Spring Has Sprung

It didn't seem like it here in California because of the cool weather, but Friday was the first day of Spring. What a difference 5 days can make. From 65° on the first day of Spring to 85° today. It was so beautiful today I just couldn't help but taking a few pictures of all the new flowerings blooming.










Spring is definatley the best season in Southern California. If you ever wanna visit here, this time of year is the best time to do it. It's not too hot, the flowers are blooming, and there's something in the air (in addition to the smog) that just lightens your mood. more...

Happy Persian New Year

Tomorrow, March 20th, will be Norooz (the Persian New Year). This year, the new year will be at 4:47 A.M. in California (Good thing I'm in insomniac or I would have been so annoyed). I know what you're thinking...why is it 4:47 in the morning and why does it change every year? Well, the Persian New Year is a little different. We celebrate the New Year at the exact moment that Spring begins, that's why it's different every year.



We also celebrate Norooz a bit differently than how New Years is celebrated in the U.S. We set a traditional table called the Haft Sīn (pictured above), which means 7 'S's (roughly translated, lol). On the table we have to have 7 items (hence the 7 'S's) that all represent different things. The items are serkeh (vinegar), sīr (garlic), sīb (apple), senjed (dried oleaster fruit), samanu (wheat germ "pudding"), and sabzeh (home grown lentil, barley, or wheat sprouts).



Aside from the 7 'S's there are several other traditional items most Haft Sin tables include: A mirror, Holy book (Qur'an, Bible, Torah, ect.), goldfish, colored eggs, candles, pastries, ect.



Also, Norooz is more of a family affair rather than a party night with friends. Families gather, usually at the eldest relatives house, and celebrate with music, dancing, and lots of tasty food. It's traditional to eat sabzi polo mahi (Rice w/ fresh herbs and fish), dolme barg (rice, meat, & herbs wrapped in grape leaves), among other things.

For the most part, Norooz is about new beginnings, happiness, and family.

Happy Norooz :) more...

Sweetest (or spiciest) Sin

I have a confession to make. I did something very wrong today. It's something I had planned on keeping a secret because I'm so ashamed. It's something I haven't done in a while. Most people consider it un-ladylike thing to do. If my mom or dad found out what I did, they would be so surprised and disappointed in me. And you know the worst part? I REALLY, REALLY liked it. I'm surprised I'm even sitting here and typing about it, I'm so embarrassed. I'm surprised I'm not hiding in the fetal position under my blanket, hiding my shame from the world. But I just have to get this off my chest.

Wanna know my spicy little secret?
I ATE A 1 1/2 POUND BURRITO, with chips & guacamole.


Whew. It feel good to let that out. I know, I know...I'm a bad person. You don't have to tell me that, I already know.

I've been doing ALOT of emotional eating lately, but I have to say that today I took it to a whole new level. It wasn't even emotional eating today, I was just REALLY craving Chipotle. So I went and got myself the best burrito you can possibly ever taste. Tell me this doesn't sound like heaven...

Cilantro Lime Rice
Black Beans
Chicken
Mild salsa
Medium Corn Salsa
Hot salsa (on the side)
Sour Cream
Cheese
Lettuce (gotta make it healthy)



But today, that just wasn't enough for me. Once I got to the register the chips and guacamole (best guacamole EVER) were calling my name. So I said what the hell, what have I got to lose? I almost got myself a drink too (I haven't had soda in years) but decided that I should stop while I'm ahead.

I ate pretty much everything in one sitting, I just had some chips and guacamole left (which I am finishing off as I'm typing). But being the self-punisher that I am, I decided to see how many calories I ingested in one sitting. Boy did that ruin my fun.



Bummer!

But I have to say, it was worth it. Of course I'll have to pay for it tomorrow when I'm eating nothing but fruits and vegetables......but I'd do it all over again. After getting a ticket the other day (I'll tell you guys about that later), I needed some healing, and food does it everytime.

P.S. Hope that first paragraph wasn't misleading ;) more...

Monday Morning Funny #8

Okay, so it's Wednesday and I also haven't done MMFs in a long time. I haven't really had much time to watch as many videos online as I would like to so I haven't been able to post any lately. But last night I was browsing around the internet and came across this video and it was just too good not to post.



And I thought my dog's dreaming was funny. He barks and whines a little and sometimes he moves his feet but nothing like this.
more...

Quick Update

I know I've been real inconsistent with blogging lately. Every time I tell myself that I'm going to keep my blog up-to-date, things come up and prevent me from blogging as often as I want. And sometimes, I just get lazy. But anyway, just wanted to give you a few updates about what's going on with me.

1. I've moved. I LOVE our new place but it's sooo much work. We've spent (me, my mom, my dad, and my brother) about a week doing everything and the house is still a mess. There's so many little things to do.

2. I got an A on my first paper in my advanced newswriting and editing class. Yay!

3. Got my 2nd math test on Thursday so me and a classmate decided to have a little study session tomorrow. Lord knows I need it after the horrible grade I got on my last test.

4. Me and a classmate/friend are going to go to a job interview on Monday together. We'll have to ditch a class, but if we get the job it will be worth it. Crossing my fingers and praying that I get this job. I NEED it sooo bad.

That's all I can think of at the moment. Now to go and study. more...

Ear and Eye Candy

There's an artist named Oren Lavie who's completely captured millions of people's eye. He has a video entitled "Her Morning Elegance," which has received nearly 3.5 million views in less than a month (about 10 of those views are mine). The video is made completely of still photos. It is co-directed by Lavie himself and the beautiful voice and lyrics you hear are also Lavie. He's an all around great artist with great concepts, and to top it off...he has a wicked personality too. Check out his myspace for more beautiful music and to learn more about him.


Cool facts about the video below...

1. The video was shot all stills - roughly 3,225 still photos for the entire video, using one camera, hanging from the ceiling for the main body of the movie.
2. It took 4 weeks before shooting to create an animated computer generated storyboard for the video, with 3D dummies for the characters.
3. It took only 2 days of shooting for the live actors on set to re-create the 3.5 minutes computer sequence, frame by frame.
4. Some of the bed sheets used in the video were taken from Oren’s own bedroom and are now considered collectors items, worth at the moment not very much and therefore used as bed sheets.

Safe to say that I've become a fan! more...