Of all the gin joints in all the world

Agave lime sriracha popcorn. I know what you’re thinking. This girl is nuts. But if you just follow me down this rabbit hole, it may turn out to be an adventure.

I was procrastinating by going to a favorite blog of mine, and there was her newest post. Popcorn in all its glory. I am normally pretty lackadaisical when it comes to reading food articles, but I was so intrigued by this one that I went to the store just to buy two limes. TWO LIMES. That’s all. I drove my car less than a mile to pick up two baby limes which weren’t even a dollar (98 cents) in order to fulfill the recipe requirements. Beyond wasteful, I know, but I was hooked.

Preheat oven to 250. Popcorn in the microwave. Popped that baby until my kitchen smelled of greasy movie theaters and extra buttery syrup. Took out the kernels and plopped the popcorn into a bowl where I drizzled maple syrup and sriracha (3:1 sweet to spicy as the recipe says, you really don’t need that much sriracha but go with what you feel). The recipe called for agave, which may be different from my classy maple syrup but I’m not positive at the moment. Honey would probably be a terrific substitute as well. Then I squeezed lime juice all over the syrup and sriracha popcorn ensemble and dug my hands into the bowl, vigorously mixing until I was satisfied. I tasted it before letting it dry out in the oven, and I almost preferred the pre-oven mixture, but I wanted to follow the recipe before scrutinizing it. Put it on a pan cover in parchment paper (so you don’t have to wash the pan later) and threw it in the oven for 13 minutes because I’m impatient (recipe says 15-20 minutes). Stirred it a bit in case there were clumps, but those could be fun. When I took it out, the popcorn was still a little soggy from the lime juice but still heavenly delicious.

Check out the original recipe here, and there are pictures too. I would have posted some, but my batch wasn’t as beautiful as that one. I’m pretty stoked to show this one to my boyfriend and play with the ingredients. Mmm popcorn.

And the beer continues

Yesterday (Friday 14 Feb, yes Valentines Day), I went to Drake’s Brewing Company. It was delicious. I think I had 8 tasters even though I thought I ordered 10. I was enthused by every one even the ones that were just decent. The Hopcalypse was not over the top hoppy or punch you in the face strong along with their many barrel aged taps (Bourbon Induced Fowl Play) and their exotic Spicy Chocolate Alliance. Yum. Why can’t I live in their taproom??

Updated: I found the original list that I had made of the tasters, and there were 10.

Sweet Surprise

Friday night (7 Feb 2014), Ian, myself, and our two friends, Luke and Adam, headed out to find new breweries within San Luis Obispo county. Don’t get me wrong, BarrelHouse Brewing and Firestone Walker Brewing Companies are fantastic, and I would gladly make the 25-30 minute trek to them, but Ian had the grand idea to try something new. So, off we go.

Our first stop, which was meant to be the only one, was Dunbar Brewing in Santa Margarita. Ian had heard about it through a beer tour website and wanted to see if it was worth frequenting…it wasn’t. I’m not sure if the bar was normally that empty, but there were 3 people who left a few minutes after we arrived (maybe we scared them off), and eventually, it was just us 4 and the bartender. The most disappointing factor was the brewery’s inadequate amount of home brew on tap. Of the 10 (ish) beers that were available, there was one that belonged to Dunbar, and although I was driving and not really drinking and it was a stout that was also on nitro, I couldn’t help feeling disappointed. I tasted some of the stout, which was quite delicious, but the night was going to crash and burn if we headed back to Slo after this nonsense.

What would life be without technology? Hopped on the 101 North, looked up breweries in Atascadero, and behold, there was Molly Pitcher Brewing Company. Our savor! Not only do they have a cool website, but their beer was also delicious. We each drank a different one (red, pale, IPA, and stout), and they brew one more, but it wasn’t available at the time. Nonetheless, the pale and the IPA were heavenly. I think I liked the IPA more because it tasted like liquid beer candy deliciousness, but that might be a poor description because it wasn’t overly sugary like candy rather full of hoppy bliss. Just go and taste it and marvel in its glory. If you can’t visit the bar, though, at least check out the website.

Know of any good breweries? I’m hoping to complete a beer tour of America this summer after graduation in June and need to start creating a list of breweries worth stopping for.

Brown Butter Batch

It has been quite some time since I’ve written on this blog. Mostly because I stopped writing on here while in Paris (by the way it has been over a year since I got back from studying abroad and all I want to do is go back…ugh) and started writing on a word document instead (I know, not the best journal, but it was easier and I’m lazy). However, returning to San Luis Obispo has been an adjustment. Big city to small town…man, did I feel bored. Nonetheless, I’ve re-realized the beauty that surrounds Slo and also lived in Seattle last summer (lemme tell you! Beautiful city, the best neighborhoods, so much beer, gorgeous food, and glorious coffee). I miss it, but now as my college years are beginning to end, I’m contemplating where I will go next. Any suggestions?

In between these difficult decisions though, I have cookies, brown butter cookies to be exact which taste exactly like the Brown Butter Cookie Company in Cayucos. You can find the recipe for these delicious monsters here. Although they taste basically the same as the company’s cookies, it is still worth a trip to Cayucos, CA to visit (and freely sample) their store. Bonus: The sun always seems to be shining in Cayucos compared to Morro Bay, plus the dangerously good food right off the beach.

Look at these babies! Compliments of my iPhone camera; I know…I’m a photographer now. Sorry no filters or frames. Next time.

The Best City of All

At the top of l’Arc de Triomphe

My friend came to visit for my birthday last weekend, and we did every touristy thing in Paris. It was exhausting but extremely worth it because I don’t know when I would have done all those tourist events. It made me realize that I should be taking so many more pictures of my stay in Paris. Even though I still have an entire half of my program left, I know I’m going to miss this city and the people that I have met so much.

Beautifully Fall Day

5 October 2012

Today was pretty successful. Went to Pilates at 9:30 this morning; it was so early! But Paula and I did it thankfully. The teacher seems really fun; she spoke English and so did the other four people in the class. I think I might start going frequently even though it is so early on Fridays, worth it. Then I sat around for two hours, being lazy on the computer, almost went back to sleep until Matt motivated me enough to go to this art exhibit that I had to go to for class. So…I went to Patrick’s, the pub across the street from my foyer, and grabbed a coffee. Man, I felt so much better after that.

Had a wonderful walk to the metro because of the beautiful fall day. The sun was out, the sky was blue with white puffy clouds (I was sure that I could have fallen asleep in them if only I could reach), and the air was extremely crisp (either I’ve gotten used to the cigarette smoke or there just wasn’t as much out as I was walking). It felt like autumn.

The art exhibit that I went to was at the Grand Palais off of the Champs-Elysées exit, and it was all about Bohemians, such as gypsies and then later in history the artist who’re known as bohemians. I liked it, after I walked through the whole thing, even bought a small book to remember it by. However, on the way through, I never thought it was going to end. I had to take notes for class, so my notes started out very detailed and as I continued throughout the exhibit, they became less intricate than what I started with. Fingers crossed, hopefully I got enough notes because there is no returning to it, unless I want to pay 12 euro, and now I have to write a three page paper on it. I know I know, I have a tough life going to art exhibits for my class while I study in Paris. Haha.

After, Matt was at the Place des voges (right next to Bastille), so I went to visit him and his guitar playing. But first…I bought a baguette, some cheese, and an apple to snack on; well I guess it turned into dinner considering I haven’t gone grocery shopping yet. It was so delicious, even though the cheese was a bit saltier than I anticipated. I ate the entire baguette, cherishing every bite, loaded with carbohydrates and salt. Another overindulgence that was completely worth it (yesterday I bought a milk chocolate bar and ate the whole thing before I went running with the WISP girls). Matt played guitar and sang; I sang a bit too between bites of food. He made 2,70 euro, enough for half a pint at Patrick’s.

Little White Room

Yesterday, I had a doctor’s appointment because I’m joining a soccer league which requires a doctor’s confirming that I am capable to play “le foot compétition.” Because I thought it was too ridiculous to pay extra money to see an English speaking doctor, I opted for the French speaking one. Not that big of a deal, I’m understanding French much better, and if I can’t understand this doctor, we can use gestures to get through the whole process.

The doctor’s office is just around the corner from my foyer, so I leave 15 til which gives me plenty of time to walk there. However, when I find the street, the complex has a gate, and I have absolutely no idea how to enter. Thankfully, a man is exiting and I take it upon myself to hold the door open and scamper in. Get into the complex, test #1 passed. I start to look for numbers on the buildings and see none. I wander into the first open door and ask, “J’ai besoin de trouver cette addresse,” pointing to my little google map with the address. The man answers waaaay too quickly, but pointing is included, so I say, “Merci,” and bolt out. Finally, I find a sign inside a building with the name of the doctor, but I try all four doors (back and front of the building) and each one is locked. Now, I start to panic a bit, until a woman walks toward the door and opens it. I ask her if she knows where this doctor’s office is located, and she is going there too! Find the building and successful get in, test #2 passed. We enter this little white room with 8 plastic chairs lining the walls and one large window across from the door. No receptionist, no welcome desk type thing, nothing. Okay, the woman sat down, so I will too. Maybe someone will come in and call my name, I have an appointment, after all, and I made it exactly on time. That isn’t the case. I wait, and wait, and wait some more, and then an older gentleman (maybe in his 60’s) opens the door, and someone stands up, shakes his hand, and follows him into another room. Maybe they had an earlier appointment than mine; I don’t even expect Kaiser to be on time. Wait some more, and eventually the man comes back in and another woman stands up to go with this guy. I start to understand that this was the doctor and it doesn’t necessarily matter what time your appointment is because people go in order of their turn from when they had arrived, not when their appointment time is.

Interesting side-note, a mom and her child entered this room while I was waiting, and she said “Bonjour,” to the other woman and I when she walked in. Another man walked in and did the same. I picked it up the second time, when the man walked in, but I thought it was odd considering people in Paris don’t really acknowledge other strangers, unless you are at a grocery store or shop. People in America don’t even do that. I liked it for some reason.

Anyway, it is FINALLY my turn after waiting an hour (I won’t ever take Kaiser for granted again). Stand up, shake the doctor’s hand, and walk into his office, test #3 passed. I sit down in a chair facing the doctor; he asks how he can help me and immediately knows that I am the American who needs a note for soccer. Communicate what I need to the doctor, test #4 passed. The next question he asks, though, is not so clear. I think he just asked me how will I be paying for this, so I answer “with euros” because I can’t for the life of me remember how to say in cash (“en liquid”). He continues to repeat his question and gives me a few answers such as Allemande, and I continue to misinterpret his question. Finally, I take out my wallet and show him 10euro, and finally he understands that I’m confused. He asks me in, probably the few English words he knows, where I’m from. Oh man was I embarrassed. “En Californie,” is my quick response, and we continue with the exam. The rest of the doctor’s visit was decently painless without too many more misinterpretations on my part, and I get the doctor’s note. Final test passed. When I leave, the doctor opens the door for me, and as I’m walking past, he extends his hand for a handshake, which thankfully I see before I make it too far out the door. Shake his hand with a little nervous laugh from almost being extremely rude, and gun it to the elevator. Good going, Tara.

So, needless to say, yesterday was definitely an adventure, but hey, at least if I have to go back again, I’ll know what to do this time. I’m still rolling my eyes about how embarrassing that was. New experiences every day in Paris, I guess haha.

 

Soft Sounds of Rain

Today, I felt better about Paris than any day since I’ve been here. It wasn’t even that significant of a day, but I felt very content walking around the streets once I escaped the traffic around the Pompidou. I had a test today in my French class, but it was on passé compose which is something that I learned since my freshman year of high school and then again last fall at Poly. I felt decently confident about the test and it kind of makes up for my skipped class and missed pop quiz in my Impressionism class yesterday. Oops, my bad (feel the sarcasm)…my friend was in town for two days, yesterday was his last day, and I had been at school from 9am-1pm.

We ended up going to Château de Vincennes, which was an old fortification system and then a prison and now it’s just a place to visit. We wondered through there, walked around Parc Floral (which is humongous), got lost, and walked for two hours until finding the entrance again. It was amazing, going from a busy round-about to the silence of a forest.

However, the rest of today was relaxing. After class, I found a little park where kids were playing and parents relaxing on benches. Instead of taking the metro, I walked from the park to the Bastille and didn’t get lost at all! I had only walked that way once before and found it easy to navigate to it. Even though it started raining half way through, I loved the walk. Maybe I’ve had too much sunny Slo and need my rainy winter, listening to the Garden State soundtrack, writing, or curling up in a comfy chair to read. I hope it keeps raining during the day.

Frustration

I have been living in Paris for almost a month and continue to feel inadequate in this culture. Don’t get me wrong, I feel much more adapted than I did the first couple weeks, but I’m still frustrated by my inability to understand French when someone speaks to me. I even feel that I can speak French a little better, but almost every time I am in a public setting, I have a difficult time grasping the French language. I listen to the French radio as often as I can, I am taking a French class that meets two days a week, I try to learn new words every day, I’m living in Paris! Should my comprehension still be this bad? Maybe I am being impatient or maybe I’m just not working hard enough. I’m only early for four months, which sounds like a long time but it’ll go by so quickly, and I’m worried that I won’t gain the (for lack of a better word because I’ve been up since 5am) knowledge that I had hoped for. I realize that I can’t become fluent in French, hell maybe I can, but so far, I don’t feel much different.

Random Parade

Yesterday, my friend and I stumbled upon a parade. But this wasn’t just any parade; it was a techno parade, complete with floats pouring bass pounding music from their speakers and obnoxiously, drunk teenagers littering the streets. It was amazing. We jumped in with the crowd, ignored the dumb high schoolers, and had a great time. There were tons of floats, but we danced between six or seven of them, eventually finding three that were our favorite. Originally, we were going to visit the President’s house (I think, I was just along for the ride), and we ended up dancing and walking with the parade for two hours, from the 11^th arrondissement to the 13^th arrondissement. A decently far distance, but completely worth it, considering my sad morning.

One of our close friends left for home because his work visa expired. Although we (the other American guys who live next door and me) didn’t know him long, we have been hanging out with him for the three weeks that we’ve been in the foyer. Together, we were a pretty tight group, and it was tough to say goodbye to someone who radiates happiness when he walks into a room, changing everyone’s attitude by simply talking to them. I had hoped that he would stay longer, but it just didn’t work out.

However, I’m extremely grateful for this techno parade because for the two hours that my friend and I were dancing, everything was okay again. We were smiling the whole time, and I felt like I belonged, even if I was comparing it to LoveFest in San Francisco.