My Blogiversary

One year ago I started this crazy little blog thing. I kept it private for about a month before I let the little beast run wild and free on the internets. At first, some of my family and friends questioned why I would even want to do such a thing. And in good mommy fashion, my mom was worried that someone would cook my recipes, stalk me, and find me to cut me up into pieces...or something like that. Regardless, I kept on going, starting Project Wifey Wife, continuing my Zelda quest for my "princess" named Healthy McHealthiness, and joining the fun of Bloggerworld.

Check it out!

I never revealed this, but I wanted to blog because my life was a little topsy turvy with being a newlywed, struggling with my job, and considering a career change. These changes were enough for me to throw up my arms and say "CURSES!" or something else that started with an F. This blog became my comfort. I've always been a journal person, heck, I even had a diary in 1st grade (which I forgot the combination to and haven't been able to open since 4th grade). I had a Xanga in college and continued to keep a handwritten one near my bed. Writing is a friend of mine, for sure.


My first header

This blog is my pride and joy. Even with the horrible spelling mistakes and grammar fumbles, (Did I mention I'm a teacher... I... is... so ...smarte!) and the time I let pass between each post (don't look down at the last time) I thank you, reader, for reading about my life and leaving sweet comments. To my friends and family, who now give me so much encouragement, Thank you. And of course, To The Man, The Mister, the Hubby Hub to my Wifey Wife, Thank you for always encouraging me to blog...AND you're welcome for all the food.

Here's to another year....


To celebrate I will cook my first Project Wifey Wife meal:
Boeuf Bourguignon

And just like the first time, I will forget to post the recipe.....maybe.

Our 1 Year Anniversary

This weekend, Hubby and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary. I know this is cliche, but this year was full of ups and downs. Marriage is WORK! Why didn't anyone tell me in their wedding card to us? I thought marriage was all sexy time, laughing, farting, and happiness. I kid. It isn't just ALL those fun things, but there is that too... am I getting too personal? Really, marriage is a lot of work but well worth it. The amount of work you put into a marriage comes back to you ten-fold when pay day comes.... and when taxes come...oh boy.... break out the good sheets.... ok ok, too personal.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, Hubby and I went to San Diego. This is where we celebrated our One Year Anniversary of being boyfriend and girlfriend and where we have decided to take our one year old baby (when he or she comes). Look at us trying to make our own traditions...awww.. aren't we cute?

In good food blogger fashion, I will tell the story of our weekend through the eyes of my stomach. We ate magnificent food that I couldn't wait to show you guys! Watch, watch!

We chose this place because it was where we ate dinner the first time we came to celebrate.

Fresh tortillas made in the entrance to entice you.... smart move. I just wish she handed out samples. How do you say samples in Espanol? I thought the drool on my chin would give her a clue but she was too busy "working."

 

Carne Asada Fries.... Oh Dios Mio!

Carnitas and Chili Verde.

Bunelos to top it all off. Hubby and I thought my Bunelos were better.

The next morning, I took the Facebook advice from my friend Theresa to visit this place.

Theresa recently graduated from Le Cordon Bleu, so I knew she meant business when recommending this. Also, the fact that there was a TWO HOUR WAIT made it clear to us that we, one, were in for a treat, and two, are insane for spending our day waiting that long for breakfast.

We were also insane for walking a block down the street to get a snack while we waited. Ok FINE, I was  am insane. I couldn't take it, so I bought a croissant...filled with warm Nutella...as a breakfast appetizer. Damn, that sounds even worse when you say it out loud.

Of course, the second I finish licking the last shmear of Nutella off of my fingers, we were called to our table. I ordered a Hash....with veggies to balance the Nutella I had earlier that hour and Hubby went with the chicken and waffles.

We were very full after this, almost to the point of taking a needle and popping our own stomachs to relieve the pressure on our more important organs... like our hearts.

Yet, we marched on and for dinner we went fancy time to Morton's Steak House. This place is legit. Hubby had the Ribeye Steak, while I went for the "smaller portion" Ribeye Steak. We shared potatoes and grilled asparagus.

We also shared a chocolate lava cake, because meat is just not enough to keep a girl satisfied.

We made the mistake of eating rather late and let me tell you, going to bed with a tummy full of steak makes you feel like a bear going to its Winter nap..... except add a whole mess of crazy ass dreams.

On our actual anniversary, we celebrated at the restaurant that catered our wedding. Nostalgic.

The food was great. I ordered a Bacon Spinach Salad (because nothing says salad like bacon) and Penne a la Vodka, while Hubs had the lasagna and half of the bread basket.

 

And lastly, to end our journey through these mountains of ridiculously portioned meals, we ended our trip reminiscing about our Honeymoon in Maui. We Yelped the best Hawaiian place around.

This hole in the wall eatery was SO good that I forgot to take pictures of the amazing chicken teriyaki that I had.

Or the amazing chicken katsu that hubby inhaled.

You'll just have to trust me on this one.

This trip was much needed for our hearts and our tummies. We had an amazing time remembering the past six years and the last six meals. We had a chance to think about what we can do to improve our marriage and what we can do to make life happier for each other. We spent the weekend laughing, eating, and enjoying each other's company. It was perfect.

Good-Bye 27!

Well, here we are, Ms. Twenty-Seven at our last few hours together. I hate to sound cliche (actually, I don't really hate it) but we had some amazing times together. You treated me real nice....real nice.

I'm getting a little misty-eyed thinking back at my year. I think this year has been fabulous and will really go down in the books for me...or in this case...the blogs. Being 27 is an odd thing. I'm not quite an adult yet, I have bills that say otherwise, but I have yet to let go of my young, naive self. It's like, I love to go out and party, but not too late, I have my bedtime, you know. It's like, I am independent, but Mom and Dad, I miss being under your watchful eye. It's like I'm stuck...in limbo. This year has tested every part of my being and truly helped me grow inside and out. God, can I be anymore cliche in this post?

Let's walk down my memory lane....

7 Great moments of 27

1. My year started off with preparations for our wedding. Right away, my amazing family and friends threw Hubby and I a surprise wedding shower at the park. We were so happy to see our loved ones gathered around to support our love, showered by an insane amount of lovely gifts, and elated by all the fun activities that were planned. And...ummm... Mexican and Filipino Buffet of Food that put everyone in an euphoric coma.

This is the face of Surprise!



                             



Surrounded by Love and Food

 2. Shortly after, I was whisked away by my wonderful Bridesmaids and we headed off to Vegas for my Bachelorette Party. I couldn't have asked for a better time. We partied, we danced, we took lessons of some sort, and watched some nice....shows.

3. Then, it came. My DREAM wedding to my DREAM guy. It wasn't how I imagined...it was BETTER. I love being married and this was the best thing that happened to me this year. It was and is magical.

4. A challenging thing that happened to me this year was in my career. I was shifted from teaching first grade to High School. I was so draining and extremely hard fo me, but I'm stronger because of it.

**I'm posting this again because it truly inspires me and reminds me that I am making a difference**

5. Running has been a true test of my mind and my body. I never thought I'd be a runner and I can't quite accept the fact that I might very well be one....almost. I went from being a Baby Runner to a Toddler Runner to whatever you want to call me now. But I ran my first two 5Ks and feel like a strong person for doing so.

Race #1

Race #2

6. Blogging has been a great blessing to me. It's a place where I can be creative and test out my sad attempts to be funny. I've met some amazing blogger friends and continue to be blown away by this great community of people. I'm in love with it.

My first post...EVER.

7. Lastly, my dream to one day be a chef became a reality for a bit when I got accepted to Le Cordon Bleu. Although I wont be able to go, just knowing that it'll always be there for the taking is good enough for now.

Here's to a fantabulous 28! Or better yet...here's to ME making it a wonderful year. It's going to be GRAAAND, DAH-LING.

"This life is what you make it."- Marilyn Monroe

Can't wait to share with you what my birthday week has in store!!

Thursday Favorites: Answered Prayers

A month ago (almost to the exact date), I wrote a post about becoming a chef. I came to this fork in the road and I pretty much camped out there for the summer, not knowing what to do. Pacing back and forth, I couldn't choose between following a new dream or keep trying at an old one. Being the emotional eater that I am, I used that fork and ate my sorrows away, never wanting to really tackle the pickle at hand.
I hate pickles.

After much and much and much and much thought, I made a decision.

"I'm sorry Le Cordon Bleu, you are CHOPPED. Please pack up your utensils and go home."

You don't know how hard it was to make that decision. My heart (and my tummy, and my hubby's tummy) was saying, "Cook your heart out, Sunshine!" but My brain was saying different. I wanted to follow my dreams (SO BAD) but it's not in the cards right now... the debit cards more specifically.

So, I chose my first love, Teaching. It truly is my first passion and truth be told, I lost some of that last year. 

But this is a new year, and I want to reignite my passion again. I'm going to set this place on FI-YA! (not literally... I would never do that) I want to be a revolutionary... a force to be reckoned with....in the classroom and in the kitchen! WATCH OUT NOW!

I met my principal today and I could NOT have asked for a more supportive guy. Through and Through. And he gave me an iPad to boot! (It's for a reading program)

To make this situation that much better, he told me that if an opportunity arises where I can move back to Elementary mid-year, he would give me his blessing. My heart was about to jump out of my chest and hug him. I think if I cried like I wanted to, he would've thought I was a weirdo. I went home from our meeting feeling like I made the right decision.

I am now a Middle School English Language Development Teacher (Math, Study Skills, and Reading)

Now I can take out my teacher tools and magic dust....and clean out our guest room.

Cooking School will always be there for me.... I will put my Chef dream aside (not away).

Until then...when I'm not in my classroom, you can find me here....

Happy. Cooking in my Kitchen.

**Thank you to all my family and  friends (blog ones included) for all of your support through it all. Listening to me bitch and moan? Why are you still loving me?

 And to my patient and supportive Husband, where ever this road will take me... I want nothing more than you by my side...oh and can you drive? I hate driving. ***

To Be (a Chef) or Not To Be (a Chef)

If you follow me on Twitter, then you've already heard about my dilemma... this fork in the road that my game of Life car (with the cute little pegs) has come to. I am torn, confused, and on my knees asking The Lord to show me what he wants for my life.

This is the look of both confusion and fear.

The Back story: As you already know, I am a teacher. A primary teacher at heart. (I love K-3rd grades) I taught first grade for about 5 years and it was in my last two of those years where the Education Roller Coaster took me on an emotional ride, complete with birds hitting me in the face, Fabio Style. California made its decision....There was no more room for Education in the budget. I say, who the hell needs schools anyway?

This ridiculous move by the Governator  forced me to move up into high school. I really enjoyed the lighter work load and my "grading papers free nights" but the horrible behavior of the stinky teenager boys took a toll on me and made me LOATHE teaching all together.

This year will be my THIRD time being laid off. I'm exhausted and sick of being slapped around like some hood rat. The chances of my getting my job back is pretty good....but do I want it back?

The NOW Story: With the uncertainty of the situation at hand, I decided I needed a safety net. I wanted a Happy Safety Net. I didn't want to apply for some hum-drum type of job, I wanted something that I would LOVE. So, I applied to Le Cordon Bleu in Los Angeles.

And I got ACCEPTED.



I start in August...but is THIS what I really want? If you know me in real life, you know that my passion for food is alive and thriving. But something is roping me back to teaching.... I can't get away from it.

If I stay a teacher.... job security is next to nil (for now). If I become a chef, who knows if I'll have job security at all.  I am struggling to find where I'm supposed to be.

The Future Story: ...?

• Have you ever had to make a career decision like this?
• How do you cope with worry and stress?