1. For drivers in the left turn yield lane, red does not mean go. Ok, so one driver can go and it's ok. But in Miami, four or five cars will go after the light has turned, leaving whoever was in the left turn lane to their right to completely miss the green turn light because all these other cars were going. I'm sorry but people in Miami have no concept of considering any other drivers but themselves.
2. Case in point, there is no such thing as a speed limit or minimum on South Florida highways. You will be on a four lane highway with a speed limit of 55 and you will get people driving 40 in the lane next to the left lane and people driving 75 in the right lane.
Finally got to the beach
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Food blog is obviously back in full force. So I don't remember why I suddenly had the urge to make honey cake. Maybe because I've seen them pop up because of Jewish Holidays. Anyway, I wanted to make honey cake but unfortunately due to my recent move I have very few ingredients in my apartment. I finally got around to getting what I thought I needed and made one tonight. OMG, this stuff is delicious. I want to eat the entire thing. Even though I didn't add the whiskey because I didn't have any and I threw away my measuring spoons (lol) so I had to gestimate everything, it is so delicious. I also used decaf instant espresso because I wasn't going to brew it and I'm still anti-caffeine. Well the results were lovely.
Stay tuned for my version of Crab Chowder, cheapo and lazy style. I've been making this for so long it's a crime not to post it.
Stella is a lazy bum...like her mom.
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Hm...I wonder how many times that blog title has been used in the history of the blogosphere. Regardless, it's a fact that I have not blogged in a long time. Why? I was busy this summer with my final externship then I was busy finding a job, choosing a job, finding an apartment, and moving in. Now I am busy with my new job. New job, New city. I am now a resident of Miami, Florida. Anyway, I will likely post pictures of my new apartment soon but I want to finish organizing some stuff before I do that. But I will post pictures of my latest cooking adventures.
Tuna Tartare
So there's this restaurant back home called Umi. They have this awesome Tuna Tartare. It's got tuna and avocado and panko. Anyway, I decided to try and recreate it using some random recipe for Tuna Tartare and what I could remember about the restaurant's dish. Anyway, it turned out pretty well. Not exactly the same, but not too bad. On an unrelated note...when I moved I couldn't throw away my Corelle dishes because they're full of good memories.
For some reason I wanted to make some homemade pudding. I've been making a slightly modified version of Paula Deen's Banana Pudding forever. I won't even comment on the continuous harassment I've received to make this for people. But for that I always use instant pudding (Jello French Vanilla if you're curious). But I had never made homemade pudding. Pretty much the only extra ingredient you need to make you're own pudding is cornstarch. So I decided to try my hand at some chocolate pudding. And guess what? It turned out perfect. Just like what you buy in the store. Now I can make whatever flavor I want. Ok so I know this is boring but sometimes the most simple things are the most satisfying.
best chocolate pudding
Courtesy of: Smitten Kitchen
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 cups whole milk
6 ounces 62% semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (I used good quality
semisweet chocolate chips; use 70% bittersweet if you want more of a
dark chocolate kick)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1. Combine the cornstarch, sugar and salt in the top of a double boiler. Slowly whisk in the milk, scraping the bottom and sides with a heatproof spatula to incorporate the dry ingredients. Place over gently simmering water and stir occasionally, scraping the bottom and sides. Use a whisk as necessary should lumps begin to form. After 15 to 20 minutes, when the mixture begins to thicken and coats the back of the spoon, add the chocolate. Continue stirring for about 2 to 4 minutes, or until the pudding is smooth and thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
2. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer (or skip this step if you’re a slacker like me who is absolutely certain that there is nary a lump her puddin’) into a serving bowl or into a large measuring cup with a spout and pour into individual serving dishes.
3. If you like pudding skin, pull plastic wrap over the top of the serving dish(es) before refrigerating. If you dislike pudding skin, place plastic wrap on top of the pudding and smooth it gently against the surface before refrigerating. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 days (ahem, good luck with that).
Who loves Andrew Lloyd Webber? I do! I do! I love all of these stupid musicals. My favorite...Evita. I love that crap. Anyway, I Played alot of this stuff on the piano back when I was still taking lessons. This should be fun fun fun. I'm excited. I didn't make any predictions for who is singing what tonight so I should be pleasantly surprised. Paula looks pretty tonight. I like her shorter hair. f
Syesha Mercado - One Rock & Roll Too Many
I don't know this song. What is this even from? Andrew is so creepy. Um her "animated" version is annoying as crap. This sounds like "all that jazz" in the beginning. Is it just me or did the volume drop the second she started singing. It's Broadway, she needs to sing louder. That dress does not fit her or she needs a new bra, its riding on her boobs. Otherwise she looks cute. But this song is boring me. I need to go get food since I've done nothing but work on my final today. Judges love it...maybe I'm biased. But honestly I don't even hate Syesha but I really didn't think that performance was that great. Maybe it was the volume drop and my lack of food. But probably not.
Jason Castro - Memory
He's singing memory...quite a well-known song. I like this song alot so let's see how he does. I'm curious to see how he makes broadway his own. I was writing an email so I wasn't paying attention. I thought it sounded ok, but it really showcased how much he lacks in the vocal power area. Randy didn't like it. Paula thought it was a wise choice..hm... She really looks pretty tonight, not drugged up at all. lol Randy doesn't have any idea what she's talking about. Simon thinks it came over as a young guy being forced by your mum and dad to sing a song at a wedding you didn't want to sing. Aw poor Jason. He's in danga!
Brooke White - You Must Love Me
Oh god, she singing a song from Evita but of course not form the original musical. But that's ok...she doesn't have any idea what it's about. Oh god why does she have to ruin everything I like. Oh my god she messed it up and had to restart. Wow, worse restart in American Idol history. She looks so F*in awkward. I really hate this arrangement. Why is it so slow. I mean it's not like Madonna is a powerhouse singer or anything. She can't even compete with that. lol I just realized how much of a cop-out this song is in the first place. Everyone else has to do a broadway song and she picks a song from a movie. Whatever. Anyway, I don't by it and she makes hideous faces. And what's with the weird hand gestures. lol I'm still laughing at her messing up the beginning. Even David Archuleta sucked it up. lol. Randy didn't think it was great. Lol she looks like she's gonna cry. What went wrong? she forgot the lyrics. Oh my god why is everything she sucks at made into a good thing. Oh god please let her go home this week. Please she is so unstable that there is no way she could be the American Idol.
David Archuleta - Think of Me
Omg this is so embarrassing. David makes the funniest faces. Think of me is a good song and David is taking it in a different direction. Lol Open your eyes. Aw "little david." Let's see if he opens his eyes. Hey this sounds like a contemporary pop song. Why does David rule at everything. He could have been super cheesy and power-ballady but he chose to make a broadway song contemporary. I love this little kid. He needs to win immediately. And his eyes are open. He's so adorable even if his mouth moves weird when he sings. This kid is it. Randy says it was the bomb. Paula thinks it was perfect. Simon thinks it was pleasant, one of his weakest performances. Oh I disagree. I think he did something different on a night you thought you knew what to expect. Simon and I are not always BFF.
Carly Smithson - Jesus Christ Superstar
Carly needs to make it through this week because I'm going home this week and will be able to get my shirt! lol I'm gonna go home and discover I threw that crap away years ago. Lol he cut her off. Good All I Ask of You sounded boring and sucky. And Jesus Christ Superstar...lol Em and Melissa will be excited. I am so happy she did an upbeat song. I think she has been so uptight these past few weeks and this song gives her the opportunity to have some fun. Yay Carly! She is so cute. All she wants is for Simon to love her. I feel bad for her because she obvious has no self-confidence and needs a little confidence boost.
David Cook - Music of the Night
Ok, I love this song so I hope he's not gonna suck it.lol Andrew Lloyd Webber is a randy old man. It sounds like he's just singing like it is, which is a bit cheese ball but I guess it's better than making it gross. Lol he sounds like a sucky auditioner for broadway. Boring. People are screaming just because he's David Cook not because he's actually good. Well he can actually hit those high notes but that doesn't mean I like the crap he usually does. Its like 75% boring and 25% ok. I guess that's better than 100% annoying as crap. Ew what's with the scream at the end. I say whatever to you, David. Randy thought it was an amazing vocal performance. lol molten hot lava bomb. Um...no. Paula thought it was fantastic. Simon thinks he made the most of the song but he doesn't prefer it. Lol he made the most of the song he was given? He chose that mess, shut it.
Overall
Brooke sucked it, Jason sucked it. Hm...who else Syesha has no fans so she should be in the bottom. But Carly'll might be in it even though she doesn't deserve it this week. Who should go home? Brooke for sucking so badly.
As I was reminded in a comment, everyone should listen to the American Idol studio tracks. They are available for download on Itunes. But if you are like me and are too cheap to buy things like that (and honestly I wouldn't pay for some of these people's music) you would much rather download them from somewhere else for free. Personally, I probably wouldn't pay for any of this anyway even if I couldn't find it online for free. But because I can, I do. Therefore, I get the opportunity to hear some of these people as they would sound on an album...and isn't that the ultimate goal? To produce an album that people want to buy. Anyway, on that note here are the studio tracks up until last week. I bundled them together because I personally think that's the point. Give them all a listen and maybe you'll discover that some people sound better in the studio than you may have thought...and some people sound worse. If you want to pick and choose...than go buy that person's tracks to support them because you're obviously such a big fan.
fyi...A google search of "american idol studio tracks" will give you all the links you'd ever want.
Ok, other than the weekly American Idol post, I haven't really been discussing much. It's mostly because I've been super busy with school and clinic. It's nice to take a break each week and sit down with my computer during American Idol. But it is finally Finals Week. I've got 2 finals. One I'm working on right now and really should continue working on. I took a mini break right there to work on it. After finishing my two finals, I will hopefully be able to pack up all the stuff in my apartment. I didn't realize I needed to do that until a few days ago when I discovered my lease ends earlier than I thought. On top of that, I have to worry about getting all my clinic paperwork in and also my residency paperwork in (so that I don't have to pay out of state tuition for my summer internship...gross having to pay to work). So that is why I haven't had time to write anything else. I haven't made anything delicious in a while...although I did make three batches of banana pudding for my friends here in town since they've been harrassing me for it for months. Mostly I've just been eating what I can get. Alright, that's it for now. Hopefully the next time I write (I guess it'll be for American Idol) I'll be almost done with this final (which is due tomorrow at midnight. yikes!).
Mariah Carey night. Look at Mariah pretending she's not a diva bitch. lol. Anyway, this should be interesting. Forget Randy and Mariah....bring on the Journey night.
David Archuleta - When You Believe
He's first! IT all goes downhill from here. Oh he singing a sap-tastic song. Let's see how it is. Is he wearing pleather or just shiny pants? He always gives a heartfelt performance. He really should win this. He's obviously an American Idol. And he has this adorable face. Anyway, I don't think it was his best but it was still nice. Randy things its the bomb. Paula thinks he's proud. Simon agrees. lol Simon knew he was going to pick it because it was sap-tastic. lol Simon is pulling a "Randy" and talking about his own success.
Carly Smithson - I Can't Live
Oh Carly, what are you going to sing? Please don't suck tonight because its only one-ish weeks before I can get home to wear my Carly shirt. Anyway....I guess I should wait til it comes back and Carly is actually singing. She looks cute. No ugly outfit this week. I don't think she has any fans so she better be fantastic. Oh wow Mariah wanted to meet her. Sup. I love this song. I liked the subtle part in the beginning. And of course she screamed it in the middle but its a Mariah song. And last note was good. Randy didn't like the low range (whoops). Paula liked vocal restraint in the beginning (oh noes I agree with Paula). Simon didn't think she pulled it off. Oh noes. He thinks it was an OK version. Oh no Carly is in danger again. Just one more week Carly!
Syesha Mercado - Vanishing
I don't care about you. But I shall still comment so I do not appear biased. lol, yeah right. She looks like Beyonce in Goldmember...just saying. Do I know this song? I'll have to wait til the chorus. No I don't know this song. Not terrible but I still don't care about her. She has glitter in her hair. That crap'll be impossible to get out. But maybe she was channeling Mariah Carey...like Glitter. Randy thinks she goes for all of it but thought she did a good job. Paula thinks she's smart. Wow...Paula needs to stop talking. Simon thinks technically it was good. Not sure if she should have picked a song people don't know. I don't care either way.
Excuse me while I buy some American Idol Ringtones...lol yeah right, I haven't paid for a ring tone since I first got a cell phone when I bought those crappy monophonic ones with a single beep making the song. Why pay when you can just make your own. So much easier and free. I've the best ever Pride & Prejudice (Colin Firth version) Intro ringtone ever! Oh gross, are you watching this OMG Contest with Ashley Tisdale. Oh god. OMG moment...OMG contest. Please tell her to stop. You are 22 years old. Stop acting like you are 15. Please.
Brooke White - Hero
Her voice is really weird when she's talking. Annoying. lol no cardboard cut-out. Oh god she's gonna sing acoustic Hero. Let's see what's up. She started on a sour note. I thought she was gonna do a guitar version but its piano so it sounds like the original with her banging in the background. This is boring. She just doesn't have the power of the other singers in this contest. I'm bored and I don't really believe she's feeling this song like she was talking about in the video montage. Whatever, I say, Whatever. Randy thinks it got suck in the middle. Brooke always has to be like...oh I know...the fact that she recognizes that she sucks doesn't make her suck any less. I don't think it sounded special...singer songwriter...whatever...girl singing with banging in the background. Simon says it was like ordering a hamburger but only getting the bun. He thinks her voice isn't strong enough to carry the song...and I agree.
Kristy Lee Cook - Hero
Oh no Mariah likes her. Oh gross. Yes Kristy get emotionally connected. She looks like a beauty pageant contestant. In fact she looks like she's competing in the talent portion right now. Good making it country I guess. Lol she isn't ever going home. She'll be that illusive 3rd member of the top 3 with David Cook and David Archuleta. Lol. Her hand gestures make me vomit. Oh I was wondering why she looked skewed...its because the camera was filming a monitor. Randy didn't think it was amazing. lol Kristy is surprised people are booing. lol. Paula I don't even know what she's talking about. Um...She would not have a hit with it. It sounds like its from the 80s. Yeah...Paula keeps talking and talking and talking. Simon says she didn't give him chills. A little bit whiney. It wasn't great. Will Kristi be in the bottom 3 this week? That is the question. Will the country singer vote support her to the top?
David Cook
I'd like to just point out that I told my friend the other day that David Cook would probably sing "Always Be My Baby" to show that he was innovative. Lolz. I'm psychic. Anyway, sure it wasn't bad...but guess what, if I wanted to hear mumbling I'd just listen to Lifehouse and then I'd be reminded on my youth and that one great episode of Smallville at the Senior Prom. Aw cute. Anyway...judges love him of course. I don't. But guess what he will be in the top 2...no point in talking about top 3 anymore. Top 2 Davids.
Jason Castro
His hair looks dirtier in that lighting. lol I just remembered that Mariah requires a special light when ever she's filmed. Its super bright so it will bleach out her imperfections. lol. I don't know this song. He's guitar-less tonight. Hey its a nice, emotional song tonight. Not too Hippie-like. He's the male version of Brooke White. He doesn't have the power vocals but he's got a nice voice. Only difference is I actually like Jason. Overall, thought it was cute. Nothing spectacular but cute. Lol Randy feels like he was at a Luau with someone singing in the distance. lol. Simon agrees with Paula. lol me and Randy tonight are totally out of sync tonight.
Overall
Hm...Bottom Three: Carly, Syesha...and then...Brooke or Kristi Lee...although Brooke and Kristi are cute girls so they may just stick it out and Jason will be in the bottom. Whatevs. We'll see.
Michael Johns
Hey I've been listening to "Dream On" from Kelly Sweet's album in my car for a while. I mentioned her album in a blog a while ago. Anyway, this is a good song. He sounds pretty good. I'm glad he didn't pick a cheese ball song. I like the fact that he likes rock music without being completely "I'm so hardcore" like certain other American Idol contestants. Randy doesn't really buy it. This show isn't about dreams? lol. Yeah right. Simon thought it was a little-bit wannabe-ish. Ok, well I liked it.
Syesha Mercado
I'm still "whatever" about this girl. LOL at singing "I Believe." I F*in hate Fantasia. The reason I don't like Syesha is I wouldn't listen to her and for that same reason I hated Fantasia. So it fits perfectly. I didn't hate it when Diana Degarmo sang it though. Oh poor little Diana. Anyway, this doesn't suck but it adds nothing to Fantasia's version. She doesn't even have the uniqueness of Fantasia (granted I hated the sound of her voice but at least it was unique). Once again, I'm like "whatever." Randy says it was ok. I agree, Fantasia had more connection. She needs to shut it about comparing. Simon thought it lacked emotion. Ok...Syesha needs to show what she's all about...which is nothing. She's about singing like every other powerhouse vocalist out there. I hope this girl goes home soon.
Jason Castro
And Jason gives props to the person who sang this version first. Good on you and your Ukelele. Ukelele's are adorable. I think this is cute but I don't know what other people will think. Too bad because I genuinely like Jason. I'd listen to his music. But I like listening to very subtle music so I don't know if anyone else would.Randy thinks it was blazing hot. Simon thought it was fantastic. Yay! Subtlety rules!
She's determined to stay out of the bottom 3. I'm determined that she should be in it. But she gets to sing country again so she may or may not be going home. She's really not a bad country singer but the problem is that when she tries to do anything else she sucks hardcore. She looks pretty tonight. Anyway...pun intended. lol "would your chihuahuas have liked it." Um...it's so easy singing songs that inspire you...um it's so easy singing songs in your genre. Simon thought she was very good. And thinks she looks like a star. Ok. I wonder what's in store for Kristy.
David Cook
What is he even saying. I hate when you can't understand what people are singing. Something about remembering. Oh god he is such a cheese ball. Does he think he's Bono? Randy doesn't quite get it. Paula thinks he's the whole package. I think he's the whole package of poop. Taylor Swift is there! Sup. Oh Simon thought it was pompous...Yes I agree. Lol Paula says she say something inspirational and read it "give back" like she is just now learning to read.
Carly Smithson
What song is this? She looks pretty tonight. Her outfit is only slightly offensive. Her hair looks good. I always hesitate to write about Carly because I'm biased...lol like I'm not biased about other people. She does tend to shout though...but she always gives a really intense performance. Randy thought it was ok. Paula thought it was emotional enough. Hey Simon thinks she looks good...lol last week he said she looked fug. He thought she over sang it and it came out angry. Oh poor Carly she's gonna go home. Oh no. She's cute though. Oh well.
David Archuleta
I don't know how many conversations I've had about him winning the show. But really, who can compete? Its supposed to be a David Cook/David Archuleta final and if it is how the F could America pick David Cook over David Archuleta. He's the perfect pop star. Look at his perfectly smiling face. What song is Angels? OMG it's the Robbie Williams song. I [heart] this song. Robbie Williams version rather than gross Jessica Simpson version. Oh I want David to win. He is seriously fantastic. He is totally gonna fit in with Miley Cyrus/Jonas Brothers. Please make billions of dollars. He is so QT. Randy thinks its Crazy Hot. Girls love him. I think I see Lacey from So You Think You Can Dance in the background. Oh Simon thinks it's one of the best pop songs written. I heart this song. Gross "Lick Those Lips" sign held by a 10 year old. Oh god girls are gross.
Brooke White
WTF is she wearing? I think she's wearing wallpaper or curtains...ugly wallpaer or curtains. lol You've Got A Friend. She looks so f*in awkward. She's making weirdo faces again. Ok I'll try to be less critical of pointless things. This is boring me. I'm asleep. Ok...is it over yet. She says "thank you." I say "no thank you, thank you for ending." Randy says it was ok. Paula grew up to it which means nothing. Wtf. Shes definitive? Whatever that means. Simon says it was nice, not original. Whatever.
Overall
Hm...Syesha, Carly and someone else in the bottom...in a perfect world it would still be Kristy (or Brooke because I don't like her and thought it was hilarious that she started hyperventilating when she was in the bottom last week) but it'll probably be Jason Castro or something.
