Monday, September 12, 2011

Never Forgotten

10 years ago from September 11, 2011, I was in 8th grade. I was in my government class and it was about my turn to recite The United States Constitution (it was part of our test). As I stood up and about to start, another teacher rushed into our room and whispered to my teacher something. Us students had no idea what was happening, so we just sat there waiting. My teacher looked flushed. He had this frightened look on his face as if something terrible happened. He then told us, calmly, "A plane has crashed into one of the twin towers. This may be scary to you, but try to remain calm." He then turned on the T.V.. We all watched in silence. We saw the 2nd plane crash into the other tower. My teacher was almost in tears. It was just one after another with new breaking news. I thought this terrorist attack was never going to end. When would it stop? Our professor let us know that, "This will be a day you will never forget." And so he was right. IS right. I never forgot that day. I might have forgot the tiny details of what I wore, what I ate, who I sat by, but never did I forget what happened and how it happened.
It truly was a sad day and I think it will always remain a sad day, but it's also a good constant reminder of how our country stood right back up and took on defeat in a way where we came out stronger than before. Closer than before.
It still sickens me and hurts me to see images of people jumping out of the windows, planes being crashed into the towers and pentagon, dead bodies being carried from the scene, and smoke all over New York. So many people's lives were given up, so many families lost loved ones; all not by choice but by an action out of anger from terrorists.
So, with all this being said, I am one proud American for all those men and women firefighters, police officers, and military members. I am especially proud to be a granddaughter, a daughter, and now a wife to a military man. I love my husband with all my heart and then some for his bravery to go and serve our country knowing that his life can be at stake at anytime while being deployed. I will always be thankful for that alone, but always be thankful that 10 years ago, I was sitting in my government class about to recite the United States Constitution because to this day, I STILL know it by heart. Without for Ado:

"We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Friday, September 9, 2011

Welcoming Fall

Forgive me for not posting for 3 weeks! If it counts, I did think about posting; just never got around to actually doing it due to the many changes.
Starting from where I left off, this is what's been happening (most in chronological order):

--- In the evening of when I wrote my last post, Matt took me out to Cheescake Factory in San Diego to actually celebrate my birthday and it was date too :). Our food was delicious -- I think we got full even before out entree came. We took a slice of cheescake home (Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake)... EXTREMELY delicious. I could go for a slice now, ha ha. He also surprised me that evening and bought me my own wetsuit with fins, mask, and snorkle so I can go out with him in the water! I thought that was very thoughtful and I love what he chose. I really was not expecting that.
Being goofy in my new roxy wetsuit!
My mask, snorkle, and carrying bag match the pink on my wetsuit. The fins didn't come in pink so he got me black/blue ones!

--- The next day, Matt took me to La Jolla (this same place we went to 2 months ago) to learn how to snorkle.  I had a lot of fun. I think we were swimming in the water for 3 hours, but it didn't even feel like it. I started to get tired near the end swimming back in. I saw a lot of fish, swam into a cave that had too many rocks for my liking, and got caught up in the traffic of kayaks. I see our future investment being a underwater camera. 
--- We went to the beach and also snorkled around there. It wasn't until this day, that I realized snorkeling was on our baby bucket list! Crossed off it goes.
--- Made some good food while he was home, like this Chinese meal.
more about that, here.
He can fall asleep anywhere and quick too. I miss him.
--- The night before Matt left, we relaxed inside watching a t.v. series and sipping on some wine.

--- Major Blackout happened of all southern California and parts of Az. due to 1 guy who was working on a line. It caused outage for 4 million people. Think he is getting fired? Yes, me too.  The power was only out for 8 hours for me, but for some others, it didn't turn on until this afternoon depending on where they lived due to the grid lock.

--- Matt's brother, James, left today to go back home (or should be landing soon) to Florida.
--- I'm due to get my hair cut soon.

Can't wait until Matt comes back home!

Keep-In Chinese

Recently, I made Chinese for dinner. I have only made this 1 other time. I never knew why, until when I made it for my 2nd time...... It. takes. forever.  Maybe, I am not that skilled to be cooking it, but I honestly felt like quitting half-way through it and just go to Panda Express. Not even kidding. I hope some year in the future, Matt will get restationed in North Carolina so we can eat at that awesome Chinese restaraunt. I seriously crave that place STILL after almost 2 years.
But since I made it and took pictures (of some of the the steps) I figured, I'd write out a quick vague blog for it, just in case anyone is crazy and likes to try to replicate other restaraunts you've eaten at.
 Chop up any vegetable you would like mixed in with your noodles. We always do carrots, green peppers, red peppers, onion, broccoli
 Noodles. You don't necessarily have to get this kind, in fact, I am not a fan of this kind but they didn't have any of the other brand that I bought and liked before
Steam your broccoli a little so it doesn't take as long in the skillet later on.
 Boil the noodles
 Brown the steak (or chicken if it's being used)
 I throw some of the vegetables in with the meat just to give it more flavor
Then, since I don't have a large enough skillet pan, I put it in a large pot and mix it together. Adding in chinese spice and soy sauce.

Add some white rice and a fortune cookie - BAM, Keep-In Chinese Food