SpainTalk - ESLTalk - EOI de Ferrol - NA2 - WEEK 6 - FOOD

Wow, another week already!  How quickly time flies by.

This week the lesson will be about food.

I have a major craving for sashimi right now (YUM).

Speaking of English and Food, you may want to check out http://ferroldinner.com 

It is a monthly dining club, I am starting where you can practice English in a non-school setting.

See you in class. Link to lesson below!

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S LESSON

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

TravelTalk - Paris 2012.

I can't believe how fast time flies by.  I was just seriously packing and going crazy ensuring I cleaned everything, packed everything and made sure everything was ready for the trip.  Not only have I arrived in Paris, but its almost time to go (at the time of this writing - tomorrow morning!!)

So... when people associate Paris, they ask me a lot of things, did I see the Louvre? Champs-Élysées? Eiffel Tower? and the weird thing the answer is - no, no and no.  To be honest, I spent little to no time in "Paris" for the exception of driving through it...

Yes, I have seen those places, but this isn't my second or third time here, I think its my 6-7th time in Paris and this particular trip was to hang out with a friend and catch up on school work and relax while enjoying Paris - specifically Vincennes, Paris - which is where I have been staying for the last couple of times.

This particular trip was a combination of sight seeing, hanging out with locals, barely understanding (rarely talking) in French, everytime I come to France, I seem to speak less and less French.  I probably just need to live here for a year and become a master of this language (but that's probably another trip).

Alright, so this trip, I visited Versailles for the first time and it was so beautiful.  Its just one of those things where you have to see for yourself the sheer magnitude, pristine surroundings and the various statues and castle is just breathtaking.  Actually, Marc made me close my eyes and I walked half a block with a my eyes clothes (which is quite scary) and even up some stairs. wow. so beautiful.

Another day, I spent it with locals (well Marc's maman, brother) in Maisons-Laffitte.  What was I doing in Maisons-Laffitte?  Well, it was the annual yard sale!  Locals in the city sell their things in the city center - highly organized (of course), with everyone choosing to participate having a certain section, which expanded 5 square blocks of the city center.  It was really cool.  I mean, seriously - who else gets to participate in selling things hanging out with French peeps away from Paris and just conversing.  Funny story - there was a lady who was interested in a sponge - she asked (in French), is the sponge "new"?  I told her that the item was 4 euros. HAHAHAH.

I also ran here in Vincennes, its actually one of my favorite places to run.  There are many lakes, beautiful green scenery, right next to a castle.  In the morning, I would run and then go straight to the boulangerie to buy croissants, eat breakfast and shower! I mean seriously, its a great place to be.

Of course partying! Yes, I drank one night (way too much wine), smoked too much cigs (that night - I haven't had any since)...

Oh food. lol yes the food here is just funtabolous. 

Marc's maman is so sweet.  She even bought me escargot and champagne (and crepes for dinner!)

   Well, you're probably waiting for pictures, so here they are...

From here, I am heading to Porto in the morning an pretty much spending the whole day traveling.  I mean the WHOLE day, flying and then the bus to A Coruña then to Ferrol.  Long day tomorrow, just relax and packing today!  That and more croissants.  Seriously - I've had about 20 while I'm here... =]

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

HI to FL - Crazy Busy.

Wow. I last blogged on Tuesday and yup, so much has happened.

Well, I'm leaving Hawaii in less than a week. Seriously?  Seriously... Seriously!

Ok... so what it do?

It did a lot. o.O

First on Wednesday I had my MBA interview with UH - Manoa.

I didn't realize - how different I was than the other candidates until this interview.  The interview was one on one, but the questions that were asked really made me think about me and the choices I have made in my life.

I recall one of the interview questions was - "What is your biggest accomplishment?"  

I answered - "learning how to ride a bike at 29"

He was in disbelief.  I explained my situation and more or less, it was this moment that I knew I could do anything.  anything I put my mind to.  Fear is not experiencing the unknown and I learned that I facing my fears has really changed my life these past couple of years.

I told him from there, I started doing it all, swimming, surfing, snorkeling and now scuba diving.  Yes, scared 'ol me of the open water (yes Summer - insert outer Hanauma bay face here).

My MBA interview outfit.

Well, after the interview - Jen picked me up from UH and we were celebrating her birthday - so we spent the whole day together.  First was a quick errand and LUNCH time! (Nom nom nom).

I was really quite nervous about the interview, so I didn't eat anything.

For lunch, we went to Sam Choy's - it was yummy.  I had the bento, and it was crazy huge.  This is a Sam Choy bento.

After that, we went to Target (with Starbucks of course - to counteract everything that I just ate), and went back to Kailua, said hi to the doggies (hi tank, tai and toby!), took a power nap, and a couple of hours later, it was dinner time.

Went to Zia's and it was a great mini reunion.  I hadn't seen Leilani in forever!  Yes, stuffing my face with pupus, wine, pasta, garlic bread and dessert. o.O

Well, after that - its BOWLING TIME.

Seriously!?  how FUN is bowling!  I can't believe I hadn't bowled in FOREVER!

I think it may have been over 5 years.  

Weird thing is, I'm a decent bowler. lol I think it was the Corona's after the wine.

I bowled a 124 then a 136! (shut the front door!)

Wow this blog is getting lengthy.  After that, it was almost 10, went back to Jen's place, watched Project Runway - All Stars, passed out.

Next day, had breakfast at Cinnamon's in Kailua.  Took the bus home.  Found a buyer for my car. Went to Scuba Certification (from 1800-2320), then to Jack in the Box (ha ha).

Alright... the next couple of days are crazy busy as well.  It's crunch time!

Hmmm. Reminds me of a picture.  

A friend is a friend that knows - when you say you're ok, to give you a hug and tell you that its going to be ok.  because they can tell that you're not.

I'm ok. 

o_O

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

La cuisine Français

ha! another food blog, oui!  this one is quite special.

this is my 2nd time to france, and this is my first homemade meal in france. it was so yummy, everything was bought fresh today and its all organic.

and yes the wine is fantabolous too! its from côtes du rhône.

today was pretty much recovery. i slept a lot, woke up, took the dog for a walk (another first in a foreign country), and picked up dog poop (another 1st) - i’m racking up many firsts today!  

oh, i visited the boulangerie this morning and had croissants, oh so yummy!

ok, tomorrow, i will be more adventurous and check out the open market!

bonne nuit, mon amis!

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Apple and Sage Porkchops

APPLE AND SAGE PORKCHOPS

It's been a while since I have posted about food and even longer since I posted about food that I actually made!

The recipe is actually simple, its just boneless porkchops, various spices, onions and apples.

I was apprehensive at first because I really don't like my entree to be on the sweeter end, that's what dessert is for, isn't? The spices really cut the sweetness of the apple and the apple juice and makes the meat much tender!

The porkchops was great with red wine, this time a merlot and instead of my usual starch of rice, I decided to try potatoes, and that was great too.

Ha! Want the recipe?  Let me know!

It was nice to have a fancy dinner at home!

I'm going to eat my last porkchop left over.

nom nom nommm...

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

12th Avenue Grill - Kaimuki

We went to 12th Avenue Grill to celebrate my 3 years anniversary.

It has been a long time since I have been to 12th Avenue Grill and everything is just as I remembered it.  The great good, the warm ambiance, everything was on point, except the service wasn't as exceptional as it normally is.

12th Avenue Grill is a great restaurant, though there is a set menu, everyday 4-6 specials that are made from the fresh produce found at the market... So don't be afraid to try new things!

Food - 4.25 stars out of 5.

Service - 2.75 stars out of 5.

Entree - $18-$26

My favorite... Mac & Cheese - Don't forget to add the Black Forest Ham... :]]

Crispy exterior, creamy rich interior.  Classy yummy goodness that will leave you yearning for more!

Potato Croquette with some phenomenal cheese that I can't remember!














Asian Pear Salad - Phenomenal.  Light dressing, with bacon wrapped grilled pears... YUM

Beef Wellington - Oh so delicious, the puff pastry was flaky and the beef was oh so tender!

Grilled Chicken - The most mediocre thing out of an outstanding dinner.  Skin was slightly charred, but the mashed potato and the mushroom were very delish!

So, what you eat after, you say?  Dessert of course.  This was one of the highlights of dinner.  With 4 eager forks, needless to say, you snooze, you lose.

This is a fruit crisp with fresh creme, the fruit will vary, and today it was apple.  Completely appropriate as the last apple crisp we had (at The Counter) was a complete disappointment!  The inside was cold and the server made it seem like it was our fault... Anywho... This is surprisingly light, airy and delish.  You think you want to share... but don't...  :]

All pictures (except Mac & Cheese, shot by Aubrey Pucan Hester - Check out her site!)


Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

King Kamehameha Day

King Kamehameha Day
Yesterday was King Kamehameha Day and yes its a State Holiday. After yoga (see below), I went into work from 9:00-12:30, the phone must have rang twice, and only received 2 pertinent emails. I wish every Wednesday, could be a 1/2 day, it just really breaks up the work week and makes it go way smoother! I went to the beach yesterday and wanted to go surfing, but it was sort of flat, plus with the holiday, and summer (not to mention windy), there were so many people out there fighting for junk waves. Basically, I was just cruising at the beach until 5pm, then grab a snack at Ono Cheese Steakhouse, then went sailing (for free, it helps to know the right people). Pretty cool stuff. We were out in the water from 6pm-7:30pm, and the sun was barely setting when we came in. Then off to Shabu Shabu for dinner! Great place to eat! Its Japanese/Korean and you basically boil your food. Its normally a winter thing, but here in Hawaii its ono all year round (like we really have winter). As if that wasn't enough food, we went to my favorite dessert place, Satura Cake, and I had a Kona-Misu cake and a large earl grey tea. Yes, I was falling asleep on the way home, but hey, today, I woke up well rested, and off to make some breakfast and to work at 9AM!

Shabu Shabu - Youtube (Amateur video, he overcooks the meat)


Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

My Vacation.... in Pictures...

Vacation
Words cannot express my vacation...

Miss you all.













Coming Home


Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Health... What does it really mean? & Shipping & more running!

Since I came out and announced that I am HIV +, everyone has been asking about my health. What does that really mean, HEALTH? I am sure that everyone wants me to be physically healthy, but how do people define health? and at what costs? Would you just eat what's completely healthy and never satisfy that sugar craving? Is an occasional treat ok? What if it becomes the norm? Does health = true happiness?

My motto is just everything in moderation and burn what you eat. If you're craving sweets, have some. If you're hungry, eat. Don't deny yourself pleasure, when you do, that is when you will binge on it. So.. what's my point... well, here is a sneak peak into what I eat in a normal day.

Breakfast:
If I am running late, I will have a bowl of cereal. If I have time, I love cooking myself a breakfast. I always have a 3 egg omelet (with 1 yolk only), some sort of sausage (whether its a veggie patties or pork links), and 1/2 a bagel (with cream cheese - I like the salmon flavor, as well as strawberry and honey oat)


Snacks:
I never deny myself a snack. NEVER. If my stomach is grumbling, I'll eat. Well, here at my snack choices. All of this is from Costco. I also buy the kids fruit cups that has like 20 fruit cups. I always have my desk stacked, so I don't make any bad choices. I like the fruit cups a lot, and chocolate soy milk also. The snack bar is high in fiber.


Dinner:
I pretty much cook dinner every night of the week. I like a eat a lot of veggies. This took about 10 minutes. I had brown rice (made from before), I just steamed some broccoli, and fried a chicken apple sausage. YUM!


For dessert, I have chocolate soy milk or a cup of sorbet/sherbet, and I never eat past 8:30PM.

Shipping:
Oh no these hoes didn't?! This is why I get charged SOOOO much for shipping. I purchased 25 items from REI. I bought all different kinds of energy gels for running. I wanted to try all different brands, and all different flavors. REI was the only company that had a large single (buffet) selection and affordable prices. The shipping wasn't too bad. But why did you monkey ass send me 1 in a box on its own. It cost $.92, and I was probably charged $5 for shipping. This was the only thing in the box along with a lot of paper. WTF! You really couldn't fit this in the other box with 24 small gels?!


Running:
My run yesterday, my right knee was giving me a really hard time. I had a doctors appointment today, but I canceled it. My knee is feeling a lot better, and I am going to try walking/jogging on it.


Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.