Writ.

Engaged.

2010-02-21T16:11:00.000-08:00

Exactly seven days ago, Chuck proposed to me and I said yes! Thank you all for the well wishes. It's a very happy time for us both.

The planning is coming along swiftly and easily. We spent the day after our engagement basking in the sun. In the days after that, we created our guest list, asked my dear friend Molly to letterpress our invitations, decided that dahlias would be our flowers. We chose the man who would bring music and dancing to our reception.

We talked for hours and hours about our future, our hopes, our fears, our partnership. We cried and celebrated with our families.

Yesterday, we traveled up to Mill Valley and decided that we would get married there.

Today, we took a walk to our local Farmer's Market, bought a handful of lillies, delphiniums, and anemones. I attempted my very first centerpiece, to gauge how crazy we are to think we'd enjoy arranging our wedding flowers ourselves.

It was a bit of a disaster, but the disaster was inspiring. I have a feeling there will be a new centerpiece every Sunday until I get to my wedding dahlias.

We're not having a long engagement. I guess we don't see any reason to hold it off. We can't wait to be married.

Philippine street foods.

2010-01-30T19:28:00.000-08:00

I loved reading Jen Laceda's little blog post on popular street foods in the Philippines. Ah, memories! I was a very picky eater when I was a kid though, so I grew up around this stuff but ate very little of it. I liked beef barbecue, and loved eating the yolk out of the peculiar balut.

A couple of important things missing from this list are sago at gulaman and dirty ice cream. Any day that included either of those things was a very happy day for me.

And now that I'm properly mired in childhood snack nostalgia, what of my favorite fruit in the whole world, the mangosteen? I haven't had this since I was eight years old! Same with pugo (quail) eggs, which I devoured during long bus rides to the beach with my family.

Yum.

Mill Valley textures.

2010-01-26T21:07:00.000-08:00

The new guy in the cube next to me keeps staring at me.

2010-01-24T08:47:00.000-08:00

Dedicated to Pembrook Hazlitt Wordsworth.

2010-01-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

A little while ago, my boyfriend and I watched the film Notorious, a docudrama about the late rap star Christopher Wallace. Being thoroughly unfamiliar with "the hip hops," we felt so educated and inspired by the film that we immediately staged our own jam session, wherein one of us did "the beatbox" and the other attempted to freestyle our Silicon Valley-based trials and tribulations. The results of these efforts were so pathetic that we decided we needed to start our hit album on paper (or, more accurately, TextEdit). Our output from this exercise was slightly more comprehensible, but equally unfit for MTV. Nonetheless, we were very proud of all the odes we composed during that hour or so that the two of us fancied ourselves rap artists.

I'll share the one I made for my fish because I have no shame:

Ode #1

Got a little fish, his name was Merty

And boy the little thing, he was a big flirty

But Merty gone and died, and now I got Pemby

I love you Pemby, you're my little baby

I wish that you'd eat, cause you're a little skinny

You're the size of my pinky, you're just an inny minny

Do you like me? Your answer's a maybe

But I love you Pemby, you're my pretty baby

Now you think it's sad that I made a little rap

And you hate that I'm always, a rap a tap tap

On your little bowl, I know that it's rude-y

But your still my Pemby, my lovely little baby

Recent searches on my Nexus One

2010-01-13T22:43:00.000-08:00

stop tickly cough
swine flu symptoms
betta picky eater
gail collins blog
sql syntax union
yelp brunch mill valley, ca
do cats clean butt after poo

Bumping it down.

2010-01-02T22:42:00.000-08:00

Please stop informing me that I'm way, way late on the uptake re: those dancing wedding people. Yes I did think that I had unearthed an Internet phenomenon that I must spread via this website. It's like that time I made an entire photo slideshow featuring that song from The OC, thinking that I had found a beautiful indie gem that I must help get on the air.

In other news, Merry and Happy, everybody! Tomorrow I see Chuck and my face hurts from smiling so much.

I swear they filched this concept from my brain.

2009-12-22T23:26:00.000-08:00

Long before I gave an ounce of thought about marriage, I had a crystal clear vision of the entrance I would make to my wedding ceremony. I'll set aside descriptions. They are no longer needed, because these people went ahead and executed my idea without permission.

Nice form, everyone. Lucky for you I won't be suing, because I've grown 5 years older since the seed of this genius was planted, and those 5 years have aged me into a sensible human being who will probably not be doing this.

All weddings should strive to be this joyful, love-filled and utterly perplexing.

Photo Booth 2009.

2009-12-17T20:48:00.000-08:00

We're the same silly couple we were last year.

How could I resist?

2009-12-14T20:16:00.000-08:00

I spotted this cupcake at Whole Foods this past weekend ...

And had to get it. What can I say? I'm a sucker for cute pairs.

Party.

2009-12-13T12:41:00.001-08:00

Chuck and I spent Saturday evening partying at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

I wore a black dress and very red lipstick, a bold choice recently inspired by my flatmate. Chuck wore a suit and tie, which made me happy.

I also wore fishnet stockings and tall black shoes: a painful combination.

By the end of the night, Chuck's shoes were mine.

You thought I was making this up.

2009-12-09T22:41:00.000-08:00

Yes, those are real reindeer. And yes, I almost got mauled by both of them. Tip: Don't pat reindeers on the bum. It really, really offends them.

Peasantries.

2009-11-30T20:43:00.000-08:00

A few or ten more of my favorite snapshots from our Friday at the Asian Art Museum:

Regarding one of two total paintings from the Philippines in the entire museum:

This is Dan exclaiming, "Uncanny! One of those praying peasants looks just like Erica!"

This is what contentment looks like:

This guy reminds me of my brother:

Paul and Dan and a wall of weapons:

Across the street from the museum, San Francisco City Hall waved hello:

Later that evening, we visited The Trappist in Oakland, where I was preoccupied with this flyer featuring a pig happily turning himself into salami:

Please come to town more often, Paul.

Regarding the goose.

2009-11-29T12:00:00.000-08:00

I spent the afternoon after Thanksgiving at the Asian Art Museum with Chuck and my two friends from college, Dan and Paul. I go way back with those guys.

Paul is from out of town. Dan lives close enough to me that we could see each other more often than we do. But the conversations we'd have on a daily basis might cause the people who currently have regular spots on the Erica Show to willingly demote themselves to infrequent guest appearances.

In the midst of a solemn and beautiful special exhibit on "The Arts of Burma and Siam," for instance, I was struck by the sculpture pictured below and made an observation that quickly devolved into a spirited debate that perplexed all who were unfortunate enough to overhear it.

Me: The goose is basically the Buddha of the birds.

Dan: Let me just make sure I got that right. You're saying that the goose is the Buddha of the birds.

Me: Yep.

Dan: You're saying ... that the goose represents the quest to escape the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth ... for birds.

Me: Yep.

Five minutes later:

Dan: What if I were to say that the tuna is the Buddha of the fish?

Me: Don't be stupid, Dan. There is no such thing as a Buddha of the fish.

Dan: What? But you just said ...

I walk away.

Half an hour later:

Dan: Would you say that the oak is the Buddha of the trees?

Me: No, of course not.

Dan: What! What tree would qualify as a Buddha, then?

Me: Obviously, the redwood.

Dan: The redwood. The redwood.

Me: Yep.

Dan: There is no way the redwood is the Buddha of the trees.

Me: Why not? It's the tallest, and therefore the closest to enlightenment.

Dan: I don't even know where to begin telling you what's wrong with that argument.

Me: There is no arguing this.

Dan: The redwood is a bodhisattva at best.

Dan may have won this debate in light of the fact that he knows a lot more about Buddhism than I do and can therefore say wittier things about it. However, according to Google, nobody has ever attempted to classify a Buddha of the birds. I'll have the last laugh when I'm cited as one of the founders of modern ethno-ornithology.

No turkeys were harmed in the making of this Thanksgiving.

2009-11-28T20:20:00.000-08:00

A veritable iron chef has recently taken residence in my parents' home, and as a gesture of appreciation, she prepared our family's Thanksgiving dinner. A woman of the world, she opted us out of turkey and mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce ... and instead dazzled us with the best Chinese-Filipino fusion food I've ever had. Below is a sampling.

Hainanese Chicken Rice (more):

Pata Tim with Shitake Mushrooms (more):

Pancit Canton (more):

Chuck missed the memo re: "Asian Thanksgiving," and foolishly arrived with pecan pie.

I missed the memo re: "Asian" in addition to "Thanksgiving," and foolishly arrived with a chocolate trifle.

However, being the only ones who thought to make dessert, our after-dinner treats were a big hit.

I am also happy to report that I made good on my promise not to eat my weight in holiday goodness this year. My pants still fit, and for this I am very thankful.

Coming up next: Black Friday at the Asian Art Museum and Burma Superstar.

Happy Dessert-y Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T11:32:00.000-08:00

Today, Chuck and I got up early to make our contributions to my family's Thanksgiving dinner.

Chuck made a pecan pie that puffed up in the oven and swallowed the decorative pecan toppers whole:

And I made a chocolate trifle:

The trifle is artfully photographed, and therefore appears deceivingly presentable. In person, it looks like a kindergartner went a little crazy with chocolate pudding and whipped cream. I do hope it tastes better than that. I'll keep you posted.

Despite the turkey in my header.

2009-11-19T18:47:00.001-08:00

Recently, I made a pact with myself. I am not going to eat like a greedy little monster over the holidays this year. Instead, I'm going to eat like a normal person. I'm not going to consume a quarter of an entire cow, like I did last year.

Every year for as long as I can remember, I have simply accepted November and December as the months that I stop fitting into my pants. I dreaded not fitting into my pants, but apparently not as much as I loved feeling jolly. And boy, did I get jolly during these months. However, I've concluded for some time that there must be some way to get into the holiday spirit without eating every scantily-clad Christmas candy in sight.

My pact goes against a grand tradition in my family, and I'm preparing myself for a whole lot of coaxing and a whole lot of food mysteriously appearing on my plate every time I turn away. It's going to be very challenging, but I've firmly decided that it is worth the effort.

I've been thinking a lot about my health lately, and how I've been managing it like a namby pamby for some time. I have the type of personality that can get entirely carried away with indulgences (particularly those of the chocolatey sort), so, knowing myself, I need to be especially disciplined when it comes to food. All the time.

I've reached a point in my adulthood where I've come to realize that many of the childish habits I have towards food are no longer acceptable. It is not acceptable to eat 3 pints of Ben & Jerry's for dinner because I feel like it. It is not acceptable to eat steak every night for an entire week because I really like steak. It is not acceptable to engage in food-eating contests with my brother, which I really should have learned from many years ago, when I almost choked after stuffing 21 grapes into my mouth. And it's not acceptable to use the holidays as an excuse to gain 10 pounds, just because everyone else does.

I'm breaking a whole lot of bad habits this winter. And the holiday thing is one of the worst of them all.

Grilling on a Cold Winter Evening

2009-11-16T23:12:00.000-08:00

We grilled spicy marinated chicken breasts wrapped in bacon! I'm not posting the photos of the dish because it actually makes us look like gluttons. However, that marinade was something else. And I'm convinced the bacon kept the juices in the chicken, resulting in incredibly flavorful, perfectly-cooked chicken-bacony goodness. Our biggest grilling success by far.

A day in my life exactly two years ago.

2009-11-12T22:45:00.000-08:00

I absolutely hate having to back up my hard drive. I get short of breath just thinking about it. On the upside, it always gives me an opportunity to look back at archives of old photos, and reflect.

Below are some photos from a day wandering around San Francisco with my big brother, back in November 2007.

I remember being very lonely back in November 2007.

I remember being very grateful to have a big brother who loved me very much.

I remember being very displeased with my eyebrows, and my hair. I remember hating having to wear glasses to read street signs clearly, and believing I repelled men when I wore them. So, whenever I didn't have to read street signs, I pushed my glasses up above my head and tried to look friendly and approachable.

There was fog everywhere, and it was chilly. I remember laughing and laughing and laughing as we walked all over the city. But the more I saw, the lonelier I felt.

Life was full of listless longing at the time. It was a kind of curious emptiness that took a great deal of self-reflection and patience to overcome.

These days I see the fog, but feel none of the melancholy.

Party Bloom: 03

2009-11-08T22:00:00.003-08:00

Party Bloom: 02

2009-11-08T22:00:00.001-08:00

Party Bloom: 01

2009-11-08T21:47:00.000-08:00

Post-Party Post.

2009-11-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

The cocktail party was thrown, drinks were flowing, laughs were had. Our new apartment's inaugural gathering was cozy and lovely.

Chuck proved himself the best boyfriend any girl could have, and there is nobody who can debate me on this. Dude managed to pull two perfect quiches, a gorgeous pumpkin bread for dessert, and had beef tenderloin on the grill while I distracted guests with cocktails.

True to my new calling as a drink master, I spent the whole night mixing drinks and asking guests if I could refill their martini glasses. My contributions to the cocktail party conversation included the intricacies of breeding fighting fish and the oft-misunderstood lives of tapeworms.

Few photos were taken, which I regret. But I love the few that were captured anyway (thank you again to the best boyfriend a girl could have):

<3.

The ingredients of a party

2009-11-05T20:07:00.000-08:00

This weekend, I'm hosting a sweet little cocktail party with my flatmate Thiena (or, as my fish calls her, Human #2). I'm breathless with excitement. I haven't hosted a party in a long time and I'm so ready to bring on the "host face." I'm particularly giddy about this party because I've cleverly avoided participating in the food preparation (to the relief of our guests, I'm sure) by anointing myself the drink specialist. The mixologist of your dreams.

I'm taking this new role very seriously. I'm almost through the second season of Mad Men, so I can confidently say that I know what sophisticated people like to drink. I have crafted a spectacular drink menu, with a list of ingredients that made me look like the most spectacular lush at the grocery store this evening.

Cocktail ingredients:

Bourbon whiskey
Vodka
Tequila
Gin
Sweet red vermouth
Angostura bitters
Triple sec
Cranberry juice
Oranges
Maraschino cherries
Lemons
Limes
Olive brine
Sugar cubes

Other:

Various wines
Sake
Sparkling apple cider
Coke

I'm giving a prize to the first person who can guess the 5 specialty cocktails that I will be making from the ingredients on this list.

Cheers!

A lesson in perspective.

2009-10-13T22:00:00.001-07:00

Today after a long rainy day, Chuck was eager to show me how high the water had gotten at a nearby stream. He took me to a spot that he found earlier, where thousands of little ants were marching uphill. "Watch all the little white spots they're carrying," he told me. We followed them for a while, an endless mile of determined little creatures on a mission. The challenges and frustrations of my own day were stomped away by the perseverance of those little ants, saving their eggs from the rising water.