Life So Far...

So since I've graduated college I have probably put in upwords of 100 applications. At first part of me felt like the companies weren't getting them or I was doing something wrong. Why do all of these people hate my applications. Only a couple weeks ago my mom helped me out and got me the email of a coworkers friend who is a graphic designer. I sent her my resume and portfolio, thinking, like the last people I contacted personally that she would just never get back to me. My luck had changed! She contacted me back and she liked my portfolio. So I'm not crazy, graphic design is just a really hard field to get started in. I know I'll probably have better luck once the college kids go back to school in August. Maybe I can get an internship or a starting position.

So after gaining a little confidence about my designs, I have opened my own Etsy Store and started freelancing. If you want any work done you can visit my Thumbtack Page. I have sent in my first quote it was scary and I'm not sure that I will win the bid but it felt good to have a chance.

In other news I got my first ever filling today. It hadn't formed in to a full on cavity yet but it was on it's way. I've also never had Novocaine before. Talk about a weird sensation having half of your face tingly and numb. Then in one fast sweeping movement I gained all of the feeling back and my jaw and tooth is quite sore. Why not do I have to get a cavity. This sucks...oh and I have to go back in on July 11th to get the other side done.

So let's see...anything else. I can't wait for the 4th of July. Not for the fireworks or the drinking, ok a little for the drinking, but I'm excited to do something other than apply for jobs. I know that probably doesn't sound that tiring but it's more mundane and boring. Well stay tuned for another recipe!

Pesto and Prosciutto Panini

Today I wasn't feeling like creating a crazy elaborate meal so I decided to make paninis. They are simple and delicious, and if you are rushing for dinner these are quick.

Ingredients:

• Torta Bread (or another Panini Type Bread)
• Pesto
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Prosciutto (or Salami)

First spread the pesto on one side of the bread. Add a couple thicker slices of mozzarella and finish it off with a couple slices of prosciutto. 

To cook I find it easiest to pop it on the George Foreman, by the way if you don't have one get one. That thing got me though college! Like a grilled cheese wait until the cheese is melted then it's ready to eat.

These sandwiches are easy and can be customized so you can switch it up! I have substituted prosciutto for salami or even have it vegetarian style with no meat. That makes it more of a fancy grilled cheese but still just a delicious. 

Chicken Fajitas

So today I made my dinner from scratch! I designed my own chicken fajitas, which ended up to be delicious.

First you have to start the rice and beans. I bought a black beans and rice that was dry. To cook follow the instructions on the back of the bag. This specific brand (Vigo) is just water, olive oil, and the rice mix.

While that is cooking start to prepare the meat and veggie stir fry.

Ingredients:

• Chicken Thighs (sliced into small strips)
• 1 Red Bell Pepper (sliced into strips)
• 1 1/2 Cups of Mushrooms (sliced thin)
• Ortega Fajita Skillet Sauce

In a large fry pan cook chicken on high. Brown and make sure the chicken is mostly cooked. Add bell pepper and mushrooms to the pan. Cook chicken, peppers, and mushrooms until vegetables are soft and chicken is fully cooked. Add fajita sauce and turn heat down to a simmer to warm sauce.

Now when making your fajita use handmade corn tortillas I found some great ones at Fred Meyers. I also have cabbage, cheese, and sour cream as my extras make the fajitas.

CUSTOMIZE AND ENJOY!!!!!!!

Graphic Design

So I know I haven't posted a ton but I've been working on graphic design stuff. But anyway I have opened an Etsy store. Right now there is just doctor who related posters but I've been working on expanding my merchandise. First digital downloads! Mostly so people outside the United States can buy my work. Here is a link to my store Greene Graphics on Etsy.

If  you would like to hire me I also do logos, graphics, custom print designs, and branding.

You can find my contact information on this site. Greene Graphic Design.

Fremont Fair

Today I went the Fremont Fair for the first time. I have lived in Seattle (just outside) for my entire life and have never spent a large amount of time in Fremont. Let's just say that after today I want to live in Fremont! It is such a cool part of the city, you can walk for blocks and see so much new stuff, art, food, stores, and people. It feels like such a great community to live in! Ah I need a job so that I can move out and into a place like that.

So today at the fair my parents and I walked around the booths checking everything out. I grabbed lunch at this place that did Caribbean fusion food. I got pork tacos that were absolutely amazing. Corn Tortilla, shredded pork and onions, coleslaw, and curry sauce. It was delicious, let's just say that I will be attempting to make these sometime in the near future.

Next we headed to this bar called the George and Dragon to watch the world cup game (Germany vs. Ghana). Which was a great game tied 2-2. It was a great bar small English style pub with a great outdoor beer garden. They place these TVs in the beer garden so that you could drink and watch the game outside, let's just say that I got sunburned but it was such a great game it was worth having a crispy nose.

After the game we started walking back towards the car which was parked on 34th and Stone Way. So we grabbed a spot on the curb for the parade on 34th street. The naked bike riders were pretty funny some of the body paint and costumes were pretty crazy and amazing. The people who went full naked pain or some without paint, that takes some serious balls, and I applaud you!

During the parade we went in to a little shop called Blue Moon Burger, another delicious place to eat. ONce the parade ended we started walking back to the car. Once we got back to the car we stopped and grabbed some coffee (cold), it had been a long and hot day. We chose to follow the rest of the parade down to gasworks park where there was a bunch of brass and marching bands playing.

We heard the Sound Wave play, the Sounders FC band. They were great! It had been a long day so we headed back home but it was by far one of the best parades/fairs that I have been too!

Spaghetti Squash with Red Sauce

So today I didn't take any pictures but I made a spaghetti substitute. Right now my family and I are trying to a low carb "lifestyle" (I'm trying not to say diet cause those are too easy to break.)

Ingredients:

• Spaghetti Squash (2)
• Italian Sausage (1 package)
• Pesto
• Red Sauce
• Parmesan Cheese

I found a way to bake spaghetti squash so that you can spoon it out and make real spaghetti.

Instructions:

• Turn oven to 375
• Use a knife to puncher small holes all around the squash so that steam can escape. 
• Place the squash on a cookie sheet
• Bake for 60 minutes
• Remove seeds in the center
• Use a fork to scrape the contents of the squash loose

Now for the sauce, I used a specialty pesto sauce that had sun dried tomatoes and tomato paste. I added Italian sausage in the sauce too.

Instructions:

• Break up sausage in a large skillet
• Cook sausage on medium to high heat, until lightly browned
• Add pesto red sauce mix
• Continue cooking on low to heat the sauce
• Once sauce is warm add the squash
• Make sure the squash is completely incorporated
• Top with Parmesan cheese and serve

This is a great way to have spaghetti fix on a low carb diet!!

Fruit Trifle

Happy Father's Day!

Today my family had a small bbq with my grandmother. I decided it's summer and fruit is always at its best this time of year. It is a great recipe for those out there that aren't super great bakers.

All you need is:

• Your Favorite Types of Fruit
• Instant Vanilla Pudding 
• Cool Whip (Small Tub)
• Pound Cake
• Ingredients on Pudding Box and Cake Box

First you start with a layer of pound cake, you can either buy it or home make it. I usually just buy pre-made pound cake but this time I made it with the cake mix (the one's in the box). I actually liked it much better than pre-made it was way fluffier and lighter.

Make sure to start mixing your instant pudding. Once the pudding has thickened we want to make it lighter. I take about a third of the Cool Whip and mix it into the pudding.

NOW LAYERS!!!

Repeat these layers for as much fruit as you have!

1. Pound Cake
2. Fruit
3. Vanilla Pudding Mix
4. Repeat
5. Last row, instead of pudding cover fruit in remaining Cool Whip

And TA-DA a beautiful layered desert that doesn't make you feel guilty for eating it. Mostly because of the fruit!

Etsy...I can make money there!

Today I got a text from a friend that has only been job searching for about 2 weeks that she is now employed...I've been looking for 6 months and haven't even gotten an interview *screaming internally*!

So instead of spending my time applying to more jobs I decided to look into starting my own Etsy store! Now I may have mentioned this in my about me section but I am a huge nerd. I'm talking Hunger Games, Sherlock (BBC), Doctor Who, and much much more. I'm pretty good with crafting and making things, especially painting.

I'm going to hand paint pillows, make jewelry and design posters. The poster part is at least somewhat related to my degree. (My designs below!)

See I want to be a graphic designer and I've done an internship and I even won best graphic design in my major for 2014. I figure once I have enough money to buy Adobe and can get a business licence I can run my own business or something like that. I just need to design I'm dying not doing anything!

So at the bottom I've attached some rough (I mean really really rough) sketches!

Just in case you are at all interested in my designs you can find them at my other website MBG Designs. 

Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Today I decided to try a balsamic glaze that I found on Pinterest. To cook the glaze place 6-8 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar in a small sauce pan and being to a boil. Reduce the vinegar to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes. The balsamic will have reduced and thickened. Set that aside and begin to prepare the pork.

Now I have never cooked pork before in my life, so I had no idea where to start. I turned to my trusty sidekick Google!

I pulled out the pork tenderloin and cut the long piece in half to give myself about 8 inch long pieces of pork.

To start I placed a small amount of olive oil in a pan on medium heat. I placed each half of the tenderloin in the pan and seared each side until the pork was golden brown on all sides. Not long only 5 minutes per side.

Once the pork is browned place in a casserole dish (or an oven safe pan). Drizzle the reduced balsamic over the pork.

I also ground salt and pepper over the pork. On top of the pork sprinkle chopped garlic (about 2 cloves) and fresh rosemary (about 2 tablespoons).

Place the pork in the oven at 475 for about 15-20 minutes. Once the internal temperature of the pork is 145 it is done cooking.

Let stand for 5 minutes then cut and serve! I recommend dipping your pork in the balsamic that has collected in the bottom the pan it adds a ton of flavor to the meat.

Ingredients:

• Pork Tenderloin
• 2 Cloves of Garlic
• 2 Tablespoons of Fresh Rosemary
• Salt to Taste
• Pepper to Taste
• 6-8 Tablespoons of Balsamic Vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

Instructions:

• Bring balsamic vinegar to a boil in a small sauce pan. Reduce the heat so that the vinegar is at a simmer. Let balsamic reduce and thicken, turn off when reduced by half and let cool and thicken on the side.
• Brown all sides of the tenderloin in a pan on medium heat with olive oil. 
• Place tenderloin in casserole dish. Drizzle balsamic over meat and add the rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper.
• Place in oven at 475 for 15 minutes, check temperature, if at 145 the meat is done. If it is not up to temperature bake for 5 more minutes.