Hello Friends,
Today I was invited to visit the Huntington with a dear friend, Holly. We were able to traverse from Desert to the Zen gardens in one afternoon! (And get some homework done at the same time!)
We were amazed by the blossoms, sizes, shapes, colors, shades, width, height and breadth of the plants we saw! I decided to finally splurge and buy my own membership so I can bring you, my friends, and my grandfather and share this wonderful experience with me.
My two favorite things were the Koi ponds and the Rose Gardens. Just amazing, beautiful. My favorite roses, I do not know the name, but they were triple blossom roses: deep purple, between maroon and fuschia and they had an incredible scent! Most of the time when you have triple blossom you loose a lot of the rose-perfume. Not in this case :)
And the Koi are just awesome. There was one with really long, flowing fins. It was mostly the golden-orange color with some black and white scales. Very beautiful, like a peacock of the pond.
Well, thanks for sharing this vicariously with me. Maybe soon you can join me to experience it yourself.
Peace,
Jessica
Friday, April 30, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
AZ, immigration.
"Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona signed the nation’s toughest bill on illegal immigration into law on Friday. Its aim is to identify, prosecute and deport illegal immigrants.... The law, which proponents and critics alike said was the broadest and strictest immigration measure in generations, would make the failure to carry immigration documents a crime and give the police broad power to detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally. Opponents have called it an open invitation for harassment and discrimination against Hispanics regardless of their citizenship status."
N.Y. Times 4/23/10
I find it difficult to comment on this because of my negativity towards this grand back-slide into an apartheid-like system. My overall reaction is a frustration with what some others deem "disappointing, compromising, and general "steps-in-the-wrong-direction"" when certain persons are elected to governmental leadership. And then bills and legislature like this becomes overlooked. This is the kind of political move which actually effects individuals in an inhumane, family-splitting, and moral robbing way. Our country does not need any more excuses to be racist; we need more legislation and activism to overcome the crime of racism.
N.Y. Times 4/23/10
I find it difficult to comment on this because of my negativity towards this grand back-slide into an apartheid-like system. My overall reaction is a frustration with what some others deem "disappointing, compromising, and general "steps-in-the-wrong-direction"" when certain persons are elected to governmental leadership. And then bills and legislature like this becomes overlooked. This is the kind of political move which actually effects individuals in an inhumane, family-splitting, and moral robbing way. Our country does not need any more excuses to be racist; we need more legislation and activism to overcome the crime of racism.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
balance
Okay, why is it that my body does not want to sleep when it is time to sleep. My tummy does not like what I eat and my head does not want to concentrate when it is time to study... not fair.
I'm just praying for a little more balance in each day, please.
I'm just praying for a little more balance in each day, please.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
"Outings"
So, since I will be traveling for 30 days out of the country I have decided to stop "tracking" my outings because there will be probably more than I can keep track of.
This is great news because I was afraid I was boring and didn't do anything new. And I have now been proven wrong. Though, I do tend to pick some of the same spots routinely. And I think that's okay.
Recipes, however, will continue to come.
This is great news because I was afraid I was boring and didn't do anything new. And I have now been proven wrong. Though, I do tend to pick some of the same spots routinely. And I think that's okay.
Recipes, however, will continue to come.
Italia y Albania
This summer I will be traveling to study in Rome, Italy. We will be staying in the beautiful hills at a monastery north of Rome in Orvieto. I am looking forward to classes with my professors on art and theology, medieval and post-modern.
I will try my best to keep you posted, or at least update when I get home.
Then after class I will vacation in Rome for a week, not too shabby. And travel across the Agean sea into Tirana, Albania. I am traveling with about a dozen high school students and two other leaders. We will be staffing a Vacation Bible School camp for two weeks. I have no idea what this will look like but I'm excited.
I have wanted to travel to Albania ever since my family started to support some missionaries from our home church. Grant and Carina have been in Tirana for at least 12 years now and I have been itching to get out there since I was 14. My parent's didn't think it was a great idea at the time, but support it more now.
More thoughts, ideas, and reflections will come.
I will try my best to keep you posted, or at least update when I get home.
Then after class I will vacation in Rome for a week, not too shabby. And travel across the Agean sea into Tirana, Albania. I am traveling with about a dozen high school students and two other leaders. We will be staffing a Vacation Bible School camp for two weeks. I have no idea what this will look like but I'm excited.
I have wanted to travel to Albania ever since my family started to support some missionaries from our home church. Grant and Carina have been in Tirana for at least 12 years now and I have been itching to get out there since I was 14. My parent's didn't think it was a great idea at the time, but support it more now.
More thoughts, ideas, and reflections will come.
Spring Break
Spent most of the time preparing for the sermon I preached Wednesday night on John 15. It was a good experience, I am grateful for such an encouraging and supportive community--just like the vine!
Then I drove all the way up to Santa Cruz, jammin and singing to my music the whole way. I took the 101 and it was BEAUTIFUL! I have not seen so much rain in Southern California so all the brown hills were green with wildflowers. Just breathtaking.
I stopped in to see Coleen and we had a good time sharing about our days over some dinner. It's always good to see old friends.
In Santa Cruz we did all kinds of great stuff:
Westcliffs and natural bridges
Boardwalk
Capitola--adorable!!
Byington Winery Tasting :)
Fun, Fun, Fun...
Then run home, go hang out with the girls and start classes again!!!
Woah.
Then I drove all the way up to Santa Cruz, jammin and singing to my music the whole way. I took the 101 and it was BEAUTIFUL! I have not seen so much rain in Southern California so all the brown hills were green with wildflowers. Just breathtaking.
I stopped in to see Coleen and we had a good time sharing about our days over some dinner. It's always good to see old friends.
In Santa Cruz we did all kinds of great stuff:
Westcliffs and natural bridges
Boardwalk
Capitola--adorable!!
Byington Winery Tasting :)
Fun, Fun, Fun...
Then run home, go hang out with the girls and start classes again!!!
Woah.
Computer
Well, it's on. I have access to Word and Keynote but have realized how stinking expensive software is.
I still need to figure out how to download some video files onto this thing... hmmm. And I need to detach myself from my work MacBookPro which has spoiled me ROTTEN. And I still don't have my old calendar... so if I miss something I'm sorry.
What's good: I can actually print again at home. Thank goodness. And all in all getting some new software was a LOT cheaper than a new computer. Thanks Di-no computers.
Good to have reliable technology.
I still need to figure out how to download some video files onto this thing... hmmm. And I need to detach myself from my work MacBookPro which has spoiled me ROTTEN. And I still don't have my old calendar... so if I miss something I'm sorry.
What's good: I can actually print again at home. Thank goodness. And all in all getting some new software was a LOT cheaper than a new computer. Thanks Di-no computers.
Good to have reliable technology.
Cumin Chicken and Quinoa Chard Pilaf--Yummy Recipes (#7 & 8)
QUINOA CHARD PILAF
Ready in 40 minutes
(serves 4-6)
1 ½ tsp Olive Oil
1/2 Onion (diced)
1 ½ Cloves Garlic (minced)
1 Cup Uncooked Quinoa (rinsed)
1/2 Cup Canned Lentils
¼ lb fresh mushrooms (chopped)
2 Cups Vegetable Broth
½ Bunch Swiss Chard (remove stems)
Directions
A) Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic and saute 5 minutes until onion is tender. Mix in Quinoa, Lentils and Mushrooms. Pour in the broth, cover and cook 20 mins.
B) Remove pot from heat. Shred Chard and gently mix into pot. Cover and allow to sit 5 minutes or until chard is wilted.
CUMIN CHICKEN
2 Tbsp. olive oil, extra virgin
3/4 Tbsps. dry sherry (sub. Dry vermouth).
1 tsps. ground cumin
1 cloves garlic, crushed
1 Tbsps. honey
1/2 tsp. salt or to taste
3 boneless chicken breasts
Mix the oil, wine, cumin, garlic, honey and salt together in small bowl. Place chicken in shallow baking dish and pour marinade over at least 2 hours before cooking. Turn at least once during this time. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roast chicken on rack in pan. Continue to brush with marinade once or twice as it cooks. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Cover lightly with foil if they brown too much. Serves 6.
Ready in 40 minutes
(serves 4-6)
1 ½ tsp Olive Oil
1/2 Onion (diced)
1 ½ Cloves Garlic (minced)
1 Cup Uncooked Quinoa (rinsed)
1/2 Cup Canned Lentils
¼ lb fresh mushrooms (chopped)
2 Cups Vegetable Broth
½ Bunch Swiss Chard (remove stems)
Directions
A) Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic and saute 5 minutes until onion is tender. Mix in Quinoa, Lentils and Mushrooms. Pour in the broth, cover and cook 20 mins.
B) Remove pot from heat. Shred Chard and gently mix into pot. Cover and allow to sit 5 minutes or until chard is wilted.
CUMIN CHICKEN
2 Tbsp. olive oil, extra virgin
3/4 Tbsps. dry sherry (sub. Dry vermouth).
1 tsps. ground cumin
1 cloves garlic, crushed
1 Tbsps. honey
1/2 tsp. salt or to taste
3 boneless chicken breasts
Mix the oil, wine, cumin, garlic, honey and salt together in small bowl. Place chicken in shallow baking dish and pour marinade over at least 2 hours before cooking. Turn at least once during this time. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roast chicken on rack in pan. Continue to brush with marinade once or twice as it cooks. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Cover lightly with foil if they brown too much. Serves 6.
Finally... updating
Okay, I'll try to keep this brief because I want to mention a few things about my past weekend.
Totally fun hanging out with my sister Chrissie.
Stop One: Stone Brewery http://www.stonebrew.com/ check it out. A bit pricey but good brew and mostly good food (my pasta was a little bland until I put some peppers in it).
Stop Two: unsuccessful shoe-return. So El Centro, not so close to San Diego... another testimony to my "directionally challenged" life.
Stop Three: San Diego Wild Animal Park!!! SOOOO Fun! When sister gives me pictures I will post a few of us eating cheesy meal worms and playing with butterflies. I think my fav. animal (besides the butterfly exhibit) was the Zebra-Horse-Giraffe animal... OKAPI. Very fun.
Then the long drive back home to LA...
Totally fun hanging out with my sister Chrissie.
Stop One: Stone Brewery http://www.stonebrew.com/ check it out. A bit pricey but good brew and mostly good food (my pasta was a little bland until I put some peppers in it).
Stop Two: unsuccessful shoe-return. So El Centro, not so close to San Diego... another testimony to my "directionally challenged" life.
Stop Three: San Diego Wild Animal Park!!! SOOOO Fun! When sister gives me pictures I will post a few of us eating cheesy meal worms and playing with butterflies. I think my fav. animal (besides the butterfly exhibit) was the Zebra-Horse-Giraffe animal... OKAPI. Very fun.
Then the long drive back home to LA...
Thursday, April 15, 2010
UPDATES
Sorry to have neglected you.
I have been busy... and other poor excuses.
Pieces I plan to post on soon-ish
1) Spring Break
2) Computer
3) Big Bear
4) Preaching in class (Mark 3)
5) San Diego
6) Quinoa-Chard Pilaf and Honey Cumin Chicken
7) My summer trip to Italy (Rome/Orvieto) and Albania (Tirana, etc.)... 33 days of travel in Europe, holler!
If you do read this (yes I know there are a few of you, like 2 or 3 when you have watched all new episodes of Lost, the Office, 30 Rock etc... and are tired of seeing the same updates on facebook... occasionally you take a gander over here) Thank you.
I have been busy... and other poor excuses.
Pieces I plan to post on soon-ish
1) Spring Break
2) Computer
3) Big Bear
4) Preaching in class (Mark 3)
5) San Diego
6) Quinoa-Chard Pilaf and Honey Cumin Chicken
7) My summer trip to Italy (Rome/Orvieto) and Albania (Tirana, etc.)... 33 days of travel in Europe, holler!
If you do read this (yes I know there are a few of you, like 2 or 3 when you have watched all new episodes of Lost, the Office, 30 Rock etc... and are tired of seeing the same updates on facebook... occasionally you take a gander over here) Thank you.
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