I'm Back!

It's been so long since I've last blogged.  Why?  Because I'm just too lazy to update anything and really feel like there's nothing to write about!


It's been about a month now since I've gotten back from Europe and it seriously feels like I never even left.  Work just started piling up, same plans are being made with the same friends and life goes on.  


This year, we were back in time for all the fun festivities that Edmonton holds.  Capital Ex, Taste of Edmonton, Heritage Days, Fringe Festival, Street Performers and some more I can't remember right now.  We are the "City of Festivals" indeed.  I'd much rather be a cooler city all year round than be somewhat cool two months out of the year, though.


CMA is going to start again in September which is probably also when I will start blogging more again.  Anytime the word "study" or "school" comes into my vocab, my blog posts seem to skyrocket.  I forgot to mention that I was luckily exempt from the CMA Entrance Exam and was admitted right away.  Thank God for that otherwise my last few weeks before Europe would have been a nightmare!


I have a goal.  I want to fill my recipe book that I bought a few years ago with delicious recipes so I don't feel like it went to waste.  There's about three recipes in there and two are practically the same salads.  Can you tell how much I cook?  I actually do try out some recipes sometimes, but always forget to include them in my book.  It's time.  I'm going to update my food blog and fill my book as much as possible!


I have another goal.  Stop shopping.  I've actually been pretty good so far!  I can't really remember the last time I shopped? Maybe about two weeks ago?  I know it doesn't sound like a long time, but it's a start!  I need to start saving money for bigger and better things than just another pair of shoes.  *Sigh* growing up just ain't as fun as it seems.

Say Hi to...

...ROLLIE!  Can't wait :)

Finished?

Please pinch me.  It feels so surreal that I am finally done my undergrad degree, but I know at the same time I shouldn't be too surprised since most people in my year are already done.  It just feels weird that I won't be returning to school in September.


The feeling of excitement for Europe is slowly creeping up!  We have our main plane tickets to London and our accommodations there booked and last night we just booked plane tickets to Madrid and accommodations there as well.  I like how every little part of our trip is slowly coming together and I'm super excited to actually go!  Also, I forgot to mention that we will be in London during their Taste of London event!  It's like Taste of Edmonton here, but obviously on a much bigger and better scale!  All of the top chefs in London seem to have booths there and it runs from June 17 to 20th and we are there from June 16 to 19th.  What are the chances?  We decided this was definitely fate, so that's one of the many activities we'll be doing in London!  


I start my full time job on Monday and am going to miss the sleeping in and lazing around, but I won't miss the lack of money :) I will finally have a decent source of income!


Ok, I know I'm supposed to be done with the studying, but I'm not.  I'm writing my CMA exam on June.15th (which also happens to be the day we leave for Europe) and need to study until then to get a passing grade!  Time for me to go study now :(

Food Blog

Since this one was turning into a food blog, I decided just to make a separate blog for my food talk and leave this one for other things in life (although I can't imagine anything more important than food to blog about..maybe my health?)


bigappetites.blogspot.com


Enjoy :)

A New Array of Good Eats

After much planning, doddling and second guessing, we booked our Europe trip!  J and I are officially going to Europe for one month!  We leave June.15th to London and return on July.13th and now that we have the main flight booked, we have to ACTUALLY start the planning process.


What countries do we want to visit?  Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey are a few on the list right now.


I am excited for the yummy gelato and coffee everyone seems to rave about after they go to Europe.  I'm sure there's many other types of culinary surprises I will discover and enjoy along the way :) I will update on the planning process and what countries we will be going to for sure when we have a better idea!!!


Now the hard part is getting through my last set of final exams, EVER!

Kabuki

So Jessie and I tried the new sushi restaurant, Kabuki, today.  It opened at the beginning of March and was at most mediocre.  It's right across the street from Kyoto on 109th Street (University location) and I think I would much rather go to Kyoto next time!  Anyways, here are the photos we managed to snag with the iPhones:

Salmon Sashimi - Tasted kind of like Zen sashimi, so definitely nothing great

Left:  Edmonton Roll - Prawn Tempura, Spicy Tuna and Crab

Right:  Chopped Scallop Roll

The Chopped Scallop Roll was probably the best roll, but they both kept falling apart, so it wasn't very impressive.

Beef Tataki - The sauce was sweet and watered down tasting, the beef tasted kind of strange and the onions were WAY too raw

Assorted Tempura - Probably the best thing we had all night because you can't really mess up tempura!

In conclusion, this is another one of those try-hard Japanese restaurants that just doesn't make it in my books.  Maybe I'll try it in a year or so if it still exists?

Red Pianos

I think I will see some on Friday :)
What should I order??  They both sound delicious!


grilled duck twofer

pan roasted brome lake duck crisp confit and aux champ d’elise foie gras finished with a red wine demi

filet black and white

house cut 8 oz sterling silver beef tenderloin, cajun spiced and finished with alaskan king crab butter and demi glace