I love me some SCALLOPS!

Sam and I loooooove scallops.  We had some of the best scallops at this Chinese restaurant awhile back and I wanted to try making it one day.  Well, we bought scallops the other day and I decided to give it a go.  I didn't follow any recipe and just winged it from what I remember eating.  Not to toot my own horn, but it was soooooo good!  I've decided to share my recipe... just because I am THAT cool!  :)

And yeah, I know that this being fried and drenched in butter isn't the healthiest thing to eat, but it surely will melt in your mouth!  If you don't want to eat it, just make it and I will eat it for you.  You are welcome.


Thyda's House Special Scallop Recipe (LOL)

• Large Scallops (about 15 pieces)
• 1 cup of flour
• 1.5 cup of vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 3 cloves of garlic (chopped)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Green Onions (2 tablespoons chopped)
• OPTIONAL - 1 Jalapeno (sliced)

1. In a small (deep) saucepan, heat up about 1.5 cup of vegetable oil
2. Rinse and dry scallops
3. Lightly coat scallops with flour (all over)
4. Once oil is hot, slightly lower temperature to medium high
5. Drop (gently) each scallop into hot oil and let cook for about 5 minutes (remove and drain on paper towel once done)
6. In a separate pan, heat up about 2 tablespoons of butter
7. Saute' chopped garlic until slightly golden
8. Add sliced jalapenos into pan and continue to saute'
9. Add scallops into pan with butter, garlic, and jalapeno
10. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and continue to sautee
11. Add chopped green onions (not for too long, don't overcook)
12. Remove from heat and serve

The Waiting Game

We put an offer in for a house last night.  We shall see what happens.

When people say that purchasing a home is one of the most stressful times of your life, they are absolutely right.  I am enjoying the house hunting part, but its the little things that are going to make such a difference in our lives that is stressful.  The responsibilities that comes with it is another stress maker.  Oh man...

Even so, I know that this will be very rewarding in the end.

Keeping our fingers crossed and waiting for THE phone call.  Eeeps!!

The Good Ol' Days...

I had a dream that I was in gymnastics again!  What surprises me is that I still remember the floor routine from elementary school.  When I woke up, I laid there trying to play the routine in my head and saw it clearly and perfectly.  Nowadays, I can barely do a forward roll let alone a round-off backhand spring.  Ahhh... I miss those days!

I am going to contact my old gymnastics instructor to see if he has any videos (on VHS, of course) of any of the old practices or meets.  I would LOVE to see them.

I had THE best childhood ever.  Sure, there was hardcore child labor in there (if you only knew), but it was what made me into the person that I am today.  That story could take forever, so I will save it for another day.  But even with the labor and the occasional abuse, I still had the best and most balanced childhood I can imagine.

Sometimes, I wish that my children could live my childhood.  I know that with the technology and difference in lifestyles now, it wouldn't be possible.  But, if only they could, I would document every little thing because it would be a great story to tell.

*sigh*

Here we go... AGAIN!

The house hunting continues... or begins!

Last year, Sam and I were on a hunt for a house.  We didn't find anything in our budget and things came up and we decided to take a little break from the stress of it all and just enjoy ourselves for awhile.  But now, it looks like we are back on the market!

Personally, its been really difficult for me to come to a realization that homes here in Southern California are way more expensive than homes in Washington.  For $300K in Washington, you can find a great, brand new 4 bedrooms and 2 baths in a nice neighborhood.  Here?  Eh... don't even get me started.  It makes me sad and I just want to move back to Washington already just for the better deal. But I know that I can't because of Sam's work. 

Ahhh... I'm going to have to learn how to settle.

One day, I shall own a house in California AND another in Washington.  Today, I have neither.  Wahhhh!!

But hey... at least I still have my health, family, friends, a roof over my head and food on the table.  Just counting a few of my many blessings.

Oh hello, mood swings!  :)

Too Much Junk...

... not just in the trunk but everywhere else!

Gaining about 20 pounds in four months without being pregnant is not normal.  What the hell have I done to myself? 

Time to get a grip and get back on the right track.

Exercising already started, but will bump that up a bit. 
Dieting starts NOW.

I am really upset with myself at the moment and trying hard to refrain from punching myself in the face.  I am sure many of you are thinking that I should just shut up and do it already (punch myself in the face)... haha!  Nah... I already messed up my body, I don't want to mess up my face too.  Its practically the only thing that is still decent!  LOL

Any good diet and fitness tips and advices out there?  Seriously... I will take and try to use anything that I can get.  I need to lose weight... now... fast!  HELP ME!

I Miss You...

My Husband woke me up the other morning because I was crying in my sleep.  Though I wasn't fully asleep anymore, I still felt the sadness from my dream because it wasn't only just a dream to me.

I dreamt of my Grandmother.  I miss her and think about her often, but its been awhile since she last visited me in my dreams.  There she was laying on the couch in my old house, covered in a blanket and watching TV.  She only had one blanket over her and I wanted to make sure that she was warm and cozy enough.  I told her that she should be warmer and she tried to reach for the other blanket at the end of her feet.  She was barely able to move, but she moved a lot more than I last remember her.  I walked over and pulled the blanket to cover her more.  Looking at her, I knew that my time left with her wasn't much.  I took her in my arms and hugged her tight and kept whispering to her telling her that I love her.  I felt the warmth from her at first, but slowly she started to drift further from me and I started to cry.  I didn't want to let her go and I just wanted to make sure that she knows that I love her and will miss her when she's gone.  I couldn't stop the tears in my dreams. 

I woke up. 

Though I could stop the tears when I was awake, I allowed myself to cry some more.  My heart still ached because she was no longer in my life.  It was somewhat of a release of the emotions I've felt from missing her so much for so long.

In my dreams, she acknowledged the fact that I loved her.  She nodded to tell me that she knows that I love her.  I feel like she came to visit me in my dreams to let me know that she knows that I miss her.  Why?  I don't know... but I am glad to know that she knows.  And I was glad to see her again, even if it was only in my dreams.

I miss you, Grandma. I love you.

Quickie!

Check, check, and CHECK!

Yesterday was just a day full of errands.

First things first, I am officially a Californian!!  For the past year, I refused to get a California ID because I didn't want to stop being a Washingtonian.  However, I have to legally change my address after I move.  Sure, I changed my address everywhere else except for on my driver's license.  I refused!  Anyway, I had to come down to it and finally get it.  I'm looking forward to getting the ID and having Californian privileges (discounts to amusement parks... haha!), but I am never going to rid my Washington ID.  NEVER!!

Sam got a ticket a few weeks ago (boo boo, I know).  We had to go get it signed off at one place and then had to bring it to another place only to find out that it isn't even in the system yet.  Sort of frustrating because he took the day off for that purpose.  Oh well, at least we're almost done dealing with that.  Blah.

Also finally got some stuff done to the car.  Whoot whoot... I feel better about driving it now although I haaaaaaate driving with a passion.  I'm one of those people who are meant to have a chauffeur. *wink wink* 

After getting tons of errands done, we went on a house hunt.  Yes, the house hunting is back on and its been fun.  I can't wait until we finally have a house of our own.  Lots of responsibilities, but I know it will be worth it.

Then, here comes baby!  And no... I'm not pregnant.  LOL.  I want to be after we have a house though. Just sayin'!

Alright... thats all for now.  I will have to come back and vent about a conversation I had with my cousin (not so little 23 year old cousin) this morning.  Ugh... don't even get me started!

Okay... toodles!

Random Note To Self...

I suck at bowling!

On Friday, we went out to dinner with some friends to celebrate our buddy's birthday.  Yummy Korean BBQ... true lardness, I know.  Not good for my diet.  Oh well... who cares, right?

We went bowling afterward and for once, I sat out on it.  The last time I went bowling, I sucked so bad that I might as well not bowl.  A waste of a player space and time that someone else can use.  My biggest fear about bowling is is slipping and falling or accidentally throwing the ball back and hitting people.  Good thing I didn't bowl because someone did end up falling and thank goodness it wasn't me.  If I was to bowl, I am sure as hell that it would have been me.  Good call, Thyda!

I also found myself drained and tired by 9pm.  What's wrong with me?  And no... I am not pregnant.  This used to be the time that I wake up!  Our friends joked that Sam and I have switched roles... he is now the night owl and party goer (or try to be... haha) while I just want to stay home and watch my FRIENDS DVDs (I think I am obsessed with those things).  Anyway... I need to stop being all tired so early.  I am still young. 

WAKE UP, Thyda!!
Okay... that is all.

Some Things Just Never Change... Other Things Do.

I recently had a talk with an old old friend that I have not seen in many years.  After an hour or two, she told me that I am still the same person - bubbly, funny, and caring.  This made me smile because I like being the person that I was and I am glad to know that I am the same person.

Not too long after that conversation, I thought to myself, I HAVE changed!

My friend reassured me that though my priorities and lifestyle is very different from what it used to be, I am still that same person that I've always been.  Elaborate?

Before:  Splurging on $700 jackets and spending up to $300 at a makeup counter at a time
After:  Thinking twice about my purchases.  Searching for coupons online and in the mail before making a purchase... even if its only ten dollars.


Before:  Partying from Tuesday - Sunday... with Monday being a rest day.  Running on 3 hours of sleep each day.
After:  Lounging in pajamas in my living room 26 nights of the month... leaving 4 or 5 nights for hanging out with friends.


Before:  Wondering what I will be doing the next night.
After:  Wondering what I will be doing in 5 years.

Okay maybe I've grown up just a little bit, but its an ongoing process and I kind of like it.   BUT... I am still the same ol' Thyda.  Thank goodness because I kind of like myself and the way I am!  However, I am not in love with myself nor do I think my poo smells like roses. There's a difference!  :)

What did I just do? Episode 1

Yesterday, I surprised my Husband with fresh spring rolls.  He and I both love spring rolls but I never make them because I simply suck at it.

The ones that I rolled yesterday sucked more than I've ever made them in my life.  They were loose and limpy (getting visuals yet?) and just a mess to eat.  Ugh... but we still ate them and although they were ugly, they sure were yummy!

I love the spring rolls from Brodard's where they have some egg roll shells inside the spring roll to make it crunchy.  I attempted to make them the same way.

Somehow,

I deep fried a fork!!

LOL... I nearly fell to the ground laughing by myself.  I wish there was a hidden camera somewhere in my kitchen because I would have loved to see my face and reaction.

I saved the fork before it got crispy, by the way!  ;)  Super Hero duty of the day... CHECK!

I LIKE it when its my Birthday!!

Last night, I found myself thinking about what I am going to do for my 27th birthday this year.  I know that my birthday just past, but I just really like it when its my birthday!  :)

For my 26th (exactly a month and three days ago), I wasn't planning to do anything at all.  BUT... it ended up being quite a celebration!

Jenny's birthday is exactly a day before mine, so we decided to celebrate together this year since she is moving and wouldn't be here next year.  

Practice Birthday run with Serina, Jenny, and Jackie happened the week before.  I haven't partied in quite awhile and I wanted to make sure I still got it!  ;) 

We stopped by a gas station for a cup of ice (lol... don't ask why) and pretty much invaded the place trying to find our favorite snacks.  The man working there was laughing at us and I just said to him, "Please don't mind my friends, they just came here from Cambodia so this is kind of exciting".  LOL... then he took a picture of us... see!!

It was quite a night in Hollywood and we had to make our usual stop in Thai Town afterwards.  Soooooo yum!  What a blast we had that night!

Then the night before my birthday, we went to Mai Tai Bar.  We counted down until midnight when it was my actual birthday and everything.  Oh boy... that was also a hysterical night.  I had quite a bit too much to drink and for the first time in awhile, I yacked.  Yeah... happy freakin' birthday to me!  WTF Wednesday is what we called it.

The following night, Sam and I attended a Yelp Elite pajama party.  Yayyy... the day of my actual birthday.  I had such a great day... relaxing with my Husband (he took the day off) and recovering from the night prior.  The Pajama party was sort of crazy... so many people and food and free drinks.  I still can't believe the bartenders suggest we each get two drinks so we don't have to go back to the bar often.  SCORE!!  I didn't want to drink though... not too much anyway.  Surprisingly on my birthday, right?  HAHA... it was a lot of fun any way.  We didn't really take pictures of ourselves (I was still a mess... lol), but here is a picture from upstairs looking down at half of the party.

The following night, I held my birthday dinner.  Close friends (the ones in California) and yummy food?  What more can I ask for?

The night after that was a blast as well (of course).  The girls and I had a little potluck prefunk and getting ready session.  So much food, cake, pinata, drinks, hairspray, and lipgloss.  PERFECT combination for my kind of night.  I love girl time sessions!

Then, we went off to party in Huntington Beach with more friends.  VIP, please!  The night went by way too fast for me and I had such a blast dancing my butt off.  I wished the night lasted longer because time sure flies when you're having fun!!

Finally a picture with my MAIN SQUEEZE!!  Hehe... he was busy taking pictures for my friends and I the entire night.  He definitely made my birthday special.  Gotta love the guy!  ;)

So many more pictures, but just wayyyyyy too many to post up here.  Oops!

You see... I didn't really PLAN anything for my birthday and I was just going to wing it.  Everything was pretty last minute, but its so nice to have people there ready to celebrate with me.

26 was such a memorable celebration... I can't wait to see what celebrating 27 is like.  27 is my favorite number, by the way... so it should be GOOD!

"35 or BUST!!"

So as you may already know, I did my first ever 5K run this past weekend.  :D

With only a few days to train and being so out of shape, I was on the verge of backing out.  I couldn't sleep the night before because I was THAT nervous.  I tried to load up on some carbs the night before (as I was told) and had a light, carb filled breakfast (croissant).  I tried not to drink too much water because I noticed that I tend to get cramps or side aches whenever I drink water right before running.  I figured, there will be water stations (as I have read about online).

We got to the registration area and everyone looked so ready and pumped in their gear.  Most people wore shirts saying that they've completed a half or full marathon before.  Holy shit!  I had to pee!  I tried to eavesdrop on people and heard that they've all been training or have ran before.  Some were walking their dogs for the walk, but how embarrassing would it be to run at the pace of someone who was simply walking their dog?  Ahhh... I wanted to bail so badly, but Sam wouldn't let me.  Just because he wasn't running.  Hmph!

I talked to a few friends who are experienced runners and they told me to just have fun and enjoy the run.  My best friends gave me a goal... 35 minutes or bust!  What the hell?  They do realize that I am the type of person to hop in the car and drive to go get the mail, don't they?  How the hell was I going to get an 11 minute something pace?  Yikes!

The race started... and here I go ! I tried to keep pace with the expert runners and it was going okay at first.  Then, after about a mile into it, I lost it!  I wasn't tired, but my throat was killing me!  It BURNED!  Where was the water station that I was expecting?  Thats right... THERE WAS NONE!!  Ahhhh!  I had to stop and walk because if I didn't I think my throat would have ripped out.  I knew I should have carried a tiny bottle of water with me... why didn't I listen to my gut?  Ugh!  I would start to jog again with "35 minutes or BUST" running through my head.  It wasn't long until I had to stop and walk and let me throat cool down again.  And with the cold air that morning, I thought my throat was just going to bleed... seriously.

I tried to keep pace with a few runners, and I did!  I didn't know them, but I secretly used them as a guide.  If they can do it, so can I. 

Finally, I saw the finish line.  I picked up my pace despite the burn in my throat... thinking of ways of fixing it when I'm done.  I thought to myself that even if it ripped out, the water at the finish line MIGHT help a little.  So... I ran for it!  I passed the runner that I was trying to keep up with and made it to the finish line!

33:17 --- 10:42 pace.  :)

I definitely beat my goal time, but I just KNEW then that I could have done better.  Nevertheless, it was a proud moment.  I survived and I didn't even bust!

I'm addicted.  Next time, my goal is 30 minutes or bust!

Until then, its training time! 

Good Ol' Days!

Yesterday, one of the old Cambodian Classical & Folk Dancers of Tacoma organizers uploaded some ooooooold pictures onto Facebook.  I was so surprised and happy to see these pictures... brings back the good ol' days!  These pictures were from when I was anywhere from 10-14 years old.  (I started dancing since I was 6 or 7)

Oh... the memories!!

With most of the group during a performance some time during New Year.

WHY was I wearing that hair pin? LOL... ready for the coconut dance!

WHY did I look so stiff? I was probably the youngest here performing the Krab dance.

A close up... sorta!

I looked so angry!  Hehe... rehearsing the wishing dance. So stiff... no likey!

Those were some good times!  She said that she will put more pictures on a CD for me the next time I am back in town.  I can't wait to get them and see them all! 

I think I still look the same... just 5 times wider.  :)

What did I get myself into?

On Saturday, I will be running my first 5K.  I know that 3. something miles is not really a big deal (I've been able to run this before... so it doesn't sound like too much).  BUT... I haven't ran in SOOOOOOO long!  In 2010, I've gained a lot of weight.  Let me tell you... a whole lot of weight!  Being on the set of photo shoots and films does no good for the waist line (or lack thereof).  All I did was eat the food that was being catered... at every hour!  When there is down time, there is eating time.  A huge NO NO... but I couldn't help myself!  Eeeps!  I should be punished. 

I am being punished because now, I am paying for it.  My clothes don't fit right and I refuse to shop until I feel like I look good in the clothes.  Pressure, right?  Oh well... I must.  Its really really bad... trust me!

Anyway, the race is actually a fundraiser event for Sam's work.  He won't be running with me, unfortunately, so I am not going to have a running buddy.  Boo hoo!  He registered me last week and now I am running in 4 days.  WTF?!  I hope I don't get hurt without the proper training.  I think the last time I ran anything more than 3 miles at a time was over a year ago.  Holy sh*t.  Now the more that I think about it, the scarier it is.  And with the weather being poor lately, I can't really go out there and practice or shall I say... train.  What is a girl to do?  I know I should be toughing out the rain because it might even rain that day... but man... I don't want to. Running on a treadmill is a lot different, I know... so that would only help a little.  I know I shouldn't be sitting here making up excuses, but I am.  I am lazy.  BUT... there is no backing out now. 

Excuse me while I go have a panic attack.

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year, everyone! 

I know that its been a very long time since I even checked up on my own blog.  Sometimes, I get so caught up in what is really going on in life that I either can't find the time to blog or when I do, I just feel drained and don't do it altogether.  Most of the time though, I neglect it for so long that I don't know where to start when I actually want to.

This blog is intimidating to me at times.  I know that blogging should be a leisure rather than a task.  Its not really a task or anything on my TO DO list, but I just feel overwhelmed whenever I turn to it at times.  Usually, I have so much that I want to write about that it just takes over me and I don't start at all.  I know that this sounds silly, but those who have been doing this for awhile might understand me.

Also, when life gets too busy, there is very little time left to sit down and reflect.  I'm beating myself up for this now because I like documenting little things and then being able to go back and reminisce after time.

I am not very big on New Years' Resolutions, but this year, I can come up with a few.  I will start with one now.  In 2011, one of my resolutions is to be more consistent with my blogging.  Even if the entries are private (which some are), I will take my time to blog anyway.  I know that this resolution doesn't really affect anyone else but myself, but there it is in writing.  One of my declarations of 2011.

With that said, I hope everyone had a great time ringing in the New Year with loved ones.  May 2011 bring each and every one of you only the best in everything that you do and everything that you wish for.  Most importantly, wishing you all the best of health and happiness.  

*hugs*