Thursday, June 28, 2012

Throw-Me-For-A-Loop Thursday

Here's a post to recognize that moment when you wake up after a rough night/day/week realizing your alarm didn't go off, it's 7:35am, you have to be at work at 8am, you throw on some flip flops to walk from the parking lot to your office across campus, pack a nicer pair of shoes in a bag to change into later, get to the office and find this..

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Cake Making (continued)

After about seven hours, a thousand songs, five recipes, a cup of coffee, and a little less than a half of bottle of wine (and slightly tipsy me) later, I finished what Mr. Woo has named Leslie's Berry Natural Strawberry Cake! No boxed cake mix, jello, jelly/jam, or food coloring here!

I had a great time and probably milked my time in the kitchen a bit more than was truly needed but this was my way to unwind after a pretty heavy/draining week. Overall I think the cake came out pretty visually appealing and everyone said they really liked it -- though let's be honest, my family loves me and may have just been being nice. Either way, the cake got eatten and Mr. Woo's Granny had a great birthday which is all that matters.

You can see the rest of the of the progress pictures and the finished cake below.

Fresh whipped cream with strawberry puree'.

Strawberry whipped cream for in between the layers and to cover the cake.

It's starting to come together.

The finished product!

The last piece of cake.

Next up a peanut butter cake with peanut butter frosting for Mr. Woo's dad's birthday.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Day 25: Bottle

My sous-chef this past Saturday

Friday, June 22, 2012

Friday Fun - Cake Making

I am currently a cake making fool.  I've been working on this cake for five hours.  A cup of coffee and a glass of wine later I'm still working on it and loving every second.  I promise I would be a chef if it was a lucrative career and provided a work-life balance I find critical in jobs (specifically not having to work every weekend, holiday, and evening).  Either way this evening has been pretty much my ideal way to unwind after a hard week -- my loves are home keeping me company in the kitchen while I bake and listen to music.  Here's my progress on the as-from-scratch-as-possible (aka no box cake mix or jello) strawberry cake so far.  (BTW, I couldn't find a recipe for such a cake so I had to make it up.  I hope it comes out ok!  *fingers triple crossed*)

The star of this cake - 2 packages full to make sure only the best go in.

The start of the strawberry puree'

My mise en plas

Strawberry Puree'

The cake batter with the strawberry puree'

My current status

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

I Like Cake

Granny of Woo's 85th birthday is on Saturday.  I am determined to make her a fantastic cake from scratch right down to the icing.  I'm currently on the hunt for a recipe worthy of this celebration.  Any ideas?

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Random Writings - vol. 1

  • I'm still recovering from my SPHR experience and trying to figure out a new groove.  It will come but I'm not rushing it.  I'm enjoying my "whatever comes my way" life at the moment.
  • Thanks to my smart husband we're flipping a car to buy a new couch.  We sold our old one and have the new couch but not the new loveseat so there's a huge open space in our living room - perfect for a random dance party or our pup's freshly cleaned toys. 
  • I get to see my niece this weekend and I cannot wait!  Mr. Woo is coming too which makes me even more excited.  Seeing him with her is just plain funny and cute.
  • I need to figure out what direction I want this blog to go in, although, I suppose I did include a disclaimer that it's a blog about nothing.
  • Even though I really enjoy my job, I kind of wish it was Friday.  It doesn't help that it feels like it is.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Day 24: New Recipe


Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies recipe courtesy of The Busty Baker

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Now What?

Here's a post for that moment when you just finished a huge goal you set for yourself and then find yourself trying to figure out what the next challenge should be.

I guess I'll think about that cuddled up on the couch with Roxy watching "Giuliana & Bill".

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Day 23: From a Distance

Can you read my preliminary score report photographed from a distance?


Can't read it?  Let me give you a close up..


"Congratulations!" I PASSED!!!  Did my smile give it away?

I'm exhausted from it all but expect me back soon.  And a huge thank you for all of your comments, texts, calls, and good thoughts over the past few days they no doubt played a huge part!  Thank you!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Sunday, June 3, 2012

About Face

It's 12:01 am on Sunday morning and I suddenly feel so unprepared, unconfident and worried about Wednesday morning.  Despite my study efforts today, this week, and these past several months I'm beginning to seriously believe it's just not enough.  In fact, it's the HRCI website (versus the SHRM resources I have been using) that is telling me so.

I should have signed up for the PHR, not the harder SPHR. 

I was overly ambitious. 

But I know: a) it's too late to switch; b) I've put a lot of time, energy, and effort into preparing for this; and c) that my attitude can have an impact on how well I do.  So with all that being said I will continue to use every last minute I have to continue studying and try to convince myself I can do it.

As for being overly ambitious I just have to remind myself, "Without great risk there is no great reward.". 

And being SPHR certified at 28 would be a pretty damn awesome reward.

Friday, June 1, 2012

A Different Kind of Friday Fun

Just got home from work and don't go back until Thursday -- the day after I take my SPHR exam.  I'm nervous and excited all at once.  I really do enjoy learning, especially topics I'm interested in, and despite the self-imposed pressure to pass I find it all quite fun.   

I'm such a nerd.

But enough blogging for now..back to the books!

Have a great weekend!