Conversations...

So today I opened the restaurant, like I have for the past couple of Saturdays. We were off to a running start as a couple of men from Texas called ahead so we opened a few minutes early. Then because our sign was on we had a table, a take out order, and a couple of blended drinks to go all before we actually opened. The kitchen was scrambling a bit to prep but we made it work.

Well in the midst of things the phone rang, so of course I answered it:

Me: Sala Thai Goodyear
Max: Hi this is Max from (Company) I'm calling about your windows computer
Me: Are you sure? This is a Thai restaurant, we have a till, not a computer
Max: I'm calling about your windows computer
Me: This is a business number for a Thai restaurant, we have a cash register but no computer
Max: I have two restaurants in LA, would you be interested in doing business with me?
Me: We don't have a restaurant in LA, just this one here in Arizona
Max: Would you be interested in doing business with me?
Me: I don't understand
Max: I need a receptionist for my restaurant in LA
Me: I just moved here from Salt Lake, I'm not ready to move to LA
Max: Would you be interested in the job?
Me: This is my family's restaurant...
Max: Oh! This is a family restaurant, so sorry! Love you, bye!

That probably wins the prize for the strangest phone call I have ever had! I just had to laugh when I hung up the phone. It was a good morning, busy at the start then empty long enough for me to eat an early lunch, and then picked up for a lunch rush.

I think that is my favorite thing about working at our restaurant. The people I get to meet every day. We have regulars who come in often, or every few months, then the people who have never been in before. It's fun to talk with the regulars who know our story, and also it's great when someone who just found us has a great time and loves the food. There's plenty of crazy moments too, but it has been a great experience overall working at my family restaurant.

PS. If you're in AZ come by and get some Thai Food --> Sala Thai Goodyear

My Happy Place

So with my transition to the Valley of the Sun I was able to travel a little bit before settling into a routine here.
The weekend after I got here we took a weekend whirlwind of a trip to California. The beach really is my happy place. Give me the salty sea breeze, the sand between my toes and the sound of the rolling waves. Throw in a few seagulls and I could be content forever. The ocean speaks to my soul, I love being at the beach.

Here’s a couple of pictures of Huntington Beach:

Basking in the sun

Lovely warm sand!

Liebster Award

I was nominated by the fabulous Keisha to participate in the Liebster Award and pass it on to other bloggers! It couldn't come at a more perfect time. I have pretty much been on radio blog silence for over a year. I even got a new blog page back in July but have yet to post anything. Soo many changes have come, and come quickly lately that I finally decided to make time to get back into blogging, write in my personal journal, and really get back into sketching. I have bit by bit been preparing for this return to these things I love, but now is the time.

So I'm excited to do this and for you to get to know me better and then keep it going. :) Go check out Keisha's blog {here}! She is a sweetheart and I love reading her posts!

"Liebster" means dearest in German, and it's awarded, blogger to blogger, to up-and-coming blogs with less than 200 followers.  The rules for accepting and giving the award are pretty simple.  Once you accept the award, you just have to do the following in a blog entry:

Answer the 11 questions posted by the nominator on her blog

Give 11 facts about yourself

Nominate 5-11 other new, up-and-coming blogs with less than 200 followers

Make up 11 more questions to pass on to the bloggers you choose to nominate

Thank your nominator by linking back to her blog

Upon your post going live, contact your nominees about your nomination for them

Here are Keisha's Questions:

1. What's your zodiac sign? And do you read your horoscope? And do you think it fits your personality? 

This is too funny, I was in Barnes & Nobles this morning looking at sketchbooks and journals and found a 'love journal' of sorts, it made me giggle a little bit, but it totally had a section on the  zodiac and of course I read mine. I am an Aries. Sometimes I like to check it out in books, or see Pinterest posts on what I'm supposed to be like. Once in a while I feel they're spot on, and sometimes waay off. I don't follow a daily horoscope though.

In the Chinese Zodiac I am a Rabbit. Sometimes I think that's a little closer to me. I do find it interesting for sure! 

2. First kiss story!

Ah... of course. Hmm I haven't thought about it for a long time... and now I'm scrambling to remember the exact details. It was my senior year at the bottom of the spiral stair case in the dorm. I think?! I honestly can't remember. Oh dear. 

Better story: my next first kiss - Freshman year at USU. I started dating a guy who lived upstairs in the same dorm building. He had never kissed anyone before. One night we went for a fairly long walk. We ended up at a baseball diamond so we walked out to the pitchers mound and talked for a while under the stars... and then we kissed. 

3. Shuffle your Ipod and tell me the first 3 songs that come up. (no lies! ;))

1. Girl on Fire by Alisha Keys

2. Carry on Dancing by Savage Garden(Guilty Pleasure, don't judge)

3. Uncharted by Sara Bareilles

4. What's your favorite website/blog/tumblr?

Well the one I spend the most time on is Pinterest (I know, I know!) but I love to be able to get a quick bit of inspiration, and since I took the Wilton Cake Decorating Classes, I especially love the cake recipes and decorating ideas.

Other honorable mentions are: 

http://bodyunburdened.com/ - Great things to think about as I strive to get away from harsh chemicals and live a healthier life. If you follow on facebook, you'll always know when Amazon has free ebooks daily 

http://www.ourbestbites.com - Great Recipes! Darling site.

http://rasamalaysia.com/ - Asian recipes and great giveaways!

5. Who's your celebrity crush? (you can't have Benedict--sorry, not sorry. ;))

I'm not big into celebrity crushes but Bradley James came to mind first:

He plays Arthur in the BBC Merlin

And of course.... David Tennant

Brilliant in Doctor Who, and I'm liking Broadchurch, can't wait for Wednesday!

6. Top 5 ways to win your heart?

The first thing that came to mind when I saw this question was the 5 Love Languages 

My top two are: Quality time and Acts of Service.

So I would have to say:

1. Spend time with me

2. Be open and honest with me

3. Let's try something new or go on an adventure

4. Cook/bake with me

5. I love flowers... and especially live plants

7. Tell me a joke. 

You know, I'm not big on jokes... except the corny ones my Grandpa loves to tell he's too cute. I prefer true funny stories.

8. No money reservations--where would you live/visit for a month?

Bali, Indonesia. Give me the ocean and a tropical breeze! Since I'd be there for a month, I'd take quick trips up to Malaysia and Singapore too. That would be hebatnya!

9. 3 things that you always have in your purse/backpack/car/pocket?

Phone, wallet, chapstick

10. What book could you read over and over again?

I usually do... haha. I love The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans

and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho are the first ones that come to mind :)

11. Your favorite TV series?

Hands down I'd have to say Doctor Who. I started watching it when they brought it back in 2005 with Christopher Eccelson as The Doctor and Billie Piper as Rose, his companion. I've seen all the episodes and specials :) Love it!

That was fun! Now it's my turn: I am nominating: 

Jen, Candice, Chester, Kaylie, Audrey, and Natalie! I know some of you have multiple blogs so I will leave it to you as to where you answer the questions and pass on the Liebster Award!

Here are your questions ladies!

1. One quote that changed your life.

2. Where is your 'Happy Place'?

3. If you could leave tomorrow, where is the first place you would go?

4. What is one of your favorite childhood memories?

5. Are you a cat person or a dog person?

6. One song that speaks to you.

7. What is something you want to accomplish before your next milestone birthday?

8. Top 3 favorite movies of all time.

9. If you were a Crayon, what color would you be?

10. What book could you read over and over again?

11. What is the best advice you have every been given?

Can't wait to see your posts!