Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Milk Chocolate Chip + Chocolate Cookie



I have been wanting to make this cookie for a long time ever since seeing this post on Heart of Light.
The actual recipe is from Martha Stewart's Cookies.

From the Heart of Light blog:

Milk Chocolate Cookies from
Martha Stewart's Cookies
1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

8 ounces good quality milk chocolate
(half coarsely chopped for melted, half cut into 1/4" chunks)
1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

** Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a bowl and set aside. ** Melt the coarsely chopped chocolate with the butter and then allow it to cool. (You can either use a double boiler for this, or you can simply use the microwave, if you're lucky enough to have a kitchen large enough to accommodate one, unlike me.) ** Beat the sugar, eggs and vanilla in the mixer. Pour in the melted chocolate, then fold in the flour until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chunks. ** Set the oven to preheat to 325 degrees. Chill the dough for about half an hour (Martha doesn't mention this, but I found it really helpful) and then use a 1 1/2 inch ice cream scoop (or a large spoon) to drop dough onto parchment or Silpat lined baking sheets. Bake 15 minutes. Cookies will still be soft. Makes about 3 dozen.



Just FYI Sur La Table has the best cookie sheets.
I don't need to grease anything, or buy a Silpat, which can be around $40.
Cookies fall right off.



They came out pretty great....





Can't wait to gift these with my new ribbon collection I got today from Michaels.
I love ribbons.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Sephora

Last weekend, I went shopping with one of my friend and found an amazing eyeshadow palette from Dior at Sephora.





Their shadows which I've owned before are truly a work of art, from their packaging to the quality, color payoff, and so forth.
I purchased the color "Mitzah" from "The Style Empress" collection.









From the Sephora website:

An enchanting muse, Mitzah Bricard was an influential figure in the creation of the House of Dior. Setting the standard for elegance, she was an empress of style, whose audacious nature and lust for life continuously influenced Christian Dior. The signature elements of her look, such as the color lilac and notably, the famous jungle panther print, have become emblematic of Dior.





I also purchased an eyeliner pencil from my favorite brand, Tarina Tarantino.



Her Eye Dream Hyperliner pencil is my go to over Urban Decay or Make Up Forever -- which has been a blogger favorite for a long time.




I purchased this in color Ultraviolet (which is not available online) a dark plum/brown.

Last item is absolutely adorable and I couldn't resist.



This is Mr. & Mrs. Minimergency Kit.

In this small, 3.5" x 2" pouch you will find......






You can refill them with what you have in your house once you've used some of the item, or purchase more of their super mini items by contacting the website.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Eyes



You and I
Could paint the sky together
As the world goes by
We'll go on forever

Look into my eyes
Eyes are the windows to the soul
Look into my eyes
Oh you will know
There is no surprise, eyes
Because love is plain to see
Look into my eyes
Eyes

Truth is truth
And time can never leap it
This I know
We will always keep it



For someone whose eyes mesmerize me every time.

By Kaskade feat. Mindy Gledhill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7RyZ4Zf4Dk&list=FLqXfEmf9Wy4oICT9QqGrmUg&index=1

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Don't Stop Dancing

Lyric to Kaskade's "Don't Stop Dancing" -- which is my anthem right now.








Don't stop dancing girl (x4)

World outside you, will let you in
To share the beauty you hold within
just keep going, every day
the silver lining is on its way

cause what you long for, is free
what you stand for, is to be
lift your feet off the ground

Don't stop dancing girl (x8)

Til you reach it you wont know
just what's the distance, you'll need to go
but it's out there beyond today
The silver lining is on its way

cause what you long for, is free
what you stand for is, to be
lift your feet up off the ground...

Don't stop dancing girl (x4)

By Kaskade (feat. Haley)

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

Monday, September 12, 2011

Beauty and Baking Haul


Brown Paper bags with handles for my baked goods!


Since I have been on a baking kick lately I did a little shopping at Michael's Arts and Crafts for some packaging items.


Little Take-out containers! Perfect for anything!

Whenever I am in that store, I think about who I would be gifting the baked goods for, and see what color, or theme would be appropriate.

The clearance section has some great items as well, and I found a colorful polka dot cupcake liner for a penny, and beautiful ribbons for a dollar each.


$2.01 total


I also have some new additions to my make up collection, and recently, I have been gravitating toward Japanese and Korean items.

There are many stores in Los Angeles that I can purchase these items, so I don't necessarily have to go online, but when I do, my go-to site is Pretty and Cute.

I bought the most adorable handheld mirror and a BB Cream, (both by Lioele) from them and I couldn't believe how fast the shipping was!




I purchased an eyeshadow palette that is produced by Japanese model Tsubasa Masuwaka (I have few other items by her brand, Dolly Wink).





It is in Sweet Dolly Brown (01) and it has the most useful, beautiful colors, it will be a staple in my make up bag.


Also, I am always looking for mascara that doesn't leave a black 'rim' on the bottom of my eyes after a few hours of wear, and this one (over YSL or Dior) is the winner.
It's a Japanese brand, GAFIXX Mascara (you can purchase here).


GAFIXX Mascara


What have you purchased lately that just makes you smile?

Sunday, September 11, 2011

10 years ago


Ten years ago today, my industry changed in a way nobody expected it to.

I will never forget the thoughts that went through my head when I realized what was going on with my coworkers -- especially those first moments when I finally saw the visual of those buildings on fire.

I was flying out of Los Angeles to Denver that day, and the confusion and the panic we saw and felt while we waited for answers that never came - I would never wish that upon anyone.

In the aviation industry, even if you don't work for the same airline we are all family.
When you hear about something that's gone wrong, it hits so, so close to home.
Knowing that someone I actually may know were on those planes, just crushed me.

As long as I live I hope we never have to go through what we experiences that day.

My thoughts are with everyone who was affected by that horrible day.




Friday, September 9, 2011

How did I end up here anyway?


Post card from Zazzle.com


Often I am asked how I became a flight attendant.

My family had always encouraged me that I was fit for the position since I was a little girl, especially my grandmother who would send me flight attendant magazines from Japan on a monthly base.
I thought it would be a nice way to see her occasionally too.
As soon as I was old enough (19), I planned to pursue the position.

I didn't do it right away though, and waited since I decided to pursue my dream to be an Olympic athlete.
I passed up going away to college versus traveling around as a junior athlete, competing around the country. I would attend classes at a community college in my home town and traveled on weekends to tournaments.

About a year and a haf into my intense training with a personal coach, an ankle injury (torn ligament) sidelined me and through some anguish and time off from training, I decided I was ready to start my career.
I attended my first Open House for my airline when I was 20 years old in Los Angeles.

Having no idea how a 'real' job would be -- let alone how life operated, I can't even tell you how I came off, but nonetheless after two rounds of interviews and medical, I was hired and went through 7 weeks of training in my home town.
It was an awesome feeling when I was accepted for training, as my airline was only hiring at a ratio of 1:100 at the time, and I felt like I've accomplished something.

My language skill probably helped and the fact that I had just finished a 2 months stint as an interpreter for the Olympic Game for the biggest news agency in Japan probably didn't hurt either.


Many of my co workers would disagree with me but I myself enjoyed the training immensely.
It was my first adult experience, and since I never attended a four year University, it was sort of a faux dorm life I never had.

By-the-minute schedule, stale cafeteria food day in day out, the fine dining class (with roast and caviar, sorbet with mint leaf, etc.) that lasted for hours and hours, the make up class, the PA and demo class, walking around the airport at midnight with classmates for 'aircraft fam (iliarization)' class, the stress and pressure of our weekly tests and quizzes (not to mention the emergency section of the training), and the drama that ensued as one of our classmates got 'cut' -- it was a full experience that til this day I remember fondly.
When we learned (or tried to) about our scheduling, most of us were more confused when we walked out of the class then when we walked in.
These are just a snippet of what we learned during our 7 week stay at our training center.
There are just so many layers and components to being a flight attendant, and this training taught me that.


We encouraged each other and held each other up through our hills and valleys.

When one of our classmates passed away during the first weekend at training, each one of us took it hard, and differently.
Some of us had to leave to go to our first training flight just hours after learning the news -- for a while our class was an emotional mess.

Once we finally graduated, we were based in two different cities, and it was a learning experience from there.
Like anything else, things you were taught in classrooms were not exactly the same in real life, and I would be so confused with some of the lingos, I would pretend to know some when I had no clue what my crew was talking about. ( i.e. -- "We will satellite this cart.")
All the different personalities that I had to deal with onboard - crew and passengers - was absolutely overwhelming to me.
(As time has gone by, I had become such a homebody.)

I stumbled through my first 6 months and made it through my 'probation' period without a problem (sort of).

Thank God for being young.
It made making mistakes that much easier, and to forget.

Through many, many, many, many, many laughs, some tears and occasional urge to hurt someone, I literally grew up in the aviation industry.
Nothing will ever replace my memories I had with my airline and the friends I have made.


Almost 15 years, here I am again, basically a new hire as a corporate FA in a slightly different setting.

I am hoping my next chapter in the aviation industry will be just as fulfilling and wonderful.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

What would you like to see?

I am sort of in a weird phase in my life where I love everything that is coming across in my life, and want to enjoy them.

I am starting to bake again, and I am really enjoying gifting my finished products, and buying boxes and containers to out them in and decorating them is half the fun.

I am also busy as a new blogger on an aviation website, and I have to finished a legitimate post every two weeks, and it may get up to once a week if my work seems like it cam produce more stories.

I am continuing my yoga practices, though during the summer I seriously slacked, but once I get back in, I know I will remember why I began to start off with.

I have been making my way into the shelter I volunteer with about three times a week, and it feels great.

The only thing I have been truly shopping for has been kitchenware and business wears, so there hasn't been much interesting move there, but it's me, you guys.
I am always very active online, browsing and getting things at home. My roommate can attest to that.

So I guess the question is: what do like to see from here?
Anything in particular?
I would like to hear any and all opinions, so please do not be shy, I want to hear from as many people as I can.

I am kind of shy about doing those outfit posts because I hate having pix taken, but maybe I need to suck it up and have someone tale a picture of me or invest in a camera that can do something fab so I can show you guys more of my fashionista side?

I don't know.
I'm sort of in a rut, please help me!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Hanamizuki - Dogwood


It's been 10 years since my industry changed.
This song was written by a singer in Japan after the 9-11 terrorist attack as an anthem for the survivors and family of the victims of the tragedy, and her wish and hope for world peace.


Lyrics from "Hanamizuki" (Dogwood) by Hitoto Yo


 空を押し上げて
 手を伸ばす君 五月のこと
 どうか来てほしい
 水際まで来てほしい
 つぼみをあげよう
 庭のハナミズキ

 薄紅色の可愛い君のね
 果てない夢がちゃんと
 終わりますように
 君と好きな人が
 百年続きますように

 夏は暑過ぎて
 僕から気持ちは重すぎて
 一緒にわたるには
 きっと船が沈んじゃう
 どうぞゆきなさい
 お先にゆきなさい

 僕の我慢がいつか実を結び
 果てない波がちゃんと
 止まりますように
 君とすきな人が
 百年続きますように




 ひらり蝶々を
 追いかけて白い帆を揚げて
 母の日になれば
 ミズキの葉、贈って下さい
 待たなくてもいいよ
 知らなくてもいいよ

 薄紅色の可愛い君のね
 果てない夢がちゃんと
 終わりますように
 君と好きな人が
 百年続きますように

 僕の我慢がいつか実を結び
 果てない波がちゃんと
 止まりますように
 君と好きな人が
 百年続きますように

 君と好きな人が
 百年続きますように




you hold your hands out
boosting up the sky, in may
I want you to come,
to the water's edge.
I'll give you a bud
the dogwood tree in the garden

my adorable soft pink one,
I hope your endless dream comes to an end
I hope you and the one you love have one hundred years together.

summer is too hot
my feelings are too heavy
to cross together
they'll no doubt bring down the boat
please go on,
go on ahead of me.

my patience will one day pay off
I hope the endless waves will calm
I hope you and the one you love have one hundred years together

chase after the fluttering butterflies
raise the white sails
on Mother's Day
send a leaf of dogwood.
you need not wait,
nor know

my adorable soft pink one,
I hope your endless dream comes to an end
I hope you and the one you love have one hundred years together.

my patience will one day pay off
I hope the endless waves will calm
I hope you and the one you love have one hundred years together

(Translated By: Brian Stewart & Takako Sakuma)


Below, video of legendary Japanese singer Hideaki Tokunaga in concert singing this song - tear inducing, powerful, even if you can not understand the language.
The melody is beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9bxyOGTsrI