Category: Houston

Had a Bad Day…

February 3rd, 2010 · · Houston, memory, music, pursuit of happiness, still-frames, the single life 17 comments - Tags: , , , ,

I’ve been blue and I’m guessing this will be my general status quo for a while. I’m very much a type 7 kind of person so I don’t do very well sitting on my couch and feeling sorry for myself. I’m the kind of person who when faced with bad moods and heartache, I do my best to battle it with good times and reflecting on blessings. I cackle extra hard at mediocre jokes and I seek adventure. I’ve jumped out of planes and shot guns and traveled all in the spirit of avoiding pain. I’m pretty open to new experiences, but especially so when faced with adversity.

Although this is how I am, I don’t think it’s exactly healthy. I think we have to let ourselves mourn and feel what we feel now so that it’ll eventually run empty. It doesn’t mean I have to like it when my melancholy catches up to me and holds me in a lingering embrace. Actually it felt more like an unwelcomed, crushing bear hug. And that’s exactly what it did yesterday. The afterglow of my weekend in Houston wore off and I just felt extremely sad. All day. Most of the night. I’m a pretty rational person and I know bad times (and obviously good times) will pass. It’s just that I’m fucking impatient.

In the spirit of being more healthy about my coping with pain, I sat yesterday and bore the depression during work hours. Then, true to form I tried to use it as a trigger to propel me away. I completed tasks I was avoiding because I figured, hell, I’m having a bad day anyway, let’s just get this all out of the way. I cried my way through it and eventually made it to bed.

Here I am this morning. Ready to face it again. Tonight I’m meeting up an old/new group of friends and cooking something. Don’t know what yet. You know, to distract myself.

To nurse that afterglow I mentioned, I’m going to post random fun pictures from my weekend in Houston. (I have a progressive meal series to work on posting as well).









This picture makes me laugh out loud. I accidentally grabbed his butt right at the very second the picture was snapped. I thought it was his back! I did this to Jessica earlier that same day too. Oi.


What do you do when you’re feeling down?

Backstreet Cafe

January 5th, 2010 · · Houston, new thing(s) of the week, savory 19 comments - Tags: , , , , ,

1103 S Shepherd Dr
Houston, TX 77019
Phone:713.521.2239
http://www.backstreetcafe.net/

After Kim and I released our balloons right before the year’s end, we had our new Sunday in Houston tradition of eating brunch at a nice place. Instead of Hugo’s, we went to Hugo’s sister restaurant, Backstreet Cafe. We were pleasantly surprised to see that Backstreet Cafe is a two story house (apparently built in the 30s) renovated into a restaurant. Very quaint for Houston. I’m still exploring Houston, but whereas Austin is abundant in quaint, romantic, little restaurants, Houston seems to have a knack for grander interiors.


We were seated upstairs not far from the fireplace which was housing a real fire.


Our window.


We both ordered the wild berry mimosa which I liked even more than Hugo’s guava and watermelon mimosa. I had to consciously not drink it too fast. (I have to REALLY pace myself with alcohol.)

For an appetizer, we shared the roasted pear salad. Neither of us have had a roasted pear and I think both of us have thought about roasting our own pears. After eating this delicious warm pear, more than ever, I’m resolved to roast me a pear now. So warm and moist!


My first roasted pear. It definitely won’t be my last.


Stuffed with bleu cheese, dried fruit and nuts, served with greens.


Bistro Breakfast

Pictured above is Kim’s order, the Bistro Breakfast, which is comprised of a grilled 4oz tenderloin served with two poached eggs, rosemary potato cake, spinach and tomato hollandaise sauce. I had a taste of her tenderloin and it was magnificent and tender. I have to watch it with steaks because it’s usually tough on my lockjaw but this one was perfect.


Spinach Soufflé

I ordered the Spinach Soufflé (pictured above) with mushrooms, poached eggs topped with sabayon and crumbled crisp bacon with a small artichoke salad. I thought I should attempt to eat more greens in the spirit of a new year and new beginnings. I managed half the salad. The soufflé was just as it should be, light and fluffy. The poached eggs on top gave it a heartier bite. I wished they were a tad more generous with the bacon but all in all this dish is a winner.


Bread Pudding

Kim and I never skip out on dessert when dining together. It’s our rule. The bread pudding was good. It didn’t blow me away or anything but it was not a bad tasting bread pudding.

Backstreet Cafe is unique from its brother, Hugo’s. The feel, the food. It’s a lot quieter and calmer than Hugo’s. It’s a great place to unwind after a crazy night out whereas Hugo’s ambiance is not so good for a hangover. I’m definitely bookmarking this place for future reference. Hugo Ortega, the executive chef, owns Hugo’s, Backstreet Cafe, and Prego. I nominate Prego to be our next brunch or dinner stop for Kim and me next I’m in Houston.

I’m loving Houston’s eats!

2009 in Review

December 31st, 2009 · · Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America, Birthdays, holidays, Houston, lists, love, memory, misadventures, music, new thing(s) of the week, Personal Finance, savory, still-frames, the grind, the not so single life 17 comments - Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In comparison to 2008, 2009 was awful! The one thing I can think of that 2009 had over 2008 was that I read more than double the books I read in 2008. I’m anticipating the fresh feel of a new year that is 2010. In the meantime, here’s a review of how my year has gone with heavier emphasis on my blessings verses my misfortunes.

Note: All links open in a new window.

January 2009


Celebrating New Year’s with the boyfriend

February 2009


Alan and I at the Killer’s Concert

March 2009


Rodeo, Austin, TX

April 2009


Selina’s Birthday

May


Celebrating Sae’s law school graduation

June 2009


Cindy and me at Grand Lux Cafe in Houston

July


Brandi and me on Fourth of July

August

  • The first two weeks of August, I tried to squeeze in as much time as I can with Alan because he was about to leave for Korea for up to 4.5 months.
  • Starting, August 16, I started counting days Alan was gone.
  • Kim came to visit the weekend of the 22nd and we saw Wicked.
  • I saw 500 Days of Summer three times this month, in theatre, of course. This is the first movie I’ve done that.
  • Jon visited from NYC.
  • I got a part-time, part-time (yes you read that right) job, thanks to Brittany dropping a good word for me.


Alan’s last night out with friends before going to Korea.

September

October

November


Having hot chocolate at Ren Fest.

December


After party in the car.

I’m a blessed girl. Instinctively, I’d tell you my 2009 was pretty awful but when I write it all out like this and focused on the good rather than the bad, I can see now I’m still quite lucky. Farewell, 2009.

Tell me how your year went. Or better yet, if you have a year in review entry, I’d love to read yours.

New Year’s Resolution: Take Better Self Portraits

December 30th, 2009 · · Houston, still-frames 2 comments - Tags:

One of my New Year’s resolutions should be to get better at taking self portraits. These photos were all taken by me Saturday night. The last one was REALLY off but maybe it’s because I drank half a beer. (I’m weak sauce.)


The last one is a really cute one of Pinky but it was originally supposed to be a group shot.

Girls Night Out at Taps House Of Beers

December 30th, 2009 · · Houston, new thing(s) of the week, still-frames No comments - Tags: , , ,

5120 Washington Ave
Houston, TX 77007
(281) 701-4248

Okay, let me get this fact out of the way first. Taps has NINETY-SIX BEERS ON THE WALL. NINETY-SIX.

I was in Houston for the holidays and had a fun night out at Taps with some Houston girl friends. I like the crowd here. No attention hungry loud girls, no dudes in Affliction/douchebag t-shirts, just young professionals in their mid-twenties to mid-thirties. The bar staff is super friendly, the prices were reasonable, the beer abundant. I’m liking this place on Washington Avenue. It would be a great place to come back to on an off night when it’s less crowded and watch a sports game.


More beer on tap


Cindy, me, Pinky.


Lovely sisters: Pinky and Aishah. Aishah was a roommate of mine in college for three years!


In case you are wondering, Aishah’s doing a fist pump, a la Jersey Shore.


There was a time when this girl was in middle school and would come up to Austin to visit her sister and me in college, now she’s all grown up and is our fricking designated driver.

Sneak Peek of a New Years Tradition

December 28th, 2009 · · holidays, Houston, quotations, the grind No comments - Tags: , ,

I’m back from Houston and am EXHAUSTED. I’m running on 4-5 hours sleep a night. I work both jobs today but soon enough I shall explain this picture (and relive some really good meals with you).

Little Bigs: Third and Thankfully Last Stop of Progressive Lunch

December 10th, 2009 · · Houston, savory 6 comments - Tags: , , ,

This entry is part of a series. Here are the other entries in case you missed them.

1. Sneak Peak/Introduction
2. Sneak Preview of Little Bigs
3. First stop: Kolache Factory
4. Second stop: Antones

Little Bigs: Third and Thankfully Last Stop of Progressive Lunch

2703 Montrose Blvd.
Houston, TX 77006
http://littlebigshouston.com

Our third and last stop was Little Bigs. (We were supposed to go to fourth place but I’ll tell you what happened to that place later.) You order in threes at Little Bigs which works out perfect for a group of three. We let Willis take the reins and order 2 of whatever he thought best for us. Unfortunately they stopped doing their famous mushroom burger so Willis chose a black bean vegetarian burger and the signature all beef patty burger (with caramelized onions). The boys started with the black bean sliders which I should have done. The black bean was meh to me. I guess it tasted too much like black beans for my taste. I started with the signature slider which was juicy and perfect. I wished I had the black bean slider first so I could finish on a higher note. Their special sauce is special in a good way and their fries were a great complement to the sliders. Mmm. I understand the hype.

Before I tell you about what happened at our fourth destiation, here’s a pictural intermission.

When the guy behind the counter told Willis they don’t make their mushroom burger anymore, he said almost too seriously, “Are. you. serious?!” It made Thomas and me laugh because the poor cashier looked a little nervous.

Patience is a virtue.

Thomas having a hard time with the ketchup.

Still having a hard time.

Which tickled me!

How beautiful is our feast? We were already full from our previous stops and my mom making me lunch, but we managed to enjoy anyway. (It’s hard out there for a foodie, ya’ll)

After we stuffed ourselves to the point of MOANING, we took deep breaths and drove to our fourth place. Willis wanted to take us to get us pastry puffs at Asia Market. We got there, hurting, but still excited to finish our 4 part progressive lunch. We were greeted by a locked door and a sign that stated they were closed for Thanksgiving still. More relieved than saddened, we stood around in the parking lot because it hurt to sit. :) I love progressive meals. I’ve only done it twice before. Once with Cindy (we only hit up 2 places though) and once more with Alan our first night in San Francisco.

P.S. Since we never made it to Asia Market, I’ll leave you with Willis’s food blog entry of Asia Market.

Photos in this entry were taken by Thomas.

Antones: 2nd Stop of Progressive Lunch

December 10th, 2009 · · Houston, memory, savory No comments - Tags: , ,

If you haven’t an idea what I’m talking about, read these entries first:

1. Sneak Peak/Introduction
2. First stop: Kolache Factory

For our second stop for progressive lunch (third for me if you want to count the lunch I had with mom), Willis drove us to Antones, the original one. I used to LOVE Antones (3 locations in Houston) in high school. They’re famous for their po boys. I alternated between the tuna po boy and the original po boy. Dad often would get them for me while in high school and I often met up with friends junior and senior year of high school at Antones. It’s been years since I’ve had their sandwiches but man, it was one happy reunion. The three of us split one tuna po boy and one Original Po Boy (ham, salami, Provolone, chow chow, mayonnaise & dill Pickles). This rekindled my old flame and now I have another place to haunt when I go back to Houston.

Well I’m really past my bed time. Here are photos!

I think he’s trying to show us what’s inside…

Photos in this entry were taken by Thomas.

Kolache Factory: First Stop of Progressive Lunch in Houston

December 9th, 2009 · · holidays, Houston, savory, videos 5 comments - Tags: , , ,

If you missed the previous entry, you can read it here. It’s a quick introduction to our progressive lunch in Houston.

So I met Thomas and Willis (of Skissors Eats) for lunch the day after Thanksgiving. Willis was originally supposed to introduce us to Little Bigs, a sliders eatery and I said something about how I want to eat the world. I often say how I want to eat the world. Willis suggested we add three more places and that he had three more places he’s been craving. (He lives and plays in Houston, unlike Thomas and me). Willis wanted to go to Kolache Factory to eat their special flavor of the month: turkey and stuffing kolache. Turkey and stuffing in a kolache? I’ve been to Kolache Factory but usually in the early morning when I’m half awake and never thought to stray from my usual sausage, cheese, and jalapenos. So this is where we started our food trek.

We each ordered one and then shared a Philly Cheesesteak kolache. The Philly Cheesesteak one was sub par but the turkey and stuffing one rocked our socks off.


This photo taken by Thomas.

So here are the ingredients we gleefully discovered as we chewed through our kolaches: cranberry sauce, turkey, stuffing, and gravy. Doesn’t it look gorgeous? I must remember to come back next year. In hindsight, we should have kept focused on our goal and not order that Philly Cheesesteak kolache. Our bellies were hurting by the time we finished our back to back eating extravaganza.

Here’s a video that I love. Willis was being a little shy (surprisingly) and I was prying to get him to give me a better introduction/reaction to the kolache. Wait for Thomas’s interjection.

Sneak Peek: Progressive Lunch Tour in Houston

December 8th, 2009 · · Houston, still-frames 2 comments - Tags: , ,

Over Thanksgiving, I was lucky to get to spend a day with Thomas who’s hardly ever in Texas. He and his brother and I went for lunch. What was supposed to just be a one restaurant lunch outing (aren’t they usually?) morphed into a very painful back to back eating event that spanned three restaurants. I have to also add that I was in more pain than the boys because I had eaten lunch with my mom 2 hours before meeting them up for lunch. It’s a common occasion for me to eat 2 meals per meal time when in Houston. One with mom, then one with friends. Above is a photo of Thomas and me at our second food stop, the original Antones. Taken by Thomas himself. I will post more in detail about our eating adventure once Thomas forwards me photos. Hint hint! ;)