Happy New Year
Posted on January 1, 2013 by Ching under Life.
Once again, it’s time to recap the year that was… Before we review 2012, here’s a look at my year-end recaps of years past.
Now that you’re caught up, let’s look back at some of last year’s memorable moments.
We started the year with Liz and Robby’s wedding. Last year was actually a banner year for weddings. We saw several friends tie the knot, including Cousin Tracy. We first celebrated with Tracy and Jeff on their wedding shower and then continued the celebration in Jamaica. They had a beautiful wedding at Coral Cove Resort in Little Bay. Then there was Mark and Jarrica’s wedding a couple of months later. Fortunately, their wedding was held in town so we didn’t have to hop on a plane or drive to another city. There’s also Daniel and Angi and then, more recently, Pia and JP. Congratulations to all of our friends who got married last year.
The trip to Jamaica was great by the way. It was a short trip for us because Brian and I didn’t want to take too much time off work, but we wanted to be there for Cousin Tracy and Jeff’s big day. We packed a lot of adventures on our few days there, including a boat trip to Negril, a visit to Rick’s Cafe, some kayaking in the cove, and plenty of sunbathing.
A few weeks after returning from our Jamaica trip, I completed the Zumba Basic 1 training. I officially received my Zumba instructor license and joined the Zumba Instructor Network (ZIN) on April 20. We followed that up with a trip to Overland Park for the Gina & Tanya Rock the Stage Tour. We also had a fun t-shirt destruction party earlier that same month, where the girls made creative shirts to wear to the event. Incidentally, this was the same day as Stephanie’s birthday party at Ciao! A huge tornado came through Wichita that night. We all barely got out of the restaurant before it hit the area. Lucky for us, we lived right by Waterfront and we were home in a couple of minutes so we had enough time to evacuate to the tornado shelter under the clubhouse of our apartment complex. Pretty scary stuff.
For Brian’s 38th birthday, I took him to Nashville. He lived in Memphis for three years, but never got to go there. He was jealous when I went there for a conference the year before and kept saying how much he wanted to go so I decided that’s how we would celebrate his birthday. We stayed at Gaylord Opryland, which is actually like its own city. Brian got to see Nashville for the first time and also watch his first Grand Ole Opry concert. The best part about his birthday gift is that I got to enjoy it too.
I celebrated my tenth service anniversary with work at YaYa’s. It was pretty uneventful compared to the time Brian and I were there celebrating our ninth wedding anniversary. Speaking of restaurants and eating out, we got to eat out a lot in 2012 because I started writing restaurant reviews for the Wichita Eagle as part of Denise Neil’s Dining Panel. I’m so grateful to Denise for including me.
My cousin Reuel and his wife Sonny Jay visited Kansas in July. Reuel lives in Norway so I hadn’t seen him in almost twenty years. We were supposed to attend his wedding in the Philippines, but the airfare was quite high around that time and our budget just wouldn’t allow it. I’m glad they were able to visit us.
We spent our tenth wedding anniversary at Stewart Title closing on our house. We decided that our house is to be our anniversary present to one another… for the next ten years. LOL. We didn’t move in for a month because we wanted the entire interior repainted. We officially moved in around Labor Day weekend, which meant no trip to Texas this year. Ever since Sheryll and her family moved to Dallas, we’d been making the trip South every September. This would have been the third year of that annual tradition had we been able to do it. We were busy with moving and getting our new house in order, though. Perhaps we can resume the tradition next year. Although, now that we have extra space, we can host the Orbases when they visit us which hopefully will be here in a few weeks.
Since we didn’t go to Texas, we treated ourselves to an overnight stay in Kansas City for the Journey concert. That was my first ever concert in the rain. The concert was held at an outdoor arena and we had floor seats. I didn’t plan on it raining when I purchased the tickets. We still had fun, though.
Some of the other fun events we were fortunate enough to attend this year include Zoobilee, Oktoberfest (Newman University’s fundraising event), the sixth annual Brew Ha-Ha at Flint Hills National, and Becca’s 40th birthday celebration. I did some volunteer work at the Kansas State Fair and the Lord’s Diner. I really wanted to be able to do more, but was really busy this year since I started teaching Zumba.
Brian really enjoyed handing out candy on Halloween night, our first at the new house. We also attended a few Halloween parties.
We made our annual trek to Legends Outlets in Kansas City on the evening of Thanksgiving for Moonlight Magic. Brian and I have been doing the Black Friday thing for a few years now and I think we’ve finally gotten it out of our system. This should be our last year. There will be no crazy midnight shopping trips in store for us this year. Brian will be most happy about this news.
In December we hosted our first fight night here at the new house. Then I had my thyroidectomy. Brian was a mess, naturally. Other than an unnecessary trip the ER the Sunday following my surgery, recovery has been going well. I’m actually thinking about going back to doing some light running this week. I’ve been a slug all month and, now that my appetite is back, I’m starting to pack on the pounds.
Anyway, I think that pretty much sums up 2012. It has been an eventful year and I feel truly blessed. Each year that passes continues to be even better than the last and I have a feeling that 2013 will be the best year yet. I’ll see you guys again around this time next year as we recap the year’s highlights.
Until then… Have a fantastic year everyone!
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Steak Plate – Nom, Nom, Nom
Posted on December 30, 2012 by Ching under Food and Drink.
We braved the cold today and drove to Riverside Park to catch our favorite food truck. As we froze our buns off waiting in line to order and then waiting again for our food to be prepared, Brian was like “This better be worth it.”
Here’s this weeks delicious menu.
As soon as we opened the box containing their signature truffle fries, the delectable aroma filled the car. We both looked at each other and agreed it was worth it.
Brian and I can never get enough of their mouthwatering fries. They are the best hands down. It still amazes me that a little bit of truffle oil, parmesan, thyme, and sea salt can make a dull side such as fries so darn irresistible. These fries are so good that we wouldn’t dare eat them with ketchup. That would be sacrilege!
Every time we eat truffle fries from the Flying Stove, Brian says that he needs to learn how to make them. I’m actually relieved that he doesn’t know how to duplicate these fries because we would both be 300 pounds otherwise! At least this way we only get to enjoy them every couple of months or so and it’s a real treat.
The steak plate is what I was really craving. I saw a picture of it on Facebook the other day and it looked so appetizing. Good thing I wasn’t hungry or I would have eaten my phone. I finally got to try it today and, I must say, it’s as tasty at it looks.
Brian was a little disappointed with the steak being cold. We think that the wind might have killed the warmer. Either that or it was just so cold outside that it couldn’t stay warm. Or we took too long to enjoy the truffle fries (which were made fresh and still hot, by the way) that the steak was cold by the time we got to it. Despite it all, there was no denying its delicious flavor.
If you’ve not tried the Flying Stove, you’re seriously missing out!
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Ching Makes Lugaw
Posted on December 30, 2012 by Ching under Food and Drink.
I had a few hours to myself while Brian hung out with his dad yesterday so I decided to make some lugaw. I had some chicken broth in the fridge that I needed to use. Plus, I wanted to break in the Wolfgang Puck stainless steel cookware set
I really have no idea what goes in lugaw so I just started putting stuff in there. My favorite versions of lugaw always have chicken so that’s the meat that you see floating around in there. I mostly used garlic and herb seasoning for flavor, and lots of salt and pepper. I thought it was missing something, so I added ginger powder. I was afraid that I added too much at first, but it actually turned out good. I did add too much basil for my liking, though. I had a can of condensed tomato soup in the pantry that I was going to throw in there as well, but then I stopped myself. It was going to be hard enough to get Brian to eat this as it is; it will be even harder if I make it red. I think that might have tasted good, though.
I like my rice super wet but Brian is not a fan of sabaw. When I had him try it the first time, he liked the flavor but not the texture. I think it was too soupy for him. After resting for a while, the rice absorbed most of the sabaw so when we reheated it later that evening it was just the right consistency for him. He said he would actually eat it again. FTW! Now to think of what to make next…
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Christmas Day 2012
Posted on December 27, 2012 by Ching under Family, Movies.
Just some highlights from Christmas Day…
We opened presents after breakfast. We had no idea that Aunt Sandy and Cousin Tracy had sent us gifts so that was a wonderful surprise. Aunt Sandy sent us a beautiful angel ornament that now adorns our tree.
Cousin Tracy and Jeff sent us a combination wine stopper/pourer
We got lots of goodies from Mom and Dad B that I can’t even name them all. Even though it was just us, it took hours to open presents. When we were finally done, it was time for lunch. Donna prepared a delicious feast. Brian and I ate so much that we didn’t have room for any food when we got to the movie theater.
We selected Les Misérables as our Christmas movie this year, which worked out great because it was what was showing in the balcony and I’m not sure that I could have convinced Brian to go otherwise. Brian despises waiting in line at the theater. Anyway, I absolutely adore the musical specially since Lea Salonga has been a part of it. She played Éponine in the 10th Anniversary Concert (The Dream Cast in concert at Royal Albert Hall) and Fantine in the 25th Anniversary Concert (at the O2). She isn’t in the movie, but she’s the main reason that I’m familiar with the musical. If you are not familiar with the musical or the novel, just follow the links for more information. I also linked to the full concerts in YouTube above for your musical enjoyment.
I thought the movie was pretty good. They told the story pretty well. I was really impressed with the big name actors in the movie. I had no idea they could all sing. Well, except for Amanda Seyfried because I had seen her sing in Mama Mia!
The two songs that always get me are “I Dreamed a Dream” sung by Fantine and then “On My Own” by Éponine. These solos never fail to make me cry. Of course, you guys know I’m a crier so there were several parts of the movie that moved me. Hugh Jackman is a skilled actor who was quite convincing as Jean Valjean.
Speaking of songs, “One Day More” is another really good one. I cued it to that part in the embedded video above. They did a good job of it in the movie, but it doesn’t compare to the rendition in either of the two live concerts I posted above. Be sure to check it out if you want to see some fantastic singing. These performers are truly talented. I get goose bumps listening to their beautiful voices.
I highly recommend catching Les Mis if you haven’t seen it yet. If you’re a fan of the musical, it may not live up to your expectations. I still found it enjoyable though. Plus, I’m glad they made a movie because it brings the musical to people who wouldn’t otherwise know about it.
Anyway, I was grateful that we caught a matinée because the theater was completely packed when we got out of the movie around 6 pm. It was complete and utter mayhem both inside the theater and outside in the parking lot. There were hardly any parking spots available. It wasn’t that bad when we got there in the afternoon. Brian and I actually got a good parking spot.
Thank you to Mom and Dad B for watching the movie with us and for a wonderful Christmas Day celebration from start to finish. I really hope we get to celebrate together again next year.
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Christmas Morning
Posted on December 27, 2012 by Ching under Life, Relationship, Wishlist.
In honor of our first Christmas at the new house, Brian and I decided to buy presents for each other that we can exchange on Christmas morning. We never buy presents for each other because we usually just get a joint gift to each other or get a couples massage or take a trip somewhere and call it our Christmas. This year we wanted to do something different.
I get a kick out of being different so I wrapped Brian’s present in a Noodles & Company takeout box.
Brian wanted a new wedding band because his wedding band has gotten too big for his fingers since he’s lost so much weight. He wanted a tungsten wedding band this time around instead of platinum.
Merry Christmas, baby! I love you!
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