Ticket to Give

(and shameless self promotion)

I made an entry for TOMS Ticket to Give. It would be so amazing to get to update my "Current Location" for an opportunity like this!

Essentially, there will be 50 entrys chosen, and those people get to go on the next shoe drop.

Um, YES PLEASE.

Here's a link to my entry, and voting opens on March 3 (if you feel so inclined). 

Now, because I reread my entry and found all of my typos (GAH!!), I'm going to type it out for you here. 


"A ticket to ALLEVIATE:
An all consuming yearning has plagued my life for years- this blinding hunger to touch every corner of the globe and try to fathom the idea that we all share one planet in vastly different life circumstances. A TOMS Giving Trip is the first step in alleviating my wanderlust. This trip could be the start of filling the void in me- a void that will only be filled by experiencing the unfiltered world outside of the only state I've ever lived in."

Though, I will say, I am certainly blessed to have grown up just a short drive from this. 

Good Morning Johnny!

Not necessarily what I need to see first thing on Monday and Wednesday. 

But nice to see you, Jack.

I want to find the professor who has this office. 

Breakfast (Brunch?) of Champions

At what time of day does breakfast become brunch?

I'm calling this one brunch, because it's 10 am and I've already been up for a while.

Ultimate. Bacon. Sandwich.
Or at least that's what I'm calling it.

Bacon:

•  Preheat oven to 375 degrees
•  Cookie sheet covered in foil 
•  Cooling rack placed on top
•  Lay bacon on the rack
• Cook until done (about 25/30 minutes)

Eggs:

• 2 whites, 1 yolk, lightly beaten
• Turkey breast (I used my Foster Farms oven roasted deli meat)
• Warm the turkey in the pan
• Add the eggs
• Cook through

Toast:

• Toast your bread

Assembly:

• Bread
• Bit of mayo (if that's your thing)
• Layer your bacon
• Add your eggs 
• EAT.

And enjoy! 

Happy New Year!

Not a typo.

Today, February 15th, is my 21st birthday.

And I am really excited.  :)

(and, yes, I set this post to auto publish at 12 am.  ;]  )

This is me, last year, pretty close to the day of my 20th birthday. My mom snuck in to my studio apartment, decorated (and cleaned) and popped out and scared surprised me when I walked in. 

I sit here, writing this post, on my couch in a different apartment, that I share with one of the dearest friends I've been lucky enough to have.  

I initially planned to have a long post reminiscing about all that has happened this past year of my life, but now I'm not going to. Here's a short version instead.

I have had plenty of heart break this year, and I'm sure I'll face more in the future. I've gone from having an explicitly spelled out life plan, to an extremely hazy one.  I also grew a lot though- I am so self-assured and proud of who I am.  I've leaned from my losses, and they have once again taught me about my own resilience, strength, and unyielding hope. I love that my future is open to become whatever I choose to make it. 

I can't wait for another year in this wonderful world!  

If you'll allow it, I'm going to let you in on what my wishes are for this year:

• Learn to sail
• Travel using a passport
• See my nephew more
• Experience something life changing

And the big one:

• Contentedness, happiness, and understanding for myself and my loved ones.

Cheers! 

(something fun that is exactly how I'm feeling about my birthday and will probably be shouting all day)

Current Location: Cookie Town

So I decided to try a new recipe, yesterday! 

Chocolate Chip Cookies.  I found this recipe via my FoodGawker which, in turn, led me to Kelsey's blog! 

I'm pretty excited. 

They were deemed the "BEST-EVER Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie," and if that doesn't scream "make me!" then I don't know what does. I have a fondness for chewy chocolate chip cookies.  The day I failed my behind the wheel driving test when I was 16, I ate an entire pack of Chewy Chips Ahoy. I'm not particularly proud of that, but it made me feel better (Thank you Chips Ahoy.) 

(P.S. I passed the driving test 2 weeks later. Thank you Dexter. I"m sure you were wonderful in your high school production of South Pacific.)

Here are your ingredients:

• 3/4 c. unsalted butter [oh no, I just realized I used salted butter and put salt in. Um. WHOOPS (this is on top of almost forgetting half of the butter at first....)]
• 3/4 c. brown sugar  
• 1/4 c. granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp. Vanilla extract
• 2 c. all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. cornstarch
• 1tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt (ahem...)
• 1 c. bittersweet chocolate chunks/chips

Directions:

1.Preheat your oven to 350* F

2. Cream you butter and sugars

3.Once light and fluffy, add the egg and vanilla and cream some more

4. MIX in your flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.  Next add your chocolate.  I would also like to note that I tend to use my hands during this step, a lot, when I'm making cookies. It's easier for me to get all of my fry ingredients mixed in. Also adds a little extra love.  ;)

5. Using your preferred method, make your dough balls (heh) and place on your cookie sheet.  I usually use parchment paper when I bake, but didn't have any on hand.  :(  So I did grease my sheet a tad. 

6. I smushed my dough balls a bit (as I tend to do for all cookies) and they were ready to cook! 10 minutes in your preheated oven.  Kelsey notes, "The tops will not brown, but do NOT cook longer than ten minutes." I broke this cardinal rule, because I know that my oven cooks cool- I had mine in for 11 minutes. 

7. Let the little darlings cool on the sheet or a rack or however you would like  to cool completely (My aunt usually cools her cookies on a brown grocery bag... She makes really good cookies.)

I'm scared to try mine. 

Never fear! They're still delicious, even with my salt incident. 

These cookies are certainly good, and I do recommend them. The texture is really different from a "typical" chocolate chip cookie, but I wouldn't go as far as to say they're the "best-ever." Maybe if I make them without mucking up the recipe... 

Non cookie related note:

I highly recommend cooking with the Mumford & Sons Pandora station playing in the background.  

Why did the ducks cross the road?

To swim in my pool.

At least someone is making use of it.
It's a bit chilly today and I'm locked inside, watching Miss Congeniality, doing homework.

I've got a big birthday coming up on Friday and want to be all caught up so I can properly enjoy it. ;)

Success!

I did it.

I have created an outlet to document the many places I will go and the things I see, do, eat, and experience there. This is a lifestyle blog, of sorts, to satisfy the curiosity you (may or may not) have about my life. There will occasionally be a "song of the day" as well (because who doesn't love expanding their musical tastes?).

You join me at a tail end of a journey (sort of). As you can see from the blog's header, my current location is, indeed, Sacramento.   I've been here for three years, and have (hopefully) one left!

I adore this wonderful city. I have grown into a semblance of an adult under this city's tutelage. I'll even let you know about my favorite eateries, since you've been so kind to join me here.

This is where our story begins, blogosphere. Sacramento, California, the surrounding areas, and my life in it.