I’m on the flight back to Los Angeles right now, taking advantage of the free wi-fi promotion on Virgin America. I’m also trying very, very hard not to puke as the plane rocks up and down like a raft in a stormy sea…urgh…Please, just at least let me finish this blog post before I puke my lunch out.
Anyway. I have said goodbye to my parents, and am back on my way to independence and warm weather. As I waved goodbye to them, I couldn’t help feeling a pang of homesickness and sadness, although I have yet to leave the east coast. It’s been so nice and endearing to be back home, to freely use my parents money, to see the joyful faces of my friends and my church family. It’s been refreshing and heart-warming to walk down the familiar streets, to frequent my neighborhood Whole Foods, to talk a mile to dozen in rapid Korean. And all throughout my stay back home, I told myself again and again, “I can’t believe I almost didn’t come home.”
Out of a moment of anger and dread, I had actually considered burning my air ticket and not coming home at all. I almost lost Christmas with my family. I almost lost the chance to see my dear cousin again. I almost lost the chance to resolve a huge misunderstanding with my best friend. I almost lost the blessings and encouraging words and gifts from my church family. All because of a single, fiery consumption of rage and negativity.
I guess you see where I’m going with this. Part III of this New Year’s Self-Reflection: Prayer Topics and Renewals.
As I said, I am not perfect. I’m still a student in Life University, learning to be a better person. As I mentioned on this post, my dream for this year 2010 is to be a “beautiful” person. But what am I going to do today to achieve that dream? We all know what happens to New Year Resolutions. We make them, we may even jot them down on a fancy notebook, and then we promptly forget about it. Or we make that old excuse, “I’ll start tomorrow.” Most of the time, these resolutions are so vague that we feel that we need a lot of time in order to achieve it, and don’t really plan out what we’re going to do each and every single day in order to progress towards that goal.
So I think the key is to make our resolutions as detailed as possible, preferably a day-to-day resolution, and make it realistic and practical enough so that we don’t get intimidated by it. And, of course, we really need to commit to them. Actually, I’d rather call them prayer topics, because I know that I probably will not be able to meet them without constantly being in touch with God’s power and wisdom.
In fact, looking back into my New York trip on New Years, it became painfully aware to me how tough it will be to renew myself. A lot of my unpleasant personality just surge out so naturally and unconsciously that I have no control over them at all until it’s too late! Thankfully, my cousin is an amazingly resilient and cheerful girl, and she didn’t take my tempers to heart. The banana cream pie I baked for her might have helped: 
Look at that happy face. 
I tell you, this girl is so easy to please. And I love her to death, even if she drives me crazy sometimes. By the way, the recipe I used for the banana cream pie was from C & H Sugar. I made my own crust using a basic sweet tart dough recipe, and used a 12-inch tart pan. 
It was freaking delicious, if I say so myself. The whole 12-inch pie was gone within 2 days. No kidding. I had to bake another one for my cousin just before she left.
Anyway, here’s my Prayer Topics for this year, broken down into categories:
Spiritual:
Academic: Lifestyle: Physical: Financial: Self: Blogging: Okay, it’s been 5 days into the new year, and I have yet to meet many of these yet, but I’m glad I have them all down in concrete writing so that I can easily check each of them off, starting…now. But I did meet one of them, which is to meet more amazing bloggers. I had a great DC blogger meet-up on Saturday with Maya from American Gourmand and Tou Tou from Light Delight with Tou Tou. Unfortunately, a many other bloggers in the area could not make it, so it was just the three of us in Zest Bistro. After awhile, Maya joined us. We were hungry, so we ordered promptly. Tou Tou and Maya both ordered the grilled salmon salad: I got the Roasted Leg of Lamb sandwich: We took a final picture together: And so concludes my New Year Self-Reflection trilogy…meanwhile, the start of my self-renewal to be a more beautiful person begins, right now. See you in Los Angeles! I’m close to puking and I need to quell my stomach right now. Damn those nuts! Question of the day: What are some detailed things you are going to do different this new year? And have you had a blogger meet-up yet?
Zest Bistro was actually recommended by Rebecca from All Vegged Out, but she couldn’t make it either. It’s located in DC, a new bistro with stylish lighting and a mix of both modern and oldish interior design: 
Poor Tou Tou arrived first, and had to wait alone for some time. But I think the server thought she got ditched by her date, so she got the royal treatment. When I arrived about 15 minutes later, we hit it off right away. 
Tou Tou is a relatively new blogger; she only started her blog in October. She’s a former roommate of Coco, who introduced her to the world of blogging…and I’m mighty glad she joined us, because she’s an extremely sweet, personable person, with fun, whimsical, and eclectic dishes on her blog. Please welcome her, if you haven’t already done so! She is such a pleasure to be with! 
I recognized her straight away: a tall, statuesque young lady, with a radiant smile and gorgeous curly hair. This girl is so much fun to be with; she might even talk faster than I do! You won’t have a moment’s boredom with this girl around! 
Mixed greens, oven roasted tomatoes, roasted corn, pine nuts, tarragon basil dressing 
It was a brilliant plate of colors. The salmon looked nicely cooked, too. 
Roasted lamb on Grilled Flatbread with caramelized onions, crumbled feta, pomegranate bbq. With mixed green on the side.
Holy yum! This was freaking amazing. The only weird thing was that the Pomegranate BBQ came on the side. Just as well, because I didn’t end up using all of it. It was tangy, sweet, and utterly delicious, but a little dab went a long way. 
I’ve never really been a fan of lamb. Not because it’s cute, but because it tastes so…gamey. It just has that weird muttony taste and smell, but this sandwich had none of that. The meat was incredibly tender and juicy, dripping with lovely, umami-rich juices! The bread was fabulous, too. Soft, chewy, and just the right ratio of bread to filling: 
I only wish it had more feta cheese; it was rather skimpy in that area. 
I adore blogger meet-ups so much. It’s so strange to finally put a face and a real person behind the blog you read for months and months, and when we finally get to meet, it’s like we’ve always been old friends. It’s a strange, yet wonderful feeling. If you haven’t had a blogger meet-up yet, make that your new year’s resolution! 
Don’t get me wrong, our server was an extremely nice person, and I gave him a generous tip, but he is an awful photographer. Ah, well. There’s always a next time!
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nice blog theme girlie! That pie would make any face happy!
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I am working on being more optimistic too!
I have never had a blogger meetup – New England is not very exciting – there’s not many bloggers around me
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Oh my goodness, you are incredibly ambitious with your goals – good for you, aim high. Sounds like you had a great time home with your family. I am so happy for you. Hopefully the weather behaved most of the time.
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I think your resolutions are awesome Sophia! It’s definitely better to break them up into day-by-day things you can do rather than to just stick with overarching goals. Those can seem WAY too intimidating and so it’s easier to give up on them. Plus enjoying life is about the little things right?
Your banana cream tart looks amazing! Are you sure you’re not a dessert person?
I love blogger meet-ups. I wish we could have had one! Like I said though, there will be a next time. More incentive for me to make the trip out to CA!
The food you had at that restaurant looks amazing. But then again, I love lamb.
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I’m focusing on changing my internal language. I’m choosing things instead of “having to do” them.
I’m getting exercise, which I desperately need.
I’m working on balance and being more open to the universe.
And I had a lovely blogger meet-up just last week!
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Great goals! I love the different categories – so important to have goals in all areas of life.
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I loved reading every word of your New Years trilogy… It’s definitely on par with the Lord of the Rings trilogy!
I’ve never participated in a blogger meet up. I’m new to Blogland though so there’s plenty of time! I’d probably be super awkward like I get when I’m nervous.
My biggest resolution at this exact moment is to follow my instincts and do what I KNOW is right, rather than allowing my head to persuade into going against my gut.
I hope the rest of your flight went smoothly!
Rachael*
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Okay before I forget to make this point I’m going to write it out right now! You are NOT a sore turd to the blogging community lol. Your posts may not always be super cheery but you always have something important to say. I feel that you are very insightful and I love reading your blog. Anyway, I’ve only had one blogger meet-up but I really want to have more. It seems like there have been so many meet-ups going around. I don’t think there are any bloggers in the south Florida area actually. Do you know of any?? I want to practice more patience with my parents. I think that since I know they’ll always be around.. it’s like a weird cue to cut them short sometimes. I have so much patience with everyone else but when it comes to my parents.. not so much. I have to realize that it’s not a big deal to cut out a few minutes to explain something to them. I really like the list you made up. You’re so right about making goals attainable! The more little goals you set up for yourself, and the more you accomplish, you realize you just keep moving forward. It also helps build confidence
p.s. get on that German chocolate girl
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I hope you meet all of your goals and then some hon’. It’s too bad that you had such a bad experience in NY, it’s such an awesome place.
I’ve never had a blogger meet up before, looks like fun. I think I’d be nervous about one, whenever I meet someone new I wind up being at a loss for things to say
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Ummm…So when are we going to have our meet up? hehehe…;-D I had a meet up once last year with a few of the LA bloggers. I love meeting people, so if I’m available for a meetup I certainly try to make it.
I didn’t really make resolutions this year, too. Instead I made goals. I think that helps me more in achieving them. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.
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What a wonderful list of resolutions! I need to work on getting to bed earlier too. Gorgeous banana cream pie too – I love that you used a tart pan!
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OK, the salmon looks delish. But the banana cream pie? Oh my, oh my! That is a beaut!
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I actually LOVE all of your prayer topics. Um, probably because they resonate with my own on a near-99% matching basis. (Seriously, I cannot locate the other 1%, except perhaps for the desire to gain muscles, calves and boobs.)
But I have learned that prayer is the key to everything. It is exactly like you said: “I probably will not be able to meet them without constantly being in touch with God’s power and wisdom.” All those things like cleaning our room and going to bed earlier? Even the matter of being prudent with our finances… It all comes spontaneously when we are persons who live in the presence of the Lord. When we enjoy Him in a real and genuine way, His life operates automatically, spontaneously, and effortlessly to regulate our daily living to make us proper persons for His purpose and His glory. Keep walking worthily of your calling, sistah!
=) Aletheia
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Wow! That pie looks fantastic! I really marvel at your baking skills, Sophia! Yum yum… I can’t wait to meet up with you too!
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Glad you had a great trip home. Isn’t is nice when things surpass your expectations? Nice work setting some realistc goals. I still need to work on my resolutions!
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yum, the banana cream pie looks so good! And your blogger meetup in DC sounds like so much fun, I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it. Hope to see you next time you’re home.
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I think out of all the bloggers that have book deals right now, I think you would be a perfect, er better candidate! I love reading
you have some great resolutions, I want boobs too 
I did have my first bloggie meet-up and it was a blast! Have a safe trip home, hope your tummy settles. I’d like some of that pie right now.
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That pie…that sandwich….sweet wounded wuffles.
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I like your goals
Good luck with school. Do your best!
love meeting your blogger friends too. oh and that pie!!!
xoxo jen
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I NEED to me more optimistic too! therea re so many days that I just see the glass half empty and I need to think abotu all the things I am thankful for and how I need to have a better outlook! its so important!!
the grilled salmon salad looks SO BEAUTIFUL! and delicious too!!
I would love to take a big bite of that!
i cant wait to see your yummy creations!
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Wow, I have so many things in myself that I need to improve. Mainly my temper and be more patient with my girls, they’re teenagers and i have to accept the fact that the only things they can remember is to text, update their Facebook and ask me for money.
I just need to take it day to day and try to be a better person.
I haven’t been to an actual meetup in my town, but I have had lunch with one blogging buddy a couple of times and have been thinking of organizing something.
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Hi Sophia,
Thanks for visiting my site and saying ‘hi’.
Ithaca is really beautiful, I enjoy it a lot when we visit–especially since it was so much warmer there than it was in Montreal (where I live) over the holidays!
Your blog looks like a lot of fun, and I look forward to reading more!
Happy 2010!
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Your banana creme pie looks amazing! You’re quite the talent. Also, lovely blogger meet up.
Sarah
http://www.sarahdbelle.wordpress.com
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Great title for a movie: The Final Of The Beginning, you can try cinema.
I can understand why this happy face with this sweetie
Hope you can achieve all your goals!!
All the best,
Gera
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What an awesome blog meet-up! It looks like you all had a lot of fun.
I love your goal list. I can honestly say that I’m aspiring to meet many of the same goals, myself.
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That banana cream pie..oh my..
Best of luck/strength with your resolutions.
So much fun to meet up with other bloggers, Im so envious!
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Really great post – good luck with you New Year’s goals! Lovely pie as well
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i’m not a big fan of lamb – i guess i didn’t grow up eating it, that’s why!
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Happy New Year Sophia!!! I LOVE, love, love your new “home” on the internet. So very cool. It sure sounds like you’ve been busy and going to be extremely busy if that’s possible. It’s been pretty crazy around here too. Ever since my daughter came with the kids in November, it seems like time has been whizzing by. I’m all moved in to Pennsylvania, finally after 7 years of living in to places and really living in none.
I wish you much happiness in your life and goals for the new year. Your blog looks so energizing just like you!!! The food looks pretty darn good too, especially that pie!!!
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What a great post. Lots of great goals!
And your banana cream pie looks heavenly!
I was able to meet A LOT of bloggers at the Food BlogHer conference in San Francisco
this past Sept. It was awesome!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed Zest! I’m sad I missed it though
I asked Amanda (the owner) if she saw my friends- the ones with the cameras, and she laughed and said yes 
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What amazing wonderful goals girl!!! My day to days are reading more, spending more time reflecting reading the bible praying. Looks like you had a wonderful blogger meetup!! <3 <3
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I was that salmon salad, I am drooooooling!!! ha ha!
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I am a huge lover! Many thanks writing this
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