Good Bye 2012 Hello 2013

Well 2012 was quite a year. I reached 25. I got to go abroad for fun! Italy was incredible I hope I get to go back someday.  

A few highlights for 2012-

• Visited Japan more than once
• Visited the United States Capital saw the White House
• Admitted to Graduate school
• Wrote my first over 10 page paper
• Visited home for Thanksgiving for the first time since I started work
• Got a white Christmas in Colorado
• Got to Massachusetts and Connecticut (2 new states to cross of my list) 
• Tried out tutoring which I really enjoyed
• Got into baking from scratch
• Got to surf in Hawaii
• Went paddle boarding 
• Made my annual trip to Disneyland

I am thankful for this year. I hope 2013 is just as rewarding. 

Celestial Seasonings Tea

Well since it is getting colder and I am getting a little tired of coffee I have started to experiment with tea.

While I was away from work and spending time with family we toured the Celestial Seasonings' Tea factory.  It was really cool to see the product line and here about all their various types of herbal tea. It turns out there are only three true kinds of tea- black, green and white. They each have varying amounts of caffeine. The tour also gives you the chance to taste their teas. I liked the Green Tea Peppermint holiday blend. 

It turns out they have a room to house the peppermint because it is bully in the seasoning world. It can over power just about any other scent. Which brings me to my last lesson learned, if you have different flavors of tea do not store them right next to each other because they flavors are likely to blend. 

I know I learned a lot on the tour and I would go again.

Their website is here. If you are ever in the mood for tea check them out!

  Check out their dress made out of their tea boxes and bags.

 Each one of their teas has a unique painting on the box. I liked this one.

Apple Pie

Today my parents and I made an apple pie. I have come to really love baking. It is nice to carefully work the ingredients put them in the oven and wait for something delicious to come out in an hour. I think I also really enjoy learning from my parents. It turns out I am horrible at pealing apples. 

One thing my family always does is reduce the amount of sugar and butter in recipes. I cannot speak for everyone but I can never tell it's is missing. Perhaps all it does is make me feel less guilty about eating dessert! 

I have to say I thought it would be more difficult to make but it was quite simple. I foresee more apple pie making in my future.

Merry Christmas

I had a very Merry Christmas. 

After the past year I feel so lucky that I get to spend the day with my family. I realize not everyone has the opportunity or even likes spending time with their family. We also have a tradition of making home made egg rolls for Christmas dinner. I leave you with a picture of our tree and wonderful dinner.

To anyone reading out there no matter what holiday you celebrate I hope you were able to enjoy it!

Happy BIrthday To Me

Yet another year has come and passed. I was lucky enough to spend the weekend with my parents. Look at the awesome homemade birthday cake my mom made for me. Really it's the little things in life- like a birthday cake that remind me it's okay to get old just never grow up!

 Yes it is appropriately themed sand and surf.

Check out this other awesome shot from home. Sometimes I wonder why I left. 

One final note no one wished me happy birthday on my birthday in person. I am very thankful the cards, notes, and messages but it did teach me to go out of my way to say "Happy Birthday" to anyone on their birthday.