Tuesday, September 27, 2011

FN: Best Thing I Ever Ate -- Messy

This week's episode of The Best Thing I Ever Ate featured favorited messy foods.  I was anticipating this episode in particular because I knew that Ike's Place was going to be featured.  But, what an unexpected treat to see Andrew Zimmern raving about Crispy Pata.  Yeah, that's right.  He loves him some Filipino pork goodness.





And then of course, there's Ike's Place, with rave reviews from Duff Goldman.  Y'all know how I love me some sammiches from Ike's, and it's great that he's getting even more exposure.  Not that he needs it but it still tickles me every time.  







Friday, September 23, 2011

Why I Walk

This year's Heart Walk in San Ramon was a blast.  There was a great turn out from the community and it was great to see everyone stepping out for a great cause.  Our team, The Pulsaders, did an awesome job this year, raising awareness and funds for the American Heart Association.



For many of the team members, we walked this year for our Tito Emy, who passed away this past June. We walked in his honor and in memory of his life.  His absence is the harshest reminder that we all need to take better care of ourselves and the people we love.  Another team member is a heart disease survivor, and inspires us to live healthy every day.



Another walk I participate in is AIDS Walk SF.  Recently, someone indirectly asked why I walk for AIDS Walk.  It's a fair question... that comes with a simple answer.  I walk because I can.  I walk for the millions of people who can't.  More so, I walk because it's one small way that I can give back.

Friday, September 16, 2011

New Music Friday

Showing support for Salet, a Bay Area musician whose latest music endeavor is V is for Villain.  According to their Facebook page:

P.L.O and Salet join forces to form a mixed genre group that goes by the name of V is for Villain. Their "mixed tape" titled "goodbye good guys" will be released one track at a time, starting in September 2011. Every "Terrible" Tuesday, V is for Villain will allow listeners to download their newest release from "good bye goodguys" for FREE.

Check out their latest release, "Take Away My Pain". Pretty damn catchy hook..! ;)




Sunday, September 11, 2011

Never Forget

I woke up this morning, picked up my phone and checked my Twitter feed, as I'm apt to do most mornings.  90% of the tweets were regarding 9/11.  Always Remember, Never Forget.  It was humbling to realize that it's been 10 years since that dreadful day.  As it's been said, 9/11 is the JFK Assassination of our generation.  You'll always remember where you were when you heard the news that the Twin Towers were struck.


The morning it happened, I was still in college, living in an apartment with 3 other girls.  I woke up to hear two of my roommates talking about how the second tower was just hit.  "What?" I thought.  Groggily, I got out of bed, wiped my eyes.  I vaguely remember them saying that the Twin Towers were hit.  I couldn't really make sense of it, like it was all a dream.  I walked out into the living room where they were watching the footage live.  The towers hadn't fallen yet at that point, but just seeing that initial image of the towers was jolting.

We all had classes that morning and were all getting ready.  I thought to myself, how is the school going to handle this?  It seemed almost silly to be going to class that day when something so huge was happening.  Nonetheless, we did.  I had an 8am class that morning.  By that time, the towers had fallen and we were all in disbelief.  We discussed it in class briefly, but our professor was keen on staying focused on that day's class.  In hindsight, it was probably best.  At that point, we really knew nothing, other than it was an act of terrorism.  Whom the terrorists were at that point, why it was done, was all still speculation at that point.  An hour later, class let out.  I called up my uncle as I walked back to the apartment.  We talked in short about what happened that morning, what was currently going on, and trying to make sense of why.  There were no conclusions at the end of the conversation, but it was good to talk to someone back home and have that connection.

Beyond that, I can't go into more detail.  Everything seems like a blur after that.  Watching the news footage, hearing the heartbreaking news of fallen firefighters and regular people just going about their day.  It was all too much.. it still is, in fact.

"9/11" evokes so many emotions and memories for everyone.  Terrorists.  Firefighters.  Loss.  Politics.  Heartbreak.  Heroes.  Remember.  

Of all the tributes occurring here and around the world, the most touching for me came from the French.  A friend of mine currently vacationing in Paris tweeted about the Eiffel Tower between two towers, one of which said: "The French Will Never Forget".  I found an artist's rendering and I can only imagine that the final constructed piece was a sight to see.  82-foot replicas of the Twin Towers were installed on the large square overlooking the Eiffel Tower, alongside enormous French and American flags meant to represent the solid friendship between the two countries.


I reflect today and am really humbled and grateful for my family and friends, for the life I have with my husband.  As someone earlier tweeted:  Today is NOT a day for politics or conspiracy theories. It's a day to honor those who passed and love the ones who are still here. #remember



Stay safe, everyone.  xoxo

Friday, September 9, 2011

Exciting News


WorkAwesome.com is a website for people who love what they do, and want to become awesome at it.  It provides resources for work-life balance, work productivity, management, etc.  


On the site you can find useful articles about starting things, completing things, and trying new things -- and being "awesomely productive" when doing so. 

Readers have the opportunity to contribute by submitting articles for consideration.  I am excited to share with you that my piece was accepted and featured on the website on 9/5.  I wrote an article titled "How to Manage Career Transition Stress", something of which I had an insider's view. 

You can link to the article directly here. Or, copy/paste the following URL into your address bar:  http://workawesome.com/career/career-transition/

Comments / feedback is great appreciated.  Please share the article with those whom you feel might benefit.  

Thanks to everyone for your support!  

xx

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Local Business Love

We kicked off the Labor Day weekend by going to Moveable Feast in San Mateo, a food truck event happening the first Friday of every month.  The food truck craze has taken the nation by storm.  So much so that Food Network has a realty TV show devoted to just food trucks.  Yes, drama does ensue in the lives of these proprietors.  Over the past year, food trucks have moved east and south, offering food outside of San Francisco.  As a result, food truck events have been popping up everywhere

It's a win-win.  Consumers are able to taste a variety of different foods and learn that creative and innovative and damn tasty eats can be hashed out of a food truck.  Local businesses / entrepreneurs can showcase their cooking chops and interact with their customers in a whole new way.

While all of this is fine and dandy, that's not to say that there isn't criticism associated with these food trucks.  The most resonating is the fact that some trucks will charge you and arm and a leg for their food.  Sometimes it's worth it, and unfortunately, sometimes it's not.  You'll often hear me say that I'll drop good money for quality food.  And so, when I fork out $7-$10 for an entree from a food truck, it better deliver the goods.  I do believe that some businesses will charge a higher rate simply because the appeal and allure of a "food truck" somehow elevates the food.  For instance, I paid $7 for a grilled cheese sandwich, with prosciutto and basil aioli.  It was good.. but, I ultimately felt like given the same ingredients, I could've produced the same sammich. And it certainly wasn't worth the price tag. 

That being said, it's a balance.  Support these local businesses without breaking the bank (or being exploited).  At the end of the night, after hours spent noshing on sammiches, Hawaiianese, Vietnamese, desserts and more, and chilling with the community of food truck-ees, it was clear to me that these events are really great for the community.  It brings an awareness to these "Mom-and-Pop" shops and, in many cases, deservedly so. 

The last vendor we visited tonight wasn't even a food truck.  It was a clothing company called Vivi Kids, selling mainly children's wear.  The proprietors are a boyfriend-girlfriend duo who have a love of graphic design that they bring it to the masses.  They're both cool cats and down-to-earth, and I felt really good about supporting their business. 


We had seen them during a couple months back at the same event.  We hadn't purchased anything but liked their stuff.  This time around, we bought a shirt for my godson [4T! so that he has room to grow] with, as I would later learn, their latest character, Po Panda. 


As we were leaving, I said to my hubby, "It really does feel good supporting local businesses.  I hope they survive in this economy."  It's a rough world out there, in every aspect, even more so when you're hustling every day.  But a good, quality product will find its audience and grow.  All the best..!  Live strong and thrive.