Beandip's Bowl

Big Lots in all of it's ghettoness....

2010-10-24T19:36:00.000-07:00

So the Big Lots that I go to is a bit ghetto for sure, which I've always known but this lady's comment was some icing on the cake all the way! Picture this, she's all alone in the bathroom isle and she proclaims, "What color is my bathroom? I can't even believe I can't remember what color my bathroom is! Is it yellow?!" WOW!!! Can anyone guess what color she was? Ooohhh sorry, is that mean? No it's not mean!!! Oh no you didn't!

Brussel Sprouts!!!

2010-10-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

I love them! (And I love my weird coconut drink that Tali bought for me, thanks Tali, but that's besides the point). I bought a huge bag of brussel sprouts at Costco the other day thinking, as always, that Gareth and I would be enjoying them together. Nope, on my own for this one! Ya learn something new about the one you love everyday, and even though he is not a picky eater by any means, he does not like brussel sprouts! Why did everyone's parents, except mine, ruin this delicious vegetable for them? I feel like my whole life people would alway say "BLAH I hate brussel sprouts, my parents used to make me eat them", so I assumed I did too, until my 20's when I was finally really introduced to them. Heaven! I know, I know, anyone that knows me is saying "What, you don't even like ketchup", which is true, but at least I like fry sauce! Take that! Yes my parents were sweet and didn't force me to eat anything, which is why I feel today I am so open minded with food and like many different flavors, it just took me awhile to grow into my tastebuds is all. Well, they actually tryed to force tomato soup on me, but guess what, I love it now because I got over it and gave tomato soup another chance. So what I'm trying to say is, all of you brussel sprout haters out there, give it another chance....plus they're good for ya!

PS-if you're willing to give em another shot, this is how I make them delish!
1. cut in half and steam them
2. then throw them in another pan and saute in butter and garlic, or garlic powder
3. last but not least, sprinkle parmesian cheese on top and VOILA!

So it's been over a year.......

2010-10-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

Well no excuses, don't know where I've been, well I know where I've been but in the meantime I've just been totally ignoring my blog! I was going to start a whole spanking new blog but I guess I'm just being lazy for now, what's wrong with Beandip's Bowl anyway right?!!
Funny the last time I wrote was in Geneva, since then I've been to a few more fun and exciting places (Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia), and now I'm in my newish cozy apt in good ol LA LA land again! What has been going on since my last blog we wonder, well I'm still a waitress, I think I've turned pro by now for sure, so that's just fantastic. And oh it's actually the 4 month versary of my Brookie's Cookie's little cookie business today! I'm selling cookies out of 2 cookie jars at my restaurant, not much, just some grocery and gas money is all. It's been fun and business gets better every day. I just introduced my famous (among friends and family) pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and they've been selling like hot cakes! I love making my customers fat and happy, there is so much joy in that! Also, I've been struggling with the new thought of not pursuing the acting thing whilst still living in LA. That's what I came here for, so it's been tough. As we speak, I'm searching for a new job, a new meaning to life, happiness in a career. So that's my story for now, wish me luck! I'm BACK!!!!

Travel Mania!!!

2009-06-23T05:14:00.000-07:00

So I left you all with my life a little over a month ago, how horrible of me! My goodness, have I been busy or what?! Well actually I do feel like I have been busy. Between Jersey, Wyoming, working in between, and now Geneva I mean what can I say. Okay, you’re right I’m just trying to make up excuses now. So here I am, having just arrived in Geneva last night and waking up at 4:30 am—Hello jet lag!--- wrustling around in bed for a couple of hours, getting up in the silence of the Taylor house hold…..where is everyone? Ate some cereal, can’t get the internet to work, read a magazine, had some tea….. still no one around. Kind of nice right, and I should embrace it. So finally it came to me that it would probably the perfect time to write a blog, and now this far into it, when for the past 3 hours I could have been working on it, Rose-Marie (Gareth’s Mom) has emerged from the bedroom. Now I have company so I may have to come back to it…..a bientot! (that means see you later in French:)

Leaving for the good ol Garden State today! Here I come Shandamna and Jersey Jeff--WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

2009-05-20T09:23:00.000-07:00

Have to make this quick, but I felt like I've been completely ignoring my blog and that's not nice! So basically I've been waitressing my buns off for the past week, hoarse voice and all! I made a four day cover girl guest appearance at one of the restaurants I use to work at a couple years ago (NY Bagel). It was a little bit rough getting up at 5:30 everyday, but I can't complain and have to keep reminding myself that I'm doing it to make extra dough for my trips! YAY for traveling, my love. Plus, it was fun to see all of the regulars who are still around and super fun to work with my ol Barney's serving pal Sarah! Sarah and I have always really enjoyed working together, we just make a great team, and now she's working at NY Bagel so it was perfect! Anyway, I better get going so I can get ready for my flight. My friend, Jer is nice enough to give me a ride to the airport today and he will be here in an hour--S*@T I really gotta go! If you read this, thanks so much for the ride Jer, I really appreciate it! It's better than a crazy shuttle or smelly taxi that's for sure:) Well I hope so anyway--HA!

It's Cinco de Mayo and I'm already missing Shandamna :(

2009-05-05T16:40:00.000-07:00

It only makes sense considering that she is my drinking buddy, right?! So in honor of this holiday and Shanna's departure I am eating chips and salsa while enjoying a very refreshing ice cold Corona:)--Thanks Shan! I actually inherited many food items from her cupboards and fridge which makes Perdy, Victor and I very happy! She just up and moved back to New Jersey this morning (can you believe she did that to me?!) and I already miss her. So sad! But, the good news is, I get to visit her in a couple of weeks for the wine festival in Jersey! Yes I said wine festival in New Jersey, may sound strange but it's true and will be amazing I'm sure! Thanks to my Dad for making that happen, Happy Bday to me! Anyway, Shanna and I had a fantastic time together these last 4 months, as we both just moved back to LA about the same time this last January. Thanks for the good times Shan! I guess I can look at it like this--she came back to help me through the very hard first few months back in LA and now I'm okay so it was time for her to go back. Trying to be positive.

Rrrrrrrub and Massatch Cha!

2009-05-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

My great friend Chuck spoiled me with a massage appointment at the hotel "Shutters" for my Birthday. What a wonderful gift, I must say! Thanks again Chuck! I enjoyed it thoroughly, well I just love massages period! A weekly massage would be the first thing that I would spend money on if I had it- HA! I'm excited for that day for sure! Anyway, I figured that it was awfully fitting to get my massage the last day of my Bday month, and more importantly, when I was done dealing with the assholes at the hell hole. Perfect and a great decision!

Shutters offers a very nice atmosphere, I loved that I was the only one in the women's lounge/locker room. Especially considering the fact that I wasn't in the mood to see naked women romping around the locker room getting ready for the day. It's very distracting and just really not my favorite. I was also the only one in the pre-massage relaxation room. Just me, a food and wine magazine, and a glass of fresh raspberry/strawberry infused water. Delicious!!! Amir, my massage therapist, was a lovely man and kind of reminded me of the hairy Turkish men who massaged (and much more) Perdy and I in Istanbul almost exactly a year ago at the Hamam! Isn't that crazy, the odds! I'm not gonna lie, kind of scary. Plus, I was constantly reminded of his heritage when I felt his super hairy hairy hairy arm all over my body! The best was that he had asked me about any injuries that he had to be aware of and I mentioned that I had bad knees but they had never been a problem during a massage. So as he was stretching my leg, of course one of my knees made a loud "CRACK!" noise. He immediately froze up and was so stressed that he had hurt me and my knee had popped out of the socket or something. While really that happens all of the time, it didn't even hurt and it's not a big deal. Poor guy, poor sweet Amir. So overall, well besides Amir's constantly vibrating phone-he was stressed about that too (not a big deal but probably not the best idea for business), it was a fabulous experience! I loved it!

And now it's May, can we talk about how time flies! Geez Louizzz!!! Happy 1st Day of May to everyone. Oh and of course a huge congrats to Bear and Lil, they're preggars! I'm so happy for those great friends of mine, I love them so much and they've been trying hard for a long time. WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I can't wait for little Brooke to arrive! Brooke E (the E can stand for Edward!) Bear, what a cute name :)

I QUIT! YAAAAAAYYYYY!

2009-04-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

My last night at WST (the restaurant that I had threatened leaving before, ya know, the one with the assholes) was last night. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, what a sweet sigh of relief and joy. I'm so happy! There are many reasons for leaving, which we really don't need to get into. But, I do have to say that the fact that they didn't feed us, much less offer us the chance of buying food (even at full price!) while we were working is major BS! That's probably one of the things that bugged me the most, besides it being a super stressful enviroment to work in. Hey, I love food what can I say! No, but seriously, when your staff is working 6 to 8 hrs. a night a little love from the kitchen would be nice. Okay, enough about them! I got it out of my system and I will try to never mention them again! Now it's time for some yoga and a relaxing massage (Thanks Chuck!).

Thanks!!!

2009-04-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

Have been totally ignoring my blog and I apologize. So as I'm rushing out the door to go to work, I just wanted to thank all of my friends and family for making my big 28th Bday so wonderful! I've had many good times this month so far and I'm not stopping because the month isn't over yet! Thanks again and I love you all!!!

Today is my Birthday! How old am I? That's not important.

2009-04-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

I'm soooooooooooo very sorry for slacking on the blog lately, I've been busy! Well, yes that's kind of true!

So Jer requested an update on the bachlorette party, and I'm sure more of you have been dying to know too! Basically, to sum it up, many girls became certified strippers that night (I have proof), Brian (the only guy allowed on the bus-aka the luckiest guy in the world) was there as one of our chaperones?, whoever made the party song mix on the ipod did a fantastic job, it felt as if the party bus literally transported us to Santa Barbara, champange and vodka are not a good mix for me, I was almost arrested (LOL HA HA just kidding Mom!), on the ride home it became the bed time bus, when we arrived back to Pasadena the bride wouldn't stop saying that she wanted a taco, the groom delivered Del Taco to us, and overall it was just a blast! The End.

And as for my time in San Diego with the fam, well I didn't get any recap requests for this trip but it definitely deserves some attention. We all had a great time together and I became a true tourist in my own state, which was a long time coming! We visited the San Diego Zoo, truely wonderful. We also took a history hop on hop off trolley all around San Diego which was so much fun as well. Then, to top it all off, my mom invited her friends (all of my favs), to a surprise Bday party for me! It was super dupe and I was completely surprised. With the best red velvet cake ever and Brillo's special banana's flambe' (that has to be the wrong spelling on that word) how can anyone complain?! Ya can't! Thanks to all of you for making it to my Bday party and for the presents of course! And a big special thanks to my mom, aunt Nancy, and uncle Brillo for the overall good times!

Well I better get going, honestly it's been hard completing this blog with all of the Bday messages and phone interuptions, I'm not complaining believe me I love it--thank you! But, it's time for the "Shan and Brooke's totally awesome Bday romp around day!" I'm sure it will be amazing and something I'll definitely have to recap in the near future. It's Birthday Time!!!

My ankles hurt but I'm ready to party! Bring on the GOOD TIMES!

2009-04-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

So I've been working my little buns off for the past few days, which hasn't happened for awhile, and now my kankles are sore! HA I mean ankles of course, hopefully I never have to deal with kankles. Anyway, I'm very much looking forward to my next 5 days off!

It begins with today, me and Shan are going to our friend Teresa's bachlorette party--need I say more? Yes I do! So the deal is, a bunch of girls will be piling into a party bus (containing a dance floor and stripper pole) that will be taking us to Santa Barbara for a night of good times to say the least! Victor(my roomie) just commented that he thinks this blog should be called "Pre Headache". HAHA he so funny! Anyway, I'm not using that title because I'm going to try really hard to not feel like crap tomorrow. No really I am! I swear! Not gonna promise anything but at least I have good intentions. Mostly because tomorrow I will be meeting up with my mom and aunt Nancy in Newport for some more drinks and good times! Then we'll all head down to San Diego for even more fun! Do you now understand why I'm looking forward to my 5 days of freedom?! To top it off, my uncle Bry will be joining us girls in San Diego on Monday night! Trust me, those will be some good times! I'm sooooooooooo excited! GOOD TIMES all around the board while I'll only be wearing nothing but comfy flat shoes.

Not putting up with ASSHOLES at work!

2009-04-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

I am a really good person and so therefore I feel like I deserve to be treated well. That unfortunately is not always the case in this world is it. I've decided that there are so many great people out there, and I've had the privilege to work for some of those wonderful people, so why should I work for assholes?! I refuse at this point in my life. I don't deserve it and they're not worth it! So, what I'm trying to say is that I will be giving Westside Tavern a little bit more of a chance and if I continue to be treated like shit in any way......

BYE BYE!!!

The Results Are.......

2009-03-30T17:48:00.000-07:00

P.S. This is the result of the roomie's chocolate dessert, you'll notice from the pic that it didn't necessarily turn out the way that was expected. We call them Chocolate VICTORies :) They're not the worst, maybe a little eggy.

WORK WINE AND YOGA

2009-03-30T12:13:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY night was my first night waiting tables at the newly opened Westside Tavern! Finally it's open YAY! With given only 2 tables to handle all night, being bored out of my mind with only 2, yet still making decent money with only 2, this might end up being a good job choice. I understand that they wanted to make sure that the first few days were smooth with almost all 20 servers working but I'm hoping that they'll catch on to the obvious of really only needing about half of us so we can make some real doe! You know what I'm sayin! The best part of the night would have to be the fact that all of my tables were wonderful and a big shout out goes to Christina and Hilary for making a star appearance on my exciting first night! Thanks ladies, it was great having you there! So I'm at that point in my life when I'm asking myself "Will I be waiting tables for the rest of my life?!". I say HELL NO to that but I just keep getting jobs at restaurants so what do ya do? Especially in this economy, like one of my darling customers said and reminded me of the other night... "At least you have a job!". You're right Lori and thanks for the reminder!

Yesterday, which was SUNDAY Funday, was South African wine tasting day at Whole Foods! Perdy, Christina, and I immensely enjoyed our time tasting yummy delicious South African wines for only $10 a person, plus they provide platters of meats, cheeses, olives, and bread! Seriously, could you ask for a better deal?! Then, to top it off, we had Bruno from France doing the tasting for us. He is very knowledgeable yet not snobby at all which we all found perfectly charming. Can you believe a grocery store has a bar set up in the middle of it offering wine, beer, and sake tastings all month long, every month! It's the greatest find ever, thanks Nicole! And I wanted to thank Perdy for joining me for the South African wine memories--KANONKOP in the house! We were reminded of Pinotage and were treated to a Kanonkop winery specialty, what a treat! All the while, Miss Christina was being very chatty and friendly with the very short man to her right, did you get digits? So then we left and headed to another wine bar that I was going to introduce my amigos to, very cute place just down the street. Probably the last thing we needed was another glass of wine, but you know how that goes! Lucky for us it was packed and Perdy proclaimed "pretty sure short whole food's wine tasting man's brother (Christina's new boyfriend's brother) was standing outside". So being the smart cookies that we are, instead of overindulging, we went home like good little gines.

So today, MONDAY, I just came home from doing yoga with one of my favorite teachers (David Romanelli, who's face is pictured above--and no this is not his freaky body) to find my roomies-gay and straight-attempting to make some type of brownie pie KIND OF using a recipe and at the same time trying to use up the 3lb. chocolate heart that Victor bought us for Valentines Day. Can't wait to try this dessert, well actually maybe I can wait. SCARY!!! But in my yogi mind I'm trying to stay positive and practice the idea of freedom that David kept referring to in class. His classes are so much fun, it's not classic yoga, well it is but while listening to a mix of awesome music. Anything from rap, rock, reggae, country, etc etc, the list goes on. David always talks about being in the moment and having freedom in your life to live it and enjoy yourself.......well, something to that extent, but overall he makes me feel better and always has great things to say. He actually just wrote a book (pictured above) called "Livin the Moment" and I've, believe it or not, been reading it! It's really enjoyable, fun, and entertaining all around. I'm excited to finish it, well if I do, no I will......well I'll try. I have problems with actually finishing a book, I usually never do. And to tell ya the truth I rarely ever read at all. Oh well, things could be worse, hey at least I go to yoga right?!?!

Funny HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

2009-03-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

The Office is one of my favorite shows on TV, but you can't beat watching the Ellen show that's fo sho!

Me and my lovely boyfriend were watching The Office, recorded DVR style, last night and I have to say that Micheal quitting is a great thing. Sorry, but we both have been waiting for the day that Micheal is no longer on the show. He's just been driving us nuts for a long long LONG time! Yet it's hard to believe that it's really gonna happen because so many people love his character and how would the show go on?......or will it? And now, as we speak this morn, I'm watching a recorded Ellen show from earlier this week, thanks to my dear friend Shanna. Ellen is just always golden, a great laugh, and she always puts a smile on my face. No, not like that, but y'all know what I'm talkin about. I mean, my goodness, she was having an ice cream eating contest and was singing "Milkshake"! HA HA HA I'm sure you can imagine. She's so funny and I love her! Thanks for the laughs Ellen! I know that Nancy and Christina hear what I'm throwin down.

Peace out homies, I gotta go to work and don't feel like it, shoot. K, well I guess you just saw my ghetto side, what in the world?!! HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

I want to SCREAM!!! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

2009-03-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

My apple tastes like dill, my boyfriend is having burping issues, I've felt like punching someone in the face for weeks--can't explain, don't know what to do with my life, and I don't even have my own kids, yet when I'm at my apartment all I can hear is screaming children 24/7!!!! I may be slowly going nuts, is one of the symptoms laughing like a psycho about the most random things? Sounds about right. Of course, right when I complain about the children is when there is the first bit of silence in my life in I don't know how long? Maybe someone else in my apartment complex went crazy and did the job for me, fantastic! Anyway, I've decided to start a blog because, well for a couple reasons, my boyfriend has been suggesting it so I am able to get things out (since I am well known for holding my feelings inside until I randomly burst into tears and freak out over the smallest thing) so I guess you could call that therapy. Second, everyone else has one and Beandip has been feeling a bit out of the loop. Lastly, just plain old "Why Not?". And ya know, I actually already feel a lot better. Don't tell my boyfriend but I was feeling a bit like a panic attack was coming on. He worries about me so much. What a great guy, I mean seriously, he even swears at me in French! I'm the luckiest girl alive and I should be outside right now, what am I doing?! It's such a beautiful day and I'm wasting away on the couch, been so lazy lately too........maybe it's just that time of the month cause I'm a f@#%ing MESS!