A closer look: Chinatown!

Happy late-night blogging from Central Florida.

I'm up late updating my blog primarily for my little sister, Jaclyn, but also because I made a note that I'd do it earlier today. Sidenote: The King's Speech was a gorgeous film. I'm thinking about doing an Oscar movie post in the near future, so I'll save my reviews and comments for later.

I thought it would be fun to share a few snapshots from my trip out to the west coast. Seeing as I'm updating my blog for my little sister, it is only fitting that I discuss Chinatown. She loves Asian cultures and wants to marry a Chinese man, so she was especially jealous that we got to run over to that part of Los Angeles on the evening we landed in CA. (She was also jealous that we got to meet Ellen Pompeo of Grey's Anatomy while we were in Hollywood, but that's another story for another time, Grey's fans.)

At the recommendation of some of our friends from or Haiti trip, Jess and I decided to check out Foo Chow. Turns out Jackie Chan has put this restaurant on the map. Actually, once you're inside, you can easily recognize scenes from Rush Hour. It's pretty funny.

Hot green tea soothed my throat and warmed me up after a long day of airports and airplanes.

All in all, our visit to Chinatown was more eerie than experiential. Since we arrived so late, all the cute little stores were closed for the evening and many of the lights dimmed. However, we were still excited to have visited, and our dinner was seriously killer. Jess and I ordered sweet and sour shrimp and mixed veggies and tons of white rice. (I could eat rice daily.) She was happy to cross visiting Chinatown off her bucket list, but I'd still like to return and find that cute, kitschy raincoat I'm dreaming of. Maybe next time.

Have any of you visited a Chinatown? I've been to them in both NYC and Los Angeles, but my friends say the one in San Francisco is wonderful as well.

Have a great night!
K

Today consisted of:

One breakfast hang with Chad.

Two trips solidified. Four flights booked for next week.

One surprise visit from the boy during work.

Two quick phone calls with dear friends.

Four sweet girls, five pizza "crusties," and two hours of The Babysitters Club.

Three more granny squares.

Eighteen cupcakes baked for some hardcore boys.

One sweet Little Tiny. (The best cat ever born.)

And one of the best memories:

(photo courtesy of Tyler Malone Photography)

So happy.

K

So, I made shortbread.

What a great day off! After an unexpected drive-your-boyfriend-to-work morning, I came home and made a little list of what I would like to accomplish for the day. At the top: BAKE SHORTBREAD! And not just any shortbread, but dark chocolate almond shortbread at that.

I drew inspiration from an almond joy post I stumbled upon yesterday, and then searched around in Honey & Jam's blog for the perfect recipe for shortbread cookies. My friends Holly and Nichole crafted alongside me as I worked on granny squares and waited for my goodies to bake. Here are some photos from their kitchen. If you'd like the recipe, head over to Honey & Jam and take a peek! The only addition was the dark chocolate drizzle and the dark chocolate roasted almonds I added on top. (Feel free to comment with any questions regarding my recipe additions.)

These didn't last long around my house.

In addition to my shortbread baking, my housemates and I baked pizzas together for our weekly House Dinner, and then I just cuddled with Matilda after I painted my nails all crazy. (Another check off the to-do list from my morning). Now it's time for an evening movie date before bed.

Here's to a sweet rest of the week.

K

Wedding weekend: Tommy & Anna

Hey everyone!

Just arrived home this evening after a weekend in Jacksonville. It feels so great to be home, snuggled up in my pajamas next to the Little Tiny. (That's one of the many names I have for Matilda.) Two of Harbor's and my friends got married this weekend, and I was able to stay with some dear family friends while we were up there. This weekend ended up being way more fun than I had anticipated, because I was able to spend so much quality time with loved ones. I'm sure I'll say this a million times on this blog, but roadtrips with Harbor are truly the best. I love the one-on-one time we have, and I love how little relationship issues get sorted out along the drive. I also love playing games and singing along to bad radio and good iTunes playlists. I am immensely thankful to be dating a man who knows how to listen to me and is patient. He's just really great.

Here are a few photos from our trip:

I wore a cute little outfit, inspired by Florence + the Machine.

Tommy was way too intense getting the garter off of his new bride, Anna. Oh my!

Plus... Harbor caught it. Double oh my!

Annnd, I found out late this evening that our boss cancelled work tomorrow for MLK Day. I love finding out I have a day off at the last-minute. It hasn't given me time to plan anything, and allows me the total freedom to spend it in a relaxing, productive way. So, I've decided that tomorrow I will bake cookies, craft (because I'm way behind on a guest blog post for my friend Mary Anne), and pet the Matilda.

I found this recipe tonight and it looks crazy. Except, I'm not so crazy for coconut, so I'm going to try and make shortbread cookies with an almond on top, coated in dark chocolate. I remembered today how much I miss making shortbread, so this will be the much better option.

Ever had these Pecan Sandies? I hope to make them so much better... photos to come of this delightful adventure.

Hope your weekend was as wonderful as ours, and that you got to spend time with friends.

K

January 12.

One year ago Haiti was shaken by a massive quake, and I watched in awe as the world cared deeply, and then many of us took action to help aid in the overwhelming need the country faced after such a tremendous crisis. And then we all sort of moved on, as is the typical trend of global compassion and service.

But, don't worry. This isn't a downer post. Or political. Or preachy.

Haiti had been a dream of mine to visit since I was 16. So when I was able to visit eight years later, it was sort of surreal. The planning and tension that preceded my trip was a difficult season unlike any I had faced in awhile. I struggled internally in so many ways, but I felt as if I really arrived in Haiti fully prepared to serve in any capacity asked of me. And my time there was the most peace-filled I've "felt" in my body in literally years.

I went to Haiti this past November, returning the afternoon before Thanksgiving. I went to bed with a belly of rice and beans, and I ate a full-out turkey dinner the following day. It was an experience I'm still sorting, but I know that I am thankful to have been. I am already waiting for the gentle whisper to return again. The sentiments from my particular trip echo those of my friend and teammate, James. Definitely go and read the post if you have 3 minutes to spare (and, if you're surfing blogs, you do).

My best friend, Emmanuel. We told secrets all afternoon and petted a stray Haitian cat.

Seriously. Can't get enough.

St. Marc, Haiti

I hope you had a chance to pause and think of Haiti today. If you didn't, why not now?

Bon nuit.

K