Wandom Wednesday: Addictions

1. There needs to be an Instagram Anonymous and I need to be the president. I am on that thing way too much for someone who has a job and a LIFE! I posted 6 times yesterday and feel embarrassed about it. Like, who the hell am I for showing you what I'm eating, wearing, thinking, or pooping? Oprah?

2. I am also addicted to games on my iPhone. Brizzle, Bejewled, Temple Run, Bakery Story, Words with Friends... I'm all over that like brown on brown rice. Send help immediately.

Birzzle

3. On that note, I am finally winning at a game of Words with Friends. This never happens to me. Sadly, people think I'm going to blow them out of the water because I'm a teacher, but I actually suck at Scrabble. It's because I'm impulsive and don't think about my words before I throw 'em down.

Case in point, yesterday I threw down HOES because I thought it was funny. After I pressed SEND and laughed my head off, I realized I could've put SHOES. I is stupid.

4. I'm also addicted to these. Boston Cream Pies My friend Christine had me over for dinner and she made these for dessert. I think she's trying to sabotage my exercise plan. Thanks, Christine. Some friend you  are.

via Annie Eats

5. I want to write another Wandom, but I have to check my Instagram and lose more Words with Friends games. Toodles.  

Those Crazy Kids

This weekend I was lucky enough to spend time with this face.

We celebrated my nephew Sebby's 4th birthday. My my how time flies. It was only yesterday that I was pinching these little chipmunk cheeks.

(It looks like hubby doesn't have fingers, but I assure you he does have all 10.)

Now, this growing cherub can talk in complete sentences, count higher than some of my first graders ever could, and has my dad's iPhone password memorized so he can access the camera and take a gratuitous amount of pictures of our feet and nose hairs. Next thing you know he'll be graduating from college and becoming President of the United States. ::le sigh::

For his birthday, I spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to dip these balls in chocolate. So difficult! Any tips on how to get them to stop falling off the damn stick would be greatly appreciated.



Since his birthday was pirate themed, I attempted these guys. They kinda sorta look like pirates, right?

After we scarfed down cake and chocolate balls, Sebby hired me as his personal Nerf Gun reloader. His muscles are too weak to reload the Nerf gun, so I spent a good hour doing it for him... and then doing it again and again and again. I cherish these moments because one day, he will be a teenager who will not need my help on little things like this. ::double le sigh::

On a different note, wouldn't that be nice if the biggest problem in your day was having to reload darts back into your Nerf Gun? I will trade that in for getting up at 5:30 for work ANYDAY!

Last week, I let my students write their 2012 resolutions. They are definitely living the simple life. I am jelly. I want to stress about these kinds of things instead of adult things like making sure to scrub the tub once a week. I can never remember.

I let them choose their own fonts. This kid felt a little Ol' School. He's kickin' it Gothic Style.

Instead of running a 10K, I will be changing it to "Eating Hot Cheetos ZERO times a year, instead of once a year." Those things are deadly. Not just for your tummy, but for the skin of your fingertips and everything around you that is white.

Oh, those Crazy Crazy Kids.

Pork Siu Mai/Shoe My/Shoo Mie

'Ello Govnah.

I'm a bit peeved right now. My Body and I are at war. Not just, Mind says "Run a 10K", Body says "no way, Jose." Instead, my body wants to be sick but that is not on my schedule at the moment. I don't want to be hocking up loogies, blowing my nose every 5.5 seconds until the skin from my nose peels off, or having nasty mouth. I just want to be a normal girl, gaw dangit! Seems as though Body does not give a flying shit. So, I will drown my body with Green Monsters, green tea, and cough drops while acting like the biggest baby so my hubby will feel sorry for me and do all the chores, cooking, and laundry. ::crossing fingers that hubby reads this::

Besides being sick, I've been having very strong cravings for one thing... Chinese food. What the what? Now before you start speculating that I am with child, I will tell you that I am in fact, not preggos. If I am, it must be a Chinese baby because all it wants is Chow Mein and Dim Sum. Lucy.... you have some splainin' to do.


Honey Walnut Shrimp. One of the best things on earth.

Besides begging my hubby to take me to Panda Inn, I also felt the sudden urge to make some dumplings. I made them before, but to keep in line with my resolutions I decided to try a new recipe. Easy, quick, and delicious. What more can you want out of a recipe?
Project Wifey Wife- The Savory
Pork Sui Mai
adapted from The Everything Rice Cooker Cookbook

Ingredients:
1/2 pound ground pork
1 package of frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1/2 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp of pepper
1 tsp of soy sauce
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 egg
wonton wrappers

1. Mix all of the ingredients together.  See how easy that is?

2. Put about a half to a full tablespoon of the mixture into a wonton wrapper. Make a little cup and squeeze.

3. Steam for about 7-10 minutes until cooked through.



If you're feeling crazy, you can also fry some!

And isn't it funny that TODAY is Chinese New Year? Maybe that's why I've been craving it all! Really, it's a plain coincidence because I had no idea.

Gung Hei Fat Choy!

Something daring, eh? ::strokes chin::

Teacher Talk Tuesday: The Job Slump

Remember last year, when I thought I was going to die?

I was so painfully unhappy with my job that I dug myself into the deepest hole and became depressed. Luckily, there was a kitchen and Blogworld down there. 

Guys, I don't know how my poor husband survived last year because I ripped his head off almost everyday. I came home crying almost everyday and wanted to quit right then and there. I let 18 immature boys ruin not only my work life, but my personal life as well. WHY, Joanna?

Thanks, Poster, but it was really quite difficult. Besides the fact that I'm overdramatic, I'm also obsessive and a perfectionist. God broke the mold when he made me, huh? (I never thought I'd use that phrase) Put those all together and what do you get? A teacher who wanted to be liked by her students, do well on her test scores, and go home on time each day feeling like a million bucks. Pshh... yeah...right.

So, I survived it right? Barely. Time passed ever so slowly and I'm here with a fun story to tell. Here's my advice to those who are in a lemon patch right now. Eff making lemonade, you gotta take life by the horns and make something more satisfying than that.

1. Breathe and know that it's not personal. 

If you're like me, you might get paranoid that people hate you ALL the time. Please say it's not just me. A co-worker doesn't say good morning? I shift into "Uh oh. What's the last thing I said to her? Did I call her fat on accident? Is she mad at me? Oh crap, was I supposed to call her or something?"

A client, or in my case, 18 teenagers act like total monkies and throw shit at you all day at work? I start thinking "What can I do do change myself so that they would like me and respect me?" 

Honey, the world isn't about you sometimes and you really have to say "It's not me, it's YOU." Instead of thinking how I can change myself, I think about how I can change my way of thinking. Maybe your co-worker had a bad morning, didn't see you, or has to pee really really badly or maybe those clients are really just A-holes. In the equation of A-hole clients and you, you are the only one stressing. Stop.

2. Vent to the right people.

If you don't do this, you'll end up being angry and hurt. I vented to anyone and everyone who would listen, and sometimes those who just had ears. Thanks, Sonic. I told a lot of non-teachers and I would get the "Did you call their parents?" "You should try giving them a book they're interested in." "You should talk to my friend, she's a teacher." These people all mean well and I appreciate them trying to help, but REALLY? Sometimes people don't understand what your job entails and what you are truly going through. They want to help in their own way, but that way isn't going to sound helpful to you if you're already depressed and angry . Talk to someone you know will understand.



My teacher friends



3. Find a really good hobby.

This is pretty straightforward. Do something that will make you happy. I found plenty.

Running

Reading



Cooking funny looking Chicken Butts

Eating

and eating...

and eating.

Ok, that could be very dangerous, but for me it was my ultimate comfort. I did balance it with running so that made it ok.

4. Know that everything will be ok.

I'm living proof. Hated my job last year and now I am living the teacher dream. I have a wonderful class, an awesome principal who just lets me do my job, and very helpful co-workers. God handed me a challenge last year but I kept with it and now, he's showing me that life is good.

via

5. Lastly, don't kill anyone.

My hubby was so patient with me. He felt the wrath of my depression and anger and held me lovingly as I sobbed and wiped snot boogers all over him. I took out my anger on him and if he left me or if I killed him during one of my Mr. Hulk episodes, I would've lost the only person on earth who could put up with my crap. Thank God I made him good food or else I would've been crying to Sonic and he is no good at listening. Thank you, Hubby.

photobooth fun

• Do you have any advice to someone who hates their job?
• How do you get through a rough patch?

Take Me to the Greek...Salmon

See what I did there on that shnazzy title?

When Hubby comes home and says that the house is filled with all his favorite food smells, you know you're doing something right. When your house STILL smells like that two days later...ummm, I'm not quite sure what that means. ::scratches head::

Point is, I made something that smells amazing and tastes even MORE so. I am pretty excited to post this because I created this recipe using my own noggin. Pretty impressive if I do say so myself. Sorry to toot my own horn, I'm just happy that my noggin is working. YAY for New Year's Resolutions.

Project Wifey Wife: The Savory
Panko Hummus Crusted Salmon with Orzo Salad

Ingredients:
For the Salmon
12-16oz  salmon or any other fish
2-3 garlic cloves; minced
1/4 of a yellow union; diced
1 Tbs of dried parsley
1 Tbs of dried oregano
1 cup of panko breadcrumbs
2Tbs of Hummus (I used a generic store bought one with no added flavors)
salt to taste
olive oil to moisten
feta for pretty decor

For the Orzo Salad
1 1/2 cups of dried orzo pasta
1 zucchini; chopped
1 yellow and 1 red bell pepper
1/4 yellow or red onion
1/2 Tbs parsley
1/2 Tbs oregano
Drizzle of olive oil
salt to taste

1.Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and Boil the orzo pasta according to the directions on the box.
2. Saute the onions and garlic for the salmon in a small pan. Add the oregano and parsley and stir. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onions are translucent.

3. Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, hummus, salt, and oil together. Add the onion mixture and stir together. It should hold together pretty well.

4. Spread the mixture ontop of the salmon and crumble some feta on top if you'd like. I did it and turns out, I don't like feta.

5. On the same baking dish, throw on those yummy veggies for the orzo pasta. Toss with olive oil, oregano, parsley, and salt.
6. Bake  for 20-25 minutes until Salmon is flaky and the veggies are roasted. Mine cooked together perfectly.

7. Mix the beautifully fragrant veggies into the orzo pasta.

8. De....wait for it....vour.

In other news....

I've actually been to The Greek Amphitheater for a Lykke Li concert. It's pretty phat.

You know what else is pretty bangarang? The Coachella Line up. Wahoooo! I can't wait! Remember all the fun I had last year? It's going to be epic, my friends.

I am most excited to see Florence + The Machine, Radiohead, Bon Iver, The Shins, DJ Shadow, Santigold, The Rapture, Snoopaloop and Dr. Dre...oh my... I guess I could just show you the poster because there are so many more.

TAKE ME TO THE DESERT!

Good Bye Vacation. You Were SO Good to Me.

Alas, my winter vacation is over. I enjoyed every little drop of it.
Some of my favorite moments:

Seeing my Grandma. She was very ill and came here from the Philippines for medical care. I'm so happy to report that she is strong and doing well. She was doing so well, she asked me A MILLION times if I'm pregnant and if not... why? Then she proceeded to COMMAND Hubby and I to start trying immediately. I love her.

Baby fever in full effect. For now, I will practice holding other people's cute babies.

Hiking with friends. I only went twice, but that is two times more than I have been in the past six months. Winning! I went to Claremont Wilderness Park with some of my yoga/teacher buddies and then I went for a REAL hike with Hubby and his co-workers. I say "REAL" because this one required climbing, getting duuurty, seeing a coyote, and almost dying of butt cramps. I believe that constitutes as a real hike, no? We also brought Sonic along and he actually made it out alive!

We quickly recovered from our long hike with a couple of good eats! Can't get any better than that!

And tired puppy Sonic recovered with a long nap on the car ride home...or was that me? I don't recall.

Experimenting with new recipes! I've been in the kitchen making my very own recipes. I feel like a mad scientist in my kitchen except I'm not mad, but extremely content. Isn't it weird how food can make you feel like that? I can't wait to share them with you. I have 2 that I will post asap! Get ready to cook some delicious meals!

Stay tuned, friends!

So We Meet Again, Mr. Celery.

Today my tastebuds went for a ride. Some parts of the ride were fun and exciting, orgasmic if you will. Others were throw-up all over your shirt fun but minus the fun. The new year makes me want to try new things and now I understand that some of those things are not nice.

I started my morning off with a bang bang and by that I mean I nearly shot and killed my tastebuds and colon. I tried The Glowing Green Smoothie from The Beauty Detox Solution book.

Now, I really like this book and I feel like it has some awesome pointers and factiods. Plus, Kimberly is gorgeous and certainly has that "glow" to her. She is purdy. I would like whatever she's having. Hence, me attempting her smoothie recipe. I'm already hooked on Green Monsters so I figured this shouldn't be that bad.

Got to use my new blender. YIPEE!

 Project Wifey Wife- The Savory?
The Glowing Green Smoothie

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups water
1 head organic romaine lettuce, chopped
handful or two of organic spinach
2-4 stalks of celery
1 organic apple, chopped
1 organic pear, chopped
1 organic banana
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Handful of ice for easy drinking

1. Blend into a smooth consistency

The Verdict?

If you remember my post about my food foes then you know that celery is at the tip top of that list. I hate it. I hoped that by mixing it in with the other ingredients that racid taste would just be overpowered so I can drink it and be a happy healthy bear. I hate being wrong. All I could taste was the celery and I even cheated and put just 2...small stalks! **If you like celery then you will have no problem with this. I'm sure it's good to someone who is friends with Mr. Celery.

I wanted to like it, I really did. I even put it in a fancy glass to make me feel all important and crap. Nope, my taste buds were not havin' it. Regardless, I forced my body and my mind into submission and forced down one glass . It turns out that I'm not forceful enough because I only drank a little more than half. But, let me  tell you, ::whisper voice:: just that little bit helped my stomach clear some gunk if your know what I mean. poop.

And, the celery taste lasted well into the afternoon and lingered into my burps. GROSS!

But then...HEAVEN! I went to a French cafe (California Eats post coming soon!) and had this with french bread. It makes me want to cry it's so damn good.

This was made from the tears of angels. I know it! My friend Jen and I thought this was a nutbutter of some sort but later discovered that it's crushed cookies and honey butter. HOLY MOLY! Think Biscoff Cookie. I was in another world when this was in my mouth. I want to marry this and have all the Speculoos babies....Duggar style.

But, sad sad sad news. When I went to purchase this jar of magic, the evil lady at the counter told me that they are all SOLD OUT! I should've known.
"Kind Lady, when will your next shipment arrive?"
"We only order it at Christmas and when it's out, we don't order anymore."

Foodie...Heart....Crushed.

If you can find this for me I will give you $1,000,000 cash money...or $10.95, which ever my bank account allows. Please. I will be your best friend.