Chicken Manchurian

It's always nice to cook something new, a new challenge up my sleeve once again! I feel that that is the story of my life, a challenge here, a challenge to the right, and a challenge up the corner and back.  It keeps thinghs interesting:) I want to create challenges or new ideas for myself, to learn something new or to improve myself in some way. After getting 9 books at the library today, I think that's a good start!

So recently, I made a new dish, an Indian dish called Chicken Manchurian. I woud give this recipe 4 out of 5 stars. Overall, it was fairly easy and straightforward to make, no hiccups or anything excitedly scary. But it was good none the less. The only thing I wish this recipe had more of was spices. It had some chili sauce and such, but not as much zest as some other recipes I've made in the past, but I will put this one in my cookbook archive.

This weekend has been the coldest and rainest all season. I've actually quite enjoyed it since I like the rain, it gives off a nice, clean smell and gives my mind new inspiration during a down pour. Things look different in the rain, it gives a place a make over and allows one to dream. I don't find myself afraid of it, and like to walk in the rain- with an umbrella usually, as well as run in it, without one- making way for a wet adventure!

Curry Tomato Chicken

The other night I decided to cook a Chinese- American dish. This cookbook has recipes geared towards the American Chinese homes. I think the mix of flavors and cultures is always a good idea!

I really liked this dish and enjoyed making it, especially since the flavors and smells gave me something that was new, enticing, and exotic all at the same time! This recipe is a keeper, and will be listed among others in my homemade inspired cookbook, where I collect various recipes that I have either tried or not yet, but deliciously waiting so for me to cook up a newbie!

As for this latest recipe, it was easy as whistling to a Lord Huron tune, which I did not have playing in the background this time, but I know it will come again soon! Not only was this chicken dish easy, it was also fairly fast and could go with various side dishes. Mine was stationed next to rice, which is a good idea for most chicken or meat dishes.

Also, something else that made me enthused and excited about this smart recipe was the ingredients which accounted for the overwhelmingly perfume of something so good that makes your mouth water and your stomach grumble, even more so if I went on a run! It was the combination of the curry, the soysauce and the dry sherry making it really nice for my olfacturary bulbs.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe and any suggestions for future dinners??:)

Some more random inspirational pictures, created and found:)

exotic! and still trying to figure out how to create this cool and sheek style!

I agree!

Love that scarf, and all the colors together!

This inspires me!

Creating Inspiration

This time of year always comes with inspiration-seeking, a dive for interesting books,a love for fall fashion, and always feeling ready to pack my bags for a day at a cafe, or talk a walk wherever the red, orange and semi-green leaves take me! Fall gives me plenty to do and think about, which makes life that much more interesting.

A year ago during this time I was thinking about traveling to Taiwan for study abroad. In the end, it didn't feel right or work out which was meant to be, and am grateful for all that did happen. Fall comes with reflection and contemplation, it can help slow down time and to really focus on the present moment.

Now here is some inspiration!

Yayy for Plaid

Love them!

Love their makeup

My kinda thing

One of my favorites:)

Words Are Clearer in Autumn

Brick wall at school

I like to think. And I usually think about a lot of things. My mind seems to wander to different places and spaces. I like to find inspiration in wherever I am and to cultivate more goals, ideas and creative thoughts along the way. :)

Yesterday while at school I was looking up a polyglot that I enjoy listening to. If you don't know, a polyglot is someone who can speak more than 5 languages fluently. I feel that most polyglots can exceed this defintion, including the one I was researching more about, his name is Matthew by the way. I believe he can speak 8 or 9 fluently and a couple others with few mistakes. He is also continuing to learn more. I can relate to him because although I say I am studying a language, it doesn't take long before I am studying at least 1 or 2 languages on the side! But it's nice to know that our brains do have the capacity to learn many things, including languages. I need to stay challenged and inspired, and learning a language, or 2 makes me feel accomplished in these areas.  I enjoy reading about him and his brother's adventures and journeys in the foreign langiage world. (He has an identical twin brother). I also enjoy stealing some quotes and becoming motivated and inspired all over again! Here is a link to learn more about Matthew Youlden, and to hear him speak some languages!
https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/language-chamaleon-one

Twin brothers learning Turkish in a week! Crazy and cool!

Language challenge! Speaking at least 5 languages in one conversation.

Another thing I was thinking about, at least in the last couple of days was about my brother and his words of wisdom to me. It's weird looking back now because I understood what he meant now, looking back. I wrote him an email about 2 years ago, updating him on what was happening in my life and all that was new, which was plenty. A new school, new classes, new quarter, new people, and a new postion in student government, which I had just joined. Everything felt so awkward and knowing my place in it was very difficult and strange. He replied with his nice and soothing words as usual, and told me that he remembers when he was at that stage in his life, and that all new things take time to get used to, yet to enjoy them. He said that it takes about 2 years to get adjusted to something, such as a school campus or something else. I enjoyed reading his email, especially knowing that he was miles and miles away, somewhere in South America on his solo bike tour (which I think he should write a book about!) But his words also put a sigh in my breath, knowing how long it would intially take to actually feel comfortable and relaxed. And realizing how far away that truly was and felt. Now I am at that place, where two years ago has somewhat flown by, yet also had its own pace and journey with it. I wonder what I will be thinking in another 2 years time? What will be new, and discomforting, awkward and even frustrating? How much we learn in a day, yet how long it can take to see the results of a lived and fulfilled life.

October Has Come

October is here, finally. I think October is one of my favorite months of the year. It's the true Autumn month and makes me feel warm inside. It's also the time where I can dig out my scarves, boots and nice warm sweaters. October is also considered Mary's month, which is another reason for having a strong connection with the 10th month of the year. I wanted to write about some of my favorite Mary Apparations, which are the appearances of Mary through out the world. I think it would also be good if I could learn some more about each of them as well. :)

Our Lady of China

I find this devotion and apparation of Mary to be very personal and special to me. China has a long history, and part of it being related to the Catholic Church and the politics involved with that. Also, something I should learn more about. Learning Chinese has been part of me for a while now, and I feel that I have a strong connection with it, so Our Lady of China is one of my favorites.












Our Lady of Kibeho

I have heard a good amount about Our Lady of Kibeho, and there is even a book about it that I have started reading a while back and still want to continue reading! From what I know, it's a pretty amazing story and her appearance in Rwanda is not forgotten.












Our Lady of Vailankanni/Our Lady of Good Health

I wanted to research if there ever was an apparation of Mary in India. I know that India does have Catholicism, yet hadn't heard about an appearance of Mary. I would like to learn more about this devotion and appearance of Mary, I only read a little. But since I am pursuing the Hindi language, I feel that it would also be important as well as special to know about.










Our Lady of Lourdes

I have not had the privedlge yet of seeing this amazing holy site, but learning the story as a young girl has helped me have a stronger devotion to this apparation, and has become one of my favorites as well.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe is a very famous apparation of Mary, and I think it's one of my favorites. I see it everywhere, since it's quite popular. I really love the story as well. I have an image in my room, and it was the church where my sister and her husband got married in El Salvador. So personally, it's one of the most special of all.:)

Our Lady of Fatima

I also grew up with learning about the story behind this apparation, and would also call it a favorite of mine. Our Lady of Fatima had such a powerful impact in our world, and I only want to grow deeper in this beautiful and strong appearance of Mary.

Our Lady of Czestochowa

I want to have a stronger devotion to Our Lady of Czestochowa, and I was going to go to Poland this past summer for World Youth Day, but as life always seems to surprise you, Brazil made it's way into the picture instead. The Black Madonna is also another term for this apparation. Although I didn't get to go there, I still would like to read more about it, as well as the affects on Poland.

I think that covers my most favorite apparations of Mary. Of course, there are more that I did not mention that are also recognized. I hope to gaina stronger devotion to Mary espcecially during this beautiful month of October!

Indian Recipe and Autumn List

I wanted to share most of my Autumn List on here as well as a new Indian dish I made. The main dish was called Murgh Tamatari and the side dish I made was called Kele ka Raita. Basically chicken, with some nice spices, and tomatoes, in order to have a nice and tasty sauce to go with the chicken. It took me about an hour and a half in all, mostly for the chicken to cook fully since that takes time. As for the Kele ka Raita, it's a nice yogurt dish, with bananas and a few spices. As my sister put it, it tastes better than it looks. To put you at ease, it doesn't look too exotic and foreign, so nothing to be afraid of.

As for my Autumn List, some things include going to Starbucks and Barnes and Noble more often. It's always nice to go to bookstores and coffee shops during this time of year. I also love to see the colors change during Autumn, and love taking pictures of the changing colors of leaves and the trees. I want to get into baking! I do have some recipes that I want to try out, just need to make some extra time and inspiration for that. That's what goas are for I guess. I want to learn how to code, like mentioned in a previous post, or any kind of tech/computer lingo would be nice. Dress up for Halloween this year. Sometimes I get kind of lazy and unmotivated, but it's nice to get into the spirit and do something different for a change. Learn Hindi. I want to finish at least 8 books this Fall season, and the nice thing is that I know finding a book to read is never hard for me. I want to contribute something to Thanksgiving this year, whether that be rolls, Pumpkin Pie or a nice side dish. I think it would also be good to make a 2-3 year plan for myself, all the things I want to do and accomplish in that amount of time, and also something cool to look back on as well! So there were a few of my goals for this Autumn. I'm excited to see how much I can accomplsih in these few months!

Enjoying the nice grass on campus!