Seed of Taste

Wow, last post in 2009. I can't exactly pick up where I left off lol so let's just make this a new starting point. I have a job, son, and new home which maybe I will discuss in later posts. For now, with the excitement of a new place and finally a backyard....I'm all about bar-b-q and homegrown veggies and fruits!

This picture is of the Achiote Tree, better known as the "lipstick tree". Remember when the ingredient Red 40 had this huge alert about the dye not being good for your health? Let me introduce the all-natural version. As you can see in the pods, they are filled with seeds - Annato seeds. You ever wonder why most of the meat you buy at the mexican markets are red??? This is why. This seed combined with vinegar and spices creates a paste that will take you across the seas. I absolutely love it. Where can I find this tree for my backyard?!!! That is my question. I think I have found the answer. They seem to be abundant in Hawaii. So.... my next blog you will see me with a shovel in the backyard planting this tree! lol Then I will provide a recipe using this past to make the most delicious tacos you have eaten!

Besides not knowing this was behind the marinade at the meat markets...my trips to Yucatan and Belize has led me to several taste which left me wondering "what spice do they use to make this stuff!" On my last trip to Belize, i ran into a lady in the market. She sold me a whole bag full of this seed already combined with the ingredients to make a "recado" ball. All i have to do is add chicken, fish, or pork and out comes a wonderful dish. I'll post pics soon!

Read A Book Lately?

Gone are the days of going to your local library or maybe even your little cubby hole inside your elementary library to read a book. You remember that librarian, right? The one that always lowered their vintage eyeglasses with the chains hanging on each side.... or maybe she was the one who seperated you from your little reading group of friends for making too much noise..... well, believe it or not, the librarians are the one causing the noise now. According to the Texas Library association website TXLA ....Texas librarians are creating an uproar! Looks like most of them should have been art teachers instead! I do have to admit the next time I'm walking into my local library I'll be wondering whether or not the librarian was once a wild child. As the site mentions, there is a strong advocacy of "self-expression and diversity" which is promoted by our public libraries. Yet do I think this is the way to "secure" the future of public libraries as a means of a fundraiser?? Um no. If anything, I wonder if my book fines contributed to your tattoos. Sometimes I think we lose the focus on children and values these days and I'm pretty liberal. If I was younger I'd probably tell my dad (who might be staring at her tattoo anyways) to give me a marker so I could draw pretty pictures on my body. Know what I mean? There is a time and place for such issues and when I think library.... tattoo does not even come to mind..... perhaps I'm just behind on the times.

One with the Sea

oh actually scuba diving.... that's what I want to talk about it... In Belize I took a DSD course which is "discovery scuba diving". If you want to snorkel in another country just ask for this course, you do not have to be certified. You only get to go 40 feet deep yet its enough for your first time. lol. Those tanks are heavy though!! Of course in the water you barely feel them, yet in the boat...talk about falling forward or back.

The hardest part about diving...in my opinion is stabilizing yourself when going down. Your ears are popping and you need to control your breathing, you need to control the amount of air in your backpack gear and of course the sea life around you. In my case, sharks. hahah nurse sharks. They say they dont bite because they have no teeth... yet their suction is enough to pull your fingers off...yeeah....

And actually this one is a baby one and its about 5 feet long. I snorkeled in Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley....Shark Ray Alley had stingrays bigger than me and sharks as well. Here is a cool stingray pic...

The local fisherman were cleaning their fish and these stingrays came up to the shore

So yes, i actually enjoyed the scuba experience after 45 minutes walking underwater. I am taking the class here in Houston at the Scuba Dive Shop off westheimer. Materials and all equipment which you will own will cost about $800. Yah maybe thats alot but its a certification for life and wherever you travel, you can scuba!

4-Ever

and ever ever? wow this thing is like a time capsul now... i need to get back to blogging... i would start with my Belize trip yet I've raved and raved about it outside of this thing already. hahhaha so maybe just back to daily rants.... u know u miss it...

How u feeelin mon?!

wooohooo!! pretty pretty colors! It's nice and fall outside, the air is crisp!! My killa bee scooter makes the ride to work all the more enjoyable, I got my coffee cup full of Obama this morning on CNN, i won last night on a game of Texas Hold 'em, I saw Al Pacino and Robert De Niro kill it cold in Righteous Kill, i'm gearing up for da crew trip to sin city and tonight I chillaxin wid da crew like i been everyday this week!....lolz... who can ask for more? ( i have little expectations. hahah)

Feel Good with me.... forget the worries of the past and future... you're in da here and now...


My pick of ten feel good songs in no particular order which range from rock n roll to hip hop:

1. I feel Good - James Brown no one can break it down like james boooooy!!!

2. I can see Clearly Now - Jimmy Cliff awwwww yeah! i wanna go to Jamaica! lolz

3. Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N Roses rock out to that electric guitar

4. Three little Birds - Bob Marley need i say more?

5. Sign, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder break it down baby....sign, sealed, delivered....

6. Think - Aretha Franklin - freeeeedom!!! freeeedom!!! mother of soul right there

7. Don't Stop 'Til you Get Enough owwww! and u gotta get up and dance like him, k? lolz...

8. Just Fine - Mary J. Blige lolz! hellz yah! i couldnt help it... its my fk 'em, im chilin jam! lolz...

9. 99 Problem - Jay Z aiite aiite, watchin out for my boys as well.. i call guys bitches too hahah

10. I got a Woman - Ray Charles hell yah the original version!! oh yah, dance with me now!!

Hope I got u in a better mood!

A Time of Blessings

Wishing all my friends blessing during their religious trials and fast...
Eid is a Day of Remembrance : The Muslims pray to God and glorify His name to demonstrate their remembrance of His favors.
Eid is a Day of Victory : The devotee who succeeds in attaining his spiritual rights and growth receives the Eid with a victorious spirit.
Eid is a Day of Harvest : God gives infinitely to those who are sincerely concerned with the general welfare of their fellow believers.
Eid is a Day of Forgiveness : When Muslims assemble in the congregation of the Day, they whole-heartedly pray for forgiveness and strength in faith. And God has assured those who approach Him with sincerity of His mercy and forgiveness.
Eid is a Day of Peace : When a Muslim establishes peace within his heart by obeying the Law of God and leading a disciplinary life, he has certainly concluded a most invioble treaty of peace with God.

wondering when my someday will begin...

How Could An Angel Break My Heart
Toni Braxton & Baby Face

I heard he sang a lullaby
I heard he sang it from his heart
When I found out thought I would die
Because that lullaby was mine
I heard he sealed it with a kiss
He gently kissed her cherry lips
I found that so hard to believe
Because his kiss belonged to me

How could an angel break my heart
Why didn't he catch my falling star
I wished I didn't wish so hard
Maybe I wished our love apart
How could an angel break my heart

I heard her face was white as rain
(Your face is white as rain)
Soft as a rose that blooms in May
(Soft as a rose in May)
He keeps her picture in a frame
(I keep your picture)
And when he sleeps he calls her name
(I only call out your name)
I wonder if she makes him smile
(She doesn't make me smile)
The way he used to smile at me
(I only smile at you)
I hope she doesn't make him laugh
(She doesn't make me laugh)
Because his laugh belongs to me
(My laugh belongs to you)

How could an angel break my heart
(You are my heart)
Why didn't he catch my falling star
(I will catch your star)
I wished I didn't wish so hard
(Don't wish so hard)
Maybe I wished our love apart
(Love falls apart)
How could an angel break my heart
(Your tender heart)

Oh (My love)
My (I know that)
Soul (I know your)
Is (Is dying)
Dying (I know your soul is crying)
It's crying (I know that
you've been dying)
I'm trying (Trying)
To understand
Please help me (Please help me)

How could an angel break my heart
(I'd never break your heart)
Why didn't he catch my falling star
(I'd catch your falling star)
I wished I didn't wish so hard
(You never wished too hard)
Maybe I wished our love apart
(We're not apart)
How could an angel break my heart
(Oooh yeah)

Ouch.

So below is a poem sent to me by JV... although I think it would be better named "harsh reality"or "it is your fault" or "quit complaining biatch". lol...Still a nice flow of words...

"when it's gone"

you never miss something until it's gone
when it feels so wrong, waited too long
when it's too late, way over the due date
can't change the past, unable to make it last
this ain't a movie, don't mean to tell u rudely
u won't get it back, ain't funny no laugh
trackending won't be a kiss, no sudden twist
its a cold hard reality, so kneel, pray to your deity
don't take it for granted, just because it was handed
or fell into your lap, see, that's how we fall for the trap
thinking it will always be there, it was agreed and made clear
but never paid considerate attention, even if it wasn't ur deliberate intention
stinging loss you'll quietly feel, not sudden, eventually it'll be real
wishing it was a nightmare, a dream, hoping it's not what it seems
life only has one take, no reshoots, so think of decisions you make
no special effects to hide the blemish, even the smallest fault you must cherish
so if you ever discover it, don't wait till its late you'll never recover it