So, um, BISC? I kind of want to go.” Nicole and Other Ashley were already going and then Ashley quickly jumped on board, so I took all but two minutes and committed as well. It’s a big commitment as I have four more trips in 2012 I’ve already started planning and Vegas was not going to be one of them. Oh and registration is $499. That’s a big commitment too.

Yesterday as soon as registration was open, I made it official. I’m going to Bloggers in Sin City this May! I emailed Kim to share my news and lament a little about the dough I just spent on registration when she reframed it for me. “It’s not for registration. It’s for a ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE. It will be worth it. Think of all the new friends and memories you’ll make! Excited for you.” And with that, I let go most of my financial apprehension and basked in some excitement. I’M GOING TO BLOGGERS IN SIN CITY! Last year, I told myself I’d go next year. It’s next year, baby!

I’ve been to Vegas before and I didn’t get lucky because I gambled all but a quarter. This year, I’m still not much of a gambler but maybe I’ll still get lucky and win the Bloggers in Sin City and Paper’d giveaway. BISC and Paper’d partnered up and are giving away one free spot to this ultimate unConference to one lucky registrant. Maybe it’ll be me! How phenomenal would that be?

Almost as phenomenal as going!

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 75)

January 13th, 2012 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Bob, creative play, silver screen 26 comments - Tags: , , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we talk about our favorite childhood movies.


Youtube Link

What were some of yours? As listed in my video, mine were Mrs. Doubtfire, Princess Bride, and Beethoven.


2.


It was 6 in the evening on Sunday when I found myself with dinner already made (thank you, slow cooker!), the boyfriend gone for another couple of hours, and the dog exhausted and napping. I decided to treat myself to a movie and some alone time on my couch. I rarely get alone time on the couch. I randomly picked HappyThankYouMorePlease from Netflix instant play, and I was so pleasantly surprised. Very uplifting. If you find time this weekend for some couch time, I recommend watching it.

I’m posting the trailer but wait! Before you watch it, maybe don’t spoil the movie and just trust me. I think part of the joy for me was not knowing anything about the movie before seeing it.


Youtube Link


3.


Speaking of movies, Girl With The Dragon Tattoo was an amazingly done movie. I left very impressed. Three hours and not once did I want it to stop. I don’t want to recommend it though. Watch if you can stomach sexual violence in movies. The movie made me want to give the book series a second try.


4.


A couple of bloggers gifted me some awesome spreads. I haven’t been to the grocery store this week but I must remember the bread!


The homemade grape jelly and marshmallow fluff were sent to me from the food swap I participated in as a member of the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance. The cookie butter was part of a gift box my sweet friend, Danielle sent me. She sent me a loot of journals! I LOVE JOURNALS!

The journal loot and cookie butter as aforementioned:



5.

Sketchbook Project 2012 needs to be postmarked by January 31st. Last year when I did Sketchbook 2011, I had all the pages started on and most of them completed by the first day of the year. It’s now January 12th and I have over twenty blank pages! PANIC! This weekend I strive to start ten pages. Wish me luck. I need it.


A couple of the sparse pages I have done


6.

I taught Bob how to roll over in less than 30 minutes this week! It’s still touch and go though. The next day he rolled over for “sit,” “lay” and “shake.” We’re still reinforcing it every night. Here he is last night.


Youtube Link


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ being treated to a home cooked Korean lunch ♥ a full journal loot from Danielle ♥ warm chocolate cookies while watching a movie ♥ date night ♥ Vietnamese coffee and licking the condensed milk spoon ♥ planning Valentine surprises with girl friends ♥ reading 1984 makes me grateful for my thoughts and books ♥ three day weekend ♥ morning pages ♥ pizza night (no cooking and cleaning!) ♥ using up Groupons before they expire ♥ monthly credit card cycle starting over ♥ getting to know my sister slowly through emails


Question: What are three highlights from your week?

Wordless Wednesday: 5th Annual New Year’s Balloon Release

January 11th, 2012 · · pursuit of happiness, still-frames 18 comments - Tags: , , ,



Want to read more on this tradition?
4th Year Photos and Quotes
3rd Year Photos and Explanation of Tradition

For more Wordless Wednesdays from others, click here.

A “Never Have We Ever” Party!

January 10th, 2012 · · new thing(s) of the week 32 comments - Tags:

Rebecca from Receccamendations partnered up with Eat Out In and held a contest on her blog. Eat Out In is a Texan company that offers delivery from a slew of restaurants they have as partners. The contest was to pitch a dinner party idea and describe what kind of food you would serve with a 250 dollar budget from one of the restaurants that is serviced by Eat Out In. As I glanced over the list, I saw a dim sum restaurant and in a flash I had a party idea.

I pitched my idea to host a “Never Have We Ever Party” and only invite ladies who haven’t had dim sum. The menu would be dim sum and the purpose of the party is to inspire people to tackle their bucket lists or draft one up. I was ecstatic to learn that my party idea was chosen and I won 250 dollars to spend on food! The original restaurant I chose in my pitch was moving so I went with Indian food, which was less novel than dim sum but there’s no complaining about delicious Indian food.

I recruited my former roommate as my co-host because I know that she enjoys themed dinners as much as I do. Hello, let me remind you that we threw a couple of Alphabet Potlucks when we were roomies. What ultimately transpired after we combined powers was a magical night of female bonding with old and new friends.

How’s about a tour of our night?

We provided checklists to our guests of things they were able to do at our party. Please note that no one chose to streak or skinny dip, but we just wanted to let everyone know she had options!


We set up a Post Secret confessional. There were postcards already pre-addressed with the Post Secret address and some art supplies. Stamps were also provided to ensure anonymous and independent mailing.

We also had a station set up to write your own bucket lists. Brandi and I framed ours to provide inspiration and we also had a couple of books laid out for ideas. We suggested to our guests to frame the list when they return home and place it where they can see it daily.


The snack table was a fun focus point of our party.


Mochi desserts, dried squid, shrimp chips, and meal worm cookies


Yes, I said meal worms.

I’m so proud of this group of ladies! Of the eight attendees, six ventured to try eating toasted meal worms! Here’s a reaction video of most of them.


Youtube Channel

We provided a ramshackle photo booth. I basically threw in my old Halloween costumes for props.


We had a cigar smoking station with different flavors. Chocolate was the favorite!


Rooh Afza

My dear friend Brittany came bearing gifts. One of which was a rose flavoring from India called, Rooh Afza. She used to flavor our water with this while we watched True Blood. More delicious than those bottles of blood they serve at Merlots!

Of the things not pictured, we also had a hookah with watermelon flavoring, grass jelly drinks (everyone tried and liked except for one person), chocolate wine, aloe vera juice (a favorite), and a karaoke machine.

Oh, and the food. The food was so good and plentiful. A few guests took some home for lunch the next day and Brandi and I both saved plenty for our boyfriends.



When I sent out my invites, I asked that each friend bring a guest. Consequently I didn’t know half the girls there, but by the end of the night I know they have chiseled a space in my heart! We have since stayed in contact via Facebook and there’s already talk about making this party a biannual event. Our first “Never have We Ever” Party won’t be our last!

Thank you again to Rebecca and Eat Out In for making this night possible.


Question: What is the smallest and easiest thing on your bucket list?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 74)

January 6th, 2012 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Bob 30 comments - Tags: ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we talk about our hopes for 2012.


Youtube Link

I’ve pretty much summed up what I hope for 2012 in this post and my resolutions post. Travel, read, find a calling (no big deal), and have some good times with my loved ones.


2.


My most recent loot from the library:


3.


I talk to BFF every weekday for hours and sometimes on the weekend. Sometimes, it hits me that she’s my best friend and we can’t grab a casual lunch or dinner or sit on a couch together because she lives in Boston. Then I realize a lot of my closest friends are long distance and though, I’m usually a positive person and am just thankful for technology and yearly visits, sometimes I would just like to be spontaneous with my closest friends and call to ask, “Yo. Can I come over?”


4.

This week has been not so good for sleep. I’ve averaged about 4 hours this week and I’ve already acclimated myself to almost 6 hours. Thank goodness for Vietnamese coffee! I’ve been drinking Vietnamese coffee all week and that stuff is so dang strong it has me wired all the way past my bedtime. (Rinse, repeat.) Today, I skipped out on the coffee since I’ve been wired all week and actually had 6 hours of sleep. The consequences of my lack of coffee are pitiful. I’ve been in a mental haze all day. Thank goodness, it’s Friday!


5.


Bob had a great first week of the year. Extra long walks at the park, lots of fetch, new toys, first cup of doggy ice cream. Really! They make doggy ice cream. We found some at our grocery store, Central Market. I also taught him a new command in less than 10 minutes. He now knows the “lay down” command! I think in a few weeks, I’ll tackle rolling over.


6.


Weekend To Do List
1. Meal plan and grocery shop
2. Go out for a friend’s birthday celebration
3. Walk with dog and my little from Big Brothers and Big Sisters
4. Start on 10 separate pages in my Sketchbook Project
5. Thank you notes
6. Lunch date with girlfriends


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ making beignets for friends ♥ romantic and decadent fondue date with my girlfriend, Naz! ♥ mocha pound cake ♥ four day work week ♥ finally cooking a meal for Deesh ♥ walking the lake with friend and pup ♥ Sarah who now lives in California driving to and from Houston (approximately 6 hours!) for a lunch date ♥ friends who let me be petty and have petty thoughts while still not enabling me (what a miraculous balance!) ♥ puppy snores ♥ teaching Bob “lay down” in 10 minutes ♥ staying awake in a movie showing after 9 pm (Mission Impossible 4!) ♥ perfect attendance week on Totes Awesome Channel ♥ giving Bob his first doggy ice cream


Question: How was your first week of the year?

2012 Resolutions

January 3rd, 2012 · · resolutions 2012, Uncategorized 47 comments - Tags:

photo credit


Personal Finance

  • Save $1,204 in the Gift Fund for my parents. This will get me to a balance of 3,000.
  • Contribute $2,000 in a Roth IRA for 2012. In 2011, I resolved to max it out but it was way too difficult with my current paycheck.
  • Make $3,000 outside from full-time job income. Last year I had this goal and reached $1800+. This goal’s purpose is to inspire creativity.


Leisure

  • Try 10 more Vietnamese recipes. This is a repeat goal from last year. Maybe this time I’ll tackle pho.
  • Complete 10 sewing learning projects. This is another repeat aspiration.
  • Read 50 books. I read 41 books last year so I’m pushing for 50 in 2012.
  • Read one Neil Gaiman book.
  • Build a fort.
  • Blog at least three times a week per blog.
  • Finish Sketchbook Project 2012 in time.This will be a source of stress this month. I think the deadline is this month and I have 4/32 pages done.
  • Visit two new states.
  • Go to Marfa, Texas with Kim. This is really Kim’s dream but I’ve never traveled with her and Marfa sounds magical.


Relationships and Well-Being

  • Visit my sister in Pennsylvania. I haven’t seen her in 17 years.
  • Volunteer 10 hours outside my commitment to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America.
  • Work out at least once per week. I’ve exceeded this my first week of the year! Strong start!
  • Write my morning page at least 120 times this year. The idea is that maybe I’ll stumble onto a path with more self reflection.
  • Buy myself flowers four times. Goal inspired by Bree.


Questions: What are some reoccurring goals of yours? Why do you keep making them?

Hello, 2012!

January 2nd, 2012 · · holidays 19 comments - Tags:




The Host with the Host’s Cup










I had a great time at a friend’s New Year’s Eve party. He really outdid himself with the set up. The sweet view of his balcony felt glamourous, he hired a DJ and photographer, and rented smoke machines and light machine. Quite fancy for a house party! It was such a fun and safe way to end 2011.

I spent the first day of 2012 making beignets for friends, walking at the lake, stumbling on a street band jamming out on a bridge, cooking, and cleaning. A productive and happy day! I’m finalizing my resolutions today and will post them tomorrow.

Cheers to a great new year!


Question: How and with whom did you spend New Year’s?