Highlight/Delete.

I’ve been trying to write a new block for days, but everything I write just ends up highlighted and deleted.

I’ve been less than okay lately, and it’s understandably so.
When I was growing up, I was very spiritual. I prayed to God, Mother Mary, Jesus, and Joseph to protect me and my loved ones. I would pray they would guide me and helped to keep me on the right path.

I tried to pray last night, for all these things again, and I got through the prayers I had memorized by heart since before I could read. I tried to pray because I needed peace, and I needed comfort, and I needed guidance…. But that didn’t come. I couldn’t pray more than the memorized prayers.

I wanted to cry more after I couldn’t finish than I wanted to before.

Free time? What’s that?

Today is my almost first day to having some free time.

I’m at this cute cafe drinking a mango Smoothie and eating an egg and cheese croissant sandwich!  Yum!

I’m in this interesting transitional phase in my life where having time to myself and for rest and relaxation is more important to me than working so many jobs and ridiculous hours.

I really didn’t know why I did that to myself, but I know that my focus is not on work anymore. My focus is on me, my well being.

My body has been telling me to slow down for quite some time now, and I really have to start listening to my body now more than ever or I figure i’ll just end up hurting myself sooner AND later yes, I will end up hurting later.

But for right now, I’m definitely liking the “slower” pace I’ve set for myself. It won’t last for long though… You know how crazy I can get.

Until next time,
Yadada.

4/13/12

a VERY memorable day =)

Cars on Cakes

I visited my family a few weekends ago and celebrated my inaanak’s (God-son) birthday.

Little Safari turned 2! Here he is with his older sister and cousins. He blew the candles before they sang happy birthday, drove Lightning McQueen on his cake, and he even tried to clean up his mess later with a spatula used as a broom! I love him! I love my neices and nephews. And I miss the rest of my family dearly.

Cheers! To cars on cakes!

Its the little things you miss.

I was driving on Hwy 5 a few weekends ago and I thought to myself, “I really miss my apartment. I miss my old apartment too…”

When you haven’t been home in a while, or when you keep leaving, it’s all the little things you’ve grown accustomed to that you realize that you don’t want go too long without.

This picture is from one of our last days at our old apartment.  It’s a horrible winter day in Oakland, California at the end of December.

This is a view of Downtown Oakland, the tall building on the left, thats The Lake Merritt Apartment Building.  I always thought I would move there one day (because I’m sure that even though I’ve never set foot in it, the view would be AMAZING, in any-which-direction my apartment might face. See, I’m a sucker for a place with a view…. or anywhere with a view.

That super tall tree right in the middle of the picture, is one of the first things we saw after we finally moved all of our stuff in.  We didn’t have any sofa or seating arranged yet, so we put a couple boxes together and sat on them, of course they were pretty low, so all we could see from such a low angle was the top of that really tall tree and the glow of Downtown Oakland behind it.

And of course, all the little trees at the bottom are from the Funk Town Garden, ran by the ReGeneration Church across the street. This church is behind their church hall and is tended to by different church members and community members alike.  Chickens, pumpkins, sunflowers, eggplant, it was all there.  ….. Actually, I don’t think I’ll miss the clucking chickens, or the cats behind the apartment trying to protect their turf, hissing, or meowing…. I’ll miss throwing jelly beans at them. Haha

I sure will miss the hustle and bustle or International (E14th St) and the view of Downtown Oakland and all the helicopters  flying over it trying to bring over-exaggerated news about the Oakland Occupiers to the world.  I will miss not having to use a night light when I sleep.  I will miss my apartment neighbors, the sassy old African American couple that maintained the building and were always so nice to use.  I will miss the multiple washers and dryers.  I will miss the purple flowers that grew on the vines through spring and fell in late summer.

I took our view for granted.

——————-

But now we live in a new apartment, and anything you might really need is in a 1-1.5 block radius.  And although we don’t have a view, we’re in the process of making memories there, which is more important that having something pretty to look at outside your window.

Raspberry Compote

I made Raspberry Compote the other day! It was really good! It didn’t take too long either, I think that’s what I liked the most about this recipe in the first place.

What EXACTLY is a Compote?
Well,  it’s whole or pureed, reconstituted dried or fresh fruit “stewed” and reduced in a mixture of sugars and spices.  It can be served warm or cold (mine is served cold and as a filling and accent for Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes).

You can use it in desserts or as a topping for breakfast, like pancakes or french toast!

This is a picture of the raspberries just getting into the pot. These raspberries are frozen, but I don’t think it makes a difference whether or not you use whole frozen raspberries or whole fresh raspberries when it comes to taste.  They’re more manageable (if you ask me!)

Also added to the frozen raspberries, is just a hint of sugar it take a little edge off  of that burst of acidity  that hits you underneath your tongue!

Ta-daaa! Finished product!
Easy right?

Easy recipe too:

Ingredients:
5 lbs Whole frozen raspberries (or fresh, your choice)
1 cup Sugar

Method:
-Put raspberries in a medium/large sized pot and turn the stove on the a medium heat.
-Add sugar and mix to incorporate evenly.
-Stir semi-frequently to ensure the raspberries don’t burn and stick to the bottom of the pan.
-Once at least 1/2 of the raspberries have burst, turn heat to medium low and let simmer, stirring occasionally until the rest of the raspberries have burst.
-Let sit and simmer until mixture has reduced at least by 1/2.
*Can be served warmed or chilled in a dessert or as a topping.

Enjoy!
-Yadada