On Janus

From the Roman God of beginnings and transitions, Janus, we learn that people have two sides. They have a good side, a bad side, a past, and a future. We must embrace both sides in someone we love. It's not smart, or fair for that matter, to only accept the aspects about them that we like. We need to receive them as a whole, and not expect to change them into the person that's most convenient for us. I'm not saying that people shouldn't change; just let them be who they are, and allow them evolve into the person they're meant to be. Love all of them, with all of yourself.

On family

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."- Desmond Tutu

When you feel like you're unable to go any further and you're on your last breath, there will always be one group of people to help you keep going, and the love of your family runs deeper than blood.

On karma

Karma is a funny thing because it's pretty intangible- it can't really be measured. I believe in it though: what goes around comes around. Even if I was wrong and there was no such thing, I wouldn't live my life any differently. I would still take the initiative to do good and treat people the way they deserve to be treated. Why wouldn't I? What's the alternative?

Am I human? Yes. Do I make mistakes? Of course. Do I believe that karma may be the cause for any type of misfortune resulting from poor judgement? Sometimes. But do I try? I do. Do I believe that effort counts? You bet.

"Men may not get all they pay for in this world; but they must certainly pay for all they get."- Frederick Douglas

On the Bay Bridge Rivalry

Being a huge baseball fan and growing up in the bay area has resulted in my favorite teams being the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants. The two teams have this rivalry, a friendly rivalry, but a rivalry nonetheless, and many people in the bay area have chosen sides. To the dismay of many of my friends, I am an A's fan first; I'm still a loyal Giants fan (and was unbelievably ecstatic when they won the World Series last year!!), but the A's have always been my team. My mom grew up following them with her brother, and our family had season tickets to the Coliseum for a few years, before I left for college. It's more difficult to be an A's fan now because the team isn't as strong as they were about ten years ago, but they're still fun to watch. I love the way they play ball- their philosophy is very similar to mine when I used to play- balls to the wall and leave it all on the field.

The Giants and A's play a couple of series against each other every year during inter-league play and this year, I get to go to AT&T for the first game of the weekend series (which turns out to be the night they're giving away Giants Snuggies). My mom and I are going with some family friends, and I'm super excited for the game. The only thing is, who do I root for? The A's are my team, but we're gonna be in San Francisco, and we're going with Giants fans. I have hats and jerseys for both squads, but I'm not sure how I'm gonna play this one, and I only have a week to figure it out :/

On food

First of all, I'm a total foodie if you haven't figured that out already. It's been a while since I dedicated a whole post to food so I thought, why not do it now, especially since I'm currently working in the food service industry. I'm going to tell you right now that this particular post is going to be pretty scattered, so don't be too surprised if I jump around haha.

Working at the restaurant is going really well and I absolutely love it- it's the perfect job for me right now. I'm one of the head cashiers (woohoo! lol) and every so often, I jump on the line and prepare food for our customers. The best part of the job, besides the people and the tips, would have to be the fact that I get to take food home everyday, and it never gets old. Everything we serve at the restaurant, although fairly spicy, is super good so I always get an awesome meal after work. Curry Up Now is definitely not your traditional Indian restaurant- the owner described it as the Indian version of Chipotle. However, its modern aspect attracts so many people- we have thousands of followers on twitter and facebook and the day I worked in the food truck in SF on Bush Street, we served over 260 people in just three hours. People love our tikka masala burritos, kathi rolls, and deconstructed samosas.

Switching gears- If you haven't already heard, Safeway (yes, the grocery store) has an amazing deli sandwich called The Pub. It's so awesome, and this is coming from the guy who has had many, many great sandwiches in his life. It's roast beef with caramelized onions and blue cheese, with honey mustard dressing. It may not be for everyone, but it's ridiculously good.

For mother's day, I got up early and got my mom some pastries from Copenhagen Bakery & Cafe on Burlingame Ave. All I can say is that if you're nearby, you have to try the Chocolate Pastry. It's indescribable- really, I don't know what else to say- just get one, and share it with everybody. You won't regret it.

Also for mother's day, my dad's side of the family came over for dinner, which was to be prepared by all the guys. I decided to make coconut bread pudding for dessert because we have a recipe that worked really well before. Personally, bread pudding doesn't sound appealing in any way. I'd guess that many would feel the same. However, if you tried this warm coconut bread pudding (which really isn't too difficult to make) and have it with homemade caramel sauce (to be fair, my mom made the sauce), it will change your mind about it forever.

"One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating."- Luciano Pavarotti and William Wright, Pavarotti, My Own Story

On "Little Lion Man"

Alexis, thanks again for introducing me to this song; it's so awesome...

Little Lion Man- Mumford & Sons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLJf9qJHR3E

"Weep for yourself, my man,

You'll never be what is in your heart
Weep Little Lion Man,
You're not as brave as you were at the start
Rate yourself and rake yourself,
Take all the courage you have left
Wasted on fixing all the problems
That you made in your own head

But it was not your fault but mine
And it was your heart on the line
I really fucked it up this time
Didn't I, my dear?
Didn't I, my...

Tremble for yourself, my man,
You know that you have seen this all before
Tremble Little Lion Man,
You'll never settle any of your scores
Your grace is wasted in your face,
Your boldness stands alone among the wreck
Now learn from your mother or else spend your days Biting your own neck

But it was not your fault but mine
And it was your heart on the line
I really fucked it up this time
Didn't I, my dear? (x2)

Didn't I, my dear?

Ahhhhh......

But it was not your fault but mine
And it was your heart on the line
I really fucked it up this time
Didn't I, my dear? (x2)

Didn't I, my dear?"

On missing you

I didn't think I'd miss you as much as I actually do, but I guess that's a good thing...

So Very Hard to Go- Tower of Power

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BsnmMkdPOM

"Ain't nothin' I can say, nothin' I can do,

I feel so bad, yeah, I feel so blue.
I got to make it right for everyone concerned
Even if it's me, if it means it's me what's gettin' burned.

'Cause I could never make you unhappy, no, I couldn't do that girl,
Only wish I didn't have to love you do, makes it so, so very hard to go.
(So very hard to go) 'Cause I love you so,
(So very hard to go), ah, I love you do.

I knew the time would come, I'd have to pay for my mistakes,
I can't blame you for what you're doin' to me girl, even tho' my heart aches.
Your dreams have all come true just the way you planned them,
So I'll just step aside, I'm gonna step aside and lend a helping hand then.

'Cause I could never make you unhappy, no I couldn't do that girl,
only wish I didn't love you so, makes it so, so very hard to go.
(So very hard to go) 'Cause I love you so
(So very hard to go) Oh, I love you so

(So very hard to go) And it ain't easy to walk away when a man love some body
(So very hard to go) Hey, hey, hey, hey."

Tracks of my Tears- Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNS6D4hSQdA

"People say I'm the life of the party

Because I tell a joke or two
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
Deep inside I'm blue
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears..

I need you, need you
Since you left me if you see me with another girl
Seeming like I'm having fun
Although she may be cute
She's just a substitute
Because you're the permanent one..
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears..

I need you, need you
Outside I'm masquerading
Inside my hope is fading
Just a clown oh yeah
Since you put me down
My smile is my make up
I wear since my break up with you..

So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears"