Foodspiration

In my life, food is not simply a necessity, but a luxury too. Every Sunday since August of 2012, I go to my grandparents’ house to bake food with my grandma. In fact, we even started our own cookbook where we write down and rate the recipes of all the foods we make. Not surprisingly, out of every section--main dishes, salads, sides, miscellaneous, and desserts--desserts certainly have much more entries than any others. You can say my grandma and I kind of have a sweet tooth. The most popular item that we make is oyster crackers. These are no dessert, but they are eaten like candy by every person in our family. My grandma and I make these often because they never last long. They are cheap, easy to prepare, and maybe one of the most delicious snacks we know how to make. In our cookbook they are given 5 stars, hands-down. Here is the recipe for the snack that is in such high demand:

Ranch Flavored Oyster Crackers
2 bags of oyster crackers
1 cup of vegetable oil
1 package of ranch dressing mix
¼ tsp of garlic powder
½ - 1 tsp of dill weed
¼ tsp of lemon pepper

1.      In a small bowl (or measuring cup), combine the vegetable oil, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, dill weed, and lemon pepper. Mix well so the ingredients do not fall to the bottom.

2.      In a gallon-sized Ziploc bag, pour the oil into the bag. Then, add the two bags of oyster crackers and close. Shake the bag, coating all the crackers in the oil evenly. Pour into a large baking pan.

3.      Place into oven at 275°, and bake for 15-20 minutes. Take out of oven and let them cool off until they are no longer as hot as lava.

4.      Hide as much as you can from your family, leave no evidence behind.

5.      Eat. Eat all of them.

6.   Repeat steps 1-5. 

My Cinema Preferences

Tell us about your favorite movie and why you like it.

I do not have ONE favorite movie, as I enjoy movies from all sorts of genres. Currently though, the movie About Time is one I have just recently seen and haven't been able to stop thinking about. About Time is about a man who learns that he can travel back in time and change how he acts in certain situations and how to try to help change certain outcomes that may not be how he wanted things to go. I love this movie because it had so many thoughtful moments throughout it. Moments that made you bawl and moments that made you laugh incredibly hard. It was a great feel-good movie, and I would say an excellent date movie as well.  

Tell us about the kinds of movies you don't care for usually.

 Usually I do not care for western movies. I have a hard time getting into them, and it is difficult for me to stay interested. Besides western, however, I love to watch just about every kind of movie. I am not picky. It just depends on who I am with and what we are in the mood to watch!


Tell us about how often and where you watch movies.

I watch movies very very often. I would say at least once every two days if I have time. Netflix has become my best friend at my house, as it gives me an unlimited supply. (I don't even know how I managed when all I had was a VHS in my bedroom! No DVD player and no laptop! I can't even imagine!) I love watching movies in my bedroom, because my bed is VERY comfortable (memory foam!) and I have a nice TV and bluray player that I had saved up for over the past couple years. I spend 90% of my free time in my bedroom, because with Pandora, Netflix, and my collection of movies in my closet, I really have no reason to leave. (All I need now is a mini-fridge!)

Tell us about your movie personality survey results.

I am...
-58% Extroverted: "You are moderate in activity and enthusiasm. You enjoy the company of others but you also value your privacy."
-42% Agreeable: "You are hard-headed, skeptical, proud and competitive. You tend to express your anger directly.
-75% Conscientious: "You are dependable and moderately well-organized. You generally have clear goals and are able to set goals aside."
-50% Emotionally Stable: "You are generally calm and able to deal with stress, but you sometimes experience feelings of guilt, anger and sadness."
-83% Open to New Experiences: "You are practical but willing to consider new ways of doing things. You try to seek a balance between the old and the new."

Why I watch movies...

-To pleasure-seek: 65%
-Nostalgia: 80%
-Catharsis: 50%
-Aggression: 75%
-Escapism: 65%
-Sensation-Seeking: 95%
-Artistic: 50%
-Information-Seeking: 40%
-Boredom-Avoidance: 40%
-Socialization: 65%

If my life story was made into a movie...

I would probably be a very lame drama or comedy. Probably both. Except, instead of real drama such as, "I am sorry...but she has cancer. She only has 3 months to live." It would be more like, "We are sorry. But we are out of chocolate. And pizza." Also, it would probably be a little bit of a fantasy movie. Ya know, with mythical creatures. Such as unicorns and boyfriends.

No, haha, in all seriousness, I believe my life would be an incredibly boring movie to watch. Living it is boring enough; I wouldn't want anyone to have to go through it with me. :P

Dan in Real Life Q's and A's!

2. What are 3 tips you would give to parents of teenagers?

            1. If they are good kids, give them some freedom.

            2. No, “Because I said so!” logic. (Or rather, lack of logic.)

            3. Follow through with promises. (Good and bad.)

5. How old do you think someone should be to date? Wear a thong? Fall in love?

I think someone should have to be 15 ½ to go on a real date. I think age 15 is a good age to be allowed to wear a thong. And as far as love goes, I do not believe that age has anything to do with love. I think love is interpreted in many different ways; love feels different, means something different to everybody. A 13 year old can be “in love,” but it doesn’t mean that it will be the same kind of love she feels when she is 30. Love means many different things.

9. What makes someone a “hottie” to you?

A “hottie,” in my terms, is someone who can be themselves around me. Someone I can be silly and crazy with, but also are smart enough to teach me new things. If I can see them as my best friend and also be attracted to them—he’s my perfect guy. If they can have tickle wars with me, but still be mature enough to take me out to lunch or cuddle and watch a movie without distractions, I find that very attractive. Mostly though, if there is a man who can make me laugh and smile, he definitely has “hottie” potential in my book.

18. What are some good pick up lines you’ve heard?

            - If nothing lasts forever, will you be my nothing?

            -Do you know what my shirt is made of? Boyfriend material.

-Me without you is like a nerd without braces, A shoe without laces, aSentenceWithoutSpaces.

-If I were to ask you out on a date, would your answer be the same as the answer to this question?

-If I received a nickel for everytime I saw someone as beautiful as you, I'd have five cents.

-You are like a candy bar: half sweet and half nuts.

- Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?

-Excuse me, I just noticed you noticing me and I just wanted to give you notice that I noticed you too.

My Big Brother and Me

Me and my god-brother Kylin.

This is me and my brother Kylin,

learning how to play together before we could even walk;

becoming friends before we could even talk.

 

This is two life-long friends,

kept together by a friendship between two young women--

our moms.

 

This is two smiling babies,

without a single care in the world.

 

This is before the fighting, before the separation,

before the move. It is when life was simple. Without grades,

video-games, driver's licenses, heartbreak, hockey, debate, or even potty-training.

 

This is before life really started for the two of us,

before I was scared we would drift apart. 

 

This is my one and only older brother,

maybe not by blood,

but by the time we have had together.

 

A Day in Paris

PROSE:

Cars and mopeds beep their horns as they zoom through the tiny streets of Paris. Tourists are on every corner, looking amazed by the tall buildings and dainty lights. Policeman with flat hats on the top of their head make their way up and down the sidewalk, talking to each other in French. I go into one of the many antique book shops and browse the collection of books. Red and brown hard cover books line the walls; the smell of old pages fills the air. As I leave I wave to the vendor, “bonne journée!” I take the metro to Pont Neuf, interested in making deals with the vendors in the park. I hear pigeons and people all around me are laughing and talking. I go up to a vendor selling a multitude of random objects. A mini traffic cone, a teddy bear, blue rings, and, more relevant, an English-to-French dictionary. The vendor looks impatient as he sits in his chair and plays with a yoyo. I offer him five Euros for the teddy bear, golden with a button nose and brown eyes. As I suspected, he would raise the price. “Eight Euro or no deal,” the vendor said in a deep French accent. I smile, “perfect.” And walk off with my new bear. On the way back to my flat I take a moment to enjoy the sky. Shades of pink and purples swirled together, combining with the warm summer air and making the night perfect. I open the door to my flat, pleased with the beautiful day. “Bonne nuit, Paris.”

POETRY:

Cars and mopeds beep their horns
 as they zoom through the tiny streets of Paris.

Tourists are on every corner,
looking amazed by the tall buildings and dainty lights. 

Policeman, with flat hats on the top of their head,
 make their way up and down the sidewalk,
 talking to each other in French.

 I stroll into one of the many antique book shops
 and I browse the collection of books.

Red and brown hard cover books line the walls;
the smell of old pages fills the air.
As I leave I wave to the vendor, “bonne journée!”

I take the metro to Pont Neuf,
interested in making deals with the vendors in the park.
 I hear pigeons,
 and people all around me are laughing and talking.
 I go up to a vendor selling a multitude of random objects.
A mini traffic cone, a teddy bear, blue rings,
and, more relevant, an English-to-French dictionary.

 The vendor looks grumpy and impatient,
he sits in his chair and plays with a yoyo.
I offer him five Euros for the teddy bear,
golden with a button nose and brown eyes.
As I suspected, he would raise the price.
 “Eight Euro or no deal,” the vendor said in a deep French accent.
I smile, “perfect.” And walk off with my new bear.
 

On the way back to my flat I take a moment to enjoy the sky.
 Shades of pink and purples swirled together,
combining with the warm summer air and making the night perfect.
 I open the door to my flat, pleased with the beautiful day.
 “Bonne nuit, Paris.”

Childrens Story

There once was a sock named Sue,

and she had a twin brother named Drew.

Sue and Drew were an inseparable pair,

and they were great friends with the underwear.

But one sad night after a wonderful day,

Sue and Drew were put away.

 In the laundry bin they did go,

Sue and Drew saw their friend, Mo.

 Mo was a t-shirt soiled and green,

“Gee guys, it’s time for a clean.”

There was a story from long ago

that speaks of the horrors of a lost rain coat.  

They say the washer ate him clear

and Chuck  the rain coat disappeared.

 So when Sue and Drew had to be cleaned

they were cautious of this mysterious fiend.  

Wash day came around and to the twin-socks great fear

Mo the t-shirt had also disappeared.

Sue and Drew shivered and shook

when their owner had latched the hook.

 Through the bubbles and close buds,

brother and sister were lost in the suds.

They tried to stay close, and they tried to be safe,

but the scary old washer had pulled them away.

When the torture was finally through,

Drew had lost track of his sister, Sue.

Sue was in a place dark and scary,

all she could see were the boxers named Harry.

 

“Do you have any idea of where we are?”

Asked Harry with a look, bizarre.

 

“I think the washer ate us,” said Sue,

who was sad that the stories had been true.

“No, no! You have it wrong!"

Said a voice that was loud and very strong.

“All I want is the company of friends,

it’s awfully lonely,” the deep voice said.

“Then let us go!” Pleaded Harry and Sue,

“We want to see our friends, too!”

At the end of the day it was decided,

the washer and clothes would be united.

Every week they’d visit once,

and boy, together they'd have some fun.

The washer was never lonely again,

And Drew and Sue were happy about their new friend.  

 

Books For Kids!

Title of Book: I Am Not Getting Up Today

Author of Book: Dr. Suess






Is there an author's bio in the front or back of the book? Unfortunately, there is not.

What does it say about the author? It doesn't. But The book itself makes it clear that he does enjoy rhyming.

Describe the cover in a detailed sentence: The cover entails a young boy in orange and white striped pajamas that is chillaxing in bed while his alarm rings on his nightstand next to him; there is also a dog standing on his back paws with his front paws on the top of the bed.

Number of Pages: 36 Pages

List the Characters:

• Sleeping Boy
• Sleeping Boy's Mom
• The whole town

Describe the setting in a detailed sentence: The whole book takes place in the sleeping boy's bedroom.

Summarize the book in 3 sentences: There is a boy who wants to lay in bed all day because he is very tired. He refuses to get out of bed no matter what. The whole town is trying to get him out of the bed.

Does this book...(yes or no)

• have animals as characters? no
• use rhyme? yes
• teach a lesson of some kind? no
• have monsters or creatures? no
• have kids as characters? yes
• have adults as characters? yes
• use humor? yes
• have illustrations? yes
• use color? yes
• use actual photos? no
• have a more sentimental/lovey tone? no
• lots of words per page? no
• one word or phrase repeated throughout? yes

Your favorite/most interesting sentence in the book: "Today's my day for WOOZY-SNOOZY ZIZZ-ZIZZ ZIZZ ZAZZ ZUZZ."

What age(s) do you think this book would be appropriate for? Why? All ages, and also 4-7.
All ages because I am 17 and I still enjoyed reading it. Children 4-7 might like it because kids that age really enjoy the rhymes and pictures in books.

Is this a book you would have liked as a kid? Why? Yes, because all of my favorite childhood books were rhyming books. Also, I too was a stubborn child so I could relate to the character.

My Childhood

2. Who was the most important person to you during most of your childhood? Your Mom? Your Dad? Another relative? A friend? An imaginary person? Show some examples in which you see how much influence this person (or imaginary person) had on you while you were growing up.

My grandma and I

As I was growing up I spent a lot of time at my great-grandma’s house. My mom was very important to me, and I cannot really say my great-grandma was the most important person, because her and my mom were equally important as I was growing up. Anyway, my great-grandma, aka Black Grandma, played a gigantic role in my childhood. (As a side note: she was my Black Grandma because between my mom’s and dad’s sides of the family, I did not know how else to differentiate the two grandmas. My mom’s mom, who is pale like my mom, became my White Grandma, my Dad’s mom was my Grandma Maria, and my dad’s grandma, who was darker skinned (As is the whole of my dad’s side of the family) became my Black Grandma.) Anyway, when I was only a few months (weeks?) old, my mom had to start working again and my Black Grandma offered to take care of me. My mom would have to drop me off very early in the morning, and my grandma told me stories about how I just cried and cried the first day my mom left. Apparently though, after that initial day my Black Grandma and I became best friends. That next morning after I spent the night, my grandma came into the room and I was awake just laying there. Smiling. I warmed up to her pretty quick. Growing up, I spent a lot of time at my grandma’s house. I learned how to crawl there, I learned how to walk there, and my grandma told me hundreds of stories. She lived in that house for 20+ years, and I grew up there. I moved a lot when I was younger, and that is the only house in my childhood that remained a constant. I always knew I was welcome to grandma’s house. It was a tiny little three bedroom and one bathroom house. But it was home. The last summer I spent with my grandma, 2012, I have fond memories of her telling me stories every day. Her favorite one to tell had to do with how I acted after getting a new red raincoat. She says that when my mom came to pick me up one day, I had put on my new raincoat and I was outside jumping in the puddles, happy as can be.

My grandma and my cousin, Annabella.

Personally, my favorite story she would tell me is how when I was a baby she would hold me next to the window when it was cold out side. She would touch her hand on the window then shake and rub her arms with her hands and go “brr!” and apparently, I would mimic her. She was a strong lady. I admire my great-grandma and respect her more than I respect anyone else in my life. She was not one to put up with bull-crap. For example, when she found out her husband was cheating on her, she woke him up in the middle of the night whispering, “Hurry! We gotta go! We gotta go!” and as soon as he got his shoes on and walked out the door, she slammed the door in his face and that was the end of that. She never let anybody do anything she didn’t want them to. And everybody respected my grandma, nobody told her no. She raised many many children, some of them not even her own. And I will never forget how much I learned from her. She was always there with open arms when I needed a hug, even if she was mad at me. She was never afraid to take a slipper to my butt when I was being a troublemaker, and she had respect and admiration from everybody that knew her. She passed away almost a year ago, and it is still hard not to send mail to her, or to not be able to call her. She has always been a huge part of my life. And I am very lucky to be able to say I am related to her.