LLG: Did you know the term monkey bread comes from the idea that people can break apart food like monkeys do? Also clafouti is a French dessert typically with real fruit and baked flan. So good. And so easy to make!

Gratitude goes to clafouti, sweet potato, leftover fondue, warm blankets, and giving massages.

LLG: I had no idea Uwajimaya sold black truffles.  It was about $22 for a small piece.  I didn’t know such a delicate ingredient was readily available like that.  Always imagined it’s an ingredient that you need the right connections for… thanks to No Reservations lol.  Made Sweet Potato again, with slight modifications.  Turns out it’s better as small circles, and parchment paper saves the day.  If only job search can be as exciting as transforming recipes.  Anyone have the perfect recipe for job search?  Let me know. 

Gratitude goes to Trader Joe’s, Costco, Uwajimaya, being a foodie, and sharing the sausage twerking video to Sean.  (it’ll scar you for life). 

LLG: I learned today that jellyfish is 95% water, which led me to research what kind of jellyfish are the edible kind. Turns out there’s about 6 kinds of jellyfish that are edible. For those of you who haven’t tried jellyfish yet, there isn’t much flavor but the texture is unique. Often times it’s dried and then rehydrated when mixing it in salads and such.

Learned today of yet another shooting. Ever since the midterm election, Washington passed initiative 940. Saw a friend’s post who is clearly opposed to the initiative, but I’ve heard, listened, and researched regarding this particular initiative, as my student government leaders had to vote whether to endorse it as an organization. Senseless shootings need to stop. It’s insane to think there has been 307 shootings, 382 deaths in 312 days of 2018. That’s like saying we’ve had a shooting everyday except for a 5 day work week off. It should not be the norm where someone ends up in 2 shootings in their life time. We can’t normalize this in our society.

Gratitude goes to warm blankets, two sides to a story, ability to reach out, communication and accepting criticism.

LLG: Learned of a friend’s sibling’s death.  In fact, this is the 2nd death I’ve heard of this month.  It’s tragedies like these that make you think what would happen if there was no tomorrow? What would you do if you knew tomorrow wouldn’t come? What would you say? What would you want? I honestly would want people to know of my passing.  I’d hope my sister would somehow let people on my phone contacts and social media know of my passing in one way or another.  I’d like Sean to know for sure.  

Gratitude goes to life, social media, 24 hours, news, and wishes.

LLG: Learned today that I have a lot to show for myself.  I’m in need of a mantra. A phrase or statement I can tell myself every morning.  Something that aligns with my WHY and vision.  Self-validation seems so empty at times, like getting validation from others is more meaningful or powerful, yet, it’s rather the hardest. If you can’t believe in yourself then who can? People may compare me with another, but in the end, I’m me, and that’s all who I’d like to compare myself with.  My past me, present me, and future me.  No one else.  

Gratitude goes to the little wins, won a tank top, got my fundraiser gifts, hunt for a short but powerful mantra, and enjoying the arts. 

LLG: Today, I learned about a homeless person (ホームレス小谷） in Japan who has apparently made himself quite famous. He basically lives off of people’s compassion and willingness to share resources.  I suppose there’s always two sides to the story, but at one hand, this homeless guy doesn’t have a job or a home and yet he’s happy go lucky because there are people who want to meet him that will pay for his transportation, food, and lodging, and he’s fine with it.  Others may view that as a smoocher or simply lazy person who is using other people’s money.  What’s interesting to me is the question in hand when it comes to ‘giving’ someone a place to stay at your place without knowing them.  The idea behind boundaries or a lack thereof within our society is something to think about.  This guy creates connections via social media and goes and meets people in person.  He’s been living this life for five years now, and there’s plenty more according to his connections.   I suppose if he has his WHY then that’s all that matters.  

According to Gary Chapman’s 5 Love Language, my top 3 dominants (all the same scores) were: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, and Physical Touch.  I scored the least in gifts and acts of service.  What does that say about me? It simply means that these 3 love languages speak louder to me than doing or giving me something.  Spending quality time while using words and physical touch is how I value and create meaning within the relationship.  I’m not too surprised with the result as it describes a typical day of shenanigans whether I’m spending the day with friends or a significant other. 

Gratitude goes to love for football, finding solutions to problems, dim sum, NHK Special, and self-awareness. 

LLG: Learned a new recipe using sweet potatoes. Relearned that I probably had my first squid ink pasta at the Spanish restaurant called Puerto Chico in Mexico city. Also learned we went to several Italian restaurants, named La Trattoria. I’m not a huge pasta fan, but enjoying to like certain pasta dishes.

Grateful for learning new recipes, WSU football, squid ink pasta, Japanese drama, and Japanese music.

LLG: learned that I still can do without shopping (in store). The only reason I’d go out of my way to shop is to figure out what my size is for specific brands. Everything else is frankly a waste of time. Went to the mall around 2pm and was surprised at how many couples were there. If I weren’t single and I had the day off with my boo, I definitely wouldn’t be spending it at the mall. Also learned that my size hasn’t changed which is a relief. It was interesting to explain why a business would be on Instagram. I mean, it’s free publicity. Why wouldn’t a business jump on that?

Gratitude goes to Fresh Off The Boat (the show), online shopping, living frugal, boardking, and new boots.

LLG: learned today about coffee beans. I didn’t know that coffee beans are seeds of a fruit. #mindblown. I watched about 5 youtube videos explaining the process. Interesante. Learned that exercise is about hurting your body. If it doesn’t hurt, you’re not pushing hard enough. When you feel that stretch or burn, that’s when you know you’re working out. People often quit when it starts hurting, but it’s quite the opposite. It’s just getting started. You gotta endure it. Also learned that gifs are complicated unless what you’re meaning to say is spelled out. If not, it’s hard to decipher what people typed in to get to that gif.

Gratitude goes to good food, gifs, YouTube, curiosity, and research.