I'll take my milk from a chocolate straw

I hate milk. Je ne l'aime pas. Okay, I dislike it. So 95 percent of the time, I don't drink it plain. And I throw out the extra milk from my cereal. Yep, I waste it. But then, the other week, I found this treasure. Choco milk straws. So the premise as follows: put the straw in a glass of milk, place your lips on the straw, suck, and viola, chocolate milk party in the mouth. There is also cookies and cream flavor. I was just shopping around Walmart on a Monday afternoon, and there they were, sitting quietly on the shelf. So I bought them like a thief. The check-out lady didn't even comment or say anything like, "Whoa, cool straws."

Hence, as of late, I have been drinking milk "plain" mostly just because I like using the straws. And I make every other duck who wanders into our apartment try them. So I have been drinking lots of milk. I even used one to finish my cereal milk once. But now I have a question: Am I slightly lactose intolerant? Is that even possible? Because milk doesn't usually make me sick, but I am not so sure...unless it is these straws that are doing the poison.

I haven't decided yet if I am going to stop drinking milk from these straws. But I do think I will be having oatmeal for breakfast, instead of cereal, for the rest of the week. #milkiswierd #strawsareforthecoolkids #maybetheyshouldselltheseatchicfilla

Instagram with Lives for Hugs: Egyptian Cat Edition

For over half a year, my sista, Annasophia, and I been sending each other a picture of the day. Basically it is like Instagram, revamped. We send each other things we are doing, or random things we saw, or we just hold up our phones and take of shot of whatever and press send. The ultimate compliment is when someone says "artsy" back. That means you took a pretty great shot.

But the other day, my sister sent me this picture:

Okay, what is going on here? I just keep looking at it too. I mean, that is what I do when I am bored, or stressed, or silly, I put a piece of bread over my head and talk like a robot. And it is interesting too because a few days before she sent me a picture of a cat looking in a puddle at its reflection which was a lion. So, is that cat doing that cat-thing, and trying to look like a lion? Because if he is, he has nothing on my cat, Tigress.

And so I just wanted to share this picture with all of you. When you are bored/stressed/don'tknowwhattodo, just remember, You are bread. Whatevs that means.

P.S. Sometimes I call my sister by her Indian name: She lives for hugs.

Oh and just for your enjoyment. We both get up pretty dang early. So one morning, I sent her a picture of me looking tired, and she responded with her tired picture. Featured below for your viewing pleasure.

: )

Rejoice. 
I am loving this word these days. Speaking of love, I love missionary work, making eggs in a frame for people, and this sister standing next to me here.

L'autre jour, on a run, I realized I was in danger of wishing the hard times in life were easier and the easier times in life were a little harder. Hashtag that; I am just going to rejoice in all things. 2 Nephi 4:18-35.

Golden Treasure

Yesterday, lucky us, we found a Belgium waffle stand in Paris. #sohappy #Ilovebelgiumwafflesmorethananything #iftherearebelgiumwafflesiamtheretoo #maybeiwillmarrythem

France Week 5 aka Belgium

Welcome to Belgium: The waffles are five star, the people are warm and friendly, and the atmosphere is such a mix of people and cultures. Here I am in the Grand Place de Bruxelles (Brussels). The Grand Place is basically just a wide open square in the middle of town where everyone gathers. It feel like the heart of the city. While in Belgium, here is what I noticed:

1. Waffles! Seriously, truly, truelove, so good. I could have only eaten waffles while I was there and been so happy. They are so unreal it is ridiculous - better than any pastry in France any day. Out of all the perishable things I wish I could bring home to my family, this one is top on the list.

2. The architecture was unlike anything I have ever seen. I basically took a ton of pictures that look pretty much all the same because I was so fascinated with what I was seeing. We took a boat ride down the river in Bruges and learned a petit bit about the history. I could just imagine the streets bustling with trade and the people of the past.

3. Brussels is one of the capitals of the European Union. The city is the walking definition of cosmopolitan. We met a guy who spoke 15 languages, and although he is an outlier, just walking around the streets you can hear many languages weaving together. And, we got to tour the European Union Parliament. I absolutely loved learning about European politics. And I might even go as far as to say that foreign politics should be taught in high schools. It was fascinating to see how other governments work and realize that different governments work for different groups of people with different historical backgrounds. The parliament building was designed so that people would have many opportunities to meet and interact with their coworkers just by walking the halls. There really was such an atmosphere of peace there, and it was fascinating to see how all these different countries can all work together so well. I am not saying the European Union is perfect, but it is a pretty amazing system. I was talking to my host mere about it, and she pointed out how difficult it has been for some countries to manage their economies with the euro as their money system. Next spare time activity: learn more about the EU.

4. Tout le monde rides bikes. Which is great. I am a bike advocate. I love bikes. Biking is my favorite way to travel actually. Someone should invent a foldable bike that can fit in a backpack. Someone probably has.

5. I feel like maybe swans are native to Europe. They are everywhere.

6. I got to see a piece of the Berlin wall which was way cool. Another thing to add to my to learn about list: the political implications that accompany the Berlin wall and what exactly doe it symbolize to different groups of people?

Basically, I loved Belgium. But mostly, I loved learning about other cultures, peoples, and politics...and eating waffles.


Loving me some Belgium

The EU Parliament

Some modern art in the EU parliament.
If you touch it in one spot, the entire structure moves
in different ways symbolizing how what happens in
each country affects the rest of Europe.

Belgium is also famous for their fries.

Friendship

The Berlin wall.

France: Week Two

Okay, week two coming right up. This week was full of castles, rain, and missing lots of people aux Etats-Unis. Monday we took a small bite out of the Louvre. Right now they are doing something interesting with modern art, and every once in a while some old clothes would be thrown into the mix. The most interesting was a pile of clothes under a statue of a woman bending over. It looked like she was resting a huge mound of laundry. I am un peu mad that I didn't take a picture.

Other highlights include trying muscles (the food). They were actually way good. Here's a picture of my meal and the crepe I had afterward. And eating this seriously good pastry at a morning market under a bridge. We saw Napoleon's tomb which was pretty cool. It has it's own room and is surrounded my angles. Also, even though Napoleon purposefully broke the state of France away from the Catholic church, the place where he was buried used to be a church. And of course, there are still relics of such. So many buildings in France are just history build upon history.

We went to Sacre Coeur which is a catholic basilica, which I learned via internet is kind of like a cathedral with a badge of honor. That was way cool. We got to walk up all these steps before reaching the actually building, and then once we got inside, there was no talking and a lot of people were actually praying. It was a lot less touristy than the Notre Dame and other cathedrals I have been to.


Thursday, we caught a train to Loire Valley which was the center of France during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. After the renaissance started in Italy, Loire Valley was the first place it started in France. We visited lots of castles, but my favs where the gardens at Le Chateau a Villandry and Le Chateau de Chambord. The former probably had about seven different gardens and a wood for the King to hunt in. They were amazing as you can see. Before Louis the 14th and Versailles, the King had to contend a bit with all the nobles for his power, so he would travel around France staying in different castles. At Chambord, you can explore tones of rooms and floors and stair cases. I feel like CJ would have loved this place. Le Chateau de Chenoneau was also pretty cool because the entire thing is a bridge and the tour included the kitchens. Also, the main big room that was usually used as a ballroom was converted into a hospital for soldiers during WWII which is so crazy amazing.

I cut my hand on a blade of grass when I was trying to sit down to look
at some swans. #hardlyfe

This bed is actually one of the beds we slept on.

Oh I almost forgot. We slept overnight in a for real actual castle. It has been converted into a museum by day and a hotel by night. It was pretty sweet, and the couple who own it were very nice. Can you imagine? Hey honey, let's buy a castle. We can live in it and make it a hotel to make some money. Some people are just living the dream. (Like me, only I am living my own dream.)

Back in Paris we went to a Brocant on Saturday. A Brocant is basically an antique flea market, and it was way awesome. There were so many, like so many old things. My parents would have absolutely loved it. So in memory of them, I bartered in French and got some really great gifts for people, especially for my mom. She is going to be loving her life come Christmas time. The Brocant was definitely one of my favorite things yet, but it also made me really miss my family. There are so many things here that I just wish they could experience with me. Things I know they would love.

That night was the night of the museums where all the museums in all of Europe are free. Since we go to museums all the time for class, we decided to go the the science museum, which is supposed to be the biggest science museum in all Europe. It was cool, but it would have been out of the planet cool if I was in elementary school. I could have written some of these panels. There were a few exhibits for for adults, but I am just going to say, I think the science museum in San Diego might have this one beat.

Now today, is Sunday. We went to church, were I understood a bit more than last week, especially the lesson on the plan of salvation. And we stopped by another cathedral and made some really good tuna sandwiches, which also reminded me of home and made me miss the people there, especially this one kid I know. Tonight we will have dinner with our host mom, and get ready for another week of Frenchy France. Goals for this coming up week: Speak more French, get better at speaking French, talk to more French people, and buy a pastry from the patisserie by our apartment.

Napoleon's Tomb

The wood's of the King aka my wood because we have that genealogy
trail right?

My poor shoes are taking a beating, they are
tearing themselves into pieces. Going to last
four more weeks?

Some real stagecoaches that were never used. They were part of an
inheritance. 

Beurre en Bretagne

Madame Sprenger a dit qu’en Bretagne, il y a beaucoup de sorts du beurre.  Alors, j’ai acheté une tarte de la pomme à Saint-Malo. Elle est très délicieuse ! Mais, parce que le beurre est très différent du beurre aux États-Unis, beaucoup de temps, je confonds le beurre pour du formage. Pendant petit-déjeuner, j’ai mangé beaucoup de beurre dans mon pain, parce que je pensais qu’il y a du formage.  Pour me défendre, le beurre en Bretagne n’est pas le même du beurre aux États-Unis.  De plus, j’ai remarqué que Bretagne aime beaucoup leurs régionalismes. C’est probablement le même avec toutes les régions. J’ai vu cette carte postale qui parle du temps. Tout le monde parle de la pluie parce qu’ils sont fiers de Bretagne et ils sont aussi fiers du temps de Bretagne.

Who Started This Ice Cream Thing?

Once upon a time people lived without freezers because they hadn’t yet been invented. People would harvest enough ice in the winter to last stored in their ice boxes throughout the whole summer or they would have ice delivered to them (How). And if you think that is strange, think about what that actually means. People also lived without cold drinks, leftovers, and ice cream. How did people live without ice cream?

There must be many people in the world that don’t get to enjoy a good ice cream cone on a sunny day. Begging Mom to give you money for the ice cream truck, buying a triple scoop at the park—these are things some people don’t have. And once, no one at all had any such an experience.

So when did this ice cream craze all begin? When was the first lick? Who invented ice cream? Turns out, ice cream is so ancient that no one really knows whose genius it was that whipped up the first batch of candy milk (The History). Ice cream is much older than the flimsy old freezer. In as early as 54 Ad, “Roman Emperor Nero was said to have sent his slaves into the mountains to fetch snow to mix with nectar, fruit plump, and honey” (The History). However, sources say, this is most likely a tall tale. It is more likely that ice cream originates in China during the T’ang dynasty, happening in about 618-907 AD (The History). Although, there are rumors that China had ice cream as far back as 3000 BC (Olver). Wait, so did the Chinese have freezers? Nope! The king kept about “94 ice men on hand to lug ice to the palace to make a dish or kourmiss (heated fermented milk), flour, and carnphor” (The History).

Of course, I don’t think you have 94 extra men sitting around in your backyard just waiting to bring you some ice cream, but ice cream did somehow become a part of the American diet. From China, to Italy, to France, and finally to the US is the most probable guess when tracing ice cream’s history (Olver). In 1939 it began to be sold in American grocery stores and became so popular during WWII that Mussolini banned it from Italy because it was seen as a symbol of America (The History). American food is such a mix of other cultures that it is hard to pin down what is considered American. But it is even harder when you don’t know facts like this: When Ronald Regan was president, he declared July as National Ice Cream Month and encouraged everyone to celebrate any way that they can (National).This year, ice cream day will be on July 21^st. How are you going to celebrate America’s dominance over ice cream? Ice cream trucks? Homemade ice cream from science class? Banana splits from the shop down the street?

Whatever you do to celebrate, you won’t be able to commemorate the inventor of these most delicious and popular treat. Ice cream wasn’t invented; it was slowly discovered over time through a process of strange experiments and myths (Goff). But, we can’t even celebrate who we think might have invented ice cream. There are so many different stories, and there is absolutely no historical backing to any of them (Goff). So, for National Ice Cream Month this year, I think I might just hashtag “IceCreamMonth” and join the trending party as IDFA suggests (National). And of course, I am going to have me some dark chocolate raspberry truffle ice cream in my favorite bowl.

Works Cited

Goff, Douglas H. "Food Science." Ice Cream History and Folklore. University of Guelph, 2009. Web. 16 Apr. 2013.

"How Did People Make Ice before Freezers?" How Did People Make Ice before Freezers?N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2013.

"National Ice Cream Month." National Ice Cream Month. International Dairy Foods Association, 2013. Web. 15 Apr. 2013.

Olver, Lynne. "TheFood Timeline: History Notes--ice Cream." TheFood Timeline: History Notes--ice Cream. N.p., 13 Mar. 2013. Web. 15 Apr. 2013.

"The History of Ice Cream: Who Invented It?" Timeline Invention Cone. Yankee Publishing: The 2004 Old Farmer's Almenac, 2013. Web. 15 Apr. 2013.

Just a friendly reminder that I love oreos

My sister showed this to me. Never seen the movie, but love the scene.

Young Coconut

I am craving this right now. What I wouldn't give for some dried young coconut. If you have never tried this, I would suggest quickly buying some. Ser.i.ous.ly. so. good.

The Braid

So I am a pen snob, pen connoisseur, pen snob. When I have a Pilot G-2 sweeping beneath my fingers, uhm-hm, I am figure skating on paper. They are très expensive, but they are worth it. I am worth it. My handwriting is worth it. The 05 sized tip rocks this world with its precise little curvy y's.

Speaking of Y's, why do I keep eating this store bought, homemade oreos? Sarah brought home a huge bag left over from her work. Faith and I took one bite and she threw her's away. But, guess what, the more gross cookies you eat, the better they start to taste. You can count on that statement right there. Or maybe they have drugs in them or poison. Do you ever feel like you are being poisoned? Me neither.

Back to pens, a trusty G-2 just ended it's career in my many notebooks. Respectable career, I would say; unlike those pens that only work half the time you touch them to paper. Today in one of my meetings, a guy I know made a pretty chill analogy about that. We don't want to be like those lazy pens that only work when they feel like it. We are depending on them to write when we need them. Like so, God is depending on us to be ready and willing when He wants to use us to be instruments in his hand. If we are not ready or able, He can easily just use another pen, another person, but we will miss out. Let me just tell ya, I want to be a G-2. That pen you can always rely on to get the job done and do it well.

Also, speaking of the Gospel, I found this great scripture that reminds me of being an ambassador of Christ, always standing as a witness for Him, not just in what we say, but also in what we do and how we live. From the Book of Mormon: Alma 17:11

I know I never related this gross cookies. Eating them does remind me of a story my grandma once told me. She once, as a little girl, refused to try chocolate. Yes, let's take a moment to get past how cray-cray this is. She was afraid she wouldn't like it because well, it was just a strange brown blob. Of course, she now realizes her foolishness. Likewise, I have really been enjoying these cookies that I once didn't love, but now I see their greatness.

Oreos all around

Let me tell you something about me. I love oreos. maybe too much. definitely too much. k I eat them everyday, tout le jour, eevverry day. But they are just sooo good. I mean, why not eat them everyday? I wake up in the morning to study: oreos. It is late at night and I still have lots more words to type type type: oreos. It is the middle of the day and I somehow find myself at home in my apartment because I forgot my laptop and need to write up that research paper: oreos (and blogging). So basically this post is about nothing except for my deep love of oreos. There is only one rule when you eat oreos with me. You can't only eat one. Two, at least will do, but more is better. Also, when I really love something, I just want to share it with everyone, so I am always looking for people to feed my oreos to. Moral: If you evs want an oreo, give me a ring-a-ling or even just show up at my door. King of Cookie equals Oreo.

Give me Toast or...

Confession: Yes, I am supposed to be writing that lesson plan on personification, but what is wrong with a little snack? Here is the thing, our kitchen is not exactly gourmet. But that is fine because in college, you just make do - at least that is what we say. Problem number one: we don't have a toaster. And yes, this is a big problem because I love toast. Honey on toast, cheese on toast, PB on toast, or even better PB&J on toast, oh yes, eggs on toast with salsa and creamy Swiss cheese - toast is the bomb.com. We have been without a toaster for about five months, but let me tell ya, we would never go without toast. I have gotten pretty great at broiling my toast on the top rack of our oven. I knew when to turn it over, and was almost usually good at taking it out before it burnt. Until our oven stopped working. Well, it was just the top heater. So no more broiling, and instead, we decided to just bake it on the very bottom rack, close to the wire heater, on the highest temperature. Worked. Whew, what would we do without toast? But, this morning, my oh-so-domestic roommate was baking, and because she was way on top of things, she had preheated the oven. Problem number two: How was I supposed to make my toast? Cheese on toast was calling out to my taste buds. And so, don't you worry, I got a lil' bit creative, and here you go, the perfect toast.

Yes, I skewered my toast with a knife, and roasted it over the stove. #sohappywithmyself #yum #cheeseontoast

Here is me in my pajamas, just lovin' my life.

Our Kitchen

I absolutely love pita bread, and after this weekend, I found out how much fun it is to make. It is quite exciting when they pop open. Each one is hand rolled and each is a little bit different, but they are all loved and all delicious.

How do you eat them? Just like a sandwich - turkey, cheese, lettuce, cucumber - whatever floats your ferry. You can also put chicken (or lamb or steak), olives, fetta cheese, and cucumber sauce inside to make a Greek lunch. Or try it with peanut butter and jelly.

Why am I blogging about this? Basically because I love pitas and think you all should too.