July 09, 2009

Because I like to eat.

And I like to cook. And because this is what we had in our my sister's garden:

Bisteak on Rice with Kang Kung

Left: Fresh home grown organic kang kung with garlic, oyster sauce, and soy sauce. Saute sliced garlic in olive oil until garlic begins to caramelize. Then add the kang kung (or whatever nice dark green vegetable is available to you, like bok choi or choi sum) and some soy sauce, oyster sauce, and black pepper. Cook until it's how you like it.

Right: Beef with onions and garlic on rice. Chop beef into small pieces, I used the beef labeled "chop steak" that I buy frozen at Sara Market. Chop whole onion: cut onion in half lengthwise, lay the flat sides down and chop in about 1/3" segments. Because we didn't have onions at home when I started cooking this, I cooked it in two parts - the beef first and then the onions when James came home from the store. 1) Saute sliced garlic in olive oil, add beef, black pepper, soy sauce, and vinegar. Cook until beef is cooked through. 2) Saute garlic (I cook with so much garlic, I should be Korean) and onions in olive oil. Add some soy sauce, black pepper, and vinegar. Cook until caramelized and transluscent. I covered the pan for a minute or two at a time to keep it nice and moist. I actually added a splash of water at one point when it looked like the pan was drying out. Once the onions were done, I added the cooked beef to it and let that meld together for a few minutes. (You can substitute the vinegar with lemon.)

These are so easy to make, you probably didn't need so many details. But I sometimes get requests for recipes, so I thought I'd write it all out. I made this and some pumpkin soup made from local pumpkin for dinner last night. It was good.

July 05, 2009

Dora and Diego: Peddling Primos

A few weeks ago James asked me why our son Jacob is always upset when he speaks Spanish. Why is our son speaking Spanish? Because he's addicted to Dora the Explorer. ADDICTED! Sure, he likes Diego a lot. He has Diego toys and knows all about Diego's animal rescue adventures. But there is something about that big-headed girl that has him hooked. He watches the show, he reads the books. With her monkey friend and map of the neighborhood, Dora is a backpack wielding adventure loving dealer, slowly doling out computer animated crack to two year olds.

Every so often, and in proper context, Jacob yells things like, rapido! Azul! Despacio! He yells them. "Despacioooooohhh!" He watches with amazement, even if he practically has the episode memorized. He watches with an open mind, answering questions and motioning when called upon to do so. He answers quickly and he answers over and over as he waits for Dora's affirmation. He answers louder and louder as it seems that Dora is ignoring his reply. It's like, it makes him mad yet it is satisfying.


Dora: We need to slow down, can you say despacio?
Jacob: Yeah, despacio.
Dora: Say despacio.
Jacob: Despacio!
Dora: We're going too fast, say despacio!
Jacob: Despa-ci-OH!
Dora: To slow down, you have to say despacio!
Jacob: Despaciiiiooooohhh!!

It's total love-hate addictive behavior. But it's totally cute! He is using reasoning, he is exercising his memory, and he is learning Spanish. But his Spanish "r" is not very pronounced (although his English "r" is not very pronounced either). We often see him holding out his hand yelling "pawa". Or we hear him working through a series of increases - "wapido! mas wapido! mucho mas wapidoooooow!" And I love when he points out colors around the house, "amawillo, woho, veode".

He wakes up and he asks for Dora. He is glued to it when it's on. He appropriately references characters and plots. He even dreams Dora! The other night in his sleep he said, "I need agua".

Jacob would rather watch Dora than susu! Someone call A&E, this kid needs an intervention!

(Click Here)

July 03, 2009

Before...

Three years ago was a fun month for posting, please read through and enjoy.

Two years ago was also a good posting month. Read and be merry.

One year ago I posted. Yeah I posted. Jealous? You'll probably find more joy in looking at the pictures than reading all the posts. (Did anyone get the reference?)

Yeah, that's me. Before.
Baby Deece

July 02, 2009

You alone.

Nearly five years ago, in August 2003, I moved back to Saipan. James would arrive a month and a half later. On my first Sunday back on island, I attended service at Saipan Community Church. The church I grew up with. I spent every Friday morning of grades 1 through 8 in that church – singing, praying, laughing, playing. I performed in the band, sang in the choir, and participated in Christmas programs in that church. The church with no walls, the church where the doors are always open.

My family never attended that church, we never attended any church. But I did attend it sometimes. I’d go with my friends whose families were deeply rooted in the Christian faith. I’d attend church retreats with my friends from church and school. The first retreat I attended was a camp-out at Managaha. And I should have known since then never to attempt another Managaha camp-out. Because Deece + camping = a sucky time for all.

That first Sunday back in the familiar open air church was wonderful. During the service I sat with Auntie Jan; as a child I would sit with her in that church before her daughter, Kristy, and I would head off to Sunday School. And after the service on that first Sunday, Auntie Jan and another friend’s mother, Auntie Debbie, sat with me and prayed with me. They prayed for me. They were happy that I was there, and so was I. Both of these women were also my teachers. Literally - Auntie Debbie taught me various subjects throughout my time at Saipan Community School, Auntie Jan was actually my principal. They watched me grow. They knew me when I was a nice young innocent girl. They knew me when I was a loud rule-breaking child. They knew me when I was a somewhat rebellious teen. And they know me now as a Christian adult, a wife and mother.

Yesterday I sat in that church while attending a service to celebrate the eternal life of a childhood friend - Auntie Debbie's daughter, Audra. Audra and I were friends; we weren’t best friends, but we were friends. She was a year younger than me and a grade below me throughout my time at Saipan Community School. We saw each other every weekday. We played in band concerts together and performed in Christmas plays together. She was always a wonderful person. So kind, so cheerful, so full of love.

I sat with Auntie Jan at Audra's memorial service yesterday. I shed tears of sadness and tears of joy. I can't remember when I last saw my friend, but we had an online exchange a few years ago and she just radiated joy and love across miles and miles of fiber optic cable. I am sad that no one will be able to embrace her in person again. But I am overjoyed and amazed and a little overwhelmed knowing that she is in heaven with our creator. I don't know if she is looking down on us or not, but one thing I know is that she is with God. The God who created her and the God who created me. The only God.


It was a beautiful service. Probably the most beautiful I've ever attended, with live music and raw emotion. And it was about my friend and our God. It was about how she lived and how she loved our God.


If there is a family to emulate, Audra's family is it. They trust in the Lord, they have faith beyond measure. They have raised their children right in the eyes of God.

I feel a deep connection with Auntie Jan and Auntie Debbie's families. They may not feel it, but I do. And the funny thing is, I never really know what to call them. I tried to keep names out of this post, but my sentences didn't seem to make sense without them. So I added their names, Auntie Jan and Auntie Debbie. But because of their roles as teachers in my life, I got used to calling them Mrs. Springer and Mrs. Winkfield. But that places them so far away from me. And I don't want them far away. I may not see them often, I may not hang out with them or their children regularly, I may not be their family - at least not by normal standards. But they are my family. They are my family in Christ.

The reading from Audra's celebration of eternal life:

1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4

The chorus of the song her family sang:

"You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you"

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21

July 01, 2009

No reason.

I feel like I owe you an explanation. But I don't have one. It's not like I've been really busy with anything. I've just been enjoying life.

I don't have any big projects in the works. I don't even have any little projects in the works. I haven't been sewing anything or knitting anything. I've just been enjoying life. But I have been planning to do a lot more with my Marianas Touch bath and body (available now at Expressions on Capitol Hill - also available at Expressions: gourmet cheeses and delectable chocolates). And I'm working out the details of a regular contest on Ayorátá.

Also? I started a new job! Yeah! I know, right? So that's been keeping me busy too.

~~~

Bride Wars - It made me laugh. I may or may not have planned my wedding when I was a kid. I don't remember. But I'm sure that the wedding I had was not the wedding that I may or may not have have planned as a kid. James and I basically spent pennies on our wedding - and I loved it! If we were millionaires, I still wouldn't have done it any differently. Well, maybe I would have hired a photographer and gotten a tan first.

Gran Torino
- Whoa! I had no idea what it was about when we started watching it. Clint Eastwood is amazing! This may or may not have been my first Clint Eastwood movie. I don't remember. It was good!

New In Town - I like it! I like the simplicity of it. I like the lack of vulgarity in it. I like the wholesomeness of it. I like how cute Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr. look! And I've never really been a fan of Renee, but I like her in this. And OMGosh, watch the making of features. I would not survive that kind of weather. I could watch this kind of movie all the time. You, however, may not like it as much.
~~~

Dinner Do and Dinner Don't
Dinner Do and Dinner Don't
Dinner Do: meatballs with gravy on rice
Dinner Don't: macaroni with spaghetti sauce, spam, and spinach (not terrible, but not great)

Garlic and Ginger Beef with Snow Peas
Garlic and Ginger Beef and Snow Peas

Yellow Split Pea Soup with Carrots and Pasta
Yellow Split Pea Soup with Carrots and Pasta
And maybe some zucchini. I can't really remember.

June 23, 2009

Before...

Three years ago I had a great June.

Two years ago I had another great June.

One year ago I didn't write much, but I made some bags, so it's all good.

That's me. Before.
Whatever poser!

June 02, 2009

What the what?

Spring Breakdown - too long for its type of utter nonsensical totally implausible comedy. But I laughed a lot.

Fireproof - I totally cried. Not the most amazing acting, but very real issues. Great for any married person or couples to watch - read through the user comments/reviews.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Very good! And long. It wasn't quite what I thought it would be and it wasn't as amazing as I had made it out to be in my head. But that might have something to do with the fact that I really didn't know anything about this film before I watched it. It was beautiful, the effects were awesome, makeup was amazing, loved the acting, and an interesting concept.

And speaking of growing younger while you grow older - I thought I was 27, not 17. So why is my face looking more like a teenager than a GROWN WOMAN?! No I'm not showing off. Not at all. Not only do I have a nice wrinkle in time on my forehead, but I also have more acne than I ever did as a kid. What the what?! I'm not happy about this.
~~~

All this month you can head over to the Arts Council Gallery on Capitol Hill right next to the post office and check out the Women Artists Exhibit. Wait, let me rephrase that. Go up to the Arts Council Gallery on Capitol Hill anytime this month, M-F during regular working hours or on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm, and check out the stuff I made - you can even buy them!

Katelyns 4th bday castle cake

Yeah, I made that cake. No, it's not on display. It's in mah belly!

May 31, 2009

Wednesday What Is It? Results

The results of the last Wednesday What Is It?

Toothpaste!
5 points to Bon!
2 points each to Plumeria Girl and Maggie.

Congratulations Bon on winning the Wednesday What Is It? Round 4!

I will email you about your prize.

The Wednesday What Is It? Round 5 will begin in a few weeks.

May 21, 2009

What's in a name?

Intro to Marketing, the easiest college course I ever did take. Easier than tennis. Taught by my brother-in-law's friend, who told me the funniest joke in the world. Want to hear it? No? Okay, here goes. So this mushroom walks into a bar and says, "bartender, give me a beer." Bartender says, "hey man, we don't serve your type." Mushroom looks around and says, "aw, come on, I'm a fun guy." Get it?!

What I remember of Intro to Marketing was that I wrote a report with three other girls and our instructor used to be a nurse. All three other group members were marketing majors, so you can be sure that other than clothes and makeup, there wasn't all that much we could talk about. Except tampons! Our project was to write a marketing strategy for some product - and we chose tampons.

What if our instructor had chosen the product for us? What if she had asked us to figure out the marketing mix for CleanButt? Who do you think the target market is for a CleanButt with Filter?

Clean Butt with Filter

May 20, 2009

Wednesday What Is It?

What is it?
Here's how to play.

Wednesday What Is It? Results

The results of last week's Wednesday What Is It?

Boxing Gloves!
5 points to Plumeria Girl!
2 points to Shar.
Great guess Bon! And sorry Dave, no points or fractions of points for not having a clue.