JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge

When: Wednesday, September 15 @ 6:45 pm
Where: Crissy Field, San Francisco

Details about my 3.5 mile run event coming soon...

Flora got 4th place!!!

The way I see it...

[Travel Expenses]

You don't have to have loads of money to travel. I'm 26 years old, I have a full-time job, I love to shop and go out - I'm your average young professional. Each year, I like to go on at least 1 international trip and 1 domestic trip, if possible. Over the last 3 years, I've been successful at keeping that promise to myself.

My parents think I either have a ton of money or I'm completely broke. I can see that. However, I'm not a glamorous traveler. I don't stay at 4-5 star hotels (unless it's free), I don't eat at Michelin rated restaurants (unless it's free), I don't shop at designer stores and try to find the best products my money can buy just because I'm on vacation. In a nutshell, I like to see what the country/city/state has to offer, meet the people that inhabit the area & eat the food that they eat, all while maximizing the use of my camera.

I stay at friend's places, I have found that hostels are an amazing experience (especially when it's $25 and under) , I spend hours doing research on the best deals, I travel, but I don't spend my savings on it. I love to splurge on what will make for a great adventure, but save on the big things.

You need money to travel, but you don't always need a ton to get by. Don't let your past assumptions of what it costs to go on vacation keep you from an experience of a lifetime.

GO BEARS!

Final score: Cal 52, Maryland 13

Not only was this one of the funnest tailgates, but Cal just happened to kick Maryland's butt last weekend. There's nothing like a college ball game. Students/fans are so involved it really adds to the experience.

Although the game was at 7pm, we started at the on campus bar, The Bears Lair, at noon then headed over to tailgate with the Cal Drink Squad -- by far, the BEST group to tailgate with hands down.

Drink Squad tailgates usually consists of a feast of food (on the menu for this game were Maryland Terrapin Tacos), endless shotguns, great people, true Cal fans, their infamous bagged wine ordeal, a sponsor of some sort (this time it was Red Bull) and TONS of fun.

The California State Fair

This year, I gave the State Fair a surprise visit during its last weekend open.

My first visit was a blast. I was shocked at the size of this place. Carnival rides, games, concerts, shows, animals and more fill up the grounds from corner to corner. In addition, there are food stands to satisfy EVERY tastebud. I feasted on deep fried artichoke hearts and a fully loaded baked potato.

The California State Fair is by far, the largest I have ever been to.

Giants vs Dodgers - Game 3

Though I'm an A's fan, I still love going to AT&T park for a game. I've been to many games, but this was my first in a luxury suite.




PLUS side:

• service
• no waiting in line for food or drinks
• option of watching game in seats reserved for your suite (directly outside of suite) or in the suite via big screen tvs
  
• when tickets are free (thanks Google reps!)

NEGATIVE side:

• not the same great experience/ atmostphere
• food - not that great
• very expensive (if the bill is on you)
• when you're inside the suite, it's hard to pay attention to the game

Luxury seating has its perks, but I prefer sitting in great seats close to where all the action takes place. Come to think of it, I'd also prefer bleacher seats over these (bleacher seats at AT&T are really not that bad).

Last Night's Dinner

Making dinner for others much more fun than making it for yourself. Last night, I decided to make my co-worker's infamous lentil Soup & Jamie Oliver's pan cooked chicken. They both turned out great (look and taste-wise).

Though I have to add, if you're making dinner for your Asian parents with tastebuds that only long for any type of Asian food, they probably won't care for lentil soup (my mom wasn't a fan). However, it's also a recipe loved by my department (a combo of health nuts & fancy eaters).

Try it! Both recipes are very simple and the chicken is so good it's my 2nd time making it (my sister also made it for the 2nd time this night for her guests).

Pan Cooked Chicken with Aspargus, Pancetta & Olives

Jamie Oliver - FoodNetwork.com

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 15 min

Level: Easy

Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• In Italy they use olives instead of salt, as they give a gentle seasoning, perfume and meatiness to dishes.
• 1 chicken breast supreme, skin removed
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Olive oil
• 3 slices smoked pancetta
• 8 medium-sized spears asparagus, woody ends trimmed off
• 8 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 5 kalamata olives, stones left in
• Handful basil leavesSmall knob unsalted butter
• Splash white wine

Directions:

Slice the chicken into 3 finger size pieces, but ensure that you keep it as 1 piece (fan it out). This will help to cook the chicken much faster. Season with salt and pepper. Heat a medium-sized frying pan, add some oil, and brown the chicken on all sides.

Place the pancetta on top of the chicken and the asparagus around it, let it char a little, then put the pancetta on the bottom of the pan to crisp up and turn the chicken over. Turn up the heat, throw in the tomatoes, olives, basil, and a good knob of butter. Take off the heat once the butter has melted and add a splash of wine to make a sauce, squishing in a few of the tomatoes to finish it off.

Side Dish: You can use anything, but I paired it with brown rice for a healthier alternative.

................................................................................

Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion
• 2 carrots
• 1 cup green lentils
• 1/2 head of cauliflower (or broccoli), cut into small florets
• 1-2 cups of chopped bell peppers
• 1 quart chicken (or veggie) stock
• 1/2 cup chopped dill or parsley

1. Saute chopped onion & carrots in evoo & salt in stock pot
2. Rinse lentils in warm water
3. When sauteed veggies are soft, pour in lentils, 1/2 of the stock & 2 cups of water
4. Simmer on low until the lentils are soft (about 30 minutes), adding water as needed
5. Add remaining stock & veggies and cook until soft (about 15 minutes)
6. Add herbs and season to taste
7. Puree with hand mixer until smooth
8. Serve with a dollop of sour cream

Yields: several bowls - probably enough for a few people or a few days, for two!

Enjoy!

Adios Florida!

I ended my Florida trip the same way I started, in Fort Laud. We ate at La Carretta (Versailles sister restaurant) and since Craig still wasn't feeling well, I decided to venture off alone and enjoy my last night taking in the beauty of the beach once again.

Having a quiet moment on the beach (at 7pm without a sweater) is seriously one of life's greatest pleasures.

Lincoln

Lincoln, another popular street here, is filled with high (and low) end shops, restaurants and bars. This street reminded me of the Promenade in Santa Monica. After walking down the busy street, we decided to walk into Zeke's Roadhouse for a beer. After reading the sign, "Zeke's Roadhouse 450 Beers from Around the World $4," we couldn't help but walk in. Probably the cheapest drinks we had all week (aside from Ladies Night at Porterhouse).




Once our beers were done and the people-watching became old we headed over to Sushi Samba for an amazing dinner. We shared calamari and spicy tuna rolls. He had the sashimi dinner and I had the short rib yakisoba. My meal was so tasty and the meat was extremely tender.

Unfortunately, the next morning Craig woke up with food poisoning :(