New Years Resolutions

 

 

I personally hate New Years Resolutions. Although they are a good idea no one follows through with them. Even though I dislike them, I still follow the crowd when it comes to making new goals. However, this year I decided to choose two goals that I want to work on every month to improve myself and my lifestyle. At the beginning of each month I write on my white board what I will try to improve on.

 

My first goal for January is to loose eight pounds. A part of my goal is a plan that consists of a written down goal and how I can effectively achieve it. My plan is to loose weight consists of getting an hour of exercise everyday except Sunday and following my own nutritious meal plan.

 

My second goal is to cut back on television. Since my family doesn't have cable all of my T.V. is consumed on online websites like Hulu and Netflix. Lately this has become a problem in my life because I've wasted so much time in a day that could be otherwise better spent. I am cutting my self back to a limit to watch up to an hour of television or one movie for a day if I have finished all my homework and cleaned my room.

 

Every month I will blog about my previous months goals and the new goals I will set.

The AMAZING Spicy Chicken Sandwich

 

The all amazing Spicy Chicken Sandwich from Carl's Jr. Ahhh where do I start! My best friend and I were starving and decided to go to Carl's Jr. and we only had $3.00 in our pockets. We ran through the menu to find that we couldn't afford anything except for the $1.00 Spicy Chicken Sandwich. Reluctantly we both ordered it. Since we both don't like mayonnaise and tomato we decided to order it plain. 

My first bite into sandwich was quite dry so I put some ketchup on it. After my new adjustment I bit again. The spicy bursts quenched my thirst yet I hungered for more. Both of us sat fully satisfied by this one dollar sandwich. If you happen to have a couple of extra bucks you can amp up your order with some fry's and a drink for two dollars extra.

Go to Carl's Jr. now I promise you will be satisfied by this spicy sandwich. For only a dollar you can satisfy yourself to an amazing lunch. I warn you though they are addicting. 

Swimming

This past Summer my best friend Kassy convinced me to join the Green Valley swim team. I was completely opposed to the idea until my other friend Alicia said she would join if I did to. Hesitant at first because of the early hours of practice but I soon agreed. My summer was filled with practice from 8:00-9:30 every morning and swim meets all day Saturday. I have always loved swimming; every chance I had I was in the water. My parents used to call me a fish because even when we were on vacation and my parents were out doing various activities I would be at back at the condo in the pool. Sadly my Huntington Beach house doesn't have a pool and for a while my passion was subsided. Fortunately, because Kassy influenced me to join Green Valley Swim Team again I was able to relive my passion for swim all over again. Going back to Swim was hard at first but eventually the conditioning became easier. Swimming also brought me closer to my best friends Kassy and Alicia because we would always hang out after swim. If I didn't join swim my Summer would have been filled with lazy days were nothing was accomplished. Instead Swim filled my summer with memories that I will not forget I am so glad I joined the Green Valley Swim Team.

Ornaments...My New Found Obsession!!!

I was black Friday shopping at Khols and I spotted an adorable owl ornament. This little stuffed owl ornament has started my obsession with ornaments. Since then I bought three Disney ornaments. I kept one for myself and the others are gifts for my friends.

My friends and family keep asking what I want for Christmas and all I want to tell them are ornaments. I am looking to start a collection of meaningful ornaments that will glisten up my tree. I have always wanted to have the tree that's in the Barbie nutcracker movie with the beautiful glistening ornaments that all have a story behind them. The memories of that dream have finally pushed me over into a world of glass, plastic, and metal ornaments that have an intricacy so detailed its impeccable.

My mother convinced me to wait til after Christmas is over to buy all the ornaments on my list because they will be so much cheaper. So my excitement will not be finished after opening all my presents because I'm heading to the store the next day to pick up all the ornaments that are left.

 I love all the Disney ornaments because they remind me of my childhood at Disneyland or watching classic movies with all my stuffed animals surrounding the television. All these Disney ornaments make me want to get a Disneyland pass again.

If you find any ornaments you think I would like email me!

Thanksgiving Dinner

This year my mom and I worked as a team to get Thanksgiving dinner done. She taught me a few things like how to cook the turkey, while I showed her how to make all the deserts that I've made the past few months in my Baking and Pastries class.

We started cooking at 7 a.m. the day before Thanksgiving. Strenuous hours were spent til all the deserts and potatoes were done. My feet ached and desired to rest.

I made two chocolate cheese cakes, pumpkin spice bread with cream cheese frosting, pumpkin pie, lattice apple pie, an ice ring for the punch, and party potatoes. Since everything was made from scratch it took forever but the work was worth it.

Thanksgiving morning consisted of preparing and cooking the turkey, baking the pre-made potatoes, baking Pillsbury flaky rolls. We set out three tables just for the food set with canned dishes like cranberry sauce, corn, olives, stuffing, and everything else we had made the previous day. 

Every family member living in California came to our big dinner. We had an adult table and one for the kids too. Thanksgiving went smoothly there were only a few crying kids which was a lot less to be expected with their rambunctiousness. After our second thanksgiving dinner everyone was so full we didn't want to think of food again.

Thanksgiving was very successful. When I got a chance to rest I thought of all the things that I am thankful for.

College Aplications

 

It's the most stressful time of the year for seniors. The deadlines are creeping up or have already passed for early consideration. The essays are piling up and money is being saved to plan for a future in school.

Little effort remains in our high school education as it doesn't affect our future plans. Ironically we are wasting our free education while we dream of our life in a young adult society of dorms and parties. The reality sets in that college will be no easier when huge projects are assigned in the prospect of preparing us for college classes. My 60 page election portfolio left me little free time with friends and made me dread the thought of going to a post-secondary school.

Thoughts continue dreading but you cannot help but look at the world around you and realize that a college education is the best investment you can make. College will be a lot of work but will pay off for the rest of my life. I'm planning to apply to both BYU Idaho and Utah in the hopes of entering their nursing program. I realize that I haven't applied to the many prestigious, overflowing schools like USC or UCLA; but I'm not looking for a school where I can be comfortable with my surroundings. Going to a BYU church school is going to submerge me into an environment with other young adults that have the same standards and goals in life.

I have a dream to become a Registered Nurse. I will struggle at times; but I will peruse my education.

Pho Trip

Recently my friend took me out for Pho for my birthday. I was very skeptical and scared to try it. First off I am a very picky eater and I heard from friends that there was guts and eyeballs in their soup.

I took a chance and agreed to going out. Waiting in line I was freaking out (what was I going to order!!). My friend Breanna and I sat down and I let her order first. Not knowing what to get I asked to get the same but with white meat.

I was very surprised when it came because it looked like regular soup. I was expecting something different. Something shocking. 

They probably realized I was having trouble with the chop stick because they later brought me a fork. Yes, I know it's lame that I don't know how to use chop sticks but its on my to do learning list.

The soup was delicious! It left me feeling very light but full at the same time,  Thanks to my friend Breanna I tried a new food that I now absolutely love.

If your scared to try Pho take a chance and try it. What have you got to loose. It' inexpensive and tastes amazing. Ask around and make sure you try it at a reputable place that way you don't get any mysterious floaties in your soup. Eww. 

Baking and Pastries

Currently I am taking a Baking and Pastries R.O.P. class at Edison High School and it is fantastic! The Regional Occupation Program (R.O.P.) was created as a guide for hands on learning in an interest that you have. This helps us get prepared for a field of study that we are interested in or extra learning for a hobby.

I go to my class two times a week for approximately two and a half to three hours. Each time I go we make anywhere from two to five things depending on the duration of the prep and cooking time. In my kitchen group of four we divvy up the responsibilities and get working on our job. 

This past week we made pizza from scratch. Each week  is divided into different baking techniques and with pizza we learned how to work with yeast. It tasted great and was defiantly worth the work put into it.

Here is the recipe for the pizza and sauce. 

Pizza Dough 

Thin Pizza Crust

Yield: 1 Pizza (maybe 2 if thin)

2-1/2 to 3 c. all purpose flour

1 pkg. dry yeast

1 tsp. salt

1 c. warm water (105-115 degrees F)

2 T. cooking oil

2 t. sugar

1 egg

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine 1-1/4 c. flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.

2. Add 1 egg to mixture (room temp.)

3. Stir in warm water (105-115 degrees F) and cooking oil

4. Beat at a low speed with an electric mixer for one minute, scraping bowl occasionally

5. Beat for 3 minutes at a medium speed

6. Stir in as much flour as you can mix until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl at least 1-1/4 c. flour adding 1/4 c. at a time

7. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface

8. Kneed dough until smooth and elastic

9. Shape dough into a small ball and lightly coat with shortening

10. Place slightly greased dough ball in Ziploc bag and remove air

11. Set dough in a bad under a heat lamp to rise

12. Turn bag every 10 min. so the dough will not cook in bag

13. Punch down dough in bag after 45 min. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Pizza Sauce

Yield: for one pizza

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/exquisite-pizza-sauce/

Pizza Toppings

Yield: for one Pizza

1. Roll out pizza dough to size of pizza pan (make 1-3 pizzas depending on thickness) do not roll out on pan it will get stuck in holes

2. Spread sauce on pizza dough using the back of a ladle or spoon. Keep the sauce off the crust. Do not double up crust.

3.Sprinkle 8 oz. mozzarella cheese over sauce

4.Sprinkle 1/2 c. cheddar cheese on top of mozzarella for color

5.Add pepperoni or any other toppings 

Halloween Craft

Other than Christmas, Halloween is my favorite holiday! It’s a day when we can dress up as anything and pretend to be anyone we want. The free food, spooky mazes, and crazy costumes add to the holiday spirit that leaves a Happy Halloween for everybody.

My friend showed me how to make these adorable vampire pumpkins pictured above on the left. They are super easy to make; any age can do it. I brought this home to my family and everyone wanted to make one. I guarantee that you can easily make this; even my five year old sister made one.

I found these detailed instructions on Martha Stewart's Website

Vampire Tools and Materials

-Thumbtack or pin
-Small white or orange pumpkin (For a big bite, choose a small pumpkin so the plastic vampire teeth seem larger)
-Small saw
-Plastic vampire teeth
-Small red or black map tacks
-Mouth template

Vampire Pumpkin How-To

!. Print mouth template. Lay template on pumpkin and poke thumbtack through, all along outline, to transfer design. Cut out with saw; remove excess flesh (twist: don't remove guts but place teeth in and spill pumpkin guts outside the teeth)
2. Wedge teeth into hole (make hole a little bigger vertically so teeth aren't clamped shut)
3. For eyes, pin map tacks onto pumpkin
4. Fangs, http://www.partycity.com/. Map pins, 1/8 inch, red or black; http://www.latitudesmapstore.net/

 Hope you have a Happy Halloween and stay safe!

Halloween Deals

Halloween is tomorrow and many companies are giving out free are discounted items just for dressing up! Have fun trick or treating and BE SAFE!

Discounted Items
Chipotle- come to 4 p.m. in your Halloween costume to receive an burrito, bowl, or salad for just $2.

Sonic- $0.50 Corn dogs all day

Steam- P.C. retailer game site discounts dozens of scary games through November 1st

Areopostale- Take $20 off a purchase of $80 or more with the coupon code HALLOWEEN before 11:59 p.m. on Halloween.

Wendy's- Selling coupon books for 5 Jr. frosty's for $1. You can hand them out to trick-or-treaters or use them for yourself.

Bob Evans- With the purchase of an adult meal you can receive one free child's meal if your child is dressed up in a Halloween costume. Here is the link for the coupon Free Kids Meal.

Chill's- With the purchase of an adult meal you can receive one free child's meal (12 or under) if your child is dressed up in a Halloween costume. Here is the link for the coupon Free Kids Meal.

Subway- With purchase of a Subway Fresh Fit kids meal kids will receive a reusable bag and glow stick.

Free
Bass Pro shop- Take the kids from 5-8 p.m. for free photos, coloring books, and treats.

Krispy Kreme- Show up and receive a free Halloween or pumpkin spice doughnut for any child or adult.

Pinterest...The Online Addiction

I was convinced to join Pinterest about 7 months ago by my best friend. Now the both of us should be qualified to go to a  Pin-aholics convention. It is my most visited website because I love it so much! I have just recently hit over 3,000 pins.

If you don't know what Pinterest is you should give it a try. It’s a bunch online pictures that have links to recipes, wedding ideas clothes, pretty much anything you can have an interest in. I have learned some interesting things from what I have posted and I must say that I think my fashion sense been better sense I joined.

I think Pinterest is best for its wedding ideas. If you are engaged or just want to think about your future dream wedding its the perfect site. I'm turning 17 this next week and I'm for sure not getting married anytime soon.  Any age can use Pinterest; I follow my mom's friends and grandmas who post great things.

There are also lots of ideas on how to save MONEY and things you can learn like how to make your own detergent. Some of my favorite Pinterest pages are on DIY (do it yourself) projects, beauty and hair, nails, my style, my dream home, pretty pictures, wedding ideas, and things that make me laugh.

Check out my Pinterest page http://pinterest.com/bubblisous07/

I assure you will love it and if you don't right away don't give up! I was skeptical at first but it will grow on you and you will be so much more knowledgeable.

U.S. Trip

U.S. Trip

This summer my grandma called me and proposed a crazy idea. "Let’s do an entire United States of America road trip!", grandma said.

 "Ummm okay? Sure.” I hesitantly replied.

 I honestly did not believe she was serious. However, the rest of my summer consisted over the phone talking for strenuous hours about the details on our trip. My grandma just turned 70 this November and not only does she have some medical problems but I doubted her ability to save enough money to go on a road trip through the entire U.S.

Not only did I doubt my grandma but I doubted myself. Could I really raise enough money for this trip? Could I last a whole road trip just me and my grandma? Is it possible to plan a trip like this living in different states? All of these thoughts came rushing to my mind but we still have persisted with the plans putting all negative thoughts away.

As of now I'm still looking for a job but I am putting half my tutoring and babysitting money away to my trip and the other half to college. So far I've been very good at setting aside money. However, every single birthday in my family of five is within the next three months. Not to mention all the presents I have to buy holidays coming up like Christmas!!!

We have planned to take our trip right after my high school graduation which she will be down for. Sadly my grandpa can't be a part of our trip because of medical reasons. I really wanted him to come because I'm not as close with him as I would like to be and I don't get to see them as often anymore.

Yesterday, my grandma called asking rhetorically, "How long do u think the trip is going to take?"

"About two and a half maybe three and a half weeks", I replied.

"Well how does FIVE weeks sound?", she said.

Okay pause.
I was not ready for this. FIVE WEEKS!? That's a really long time. A looong vacation. A long time to spend alone with anyone. I mean even with your favorite person in the entire world; let alone your grandma. Yes grandma, I love you. But isn't that asking a little too much from anyone? 

Well, I told her yes. I don't know how I was able to spit those words out of my mouth then. Possibly, it was because I thought of my grandpa's medical problems and how my grandma isn't far down the road from him. Or maybe my motive was that this would be a once in a life time trip.

A trip that I will remember forever.