The Weekend is Here!

ahoo the weekend is here!!! And I got to come home "early" and I probably don't have to do much work until Sunday! You have no idea how ecstatic I am! Or maybe you can, with the excessive use of my exclamation marks! I have a lot of errands to run but I welcome the annoying personal do dads over work. I actually found myself say "A Root Too Doo!" today...anyone know where that's from? Anyone?

I've seen the last two episodes of "The Deep End," a new show on ABC about first year associates who are working at big firms. I was really excited about this because...well that's me! But I was extremely disappointed with the outcome. In fact, it may be the most ridiculous show I have ever seen. First off, no first year would be allowed to conduct an entire deposition by themselves, nor be the only one in attendance at a pre trial conference. Also, no first year would be allowed to seal the deal with a new client or speak so out of turn to a partner. Let me tell you what it's like being a first year, at least in my insanely active department: it's me walking around with a huge, big fat question mark on my forehead. That's what a first year looks like. The End.

Reading Lately

ately I've been trying to finish up this book I started reading upon recommendation called "The Wind Up Bird Chronicles" by Haruki Murakami. So far it's been kind of weird and I'm not exactly sure how everything ties in together. I'm about 50 pages shy of finishing and I refuse to give up (although I almost did!) I'm really hoping that it makes sense by the end but with only 50 pages left to go...it doesn't seem likely. I'm hoping to dive into the world of Jane Austen next and the Boyfriend has graciously bought me a beautiful set of all her novels. I've never really been one for Jane Austen (I tried once and just couldn't do it) but the Boyfriend's wonderful sister in law has recently read through all of them and speaks very highly of them. So I'm convinced. Now if only I can find time to actually finish this book....

Wardrobe Assistance!

een shopping for some more work-wear and one thing I really need is a bag that can fit my documents. I have tote bags but they either are too casual or are too much of a black hole for my phones, keys, wallet to get lost in. I'm looking for a structured bag where I can keep things from jumbling around but do not want to spend a lot of money. So far I've come up with two options, both beyond what I'm willing to spend but still good starting points. What do you think? Any suggestions?

Oh Boy...

hat a weekend. My first week of work has definitely not been stress free and the phrase "hit the ground running" has taken on a whole new meaning. It should be "hit the ground sprinting like a mad woman while wildly flaring her arms" cuz it's how I feel. I had a late night Wednesday night doing some research, went to the office early to do some more, worked until 2am on Friday, went to the office for a 16 hour shift on Saturday, 5 more hours on Sunday, and 1 hour today. Today wasn't so bad except it was supposed to be my day off and I woke up to many emails. Sigh. I really appreciate co-workers who write emails with some enthusiasm and I really despise curt ones. I think I'm way too sensitive to emails...something I must curb. So far my headache is at its height, I feel worn out and run down and I'm really hungry. I picked The Boyfriend up from the airport at 6am and we tried to shop in the city for some more work clothes. Boy was that a mistake! He ended up getting a $130 ticket and we were running very low on gas in midtown and could not find parking for our lives. I was starving (as usual) and was cranky until I had food in my belly. We also had to clean out my fridge that broke on Saturday and threw out SO much food! That was the saddest part of the weekend, having to toss out tons of fresh meat, Korean short ribs, veggies, a new large jar of Kimchi, etc. Sigh.

No serious complaints though...I was actually content with working because I felt involved and expected these hours. This week is going to be a doozy. Thanks for letting me vent.

Back to Reality

've started work this week in the real world and I've got to say, it's pretty great so far. I can only use the word "great" at this point because I've just had training all week and been fed free food and drinks! I'm sure once things get going it will be difficult and tiring. But til then I plan to soak up the fun and bask in the glory and freedom of being "new." We received our blackberries yesterday which means it will be glued to my hand from now until who knows when. I got my first assignment and although it is very very confusing and I don't know what half the terms mean, I'm very excited to dive in and learn as much as I can. I'm already working from home and into late hours but it's not that different from law school so I don't mind it so much. Are you scoffing at my "excitement"? I would. Wish me luck on this new adventure!!

Just What I Needed...

ords of encouragement do wonders for me and help me get through the day. Something tells me that I will be needing a bottle of these in the near future. Hm. Maybe I'll actually make one to keep at the office. That way I can unwrap one day by day ... something to keep me going. Here are a few I found just by googling!

"Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you."
~ Aldous Huxley

"One has to remember that every failure can be a stepping stone to something better."
~ Col. Harland Sanders

"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."

~ Unknown

"Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can"
~ Author Unknown

Would you believe it?

hocolate covered potato chips! Who woulda thunk it. Certainly not I yet this is the best combo of two of my greatest vices all rolled into one! I was just telling a friend today that I could polish off bags and bags of potato chips if given the opportunity--I am a serious potato chip lover. I also melt at the site/smell of chocolate. Wow....this is truly a dream come true. But I wonder how it'll taste. I didn't understand the whole bacon-chocolate fad and I have a bar waiting for me to try in my kitchen. I guess there's no other way for me to know but to make it for myself.


{Photo courtesy of Bloom.acious Digs}

Holiday Goodies Part 1: Toffee Galore!

art 1 of my Holiday Goodies series features good ole chocolate and hazelnut toffee. I grew up loving Almond Roca and milling around See's Candies in hopes that they would offer out yummy samples with crispy centers. Later on in life I worked at an investment firm that received baskets and baskets of holiday treats, one of them being a brick of chocolate toffee, handmade from some lovely state that houses a lovely woman who makes these wonderful bricks of toffee. I wish I remembered the name, I'd love to get a shipment. As I reminisced about the wonderful toffees of my life I thought, hey, why not make my own?

Alexandra from Alexandra Cooks blogged a very easy and no muss no fuss recipe for toffee. The Boyfriend and I gave it a go and true to post, things came out surprisingly well. There's no baking involved and if you drop a glop of toffee on your stove, give it some time to harden and it will lift right off!

Daley Toffee: A Family Recipe 

{Ingredients}
1 C. salted butter 

1 C. sugar 

3 T. water (if tap, put through a Britta or use well or bottled) 

1 1/8 tsp. vanilla
2/3 C. ground pecans (or nut of your choice) 

4-6 oz. premium milk chococlate (bar form is easiest; can also do a dark chocolate but we think milk chocolate is best)

{Directions}
1. Cook butter, sugar, water, and vanilla over medium heat stirring CONSTANTLY until golden brown — test for hard ball stage in cold water. It may smoke, but don't worry.
2. Put half to 2/3 of the nuts in the bottom of a greased 9x9 inch pan. 

3. Pour the cooked butter/sugar mixture over the nuts. 

4. Wait a few minutes and put the chocolate on top — when chocolate softens, spread evenly and sprinkle remaining nuts on top.
5. When completely cool, break into pieces. Store in airtight container. 

NOTE: You can also use an 8x13 if you'd prefer a thinner version — in which case increase nuts to 1 C.

I crushed up some hazelnuts, left over from my Nutella and Hazelnut Biscotti and used some semi sweet chocolate bars that I had left over in my cabinet.

2010 thus far

o it's been 4 days since the new year and what have I done so far on my list of resolutions? Nothing. I meant to go to the gym today but it was just so cold that I decided to stay in and watch all the shows I missed on my laptop. I have 6 more days of freedom before I start work and although there are a million things I have to do beforehand, I also want to really savor the freedom. I did try to organize my closet space...which was definitely a task since I seem to love keeping boxes. Anything that comes in a box I've folded up and kept. Those will all be tossed out, I promise. I also love to keep shopping bags. This is a habit I've had since I was a wee one. My aunt used to call me the bag lady. I think it had to do with the fact that I didn't buy new clothes very often growing up (I often wore my brother's hand me downs) so having a bag from a store was a big deal. Even if it was just the bag. I won't completely break myself from this one but I'll try to minimize. I am also attempting to store things away properly. I don't like clutter in my space but I don't always put things away nicely or in places I'll remember. I've come to accept that in order to keep my sanity I must adopt some type A tendencies. This last year my memory has gone down the tube and I find myself thinking out of nowhere, "Where's my ipod charger?" and then obsessing about it constantly until I get home and find it. Then losing it again. So I have to work around me. Tomorrow will be a better day, I hope. A far more productive one. I'm going to clean out the house, do the laundry, and try to organize my life.

Tonight I had a great time out with some girlfriends, mainly to discuss bridesmaid details for my friend's wedding. It's still shocking to me that my friends are getting married! Some even have babies! I guess I can't stop time from making us grow up....sigh.

Hello 2010, I hope we get along this year...

ello all and a Happy New Year to you! I can't believe how quickly this year has passed by but I suppose that's what everyone says at the end of the year. I remember time moving much more slowly back in high school...when you're just waiting for the clock to hit 2:30 so you can get out of class. Now I can barely catch my breath!

The Boyfriend and I have been away for the last 1.5 weeks on a whirlwind of family visits. We spent Christmas in Vancouver, his hometown (and my home away from home) and enjoyed really good quality time with his family. Sometimes I feel like traveling to Vancouver is like a breath of fresh air and we both leave feeling so renewed and re-energized, ready to take on the world. Then we spent 3 days in San Francisco, my hometown, where we had so many dates scheduled in that I left feeling a bit frazzled and a bit wishing that we had spent more time with the people we love (mainly her and him and my middle school buddies). Currently, I am posting from LaLa Land where I rung in the New Year's with the grandparents. My grandpa and I insisted on staying up until midnight while my grandma went to bed. We watched the ball drop together and jumped up and down, whispering "Happy New Year!" and hugging and kissing. It was fun and memorable and I'm glad I have that moment for keeps.

I have a bunch of resolutions that I'd like to post about but I still haven't had time to myself to think about them and commit them to....commitment. One of them is definitely to center my life around my health (spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally). I've been living my entire life putting my health last and believing that my body was invincible. These last 5 months have shown me that it is in fact, not. My 5 month long headache (and still going) is evidence that my body is angry with me. A deeply rooted anger. So I will make an attempt to exercise more, eat better, take time to de-stress and relax.

Anywhoo this year is a year of change and I don't know about you but I'm excited! I'll post more about the holiday treats I made but I wanted to leave you with some eye candy. Mainly, cake stands. Beautiful ones that I have been looking around for forever! I will definitely be making some of these sometime soon.


{Photo courtesy of Style Me Pretty}

It's a pretty simple DIY and doesn't cost much money at all. I already have a plate in mind and some bottom stands picked out! I'm thinking these: