San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge

 

 San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge

This is the final version of the Bay Bridge photo I took in my previous post. I like this one so much more. Don't get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with the original photo, but it didn't have the "wow factor." I'm very picky with my pictures. The Bay Bridge is a photo that is constantly being photographed, as it is a notable Bay Area landmark, so I sought to make it unique and not just something one has seen before, over and over again.

In this version, the red and blue contrasts highlight the separation of the sky and bay, while emphasizing the glowing bridge--the highlight of the image. Also note that the red and blue areas are not completely solid colors. There is a soft gradient that becomes a lighter hue as your eyes migrate away from the bridge.

It really stands out now compared to the original photo. I'm happy. :)

A Quick & Healthy Meal

Ingredients:

• 2 Eggs
• Bell Peppers (Yellow, Orange, Red)
• 1 Slice of Whole Wheat Toast (sliced into 3 pieces)
• Ketchup
• Peanut Butter
• Strawberry Spread
• Kale
• Chards
• Spinach
• Carrots
• Green Smoothie
• Seasonings
  
  A pretty simple, fast, easy, and healthy meal! The greens and peppers for the nutrients/antioxidants, eggs and peanut butter for the protein, and toast for the carbs!
  
  Very easy and fast! The only thing you really need to cook up are the eggs and bell peppers (optional, but I prefer tender peppers). The greens you can simple wash and toss it into a salad bowl, although I gently sautéed it because I don't like raw vegetables that are too tough.

Night Time Photography: San Francisco

I love taking photos at night. I think everything looks 100x's more beautiful at night. With that said, here are some recent shots I took on my iPhone around the city...

 The pathway with lighted lamp posts, wooden benches, and weathered wooden tile floors. I love how classic and old school this is. Nothing high tech or modernly complex. At the end of this path, you can find a bunch of photography enthusiasts with their DSLR's and tripods hoping to snag a great shot of the city!

 Gorgeous view of the city at night. You can see the Transamerica Pyramid in the background, which is the tallest skyscraper in SF! The way the light reflects in the water literally took my breath away haha.

Finally a decent picture of the Bay Bridge! This new one was constructed in September 2, 2013 and is apparently in the Guinness World Records as the world's widest bridge. I love how the entire bridge lights up at night-as opposed to the more popular and touristy Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately, Leo Villareal's "Bay Lights" are only going to be on display for 2 years (ending in March 2015)! It's such a beauty! It's said to be the world's largest LED light sculpture, using 25,000 white LED lights, and programmed to never repeat the same display. Pretty cool!

National Pancake Day + Mardi Gras

Happy National Pancake Day + Mardi Gras!

Late post. I know!

National Pancake Day and Mardi Gras was actually on Tuesday, March 4, 2014. I don't really celebrate either of these occasions, but I decided to use it as a reason to make pancakes (although who really needs an excuse to make pancakes?).

I used rolled oats, eggs, banana, cinnamon, whey protein, chia seeds, and almond milk. The texture came out really doughy, so next time I will definitely work on making it more moist. I will post a recipe once I figure out the best combination and measurements for these ingredients (i am a bit picky so this may take some time haha). So stay tuned!

Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate is the perfect delectable drink for a rainy night in. It's really simple and takes less than one minute to make. Simply heat up a glass of milk (i used almond milk) in the microwave for a minute or so, and stir in cocoa powder. Then add sprinkles, blackberries, and strawberries!

DIY Chocolate/Candy Jar

DIY Chocolate/Candy Jar! 

This is a little do-it-yourself gift I made a while back. It's super easy, simple, and fast to make! Definitely a perfect homemade gift for those with a major sweet tooth!

All you need is...

• A 1 quart size Mason Jar -- I love how mason jars are so versatile! You can find these in packs on Amazon
• Different kinds of chocolate and candies -- You pick and choose what you like! Or what the recipient will like! I ended up getting about 6 bags of candy to fit into 3 jars.
• A ribbon and tie to wrap around the lid of the jar. -- Purely for aesthetic reasons. :)
  
  Done!