Author Archives: Kara

Ten on Tuesday

Posted in Lists, Ten on Tuesday by

Here’s another edition of Ten on Tuesday, brought to you by Roots and Rings!

1.  What book, movie or song has made you want to travel to a particular place? (eg. I went to Prince Edward Island because I was such a Anne of Green Gables fan)

I read Dear John by Nicolas Sparks and it made me want to visit the East Coast! Right now I’m reading a book called “Shanghai Girls” by Lise See and it really makes me want to visit China even more.

2. Aside from your significant other, who would you want to take with you on a dream trip?

My Mommy :)

3. Where would said dream trip be to?

Somewhere luxurious, warm and tropical, definitely.

4. If you were hosting guests or providing tips, what three things would you show visitors to your hometown? (be it where you live now or where you grew up)

The Farmer’s Market, the Wildlife Park and the cupcake store! At the Wildlife Park, you’ll learn that the “Deer/Moose X-Ing” signs on the road mean “Watch out!” rather than “This is a good place to spot BC wildlife.” I’m not even joking!

5. If you had a long weekend ahead of you, where you head – beach, city or country/mountains?

The country! I’m feeling a little worn out, so a little R&R would be very welcome right now!

6. Do you have a passport? If so, did you get it for a particular trip or just to have, in case?

I don’t :( It’s been on my “To do” list for quite a while but I haven’t gotten around to it.

7. Are there any travel souvenirs you collect? If not, is there something else you collect?

I’ve tried collecting lots of things, but they never pan out. I’ve done Thimbles (thanks to my Grandma), drink coasters (again, my Grandma!), magnets and shot glasses, but I don’t have a huge collection of anything. It’s all just clutter now. Except for maybe the shot glasses. Now those I use! ;)

8. If you could name a paint colour, what colour would it be and what would you call it?

It would be yellow and be called Asian. Haha!

9. If you were heading away for a weekend citybreak solo, where would you go? (forget about practicality here and flight times, assume you can get to any city in the world for the weekend)

I’d say Vancouver. I know where everything is and I know exactly what I’d do. Anywhere else, it would take me more than a weekend!

10. Is there a song or a smell or something that you strongly associate with a particular holiday/place/time, such that it always takes you back?

Angel Food cake! It reminds me of my Grandparents. My Grandma always makes an Angel Food cake for everyone’s birthday (if they’re in town), topped with ice cream, strawberries, whipped cream and sprinkles! It’s probably one of my favourite childhood memories. :)

Annnnnnd today is my Mom’s birthday! Happy Birthday Mommy! <3

Reflecting on the final year

Posted in Education, Friends, Memories, Photos, Reflections by

It has been approximately one year since I finished my undergrad degree. ONE YEAR! It’s hard to believe that I’ve been out here in the real world, doing my thang for a year already.

My last year of university was a whirlwind, to say the least. I started my job as one of the news editors for the university paper, I met Canada’s Green Party leader, I moved in with Kyle, I travelled east for the first time and I partied hard, all while completing my degree!

These photos are from September 2008, when the federal election was going on here in Canada. A group of us went out to practice our die-hard journalism skills, staying up until 1 a.m. to meet and scrum with Canada’s Green Party Leader, Elizabeth May. (The Green Party is more or less the “Environmental” party of Canada) It was also Melissa’s birthday, so we celebrated that as well!

We had a pretty awesome Christmas party for the school newspaper, enjoying delicious tapas and drinks before heading to the boss’s house to play a little DDR and Guitar Hero like the nerds we truly are!

After the new year and barely a week into the new (and final!) semester, the gang from the newspaper ventured to the Canadian Prairies to visit freezing cold Saskatoon for the Canadian University Press Conference. I shall warn you now, the entire trip was more drinking and partying than learning about the paper, but Melissa and I did tour the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, which was pretty awesome, and we saw some odd sights, like a statue of Ghandi. Also, I realized that I know I’m drunk when I start flashing random hand signals and gang signs. In this case, it was “W” for “Wizard”, the nickname we lovingly gave the horrible DJ at the wind up gala.

Finally, there was the Year End party, filled with singing, dancing, drinking and good times. I sure miss these people sometimes but I bump into them from time to time. Oh, and I also discovered I act like a pirate sometimes. Oh, and did I mention horrible U-Brew wine sipped from coffee mugs?

Yep, those were the days! Do I miss school? Sometimes, but somethings are better left as memories :)

TRU Journalism Grads, 2009

Do you ever miss school, if you’re not in it anymore? If you’re not, do you think you will?

Friday Food: Spaghetti

Posted in Friday Food by

Who doesn’t love the scene in the Lady and the Tramp where they share a big ol’ plate of spaghetti and smooch at the end? I sure do, and with that I present to you my spaghetti sauce recipe.

It’s actually really simple and I got the recipe from Kyle, who happens to have a knack for food. The ingredients are:

  • 1/2 a large onion, chopped
  • 2 stalks of celery, sliced
  • 2 medium-sized carrots, peeled, halved and chopped
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 large can of diced tomatoes (796 mL)
  • 1 can of tomato soup
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • Dill and salt to taste

Start by browning up your beef and then add in your onion, celery, carrot and garlic:

Let those hang out together for 5 minutes or so to let the flavours have a change to mingle and say “Hello” to one another, then add in your canned tomato and soup. I use the liquid from the diced tomatoes to mix the soup in nicely. Mix all around, and you get this:

When everything is mixed together, I add it about 2 tbsp of the dill and a dash of salt or so to taste. Then I let everything heat up until it starts bubbling and then bring the heat down to a simmer. I like to try and let the sauce simmer for at least two hours for maximum flavour before starting up my pasta and diving in!

Here’s the final product, with the standard Kraft Parmesan cheese on top:

And there you have it! A quick and easy (and cheap!) spaghetti sauce.

Happy weekend! Any special plans?