Project Embrace 2009

Check out my brother’s (Porn Siphanoum) artwork! He is very talented. I am very proud of him. This artwork is in Springfield, MA.

Dark Chocolate Cupcakes

I made this cupcake for a friend who loves chocolate. He enjoyed it very much. Try it and let me know what you think! This receipe makes 12 cupcakes.

Ingredients:
3 to 4 oz. Valrhona 85% cacao (or any bittersweet chocolate)
12 Tbsp. (1 1/2 sticks) butter
1 1/8 c. sugar
4 eggs
5/8 c. flour
1/8 cup cocoa powder, unsweetened
3/4 tsp. baking powder
Pinch salt

Prepare baking sheets by lining with parchment paper and laying out cupcake cups. Preheat oven to 350 F.
Chop chocolate and transfer into the bowl of a standing mixer. Add butter to the chocolate and place the bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir until chocolate melts and butter is combined. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Let mixture cool for 10 minutes. Beat in an electric mixer for 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing for 10 seconds between each.

Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into the mixture, return to the electric mixer, and mix until blended.

Scoop batter into cupcake cups and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

What Does It Take?

I’ve been big on change this entire year, which begs the following
questions: how much more can someone self-destruct and hurt everyone
that they love without changing? When does a person have that “a-ha
moment” or hit rock bottom to realize that change is inevitable? The
sad truth, however, is some people will never change — and this is
the hardest truth for most of us to accept.

Once let go of the idea of changing others, we must focus on changing
ourselves and pondering thoughts, such as: how long will we put
ourselves in this unhealthy co-dependent relationship? Why do we
forget about our own well-being because we are so emotionally vested
in how well others are doing? Don’t we deserve to be happy too? What
are we getting out of this dysfunctional relationship by being “the
rescuer” all the time? Essentially, are we resistant to change ourselves?

Sometimes we have to zero in on the happiness of others that we
neglect what is going on in our own lives. Perhaps we are afraid of
the truth and what our inner voice will tell us.

It took me 12 years to finally take off my blinders, and I continually
ask myself: why so long? Now I know the answers; I’ve finally heard
and yielded the messages originating from the voice that I’ve
successfully shut out all these years.

No doubt, it hurts to hear your own inner voice, which is why I cried
my heart out when the truth came to pass. All I could do was embrace,
forgive, and love myself again.

In retrospect, I never knew how far removed I was from my own body and
spirit. I’m glad I made it “home” again — like whole person –
spiritually, physically and mentally!

If you are feeling lost or unsure of which direction life is taking
you, I hope you listen to your inner voice and come “home” soon

Beautiful Wings

Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory, South Deerfield, CT (9/2009).

My tattoo!

Thank you so much for those who voted! I am very happy with my new tattoo! Jay at the Green Man Studio did an excellent job!

Self-Reflection 1

A Ray of Hope

Do what it takes to be truly happy.
The light inside never goes out until you take your last breath.
I can hear my heart beat.
I’m alive!

The End

Released into the sky.
Released to a different path.
Released from you and the love that I thought we had.
God knows, I’ve tried.
There are no more air from our love and unity.
I can no longer feel or hear it breathe.
It wasn’t love when I was the only who held on
and all I did was fought alone.
I’m sorry if all of this hurts you.
You had my heart and soul.
It is now the end and remember… you were the one that let me go.

Getting inked for my next journey…

Tattoos have been used as long as 5,000 years ago.   The word ‘tatoo’ originates from the Polynesian word ‘tatao’, which means ‘to tap’ or ‘to mark’ someone. 

Traditionally, tattoos have been used as symbols of:

• rights
• rank and seniority or being juniors and spirituality
• devotion
• religion
• rewards and awards for bravery
• amulets
• talismans
• security
• punishments
• being outcast
• slavery
• conviction
• body arts
• reflect changes in life status
• fashion accessory

I have a tattoo on my right ankle that was inked in my early 20s.  I can’t recall the reason why I got the tattoo back then; perhaps it was because everyone else was getting them in college or it was the “grudge rock-Red Hot Chilli Pepper thing”.

Rye Bread Dip

This recipe is awesome for gatherings and parties.  It is very simple.  I recommend making the dip the night before.  I get lots of compliments for making it.  Try it and tell me what you think.  Cheers!

Dan-ski Still Rocking!