my weekend synopsis

the art bazaar
ever since california's govt. drastically cut the arts funds, many of my favorite art organizations have been struggling. there is very little money funding the arts and the multi-cultural art and inner city art orgs are the first to go. they are desperately trying to stay afloat.

filam arts is a strong arts advocate for the filipino american arts. one of their biggest events is FPAC, the festival of filipino arts and culture. they have to raise an extremely large amount of money in order to function for the next couple of months.

one of their fundraising events is an art bazaar. vendors come in and sell their art, crafts, clothing, ceramics, etc. in order to raise funds for fil am arts.

i sold a few pieces. i brought my paintings just to bring attention to my booth. some people inquired about my paintings but i had to tell them that they are not for sale yet. i have to finish the series first, show them, and then consider selling them. it felt good to know that people are interested in buying my art. i have been commissioned to do a couple of paintings. wow... its an honor.

"it takes 21 days to start a habit"
that is what analyn told me tonight. so today is day number one.

my friend dj is getting married. i am a brides maid. which means one thing; get fit for the dress!!!

its been a hot minute since i have worn a dress! dude, its been a hot minute since i even have seen the sun. i have sat on my ass for 3 years from 10am-7pm, five days a week. i am hellaaaaaaa outta shape.

so, after a peptalk from my bf, i have decided that now is the time. i have till april to get fitted and oct for the wedding. if only i can get fit in 30 days just as bally's promised.

so off i go to start my regimine.

wasn't so painful. i was on the ellipticals for 40 mins, abs, and lower back.

good lawd. the lower ab part damn near killed me. it used to be my favorite exercise but years of slouching behind a keyboard have made my trunk a weak pillar. and let me tell you, the secret to being center physically; strengthen your trunk. (no men, not THAT trunk)

can't eat the processed food stuff any more
i realized that after a few weeks of cooking food, i can't bring myself to eat frozen or canned foods any more. there was a time when that is all i had to time to eat. frozen soy chorizo and potato taquitos from trader joe's. a lean pocket here and there. canned minestrone.

but as i walk along the aisles, i realize that all that prepackage shit doesn't sound appetizing to me.

there is something about homecooked meals. energy, your life force, is expended in making a good homecooked meal. not only energy, but love is put in there. the care given to make sure that what you are putting in your mouth is fresh, making sure that you put just enough seasoning, that it is healthy- all that contributes to the food. love. and then sharing it with loved ones. image this exchange of energy.

so i made chili (a particular way a restaurant in hawaii makes it) and malasadas. had friends over- analyn, kat, vanessa, wendell and the puppy, sonny cheeba. watched sex in the city. played soul calibar 2. talked about life, liberty and love.

great way to end a weekend.

here is the recipe: (hey miko, try this!)

i used turkey bacon and ground turkey. i also added creamy tomato soup, more paprika, more sugar, ground sage, and italian sausage and noooo msg. muenster cheese melting on top. yummmmmm

1 lb. ground top round
1 round onion
1/4 lb. bacon
1 large can red kidney beans, drained
2 tsp. red wine
1 tsp. powdered chicken bouillon
1/4 tsp. ginger
1 bay leaf, crushed
Pinch paprika
1 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. oregano leaves
Pinch cumin seed
1 tsp. Ajinomoto (msg)
1/2 C. chopped celery
1/2 C. chopped bell pepper
Dash Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 large can tomato sauce

Brown the ground top round with onion.  Add bacon.  Then add the rest of the ingredients and simmer 30 minutes.