Last Meal

Anything involving food, you know I'm game. So, I couldn't pass up the chance to give praise to my favorite foods. Thanks to a fellow blogger for giving me this opportunity.

Try this on for size:
Imagine that the world is about to come to an end tomorrow and you've said goodbye to all your loved ones. As you sit on your bed about to sleep for the last time, a genie comes out of nowhere and tells you that he will prepare a feast for you. List everything you want to eat and he will give it to you. Your stomach will temporarily become bottomless and it will be like a buffet; you can eat as much as you want. There will be no guilt for anything. Time will stand still until you're done eating. What will you want to have?

In no particular order:

Saimin - but only real kind Saimin. Like Zippy's...mmm! Not stupid Top Ramen, although I already do eat that pretty much every day

Manapua - Huge, fat, steamed ones with char siu inside. Like the kind you can get at 7-11 in Hawaii.

Sushi - Preferably something with Hamachi, tempura shrimp, lots of yummy sauces, and just a touch of ginger and wasabi

Lemon Bars - After sampling many a lemon bar across the land, I must say that I prefer my

own lemon bars above all else. Go figure!

Mochi Ice Cream - Either chocolate or mango flavored from Trader Joe's

Mangos - aka the fruit from the Tree of Life

Gummy Worms - I only like certain kinds of g-Dubs. They can't be those cheap kind. Black Forrest makes pretty decent ones. I like leaving the package open or sticking them in the freezer and wait for them to get

hard. It's the best way to eat them!

Hot Pots - Who knew that Utah County would be home to one of the best meals on earth?!? Thank the heavens for Four Seasons Hot Pots and Dumplings

Spam Musubi - Once again, the best is just straight from the 7-11 counter in Hawaii, but thankfully we've got an L&L BBQ in Provo that does a pretty decent musubi. But really, is it that hard to make??

Shrimp Fajitas - Mi Ranchito in Orem has the BASTE shrimp fajitas. The shrimpies are so plump and succulent and grilled up with the most delicious sweet onions and bell peppers. And the portion they serve is big enough for two...although I'd never share

Brownie Batter - Not brownie batter ice cream, not brownie batter blizzard. I'm talking straight up brownie batter. The stuff you prepare and then pour into the pan before putting it in the oven to bake. I LOVE brownie batter! Why ruin a perfectly good treat by cooking it?!

Dim Sum - And then some!!! I can't wait to get back to Las Vegas next Friday and hit up the dim sum carts off of Sahara. Except, I'll pass on the chicken feet.

I'm sure I'm forgetting to add some delectable treat to this list. But just looking at these items, my mouth is already watering.

What about you? What foods make you salivate just by thinking of them? What foods would be on your list?

Dating Scene

Remember when I broke up with Joaquin Phoenix a while back? Well, after being back on the market for a couple months, I think I've finally met someone: Dominic West.

Now, Dom and I have known each other for a while. We met through our friend Will Shakespeare back in '99. We fell out of touch for a while but then ran into each other again in Chicago. But, a couple weeks ago, I was at my friend's house doing some research on Sparta and who should show up? Dom!!!

Since then, we've been spending lots of time together. We're not dating exclusively, though, cuz Adrian Grenier and I are still kinda talkin'. So, Dom and I have just decided to take it slow and see where things go!

Boogie Eyes

Yesterday, we went for an early morning 4-wheeler ride with Rika and D-Blanch. It was all fun and games until I started having an allergy attack. By the time I got to the car, I could barely see. My eyes were all but swollen shut. I'm still recuperating.

 

Creatively Challeneged

I wish I were more crafty and creative. Seriously. I know that I've totally bashed on scrap booking and all that, but I mostly do so because I'm jealous and incapable of creating something so aesthetically appealing.

Recently, I've become a huge fan of design blogs. A couple blogs I'm absolutely captivated by are sfgirlbybay and decor8. But I can't bring myself to read them anymore because I've moved way passed envy and have moved on to depression.

I can't display pictures or wall art in any way other than to hang it centered on the wall, matted in a black frame.

I can't paint or texture a wall in anything but muted, one-tone colors.

I can't make a bed without buying all the linens and everything already put together in a

bedroom set.

I can't choose accent pillows without everything being too matchy-matchy.

I can't do white on white without it looking boring.

Bottom line is, I wish I were more creative, eclectic, and crafty.

Johnny Bravo

Why do some people, guys especially, think that they are just SOOOO cool???

Yesterday, I'm working at my desk and this student walks in. The other secretary and I are courteous to him and start making small talk, asking him how he's liking BYU and all that. Well, we made the mistake of asking him where he's from...California. Hollywood to be exact. Who knew that that question would open the flood gates to an hour long conversation about how cool he was.

He proceeded to tell us about the type of car he drove, the awesome parties he attended, the celebs he rubbed shoulders with, and how wealthy his family was. The entire time he's referring to California as Cali, which leads me to believe that Señor Douche Bag is a California transplant, not a native as he was attempting to portray.

Side Note: A couple entries from Urban Dictionary

Cali

1. ANNOYING word that people who don't live in California use when talking about California and think they are cool saying it 2. A name that non-native Californian's use when referring to California and trying to seem like a real Californian. Typical of an East coaster 3. A word for California used by no one who has ever lived in California. Use "Cali" and you will immediately sound like a hick. 4. A girl who is very beautiful, with brains to match. She has lots of friends, most of whom are guys, and she loves to laugh. She is very ticklish and has lots of passion for things she enjoys. She enjoys being hugged and kissed.

(And for the record, that 4th entry really was listed on Urban Dictionary. I didn't make it up!!!)


So as Cali Boy is rambling on about ghost ridin' the whip, I start thinking about all the other narcissistic guys I've come across in my life that think they are numero uno. Others that fall into this category include alarm company sales reps, club promoters, amateur MMA fighters, guys from Jersey, collar poppers, wannabe rappers, chauvinists, ...the list goes on and on.

Moral of the story is, if you're ever cornered by one of these Joe Cool type, class A d-bags, tell him that Gold 'N' Glow is having a $1 per tan happy hour. If executed correctly, this move should send the Ed Hardy wearing pursuant reaching for his lotion bottle, giving you a chance to break free from his greasy clench!

RUN!!!!!!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

My Sweet Lolli,

Over these past few months, you have grown into both a terror and a delight. Since learning how to walk, you have discovered an array of mischief to get yourself in to. There’s no toilet paper roll or pile of folded clothes that’s safe from your demolition! And poor Moku Bear…he takes a beating from you on a daily basis! You love your brother, but you also love torturing him! He’s so nice and sweet to let you tug on his tail, whack him with slippers, and dump out all his food and water. But no matter how much abuse you render, Moku still wants to be your best friend. The two of you have so much fun together in the laundry room. It’ll be silent in there for a minute and I’ll wonder what trouble the two of you are getting into. But, when I come in to check on you, you’re just sitting there staring at Moku, laughing hysterically as he’s wagging his tail. I don’t know what you two find so funny in one another, I’m just glad you get along so well.

Aside from playing with Moku, you still love to read. Your favorite book is Baby Einstein’s What’s Bigger Than Me? You’ll sit forever and read that book, or you’ll chase me and Daddy around the house, begging us to read it to you. Your favorite thing to do is go through the book and point out all the animals and make their noises. So far, you can do a snake, chicken, kitty, and duck. My favorite animal to see you do is a puppy. You stick your tongue out just like Moku and pant. It’s so silly!!

In addition to animal noises, you have also started learning your body parts. When you watch Baby Davinci, you love singing Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes and you’ve actually almost got all of those body parts down. So far you know head, eyes, toes, piko, and bum bum. And since you’re so smart, it’s only a matter of time before you learn everything else.

I can’t believe how quickly you’re picking things up. You’ve become such a smart and independent little girl that I’m already beginning to miss my little baby. These days, you’re just too busy and curious to sit still for one moment and let Mommy snuggle you. Though, every now and then, you’ll crawl up my legs, onto my tummy, and wrap your arms around my neck and cuddle. When you get sleepy, you still like me to rock you in my arms and sing songs. Of course, our favorites to sing are “Truly Scrumptious” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and as you grow, I hope you’ll continue to foster your love for music.

Daddy and I both know that you are full of potential and will grow to be a very bright and talented young lady. Just know how much we love you and that we will support you in anything you choose to do. You’ve been a blessing in our lives and we only hope to be great examples in yours.

I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.

xoxo
Mommy

Phobias 2.0

Years ago, I was watching some documentary in my high school biology class. The film focused on this mother Surinam toad that carries her eggs by embedding them into the skin on her back. There, her eggs stayed tucked away until her young are fully formed and "hatch" by breaking out through her skin. The image of those embedded eggs burned through my retinas and straight to my brain. It was the most eerie thing I had seen!

Years later, I'm watching Planet Earth with my husband. They're doing some episode on The Great Barrier Reef and talking about the regeneration of coral. They show the coral spawning, releasing round, ball-like eggs from each individual polyp. GA-ROSS!!!!

Every now and then, I'll see something on TV or even in my very own surroundings that unnerves me—ant hills, whale barnacles. EEEK!

Then today, as I'm surfing through my blog subscriptions, one blogger posts this:

It's a lotus seed pod, and it absolutely creeps me out. But, while this image makes the hair on the back of my neck stick up, I can't seem to take my eyes off of it. I so badly want to take a pair of tweezers to this pod and pull out every little seed. For some reason, I think if I got rid of all those seeds, I'd feel better. Just like I feel better after kicking over an ant hill or popping a huge blackhead.

The same goes for this picture of a shark's ampullae of Lorenzini.

Ugh! Those little jelly-filled sensory pore thingies make my flesh crawl!!! Yet, I can't help fantasizing about taking a bobby pin to this shark and scraping all of them off! Somehow, that would dissipate the queasiness I feel upon looking at this picture. Sick! My skin is now covered in goose bumps!!

In addition to posting these pictures, the blog also stated that the uneasy feeling I get from looking at the images is caused by a bout of trypophobia. It's the fear of clustered, asymmetrical holes and apparently, I'm not the only one out there who suffers from it. But where honey comb and porous pumice stones and even the innards of a crumpet set some people running for the hills, I'm not affected in the least. I only get anxiety from the more organic/biological/living things as shown above.

Honestly, I don't know why these things give me the heebie jeebies. I'm just glad to know that my fear is actually a real, legitimate phobia. Anyone else irked by these things???

The Demoralization of Sacramento

Last I knew, this store front advertised the delectable ice cream treats of Leatherby's. Apparently it is no longer a family friendly business...


I'll give you one guess as to the profession of this young lady.

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

Last weekend, my brother and I drove Grandma out to Sacramento for a friends funeral. Since it was just a short trip, I didn't make too many plans....because I knew I'd just want to spend most of my time eating!!! Oh Sacramento eateries, how I've missed thee!!!




This In-N-Out was conveniently located right next to our hotel.









La Bou is blessed with the most amazing breads, scones, and salads!






Jim Boys makes the best shredded beef tacos of all time...for a fast food joint, that is.




And Corner Stone provides the most wonderful breakfast of champions!!!


But, the Grand Poo-Bah of all things delicious is none other than Wasabi. MMM!!! I'd go to the end of the world and back for one of Wasabi's sushi rolls!!!!

Phobias

This morning I saw my life pass before my eyes. Whilst eating Top Ramen mixed with some pretty potent chili sauce, I started coughing. Pretty soon, I was throwing up uncontrollably for 5 minutes nonstop. I had noodles and chili sauce spewing out of my mouth, nose, and I swear my ears. My throat and nostrils burn just thinking about it. Needless to say, I probably won't be eating Top Ramen again for a while.

As I relive that traumatic experience, I contemplate other things that make me fear for my life.

Spiders

In actuality, any creepy crawly thing makes me soil myself. I am so deathly afraid of bugs. I'm so scared of them that I won't even get close enough to kill one. I will scream for my husband or nearest male to rescue me from the throws on an insect. Once, a spider came creeping across the kitchen floor with pure intent on eating me. I yelled for Ryan but he just yelled back at me, saying I should just stomp on it. After a few more sobs and a few more tears, Ryan finally acquiesced. But the thing is, even after the spider was killed, I couldn't get near it. He finally convinced me to grab a wad of paper towels and pick it up and flush it down the toilet. Pretty sure I cried up until I flushed the sucker out to sea. I'm that scared. Seriously.

Heights

I think I'm really just scared of falling. I can picture myself losing my footing on a ledge and tumbling down a mountain cliff. While I was pregnant it was even worse. Even walking down a flight of stairs, I had this fear of slipping on a step and then hurtling down the entire flight of stairs to wind up at the bottom in one bloody heap. Gross, I know. But that's what goes through my mind. Don't ask me how I survive snowboarding. Riding up the ski lifts, all I do is imagine 1001 ways I could fall off the ski lift and plummet to my death.

Death

Not in the sense that I'm scared to die, but that something is going to happen to Ryan or Lolli. Ry thinks I'm full of it when I call him every now and then to check on him. If Ryan isn't home from work at a reasonable time, I start worrying that maybe a huge plate of steel fell on him at the shop and flattened him. Or worse, I have nightmares of waking up in the morning to get Lolli out of her crib only to find her not breathing. These fears are very real to me especially because I lost my father so suddenly.

Looking over this short list, I can think of about 10 more things I'm scared of: sharks, killer jelly fish, tight or confined spaces, bikinis...

Am I really that big of a baby? Or are there others out there that are just as frightened by these things as I am? Come on. Own up.

Makeover

I've decided to give the blog a face lift. Being the blog stalker that I am, I often spend hours surfing the web for not only interesting blog posts but sweet layouts. Lately, I've been really attracted to the clean, crisp appeal of minimalist themes. However, a plain white background with black text is just a little too boring for me. So, I decided to add a splash of color. Regardless, it was time for the pink peonies to go and to clean up all the clutter from my sidebars. Plus, I enjoy the summery feel of my new layout. Very fresh. I love it!