Category: 7 Quick Takes (Fridays)

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 122)

February 8th, 2013 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Bob the Dog 13 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we are vlogging about how we would spend our time if we didn’t have to work or worry about money.



Youtube Link


2.

I finished this book in a day. I’ve been meaning to read Chris Guillebeau’s Art of Non-Conformity since I found his blog a couple of years ago. I was reminded of his book ever since I signed up for his conference, World Domination Summit.

There’s a lot of great goal setting and travel tips in the book. Quite a motivating read even if you’re not interested in abandoning your nine to five job!


3.


I told you last week that starting a photo album on Facebook titled, “Bob with Things on His Head” has me motivated to find all the things to put on Bob’s head. Here’s one of the additions I’ve uploaded to the album since then.

I think he rocks my headband better than I do.


4.


This is my current favorite photo of Bob. Taken by Alan’s mom over Christmas.

I know I’m biased but that head tilt kills me!


5.

I was curious how much money I saved using the library in 2012. I read 50 books and borrowed 30 of the 50 from the library. I looked up the books on Amazon, picked the cheapest price listed and added them up. (Because coming up with seven quick takes can be difficult some weeks.) I saved a total of $304.16 excluding tax. Not bad! That can be the cost of a domestic flight!


6.


I’m heading to Houston to go to my friend’s 30th birthday party, hang out with Kim who also has the same birthday, and celebrate Asian New Year with my parents! Alan will be in Dallas so I’m taking Bob with me. Dad loves him from the one day he spent with him and mom is super terrified of all dogs. This should be fun!


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ baked two pumpkin pies and proceeded to eat them for days ♥ conversations with dad ♥ drinking my favorite milkshake ♥ eating my favorite burger ♥ have a good loot of books from the library ♥ 6 of 8 nights of lodging booked for our Paris trip! ♥ dinner with Alan’s family ♥ phone date with Davey ♥ sis emailing me photos of her adorable puppy ♥ made the third vegetarian dinner (baked mushroom “risotto”) of the year and it was pretty awesome ♥ emails with Ashley

Question: How would you spend your time if you didn’t have to work or worry about money?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 121)

February 1st, 2013 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Girl Eats World, videos 18 comments - Tags: ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel we are vlogging about what makes us laugh. I tell you about a joke I told a stranger.


Youtube Link


2.


(photo credit)

In the excitement of finding an awesome deal to Paris, Kim and I failed to see that we had a 17 hour layover in Istanbul, which is enough time for dinner and a breakfast and a bit of sightseeing! We already booked our one night there in a hostel. It’s almost like we scored an extra country!


3.


I started a Facebook album called “Bob with Things on His Head”. Now that all the photos are grouped together, I am motivated to find more things to put on his head.

Bob the Dog


4.

Happy February to all! I had a fairly productive January in terms of my resolutions. I’m lagging behind the goal to post twice a week on the food blog but am pleased with my overall progress. First progress report will be posted first of March!


5.

I normally don’t tell people my dreams because I find generally dreams are boring except to the people who are in them or had the actual dream. But this nightmare was a cautionary tale for me! I dreamed that Alan and I were coming back from a walk with Bob and we had left our door unlocked. A burglar was in our apartment and we knocked him in. He was smug and told us he came by yesterday too. He then took his Samsung Galaxy III phone and bumped it against our phones under the ruse that he’ll show us what he stole from us. Instead, he ended up wiping clean our phone memories. I seriously started wailing because my phone has over 2,000 photos on it. I woke up so relieved to find that it was all just a dream.

In my actual life, I have over 2,000 photos on my phone. I really need to work on backing them up.


6.

I made my first pot pie and am adding this into my winter rotation. It’s a Garam Masala pot pie and the only changes I made to this recipe was I reduced the amount of garam masala according to taste. I also cheated and used frozen carrots but according to the reviews, if you use fresh carrots, you should cook them a bit first or they will stay hard.

pot pie

I called my Best Dudie Friend who is my cooking life line and had him coach me into doing patch work with the puff pastry to properly cover three of these pot pies. The tragedy was I left the third one out inadvertently and so I threw it out as to not risk food poisoning. I hate throwing out food.


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ stopping a man who was buying apple sauce at the grocery store to tell him an apple sauce joke ♥ “Bob with Things on His Head” photo album ♥ puppy snores ♥ cupcakes from my favorite cupcakery ♥ finally deposited some money in my gift fund for the parents ♥ planning Paris ♥ booking lodging in Turkey ♥ Alan’a first time as my plus one to a blogging event ♥ face time with a Mosasaur ♥ booking a darling apartment for the first leg of our trip under budget ♥ starting a cookbook book club!

Question: How often do you back up your photos on your phone?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 120)

January 25th, 2013 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Girl Eats World, videos 15 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel we are vlogging about the small ways we make a difference.


Youtube Link


2.


So four days after I purchased my roundtrip flight to Paris, Anita and I bought our tickets to Portland. We figured since there are many people flying into Portland for World Domination Summit, we better get to it even if it is in July. I’ve never been to Oregon and am excited to eat at Voodoo Doughnuts!


3.

My funds are pretty tied up right now with these two ticket purchases sitting on my credit card. I am tempted to sign up for my first travel rewards credit card. The annual fee of the one I’m looking at is a hundred dollars. I can earn two round trip tickets in the first three months if I just use it to pay for everything. I’ve never had a credit card where I had to pay an annual fee! Any insight would be appreciated.


4.

Currently Reading:
How to Travel the World on $50 a Day
Daring Greatly
Anna Karenina (free Kindle version!)


5.

One of my goals is to get my mojo back when it comes to posting more regularly on my food blog. I posted a baby post last night. I’m dipping my toes back in with writing more regularly and started with a corned beef, cole slaw, and french fries sandwich!


6.

Made the 2nd of 24 vegetarian dinners of 2013 last weekend. I made creamy avocado pasta with roasted tomatoes and it was delicious!

Creamy Avocado Pasta


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ buying Portland tickets for WDS2013 ♥ Architects of Air Adventure girl date ♥ fun time catching up with food bloggers at the AFBA Cook Book launch party ♥ roasted beets ♥ scary movie date with my little from Big Brothers Big Sisters ♥ grilled cheeses ♥ flirting with my food blog ♥ Bob hanging out with the same group of dogs almost every day ♥ morning snooze with Bob on the couch ♥ watching Anthony Bourdain on The Taste ♥ wearing crazy teddy bear socks I received from my sister

teddy bear socks

Question: When was the last time you were surprised by your preferences?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 119)

January 18th, 2013 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), New Thing(s) of the Week, Resolutions 2013 12 comments - Tags: , , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel we are vlogging about something we’ve always wanted to learn or explore but haven’t.


Youtube Link


2.

My 13 year old little from Big Brothers and Big Sisters wants to be a model when she grows up. I plan on showing her this TED Talk from model Cameron Russell.


Link to video


3.

I didn’t know Julie had snapped this photo of me and Michelle til I saw it on my Instagram feed. We had a lovely girls’ night trying out a new Thai restaurant with Michelle and Shelley. I have been neglecting my food blog for a while. Part of it is I started to make the idea of writing a review a daunting challenge. I used to be excited about reviewing new restaurants on the blog. However, now I’m thinking about it too much and have developed a feeling of insecurity that has stunted me. Must get back at it! It’s just a blog, Linda!


4.

I started on my Vietnamese cooking resolution. My goal is to learn ten more recipes in 2013 and last night I made two successfully! Also, it was the first time I’ve cooked with an opo squash. I didn’t even know the proper English name for it! Cooking with new ingredients always feel like an adventure to me.

opo squash soup

pork and mushroom omelet


5.

squid ink and curry ramen

I tried squid ink (and curry) ramen this week! Squid ink and octopus ink have been on my food bucket list for years. It was delightful and tasty but because it had curry in it, I’m still not sure what squid ink taste like. I will have to try it with pasta one day if ever given the opportunity.

Basically I had a really good food week.


6.

letter

My dad had a letter he saved for over thirty years. A Filipino friend wrote him with longitudinal directions to use for his escape from Vietnam by boat. My dad was the organizer and he had approximately 60 people on his “fishing” boat. He had a roster of everyone on a four page document that listed full names and their family’s addresses in Vietnam (in case he had to write to them with updates on their loved ones). He only had one page of that four page document saved. I framed both pieces and they now hang on my walls. I love the lines, “I hope you all safe everyday. May God bless and guide you all always.”


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ buying Paris airfare ♥ girls’ night with my favorite food bloggers at a new restaurant ♥ hosting taco and movie night and seeing Anita and Ashley ♥ squid ink curry ramen ♥ a really good food week ♥ these dog .gifs ♥ delicious Pirate’s Booty ♥ finally watching Django Unchained ♥ morning snooze with Bob on the couch ♥ library browsing time ♥ having way too many books on my currently reading list

Question: What is your favorite piece of home decor?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 118)

January 11th, 2013 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), videos 12 comments - Tags: ,

Note: Our domain is experiencing slow loading times since Wednesday. We put in a ticket to our host this morning. Thank you for your patience.


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel we are vlogging about one of our resolutions.


Youtube Link

In case you missed the entire list, here are my 2013 resolutions.


2.


game night

Eleni, our Tuesday TAC girl vlogged about how she is wanting to be more social in real time as one of her resolutions. I’m also seeing a lot of blog posts about wanting to save money and meet new people. My favorite social activity where spending money is minimal is game night! This is exactly what we did last night.


3.


Anna Karenina

Current Reads:
Anna Karenina (free Kindle version!)
United States of Arugula
Lots of Candles and Plenty of Cake

4.





World Domination Summit is opening up registration again on January 16th. This year’s WDS will be my first time going but I hear it’s a pretty awesome experience. If you make the leap, let me know and we can coordinate a meeting!

5.

puppy

My sister’s new puppy prefers sleeping on hard surfaces, like this text book, over a soft pillow.


6.

I made my first of twenty four vegetarian dinners this week. I made fettucine alfredo by pureeing cauliflower! It was surprisingly creamy and delicious.


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ Paris planning ♥ Watching American Horror Story with my dude ♥ game night ♥ coming up with a Valentine surprise ♥ all the blogs I’m following sharing their resolutions (I love talking goals) ♥ drinking more water and chomping on more raw vegetables ♥ tweeting jokes on the job’s Twitter ♥ vlogging with Bob ♥ Alan joining the world of coffee and enjoying the grinder I got for him for Christmas ♥ using almond milk as my coffee creamer ♥ two fun girl dates on the calendar for next week (There’s a lot of joy to be had in just the planning of fun.)

Question: What’s your favorite board game?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 117)

December 28th, 2012 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Resolutions 2012 13 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

Last week of the month (year!) so it’s no topic week on Totes Awesome Channel.


Youtube Link


2.


Current Reads:
Cesar’s Way by Cesar’s Way
Insurgent by Veronica Roth

If I finish these two books over the weekend, I’ll finish my 50 books resolutions! I think I can swing this!


3.


Anita tagged a photo of me on Facebook and I completely forgot I did this with her.


Hayyyyyy.


4.

Guys, 2013 is practically here! I’ll post my annual year review on Monday. Before the end of the year, I hope to read the two books and buy myself flowers one more time to squeeze two more completed resolutions. I also hope to deep clean the apartment for good luck.


5.


My friend Cindy gave me a blue egg for Christmas and had me crack it open. Inside was an adorable baby penguin. To read more about how and why, check out her blog post about her penguin creations.


6.


I have been eating pretty horribly the last few weeks. I used to be able to stomach long stretches of junk food and coffee but I think as I get older (gulp), my body is less forgiving of my health trespasses. My stomach has been unsettled for weeks. I am slowly reintroducing vegetables and I stopped coffee (something I never thought I’d ever do!) for a few days and am feeling better already. It’s both a relief and a disappointment to me. I can fix this problem but the hedonistic eating has new limitations now.


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ releasing our wishes into the sky ♥ quality time with my Houston people ♥ glitter temporary tattoos ♥ funeral museum date ♥ goal setting for 2013 ♥ crepe date with Davey ♥ cuddle time with Bob ♥ Watching American Horror Story with Alan ♥ romantic dinner and a movie date with an old girlfriend ♥ momma’s food ♥ Christmas day dinner with Jennifer

Question: Are you scrambling to get anything done before the new year?

Friday 7 Quick takes (vol 116)

December 21st, 2012 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Resolutions 2012, videos 8 comments - Tags: ,


1.

This week we are doing silent vlogs on Totes Awesome Channel since one of our girls lost her voice. I actually don’t have an editing program anymore and edit solely through Youtube, otherwise I would have stolen the Love Actually unrequited love silent caroling scene.


Youtube Link


2.


Current Read: Torch by Cheryl Strayed


3.


Kim and I are teaming up to do 20 random acts of kindness, each one to honor the life of the 20 babies who died in Newtown. You can follow the rest of the country doing it on Twitter with the #20acts and #26acts hashtags. You can follow along with us as we tweet the experience from @happy3things. I’ll also blog about it soon!


4.

I’m going home for the holidays and will be back in Austin Christmas evening. I don’t have internet in Houston so most likely won’t post til after Christmas. Happy holidays everyone! I wish you cozy memories with your loved ones.


5.

Went to see a counselor for the first time in a while. My homework directly quoted from my counselor is to “expect wonderful things.” I’m passing this on to anyone reading.

Expect wonderful things, y’all!


6.


This past week, I cooked 3 Vietnamese dishes and consequently finished my resolution to make 10 dishes. (I’m a procrastinator.) I’ll list out the recipes I tried when I do my final progress report for 2012.
image
pork belly braised in coconut water with pickled bean sprouts


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ Trail of Lights where my little and my boyfriend met for the first time (I’ve been with both of them almost five years now!) ♥ Christmas cookie making extravaganza ♥ driving to Houston today after work!! ♥ more communication with BDF ♥ finished Christmas shopping ♥ Lindt dark chocolate with hint of sea salt ♥ cuddle time with Bob ♥ cradling tiny dogs that let me cuddle them for as long as I want (unlike Bob) ♥ successful Vietnamese egg rolls ♥ pork belly ♥ Love Actually date with AshleyD and Anita complete with grilled cheeses, tomato soup, and funfetti chocolate chip cookies.

grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup funfetti chocolate chip cookies

Question: What are you looking forward to doing this weekend?

7 Friday Quick Takes (vol 115)

December 7th, 2012 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), videos 6 comments - Tags: ,


1.

This week we talk about our holiday traditions on Totes Awesome Channel.


Youtube Link


2.


The last two weeks I have done a poor job of taking care of myself and my responsibilities (tidying up, buying groceries, and cooking). The first week back from Thanksgiving, I was bummed about something and self-medicated with Gossip Girl episodes. This past week I caught a bad cold and chose more lounging with books and Netflix as a form of recovery. I think I’ve indulged in my pity party long enough. It is time to get back on the horse and do things like shop for groceries and stop eating out for every single meal.


3.

While I was nursing my cold, I started watching American Horror Story. I’m going through Season 1 on Netflix and it’s so good! I hear Season 2 is even better.


4.


I need to get out of my funk ASAP because I have less than three weeks to read 6 books, learn 3 new Vietnamese recipes, and try my hand at 8 sewing self lessons. I’m giving up on the putting $2,000 dollars in my Roth IRA. These are some of my outstanding resolutions. I caught a video where Tim Ferriss, a proponent for goal setting, says he makes goals expecting to only achieve 60 percent of them. I think this is a healthy approach to goal setting!


5.

I can’t remember the last time I have spent some quality time with Cindy. She lives in Houston and our schedules rarely align. Anyway, we have a date on the books during Christmas weekend and we’re going to the National Funeral Museum. We’re following the museum with eating bone marrow. I am stoked. This is the perfect date for us. We both enjoyed reading Stiff and had a similar date a few years ago where we dined at an allegedly haunted restaurant and then went to a Body World exhibit.


6.

It finally happened. I wore two different shoes to work.


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ American Horror Story ♥ pork belly ramen ♥ wonton soup ♥ pho ♥ Alan being a great caretaker during my cold ♥ couch naps with Bob ♥ abundance of free books from the library ♥ roasted tomato soup with bacon ♥ being almost done with Christmas shopping ♥ catch up chat with my sister ♥ giggling with coworkers


Question: How do you self-medicate?

7 Friday Quick Takes (vol 114)

November 30th, 2012 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), National Blog Posting Month '12 8 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

The last week of the month means it’s free topic week at Totes Awesome Channel!


Youtube Link


2.


Last night I left my keys in the door and discovered them dangling later. This morning after I vlogged, I grabbed my keys and realized my car key was missing. For a few seconds I was panicked. I cannot have my car stolen TWICE in just a few short months. I quickly realized how unlikely someone would just grab the car key from my key chain if he or she stumbled on them in the door. My car was still there this morning and I went back to the dog park and found my car key underneath a park bench.

Whew!


3.

I was talking to Treavor for the first time in a while last night. We were marveling over how much we’ve each accomplished in 2012. In January of this year during one of our phone dates, he told me he had a feeling everyone we know will have a “big 2012″. Sure enough we started to do a quick inventory of our own years and the years of our dearest and it truly has been a big year! I cannot wait to officially write my yearly review in a month and recount all that has taken place.


4.

My third National Blog Posting Month is complete with this post! It was difficult when I was in Houston and I am thankful for the WordPress App making blogging remotely easier!


5.


Speaking of yearly challenges, I’m also on my third Sketchbook Project. My 2013 Sketchbook Project is due out in the mail mid January 2013. I haven’t sketched one page yet. Each time I sign up for this project I promise myself I wouldn’t wait til December or January to start the project but I’ve failed that goal each year. I guess I’ve always enjoyed the adrenaline rush of a deadline.


6.


This past week I left my phone overnight at work. The next morning, I had a text bomb from Cindy telling me 28 things she likes about me. I can say with confidence that her batch of texts were the best I’ve ever received in my life. How come the most romantic moments I have are with my girl friends and gay guy friends?


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ grabbing casual dinner with the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance’s philanthropy committee ♥ guest post from Ashley ♥ a week long break from cooking ♥ Magical Day 2 ♥ finding car keys ♥ tiring out Bob so he is reduced to a cuddling machine ♥ noodle take out for lunch three times this week ♥ pop rocks ♥ replenishing the emergency chocolate fund at work ♥ family time ♥ phone dates with Treavor and Naz


Question: What is your favorite romantic memory?

7 Friday Quick Takes (vol 113)

November 23rd, 2012 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Holidays, National Blog Posting Month '12 7 comments - Tags: ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we talk about Thanksgiving!


Youtube Link


2.

The fact that I can still wear my summer dresses and tank tops at this time of year worries me greatly. #globalwarming


3.

World Domination Summit: 2012 Recap from Chris Guillebeau on Vimeo.

Anita and I booked our hotel for World Domination Summit which is in July 2013. Next thing on our WDS list is flights! I’m excited not only to be in attendance but also because it’ll be in Oregon and I haven’t been to Oregon!


4.

Today is Thanksgiving Potluck Picnic Day. This is us from last year.

Photo from today:


5.

I just noticed I have an instagram internet profile now! What a pretty layout. Well done, Instagram/Facebook!

You can follow me on Instagram under “curiousnotions”.


6.


Weekend To Do List

Saturday Fun Day with Kim and Thomas
Light shopping
Blog (Damn you, National Blog Posting Month!)
Drive back to Austin from Houston
Eat a ton

What’s on your weekend to do list?


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ puff pastry ♥ Thanksgiving texts from sister ♥ 3 day work week ♥ HOUSTON ♥ doggy play date with Brittney and her pup ♥ slow cooker cooking ♥ friend dates with Davey, Aishah, and Naz ♥ long weekend and short work day on Wednesday ♥ reading party ♥ family time ♥ momma’s food


Question: What was your favorite thing you put in your mouth this weekend?