The City by the Bay

So this is a delayed post ... started writing it and lost track of time which is why it isn't as detailed as some of my posts have been for my other adventures.

Anyways for my birthday I went to San Francisco with my friend Simone. This trip all came to be because there was a $100 off a Virgin Atlantic flight to either San Francisco or Los Angelas. I chose San Francisco and it was a trip.

First off Virgin Atlantic was an amazing flight and I wish I could fly it all the time. The lighting throughout the plane was purple and each seat has an individual television. The seats were leather but not the most comfortable however below each seat there is a plug so if you need to charge your phone or  ipod ect which is brilliant. The televisions you can watch live television for instance, I watched X factor live like everyone else. You can also watch movies, order nice food like salad, and alcoholic beverages  for a fee. One of the cool things about the flight is we saw lightening from the window but wait, what's even cooler is that Virgin has a contract with Google Crome tablet that lasts up to eight hours on battery life. How it works is if you are one of the first 25 people to check into the desk you are given a tablet and you return it when you leave the plane. You get to use free Wifi by using the Crome tablet however if you use the Wifi on the plane with your own device you have to pay $12. It's brilliant and so smart. I don't know why other airlines don't do it.

Enough about the flight now onto the trip. We arrived at our hotel which was very nice and had a bar inside. So we had a quick night cap before going to bed before our busy day. The next morning we had a wonderful breakfast that was right next door then hopped in a cab to go to Alcatraz. We took a ferry over where we then went on to watch a movie on people who have lived on the "rock." After it was a prison, Native American's took over and lived there for a bit before the days where they had preservations. After the video we headed up to the prison to take an audio tour. We walked up and down the cell blocks learning all the stories and people who lived there. The stories that stick out are the break out and the prisoners who escaped.

The prisoner who broke out made broke the bars with his own bar splitter and then tried to reach the keys in that were hanging. They were eventually caught and killed however those who escaped have never been found. If you have seen the movie Prisoner of Alcatraz you know the story however, for those who don't I will tell you. Three prisoners took spoons from the cafeteria and used them to dig around the vents in the back of their cell. The wall debris they collected they would scattered it throughout the courtyard they went to everyday where they got some fresh air. After working on the vent they fashioned dummies so when they escaped the guards paroling during the night would think they were asleep. After they crawled through the vent they crawled down the shafts and escaped to the roof where it is assumed that the water either took their lives or that they escaped to Brazil. While on tour because it was fleet week we got to see some of the planes do their thing in the air. Below are the pictures from Alcatraz and Fleet Week

After Alcatraz, we walked down to Fisherman's Wharf where we did a quick walk around. It is incredibly crowded and there are a bunch of people eating food but the thing I wanted to eat while out there was In and Out Burger which everyone talks about eating. Let me tell you it was worth the wait and extremely delicious and filling. I got a regular burger but ordered my fries Animal Style which if you have never been, it is not on the menu but something you must order for your first time.  After Simone and I walked to Ghirardelli square where we got pumpkin chocolate. It was delicious but we couldn't eat any more because we were so full from In and Out.

In and Out burger Animal Style fries

Now one thing I found interesting about San Francisco is that yes it's a large city but when it comes to cabs they are not as frequent as they are in Chicago and New York. Simone and I waited for 20 minutes to get a cab which was near a hotel and after the cab we took a nap and headed back to our hotel for the night to get ready for a night of fun!

We ended going to a couple of bars and calling it a night. The next day we went to Union Square for shopping and then to end our last day in San Fran we went to Haight and Ashbury where we walked around and had amazing food at this Pork place where it was constantly busy. Then it was time to go back to reality and back to Chicago. Overall, San Francisco was a great time and an amazing city but theres so much to do that I will have to go back in the future! 

X factor USA vs X factor UK. It's Finally HERE!!!

So tonight X-Factor USA finally premiered. Now unlike many who saw the show tonight I actually knew the concept behind the show and have been waiting over 3 years for the show to hit the states. You see, I have been watching the X-factor UK version now for 3 years. This will be my 3^rd UK season but ever since I saw videos in the top 10 videos on YouTube I have been hooked.

The season, for those you familiar with the UK version, I started watching the season Joe McEldery won. However, the video that grabbed my attention and was shown in promos before X-factor tapings was Danyl Johnson’s I Get By With a Little Help from My Friends the Joe Crocker version. It was on the top 10 YouTube videos for a while but the other standouts auditions for me were Olly Murs with Superstition by Stevie Wonder and Lucie Jones version of I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston. (I have a soft spot for both) This season was also the season where auditions were in front of live audiences so that played a big part. I watched many of the videos of the show via YouTube but then I started finding streams, which were a godsend.

Through the UK version I have been introduced to the terrible but entertaining Jedward and Wagner, to the amazing sounds of Matt Cardle, boy band One Direction, and past alums JLS and Alexandra Burke. However, one of the best introductions to X-factor was Cheryl Cole who was a judge who I never heard of but fell in love with instantly. Fox and Simon were hoping for the same effect but for some reason axed her because “she was hard to understand.” I was lucky enough to go to the Chicago auditions to see Cheryl in action as a judge and Nicole Scherzinger was a presenter with Steve Jones. During audition breaks people were cheering for Cheryl and I wasn’t the only one. Tonight #CherylRocks was trending worldwide during the show and many papers mentioned she was a better judge than Nicole. If I had it my way Nicole would go out and Cheryl in but that’s not going to happen. Instead, I will have to wait for Cheryl’s big break in her movie where she will make an appearance.

Anyways on to the show! For those who don’t know the judges are mentors to 4 categories. The contestants have to go through live auditions and then boot camp where the categories are narrowed down to 6-8 people depending on what X-factor USA chooses. Those 6-8 people then go to judge’s houses where the judge has another famous person help them narrow down their category to 3 people.

So here is how the UK show differs from the USA version.

• -       In the UK the youngest you can be is 16 unlike in the states the youngest is 12
• -       In the UK the older category is over 25 (or 28 Matt Cardle season) in the states its over 30
• -       In the UK version Dermott O’Leary has more of a presenter role talking to the contestant and is shown in the back with the family unlike in the states wher Steve Jones gets very little screen time
• -       I don’t know if they did this the 1^st season on X-factor UK but they did interviews with the judges a lot more and explained the show a lot more
• -       The winner in the US will get a $5 Million record recording contract and will be featured in the Pepsi Super Bowl commercial unlike the UK where you get a record contract

As you can somewhat see I am a major X-factor fan.  The one thing I love about the show is the inspirational stories. Whenever I watch it, it feels like I can too follow my dreams and things are possible. I know it sounds cheesy but during these difficult times where I am unemployed, X factor brings a little joy and hope into my life.

Now I leave you with one of the best auditions, in my opinion, from the UK and USA versions. Jade Richards is probably one of the best auditions I have heard where someone has sung an Adele song with the type of meaning it needs. In the US, tonight’s show was Chris Rene who was one of the best auditions I have heard when someone sings their own song.

Jade Richards- UK Someone Like You 

Chris Rene- USA

Overall, X-factor is one of the most entertaining shows out there and I can't wait to see what will come. Stay tuned to my opinion on the future show. 

Women's World Cup USA vs Japan

Anyone who knows me, knows three things I am obsessed with everything England, I love to travel, and I love sports especially soccer or the rest of the world calls football. So today when the USA played in the World Cup finals one would assume I was watching the game, but that was not the case. I was at the airport where I overheard people cheering and doing their oos and aas which is definitely an interesting way to follow a game. It's also funny when the game is over and you see men running to their gate to make sure they make it on time.

One thing for sure was this Women's World Cup final was more eventful than the Men's World Cup final. Both went into overtime and both had number 1 ranked countries in the final. Although for the Men's, Spain was the world number 1 and won, while in Women's, USA was the world number 1 and lost to Japan. Also for Men's World Cup it was one of the most boring drawn out games ever. While with the Women's there were many close shots and it went into penalties unlike the Men's where Iniesta scored the goal in the second overtime.

Overall, one thing about this game gets me excited. People are starting to get more involved with soccer and caring about it. Last year when it was the World Cup more of my friends watched the games than in 2006. More of my friends are coming to me for advice or want to understand the game of soccer. This gets me excited because then when I talk about it with someone they will have some knowledge on the game and players.

So now on to the game. I really wanted to US to win and thought they would pull it through. Earlier this morning there was an article in the New York Times sports section on Abby Wambach and how she has been wanting to win a World Cup. Abby has won a gold medal and has never made it to a World Cup final because the US have lost in the semi-finals the past two times. So I really wanted to US to win for Abby who has done an incredible job with contacting the ball mostly with her head. Besides Abby another stand out star that has come from the team is Hope Solo. Yes, she has had many references to Han but her quick timing got the US to the finals by saving the goals against the Brazil team. Yet this time around it was not for us to win.

If you don't know, the game was tied 1-1 in normal time went into 2-2 in extra time which was two 15 minute halfs. Then we went into penalties where just to put it nicely Abby Wambach was the only one who scored. To be honest it is sad that we lost but when you think of the type of year Japan has had I feel not as terrible that we lost. It's like when the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl after Katrina. It brings a sense of hope and a little warm heart feeling however there was some disappointment felt as well.

Overall, the Women's World Cup was watched by many. Yes, the outcome was not to my liking but I can live with Japan winning considering the year they have had. But the one thing that brings me more hope is the fact that more people are going to be interested in the sport and it will grow in America. Cheers-- USA!!! USA!!! You still did us proud

Harry Potter and Butterbeer cupcakes

Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows Part 2 has come to an end and it feels like a huge part of my childhood has ended. So in honor of the movie I made butterbeer cupcakes last week for the 2nd time but these looked 10 times better than last time. Here is the recipe for Butterbeer cupcakes but I highly suggest making the ganache 1st so it can cool and when the cupcakes come out you can put the ganache in right away. Just forewarning it does take time to make and the ganache is not very thick unless you put it in a freezer for a long time which I have not done.

It is well worth it and the icing definitely is what makes the cupcake. I brought them to work and this is all that was left. They are delicious and although I have yet been to Harry Potter World I can imagine what real butterbeer tastes like.


Anyways I hope you all saw the final Harry Potter movie. I went to the midnight showing in Chicago where rumor had it Matthew Lewis who plays Neville Longbottom was in town but he was only suppose to be at Navy Pier. Well that was not true, he showed up at our theater but my friends and I missed him. There was a point when I went to the bathroom where there was a lot of commotion in the hall that I really should have checked it out because I think I could have seen him. Mr. Lewis has definitely cleaned up real nice and has become very attractive. I did not know that during the movies he had to wear a fat suit and had to wear fake teeth but it added to his character.

Overall, I thought the movie was brilliant. The theatre laughed, cried, cheered and clapped in unison throughout the movie. But, there were some parts I liked better in the book than in the movies. It is definitely one of the best movies and I am glad they broke the movie into two parts considering it was the last movie.

Well now that the movies and books are over, all that is left is the impact Harry Potter has had on my life and to share it with others. It is amazing how I have grown up with Harry Potter. I was about 12 years old, the same as Harry when the books came out. My brother and I use to wait in the midnight lines at Barnes and Nobles waiting to get our copy when the first couple books came out. However as we got older we would pre-order them and pick them up the next morning. We only ever got one copy except for book 7 which, is funny that the two of us shared the books. We would have different bookmarks in each book and trade off which is crazy because most siblings have their own copy and don't like to share.

Harry Potter got my brother and I into reading like so many other children. We use to run away from 300 page books but were now concurring 800 page books with no problem. However, it baffles me how many of my peers have not read Harry Potter and have avoided something that has now been integrated into our culture. Even if you have not read the books, people know that Muggles are non-magical folk, Voldermort is He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and people know that Harry Potter's best friends are Ron and Hermione. Yes, some people might just know these things by just going to the movies and not reading the books but, when the movies come out Harry Potter is what everyone is talking about. Case in point, my friend and I were at a bar having some drinks discussing the movie when someone excused us and told us not to talk about the movie because they had not seen it yet. So we had to stop talking about it but a majority of people have already seen it. The midnight and 2:30 a.m. showings alone ranked in over 4 million dollars. CRAZY!

Anyways, I have to say one of the best things I did this year was re-read all the books and coincided the movies when I finished the books. My mother thought re-reading the books was crazy and now my brother is doing the same thing. Although she thinks this is ridiculous, she does not fully understand the amazing world and work J.K. Rowling put out there. It will be a book I will re-read again and make sure my children read. I want to clarify one thing though, I am not as dedicated as some. Although I made cupcakes and have gone to midnight showings, I am not the best at quoting the book or knowing all the ins and outs of Harry Potter. Yes, I am signed up for Pottermore, but who isn't, and I am aware of the websites out there. I am aware of Mugglenet, theleakycaldron, and know the convention for everything Potter is called Leaky Con. I also know there are bands out there like Harry and the Potters and the Remus Lupins although I don't know any of their particular work.

The only thing I know that might go into that category is Starkids Production of A Very Potter Musical and A Very Potter Sequel. I have only gotten 2 of my hard-core Harry Potter friends to see it but it is one of my favorite things out there. The songs and plots are on point with the books and it is overall entertaining and brilliant.

No matter what Harry Potter has impacted my life and the lives of so many others. It is sad that there are no more books and movies. The things we have to look forward to are people like Starkid and those who attend Leaky Con who have embraced Harry and expanded his world in new avenues. Oh, and we cannot forget what Pottermore will have installed for us too.

Waffles and Wimbledon

It’s been a week since Wimbledon ended but I wanted to share one of the things I look forward to when Wimbledon starts.... Waffles and Wimbledon!!! The last few years we have started this tradition where we have waffles and strawberries with whip cream since its an English thing and Wimbledon is at the All England Club. This year before the match started my mother laid down a tablecloth and vase, which she believed matched a tennis ball (I couldn’t see if but went with it). I also dressed in a white dress since it is club rules you have to wear white.



So we started the match late (the power of DVR) and it was between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. I have always be a Rafael Nadal fan even in Roger/Rafa matches I will root for Rafa while my mother and brother will root a little more for Roger. It would have been great to see a Roger/Rafa match but the Roger and Tsonga match, which was a brilliantly, beautiful match. Tsonga truly outshone Roger and was a complete upset for Wimbledon disappointing people's dream match between Roger and Rafa.

Anyways it was obvious from watching the match that my mom and I wanted Rafa to win because we would scream at the same time Rafa would miss the ball. However, it was clear from the beginning that Djokovic or as my mom like to pronounce Yokavic (He's a yolk!!!) was going to win. He came out really strong even though the 1st set felt like the whole match would go into tiebreakers.

Although Rafa was ranked number 1 Novak was going to be crowded the number 1 at the end of Wimbledon because he has won more matched this year. Novak only lost one match which made his record 46-1 which is insane to think someone could have that type of record so because he has won more matches that Rafa he was crowned number 1 and ended up winning the Wimbledon final 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3.

Overall, great tennis to watch and it was an incredible match even if Nadal didn't win. Did anyone else besides me think that Nadal's shirt was a little distracting? Blue circles under the armpits? It is just asking you to look there and see if there are pits stains. However one of the best things I do appreciate about Nadal is that the matches up to the final if he won he would take off his shirt and you would hear the crowd go woooo and he'd give a cheeky smile. Till next Wimbledon or US Open where who knows we might start a new tradition for that final.

Cupcakes in Chicago

So one of my obsessions is cupcakes. I love dessert especially chocolate but besides chocolate I have a soft spot for cupcakes. In Chicago there are a ton of them and I am trying to go to all of them however because I have been visiting them sporadically and not always getting the same flavor it's hard to say which one is the best.

First up is Molly Cupcakes, which is at 2536 N. Clark St, which has been voted the best Red Velvet cupcakes in the city of Chicago. One thing I love about Red Velvet in general is the cream cheese frosting but Molly's makes it better with little heart sprinkles. Also at Molly's you can actually choose what type of frosting you want on some cupcakes. So for instance with the Red Velvet you can decide if you want cream cheese, buttercream, or chocolate. On top of that Molly's Cupcake is always busy but their atmosphere is really cute. They have a bar where the bar seats are swings tied to the ground and you can play Scrabble or Jenga while you eat your cupcake.



Next up is Sugar Bliss Cupcakes, which is at 115 N. Wabash Ave conveniently located next to work so when I am in a desperate need for a cupcake I don't have far to go. Sugar Bliss is not big to hang around inside but they are known for putting flowers at the tops of their cupcakes. They also have mini cupcakes and a flavor for the week. So the flavor of the week was Raspberry Lemonade which literally tasted like raspberry lemonade. The top as you can see has a lemon and the cake itself had some raspberry filling at the top. It was by far my favorite summer flavor cupcake. This week is Key Lime flavor and I am contemplating getting it or getting mini cupcakes so I can try more flavors.



Finally is Flirty Cupcakes, which you can find them all around Chicago because they are in a food truck (A possible new obsession). One of the best way to find where they will be is following them on @FlirtyCupcakes‎. I have been on a constant search for them and conveniently again they were outside my office. I decided to get the red velvet but couldn't help getting another one so I got the McDreamy which I am still dreaming about. It is a chocolate cake with some cream cheese and chocolate filling with random bits of chocolate chips in some bites. Both were amazing and I hope I find them soon for a new flavor.

Although I don't have pictures I have been to Sprinkles on 50 E Walton St which is a famous cupcake chain started in LA. They are good but I would say not one of my favorites compared to Flirty, Sugar Bliss, Molly's, and Sweet Mandy B's. Sweet Mandy B's (1208 West Webster Avenue) is not just cupcakes it is also a bakery. I have been their twice and have no complaints yet. Their selection of cupcakes are not as extensive as some but their cupcakes are delicious. I have had carrot cake and red velvet cupcakes and both are most cakes.

The one I am looking forward to visiting next is Magnolia Bakery. Magnolia Bakery is set to open this summer in Chicago. Magnolia Bakery is most famous for Sex in the City but it is a famous bakery in Manhattan and they have one in Dubai which I obviously am not traveling there to get one. So I am looking forward to when that happens.

Overall, as you can tell I have a thing for cupcakes but I can't put one above the other. Honestly I feel like I need to go to all the cupcake places and get the same flavor to determine which one might be the best or my favorite. No matter what cupcakes are the perfect size treat and one of my little lovely obsessions.

USA vs Spain Soccer Match

This is a late post but I need to do it anyways. I recently went to Boston with two friends to see the Unite States National Team vs the World Cup Champions SPAIN!!!! Although I am from America and would not consider myself at all fluent in Spanish I was rooting for Spain and purposely made sure our seats were on the Spain support side. Before arriving at the game Spain released the roster who was coming over for the trip which consisted of many of the members who started in the World Cup. The names in bold are who started for Spain and those in Italics came on as subs in the 2nd.

Spain Squad
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).

Defenders: Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carlos Marchena (Villarreal), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Andoni Iraola (Athletic Bilbao).

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Bruno Soriano (Villarreal), Borja Valero (Villarreal).

Forwards: David Villa (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Manu Del Moral (Sevilla), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla)

Before the game my friends and I made sure we would get the full experience and tailgated in style.... with Lunchables!! Yes Lunchables which we have not had since probably middle school and looked oh so classy with alcohol.

While tailgating you could hear chants of USA in the background and see the people surrounding us in Spain and USA jerseys although I got a general consensus that there were more Spain supporters that USA supporters. After tailgating we made our way to the stadium with the whole crowd which was amazing because you could feel the excitement. When we got to our seats which were 32 rows back (not to shabby in my opinion) we found ourselves in a sea of red Spanish jerseys. :D Then the game started!!!

1st Half about to Start

Out of my 2 friends who were with me I was the one who was the most enthusiastic and knew what was happening. When I first found out that Spain was coming to the States I booked my ticket ASAP because how many people can say they say they saw the number 1 ranked and World Cup championship team? I figured they wouldn't start with most of their key players but was so excited when I saw Villa, Silva, Xabi, Pique, and Ramos starting. I was glad to see Pepe Reina in the goal but I was hoping that Iker would make an appearance later on in the game which he did!!

The beauty that is Gerard Pique

When the game started Spain just dominated and the US just looked terrible. I was honestly surprised most of the key players who beat Spain in the Confederations Cup did not start. I was expecting Donovan to show, although I later found he was sick, and Bocanegra, USMNT captain to play but no! Key players like Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley came on in the 2nd and sadly that made no impact either. The 1st half was spectacular for Spain where we scored 3 goals pretty much one right after the other. The first goal came from Cazorla ( 28th minute), Negredo (32nd minute), and then again from Cazorla (41st minute). Spain held possession for the majority of the game and made America look like tired little boys. America did not have many goal opportunities from what I can remember. Honestly, I do wish America had at least one goal to make it look like an interesting game where America put forth some effort.

Lining up for a corner with Torres in the

Iker!!!

When the 2nd half started it was not as interesting as the 1st except for the substitutes. Iker came on to cheers of IKER IKER and probably got the most cheers out of any player who was a substitute. Both Andres Iniesta and Fernando Torres made an appearance which made me happy. I personally got excited about Torres although he has lost his great striker ability since injury. He is now a Chelsea player too which is not the best thing since he hasn't performed as expected by only making one goal this season however he did perform in America. He scored a goal in the 73rd minute which was a complete shock to me but probably one of my personal favorite moments from the game. After Torres goal though the game died down but in the Spanish section someone came by with a drum and got the crowd rallying behind Spain in the final 20 minutes. When the final whistle blew the game ended and what was the one thing I was looking forward to you ask??? Taking off their shirts and exposing their great Abs but it did not happen and I was not happy!!! But Spain won 4-0 so I can't complain and it was an amazing game! Plus it was the most attended soccer event to date so that is exciting which is how I would explain the whole event EXCITING.

Final Score

Till the next game n DC next month (Barcelona vs Manchester United) where hopefully I will see some abs. A rematch of the Champions League final and a match I am looking forward to attending although I will not have that great of seats compared to this game.