11.30.03
First there was fair trade coffee, now there's fair trade chocolate. Fair trade chocolate ensures that small farmers receive higher than market costs for their cocoa.

11.29.03
Since I didn't get to prepare anything for Thanksgiving, I made some traditional side dishes for my sisters. I made mashed sweet potatoes, baked sweet potato wedges, and candied yams. My favorite was definitely the candied yams, super easy to make too, except for the slicing part. Raw yams are difficult to cut especially when they're 6 inches wide in diameter. I was freaked out that the butcher knife would slip and I would lose a finger. Eep. Here's the recipe I used, a tad bit on the sweet side but I prolly needed to add more yams:

3 large yams
1/4 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract salt to taste

1. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into slices.
2. Melt the butter or margarine in a heavy skillet and add the sliced sweet potatoes.
3. Mix the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Cover the sweet potatoes with sugar mixture and stir. Cover skillet, reduce heat to low and cook for about 1 hour or until potatoes are "candied". They should be tender but a little hard around the edges. Also the sauce will turn dark. You will need to stir occasionally during the cooking. Stir in the vanilla just before serving. Serve hot.

11.28.03
Bleh, I went to Office Max because my mom wanted a fax machine and I waited in line for two hours (sigh, the things I do for family). I didn't realize there were all these crazy deals where everything was free or practically free after rebates like $20 leather chairs. Some people arrived at 5:00 am in the morning, braving the cold for bargains. Afterwards, I went back home and avoided the post-Thanksgiving crowds, hot cocoa in hand and warm comforter, watching Tomb Raider 2. No shopping for myself this holiday season; I'm disgusted with how much clothing and random crap I have. I'm seriously broke anyway. =/

11.27.03
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you're all spending some quality time with people you care about. I didn't have to cook today. My family had dinner at my aunt and uncle's house where they did all the cooking. We had turkey and gravy, baked swordfish (not sure what kind of fish actually but it had a buttery texture and white flesh), Chinese sticky rice, bok choy, vegetable casserole, sparkling cider, warm pumpkin pie, and lots of fresh fruit.

11.26.03
Haha, I just found out that one of my exes (a ex that I actually have no issues with!) has another gf. He's a serial dater I tell you; I think this is the third gf he's had since we broke up, and this is not counting all the girls he dated in between relationships. I dunno why I find this amusing but I give him props for his dating enthusiasm, instead of waiting for a relationship to fall into his lap.

11.25.03
In our photography class, we watched a documentary about Richard Avedon, a famous, high fashion photographer. His work is often characterized as minimalistic and spontaneous. He's photographyed quite a few famous people including Pablo Picasso, Frank Lloyd Wright, Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, and Georgia O'Keeffe.

11.24.03
Wanna get your nails done and enjoy yummy drinks while you get pampered? Visit the Beauty Bar, 2299 Mission Street in SF. Cocktails are $10 but you get a free manicure. Haha, seems like some nights are Hello Kitty nights where customers are encouraged to dress up as felines.

11.23.03
I was reading another Jane Ganahl article, this time about seductresses. The article mentioned Lou Andreas-Salome, a writer, intellectual, and one of the founders of psychoanalysis. She also had hundreds of suitors and lovers but wasn't very attractive, often wearing no make up and sack dresses. Instead she was charismatic, intelligent, and self-sufficient, something for women to strive towards instead of outer beauty.

The article mentioned the French saying: "Marry for conversation - it's the only thing that lasts." This is so true, if you can't chat with your significant other you lose a critical connection. I know from experience; my last ex and I had very few common interests and there were always long periods of silence. Another quote that cracked me up: "Marriage doesn't really benefit women."

11.22.03
My friend G was asking me if I enjoyed being single and I have to say yes. I'm more in control of things and my self-confidence is a lot better. Being single, I don't have to fall into that trap of relying too much on other people in order to be happy. G was skeptical, asking me about trading the best moments I've had during a relationship and what I have now. The thing is, relationships are a roller coaster; you can't just take good moments. It's a mixed bag of happy memories and depressing ones. Sooo, after some thought, I would pick being single over being in a relationship.

Now don't get me wrong, I've thoroughly enjoyed the fun times I've spent with my exes. I've learned a great deal about myself and life in general by being in a relationship. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to try tons of yummy restaurants all over San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley, attend a Broadway musical, watch all these baseball, basketball, football games, and even a Cal boxing match, go hiking and get lost in the middle of a forrest, cook together or have someone cook for me, have someone take care of me when I'm sick and pretend not to mind that I'm having a coughing fit at 3 in the morning, talk about anything from architecture to pop culture, or receive a random gift just cuz they were thinking of me. Well, I could go on rambling but I think you get my point.

Lots of fond memories but at the same time tons of bitterness. C'est la vie.

11.21.03
Please check out my black and white photography gallery. I think I need to invest in a negative scanner.

11.20.03
Favorite Songs of the Moment:

The Ataris - The Saddest Song
Evanescence - My Immortal
No Doubt - It's My Life
Story Of The Year - Anthem Of Our Dying Day

11.08.03
Heehee, does anyone know where I can buy Pocky sticks in bulk without having to pay $2.50 for each box? I'm addicted to Pocky Almond Crush in Cafe au Lait and Pocky Decorer. So if I share any with you, it means I like you enough to share you my precious stash. =D

11.07.03
I've always been a strong believer of retail therapy. I love the new series of articles in the Chronicle about two chic cats, Katie and Marge, shopping around the Bay Area. They find the cutest things!

11.06.03
I've always had short hair during college. Right now, my hair is past my shoulders and quite fussy to manage because I have thick, wavy hair. I'll try to find time to take a photo to show how long it is. I'm debating whether I should cut SIX INCHES off so I have my signature chin length bob again. Of course every guy I ask says no, no, no. Bleh, I know how every guy loves girls with long, silky hair. We shall see, I'm gonna prolly cut my hair at the beginning of January when I have more free time.

11.05.03
My coworkers are always asking me if I read comics all day. I don't, I get some work done in between. =p Anyway, if you want to read a comic with a SF flavor, check out the Chronicle's Farley strip. The Fog City Dumpster bears always crack me up and they're hard core Giants fans.

11.04.03
Over the summer, when I had more time, I was disciplined with my exercise regime. I ran three miles four times a week plus I had my Monday-Thursday aerobics class. On good days, I even managed eight minute miles. Anyway, my schedule has been crazy busy lately and I haven't had time to work out. I've lost five pounds since the summer, which means I've lost a lot of muscle. Ew, I'm turning all flabby. At least I haven't gain weight, though.

11.03.03
For your daily dose of celebrity gossip check out the Daily Dish.

11.02.03
I'm reading Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier, a fictional retelling about Vermeer's famous painting. Some have referred to the painting as the Dutch version of the Mona Lisa. It's difficult to determine the girl's expression. "Sometimes she appears to be smiling sensuously, while other times she seems unbearably sad . . ." Turns out the book is being made into a movie also, starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth.

11.01.03
If you enjoy reading about fashion and how it relates to the Bay Area, search for articles by Sylvia Rubin on SFGate.com. If you like reading funny perspectives about relationships or how to live life look for Jane Ganahl.