Day 4

Day 4 of furlough...
I unintentionally slept in this morning.  I took an antihistamine last night because my eyes were so itchy, possibly because of allergies.  But I took it past 12midnight that it had kept me drowsy even this morning.  Eventually I was able to get myself out of bed -- but annoyed at myself for missing already a few hours in the day.  I'm hoping to do better tomorrow.
Today we went to Lowes to get some supplies for the planter box project. The planter box has been built weeks ago. However, we need to protect the plants / vegetables, that I'm planning to plant, from squirrels. The squirrels have been notoriously messing up with any plants that I've been planting in my pots.  So we need to have these extra precautions before planting any vegetables in the planter box. We got this idea to add arches made of pipes to use as frame for the netting to go over it.  We also got some vegetable seedlings and/or plants for the planter box.  I think this will be awesome.  I am hoping that I will have plenty to harvest in months time -- or even weeks time.
We also went to the grocery to get some essentials, including garlic and onion, that I'm hoping to propagate to plant in the planter box.
When we got home Chris already started adding the pipes to make arches for the planter box.  It's going to be amazing! I will try to post pictures later.
I tried something new today called Mochi Ice Cream - I'll post the details on my happyfoodtrip.com blog.  You can check it out some of my blog entries there by clicking on the link.
Last but not the least, we attended a virtual worship service this evening.  We have had to attend it virtually for the past few weeks because of the Safer at Home order for the county, and now recently decided for the whole state.
The day was not as jammed packed as I had hoped it would be. But I think overall it was still a very productive, well spent day.

Day 3

Day 3 of furlough…

Today is actually the first Monday of my furlough. The first real day to feel that I’m not scheduled to work for the next 3 months. Even though I intended to wake up early, which I did, I decided to sleep a bit more this morning.

We went to the pharmacy then to the grocery and got more supplies. We didn’t even bother looking at the paper isle.  There’s no use. Plus we already ordered thru Amazon and managed to get an order in for bathroom / toilet paper and also for paper towels. We already received the bathroom tissue / toilet paper last week.  The paper towels are still in transit.

We also went to Joann’s to get some more elastic bands to create more cloth masks to be donated.  We arrived at an empty parking lot and saw that the store was closed.  So no elastic band to create more cloth face mask at the moment.  I do have some ribbons and have made several with the ribbons. But the ribbons are also about to run out.

I was able to make several face masks today and ready to give them to the people that need them.  I have received some requests and glad that I had enough materials to make some for them.  I will try to make some more as someone had reached out that they might be able to donate some elastic bands for me to create more face masks.

So far I’m keeping myself busy.  There’s still many more on the list of things to do.  Plenty of things to do during my furlough. Let’s see what day 4 brings.

Good night.

Day 2

Day 2 of furlough…

We attended church worship service today online.  My mom wanted to get some fried chicken so we got KFC — the store associate forgot to give us our second large gravy that we ordered. It was already too late when we found out as we only realized it was missing once we got home. Last weekened the store associate in McDonald’s forgot our sweet and sour sauce.  On a side note remind me again, why do they demand a $15 per hour minimum?  Nope, no need because that was a rhetorical question.

I finished a book that I started 2 days ago — a book I started moments after I logged out for the day.  It was the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Sure I’ve seen the movie.  But I’ve always wondered how the book was.  I actually enjoyed the book much more.  However, I would still enjoy the movie as well as I don’t my imagination would have been as extravagant as what they showed in the movie.

During my furlough I plan to read several books. My goal is to read about 10 books.

I still haven’t gotten the answer to my own question… during my furlough What would I regret most not doing?  hmmm… It may take a while to find the answer.  I’m just going to have to take it 1 day at a time and hope that I won’t have that many regrets when my furlough is over, by not being able to do something now that I have the time to do it. But, this should do it for now. I just need to chill and not worry about it.

Day 1

Day 1 of Furlough…  I am being placed on temporary furlough status lasting to up to 90 days or until further notice.

I have so many things on my list and I feel like I keep adding more.  It’s good to know that I have so many things to do.  However, I want to make sure I do establish some sort of goal.  Among these many things on my list… what would I regret not doing the most?

What would I regret the most?  That’s a really good question.  I really have to think long and hard about that.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!  Let's hope 2020 would be an awesome year!

Almost 2 Years Later

I can't believe it.  After I said, "Hello 2018", I didn't come back to this blog until it's almost time to say hello to 2020. Has it been that long?? It's not that I have been offline for the past year or so.  But I think my issue has been, I want to post things online but also want to keep my life private.  It's really hard to keep that balance.  When I want to keep a lot of things in my life private. This leaves me with a lot things that do not go online.  But then, there are still a few things left that I can share. It's just a matter of actually finding the time to post more blog entries online. 

Let's see how long before I post another blog entry. 😄

Hello 2018!

Hello 2018! Hello everyone!  Happy New Year to you guys!

Wow!  Can you believe it?  2017 has just ended and we are now in 2018.
I still can't believe it.  My 2017 just passed by so fast.  I could use the words "breezed by" so fast.  But the year didn't really "breeze by", per se, but more like rushed me through the end of the year.  Nevertheless, it was still an awesome year and way better than 2016. 

I am just hoping that 2018 will be a good year. :)  I have some wishes that need to come true this year.  I'll let you know what it is when it does come true. :)

Sa Ri One Korean Restaurant

Chris was craving for some Seafood Pancake.  So we decided to go eat at Sa Ri One Korean Restaurant - my favorite Korean Restaurant!

Sa Ri One now has 2 branches.  Even though their new branch on Hillsborough Ave is much bigger, we love their original branch located on Cypress Street.  We just love the ambience and the coziness we feel there!

The food seems to be the same for the 2 branches though.  No difference in taste and flavor!   We just really prefer the ambience at the smaller place.

In the past we would go crazy and order so many different type of dishes.  This time around, we tried to restrain ourselves in making sure we only ordered enough.

While waiting for our order, they will start serving the Banchan that you can start munching on while waiting for your actual main appetizer.  The Banchan is really meant to be eaten with your main dish.  It's a very appetizing side dish, if you ask me.  You don't have to order the banchan.  It comes free with your order.  However, if you end up finishing them and want more, you will need to order it for an extra charge.  Technically, you can actually order the banchan separate.  It's just that when you order certain entrees, it comes with it.

The Banchan / small dishes below are:

• Cucumber Kimchi (spicy level:  mild to medium)
• Cabbage Kimchi (spicy level: mild to medium)
• Bean sprouts with sesame oil  (not spicy)
• Fishcake with sesame oil  (sweet; not spicy)
• Jalapeno with sesame oil  (salty goodness;  spicy level:  mild to medium)
• Spinach with sesame (not spicy)

Banchan - Small Dishes 

We ordered their appetizer Haemul Pajeon / Haemul Pajon (Seafood Pancake), which is potato pancake with scallions / green onion, shrimp, and squid.  It's like a pizza-size pancake!  We already knew that we were not going to finish it because we really never do!  But we still ordered it because it's really good.  Make sure you dip the Haemul Pajeon with the spicy sauce that they bring with it!  It's delicious!

Haemul Pajeon - Seafood Pancake 

Aside from the appetizers, we also ordered their famous Pork Bulgogi.  Bulgogi is a Korean dish when the meat is marinated then either grilled or pan-cooked.  The sauce is sweet and spicy.  Don't worry, they will ask you how if you want it spicy or how spicy would you like it to be.  I believe, for non-spicy lovers, you can request for it to not be spicy.

Pork Bulgogi

Also, this dish actually comes with only one (1) white rice.  So, you will need to order extra rice for anyone else who will be eating rice.   That's what we had to do.  We ordered an extra rice so that we can both each have a bowl of rice.

Banchan with White Rice

The serving for the Pork Bulgogi is meant for probably 3 to 4 people.  So we barely made a dent for this dish.   (And) Remember how the haemul pajeon is also big, we had to ask a box to bring most of it home.  We don't mind though. It's good food! The price range is pretty good too!!  Might feel like a lot for 2 people.  But if you come in as a group, you will see how much you can save with the portions and serving size of their food.

As I've mentioned above, this restaurant has 2 branches.  The second branch is actually called Sa Ri One Grill because that branch actually offers more of the "grill your own meat" type dishes.  Sam Gyup Sal is the more popular dish that is being served there.  You can order raw marinated meat that you can grill on your own, at that branch.  They even have the eat-all-you-can version of the grilled meat.  But, everyone in your group must order the same package.  My husband and I tried it, it was good. But I think we only did it for the experience.  We will just try to order the meat per portion instead of the their unlimited package.

If you're interested to try out their food, here are the information below:

• Sa Ri One Korean Restaurant
  3940 W Cypress Street, Tampa, FL 33607
  Tel. No. (813) 874-2911
• Sa Ri One Grill
  7525 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33615
  Tel. No. (813) 693-5076

If you do decide to go, specially at the Cypress Street Branch, make sure you try to arrive early because it does get busy around dinner time.  (And) if you did get to go, let me know how your experience was and what food did you order.