Friday, April 13, 2012
Sunniest Easter Sunday
It is 9:59am, 55 degrees outside, hazy and rainy as I am nestling under a hair dryer near the back of the salon where I can hide from my fellow workmates until my next client arrives. As I quiet my mind, fragmented images of Angels stadium, Universal Studios Hollywood, Katsuya Sushi in Laguna Beach, and Sprinkles cupcakes all race its way into my thoughts, stirring it ever so lightly. I realize my Easter weekend was jam packed with unforgettable events and celebrations.
Let's back track to the most gorgeous Easter sunday one could ever wake up to. We were granted with an amazing sunshine and impeccable uplifting mood swings. There was no church, no easter egg hunting, just breakfast at JD Schmidt, the baseball game, a few lolly pops and frozen lemonade, and lots of Angels surround our presence. Our day was blessed with so much joy and happiness.
Following Easter was Dan's first visit to Universal Studios, best known for their unavoidable lines and screaming kids, where we ventured through a couple of rides and a few I unimpressive shows. Even with a late start, showing up at the gate around 12:30PM, just a short six hours later, our bodies were destroyed of enthusiasm and fun sucked dry from our body, forcing us to conclude our day early with Shrek 4D. With four extra visits left on our ticket, we were in no rush to complete all the rides or see any more mediocre shows. We headed home bound.
Fast forward our weekend to Dan's midweek birthday, April the 11th, marking his second year celebration with me. Our day started out with the typical work load and Katsuya, a fancy sushi restaurant serving Kobe beef in Laguna beach awaits us sometime in the evening. Locking ourselves into a dinner reservation would've been too restricting for our liking, so we purposely left it open to feed our free-flowing spirits. We arrived at the restaurant close to 7PM and and left a little after 8. We headed for Broadway, a restaurant recommended by a good client of mine, for their signature desserts and coffee. But our timing was off, they had reserved the entire restaurant for a private party, so we were left with a back-up plan that I had intuitively set up - red velvet Sprinkles Cupcakes hiding in the small refrigerator hidden underneath the wet bar. Dan was thrilled.
It was a long weekend to recap, but it was too significant to not blog about. It went by too fast. Here I am, the week has propelled to Friday and even though the weekend is starting all over again, it will never be the same as weekend we had before.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Stuffed men, children & cousins
I turned down a weekly meeting today, to take care of things that prove to be priority in my life this exactly moment in time, my cousin and her family. While our house isn't exactly the first reason for their visit to California, where Universal Studios took top priority in this scenario as the kids are on spring break and costco's 5-days-for-$59-value is hard to pass up, they thoughtfully added us to their chaos schedule to come over and have a meal with us. For this, I am grateful.
To hold me over, the first part of my day consists of coffee, instant udon noodle, gardening, and Andrew Zimmern's "Jamaica" Travel. The day travels slowly as I finish up Jamaica and head out to a much sweeter place, Cinnabon! Half a dozen and nearly three pounds of dough, baked and coated with creamy frosting will be coming back home with me before 6 this evening.
One by one, my cousin Van, Derek, and three kids march into the house, each with either a family pack of OC grown strawberries, roasted chicken, caesar's salad, cheese and salami plate, two loafs of garlic bread and a super size pepperoni pizza. Throw in a bottle of Pinot Noir and this is one fat feast you wouldn't want to miss. Even Dan knew to force things at work to finish early so he can join us at a decent time. With Derek's willingness to wait for him before diving in, Dan is gauranteed to have a eating partner.
NCAA Finals dominates the house as the two newly acquainted men blab about stuff I can care less about while Chase shows me his white to green belt Kung Fu techniques, Christian and Kellen rests their tired bodies on the coach, and Van rambles in the kitchen - getting things tidy. Cinnabon cleans our palate and fills the sugar tooth, making it another satisfying and stuffed night.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
A fully loaded day
One load, two loads, three loads of laundry, washed and folded, David Tutera's "My Fair Wedding", and Oprah Winfrey's Life Class in St. Louis all took place while Dan was out running an important errand. Coming from a Carribean Cruise, my brother Nate and his family will be arriving thirty-five minutes earlier than the scheduled time at LAX. Arriving at 5:20 this evening, Dan and I will aim for their house beforehand to snatch the family van before heading to the airport.
Once, twice and three times, we circle the Southwest terminal, killing time until their baggage is claimed and they are awaiting curbside to be picked up. After receiving a gestured approval from the airport security, Dan pulls the mini van tightly to the curb and opens the door to some happy-to-be-home faces that have been missed for a week. Baggage and people are all safely loaded into the van, we squeeze our way out of this busy airport and head to a broken rice restaurant in Little Saigon.
The 405 freeway flowed with great ease like a ballerina performing an allegro, swaying us effortlessly to a restaurant where each person filled their starving tummies with broken rice and I slurped every once of the wanton soup noodle. With loaded stomaches, the van becomes snug as we crowd ourselves back inside and head to the final destination - Asbury Circle.
The pick up was a success. Although Dan and I didn't have even the smallest room in our tummies to fit a Jolly Rancher icey dessert from Tebot, we did have room in our night to cram in a movie - "Boogie Nights".
Once, twice and three times, we circle the Southwest terminal, killing time until their baggage is claimed and they are awaiting curbside to be picked up. After receiving a gestured approval from the airport security, Dan pulls the mini van tightly to the curb and opens the door to some happy-to-be-home faces that have been missed for a week. Baggage and people are all safely loaded into the van, we squeeze our way out of this busy airport and head to a broken rice restaurant in Little Saigon.
The 405 freeway flowed with great ease like a ballerina performing an allegro, swaying us effortlessly to a restaurant where each person filled their starving tummies with broken rice and I slurped every once of the wanton soup noodle. With loaded stomaches, the van becomes snug as we crowd ourselves back inside and head to the final destination - Asbury Circle.
The pick up was a success. Although Dan and I didn't have even the smallest room in our tummies to fit a Jolly Rancher icey dessert from Tebot, we did have room in our night to cram in a movie - "Boogie Nights".
Friday, March 30, 2012
Two tumbling weeds
Going with the flow like a tumble weed carried by the wind, flying freely and happily in mid-air, open to hit a light pole in its way or settle peacefully on the side of the road is essentially our nightly dinner plans since the apron got hung.
This evening, we are blown to Aztec Mexican Restaurant in Fountain Valley and settle peacefully for about an hour. Two tequitos, two mini tacos, two Budweisers, and some chips & salsa make for a deliciously ripped off dinner special offered tonight. It filled our cravings and hit the desperate spot, but the quality and price ratio didn't make any sense to us. The best part about our meals was the refreshing, thirst quenching and ever so satisfying Budweiser. We paid the bill with a big smile and hope the wind doesn't blow in that direction ever again.
We tumble off to Ralph's to pick up some munchies and a movie and aim to land at our house where we can get comfortable and watch "Young Adults". The movie was hair-pulling and agitatingly slow. We squeal and shriek in agonizing pain at every word vocalized by the main character. There is no possible way to relate to her. Her character is immoral and no body in their right mind should leave a loving live-in boy friend, a successful job in the big city to go home to their small home town to try and rekindle with an old boy friend who is now happily married and have a newborn. It is just wrong. We endured the pain, finished the movie, and finally understood the hidden message. It wasn't as bad as we had thought and for what it's worth, we understand how it can make our lives a little bit better.
Tomorrow we will tumble some more, flying aimlessly, open to settle or hit anything that is in our way. We will enjoy it, and we prefer it this way for now.
This evening, we are blown to Aztec Mexican Restaurant in Fountain Valley and settle peacefully for about an hour. Two tequitos, two mini tacos, two Budweisers, and some chips & salsa make for a deliciously ripped off dinner special offered tonight. It filled our cravings and hit the desperate spot, but the quality and price ratio didn't make any sense to us. The best part about our meals was the refreshing, thirst quenching and ever so satisfying Budweiser. We paid the bill with a big smile and hope the wind doesn't blow in that direction ever again.
We tumble off to Ralph's to pick up some munchies and a movie and aim to land at our house where we can get comfortable and watch "Young Adults". The movie was hair-pulling and agitatingly slow. We squeal and shriek in agonizing pain at every word vocalized by the main character. There is no possible way to relate to her. Her character is immoral and no body in their right mind should leave a loving live-in boy friend, a successful job in the big city to go home to their small home town to try and rekindle with an old boy friend who is now happily married and have a newborn. It is just wrong. We endured the pain, finished the movie, and finally understood the hidden message. It wasn't as bad as we had thought and for what it's worth, we understand how it can make our lives a little bit better.
Tomorrow we will tumble some more, flying aimlessly, open to settle or hit anything that is in our way. We will enjoy it, and we prefer it this way for now.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
My flavored chair
If I try to tally up all of the meaningful, important tasks that needs to be completed during my week of spring break, the result would be quite disappointing. There are some tasks I skipped over, others I haven't gotten to, and yet some extra credits I never expected to do, but did. Needless to say, I haven't fulfilled any goals I have laid out for this week.
Two tasks I can check off (more than once) are "doing nothing" and "blogging" from the list. Another one I can check off is to get acquainted with the kitchen, but next to it is a side note that says, "failed miserably". And when the kitchen isn't accepting my creative flavors, I take it straight to the salon, where this creative release can take place and where my clients can fully benefit. And today, I take it out on Jamie Miller.
Miss Miller and I go way back. When she needed a stylist who is willing to transform her mid-back length to a modern bob eight years ago, she chose me. When her work friend needed a new hairstylist to take care of her hair needs, she referred me. Today, in the early morning, I received a text message requesting a new look and attached was a photo of a Chanel ad campaign with a model sporting a modern pixie cut -it was a text message from her. I was honored.
Since we are both busy with our own clients, three thirty is the only time that fits both of our schedules. With hair washed, combed and caped, she settles into my chair as if she is an official client. Gathered around us are some of my favorite salon- mates. The energy from the crowd rises like the Staple Center hosting a Prince Concert, loud conversations floats all around us, as I open with a first cut - clean and precise. This initial guideline led me to finish the entire head without any mistakes. Having most of her blondest blonde wet hair piled on the floor, I power dry her hair to shape it against her head, making it more visible and easier to detail to its finished look.
Melting both Gennifer Goodwin and Michelle Williams styles together, we have created Miss Miller's unique, one-and-only sassy short. She wears the style better than anyone I've seen, with complete confidence and sex appeal. Tonight, I will go home, make hot wings, pasta salad, and finally hang my apron for a while. If I'm not creating in the kitchen, I know "the chair" will always be there to feed my creativity.
Two tasks I can check off (more than once) are "doing nothing" and "blogging" from the list. Another one I can check off is to get acquainted with the kitchen, but next to it is a side note that says, "failed miserably". And when the kitchen isn't accepting my creative flavors, I take it straight to the salon, where this creative release can take place and where my clients can fully benefit. And today, I take it out on Jamie Miller.
Miss Miller and I go way back. When she needed a stylist who is willing to transform her mid-back length to a modern bob eight years ago, she chose me. When her work friend needed a new hairstylist to take care of her hair needs, she referred me. Today, in the early morning, I received a text message requesting a new look and attached was a photo of a Chanel ad campaign with a model sporting a modern pixie cut -it was a text message from her. I was honored.
Since we are both busy with our own clients, three thirty is the only time that fits both of our schedules. With hair washed, combed and caped, she settles into my chair as if she is an official client. Gathered around us are some of my favorite salon- mates. The energy from the crowd rises like the Staple Center hosting a Prince Concert, loud conversations floats all around us, as I open with a first cut - clean and precise. This initial guideline led me to finish the entire head without any mistakes. Having most of her blondest blonde wet hair piled on the floor, I power dry her hair to shape it against her head, making it more visible and easier to detail to its finished look.
Melting both Gennifer Goodwin and Michelle Williams styles together, we have created Miss Miller's unique, one-and-only sassy short. She wears the style better than anyone I've seen, with complete confidence and sex appeal. Tonight, I will go home, make hot wings, pasta salad, and finally hang my apron for a while. If I'm not creating in the kitchen, I know "the chair" will always be there to feed my creativity.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Please turn the page
As I pop my upper body out of bed and reach to turn on the light, I finish up the last sentence on page 13,179 of my autobiography, I lick my right forefinger, turn the page, and continue to write at the 7:09 AM mark. Dan is standing in front of the mirror, fixing his hair over and over again and admiring himself with pouty model-like lips, and I remember today is day two of having absolutely no obligations, at least none that really matters in my book anyway. It's like taking a sick day from the office except I'm not sick and I don't work in an office.
Clear broth made from one whole chicken - a 4-pounder- with carrots, onions, star-shaped noodles and herbs I found in the spice cabinet, is leftover chicken soup that feeds the purpose for this morning's let's-get-spoiled-all-day day. Miranda July is helping me through this nonchalant day and I am grateful for her.
My legs feel tired and restless. How is this right when all I've been doing is a ton of nothing. My body is not much better either, it feels like an over cooked noodle, ready to dissolve at a gentle touch of a tongue. I care very little about this issue and go about my day.
A phone call comes through and it is the cable guy informing me about his arrival in fifteen minutes. I get myself off the couch, place Miranda facing down on the glass table and freshen up the living room area so that it doesn't smell like chicken soup but rather "super orange" window cleaner. The guy, slender and fairly short - well compared to Dan everybody is short - dark skin and quarter inch long hair that was probably cut in his bathroom using a guarded electric razor, is delicate and speaks very slowly as if he is slightly "special". His electrical knowledge seems to be that of someone with their Bachelor's Degree. Or just someone who was well trained from the DirecTv company themselves. He is bright and I am confident he will make us happy.
I'm sitting in a wicker chair in the family room, reading a California State University of Fullerton packet, I can hear the first sound coming out of the tv and it is The Price Is Right. The tv is working! Juan Tellez Jr., who has been replacing new cables and configuring satellite for over two and a half hours has successfully gotten picture and sound. He clearly knows what he's doing. He calls me over to educate me on the endless features that DirecTv seems to offer and probably less than half of which we know exists. I can hear the passion and excitement through his voice and my undivided attention and extreme interest fuels him even more. I am being overloaded with information, some of which went over my head.
After a reviving shower, I make myself a greeny drink, sit myself back on the couch, and turn the channel to, you guessed it, Bizzar Food with Andrew Zimmer, "Mongolian" Travel. Mongolian's gruesome goat's head delicacies, carcass soup, and milk cured fried up in its own fat has turned even my favorite refreshing drink into something of a molding milk. I gagged at every gulp I take. I have never been more disgusted and grossed out. I suck up the nausea, morning-sickness-feeling, and no, I am not pregnant, I finish my drink. I pick Miranda up from the table and dig my face between the pages once again. It isn't even noon yet, but so far the day his been satisfactory and nonchalantly beautiful. And in just a few hours I will yet turn another page.
Clear broth made from one whole chicken - a 4-pounder- with carrots, onions, star-shaped noodles and herbs I found in the spice cabinet, is leftover chicken soup that feeds the purpose for this morning's let's-get-spoiled-all-day day. Miranda July is helping me through this nonchalant day and I am grateful for her.
My legs feel tired and restless. How is this right when all I've been doing is a ton of nothing. My body is not much better either, it feels like an over cooked noodle, ready to dissolve at a gentle touch of a tongue. I care very little about this issue and go about my day.
A phone call comes through and it is the cable guy informing me about his arrival in fifteen minutes. I get myself off the couch, place Miranda facing down on the glass table and freshen up the living room area so that it doesn't smell like chicken soup but rather "super orange" window cleaner. The guy, slender and fairly short - well compared to Dan everybody is short - dark skin and quarter inch long hair that was probably cut in his bathroom using a guarded electric razor, is delicate and speaks very slowly as if he is slightly "special". His electrical knowledge seems to be that of someone with their Bachelor's Degree. Or just someone who was well trained from the DirecTv company themselves. He is bright and I am confident he will make us happy.
I'm sitting in a wicker chair in the family room, reading a California State University of Fullerton packet, I can hear the first sound coming out of the tv and it is The Price Is Right. The tv is working! Juan Tellez Jr., who has been replacing new cables and configuring satellite for over two and a half hours has successfully gotten picture and sound. He clearly knows what he's doing. He calls me over to educate me on the endless features that DirecTv seems to offer and probably less than half of which we know exists. I can hear the passion and excitement through his voice and my undivided attention and extreme interest fuels him even more. I am being overloaded with information, some of which went over my head.
After a reviving shower, I make myself a greeny drink, sit myself back on the couch, and turn the channel to, you guessed it, Bizzar Food with Andrew Zimmer, "Mongolian" Travel. Mongolian's gruesome goat's head delicacies, carcass soup, and milk cured fried up in its own fat has turned even my favorite refreshing drink into something of a molding milk. I gagged at every gulp I take. I have never been more disgusted and grossed out. I suck up the nausea, morning-sickness-feeling, and no, I am not pregnant, I finish my drink. I pick Miranda up from the table and dig my face between the pages once again. It isn't even noon yet, but so far the day his been satisfactory and nonchalantly beautiful. And in just a few hours I will yet turn another page.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Homemade chicken soup
As of last night, after a 15-minute phone call to a DirectTv technician resulted in a three-day shot down of our service, an 8 AM to Noon service appointment (tomorrow), and a useless twelve-dollar reimbursement. We are cut from any broadcasted shows or movies for three days. Since operating the Play Station isn't my cup of tea, I am decapitated from all dvd's too.
So this morning, I sip on my yummy coffee and stare off into space, with silence all around me, making me aware that I am trapped! The Blackberry Play book is useful for research and reading emails, but typing up anything on there requires twenty extra fingers and patience made of steel. The only computer accessibility is way back in the beatlab where computer utilization is only fun when Dan is around and Deejays his favorite jams from Spotify. Now I can truly understand his frustration with being poorly connected throughout the house, especially when we are paying top dollar every single month.
Looks like I will be spending some time out of the house today, but I can't think of what to do. My 11 O' Clock standing nail appointment will kick start my day, then I suppose I can browse the asian market for produce I've been dying to roast, blend and drink. And while I'm at it, i can hang a right at the green sign that says "Fresh & Easy" to redeem my $5 off coupon with purchase of $25 that expires tomorrow, and I have to remember it doesn't apply to dairy products. I never understood this restriction, and each time I use this coupon, I read and re-read this restriction, hoping they will change it but they never do. Even though it bothers me, I never do anything about it and shop anyway.
With a trunk full of produce, rib-eye, prawns, eggs and fresh fruit, just to name a few, I park the car in the garage in reverse for easy unloading. There is no way I will make it through a full day at home without tv, so I make my technical call to my personal IT, mister Dan Sheahan. Within less than three minutes over the phone, he voice directed me to successfully play the Movie, "Titanic". This movie always managed to make my heart hurt and my dreams become nightmares, yet I never deny it whenever there is a chance to watch it. This time, it happened to be in the pile of DVD s that I had randomly grabbed from the movies cabinet. I do admit, I've never watched this movie alone. And today is the first.
While chicken noodle soup made from scratch with one whole chicken is simmering on the stove and cooked pasta noodles is cooling, my deserving body is resting on the couch, and my attention is now given to this 3-hour long movie. I'm not too worried about this DirectTv shananigan, I'm just going to focus and enjoy having absolutely no obligations until 8AM tomorrow.
So this morning, I sip on my yummy coffee and stare off into space, with silence all around me, making me aware that I am trapped! The Blackberry Play book is useful for research and reading emails, but typing up anything on there requires twenty extra fingers and patience made of steel. The only computer accessibility is way back in the beatlab where computer utilization is only fun when Dan is around and Deejays his favorite jams from Spotify. Now I can truly understand his frustration with being poorly connected throughout the house, especially when we are paying top dollar every single month.
Looks like I will be spending some time out of the house today, but I can't think of what to do. My 11 O' Clock standing nail appointment will kick start my day, then I suppose I can browse the asian market for produce I've been dying to roast, blend and drink. And while I'm at it, i can hang a right at the green sign that says "Fresh & Easy" to redeem my $5 off coupon with purchase of $25 that expires tomorrow, and I have to remember it doesn't apply to dairy products. I never understood this restriction, and each time I use this coupon, I read and re-read this restriction, hoping they will change it but they never do. Even though it bothers me, I never do anything about it and shop anyway.
With a trunk full of produce, rib-eye, prawns, eggs and fresh fruit, just to name a few, I park the car in the garage in reverse for easy unloading. There is no way I will make it through a full day at home without tv, so I make my technical call to my personal IT, mister Dan Sheahan. Within less than three minutes over the phone, he voice directed me to successfully play the Movie, "Titanic". This movie always managed to make my heart hurt and my dreams become nightmares, yet I never deny it whenever there is a chance to watch it. This time, it happened to be in the pile of DVD s that I had randomly grabbed from the movies cabinet. I do admit, I've never watched this movie alone. And today is the first.
While chicken noodle soup made from scratch with one whole chicken is simmering on the stove and cooked pasta noodles is cooling, my deserving body is resting on the couch, and my attention is now given to this 3-hour long movie. I'm not too worried about this DirectTv shananigan, I'm just going to focus and enjoy having absolutely no obligations until 8AM tomorrow.
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