Side B

"If I don't know you I'm very quiet and I observe and people think I'm snotty because of that. But I don't feel like I have to be that enthusiastic if I don't know who you are yet. So people think I'm a bitch because of that" -Rihanna

Now I may be telling my age a bit through this but who cares (after all we are forever young as long as we believe we are). I notstalgically reminisenc about days when cassette players were umbiqitous and side pony tales were a serious hair craze. My sister and I would anxiously strew about Strawberries (you know... the media store that sold CD's and all that jazz) looking for the latest R&B boy band or something of that nature. When we'd puchase the tape that day and head home, unwrap the newly purhased item with delecate precision as we sat in our parents bedroom of a cramped little apartment. There we'd this tape into the only cassette player we owned in our little humble abode. We'd listen to side A, filled with track after track of lovable tunes until it was completed. Only then did we succomb to the inevitable flip to side b: The other side of the tape.

Majority of the tiem, side b contained a number of remixes of side a. Most of the songs were unfavorable after first listen. But since the cassette tape was purchase with our precious allowance, it seemed almost useless to not listen to those incepid songs. And so over and over agian we'd listen to side b until one day Side B was not so bad.

I equate side B to people all the time. Like tapes people have two side. The one that the majority may liek and the other side that majority dislikes. This problem is in reality (and I speak for myself) we tend to hear side B before we hear side A. We see the remixed version of people. The one that is made to appease all. This personality is airy, bubbly, bright and over the top. And no matter how great the intention is, Side B can be misinterpreted as the fake, or bitchy version of you.
So maybe it may be just me but I feel it to be totally unecissary to be over the top- rambunctious and overzelous with perfect strangers. If you really think about the ramifications of revealing your true self to someone you barely know, you'd be beside yourself with chock. I myself am  more of a sit-back-and-watch-what-you-do-before-I-open-up type of person. However majority of society misinterpret's this silence as being a bitch.

First and firstmost, let it be known for all that no one can be trusted. I for one will not engage in conversation with someone I deem to be fake, phony or untrustworthy. Why bother? I've been there and done that and I'm sure many of you have also. In life, meeting new people is like buying a new cassette tape. The package is exceptioally pretty and beautiful, but before we even get the chance to hear Side A, we're forced to fall in love with side B which unfortuantely has become the norm. But what about the people who don't fall prey to this stigma? What about those who like myself are quiet and observant, only to be labled an unsavoray 5 letter word for being their authentic self?

If their was is one this I've carried with me in my lifetime, it is that we all must take a moment to step back, observe and then proceded with action. My side B may be unpopular but it has yeilded me great insight and better friendships.

Enjoy
xxx

Friends, Money + Shades of Grey

Do not underestimate the phrase "You are the company you keep". In the past, every few months or so I would go on a hiatus for several weeks. Why? Because I had no money and couldn't afford to hang around my friends.

Now I'm sure you're wondering what friends have to do with money. Well think about it. Imagine going to the mall and seeing a group of friends walking together. Chances are they are wearing virtually the same thing, shopping at the same places and most likely have the same number of bags in their hands. Yet in actuality their incomes could be completely different! One friend could be making a comfortable cushy salary while the other makes the bare minimum. Regardless if person B is struggling, they know deep down that if they want to keep the company of that friend they're going to have to keep up with the spending too.

Let's admit it. Keeping friends is practically a second job (except you're trading money for time). One that can be expensive depending on who you like to hang with. This is a concept I knew very early on in life but didn't really bother giving much attention to. As long as I could take care of myself (and perhaps give my friend a little help too) than I was all set.

But alas, I ran into a few money woes or two. And that is when everything was not all set.

So here's are some of my conclusion to this issue with friends and money:

Be rich. When there's money in your pocket, there's money to entertain yourself hence you'll be able to keep up with the Jones'. Sounds shallow, yes. However I've learned first hand that people start to disappear when your pockets are empty. Don't believe me? I challenge you to 1 month of being penniless. I guarantee you'll be awakened.

Understand the golden rule. Remember that episode i Sex & the City when Miranda refused to lend Carrie money? That's because she knew that money and friends don't mix. I used to be an avid money lender. However when the tables turned I found my friends weren't so quick to offer a hand. Outraged? A little. But it's not because they weren't good friends, it's because they understood something I didn't. When we mix friendship loyalty with finances it gets pretty messy. Make that down right ugly.

Be upfront. When you're going out and about set a limit that everyone has to stick to. Even if one person is spending more than the other it sets off a chain reaction. If you're a big spender, you're essentially throwing your money in your friend's face. You may even unconsciously trigger your friend's uncontrollable spending habits (you may or may not care. It's your conscious not mine). Of course this is just a suggestion. If you have incredible discipline when it comes to money management, then ignore this advice.

If your pockets are collecting a bit of dust (or debt), please follow suit and take a break from your friends. Sure they may think you're hiding or being shady, but it's better than feeling shame at not having enough to keep up. You can opt to tell them you're broke (which is a bad idea in my opinion), but I can almost guarantee it won't make a difference.

Friends are great! But don't let them influence your finances unless it's adding more money in your pockets.

Enjoy
xxx

Tasty Pallets: Grilled Chicken Sliders w/ Apricot Spread

Pic and recipe courtesy of The Cooking Photographer.

I've never tried a lunch or dinner which uses fruit in it. I mean NEVER. I've been a picky eater since I was a child and fruit in salty meals is one of those things I've always thought was weird. (Imagine if you will the child from the Domino's pizza commercial running away from the Hawaiian pizza. Yes, that was me.) But since I'm slowly but surely experimenting with different pallets I thought I'd give this a try. Verdict: Not bad. Not bad at all!

Note: I don't own a food processor. I just throw things in the blender and go from there

Ingredients

• 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs
• Cooking spray
• 3 apricots, halved and pitted
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 clove garlic, pressed through a press
• 8 (1.3-ounce) mini sandwich buns

Directions

1. Spray the grill with cooking spray and heat to medium high heat.

2. Combine first 4-ingredients in a small bowl. Spray chicken with cooking spray and rub with the paprika mixture. Set aside.

3. Grill chicken and apricots about 5 minute per side until the chicken is cooked through. The apricots may finish a little sooner.

4. Cool chicken slightly and shred with forks. Place the apricots in a food processor with mustard and garlic. Process until smooth.

5. Warm the buns in the microwave. Spread a little chutney on buns. Add chicken and sandwich together.

Enjoy
xxx

Tasty Pallets: Turkey, Brie and Pesto Panini

Recipe and Picture courtesy of What's Gabby Cooking. Tons of great recipes! Check it out.

Ingredients

• 2 slices bread, whole grain preferred
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp homemade pesto
• 1 small handful arugula
• 4 slices Brie
• 3 slices oven roasted turkey

Directions

1. Plug in your panini press and let is get hot.
2. Brush the olive oil on one side of each piece of bread. These are the sides that will be touching the panini press.
3. Place a piece of bread on a plate, olive oil side down. Spread on the pesto and then layer on the turkey, brie and arugula. Top with the remaining piece of bread.
4. Place into panini press and close. Let it toast for about 5 minutes until its golden brown on the top and bottom. Remove, slice and serve.

Sincerely Me

pic courtsey of Freak Alternative Photographics [1]

Dear World,

I don't when it happened, but you have unconsciously turned into a robot. You are no longer alive. Everyday I watch you get up go to work, go home, eat dinner, go to sleep, and repeat the cycle again. What happened to the days when you spoke your mind unfazed by the criticism of others? What happen to the times when your clothes would make a statement of the person we both know you really are? What happen to making your dreams a reality?

You've become a slave to the paycheck. You've become a slave to fear. You've become the butt of jokes among strangers. You've allowed far to many things to slide. You're trapped in the twilight zone of comfort. Imprisoned by the familiar. You don't even realize you're no longer living.

I know you're not happy. So get happy. 

Feel the breath of fresh air expand your lungs. Feel the sensation of blood running through your veins. Take off the shackles of monotony and be a little spontaneous. Live. Live the life you've always dreamed. Live the life you know you deserve. Be bold. Be courageous. Be extraordinary. Be legendary. Do it now. Do it today, and I promise you'll thank me later.

Sincerely,

Shirley T.