~Sunday Stew - August 7th, 2011~

Sunday Stew is a Weekly Meme hosted at Books Devoured

Bookmark of the Week

This is one of my own creations. It's actually a half-page sized cardboard upon which I created a sort-of mosaic, using words and phrases cut out of magazines. Yes, I defile magazines. Magazines, yes. Books...NEVER! Haha. I made this one a while ago, and it is one of the two of my favorite mosaics. I tend to use it a lot, especially when I'm in a bit of a depressive mood. That's what I've been using for the past 6-7 days.

Book of the Week

Title: The Lake

Author: Banana Yoshimoto

Publisher: Melville House Publishing

Comments: "Bananamania" is absolutely real, not just a mere phenomenon, I think it's a real love for this author's work. I've only read through a little of the book so far, but I love the dark, brooding, mysterious and absolutely atmospheric writing of Banana Yoshimoto. I love it so far, I'd definitely recommend everyone to look into reading this book. Plus, when you buy this book through Melville Publishing, part of the proceeds from the book go towards Japan's  Disaster (You can click on the book for more details).

Around The Web

Well, first of all, one of my favorite bloggers, Tynga (Cindy Bacon) of Tynga's Review put up pictures of her beautiful wedding up on her blog, which took place on May 28th, 2011. Just click on the gorgeous picture of her and her husband below to access her absolutely amazing wedding pictures.

Also, it's BOOK BLOGGER APPRECIATION WEEK!!! It's an annual celebration of book blogs, and their amazing authors/owners/bloggers. Don't forget to visit the website, and nominate your favorite book bloggers! I can think of a DOZEN amazing people I'd love to nominate, so make sure YOU nominate your favorites as well! :D Just click on the banner below in order to go to the website :D

Around Me

There has been just SO much going on around me that I think I'd need until next Sunday in order to tell you what has been going on since last week. I'm behind on EVERYTHING, because I've been busy my family. Also, due to Ramadan (which my family and I observe), we've been fasting while doing all that needs to be done - which, in hot weather like the kind we've been experiencing in Southern California, makes it that much more difficult. But it's a SPIRITUAL journey, and a rewarding one at that, so I'm hanging in there. Here are a few highlights of the week.

My uncle flew down from Oakland Hills for a conference. While he was busy with the conference, he spent time with his family (US!) in the evenings! :) Because he was in town, and we typically tend to do a dinner together every time anyone is in town, we proceeded to have a grand dinner to end our fasts on Wednesday evening. The following is the fare that was available at the dinner (half of which was prepared by yours truly! *beams*):

 We had Dahi Barray (Yogurt w/ Fritters), Haleem (a slow-cooked lentil curry), Tamarind Chutney, Mint Chutney, Sweetened Milk, Potato Samosas

 

We also had Ras Malai (cottage cheese rounds immersed in sweetened cardomom milk), Chholay (Garbanzo Bean Salad), Egg Curry, Fruit Salad, and Beef Samosas

Dates and Fritters (Assorted: Potato, Spinach, Eggplant Fritters)

By the way, I want to clarify that this is NOT the usual fare at the end of a fast for us. Fasting doesn't mean that you should eat enough for the entire day before sun-up, and then act like a complete glutton after sun-down. That would completely negate all the benefits of fasting, which is really all about gaining control over your own desires, and your own ego - allowing to free yourself from urges of hunger, desire, greed, gluttony, slothfulness, backbiting, gossiping, telling lies etc. This is just because every one was getting together, and an assortment of food was made to please everyone - and also, it seems like a lot of food, but it's technically for 20 people, so I hope you understand. My usual fare for a fasting day is drinking one glass of sweetened milk (& sometimes an egg) with 2 dates and a glass of water before sun-up, and half a glass of milk, 2 dates and a simple dinner (no different from every day dinners) right away. I don't eat between then and the next meal before sun-up (neither does any one else in my family).

This dinner also allowed me to spend some time with my little cousin Inaaya (my mom's brother's daughter), who is an absolute DARLING. Funny thing is, she looks and talks just like my mom, which is that much more endearing. She is a FIRECRACKER, though - and she's especially in that phase where she wants to do everything you do. Oh, and she LOVES posing for pictures, so when she got all decked out to pray with my mom, I snapped this picture of her.

 She wanted to act all adult-like and pretend she was praying - she got tired of that sash on her head REALLY fast! lol :P

She was out of her dressy clothes, and back to being the cute little nuisance she is in NO time! :)

Lastly, on Saturday morning my Uncle took us cousins out for breakfast. Funny thing is, we're all girls - so it was really fun. Just us, and our uncle. We were so busy having a good time, we completely forgot to take pictures. BUT, we did discover an absolutely AMAZING restaurant that I cannot help but rave about. So bear with me! :) 

La Creperie Bohemian Bistro & Bar is an absolutely beautiful establishment, with real ambiance, great music and, best of all, ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS FOOD!!! I was fasting along with another cousin of mine, so we ordered food to go, which was delicious even after hours of sitting on the kitchen counter! My uncle ordered a "Latin Lover" (a sweet crepe filled with Nutella and fresh bananas), a cousin ordered "Romeo and Juliet" (a sweet crepe filled with Nutella, fresh strawberries and bananas), another one ordered a "Chocolate, Chocolate" (Warm chocolate crepe filled with nutella and strawberries) - ALL looked, smelled and tasted absolutely delicious! Before you make the mistake of thinking that they only serve sweet fare, they also serve savory crepes, pasta, salads, etc. As a matter of fact, another one of my cousins ordered a "Spa Vichy" (Strawberry & banana and yogurt parfait with granola), which she said was scrumptious. Also I ordered myself a "Zorba" (A savory crepe with fresh sautéed spinach, feta cheese, tomatoes, caramelized onions and kalamata olives in a vegetable broth), to eat later when my fast ended, and let me tell you, it can only be hailed as being absolutely DIVINE! Also, I MUST comment on the service provided. I have to admit, the host and the waitress were simply amazing - I literally felt like I was sitting in some cafe in Paris, and that I must be royalty, because they treated me so well!!! Also, at the end of our visit, the Manager (I assumed her to be the manager, but perhaps she was the owner *shrugs*) PERSONALLY thanked and greeted each of us. I was absolutely blown away by their hospitality!

So, the whole point of my rant was to tell you what a fantastic place this restaurant is. Unfortunately, it is only in Southern California. I went to the one in Chino Hills, but there are also branches in Downtown Long Beach, and on the Belmont Shore. So all my Southern Cali bloggers/friends - head on over to this wonderful restaurant, RIGHT NOW! And for those who don't live down here...whenever you're in town, MAKE SURE TO VISIT! :) You can click on the banner above to visit their website, and check out their amazing menu, or check out their Facebook page for some lovely pictures, and comments from other diners! :D

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this week's ~Sunday Stew~, I definitely enjoyed writing it. With this, I conclude this week's Sunday Stew post! Thank you for reading, feel free to leave me any comments/feedback you may like. I wish you a blessed rest of the week, and that you'll continue to visit! :)

~Sunday Stew - July 31st, 2011~

Sunday Stew is a Weekly Meme hosted at Books Devoured

Bookmark of the Week

I received some literature about Rosetta Stone as part of the pamphlets/flyers in a Barnes & Nobles order that I received. This was a bookmark with a perforated edge, to be separated from the literature itself and used. Of course, I jumped at that opportunity, because I think the message depicted is so absolutely adorable. "More than words. Understanding." which here applies to learning a new language, but could be applied to many other aspects of life as well. Come to think of it, although the expression of love is grand, there is often times one does not need any words at all to express love, or desire. I wish the whole world understood and accepted that concept - rather than creating rifts between one another based on caste, creed, color and language. 

Book of the Week

Dominance by Will Lavender

I have a review coming up tomorrow for this absolutely riveting mystery, so keep an eye out for that. But in the mean time, make sure to go and check out this amazing novel! 

Around The Web

Rosetta Stone is offering a chance for you to win an iPad if you just try out their demo. I think this is a delightful little opportunity, because I absolutely LOVE learning new languages. I tried out the Spanish (Latin American) demo and it absolutely ROCKED!!! I had so much fun, and having tried it out, I am convinced that one of the first things I'll buy once I have a job is the full set of Rosetta Stone learning CD's to learn Spanish. I also want to try out the Italian demo, so that may be next. What language would YOU like to learn, or try to learn via demo? For the love of language, or merely for the love of an iPad, click on the picture above, and go and try out the demo, and enter yourself in the race to win an iPad :)

Another absolutely wonderful giveaway hop. I had REALLY wanted to be part of this giveaway, but the truth is, with the Kindle giveaway, I am currently in no financial situation to be hosting a giveaway. So, I refrained from this one. I've been told, time and time again, that a giveaway hop is the BEST way to gain followers, but try as I may, something always comes up. But I'm not too worried, I've gained a lot of friends along the way...I'm sure it won't hurt me any. Next time, I promise! Click on the banner above, happy hopping :) Oh, and all of you...make sure to check out my Kindle giveaway!

All you people who have loved me, and supported me, shown me kindness, respect and encouragement - all this, my blog, is possible because of YOU! So I thought, why not give one of you the chance to win this e-reader...so here it is, just click on the banner above, and it'll take you to the giveaway post. Make sure to enter, pass the info along, etc. Wishing you ALL the BEST OF LUCK!!!

Around Me

For those of you who are Muslim and/or observing Ramadan (which starts tomorrow):

It's been a really busy week/weekend for me. With my mom home for the summers, she tends to want me to not sit still for even a second! So there's been a lot of cleaning. Also, this past week, I did most of the cooking.

I made "Chicken Haandi", a very flavorful, creamy chicken curry. In addition to that, I made a Pakistani/Indian rice dish called "Biryani" with beef and potatoes. And finally, yesterday, I made a Pan-Seared 7-Bone steaks along with Pepper Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, and Sauteed Mixed Veggies. You can see pictures of the fare below - they're not very clear since I used my cell phone to take the pictures. And the steaks, well, I was searing them and serving them right away, so I really didn't stop to take pictures! lol :P

 Beef Biryani with Potatoes

Chicken Haandi Curry

Lastly, my bestie Fei-Fei and I are doing a "True Blood" night again, for which I am SOOOOOOO excited. It's kind of become a ritual every Sunday, except last Sunday both she and I were busy (her boyfriend was moving, and it was my mom's birthday). But the Truebies unite, and we're planning on having a blast...AGAIN! :) For all you Truebies out there, here's a bit of a treat! :D 

First Eric gets naked, and splashes around in the water...during...the DAYTIME!

Then Alcide & Sookie come to his aid, and Alcide growls at Eric the way I'd like for him to growl at ME. Not to mention, there's two almost naked men in ONE frame - needless to say, it was the equivalent of multiple orgasms that Sunday! ;-)

But then, this past Sunday, it got even better...because first we saw Eric Northman, the absolutely and insanely sexy Sheriff of Area 5, become totally vulnerable and cry...

And then, to my utter shock and delight, the following happened!!!

So what measure of madness is going to take place tonight? If you're not following the show (and question that begs to be asked is, WHY THE HECK NOT!?!?) I'm sure you'll hear all about it next Sunday!!!! ;-) 

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this week's ~Sunday Stew~, I definitely enjoyed writing it. With this, I conclude this week's Sunday Stew post! Thank you for reading, feel free to leave me any comments/feedback you may like. I wish you a blessed rest of the week, and that you'll continue to visit! :)

~Sunday Stew - July 17th, 2011~

Sunday Stew is a Weekly Meme hosted Here at Books Devoured

Bookmark of the Week

Okay, so it's not an actual bookmark. I found this saying on the internet (Tumblr), and I just printed it out, and have been using it ever since (the past three days) as a bookmark. I know it seems funny, and at times, even juvenile...but the message is a powerful one. Learn to be flexible. Love is important, but heartbreak is as much a part of life, as love is - and worth enduring if the ultimate result is achieving love in your life. But learn to deal with the trials that come with finding love in your life. I hope you like it, and if you do...feel free to print a reminder for yourself! :)

Around The Web:

MOVIEFONE is hosting an incredible "Win Free Movie Tickets Summer Giveaway Extravaganza" - all it requires is for you to go and enter your email, and you could be the lucky winner of a movie ticket this summer. The promotion extends all the way till August 31st, 2011 and is absolutely FREE. So make sure to click on the banner above, and enter the giveaway - EVERY DAY! :)

Around Me: 

Okay, so my mom has gone "shopping" crazy. Well, in her defense, she's a really wonderful and practical lady, but every summer we shop for our family abroad, to try and send them presents for holidays, and now that she's off from work (she's a teacher on summer vacations) - I'm her designated driver. *groan*. I mean I love the woman...I do...but shopping is SO not my thing (unless we're talking books, or shoes!).  As a matter of fact, one of the reasons why this ~Sunday Stew~ post is so short and concise is because I am absolutely bedraggled after having roamed around in the heat with her all day yesterday, and I am on my way out right now as well! 

On the BRIGHT side, I get to see my best friend Fei tonight. We're going out for dinner, and then watching "True Blood" together. We're total and complete Bloodies! I don't think that's even a word - well, Fang Bangers, then! My Gosh, I would give an ARM, a LEG, and my LEFT BOOB just to breathe the same air as Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgard). Anyhow, long story short...best friend, good food, and then an episode of True Blood...regardless of the tiredness, it's going to be a good day! 

Don't tell me this guy isn't an automatic VISUAL ORGASM! 

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this week's ~Sunday Stew~, I definitely enjoyed writing it. With this, I conclude this week's Sunday Stew post! Thank you for reading, feel free to leave me any comments/feedback you may like. I wish you a blessed rest of the week, and that you'll continue to visit! :)

~Sunday Stew - July10th, 2011~

Sunday Stew is a Weekly Meme hosted Here at Books Devoured

Bookmark of the Week

I was recently cleaning my bookshelf, and organizing some things, and I found this postcard for an art exhibition that took place in 2009, called "Collective Aesthetics" over at the Santee Court Gallery. I was barely at the exhibition for more than five minutes, but I did grab this postcard, and am absolutely in love with it. I've always found the Los Angeles River Bridge fascinating. Crossing over it seems like a rite of passage, a gateway to the inner-labyrinth of the city of Los Angeles. Plus, the architecture of the bridge is absolutely remarkable, and anyone who's ever seen it knows it has a personality of it's own. It has also been featured in many Hollywood movies, including "The Mask" and "Biker Boyz".  This black and white picture of the bridge really intrigued me, because I think it highlights the structure and architecture of the bridge really well - so does this next beautiful picture that I found online (click on it to see it's source). Anyhow, upon finding it, I fell in love with it, and since have been using it for my bookmark all of this week. 

Around The Web:

That's right, if you live anywhere on the face of this planet, and remotely browse the world wide web, you know that the new Google+ Project has taken the internet by storm. Google+ is a social network launched by Google, that makes sharing content (video, links, photos, etc) with other internet presences easier, and one that makes "sharing on the web seem like sharing in real life."

So what does Google+ really mean? Why the bizarre name? Because Google wants to assure its users that using this product will not be very different from using all the other products that Google offers, such as search and Gmail; they added the smallest moniker possible to signify that they have not meandered far from their original approach - easy, streamlined sharing capabilities. Google+, which is still in its Beta Field Testing stages, is also signifies Google + You - incorporating YOU into the matrix of the Google world. It (eventually) will become your companion, your +1 for all internet events, allowing you to share with one click, anything and everything (basically) that your little heart desires with people in your "Circles". Or, you can have "Hangouts" with any of your friends who are available and free to chat - with multi-user chat feature available too.  Or perhaps you can create "Sparks" - basically a stream of stuff that you love, which you can then choose to share with different (or all of your) circles within Google+. 

I think it's a nifty product, and will soon become a tool used worldwide for social interactions, and for sharing your life via the internet with friends/family. Google+ is the surreal amalgamation of real life, and digital life - sharing in real time, chatting with friends face-to-face (via webchat), and mixing different circle of friends (if you so desire) all serve to marry the digital world with your real world. If you want to learn more about Google+ - just click on the Google+ icon above, and check it out! :) 

Also, a reminder, the "Once Upon a Readathon" begins tomorrow Monday, July 11th and ends on July 13th. If you'd like to participate or just check it out, just click on the link below! Hope to see ya there, reading with us! 

Around Me: 

Okay, well, since I've basically been MIA from the blogging world for about 2 weeks now, I guess there's a lot that took place around me. The final, grand memorial for my Uncle Paul took place on June 25th, 2011 for which I traveled up to San Francisco yet again, and was so my blogging was neglected for that week. Then came the July 4th weekend, and since this was the 1st weekend of my mama's summer vacations (she's a teacher), I basically spent a whole bunch of time with her. 4th of July brought with it a BBQ with immediate family, and then going to the local park later on in the evening with the family to listen to a live jazz band and watch some fireworks. It was a fine evening, but it really made me miss my uncle that much more. I think we all have vices, and mine is that when I am stressed or emotional, I tend to recede into the corners of my own self. For the most part this means I talk a lot more (because if I keep talking, I don't have time to think), I bite my nails (a nasty habit!), I tend to be overtly emotional, and (as I've now discovered) I tend to ignore updating my blog!  

It didn't change much of anything for me, but I wanted to apologize to Shannon of Books Devoured for not participating in the past two editions of Sunday Stew. Shannon has put a lot of love and effort into the Sunday Stew, and when I signed up to take part in this meme, I absolutely planned on a post every Sunday. I've steered clear of all other memes, but I really loved this one because it felt so personalized and interesting - I absolutely did not plan on life becoming so complicated, and skipping out on my responsibilities. I know that Shannon might be on vacation currently, but either way, whenever she gets back or has a chance to read this post, I just wanted to say I'm sorry, and thank you for not giving up on me or "The Stew" :D

What else, what else? Wait, how can I leave you with a ~Sunday Stew~ post with no fun pictures!? Here are a few of the fireworks show we attended on the 4th of July :)

It began with a wall of fireworks sprouting from the bottom, and the sky getting lit up with fireworks - needless to say I was completely starry-eyed the entire night.

Followed not too much later by an explosion of red across the sky - I love red...weee! 

Another explosion of white, with beautiful sparks flying all four directions! :D

Another great display, these were huge, and literally lit up the whole sky! 

Smiley face fireworks - I mean, how FREAKIN' AWESOME is that!?!? :D

By now, the "Red White & Blue" fireworks had begun coloring the sky, and we knew the grand finale was soon going to take place - but these were HUGE fireworks, absolutely regal!

The absolutely beautiful "Red, White & Blue" - God Bless America :D

Also, here's a video I took of the Grand Finale of the Fireworks display. Please excuse my crazy hooting and hollerin' behind the camera, and the excessive whistlin' (yes, that's me too!). 

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this week's ~Sunday Stew~, I definitely enjoyed writing it. With this, I conclude this week's Sunday Stew post! Thank you for reading, feel free to leave me any comments/feedback you may like. I wish you a blessed rest of the week, and that you'll continue to visit! :)

~Sunday Stew - June 19th, 2011~

Sunday Stew is a Weekly Meme hosted Here at Books Devoured

First of all, I want to wish all of you, fathers, mothers, daughters and sons alike...a very HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! :)

Bookmark of the Week

This week, I've been using the "Sweet Venom" by Tera Lynn Child's bookmark, that I received courtesy of Yara from Once Upon A Twilight (THANK YOU!). I just found out that Loretta of Between the Pages has been using the same bookmark this week as well, and I thought that was so cool! :) There's something very simple but alluring about this bookmark - it completely draws you to itself. I especially love the braid and it's mysteriously curling ends, set against the contrasting pale skin, it's simply beautiful, and I love it! :)

Around The Web:

 

 

 

 

Reading Angel, Pure Imagination, and Candace's Book Blog are at it AGAIN!  A while ago, they'd brought us a Spring-time Blog Hop, and this time, it's a Read-a-Thon. I just recently completed my first read-a-thon, and I'm ready to get on the horse again! :) I'm signing up, for sure...what are YOU waiting for? Click on the banner above, and go sign up NOW! I can assure you that it's going to be SUPER fun! :)

 

 

 Around Me: 

 

 

It's Father's Day, and as some of you may know, it was also my Dad's birthday yesterday! So this weekend is super special in our home, and of course, super busy!  My mom and I take special care to fuss a little extra on my dad, because in all honesty, he's the kind of guy who never requires any fuss throughout the year. My dad's one of the most easiest-going, laid-back, cool-operators kinda dudes in the world...and he almost NEVER spends anything on himself, and I can't remember the last time he made a request for anything special and what not. His focus has always been us...and he's always telling my mom and I that we should go get ourselves something, and if you ever ask him if he wants something, his answer is always something along the lines of, "I have everything, what more do I need?" My dad's been my anchor, my best friend, my confidante. In some ways, even more than my mom...but I guess only because as a teenager, I thought tormenting my mother was part of some rite of passage, and I simply did it to irk the crap out of her, so our bonding really began after I returned home from college. My dad has always been my best friend since I was a child. I made this card up there for him last week, while I worked with some kindergartners - I did buy him a card as well, but he seemed far more attached to this one, and I know why...he's always loved my creative side; he says I got his creative genes from him (I must have only gotten half a set or something, coz I'm really NOT that creative! LOL). Anyhow, I'm an only child, and a complete Daddy's Girl (subsequently, mommy's boy too, in some ways! lol :P)...so I dedicated my "About Me" section to my dad today! 

 

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this week's ~Sunday Stew~, I definitely enjoyed writing it. With this, I conclude this week's Sunday Stew post! Thank you for reading, feel free to leave me any comments/feedback you may like. I wish you a blessed rest of the week, and that you'll continue to visit! :)