Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Music Review

Esperanza Spalding's new album dropped last night! And of course I had to purchase immediately. Can I just say that this chick is amazing, and I'm actually really happy she's not mainstream and remained true to herself in this last album. When a jazz artist announces that their next album will be named Radio Music Society, you become a bit concerned as a fan. Favorite artists of yours have gone down that road before and lost you because their true essence was lost in the attempted style change. Not so with Espy, she's got her incredible talent and managed to maintain the original recipe goodness while adding a completely new twist, resulting in the perfect jazz/ blues/ rock/ pop treat.

I particularly fell in love with Cinnamon Tree, Crowned & Kissed (click the picture below for the song stream), and Smile Like That. Of course Black Gold, which was previously released as a single, is also one of my favorites and Let Her has a wonderful beat/ melody and Radio Song is infectious. Land of the Free and Vague Suspicions are extremely political pieces done in a tasteful manner, which was refreshing. When I saw Ms. Spalding perform in LA she played her rendition of MJ's I Can't Help It and had it stuck in my head for an entire week, so I was really happy to see that on the album as well. If I missed a track that's because I can't sort them all out in my head as the album is currently on repeat.


I really can't say enough about this CD, except... O yeah! There's an entire movie included when you purchase the album on iTunes, which is an interesting stringing together of all of the music videos for each song on the album. Though not very cohesive, and a bit artsy-farsty for the average music video viewer, it is very conceptually and visually winsome.

To sum up all of my thoughts about this album:
- There is a song for every emotion you might have about your day/week/year/season in life
- Esperanza injects a new genre into her own style, and does it well
- Instrumentally, every track is very rich and moving
- Excellent use of collaborating talent
- I can't wait to see her in concert sometime in the near future (April 28th anyone??)
- Wonder what she'll do next!

LA Times Review
Chicago Tribune Review
Rolling Stone Review
Go make up your own review and listen to the album

Monday, March 19, 2012

Catch up

Sorry for the lack of posts/ updates/ food news. Work has been really busy! But I love my job :) so that's a blessing.

Guess I'll do a quick mix of a Friday inspiration post with a bit of a weekend update? Why not.

This weekend was hijacked by St. Patty's day madness, which I completely forgot about until I asked what people were doing on Saturday and everyone said they were already out and about. After a nice sola  morning training session, did some cleaning/ dancing, showered up and headed out to the infamous Mill St. I thought I was going to dread the crazy, belligerent, fun-fest, but ended up having a good time just hanging out with the guys and dancing pretty much the entire night. We had some hilarious characters stopping by to spice up the night every now and then, too, which you gotta love. Sunday was kind of rainy/ windy/ cold so the guys swung by to pick me up and we all went to pig out on brunch at Harlow's Cafe (which may be the Tempe version of The Pantry mixed with Grinder if I can't find more delicious pancakes). I was too hungry to take pictures, but I had blueberry pancakes with some eggs and sausage links. Hit the spot. Everyone loved their food and the bill was kind to our wallets as well. Then relaxed and watched movies/ stand up routines all day and got some work done at night.

My parents are coming this weekend to visit so I am trying to plan out a restaurant/ places-to-go list, I will let y'all know how our adventures go. I'm pretty happy to be going hiking and watching baseball with them, should be a good time.

All last week I was rockin out at work to some oldies and came across some good inspirational pictures/ links. Thought I'd share a little bit of all the material I processed (I'll spare you the extensive list of places I have looked up traveling to, though).



Inspiration Wall!



Interesting Restaurants in LA (I'll be there in April!! Counting down the days...)

Live a lil

Have a beautiful night and a great week, be sure to try/do/see/taste something new. Blessings

-Former College Student

Monday, March 12, 2012

Weekend Update

This past weekend was very relaxed. All of my friends were in Vegas celebrating the birthday of my very first friend in Phoenix! Happy Birthday to her! It's actually this weekend but she has to work haha. So they were all off and I was left to explore. I decided to spend my weekend in downtown, watching old movies, working out and eating. Surprise! No 4 hours baking in the sun of spring training baseball games, but I did manage to get a good tanning/ reading session in on Saturday morning. Gotta get that natural Vitamin D, and finish that book finally! I should be done soon and book reviews will be up... not that anyone will really care or read the book reviews (much less the books themselves), but they'll be there for your entertainment.

I watched two classics this weekend, and I must say, Hollywood's über romanticism and cheesiness has not changed one bit over the past few decades. But the fashion back then was gorgeous of course. If I could have all of Audrey or Deborah's wardrobes I don't think I would ever have to shop again in my life.
                

Also, Cary Grant is a stud! Where do we find that kind of actor these days? I kind of wish I could go back to witness classic Hollywood, if only for the style.

Of course I tried out some new food spots this weekend. The Breadfruit is a very cozy little Caribbean restaurant and rum bar tucked into a kind of side street of downtown. I had the red stripe prawns (yes, they are cooked in red stripe beer yummm with some curry) which were very delicious but most of the plate was my red beans with rice, 3 grilled veggies and 2 plantains. I could've made that meal for 4 people with the money I spent. I want my protein people! Don't jip me. Anyways... I also tried a glass of jasmin and hibiscus iced tea, which was very good but a bit too strong. Loved the atmosphere of the place. I would go back but I definitely won't be a regular.

Next morning I wanted to head back out to downtown to check out Matt's Big Breakfast, which is supposed to be one of the nest brunch spots in town, but unfortunately, thanks to my slow yet reliable friend the Metro Rail, I didn't arrive until 11.30am, which is when the line is insane. Had I been with someone else the wait might have been worth it but chilling by myself for an hour + with a hungry stomach did not seem too ideal. (this was also post-workout so calories were needed!) I will head back at a much earlier hour some other weekend, maybe this time with friends too, if I can manage to convince them to get them out of bed before 10. Instead I headed to the Fair Trade Cafe right next to one of the metro stops and enjoyed a breakfast sandwich, along with some almond milk hot chocolate, reading, and quiet time all in a little sofa chair. I kind of fell in love with the spot, it's very hipster of me but I couldn't help it.
Tomato Tamato breakfast sandwich
Luckily on my way to downtown I spotted a festival happening in Phoenix and found out that it was the annual Aloha Festival! So I decided that I had to go check it out in honor of one of my best friends the Hawaiian princess that I miss so much and all of the food in Hawaii, that I also miss. But after my brunch I had to relish some of downtown, and decided to take some side streets back to a metro stop further away (but closer to Tempe) and see if I could find anything of interest. I found street art!! And was pretty excited.

 


Then I finally headed to Tempe to witness all of the Pac Islander keha. It was really nice to see a large group of people that I have not seen since I left California all celebrating their culture and making the most of the beautiful weather. Of course I had to try some food, but I figured I would get something familiar and something new. So I picked up some delicious Musubi! And some curry chicken with Roti bread, traditional of Fiji. I am now convinced that I have to travel to Fiji at some point in the next 5 years (already looked into flights, they are less than 1200 round trip! Savings? Whose in?)



Fili's mom still makes the best Musubi I've ever had, but that was some delicious nostalgia. Also saw a bit of Maori culture, however no actual Maori's were there so that made me sad. But all of the islands were represented! It was awesome. Next year I'll be sure to head out there for the first two days of the festival instead of stumbling through on the final day.

So that was the weekend. Hope to have a bit more of an interesting update for y'all next week.

Off to eat some 85% chocolate and attempt to get some work or reading done. Everyone have a blessed week and be sure to appreciate the weather. Much love from the desert.

-Educated & Employed.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Friday Friday Friday

Today was a good day. And yes, it reminded me of the Ice Cube song. Not that any of those things happen in my day... (unfortunately I'm not that gangster) it's just a song that always pops into my head when I end on a good note.

I enjoy sharing some fun/ inspiring shtuff on Fridays and hope that y'all enjoy the content, and your weekend. So here ya go! Enjoy :)


True.Story







A new goal in my life is to try ever breakfast on this --> LIST! Yes, even the weird ones. It has also made me want to cook some gallo pinto but I have no one to cook for. I miss CR!

I also have caught the travel bug, right on time. It always kicks in after 6+ months of being in the states. I am thinking I should try Asia because it is the only continent I haven't been on yet (excluding Antarctica, though I did attempt to go down there when I was in NZ. Turns out you have to be doing research...). But then I also think of all the places I could get to in Europe, and I really miss S. America and NZ, and there are so many countries I want to travel to in Africa/ Middle East! Mini dilemma, but I will solve and decide soon. If anyone cares to join, let me know!

Much love. Have a beautiful weekend. Try something new.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Art

I WANT!!!!
© Françoise Nielly
I want all of his art actually. It is gorgeous/ intense. Christmas presents! I'm planning ahead so you can all save up and pitch in to buy me a piece. Check out some of his other work by clicking on the picture above.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Weekend Update

I have come to learn that weekends are a time to get off your butt and do some serious exploration, no matter how much you may want to rest. Why not try to experience as much as you can with the time and weather you've been given for one day?

Must admit, Friday I was so exhausted I got home and was out cold before 10PM. So needless to say, some essential rest happened. Saturday I got to do all of my favorite things though! So it paid off.

There are many farmer's markets in the Arizona area, however the one in Tempe is really just an overpriced little concrete grocery store so be sure to avoid it. My co-worker, her husband, and I all discovered that the hard way, but thanks to smart phones and 3G networks we were able to find a real farmer's market with people that sold their own produce and baked goods and grass-fed beef. Thank you Scottsdale.
One aisle of Scottsdale's Saturday Farmer's Market
Farmer's markets are dangerous places to go if you are a) hungry, b) ADD/ ridiculously curious, c) conducting research on your new location of residence, and ultimately d) if you love food. There are just way too many samples, and good stuff. I don't think I've ever tried something bad at a farmer's market anywhere around the world, and I hope I never do. We had fun sampling different items (with me avoiding the carbs as best I could) and left with a few deals on some delicious produce.

Then I got to train in the afternoon and go out that night. It was an average night out in Scottsdale but still had a good day. Eat, train, dance, it's difficult to have a day as good as that.

Sunday Funday I headed out to the Cubs spring training game against the A's. Pretty sure I baked my skin to a nice canela color, no burns thankfully. Cubbies lost, but it was nice to just relax and spend some alone time with baseball and a few hundred fans for a good price and a free 5th inning 'seat upgrade' haha. Then I headed off to a Venezuelan restaurant in the area. Say whaaaaaat?? It's true. The sole Venezuelan restaurant that exists in this state is in my count, known nationally for being highly racist. I don't know how I could've been more blessed by that discovery. I ordered a pabellón patacón and a glass of fresh guanábana juice from my non-latino waiter and then sat anxiously waiting for my homesickness-cure to come out from the kitchen. It was pretty yummy, They had some weird pink-sauce on the carne mechada which I'm pretty sure was nata mixed with ketchup, but other than that I was a happy girl. My uncles, Nana, tia and mom are much better chefs though; we are really spoiled in my family. As I was getting ready to leave I saw a kid from Venezuela that is playing for the Orioles come in and order and as much as I wanted to chat him up about the food there and how baseball was going, my Spanish sucks right now, so I chickened out. If anyone wants to practice Spanish, call me up. Then I went out to Geisha A-Go-Go for some Sushi with friends for dinner after I had trekked back home.
Original seat


Seat after 5th inning "free upgrade." 











Pabellon patacon w/ fresh guanabana @ My Arepa

I think I walked close to 5 miles that day between bus stops and locations but it made up for no workout on Friday and was worth it. Turning weekends into solo adventures has been good and I'm excited to see what I'll find next weekend. Hopefully, if you ever find yourself in the greater Phoenix area, these blogs will help you to easily navigate the food scene, should I be absent for some reason.

Much peace and love. I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend, heard it was beautiful in Cali. Stay blessed.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Friday Friday Friday

Loved that these tracks popped up during my day. Thought I'd share.





Everyone enjoy your weekend. Stay safe and be blessed.