Los Angeles Skyline

image via here

Today I am heading back home to Beverly Hills and will be enjoying 5 weeks off from grad school. The other night while watching the Lakers game, I met up with some LA transplants (yay). We spent most of our time talking about things we missed about living in Los Angeles. Here are my top things in no particular order:

Family

In-N-Out

Running by the beach

Friends

Coffee Bean

My car

My house

I have had such a great time living in Manhattan these past  four months that it only seems like yesterday I was moving in. I am glad to be leaving the 20 degree weather we have been enduring for the last few weeks but I know when I return I will be in for some REAL cold weather.  I have a ton of things I will be doing at home that the time will go by fast but I  am so excited for it.

]]> http://spillinglibrarian.wordpress.com/2009/12/12/6-days/ Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:24:04 +0000 Elisabeth http://spillinglibrarian.wordpress.com/2009/12/12/6-days/

We’ve taken a family photo. With mum, my grandparents and my mothers siblings. My aunt and uncle came to visit yesterday, and they met F for the first time today. For some reason I love introducing him, because he smiles so wide and his eyes sparkles. Earlier today mum, aunt and me went shopping for the wedding and Christmasgifts. You know, walking around finding sexy underwear to have UNDER the weddingdress of you life, does something to you. To me it made my head go WOSH because mum paid for everything. She only wanted me to buy her some coffee.

I did.

Last night I saw a picture for my mum, and she was drunk. It was this summer, when she was in France with my aunt and uncle. I’ve never seen my mum drunk, but I did see her tipsy when my aunt started filling her glass with red wine. Because I’m not used to being a little tipsy around my members of my family, this was a so unreal – and I  came to the conclusion that my aunt have some Youthful effect on mum. She laughs non stops and now she wants to be on Facebook because aunt and uncle’s there. I say no more.

(Ok. I’ll say something. I’ve shown her just how facebook works, with pictures and all the groups you can join, like reconnecting with your family. When I told her it was BAD. When my aunt and mums brother told her: it was FANTASTIC! ELISABETH YOU HAVE TO MAKE ME AN ACCOUNT! Im vexed. And how much of your life do you want your mother to see?)

But at least we have a family photo, taken when my aunt yelled “NO, DEAR! DON’T TOUCH ME THEEEEEERE!”.

I have taken to spending my days screenwriting at a Coffee Bean in Beverly Hills. Strangely I prefer to write in a crowded room; it makes the job a little less lonely and there is always something to look at or listen too when you need a creative breather.

There are approximately 20 people in the cafe right now and I just counted nine laptops. This makes me think that working from a cafe is definitely a growing phenomenon. Actually that’s also nine television screens when you think about it.

More than ever before, people are interested in accessing high quality digital video content. The format and the length of our story telling may well need to change… but the opportunities are greater than ever before….

Recently, i spent a cool California winter night out with my bro Ap & sis Jessica at Coffee Bean . One of my favorite spots to attend for quiet time , blogging time , or just people watching . A habit i picked up in Germany with my bro Tamal & Johannes drinking Gluwein in Munich on the sidewalks of cobblestone streets . In any event , i was coerced into trying this Winter Dream Tea Latte by the cashier who called it , “Christmas in a Cup” . So like any other avid Christmas fanatic i tried it out & loved it ! & now i’m telling you . you must go to Coffee Bean immediately after reading this and pick yourself up a Winter Dream Tea Latte , the teabags , and if you’re like me , the candle as well ! (Recommended Pairing: a slice of their cheesecake)

” brick x brick “
hmb

It starts now.

I sent a formal “I WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS F GRADE!” mail to Uni, and now my life is yet again packed in a suitcase. If there is one thing I’ve learned so far by living up here, it’s that I have long armed sweaters for a reason. Back home I’m taking almost every single of my t-shirts, and already I’m planning on how to start living in a polarbear-suit.

In 13 days I’m getting married. On Monday me and mum will be going in search of wedding-dress, and everything will go fast from there. 2 days before the wedding, my best friends will visit and I know we will all end up talking about sex. It’s part of nature.

On the 18th december 2009, I become a Mrs. Missus. Wifey. And that makes me that happiest girl in the world. And yes, I will post wedding photos, just for you. Merry Xmas and a jolly new year.

from The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is 100 times better than an iced hazelnut latte from Starbucks.
Sorry my East Coast friends… the Coffee Bean kicks Starbucks ass!

Santiago’s post below made me think of just how much love I have for the Coffee Bean… I didn’t know what great coffee tasted like until I came to LA. :0)

Failed the exam. One more year of reading the subject. So mad I can’t even write,

Ohfrikking fuckfuck I have my exam in 7 SEVEN SEVEN days and I hate Aristotle fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck *dies*

One of the great things about becoming known to your friends as a bit of a cocktail nerd is that they will try and bring you weird and wonderful potions from around the world, for you to mix and match for your benefit and often theirs too.

Returning from a buying trip in Italy, Aaron smuggled me back a bottle of Alexander Grappa Amarone. This Grappa is made from a single grape variety, Amarone from the Valpolicella region. It has a dry raisiny taste and it is quite pleasant lightly chilled on its own. After doing a small amount of research, I learned that Italians often drink Grappa in their coffee calling it ammazzacaffè or the coffee killer.

Inspired I set about making a variation on an espresso martini that made the most of the spirit. I have been thinking about making a raisin or muscatel syrup which would work very nicely, but for now the half and half maple syrup and amaretto work fine.

The Italian American.

Combine 40mls Grappa, 40mls fresh black coffee, 5mls amaretto and 5mls maple syrup over ice and shake with some vigor. Strain into a sherry glass and float coffee bean or two on the froth.

If the taste of the Grappa proves too much, you could drop back to a 20/60 ratio, but in my mind that masks the character of the spirit.

In less then 2 weeks I’m having the biggest exam of my life. Philosophy. We don’t get to have with us any notes, no knowledge of what me might be asked about, or any kind of help. The only thing we can do is read 20 chapters from page to page, plus extra lecture notes – and hope to God we know our brain.

At the same time as I’m reading my glasses off, I’m writing a short story for a contest (prize: moneh!) and planning my wedding. It’s not a lot, but It’s enough. 2 days ago I saw the prettiest northern lights I have ever seen, and it was impossible to take photos of it. It was like seeing something in a drughaze, and I still have problems forgetting about all the green and purple colours dancing across heaven, over my head.

I don’t see the sun any more. It’s dark before the clock is 13.30. Since darkness = WRITING, I manage well. I miss my typewriter.

Brb.

Well this week has been tough.

I’m attending a Basic Science Course to prepare myself for the Step 1, this was the last week of the course, and we were covering the Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology subjects. The final evaluation of the course is next wednesday so it’s been days that I haven’t sleep for being studying.

But why is so important for me to study for an evaluation of a basic science course?, Well, I applied for the UCLA IMG (International Medical Graduates) Program, a program specially designed to help Hispanic Physicians to become Family Physicians here in the US, to help cover the Hispanic population in need of medical care.

They suggested me to take a basic science course while applying to the program. They suggest this to every applicant. This is to have a way to screen the performance of the applicants and to decide who goes into the program.

After the final evaluation I have to take the NBME, so I can have a better view of where I am in the pathway for the Step 1. And see where I’m having problems and where to focus in my study plan.

And tonight I just finished filling out my secondary application for the program. I had to write an essay on why I decided to immigrate, why I decided to go for Family Medicine, and Who would I focus on when I finish my medical training. I took me about 4 days to write it, mostly because most of my reasons I tough were not good enough.

Since I was a little kid I decided to come to the States to make my life, so I grew up with that idea. I didn’t need any more reasons. But when I tough about it, I I also liked the multicultural combination of LA, the food, and that it has enough places to study and to continue my medical training. I had to work 3 pages from that ideas. At the end those ideas were not used, and I worked on “America, Land of opportunities” Better Medical Treatments, Procedures, and Diagnostic Tools.

But anyway, at the end it is all about being a physician, and what better way to study than with a Chocolate Mint Blend from the “Coffee Bean”?

It’s 4:36 in the morning and I need to get up early, to mail everything to UCLA.

May you all have a great weekend.

Cost Estimate: $2.00 each

Our Cards & Pockets do-it-yourself invitation this week is just in time for the Winter. We welcome the frosty cold with this Pine-Cone PocketFold Invitation. With a Coffee-Bean, Honey-Graham & Forest color scheme, this do-it-yourself wedding invitation brings the woodsy feel to your wedding, and the motif is carried throughout the set.

Do-It-Yourself PineCone PocketFold Invitation

The Breakdown

Invitation Base: Retangolo PocketFold, Coffee-Bean

Invitation Mat: 4.75 x 6.75, Honey-Graham

2nd Invitation Mat: Custom Cut,  4.625 x 6.625, Forest

Invitation: 4.5 x 6.5, Custom Printed by Cards & Pockets

Directions Enclosure: 3.5 x 6.75 White, Custom Printed by Cards & Pockets

RSVP Postcard: 3.5 x 5 White, Custom Printed by Cards & Pockets

Monogram: 2×2 Basic #2 Monogram printed on White

Monogram Backing #1: 2.25  Non-Adhesive Square, Forest

Monogram Backing #2: Custom Cut, 2.5×2.5, Honey-Graham

Mailing Envelope: A7, Honey-Graham

I am totally breaking some librarians code of honour.

Last night I had some kind of meltdown. The boyfriend and I talked on cam, and he showed me he was building a large carpark. Is that what it’s called? The thing is that it felt so wrong that he was playing with tiny cars and making them vroom around the living-room, because I wanted to be there with him. So I started to cry. I haven’t cried this much since my guinea-pig died back in 07, and here I was, my feelings being poured out live on cam in front of F, and he couldn’t hug me.

One of the worst’ things about living along up here, and not living in a student-home with other students, is that I can’t go across the hall or next door to get a hug if I’m sad. I am renting a room, and I can’t just go down to my landlady and ask for a hug. It doesn’t work that way. So I sat here, for 4 hours hugging my pillow, phone and 3 rolls of toilet-paper whilst talking in a blurry voice with F and mum.

I felt so alone, and I don’t want to feel that again. It reminded me that I’m not social, I only have 2 friends to be with after school, and I probably am the shyest girl on campus. I don’t like this, being all me.

Ok, so your favorite coffee shop and order coffee, cappuccino, cafe ้ Mochas, lattes and espresso. It is not the fancy coffee drink cups that taste so great. It is the recipe for the coffee and of course the way it appears that factors in the equation. We all have a favorite style of every cup of coffee and the roast will taste different because of the coffee, the grinding, the quantity used, water, temperature and other factors. We all have a go trying to reproduce the goodness of the coffee houses coffee at home, the way we think they are supposed to be done, but we really know the proper method for the fascinating flavors perfectly to extort? Below is the basic list of how to make excellent coffee. Cappuccino: This coffee product consists of equal parts steamed and frothed milk and coffee shot. The milk is then deposited on top of the coffee shot and covered with nutmeg, cinnamon or chocolate powder. Caf ้ Mochas: The easiest way to do this is to make the quality of hot chocolate, a shot of coffee with steamed milk poured in to add and top with whipped cream, then dust with chocolate powder light. To best use a clear glass mug with a long-stemmed spoon .. Lattes: foam and steam milk to 75 degrees (C). The ratio is drawn as 50% and 50% coffee milk. Slowly pour the milk down the side of the cup of coffee or glass so that it penetrates the coffee shot. The main difference between a latte and a cappuccino is a latte combine the milk and coffee together, while the cappuccino from the 2 together. Espresso: We all have a bad espresso, right?. There are a number of reasons. The No. 1 reason is a bad coffee bean used. If you want espresso you are most likely a lover of all things coffee and know what makes a good coffee bean. So with this in mind, is a good espresso you must follow these instructions to make: • the finely ground espresso coffee beans • You must pack tightly • You need a pressure cooker coffee maker or model to use • You should not try too much • coffee while you, the cr ่ me float to the top of the coffee shot, which is a golden-brown foam • You must use a proper cup of espresso coffee to keep warm When all is said and done, good coffee is all up to you and how to take your taste buds to taste the coffee. If you like coffee in a certain way, make it that way. However, if you have guests over, they like the basics. So do yourself a favor and learn the proper way to coffee, lattes and espresso making.

Pumpkin Blended … coffee + pumpkin + NSA vanilla powder = HEAVEN!

Soy Pumpkin Latte … espresso + soy milk + pumpkin + NSA vanilla powder = HOT HEAVEN!

Fall Flavors are in, and the pumpkin is outta this world–super pumpkin-y, just sweet enough, warm (even if it’s cold) and delicious. Also apple spice tea latte (haven’t tried yet … have wanted to … but can’t.stay.away.from.the.pumpkin) is a fab fall flavor.

Calling this guy a bracelet might be a misnomer, but it’s a welcome one: tie this ribbon easily on your purse, tuck it into the coin section of your wallet, affix it to your rearview mirror, whatever. It’s easy to remember and easy to carry, so you’ll snag your 10% off all the way through December 4th.

My cashier this morning (don’t judge) started to tell me about the program before I whipped out my ribbon and when I did she exclaimed, “I love you! The dogs love you!”

I love you, Coffee Bean.

Hello

hello

How are you today

type away on your typewriter, I say

let’s go write about Hume

and read about Nietzsche

learn about Descartes

and wave fist at Socrates.

Go write a paper

10 pages no more

about ethics

laws

rules

and legislations

go with the flow

have a drink

all alone

write on that novel

see that childhood movie

hug someone everyday

it’s the magic that makes you feel this way

buy a Kindle

see the Boxxy videoes

write a blog about what effort it took

just to say

“I remember that look”

Photo by JcOlivera.com as found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcolivera/

Freshly roasted coffee beans are incredible — fresh coffee is critical when you’re looking to enjoy the best cup of coffee possible. Whilst the bags most roasters use keep your coffee fresh by protecting them from moisture and sunlight, once you’ve opened that fresh bag of coffee you are exposing them to elements which can rapidly degrade their quality.

What causes coffee beans to degrade?

Light, moisture heat and air all increase the rate of degradation in terms of flavor, aroma and freshness. To keep your coffee fresh keep them out of sunlight in a sealed container.
Where NOT to store your coffee!
Logically it makes sense to store your coffee in the refrigerator, it keeps your food fresh for longer, so why wouldn’t it do the same for your coffee? The answer is this, moisture.
When looking for a container to store your coffee beans in don’t buy some cheap plastic container, purchase a high quality aluminum or ceramic container as coffee is like a sponge and tends to absorb the odors and flavors of any storage medium.

Yesterday I studied at the campus library for 6 hours reading about Greek art, or: the statue Augustus of Prima Porta. Why? Because that was my exam subject for today. A 4 minute verbal exam to either fail me or approve me.

The thing about sitting in the library, in my own spot where no one would bother me or even see me – was in a lack of words frikking fantastic. Surrounded by books books books I had peace in mind and the KNOWLEDGE was right THERE. So this was student life, THIS was what it was all about.

I read about that statue, I learned something and took notes of what I learned. It was strange to actually learn things in a subject I honestly HATE. Somewhere my brain and hunger made contact and I went for a walk. There’s a limit of how loud you can talk in the campus library, but sometimes – and this was someWHERE and sometimes – the are places/sections in the library where you can talk all you want. Even laugh. I know, laughing in the library seems unthinkable.

Two of my fellow students (of course I don’t know them, they’re just Students, being all dooblidoo) sat on the floor in a “Talking section” and…. talked. I only got the mid and end of the conversation, but it still filled me with joy.

Student A “. . . drinking this weekend and. . .”

Student B “What happened to the bathroom then?”

A “Apparently we have fungus.”

B “Really.”

A “You look smug.”

B “You live in the apartments you got from school, right?”

A “Yeah, why?”

B “Well, I don’t. I rent a room with a dude. And I have a bathtub.”

A “I hope you die in it.”

PS: I had my first exam today, and passed with “flying colours”. WOOHOOOO!!

PPS: Wedding date to be 17th December, most likely. I have to plan NAPKINS. NAPKINS. I have no understanding for this at all.

28 oktober,

kalo ga salah, hari ini hari sumpah pemuda. dimana pas jaman dulu sebelum kemerdekaan RI para pemuda negeri ini mengikrarkan diri menjadi satu bangsa, satu bahasa dan satu Nusa. semangat nasionalisme yang tinggi dan membuat haru saya saat ini, dimana keliatannya fenomena semangat dan jiwa nasionalisme sekarang tidak se-berkobar jaman dlu.

SELAMAT HARI PEMUDA BANGSA INDONESIA

pagi-pagi 06.45

berangkat menuju Taman Makam Pahlawan Kalibata dari arah cibubur, pintu tol taman mini macet total. Lupa!!! kalo jam segitu pada berangkat kerja dan berangkat sekolah. Maklum biasanya berangkat kuliah jam 8. hohohohoo. akhirnya lewat Hek, trus ke kramat jati baru deh ke arah kalibata.

Masih pagi juga 07.30

sampai di TMP kalibata, ternyata dapet tugas tabur bunga di makam bapak Soegandhi. Jauh amat ya tuh kuburan, Blok U 106. huft!

Pukul 09.00 wib

upacara dimulai, puanas boooo!! suhu udara mencapai 40 derajat sepertinya. bener-bener deh. tau gini bawa payung sm blower, biar ga keringetan.

09.30 wib

menuju makam bapak soegandhi, bareng sama mbak nurul arifin. padahal harus nemenin Pak Priyo juga, semoga hari ini cepat selesai. Pas mau sampai di makam, pak priyo ternyata juga datang dari arah yang berbeda. akhirnya ga perlu jemput lagi. habis berdoa, menabur bunga dan berdoa lagi. selesai!! balik ke depan taman.

10.00

haus, cari minum. mau makan di stekpi bareng firly, bang armand, bang yamin. ga taunya, belum pada buka. kita akhirnya bergeser ke TIS Square di pancoran. akhirnya nyangkut di coffee bean, setelah menyadari kalo belum ada yg buka tempat makan, hahahahahhahaa.

11.00 wib

pulaaaaaaaaaang kerumah dan ngobrol sm ibu. hari yang cukup menyenangkan. pancoran-cibubur hanya ditempuh dalam waktu setengah jam, hahahahahaha

malam ini baru tau ada QUEEN OF ALAY; OPHI A BUBU

http://www.kaskus.us/showthread.php?t=2492959

check to this page..

Oh what a day! Ming and I have been looking forward to this for a while now! This shopping event in SF is one I have attended several times in the past. Its something I try to do twice a year with my best girlfriends! And my oh my was it an absolute adventure!

We began our day together early around lunch time so we could grab a bite and beat traffic up to SF. We did just that and made pretty good time getting to the city. Our next mission was “operation coffee”. For the past three weeks I have been thinking about our trek up to the city and my need for Coffee Bean…and by “thinking about” I mean obsessing over! This was my favorite place on the planet when I was going to school at CSULB. There was one on campus and I swear I spent hours there every single day. Coffee Bean’s were everywhere in LA, but not at all prevalent in the Bay Area unfortunately So needless to say I was beyond stoked to get my standard; chai latte with soy, extra hot – please!!! It was heaven!

So after our super-duper chai’s filled us up we were off to shop! The event was held at For Mason which is a pretty cool location. Its right on the edge of the city overlooking a beautiful harbor – how pretty are those boats?! Then, we saw the coolest sculpture, I think it was made out of the hoods of cars – it was enormous! Then we go in the doors and we were on a mission to shop till we dropped!

If you’ve never been to Fort Mason, boy is it big! The event was held inside of this warehouse like structure right on the dock – and it was filled with some fabulous designers! There were designers there selling curling irons, jewelry, hats, purses, clothing, laser skin services and much more! It was so cool to just rome around and check out all the goods! I like to survey everything before buying usually, just to make sure I am spending wisely.

And after all that walking I ended up with some really cool stuff! Two gorgeous gold necklaces at different lengths, one with the letter “P” and one with a cupcake, sooooo cute! I also picked up a plush Angora sweater and a fabulous long sleeve shirt from an LA designer that I buy from every time I attend.

With the visions of Coffee Bean still dancing in our heads, we just couldn’t shake that delightful taste! So yes…we did it…we went back for more!!! We closed our night with a quaint girls coffee date and indulged in another chai latte with soy extra hot!

A night to remember Ming! Can’t wait to do it again this Spring! Wooohooooooo “We don’t want your ***E!!!!!!! hahahahahhahaah LOLOLOLOL <3 you girl!