Chocolate to the Rescue

Given that last Monday was Valentine's Day, it looks as though a writer at the Metro was looking out for all the guys that would need to schlep over to the local chocolatier or drugstore to buy chocolate for their sweethearts.  According to the article, "Chocolate Scientists:  It's all pretty delicious", the taste of chocolate is not associated with the cost of chocolate.   Thousands of chemical compounds make up chocolate and scientists are not able to tell different types of chocolate apart in terms of chemical composition.  Therefore boys, the next time you are thinking about Godiva, Russel Stover, Max Brenner, Hershey or Trader Joe chocolates, remember that she probably won't be able to tell the difference in taste between any of them.  If she wants proof, go ahead and use the article below.  If you want my suggestion, lay out the chocolates without the wrappers on a dish surrounded by rose petals.  ;)

Check out the link below!
 http://www.metro.us/newyork/local/article/771776--chocolate-scientists-it-s-all-pretty-delicious

Music for Today includes:  Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden, Palladio by Escala, and Black and Yello by Wiz Khalifa

Lollipop

I'm currently listening to Lollipop by Lil' Wayne which is what inspired me to name this post what it is (I didn't realize how raunchy it was until I really listened to the lyrics,  but it is still very catchy and it is stuck in my head).  The song was on this past Saturday at Crash Mansion where I went to go see my friend's band, April's End, perform, and the song has stayed with me since that night. Of course, given that it was a rock show, a more rock-heavy version of the song was playing.

I recently saw a VH1 documentary on Lil' Wayne in which he stated that he doesn't write his rhymes anymore.  That's pretty awesome- to be able to go into a studio, rap on the spot and have it be part of a song.  You also must have serious power, too, as a person, to be able to go in and do that.  Now, if only he would pull his pants up a little higher than where they normally sit...

It seems as though Lil' Wayne's extemporaneous rapping is his catharsis and one that he releases with passion.  About two weeks ago, I wrote that I would find a release, a method of relaxation every day.  At the time of writing, I didn't know how this would really pan out, but I'm pleased to say that I am still feeling the relaxation I felt when i first returned from Singapore.  Since my return, I have begun cooking, which is really a form of therapy for me.  The 30-60 minutes I spent a few times a week preparing my lunch for the next day have been surprisingly relaxing.  I think this is because my mind i focused on the taste, the outcome, the ingredients that i forget everything else around me.  My recipe source?  See below!

I bought the cookbook on a recent trip to Nasvhille and have currently made Veggie Stir Fry with couscous and Eggplant Parmesan.  I did modiy the recipes a little (i.e. the Eggplant parmesan recipe inlcuded ham, which I left out), but it is a great,easy and healthy way for a new cook to start off in the kitchen.

Speaking of food, check out the link below; it leads to a site about Village Voice's Choice Eats- a food fest on March 29th featuring numerous restaurants.  If you're a foodie like me, this event is a must-attend.  Hope to see you there!
http://choiceeats.villagevoice.com/2011/


Music for Today features:  The Cave by Mumford & Sons, Lollipop by Lil'Wayne, There Goes My Baby by Usher

"Like Sand through the Hourglass...

these are the Days of Our Lives." I recently spoke to a friend who just entered a new relationship.  He spoke to me about how he feels life is short and how a person should seize an opportunity when it comes his way, while his girlfriend believes that life is very long and should be lived for the people that mean the most to us- it's not all about you but the people around you as well.

What inspired that train of thought?  Well, besides the fact that it is past midnight and the thoughts are flowing freely because is a bit "open" right now, I couldn't help but reflect on my life since the start of 2011.  From the beginning of January until today, I have submitted b-school applications, went to Nashville, took an amazing trip to Singapore and am back now with what feels like a new lease on life.  Moreso, with each passing day, there is some thread of my past that is hooking onto my present to show me that everything happens for a reason (this also happens to be one of my strengths-connectedness- but more on that later). The point:  while the days may go by quickly and accumulate rapidly into months and even years, looking back on life, I want to be able to think that whatever I did was somehow worthwhile, that it added up to something productive and involved happy memories with my friends and family as well as growth and achievement for myself.  Life may be short but when time adds up, it doesn't feel so short anymore.

I also attended a program at work today that helped me understand my strengths using Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath.  The online assessment helped me realize what my top strengths are; surprisingly though, some of the qualities that the researchers behind it have defined as a strength don't necessarily feel like a strength.  For example, a strength of mine is intellection which refers to being introspective and thoughtful -  I didn't particularly view it as a strength because it felt very passive; I wanted a strength that showed how I am out to make a change, that I'm a go-getter.  However, the point of the test is to show you the strengths in order for you to take them and harness them into the most successful strategy for your career- in essence, your strengths are what you make of them.

Check out the link below for more info!
http://www.strengthsfinder.com/home.aspx

Soul Food

While nothing can hit the spot like a good Mac and Cheese or tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches, sometimes food for the soul does not have to be food, but experience.

I just got back from my trip to Southeast Asia, specifically Singapore and Malaysia and I feel so refreshed, revitalized, as if somebody just pumped air back into my body.  From a deflated tire, I have become an inflated tire once more.

Truly, vacations are great for the spirit, but the trip got me thinking about why we must take vacations to revitalize. Instead, why can't we create a mini vacation in each day or even each week to sustain the way we feel after a vacation?  Is it because it is hard, because we get caught up in our daily lives and routines?  If it takes 21 days to form a routine, then I am going to find way to relax at some point each day, whether it be with a cup of tea or a long walk by myself, and make it a habit to see what the effects are.

In addition, Gong Xi Fa Cai or Happy Chinese New Year!  With that in mind, there will be a new post every Tuesday. I'd love to write more now, but my head is channeling my bed and my body must oblige.

Happy reading!

Music for Today features:  Suga Suga by FRankie J,  Romans Revenge by Nicki Minaj featuring Eminem, Can't Help Falling in Love, the UB40 version