Tag: Friday 7 Quick Takes

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 132)

May 31st, 2013 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Books, Lists, Travel, videos 8 comments - Tags: , , ,


1.

It’s the last week of the month which means it’s free topic week at Totes Awesome Channel! However, I missed out on last week’s. I thought it was free week so Kim and I recorded free topic week while at the airport in Istanbul but wireless on the plane was too splotchy to upload. Last week’s topic was actually to talk about Totes Awesome Channel in celebration of our two year anniversary. So today, I present to you last week’s vlog and this week’s vlog topic combined.


Youtube Link


2.


One of my oldest friends got married last weekend. It was quite a whirlwind. As soon as I got off the plane from Europe, I was rushing to go celebrate with her. I read somewhere that the average friendship lasts about 7 years. This one here has spanned a good fifteen years. I love that as I reflect on her life, I can remember her learning how to drive as a teenager and now she’s married! God willing, if we remain friends for another fifteen years, I cannot wait to see what other milestones I will have the honor of witnessing as her friend.

Also, this may the first time I’ll be able to wear a bridesmaid dress again. Ha!


3.

More about Paris and Amsterdam next week!


4.

It took us almost a year to plan and save for Paris and Amsterdam. Now that that’s done and over with, I’m feeling a little lost without an audacious goal. Currently I’m using my restless energy to tackle my student debt. At the beginning of this year I had a little over $19,000 and am currently sitting at just under $17,000. I’m halfway towards this year’s goal of paying down $4,500 but my audacious goal is to pay it all off as soon as possible.


5.


Currently reading: War World Z

I never thought I’d read a zombie book!


6.

A lot of my reading list I get from Ashley. She told me about Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck. I read it while I was in Paris and I enjoyed it so much. I have highlights in my Kindle version that I plan on moving to a blog post or my reading journal, but here’s a passage I highlighted.

For I have always lived violently, drunk hugely, eaten too much or not at all, slept around the clock or missed two nights of sleeping, worked too hard and too long in glory, or slobbed for a time in utter laziness. I’ve lifted, pulled, chopped, climbed, made love with joy and taken my hangovers as consequence, not as punishment. I did not want to surrender fierceness for a small gain in yardage.


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ impromptu Fast 6 date with Alan ♥ I’m back in Texas! Back in my bed! Back with my dude and pup! ♥ a phone date that happens once a year happened ♥ making extra payments towards student debt ♥ brand new desk at work ♥ staying connected ♥ eating lunch with mom ♥ filling up my calendar with girl dates ♥ catching up on Mad Men ♥ noodles ♥ puppy cuddles

Question: What’s your next big adventure?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 131)

May 10th, 2013 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Travel, videos 10 comments - Tags: , , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we talk about our obsessions.


Youtube Link


2.


I vlogged about being worried about pick pockets to the point of obsession. Since recording that vlog, I rearranged my wardrobe so that it could hide a money pouch underneath my clothes. I feel a little better about the pickpocket prevention since I recorded the vlog! But…


3.

I found a new obsession to be anxious about regarding our trip to Paris which is in FOUR days. We made a reservation for our first five nights in Paris through Airbnb. I tried to confirm the stay with the person we booked with but she hasn’t be in touch after three emails. This makes me worry! I called Airbnb today and they are going to try to get a hold of her. If they cannot by the end of the weekend, we’ll have to find somewhere else. Come on lady! Contact me and save us some stress!


4.

Weekend To Do List

  • Pack for Europe
  • Pack for friend’s wedding weekend after Europe
  • Write wedding toast
  • Schedule two more blog posts (guest posts)
  • Buy mom Mother’s Day present
  • Spend some quality time with Alan and Bob
  • Complete as many tasks as I can for a philanthropy event by Austin Food Bloggers Alliance.


5.

I’m taking off on Tuesday and will have limited internet access until I get back to Austin after Memorial day. I have at least three great guest blog posts centered around traveling that will post while I’m gone. Check in to see! The first one goes live on Wednesday.


6.

I’ve been experimenting with plating my food. This meat and potatoes plate for last night’s dinner may be my favorite.


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ impromptu Iron Man 3 date with Alan ♥ Double Chocolate Chunk Rice Krispy Treats ♥ Paris being FOUR days away ♥ Bob’s skip-pounce-run ♥ workday lunch date with Jamie ♥ emails with Ashley ♥ getting better connected with BFF (we were in a communication slump for a while) ♥ pretty lightening storms ♥ finally opening that jar of duck fat ♥ phone calls with mom and dad ♥ late night nachos on a work night

Question: What are you currently obsessed with?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 130)

April 26th, 2013 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Bob the Dog, Books, videos 11 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we talk about the best piece of advice we have been given.


Youtube Link


2.

In the last couple of weeks, I saw two movies I loved so much.

The first one was Place Beyond the Pines. I’m not recommending this movie just because I’m a Ryan Gosling obsessed fan either! I just loved how the story unfolded and thought it was beautifully filmed. If you go see it, email me; I’d love to talk about it with you!


Youtube Link


3.

The second movie was Perks of Being a Wallflower. I read the book in high school and it was one of my favorite books for years. The writer directed the movie and I love it when the writers directs the movie adaptations. They are there to protect their interpretation of the original story! I dare you not to be charmed and moved by this movie.


Youtube Link


4.

Currently reading: Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In


5.

Bob is battling a nasty stomach bug. He’s getting better but I am nervous feeding him solids again! This photo was taken before he got sick. I promise I don’t torture my pup when he’s down and out.


6.

I’m planning another compilation video similar to this one.

If you’re interested in submitting a clip, send me an email.


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ Perks of Being a Wallflower date with Anita ♥ fun admin lunch ♥ spontaneous lunch date with Nam ♥ 18 days till Paris! ♥ returned a lost dog ♥ took myself out of the house to read and eat by myself ♥ dinner with Anita & Alan ♥ motorcycle stunts ♥ being better about staying in touch with BFF ♥ long overdue phone date with BDF ♥ chats with my sister

Question: What was the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 129)

April 19th, 2013 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Austin, Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America, Bob the Dog, Girl Eats World, New Thing(s) of the Week, videos 9 comments - Tags: , , ,


1.

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



Youtube Link


2.

Today marks 5 years with my little from Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America. I wrote about our first date here.

We are celebrating by going to the motorcycle races at Circuit of the Americas. It’s an awesome opportunity afforded to us by luck of the draw and a generous donation to Big Brothers & Big Sisters. I look at photos of her when she was eight and I can’t believe how much she’s grown. At 13 she can pass for much older! (Which is kind of scary to me.) Here’s to another five years!


3.



Speaking of five year anniversaries, Alan and I finally properly celebrated ours which was last month. I wanted to check out The Elephant Room in Austin. It’s been around the whole time I’ve lived in Austin which is 12 years now, and I have yet to experience the jazz scene there. We were going to go to celebrate in a timely manner but SXSW made it complicated so hence the delay. I’ve never listened to live jazz. It’s even more soulful and sexy live.


4.

I love Bob’s body language in this one. His paws make him look freaked out.


5.


If there was a theme this week in food it was bacon. I had lunch with a coworker while running errands. Beer & Bacon Ramen. Nuts right? Then I saw our bacon was going to go bad soon so I cooked up all 8 slices. I used the bacon grease to make my own croutons! I’ve never made my own croutons before but what a genius way not to waste stale bread!


6.

We’re 25 days out from leaving for Paris! I have been declining a lot of friend dates and dinner dates in an attempt to save up all my pennies. It makes me feel like a downer but the exchange rate and pricing over there is steeper than here! How soon is too soon to start packing?


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ jazz club date with Alan ♥ beer bacon ramen ♥ beer grease croutons ♥ banana nutella cupcakes from my favorite cupcakery ♥ Boston loved ones are safe and their loved ones are safe ♥ 5 years with the little ♥ Kim and I exchanging everything we see about Paris ♥ good vegetarian night ♥ the comments on my last blog post ♥ finally getting to level 3 of Jillian Michaels ♥ conversations with dad during rush hour

Question: What shows do you watch?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 128)

April 5th, 2013 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays) 11 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we answer Tom from HR‘s question, “What makes you Totes Awesome?”



Youtube Link

Sometimes it’s uncomfortable to reflect on what makes you awesome. I’m curious though, what makes you totes awesome?


2.

Fun Free Thing to Do in Houston

I want to start doing posts about fun events and things you can do around Houston and Austin OR YOU KNOW, PARIS, so expect a post soon on Blue Trees. Soon like this weekend since the blue pigment is supposed to fade in time!


3.


Roger Ebert, rest in peace. I really found this TEDtalk of his in 2011 touching and inspiring. Also at the end there is a great reminder to be aware of our biases against disabled people.

Link to video


4.

I never shy away from weird food. Andrew Zimmerman commented that this squid intestines dish at a restaurant in Seattle tasted like rotten pencil erasers. So you can bet that that was one of the things I ate in Seattle when I visited! I can usually top people on weirdest thing you’ve eaten contests, but this man at work has gotten me beat since he lived in different countries in his lifetime. We often exchange notes and giggle over the expressions our coworkers give us. Today he brought in this tin of spiced octopus. OCTOPUS IN A CAN. I’m excited to crack this baby open.


5.

Posted to the food blog twice this week! This is an accomplishment.


6.

I have a few food dates with my friend Naz who is in town from Miami this weekend but other than that the weekend is dedicated to reading, cleaning, and meal planning. I wouldn’t have it any other way!


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ getting the best compliment I’ve received in a while ♥ Alan leaving a new book in my purse as a surprise ♥ Madam Mams date with Naz ♥ Naz is in town from Miami! ♥ getting our Paris Museum passes in the mail ♥ frolicking in magical blue forests ♥ takeout dinner with the family for dad’s birthday ♥ shuffle board night with Alan and company ♥ breakfast tacos ♥ a whole week without cooking thanks to mom sending me back to Austin with food ♥ seeing older people learning how to tweet

Questions: What do you love about yourself? What is the weirdest thing you’ve eaten?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 127)

March 29th, 2013 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), videos 13 comments - Tags: , ,

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 127)


1.

It’s already the last week of the month which means it’s no topic week on Totes Awesome Channel!



Youtube Link


2.

As I mentioned in the vlog, I’m so excited about making napkins this weekend with my mom. One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to complete 10 sewing/learning projects. My mom once gave me her old sewing machine and within the first attempt to use it without her guidance, I mangled the thread while trying to thread the machine! I had to take it back to Houston and both my parents took turns trying to unravel my mess and free the sewing machine. I thought if I make 6 sets of napkins and make myself thread the machine 6 separate times, the redundancy of the tasks will help me really learn how to thread. As you can see, I’m all about baby steps.


3.


I had a really busy couple of weeks at work and worked longer hours this week, so my reading time has dramatically decreased. Nonetheless, here’s what circulating on my nightstand.

Currently reading:
Paris to the Moon
Moveable Feast
Pollyanna


4.


Photo credit: BlueTreesTexas.org

Outside of hanging out with the parents for my dad’s birthday and making napkins with my mom, I have two girl dates scheduled to visit the Blue Trees & art car museum. I love my weekends in Houston!


5.

As I’m getting older, my body is going through the first of the aging changes. It used to be I eat all the junk I want and then go to bed and then the food baby would magically disappear when I wake up. This hasn’t been the case in the past few months. It also used to be I can go on 3-4 hours of sleep a night but lately if I don’t get at least 6 hours of sleep, I’m sleeping through my alarm! It used to be I never got heartburn!

I’ve been warned these things will happen but now that they’re here, it is a bit of a depressing lifestyle shock.


6.


Have you seen this one?


I was making cabbage stir fried with eggs. He was my sous chef.


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ 46 more days to Paris, buying a museum pass for Paris! ♥ making it through my first work presentation ♥ payday ♥ seeing my student debt decrease ♥ Bob making his first canine friend from the internet ♥ trying out the Cool Ranch Doritos taco from Taco Bell ♥ chats with my dad while I sit in traffic ♥ scrumptious sweet potato gnocchi from a food trailer ♥ introducing Selina & Dawn to their first banh mis ♥ celebrating a friend’s birthday and meeting her fun friends ♥ date night at the arcade

Question: How are you going to spend your weekend?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 126) Brought to You By Instagram

March 15th, 2013 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Bob the Dog, Creative Endeavors, Photographs, videos 17 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we chat about our favorite blogging moments.



Youtube Link


2.

Alan and I have officially been together for 5 years since Monday. He is now the longest relationship I’ve ever been in! Loving the color combination of the roses he bought me.


3.


Bob has learned to hold still when I have the camera in his face. I call this one, “Bob the Basket Case”.


4.

On Tuesday, I met Anita up for a delicious happy hour on a patio before we went to a The Minimalists SXSW meetup. Colin Wright of Exile Lifestyle was also there and I immediately found myself crushing on him! Anyway, I have been reflecting on the philosophy of minimalism and I really love it. I like the idea of really owning our belongings and not have our belongings own us. This weekend I plan on going through my belongings, starting with my massive DVD collection, and scrutinizing the value each item brings my life. I already feel liberated just thinking about it!


5.

Still reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed.


I am loving it so much.


6.

I’ve been pretty addicted to Instagram lately as my favorite mode of creativity. It has always been my dream to learn photography with a fancy camera. I’ve decided to take that more seriously in 2014 and maybe purchase a used DLSR. For now, I experiment with composition via Instagram.

When I took the above picture from the work parking lot, I wondered if deer ever charged at people. Next time I will inch even closer!


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ flowers from Alan ♥ sushi dinner for our anniversary ♥ Shipley’s Donuts ♥ Spring Break traffic ♥ adding Brussels to our Paris/Amsterdam trip ♥ mingling with my favorite food bloggers ♥ chats with my dad while I sit in traffic ♥ meeting Alan’s new friends ♥ breakfast tacos ♥ coffee doing cognitive damage control ♥ pork belly

Question: Could you live without TV?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 125)

March 8th, 2013 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), VEDA, videos 6 comments - Tags: ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we chat about what we do when we’re in a funk.



Youtube Link


2.

I demonstrated a pirate pick up line on Bob.


Youtube link

Why? This is why.


3.

Happy International Women’s Day! There is a man here at work who buys a rose for every woman in the office every year. How lovely is that?

(Yes, I walked outside to get better lighting to snap a photo of the rose. I may have an Instagram addiction.)


4.

“Do what you can. No more but certainly no less.”

Great (and entertaining) talk on why you should not use the word “gay” pejoratively.


Youtube Link

Video found from Joanna’s blog.


5.

Current Read: Wild by Cheryl Strayed

I’m not easily excited about physical exercise or things like hiking. I’ve avoided reading this book for months now despite really enjoying a couple of her other books. Word around the internet is that even if you’re not into hiking, this book is phenomenal. I can’t wait to really dig in!


6.

This weekend is for socializing with a few VEDA alums and taking advantage of some free SXSW meet ups.


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ rose from colleague ♥ bingo triple date ♥ emails about pee and pirates with Ashley ♥ cupcake breaks ♥ watching Bob play with the regulars at the dog park ♥ cook book book club first meeting ♥ chats with my dad while I sit in traffic ♥ finding a bride’s maid dress on uber sale ♥ asparagus and eggs for breakfast ♥ coffee doing cognitive damage control ♥ Double Chocolatey Chunk Rice Krispies Treats

Question: What do you do when you’re in a funk?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 124)

March 1st, 2013 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays) 7 comments - Tags: ,


1.

It’s the last week of February which means free week on Totes Awesome Channel!



Youtube Link


2.

I had a lot of fun last weekend judging the tasting competition at That Takes the Cake. I didn’t judge style or any of the fancy stuff but it didn’t stop me from perusing and having opinions. In my opinion, this cake was the most impressive.

It actually revolved! To read more about it and see it in action, check it out on my food blog.


3.

My first progress report for my 2013 resolutions will be posted on Monday. I haven’t written it yet but am so excited to see where I’m at. I’m still feeling quite motivated. My friend, Ashley is attempting a life of no goals and she’s not the only one. One of my favorite self improvement blogs, Zen Habits also advocates a life without goals. I’ve been pondering over this way of life more often since Ashley has undertaken this goal, er, way of life.

Yesterday, I was having bubble tea with Anita. We talked about our cooking bucket list. I told her I have never attempted to grill anything on my own. She offered to let me use her grill and I actually said, “Maybe in 2014, I have too many goals in 2013 to focus on right now.” As you might imagine, in that moment, a light bulb went off. Putting off something I’ve always wanted to do because the goals I set for the year didn’t allow a lot of time off? That’s a little silly.

(I’m still not giving up goals quite yet.)

If you’re curious, here’s another post from Zen Habits about a life without goals.


4.

Speaking of goals, one of mine is to learn 10 new Vietnamese dishes in 2013. This is my third time doing this goal and I think after I achieve this one, I’m done. 30 is a good repertoire! As mentioned in my vlog, Anita, MJ, and Olga and I are initializing a cookbook book club this weekend. Our first cookbook we’re cooking from is Into the Vietnamese Kitchen.


5.

Austin Food Bloggers Alliance hosted an educational Google+ workshop at Google Austin. I already had a pretty inactive personal Google + page but was newly motivated to make that one active and to start brand pages within Google+. I’m still debating on whether to keep the personal Google+ in conjunction with this blog and only use a brand page for the food blog.

In the mean time, if you’d like to follow me on Girl Eats World’s Google+, I’d like that very much. Google+ surpassed Twitter for second largest online social media platform recently; I think I should explore their communities!


6.

My friend Davey and I have been friends for eight years. He’s seriously one of the best humans I know. In celebration of eight years, we will be picnicking tomorrow with eight courses. How romantic is that?


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ making extra payments towards student loans ♥ reading date with Anita ♥ good reading time ♥ dinner trying out SPIN with Amy & Julie ♥ chocolate croissants ♥ getting my tax refund ♥ feeding baby goats with my little from Big Bro/Big Sis ♥ Alan making me French press coffee ♥ date night with Alan ♥ emails with Ashley resuming after she came back from her travels ♥ a sweet note in the mail

Question: Would you consider a life without goals?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 123)

February 22nd, 2013 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Bob the Dog 8 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we are giving advice to AshleyD. She’s moving to Canada to be with her boyfriend!



Youtube Link


2.


Currently reading: Sweet Life in Paris

I’m breezing through Sweet Life in Paris, memoir of David Lebovitz’s time in Paris. It is giving me a better understanding of the French culture in preparation for our trip in May. I’m kind of nervous about navigating this foreign city. A wonderful thing about this trip is all the research Kim and I are conducting. It feels like independent study.


3.

The profile photos I have posted on both this blog and my food blog were terribly outdated. They both featured me without bangs and I’ve had bangs for about two years now. So, I finally updated them both! If you’re reading in a reader, you can see the new profile by clicking to the website. I also changed the layout in the food blog to accommodate the new profile photo. My last layout had a strong orange accent that just wouldn’t do anymore.


4.


In college I used to buy things to act as a vision board item. (This was way before vision boards became a thing.) For instance, when I wanted to move into an apartment on my own sans roommates for the first time, I bought a set of drinking glasses to remind me of this goal since my roommates supplied the drinkware in our apartment. In 2005, I decided that owning a dog was something I wanted to do eventually in my life and to remind me of that, I bought a mug with a dog on it. Ever since we adopted Bob, when I see this mug, I smile and think to myself, “I did it!” It wasn’t until last night that I realized me putting eyeware on my dog perfectly aligned with my dog mug.


5.


Speaking of Bob and eyeware, he helped me pick out my new frames. I tried these on from Rivet & Sway and love them. I plan on ordering them sometime next week.


6.

I have a fun weekend ahead of me. Going to be a taste judge in a cake competition and then take my little from Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America to the Austin Rescue Zoo. I went with Alan recently and had a blast.


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ date night at a new to us sushi place ♥ successful new recipes ♥ good reading time ♥ lunch time walks with Selina ♥ reading up on Paris ♥ finally filed my taxes and am due a refund ♥ morning happy 3 things emails with Kim ♥ long walks with Bob ♥ Vosges truffles ♥ Godvia bar ♥ posted a food blog!

Question: What are you guys doing this weekend?