Picture of me any one??

Well I have the passport and now the passport card! Now just to figure out where my ticket is to ride is going to be punched. I got my birth certificate in the mail a few days later.

My face is a weird color on this card. Isn't it? I thought it would be in color. A friend told me that I can swipe this instead of my ID at the airport when going through TSA domestically. I think I need to go to the airport to test this out. Disney any one??

Ladoo and Galum Jalub

Probably not the best Ladoo I've made so far however I still can't get the gee to besan ratio down. It's a trial and error and you need to make food more than once ever two to three weeks. Here is the third incarnation...

And on another note a friend of mine wanted to know how to make Galum Jalub and I told her it would be on the blog. I am sorry E.R. that it has taken me a few days!! Any way while looking at YouTube video's for Ladoo, I happened upon one for Galum Jalub, (One of my favorite Indian treats!) and the woman stated just to get a mix. A MIX! I was blown away! So I needed to go to the local Indian store and buy the mix? I was like COOL!!

So I went and bought the brand Gits Galum Jalub. It was super simple, directions are in both American and British English, German, French, and Spanish (Spain).
                   

Above is the one for Dosai however as you can see that they have a lot more mixes that I would like to try... Any way the directions are very simple. Mix the flours with water, heat up gee/oil, cook GJ in said fat, then place in sugar water for a minute or two and you get below...

These were not my best and I still have some mix to use so I'll be doing this again. The only down side to the mix is that they don't have the honey mix along with the flour mix. I will say Google and YouTube is awesome for that however I have yet to sit down and look for it yet. I'll type it up once I do!

Japan? India? Korea?

Trying to decide on my first major trip outside the US borders.

1. Japan - Been there however not to Tokyō and northward. I wouldn't have anyone to visit it would just be me, myself, and I. Good thing I know Japanese, however it has gotten rusty over the years however I can re-learn it in a few days. Oh and if I am there less than 90 days, I don't need a visa...

2. India - In the top 10 places I want to go and see before I get to my grave. I have a friend there however he's not really talking too much to me right now so I am hesitant to get a visa to India and him not even being in the country when I'm there. Though I will probably get there some day on my own. I am slowly learning Hindi, but like any new language its only to the big cities for me while I'm there.

3. Korea - Well technically South Korea - Seoul to be exact. I was told it was an hour commuter's flight from Tokyō, so I could technically go to both countries while I'm over in Japan. Maybe I can go there for a visit, and I don't need a visa if I'm not staying there for less than 90 days! So I can do the commuter thing and have some fun in Seoul for a day.

So it may be Japan/Korea and then India. Who knows until I actually set foot in a plane headed to my destination I don't know either.

IT's here!!

YEA!! It is here!! Woot!! Only problem is that it is one of three items coming. The next is the documentation stuff that I sent to the US government and then Passport card.

I thought it was weird that in the places where it used to say STAMPS it says VISA. And I think it is smaller than the older one I have/had. If I do find it I might show the difference in size in a later picture.

I just got a passport cover ordered. so that will be spiffy.

On a different note... the Kokum Coconut Sorbet got a positive response when taste tested so I am going to tweak the recipe a bit and use my babysitters' father as a guinea pig. I need to make a few adjustments however I think with what I learned at school I maybe able to put it into production and sell a little in my future shop on hot days. She also stated that the food I am giving her is being eaten by every one except her.

This next week is going to be "fun" going to do a mass time line for cupcakes and sugar cookies!!

Wholly Cheeseballs

Well I woke up to this at 5 in the morning!

They said the 21st, not the 17th. I almost want to take the day off to revive it. Almost. 

I feel this is too soon. Waiting for my passport has been a mixed blessing. It's been exciting to know that I can travel to more places than the 50 states of America. However it means I can't travel too far and for too long because of the littles.

I want to take them with me however I know that 30+ hrs on a plane they would be miserable with out getting up and going some where. Three first class tickets are not in my future. 

When its time for them to travel overseas, I would like Grace will be 10 or so. I don't want them too young however I know as they get older it will get harder for travel however they will remember and have fun. 

I know I don't want to take them to museums and stuffy spots, however if they suggest it then I would go.

Can't wait for the package to arrive today!!

Day 21-14=7

Oh me oh my!!! Yesterday I was in my school baking baguettes and checked my email and the US government issued an email saying that they have completed everything and are sending it by NEXT WEEK!! Woot!! As my friend Heather says I am doing a snoopy dance of joy!! I maybe able to see snow in Canada or even start a visa to Japan or even more west.

And here are the baguettes. Yummy!!

Day 22

Been wondering since there is 22 days till the shiny passport comes and I can apply for the visas that will hopefully put me on a plane to the next leg of my journey west.

The thing about applying for the visas applications now a days is that they are 5+ pages long, need to see bank statements, have to attach a passport like photo to it (maybe even two) AND then you have to pay a fee to see if they would approve said application and then and only then you can buy a plane ticket for destination. When did world travel get so weird???

In 2000, I guess a different world by today's standards, I went to the Japanese consulate, filled out a page front and back (I think), no photo evidence besides my passport (if I am remembering it correctly), and whisked myself off to Japan like a month later and that was after I had all ready got my plane ticket booked and paid.

Now, like I said its 5+ pages, a passport picture (maybe two), the last 3 bank statements (if you reside in San Francisco County ((ONLY, and of course I will be applying in the city and county of San Francisco.)), and if you throw in your first born child (if approved mind you) they will throw in an extra few weeks for your traveling delight.

I have also thought about applying for an externship some where in the West. It would kill me because that is 6 weeks with out the littles. I'd be calling them every day however not to wake up to some one in the small of your back or getting my hair pulled in all general directions because the little little wants to play hair dresser. Okay maybe I won't miss that particular part however I would miss out on 6 weeks of Summer with the littles.

Though I do get two and the first one is just after my birthday and right before Bella's school starts up again. So if I was able to pull it off I could do one of two out in the world and come home for the remainder and still graduate on time. The other problem is my cats. 6 weeks away from them is no problem. However for them it will be 6 months to 6 years. I don't know who would take care of them for that long and I would have to pay some one to watch them.

Some times its easier for me to stick where I am at because of all the mess however part of me wants to travel and live some where and enjoy a new world for those 6 weeks.

I was thinking about applying to the Intercontinental Hotel and asking them if I can go abroad for a stay in a hotel, they own in a country I'd want to visit. Its one of those wish on a lucky star type deals and only if I had a connection or two in the HR department. That would be so cool if I could actually pull it off too...

Any way back here in reality, I am looking at 22 days till I get the passports and another few weeks before I even get clearance for a trip to the Western side of the world. I hope they don't change the guidelines of visas between now and November 10th.