Food,Travel,&Friends

SF Dragon Boat Festival

2008-10-11T17:27:00.000-07:00

What is Dragon Boating?

For those unfamiliar with the sport, dragon boating simply put, is a boat of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steers person paddling to cross the finish faster than their competition. It's a team sport in its purest form that encompasses the elements of power, speed, synchronization and endurance.

With its beginnings in Southern China, dragon boating today is the fastest growing international team water sport. Each year, race festivals are held around the world in Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States, one of the largest festivals in the North America is held right here in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The appeal to dragon boating is mainly contributed to the sport’s ability to accommodate a wide spectrum of skill levels ranging from novice to competitive. At the novice and recreational level, teams often form as a means of social outlet, team building and an alternative means of exercise.

For the spectator, the true display of the sport’s intensity and skill is witnessed in the competitive ranks. Competitive paddlers rigorously train to condition themselves in the areas strength, endurance, form, mental focus and most importantly timing. Teams with well conditioned paddlers in near perfect synchronization, fueled by competition, provides an impressive event of a cascade of boats exploding through the water. At this level dragon boat racing becomes a sport of inches and an exciting event for its spectators.

This year I had the most awesome opportunity to try out this fun sport and met some of the most amazing people that I can now call friends. I am very proud to have paddled with them as DW4 and amaze our coaches beyond their expectations. From trips to Canada to late night dinners in the city to paddling with the mosquitos, I have to say there's always a story to tell. I am looking forward to next year's season already.

Greece 2008

2008-09-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

Enjoy the following photos a little highlight of my trip this year. My pics from Greece aren't the most exciting as I have been here many times since I was very young, so there are not many touristy shots to share.

And the bouzouki plays on...
(A private show by a couple of my parents friends. Quite good I must say)

Following is an ice cream sundae, I believe the name of it is Chicago. And next to it is the perfect summer beverage, a frappe! (I had many of these while in Greece)

The perfect sunset to my first day in Greece this summer....

More to follow later.....

MITRED PARAKEET

2008-08-03T13:29:00.001-07:00

I must say, when I woke up this morning and saw one of these birds outside of my window, I just thought that someone had let one of their birds out of its cage. Then once I moved closer to my window, I was quite surprised to see a flock of birds all munching on a part of the tree.

Very beautiful all together, and they move together too. Someone made a noise and they all flew away at once and met on another tree just a few buildings away. To me birds are just birds, but I must say this was a sight to see. And so of course my camera is not far so I had to take some shots and share.

Fairly large green parakeet with red forehead grading into scattered bright red feathers on crown, face, cheek, sometimes on the bend in the wing. Dull green underparts are faintly washed olive. Hooked bill is dull yellow. Legs and feet are gray. Feeds on fruits, berries and nuts.

Range and Habitat

In its native range occurs in mountain valleys in a narrow band from southern Peru to northern Argentina. Populations of escaped birds also established in Los Angeles, California, and south Florida. Prefers dry subtropical forest, but also uses cultivated areas and grasslands with scattered trees. Frequently found near rocky cliffs.

Vancouver 2008

2008-06-28T15:22:00.000-07:00

When we were not on the water, and out discovering as much of
Vancouver as possible in the little time that we had, I had some opportunity to take photos.
Here is what I came up with. Hope you enjoy!

2008-05-05T21:38:00.000-07:00

happy Tres de Mayo

(happy B-day helen)

hola, mi nombre es Shirley :)

Time to party!!!! Good food, great friends and even kid fun!

2008-05-05T21:17:00.000-07:00

Greek Easter

Okay so it has been a couple of weeks since Easter has ended, but I really feel this video needs to be shared with anyone and everyone. Little brother decided that he would try to eat the meat of a lamb chop all at once. One of the best silent films I have seen in awhile....

Spring is Here!!!!

2008-04-13T20:25:00.001-07:00

Here's to Spring!!!

Beautiful weather, many BBQ's and spending time with friends!! I love this time of the year, when everyone comes out from hiding and enjoys the sunshine with friends, food and relaxation. This weekend was just that, and I have the pics to prove it. My friend Shirley and I may have been a bit bored for awhile, but we created some great table decor for a celebration of great weather.

The Feast Begins

Go Buckeyes!!!!!

2008-02-23T14:04:00.000-08:00

Recently I had the opportunity to go visit a good friend of mine in O-HI-O. And needless to say, I don't remember weather THAT cold. You would breathe and the air would freeze. A friend of mine here in SF tells me it's because I got used to the weather, but I really don't think so. Even after some evening drinking it was still bitter cold. Well I had fun anyway, even if there was no sports to watch, we still found a way to show our Buckeye Spirit. Goofy but fun!!!

2008-01-05T15:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day

The Dinner Table

Food Tester

The Pig

Fish

Mmm... green beans! Ward, where are you!

Brrr... do we look cold?

Bed Time

Croquembouche

2007-12-24T15:19:00.000-08:00

For those of you that were in pastry class with me, know the lengths of completing a dessert like this. I thought the first and last time I was going to make this was for our graduating day. Well, since then I have had some time away and well..... I decided to try it at home. The difference of course in making it at home and having made it in class, is that in class we had limited amount of time. I remember having to put the final touches and finish it in class and rushing. A little hard rushing this structure. At home though, I was making this for friends, so I could do it on my own time. Like they say, "You can't rush perfection." Okay so I am far from perfection, but I do have to say myself this is pretty good, especially coming out of a small studio kitchen. I decided for my filling I would make a chocolate pastry cream, and to celebrate the season, added a taste of peppermint to the pastry cream. Yumm! Then when it came time to decorate with sugar, I cooked up some sugar and gave it some color. I forgot though to cover my area with parchment paper and well by the end of my decorating a lot more than my dessert was covered in green sugar. :)

Pate a Choux..... a.k.a Dough Puffs

1c water and milk each
1/2 t salt
1 T sugar
8 oz butter
.......................
2c AP Flour
1/4 t Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg each
.......................
7 Eggs (+/-)

* Preheat oven to 425 degrees
* In pot over medium heat, bring water, milk, butter, sugar, & salt to boil
* Add dry ingredients and stir constantly with a wooden spoon
* Mix unil the dough becomes smooth and begins to pull away from the sides (~3min)
* (it is normal to see skin form on bottom of pan)
* Transfer dough to a kitchen aide
* Using paddle attachment, mix on low speed to help cool the dough slightly
* Mix in 1 egg at a time, reserving 2 to adjust consistency
* Beat each egg until incorporated
* With the remaining eggs or more, add as many as the dough is able to absorb
*(dough will be smooth, have a slight gloss and still be able to hold it's shape)
* Pipe dough into desired shape/size (preferably .5- 1 inch rounds for Croquembouche)
* Bake @ 425 degrees for 10min or until fully puffed and starting to have some color
* Reduce heat to 375 degrees and bake approx 10-15 min longer, depending on size.
* Let cool at room temperature
* Fill with desired filling

With this ring, I thee wed......

2007-12-15T11:37:00.001-08:00

I guess I should start by saying this is not my wedding, if you haven't already figured that out. My college friend Shirley recently got hitched in Kauai. What a destination wedding that was. To have a week off and go to such beauty, was great. I hope you all enjoy a few of the photos from this joyous event.

Congrats Shirley and Ward Chomas!!!!!

Celebrate!!!

2007-09-20T10:58:00.000-07:00

The one part of my pastry class where I know I needed practice in was cakes. When we made celebration/wedding cakes in class, although my cake was liked by other, I knew I could have done so much better. Well here is the proof! Take a little time and practice and this is what can happen. The first shot is of my cake from class, the ones to follow are of a cake I made last weekend for two co-workers that have birthdays that are a day apart. Enjoy!Wedding Cake

Truffles

2007-09-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

Yummy....Truffles! I had much fun making these, as I always do. If only computers could be scratch and sniff.....:)
So I took the time to get some photos for you to enjoy. After making these I thought what else can I infuse the cream with that would be unique to a truffle. I was in my kitchen repotting a Basil plant when I thought, why not, let's give it a try. It is different but the taste is actually quite unique. Not for everyday popping in the mouth, but a nice refreshing treat everyonce in awhile. Enjoy the photos!

Greece 2007

2007-08-05T16:49:00.000-07:00

It has been 4 years since I have bee back to Greece to visit, and even longer since I have had the chance to visity the Acropolis. I hope you enjoy these photos, as much as I enjoyed visiting.

The Parthenon thru the trees

The Parthenon

(Can you tell which statue is not original)

Donuts

2007-06-17T17:52:00.002-07:00

Last weekend I made donuts. And well I had a little fun photographing them as well.... some say, you know who you are, I had too much fun. (There are about 20 more pictures in addition to these) I can't help it!! Donuts are fun to photograph. You tell me what you think...

Where I live...

2007-06-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

It has been about a year now since I have moved out to San Francisco. So I promised you photos of where I actually live, and finally I have batteries for my camera. I have also taken some shots of the coffee shop I spend time in. Especially managing this blog. Anyway, I must say the weather is great. My friends keep telling me, "It's not always like this." and yet here I am a year later and this great weather is still here. I say, "Global Warming." As long as the earth doesn't start shaking I am good. I have only felt one earthquake and it really wasn't that bad, but that was enough. I moved out here mainly to attend Pastry School, and now that that has come and gone, well I think I might just stay a while longer. I created this blog to share with everyone who I am, and what I like. You will quickly learn I love to bake, hence pastry school. It's a good thing there are plenty of co-workers that love eating!