A Year and Five Months Later

In June 2012, a lot of big things happened: I graduated from college, moved to Seattle, and embarked on my career as a full-time business woman (you can see that post here). Now a year and five months later, like deja vu, I’m going through big things again:

1. I decided to leave my corporate job to pursue my passion.

"Forget about the fast lane. If you really want to fly, harness your power to your passion. Honor your calling. Everybody has one. Trust your heart, and success will come to you." - Oprah Winfrey

A long time ago, I made a promise to myself that I would make food my life. And this past September, I decided to take that step. Maybe it was Steve Job’s biography, the numerous articles floating around the interwebz about “making every day count,” the discussions with my mentors, or simply a combination of all those things that pushed me over the edge. Basically, I realized and/or acknowledged the following:

• The best time to take risks is when I am young and not tied to any responsibilities.
• Money isn’t everything.
• Ask myself every morning: Is this what I want to be doing if this was my last day to live? (Wisdom from Steve Jobs)
• I am not running away from something, I’m running to something better.

Which led me to the next change:

2. I now do marketing for an oyster wholesale company!

I’ve only been on the job for three weeks, but it is pretty freakin’ awesome! In a nutshell, I take photos of oysters, harvest oysters on the farm, create marketing material, and really get to flex my creative/design muscle! Did I mention that I get to eat them too after a photo shoot? Oyster tastings every Monday!

I have always loved the field of marketing (that’s why I studied it), and to finally be able to do FOOD marketing is like a dream come true. I know my experience is still premature with only a few weeks in, but I work with great people and have an opportunity to grow the business, which really excites me!

There’s me in my waders, harvesting oysters for the first time!

3. I moved back to Beantown!

Words can’t describe how much I love Seattle. I see myself moving back one day because I love the Pacific NW so much. But Jonathan has had a few big changes of his own too, and we decided it made the most sense for us to be in the same city — for the sake of our relationship and having each other’s support as we embarked on new directions.

I will admit being closer to my significant other has been great. We made long distance work for a year and a half, but now we can cook dinner together, try new things in real-time, and simply be on the same time zone! Working in the seafood industry means I’m up early (I have to be at work by 7 a.m.), which also means I’m in bed early. Sometimes if it’s too late, Jonathan will pack my lunch for the next day and leave little notes or a slice of pumpkin pie to surprise me. I have grown to appreciate him more and more, and these little things are only one example of how he takes care of me.

Jon and me at a friend’s wedding this October (my first wedding ever!).

4. Leaving the Comfort Zone

Moving to Seattle forced me to make new friends and try new things because I knew no one and nothing there. Moving back to Boston has been much easier because most of my college friends are here, I know the area, and Jonathan has physically been here to help me. But I do not want to fall into that trap, resuming or sinking easily back in to what was familiar and comfortable. The first few months in Seattle were challenging, but it pushed my limits and made me a stronger person… and I had so much fun!

I want to continue pushing my comfort zone even in Boston. It’s a new chapter in my life, and it deserves new problems, new experiences, and new friends. I’m hoping to brush up on my Chinese, play more piano (join a band?), and be more rigorous with my yoga practice. Travel more, do NYC justice, and broaden my horizons.

I’m really excited and optimistic about the decisions I have made, and I can only pray that things work out, which they always do. They say being in your twenties is a special time, so I am determined to make the most of it!

Tomato Watermelon Salad Recipe

I had lunch at Sitka & Spruce (Capitol Hill, Seattle) one weekend where I ordered a wonderfully fresh tomato watermelon salad. I fell in love with it instantly and decided to recreate it on my own. It’s a lovely summer salad because it has a great combination of refreshing ingredients, and the watermelon has a meaty texture so it works great as a quick lunch or dinner option! I’m always a fan of quick and easy meals.

Ingredients Makes 2-3 servings

• Small watermelon*
• 2 tomatoes*
• 1 1/2 cups feta cheese
• 3 sprigs of fresh mint leaves
• 2 sprigs of fresh basil leaves
• Fresh ground pepper
• Salt to taste

Directions 

1. Chop watermelon into bite-size pieces
2. Chop tomatoes into bite-size pieces
3. Mix watermelon, tomatoes, basil, and mint together
4. Serve with LOTS of fresh ground pepper and feta cheese (add salt to taste)

*To add more color to the dish, use some heirloom tomatoes or yellow watermelon.

I also love this dish for dinner parties because it can be prepped and chilled the night before. And all you have to do is garnish with feta and pepper before serving. Your guests will not expect watermelon in their first course… totally more exciting than a green salad!

Reblog: Homemade Moon Cakes

So amazing! Homemade moon cakes!

cherrylet:

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! My mom is incredible and spent a~ll day Saturday making mooncakes for me. ㅜㅜ White bean, red bean, green pea, black sesame & egg yolk, ground pork, and purple sweet potato. What’s most inspiring to me is that my mom never had much interest in cooking when growing up but after we moved to the U.S. (first Texas, then Indiana), she realized that the only way to eat our familiar foods was if she learned to make them. Immigrant nation, the original dreamer generation. ♥

Mandarin Cucumber Couscous Salad Recipe

Waking up to dark mornings again is a reminder that winter in Seattle is coming, so I decided to make a summer salad and cherish whatever afternoon sunshine that is left. I initially had this salad at a work event and adopted it at home. This is a fresh salad that will brighten your taste buds for sure… and it’s super easy!

Makes 3-4 servings

• 1 cup dried couscous
• 1 1/4 cup of water
• 1/2 of a medium red onion, minced
• 1 can/1 cup of mandarin oranges, minced
• 1/2 cucumber, minced
• 1/4 cup of cilantro, chopped (add more if desired!)

Directions

1. Add the dried couscous to 1 1/4 cup boiling water. Cook until fluffy and set aside to cool.
2. Mix the onion, mandarin oranges, cucumber, cilantro, and couscous.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste.

That’s it! 3 easy steps, and so delicious! Eat it with some protein or veggies and you’ve got yourself a quick meal.

King Crab in Juneau, Alaska

Crab Shack Combo (King Crab Leg, Crab Cakes and Crab Bisque) @ Tracy’s King Crab Shack in Juneau, AK

A friend took me on a day trip to Juneau, and it is such a beautiful place. Our first stop was Tracy’s King Crab Shack, and for $38 (tax included!), I had fresh king crab legs the size of my head and the best crab bisque I’ve ever had in my life! Not to mention 4 crab cakes on the side too… what a deal!

More to come on my trip to Alaska!