le sigh

there will come a day where every thought, ideas, and plans that you have try to work out/manage crumbles like a piece of pie fallen to the floor (must use food analogy mkay?). messy, sticky, and dirty.

today was one of those days. 

i had so many plans in mind. wishes to fulfill. dreams to achieve. then something happen and the world, for a second, stopped spinning. frozen (and yes, I had "Let It Go" song in my head). 

awkwardness filled the air. the tension in the room was sorta unbearable. i felt numb. 

questioning. why why why. but i did not doubt. did not doubt God.

trials and tribulations are part of life. ups and downs. uphill downhill. life is a full circle. 

maybe this is down time. soon, by the grace of God, it will be up again. and better. 

things happen for a reason... and sometimes you just can't understand the reason.

the one thing we need is faith. faith in God. 

i don't know who holds tomorrow, but i know He holds my hand.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous." - Isaiah 41:10

- Rima

Things I Love Monday

Oh say what? It's March already. One more month til my 30th. Hot damn. 20s no more. Yet my body aches like a 70 year old #truestory #cuesadtrombones

Well it's Monday. Like seriously the year has flown sooo fast. WTF it's March already. I'm still not over it. I still have to scratch of the 2 to a 3 when I'm charting at work because my mind is still on February.

Anyways, this past 2 weeks has been busy and fun. 2 Saturdays ago, we celebrated my Sister's Husband's 30th birthday (known fact: he's my ex-boyfriend in our teens. TeeHee) at my favorite lounge in Los Angeles, The Edison. It was his first time (and my nth time) there and I'm glad he had a great time. Lounging around, watching some burlesques shows, eating some good bar foods, drinking good liquor (ABSINTHE!) and catching up (the last time I saw them was awhile ago)... Good times.

We were being goofy. Not drunk. Trust me. 

Then one of our party people was craving donuts (he has a donut fetish) so we yelp the closest 24 hour donut place and headed to California Donuts in Koreatown. Very random. 

Then the following Sunday, I headed to Laguna Beach for his beach birthday party with his family and friends... and I was super excited to see my little Kuma Bear.

He wasn't too impress with this crotch shot.

Plus, this was my first beach encounter in over a year. Ever since Rob moved a little south and inland from the beach, and of course, traveling the world, I haven't been to Orange County in a looooonngg time. Driving down the 5 fwy made me really happy. 

In the baking world, we made bread for the last class. I was crying tears of joy inside. Me and Bread are like secret lovers. I can not every be 100% gluten free. NEVER. I love bread too much. 

What's better than warm slices of bread smothered in butter? BUTTER! Gimme my cup of tea and I will be a happy girl!

I was so in love with the Challah I made at class, I made a loaf today!

I didn't have sesame seeds so I used Pearl Sugars that I got from Switzerland. They look like sea salts, huh?

Also being the dedicated baker I am, I had to make madeleines this week. Not one type, but 2. I'm that crazy. I love baking too much.

Want the recipe? I'm going to share you the Banana Bread Madeleines on my other blog, Gula & Garam. Go ahead and try :)

Oh one more good news. Lo and behold... Southern California developed some snow over the weekend. And I can hear people in the East Coast laughing out loud at us for saying that this is snow.

Well, I hope this week will be awesome. Let's go March!

xoxo,

Rima

12 Things

See that above? I made that *proud*. 5 hours of dedication, sweat, stove heat and a painful foot (I have plantar faciitis), this bitchin French Beef Stew was made (recipe: here)

Making Beef Bourguignon (try saying that 10 times) in my Le Creuset is part of my 12 Things of 2014. Well, half of a goal. Next one will be Coq Au Vin. 

FYI, I used a whole bottle of good Pinot Noir for this stew. My whole house smelled like red red wine. Yum.

Also, baking school is pretty fun. Last week was cake cake cake week and the cake I made was gone in 2 days. A whole cake, I tell you. 

I am enjoying school so much that I'm getting pretty sentimental that it's ending in 1 month :( I made some great friends there and my 2 teachers are super awesome. I am really contemplating on taking the full Advanced Pastry Program, which is a MonWedFri class for 6 months. Oh decisions... decisions... But I think I'm going to do ProBaking 2 next :) So this is still a 1/2 of a goal in 12 Things. Haha.

Wait. 1/2 + 1/2 = 1. Yes. 1 goal completed! *forcing it*

More goals to accomplish! 

Now now, do you have any 2014 goals to do?

Do it! You have all day. All Day.

xoxo,

Rima

cue the accordions.

Oh Hi Paris.

You. Me. The Pillow. In April.

Celebrating me turning 30.

You better flash them lights, Eiffel Tower.

xoxo, Rima.