Friday, October 31, 2014

Happy Halloween?

Boo!

Did I scare y'all?

Yeaaaa didn't think so. This Halloween doesn't feel like Halloween. It's not as devastatingly depressing as my Halloween junior year of high school, but I'd put it in that category. I started the day off trying to drag myself out of bed. How was I a morning person in college? I had my second day of work!! Yesterday I spent the second half of the day watching how the cash register is run. Man there are a heck a lot of buttons!! Today I got to input some of the customer orders all on my own! I got some pats on the shoulder and kind words of praise from my associates. As for the customers, they were super understanding and said I was doing a great job!

After work I walked around shopping for clothes for my other job. That's when I saw all the adorably dressed little ones. Isn't that one of the best parts of this holiday? Makes me smile to watch them get so excited. Remember those days?

Bought some clothes and headed home. Of course this was after I talked myself out of froyo, candy, Starbucks, and Panera hot choc with choc chip marshmallows. I know! Not a very happy drive home. Realizing I was driving home and probably not leaving home.

Few hours passed by. I watched some YouTube and Shatzi's Netflix while laying on the floor. My brother's out all night with friends and his girlfriend and my parents are out all night with a neighbor so figured I should buy myself some dinner. Too lazy to cook anything. Opted for Indian food. I think Indian food may be one of my favorites! Don't let this small portion fool you because I had another and then some . . . Of course I shared with my doggie. She LOVES the rice just like her mommy! I don't feed her any other part because of the spices.










Too lazy to walk upstairs to retrieve my iPad so I flipped on the TV. Glad I did because Halloween Wars was on. Look at these pumpkins! Granted they used other items (cake, blown/stretched sugar, candy, etc) to create these creepy crazy creations.

I didn't carve a pumpkin this year. Didn't dress up or do any cool makeup today. Didn't hand out candy. Didn't watch a scary movie. Didn't plan on spending it alone either. I am thankful that Mimi baby is here unlike junior year of high school.

Me and holidays. It only gets better, huh? One day maybe. Tell me about your Halloween! I hope you guys had loads of fun handing out candy, trick-or-treating, watching scary films, and whatever other Halloween activities you got to do!

Happy Haunting  =^..^=

ALG

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Chili Or Not?

Salut mes amis!


It has been over a month . . . geez I am behind. Here's a quick and easy chili recipe for y'all! I am not a fan of ground beef or chili so I had no idea if it looks like chili or tastes like it. The family seemed to like it though. (don't ask why there is all this crazy spacing issues)
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- onion
- green bell pepper
- can of diced tomatoes
- can of tomato sauce (not pictured)
- can of kidney beans
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup A1 sauce
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- oil to coat the pan
- salt & pepper

Step 1: Add the oil, ground beef, onions, and pepper to the pan. Cook for 5-8 minutes. You want to get the meet to start cooking. (If you like onions I suggest dicing them. My brother is not fond of onions so I left them in large pieces so the flavor would not be missing from the dish. Easy to remove before serving)
Step 2-3: Add in the spices. Cook for a few minutes. Add in the tomato products, water, and A1 sauce. You want this to cook for 10ish minutes.
Step 4: Add in them beans! Give it a good mix and cover. Cook for another 10-15 minutes. You want it to be fully cooked at the end of the timer. Stir occasionally. (This is when I took a pair of tongs and pulled out all the onions)
Step 5: Turn the heat down to keep the chili warm. Serve over rice (my brother's choice) or with toast/crackers. So this question is for all my chili eating friends out there: does it look like chili? Smelled good and the family ate it sooo give it a shot if you guys want something simple and warm!
ALG

Friday, September 19, 2014

Ayu + ALG Day 5

Hi guys,

Our last full day :(

But it was so much fun!! Off we went to San Diego! Our first stop was Schatzi's house. Since Ayuka is so dear to me, my best friend, my sister it means the world to me that she meets my boyfriend. Schatzi made some suggestions as to where we should go in SD and out the door we went. We went to The Cove!

I've snorkeled a number of times before, but this was Ayuka's first time! We couldn't take our cameras because they aren't waterproof and we didn't want anyone to steal em! The water was cold at first. Pretty calm and then the waves started lol We got tossed around a bit, but I enjoyed it! Not as nice as Catalina but still very fun!

Our swimsuits happened to match!!






HUGE peanut butter cup. Cuz someone was starving before lunch!




This road reminded me of roads I'd have seen in San Fran. After lunch we headed to Balboa Park! You guys remember when I went with Schatzi? This trip with Ayuka brought back so many memories of the times I went with Schatzi.







Here we are taking turns posing for the camera!



These next photos are a handful of the moments during the day that reminded me of our (Schatzi & I) first day together.

Remember that newly wed couple that was taking photos and not looking terribly happy? lol



 Remember studying under that tree? It was such a beautiful day.


I ALWAYS have to pee it seems. Remember walking past these on our hunt to find a restroom? I think you were more focused on finding me a restroom because I kept getting distracted by all the cool things around us lol






I think this may have been one of my favorite photos I took of Ayu during her stay with me.

She told me ta pose. I tried lol





Thank you Ayu for photographing this moment I was having lol I was filming myself spinning . . .

Since we both were photographing everything we got quite a few shots of each other taking photos. Like these @.@






I'll say we did take a whole lot more of us taking photos lol I love how silly we can be.

Gaslamp was next! We walked around the shops since we were super stuffed from our lunch. Ayuka pointed out this Breakfast At Tiffany's inspired window! I just loved it!!

There was a store that was covered in accessories. You can probably guess we spent a good amount of time in there. Being girly girls!

We had a curfew of 10pm so we had to say our goodbyes to Gaslamp and SD at 8pm. Ayuka understands me now when I say how in love with SD I am. She says one day she wants a house in SD. I can come crash at your place right Ayu? lol

As we left SD we found ourselves singing along to the radio as it played Best Day Of My Life. Good times. Good times. Thank you for such a great day trip Ayu :)

After we got home though I had a turn of emotions. I did my best to put it aside as I knew that would be the last of my time with my sister. Thank you Ayu's family for allowing me to steal her away for a while. Thank you to mom, dad, and brother for putting up with our craziness. Lastly, thank you to Ayuka for making my summer vacation memorable. Sooooo ready to start our planning for next summer?!?

ALG

ps check out Ayu's blog post, How I Fell In Love With La Jolla, for more sweet photos!

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

I'm Lost :'(

Hey there,

Have you ever felt completely and utterly lost?

What a day guys. Today is one of my days off from work, but I was asked to come in so I did. Got to work at 9am. My badge doesn't allow me access to buildings. In other words, when a door is locked I must knock and hope that someone comes to my rescue. It's not too much of a hassle. I just feel like I bother people when I knock. Right so back to the story. My mom dropped me off and the front door was locked. I went around the back to find that that door was locked as well. I walked upstairs to knock on that locked door. After getting into the building for work, I spent an hour reorganizing flyers, throwing out old ones, and creating my plan of attack. I had six cities to travel to. Handing out stacks of flyers to any business that would allow me to. I am not the best person when it comes to directions and places. So I Google mapped the city halls of each city and put them into order to make a nice little route for myself. Figured as long as I start at the City Hall I will be able to find surrounding business.

My first stop was the Covina library. I arrived there around 10:15am. On the way there, a box in the back seat managed to invert itself. After I parked I got out and opened the door to fix the mess of flyers. That's when they all decided to fall out of the Tahoe and mock me as they lay next to my feet. It wasn't even Covina's flyers. 5 minutes later . . . I walked around to enter the library where I found a man laying out front. He told me that the library isn't open till noon. Back to the car. I couldn't afford to make a trip back after noon so I drove around to random business around the area.

I then hit up Glendora. At this point the temperature read a scorching 115 degrees. I realize this may not be terribly hot to some of you friends, but for where I live that is mighty hot! I walked up and down the streets leaving small stacks with local businesses. Then to La Verne. At this point I had been to cleaners, Verizon stores, gyms, Taco Bell, 31 Flavors, Sports Challet, pet shops, city halls, libraries, etc. When I finally finished La Verne I headed to Claremont.

Claremont I knew would be my biggest challenge. Most cities had a few stacks of flyers. Claremont had two full boxes of flyers! I walked up and down the streets. Moved the car to Claremont City Hall and then walked to the library and other busnesses. I moved the car a few streets over and did the same. I hadn't really stopped to eat. I had eaten an egg, some tapioca, 1/2 a snack size bag of cheese crackers, 1/2 a banana, and some of a caramel apple. The ac in the car was blowing out cool to room temp to warm air. The left vent was only blowing at half power if that. I tried to think cool, but I couldn't stop sweating. I moved the car again. The street parking was full so this time I went to a small parking lot somewhat hidden away. That was a big mistake. I left my back pack in the car, but luckily took my phone with me. As I walked store to store I realized I was getting close to hitting where I was before I moved the car. So I turned a corner and went down another street. I wasn't feeling too good. It was past 2pm, the time I was scheduled to work til. I told myself after this box of flyers I would go back to the office and be done for the day. Did this happen? Of course NOT!

I couldn't remember where I had parked the car. The company car mind you! I had to stop to sit to try to think, cool down, and catch a breath of warm air. My memory isn't the sharpest, but today something was really off. I couldn't remember anything. Everything started to look the same. I started to panic. I walked around for 20 minutes looking for the car. I wasn't sure what to do so I called my mom up. She told me to wait by city hall and she would come help me. What help would she be if she doesn't know the area? Or what stores I had been to? What the car looks like? She said at least I wouldn't be out in the heat. I didn't want her to come so she gave me ten more minutes. I'm sure you all guessed it. I didn't find the car within those 10 minutes. With every parking lot I passed without seeing the car my heart beat faster. I felt incredibly lost. I didn't know what to do.

Waiting for my mom I made my way back to a store I had previously asked if I could leave flyers. The two women saw me and instantly knew something wasn't right. They sat me down and gave me some water. It was nice to be able to sit in a nice cool room. I couldn't remember anything. I explained my dilema and how I remember coming in their store maybe 40-50 minutes prior. She was surprised when I said that. She told me it had been at least an hour and 40 minutes since she had last seen me. That kind of freaked me out. Not the best with judging time, but I am normally off maybe 20 minutes max. So to be off by a whole hour?? They were telling my I had probably suffered from heat exhaustion/stroke almost. The three of us chatted until I saw my mom drive by. I was to meet her at City Hall so I walked on over there. After thanking the two women of course.

I am so grateful that she came to get me because I wasn't feeling good. I had a huge headache. My stomache was upset due to lack of food and downing water too fast. My body was wet with sweat. As she was driving me around it started to rain. Not even drizzle, that part was skipped. Then it grew to a harder rain. We drove up and down the streets. My head was throbbing and I couldn't seem to think straight. After maybe 10 minutes we found it! Thank goodness!! We drove back to the office so I could return the car and she could take me home. The car ride back was hot and stuffy, but at least I had found the car and gotten it back to work safely.

Throughout my walking around cities I held doors open to men and women that had their hands full. Whether it be suitecases, ice creams, coffee, mail, etc. I held the doors because I know what it's like to struggle to enter/exit a place with my arms full. The two women that gave me water told me this is the good karma coming back to me. Since I helped people when I didn't need to I got to sit on a nice chair in a cool room and drink water when I needed help. Before I used to hold doors only if people were behind me. Now I'd say I go out of my way to hold doors open for others. I offer a helping hand when I see someone could use one. Even if I know I won't be much help. It's the thought and actions that count in these situations.

I now get to go to work at 10am instead of 3pm so I can go back to Claremont to hand out the rest of the flyers as well as Chino and Chino Hills. I think I may need to swap cars so I get nice cool ac. Lesson learned though. I must always take a photo or jot down where I parked. That way if next time I pass out and hit my head, someone will be able to help me!

Do me a favor. The next time you see someone struggling to open a door give em a hand. What would you lose, a few seconds? What would you gain, a smile a thank you? It's a very small price to pay for such a rewarding action.

ALG

Monday, September 15, 2014

Ayu + ALG Day 4




Bonjour mes amis!


Look at the goodies Ayu brought for my family! All from Canada. My family and I went o a cruise to Alaska and visited Canada a few years ago. Those maple cookies are THE bomb!






We slept in and decided to have a lazy day. Spent time blogging and then dun dun duuuuuhhhh . . . we decided to try the 1,000 squat challenge! Oh man I only did 450. Ayu did 500 before I told her I had to stop lol It was cerazzzzy!! My legs were so sore for almost an entire week. I couldn't walk up and down the stairs like a normal human being. I couldn't sit down on the toilet like a normal human being. Shoot, I couldn't even walk like a normal human being!  


Remember when I said we were too early for the CPK dinner? Well today was the day. Beautiful evening sky (can't say it beats the pictures from my UCSD balcony).

 




Our friends are shy, so here we are! Ayuka and I used to go to CPK almost religiously. I mean CPK was out thing! lol CPK, shopping, and Cheesecake Factory (notice Ayuka's blog name).

Only three of her friends joined us. It was small, but intimate gatherings can sometimes be better than huge ones right?

ALG

Royalty Roses

Hi friends,

Schatzi and I are miles apart, but he sent me this beautiful floral arrangement. I've never received anything like it before. He had called me the day before saying I should have gotten them a day or two prior. So Schatzi was bummed that I had yet to receive my delivery, but I told him not to worry.


Came home with Ayu and these beauties were waiting for me in the entry! The timing could not have been any more perfect. I had been down all day. Seeing all of the couples at the museum made me miss my boyfriend even more than I already was missing him.














Flowers are one of the things in this world that make me happy. Schatzi first got me roses back in February. That was the very first time I had been so lucky to receive professionally arranged flowers from anyone. Eight months later and he still spoils me ^.^

As if the arrangement wasn't perfect enough already, there was this glittery peaceful butterfly on one of the flowers.




You guys, I am so incredibly lucky. Even when he can't be around me he still knows how to put a smile on my face. Thank you Schatzi for the wonderful surprise. I love you so much :)

ALG

Ayu + ALG Day 3




Hola,

Day 3 consisted of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art! I had never been before so this was my first time! Ayu has been before but she loves art so much she wanted to go back!








Got in for free with my Bank of America card! Woot woot!














 I think this was my favorite piece of the day! The deep colors and various textures really caught my eye.









Below is the Harry Potter store we went to before leaving LA.




Fun Fact: I have always wanted to go to a masquerade! I love to get dressed up, and dances were the perfect excuse back in high school and middle school.

Is this not gorgeous?!?? Halloween is a creepin up on us..
I thought about buying this and making a costume around this item, but I don't think
I need to be spending $50 on this for myself. I was/am in love with this though.



Overall, a fun day for us! A vlog will be up soon enough!

ALG