Grand Canyon..Not so grand ride

For the lack of anything exciting or happening in my dreary life right now, I shall attempt to reflect on some more memorables ones..And all the more fun if it's something which I can b***h about ^___^


So backtrack about a month or so..Mmm..I never got around to finish up my splendid family vacation stories. Anyhow, I want to share my rather 'earth-shattering' experience at none other than the Grand Canyon.

Everyone knows the Canyon is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. And I have been there once 2 years ago. But this time around I wanted to bring my family to witness the grandness of the Canyon and marvel at its beautiful nature-shaped rocks and layers.

So after listening to my roommate's gush about her amazing helicopter ride over the Canyon, my mom and I decided we should soar on such a fabulous excursion as well to get a fantastic view from up above.

The day finally arrived as we happily embarked on the wonderful journey. Little did we know it would turn out to be truthfully the saddest one of all.

Nothing to do with the Canyon though, mind you. She's beautiful as she is. It was the travel agency that we booked our trip with, which caused the unnecessary lines of wrinkles to pop at the corner of my eyes.

I figured I would snag a niftier deal if I were to make reservations online ahead of time. After searching and researching, I thought this one sounded good and went for it. After all, it's their #1 Best-Seller Tour. Can't go wrong right?

" * Complimentary Las Vegas hotel pickup and drop-off
* Comfortable 18 passenger air conditioned airplanes
* Window seat views for everybody-Guaranteed
* Fly from Vegas to the Southern Rim of the Mighty Grand Canyon
* Tasty meal included at the Canyon (may be subject to change)
* 2.5 hour Guided coach tour with multiple 30 minute stops & free time to explore & souvenir shop"

Wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong!! Almost everything that could possibly go wrong did. After getting picked up at our fab Excalibur Hotel, we were brought to the agency--Vision Air's office where we checked in. Then after waiting for some time, we were shuffled off to lunch without any explanation.

Okay, what happened to 'Tasty Meal at the Canyon'. But oh wait a minute, 'may be subject to change'. I guess this was the first sign that everything was going downhill from then on.

So they took us to this cheap-looking hotel where we were supposed to have a lunch buffet. Another group of ladies who were on the same trip demanded to know what's going on with our trip as we seemed to be pressed for time. Initially the tour guide sort of danced around the answer, but after relentless questioning from the same ladies (they had a flight to catch that night, who can blame 'em?), the tour guide finally informed us there had been ahem..a slight delay on our schedule and we'll be having lunch here instead of at the Canyon.

Okay..The food? Don't even get me started. Well when you think about it, the idea of dining at the Canyon is so much more glamorous than at some cheap hotel, isn't it? Oh I caught a glimpse of the price for lunch as well--$6.99. No wonder it was crappy.

After lunch, we headed back to the office once again where this time we waited for another hour. So between the time when we were picked up at eleven till then, five hours have gone by without anything much achieved.

By that time, we were sick of hearing 'there's been a delay'..And during those miserable hours, I found out that one of us was not given a window seat as guaranteed. So my mom and I marched up to the customer service counter and asked for an explanation.

And this was what I got. 'Our company DOES NOT guarantee window seats for every passenger. That's the general description that the website (another tour comp) publishes. Our company doesn't even run a website.' I rebutted by pointing out that 'In order for that website to publish the description, it'd have to get that info from your company isn't it?'

She went on to repeat what she said for like a gazillion times. Then she proceeded to assure me that all of us would have window seats on the return flight back. Let me just say, their customer service is nothing to shout about, if anything at all.

So after somemore painful waiting-by this time, my head had started to spin-we finally got on our plane. And to make things worse, with the exception of grandma, mom and me, our whole group consisted of only Japanese. So naturally our tour guide was also a Japanese.

He went on and on talking in Japanese but only a few sentences in English. For example, "And on your left, you can see it's Hoover Dam." Then he'll revert back to speaking in Japanese for another 10 minutes or so. It would have been nice to also hear about some of the historical background or some interesting facts on what we were looking at outside the window..I could sense the flames mounting in my mom's throat..uh-oh..

The bus trip after that was ordinary. But I do have to say that the bus was filthy old and nasty. I refused to make any unnecessary physical contact with the fabric of the seats. Eww...

On the plane ride back, I was separated from grandma and mom as they accidentally missed my name on the list. So on another plane I went. This was when I found out I had to squeash between 2 Japanese(who happened to be husband and wife)..NOT A WINDOW SEAT!!! AGAIN!!!

I could so lop someone's head off right then. However nice the view was on the ride back, I couldn't savor it as well as I should've. I practically had to strain my neck just to see the view below.

Oh adding to that, the flights to and fro were so bumpy that quite a few of the passengers threw up..especially after that awful lunch..

By the time we got back to Vegas, we were completely exhausted and drained. A trip that was supposed to take 7 and 1/2 hours ended up being a 10 hour one..


So if you ever plan on paying a visit to the mighty Canyon, remember NEVER to take Vision Air! This company sucks big time and a complete waste of money and time. Oh and take a helicopter tour instead, if you have the money ^^

I guess this'll teach me about high expectations.

Scones for Breakfast?

Mmm..I was dreaming of the fragrance of fresh-baked pastries. It's been awhile since I've indulged in a good breakfast. So I decided to carry on my baking adventure. After some recipe searching, I thought scones would be more than purr-fect to kick off a beautiful day.

Wow this would be the first time that I'm whipping up something from scratch by myself. It felt quite empowering..muahaha..


Ahem..so there I was watching Ellen while whisking together all the ingredients. As I was trying for a healthier result, I kind of tweaked the recipe a tad bit. So I switched out the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour. Plus, I love anything made of wheat anyways!


After some big-time mixing with my hand (didn't have an electric mixer..my previous roommates took it away..), the batter was all set and ready to go. So I managed to make six and a half scones. Then I popped them into the pre-heated oven and allowed the wonderful smell of fresh homemade pastry penetrate my nostrils.

While the scones were happily baking, I even had enough time to clean up the mess, plop down on the couch and sip my oat drink =)


So how did my first trial of baking turn out? I have to say my verdict is excellent indeed! Of course that might be biased of me, but my roommates absolutely loved them too. The skin was crunchy while the inside was moist, just the way I like it! And of course, spreading the lovely scones with apple butter completed my scrumptious breakfast!

Here's my tweaked recipe if you wanna have a go at it as well =) You won't regret!
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3 tablespoon butter, cut
3 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup soymilk
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Farenheit. Mix together flour, baking powder and cut butter. Then add in the sugar and milk. Knead the dough for a few minutes till set. Split the dough into 6 round-shape dough and let bake for 15 minutes. I threw in a handful of blueberries for an extra zest. You can virtually add anything that might satiate your taste buds! Enjoy...

Chocolate Cake...Microwaved!

Yes you heard me right! It's no secret I'm not a domestic goddess at all. So when my eyes rested on this wonderful recipe I found on the internet I was ecstatic. Nevertheless I couldn't help being a little suspicious as well. I mean really, how can a microwaved cake taste anything like the real thing right?

So ready-armed with all the ingredients, I set off on this little baking adventure. The whole process from the preparation to the baking (or rather microwaving) took only roughly 10 minutes.

After mixing in all the ingredients and whipping up the batter, I popped in the bowl (which I used to mix the batter in) into the microwave. How convenient is that? Two minutes later, out came a pretty little cake. Couldn't resist a bite, after all microwaved food should be eaten rightaway, yes?


The cake came out a little dry, maybe because I sort of skimmed on the butter a little. But overall, it's pretty delicious and just about right to serve one or maybe two. I shared it with my 2 roommates and they both liked it.

So if you have the time (oh cum'on it only takes 10 minutes..) go treat yourself to this wonderful little cake.

What goes in it:
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/8 tablespoon baking powder
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 tablespoon sugar
3 tablesoon soymilk (or 2 eggs whichever you like)
2 tablespoon cocoa powder

Whisk together the butter, sugar, soymilk (or eggs), cocoa powder, flour, baking powder in a microwave-safe bowl. I would recommend a ceramic bowl. I let it cook for 2 minutes (depends on what kind of microwave, if it's a little too moist, then just leave it for another 15 seconds or so).

Great for a quick sweet-tooth fixing!

Toothache

If you're cringing at the mere mention of this revolting word, I'm no exeption.

Two days ago as I was having my dose of healthy salad greens for dinner, I decided to toss in some carrot sticks to spring some color to it. To think of all the carotene that would benefit my eyes...

Alas, somehow when I bit into one of the carrot sticks, I think it cracked my tooth!!! I didn't think much about it then because it didn't exactly hurt that much. So I continued munching, with the teeth on the opposite side though..

That night, I literally sprang up from my beauty sleep. Now I don't usually have this problem because once I'm asleep, I'm gone. However the pang of pain was just to much to bear and I kind of ran around my little room, holding the side of my mouth that was hurting.

I rummaged through several closets in search of aspirin or any painkillers to no avail. By that time the pain was so profound I almost teared up...

Not knowing what to do, I just leaned against the wall and started sobbing. After some time, the pain subsided and I promptly hopped into bed so that I can go back to sleep before the pain striked again.

The method apparently worked well as I slept soundly till the next day. Last night was a whole different ballgame though...

I woke up four times throughout the night, just sitting there sobbing, waiting for the pain to go away..When this failed, I would crawl out and leaned against the wall again. Hey, if it worked once, the magic has gotta spark again right?

So I did this again and again until this morning. After poking every nook and cranny of my drawers, I finally found a couple of aspirins, some panadol and watermelon frost! (traditional Chinese medicine, green powder-like and is supposed to relief sore throat, toothaches and minor injury)

Well, I've been applying it all day. It seemed to work for awhile but it'll come back with a vengeance and that's when it really stings, or stinks. My mouth feels as if it's contorted inside out..And the nerves surrounding the tooth seems to be pulling from every corner..

My worst fear--besides cockroaches, insects, and all things alike, you get the idea--is going to the dentist office. And the reason is that every time I go to one, the dentist would have nothing but bad news to let on.

So I have bad teeth. Why do I have to suffer? It's not like I had a choice to have good teeth which don't need too much pampering. I brush my teeth twice a day religiously. Add on rinsing and gurgling with Listerine after that. Then occassionally when I'm at it, I'll floss. I have friends who brush once and still have flawless teeth. What's wrong with this picture?!

That point aside, there's like no way I can afford to see a dentist here. Health care is not exactly the cheapest thing of all in the U.S. The last time I checked it cost around $90 just to get an initial diagnosis. Then it's a whopping $150 for a tooth filling..wth..I certainly don't have that kind of money to spare, especially right now..

Guess I'll have to wait till my next trip home..Oh goodness, there it goes pulling at my nerves again. I think I'll have to pop an aspirin and hope for the stars.

Roommate Squabbles

So after sleeping on it last night, I still can't get over the minor clash with my roommate.

It's like a widely-known fact that when friends start living together, problems will arise where first you just have to get over their weird behavior (and vice versa, who says I'm perfect?). But then the problems expand and mount into this huge volcano where it'll erupt at any moment if triggered at the wrong moment.

I have always reminded myself to simply stay cool and calmly walk away when these moments surface to avoid any fistfights and unpleasant memories.

Last night though, I found myself screaming at the top of my lungs (almost ^^). Luckily this was over the phone so nothing too horrid followed. Would've made an interested blog though =p

Scenario:
Since I'm hoping to leave Athens in search of a real job anytime soon, it was best that we changed all the bills, which were under my name, to my roommate's who'll still be living here next year.

So the GA Power dude informed her that an activation fee of $22 will be charged since it's sorta a change of account. My roommate insisted that it be divided among 7 people, including her 3 new roommates in the fall.

My 2 new summer roommates and I dissented her proposal however as we'll be staying here for another month or so while her fall roommates and her will be staying for the year. Plus, I've already paid my fair share when I moved in last August.

So I calmly explained to her that if she were to renew the bill in August when I leave, we wouldn't even be having this conversation at all.

I attempted to explain this viewpoint in different approaches but somehow it didn't seem to sink-in..That's when exasperation settled in..I lost composure and blurted, "You know what, Fuggedaboudit! It's fine!"

Silence.

After a few awkward "uhs..", she started to get defensive and talk some-more. By then, all I wanted to do was to slam down the phone and dissociate from her aggravating ramblings.

After several minutes more of her talking about bills and stuff, we finally hung-up. (how I withstood those few minutes baffles me still) And then the phone rang again.

It's her AGAIN!! hmm..what else do we need to talk about?! I wondered..well well, more billing issues...

It's not the money that's of our concern in this dispute. It's just the thought that she needs be so precise and repetitive in every money issue that kills me completely.

Don't believe me? Well, let's see..In one of our past parties, she decided to ask people for $2 'donation'. Seriously...(dead-pan) My other roommate and I initially disagreed on that but decided if she was serious about it, then so be it. She can be the one doing it. And so she did. Walking around with a bucket asking for donation.

Guess how much she got the whole night?...............no prize for the correct answer...

Two freaking dollars. Kudos dear.

Oh another thing that bothers me. She goes behind my back telling my new roommates how she doesn't like me cuz I don't say good morning to her in the mornings..Oh come on already. Are we still in 5th grade?! or wait...3rd grade?!

My kind new roommates told me they didn't believe a word she said about me (oh yeah, that wasn't all..) because she's driving them over the top of nutty mountain too.

Apparently she put up signs everywhere around the house reminding them to clean the dishes, turn off the lights, sweep their hair out and dadidadida...Needless to say, they weren't too excited to see the notes. Whatever happened to face-to-face conversation and decent compromise they wanted to know.

I'm keen to find out as well...

Good day, y'all...