Know why I love the dollar store? Because I can use this plate ($1 per plate):*
and this cup (2 for $1):
to create this cupcake stand (with a little hot glue gun action):
On Tuesday: how to make floral cupcakes to put on this stand!
*All items found at the Dollar Tree: 2485 Notre Dame Boulevard, Chico, CA
Jammie Karlman is the entertainment editor for the Chico Enterprise-Record. Contact her at buzz@chicoer.com. Follow her on Twitter @JammieKarlman
Our friends, the Gruzenkys, got married at midnight on 01/01/11. Here’s a picture of us with them at their first date! 🙂
Happy New Year!
By Jammie Salagubang – Buzz Editor
My family has this belief about New Year’s Eve: Whoever you’re with and whatever you are doing at the stroke of midnight is who you will be with and what you will be doing for the next year.
(Now that I think about it, this might have been a clever ruse of my dad to keep us at home and out of trouble on New Year’s Eve. His pleas usually included the guilt-inducing refrain, “Don’t you want to be with your family?”)
This practice is usually and dutifully observed by my family, along with other questionable practices, such as eating 12 grapes in the 12 seconds before midnight so you can have a “fruitful” year (which, while it may involve having someone who knows the Heimlich maneuver around, is very entertaining. Trust.)
But I do believe in it. One year, my sister had to work New Year’s Eve, and for the rest of the year she missed every major family occasion. Last year, although I was with my man, he sat across the table and seemed physically far away from me. That year, we had a veeery long distance relationship as I moved to South Korea.
This New Year’s Eve at around midnight, I will be attending my roommate’s wedding, and true to form, weddings loom large in 2011 for me.
Not only am I getting married next year, I know of six other weddings also happening that year. Four of them are in March alone.
I, too, might have had my wedding that month, except my cousin and I picked the same date in March, and as that is her actual birthday, I begrudgingly decided she had prenatal rights to it.
So now my wedding is in April, but though I have more time to plan, it seems I am behind the crowd. Many of the Marchers already seem to have their entire wedding planned out. I was just happy that we decided on a venue.
That happened three weeks ago.
(It’s even stranger when I consider that most of these people got engaged after me.)
But no matter. At midnight on New Year’s Eve, I plan to be with my man, holding his hand, getting teary-eyed as I bask in the radiance of celebratory love and cake. Not a bad way to spend the rest of next year, I think.
Jammie Karlman is the entertainment editor for the Chico Enterprise-Record. Contact her at buzz@chicoer.com. Follow her on Twitter @JammieKarlman
Tyler Breece leaps into the arms of his mom Jennifer Wheeler at Wildwood Park Saturday, in Chico, Calif. Tyler has been alive for 8 years, but is turning only 2-years-old because he was born on a leap year.
(Jason Halley/Staff PHoto)
Happy Leap Day! In contemplating the leapyness of this year, I realized significant things happen in a four-year span: high school lasts four years, people (if they are lucky) graduate from college after four years, the Olympics happen every four years.
And of course, Leap Year happens every four years. Some fun facts about Leap Year you may or may not know: According to wikipedia it’s also known as an intercalary year, or if you want to make things spicy, a bissextile year.
The year contains one additional day (or, in the case of lunisolar calendars, a month) in order to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical or seasonal year. Because seasons and astronomical events do not repeat in a whole number of days, a calendar that had the same number of days in each year would, over time, drift with respect to the event it was supposed to track. By occasionally inserting an additional day or month into the year, the drift can be corrected.
In the Gregorian calendar, which is the current standard calendar in most of the world, in each leap year, the month of February has 29 days instead of 28. Adding an extra day to the calendar every four years compensates for the fact that a period of 365 days is shorter than a solar year by almost 6 hours.
You know what else has been called a leap? Faith.
I took a leap of faith when I moved to Korea for 6 months to teach English. I had never lived outside of the United States, had never even been away from my family for more than 2 months. I didn’t know the language, I didn’t know any of the other teachers. I was totally on my own and I was scared.
But it ended up being one of the best experiences of my life. The people I met broadened my viewpoints and I ended up traveling to cool places (like the Beach at Pusan), hiking up mountains with old people (who kicked my a$$) and amassing an awesome wardrobe on the cheap. My life is definitely richer and fuller from having gone there.
It usually takes courage to make a leap of faith; in fact, I would say fear is inherent in the definition of making a leap of faith. If you weren’t scared, wouldn’t it just be something fun you wanted to do?
I came across this quote: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it.” But I say, you don’t even really have to overcome fear. I was really scared when I got on that plane to Korea. I was scared all the way over to Korea. But I still got on the plane.
You can carry fear without having it weigh you down. It is possible to feel fear, but still do something. And it doesn’t have to be a big something, it can be a little something. Though they are called “leaps of faith,” all leaps and small steps start out the same: with forward motion.
One of my favorite movie scenes comes from “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” It’s the one where Indy, played by Harrison Ford, and his father, played by Sean Connery (awesome acting team, but I digress) go in search of the Holy Grail. To get to the Holy Grail, they have to go through many obstacles. One of these is called the “leap of faith.” In this obstacle, Indiana Jones faces a huge chasm, way too wide to jump over, way too deep to climb into and out again. No way to walk around the pit to the other side.
There seems no way to get to the other side, but to take a leap of faith. But Indy doesn’t even take much of a leap. He closes his eyes and he takes a small step… and his foot falls on a bridge carved out of stone in such a way that it was camouflaged with the background scenery, making it invisible. With that one small step he gains confidence and is able to reach the secret chamber and find the grail.
In honor of Leap Day, I suggest we take a leap/step of faith today. It should be something you’re scared to do (I have found that the things I am afraid of doing are exactly the things that I should be doing). Not only that, but I also have found that the results are greater and better than I could ever have expected.
That’s the funny thing about leaps of faith. When you take them, you find you get more from them than what you initially put in. Try it, you might like it.
Jammie Karlman is the entertainment editor for the Chico Enterprise-Record. Contact her at buzz@chicoer.com. Follow her on Twitter @JammieKarlman
While a doller makes me holler, something FREE makes me positively swoon (my mantra: where there’s free, there’s me.) And amazingly, free drinks can by found at World Market.
Do not be distracted by the hanging, brightly colored tchotchkes or the animals cleverly fashioned out of felt/twigs (how do they do that?). Steel your resolve and make it past the seasonal and/or exotic food items (well, maybe one trip down the cookie aisle). Make it all the way to the back, and there in a little nook you will find two drink dispensers, one for coffee and one for tea. There are little cups available, sugar and cream, even drink stirrers. The flavors vary all the time; I’ve tried their chocolate mate tea and the ginger peach (both are pretty good). It’s a free-drink dream come true.
Jammie Karlman is the entertainment editor for the Chico Enterprise-Record. Contact her at buzz@chicoer.com. Follow her on Twitter @JammieKarlman
Why yes, that is my sister’s dress.
Lord(ette) of the ring
By JAMMIE SALAGUBANG – Buzz Editor
The leaves are changing color, the air a little nippier. People are starting to bundle up. ‘Tis the season — for money leaving your pockets in vast quantities.
Recently, I went to a fundraiser for the Feather River Hospital emergency department, held at the Paradise Elks Lodge. A gala event, the Elks Lodge had been transformed with black draperies and mood lighting. Nary an Elk head was to be seen (well, maybe one). A jazz band (with a jazz flutist!) turned up the ambiance.
This year marks the hospital’s diamond anniversary, so the tabletops were scattered with jewels so pretty and shiny that I was tempted to put some in my mouth and chew on them. The presence of the older, dignified people and my man’s boss at the table dissuaded me, however.
To fit the occasion, I wore something fabulous, and per our agreement, every time someone complimented me on it I had to tell them it was my sister’s dress.
The event also featured a silent auction. An engagement and wedding ring set caught my eye. I already have an engagement ring, but one cannot have too many shoes, bags, dresses, sweaters, hair (on the head), socks, underwear, emergency snacks, barrettes, toilet paper, pens and, of course, diamands (or so I’ve been told). Also, I’ve been looking for a wedding ring, and the starting bid for the pair was just $60.
But I didn’t know if they would fit. I didn’t think it would be proper to take them down as they were prominently displayed on the table (under a spotlight, no less). But enough people (OK, two) reassured me I could try them on.
I tried on the wedding ring. It actually went over the first half of my finger fairly smoothly. I was a bit concerned when I felt some squeezing as it went over my knuckle. It was a centimeter from the base when I decided I couldn’t live with it that tight on my finger. It got stuck at the knuckle as I tried to pull it off. Relax, I told myself. But all my exertions started turning my finger red and puffy.
Of course, this is when people started to browse at my end of the table. I started to panic. Someone suggested I go to the bathroom and use soap to take it off, but I didn’t want to look like I was walking away with it. I could just see the headline, “Fiancee of event organizer steals ring from fundraiser.”
But now it felt like my circulation was being cut off. I stuck my hands in my pockets (did I not say this was a fabulous dress?) and decided to risk it. I made it to the bathroom. It was full of women, naturally. But I was in such a lather of anxiety I didn’t care who saw.
First application of soap — nothing. I needed more. Finally after some tense moments and fat-finger paranoia, it slid off.
The ring was returned triumphantly and safely back to its box, even daresay, a bit shinier.
But I decided not to bid on it. I was happy to return to my seat with just some wisdom, a little embarrassment and extremely clean hands.
Jammie Karlman is the entertainment editor for the Chico Enterprise-Record. Contact her at buzz@chicoer.com. Follow her on Twitter @JammieKarlman
Yes, soda is evil and full of sugar and makes children and adults obese. But, soda can also calm a roiling stomach and fight nausea. Unfortunately, this sangria does not (you need to drink clear soda, and to only sip it to get those benefits). But, it tastes AWESOME.
With that winning argument, let me tell you about the aforementioned sangria. It’s non-alcoholic, but with the label and the atypical shape of the bottle, underage drinkers can still make adults gasp in horror and shock at first glance, if teens are into that sort of thing.
It’s not overly sweet, more tart; it’s somewhere between the dry bubbles of Pellegrino and Squirt. And the best part: it’s only 79 cents at the 99 cent store — less than a dollar making you holler! Woot!
Jammie Karlman is the entertainment editor for the Chico Enterprise-Record. Contact her at buzz@chicoer.com. Follow her on Twitter @JammieKarlman
(Ty Barbour/Staff File Photo)
People wait for the train to arrive at the Chico train depot on Sept. 22, 2010.
Unexpected bumps in the road along life’s journey — Part III
By JAMMIE SALAGUBANG – Buzz Editor
Thanks to help from a man named John, and after one long and bumpy airport bus ride (with said bus breaking down in Sylmar), my fiance and I finally arrived in Los Angeles.
Injuries were looked at and fussed over (my man had a burn on his forearm, I had some gnarly bruises), ice cream was demanded and given, and we settled into a whirlwind weekend of family activities and site shopping.
And then it was time to go back home.
We needed another mode of transportation as ours, sadly, had been crushed. We decided to fly, then take the bus from Sacramento airport to the Amtrak station, and then catch a cab from the station (yes — a plane, train and automobiles were all involved).
We arrived in Sacramento at 10:10 p.m. By the time we exited and got our luggage it was 10:30 p.m. Unfortunately, the last bus had left at 10 p.m. The last train left at 11:50 p.m.
SuperShuttle guaranteed they could get us to Amtrak by 11:30 p.m. Plenty of time, we thought. Our shuttle departed at 11:10 p.m. Still time, we thought … until an unscrupulous passenger waved money in the air (literally) and “convinced” the driver to drop him off first. We got to his stop at 11:30 p.m. After some irate conversations with the driver, my man convinced him to drop us off next. We got to Amtrak at 11:40 p.m.
The lady at the ticket counter informed us that in the last half hour, the price of tickets had doubled. She then told us that we were to cross to a certain track — unless we couldn’t; then we were supposed to go through a tunnel and what sounded like a rabbit warren maze until we reached our desired track.
We made it on board and chugged for home — but only after much confusion about which car we should be in, some rude comments from a conductor and after watching a cadre of security guards kick a man off the train who refused to wake up.
The conductor came and woke us up (which we did readily) at our stop. It was 2:30 a.m. Luckily, taxis were waiting, and we managed to snag one with the nicest driver, a man named Ruben, who filled us in on all the raucous partying, shenanigans and hijinks that had occurred, even with the pouring rain, that weekend in town.
It was good to be back.
Jammie Karlman is the entertainment editor for the Chico Enterprise-Record. Contact her at buzz@chicoer.com. Follow her on Twitter @JammieKarlman
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I have decided to write on that master manipulator of emotions, “the world’s most beloved chronicler of the heart” (seriously, that’s what the book jacket said), the man who has women everywhere reaching for the tissue box, Mr. Nicholas Sparks. Or more specifically, his books.
I was looking for something to read one day, and came across Nicholas Sparks’ “At First Sight” in our bookcase (interesting side note: I wasn’t the one who bought it). So I read the summary on the back, the prologue and the first chapter. Because I’m one of those people who get impatient and need to know the ending of books immediately (this approach doesn’t ruin the book for me as I still enjoy reading how the book ends up at that conclusion), I read the last chapter and the epilogue.
And reader, I still cried.
I was amazed that reading such small amounts of Sparks’ book could still wring such an emotional response out of me. Was he truly that masterful of an emotional manipulator?
I decided to test my theory out. I went to Barnes and Nobles and set myself these parameters: I could only read the book jacket blurb, the prologue, the first chapter, the last chapter and the epilogue. My goal was to see if a.) The story could still be understood b.) If it did tug at my heartstrings.
SPOILER ALERT: The endings of these books will be revealed.
The first book I pullled off the shelf was “The Best of Me.” Two lovers are separated for a long time. Finally meet up again, but she’s married and the guy dies. However, his heart goes to her son. I got all this just from reading all the aforementioned, so I think I was able to get the gist of the story. And yes, I did feel some tugging at the heartstrings.
“A Bend in the Road.”
Guy’s wife died in a hit-and-run. He starts dating his young son’s teacher but she or her brother (?) was the driver that hit his wife. He and the teacher eventually get together. I felt like I missed a lot by reading the book this way. There were obviously some symbolism that I didn’t understand (what’s with the candles in the window?). I didn’t feel as emotionally connected to this one.
“The Choice”
Man meets and falls in love with his neighbor. They have two girls. Have struggling marriage. She has some sort of accident and falls into a coma. He has to decide whether to pull the plug or not on her. He decides not to, puts her in a home and one day she wakes up. Yay! Also, a pigeon is some sort of symbol of good news.The gist of the story is understood, but it seemed interesting enough that I actually wanted to read the entire thing.
“The Wedding”
This book is a sort of sequel to Sparks “The Notebook.” Noah is more a side character, and the main characters are Noah’s daughter and her husband. They have a struggling marriage because he’s not romantic and emotionally aloof. At the end, he throws an elaborate secret wedding for his wife. Also, Noah talks to a swan that may or may not be his dead wife. I’m glad I read my abridged version of this book, because it was hard to get through even that. Not one of the better books in my opinion.
So is it possible to read a Nicholas Sparks novel in 15 minutes, still get the gist of the story and be emotionally moved? I would say it’s possible. But I would recommend reading the entire book anyway. Yes, the story lines of his books on the surface seem formulaic, with the two lovers somehow separated and/or one dies, and a “surprise” ending, but somehow he keeps it engrossing enough. It’s non-depressing, easy-to-read entertainment for an hour or two. And really, is anyone reading Nicholas Sparks looking for an answer to world peace? (If so, please see a therapist immediately.) Besides, if you get bored halfway through, you can always skip to the last chapter and epilogue.
To my own valentine: Our story can’t be condensed to fit a book, let alone a blog post, and I pray it knows no end. I love you so much, baby!
Jammie Karlman is the entertainment editor for the Chico Enterprise-Record. Contact her at buzz@chicoer.com. Follow her on Twitter @JammieKarlman
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, it’s the “Fantasy Scarf.”
My love of dollar stores comes partly from the myriad delights you can find in just the packaging of the items there. Take the “Fantasy Scarf.” Just looking at it brings more questions than answers. Whose fantasy is it? Someone with a taste for the rococo with a dash of ’80s neon thrown in? Is it supposed to inspire fantasies? Are you supposed to create a fantasy with it? (I don’t even want to go there.) Does it make fantasies come true? Or are the makers of the scarf telling you this is what your fantasy should be? (Actually I think I could pull this off….as a belt….under a long coat.) What makes this a fantasy scarf??
And just like that, you’ve spent more time than you should have on this item. Fantasy Scarf packagers, you are good.
Jammie Karlman is the entertainment editor for the Chico Enterprise-Record. Contact her at buzz@chicoer.com. Follow her on Twitter @JammieKarlman
Photo via californiatreatmentcenters.org
This is Bakersfield.
Unexpected bumps in the road along life’s journey – Part II
By JAMMIE SALAGUBANG – Buzz Editor
Mettler is not a good place to have an accident.
To be fair, no place really is; but Mettler really is not. It seems to be a rather drab, middle-of-nowhere, depressing area. Probably made more so because my fianc and I were stuck there after our car accident, faced only with prohibitively expensive options for getting out.
Bakersfield was the closest town with car rental services, but Mettler is about half an hour away from there. That may seem close to some, but not to the Enterprise rental car agency (isn’t their tagline: “We’ll pick you up”?) or the myriad other car agencies we called. Their answer: Take a taxi to Bakersfield Airport (which of course, would add more expense).
During this time, a man in a large truck drove up and parked in the lot next to the Shell gas station where we were stranded. He looked us over, probably taking in our belongings that were strewn about us in at least a three-yard radius (my man had a lot of stuff in his car).
At first I didn’t really pay attention to him, as plenty of other people had been gawking at our sad state during the last two hours. However, he kept hanging around and being very obvious about watching us.
So I looked at him, too. He was wearing a long-sleeved blue denim shirt with blue jeans (different shades, natch). His belt buckle was golden, large and shiny. But what impressed me the most was his mustache. Thick and wide, it looked like it took up a fourth of his face.
He asked us what happened. We told him and got into some friendly conversation. I had just about decided to write him off as an overly curious bystander when we asked him if he knew of any taxi services. He said no.
Then — “But how about a free ride to Bakersfield?”
We were too worn out to be worried about stranger danger. However, on the trip into Bakersfield, we discovered he had more to be worried about, much more. Turns out he owned that gas station, actually a whole string of them, up and down California. The man was loaded.
And nice. He helped put our stuff in his truck, offered us bottled water and took us to the Bakersfield Airport in record time. After being up for more than 24 hours, riding an emotional rollercoaster for the last three hours and feeling aches and pains with alarming increasing intensity, his kindness was a balm to ease the weary soul.
Thanks, John.
Next week: Terrible transportation weekend continues with the trip back home.
Jammie Karlman is the entertainment editor for the Chico Enterprise-Record. Contact her at buzz@chicoer.com. Follow her on Twitter @JammieKarlman
Recent NorCal Blogs Posts