Monday, September 23

Your Baby's Ugly?

      Thought of the night: How do you tell someone their baby's ugly? 


      After dinner, I was talking to my sister and somehow our conversation got to people telling other people that their newborn babies were cute. Now here's the thing... How can a newborn be cute? If anyone told me my newborn was cute and looked just like me, I'd look at them like they had 5 heads. I mean how can anything that literally just came out of my vagina look cute? And if it looked like me then you are clearly trying to (not so subtly) tell me I look like E.T. 


Exhibit A: 


(photo credit to telegraph.co.uk)


Now before people start calling me names and saying I'm mean and rude, I need to clarify that I do believe that all babies are cute in their own way. But let's be honest, we've all seen those unfortunate babies that made us wince. And it's not to say the baby won't grow up to be good looking and yes, outward appearances aren't everything. 


     But what would you say if the mother asks and you just really don't think her baby is cute? I think I might just smile and say a prayer. 


Just for craps and giggles: 

(photo credit to khaanz.com)


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Thursday, September 19

My "Oh so lovely" Singing Voice

     Four and a half hours from NYC to Boston, then four and a half hours from Boston to Portland really entices the wanna-be Beyoncé from a girl. As I belted "Perfect" by P!nk (Jason Chen cover) in the back of the family car, I began to wonder why my version would never sound as good as P!nk's. What makes someone's voice sound better? What are the people who sound like dying cats -cough cough- missing? 


Leave your comments below on what you think! 

Tuesday, September 17

SUSHI: The Story

Salmon, tuna, yellowtail, shrimp, octopus, mackerel, eel, roe. All the wonderful sea goods that remind us of sushi. I'm personally not a huge fan of raw fish, but who it certainly is difficult to resist the beckoning of smoked salmon. It has taken many years for sushi to develop to what we know it as today. Even now it is an art form that continues to evolve.


Sushi has been around for a very long period of time. According to a fourth century Chinese dictionary, cooked rice was used to stuff fish cavities, thus preserving the fish. As this method hit the coast, the Japanese changed the traveling food to include seaweed (Nori), raw fish, and rice vinegar was used to skip the fermentation process. 


Sushi Here:

Sushi in the U.S. have distinctive differences to sushi in Japan. In general, American-style sushi is large. The pieces are often too big to eat in one bite and the rice is made a bit sweeter.  It has evolved with a different style of presentation, sauces, and combination of ingredients. The result? Unique rolls we have grown accustomed to here, like Dragon Roll and Sexy Roll. 


This is just an extremely brief look into the history of sushi. To learn more, I recommend The Story of Sushi: An Unlikely Saga of Raw Fish and Rice by Trevor Corson.


I hope you enjoyed this looksie into one of my favorite foods! I love the eel cucumber roll. What's your favorite? 


Thursday, September 12

Top 10 Things for School and Why!

   Summer is officially over, which means school has once again found a way to creep itself back into our schedules. After so many years of school, here's my list of 10 that I can't do without.


          1. Folders

               A different color for every class, folders keep my papers neat and organized. Every class has a different color so it's easier for me to recognize and makes things convenient. Once school starts, papers start a-flying and a-piling. Folders keep everything together, much like spandex. 


           2. 2-3 1 inch Binders

                I find having 1 giant binder for all my classes got heavy and chunky. Instead I op for a couple of 1 inchers (1 1/2 inch if I know one of my classes will involve a lot of notes). After the midterm, I move all the papers to a separate accordion folder. That way I keep everything sorted and light. Also, because I don't have all my classes every day so keeping things separate by days is much more efficient. If you're in high school, you can always switch out binders from your locker during passing time or lunch. 


           3. Pens & Highlighters in a pencil case

                For school, I like to carry 2-3 black and blue pens, 1 red and 1 other color pen along with 1-2 different colored highlighters (yellow is a definite). In my notes I write with the black and blue pens. For corrections, I use the red pen and for side notes, I use the other colored pen (usually purple or green). Too many colors would cause my notes to be messy so having a good and stable system is key. I do this for all my classes.


           4. Paper clips/ Binder clips

                Even with the colored folders system, my papers can still get a little messy. Having some clips on hand is always good. If I print things or receive handouts, I can keep them together and if certain notes need to be kept together, having clips prepared is a handy. 


           5. Agenda/Organizer

                I have a terrible memory, so I cannot live without my agenda. My whole life is written in it. No matter how good your memory is, an agenda can only be a greater help. Especially when clubs, teams, and part-time jobs begin. Keeping all your to-dos and appointments centralized in one little book is magical. 


           6. iPod & Headphones

                For all your travel needs. If you commute to school and other places on your own, you know what I mean. The suckiest train rides are the ones where your earphones break on you or your iPod battery is drained out. 


           7. Cell Phone

                Whether to keep in touch with family or friends, its practically impossible to be without in this generation! Especially on the days you'll be out and about for a long time or you're traveling to multiple destinations. 


           8. Water bottle
                I think this is self-explanatory. School days are long days. Stay hydrated!


           9. Lock 

                I think you know why this is important. Whether for school lockers or gym lockers, this heavy chunk of metal, that you always forget the combo to, is necessary. Except on the days you don't have gym, of course. In which case, you can use it as a paper weight. Or door stopper.


          10. Post-its

                AKA the secret love of my life (please don't tell my highlighters). 


                "Ode to Post-its": 

                Oh you delightfully colorful little pieces of shapes 

                that conveniently and neatly stick to my beautifully organized notes and agenda. 

                Oh, how I love you.


          Bonus: As a bonus addition to the list, I think my iPad is just as important as my cell phone because I keep a lot of things for school on there. I think as a university student, a tablet does make life more simple and delightful. But you seriously have to have good discipline or else you'll be playing every other game you can download.

That's my 10 (kind of 11)! What are your must-haves for school?

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