the trees are blossoming

I LOVE blossoming trees.  Especially the pink ones. :)  I am grateful to live in the City of Trees so I can see them all. :)

Well February came and went so fast, and I never even posted once!  The first half of February was pretty fun, I had a birthday and we celebrated Valentines.  I made it easy for Mr. Man this year... I looked him straight in the eye and said, "Here's what I want for my birthday.  I want a betta fishy.  I want to go to Michaels and pick out a pretty vase and pretty rocks, then go to Petsmart and pick out my fishy.  And I want to get him a plant and he will be my fishy and I will name him whatever I want."  He was pretty happy to get out of the pressure of gift shopping. :)
So now I have a beautiful betta fish named Giacomo: King of Fishy and Fishy of Kings.

Unfortunately, my fishy is giving me vibes like he hates me.  He doesn't seem to be very content with the food and home I have provided for him.  I feel like I'm keeping my fishy hostage.

Valentines was pretty easy too, we bought each other Little Big Planet 2 (only the coolest video game I've ever played).  I wish I could explain it for those of you who don't know what it is... but maybe this will be better:


We also went for the first time to Tex Wasabi's, one of our new favorite places to eat on the planet.  Tex Wasabi's is officially classified as Sushi BBQ.  They have a full menu of authentic sushi, a full menu of authentic Southern BBQ and THEN they have this section of the menu called "Gringo Sushi" that is TO DIE FOR.  We tried three different ones:

1. "Kemosabe Roll" - "Tapioca rice paper roll with sushi rice, BBQ beef brisket, french fries, crispy onions and a garlic chili mayo sauce" 
2. "Jackass Roll"  -  "Tapioca rice paper roll with sushi rice, avocado, BBQ pork, french fries and a garlic chili mayo sauce" 
3. "Hidden Chicken Roll"  -  "Grilled marinated teriyaki chicken, wrapped with avocado, mandarin oranges, crushed wontons and lettuce in tapioca paper. Served with a teriyaki dipping sauce."

It was seriously the best thing ever.  And Corey hates real sushi.
This is how I felt about this place:

We also went to a Valentine's Dinner at our church, and played the Newlywed Game... and won.  Whaaaat?!
This is us with Pastor Kyle after winning:

...and this is us in the "photo booth"... we decided not to tell each other what we had written on our little chalkboards, and man, did we LAUGH when we saw this picture.  I thought for sure he would write something funny!

The rest of February was pretty uneventful.  I got a cold that knocked me out for 5 days, we worked our butts off, and we battled Corey's homework.

The day-to-day is still pretty difficult, Mr. Man and I don't get a lot of time together, which is fairly normal for a married couple as I understand, but no fun.  And I really really really really miss my galfriends.  Turns out my life is surrounded by boys, and however cool they are, I miss being around women.

A couple cool things, though... we started attending a Life Group on Thursday nights that we LOVE.  The fellowship of like-minded believers is so beautiful.  Also, (I don't remember if I've mentioned this) I now have 5 (FIVE!) voice students.  It's a lot to handle on top of working 40 hours a week at a crazy job, but I LOVE it.  Music and teaching are still my true first loves, and now two nights a week my soul is revitalized.  Overall, we are just SO blessed, and Jesus is taking good care of us. :)

...and I am reminded of that every time I see a blossoming tree. :)

Warning: Sappy Alert

Well I meant to write this post almost a month ago around our anniversary on the 9th.  I never got a chance, but I figger that Valentines Day is right around the corner anyhow. :)

Corey and I have been married for one year.  What a glorious thing.  We recently had some friends ask us, "So tell us what it's like being married for a year!" and we looked at each other pretty puzzled.  One year?! We have been on such a journey in the past year, and if you have been following my blog you've been through it with us, but around our anniversary I decided I wanted to explore that question, "What's it like being married for a year?"

Marriage is "AWESOME!!!" said with a goofy face and a giggle... and maybe my tongue sticking out.  And that's exactly what it is, in every sense of the word "awesome."  Awesome, like the coolest most epic thing ever, and awesome like it makes my jaw drop.  "Like a hundred billion hot dogs, sir."  (If any one gets that reference I'll ask my husband to make you a cookie.)  The way the Lord provides such fulfillment and happiness in a marriage that is based on love and trust and Jesus is awe-some. 

One of the best parts of being married to Corey is that he is my home.  He is my safe place.  He is where all the chaos of my life falls back into place like Mary Poppins cleaning a bedroom.  All I need to do is feel his touch.  And lucky for me, we work at the same place, so when he gets to work late afternoon, after I've already been there all day, I just reach out and with one finger, touch his arm (as more than that constitutes too much PDA at work), and all the tension in my muscles releases. 

Corey keeps me laughing.  Life is hard, and I get dragged down very easily, but my silly husband knows how to make me laugh.  And how to make me silly.  Silly is excellent for your health, you should try it.

There is something to be said for communication (as much as one year of marriage can be witness).  In all the years that Corey and I have been together, we have made it a point to always tell each other how we are feeling.  And there has only been one time in almost 4 years that I would actually call a fight between us.  If one of us is a little unhappy with something, we normally can't keep it in for very long, we end up fixing it within an hour or shorter.  And normally it's stupid stuff about the trash or the dishes.  And normally it's just me being a pouty woman.  (My man is also very patient).

I could just go on and on!  I guess I set myself up by asking a very open ended question of myself with something so deep... but in a nutshell, Corey and I are never as happy, at home, restful, peaceful, mature, or silly as we are when we're together.  We truly complete each other.  I heard that the first year of marriage is supposed to be the hardest?  Um, I can't imagine anything better than this.  And the exciting thing is, I know it WILL get better.  Jesus is good.  I love my husband.

Burgers, Coffee, and Whatever Chef is Making

I am not a dreamer.  I have probably mentioned this before... but I have become too much of a pessimistic realist to do much dreaming.  But today, I had a conversation that sparked a very interesting journey in my brain, and I think it has had a lasting effect on me.  I think that aside from being so pessimistic, I have always felt that I wasn't allowed to dream.  This is the life that Jesus gave me, He knows the future, it's His plan and my dreams or aspirations will get in the way.  I think I have been wrong.  There is nothing wrong with a dream as long as there is the full realization that Jesus decides if it comes true or not, rather than me.  And if I pursue Jesus before my own dreams.

So, I've been dreaming all day! I dreamed up a list of things I would absolutely love to do before I die.  I dreamed up things I would like to see in place in my life in the future.  I dreamed up things as frivolous as the design of a perfect guest room in a future house.  I dreamed about the orphans and needy children I would help if I had the money.  Part of me wants to share some of my list with you because I am so excited about it, but I think I will have to keep it to myself.  Dreams are pretty vulnerable things, you know.  And it might show you how much of a nerd I am.

But it was so liberating!  And the reminder that came along with it was also impressive:  Corey and I have our WHOLE lives ahead of us!  We are not going to be doing the exact same job, living in the exact same apartment, making the exact same money forever.  We could end up doing something we never dreamed (ha) we would like!  How thrilling!  How adventurous!  (If you haven't noticed, this kind of thing is really out of the box for me... adventure? What's that?)

The conversation that sparked my life dreaming was a discussion about career choices.  I am not necessarily searching for a career right now, as I would say I am plenty invested where I am.  But, really though, Corey and I could chose to do anything we want!  I love that idea!  I also love that my Jesus is a loving God who will support the desires of our hearts if they are in line with His plan!

So stay tuned to the adventures of the C. Hunts!  Who knows, maybe 15 years from now we will own a snazzy restaurant called, "Burgers, Coffee, and Whatever Chef is Making."  Or maybe not.

2010 in review

What a year 2010 has been!  I love New Year's because it is a great time to look at the big picture, and remember all the things that have happened!  We are so grateful to Jesus for His infinite love and grace and provision!

• First and biggest, we got MURRIED!! That was obviously my favorite part of the year and the happiest day of my life.  (It will be our anniversary in 7 days... whaaaat?!)
• I got to be a bridesmaid in a bestie's wedding one week before mine. :)
• Corey lost his job and was unemployed for the first 6 months of our marriage.  Yeah, that sucked really badly, but it was a learning experience! 
• Corey started culinary school.
• We got to move out of the terrible living conditions of our Penn Valley garage and into a wonderful apartment in Sac with a door on the bathroom.
• We found an awesome church with great teaching and great people.
• Corey got a job at Chipotle and ate lots and lots of burritos.
• I switched jobs to my ever morphing position for Eve Justice and her businesses, currently the "administrative manager" for Black Bear Diner in Sac.
• Corey switched jobs to work as a line cook at the same Black Bear Diner, and has kicked butt in the last 3 months.
• We got a mini vacation to Yosemite where favorites Jared and Jenny got engaged!
• We worked, worked, and worked some more.
• We went to LA 3 times in the last two months, once to throw Jenny a bridal shower, next for the wedding of favorites Josh and Naomi, and lastly for New Year's Eve wedding of Jared and Jenny!  And Jenny being one of the most special people to me in the whole world... indescribable joy at her happy marriage :)
• We have been able to spend significant time with our families, especially at holidays, and my 2 year old nephew calls me Auntie Coco.  We also found out we have another nephew or niece on the way!
• The roof of our apartment leaked on us right before Christmas, forcing us to sleep in the living room.  We made a Christmas fort out of our whole living room.
• I got to teach one voice student all year and see him progress very far.
• Our cars have done well, which is a praise indeed!
• And now looking back at a year of marriage, we realize we are as giddy and happy as we were before, and infinitely more in love with each other.

Here are some favorite pictures of 2010:

Beautiful January wedding:

So many fun friends:

 honeymoon in Tahoe:

Quick trip to Santa Cruz for a wedding... the hairy days:   

New apartment, bigger sink :)

Adorable nephew:

Yosemite:

 Labor Day:

The Diner opening:

Thanksgiving:

Josh and Naomi

Ma Cherie:

My love and the end of 2010:

On trying to be superwoman

You may notice my lack of posts of late, and the reason is simple.  When I think of writing a blog, I only think of bad things to say.  :(  Work has been extremely life-consuming and enormously frustrating, to be honest.  When I get home, I crash emotionally as well as physically and writing a blog that anyone would want to read sounds like a joke. :)  Of course there are moments when I forget about work, but I am normally enjoying them with Mr. Man and I don't want to leave him to write, as you must understand.  We don't get much time together.


Turns out, I have tried to be superwoman my whole life.  (Not completely without relying on Jesus)

I was the kind of kid that wanted to be a grown up.  I tied my shoes at 2 years old and my parents would hear me yell in my sleep "I DO IT!!"

I have always been the older sibling, and was "babysitting" them for as long as I can remember.  I even helped homeschool them a little bit.  (And the moment I turned 13 I was on everyone in the church's babysitting and housesitting lists).

I was involved in my church, teaching Sunday School, singing in choir, youth group worship team, VBS... the whole nine yards, starting as soon as I became a teenager.

Then in high school I extra-curriculared myself to death: Academic Decathlon, volunteering in the library, clubs... and took Advanced and AP classes... maintained above a 4.0 GPA... perfect attendance.  (Yeah, a lot of you reading already hate me.)  Oh, and I started driving and working right when I turned 16.

Then came college... when I took on a double emphasis in music, took over 18 units almost every semester, worked, was section leader, TA, secretary, and above for choirs... interned with a local Christian school's choral instructor... (and got mono senior year).

THEN I planned my whole wedding (I did have help from some very special ladies).

Insert about 6 months of "down time" where my job was not stressful, but Mr. Man's unemployment and me being moved to part time was.

THEN comes now.  I currently run Black Bear Diner Sacramento's accounts payable, HR (encompassing the MESS that is employee paperwork), and payroll "departments," I work with the inventory system, I have my foot in marketing and banquets, I keep up ordering some supplies for the restaurant, I manage the gift shop inventory and stocking, I field fundraising and advertising opportunities, I chase the managers around with my papers trying to get them to take a second and give me stuff I need to do my job... and I am supposed to be tracking daily sales, deposits, etc. (but that hasn't happened yet).  And that's just the defined stuff.  I was hired to be assistant to the owner, so often I pick up overflow off her enormous plate of stuff she's trying to do.  And I also work a little bit with her other businesses, although that is not happening much right now either.
And the restaurant industry has an element that I have never experienced at this level:  DRAMA.  On top of trying to juggle my duties, I am pulled in to an insane amount of drama, and let me tell you: I. hate. drama.

(oh, and I s'pose housework and laundry doesn't really count)

So there you have it.  And as you might have guessed, my best superwoman impression isn't enough to handle this job right now, and I am worn out.  I am having to learn how to let out aggression and frustration quickly, how to be ok with things not being perfect, and how to be satisfied with my best even when it's not enough. 

I am unspeakably grateful that I have the assurance that this is a learning time period planned by my Jesus, and not just "my life sucks."  Although I struggle with remembering it, He has a perfect plan and reason for everything. :)  And I would be remiss if I didn't mention how grateful I am for my wonderful husband, who has frustrations too working at the same place, but who is a constant encouragement to me.  The Lord is gracious to give us something solid and happy in the midst of such a raging sea of... mess.

(AND it's Christmas, and I am SO incredibly in love with it... when I get a second to remember what day it is.)   :)

So I been a'thinkin'...

You know those people whose "about me" sections are full of fun things like "I love to crunch leaves" or "I love the feeling of kneading dough"?  I always read those and think, "dang, how do they think of things like that, they must be just so full of life." I sigh, and go back to whatever I was doing, knowing that as a pessimist, I'm not very observant to the little things like that, and therefore I can never have a cool "about me" section of a profile.

So tonight I decided to make a list of little things that make me very happy and share them with you!  It was a really rewarding experience to dwell so long on things that make me happy. :)  You should try it.

• singing at the top of my lungs in the car
• the smell of wet trees
• the relief when my lower back cracks
• the moment my husband comes home
• hash browns
• sunsets while I'm driving
• the first few cold days (or sunny days) of the season
• when the grass is frosty and I get to be the first one to walk on it and make it crunch
• the first sip of coffee
• a clean house
• making my sister smile
• dress "shopping" (which really means, go try on a bunch of crazy dresses but don't buy anything)
• pie
• when the sun comes through the clouds in rays
• trees whose leaves turn red in the fall
• fun socks
• waves crashing on a rocky coastline
• days without mascara
• when you bite an apple and the whole piece snaps off
• buttermilk spice muffins from Mimi's
• listening to music my brother wrote
• long calls with galfriends
• the smell of the ocean in the air
• dreaming in French
• writing with purple pen
• birds chirping outside my window
• wearing something new for the first time
• the cello
• hugging my mom
• the smell of jasmine
• a nap on Sundays
• a kitty purring on my tummy
• window shopping at shiny things
• fresh peaches
• my dad or husband playing the guitar
• good hair days
• warm pumpkin scones
• when my nephew calls me "Coco"
• texts in the middle of the day from Mr. Man
• sweat pants and a ponytail
• the way my in-laws' dirt driveway sounds when we drive up
• green apple fruit snacks
• clean sheets
• pictures on my wall
• dark chocolate everything
• when you change lanes without hitting a bump
• choral music

What things make you happy?

A Baking Adventure

This is a very embarrassing tale of what happens when I try to bake while my husband is sleeping.

I have been planning to make banana bread ever since I bought more bananas than I knew I would have time to eat before they rot (rotted?).  This morning, Mr. Man is uncommonly (and a little scarily) exhausted and he is still sleeping, and I couldn't sleep past 8. :(  So I figured I would do a little cute wife-in-the-kitchen thing and make banana bread.  So I put on an old apron, put some music on, and began.

Step one, find a recipe.  I pulled out my America's Test Kitchen Baking cookbook (thank you, Firstbrooks) and found the banana bread recipe.  I had made it once before from this cookbook, so I pulled out a couple ingredients and started pouring dry ingredients into a bowl.  The little voices inside of me (mostly of my Mom and my husband) told me, "The first thing you do when you start a recipe is make sure you have all the ingredients."  ... and I ignored it.  Stupid thing #1. 

I mashed the 'naners and then discovered the recipe calls for plain yogurt.  Oops.  Sorry, Mom.  I looked up a substitution for yogurt: sour cream.  Nope.  Crap. 

At this point I am wishing my mom was available by phone.  Mental note: do not ever bake again by yourself.

Then I spent the next 20 minutes searching for a different recipe for which I had all the ingredients.  I had already measured the dry ingredients for the other recipe, and we're almost out of flour and sugar, so I was trying to find something I could still use my dry mix for.  Almost every recipe I came across needed something random that we don't have in the house (and if I ran to the store real quick, I'm sure Mr. Man would wake up and freak out because I was gone).  I eventually found a recipe that I decided to try even though I didn't have any ginger or shortening, and I had already put in 1/4tsp too much baking soda.  Stupid thing #2?  (We'll find out).  I starting mixing ingredients with my handy-dandy hand mixer, making a fantastic mess.  I substituted butter for the shortening because the internet said I could, and left the ginger out completely. 

I finished mixing everything together and then went to get the chocolate chips to fold in.  ...and I had left them on top of the stove that had been heating up for about 45 minutes.  Stupid thing #3.  Half the chips were completely melted.  And what did I do?  Squeezed the bag, got 1 cup worth of chocolate goo, and "folded" it in anyway.  Stupid thing #4?  ("I didn't come this far to NOT have chocolate in my dang banana bread!")

I stuck the pan in the oven, set the timer for 60 minutes (or so I thought), and then commenced taking care of the rest of the chocolate chip mess.  I squeezed the rest of the goop out into a measuring cup and stared at it, sampled some, and grunted out of frustration a couple times.  I wasted a whole bag of chocolate chips.  So... I grabbed the pretzels out of the pantry and decided maybe I would try to make chocolate dipped pretzels!  Great idea, right?  So I grabbed foil because we have no waxed paper and made another extraordinary mess.  The whole time I am thinking, "I don't think that chocolate chips are meant for this, I bet it's not even gonna work," but I felt valiant for trying to save my mistake.

Somewhere in the middle of that, I realize that I didn't press start on the timer.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!  Ugh.  Really, I'm NEVER cooking again.  I'm so glad Corey is asleep for all of this.

So I commenced cleaning up, making a third mess with the flour, ending up transferring the bag to one container... and then into two because the first one didn't fit it all.  Good grief.

I sat down to begin this blog post, checking on the bread a couple times.  I went to check on Mr. Man a couple minutes ago, making sure he was still breathing, and he woke up and said it smelled good.  I laughed and mumbled something about having a baking adventure and I couldn't tell him all about it until I finished my blog.  He said, "Oh no!  You put cheese in it, didn't you!"  He always knows how to make me feel better.

Then he came out and promptly started eating the pretzels, saying that I should have greased the foil and stuck it in the freezer.  Great.  The chocolate won't completely harden and pulls off the pretzel when you pick one up.  Oh well.  I tried.

The bread is now out of the oven, and I know the center is gooey, but I had to pull it out because the top was burning.  We'll see how it tastes.  I'm a little nervous.

At least I didn't put in baking soda instead of baking powder.