Bee and I are back to school. This last week was my first week back and she started the week before.
I have not been to school (college) in quite a while. I know it has been at least three years. I have had plenty of school and learning in that time, just not "higher education", degree-bound classes. I want to get my Bachelors though so I figured now was as good a time as any to go back to school. We are both taking online classes through different universities. We are also both taking just two classes this semester. She is doing general studies with BYU-I and I am studying at Embry-Riddle. My schedule doesn't really allow me any more than two classes. I thought life was busy enough without two college classes on top of it. We will see how the semester goes though. I hear that life does not get any less busy.
With our classes, on top of my work and her volunteering, it makes for busy days and and weeks. We have decide to try for one big event a month; this month was paragliding, next month is...should I say in now? I think I will leave you in suspense... I will tell you that it envolves water though. I think some of you already what it is.
Sep 19, 2011
Jumping off Mountains
So two friends of ours are big into paragliding and have offered for us to join them and many occasions. Either something would have already been planned with us or the winds wouldn't be worth it so we hadn't gone until this weekend. Hunny had asked me previously how I felt about running off the edge of a cliff with only some cloth and strings to keep me up? All I could think about were the cartoon characters that are running and run off the edge and float midair till they realize and then either fall or run back. I wanted to be that cartoon. I was so game!
I didn't think I would be able to go due to a meeting but it was cancelled for Chuseok which put me at the friends place to go paragliding. It worked out perfectly! We all got there and it was a pretty big group that came out. We got all loaded up, hopped in the back of a Bongo truck and started straight up the mountain. I have to say that the trip up was pretty fun, just standing in the bed and flying up a bouncing rocky road. When we made it to the top I some how got picked to go first. All of a sudden my pumped-ness was more nervousness. I wanted to see how it was done first. I had no idea anything that was going to happen or at least supposed to happen. They didn't even give me any sort of brief. All the instruction I got was when the guy I would be flying with said run, I was to run no matter what towards the edge of the cliff that ended no more then 10ft in front of me. I was wondering where he wanted me to go. But they insisted that was all I needed. So, all ready and GO! I took off screaming. The shoot picked us up before I was half way to the edge. It was pretty cool running through the air. We got up and seated and looked around. We were so high up and it felt amazing. The tandem guy took really good care of me. He talked me through and told me when and how to bring my 'landing gear' up. Yes up... not down. But before we landed he asked me if I like roller coasters. Of course! He then proceeded to spin us hard and it did feel like a roller coaster. So fun.
Then time to land. Legs up, getting closer, ground is coming up fast and we skidded to a stop. Everyone said Hunny and I had long runs, that most of the time it is just straight down but we were able to fly around for a while. It was more peaceful than anything being up there. When I got done, Hunny had already taken off and not too long afterward there were 5 gliders dotting the sky.
It was neat being able to watch all the different landings. I was even able to get Hunny's landing recorded on my phone. There was one little girl, 9 years old, that was there flying by herself.
We all had a nice time out. The day was pretty and the winds were good. Even the wives were able to have a good time without having to fly. There was a small creek where they and the kids played. Everyone has a great time when we go out flying.
Sep 13, 2011
Yogurt Cheese
This post is long overdue but here it is.
I have been attempting weight-loss but trying to go about it in a healthy way and not anorexic or some crazy fad diet. I have been wanting to incorporate more fresh produce, wheat instead of bleached, gross white flour, fat free dairy products, and nixes as much sugar and processed foods as possible, or as much as Hunny will allow. In my endevours for this healthier lifestyle, I have come across health benefiting foods and alternatives. Besides using bananas, flax seed, or even white bean puree for added fiber and protein, for butter in my cookies, or half wheat germ for flour, I have also come across this magical food called yogurt cheese. It sounds weird but it is, or was supposed to be, quite simple. All you do is strain yogurt through either cheese cloth, a t-shirt, paper towels, coffee filters, or some loosely woven material and what is left is thick, concentrated yogurt. Why would you want this anyway? Because! At only 17-23 cal, depending on your starting yogurt, a tablespoon that is packed with calcium and some protein, you can mix it with peanut butter, ice cream, and even mayo to reduce fat and make your indulgence more healthified. Yogurt in my peanut butter?! Gross! No, not really, the yogurt takes on the flavor of whatever it is mixed with. Many people or articles I've read mix it with olive oil and tasty herbs and flavors for dip. A ranch packet for veggie dip. Fruit for a tasty spread. Replace it for cream cheese or sour cream in baking. Make that cheese cake and don't feel guilty eating every tasty bite. Are you beginning to see why I wanted it so bad?
In order for me to acquire this amazing food, I had to get the right yogurt. Despite most articles, generic store bought yogurt won't work because it is held together with a starch or gelatin. Unless you get organic which I did a test run on. Worked out great. But... it can get expensive. So I did some more digging and found that you can in fact make yogurt using powdered milk. Perfect, since in looking up this information I also found all sorts of uses for powdered milk. Food Storage begin to run through my mind and justified me getting a #10 can of powdered milk.
My first attempt at making yogurt was a bust. Very disappointing. I ended up with merely sour tasting milk. Yuck! But after further reading and studying I learned my mistake and took advise from a friend and was able to produce yogurt that looked and tasted exactly like plain store bought yogurt. I was so proud. YES! But that was merely step one in the process. Now the other fun part. Time to strain it. I cut up one of Hunny's old, but clean, shirts and covered a small container with it, rubberband to hold in place and scooped on the yogurt. Immediately the whey began to drip.
Now, a short note on this smelly liquid dripping out of bacteria growing cream, this is good stuff. This is practically pure protein. People spend good money on this stuff. You can make whey/protein shakes. Or you can, like I did, pour it into ice trays and when ever you are making shakes, instead of ice, grab the frozen whey and make your own protein shake. Also, it can be used instead of milk in baking just fine. Some people can drink it straight. It wasn't too bad but I don't know about gulping it. Whatever you do, do not throw it away. It is nutrient packed.
So finally... Success!!! How satisfying to go through the whole process of learning, attempting, creating, and achieving yogurt cheese. It turned out delightful. I mixed blended strawberries in some. Some went into some ice cream and a lot is now mixed into our peanut butter and, oh, it is so creamy and tasty. Not as nutty but almost like a peanut butter ice cream. I think I am going to enjoy some now. Yum!
I have been attempting weight-loss but trying to go about it in a healthy way and not anorexic or some crazy fad diet. I have been wanting to incorporate more fresh produce, wheat instead of bleached, gross white flour, fat free dairy products, and nixes as much sugar and processed foods as possible, or as much as Hunny will allow. In my endevours for this healthier lifestyle, I have come across health benefiting foods and alternatives. Besides using bananas, flax seed, or even white bean puree for added fiber and protein, for butter in my cookies, or half wheat germ for flour, I have also come across this magical food called yogurt cheese. It sounds weird but it is, or was supposed to be, quite simple. All you do is strain yogurt through either cheese cloth, a t-shirt, paper towels, coffee filters, or some loosely woven material and what is left is thick, concentrated yogurt. Why would you want this anyway? Because! At only 17-23 cal, depending on your starting yogurt, a tablespoon that is packed with calcium and some protein, you can mix it with peanut butter, ice cream, and even mayo to reduce fat and make your indulgence more healthified. Yogurt in my peanut butter?! Gross! No, not really, the yogurt takes on the flavor of whatever it is mixed with. Many people or articles I've read mix it with olive oil and tasty herbs and flavors for dip. A ranch packet for veggie dip. Fruit for a tasty spread. Replace it for cream cheese or sour cream in baking. Make that cheese cake and don't feel guilty eating every tasty bite. Are you beginning to see why I wanted it so bad?
In order for me to acquire this amazing food, I had to get the right yogurt. Despite most articles, generic store bought yogurt won't work because it is held together with a starch or gelatin. Unless you get organic which I did a test run on. Worked out great. But... it can get expensive. So I did some more digging and found that you can in fact make yogurt using powdered milk. Perfect, since in looking up this information I also found all sorts of uses for powdered milk. Food Storage begin to run through my mind and justified me getting a #10 can of powdered milk.
My first attempt at making yogurt was a bust. Very disappointing. I ended up with merely sour tasting milk. Yuck! But after further reading and studying I learned my mistake and took advise from a friend and was able to produce yogurt that looked and tasted exactly like plain store bought yogurt. I was so proud. YES! But that was merely step one in the process. Now the other fun part. Time to strain it. I cut up one of Hunny's old, but clean, shirts and covered a small container with it, rubberband to hold in place and scooped on the yogurt. Immediately the whey began to drip.
Now, a short note on this smelly liquid dripping out of bacteria growing cream, this is good stuff. This is practically pure protein. People spend good money on this stuff. You can make whey/protein shakes. Or you can, like I did, pour it into ice trays and when ever you are making shakes, instead of ice, grab the frozen whey and make your own protein shake. Also, it can be used instead of milk in baking just fine. Some people can drink it straight. It wasn't too bad but I don't know about gulping it. Whatever you do, do not throw it away. It is nutrient packed.
So finally... Success!!! How satisfying to go through the whole process of learning, attempting, creating, and achieving yogurt cheese. It turned out delightful. I mixed blended strawberries in some. Some went into some ice cream and a lot is now mixed into our peanut butter and, oh, it is so creamy and tasty. Not as nutty but almost like a peanut butter ice cream. I think I am going to enjoy some now. Yum!
Sep 12, 2011
추석 (Chuseok)
추석 다음날 is Korean for Thanksgiving Day. It is Korea's Thanksgiving day. Today is Chuseok here in Korea. It is their biggest holiday. Most of the country shuts down as everyone leaves the city and goes and spends time with his and her relatives.
In ancient Korean culture former ancestors were given thanks for a bountiful harvest and the with the first crop of the season they were given thanks in a celebration. It is a day of thanksgiving but it also closely resembles the Christmas holiday in the U.S. in several aspects. It is a busy travel holiday, a time when family comes together, and gifts are exchanged among family members.
In honor of Chuseok today we were invited to have a Korean dinner this evening in the home of some friends of ours of whom the husband is Korean. We had a wonderful time. It made the day much more enjoyable and brought much more meaning to the Chuseok Holiday. Otherwise it would have just been another day off for us. It was delightful, and the food was delicious.
Thank you Cho family for having us over to experience this day with you.
In ancient Korean culture former ancestors were given thanks for a bountiful harvest and the with the first crop of the season they were given thanks in a celebration. It is a day of thanksgiving but it also closely resembles the Christmas holiday in the U.S. in several aspects. It is a busy travel holiday, a time when family comes together, and gifts are exchanged among family members.
In honor of Chuseok today we were invited to have a Korean dinner this evening in the home of some friends of ours of whom the husband is Korean. We had a wonderful time. It made the day much more enjoyable and brought much more meaning to the Chuseok Holiday. Otherwise it would have just been another day off for us. It was delightful, and the food was delicious.
Thank you Cho family for having us over to experience this day with you.
Jeju Island Vaction
Over Labor Day weekend we went to the islands. An island anyway. We went to Jeju, a popular Korean get-a-way spot and honeymoon location. That is right, Bee and I finally had our honeymoon (really we haven't stopped honeymooning since we got married!).
Jeju (sometimes spelled Cheju) is a volcanic island, similar in size and creation to that of Oahu, just off the southern shore of the Korean peninsula. It has a beautiful landscape with many natural and man-made attractions dotted across it. It is a popular vacation destination for Koreans and foreigners alike.
Bee and I took advantage of the four-day weekend we had for Labor Day and booked our vacation. We hopped a short flight down there; about the same distance as Sacramento to Los Angeles on the West Coast or Atlanta to Orlando on the East. Once down there we rented a car, checked into our hotel, and went off in search of the many places we wished to see and activities we hoped to do for the three days we were there.
We visited two different lava tubes, got lost in a hedge maze, drove through the country side, visited several museums, watched the sun rise over the ocean, watched the sun set over the same ocean, hiked down to three waterfalls, climbed a dormant volcano, explored a few tide pools, wandered a beach or two, went to a Korean congregation of our church, viewed thousands of gorgeous glass art pieces at the Glass Castle, and towered over dozens of miniature historic buildings and attractions at Mini Mini Land, all while relaxing for three days enjoying one other's company.
What a blast! My biggest thing was I just wanted to relax. Sometimes when planning vacations you get so wrapped up in what you want to do and see that you forget to relax and just enjoy your time away. Despite the list of things we did while there, I was surprised at how relaxing our time there was. I thought going into it that we had so much we wanted to do that we would be so busy running between places that we would create stress for ourselves. Happily that was not the case. We did a lot but we managed our time well and had a glorious time. We were sad when it was time to go but we were thankful for the wonderful times we had and joyous memories we made while there.
Jeju (sometimes spelled Cheju) is a volcanic island, similar in size and creation to that of Oahu, just off the southern shore of the Korean peninsula. It has a beautiful landscape with many natural and man-made attractions dotted across it. It is a popular vacation destination for Koreans and foreigners alike.
Bee and I took advantage of the four-day weekend we had for Labor Day and booked our vacation. We hopped a short flight down there; about the same distance as Sacramento to Los Angeles on the West Coast or Atlanta to Orlando on the East. Once down there we rented a car, checked into our hotel, and went off in search of the many places we wished to see and activities we hoped to do for the three days we were there.
We visited two different lava tubes, got lost in a hedge maze, drove through the country side, visited several museums, watched the sun rise over the ocean, watched the sun set over the same ocean, hiked down to three waterfalls, climbed a dormant volcano, explored a few tide pools, wandered a beach or two, went to a Korean congregation of our church, viewed thousands of gorgeous glass art pieces at the Glass Castle, and towered over dozens of miniature historic buildings and attractions at Mini Mini Land, all while relaxing for three days enjoying one other's company.
What a blast! My biggest thing was I just wanted to relax. Sometimes when planning vacations you get so wrapped up in what you want to do and see that you forget to relax and just enjoy your time away. Despite the list of things we did while there, I was surprised at how relaxing our time there was. I thought going into it that we had so much we wanted to do that we would be so busy running between places that we would create stress for ourselves. Happily that was not the case. We did a lot but we managed our time well and had a glorious time. We were sad when it was time to go but we were thankful for the wonderful times we had and joyous memories we made while there.
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