Brain needs More Ram..Confabulations

I would like to think I have a really good memory, but unfortunately, my friend Tran has pointed out that my memory of events when I lived in Seattle has been slowly vanishing with time. Unlike me, Tran keeps tickets of events she's been to, postcards that friends have sent her, and she collects them in the box she calls "junk". I used to have a keepsake box, but after moving around, I decided to go without a keepsake box, and at times I would end up throwing away postcards sent to me. Don't get me wrong, I am sentimental, but I don't believe you need to keep everything to preserve a memory of events that was meaningful. But today's conversation with Tran, has made me question my memory and my ability to preserve things nowadays. It might have to do with the inability to retain information for school let alone memories that occurred 6 years ago. I believe that our mind is a tricky thing, that sometimes forgoes the old to make room for the new, since humans are not yet sophisticated enough to figure out how to use our entire brain to it's full potential.
It bring me to times when I need to retrace my steps when I have forgotten something. When we recall a memory, our mind will automatically "flesh out" the recollection by inventing details of the event, based on previous similar experiences. This process is largely unconscious We are not generally aware of it happening. The mind can add new components to the memory that are unrelated to the original event. Even more interestingly, these distortions will later re-enter our memory. I have always found it so fascinating. Man's reality is his mind's own creation, a memory is not recorded, but at times re-edited.
What is my point? It's good to take photos, it's good to keep a journal, because memory alone will not do justice.

PDA..and not the Personal Digital Assistant Kind..

So a bunch of my friends and I went out for a late night snack at Holeman and Finch in ATL, GA, since our attempts at watching the Presidential Debates was a snooze. H&F has the best 10pm burger in town, and alot of small plates of yummies. The drinks are made with care, the place is just an awesome small place to hangout. So Kit, Pam, Sean, and I were all hanging out, when in comes a man with a denim shirt and levis stone washed jeans, around his late 50's early 60's, with a gal that looked like she came out of the movie "Working Girls". She wore a black skirt suite from the 80's, with MY GOD black stalkings, another 80's faux pas, I am digressing, but I need to paint a visual for you folks! The bar was full they were standing and chatting and then my god, my poor eyes, he started sucking her face. Literally sucking her face, in a crowded bar, where folks were trying to eat and drink and have a good time. I got blank stares from my friend, as well as neighboring tables, all with the same thought of " WTF is wrong with this old dude, and his call girl?" Sounds mean I know, but let's be real here, the guy was like 60+ atleast, and his lady friend was I would say at most 40, in great shape, and looked like an 80's call girl. Their attempt at PDA was trashy, and should have been left for a seedy bar, or a couch at the old man's house, not at a classy fun speakeasy like H&F.
The couple eventually got a seat at the bar with a friend, and all the time they were sitting at the bar, the Gramps put his hands down this gal's skirt, and up her blouse, coming from the back- so of course their backs were turned to us, and we got this whole show for the entire night of our stay, a good 45 minutes of groping .."yeah thanks old man" . It was by most the most disturbing PDA ever, and call is ageism, but it was worse since the dude was 60+.
It created a good conversation, of us trying to guess what he did for a living,we already assumed she was a small town girl, using Gramps for all he had. Gramps we assumed was a Jewish lawyer or doctor who is going through his mid-life crisis, paying alimony, and his 3 kids college education. With what money Gramps had left, he was spending it Viagra and on his "lady friend", taking her out on the town, and sucking her face for all to see!
So what is my point? I appreciate affection, I find it heart-warming when I see people hold hands while enjoying each other's company. Nothing wrong with a little PDA, but please leave the sucking the face at home. We all don't need to see it, nor can my eyes and stomach hold such behavior in a place that we come to eat and drink. BE GRACIOUS TO THOSE AROUND YOU! LEAVE THE FACE SUCKING AT HOME..
(posted some pics from H&F, friend Sean tried taking pics of the "Hands down her pants"- but his Iphone has no flash..note to apple- make a small flash for moments like these!) All Photos Provided BY SEAN M.

SO FUNNY PLEASE WATCH

Katy Perry's Hot N Cold

I love this Song! The Music Video is Fantastic! CHeck it OUT!

Exercise and Sleep

I had the best sleep ever last night. I think it's due to the fact I have been continuosly going to the gym. Over the course of the year, I have not been very motivated to take care of myself, and last week, while pondering over life changes, I decided it was crucial for me to incorporate exercise into my life. It's a great way to relax, have time for yourself, and at the end of the day it makes hitting the pillow alot easier. I have also decided to be more proactive with what I put in my mouth. Will decrease bad carbohydrates and replace it with fruits, veggies, and lean proteins. By New Years I hope I can come closer to a Healthier me!
"Findings from a recent Stanford University Medical School study may come as no surprise: older and middle-age people reported sleeping better when they added regular exercise to their routine. After 16 weeks in a moderate intensity exercise program, subjects were able to fall asleep about 15 minutes earlier and sleep about 45 minutes longer at night.
Researchers selected 29 women and 14 men with mild sleep complaints for a 16-week controlled study. All participants were age 50 to 74, lived sedentary lives, and suffered no cardiovascular disease, stroke or other clinically diagnosed disorder known to cause sleep disorders. All were non-smokers and moderate drinkers. None were seriously overweight or taking hormone replacement therapy, sleep medications or other medications known to affect sleep.

Participants exercised at least four times a week. Twice a week they participated in an organized aerobics class, which included 30 minutes of endurance training. The other two times they exercised on their own, doing 40 minutes of brisk walking or stationary bike riding. To assess impact on sleep, researchers looked at factors such as how long it takes to fall asleep, total hours of sleep per night, how often one wakes up, how one feels when waking up, and daytime function.

The link between aerobic exercise and sleep may seem obvious, but until this study, there has been very little controlled research to support this "conventional wisdom." Researchers were especially concerned about the overemphasis on sedative hypnotic medications for older adults. Though they are only 20% of the population, older Americans receive almost half the medications prescribed to aid sleep. The potential side effects of these drugs-confusion, falls, extended drowsiness, agitation, and interactions with other medications-can be especially problematic for this age group. Until this study, there have been very few attempts to identify effective non-drug approaches to treating mild sleep disorders.

The study also provides further evidence of the interactions of mind and body. In this case improving physical health shows a positive impact on the mind.

RX: Self-Care Tips
Try exercise to help your sleep. Here are some tips.

A drop in body temperature aids sound sleep. So time your exercise five to six hours before bedtime.
Make your exercise vigorous enough to make you sweat a little. Previous studies have shown that non-aerobic stretching and concentration exercises alone did not impart sleep.
Stick with it! Participants in this study did not report improved sleep until they had been exercising for 16 weeks."
By David S. Sobel M.D.

Anthony Bourdain..the Man the Mission.. Trip to Laos

Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservation" is one of my all time favorite shows to curl up with at night. His travels make me so envious, and his experiences and adventurous spirit with the people and the food customs he encounters amazes me. His travel to Laos, was one that really touched me. He visited a family, who opened their home to him. The father had lost an arm and a leg, and the family faced hard times making money, but they were still able to share what food they had with Tony.
Food to me is not the only way to keep a person alive, but it is a part of a culture, and a part of humanity, a way to expand beyond our borders, and reach out and connect with one another in a human level. I hope you enjoy every bite you take, and that food is shared with friends and love ones!

Picture Slide Show Since Living In Atl

Have been living in Atlanta for 11 months now, and it still feels like I just moved here yesterday, but with all the photos, it does show I have been here for awhile. Have met some great folks. I have wonderful roommates. I have my moments of missing home, and missing the parents back in California, but I am here now.

Food Orgasm

Seafood Stew made by Ifeoma


Banana Cream Cheese Cupcakes made by Gretchen O.

Watermelon,radish & prosciutto made by Kit F.

10pm Burger at Holeman & Finch

Friendship and Food

Today a friend and I were able to meet up for some yummy sushi, and enjoy each other's company. It's been awhile since we have met up, and the reason? Well we had some misunderstandings. Due to the stress of life, I and her, were not able to communicate and misunderstandings have occurred. It was as simple as a Gmail Chat, a "sorry I was acting ridiculous", and then next thing you know it, we were across the table eating some deliciously made sushi. My point is, that food and friendships are both very comforting to me. Both of these wonders bring me joy and a happiness that cannot be replaced. No matter where I am, and how far I am from my family, I am fortunate to have found some great people and some wonderful restaurants to not occupy my time, but to share it with great folks that have come to be apart of my life. The sushi at Haru Ichiban in Duluth, GA was delicious, and the folks there were all very nice. The place was cozy, and it created a great and fun environment. We enjoyed our food and each other's company. I have come to realize friendships are a gift, people will always have misunderstandings, no one is perfect, embrace your friends like how you saviour a great meal, a bite at a time.