UberEATS is What's Up!

Who doesn't love door-to-door delivery? I know I do, so today I am trying out UberEATS for the first time. Thinking about what I packed for lunch this morning (carrots, dressing, Greek yogurt, and granola) made me kinda sad, so in desperation, I took to the food delivery app and gave in to my Vietnamese food craving. I mean, we have a heat advisory for today, so there's no way I am stepping out of this office - unless it is to go straight home to get back in bed. 

Anyway, using the UberEATS app to browse the many available restaurant options was easy-peasy. I searched for the type of food I wanted and a long list of restaurants popped up. I immediately noticed Les Givral's on Washington Ave., and having wanted to try them for a while, I took a quick look at their menu and ordered away. Paying was effortless; I linked my PayPal account to avoid using my bank card and did not have to include a tip. According to a RideSharingDriver article, an UberEATS driver makes between $10-20/hour, depending on the market and day of the week; so I don't feel too bad for not tipping my driver on a busy day in Midtown Houston. After placing my order, I was updated on the whereabouts of my food and was given an ETA; I am happy to report that my food was delivered on time and by a friendly driver - shout outs to Frank, keep up the good work! 

Now on to the food: this was my first time eating food from Les Givral's, so I pretty much went in blind. I ordered the chargrilled chicken & rice plate and a side of egg rolls. I mean, you can't really mess that up, so my hopes were high. However, if I had to rate the meal, I'd give it 3.5 stars. Portions were good, except for the one sad little egg roll that cost me an additional dollar. In my opinion, it should come with two egg rolls, especially when they're bite-sized. I was also disappointed at the lack of flavor in the fish sauce - I prefer a stronger flavor and chili flakes in the sauce, but that's just me. The rice and chicken portion sizes were good, so no complaint there. At $13.68, I think the overall cost for my UberEats meal was fair. It's important to mention that $3.99 of the total cost is the delivery fee, which is not bad at all when you factor in that it feels like 106 degrees out there. The entire day I have been sitting here cool as a cucumber while poor Frank is sweating his ass off walking to/from the car making food deliveries. 

So, my overall thoughts on this whole thing are the following:

- UberEATS: You got me and I'm hooked.
- Les Givral's: Nice meeting you, but I don't think we'll be hanging out again anytime soon. 

The Happiest Day Ever!

I'm back! It has been a long long time since my last post and a lot has happened since then; and by a lot I mean I got married, finished my degree, and got a new job! That's a lot, right? I seriously missed writing for the blog and making a connection with someone out there in the world; I may not know who that person is, but it's someone and that is all that matters. So, let me tell you about the happiest day ever: my wedding!

On May 30, 2015, Michael and I became husband and wife ' til death do us part. We opted for a destination wedding in breathtaking Santa Fe, New Mexico, The Land of Enchantment, with our closest family and friends. Everything was just as I had imagined, if not better. The day was beautiful, the weather was perfect, and the spirits were high and ready to celebrate the most special day in our lives. Thanks to everyone that participated, we seriously could not have made it without you!

#BermudezEverAfter

Wedding & Reception Venue: Hilton Buffalo Thunder Casino & Resort

Bride's Dress: Impression Bridal

Shoes: Brian Atwood

Hair & Makeup: Genica Lee

Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal - Vera Wang

Groom's & Groomsmen's Attire: Men's Warehouse - Vera Wang

Flowers: Whole Foods

Invitations: Differently Designed

Music: Too Hot to Stop

Photography: Jennie Garibay 

Catering: Hilton Buffalo Thunder Casino & Resort

Cake: Chocolate Maven Bakery & Cafe

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Wedding Coordinator: Alena Bard

Officiant: Irene Swain

Damn you, Martha!

These last few months have been hectic - school's been going full force and the wedding is just a few weeks away. Needless to say, coffee has been my go-to resource for energy and awareness. I don't know how people function without coffee, nor do I really care to know. All I know is that they're missing out... 

Anyway, lately I have been receiving the Martha Stewart's Living magazine. I did not subscribe to it, so I don't know where it's coming from, but who am I to stop it, right? Besides, I'm sure all those recipes and articles will come in handy when I become a Mrs., so I'll keep them... Browsing through the May 2015 issue, I came across a recipe for cold-brewed iced coffee that I am sure will completely change my life here pretty soon. I made my first batch last night and now I am enjoying the fruit of my labor without having to go Starbucks (sorry guys, I love you, but my wallet can't say the same). 

The recipe is fairly simple, it calls for minimum ingredients, and you DO NOT need an espresso machine. Now, how awesome is that? So here it is:

Cold-Brewed Iced Coffee

6 ounces finely ground espresso beans

4 cups cool water

Milk, for serving

A pinch of patience

1. Stir together ground coffee and water in a pitcher. Cover and let sit overnight at room temperature.

2. Strain coffee through a fine strainer lined with a coffee filter, letting it drip into another container. Refrigerate up to 3 days.

3. To serve, fill tall glasses with ice. Add 1/3 cup cold coffee to each, then top each with milk.

4. Taddaaa! Enjoy :-)

For homemade espresso drinks, I like to use Illy Ground Espresso Coffee & the milk I used to mix the drink is Silk Almond-Coconut Blend. This recipe does not call for sweetener, but I mixed a couple of sweetener packets in the coffee before adding the ice and cold milk. 

Give it a try, I am sure you will like it!

May 2015 issue

See? Simple stuff!

One More Week!

Well, hello there!

This semester went by so fast and I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am about that. Many of us are taking finals this week; luckily, I only have two exams to deal with - I took the other three last week and Oh. My. Gosh. I thought I was going to die! I literally pulled three all-nighters in a row and slept a total of 9 hours between Monday & Wednesday. I just love to procrastinate. How does one ever change that? Never mind, I know how, I just prefer to do other stuff and leave the important things 'til the end. Some of my finest work is produced during extreme pressure, and while I know that I should get a head-start, I just can't seem to get that motivation going. I can sleep when I'm dead, or on the weekend - whichever comes first. Just to give you a little idea, this is what last week was like for me...

Monday & Tuesday, except with short dark hair and in bed...

So, then I realized that I'd rather go through a zombie apocalypse than write that one research paper I had like 6 weeks to do... But no, why do that when I can stay up for 27 hours straight and submit it 8 minutes from the deadline?!

Then, Thursday rolls around, I am in full zombie mode, still have one final to take, and Dr. Anderson is all chipper... :-) Don't get it wrong, she's my favorite. So much my favorite that I am taking all of her four classes next semester. PS I love Elf, it's my favorite movie!

I still have two more exams this week and then it will all be over for five beautiful weeks!

During that time, I will be enjoying the beach, the sand, and the sun in the Caribbean for seven days... Go ahead, it's okay to be jealous - I know I would be.

I'll be here, if you can get a hold of me!

Montego Bay

Cayman Islands

Hoping to snap a picture like this one too!
Cayman Islands

Is it the weekend yet?

Clearly, those are not my pictures. But since I have not been to neither of the above places, Google was kind enough to provide me with such imagery. I will post my own when I get back home... Sometime next year!

But wait, I'm not done sharing my 2014 Winter Break plans... 

As soon as I get back from the fabulous cruise, I'm getting on a minivan with my loves to drive to New Mexico (Bear Max & Lolita can't fly, so we have to drive every time the furkids travel with us) to visit the in-laws, our friends, and to get some wedding stuff done. I think I am most excited about the 1st Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater/New Year's Eve Party that our friends are hosting. It will be so much fun and I just cant wait. I'll post pictures of that too!

I'm not sure when I will have a chance to update you with my own Caribbean pictures and adventure stories, so I would like to wish everyone a beautiful holiday season with your family and loved ones, and since I'm a Christian, I can't leave without saying Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Dreaming of snow covered Sandia Mountains in ABQ

Peace, love, and fireballs!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

Hope your hump day is a good one - and if you're at work (like me), hope time flies! And remember... 

Lolita Pomp loves you ♥

All hail the Queen

and Bear Maximus sends his best :-)

...he got a big booty, so I call him Big Booty!

Happy Thanksgiving!

xoxo

L Bear

5 Seconds of Summer, what?!

Who are these kids and why do they sing such sticky songs? I love them already!

- Amnesia -

- She Looks So Perfect -

xoxo,

L-Bear

Gobble, Gobble!

Wedding Bells!

Embrace yourself, we mailed the Save-the-Dates!

“Uh-oh!” that is the thought that crossed my mind after I dropped all the wedding cards at the post office mailbox… 

“It’s real! It’s happening! Oh shit, we’re getting married for real!” Ha ha ha! I could not be happier J I am one lucky gal and I am so blessed to have finally found “The One…” He is all mine and I get to keep him forever. 

Forever and ever. Amen!

Yaaay! Let’s drink to that! 

Fireball! 

Heather, this is all your fault!

xoxo

L-Bear :-)