I have almost 2 1/2 more hours to go until the new year. It is time to make changes in my life. Good changes that will bring more lucks, joy, happiness, fortunes, true friendship, health, and love. I am done with 2008. The new year will be so joyful. I am going to be a happier person in so many ways.
In January, I will be starting sewing classes. It is 6 weeks long and it costs $85 for the entire length of class. The class will start on January 15 I think. I will be done by the end of February. Why am I taking this class? Well, let me tell you something. I have been wanting to learn how to sew. I want to make pretty things for babies and for women who like to wear pretty things. I want to make baby blankies, diaper bags, changing pad, baby bags, or aprons for hot all the mamas out there. I want to make them and I want to sell them online. As of right now, I am looking at etsy.com as a place to sell them. I do have my own website, which sadly, I hardly use actually. I might get to use that soon enough. So. Now you know why I am taking sewing classes. I want to learn a new skill each year. In 2008, I learned cake decorating skill that I enjoyed learning.
Financially, I would like to earn more money. I want to do what I love. I want to find my passion. I really, really need to figure out what it is that I want to do. My plan is to open my own business. As of right now, I am not 100% so sure what it is going to be yet. In a fairy-tale-ending world, I would open a baby boutique. Something that is affordable for new mothers. I will carry handmade items. I want to sell pretty things that mothers and babies will adore.
Year 2009 is also the year my husband and I would like to have our first baby. I want a baby. My husband wants a baby. We want a baby. I am 100% sure we are ready emotionally. I know my husband will be a good dad.
I have so much I want to accomplish in 2009. I want to get a new house in 2009. I really want to. I want something a bit bigger for our pets and our future family!!!!!
Here’s a toast to a Happier New Year!!!!!!!!!!!
For all of you who celebrate the holiday, I’d like to wish you Merry Christmas!!!
Have a blessed and holy Christmas. May the joy of Christmas be with you throughout the new year.
Thanksgiving is here. I have a mixed feeling about the holiday today. But most of all, I am so thankful for everything I have in my life at this moment in time. First of all, I am thankful for my husband. Then I am thankful for my families. I am thankful for the two new wonderful friends I have at work. I am thankful for my pets. I am thankful for my health, my luck, fortune, my job, my church, my faith, my house, my community, my car, my everything I have.
I don’t know what next year’s Thanksgiving is going to bring but for today, I would like to savor every minute of it with joy and happiness. For one day, I want to feel that. For today, I want to remove my worries and sadness. There is not time to worry about anything today. It is time to enjoy life and to be thankful for what we have no matter how little it is.
I wish I could help all the less fortunate this year. Those who lost their homes due to foreclosure. Those who are homeless. Those who are old and sick. Those who have no money left in their pockets.
Yesterday, as I drove home from work, I passed the homeless center in downtown and there was an awfully long line for the dinner being served. I wish we could do that everyday; every year. Serve foods to those who are less fortunate.
Today, my husband and I are celebrating Thanksgiving at home without families. My families live outside the country and they don’t even celebrate Thanksgiving so no point of even mentioning it to them. My husband’s families live far away from us. So it’s just me and my husband.
I have became a vegetarian for over two years so I have not eaten Turkey for Thansgiving for that long. And today is no difference for me. This year though, my husband has requested me to cook him Turkey for his Thanksgiving dinner. So on the weekend, we went get Turkey. I am going to roast it after I come back from church today at 1.
I have so many other things I am going to make today: mashed potatoes, green beans, mixed green leaves, sweet potatoes casserole, corn, honey glazed carrots, rolls, stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and pumpkin cake.
I am off to start cooking. I want to wish everyone a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving. Remember to thank those you hold dearly in your heart.
My husband and I (and the dogs) are visiting Savannah again this weekend from Friday – Sunday. We arrived today around 3PM. We’re lucky we don’t live too far from Savannah. This is our 4th visit to Savannah in almost a year and a half. I am so in love with Savannah. If I won the lottery this weekend, I am going to quit my job on Monday; buy a house in Savannah and move here!!!!!
Savannah is a charming little city. It is packed with histories and old homes–just the way my husband and I like from a city. Although I am only 30 and my husband 28, we both have true love for old homes–Victorian to be exact.
Walking through the streets of Savannah, I always feel some kind of dejavu-like-moments. Like I belong here…my past was here…
I just love it here.
Tonight we went walking down the Riverfront area. We had dinner at Huey’s. I had my favorite Shrimp and Grits while my husband ordered Crawfish Ettoufee. Sure, they are not originally from Savannah (more like Louisiana origin) but they’re still representing the Southern foods strereotype. And of course, we always drink Sweet Tea with our meals when dining out.
Tomorrow morning, we are going to visit my favorite bakery, Back in The Day Bakery (http://www.backinthedaybakery.com/) on Bull Street, to get some yummy cupcakes. The owner has been featured on Paula Deen’s show. Paula Deen is also from Savannah. We plan to grab some lunch tomorrow at Paula Deen’s restaurant, The Lady and Sons (http://www.ladyandsons.com/). Although we have been to Savannah several times, we haven’t had the chance to eat at the restaurant. People say it’s not so good but I love Paula Deen so I’d like to try her restaurant and be the judge myself!! And not far from Paula’s restaurant, there is a kitchen shop I love to visit (and I visit this place everytime I go to Savannah!!), Kitchens on The Square (http://www.kitchensonthesquare.com/). If you love to cook, this place is a must to visit!! Last time I went there, I bought a bunch of cookie cutters in different shapes and sizes!! Very cute.
Anyways. That’s my report from Savannah for now. I will be posting some pics and more stories tomorrow. I love Savannah!!!!
My husband left to St.Petersburg early this morning before 7AM for his 3 days and 2 nights business trip. Last year, he asked me to go with him to similar event (in Celebration (Orlando), FL) and it was so much fun. We traveled together and did so many fun stuff there together. We even had the time to spend extra 2 nights at nearby small town called Mt.Dora to do antiquing. It was SOOOO much fun. This year, because of my crazy new work schedule, I cannot even take 2 days off to go with him. I hate my job. I don’t like my boss either. He treats everyone like little kids. He does not trust anyone. He sets unreasonable goals for us. He thinks he is the best thing in the world. He needs a punch in the face. I really don’t like him. And you know what, I am not the only one who feels that way. I don’t understand why someone finds an enjoyment in making other people’s work life as living hell. That’s pretty much what he does. I am sure my boss would enjoy to hear how suffering we are all at work. I just cannot believe how blind he is. Is he not looking at everyone at work? Does he not realized how miserable we look at work? Does he not realized how miserable we are? I have several breakdowns at home and at work. My heart is burning with desire to leave my job.
Oh I miss my husband so much. He called earlier before 5PM. He finished with today’s class and he was walking on the beach when he called me. The hotel where he is staying at is right on the beach. I told him today was extra boring without him here. Everything seemed so bland without him. He told me that the company is having dinner at 6PM. So right now, he is having dinner with everyone from his company.
Today, I went to Cracker Barrel in hope to find some good sales (at their shop) and I saw Fall season’s decorations already. I couldn’t help but smile. I love Fall and Winter season; Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I love Halloween. Growing up in a different country, we didn’t have Halloween, so I enjoy so much the tradition of giving candies to little kids. I enjoy the time my husband and I spend together one night going to the grocery store to pick several bags candies. I always suggest that we give those kids healthy snacks but my husband always asks me not to do that. He asked me, do you want little kids to throw rotten apples and tomatoes at our house? Ok I get it. LOL. I love giving out candies. We always have tons of candies. Last year, I had the time to actually made 40 goodie bags for little kids. Of course, they were all gone in an hour. But we had bags of extra candies. I think last year we ended our Halloween night around 9.30PM. Some of our neighbors ended their evening earlier. This year, I want to decorate the house again!!!! I am going to buy bags and bags of candies!!! Fun.
Thanksgiving this year is going to be quiet. My husband’s grandma is moving to New Jersey this October. Usually we spend Thanksgiving at her house. But this year, I think we’re going to have to spend it just the two of us at our house. Or usually, my best friend’s family is always inviting us to every holiday celebration gathering at her house. If she invites us again this year, I’d cook something special to bring to the dinner gathering.
Christmas this year I am not sure what we are going to do. I love Christmas. I want to plan it from now but yet at the same time, I want to keep it open. I want this special holiday to be extra special. It’s my favorite time of the year!!!
I had planned tonight’s dinner for days. I love to cook and I used to cook every single night. Now, due to my crazy work schedule, I can no longer do this. When I do have the time, I like to plan my dinners. Cooking for loved ones-family, friends, good neighbors, is my passion. I enjoy it. It makes me happy when others enjoy my foods. Anyways.
On the menu tonight was Bang Bang Shrimp served on a bed of lettuce, Chicken Kiev for my husband, some Korean rice, Watermelon for dessert (and we actually had little bit of ice creams). I was going to cut up some mangos but they weren’t ripe enough. Should be ready for tomorrow.
I used one pound of Shrimps to make the Bang Bang Shrimp. I also made the Chicken Kiev from one pound of chicken breasts. The Bang Bang Shrimp was so good. My husband and I were so full after each eating a plate full of shrimps and lettuce. I couldn’t eat anything else.
We ate dinner while watching the Da Vinci Code. I know it’s old but I haven’t watched it yet until tonight.
Here is the recipe for the Bang Bang Shrimp. You really should try it. You can adjust the spiciness to suit your taste. I got the original recipe from www.grouprecipes.com however, I tweaked a little bit of it.
Bang Bang Shrimp
Ingredients
Cooking directions
I bought 2 lbs of shrimps and I only used 1 lbs tonight. I plan to make something else tomorrow. Maybe I can just make Pan Seared Shrimps to serve with hot white rice that I made tonight. I also have some bay scallops in the refrigerator. I can easily pan sear them too with the shrimps.
Tomorrow, I actually would like to make Cucumber and Tomato salad to serve as the opening of our dinner. It will be served cold and it’s one of my favorite summer salads. So easy to make. Pretty much you just cut up the cucumber and tomatoes and mix them together with italian dressing; some salt and pepper. Keep in the refrigerator for an hour or so and they are ready to be served. Super easy!!! Yet it never fails me. I have made this salad for various potlucks and everyone loved it. I love it best served with Crabcakes. Yummmmmmm.
For dessert, I have been craving for some homemade Pound cake and I found this recipe on www.foodtv.com that has great reviews from everyone. The recipe is from Paula Deen. I have all the ingridients and I am going to make 2 batches of this tomorrow. I’ll freeze some and eat one loaf for this week. I am also in the mood for some cobblers. There are so many fresh fruits right now. I will bake berry cobbler or pie for my husband this weekend as a welcome-home celebration. I’ve got some steak I can grill for him as well once he gets home from his trip. I am going to miss him so much!!!!
We celebrated my husband’s birthday last night with dining out at Bonefish Grill. We spent $51.15. We ordered one shared appetizer (Bang Bang Shrimp), water for me, Ice tea for my husband, one shared House salad with house dressing, Icelandic Dynamic Duo (Wolffish stuffed with crabmeat and shrimp) with garlic mashed potatoes + veggie of the day for me, my husband ordered Steak and Scampi with garlic mashed potatoes + veggie of the day. Since it was my husband’s birthday, they gave him Brownie + ice cream on the house. It was a very nice and filling dinner. We both enjoyed our dinner. The best part is we paid the $50 with our free gift card; the $1.15 we paid in cash. We gave our nice waiter a $13 tip. So in total we spent less than $15 in cash. Good deal.
Good time, good food = nice birthday celebration.
We’re throwing a 4th of July party. Not at our house. It’s going to be at (my husband’s) grandma’s house. My husband’s uncle is making sushi and since he is not from our city (he’ll be visiting), he has asked us to buy fresh fish on July 4th morning. Luckily, we live near the ocean so fresh seafoods are always available.
I am planning on making some Vietnamese Summer Rolls for the appetizer. It’s light and fresh-tasting.
For me, no celebration is complete without dessert!!! This is a biggie for me as I love to make desserts. I want to make something with summer fruits. I went grocery shopping today and I saw sales on Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, and Watermelons. I am thinking of making summer berries triffle. I am going to bake my own Pound cake in the morning. I’ll buy some watermelons as well. Perfect. This is going to be a great 4th of July celebration!!! I am quite excited actually.
I am turning 30 tomorrow, April 3rd.
Happy? yes. I am excited. It’s like I am opening a new chapter in my life. Should be a good one. I am looking forward to my 30s. I have 10 years to make it worth everything.
I am not sure what I want to do to celebrate my birthday. Well, I have to work in the AM. I should be home by 5.30PM. I think my husband is working tomorrow night so we have to wait until the day he does not have to work in the evening. I have a week off next week. So excited. I have lots of house projects I need to do.
Speaking of house projects, I painted my closet–top and sides (7023 Requisite Gray from Benjamin Moore) and I reconfigured it to accomodate (almost) all of my clothes. I am going to finish my husband’s and our master bedroom’s next week. My husband plans to finish our master bedroom next week as well so before the end of the week, hopefully we’ll be able to move everything to the master bedroom. Yay.
Tomorrow is my BIRTHDAY!! I am so excited!!!
