Baby Update

I guess I have forgotten the purpose of a blog...to post relevant updates in Ally's and my life.  Usually I wouldn't think there is much worth reporting, however, it turns out I have a baby on the way.  If only for the benefit of my future child, I should probably be a little more diligent.

23 Weeks- Things are progressing nicely.  Ally hasn't been sick at all through the pregnancy, which I think both of us have appreciated.  The downside is that it's made it that much more unreal for me since it has been more or less business as usual for me...at least until our 20 week ultrasound.  I was much more into that ten or so minutes that I thought I would be.  Very cool.  Seeing the little head, complete with both hemispheres of the brain.  The heart with the four chambers.  Hands, feet, kidneys, pelvis, femur- it was all so very exiting.  For those who don't know, we aren't finding out the gender until birth, so that was not part of the show, however, it didn't detract from the event at all.

The process of childbirth is truely amazing.  It's the most scary thing I have ever been excited for.  Can't wait until July.

Enjoy some pics for the U.S.

Vacation Tsunami

Well, we arrived home from our vacation in Maui last night (early this morning really).  We had an incredible week, just lounging by the pool and on the beach, exploring the island, taking long drives (Road to Hana), and whale watching.  Yesterday was to be our last day on the island, and our plan was to wake early, go for a long walk on the beach, do a little snorkeling, and perhaps lay by the pool for a few minutes before heading to the airport.  Of that list, the only thing we accomplished was to wake up early...

We arose to the sound of warning sirens at 6am, followed by our hotel announcing over the loud speaker that the state of Hawaii had issued an official Tsunami warning as a result of the earthquake in Chile.  Parts of the island were under mandatory evacuation, with all coastal areas considered dangerous (in the zone) with evacuation recommended.  Our resort was about 50 yards from the beach and in one of the high risk areas but not under mandatory evacuation.

We turned on the news to find the island on high alert with all occupants being recommended they get food and water for 5-7 days.  It was at this moment that Ally and I realized we were in a bit of a situation.  Since this was our last day any supplies we bought would have to be left behind in the event flights were able to leave Maui.  However, if we didn't get any supplies and giant waves flooded the island, we would be stuck without any food or water.  I decided to get up and at least acquire a supply of water and some high protein, easily packable foods, as well as fill the car with gas and hit the ATM in case we lost power on the island.

By the time I arrived at the store at 6:30am, it was already crawling with people and most of the water was gone.  I was able to purchased enough water for about 3 days for Ally and myself (I figured there were worse things than leaving $5 or $6 worth of water behind in the event our flight did leave that day) as well as some protein bars and apples.  Next, I headed for the gas station, prepared to wait in the long lines like those the news was showing in Honolulu, only to be pleasantly surprised that I only needed to wait for a car or two.  (I am glad we were on Maui as it is fairly lightly populated compared to Oahu)

By the time I arrived back at the resort, Ally had the room packed and ready to go.  We decided that while our hotel was not being evacuated we should still get on the road and make our way to Kahului (town with the airport), which proved to be a good idea as they planned to close the only road in and out at 10am that morning.  We arrived at the airport around 9am and decided we would check our large bag, but keep a smaller carry-on with a change of clothes and some toiletries in case we were forced to stay.  Then we headed for higher ground.  We drove inland and upward a few miles to find the roads lined with the cars of others who where either evacuated or taking precautions, so we pulled off and joined them.  There was a lovely view of both the northern and southern coastlines, so we decided to make camp and enjoy the potential show.

As you know by now, it all turned out to be much ado about nothing.  We sat for about 2 hours on the side of the road -about an hour previous to the time the waves were supposed to arrive, and about an hour afterward.  The waves were scheduled to hit around 11:25am in Maui.  We watched and listened to the radio as the time approached, arrived, and passed without event (some locals called in and joked that the waves were on Hawaii time). About an hour after the alleged arrival time we decided the real danger had passed and headed back to town only to find that the road to the airport was closed and entry blocked by police.  The airport however, was NOT closed, only access to the airport, meaning that flights were still leaving as planned.  The road remained blocked until about 2pm, and since our flight was at 1:45, we missed our plane (along with everyone else).  We ended up waiting in a nearby store parking lot with a whole bunch of other tourists until the road reopened and we all made a mad dash to get in line to rebook flights.  It was like trying to leave a Dodgers game.

No more boring details.  We finally got a flight and made it back to LA around 12:30am this morning.  We survived the tsunami of 2010!!

Below are some pictures of the more fun parts of the week.

First night on Maui

Molokini- partially submerged crater about 2.5mi off the coast.  We took a boat out to snorkel inside the crater.  Very cool.

Black sand beach- on the road to Hana

Luau

Our last sunset on Maui

Baking Update

So I've decided it's time to follow up on my December 19th post regarding my baking resolution.

I'm on pace...pretty much.  I think I am one week behind, meaning there is only one week in 2010 where I haven't put forth a baked good.  I started with some easier recipes, things I felt I had a reasonable chance of completing correctly.  For example-

Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread

Zucchini Walnut Bread

Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies

as well as some cupcakes that didn't turn out so well, and so will not be receiving any airtime.

This week I decided it was time to up my game (disastrous chocolate cupcakes aside), and ended up taking on a much larger project than I had planned.  Valentines Day Croissants.

For those who have never considered what goes into making such things (I hadn't), it starts with just a basic bread dough, no big deal...or so I thought.  Once the dough is made, the real work begins.  The dough is rolled flat into a 10in by 16in rectangle, into the middle of which is placed 3 cubes of butter, which must be shaped into an 5in by 8in rectangle.  The dough is then folded into thirds (like a letter) over the butter and the whole thing is then rolled into a 10in by 15in rectangle, which is folded back into thirds and put into the fridge to chill for an hour.  You then repeat the process of rolling the dough out into a 10 by 15 rectangle and folding it into thirds three more times, chilling an hour between each.   Following the final folding, the dough is placed into the fridge to chill for at least eight hours.

I realize the above makes no sense, I mean, I wrote it, and recently made the recipe, and I still can't make any sense out of it.  Don't worry, the details aren't important.  All one really needs to know is that it takes a ruler and about 14 hours before the dough is ready to be rolled out, cut, and rolled into little croissants.  But I digress.  They turned out great, and we even made eight or so chocolate.  Below are some pictures-before and after baking.


The burrito looking ones at the bottom are the pain au chocolat

Up In The Air

Ally and I saw the movie "Up In The Air" yesterday. Good movie- well written, well directed, well acted...I see why it's received the acclaim it has. Ultimately though the movie left me sort of unfulfilled, it's almost as though it has no resolution, it's undone.

Perhaps that's why it's done so well. I suppose it's a truer reflection of life that what is generally portrayed in movies. I think we all can agree that in real life things don't get wrapped-up into a nice little happily-ever-after. Life is unpredictable and often not what you expect, and at times sad. It's just that George Clooney's character seems to be having one of those life changing learning experiences, something that turns everything he's ever believed on it's head, and then life almost explicitly confirms his former way of belief. Ironic. Anyhow, it was a good flick- I recommend checking it out, but wait until it comes out on video.

Time To Bake

I used to be a professional baker. Ok, I worked as a baker at Great Harvest for 2.5 years while I was in college, but as it was my livelyhood, I think I can say with at least some truthfulness that I was a baker, "professionally."

One thing that is absolutely true is that it was the favorite job of my pre college-graduate life. I loved to bake. I loved the smells, the textures, the flavors- I didn't even mind the early mornings. Oddly, I haven't baked more than a couple dozen batches of cookies, and a few rolls since I stopped working at GH. I've missed it, but not enough to do something about it. So I have decided that in 2010 I will remedy the situation and start baking on a regular basis. I have even set some goals around it. I am going to bake something new each week for the entire year of 2010. That's 52 unique and different recipes over the course of the year.

This is not some weird Julie and Julia want-to-be project, it's just something I'm doing because I love it and I want to develop the hobby more fully. I will try to update the blog with pictures and posts of the more interesting creations. Look for it in 2010.

HD

I am a big fan of the show "30 Rock." This past week there was a scene where they were filming a promo for Liz Lemon's new talk show, and were considering filming a potion in high definition. Whenever a character would walk in front of the HD camera, the monitor on set would show what they "really" looked like. For example, Liz was covered in warts and wrinkles, Kenneth was a puppet, and Jack, of course, was young, thin, and handsome. It seems to me that it is only logical to now wonder how I would appear were I to be broadcast in 1080p.

Hopefully this

Probably more like this

Hopefully not this