Conversin' around~ Weekend of laughter and brilliance

     Where have I been? This past weekend has been another very positive roundup (if you can't see it, feel the smile on my face) My dropbox is getting a bit sassy and stubborn so I can't throw any pictorial evidence or support of the weekends adventures. )O:
     Friday started with a full day of work, oven dancing, and then actual dancing ^^* ..

conversin' (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Black Ilumin and Jkea Pains were preforming over at Phantom in Sinsa and I was fortunate enough to be extended an invitation! Both Jake (Jkea) and Black Ilumin are very talented artists, check them out! I've had both these artists on my radar for a while and getting to see and swivel to their music literally screamed at me....why have I not kicked it to their shows earlier?! They also have worked together and are named "Wisecrue" check their collaborations out too! 

     Saturday was Cinco de Mayo, and Vatos was hosting a fundraiser event for Children's day and the orphanage! I swung by around one and the place was PACKED! I'm still so overwhelmingly happy that they are doing so well! I baked a cake for them and it was rich! When dropbox figures it's issues out...I'll throw on a eye teaser and recipe!! From what I saw, a lot of donations were provided from several generous people! Diapers, baby wipes, formula~ hell yea community! 

     Around 7, my crew and I were lucky enough to get a table and spoil our tummies, taste buds, and livers with loads of fresh and delicious noms, gauntlets of drinks, and a slice of my cake!! A line was in constant existence outside Vatos' door and as always, Kenny, John, and Jeena were amazing! Eye teasers will also come around later!!

     Post Vatos, a skating after party was hit up! More dancing, more drinking, more smiling, loving, and laughing...then it was Sunday! Once again, the crew united at a friend's house where we were spoiled rotten with vegan chili, salsa, quesadillas, guacamole, mango vodka, etc...Vatos was still on the minds eh?! It was a perfect Sunday, the sun beat down on all of us while we shared stories, played boggle, and relaxed on a rooftop! The sun set and we parted ways...but today...another wonderful day!

     I spent the morning in nothing but great smiling spirits...then I taught my cutie of a student for two hours, came home, wrapped up lesson plans...and now...resting time. My dropbox hasn't uploaded anything for the past two hours...but I promise pictures. 

     Oh and random unrelated picture, a few weeks ago Melissa and I got together for a lazy porch Sunday and we got to some hair playing, well, she played and my locks became beauty~

photo taken by Melissa! 

The facts:

Jkea Pains Facebook page

Jkea Pains Soundcloud 

Black Ilumin Facebook page

Black Ilumin Soundcloud (listen to Liquis Poison...ughhhhhh)

Wisecrue Facebook page

Vatos website

Vatos Facebook page

AND while you're checking out all this GREAT stuff, check out my boy's beats~ (I'll write more about him later) but this is talent right here~~ 

More Love for Vatos~ AND FUNDRAISER!

     It seems like I've been riding such a high and positive wave for a while now, and I'm LOVING it~ Parts of me are cautious, waiting for things to crash, but I'm living this and soaking it all up. Every weekend has been filled with beautiful Seouls, great music, dancing jams, positive energy, great food, delicious drinks, lots of laughter, and loads of adventure. Other than the weekends, the weeks have been filled with productivity, socializing, and exploring emotions and feelings that I genuinely thought have passed. Open your heart, open your eyes, live your life~
     Maybe it's all of these bursting flowers adding to my colorful and smiley style, I won't complain...not in the slightest.

photo taken by VeganBeats~

     This past weekend has been nothing short of brilliant, so many reasons, so many Seouls, so many real moments...am I woman loving life? Am I gloating a bit...I'm celebrating ^^*~
     The weekend commenced with a gathering at Vatos Urban Tacos! If you've been following, my genuine love and enthusiasm for this resturarant is unavoidable and undeniable! Everytime I spend time at Vatos, I have a great time. And every time my friends are introduced to Vatos, they leave with happy stomachs, giant grins, and a similar attitude to mine..."I LOVE Vatos~"
     I tend to go on a "Vatos soapbox" whenever someone slips the "I really want Mexican good" or "does anyone know of a good restuarant?"
     This Sunday night I introduced Vatos to a buddy and other friends joined us...we started with a Mexican martini (for him) and a Vegan Bloody Mary (no worchestire sauce) for me and jeezum~ This was spicy, strong, and sassy. My vegan parts were tickling with silly excitement, cellery ughhh~...ahh the veggies of the states...I miss you so~

Vegan Vatos Bloody Mary (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     I ordered a "Surprise me" taco salad and Kenny served up something on the wim that was more than satisfying, it was perfect! The taco salad had the cabbage slaw, beans, kimchi, sauteed veggies, salsa, and two corn tortillas! There was a great balance of texture, warm kimchi and veggies with crunchy zesty cabbage! Vegans~ Do Vatos...do it...!

Vegan Vatos Taco Salas~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     My buddy is South African and has been talking about this cider that I "HAD TO TRY!" Vatos carries it, Hunter's dry and sweet! The alcoholic cider I recall and know is Woodchuck from Vermont...I'm sorry VT, but it doesn't compare. Hunter's is bubbly, great with lemon, and really delicious. I ended up downing three of these...granted my groggy woozy head should've told me to chill but my taste-buds were craving!!

one of my many bottles~ (photo taen by VeganBeats)

     Every time, every single time someone comes here here, they leave wanting to come back, and with a new level of expectation for food in terms of what Korean provides. In what Mexican cuisine is available in this teeny peninsula. The food, the drinks, the entire restaurant provides a great experience. It's nearly (I think completely) impossible to not have a great time! Do yourself a favor, your friends a favor and check out Vatos!

Also~ This Saturday, Vatos is hosting it's First Cinco De Mayo and Children's Day Fundraiser! 
Here is the information:
May 5, 2012 11:30 am to 11:30 pm~

"Come join us as we hold our 1st Annual Cinco de Mayo / Children's Day Fundraiser at Vatos Urban Tacos!

We will be offering:
-Vatos NUTELLA NACHOS
-Homemade TRES LECHES CAKE
-Homemade APPLE CINNAMON CRUMBLE (YES, back for ONE day only!!!)

***100% of our dessert proceeds will be donated to an Infant Orphanage. We will use the proceeds to BUY infant items and personally take it to them.

The orphanage believes every child should have the opportunity to learn and grow in a loving home. Currently it has about 50 infants waiting to be adopted; most are younger than 3 months old. The majority of the mothers are young and unmarried who wish to provide better prospects for their child. Let's be that helping hand!

***In addition, we will be accepting any donations consisting of infant formula, infant diapers and other infant items leading up to Cinco de Mayo starting TODAY!!!!

*** Open donations will be greatly appreciated as well

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~~~"
Facebook Event Page~

Hope to see y'all there!! 

Kony 2012

     A couple days ago my brother sent me a video that has now been getting a LOT of attention. It's posted all over facebook, trending on twitter, and is growing more widely known by the minute. The video is Kony 2012 (website), which is also a campaign created by the foundation, Invisible Children. Invisible Children aims to make Joseph Kony famous, not to glorify his actions, but to call him accountable for the torture, pain, and suffering he has caused, promotes, and forces. Invisible children aims to raise support universally to get Kony arrested. Here's the video, in case you have yet to see it.

     Who is Joseph Kony? He's a Ugandan warlord that kidnaps children, brainwashes them, forces them to be sex slaves (if the children are females) and child soldiers for his militia, the LRA. He claims that his actions are motivated by divine powers and his evil has left thousands of families scared, and children very unsafe. He is among the International Criminal Court's most wanted.    
     The campaign is calling for universal support and donations to help the Ugandan military. This is what they said:

     “In order for Kony to be arrested this year, the Ugandan military has to find him.  In order for them to find him, they need the technology and training to find him in the vast jungle. That’s where the American advisors come in.  But in order for the American advisors to be there, the US government has to deploy them.  They’ve done that, but if the government doesn’t believe that the people care about arresting Kony, the mission will be canceled.  In order for people to care, they have to know, and they will only know if Kony’s name is everywhere.”
     Since this campaign and video have gone viral, more and more people have been coming out to criticize it. The records of funds and their distribution is public, and granted, I would prefer everything be put into the victims, a majority of it is put into the founders of Invisible Children, their traveling expenses, paychecks, etc. 
     I understand how important it is to know where exactly your donations are going, these are crucial in terms of being a part of a cause you care for. Parts of me grasped on to this campaign because I am thankful. I am glad that I now know about Kony. I was completely (and admittedly, very blissfully) unaware of the injustice that was happening to children in these terms. I have heard other stories, but the LRA was something that fell naked to my field of vision. 
     People our stating that being aware is a waste of time, we cannot do anything, the Invisible Children are selfish liars, donating is a waste, don't support this, making Kony famous will not change anything, etc. 
     I hear their frustrations and doubts, but for myself, the finances and distribution of money is not my highest concern, in fact...that's not what I feel the importance of this message really is. Not being ignorant is what I find to be the most valuable. Together, as people of the world, we are acknowledging this injustice. We are not falling blind to the truths around us. I'm internationally caring, I'm trying to spread some knowledge about this. What people do with that is out of my hands, but spreading this, making the injustices known; that is one of the most important steps.  
     All too often, when it comes to any cause, others quash it down. Us vegan kids, how many times have we each individually heard that we cannot save all the animals? That people will keep eating meat? Why are we wasting our time? It's exhausting, but do we stop?
     The important thing , the most essential point of motivation and reason behind any cause is to shed ignorance, to further educate, to make things known. Overall awareness, a greater understanding; this is the most important factor in making ANY sort of change. 
     In the end, after education, after acknowledgement, it is up to each person to make the change they are capable of making. Hearing that failure is inevitable is not a worthy means to quit on a project, to throw in the towel. 


I'm bothered by the effort put out there to detach from this campaign and the wrongs that are happening to the Ugandan children and people, the energy expended to quash down a campaign's goal to make other's aware, the redistribution of what is truly wrong in this entire situation. 


The awareness is the most valuable point..do what you want with it. 

credit

Invisible Children facebook page

Kony 2012 website

Invisible Children vimeo page

1.2 million in 3 hours!!

     The bakesale was a success and thank you so much for the bakers and the supporters! There was such a wonderful (and FULL) spread of goodies and an awesome turnout. Cannot thank everyone involved enough for such a wonderful bakesale!!

gluten-free and other vegan goodies (photo taken by VeganBeats)

my gluten free treats! cowboy cookies, raspberry jam shortbread, and chocolate-dipped shortbread (photo taken by VeanBeats)

my gluten free lemon drops and Kia's brownies and blondies! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Mipa brought some of her wonderful and deliriously delightful Alien's Day Out goodies!!

from right to left: tropical bars, cocoa nib cranberry oat bars, chocolate orange biscotti, tropical biscotti, and thin mints! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

lemon pound cake, chcolate chip cookies, cranberry double chocolate chip cookies, oat bars! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

Fiona's mango cake, apple tarts, chocolate cakes!!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

cinnamon rolls, chai cupcake, apple scones, pumpkin boscotti, cholate almond biscotti, blondies, and brownies! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

How beautiful is all of this?!!

So much fun and~~~Mipa delivers her Alien's Day out goodies!!!
Check out her bakeshop~~

Don't Forget to Come to the Bakesale~

The bakesale for the Horn of Africa is tomm! Make sure to make it for lots of vegan goodies~

I made a BUNCH of gluten-free jazz~~ All organic and only some things contain nuts~

Here's some of what will be around!!

rasberry jam shortbread cookies (photo taken by VeganBeats)

mint brownies (photo taken by VeganBeats)

lemon drops and chocolate shortbread (photo taken by VegsanBeats)

cowboy cookies (photo taken by VeganBeats)

I've been baking for hours! It's been a blast and there are so many vegan goodies that will be sure to satisfy your eyes and tummy!~

Hope to see you tomorrow~~

Just Reminding all of you!!

poster provided by aliensdayout

This Saturday is a bakesale that will be chalk full of vegan goodies! Make sure to stop by and while eating some FABulous treats be helping a greater cause!!
(There will be gluten free jazz as well!)

Here's the facebook page!!

Worldwide Vegan Bakesale and the Cancer Kids Marathon

     WOW~~ The worldwide Vegan Bakesale:Fundraiser for Japan was PHENOMINAL*!~ 

So many wonderful people came together to support this event! There were amazing eats created, eaten, purchased, and donated!

     Everything made was vegan and there were gluten free options! I don't think I can respectfully describe the beauty of a table full of glorious and SAFE edibles~~

a portion of the table. from bottom left clockwise: chocolate cupcaked with orange bits, chocolate chip and snickerdoodle cookies, brownies, lemon bars, chcolate covered pretzels, thin mints, chocolate afgans, and jelly muffins (photo taken by VeganBeats)

from bottom left clockwise: chocolate covered pretzels, brownies, blondies, carrot spice muffins, lemon poppyseed muffins, rockyroad bars, and coconut cupcakes (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     The bakers are all wonderful women and more than talented. I love how everyone collaborated to support such a positive and beneficial event!! We had everything...I managed to steal some shots before everything flew off the table...I love being surrounded by so much talent and brilliance^^*!~

coconut cupcakes (photo taken by VeganBeats)

Kia's Cupcakes~~Beautiful!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

Fiona's jelly muffins (photo taken by VeganBeats)

chcolate cupcakes with candied orange bits (photo taken by VeganBeats)

The cookies were...super cute and I'm not usually into sweets but I found myself oogling the spread...O_o

chocolate afgans made by Fiona! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     There were some gluten free options..Kia whipped up some truffles (that were a HIT) and I made the cookie batches ^^*!~

Kia is a wonderful baker and has so much experience in terms of baked goods...she made so much...and uggggghhhhhhh(Homer Simpson moans!!

on top are my Cyndi Lauper girlfriend sugar loves, and below are Kia's truffles! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

gingerbread biscotti made by Kia (moan out loud amazing!!) (photo taken by VeganBeats)

Kia's blondies (photo taken by VeganBeats)

Kia's snickerdoodle and chocolate chip cookies (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Kia woke up SUPER early to whip up a GIANT box of snickerdoodles and chocolate chip cookies....another hit. Some of my buddies made a point to call me requesting chocolate chip cookies specifically.
     I think chocolate chip cookies are a direct reminder of home..stirs up a lot of nostalgia. Those days (pre-vegan) eating fresh baked chocolate chip cookis dipped in milk or after a long bike-ride. Desserts were never at my house but the were at my nanna's! Everytime my brother and I would spend the day with Nanna and Papa there was some kind of freshly made dessert; chocolate chip cookies or chocolate pudding pie... Lots of cartoons, playing in the park, eating too many sweets, snacking on hummus..not all int his order but my general point~ chocolate chip cookies bring up a lot of childhood memories, they remind us of comfort, safety, happiness...Once vegan, finding these childhood desserts aren't easy to find, we can't run to some store and pick up anything that tastes as good, if we can find anything. Another hit...and Kia, very very yummy!!

     I made the gluten free jazz (besides Kia's truffles.) I made GF sugar cookies, a tropical trail mix cookie, and carob-teased chocolate chip raison cookies.

Cyndi Lauper Girlfriend Sugar Loves (photo taken by VeganBeats)

The tropical trail mix cookies and carob-teased chocolate raison cookie pictures I took came out FAR too blurry but..yumm! I miss baking and playing with an ovens to...I have to say, I'm still buzzing from this!!
The bakesale was a HUGE success, we raised 942,000won, and it will be evenly split and donated to MercyCorps and JEARS. Thanks to all that supported, baked, provided...etc...thank you!!


MORE AWESOMNESS...Today is Sunday and this morning started with the Cancer Kids Marathon!

I was signed up for the 5K and was SUPER nervous. I twisted my ankles up about two weeks ago and haven't been able to get in any running in. But luckily and wonderfully Mipa was also running today so I was able to kick it with Beautiful Seouls!!

octopus man!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Due to general anxiety about this race, I have been searching all sorts of blogs for how to prepare for your first 5K.

Helpful hints:
~drink LOTS of water, you'll be thankful for it when you're at that starting line. Dry mouth...ugh
~Get plenty of sleep (I got more than my normal amount and felt GREAT this morning!)
~Stretch, my muscles were so stiff and sore this morning and after lots of stretching running was much kinder to these joints of mine.
~Be around positive energy. I was with some newly made friends and Mipa, my anxiety was ignored and I was in a pleasant position from the get go. Takes the focus off of race anxiety and you have more to look forward to post race**good people to kcik it with!
~Bring layers, it's always better to have too many than too little.
~Have fun...

There were SO many people at this event. On facebook not many were signed so I was a bit nervous that it would be a small event..I started adding so much mental pressure upon myself that I couldn't be gentle with myself at all, I mean, I can't be super super slow, I'll just embarass myself..not saying seeing all these people made me not put in a lot of effort, but, it was nice to allow a little extra breathing space. I knew for sure I wouldn't be the last person...eeek

post race! FIGHTING!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

Solid finish, I got under half an hour for my time and was not last place!! Such a GREAT morning...wandered a little ran some errands and...I have the entire day!!

HUZZUH!!

된장찌개, sprout black soybean 밥, and 김치

        While everyone's been complaining about this weather I've been loving it!! It's dreary, biting frigid and my eyelashes frost over every morning, but it's refreshing...my tepid being and extreme lack of sleep has caused my mental state to blend easily almost completely with the environment. Not unpleasant but not preferable...feels sounds looks accurate. I'm enjoying outside because it's reflecting my mental capacity.
        I can't believe it's already Friday, I haven't posted anything, I haven't slept, barely been social...teaching non-stop...any human contact I've had besides with my students has been at the produce stand by my work. I've found a warm embrace there and have been finding myself going there after work just to relax. Broken communication, laughter, a genuine calmness exists there...a tiny 8 by 10 foot produce store, the other half of it covered by a plastic tent, boxes of frozen fish, cartons of eggs, baskets of fruit...peace. Tuesday I went to find mushrooms...a strange habit...or meditation for me- when really stressed, overwhelmed, minds too busy, in need of something still, I go to produce stalls, coops; wander around the fruits and vegetables, admire their shapes, colors, smells, etc. Vegan stuff calms me, stuff from the earth. I feel grounded, even for a matter of seconds, that grounding, something solid to step is worth the 30 minute, 1 hour walk or subway ride. In the states...I was all to often found wandering the aisles of the coops and foreign markets.
        This week has got me standing on my toes on top of brass nails, I'm nauseous, exhausted, busy minded...I feel like an elder. (ranting WARNING) back aches, I can only bend my neck so much until my trapezius muscle (between the shoulderblades along the back of your neck, diamond shaped) swells and feels like any more weight and it will snap, my shoulders won't allow my arms to freely rotate, hips very very stiff...my yoga practice is suffering. I led yoga this morning and my body is definatley holding a lot of stuff in. There's so much compacted, emotions, thoughts, stress origins...I don't know where to begin to alleviate most of it...a loose seam may tear all the fabric..complete overwhelment (word?)

I need to find a bookstore.

I'll cut the arts talk off for now...initial intention of this blog, oh ya...vegan noms!^^*!~
The other day I made some nummy stuff, a classic and staple Korean dish, 된장찌개 (dwe-jang jiggaye)*!~

김치, black soybean steamer 밥 with sprouts, 김 and 된장찌개^^*!~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

 What you need:~
* dwejjang paste (된장 paste) ~can be found at Korean foreign markets
*water
*tofu/ 두부 preferabley firm, cubed...and go with how much you want (I did about 1/4 a block)
*1 medium onion
*zukes (I did peas...I know, not the same family at all)
*mushrooms (had none, but had one teeny 고구마 (sweet potatoe) left...hodge podge


What to do^^*!~
1. In a pot boil a couple cups of water, I did about 4 or 5, I wanted lots of broth!!
2. When the water is boiling add about 1-2 TB of 된장paste and stir...make sure it breaks up, when all mixed in, turn heat to medium high (taste the broth as you go, the color should be a darkish brown...add more paste if bland!!)
3. Add in the veggies, and cover the pot until the veggies are cooked (depends on what you got could take longer)
4. Add the mushrooms once the onions are cooked through and the tofu (두부) and cover the pot. 
5. Let the pot "boil" for ten minutes or so, you want everything cooked up!
6. enjoi^^*!~


I was craving the broth for this...it does smell strong, but for me it reminds me of home and of Korea...coincidentally enough ^^*!~


I ate this with some of the 김치 my 이모 made me (vegan love) and some black soy bean steamer 밥 (onlya little though, don't want to load too much on salt...but I hate rice )O:
and of course, 김*!~


The 된장찌개 came out much better than other attempts because I added the paste first versus after throwing all the veggies in...Oops^^*!~


Anyways Happy Friday*!~


AH, and all you kids out thee playing in Seoul, check out 
The VEGAN BAKESALE FUNDRAISER FOR THE ASAN ANIMAL SHELTER 
this Saturday January 29th at Cafe Harunohee

Directions to Cafe Harunohee:
Gunja Station, Line 5&7, Exit 6. Walk straight for about 5-7 minutes. The cafe will be on your left.
Children's Grand Park Station, Line 7, Exit 1. Walk straight for about 5-7 minutes. The cafe will be on your right.
Address: 서울시 광진구 능동 283-17
Tel: 02-453-0508
Daily Opening Hours: 11am-11pm