Monthly Archives: October 2011

Show me your loot

Posted on October 31, 2011 | 2 Comments

I get more out of giving away candy these days than seeking it out, but couldn’t resist buying a glowstick axe for $1.00:

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Posted in Good Days

Tagged ax, candy, glowstick, halloween, loot, trick or treat

Asian Fusion White Pudding

Posted on October 26, 2011 | Leave a comment

You’re thinking, “Asian fusion white pudding?!” This recipe sounds strange, but this is a multicultural blog and all ingredients are up for grabs when I’m hungry and short on time.

Plus, the white pudding was the only defrosted meat in the fridge, ready to go.

It’s a Cantonese-Irish take on an Italian risotto (without the cream).

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Posted in Culture and Society, Recipes

Tagged Asian fusion, brown rice, Cantonese, foodbuzz, Irish, olive oil, recipes, risotto, sausage, stir fry, white pudding, wok

Curing Homesickness with Huskies and Homework

Posted on October 23, 2011 | Leave a comment

My planner is impossible to write on – there’s no space left on the calendar. The days, nights, weekends…every moment is accounted for with something to do. I prepare the next tasks in the few spare minutes in between.

“It won’t always be like this,” I tell myself, controlling the choking cloud looming overhead. Distant thunder grumbles in the distance, but it’s way off, beaten back by my positive determination and a little self-indulgence in pumpkin ice cream.

“You don’t have kids; think of all your classmates who have children and get by,” I rebuke myself, rolling up my sleeves. Spreading paperwork around me. Trapping myself within a tightly packed circle. Well, the truth is those few friends who settled down gradually left the program and I haven’t heard from or seen them in a while. But I conveniently forget this tidbit during my pep talk.

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Posted in Family and Friendship, Good Days, Grad School

Tagged busy, friend, homesick, homework, husky, schedule, stress, work

“Happy 25th Birthday, Rae!”

Posted on October 20, 2011 | 5 Comments

Yep, kids. It finally happened- I turned 25. To some, it seems like I’m approaching a precipice toward fading youth (bring on the laughter lines), but to a great many more, I’m still a young, baby-faced kid with a lot to learn and prove. I’m a ‘young professional’ now, which is a stage assuredly less awkward than adolescence, but laced with mild discomfort, a tingling desperation, and a lot of built-in, cheap enthusiasm.

via Facebook

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Posted in Future Aspirations, Good Days, The Meaning of it All

Tagged 25, birthday, cake, life lessons, roses, S.M.A.R.T. goal

Mini Pumpkin Pies!

Posted on October 19, 2011 | 1 Comment

“It’s really unnecessary for you to bake on your birthday,” my mother chided over the phone.

“Probably, but it will happen anyway. I bought a can of pumpkin mush the other day.”

“Sounds appetizing,” she joked.

“No, these pumpkin pies are individually portioned and taste great.”

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Posted in Recipes

Tagged autumn, dessert, graham cracker, Keebler, pie, pumpkin, pumpkin pie, recipes, reduced sugar, whipped cream

Lingering Summer Salsa

Posted on October 10, 2011 | 2 Comments

Didn’t autumn start a couple of weeks ago? Unfortunately, it doesn’t feel like it here, so why confine yourself to season-appropriate meals when the temperature outside continues to rise and fall like the ocean tide you lounged by not so long ago?

Here’s a fun, simple (and always healthy) recipe to wistfully kiss summer goodbye before bringing out the hot apple cider and cocoa.

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Posted in Good Days, Health, Recipes

Tagged avocado, bell pepper, chiles, cilantro, corn, foodbuzz, lime, recipe, salsa, summer, tomato

Halloween costume

Posted on October 7, 2011 | Leave a comment

It’s almost Halloween. All the stores have pumpkin carving kits and bulk candy on sale. The last time I wore a costume was probably sometime in my early high school years. Yet, I’m feeling uncharacteristically inspired this year to express my geeky/girly side, possibly due to Meg’s fun personality at Girlhack.

Vote below to help me choose a potential costume or appropriately end my holiday cheer/delusion.

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Posted in Good Days

Tagged cosplay, costumes, gamer, geeky, girlhack, girly, halloween, video games

Remodel

Posted on October 7, 2011 | Leave a comment

See the text in the header? Do you like it? It’s ChiSpeak.com’s official logo, a successful DIY moment, I think. I decided to take a leap and not let fear restrain me any longer after learning the mournful news of Steve Jobs’ passing. I also finally stopped procrastinating and ordered business cards from Moo.com.

You’ll see steady changes to this haven as soon as my schedule frees up, starting in 2012. I also vow to actively search for freelance projects, add writing communities/collaborative groups to my current affiliates, and increase my contributions to my current, somewhat neglected homes-away-from-home (I miss you too, fair editors of the blogosphere).