Well, I suppose I should mention my utmost amazing father sometime, right?
My father has been one of my biggest supports throughout the ups and downs of my young life, although, like the typical father/teenage daughter duo, we are not the best at communication 24/7, nor understanding each other.
He has put an effort into taking immense interest in my life and hobbies, protective and kind, without being strict or over-ruling. While he cracks a lot of jokes, I would never once call these jokes "lame" or feel embarrassed to be around him.
We enjoy daddy and daughter days with trips to museums, discussing politics or current world issues, going out to eat, and watching The Daily Show and The Colbert Report on weeknights.
Although I will marry one day, grow into my womanhood, and he will give me away, walking me down the aisle, my papa was the very first man to have my heart. The memories we have created will always stay with the young part of me, even when it is my turn to take care of him.
The woman above is the woman who inspired me the most in my life. She spoiled me with much love, tender care, and many gifts. While I could not list each and every special memory I have had with this beautiful individual, I am proud to call her my grandmother, Ellee.
My nanna accomplished a plethora within her lifetime, and died at nearly 90 years of age. She enlisted in the army, was a well-known community citizen and volunteer, and artist of many mediums.
She taught me of many passions--believing in yourself and trusting your gut, among figure skating, my biggest love in life. I remember cooking oatmeal with her in the mornings, sprinkling some (okay, a lot) brown sugar to top it off. Snuggling in her warm bed on Sunday mornings, her humbly telling me stories of her younger years.
Last Wednesday, she passed away after a 6 month long lung cancer diagnosis. She was very full of life, and her soul and mission will always stay with me.
Ever since I was a small child, I had dreams. Big dreams, at that. My dream was not to grow up and become a blogger among my peers, an admired YouTuber, or even a recognized scholar. My dream was to get through the day.
To keep breathing, keep loving, and keep opening my little heart to whatever I had to deal with the next time I woke up on a lazy, rainy morning in Washington state. I am here to confirm what many new readers might not have suspected: I spent a good percentage of my life belittled, hurt, and bullied.
Whether it was my crooked teeth, ugly, chunky glasses, or apparently "annoying" or "clingy" antics, some kid always had something mean to say. What that kid didn't understand? I suffered from GAD. GAD doesn't define me, but it makes up a great deal of who I am today. Regardless of how you come off or who you are, no individual deserves to "shake off" the insults, or take the punches.
Bullying is never O.K., nor tolerable, but it is what made me unstoppablekatya. An awkward, dorky, loving, sensitive, and DREAMING young woman. While I never forget, I understand my bullies were my inferior, and that I can learn to forgive, with time and grace.
Thank you, dear bully, for forcing me to recognize myself, be myself, and relish within myself. My dreams now are to enter an elite college, discover further passions, and help kids who hold the same dream I did many years ago.
This life is a beautiful thing. One to approach with caution, steadiness, love for the future, and an open-mind to the possibility of change.
What gets you through it all is not whether you are optimistic or pessimistic, but more so believing in yourself to get you through at the end of the day.
You are worthy of love. You are worthy of your future.
I received a letter in the mail today, in what seemed as fancy as white house stationary, inviting me to the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) to be held in Washington, D.C. this coming summer.
NYLC selects the top high school students in the nation that have extreme educational merit and leadership in their community, volunteer service and activism, to meet our government officials and president assistants, along with news broadcasters (CNN, ABC, NPR) and other influential speakers.
NYLC starts out with a nomination from someone who works with the student (faculty at the school, mentor, community leader), and then nominates the student as a organization if they qualify. While I am awfully flattered and blown away that YOU out there would want me as a "future world leader", the tuition, I'm afraid, is far too pricey, and I'm not diggin' the fact I have to walk around for hours in dress shoes.
However, NYLC, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, and I will be following up on details with my school. Thank you, thank you, thank you to George Mason University!
For this year's science fair and showcase, I created a project in one of my interest areas: biology and the effect genetics have on the ability of the individual to taste certain substances and foods.
Firstly, I ordered four test strips from a laboratory: the control strip (plain paper), sodium benzoate, PTC, and thiourea. Then, I proceeded to survey sets of genetically related families, pairing each parent with each child, and recording the data. I also asked them if they enjoyed eating veggies, chocolate, soda, and if they had a history of thyroid disease in their family. Secondly, I conducted a survey of about 20 classmates and compared their results randomly, for a control group of non-genetically related subjects. I got some pretty strange results.
Out of the pairs I selected, approx. 90% of genetically related pairs had the ability to taste thiourea, and about 68% of non-genetically related pairs did. Thiourea is a substance that can either taste bitter, sweet, salty, or spicy, along with the other three substances I tested for. It is claimed that some individuals can taste thiourea, or PTC, but not both. PTC is an organosulfer thiourea, with a phenyl ring. According to a study conducted at Yale University, heavy thiourea tasters will be less likely to consume any bitter foods, including green-leafy vegetables, coffee or chocolate, and make up about 10 to 15% of the population. Non-tasters will be more likely to have a genetic risk in the family of thyroid disease, because thiourea is an anti-thyroid acting agent, and is seemingly used to treat patients with thyroid disease.
Out of the pairs I selected, exactly 75% of genetically related pairs had the ability to taste PTC, while about 43% of non-genetically related pairs did. Out of my knowledge, PTC is the only substance out of the three I tested that individuals can taste and be labeled what is called a “supertaster”! A “supertaster” is someone who is extremely sensitive to the taste of most substances—this influences their body type and the food they choose to eat. I found an even score of nearly 11% in each genetic/non-genetic category for “supertasters”. People who can taste PTC are less likely to smoke cigarettes and less likely to enjoy coffee/tea, while “supertasters” are also less likely to enjoy the taste of green vegetables. 70% of our population can taste PTC, even if they are not a “supertaster”, making PTC the second substance of the three, if given a popularity ranking.
Out of the pairs I selected, approx. 86% of the genetically related pairs had the ability to taste sodium benzoate, along with 100% of non-genetically related pairs. Sodium benzoate is in fact the substance discovered in soft drinks (Coca-Cola, Sprite, etc), which could hint at how widespread the ability to taste may be. None of my non-genetically related test subjects said that they disliked the taste of soda, nor couldn’t taste it, which could be the answer to this 100% even data. Approximately 75% of our population can taste sodium benzoate, giving it the ranking of #1 in popularity.
Throughout my findings I did discover that genetic factors do influence the ability to taste, however, due to the non-genetic percentage of findings in the sodium benzoate test, I have to reject a portion of my hypothesis. Due to the reliability of my test subjects, I am well aware this test is far from “professional” status, and enjoyed the experience I had with the individuals I interviewed. I collected the data, but did not analyze the data as far as to group what exactly these individuals tasted, exactly how much they tasted, etc. These results are merely based upon the individuals that tasted something, sometime, somewhere, of all different ages, racial backgrounds, weights, and lineage.
My favorite part of this experiment was being able to find out how similar my adoptive parents were to me, and what traits my boyfriend held, to compare the differences we had—it certainly settled the debate regarding why we dislike the opposite foods! I think everybody could learn and have fun with this experiment or one similar. Taste strips are easy to get your hands on, affordable, and can be ordered directly from a high-quality lab. I would recommend this experiment to any individual looking to discover themselves, and/or what possible genetic factors them and their partner could be contributing to their future offspring.
Since the massive trending buzz "100 Facts About Me" began among Twitter, I figured I would provide a portion of my answers on my website for those of my family and friends who are not so "tech-savvy"!
Here we go...
1. I dislike chocolate. I can choke down a few harmless pieces, but would put vanilla ice cream, cake, and all other sweets first.
2. My partner, Mark, is an absolutely beautiful male to be with. As cliche as it sounds: I am blessed each and every day with a listener, provider, shelter from the storm, and a rock when I'm in a hard place.
3. A few of my favorite comedians include George Carlin, Kathy Griffin, Robbin Williams, Dane Cook, and John Pinette. I am a sucker for a good, wise-ass joke, and humor based off real-life events and situations.
4. I wish I could be a winner of CashCab. The driver seems so friendly and fun, but I am certainly no where near Jeopardy! material.
5. I have a compulsion to visit the Gym at least once every "main weekday" (Mon-Thurs), and enjoy yoga/meditation class/extra time on the side.
6. I have a beautiful black Labrador Retriever, Tess. She is 9 years old, and a joy I take seriously too much for granted. She came into my young life when I was approx. the young age of 7.
7. I just received my first debit/credit card of any kind about two weeks ago. This is surely a helpful milestone for my parents!
8. I drive a Honda that is ironically named "Chevy"!
9. I view life in a very "alternative" way. A substance-free, healthy, happy life.
10. Private Practice and Brothers & Sisters have been my two favorite soap-operas for quite some time.
11. My all-time favorite sitcom is F.R.I.E.N.D.S. I also enjoy Full House, Everybody Loves Raymond, Modern Family, Cougar Town, among others.
12. I am an artist; I sketch, draw, and create collages/scrapbooks in my free time. I have yet to take up painting.
13. I immensely enjoy reality shows, but have found myself growing sick of Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor.
14.I have a weakness for blonde females and brunette males.
15. I adore anything zebra print--whether it's my Firefox Persona, clothing, coffee cup, blanket, or cell phone cover!
16. My two favorite musical artists are Michael Jackson and The Beatles. Pure, extreme talent. I have been a fan of classics such as Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Bon Jovi, Carlos Santana, and Jimmy Buffett since I was a little girl.
17. Aside from Ekaterina and Sergei, my favorite skaters include Sasha Cohen, Yuka Sato, Scott Hamilton, Kurt Browning, Jozef Sabovcik, Sale & Pelletier, Ina & Zimmerman, and Berezhnaya & Sikharulidze.
18. I have met various celebrities, including bronze medalist Jozef Sabovcik, silver medalists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, and magicians Penn and Teller.
19. I have never had Chinese food, although it is the most beneficial to my blood type.
20. I was never once asked to clean my room. I love cleaning, organizing, arranging, and will clean your house free of charge.
Delicious cake-like muffins that will leave your mouth watering for more.
Double Chocolate Muffins Recipe
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla 8 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 large egg 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Serving Size: 12.
● Melt and let cool: 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
● Whisk together thoroughly: 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
● Combine in another bowl: 1 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla
● In a large bowl, beat until creamy, about 30 seconds: 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter
● Gradually add and beat on high speed until lightened in color and texture (4 to 5 minutes): 1 cup packed light brown sugar
● Beat in: 1 large egg
● Beat in the chocolate just until blended. Add the flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with the buttermilk mixture in 2 parts, beating on low speed or stirring with a rubber spatula until smooth and scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
● Stir in: 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
● Divide the batter among 12 muffin cups. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in 1 or 2 of the muffins comes out clean (25-30 minutes). Let cool, serve, and enjoy!
I am the heart, beating within each moment. I am the finger, turning each page of my story for a new, brighter day. I am a soul composed of honest compassion, forgiveness, unconditional love, and sentimental care.
I am the temper that easily breaks, releasing the lioness strength I carry within. I am the frustration in the young child without a voice. I am the ever-sure, yet anxious beauty that without truly second-guessing itself, knows every lesson, and that every day will turn out just fine, with the grace of the road.
The long, and winding road, that leads us all to that special door. God only knows where this road will take me. But I'm sure it will take; it will soar, it will learn to provide strength for its followers. It will bless us with life, love, joy, sorrow, peace, trials, and tribulations. When it does take, I hope it provides us a sense of forgiveness, kind retrospect, and a sense of calming tenderness.
I am the child, toddling around the grassy fields of hope. I am the young girl, praying for her chance to leave a mark on the universe. I am the woman, learning how to embrace her journey, and love each and every individual who crosses her path. I am the loud mouth on a rainy day that never seems to let go. I am the quiet spirit, sitting besides those I love, providing them with all the answers.
I am the feather in the wind, caressing the open world of opportunities, and the blue sky. Nothing hurts more than the word, "Goodbye." Taking each day with a warming outlook, relaxing and letting time tick by. While we may never discover the reason for the road, I will be damned before someone tries to take away my rippling happiness, ever changing, expressing each color within a vibrant rainbow of peace, wisdom, luck, prayer, and most importantly: equality.
One should not judge someone for the exterior of their presentation, but for the purity of their soul, and their journey upon the road. I will pray for those who do not see the horizon on the other side of their tallest mountain. I will pray for those who feel burdened enough to show the weakness in others in order to feel that heavy weight remove itself from their chest.
A wise woman once spoke to me, she said: "Never silence your voice. This world needs voices like yours." The world needs a million voices from all different paths along the road, changing the road throughout generations, giving us hope, through maturity, responsibility, love, peace, immaturity, ignorance, judgment, and war. That is what makes us human. It carves the road for those who will walk upon it in the future.
As for my road? I am a grand-daughter. I am a daughter. I am a girlfriend. I am a best friend. I am a student, a discoverer, a questioner, and a judger. I am an activist, a fighter, a voice, and a determined, maternal soul. I am fire, I am wind, I am earth, I am water. This I am, I know. I will not let go.
A double chocolaty-chip frappuccino is not my favorite, due to the unsweetened chunks of "chocolaty chips"!
I would much rather pick a plain, mocha frap, than deal with the chunks of chocolate stuck in between my teeth. This is a great drink for a chunky chocolate lover, but not my forte, as I am not the biggest fan of chocolate in general.
This drink is around a mid-$3 starting from a tall.
Last year, I came across a beautiful woman with a lot of heart, and a pretty loud mouth! Natalie Tran is the name-- a young woman from Australia who makes videos for YouTube.com under the name 'CommunityChannel', gaining immense fame and chuckles from the public.
Natalie is full of life, one of the reasons I admire her. Seemingly fun-loving and unable to beat down, Natalie is a great role model for teenage girls and College-aged women world-wide, despite her silly antics.
Natalie is known for using computer/Internet slang, making far-out sarcastic jokes, and famously ends every video with "Porno Music / Comment Time", in which she reviews fans' comments and individually responds to a few humorously.
While I was visiting Lincoln City, Oregon, I decided I couldn't miss the 3-Day petites giveaway, so I stopped by the local chain and purchased an iced caramel macchiato with a salty caramel square as my petite choice.
At first sip, all I could taste was milky cream and absolutely no coffee flavor. Overall, I did like the caramel macchiato, and it did taste like coffee as the day progressed!
At a less reasonable price, caramel macchiatos are priced at a little more than $4 and up.
This month is not a big holiday for many, but it is for me. This March of 2011 marks the 4 year anniversary of my biggest journey: self discovery, beauty, and soulful searching.
In mid-March of 2007 I discovered the two most beautiful, fluid, and talented artists I have ever come across in my entire young life. Speaking of young life, it seems appropriate that I acknowledge these two superstars early on, before (God forbid) their "lovely echo fades" from my life's path.
I have been on an emotional journey, learning about life throughout the figure skating and tragic romance of Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov, a Russian pairs team who fell in love, married, gave birth to a daughter, and spent their lives together until Grinkov collapsed and died of a heart attack in front of his wife's loving eyes.
While I think these two will never leave my life, and will continue to inspire me in many different ways, in a whole slew of new and exciting/testy situations, I can already feel them starting to slip away. In a good way; a releasing way. It used to be that "G&G" were all I talked about. Each year, on the morning of November 20th (Grinkov's death), I would cry. Each year, on the evenings of February 4th and May 28th (the birthdays), I would bake a cake, or eat a small sweet snack. This year, I simply acknowledged the date(s) within a video montage, and make my peace with the fact that I do not have to become attached, and this does not have to become an unhealthy obsession.
Ekaterina and Sergei simply guide the way for me. They guide me into becoming an honest, healthy, driven, perfectionistic, selfless, strong, loving, and caring young individual that hopes for the best, deals with the worst, and carries on, time after time. So, thank you, Gordeeva and Grinkov! Thank you for being my life, for showing me life, and for helping me celebrate life, even in the toughest of moments.
My coffee pick for today is the cream-based, vanilla bean frappuccino. To my surprise, this is my favorite frappuccino yet, aside from the seasonal pumpkin spice! It is affordable, being one of the cheapest deals I've been able to snag at the cafe. This drink starts at $2.35 for tall, and up, unlike its competition coffee-based frappuccinos (around $3.75)!
While I was scoping out the Starbucks 40th Ann. bargains, I decided to purchase a tumbler. Starbucks has a variety of sizes and styles for their tumblers--regular mugs that you can put hot and cold liquids in. Sponsored by snapfish.com, you can create your own tumbler cover (collage of photos, design print, etc) to personalize your mug wherever you go. Way neat!
Cafe Tip: From Thursday, March 10th, through Saturday, March 12th, you can choose a small "petite" pastry with any drink order, in celebration of the 40th year of Starbucks.
Starting out the challenge, I picked one of my all-time favorites: the iced, white chocolate mocha. Not the best choice for someone who likes their coffee dark and rich, but a delicious pick for a sweet tooth that likes a coffee kick. This drink is priced at $3.95 for a tall, and up.
Something I haven't discussed openly on my blog is my immense obsession for Starbucks. So, that makes me an overly-obsessed Starbucks fanatic, about to embark on a blogging adventure that will most likely leave her wondering why she even began in the first place!
I suppose the craving began back in my pre-teen years, around the age of 10 or 11, when I would order a decaf latte whenever I had the chance. I don't know if I liked the sound of the word "latte", or if it was the taste of coffee that truly appealed to me.
I like to think that coffee isn't a universal taste--only certain, more special people have an acquired taste for the beans of what seems like Heaven.
This is the documented series of one girl's search around one of Starbucks' tiny chain cafes, reviewing their products, and developing a sense of Starbucks knowledge... in under 80 days!
While as most of you know, my family is vegetarian. My dad cooks remarkable half pesto/half tomato sauce veggie pizza that is to-die-for! I figured I would publish his easy step recipe to getting delicious, healthy pizza in quick time.
(a-1) Pizza Dough
Ingredients: 1 cup warm water 2 tablespoons olive or vege. oil 1 tablespoon sugar 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 cups flour 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
(a-2) Sauce(s)
Ingredients: 1 can tomato paste 1 garlic clove, crushed basil oregano water olive oil
Directions:
Mix dough in bread machine for 1 hour. Then allow to rise in 150° oven (covered with wet cloth) for 1 hour. Split dough in half and roll each half into shape desired. Brush olive oil on crusts. Mix 1 can of tomato paste with crushed garlic clove, basil, oregano, and a little water. Spread red sauce (above) on half of pizza and pesto sauce on other half.
(b) Toppings
Ingredients: mozzarella cheese red pepper feta cheese pineapple chunks kalamata olives and/or any other topping of your preference
Directions:
Grate mozzarella and spread on pizzas. Add red pepper chunks, pineapple chunks, kalamata olives (cut in half), and crumble feta ontop (along with any other toppings). Bake in 550° oven for about 6 minutes. Check crusts for completeness!
Well, I suppose I should mention my utmost amazing father sometime, right?
