Huge Creatures, Fluffy Creatures, Friendly Creatures.

Last week Chadsen took me to the Pet Expo out in Costa Mesa. It was such a fun experience! There were animals of all sorts - llama, pig, alpaca, panther, bunnies, birds, reptiles, cats, and dogs! Oh yes you can't forget, the vendors were there too. All of the people who brought the animals were so friendly and sweet, quite frankly it surprised me! They didn't push us to buy anything, but instead they welcomed us to pet their beautiful pets and even hug them! For those who wanted to donate there were of course little donation boxes available :). 

That day, I learned so much about the different creatures that we share this same world with. I was amazed. 

Llama Llama

The alpacas were a little shorter than the llamas

So, this guy apparently grazes practically all day, given a few breaks. 

Grazin grazin.

Miniature horse! So cute.

Big paw!

Alaskan Malamute. It was humongous. It was maybe 2-3 times bigger than a Husky. 

Beaut.

Until the Pet Expo, I've never touched a Greyhound. Incredibly sweet. They simply want to be with you all day and just lay down next to you. Great for an in-home companion :). The owner said that Greyhounds don't stink up the home either! 

:D

This Great Dane: It's almost taller than me. I'm standing, this guy is not.

My partner for life, on the right! :)

Right before this dog turned around, Chadsen was telling me how Rottweilers are known for being aggressive and scary.
Reaction: "WHAT?!"

Personal opinion: I believe the behavior of a dog are immensely influenced by how they are raised. I refuse to believe that animals are innately brutal. Ask Cesar Millan, who according to Chadsen uses a Pitbull as a therapy dog for other dogs :).

Please stop. Cute overload. 

Masumi

The Beginning of Progression

Two days ago I was able to plant seeds for the first time since... who knows when? 

Having a rather stressful Thursday, I gave myself a break by planting these bell pepper seeds that I bought with Chadsen at Target from a while back. Right before planting the bell pepper seeds I got to transplant our little tomato plant that we bought at the Cal Poly Farmstore too. If any of you are looking for a variety of veggies, that's a great place to go, it was so fun to see the selections. :) So Thursday was a hands-dirty, plant growing day. 

It's a crazy thought that once these little seeds are put in soil & then given the water & sunlight that they need they can grow into something big, something they have the potential to be! Two days ago these seeds began their progression into turning into bell peppers. This week was a week where I was given a lot of opportunities to grow and progress too, somebody I feel that God knows I can be. It was hard, facing difficulties with my internship that I never dared to wish for and working hours and hours to make a special party work for a dear friend. The CSULA bomb scare really frightened me, since that's the university I attend. Sometimes I felt a desire to run away from the presenting problems, but throughout the entire time I know that God gave me these little challenges because he knew that it would help me grow into the person that He knows I can be. Even though it was hard and stressful, I'm glad that I was able to be grateful for it. I will always grow, and I will even grow old. As I get older, my hopes are that I'll maybe be more skilled at something, or talented in something specific, or maybe even be smarter, but most of all, I want to be wiser and kinder. 

I'm currently in progress.  

Updates will be posted for both of these little bell pepper & tomatoes-to-bes. :)

Since I'm new to the planting world, I did a little experiment.
In half of the egg carton I put three seeds in each little hole, and in the other half just one seed each. Let's see what happens. :)

Sitting on the piano to get that indoor sunlight. Right now, these bell peppers are still little seeds. :)

Say hello to our Cal Poly Patio Tomato plant.

Masumi

Happy Birthday Mommy

Yesterday was my Mom's birthday. It was also my best friend Jess's birthday. Happy Birthday to you both! :)

To celebrate, my parents, Chadsen & I got to eat at Rokuan (one of my favorite sushi restaurants, they seriously have the best ramen) & then feast on a celebrative mango birthday cake from Eat Cake Cafe :) One perk of living nearby family is that we get to visit whenever we want/can. I love my family.

The food at Rokuan came out so fast that there was not enough time to take pictures, noo!

That's our gift to mommy :).

Typical

I just realized that we didn't take a family photo this year :X

That is our emergency birthday candle.

My family is forever.

Masumi

Caitlyn's Little sweet-(arf)

Last weekend was a great. Not only was I spiritually enriched by General Conference, but Chadsen & I got to spend time with friends who we haven't hung out with in a while: Caitlyn & Louie. These two are such crack-ups, as Chadsen would say. If you don't know them, then I recommend you do. :)

On top of feeling strengthened, humbled & having shared many laughs that weekend, I was touched by a sweet little soul that I reunited with: Maddox. Maddox is a part of Caitlyn's family and has been so for about five years if I remember correctly. He is so fun, so energetic, so obedient & loyal. Throughout the several hours that I spent with him, I could feel pure love emanating throughout this big guy from all the things he did. His sweetness and loyalty touched me. It doesn't help that I'm a dog lover, but boy did he make my soul feel bright.

This is Maddox :)

That's Chadsen, holding his hand as he rests nearby.

Patiently waiting outside of Caitlyn's door for her. He won't come in until his name is called (so cute!)

Silly Chadsen.

As Louie kept tapping his forehead, Maddox kept blinking his eyes. Silly dog!

"It feel gooooood!"

Having a ball, playin catch! :)

Reaching for his treat. 

See you again! :)

On the side note, can I add that I absolutely loved the heavy winds from yesterday? Usually I don't appreciate my hair whipping around and getting more tangled with each slap that it gives my face, but yesterday it felt wonderful.

Masumi

Garlic Carrot Slices

The other day I made a side dish that wowed me. It was one of those dishes where the flavor comes bursting at you after several seconds of chewing it. I liked this dish to the degree that I used it as a main dish & added other veggie dishes for the side that day :).

Ingredients (for 2 people):

1. Carrot (1)

2. Minced garlic (1 clove)

3. Olive oil (1.5 Tbsp) I used regular vegetable oil. 

4. Salt (1/2 tsp)

5. Pepper (a few shakes)

6. Vinegar (1/2 Tbsp)

How to create this wowzer dish:

1. Slice the carrot into thin, 2-3 mm rounds. 

2. Mince the garlic clove.

3. In your pan add the oil & garlic. Cook using low heat. 

4. After you smell the fragrance of the cooking garlic, add the carrots, salt, & pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes.

5. After you see that the carrots are cooked add the vinegar for that extra surprise factor. 

Then make sure to enjoy eating it :))

Masumi

Lessons Learned

So last week was spring break. It definitely had its ups & downs, but I'd like to say that I learned two important lessons:

1. Happiness depends upon myself; it is a choice. 

If I want to something, then I need to put in my own effort into it.

2. Sometimes I have to learn to forgive myself. 

(Misunderstanding something last week, I tried to "save" a friend, which turned out to be an embarrassing mistake.)

No matter how much I wish it never happened, I realized that I'm here to learn about living with everyone, and maybe especially myself!

 Moving on to food, would you like to try making bunny apples? :)

Masumi