My trip to Colorado

First Class Flight
 
I flew first class for the first time ever! Man, what an experience! My own little space with a ton of storage space, power outlets, a bed, fluffy pillows and blankets, and my own choice of movie –too bad it was only an hour and a half long flight! Free alcohol, chilled silverware, chicken Panini, sesame ginger salad, sun chips, and warm baked chocolate chip cookies! They had ninja-fast servers; as soon as I put my napkin/bag/empty glass down, they were there to collect it!

 Christine’s Reception for graduation

The whole reason why I flew out to CO was to celebrate my little sister’s recent graduation from SMU. She got her Master’s degree in EMIS (Master of Science in Information Engineering and Management), and my family decided to throw a big party with 30 or so of our close friends and family at our Country Club at Flying Horse. Another big occasion was meeting Callum’s (Christine’s boyfriend) parents for the first time. Our parents got along famously, and I think they found a new couple to join them for their next Vegas trip! The limo ride over to Flying Horse was fun, the party was fabulous with tasty food (filet mignon, wine, flourless chocolate torte), the champagne toast was emotional, and true to form, my dad gifted us with another book we “had to read”. The after party back at the house felt like old times –drinking, pool, darts, and cracking up over tales of growing up in sunny So Cal.

The next day we went back to Flying Horse –the guys went golfing, and us girls enjoyed a full body massage. Afterward we met back up at the clubhouse for bloody marys and their famous eggs benedict. Then we went back home and got ready for the big BBQ. As usual, I was in charge of the table display area, and I think it turned out well! I thought it was hilarious that 3 different people brought guacamole, but can you ever have TOO MUCH guacamole? We all had a lot of fun and took some great pictures! I had a blast hanging out with old family friends like the Hermans, Salvesons, Cirillos, and new friends like the DeMarcos and Molloys! I also learned that my sister and I have a shared curiosity for the taste of dolphin –maybe for Thanksgiving? ☺

Our last night together was nice –my mom made chicken parmesan, and crème brule! And I tried my hand at creating a floral centerpiece –I think I’m improving! And my mom also made a big breakfast the next morning before we all headed our separate ways –french toast casserole with cinnamon apples! New recipe, but a definite success!

Dinner with friends

It was so great seeing all of my friends while I was back in CO! Lunch with Sara and Justin at PF Changs, drinks with Holly, dinner with Amber, Kevin, John, and Jesse at BD’s Mongolian BBQ, and lunch with Jesse at Good Times, while I was in Denver. Dinner at Colorado Mountain Brewery with Jackie, Beth, Andrew, Erik, Shanthi, Cameron, and Emily, and matte and Dutch Blitz with Jackie, Beth and Laura, while I was in Colorado Springs! It’s so cool to see how everyone has changed since high school/college! And congrats to Laura, who informed me that she’s pregnant again!!! I can’t wait to meet him/her when I come visit next year! I love and miss all of you guys, and you’re welcome to crash at my place if you want to come visit me in CA!


Camera Fiasco

A week before I flew out to CO, I had ordered a new HD Camcorder (with lenses, lights, filters, cables, and other goodies), so I could film my big family celebration for my sister –my grandparents couldn’t make it, so I was in charge of making the dvd to send to them. Nervous that it wasn’t going to get here on time before I flew out, I paid to overnight it to my apartment. It never showed, so I was on the phone, on my way to the airport, and told them to recall it and reroute it overnight to C Springs, to my parents’ house. It never showed. I maxed out their voicemail box trying to reach the company for the next few days until they finally answer the day before I fly back to CA. They couldn’t find where my camera was, so they put in another recall and overnight-ed it BACK to CA. What a pain in the ass! And a little too late –I had to use a friend’s camera, and it decided to quit working when I tried to transfer the tapes to my laptop. So now I need to find a post house to transfer 3 HD mini DV tapes. UGH!

Flight home

I felt a little sad to leave, but 7 days in CO was more than enough time for me! I missed sunny, happy Pasadena –I just wished I could bring my friends and family out here! I flew back on first class, but I didn’t have the same experience. The seats were a little bigger then coach, no fluffy pillows or blankets, no choice of movie (although watching Sports Jobs with Junior Seay learning about what a Dodger bat boy does, was pretty entertaining!), and no power outlets. ☹ However, I did get free alcohol, great food (cheese ravioli, salad, toasted nuts, and a warm cookie), and a great view of LA as I flew in.  I’m glad to be back!

And look what was waiting for me the next day! ☺ Now I get to harass them until I get the money I spent on shipping back.

Dexter Season 4; Born In Blood

SPOILER ALERT

I just finished watching Dexter Season 4, and I was on board up until the last 2 minutes of the last episode.  In case you haven't started this series yet (you REALLY should btw), it's about a man named Dexter (played by Michael C Hall), who is a blood spatter analyst working for the Miami PD with a dark secret; he's a serial killer.  Julie Benz plays Dexter's damaged girlfriend and mother of 2.  Jennifer Carpenter plays Dexter's sister, Deborah, who worked her way up to detective in the Miami PD -who always craved the attention of her late father, Harry (also a detective).  But Harry was too busy teaching Dexter his "code" for satisfying his bloodlust while not getting caught.

In season 4 we find Dexter married to Rita, stepfather to Cody and Aster, and new father to Harrison.  True to form, Dexter finds a way to get out of one sticky situation (almost getting caught) after the other while balancing his new family life. The intensity of each episode never wanes; each are treated like a finale, and I really appreciate the writers pushing the envelope this season.  There are also many appearances of Dexter's deceased stepfather, Harry (his Jiminy Cricket), as Dexter starts to separate from the "code" when it conflicts with his new priorities as a father.

This is the first time I watched this series on blu ray -wow!  The opening credits ALONE are breath taking!  But make sure you eat first, because your stomach is going to growl the entire time.  I'm not just referring to the food-heavy credits; they writers are obvious foodies and someone is chewing on something in almost every scene.  I can't wait to visit my sister in Miami and try one of those Cuban pork sandwiches that Deborah and Angel are always chowing down on!

Speaking of Deb -the writers apparently have it out for her (or maybe she's more interesting the more damaged she is?).  First season; engaged to the Ice Truck Killer and almost gets murdered by him.  Second season; falls in love and he leaves, never to return.  Third season; finds out that her dad constantly cheated on her mother.  Fourth season; "never to return" RETURNS, only to get gunned down in front of her, she gets shot too, she finds out that Dexter is the son of her father's mistress AND the brother of the Ice Truck Killer.  Sorry Deb -but at least your Cuban pork sandwich loves you!  :)

Angel and Maria hook up.  All of their hooking up forces Maria to mention it to her supervisor who threatens to transfer Angel.  They sign something that says that they will no longer hook up.  They hook up on the side, only to get caught, and all of the hooking up leads to them getting married so the DA can't touch them without risking pissing off all of the Hispanic Catholic pro-marriage residents.  Meh -did this series need another side plot?  I don't know....maybe I just don't like these 2 characters as a couple.

JOHN LITHGOW; aka Arthur Mitchell, aka "The Trinity Killer".  Lithgow picked up Golden Globe award in January, and a few days ago won an Emmy for Guest Actor in a Drama Series!  His performance is truly outstanding; for such a lovable guy, his character is chillingly demented!  Powered by the haunting memories of the death of his own family, he recreates their deaths with new victims around the country.  Dubbed "Trinity" because he completes a trio of murders; young girl bathtub drowning (his sister), woman falling from building (his mother), and man beat to death (his father).

The Ending.  Trinity is dead (by the hand of Dexter, which of course is extremely satisfying after a whole season of back and forth drama between the 2 serial killers), Deb and Lundy's shooter is revealed (which I WON'T reveal because the twist is just too good), the kids are with their grandparents at Disney World, Dexter's bags are packed and he is ready to join Rita on their late honeymoon with their baby son.  Except she never made it to the airport.  Except he finds her bags at the house and hears his son crying in the other room.  EXCEPT HE FINDS HARRISON SITTING IN A POOL OF HIS MOTHER'S BLOOD AND FINDS RITA DRAINED, DEAD IN THE BATHTUB!  WTF?!  Was it Trinity before Dexter killed him?  Is it a copycat killer?  WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!  Now Dexter has to raise 3 kids on his own?  Will they go to the grandparents?  Will Deb help?  WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN SEASON 5?!  Poor Harrison, just like his father; born in blood.  Will he grow up to be a serial killer too?

Bullet Express Meal Maker Trio

So I recently got the Bullet Express Meal Maker Trio, and I'm so excited to start using it!  It shreds, slices, mixes AND it has a juicer attachment!  Plus, the infomercial is so ridiculous-ly funny that I watch it over and over again!

COOKING THEATER

Check out some of my cooking timelapse videos:

THE RAW TRUTH MOVIE

Check out Jin's website as she blogs about her progress documenting the raw food movement in Los Angeles!  And check out her reviews on Yelp -she's a Yelp Elite and knows where to find the best restaurants in LA!

Under The Gun -LA's 48 Hour Film Project 2010

 I participated in this year's 48 Hour Film Project in Los Angeles -check out our film "Under The Gun" (and please subscribe to Couch Surfer Productions on YouTube!).  For this competition we drew the following: our genre was Film Noir, prop was a keyboard, and dialog was "I have no idea".

BLOG

I deleted my old Gmail account, so welcome to my new blog!  I'm an artist/chef/filmmaker trying to break into my editing career in LA -and yes, I really do live in Pasadena (and I LOVE it!).  I'll try not to be too annoying, I promise.  In the meantime, check out my website: jenjenproductions.com.