January Qwik-E Catch Up

Hi everyone!

Hope you all are having a great MLK Weekend thus far! I really cannot believe February is in a mere two weeks! I did want to do a little catch up with you all about what I've been up to so far in 2012.

Well...

Nothing really! Haha!

Been watching TV (did you catch Bourdain's "The Layover!), been watching sports (Niners!! Sharks!!), went to the gun range (love my little 22), been playing lots of mind boggling puzzle games (to keep my neurons from rotting)...

Why?

My day job has been kicking my ass...

Meaning by the time I get home, I'm too tired to do anything else. I am hoping to gain a bit more willpower to write as the year goes by. Crossing my fingers on that one. I have also been feeling sick (maybe stress from work?), so I have been on chillax mode at the house. I did get my Cortisol checked. It is on the high side of normal range, so that is fine. Because I've been home more, I'm spending more time with the family and living life outside of food. Who knew that was possible for me. I don't take pics every time I go out and eat anymore. I'm not eating out as often. I don't know what's going on. There are some days where I just want to lay in my [warm, comfy, soft] bed all day. And don't get me started on my migraines and eye issues. My body is jacked up.

Maybe I just need to chill, relax, hang out for the time being. My inner self is telling my body to have a break because 2011 was ridiculously busy. I'm also taking a timeout from hosting events. Those who do what I did, as far as marketing and leading events, know the pressures of putting on an event every month. Honestly, it is hard. So the kapaMEALya team and I are pow wowing on how to keep Filipino food in view in different ways. I've been making tons of connections so hopefully they are fruitful ones!

I just got back from the 2012 Winter Fancy Food Show. I'm so tired. Just think Costco samples (albeit some even artisan samples) that go on forever! It's overwhelming for some. I went for the first time last year and I was floored. Today, I never thought I could eat so much cheese! I networked with some awesome folks there and I cannot wait to collab with them.

In other news, I was chosen to be a judge at the 2nd Kulinarya Filipino Cooking Showdown. It's official. I'm stoked!! Don't believe me? See the image below! It is a page from this year's Kulinarya Magazine. I share a page with Franco Finn AND Manny Pacquiao?! Dope. The printed hard copy version is going to be in the morning San Francisco Examiner sometime this week.

If you want to see the full magazine right now go to: http://kulinaryasf.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/kulinaryamagazine_v22.pdf

But if you want more info about the event being held on January 21 and watch me judge it, go here: http://www.kulinaryashowdown.com/index.html

Sorry if you have to copy and paste the URL onto your browser. I'm posting from an app right now.

Other than that, I'm looking forward to a day trip to Napa I am taking with my husband and friends tomorrow. It's going to be fun!

I guess I'm not relaxing much after all. Haha, can't help it! Take care until next time!

xoxo,
Jo

PS: Goooooo Niners!

PPS: I'm sooooo wearing Niners gear at Kulinarya. Gotta represent where I was born and raised, ya feel?!