24 Nov 2007: Thanksgiving 2007 - Photo Blog

This is just your average Turkey Day Photo Blog...I have to admit that I'm still a bit exhausted because I worked non stop all the days before and the day of the celebration and the day after. But I'm well towards recovery after sleeping in and taking an impromptu nap at the insistence of my boyfriend.

This was our first Thanksgiving together as a couple. Because when we first met last year it was like a week after Turkey Day.

I must say that photo doesn't even look that bad considering I only got 3.5 hours of sleep and had been prepping all night and cooking all day and was wearing the only clean shirt I had left at the house coz all my favorite stuff is at Julians. hahahhahha.

This is how Julian takes 1 armed pictures instead of setting the timer...

Apple is an old pro at the one armed Photo as shown below - She has a reach longer than Shaq with that digi cam!

Here's CBug studying and relaxing while Furball Cleo stalks her. I looked at her notebook and all I have to say is that she is HARDCORE!!!

I think Mom and Keyla are talking to Auntie Julie in Louisiana

Here I am rockin' a broccolli casserole while Apple cooks up the bacon for the green beans and to top the devilled eggs...The kitchen destruction is almost complete at this point because I've already finished the pumpkin tarts and started the lemon bars. . You know there was a moment when Rommel was talking about working out and he started chopping it up with Julian about some gravity based resistance workout that was hella hard and they sat next to each other on the sofa and started chopping it up...and it occurred to me that I'd never seen ANY of my previous boyfriends just "choppin' it up" with my brother and I have to admit it made me smile. Coz...well...coz everything is golden.

Max and Cleo just adore Julian and follow him through every room. They also sleep in the doorway of any room he falls asleep in. I have no idea why they are always wearing tshirts - it's not like they are cold and shit.

..

You like that nice glow on our skin huh. It's called HOT KITCHEN!

This cupping the chin thing is kinna new kinna not...

Thank you Apple for being so fabulous and helping with every single thing and having such a great attitude and making everyone have fun...

Apple went on a photo rampage shortly after that.

Apple and Mom

Apple and Her Hubby Steve

More Apple and Steve

Apple and Keyla

Apple and Benjo...

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You know I've been cooking for pretty long...but my years are hella few compared to Mom. So when she told me to adjust this on the pumpkin filling or to baste the turkey...or cover it with foil...or she cooked a different kind of noodle for the pancit - I listened and/or observed what she did. I'm so happy that Mom was here in AZ for Thanksgiving...just the Obvious reason that we miss her but also because it is humbling to be around someone who can help you improve at something you are already good at.

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Time to yank the Turkey...well at least the first one

See Apple I told you brown people NEED flash...

Really...at least some LOW flash

Next thing you know it was time for Rommel to carve and platter the turkey...

I like how we're messing around "taking pictures" and Mom is steadily coaxing us to get the food ready. hahahhahhah

Below is one of my favourite pictures ever. We had all been joking throughout the day that my brother "EVICTED" me and my sister. My sister is moving to the West Valley into her rental and I am moving to Tempe. I told my brother - dang - I can't believe you are kicking me out! He laughed and said,"hey...I think 2 years rent free is enough..." I laughed harder and said,"Actually it's 3 if you count the time I was in culinary school..." He laughed even HARDER and said,"Oh I didn't even count that year..." Well before the picture below was taken I had said,"This is a last supper for me and my sister because we're EVICTED..." Everyone laughed. Then my brother added,"I am thankful" Bwaa hahaha and everyone laughed their ass off, well everyone except our sister. hahahaha.

So we got a little air before we assembled the table

More sparring and teasing...

Danggit...

It's food stunting time...

Turkey 1

Turkey 2

Lemon Bars

Pumpkin Tarts. My little sister loves these dang tarts. She always has me make her an individual one that is a little bigger for her to stash away and eat at her leisure - hahahahhaa. They are damn good though...

Chicken and Shrimp Pancit

Yams, Broccoli Casserole and Cornbread Stuffing

Green Bean Bundles and More Broccoli Casserole

How 'bout a little Lumpia

Or a Vat of Cheddar Mashed Potatoes from Scratch

Apple at the end of the Lineup

Mom and Rommel

Julian said the blessing and we all held hands and chopped it up and had a LOT of laughter over dinner. We were genuinely trying to wait for Wendy and Mr. T and baby Victor but the great smell of the food was just too tempting not to eat plus we waited well past the 5pm marker.

So I carved the 2nd turkey because Wendy was at the gate. Well I looked across the room and family was already passing out . Then I noticed the cutest case of I-T-I-S ever...Fortunately Steve got a picture of it...

Then sleeping beauty woke up and started his texting rampage

Wendy and Mr. T finally arrived. No one does leftovers like that huh

Kzo and Britany showed up as did Glue and Hangar 18...but I didn't get pictures of that. It was another fabulous Thanksgiving...exhausting but great. I am so comfortable with the fact that our families fit so well and that it's just a cipher of Love. I'm looking forward to other holidays...

We wrapped up around 10pm including cleanup and loading the stuff in the car. We got back to Tempe around midnight and CBug had to be at the airport. CBug was on the phone with a childhood friend of hers while Julian and I were talking. He's the sweetest ever.

J: Thank you Bebe...

Me: For What...Thanksgiving Dinner...

J: For being Sexy and Beautiful and Wonderful...and for Thanksgiving.

22 Nov 2007: Pre-Thanksgiving

I'm pooped.

It's 3am and I just finished chopping and prepping and baking. Everyone offered to help and I just didn't have the heart to torture anyone so I made everyone go to bed. I'm out of coffee. I had a long morning, a full work day, a little socializing and then the dinner prep. At least Julian and CBug came by the shop today to visit and that was a nice break for me to see people I love. I think next year I will take the day before Thanksgiving off so I can be more leisurely in the baking.

Thank God Mom is in town or I'd be hating it tomorrow.

I am thankful to be so tired because it means my life is so full that I have so much to do and so many people in my life that will be at our table. It's not so bad to be in high demand.

Bwaa hahahaha

Eat up Kids and Take LONG naps.

Gobble gobble.

17 Nov 2007: Donations and Junkin' It

So Mom busted me today throwing out old photos with ex boyfriends. She saw them in the recycle bin and said,"Who will recycle a man?" I said not me. Then she shook her head and said,"You will keep those vintage jackets from the thrift store but throw away pictures???" I said Yup. She laughed and laughed and laughed. She said,"Maybe you should keep them and remember the FEW good times you had with those guys..." I guffawed and said,"Mommy, I'm tryin' to get amnesia!" Then I busted out a picture of a guy she met before she met dad who used to write her from a boat coz he was in the Navy...and SHE laughed her ass off...

It was weird to see pics of my brother with his exes and my sister with hers. My other sister has no pics with others coz she married her first love. Then much to my mortification - I went to my nieces page and she has a picture from HELLLLLLLA ago - before I discovered TweeZers! Yikes!

WHO

THE

HELL

IS

THAT!

That's Me.

Bwaaa hahahahahha.

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I'm going back to organizing and rearranging. Alfie if you read this - I still have your glass shelving...I'm kind of glad to have gone through all my stuff and realize that I have the dopest bedding and linens ever.

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I'm still laughin' at my horrible eyebrow pic!!! I'm just relieved that I beautified late in the game instead of burning out too quickly!!!

14 Nov 2007: 351days and counting...

351 days and counting
Category: Blogging

351 days ago - I met Julian at a Talib Kweli show...He said with a cocky tilt to his head,"I will be takin' a trip down Sesame Street..." I rolled my eyes and smeared around the spot with Wendy Lee...Somehow he found us again and made an ally of Wendy and our first picture ever was taken...

November 2006

November was also the birth of Bomblettes Brunch

Less than a month later...He wound up at my house for Christmas...and admitted he already loved me - within and without...But he knew I wasn't "looking" for a boyfriend but he was putting it out there coz he wasn't afraid of commitment or his feelings. I told him he should ask me in the New Year because things that grow should be planted at the start of the year not the end of it. He rolled with it and charmed everyone. I remember making a pot of coffee for everyone saying,"I really like you Julian..." He smiled and shifted closer and quietly said,"You can love me if you want..."

I didn't say anything.

December 2006

Bomblettes 2, December Style was at WLee's Joint!!!

January came and he asked again and I said Yes over a little Moet...The next day meant Family and a Gelato Date....

January 2007

And I got an extra "boyfriend"...It's Kitchen Love Kid

January also brought the First Gangsta Noodles Ever!!!

January also brought Bomblettes Three...but our sequel was good

February came. His conviction was hella stronger than mine let me tell you...I was having plenty of fun but still dipping the proverbial toe in the water. I was continually impressed by his complete lack of fear and insecurity...Despite all these growing feelings...we remained committed to our individual grinds. The daly hustle never stopped and we never abandoned our goals.

Feb 2007...Valentines Double Date...

I made my Bebe a V-day cake...coz he played his cards right.

February was Bomblettes Quattro!!!

March brought not only my birthday but the Miss Asia Arizona Pageant. It also brought a deep sense of relief when I figured out that my boyfriend and my brother got along really well!!!

G'waaan Wendy...

We alternated between Cheering and Heckling.

It seems the happier we were the fuller our life became...

April Showers brought Asian Flowers. Asian Festival. More Sushi and 420 with the girls...and the Fabulous Gya returns from the Hella Far Mid Huh EAAAAAST.

Just coz you in Love don't mean you can't stunt...May also meant a Mother's Day Barbecue for our friend Bree...The grind was getting faster and harder at this point - but it was just a matter of breaking our professional plateau's.

May 2007

June was heating up and so was my excitement for Life. Life was starting to get pace and rhythm. But a faster pace and a faster rhythm. At times it kind of knocked me off my feet...but this was different...June also brought Sake Smoothie Bomblettes!!!

July was just an achey anticipation to spend time with Family and to go have fun. Finally Julian met everyone and even little Tank couldn't help but Fall in Love with Bebe...Then we were off to Chicago for a little business, a lot of pleasure and for me to meet Mama Rita and Carla...After everything went so naturally and smoothly...it dawned on me that we both fit so easily in each other's lives and family for a reason...

July 2007

August brought a clear view of Mars in the Sky which only happens every such millenia. It also brought our first international vacation...We had no desire to come back but we did. I didn't think it was possible but we came back more motivated than before to achieve our goals...

It took about a week to adjust to everyday living and to dispense treats and goodies to everyone. It also brought about Banana Bomblettes!!! That was one of my favorite bomblettes ever. I also got rid of the assistant and started taking on more catering jobs. As if I didn't think I could get any busier. I don't even have photos for the month of September outside of food pictures. I will say this...something about September just allowed me to open my mouth and disagree or be opinionated without anger.

September 2007

October...I got a taste of singlehood without actually being single. Julian went to LA and then to Colorado for a month. It was a steady grind for me juggling everything I was doing. But after a week of being "solo" I kind of liked it...Coffee with the girls, 11 hour days at work...long lunches with Katie and even some time to paint Julian a Rhino in oil and tutor one of the shop kids at making sauces and cooking. I was also writing 5-20 pages a night again...Then...then Julian's boss flew me out to Denver for a few days to 1) see Julian and 2) cater a few days meals. Hecka nice. The day I landed it was 32 degrees and the Denver Airport looked like something out of wizard of oz but covered in powdered sugar...My second day I was there a masseuse was brought in and I got a 2 HOUR MASSAGE in front of the picture window... The best part of being apart for an extended amount of time is that you realize that even though you miss each other...you are confident in what you have and have your OWN individual life to develop...So when you do finally get together it is a wonderful homecoming and not a chore.

Awwwww

October 2007

All this brings us to November...My work has doubled as has his. Yet somehow we are laughing all the way to the top. I was making dinner last night and he came in from work and said,"Give me your hand Bebe..." And we danced in the kitchen. Sweet right...but spontaneous. We still have those long conversations on the balcony under the night sky about everything from our childhoods, to work, to politics and economics, current events or hip hop. We also discuss our goals and how blessed we are. You would think that we would be exhausted with all that we do...but we have synched strength wise. When one is strong the other is there as an "oh shit handle"...When one is feeling overwhelmed the other is there as a reassurance and reminder. But neither of have stumbled. The scary part is when we are both in the "zone"...because THEN our strength is exponential.

I noticed another thing. Food and Love are intertwined in our lives. We must never stop cooking for our friends or having them to dinner...Because as much as we have...it's only right to share. And that doesn't mean food or money...it means love and company.

So...it has been 351 days since I first met Julian. Sometimes I would get so peeved by his antics and joking around and stuff...yet every single one of my girls rallies to his side even if he doesn't know it. He has fans and he didn't even know it. In this almost 1 year...we still have that genuine interest and fascination for each other...You would think we just met..or that we just met all over again