Chapter 11: 'Right now, I'm obsessed with..... #1'

My Current top 10

1) Detroit Metal City anime!

The anime is really not meant for anyone under 17 and for a very good reason.... But if you dig around for it, here I go:
"After graduating high school, Negishi wanted to use his musical talent to start a pop band. Unfortunately, five years have passed, and guess what? He is now in a heavy metal band. Screaming about insane things--as the dark lead singer, Krauser! The series focuses on how difficult to lead his double life, especially after bumping into a high school sweetheart!" 
Hilarious, but cruel anime. ;p 

2) Pinterest!

So much fun!! I am adding so many new boards! I used to think it was stupid to create anything over 30 boards, but what fun is that? You can check my Pinterest and see my changes!

Some of my new boards include 'Rock the Mullet!' (hair), 'Saucy' (dishes + desserts drenched in sauce), 'My Cherry Blossom Girl' (cherries + cherry blossoms!), & 'Dip-Related' (Dipping your food in yummy dips!).

3) Sushi!

Tempura, Rainbow Roll, Dragon roll...... I even heard of some really cute rolls like the unicorn roll and the lion king roll!

4) Back to Harry Potter!

I am back to the books! My friend will be pleased....... The series is so well written. It is also a shock that the books are over 15 years old! Yet there are huge fan bases (still) hmmmmm. ;)

5) Hoping Avril is releasing a WHOLE CD and not just a single!

Secretly, although Katy Perry is good, I wish Avril would no have just 40 million page-views! She deserves it! Punk-rock princess!

6) Pocky!

One day I missed pocky SO, SO much! So far I have bought a box of chocolate....I googled for the recipe for pocky and think I found a reasonable one to try. So please, please work!

7) MLP Cravings!...

I am not sure if any one has noticed, but there are just the most random fan bases in America--across the world! (e.g. mustaches, Princess Bubblegum, Gir, bacon......) I am not considering watching the 'My Little Pony' series, but I love collecting the figurines! 

8) Owl City!

Very unhappy with his latest CD (Midsummer Station), I obviously immediately craved his older works! (First 2 albums) As my research unraveled, I found out the Adam Young's song "Fireflies" became a number one hit in TWENTY SEVEN different countries!!

9) Exercise!

Do something that excites you or find a new sport! 

10) Outer Space!

Always ready to amaze! Some starters? Saturn actually is less dense than water!! (So it would float in our ocean!) If you head to my sites tab at the bottom of my blog, you should find the link to the article I have been reading on black holes. 

I love DMC, Pinterest, Sushi, Harry Potter, Avril, Pocky, MLP, Owl City, Exercise, and Space,


------Temo 

CD review #7: "Foster the People: Torches"

"Foster the People: Torches" (2011) 

Their album cover caught my attention. I really adore the artwork!!! 

Number of 'F bombs': none 

It is their: 1st album. 

My rating (Out of 10 stars): For just the 'strong tracks' in this album, a 8.25/10! For the less desirables, only 1.25/10! 

Compared to other Indie-rock albums, I'd give this one: N/A (I rarely listen to this genre)

Explicit: no. 

Am I happy this is part of my Collection? Sad to say, but no. 

Value (does the music out-weigh the cost?): 3.25/10

My Ranking:

1) 'Helena Beat'---EXTREMELY STRONG TRACK 

2) 'Miss You' ---EXTREMELY STRONG TRACK

3) 'Waste' ---EXTREMELY STONG TRACK 
4) 'I would do Anything for You'-------- Everything REALLY goes downhill from here!

5) 'Don't Stop (Color on the Walls)'
6) 'Life on the Nickel'

7) 'Pumped-up Kicks'

8) 'Houdini'  

9) 'Call it What you Want'

10) 'Warrant' 

So sorry you guys, buying this CD is a mistake. The songs 'Helena Beat', 'Miss You', and 'Waste' should just be purchased on iTunes--separate from the rest! They really are some of my favorite songs! 

I'd like to hear some input, 


------Temo 

CD Review #6: "Carly Rae Jepsen: Kiss"

CD Review #6: Carly Rae Jepsen "Kiss" (2012)

I was not aware that there was a deluxe version of this album. I always regret not going that route! It's packed with 4 more songs. I have no clue what they are. The electronic beats in this album reminds me of sprinkles being poured at like a bake fest at a sleepover or something! I can totally imagine little teens listening to this CD at a sleepover, but I am no kid at any sleepover and I still love it! 

Number of 'F bombs': She doesn't cuss! Omg! ;p 

It is her: 1st album. 

My rating (Out of 10 stars): 7

Compared to the other Pop-genre CDs, I'd give this one: 3.75/5 stars!

Explicit: No way! Her songs are pure light and pure of heart! I heard h*** though like 2 times.

Am I happy this is part of my Collection?: Yes

Value (does the music out-weigh the cost?): 6.25/10

My ranking: 

1) "Tiny Little Bows" -----I love her reference to 'the tiny little bows'! 

2) "More than a Memory" 

3) "Tonight I'm Getting Over You" -----Electronic beat kicks ***! 

4) "Good Time" 

5) "This Kiss"

6) "Hurt So Good"

7) "Beautiful"   ----This is not a pop song, but more of an acoustic song! 

8) "Guitar String/Wedding Ring" -----I felt the album start to lag right here. 

9) "Curiosity" 

10) "Turn me up" 

11) "Your Heart is a Muscle" 

12) "Call Me Maybe" -----may be her hit single, but I'm so sick of hearing it! 

Oh! & I couldn't resist! Isn't her album art JUST ADORABLE!?

Now I just want sugar cookies....with sprinkles,

------Temo 

:'(

Food Porn #5: "More of the Things I Enjoy..."

Yes! Wait no! It's getting too hot again! So here comes the cool-refreshing food cravings! A giant dill pickle (sealed in a bag!) at the convenience store + a large coke zero= 0 calorie happiness!

And when you want to take the calories back, you may go over to Starbucks and customize your own Crunch Berry (it's a cereal) frappacino!

As you can see above, a barista gave me very specific instructions! 

Captain Crunch Frappacino (Secret Recipe):

Order a strawberry creme frappacino.

Ask them to put in a pump of toffee-nut syrup (this will cost slightly extra)

Also ask them to put in chips!

Include the whipped cream for the needed indulgence.

Wait and please be nice to the barista.

Otherwise they will spit in your drink.

(JUST KIDDING!)

It tastes just like it said its supposed to be! 

I also tried a spoonful of 'Trader Joe's' Cookie Butter! I wish this was around when I was a kid! Because obviously eating cookie butter from a spoon is higher class than with the peanut butter stuff we had back when! 

+ 

= Pure Love! 

Also at Sonic, I was able to test out their 'fudge brownie molten cake sundae'! Impressive for $4.50! Includes a whipped cream plus cherry! ;) 

Finally, I had picked up a saran wrapped to-go Spam Musubi! It is now a common Hawaiian snack, and molded into a convenient shape-smiliar as to a rice ball. There's the rice, than the fried slice of spam (lightly fried with sweetened teriyaki sauce), and finally wrapped in the nori! (Sushi seaweed) 

Which one will you try first? ,

------Temo 

P.S.  I forgot another thing! If you have the chance to combine 20 different fruit salads, then no doubt do it! I reached into the fridge unaware of what the bowl was holding and was all like "This fruit salad is really good" did you make it? 
"No, but we all pitched in making it." 
"What do you mean?!" 
"Well, we had like 20 different fruit salads left over, so we combined them all into one bowl to make things easier." 
(Totally works for me by the way. Convenience-driven or not!) 

Food Porn #4: Just munchin' along!

Okay, my Starbucks thrill for the week. I got a passion iced tea lemonade. Before I got that though, I got a VERY chipper employee! She was so cool! She told me that replacing the normal pumps of sugar syrup for RASPBERRY syrup is much better! THAT IS WAY GENIUS!!
So I had mine and it was, well you know! ;P (AWESOME)
The passion tea lemonade hold a lot of nostalgia for me! I remember hating it at first because 'it tastes of cinnamon' lol
And when Starbucks first came out with the 'petites' pastries, they had these mini 'Chocolate peanut butter cupcakes' and NOW THEY'RE GONE! I was so pissed! They had a irresistible peanut butter icing and topped with a mini peanut butter cup. HOW CUTE!
These two things I had on my last big vacation and I will never forget.

Rest in Peace Litte Man! :'(

*Ends Flashback*

Also, I had a little Special K Chocolate cereal fit! I paired it with this new soy milk brand. The soy milk was much, much better than the normal brands floating 'round in the store aisles! Has a more natural, nutty, and smooth-sweet taste!

And for the chocolate.......

"Chocolove's" Almonds & Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate bar is AMAZING!! I would have to say it felt like the best chocolate bar I had when I tried it! 
And here's a shocker for me 'Birthday cake batter milk chocolate truffle bar with confetti cake mix ALL NATURAL'? I bought it. 
It's by 'Seattle Chocolates'. And it is very sweet! I love how it's not sickening though and there are addicting unidentified crunchies in this chocolate. I forgot all about milk chocolate for awhile! It melted so easily! :'( 
I do have to be honest though. My mind and stomach would never splurge on this bar! I could take a nibble here and there, but for the 40% of the saturated fat for HALF of the TINY bar, I would be sick. 

Also this week, there was a lot of sushi! I will talk about that later. 

Tata for now,


------Temo


P.S. I should have told you this before, but I tried Lindt's new wasabi-infused dark chocolate bar. Whatever you do, DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!! It tastes worse than what wasabi tastes like if that's even possible! It probably will serve well though for a prank! "Dad just try this chocolate! It's so good!" It looks like a normal Lindt square so he shouldn't know the difference XD 

CD Review #5: "Ke$ha: Animal"

"Ke$ha: Animal" (2010) 

A swear that Ke$ha was a curse word when she first made her debut on the radio. My father nearly choked when he heard the lyrics to "TIK Tok". Do I agree? Disagree? Well, the first sign Ke$ha is a 'curse word'? Hint: the song titles below. I mean look at it! BUT I just adore the sound and beats of her songs. I find them irresistible. The 'Sleeping with every guy' songs-NO. The music-yes! Who knows? Maybe Ke$ha is going through a phase. 

Number of 'F bombs': I'll go check. 

It is her...... 1st album. 

My rating (Out of 10 stars): 7

Compared to the other Dance/Pop CDs, I'd give this one: 4.25/5 stars!

Explicit: Ya although it does not label it as so. I wouldn't let any preteen touch it! 

Am I happy this is part of my Collection?: Yes :) These are her classics. 

Value (does the music out-weigh the cost?): 8.25/10

1) "Animal" (original Version)--total fav! makes me happy every single time I listen to it!!!!!!!!  

2) "Your Love is my Drug"---great way to start-off the CD ;) 

3) "Take it Off"

4) "Kiss N Tell"

5) "TIK Tok"--was on the radio all the time!  

6) "Blah Blah Blah"

7) "Party at a Rich Dude's House"---title is SO stupid. But fun song. 

8) "Hungover"

9) "Blind" 

10) "Dancing with Tears in my Eyes" 

11) "Boots and Boys"---STARTS to go downhill from here. 

12) "Dinosaur" 

13) "Backstabber" 

14) "Stephen" 

"Animal" by Ke$ha :)

Ke$ha-cussing,

------Temo 

Food Porn #3: Gimme some Starbucks!

Okay, I'm a returning regular at Starbucks. (tsk-tsk!) But lately, I've had so many yum-yum-a-yummy new treats! Can I help it? No.

Here are the GREAT ones: 


  1.) The Vanilla spice Latte (hot):

Starbuck's new seasonal drink. It is likely to hibernate in the coffee world soon :'( I first tried it and felt a bit strange to me. Most likely because I never went for their vanilla lattes. Suddenly it clicked. It's really good! The spices mix perfectly and is an change-up when you are bored with their other drinks. If you are a wimp (like I was), you can ask to do 50-50 on Cinnamon Dolce and the Vanilla spice lattes. You can also get an iced version if you like their drinks iced. Personally I detest any of Starbucks iced espresso drinks, but hey, do whatever floats you boat!

  2.) The chocolate cinnamon bread:

"Do You want breakfast with your drink?" (normally no) 'Sure! Why not?! I'll have 'that thing' there," I said (pointing). "What this thing?" "Yeah." She laughed because she said her husband should open a café where the names of the pastries would be like "whatcha-call-it', 'that thing'..... We laughed. So I took the bread and it was scrumptious! It was just a sugar & spice flaked crust with moist deep chocolate dessert bread! I came back the next day. 

3.) Raspberry mocha frappacino (extra shot of espresso + whipped cream)

This might be a secret recipe ending up not being mine on one of the Starbucks Secret Menus. (Seriously google it!) I just thought. That frappacinos are good. And that a raspberry mocha one would be GENIUS! It took a couple of sips to get used to its unique taste. It made my morning happier! If it were in Cafe Temo's world, she would also put a large drizzle of raspberry sauce on top ;) 

4.) Cheesecake Brownie 

It is just like it says Cheesecake! And if you did not like cheesecake, you would probably not be ordering it. There's not anything really differentiating with the pastry, but it tastes good? I might reconsider paying food Starbucks pastries though..... Everyone knows they're over-priced! 


......and the not-so-great ones: 


1.) Starbuck's bottled 'iced vanilla latte':

"They released a new line of bottled to-go latte drinks. I chose vanilla. Labeled 120 calories and lightly sweetened. Really bad stuff. Took a sip. And it is still sitting in the fridge as I am speaking ready to be poured out. Bottled drink failed again!

Better option? There isn't all bottled coffees kinda suck. 

2.) (the new) Hazelnut Macchiato (hot):

"IT WAS REALLY GROSS! Everyone loves hazelnut coffee but it tasted like fake syrup, cheap quality and tasted mostly of warm milk to me....not a hot combination. And the $5.00 (+ tax :p) was not so cute!" I like to check the nutritional info on the Starbucks site. It is just as fattening, sugary, and calorie-ific as its caramel partner. 

Better option? Go to a Dunkin Donuts and get their hazelnut flavored (latte). Cheaper and likely quite a bit better, I can imagine.



Sorry that there are no pictures this time :( Use your imagination ;p ,


------Temo 

Manga Review #2: "Kitchen Princess Omnibus 1"

T'was a beautiful day of the weekend!! Ended up at a park and wanted to climb a tree. Here she is:

It was so fun, nostalgic, painful, and scary at the same time! That probably was my last shot though, unless you wanna see, like a 30 year old me, climbing a tree. (That rhymed! awkward...) I was trying to read "Kitchen Princess"....

The Omnibus Comics come at a cheaper price ($14.99 USD) 

Deep breath! Here I go! You know those manga series where you are all like "This seems like one of those too-mainstream girly comics! It's not going to be any good! It's going to appeal to the 5 year old girl population!" Way wrong.

The art makes me feel happy! Because the original release in Japanese was in 2005, its style leaned toward that era's "big kawaii eye" look! The story does begin with something adorable. Another worthy note of this manga is you can easily see the antagonist's strong passion and hate within this 2-volume omnibus edition. The storyline is even just simple and fun! Food is always being mentioned of course and it is always so kawaii! :) 

Art (Did the author seem to care about the art?; does its style have appeal?): A 
Plot (With the exception of Slice-of-life manga, does the story keep you engaged?): B+
Characters?: C+
Is the Dialogue Up-to-par?: B-
Will I continue the series?: Yes. 
Rated: T for Teen (A few intense situations, like fighting eating disorders; bullying) 
Authors: Natsumi Ando & Miyuki Kobayashi 

Plot Synthesis: 
"Najika is a great cook and likes to make meals for the people she loves. But something is missing from her life. When she was a child, she met a boy who touched her heart--and now Najika is determined to find him. The only clue she has is a silver spoon that leads her to the prestigious Seika Academy. Attending Seika will be a challenge. Every kid at the school has a special talent, and the girls in Najika's class think she doesn't deserve to be there. But Sora and Daichi, two popular brothers who barely speak to each other, recognize Najika's cooking for what it is--magical. Is either boy Najika's mysterious prince?" (Amazon.com). 

*Spoiler: At the end of each volume, THERE IS A COLLECTION of all the recipes Najika made in the manga!!! They share Najika's Flan in a cup, Taramasalata, Rainbow Jelly, Christmas Cookies, and Onion Gratin Soup recipes in the back of volume one! You will have to look at the others yourself ;) 

Yup! This is the one I would love to try!

So once I finish reading the manga series, (5 omnibus volumes) I will be happy to share my final review! 

Flan in a Cup,


------Temo

Chapter 8: 'Rejection is the real deal. WTF do I do now?!'

Rejection is insane. Yes I know! This article is going to be for both guys and girls, yup. I'll do my best! So the thesis for this post? I guess it's 'What a relationship really is, how to deal with the stab in (your) heart, and how to take it out without dying and heal in the end!'.  

Did you just go through a breakup? I encourage you to read this article step-by-step then! For example, if you are still 'healing', do not proceed to step #4 ;) 

#1) <3 <3  Love is....

Okay, everyone has their own definition of Love. Love is does not have a manual. My writings are only opinion, but hopefully good advice. We gain Love through experience. Love should be attainted through Loving yourself first! There in no way you can emotionally take in another person for a relationship if you're insecure. Love who you want. Even if gender, religion, family, age, class, or abilities differ. BUT be realistic about it. For example, numerous divorces take play from financial strain. If you're planning on marrying one day, but know deep down 'this is not going to work', REALLY consider how much hell will be waiting down the road. Love conquers all but in certain situations, it really will not last. 

NEVER mistake dependence, narcissism, sex, pressure (e.g. I have to be married by 22!), or loneliness for Love! 

So now I'm asking you. "What is YOUR definition of Love?" 
*I think this'll look great in your journal, a little doodle, or even a sign for your wall! ;) 
I welcome all who are willing to share :) 

#2) <---<-3----<<  I'm Enjoying Love 

Love is a journey. Enjoy it! Everything will fall into play like it is supposed to. You cannot control destiny, even if you look it in the eye and even think about it. Anything you do, is supposed to happen. 99.9% of the time, your first Love will NOT be your last. It always sounds romantic (especially to the ladies...) that you will be marrying your first Love. Don't think that, really. Have fun! Go on group dates, remember your favorite dates, find what you Love about your person. 

#3) </3 Save me, I'm Drowning

In person, in text, over the phone....It sucks! Cry. Do not visit them! Don't even look at them. Instead of seeing someone that is not a part of you anymore, go visit your friends and family!  Surround, Surround, Surround. And delete everything physically possible! Journal, Facebook relations, gifts, contact lists, photos, you get it! SHRED SHRED SHRED! You're going to be so happy surrounding yourself with people who automatically take you for who you are. They are saving you! You'll always be thanking them--for saving you from drowning. 

Via. 'Everybody has a Brain'

Best (and truly tried) Healing Activities: 

1. Bonfire! 

Do this even if it's by yourself! Crack out your fav snacks (in my case Redbull, exotic chocolate....) and set fire to all your so-called Love poems, letters, preferably in a fire pit. And please comply with local law! Who doesn't Love fire?! And the evidence is all gone! 

2. Service!

You think your life sucks? Well, someone out there has it a lot worse. So do something really sweet for them and be by their side. And you guys are going to be there for each other. You will feel so enlightened that you are lifting weight off another person's shoulders. Keep seeing them! :) 

3. Stay Single if Possible!

Enjoy what was not possible before! Also, it is not always a good idea to immediately jump into a relationship right after one was put to an end! It's time to take care of yourself and have fun!! 

4. Just laugh! 

I am not joking. Even if you pretend you're laughing (Like saying AhahahahaHAHAHA!) You're triggering a gland in your chest. It releases endorphins! So laugh the night away! Watch some wicked youtube videos! Here is my current fav! (Invisible Drive-Thru Prank)

#4) <3! I'm just so, so....HAPPY! 
You're healed! And you gained more experience! Experience set aside, ALWAYS remember how you felt! This will be the only thing you will truly take away with you!
What qualities can a potential partner NEVER have now? What were some of your mistakes in the relationship? (Surprisingly many people skip this step!) What are YOUR biggest strengths that make you an awesome catch as a significant other?  

Here are some words of wisdom that have caught my eye while I was writing this article: 

"We Accept the Love we Think we Deserve".

------from "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"

I think this is cute! Credit: 'Unicorn Kisses' tumblr

Experience really does make you a better individual,


------Temo

P.S. Did you notice that I capitalized each word that said 'Love'? 

Manga Review #1: "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon" (2012)

I just started the series so.... here's what I think after my first volume. (I believe there are 12 total volume releases)

Cover is nice :)

Several websites give a blurb of  'Sailor Moon History'. I came to love anime & manga around 2006, so  of course the Sailor Moon manga, which was previously published by Tokyopop, was no longer out. That is why this is such a big deal! Over the years, even with Sailor Moon no longer on American TV and no DVDs or manga being released, there remained a huge Sailor Moon fan base.

Oh, and the author Naoko Takeuchi is a feminist in modern Japanese society!

On the left is the back cover :) Toward the Right is what to expect for the binding art.

Rated: T for Teen

Volume: 1

Publisher: Kodansha Comics 

Plot Synthesis: "Usagi Tsukino is a normal girl until she meets up with Luna, a talking cat, who tells her that she is Sailor Moon. As Sailor Moon, Usagi must fight evils and enforce justice, in the name of the Moon and the mysterious Moon Princess. She meets other girls destined to be Sailor Senshi (Sailor Scouts), and together, they fight the forces of evil! (Amazon.com)".

I was very happy with the artwork! It has an older feel, but superior to all the others. Also, the translations experienced a huge makeover! (The first publishing printed the main character's name as 'Bunny'! It may be true that 'Usagi' means rabbit in Japanese...) Already in this volume, four Sailor Soldiers have appeared and Tuxedo Mask has a huge role! I love Sailor Moon's girly-feel and Luna, the cat. I can tell the story is going to go somewhere! I cannot wait to see volume 2! 

*Spoiler: I was especially pleased with the volume 2 manga preview, because it was in Japanese! I can read a few chunks, so for language students, look forward to this!

Here's what you'll be seeing :) Luna looks more classy in the manga than in the anime!

"IN THE NAME OF THE MOON, I WILL PUNISH YOU!"

     Take Care and read a manga! ;)

------ Temo