Past, Present, and Future

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

~George Santayana~

While most of us are trying to run full speed into the new year,
we should take time to reflect on the past. I'm not denying that
this year has been a difficult one for almost everyone. Far from it,
I feel the same way. However, as the above quote suggests, we
need to retain some memory of the past in order to grow and
change for the future. I need to remember that I am not a vacuum
repair person, and taking apart my old piece of crap Dirt Devil
won't make it work (in fact, I managed to make it worse! Thank
goodness Matt's parents bought us a nice new vacuum for
Christmas..).

But more importantly, everyone has good moments buried
somewhere in thoughts of last year. I had a wonderful Christmas
Eve and Christmas, OCF (the hippie festival) celebrated it's
40th year, I finally had the guts to get a larger tattoo with color
(as I've always wanted to), I was able to take a cooking class
and rediscover my passion for the culinary arts. In addition, my
most difficult times have allowed me to sift out the friends who
truly care. I can now confidently say that my friends are
measured by quality and not quantity. Even in our moments of
stress and sadness, we were able to reach out and lift one another
up.

Thank you to all the people who cared enough  to ask
"How's it going?" and actually listen my answer.

Thanks to those who answer when I call or text.

Thanks to those who work so hard for such little recognition.

Thanks to those who trusted me enough to ask for my help

Thanks to those who tried to understand me

Thanks for all the smiles, secrets, laughs, inside jokes, and love

I look forward to many more in the years to come.

"Drive"

Incubus

"Sometimes, I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear
And I can't help but ask myself how much I let the fear
Take the wheel and steer
It's driven me before
And it seems to have a vague, haunting mass appeal
But lately I'm beginning to find that I
Should be the one behind the wheel

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
With open arms and open eyes

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
I'll be there

So if I decide to waiver my chance to be one of the hive
Will I choose water over wine and hold my own and drive?
It's driven me before
And it seems to be the way that everyone else gets around
But lately I'm beginning to find that
When I drive myself my light is found

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
With open arms and open eyes yeah

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
I'll be there

Would you choose water over wine
Hold the wheel and drive

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
With open arms and open eyes

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
I'll be there"

Small Successes

Success is a funny thing. Sometimes it's measured in big purchases (cars, houses), life events (marraige, kids)....and sometimes it's stuggling through a single day that's so difficult you don't think you're going to make it through. Yet somehow, you wake up the next morning and another day has arrived. Those are always my greatest successes of all..

Song of the Day

Hey world
what you say?
Should i stick around for another day or two?
Don't give up on me,
I won't give up on you...
Just believe in me,
Like i believe in you...

~"Hey World" - Michael Franti ~

Looking Back

I was just looking back at my post about remaining positive and my goals for the next few months. Guess what? One of them was "take a cooking class".

CHECK!

I'm so happy that I accomplished something on my list. Moreso than that, it reminded me what a wide world of culinary arts there is to discover. Go me :)

Buddha Leant Me His Hand

I was wandering around Central Market (because that never happens on a rainy Sunday..) when I decided to stock up on some produce. I was immediately drawn to the strangest looking fruit I'd ever seen in the citrus section..

Apparently, this little guy is a Buddha's Hand (which made me want to buy it even more). I winced when I saw it cost me $3.60 for the smallest one I could find, but it was worth investigating. A little bit of research revealed that it is technically a "finger citron". It's primary use is to be candied for pastries and candies. I was like "No wonder this made it into my shopping cart!".

So, in addition to all the tasty treats I'm planning for Matt's birthday tomorrow, candied buddha's hand just made it onto the list. Haha!

I Heart Chocolate!

Truffle Trial #1 after my class last week was a complete (albeit messy) success!

The tempered chocolate mess after filling the molds

Top part of the truffle poured into the mold and dried

I missed taking a picture after piping the whipped coffee truffle centers into the mold and capping them with some more tempered chocolate, but here is the finished product

Yum!

The Best Things in Life...Aren't Things..

Work has been very stressful the last few weeks, as a doctor recently left the practice and we as management staff have to cut hours to prevent having to lay people off. That being said, Matt has worked diligently during the times when I'm not at work to make me feel extra special. All the work we've been putting into our guitar kits (today I'll hopefully get my last coat of paint on and several layers of clear lacquer) and finding some cooking classes to encourage my epicurious side. I was really bummed that my 8 week course was canceled, but I did make it to the truffle class. Matt asked me all about it when I got home that evening and listened intently. We spent the next two nights enjoying all the delectable creations as I discussed the various techniques we had used.

When I tripped over the chair in the living room, Matt was the first to suggest I keep a close eye on my foot in case I really hurt myself. When my little toe swelled up like a grape and turned purple, he demanded I go to the doctor. Good thing, since I had broken it and would still be slowing the healing process walking all over it and wearing tight-fitting shoes. He has since followed me around, reminding me to stay off the foot as much as possible and wear my silly shoe to keep my toe well-supported.

My time, however, was Saturday night. Matt and I were watching Food Network and discussing our day. We got on the topic of our trip to Hotel Monaco a few years ago as a Christmas present to one another. That lead us into a discussion that spanned numberless wonderful memories we've collected together over the last 4 years. Our first drink together at Canyons, our first date at Baccus (which has since closed), and our dreams for the future. After all the "things" have broken or been given away, the only thing left is what matters most, a big mental book of happy memories. :)