I feel so lucky to be able to travel...

I just wish I understood Vietnamese.

Hmmm...I haven't been on this thing in a while.

Anyways, I'd like to mention a few things before I post some pictures from Canada.

1. Happy 1 Year Anniversary to me!  I've been working at EDAW for a year!  Boy time flies by!

2. I'm a lot happier since my supervisor isn't in charge of scheduling...

3. I'm going to Vietnam, Cambodia and Hong Kong with madre in September!  (Can't wait!!!)

4. There are a lot of weddings this month, it's crazy!

Ok, PICTURE TIME!

Prince Edward Island is so GREEN!!!

There are cakes in the 1^st floor, 3^rd floor and at the L Street office to celebrate the August Anniversaries and Birthdays

From: Ogden, Heather
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 9:58 AM
To: Coatsworth, Sydney
Cc: Gaona, TJ
Subject: August Anniversaries and bdays

Anniversaries this month

1 year

Roth_Julie

Banh_Nancy

Heuer_Jessica

Kasson_Bill

...has it already been a year?!

I wish I took more pictures.  I wish the pictures I took turned out better.

is over...

now back to reality.

will post pictures soon.

is the love of my life...

Going home to see her and hopefully snap pictures of her...

I miss Hawaii.

I have friends and family there that sometimes ship candies that could only be found in Hawaii to me and I really appreciate it.

One thing that can't really be shipped is the Chocolate Haupia Pie.  One time my god mother brought one as a carry on with her so she could give it to my mom and I.

I have cravings for it once in a while...and I just spent an hour looking up local places that sell chocolate haupia pie...most of the reviews weren't that good.

So my boyfriend suggested making it...and I think I found the perfect recipe!

I'm soo excited to try it!

Macadamia Nut Crusted Dark Chocolate Haupia Pie
serves 8
Ingredients

crust:
3/4 cup flour
1/8 cup granulated sugar
1/8 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 stick cold butter (6 TBS)
1/2 cup uncooked Quaker Oats
1/4 cup chopped Macadamia Nuts

filling:
6 ounces good quality dark chocolate
1 13.5 oz can coconut milk (or a little over 1.5 cups)
1 cup 2% milk
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 cup water

whipped cream:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/8 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9 inch pie pan. Mix flour, granulated sugar and brown sugar in medium bowl; cut in butter with a fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in oats and nuts. Press the mixture into bottom and sides of prepared pie pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

While crust is baking, make haupia by whisking coconut milk, milk and sugar together in a saucepan. While bringing coconut mixture to a boil, whisk cornstarch and water together in a separate bowl. Reduce coconut mixture to a simmer and pour in cornstarch mixture. Continue whisking until mixture is thick.

Remove crust from oven when done and put in fridge to cool slightly.

In a medium microwave safe bowl, microwave for 1- 1 1/2 minutes and stir with a fork to melt. Pour half of haupia into the chocolate and mix well. Pour chocolate haupia into pie crust. Pour remaining white haupia in a layer on top of chocolate haupia. Place pie in refrigerator to cool at least 1 hour.

Whip heavy cream, sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Pipe or spread onto pie and top with shaved chocolate. Cool another hour in fridge.

something furry...

Lightning makes me smile...

I hope to use my protrait lense for my brother and fei's engagement photos...

But for now, I'm practicing my "skills" on Lightning.

It's hard to catch pictures of Lightning, he's constantly moving.

I used to be pretty creative when I was younger.  I used to draw, paint, and...play with hair.

Yes, I used to play with hair. 

I mean, I'd style my cousin's and friend's hair when they had an event to go to (prom, dances, weddings)...but I rarely play with my own hair. 

Anyways, back to what I was saying...

It seems like my only creative outlet is photography now. 

My job is kinda boring (Although I did get shocked by electrical fencing this morning, saving a snake...that was interesting, I feel funny...) Anyways, I'm starting to get antsy...

I wanna pick up drawing and hair styling again...

My brother and his gf are finally getting married, and I've been helping her a lot with the planning...I think it'd be fun to be a wedding planner...and style of dresses and her hair.

Wow, I'm really ADD right now...anyways...

That's all.

Haha...I hope you enjoyed reading my thoughts...(I never really blog about my thoughts and now you know why! )