Morning Breath.

How easily it was for the air to sulk me in,
To take hold of me with gentle hands.
The cool mist dampen on the weakened soul in my eyes,
Pausing like a deer.

Wondering what was around the corner,
Hopes in finding that still object.
The momentum that was still trying to be built.
The waters frozen.
The sky gray.

What else is there to say?
Nothing.
The only thing that was coming out of my mouth was the inhale of the beautiful air.

Photo: Take in Alaska 2012

Soba Noodle with Hummus Sauce

That's right, it's soba noodle time! After a long weekend of studying for my biochem exam coming up, I decided to take a good break and cook something up to share on Knoutself today. Trying to see what I could put together with whatever I had left in my kitchen, I decided to take my remaining (green tea) soba noodles and whisk something healthy and refreshing for you guys and my tummayyy.

My overall goal for today's lunch was basically to make sure the word, healthy, stayed consistent. I had to make sure I used ingredients (especially when making my sauce) that was low in calories but would still give me that satisfying tang and bang to my noodles. Reluctantly I had soba noodles (because I was really craving noodles), which have many beneficial healths to them. Soba Noodles are low in calories (I always get the organic buck wheat or green tea), so they contain about half the calories of what spaghetti noodles usually would be (auuhhmazingg). As well, they offer a lot of manganese which make up components of several enzymes that include those needed to convert food into energy and antioxidant enzymes (which I definitely need if I'm going to study more later today). And most importantly they are, of course, good source of fiber and protein.

As for my sauce, I whisked together hummus, soy sauce, ponzu sauce, and a touch of olive oil. Yup, that's right. I said hummus. The hummus provided that perfect texture that was missing to my noodles and it surprisingly mixed well with the tang from the ponzu sauce and with that saltiness from the soy sauce.

And at the end I topped my soba noodles with a boiled egg (which I must say I have finally mastered the art of a perfectly boiled egg - to my standards), half an avocado, breaded- tenderloin chicken, and some fresh rice seasoning.

So take those chopsticks out (or fork) and get ready to sluurrrrrrrpppppppp. 



I N G R E D I E N T S _____________________________________

Serving Size: 1

• Organic Soba Noodles (I used green tea soba noodles, but you can use any kind you like) 
• 1 boiled egg
• Greens 
• Not shown in photo above: 
• 1/2 avocado 
• 1 breaded, tenderloin chicken 
• Rice Seasoning

For the Sauce: 

• 2 oz. Hummus (I just used store bought- original flavored) 
• 1 tablespoon of Soy Sauce 
• 2 tablespoon of Ponzu Sauce
• 1 teaspoon of Olive Oil 

Note: I just eyeballed most of my ingredients for the sauce. Fill free to add whichever type of flavored sauce you want to your hummus. 

D I R E C T I O N S ____________________________________

1. Boil water, than place your egg and soba noodles in together until soba noodles are tender. Usually takes about 10 min. which by then your egg will be done boiling as well (if you like yours semi raw like me).

2. As soba noodle and your egg cook, mix together ingredients for the sauce (Ponzu, Soy Sauce, Olive Oil, and Hummas). 

3. Drain soba noodles and place egg in a cold bath of water (before peeling). 

4. Then place soba noodles in your bowl of greens. 

5. Mix together noodles, greens, and hummus sauce. 

4. Then peel your boiled egg.

5. Top with any toppings you like (for me it was avocado, rice seasoning, and chicken). 

6. Eat up and spread the love by sharing with others! 

My Little Boat.

I must begin to navigate my boat.
My little ship that floats in the lonely sea.
It's a mystery.
The hue of the endless sky,
and the waves of the sea.

I must turn the wheel so it faces North.
The path that will lead me to my fate.
My fortune.
My treasure.

Photo: Taken in Guam 2011

Rainy Day Playlist.

I remember back in high school, I would put together multiple playlist based on: the weather, the special occasion, the everyday norm, you name it. Yup, that's right. I had a playlist for basically everything you could think of, from sunny day to rainy day, from driving to school to driving to the mall, from homework to cooking. And trust me when I say that this doesn't even cover half of the playlist I had for myself.

Since Seattle is the city of rain, I can't help but make a rainy day playlist for myself. Walking to class can be quite a long path (especially if your campus is huge), so what better way to entertain myself then to daydream with some music on the way. Currently, I have been into Jazz/ Rock/ Indie Pop genres. I tried to put together a more mellow but -somewhat- upbeat music for my rainy day playlist (just so I won't be too somber while in class). So to keep the tradition alive, I have decided to share one of my playlist on Knotuself today, starting with my current- most listen to- playlist: The Rainy Day Playlist.

(Click on the song title below to take you to the music on Youtube)

1. Finally Falling by Mayer Hawthrone

Just that perfect kick of jazz to your day and all you need to make this scene a little more perfect is that cup of coffee (or tea in my case) and a good book. My dear friend Jessie and I have a playlist on youtube where she shares with me different music every month. This was one of the picks this months and it turned out to be one of my favorite. And of course- I just had to add it to my rainy day playlist. 

2. Days Like This by Van Morrison 

Just last week, I decided to enjoy a nice throwback movie, Because I said So, with Mandy Moore. This song played in the beginning where Milly and Daphne were in their kitchen cooking pasta and enjoying a glass of wine. Perfect scenario for this song, and I can't help but daydream about cooking pasta and enjoying it with the gent. 

3. Pressure by Quadron

An Indie Pop number, Pressure was another song on the playlist Jessie and I share that was one of my favorites. Quadron is is a Danish duo featuring singer CoCo O and Robin Hannibal. CoCo's voice is so raw and pure that it brings the music so much life. You can't help but tap your feet or bob your head a bit while listening to this song. I know I bob my head while walking to class. This is song brings out that happiness inside of you even if you aren't feeling happy at that very moment. In other words it's a good pick-me-up song. 

4. Until You Let Me by Oh Honey

This is the perfect girl and guy duo song. Kind of makes you wish you could sing and harmonize like them. Once you hit the chorus of this song, it has that upbeat vibe that kind of has a mesh of Of Monster and Men and the rhythms that American Authors seem to possess. 

5. Avalanche by John J. Fox

Ahh, finally a song that makes you just want to pour your heart out to someone. John J. Fox, who is better known for his covers on Youtube, brings a sincere texture to the songs he covers and sings. It's beautiful and just makes you daydream about nonsense- but the good nonsense. And most importantly you can't help but sing along with him. 

6. Like Real People Do by Hozier

Yes! Hozier, also known for his song "Take Me to Church". But this specific song by him is one of my favorites. It colors the perfect love connection between two people and it couldn't be more relatable. Hozier's voice just gives you that certain ear-gasm (that's right I used ear-gasm). What better way to play such a raw love song than on a rainy day. 

7. Tight Rope by Walk the Moon

Now this is the more upbeat kind of song. I had to toss in a fun song especially on rainy days. This number just makes you want to jump out of your chair and dance really. Let's be honest, we all have those moments we wished everyone would just pop out of their seats and just start singing. This song makes me want to do that- at least daydream about that. 

8. Life Keeps Moving On by Ben Rector 

Finally, another one of my favorites on this playlist. Ben Rector's most recent album The Walking in Between is absolutely beautiful. This is definitely one of those pick-me-up songs again and the lyrics are so true if you really listen to them. Ben Rector has a way with words that make you think life as being that much better, and is one of the reasons why my playlist will probably always contain at least one of his songs. 

Beauty Mark Tattoos.

Though my mind will never be sure if I want to permanently ink myself (mainly because I don't have the balls to), I have always been attracted to simplistic, minimal tattoos. I tend to see that all tattoos hold their own story, even if the person spontaneously decided to get one. That spontaneity decision becomes a story itself (and sometimes end up being the best ones).

Recently, I have seen tiny tats in the cool. Petite enough to hide away from certain job interviews but still hold that class (with a little sexy sass). Whether it's placed under the arms, on the back, tucked behind the ears, or fingers (yeah, I'm referring to the model goddess, Cara Delevingne with her sick lion ink), it is definitely the new trend. From Angelina Jolie to Cara Delevingne, the minimal tattoos seem to be in, and I hope they stay in.

I begin to see these simplistic tattoos as a form of beauty mark. It becomes a person's pride and mark of individuality. Though we can all be define by our clothes, our lifestyle, our choice of friends, or the music we listen to, it doesn't seem to hold that permeant threshold of commitment. It doesn't become as permeant as a tattoo. It will always be there to remind the person of who they are or how important the story behind a specific tattoo is. No one else needs to understand them.

So I have gathered my girlfriends and their beautiful tattoos to share with you today on Knotuself in the eyes of black and white. Thanks girls for sharing your tattoos with me!

Photo via: Miso