King of Anything: Sara Bareilles

Thoughts

someone who's opinion I've come to value over the years said something that struck a cord the other day.

He said that living life by societies opinion & rules was where he thought he would always end up, that road would be the one he took.

But that somewhere along that path he realized that he would rather live his life by his words, by his opinion, his rules.

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I'm not perfect, in fact...I'm pretty fucked up sometimes. I can be 23 going on 40 half the time, and other times I feel like a small creature ripping at anything and everything. I'm messy, emotional and I yell when I get upset or mad. I get mad when people disappoint me. Someone once told me not to expect anything from others because then they wouldn't ever disappoint me...but I think that's a horrible way to look at people. I'm loud, I'm a bit dark & twisted sometimes. As I said...I'm just not perfect.

But through all of that, learning the bad that is me that goes along with the good, I've learned that I don't need to apologize for that. It's simply who I am, it doesn't make it always a good thing...but who else am I supposed to be? Because along with all that bad, there are some really amazing and good things about who I am. Those are the things I treasure, the things that those who love me know me for. And I know that the people that accept me for me, the real me...are the one's that will always be worth fighting for. The others...well some people aren't meant to last forever are they?

Love and Other Disasters

Found this movie from a British director, and it was surprisingly good. My favorite quote is below, and it somehow makes a lot of sense.

"Maybe true love is a decision. A decision to take a chance with somebody. To give to that somebody without worrying if they'll give back or if they're going to hurt you, or if they really are the one. Maybe true love isn't something that happens to you, its something you have to choose."

Cooking time

I used to cook a lot - and lately I've been lagging on that.

SO I decided at least once a week I'm going to find a new recipe and try it out. Last night was the 1st attempt & it turned out delicious if I say so myself.

Crispy Fried Fish Tacos


Ingredients: [This is for 12 tacos, I made a much smaller recipe since there's only 2 of us]

1. 1/2 cup mayonnaise
2. 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
3. 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
4. 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
5. 1 cup all-purpose flour
6. 1 teaspoon garlic powder
7. 1 teaspoon onion powder
8. 1 tablespoon kosher salt
9. 1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
10. 1 pound tilapia fillets, cut into 4-by-1-inch strips
11. 2 large eggs, beaten
12. 3 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
13. 3 cups vegetable oil, for frying
14. 12 corn tortillas, warmed
15. Shredded green cabbage, lettuce leaves, cilantro and sliced scallions, for serving

  
Directions:

1. In a bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the hoisin sauce, pickle relish and lemon juice.
2. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and white pepper. Seal the bag and shake. Add the fish and shake to coat.
3. Put the eggs and panko in separate shallow bowls. Dip the fish in the egg and then in the panko. Transfer the fish to a wax paper–lined platter.
4. In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil to 350°. Add half of the fish and fry over moderate heat, turning once, until golden, about 3 minutes. Drain the fish on a paper towel–lined platter. Repeat with the remaining fish. Serve the fish in the tortillas, passing the hoisin mayonnaise, cabbage, lettuce, cilantro and scallions for serving. 

It was REALLY good, the sauce sounded a little weird to me at 1st but it ended up really making the taco.

LIBERTY WALK

If you asked me a year ago if I thought I would be here now, I most likely would not have believed you.
I was wrapped up in what was right and what was not, so much so that I buried a lot of myself.

To anyone who actually reads this thing - if you ever take anything from the nonsense that I write here - take this.

This life is yours, no matter what anyone tells you - you have this one life that you're responsible for living. Its your decision to make it what it is, circumstances can not make you, you can change things if needed. Just whatever you do, wherever you end up - remember to follow your instinct. We know what we need to do deep down, we just let the noise of the world drown out our real desires and dreams. Never let someone else tell you your dream isn't what you want, what do they know? Being a victim to this life will leave you regretful when it comes to an end. So move on, smile radiantly, and have some damn fun.

southern nights

summers heady nights
sweat slowly sliding down your back
fireflys sparkling across the fields
breathing in the air that dare not cools

Swinging on a porch swing
drinking lemonade
Laughter and music swelling from nearby farms
someone playing a guitar

Night time sky
stars all a twinkling
not a car in site
cept for a tractor here and there

The South
hot, homemade, heady
makes your blood boil
and your head spin

No place like it really
once it captures you though
makes you never wanna come home

Beaverdam Virginia

Tomorrow at 5am I'm leaving my beautiful sunny California for the east coast. Virginia to be more exact - to spend a week on a farm with my grandparents. I'm excited to be getting out of here and to relax a little, but living in farm country for more than a day or two is a little hard sometimes :]

Some peace and quiet - maybe it won't be so bad.

So far

Things have a way of working themselves out for the best. I of course seriously doubt a couple of people would really agree with some of my decisions lately - I'm not really concerned about it.

I've been having fun, SO much fun. I haven't laughed this much in awhile, my body feels alive. I LOVE summer. On Saturday I leave for Virginia to see the grandparents, which I'm very excited to do. When I get back, school starts but even that doesn't bother me much right now.

After this qtr - 2 more to go. I can't believe that! I am almost done with college - and let me tell you, that is an amazing feeling.

I think I finally found my balance, I feel like the old me again - with some major improvements from everything I've learned over the past 2 years. I grew up, I dealed with change, and now I'm excited to see what else happens.