Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Music, Mammoth and Mono Lake

Since I worked through the holidays, I really felt I didn't have a break at all. This weekend certainly made up for it.


Friday night, Evan and I checked out Atwater Village Tavern (great margaritas, okay food), then Michael and I caught up at El Prado before going the Echoplex and seeing the Superhumanoids. I hadn't seen them perform in a minute, so it was great to rediscover their sound.

Evan had decided we were going to wake up before dawn to leave for Mammoth. So I threw some things in my bag (all useless, thank god for target) and we picked up Christable and Veronica. None of us had gotten more than two hours of sleep, and let me tell you, we no longer have the stamina of college students.


But once we got to Mammoth, it was amazing. I had decided to cook the entire weekend.

On the Menu:
Saturday brunch: mimosas, bacon and a Spanish Frittata with new potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, goat cheese, and red onion.
Saturday dinner: artisan pizza with pancetta, fried eggplant, pesto, pizza sauce, mozzarella, burrata, caramelized onions and heirloom tomatoes with a caesar salad with homemade croutons.
Sunday breakfast: orange-banana pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs.
Sunday dinner: ground beef tacos with sauteed kale and onions, pepperjack cheese and peach salsa
Sunday late night snack: sweet potato, pesto on herbed flatbread.
Monday breakfast: omelet with peppers, kale, potatoes, parmesan and goat cheese.

I was happy with the results, although some of my recipes still need tweaking (of course). Also I want to bake more.

So while everyone was skiing, Veronica, Sophie and I hiked. We did the Snowcreek Trail (Sophie loves ice and snow balls.) We also went to Mono Lake, which is this amazing salt lake with tufa rock formations. Absolutely gorgeous.


We went up to the main lodge to see the half-pipe invitationals (i don't even know what those are.) There was hot-tubbing, music, beer tasting, fooseballing, napping and movie-watching. Such an epic time with hilarious and fun people, including Vinson (Evan's friend from home who drove down from San Jose) and Lincoln (Evan's and my coworker.)

Although I need a bit of recovery time from my weekend, I was so grateful and relaxed the entire time. <3 p="">









Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Lost in Griffith

Since I've moved to Atwater (which was a whole two days ago), I've been exploring the area. Shame on me, but I haven't explored Griffith to really any extent (except for picnicking at the Observatory and sipping coffee at Trails Cafe.) So Annie, Sophie and I decided to do a short 2-mile loop trail - the Bill Eckhart, which you enter on Crystal Springs Road. Total fail. We missed the branch off and ended up doing closer to six miles with a lovely steep incline more than half the way. Anyway, when we emerged from the park, we were 2.5 miles away from where we parked and so we threw in the towel and asked our friend/savior Dax, who thankfully was home and lives a short distance to where we were dumped off, to drive us to our car. Currently, my legs feel a bit numb, but overall, a beautiful hike.

Just for the record, I wish that I could find a trail where I could actually complete a loop correctly.




Monday, January 13, 2014

Look Ma, I'm Famous

So I've written before about how my friend Christina hooked me up with Pantene Pro-V for an impromptu haircut. I thought I was going in for a free haircut with a student maybe and maybe there was going to be a before and after photo thing. Nope. Instead, I got an amazing haircut from Jamie Leonard at Brambila Salon and even got to give a few soundbites which made me sound far more together than I actually am. And I got to hang out with the hilarious beauty vlogger Sonia Castaneda. My friend Jacy came with me for the long haul (all nine hours), but it was super-fun to be a part of the whole process and see what goes on behind the scenes. (hint: enough makeup to do a Jackson Pollack reproduction.)

I hate seeing myself on camera. I find my voice, especially all the likes and uhs, extremely irritating. Also like ew. But I love my hair and the Pantene team was amazing. Thanks Pantene, Christina and Jacy!






Thursday, January 9, 2014

Moving Shenanigans and Such

So I'm moving this weekend! Wooooo! More on those specifics later.

Currently, I am trying to find a super-duper roommate to replace me at the Fig House. I've been interviewing people all week (and still have six more tonight), so I'm inhaling a pizza and a spot of wine before the next batch roll in.

So far, we have had some great candidates. I want to be friends with most of the people. Also, I'm already getting nostalgic for the Fig House and I haven't even started packing yet.

Meanwhile, I have a huge project due for work tomorrow, plus another job and two lunch dates. Also, I'm going out tomorrow. Life is so hard for a 20-something, spoiled grad student.

I wasn't going to post today, but between house showings I've been browsing Pinterest.

I want to bake:
Baked Chocolate Coconut Chai Donuts



Flourless Chocolate Citrus Cookies



















I want to drink:
Rose and Cardamom Egg Nog

Blackberry Thyme Sparkler

Grapefruit Jasmine Cocktail


















I want to see:
The Golan Palace

Trabocco Punta Torre

Halaveli, Maldives


















Hokkaido, Japan


 I want to make:
This leather wrap bracelet

These etched cutting boards

These gold mugs


Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Addicted. The Bread and Bacon Edition.

So now that I'm obsessed with baking French bread, (I've made six loaves in the last week), I've been experimenting with other things.

Last night, I made orange marmalade to go with fresh warm bread in honor of Mr. Breadman aka Grant Hartwell's visit. Just as I was nervous about baking, I've also been nervous about making jams/preserves, etc. But following through with some personal goals, I used a simple recipe and was quite happy with the results.




Orange Marmalade:
5 small oranges, cut in half, sliced thinly.
4 cups of water
2 cups sugar
roughly a teaspoon of cinnamon

I used a heavy pot and threw in the orange slices and water and brought to a boil. Boil until the fruit is tender. (If I could break the peel with the wooden spoon, it was pretty good.) Add sugar and cin, lower heat and stir until you get the consistency you're looking for. This took about 25 mins. Cool and spread generously on warm bread with butter.

This morning, Arianna and I took Sophie hiking and stopped by Highland Cafe for lattes. I drooled over someone's French toast and then realized I had leftover bread from last night. Done and Done.



Almond and Cinnamon French Toast
Egg mixture:
1 egg
Dash of milk
Cinn
Dash of almond extract

Stir up the egg mixture, heat up pan with a bit of veg oil. Slice French bread thinly and coat with egg mixture.
On medium heat, cook toast until golden brown on both sides. I threw on some sliced banana and some maple syrup for a quick breakfast.

But just in case you aren't in a sweets mood, I also made a legit "salad."

Warmed Winter Bacon Salad
Package of bacon
Two sweet potatoes
Package of shaved Brussels
Half of a red onion
Half package of Kale
a few oz of goat cheese
apple cider vinegar
salt/pepper to taste

This isn't healthy, but don't judge because you'll love it. (You can judge the fact we ate this with Scott's hot wings; my body is still recovering.)

Fry up bacon. Once crispy, throw in chopped and peeled sweet potato. Fry up till sweet potato is tender. Throwing in kale, cook until tender. Then throw in red onion and kale. Stir up, cook until tender. Add salt, pepper, and about a tablespoon or two of vinegar. Then stir in crumbled goat cheese. Inhale.

I'm getting back into my cooking mode, thank god. I just need to aim toward more healthy. But that'll be another post.

In other news, we did have a small house fire this past weekend. Everyone is okay but it was terrifying. Arianna and I were home when it happened and thank god for her sensitive nose and quick instincts. Because of the incident and for other reasons, I am bidding the Fig House adieu and headed toward a new place (at least temporarily) in... ATWATER! Its an adorable neighborhood with generous and amazing people. I am so excited to be a part of their community although I will miss the Fig House (even though I'll probably be dropping in a bit.)

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Today....

I made bread!



I made a simple french bread adapted from this recipe.

I also:
- cleaned the oven
- mopped and swept
- did a ton of house of laundry
- made marinara sauce from scratch
- wrote wrote wrote
- went on a 5.5 mile hike and a walk with Beebs
- charged my camera and took photos of my favorite model





Feeling good about today. Still debating a show tonight AND also dug out these photos from Rob's visit :)







Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Self-Assessment for 2013

Inspired by my friend Zhaleh (who inspires me far more often than she probably knows), I decided to answer her 25 questions for 2013 as I start this new year. It's a lot but I am happy that I took the time to reflect on these issues. It's less about making up resolutions as much as recognizing the personal journey I am on. I highly recommend a similar exercise - Cheers!




1. What am I most proud of this past year?

This should be the easiest question to answer shouldn’t it? Walking the trails with Kels this morning and discussing our past year and the one coming up, I had far more areas of improvement to discuss than areas I felt accomplished in. I have been proud however of taking advantage of the career opportunities presented to me. From helping my professor edit his book, which was published by the Oxford University Press; going to Brussels to work with an international non-profit; jumping headfirst in my anti-human trafficking consultant position; and working at two of the best firms in Los Angeles in civil rights for the better part of the year. All my life I have been waiting for these experiences to help narrow down what I want to do and what I like to do as far as my career goes. I think this past year, that has definitely become clear. Now it just depends on what kind of career ops come up this year that will put me on a certain career path! The other thing that I am most happy with is getting to take my mom on a couple of trips and concerts. She has always been my biggest inspiration and support and I am glad that I finally got it together enough to show my mom how much I love her.

2. How can I become a better _____________?

I want to be a better friend. I can blame my poor performance on work and school and so on, but that’s useless. I missed birthdays, parties, work presentations, and lots of other ups and downs that I should have been present for some of my closest friends. Not to mention when I did make these events, I sometimes felt tired and overextended and wasn’t as enthusiastic as I should have been. Even typing that out makes me feel so lousy. I think part of fixing this issue is maintaining a good, healthy routine where I keep my energy and pace myself for the end of the week. I am a front-loader and by Friday, I would be exhausted and sometimes even depressed. I wanted to curl up in bed with Sophie (who clearly wanted to go out and party) and rest, instead of going out and meeting new people and supporting old ones. I need to be careful with my commitments, not taking on too much and sticking to ones I do commit to. I think this will make me naturally more present (and positive) for my friends.

3. Where am I feeling stuck?

By working so much, I have also realized that as much of a work-oholic I am, I have felt creatively stifled. I didn’t attend as many concerts I wanted to, I didn’t improve on my blog, I want in yoga pants far too much and especially after coming back from Belgium, stopped taking photos and cooking as much. I am not an artist, but those outlets are especially important to me in maintaining mental and emotional balance. Most certainly, I need to focus on that side of brain more.

4. Where do I need to allow myself grace?

In my self-criticism. Whenever I feel an minute amount of rejection, even in the most ridiculous ways, I turn it into an opportunity to tear myself down. There is a way to focus on self-improvement without thinking of one’s self as inadequate. This year, I need to learn to toe that line and maintain my confidence, even when I see areas of improvement.

5. Am I passionate about my career?

YES. I don’t exactly know what my career will look like once I leave law school. However, throughout my work for three non-profits, two private law firms, doing research in academia, working for the government, etc., my values and goals have been the same advocacy and equality related to issues of civil rights.

6. What lessons have I learned?

To be bolder. A few years ago, I don’t think I could have taken the internship in Brussels, taken such initiative at work, or even been able to communicate the way I have with the people, especially guys, in my life. I think I can be even more honest, since sometimes I internalize a lot and then it comes out like a freaking geyser, but learning to be bolder with my actions and words is something I have started to realize.

How important the women in my life are. My mom, aunts, family friends, and girlfriends. They inspire and support me everyday with their grace, sense of humor, intelligence and creativity.

That it is okay to be vulnerable. So I am still working on this one because it has just started. I hate being disappointed, disillusioned and disenchanted (Seda’s words), so I put up moving walls (Evan’s words) or the great wall of China (Devon’s words). I expect people to act a certain way so I tend toward being guarded OR laughing off everything as a joke. Bad news bears. I’m working on being more open.

Not to do things I don’t want to do. Financially, I decided to take on a couple of projects that I didn’t enjoy. Then I realized I hated it and impulsively let it go. So happy I did.

7. What did my finances look like?

Uh. Eff law school loans. On the other hand, because of my work and the extra freelance assignments I picked, I was able to invest in things that are really important to me, such as travel, going out and good music. I felt a little tight toward the end of the year (tires and new computers are expensive), but for the most part, I think I managed myself pretty well in the circumstances.

8. How did I spend my free time?

For a majority of the year, I was really great about hiking with Sophie every day. I sort of lost this a bit with Brussels and my full work schedule over the summer, but I was happy that when I wasn’t in school or work, I was outside. I went out a lot with my friends, which I hope to keep up, but I do want to try new places. I also got to spend really amazing time with my family.

9. How well did I take care of my body, mind, and soul?

Body – started the year off well and ended well. Brussels was a bit rough with the delicious beers all about and at the beginning of the summer, it was hard to balance working out with. However, when I am eating well and working out, my mental state is amazing. I went through a couple of rough patches, which were probably exasperated by me ignoring bad habits. Thank god for my friends, who listened to me and put up with all my emotional rampaging.

I am about to sound hella melodramatic but I think I neglected my soul. I stopped writing regularly, I read maybe one book for pleasure, I didn’t take photos, etc. That is terrifying.

10. How have I been open-minded?

I think my work naturally keeps me open-minded. One of my ah-ha moments of the year is on this petition I am working on for a DV victim in Ecuador. Despite all of my training and experience, I had a great deal of cynicism and doubt about this particular’s situation. It was shocking once I verbalized and worked through these thoughts.

11. When did I feel most creatively inspired?

I get my daily dose by all the amazing female bloggers I follow. But I am most injected when I am having coffee with girls like Nathalie and Jacy and Lauren and Paige – girls who are artistic and creative and funny.

12. What projects have I completed?

Mostly work related. I’m proud of my law review article, my evaluations for LAFLA and CAST, the appellate briefs I helped draft, my editing of various chapters and books and articles, etc.

This year, I want to focus on self/creative projects.

13. How have I procrastinated?

In all ways possible all the time. This goes from grocery shopping to doing laundry to finishing work projects to studying. I did not have to pull all nighters, but too much of my weekends was playing catch up. Damn Facebook and Buzzfeed.

14. In what ways can I re-structure my time?

I’d like to wake up an hour earlier each day. I already wake up pretty early to hike with Sophs most days. However, an additional hour would allow me time to look through my blogs and write before the day kicks in. I also want to set up a system where I only check my email twice a day unless I am at work. I often find that my constant availability to colleagues and people in general takes away from my productivity. However, generally, I think my time-management is pretty good.

15. How have I allowed fear of failure hold me back?

Two things. Creative projects and my personal relationships. Fear of failing has made me less likely to take initiative in either of those areas.

16. Where has self-doubt taken over?

This is something I am currently grappling with, which is moving my career forward. I am not “leaning in” but rather waiting for others’ to “reward” me for the hard work I believe I have been doing. Despite everything I know about women and the difficulty we face in career development, I still have feelings of inadequacy.

17. When have I felt the most alive?

When I am hosting dinners for my friends, traveling, and hiking at sunrise with Sophie. Also when I hit really interesting and exciting legal issues in my research and actually understand them.

18. How have I taught others to respect me?

I don’t know how to answer this question. I think this is easier again in a professional aspect. I work hard, work late hours, work when I don’t have to. I am dedicated to that. However, I need to procrastinate less. Personally, I feel I am a bit of a loss – help?

19. How can I improve my relationships?

Honesty. And perhaps being less flippant. I have realized that I treat people too casually sometimes, but having been in the reverse position, its terrible. I want to be more mindful of others.

20. Have I been unfair to anyone?

Yes. That is really hard for me to admit. As I learned to be bolder about what I wanted this year, I think I may have been too dismissive of some individuals around me. I think it was a great learning process for me. However, I think of myself as someone who invests and cares a lot in other people and I want to get back to this good place.

21. Who do I need to forgive?

This has also been a year of forgiveness for me. There are certain people that have played an important, but sometimes negative, role in my life. This past year, I have learned how to allow them in my life by forgiving them and understanding their roles. I think this is a gold star for me.

22. Where is it time to let go?

There is a list of about eight. No need to go into the specifics, but just understanding that I’ve learned what I can from those situations and there is no need to dwell on or change anything.

23. What old habits would I like to release?

I watch Law and Order instead of being creative. When I am down or tired, I have, more than any other year, reverted to vegging. Gross.

Also no more yoga pants unless I am working out.

24. What new habits would I like to cultivate?

Earlier mornings. More shows. A book a week. Weekly entertaining. Style blogging. Honesty. Daily photography. Hydration. More yoga.

25. How can I be kind to myself?


Keeping positive people around me. Channeling energy into creative projects. Being honest with myself. 

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