eat a rainbow everyday

I've been reinspired

2008-10-28T18:57:00.000-07:00

So I think I'm going to start blogging again, but stick to the main theme of my original idea. Food stuff only :) I've spent way too long looking at vegan food blogs and found out October is Vegan MoFo, month of food. Vegans are encouraged to blog about food this month. Anyway I always like to be a part of something positive and maybe it will get me in the kitchen more :) more to come. . .

done with you

2008-07-25T10:49:00.000-07:00

I'm not posting anymore

call me for some real interaction :)

how about that?!

Not too bad for a Monday

2008-07-21T16:32:00.000-07:00

Especially considering I went out til after 2 am last night. I would probably not have woken up If my sister Megan hadn't called me at 6:30 this morning to tell me my grandpa died. He's been having health problems and things just gave out on him. It is sad but I didn't even cry, I haven't been close with him since he divorced my grandma for his mistress when I was like 12 years old. He was a nice guy though and I feel bad for my mom, she has been driving to Monterey every other day to see him. I have to call her tonight but it may feel weird cause I'm not sad. I feel like a bad person but I also feel like I didn't even know him.
Other than that the rest of the day was surprisingly pleasant. The cab driver who got me to work on time was cool to talk to and didn't let me tip him. I really love San Francisco. And things are so fun right now. I don't want it to go away.
Last night I went out with Jasmine and we met up with some of our neighbors at Kilowatt. Had some beers and chatted with them. Then we went to D and danced, Jonah was there and he danced with me. Dancing makes me laugh soo much! I get so embarrased but it's so funny cause everyone dances bad but are having fun and I love that :) Jonah was so incredibly cool. When I got there he was chatting with two girls and I got a little sad, I have to admit. But s soon as he saw me he came over and said hi. He was present but not too present the entire time. I liked it and Jasmine was "lightweight impressed" by the way he acted with me. Thats good considering she isn't the biggest fan of someone who wants to steal me away. My neighbor told me she hasn't seen Jonah act this way with a girl in a really long time. She also said his tattoos were amazing and went on about how good he is and she wants to get this meaningful one done by him. I still haven't seen any of his work but I know the boy has talent. He's painting the hallway to his apt and it is so so pretty. I was in awe and it's nowhere near being done.
He's being really sweet with me :) and after talking last night we are exclusive to one another. But I'm not his girlfriend, nor do I want to be. Jasmine and I have a double date with her friends from San Jose tonight. I've met her guy once and never met this other guy. It's just the movies, it should be fun since we are going to Imax, but the movie doesn't start til 12am. My sleep schedule is going to be so fucked up. So I need to take a nap right now. A long one! But I'm not too tired. Work was actually quite pleasant today. No crazy rushing or frantic feeling of 11:30 sneeking up on us. It's the first day we were calm and I like cooking with Ranya a lot.
Alright..... naptime I guess.

"Old people don't make out"

2008-07-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

That is what Jerimiah said on Friday night when I asked him if he took his date, who is over 30 like him, back to his workshop to makeout with her. For some reason I kept thinking about that yesterday while waiting for Feist. I think it's kinda lame but I can see how they are just over it or maybe bitter by then. Love is not easy but it is supposed to be fun! When I get old I'm still going to makeout!
Speaking of making out and fun, let's me just say I'm having a lot of fun right now. I've gotten to do everything I've wanted to do and still have gotten to see Jonah the past 3 nights. It's weird because I'd rather hang out and have fun and see him casually whenever and he's the same way, although he has invited me everywhere he's gone, I've kinda just done my own thing. Last night we kinda talked about "us" and it was way too soon for that conversation and he kinda blew it by bringing anything up, I like that he likes me but I don't know what I want and am confused as to what he wants. When we woke up I asked if we could forget last night, and he thought I was over him. I told him it's too soon for me to be over it, I'm still trying to know him. He hugged me :)
Last night I went to see Feist in Berkeley!!! The show was soo good, she is amazing. Really amazing singer and haha soo feisty! She talked to the crowd a lot and was smart, and sassy but she was adorable. And there was this crazy projection the these 2 girls were doing for the back screen. At one point she started with a picture of waves drawn with those projector markers, remember from grade school, and by the end had turned into something completely more detailed and crazy all with her hands. It was so cool. And Berkeley was perfect, like always. I had fun with Jasmine. After that her and I went out to D, met some guy she knew, named Alex, randomly right when we got in, had good conversations and talked to a few other people. We didn't even move from our seats at the bar the whole night, everything just came to us. I met a nice guy named Kurt, I thought he was some guy I met earlier that day at Jonah's so I was like HI, then we just continued to talk. Me and Jasmine are going to play doubles tennis with Kurt and Alex. I really hope that happens cause they were telling us about their outfits and I need to see Kurt in a headband, short shorts, a polo and white cons! After that we went to a small party with them and hung out for a while. It was a good night but I escaped to meet Jonah without saying bye to Kurt. I felt bad but Jasmine said she gave him my number cause he asked :) Well I should finish getting ready cause I'm going to meet Jasmine and Jerimiah at GG Park to watch them swing dance and look at the turtles, after that I'm shopping on Haight cause I haven't done that yet.

Oh man...

2008-07-14T23:06:00.000-07:00

Just when I was wanting to give up on you, you make it all better and some! We will see, this may be something more :)

San Francisco boys, boys, BOYS!

2008-07-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

Too much talking about boys going on! Girls can be so obsessive. I'm doing my best to not. But it is kinda fun trying to figure out guys, but only if you keep a careless attitude otherwise it gets very messy.
I saw Jonah last night again!
It was fun. I just wish I was more talkative but things seem to be going well. I'm not too sure what I want to come out of it but it's nice right now.

I shouldn't have drove last night

2008-07-12T08:34:00.000-07:00

Too many shots, too quick, no lunch or dinner, or maybe too many drunk people around rubbing off on me, whatever reason I was drunk. And it was interesting. I went to Mountain View to visit my old coworkers. I tattled about Gabe having me on front of house and almost cried when I was talking to Clark about how bad it was depressing me. There was a lot of love and hugs and kisses and tears last night. It was Corbins last day and Clark and Myrna are dealing with a lot of changes and stresses at work. They feel like they have to take care of everyone in the kitchen now. And the new EC they deal with sounds like no fun at all. Poor Clarky and Myrna, I miss them, they are going to try to get me back in Mountain View but I don't know that sorta seems lame to go back like that, as much as I'd like it. I hate hating my job. I won't go back though, something will happen and things will get better.

Damn all I want to do is sleep this day away and clean my room but I have to get up to volunteer at Doof.... I hope it's better than last year at least.

A gold star day

2008-07-11T00:14:00.000-07:00

Home from hanging out with Jonah. It was a good date, I must say I like him. Maybe not forever but for now, no doubt :) And I haven't felt that in a long time.
And work was not so bad, I realized I actually got that raise for transfering to the city. Doesn't make much of a difference in me wanting to be there but it helps. Tomorrows Friday. I will survive one more day.

Fuck my Job!

2008-07-09T19:22:00.000-07:00

Ugh. My job sucks. I can't wait for JP to get home to see if they need anyone at Greens restaurant.

I don't like anyone there, except Sam, Ian, Ranya and Gabe. And they don't even like working there. Today Gabe asked if I wanted to move to salad bar, salad bar? Umm not really. Plus it would be with this lazy dimwit who likes to tell me what to do. Yesterday he sat down with me and Sam and was like okay Ashley should we get the boxing gloves out? I was like I'm sorry dude I only got an hour of sleep last night and I apologize if I was rude earlier (I had just rolled my eyes is all). He was like okay what about all the other days. I just told him I wasn't used to be told what to do (and the fact that he's an idiot trying to tell me what to do pisses me off) and I'm still trying to adjust because I don't like it there. Whatever the conversation didn't help much.
So I had to make a decision when Gabe asked and I told him I'd rather stay on front of house til he hires someone. Then we had to go into why I didn't want to work with the guy. I've been trying to avoid being spoiled but I even asked Sam what I should do and he looked at me and gave me a kiss on the cheek cause he knows how much I'm hating it, as is he. If JP has room I'm going to try and get me and Sam a job at Greens. And fuck Bob, he makes me so angry. He has to fucking talk so much and this afternoon he trys to get me to help prep scallops for an event tomorrow and I'm like isn't there anything else I can do... so that starts a conversation where he gets very judgemental about my life, while trying to act like he's looking out for my best interest. Every damn thing I say he has a response for. I finally say Why do u have to fucking say something about everything I say, you don't even know me and are judging me so much. I see him smile. But he did have a good point, I need to get the fuck out of Google. I just don't want to fuck over the cafe since they have hiring freeze but I need to do what I need to do. I hear JP downstairs, I'm gonna go talk to him now.

UH Ohhh!!

2008-07-08T16:35:00.000-07:00

Someone met a guy last night, that means trouble. We are having dinner on Thursday. I kinda like him, so far. I'm a little scared...

Whatever happens, I'm blaming Jasmine!

Guess I'm not so privelaged

2008-07-07T16:45:00.000-07:00

I have to work front of house this week at work. When Gabe asked me to do it I'm sure I gave him a look like Did I do something wrong?! He knew I'd be offended but I pretty much said yes to "A Favor" before I even knew what it was. He looked so cute with his new haircut ;) And now he owes me... according to him he owes me again, so I'm okay with that.
I could have shot myself, having to fill up like 80 water bottles for the tables, not once but twice, before and after lunch. And it was pretty damn boring picking up lettuce, wiping counters, sorting silverware and filling napkins. This is going to be a long week. I really miss my friends at No Name but in a way it's nice not being bugged, which a few of them there did bug me a lot. Although today Bob got into the whole Why Are You A Vegan? thing. I tried to avoid talking about it and he was like u aren't even giving me any good reasons, so I finally said "U know why Bob, because I was made fun of it at my last job so much that I'm trying to avoid even talking about it here, thats why I really don't talk to you very much" Some of the others guys came to my defense and were like just leave her alone, don't tease her. That was nice. But I don't think it will last.

I got a Fast Pass!

2008-07-06T00:25:00.000-07:00

I can take bart and muni anywhere now cause the month is paid for :)
Totally new and dorky, I know. But I like being a dork and I like being new to the city. Haha stupid Bob, this guy I work with told me he saw me walking to work on Monday, my first day, and I had my map out and was looking around. He said he ignored me because I looked way too nerdy, even though he knew it was me.
My new job is okay. I like getting to work much better now although I know there will be times where I wish I could just take my car. Like when it's raining, considering it's about 30 minutes of walking. But I'm enjoying it so far. I think Monday I was bitter, there was no way this new place would be a good as my family at No Name. But I went in there and was happily met by Sam, a former but now current, coworker. And guess what? I wasn't on veg station, I was in charge of composed salads, salads containing meat. Huh? yeah...
Had to let that soak in for a minute and got in one argument with Bob when I was cooking bacon and I said it was disgusting, I think it surprised a few people, but they seemed to be impressed by me for standing up to Bob. So I came to terms with the whole meat thing. Not happy about it and avoid it at all cost but when it comes down to me making a huge deal or just getting my job done without complaining I'm gonna just do it. This is a fesh work environment and I'm trying to make it enjoyable, meaning I'm taking Cory's advice and trying not to let people figure out how to get to me. I have been working my ass off. I'm really trying to impress. I want nothing but good things said about me and It's fun working hard. Yeah it is only salads but there is 3 that change everyday and I am on my own for all my prep. I'm actaully really enjoying working on my knife skills, especially when I get to look up out the window with a beautiful view of the bay bridge, palm trees and water!! It feels like vacation :) Gabe, my new sous chef, (umm who is very nice to look at) asked me where I wanted to be in the kitchen, I told him veg, of course and he said I'd be there as soon as he figured out a switch, within a month. By Friday I went up to him and told him I wanted to stay on composed salads. He kinda laughed at me until I explained my reasoning... -I want to write the menus without stepping on toes, as it would be if I moved to veg, -I like where my station is, I'm facing the windows instead of the wall and I'm right next to Sam in our little corner, instead of next to Bob, if I moved to veg, Thursday Sam brought his ipod and him and I listened to AFI, Feist, and Rilo Kiley all day -I also like composed salads because I'm working alone and the veg team seem to work slow, I don't want to slow down. Gabe seemed to be okay with me staying on composed salads. He's been cool towards me, I can tell he was told to take care of me, although I'm trying not to be privelaged by working as hard and fast as I can. Overall it's not that bad working there and I think it will only keep getting better.

looking back but staring foward

2008-07-05T23:20:00.000-07:00

I'd just like to congradulate myself for a moment. I have almost completely changed my life in the past 6 months. I knew this day would come where I could look back and be proud of the hardships I had to go through to get here, exactly where I want to be. Maybe it isn't that huge of a deal to anybody else but it takes courage to realize unhappiness and do whats neccessary to change it. I live in a new city, have a new job and I'm loving everyday full of new experiences :) Really things have been great. I'm making friends with my roomates. It's nice coming home to people you enjoy. And I love that I've reconnected with Elisa and Nicole.
SF has so much to offer and I've barely scratched the surface of it all. It makes it even better having Ashley and German here visiting! This weekend has been so fun so far. Thursday I picked them up, took them by Google in Mountain View, which was disappointingly unactive. So we headed to the city, found their hotel and I went home for a bit to change. Met back up with them, had a good dinner and drinks. Headed to Popscene, so German could dance!! It was worth seeing, but me not being much of a dancer, did not belong. We then went to Mastadon to meet Elisa, her and I proceeded to get drunk and didn't make it home til almost 4. We both woke up hungover but I remember us laughing a lot so it wasn't too bad. I dropped her off at bart and made my way to Rainbow Market. Was pretty impressive. I thought it was cute that Ash told me German had said he hopes I cook for them, so I had to, even though being hungover and a new kitchen made cooking turn into an all day project. Not very often do I get to put my skills to use for a vegan friend. I made my faithful lasagna, with a few alterations and a really good salad with mixed greens, quinoa, green apple, gogi berries, walnuts and a basil-apple dressing. Mmm. It was nice to have them over and Jerimiah and JP ate with us. I wanted to make dessert but couldn't find the tofu I needed. So after dinner at my house we went to Cafe Gratitude and spent $50 on dessert and latte's, damn nuts are soo expensive! Andy met us there then we made our way down near their hotel. There was random fireworks all over the city sky but we didn't make it a point to watch. Kind of disappointing but I'm over it. We went to this place German heard of called Annie's Social Club. It was cool, had a band playing in the front, good drinks and karaoke in the back. Ash and German both sang and it was great. It was Ash's first time going up alone and it had to be the most adorable thing I've ever seen her do :) Haha I'm so proud, the girl can sing even though she won't admit it! Me and Andy got home eventually, and ate lasagna, after hanging out at their hotel til 3am, talking, talking, talking about some things I'm upset we spent so much talking about, but whatever. I really like hanging out with Ash and German and Andy was drunk and entertaining! Andy I promise someday we will smoke on my roof!!! :)
Today we spent the day in Santa cruz

It was nice being there. We got PF, of course, and vegan milkshakes and I got some cute things at American Apparel. Mainly it was just nice to hang out, Dana and Hunter met us there and Ash got to meet the sweet little guy!

It was a long drive. Tomorrow they go home, but not before breakfast with Ash's dad and picking up Kylie. I can't wait to see Kylie cause I'm gonna tell her about our plans for Disneyland! I hope she's excited as I am.

I killed it Gilbert, I killed it!!

2008-06-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

What's Eating Gilbert Grape used to be my favorite movie! I love when things come up and make you realize how much you used to love something, and still do. I've watched it countless number of times, such a great movie!!!

I'm in Hollister today, watching Gilbert Grape now but I went to my grandmas on the hill earlier and visited with my mom while she sat with my great aunt Lucy. I haven't been out there in way too long. Everytime I go I miss my cousins, we used to have so much fun!

I had to take Andy back to SJ this morning to go to work, so she could be hungover and eat donuts! It actaully worked out well cause I just kept on driving, I had to come to pick up my cooking stuff in Hollister so I can cook for German and Ashley next weekend! I cannot wait :) for them to visit! A whole 3 day weekend with my best friend in my new city with lots to do and tons of people watching fireworks and even a trip to Santa Cruz for Planet Fresh. I hope this week goes by quickly then slows way down for the weekend. I've been trying to think of where I'll take her and German, I'm not too sure just yet. Last night I went out to a couple different places, I think it was in the Tenderloin but not too sure. It was Andy, Jasmine, me and like 7 of Jasmine's girl friends, oh and Johnny! It was fun and I drank vodka-for the first time in I dunno 6 months! I got drunk, ask Andy! Thats what happens when your taking shots on the street with a bunch of rowdy girls, good thing because we could barely stay in one bar long enough to finish one drink before we moved on to another bar. It was kinda of absurd. But fun...

Thought this pic above was cute, I don't know what everyone is laughing at, maybe the fact that all the girls got to take pics with the shirtless billboard ;) Here is Andy!... haha...

Hottest Bareback Action!!! What street were we on?... and WTF does that even mean? Hmr.

Well I should switch the laundry and I wanna finish watching this movie. I should get back to SF soon to do a trial run of my route to work so I'm not walking around lost at 6:30 tomorrow morning. We'll see, I'm kinda lazy... and I got bad blisters last night :(

It's not goodbye, it's goodnight!

2008-06-27T16:08:00.000-07:00

Sad. My last day at No Name Cafe :(
I start in SF Monday morning, not til 7am! I'm really REALLY going to miss this place and my little family of friends I have here. Jen decided not to transfer with me so I'm on my own. I know I'll be fine in a new environment but I'm just going to miss my home that I have here. Today towards the end of work was kind of madness for me, first Leo threw flour at me but I was holding a pitcher of vegan red pepper sour cream and got him with that!!! Then I noticed him filling up a bucket, I knew he was going to try and get me back so I walked over and gave him dirty looks and said something mean, I don't remember now, and he was yelling "Why are you so mean to me?! as he threw the water that he did have in the bucket at me. Good job Leo...
Then me and Nico started messing around and I got him good with a water bottle then Oscar came from behind with probably 8 quarts of water and threw it at me. I screamed and was in shock like Who did that?! Ugh and somehow my jacket got ripped all the way up the side so everyone could see my turquoise bra through my white shirt. I ran to the bathroom and showered without saying goodbye to everyone I wanted to. I'll need to come back soon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjGC7HTUoV4
Anyway off to hang out with with Clark and Denise for a night of drunken fun!

On the way to loving it!

2008-06-24T15:20:00.000-07:00

First off Clark says Hi to everyone. So HI!

I'm hanging out in the office at work just passing time while my food digests so I can go to the gym. Thought I would blog about how much SF is growing on me. Last night I went with Jerimiah to a show at Cafe Du Nord on Market. I went there a long time ago with all my old friends (awe.) to see the Von Bondies. I like that place and the band we saw last night was so amazing. I don't even remember their name, have to ask him tonight. He could tell I liked them because he was like "Ashley you haven't moved this whole time, it's intense isn't it?" It was intense, a very much lesbian lead singer who also played guitar and a guy with Jesus hair and beard on the drums. It was a good night. I like hanging out with Jerimiah and 2 and a half beers was just enough to make me feel like it wasn't Monday night.

This past weekend was fun. Friday night I got a haircut Oh Yeah... here's a pic!

Kind of inspired by Amelie, which I watched on Thursday night, although it didn't even occur to me until Meagan metioned it. After my haircut I went with Jasmine and her friend Jhonny to Rory's work in the Castro the Midnight Sun-it's a gay bar. FYI don't use the bathroom in gay bars or at least don't be surprised if you hear/see some stuff going on! gross...

*Mr. Impatient (Cory) is buying me a beer in exchange for a ride to the city. Will finish blogging later
Bye*

I'm back, it's now Wednesday afternoon and today was an interesting day. Nico and I drank blackberry sangria's since 11am! (CORY I told u that u aren't allowed to use anything you read here against me, remember!) What a nice way to get through the day. Haha and after yesterday when he accidentally touched my boob so I accidentally touched his (all day!) it was a little flirty and awkward but totally fun ;)

I also found out today that my new job (?!!!?) probably starts Monday. Which only gives me 2 days left here :( I don't know what I'm going to do without my Clarky. He better keep to his word and come hang out with me all the time. One good thing about the move other than it's in SF is that Jen is transfering with me! If I had to choose someone to come with me, other than Clark or Cory, it would be Jen. I'm stoked although I know she's a little nervous, having barely found out about the transfer today, I know she overwhelmed but our bosses are looking out for our best intrest and I told her all we can do is trust their judgement. It will be cool...

Cory gave me a parting gift! It's his kombucha mushroom!! That he was always too scared to drink. I will take good care of it :)

I don't know what the rest of the week holds but I know it will be fun. The only thing I'm not looking foward to is telling Denise-my partner in veg cooking crime- that I won't be working here anymore... it's going to suck for her for a bit because we are already short handed but she's a tough girl and a great cook, she'll be okay.

Well I should get off to the gym and then head home to the city that I'm really sarting to love. I'm thinking I should just stay home tonight and get to be early but that's also what I thought last night :) We'll see, something more important may come up.

Busy week!

2008-06-18T18:43:00.001-07:00

It's only Wednesday and I'm exhausted. Monday after work I took the hardest yoga class I've ever taken, then that night I hung out with Jasmine at the house and later went out with Jerimiah and Jasmine (roomates) and had fun getting to know them a little better. They have been so nice to me, totally accepting me into their friendship, it's cute they both told me, seperately, they they are each others best friend :) I thought that was adorable because it seems like the best friend title is new and it's cute. Last night I met up with Nicole, who I haven't seen in like a year. Did a lot of talking about SF, ex boyfriends/ex roomates, drank good beer and ate an amazing vegan sausage with sauerkraut, mustard and ketchup!
To be continued... Andy's here for dinner :)

Okay so now it's Friday afternoon! yay. What a long week but it was a really good week. Got to catch up with Andy on Wednesday night even though I wasn't much company. Then went home and crashed. Got woken up at midnight to one of Jasmines friends screaming on the phone with her boyfriend. That was intense to be woken up to. They broke up... ugh so glad I don't have to worry about that :) Thyen last night I cooked dinner for Jasmine and Meagan (roomates) and we hung out on the porch because it was so nice and hot. Today I'm taking Clark and his friend to the airport, they are going to Vegas!! Clark's first time and I know he's going to LOVE it. He's super excited, it's cute. Then going to get my hair done somewhere in the castro area, not sure what I'm doing but yet but I know it involves scissors and hair dye. Then probably drinks with Elisa or the roomates. Going to a potluck bbq tomorrow at Elisa's and I got tons of goodies from work to prepare for that... chocolate covered blueberries anyone?! Anyway I should get going, I know these boys are ansy to get to Vegas and I don't want to be late to my appointment.

I'm gonna get mugged. and some randomness.

2008-06-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

Living in SF has made me a little scared. 2 girls I've talked to have both been mugged... great. My roomates purse got stolen at gunpoint and Elisa was attacked by 2 people with aluminum bats while she was with 2 friends, they had to go to the hospital. So now I'm paranoid, I don't live in the best neighborhood and unfortunatly cabs aren't always available, like at 12pm on Mission after getting off of bart on a Thursday night. I have pepper spray but I need to get a bigger purse so I have space to carry it but I wonder, I am really going to have the guts to use it or have the time to find it? What if I miss my aim and get shot?!

There are a few other gripes I have about the city...

Some streets are filthy with trash and scary/crazy people, the other day I was getting off bart at 16th and Mission and saw some huge scene, a barefooted homeless lady was trying to steal some girls bike, somehow the girl caught her and got it back, I was a little late to see all that happen, but what I did see was the girl tell this crazy lady that she hopes her life gets better. Thats when the lady gets psycho, starts running and pushing her way around all kinds of people, goes to a full trash can picks up the liner and swings it probably 15 ft toward the girl who is now running away with her bike. Some huge guy grabs the crazy lady, I think he knew her, and she starts slapping him in the face. Meanwhile I'm trying to figure out which way I need to go and get the hell out of there....

It's never dress weather. Even when it's hot enough it's always windy, almost too windy for a dress. And anyone who knows me knows I don't wear or even own practical shoes so it's been a challenge dealing with all the walking. Friday I had to stay home so my poor little feet could have time to heal...

But overall I have to say I am starting to love the city life. I've been doing some exploring on my own. My favorite street SO far is Valencia. It has Buffalo Exchange, Herbivore, Whole Foods and Zeitgeist-this awesome bar I met Elisa at. Which by the way, ELISA I had a lot of fun hanging out with you!! My gawd those 7 years flew by, I'm glad we got to catch up and I look foward to hanging out sometime soon :) I'm glad I have a friend in the city. and p.s. I'm now posting more pics on here for you!

I finally met the last roomate yesterday, Rory. I like everyone a lot! I haven't gotten to hang out with them at all yet. Jerimiah and Jasmine asked me to go out Tuesday but I was all ready for bed. And the rest of the week flew by without me seeing much of anybody. Last night they all had a bbq but I unfortunately had promised my sister weeks ago I'd come up to Santa Rosa to her party so I missed all that madness. My roomates seem to be excited by the fact that I cook vegan. I need to just go get all my kitchen stuff from my parents house and make space for it so I have everything I need.

Today I'm still in Santa Rosa hanging out with my sister, we got pedicures! There's my bright yellow toes right now, with her boyfriends kitty Ticky :)

Yesterday on the way up here I passed this boat and couldn't belive someone had taken it out on the water. I had to take a picture because I thought it was awesome.
Also I took a picture of this cause I was surprised to see it in the window of a very mexican liquor store, I think it was when I was walking on Mission yesterday. I listened to the cd on my way to Santa Rosa...

Anyway I just felt like posting some stuff since I have internet connection at the moment. Going to go get some sushi with Rachelle and Scott in a while then head home.

Finally

2008-06-10T17:55:00.000-07:00

Finally some internet connection!... cause I'm at Google. I don't have any at my new house!!! Okay well I do but haven't figured it out yet and haven't asked. Last Thursday was my first night in SF and it's been nothing but experiences since then. I got there, unpacked my car made my bed and was like now what?! So I went for a walk, destination Cafe Gratitude. It was nice, the food is okay, nothing I couldn't make myself for cheaper but still, the environment is nice :) The girls are really sweet. They asked me the question of the day... What do you excel at? My quick answer was "Well I made really good bread pudding today!" So we chatted about that for a bit. Actually the bread pudding I made was AMAZING!! With coco de leche, orange extract, vanilla,extract and slight bit of almond extract and tofu, soy creamer and soy milk. The outcome was soooo freaking good!... I made everyone try it and people are still talking about it today :) Anyway enough about bread pudding already.
Friday I went to Hollister after work loaded up my car and headed back up North, stopped in SJ and did some damage and Aritzia, Bare Escentuals and Forever 21. Then headed home to unpack my car and chat with my new roomate Jasmine for a bit before bed.
Saturday I woke up so early to catch BART to Embarcadero where Cory and I volunteered cooking breakfast at the huge Farmers Market! BART was cool except haha I didn't know that they all go either one way or another so was waiting for one that said Embarcadero, which would be my stop. Luckily Cory filled me in on that only after waiting 30 minutes, so I got on the next train and was only half hour late but we both got there around the same time. The breakfast was cool, 300 people in 3 sessions, I made 30 beautiful fruit plates, did some dishes and other random stuff. Afterward Cory and I delivered all the extra donated produce back to the vendors and I got to meet some farmers :) Then went for some beers! Took BART home, this one was a long walk and I had to pee so bad then finally a nap! It was a perfect Saturday morning/afternoon. Follwed by one of the worst Saturday nights :( I still couldn't figure out how to work my shower so I had to take a bath, washing ur hair in the bath is nothing but awkward. Andy was coming to visit. I walked out to my car to get my purse and buy cigarettes and I was like Where the hell is my car?! It was not where I left it so I just kept walking realizing that it totally got towed and letting it sink in. I ran into Andy! And told her what happened so basically after that our mission was to get my car back. Neither of us even knew what to do? FYI you call the police. So we headed to 7th street to get it at a place called Auto Return (how cute). We probably turned around 10 times trying to head the right direction, passed it twice and finally I jumped out and walked into the Auto Return, 5 mintes, $238 plus a $75 parking ticket later I was driving out of the lot. Andy was somewhere else so I gave her quick directions and said Meet you at my house. I get on the phone and talk to an old friend actually our first convo in probably 7 years and proceed to get lost cause I'm not paying attention. Call Andy to see where she is and then make her lost. Basically we both get to my house around 11pm. We decide to walk down to Mission to get food and drinks. Not as easy as it seems when it's dark and you don't know where things are but we landed up eating good pizza then drinks at the Beauty Bar. The night was bleh but okay, it was good to see Andy and to have a partner for all that. Next time will be way better.
Sunday I slept in then got up without showering cause I still didn't know how to work it and went for a walk to get food. Ended up on Valencia at Herbivore, which reminds me of Veggie Grill. Ate a burrito and went around the block to Whole Foods for dinner stuff. I saw this girl riding a bike with a cart and some asked her what she was selling Vegan Sausages on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays!! How cute. She said she bought it online and it was super hard to pedal. As soon as she was gone I realized I should have talked to her, at least introduced myself, maybe bought a sausage and asked if she ever needed help cooking. (I'm trying to make friends). Maybe I'll see her next weekend... Also on Valencia is Buffalo Exchange, so I stopped in there and got 2 dresses, talked to the manager and picked up an application. Then I realized it was wishful thinking. That was my weekend :) Minus 2 really big life changing things that came up but more on all that later. It feels weird to be going home there. I think tonight the 2 guy roomates who I've only see pictures of (!) are coming home from riding their bikes to LA for the AIDS run and Jasmine comes home from Chicago. So it will be interesting to have a full house. Gonna go see what the PM crew has made for dinner tonight.... It's the Pits is the theme (stonefruit). Then a shorter than usual drive to my new home...

It's time to do something for myself and only me

2008-06-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

Will I ever get to where I'm going?
Will I ever follow through with what I had planned
I guess it's possible that I have been a bit distracted
And the directions for me are a lot less in demand
Will I ever get to where I'm going?
If I do, will I know when I am there?
If the wind blew me in the right direction
Would I even care?
I would
I take a look around
It's evident the scene has changed
And there are times when I feel improved upon the past
Then there are times when I can't seem to understand at all and yes It seems as though I'm going nowhere... really fucking fast

Mmmm....

2008-06-04T16:39:00.001-07:00

So I made bread pudding! I made it yesterday and served it this morning so the flavors would have time to meld together. I was in love with myself this morning as I was eating it. And it was all gone before breakfast was over!
I uhh pretty much changed the recipe and made it my own. Here is what I did:

Ashley's First Ever Vegan Bread Pudding
2 loaves sourdough bread, torn into chunks and let sit out to get stale
1 carton chocolate hemp milk
3 containers silken tofu
4 shots of espresso
Soy creamer, about a cup
Agave, maybe 1/2 cup (I wasn't measuring)
semi sweet chocolate chips, about 1 to 1 1/2 cups
dried cherries, I put a few too many
1/2 tbsp Earth Balance

So easy, just blend wet ingredients in processor and pour over bread to soak. Fold in cherries and chips. Grease the pan with Earth Balance and pour all ingredients in. Bake uncovered for about 40 minutes at 350. I also made a little pecan maple syrup sauce for over the top. Just toast the pecans and heat the syrup, combine. Let pudding cool and enjoy :)

Little bit of a visual but it sure tasted better than it looks. Mmmm can't wait for to find some extra vegan bread so I can make it again, but different next time. I want to try vanilla with maybe banana?... or apricots are in season. Yum.

That is not tofu

2008-06-02T19:05:00.000-07:00

I walk into my kitchen after getting home from the gym, make a salad eat it on the couch and then put my dish away, thats when I noticed the bread pudding. I LOVE pudding! It's a childhood love affair started by my grandma. This pudding looks sort of different, almost like tofu, I had to tell myself "that is not tofu", twice actually. It just looked so good. Anyway I walked away more than a little disappointed but grabbed my laptop to look up my friend Google and find this:
Vegan Bread Pudding!
1 loaf of Italian bread or other soft white bread
1/2 c. Silk creamer or soy milk
4 oz. silken tofu (about 1/2 c. or 1/3 of a 12 oz. package)
2 c. soy milk
1/2 c. + 1 Tbs. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. fresh grated nutmeg
3/4 c. raisins
Mix creamer and tofu in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy. Pour into a large bowl and add soy milk, 1/2 c. sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg and mix well. Tear the whole loaf of bread into small pieces and mix it all into the wet ingredients as you go. You should end up with a stiff but wet batter. Fold in the raisins then spread the mixture in a greased 8" x 12" baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining sugar and bake at 350° for 1 hour. After it cools, slice it into squares to serve.

Those Googlers are getting Bread Pudding for breakfast tomorrow and so am I :)

Bizarre phone call at 2am

2008-05-29T16:35:00.000-07:00

So the ex calls drunk asking where I am. Went something like this "Umm I'm at home.Where's home. Well I'm in Hollister tonight. Why are you calling me? I don't know... how are you? Umm well it's been rough. I miss my friend. blah blah blah you know how I feel about you Ashley, blah blah blah, you're a sweetheart, blah blah blah, I tried so hard with you, blah blah blah you and I aren't meant for each other, blah blah blah why haven't you found someone else?, blah blah blah what happened with that one guy, blah blah blah want me to kill him blah blah blah, I really like this new girl even though she's young and doesn't get it, blah blah blah hopefully someday you can hang out with us (as in him and her) blah blah blah for about 15 minutes, then we get to the real (I guess) reason why he called. He thinks his best friend Tony and I should get together. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I am sooo not the booty call type of girl. So is he serious? Is he that over me that he'd really be okay with me dating his best friend, cause it sure sounded like he thought it was a good idea. Should I just think he's stupid or take this as a complimpent or what? Regardless I'm trying not to let it bother me. It was good talking to him. He said some things I needed to hear. And it felt like I was talking to a friend. The end.

Vegan Picnic, Anyone?

2008-05-28T16:51:00.000-07:00

I got picture happy today.

Mmm vegan hotdogs, cheese platter with "cheese whiz" and crackers and an ambrosia salad at the end!

Glazed seitan veggie kabobs and faux chicken salad sandwiches with purple grapes.
And a picture of Clarky with the weiners cause he's a winner!

If I could only wake up feeling like this everyday...

2008-05-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't want to wait for bedtime!
I had THE best dream last night :) I was meeting Brandon Boyd, we were at my grandmas house and some of my family was there, but that wasn't the point at all, him and I were hitting it off great, just getting to know each other, it was very quaint. We parted to talk to others but them came back to each other because there was a certain connection, my stupid alarm went off as he called me in the other room to talk... damn! If only that dream could be continued tonight!
*taking a moment to reflect
Even though I didn't want to give up the dream I knew I had to get up. The day had to continue but what do you think I listened to on the way to work?!
Finally got to work on time today! First time in almost 2 months. Had the most productive day I've had in a while, I knew exactly what needed to be done today since it was my menu. It felt good, no bullshit, just work. Got breakfast done early and my little experiment turned out yummy. My first ever attempt at making crackers was a success and even got compliments from the carrot muffin grouch in the pastry hall. The faux egg salad was surprisingly good. My hummus was off today, although it grew on me I had put a little too much raw garlic, kinda harsh then Cory covered it in olive oil since I asked for a little extra help plating the dish. He thought thats how all hummus was done, I was kinda bummed only because I used pureed cauliflower and used way less oil to make it low fat. Oh well no big deal. Got to chat with Clark a bit, I miss hanging out with my buddy. He found me a partner for Feist! Yay!

Funny how much better I'm feeling just by finishing one thing that has been weighing on my mind. Not to mention getting rid of a few toxic relationships and not letting them bother me. Too soon to tell but I feel like some good things are coming my way!