Time Flying By

It's amazing how time flies by, right?  I can't believe it's the week of Thanksgiving already.  Seems like just yesterday it was June and I was graduating from UCI.  And when I think back to what I've done over the past five months since then, it's just been immensely busy.  

Not only am I taking my 9.5 units of classes, working on grad school applications, and studying (really trying to do this), I've gotten myself a job.  Yes sirree, I've gotten a job and although it is part-time, it still eats up a chunk of my time and I find myself incredibly exhausted after work.  I am a researcher and developer for a food production facility.  Pretty neat, eh?  I'm developing recipes and working on formulas for clients.  Ooh la la ;-)  It's my first foray into working in the food industry.  This is now week three and so far, it's been really interesting.

Speaking of food, you'll never guess what happened.  My mother was going through her papers and whatnot and found this:

This envelope contains a letter that I wrote on May 30, 2001... to myself in 2005.  Yes, I wrote this as an eighth grader, sealed it, and opened it in 2005 as a senior in high school.  Holy cow.  I do not remember what my reaction was in 2005 but I can say the other day it was pretty interesting to read from my 8th grade perspective.  I even wrote in the letter that the reason I was hand writing it was because I wanted to see how my handwriting changed in four years, haha.  

Well, you'll never believe what else I wrote.  Maybe this is an omen of what my life was to be like.  I mean, after all, it's now been over 10 years since I wrote that letter.  I think I was rolling on the floor when I read this: 

Did you know that at this stage of my life, I like to cook?  It's so fun.  Well, I think it is.  And the thing that I love to do most when I have free time is.... sleep!!!  I never seem to get enough of it.  Maybe you remember.  I was always getting five to six hours of sleep a night.  One time, I even went 39 hours without sleep.  That was because I had to finish the Domains of Writings for Lit/Lang.  And after all the hard work that I put in, I received a 98.  How unfair!

Hilarious, right?  I was 14 and having "the time of my life", as I called it.  Well, we all know I still "like" to cook now, 10 years later.  Sure, "like" is a good word.  However, the word "love" is probably more fitting.  As for the sleep thing... I think I just go without it.  Naps are very few these days and I'm just out like a light in the evenings.  I am definitely incredibly sleep-deprived but I survive.  How funny that I was upset with a score of 98 out of 100, huh?  I've always been that girl.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share this interesting piece from the past.  My mother wants me to sit down and write another letter to myself.  Frankly, I don't have the time to write a letter (I know--but you're writing a blog post?).  I'll get to it sometime.  Right now, my life is pretty crazy/busy!  And this week definitely doesn't help as I've got three different Thanksgivings to prepare for.  Lots of cooking and baking!  It all begins tomorrow then continues to Thursday and then ends on Black Friday with the annual Chang Family Thanksgiving.  I'll be making green bean casserole, cucumber feta salad, mashed potatoes (check out my Roasted Garlic Mashies), um... my caramel brownies, ooh, the fabulous French Almond Apple Tart, and use leftover turkey as a substitute for my Best. Chicken. Pot. Pie. Ever.  And who knows?  I might even make a pumpkin cream cheese mousse or pie or something.  Ooh, I remember!  I'm going to make Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls.  Oh my, I'm seriously exhausted after just typing all that!  Quite daunting, I must say.

I just thought I'd give you a quick post since I've not written in almost one month.  I know--that's pretty bad.  But, I'm sure you'll forgive me given that it's been quite hectic over here.  I have cooked a few things in the last month that I want to write about so, stay tuned!

I hope everyone has had a grateful and wonderful year.  I hope you're going to be with lots of friends, family, and loved ones at the beginning of this holiday season.  Happy Thanksgiving :-)

XOXO,

Hester

PS--Please have a safe Black Friday!!!!
PPS--If you're looking for a great vegetarian side dish, my Creamed Mushrooms and Kale are a HUGE hit!