Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Why Someone Needs to Put a Leash on Me
Sunday, November 27, 2011
One Food Filled Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving week has been pretty hectic. I came back from Arizona with a billion tests to retake (I still do.) Then, when break hit, it was all cooking for me. Every year, we hold the family Thanksgiving Party. These parties usually consist of too much food, and me, having to entertain everyone on the piano. Usually when the guests arrive, we are still cooking and rushing around the kitchen.
My dad and I are the only cooks in the family. So as usual, I was going to be in the kitchen with my dad this break...that is, until he got sick. The only person I had to look to was my Mom, and let's say I haven't had very good experiences with her cooking in the past (more on that in future blog posts.) But this Thanksgiving, she actually surprised us all. She made the Turkey perfectly, and for the first time ever, she made edible Hummus (a Papazian family staple usually made by my dad.) My dad, however, was able to make the stuffing, and the homemade noodles and homemade marinara that I use for lasagna (we didn't tell the guests though :).) This left me with the Lasagna (secret old Italian recipe :),) Wild Rice (I'll share this recipe, it surprised me when I first made it,) Cranberry sauce (secret ingredient: our homemade wine,) Bruschetta (also will share this recipe,) Spanikopita, and Gravy. I have no idea how I did it, but I actually made all the food on time. All in all, it was a great food-filled thanksgiving!
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| omahasteaks |
This Thanksgiving week has been pretty hectic. I came back from Arizona with a billion tests to retake (I still do.) Then, when break hit, it was all cooking for me. Every year, we hold the family Thanksgiving Party. These parties usually consist of too much food, and me, having to entertain everyone on the piano. Usually when the guests arrive, we are still cooking and rushing around the kitchen.
My dad and I are the only cooks in the family. So as usual, I was going to be in the kitchen with my dad this break...that is, until he got sick. The only person I had to look to was my Mom, and let's say I haven't had very good experiences with her cooking in the past (more on that in future blog posts.) But this Thanksgiving, she actually surprised us all. She made the Turkey perfectly, and for the first time ever, she made edible Hummus (a Papazian family staple usually made by my dad.) My dad, however, was able to make the stuffing, and the homemade noodles and homemade marinara that I use for lasagna (we didn't tell the guests though :).) This left me with the Lasagna (secret old Italian recipe :),) Wild Rice (I'll share this recipe, it surprised me when I first made it,) Cranberry sauce (secret ingredient: our homemade wine,) Bruschetta (also will share this recipe,) Spanikopita, and Gravy. I have no idea how I did it, but I actually made all the food on time. All in all, it was a great food-filled thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
My Arizona Adventure
Get ready for a very long post. For five days, my family and I went to Arizona, and I have to say, it was amazing. Chicago has been freezing us all, so it was a nice break from the cold air. Arizona is such a beautiful place, with the mountains in the background and the palm trees everywhere. We came to Arizona, because my sister had her College soccer tournament.
On Wednesday, we mostly got settled in our hotel room, and we ate at a delicious Persian restaurant. On Thursday, we went to two soccer games (my sister's team won one and tied one) and traveled around Scottsdale. My parents and I went to Old Scottsdale, while my sister was at her hotel, and I found all the history of the place so cool. There are Indian artifacts and all sorts of Mexican knick knacks there. Because I was missing a lot of school (which means tons of makeup tests for me,) I had to study. But instead of studying in my hotel room, everyday I went outside by the pool and studied, where the only sounds were golfers, because our hotel was right next to a golf course. On Friday, I missed my sister's first game, and they won, so I studied at my usual spot at the pool. Later that day, she had another soccer game, which was one of the most intense games I have ever watched. At that game, Colorado State had brought some girls who were cheering for their team loudly and obnoxiously. They were teasing our players for stupid stuff, like falling down. Well the game went into overtime, and then penalty kicks, and our team won! It was one of the sweetest wins. After the game, we went to a restaurant situated on a mountain. It literally overlooks all of Phoenix. On Saturday, we relaxed at the pool, and my sister had a soccer game (it was the semifinals.) They unfortunately lost, but my sister said that her team didn't deserve to win, because they had a bad attitude.)Later, I finally convinced my mom to let us all go climb a mountain. It was so adventurous and fun, and the view was amazing. My mom got tired, so we didn't make it to the top, unfortunately, but it was a really fun experience that I recommend. Just make sure you remember to wear flip flops, because I ended up with a spike on my foot that really hurt. After the mountain, we went to the coolest movie experience ever. It is called ipic theater, and there you watch a movie in super comfy reclining chairs, and a waiter comes and brings you food. And unfortunately, today we had to leave. Right now, I am sitting in freezing Chicago, studying for three tests, and wishing I was back there.
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| Clarion Ledger |
On Wednesday, we mostly got settled in our hotel room, and we ate at a delicious Persian restaurant. On Thursday, we went to two soccer games (my sister's team won one and tied one) and traveled around Scottsdale. My parents and I went to Old Scottsdale, while my sister was at her hotel, and I found all the history of the place so cool. There are Indian artifacts and all sorts of Mexican knick knacks there. Because I was missing a lot of school (which means tons of makeup tests for me,) I had to study. But instead of studying in my hotel room, everyday I went outside by the pool and studied, where the only sounds were golfers, because our hotel was right next to a golf course. On Friday, I missed my sister's first game, and they won, so I studied at my usual spot at the pool. Later that day, she had another soccer game, which was one of the most intense games I have ever watched. At that game, Colorado State had brought some girls who were cheering for their team loudly and obnoxiously. They were teasing our players for stupid stuff, like falling down. Well the game went into overtime, and then penalty kicks, and our team won! It was one of the sweetest wins. After the game, we went to a restaurant situated on a mountain. It literally overlooks all of Phoenix. On Saturday, we relaxed at the pool, and my sister had a soccer game (it was the semifinals.) They unfortunately lost, but my sister said that her team didn't deserve to win, because they had a bad attitude.)Later, I finally convinced my mom to let us all go climb a mountain. It was so adventurous and fun, and the view was amazing. My mom got tired, so we didn't make it to the top, unfortunately, but it was a really fun experience that I recommend. Just make sure you remember to wear flip flops, because I ended up with a spike on my foot that really hurt. After the mountain, we went to the coolest movie experience ever. It is called ipic theater, and there you watch a movie in super comfy reclining chairs, and a waiter comes and brings you food. And unfortunately, today we had to leave. Right now, I am sitting in freezing Chicago, studying for three tests, and wishing I was back there.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Josh Groban-Broken Vow
Hey guys! I just wanted to share with you this song, because it is one of my favorites. I am currently playing the piano part for fun, so maybe I'll post that later. I don't think I have to describe how the song makes me feel, because I think you can figure that out for yourself :). For all you lyric listeners out there, just try to listen to the music instead of the words. Trust me, the meaning will come out to you through the music, I guarantee it.
"Adopt" a Family for Christmas
Every year, I have made the goal to adopt a family for christmas (you buy the family gifts.) How many times have I done it? Once. For Girlscouts. It is completely unacceptable that I keep on forgetting. I mean, every year, I receive presents, and I haven't even taken the initiative to give back. This year, I am determined to adopt a family, and instead of receiving presents from my family, give them. I am one of those people who doesn't take initiative to do things, so I am scared I will forget to do this. Anyways, for all you people out there who would like to give back this Christmas, here's how you do it. I am going to copy and paste from the link I found: http://thesalarmy.org/adoptafamily.htm
1. Listen to 102.9 Lite FM on Wed Nov 30 between 5am-7pm and Thur Dec 1 from 5am-9am and call 651.746.3577 to Adopt-A-Family. You will be immediately mailed information on the program and the family you’ve adopted, including some of their “wishes.”
2. Call your adopted family before Dec 11 for “wish” details/ideas and to arrange delivery by Dec 17.
3. Purchase new gifts for each child in the family ages 0-18 years old.
You are NOT obligated to spend more than $25 on each child and gifts for the adults are not required.
4. Purchase a gift card from a grocery store. The dollar amount should be at least $10 for each family member listed.
5. Deliver your gifts to the family by December 17. We strongly encourage all gift deliveries to be at a Salvation Army Service Center, especially on December 17 from 2-4pm when we will have Christmas get-togethers at each center.
6. Enjoy your holiday knowing you have made Christmas extra special for a family in the Twin Cities.
For more information, click on the link.
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| ronedmondson.com |
1. Listen to 102.9 Lite FM on Wed Nov 30 between 5am-7pm and Thur Dec 1 from 5am-9am and call 651.746.3577 to Adopt-A-Family. You will be immediately mailed information on the program and the family you’ve adopted, including some of their “wishes.”
2. Call your adopted family before Dec 11 for “wish” details/ideas and to arrange delivery by Dec 17.
3. Purchase new gifts for each child in the family ages 0-18 years old.
You are NOT obligated to spend more than $25 on each child and gifts for the adults are not required.
4. Purchase a gift card from a grocery store. The dollar amount should be at least $10 for each family member listed.
5. Deliver your gifts to the family by December 17. We strongly encourage all gift deliveries to be at a Salvation Army Service Center, especially on December 17 from 2-4pm when we will have Christmas get-togethers at each center.
6. Enjoy your holiday knowing you have made Christmas extra special for a family in the Twin Cities.
For more information, click on the link.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Why I Compose
There is something about composing music that I can't explain. Sometimes, I will be banging my head on the piano, complaining that I can't compose anything, and then a melody pops in my head, and I just know what to do. I just put my hands on the right key and create. There are other times where my mom and I will be about to leave the house, when a melody comes to me, and I run to the keyboard in my room, while my mom is wondering where I went. And then, sometimes, it just starts from a chord, an arpeggio, or even a scale. Either way, there is something magical to composing a song. I've come to realize that the reason I can't explain what happens when I compose is because what I compose are bits of life. Not even my life. I can compose pain, love, hope, joy, even emotions I've never felt before. Each song represents some worldly kind of feeling. Every time I'm in the process of writing a song, I always feel like it's mine. It's almost like a baby that I am caring for. But when it is complete, I have to let the song go. It never feels like mine anymore. It feels free.
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