Lime Snaps

Hi
I saw this item on unwrapped on the food channel.

Flathau's Fine Foods Gourmet Cookies, Key Lime Snaps, 16-Ounce Can




Very nice snack. I bought em, and love em.
Eleanor likes them too.

I also got the sampler pack

Sam

Stolen GPS

Hi,
As a result of 2 people being too busy to handle so many things, we left my toyota unlocked in my driveway a couple weeks ago.

BAM! someone got in and took my Tom Tom ONE GPS :(
they left my oakley sunglasses and took all my quarters.

Defn some punk kids.
Anyhow, now we make sure to lock the doors.
also I don't leave my TomTom in the car.

Now an opportunity to get a new GPS with better features has come

Slickdeals (deals expire quick) had the TomTom GO 920T Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator, top of the line jammie for 440 bucks before tax.


I will be posting a full review when i get it.


Sam

Personal Updates

Hi,

Its been a good 2008 so far.

I have decided to leave my part time job at the Container Store. The employee discounts were great, but i had to properly re-prioritize things.

Unfortunately, with a new baby on the way, and real estate picking up, something had to be pared back.

I have decided to work towards building a coaching practice.
Personal, Life, Work Balance, Marriage, Business

All coaching is life coaching.

I have a new blog setup to talk about my experience in the coaching phase.
Coachsam.wordpress.com

I am still working on a catchy name for my coaching practice.

Other great news is that Sora, my wife is also going to become a coach. That way we can work together. The great news for her is that coaching for women is a much bigger market. She should do well.

website names i bought for her are coachsora.com
not bad right?

Unfortunately, there coachsam.com was already taken.

We will find out where we are having a boy or girl on Good Friday March 21st 2008.

I am kind of hoping for a boy, but I will be happy either way.

please check my coaching blog, as I will be much more active posting there.

BOWLING: We are currently first place in our league. but 10 weeks left, if we can keep our lead for 9 more weeks, we will be ok, I think!

Sam

Sweet Justice

Hi,

What a superbowl.

I am very happy for the Giants. I hope the Eagles can learn something from this victory.

Pats, sorry, but 4 superbowls is not easy. Glad to see Randy moss blocked from getting a superbowl.

Belicheck is a classless cheating jerk. Walking off the field before the final snap.
Shows his true colors.

Its not that i am a pats hater, i rooted for them against the Rams, but the underdog is the greatest sports story.

Pats get what was coming to them, i hope the investigations go on, and more truth about their cheating ways come out.

Sam

Restuarant Review

If you know me, you know I don't usually rate restaurants highly. Especially Korean food in Philly Area.

But this place has exceeded my expectations

1. Great beef BBQ, good lean cuts, lots of flavor
2. good side dishes
3. good food for other entrees.

the monkfish (pronounced Ah-GOO) was excellent!


sam

gadget-a-holic

http://crackberry.com/are-you-gadgict-or-gadgetolic

i think this is me... sad to admit...

are you?

1. You’d rather text than talk face-to-face.
2. You can’t leave home without it. You can’t relax without constantly checking for email or messages; a cell phone ear piece becomes a permanent part of your wardrobe.
3. Your family or friends ask you to stop, but you can’t. The Internet becomes a more powerful draw than spending time with family or friends or other favorite activities.
4. You miss important life moments.
5. You can’t stop even after it gets you in trouble, like being in a car accident while talking on the cell phone. ( i have never gotten in an accident while driving)

haha

Sam

vacation has started

Let me first start by saying

"How bout them cowboys" My motto has always been 'ABC" anybody but cowboys.

Tony romo needs a new girlfriend.

Ok, enough about that.

1. vacation started with 8 hour flight with 1 layover in the middle.
2. eleanor traveled relatively well...

I am in LA now, leaving for Reno/Tahoe in a couple hours.
I hate flying and willbe RVing it from now on. so all I need is a hybrid diesel solar powered monster RV.

Sam

A new Chon

I don't think Elton John has it totally right, with the whole circle of life thing... but in some way, I believe my mother who passed away on Nov 19th, 2007, left our family with a gift.

We had an ultrasound for Sora on thursday Jan 10th. We were able to see a new fetus with a vigorous 175 BPM heartrate.

If you have ever played DDR - 175 BPM is pretty frantic.

As the ultrasound tech referred to the "New Chon" it/he/she looks like a gummy bear.
Big head, round body, and little nubs for hands and feet.


We are very thankful to our friends, family who have been praying for us.

he/she is in there somewhere

i think the head is down and to the left...

Sam

New Years

Hi

Happy new year everyone.

its been a tough 2007. With passing of people and other complications, but Life Goes on, and we are to do our best.

Some highlights.

1. We celebrated the 1st birthday of my daughter eleanor. She walked and chose the rice.
2. I lost ~19 lbs or so from April 11th (165) to Currently fluctuating between 145 and 148.
3. My wife has conceived another child, and i pray everything will be alright.
4. Became licensed in PA and NJ for real estate sales. Did ok in terms of commissions.
5. reached 245 in bowling again. and 633 series.
6. overall gambling losses in AC netted to a positive number. not huge, but positive.

New years resolutions
1. Trying to put muscle back on. about 10 lbs of muscle would be nice.
2. become a nicer person to my family members.
3. sell some real estate and setup some good things for the future.
4. keep gambling win/loss in the positive region again.

ok ttyl
sam

Bowling update 12-10-07

Hi Folks,
looks like the Sam-Train is back on track. haha

things were good this week for bowling

225

201

210



total series 636

for a 212 average over 3 games.

that's 2 weeks in a row of 600 series or better.



Anyhow i made some adjustments just a little late, but the strike zone is there right now.



ttyl



Sam

How much is that duckie in the window?

Hi,
one of the other realtors at my office is a proprietor of chinese take out. I knew he would know where to get good duck from.

He told me of this place called Q&Q Live poultry market.
(link has video)
1120 spring garden st, phila pa 19123
215-763-0230


He told me they prepare fresh.

well, i didn't know how fresh until I got there.

you literally, pick the live one from the cage, they weigh them right there, and you get the ducks , cleaned and ready to roast in a bag. Instant request, instant slaughter, for real.

they have male and female ducks. males are apparently bigger and yield more meat.

Anyhow, i chose 2 females. $16.00 each.

they have turkeys during the holiday season.

they also advertise they are Halal if you have religious restrictions.

See the images below for more info and a map.



Fresh duck! baby!

Sam

Actual Recipe for Peking Duck

Hi,
just for the sake of anyone trying to make peking duck at home

Ingredients:
1. young duckling.
2. Brown sugar (you can use the splenda blended brown sugar too)
3. Sea Salt, or Kosher Salt
4. Hoisin Sauce (doest have to be that brand , easy to find at asian supermarket, so even main stream supermarkets in asian section, where they sell ramen and other asian foods)


5. Garlic (i prefer fresh minced garlic, this is also sold at asian supermarkets in the refrigerated sections)
6. Pancakes: again, can be found in asian supermarket in frozen section near egg roll wrappers. for those who want hot fresh pancakes, there are a couple easy recipes. apparently easier to make than toritillas.
7. Green Onions. at least 1 bundle.

Other materials needed
1. 2.5 gallon slider bags
2. Beer can chicken holder

you need this to hold the duck in the middle of the big easy.

Note on asian supermarkets, if you live in a metro area where you know lots of asians live, but you can't find one, do a yellow pages search on for "asian supermarket"
this chain has a lot of locations around the USA.

ok, duck prep, if it is frozen, then de-melt in fridge 1 day before
take duck out of bag, and take out giblets from insides section
rinse with water and pat down with paper towel

Brine: this is the key process that helps all poultry stay nice and moist. No more dry breasts baby!
enough about breasts

In the 2.5 gallon bag, place duck at bottom
in Big mixing cup or bowl, but 4 tablespoons of brown sugar and water and mix until solublized and pour into bag
Place 4 tablespoons of salt into cup, and 2 tablespoons of garlic
Add water
and mix up, pour into bag.
You can also add some soy sauce, but i am always worried about things turning out too salty. but it hasnt yet.

Test, deviate a little, its ok.

Seal bag, and but into large mixing bowl , just in case it leaks. Another good tip is to use large binder clips from staples or wherever to close up all the extra space in the slider bag. Also get all the air out, that way your bird stays submerged better.



Other big easy users and briners have also used large coolers to store their birds during the brining process, this is ok, but you have to also pack ice into the cooler, because, it must be under a certain temp to avoid spoilage, and all of your guest getting the runs or something worse. food safety is key.

Ok, day of cooking, pull duck out of bag, pour out brine. i think it gross to reuse this for something else. it has served its purpose, so down the drain.

I put the underside opening onto the beer can rack, and center in grilling basket.

The drip tray will get a lot of oil dripping off. If you want some user have put food safe aluminum pans to catch the drip for gravies. I guess you could try making some soap with the lard, if you had the time or motivation. Duck soap, yeah... haha

I use the meat thermometer, and stick into the breast part.
pasted from USDA.gov
scroll down to the middle of the page and you see this answer:

Can Safely Cooked Duck and Goose Be Pink?
Cooked muscle meats can be pink even when the meat has reached a safe minimum internal temperature. If fresh duck or goose has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer, even though it may still be pink in the center, it should be safe. The pink color can be due to the cooking method or added ingredients. For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook poultry to higher temperatures.

It should be safe, the US government telling me something should be safe...? cook that bird to 175. Safety first...

I tried a peanut oil rub on my turkey for thanksgiving, but the duck i didnt. why? i didnt want to over crisp it or burn the skin

Fire up the big easy and watch and wait.
a good product plug


looks dorky, but when you are grilling at night, its good to spot the temp gauge, and keeping your hands free.

once duck is done, which takes a nice 25 to 30 mins, carve the duck. the breast creates most of the meat yield. the SKIN, you must try and carve all the duck skin, with some meat. But still get all the skin.

I found that the legs and drumsticks get dry on all poultry i've done. its common in the big easy, since they are exposed and smallish. any suggestions for keeping wings and drums nicer for eating?

keeping food handling gloves around is good to get all the meat off the carcass. It feels pretty primal to tear apart a bird. You didn't hunt it down or anything, but you don't have to deal with shotgun duckshot either.

Some of the meat will look a little pink, but its cooked. If scared, then nuke it for 30 seconds just to stun it to your liking.

the duck yields enough meat for 4 people. and i would say 3 for some big eaters.
I would recommend against eating a whole duck by yourself because the hoisin sauce is pretty sweet and i think too much of a good thing, can make you nauseous

the pancakes frozen take 1 or 2 mins in the microwave, and come out nice. Or use above mentioned recipes.
Me and my wife are frugal(cheap), so we slice all the pancakes in half and use semicircle pancakes that way we get more servings. a whole pancake is too much dough, and not enough duck. at the restaurant this helps because they want to charge you for extra pancakes.

beforehand you can slice the green onion. You want to slice the onion in 3 to 4 inch pieces first, then run your knife down the long way to split the pieces. Also green onion is consumed raw, so no steaming or cooking these.

If you eat peking duck at the restaurant, the green onion interaction is key to complete the flavor.

get a 1/2 pancake, spoon some of the hoisin sauce, place 1 or 2 pieces of nice duck, a couple strips of green onion, wrap, and eat. repeat, repeat, enjoy

Soup is a nice compliment.
Fried rice
i hear some wines really compliment, the duck flavor.
I would expect nice lagers will go well with it too.

my mother in law doesnt like to waste, so the giblets, carcass and all bones, make a nice celery and duck broth for the next day.

Anyhow, that is pretty much it.

And i think the satisfaction of seeing how much duck meat actually comes out from a whole duck is nice. what you get charged for at the restaurant is really a crime. Only sang kee in philly brings extra duck meat out in a dish called duck with snow peas and XO sauce, but you have to fish around for little morsels of duck.

i think this recipe helps bring more utility to the big easy, and in home dining enjoyment.

Say to someone: Hey wanna come over for dinner? I am making duck. who says no to duck?

Big Easy, is literally big easy.

CB from a pro grilling website has a nice recipe as well for duck

Chef Sam :)

Bowling update

Hi
Yesterday was first day bowling since my mom passed

It was pretty good
256 the first game with 9 strikes in a row
But I had 2 open frames to start
If not it would have been higher

2nd game was 190
And 3rd was 210

256 series is best yet

All dedicated to mom chon

Sam

Juicy Breasts!

Everyone knows I am leg man, mainly because i find breasts to be dry and flavorless.

Well now things have changed



I recently did some research about a turkey fryer. I thought i needed to get an oil one, well, i found this little do hicky contraption.

it uses something called infrared technology. the wave heats the surface of what it hits, but not the air. cool.

but the key was something called brining.

Get2.5 gallon slider bags

Wash bird or meat, dry off with paper towel. put into bag. add seasoning like sea salt, brown sugar, garlic, cumin. etc etc. i used soy sauce for turkey and chicken

put into fridge or cooler. you still need a cold source, so use ice or ice packs.
wait 24 hours.

take bird out, put into fryer, turn it up, use enclosed thermometer, and when it hits target, stop heat, carve and eat.

SO easy. and SO SO juicy.

it has a drip pan to catch all juice, to save for gravy.

12 lb turkey done in 1.5 hours.
2 lb roast beef done in 1 hour
1.5 lb DUCK about 30 mins.

this is a picture of the duck, skin came out so nice, and alot more meat than what you pay for when you get a whole duck at chinatown.



get some frozen pancake from the asian grocery, hoisin sauce, and green onions baby!

and again, NO BURNS< NO SPLATTER.

another good link for a professional griller who uses the big easy

enjoy!

Sam

In rememberance....

Hi,

From the first day that we found out about my mother's cancer until her passing, and even now, We are all changed for the better.

I am a little bitter towards the HMO system, but the system doesn't have feelings, so I think I am ok with that.

Otherwise, i observed deep changes in my mother's personality. Not that she had given up, but her eyes were opened to the things that matter. She was even more thankful for everytime we visited, and every kiss that my daughter gave her. I was thankful to see that when people came to pray for her, they came away encouraged. I believe she knew she was going to be an example to others on how to face death. Her supreme faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave her that strength.

Even until the final days we read the Psalms together. Me and my wife would read it to her in Korean language. it was like the Saturdays at our old Lantern lane house, when my mom would force us to learn Korean from the old school difficult translation of the bible. She had a stick in one hand, and the bible in the other. Trust me, we learnt the old school way!

At first, i thought it was just a nice gesture, then i realized, she enjoyed it. I would ask her what that word meant, or how to pronounce that word. She enjoyed giving me coaching until the end.

My life has been changed. I will no longer apply myself to futile pursuits for the sake of pleasing others or the worldly accolades.

I will apply my whole being into become the best person I can be, and to fulfill the path that the Lord has set before me. My mother did her best in the first 32 years of my life to shape, teach and mold me with her life experiences. So, i know i won't become some professional lump on a log. When i lovingly continue to contribute to Eleanor's life, I will do it while remembering my mother. When we make financial decisions and business choices, I will do it while remembering the wisdom of my mother. when i try to be a good husband to my wife sora, I will think about the unending devotion my mom had to my father, and apply that to my actions and thoughts.

If i could say something to anyone who still has their parent(s) with them, tell them you love them. Even if you have bitterness towards them. (try to forgive them at some point) Call them every weekend. the cell phone minutes are free. When they complain about some physical ailment, force them to go to the hospital and be at the appointment if possible, and be a bulldog with the primary care physician. If they say it's nothing, then ask for a referral anyway, it doesnt' cost them anything, and actually it becomes the specialist problem, ask them, do you want to see me again? all doctors had a rotation in Psychology, use it on them!

We can't turn back the clock. I regret, not being more aggressive with my mother's doctor. YES doctors are people too... but you are the client. The doctor will forgive you. If they are bitter, then change providers, its quite easy. your HMO bill doesnt go up if you change doctors.

i want to also acknowledge my sister through all of this. She did so many of the hard tough things with my mom. She is not a morning person, yet she woke up so many days and took care of the hard stuff. Its hard changing the undergarmets of your parents. But its just payback for all those poopy diapers we made them change. I only helped change one time, so i know it's not easy. People say its so great to have a son, but a daughter is tops for when things start to hit the fan.

Also to Holly, my sister's friend who came down from 2 hours away so many times to support her. She also brought her cute daughter lydia to help occupy my daughter when we were spending many hours at my mom's house.

Sam

Fruit Tart

So, i bought a $5.o0 fruit tart from Wegmans. My wife really wanted to get them since they opened, but it seemed like a good time.

It was tasty, and the fruit was tart as advertised.

My daughter seemed to be impervious to the tart.

Anyhow, its a cute video of me feeding Eleanor.

Enjoy!
Sam

eleanors 2nd costume dress up

Hi
I dont want to really refer to the holiday on 10/31 as what it is, because its kind of a satanic day, but our neighborhood had an organized trick or treating time, so i didn't want eleanor to miss out.

we bought her a cow costume at JC pennys!

then we got it home and realized it was a dalamation.

Look, both are spotted, and both have black ears and a black tail... so what is it?
Dalmation
cow?
Cowmation?

Anyhow she enjoyed seeing other kids.




Sam

Its tough

Hi Friends
its tough
I was prepared to give it tough to my dad. To share with him the news about what is happening with my mom in a medical sense, and ask him to let go.

but as i saw him in the hospital, changing my moms bedpan, and praying with her. I couldn't do it.

I don't feel that its right to ask him to give up on time.
Everyday and every moment that he can be there with my mom is fleeting for him

I felt that he deserves as much time as he and my mom want.

If Sora was sick, i think I would want the same time and buffer zone.

We know the time is coming to an end, and my dad knows, but he has to deal with things and deal with his emotions.

Right now, its about family and prayer and dignity.

My mom is an example of how someone should fight cancer. An example of how someone with the confidence of Christ should fight, and have peace at the same time.

I hope to bring honor to her example with my life.

Sam

eagles Stink man

eagles stink

mcnabb still needs work
andy reid is not a genius

the real genius are solving problems like renewable energy and fuel consumption issues.

Sports is a nice diversion when it doesn't make you mad.

At least the flyers look good.

Sam

daddy's girl

She is a definitely a girly girl.

Last week my wife bought my daughter her first handbag. No prada or coach.
Baby Gund. she seems to like it.

she likes handbags and putting stuff in and out.

It is a joy to see my daughter develop more and more.

Phillies get swept

So Sad.
To work to hard against to get into the post season, the phillies looked like they had nothing left.

Baseball in the post season isnt about hitting homers, its about fundamental baseball and pitching.

I am still very happy with the phillies. They fought all year despite all of the injuries.

the core is still there

honestly, I'd like to see some changes

1. Pat Burrell: trade him to the AL, maybe his 2nd half opened some eyes, if we can trade him, take the deal. too slow in the field.

2. Aaron Rowand: i don't think he will be back. For some reason when i watch his at bats, it seems like he guesses and gets lucky swinging. I mean he hit over 300 this year, so it's not all luck.

3. Pitchers: Leiber and garcia are gone, that money is freed up, i hope eaton will be gone , but unlikely. We also need some relievers.

4. Third base: I hear Mike Lowell might be available. Wes helms is no good. Abraham nunez is ok.

Charlie Manuel: If he keeps Davy lopes and Jimy williams, ok. his strategy is kind of suspect.

anyhow, i wont be rooting for anyone here on out.
I wont follow the games much at all.

Sixers, Flyers. lets go baby!

Sam

Our last phillies game of 2007

Whether the phils can dig themselves out of a 0-2 hole or not, it was a good season

we got tickets for a saturday 3:55 game. It could have been a clincher, but Adam eaton sucked.

we had a good time anyhow. Philly skyline looks pretty good eh?

Chuck-E-Cheese

My daughter's first visit to the Cheese palace, not lambeau field, but Chuck E Cheese.
my niece was in town with my mother in law, so we decided to check it out.

just like when i get energized from a late night poker game... my daughter was feeding off the mayhem of the place.
Kids going wild running all over.

She seemed to be more interested in the tokens, than the games themselves.
Analysis
almost all the ticket games give 4 tickets
whether you can 50 free throws or brick em all, the prize is the same, whats up with that?
you get your tickets once you pay for skee ball. whats up?

A nation of slackers is coming
all because of Chuck E Cheeses.

be afraid people
be very afraid.

Sam

I'm gonna git you sucka!

I am not a mind reader, but i think this is what my daughter is thinking...


Don't think we come out of the womb as sinful people? trust me, she is thinking of mischief. She's got bad intentions.

hahaha
Sam

PHILLIES WIN! PHILLIES WIN!

I Just watched the last out of the game.

The phillies are NL EAST CHAMPS,

My mom, dad, wife, daughter, all at my parents house to see the mets collapse, and the phillies show their grit.

I said in a daze a couple months ago to my wife "my life doesnt change one bit if the phillies win."

Well in the grand scheme yes. but happiness level? its pretty darn good.

I really cannot believe it. Being disappointed so many times in the past years, so many times this year.

Awesome!
Sam