Yakap

Nursing license

2008-09-06T11:02:00.000-07:00

I didn't tell you but I passed the licensure exam a couple of months ago. I didn't want to discuss this because I still don't have a job. I'm ashamed of this. There is really no excuse but that won't stop me from inventing some. I have been sending resumes and filling out forms online. In nursing school I had this thought (read: illusion) that because of the nurse shortage and broad healthcare field I would be able to pick, at the very least, my hospital department of choice. That's, what's the word I'm looking for, oh yeah: bullshit. Next week I'm going to three job fairs to ~~beg~~ look for a job, any healthcare-related job.

Moving to California to find a job. I want to refer to this as an idea thrown around but when I tell you what's been happening lately you would believe otherwise. You see my mom (mom, I don't care if you read this) has been calling up relatives in California inquiring about nursing jobs, googling hospitals in California and browsing for job openings in hospitals there. I really need to move out and grow up.

Blog stuff

2008-09-05T22:22:00.000-07:00

This is the whiteboard by my bed. That's the blog layout. I worked on this thing. I could have picked a template from Blogger.com with one click but no, I had to plan it out on a whiteboard, set up lighting and camera, gather sewing supplies, and embroider the header. I should be proud of this but I feel like people will drop by here and think, 'Wow, so much free time. Live alone?' I don't want to think 'Who cares?' but uh, actually, screw those people. Hmm, that sounds bitter. Yeah I'm bitter. Got a problem with that? Would you look at that? I got angry over nothing, ahaha.

Tomorrow I'll blog about my progress in Chinese violin (slower than molasses in January), job hunting (nurse shortage my foot!) and thoughts about moving to California (and by thoughts I mean 'I don't want to think about it.'). K, see you tomorrow.

Tasteless Shrimp

2008-09-05T22:08:00.000-07:00

I peeled shrimp, marinated, skewered and grilled them. It's called Lemon Ginger Shrimp and almost everyone loved it over at allrecipes.com. I think it should be renamed 'Shrimp with a Marinade That is So Flavorless it Somehow Extracts the Inherent Flavor of Shrimp to Result in "negative flavor."' It not only lacks taste, it owes it. I didn't think it was possible.

Kimchi Fried Rice

2008-09-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

I had this for breakfast and lunch. This is yummy if you like kimchi. The kimchi in the fridge is getting sour so I made kimchi fried rice. Here's what you'll need.

1 part kimchi (starting to ferment is better)
2 parts rice (leftover, cold)
kimchi juice
salt and sugar to taste
sesame oil
Fry chopped kimchi in oil. Add sugar and salt. Mix in rice. Add kimchi juice and sesame oil (1 tbsp. per cup of rice). Total cooking time is about 10 minutes. Top with fried egg.

I think of Hyeong and his family whenever I make Korean food. He used to invite me over at least 3 times a month and we'd eat dinner together. I miss those times. It's been 3 months since I last saw him. He emailed last week but has not responded to my reply. I don't want to call because he might feel like he has to invite me over. I don't know how to feel or what to think about this.

Balls and seeds

2008-09-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

I made these sesame seed balls today. They're called 'buchi' in the Philippines. I've never seen them made with black sesame seeds so I tried it out. Apparently black sesame seeds don't come in 'try me' packs. Once you go black...

Buchi (sesame seed balls)
Red bean paste: Boil 1 c. red beans till soft. Drain. Add 1 c. brown sugar and melt.
Dough: 1 c. hot water, 1/3 c. brown sugar, 1 1/2 c glutinous rice flour
Stuff golf ball-sized dough with red bean paste. Seal tightly. Dip in water before rolling the balls in sesame seeds. Deep fry 2 minutes in oil.

Online recipes say these double in size but my balls did not. Some even instruct you to push them against the side of the pan. I only did this to 3 balls. This proved to be very dangerous. The balls freakin' exploded and I had to use ninja moves to evade the oily detonation. I busted my balls making these and they just busted. They tasted just as good though. In conclusion, black or not these balls are delicious.

Moral lesson: never push balls against pans.

Um

2008-08-30T17:58:00.001-07:00

Yeah. It's dark.