My Strange Addiction

A few weeks ago I made the bold claim to Kelsey that I LOVED my car and asked her not to judge me. 


She then let me know about this show, My Strange Addiction, where this guy was in a relationship with his car. As in an intimate relationship. 


I fully retract my statement. I think I have an awesome car, but I in no way want to be in a relationship with it. 


Which brings me to my next point. At the beginning of this whole blog I also made the bold statement that I was "in a relationship with the University of Arizona". I did not know the implications behind such a bold statement. 


Again, I fully retract my statement. 


It was merely to emphasize the absorbent amount of time I spent at school. Not an actual love for an object.  Plus since I finished school we're broken up anyways. Completely joking of course. 


Shows like My Strange Addiction make me paranoid because I say things, most of the time dramatically, to get my point across. I didn't even know that this kind of thing was real, the whole actually in love love with a car/object business.


I'm glad I cleared the air.

May 21st

Precisely 4 years ago I graduated from high school. 

I had waist length dirty blonde hair. 

I didn't know how to walk in high heels.

I had a Myspace.

I'd never heard of Lady Gaga.

Nick Fury was just introduced in Iron Man, and the idea of an Avengers movie was far-fetched.
  
I didn't have my license.
  
I had never cooked an entire meal by myself.

I owned 1 swimsuit.

Graduating from college seemed like centuries away.


I don't really know how to process all this.


The End.

Picadillo

So back during graduation time, I decided to make some Cuban food for Kelsey when she drove down to Tucson.  I've wanted to cook some Cuban food for a while because I knew Kelsey would love it. Or at least I hoped she would. Our friendship depended on this one fact.

Now I'm no master of Cuban food, my mother and Abuelo are of course, so I thought I could make this meal with no problem since I'll be able to ask a million questions while cooking.

As soon as I started to get into cooking mode both my mother and Abuelo decided to go shopping. I panicked. How do I brown meat? How do I mince garlic? How do I turn on the stove? How do I breathe?

Don't worry, this story has a happy ending.

Cast of characters: Pepper, salt, green bell pepper, garlic, onion, tomato sauce, tomato paste, white cooking wine, garlic powder, ground beef (not pictured: olive oil, green olives, and raisins).

 First things first, dice up some garlic. I apologize for my shadow on the cutting board. I also apologize in advance for the weird colors my camera and this kitchen throw out. Sigh. 

 Throw that garlic in a pan with some hot olive oil (medium heat should do) and get cooking! 

 Then you're going to want to dice up the onion. Now I was in no mood to weep so I used a food processor to cut up my onions.  Unfortunately for me when I opened up the sucker the smell immediately brought tears to my eyes.
Coincidentally at this same moment the epic part of "I Stand Alone" by Steve Perry began to play on Pandora. I gave in to the moment, sang at the top of my lungs with onion tears falling down my face and of course dramatically acting out the song. 


I'm so glad I was home alone.

 Anyways, throw the onions in with the garlic and cook them until they get glassy... clearish... translucent.

 Cut up the bell pepper, in whatever size bits that make your heart flutter.

 Toss in with the onion and allow it to cook for a few minutes. 

 At this time add the tomato sauce...

 Tomato paste...

 And then fill the tomato paste can with the cooking wine. 

Swish around and pour into the mix.  Reduce the heat to low and stir occasionally.

 While that is cooking, brown your meat, seasoning with garlic powder, pepper and salt.  This is really to taste but don't go too crazy now. Also, if the meat is very fatty you are going to have to drain it, a little fatty juice is good, too much will make it taste blegh. 

 Once the meat is good to go throw it in with the tomato/veggie mix and throw in the olives.
Note: Make sure the olives have no pits. You can break a tooth crunching into one of those bad boys.

 Then throw in the raisins. Now for all those who are opposed to raisins in food, you really can't skip out on this, it simply doesn't taste the same. Trust me I am not a huge raisin fan, but this is delicious.

 Looking good. Now keep it on low and just cook long enough to get the raisins nice and plump.  Also, if you are going to keep it on the flame for some time add some water so it doesn't get too dry.  The consistency of the meal shouldn't be soupy but there should be enough of the juicy stuff to have with some rice.

Nom nom nom! You must serve this with rice. Your soul with thank you. Oh and if you were wondering, Kelsey enjoyed the meal. She told me it was the best thing she ever tasted. EVER. 


Alright, slight exaggeration, but she really did like it.

Picadillo

• 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1/2 green bell pepper, cut to desired size
• 1 can of tomato sauce
• 1 can of tomato paste
• 1 can (tomato paste can) of white cooking wine
• 2 lb. of ground beef, lean
• Garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup of olives, pitted
• 1/2 cup raisins

1. Mince up the garlic and add to large pan with about a tablespoon of hot olive oil. Allow to brown.
2. Add the diced onion, mix and allow the onions to get translucent.
3. Add in the green bell pepper and cook for 3-5 minutes.
4. Add the can of tomato sauce, tomato paste and the cooking wine to the veggies. Reduce heat to low and stir occasionally.
5. Meanwhile, take the ground beef and brown, season with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
6. Once browned add the the tomato/veggie mix and mix well.
7. Add in 1/2 a cup of olives (go ahead and add a little of that olive juice too!) and the raisins and stir to combine.
8. Keep over low heat, adding water to keep from drying out, until raisins are plump (about 20 minutes)
9. Serve with rice and fried plantains!

Graduation

FINALLY. 


That word has been uttered, both aloud and in my head, numerous times over the past couple of weeks in an exponentially increasing manner. Currently it's on constant replay in my head which makes it much harder to type because it's going something like this, "FINALLY Currently FINALLY it's FINALLY on FINALLY constant FINALLY replay FINALLY".... you get the idea.

Look at my hood! 

But anyways, I've graduated with my Master's from the University of Arizona. Oh it feels incredibly good. I was hooded. Which wasn't as gangster as it sounds but regardless it was awesome. 

Wanna see something fancy? Here are my grad announcements, my family and I made them ourselves because buying them is super expensive and the product looks cheap. This looks classy.


Am I right?


Kelsey even drove down to watch me walk/be hooded! She's seriously the best friend ever. She missed out on her own graduation! But I'll make it up to her. You bet your bottom dollar.

What am I going to do now? No idea. Well I do have an idea, many ideas. But for now I just want to focus on the fact that I finished FINALLY, and I couldn't be happier. 


To all those that graduated, whether undergrad, or graduate, or ASU or any other school, Congratulations. I'll drink to that. 


Would it be wrong to make everyone call me "Master Encinas" now?

Mexican Convocation

Well this week is graduation week. Woot Woot! 


I'm really only participating in two, the Chicano Convocation and the College of Science Ceremony.  Now I went to the Chicano thing last year as an undergrad, and it was still as awesome as I remembered.  The Chicano one was tonight!


There were pinatas! Enough said really.


Now I gave my mother my camera to take some photos so I could show how Mexicans do it right. But two problems, 1. I didn't put my memory card in my camera and 2. The photos did not turn out.

The blurriness is almost nauseating. 


Oh well, though I'd be surprised if everything went perfectly, where is the fun in that?

Of course I snapped a chic photo of myself on the way over. 


Awwww YEA!

Option #2

Remember a few posts back when I said when I get sick it is either a flimsy little thing for a day or a week long trek?

Well, it has been 8 days and wouldn't you know I'm still sick. Go figure.

I blame the awesomeness of the Avengers movie. My weak little body obviously can't handle the movie so it just decided to break down. I can't blame it.

Just thinking about the movie makes me want to throw up. I love that movie, so much.

In fact, I started drawing Loki, for a LOKI2012 campaign. It was all my buddy (Anthony's) idea.
It is a complete joke, obviously. Or is it?

#LOKI2012

Right after I took this picture my nose started bleeding. I think it's safe to say that the Avengers is too much for me to handle. 

Also... did I make Tom Hiddlesten look like Nicolas Cage? It is ALL I see. I have currently given up on the picture.

Hopefully now I'll get better. 

Avengers Marathon

Alright confession time. 
Now before I had left to go to the marathon I put together a little blurb about this and that so that come now I wouldn't have to write as much. I just deleted it all and for one simple reason.


AVENGERS BLEW MY SIMPLE MIND. 


Now to be honest, this whole marathon thing was really the way to go. 

It was hard not to wear this around today like a badge of honor.

 First off lanyards. I've never felt so officially awesome. Plus Having the movies back to back, slowly building the anticipation was honestly a nerd's best dream. ever. 


Now the first movie to show was the Hulk, which despite naysayers, I actually really do enjoy the film, even with Edward Norton.  Also I knew I was going to be a mess when, in the 30 second clip after credits I couldn't stop laughing, giggling, whatever you call it. I was beyond excited. I still had 4 movies to go mind you.


As the day progressed, and the Avengers hints got less subtle, I started to realize how much in denial I was about this movie.  There was a part of me that honestly believed that this was all a prank, for there could not be such a thing as awesome as an Avengers movie. No possible way.


During Captain America, the last movie before Avengers, right when he's about to kick butt in the Alps I got overcome with this sense of nauseous excitement.  I've said this many times before, and I'll continue to say it I do not handle anticipation well. At all. I must have said "I'm going to throw up" at least 50 times. I feel sorry for my friends who went with me. I really do. I get very repetitive and giddy when I'm put in these kinds of situations. Just a mess.

These are said friends... I didn't ask if they minded being in my blog but I thought elbows don't count! Mainly this is proof I didn't make up the fact that I saw this with friends. They are real.

Once Captain America ended, I didn't want to hear the word Avengers, I just couldn't concentrate/process/handle the situation. Needless to say midnight came in, what felt like seconds.  And it started.


I don't know how to accurately describe what happened to me during that movie. Fact:
1. I did not blink
2. My eyes were open as wide as humanly possible. 
3. Most of the movie I was semi-crying not because it was sad, but because I was so unbelievably happy with the movie.


I am not ashamed of that. My entire life has led to this moment. And it isn't trivial. I don't know how many times I can say this, I LOVE COMICS.


I won't go into detail because that would be foolish. But I will say everyone needs to go see this film. It was perfect. It was everything I would ever expect from an Avengers movie and then some. This movie could have gone horribly wrong, I mean you do have 4 big superheros plus the bad guys all fighting for the limelight and it was handled with ease. 


One more time, this film was PERFECT.


Heck after the movie ended my friends and I legitimately drove around looking for a theater that had a showing for 3am. I need to see that movie at least 5 more times to fully take everything in. I was in awe for most of the film this first time. Ugh it is so hard to accurately describe my feelings towards the film.


Again, the film was PERFECT.


I've already texted Kelsey to go and see it with me later today. I feel I must share this epic film with my best friend. Especially since she won't judge me when I start to completely nerd out. Which I will, all over again.


Finally, the film was PERFECT.

My BFFF Kelsey

Does today feel more awesome than any other day?
Are you filled with a happiness, but aren't quite sure why?
Is there a little bounce to your step today?
Was getting out of bed easier this morning?


The reason is because today, May 3rd, is my best friend Kelsey's birthday. She, like me, is now...


Let's go with 21.


I couldn't spend the day with her showering her with awesome birthday gifts, but rest assured we will celebrate her birthday in what could only be described as the best party ever. I'm talking bacon wrapped pizza rolls, sushi, and dancing to Lady Gaga until we pass out.


Let me now take the time and list just a few reasons why she is my best friend and probably the coolest person ever:


1. For the love of Gaga

She loves, LOVES, Lady Gaga just as much as I do. It's not just a somewhat common interest in our friendship, it is one of the biggest. We could talk for hours about her, and we do. 


2. Craftiness

Kelsey is one of the craftiest people I know. Her scrapbooking abilities, wardrobe ideas, suite301 themes, and theme ideas for Second Friday are out of this world. Her creativity and imagination are delightfully entertaining and allow me to throw out random ideas that she turns into actual masterpieces. She's awesome.


3. Awkward

We are right about the same level of awkward. Which means explaining a day or an outing to the store becomes a full blown comedic tale.  When we hang out there is no concern for how others view us. We just revel in the pure awkwardness of it all.


4. Likes/Dislikes

Rarely, and by rarely I mean never, have we had viewpoints that differ from each others. I like what she likes and I hate what she hates. Fake? Hate. Bacon? LOVE. Bean Dip? LOVE. Aging? Hate. Heels? Love. I think you get the picture.


5. No work and all play

This friendship is by no means any work. I've never had to pretend to be less awkward, less weird, never had to censor any of my thoughts or try and fit into some mold to be her friend. She is the most non-judgmental person I've ever met and this is the easiest friendship I've ever had. We've never gotten into a fight, there is no back-stabbing, or bullshit drama, I don't have to worry about offending her or her telling the entire world a secret. She's got my back and that is awesome.


6. What if we...

Sure every group of friends has a "what if we [insert crazy spur of the moment idea]" moment but never really acted upon it. With Kelsey different story.
"What if we just got together on one day a month, like the second Friday of every month and just cooked things?"
"What if we went to the club and pretended to be Canadian?"
"What if we made our own outfits to the Monster Ball?"
"What if we wrapped pizza rolls in bacon?"
"What if we try to out-drive the people tailing us?"
"What if we made our own shirts for our band trip?"
"What if we pretended to be power rangers?"
"What if we drank all these Monsters, and ate all these slim jims AND didn't sleep?"
"What if we brought water guns for Vegas?"
Need I go on?


7. Lean on Me

Whenever I have a problem, or I'm frustrated or upset she is the first person I go to and she lets me vent and rage and then within minutes I'm laughing so hard from our conversation. She's always there for me and helps me through whatever may be getting me down. Plus she's always so supportive of me, heck she drove down for my graduation last year and is again this year and is always the first in my corner. Clearly the best friend ever.


I could go on and on about how awesome and what an amazing best friend Kelsey is and how everyone should consider themselves unlucky if they aren't friends with her, but I will stop here and say a very very Happy Birthday to my best friend Kelsey! 


Everyone make sure to wish her a happy 21st birthday! 

Avengers Marathon Confession

The big day is tomorrow. In case you've not read the previous posts, I woke up Monday morning feeling like my head was hit with a brick and my throat had been scratched with sandpaper. I had a head cold, is where I'm going with this. 

 

Anywho, I've taken dayquil, nyquil, mid-dayquil etc and I am happy to say that today I am feeling alright. My sore throat is gone, replaced with a raspy jazz-esque voice. My nose is still disgusting to a degree, but it's not something that needs to be hidden from the public.

 

What I'm saying is I'm healthy enough to go to the Marathon tomorrow! (knock on wood)

 

Just one problem.  So I've mentioned before how I can't handle suspense, anticipation etc, it turns me into a nauseous beast.  Well let me just say my entire life has been waiting for this one moment. The moment when I watch the Avengers come to life on the big screen.

 

Don't judge me. I LOVE comics. Especially Marvel. Especially Avengers. 

You're looking at 5% of my comic collection. Not even joking.

  

So the more I think about actually seeing this movie, the more I start to panic and freak out. I told you. I'm not good with anticipation.  Plus it doesn't help that I haven't watched any trailers, makes the suspense of it all even higher. 

 

I apologize to the people in the theater tomorrow. I won't be able to control myself. Good news is that if I faint I'll have one of my buddies slap me awake. What are friends for?