Sky diving. Cliff Jumping. Jet skiing. Tubing.
All these things were foreign words to me growing up. I always associated these rather “adventurous” sports things that only professionals on TV would do. You would never EVER see me volunteering to go on a 3-day camp out in the boonies or hiking up steep mountains during my free time. I’ve always preferred the comforts of the indoors over the wild adventures of the outside world. I guess if this was in the 17th/ 18th century… I would be the kind of perfect, domesticated daughter who would volunteer to stay at home and read books rather than play a game of crochet outside.
But its not the 17 or 18th century. And its Utah – the land of outdoor expeditions.
Before this summer, I would have never gone down to Moab and Zion’s National park camping; tubing down the Provo river; volunteering to serve at food kitchens; rock climbing on a late Monday night, paddle boarding in the Provo Lake …all these “crazy” things. But there I was doing everything and anything that I would’ve never imagined myself doing. Why? It all started with a single promise to a friend that I couldn’t break off. And then one trip led to another.
Every single time I ask myself the same question: why I am I still doing it?
Because there is just something satisfying about being able to do something you never imagined you could.
And here I was last Friday night with a group of friends standing outside a Latin Dancing club – asking myself the same question again – “What did I just get myself into?”.
Out of all the crazy things I had done this summer this was most definitely the one thing I would not compromise. Have you seen Latinos dancing? They were born to dance! Hearing all the music, the neon lights flashing, I grew nervous again. I think you could call it “dance phobia” or in simpler terms “stage fright”. Well the fact is, I CAN-NOT dance. Somehow dance moves on music videos just never looked the same when I attempted them.
But before I could say anything more my friends had gone in and paid all the entrance fees. It was terrifying walking in that dark hallway hearing the music. I silently prayed that it would end soon. Awkwardly, I started shifting from side to side (yes thats my best dance move), hoping it would end soon. But thankfully my friend perceiving my nervousness, just took me by the hand and demonstrated how to dance. I started copying him…and before the dance was over, I seemed to get the hang of it. And hey…it wasn’t as bad as I thought.
It was great that none of us really knew how to do Latin dance so we just started doing whatever we thought matched with the beat. As more people started piling in we got a lot of stares. But you know what? I realized I didn’t care so much anymore because believe it or not I was having fun. Looking over at Zoe, she was glowing and laughing. Nothing seemed awkward or out of place, she just looked at happy and that was what mattered the most.
I’ve realized that there are always things each of us are scared of. Maybe its something we can’t do very well, or its something we’ve had bad experiences with it or maybe its because we’ve just never tried it before.
But you know what, if there was one thing I learned that night and this entire summer, it is to just TO GO DO IT! Yes I still get scared and I still ask that same question each time, but if there is ever a chance, take it because maybe, just maybe you’ll love it. And you will realize all those fears are really just all in your head. And even if it is just that one time, it will be an unforgettable experience.
There is something amazing about realizing that you have the ability to conquer your weakness or a challenge. Truth is dancing is still not my favorite thing to do or something I would actively seek to do, but I know I can move my hips with a little more confidence if I need to. And I learned that it could be fun. How grateful I am for the friends who pushes me and encourages me to try new things.
And as a result of this experience? I’ve begun to finally see a different side of me: not just the girl who can only cook or study, but someone with a undefeatable fighting spirit.
“Challenges are what makes life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” – that’s my new official motto.
I thought a lot about last Friday as we made Japchae this morning, simply because I failed so many times creating this. The all too familiar question: Why am I making this again? surfaced in my brain. This recipe, although may seem easy, just never worked out for me.
Korean Japchae (noodles) and Bulgogi was served at every single school fair growing up. We had a substantial population of Korean students in our school and their mums usually made the BEST food. I always scrambled in line with my scrunched up $30 bill (HKD) to pay for a plate of delicious sweet bulgogi, steamed rice and sesame-scented noodles. I loved it so much. In fact our entire family is crazy about Korean food. I grew up having Kimchi on the dinner table pretty often. We even had a Korean friend’s mum come to teach us how to make authentic Japchae at home. It was complex, time consuming and definitely very oily – but it was undoubtedly the most delicious thing ever.
Now, trial after trial, after failing so many times (because it did not stand up to what I had eaten growing up) I ask myself “Why am I making this again just to fail?”. But today, Zoe and I have nailed it. This is our healthier, faster vegan adaptation of this delicious noodle dish.
So if there is something you are afraid of doing, why not give it a try? Because trust me its worth it.
Oh for those who aren’t vegan or don’t like Asian food or aren’t into the healthy foods, give this recipe a shot. You never know – this Japchae might just be the most delicious thing ever.
PLEASE NOTE: The amounts listed for each vegetables is a must. They will help add moisture to cook the noodles.
- 8 oz Sweet Potato Noodles (dangmyeon)
- 2 small carrots
- ⅔ cup onion
- 8 oz spinach, washed/rinsed
- 5 oz mushrooms (shiitake, button, oyster)
- Sauce:
- 3½ tbsp GF Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- Black pepper
- Sesame oil (to taste)
- Take a 9 x 13" pan or any large pan. Soak the noodles in cold water for at least 40 mins.
- Prep all the vegetables: Thinly slice the mushrooms, onions and carrots.
- In a separate bowl, mix together all the sauce ingredients.
- Layering: Take a large pot, spread the carrots and onions at the bottom in an even layer.
- Pour ½-3/4 cup of water over it (to avoid onions burning later).
- Distribute the mushrooms evenly on top of the carrots and onions. Then, layer the spinach on top of the mushrooms.
- Cut the soaked noodles and place it on top. Drizzle the sauce over it.
- Cooking: Cover the pot with a lid and turn up the heat. Cook over medium heat for 10 mins.
- Now, take off the cover, mix all the ingredients together thoroughly and cook until the sauce is all absorbed.
- Drizzle some sesame oil to prevent sticking and to add flavor.
Vegetables: Most people also add in red bell pepper. This dish is quite versatile so even bean sprouts, zucchini would be great additions in here.
LOVE,
Zoe & Mia
(This Post is featured on Making Your Home Sing Monday, Mix it Up Monday, Merry Monday, MMM, A Round Tuit, Get It Together, Thank Goodness Its Monday, Modest Mondays, Meal Plan Mondays, You’re Gonna Love it, Motivation Mondays, Melt In Your Mouth Mondays, Totally Terrific Tuesdays, Made By You Monday, Turn It UpThe Hearth and Soul Hop, Twinkly Tuesdays, Two Cup Tuesdays, Tutorials and Tips Link Party, Tutorial Tuesdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Create Link Inspire Party, Wow Me Wednesdays, Wake Up Wednesdays, A Little R & R, Homesteader Hop, Whats Cookin’ Wednesday, Allergy Free Thursdays, ToL, Full Plate Thursdays, Thursday Favorite Things, The Shine Blog Hop, Traffic Jam Weekends, Think Tank Thursdays, This Is How We Roll Thursdays, Virtual Refrigerator, The Homemaking Party, Creatively Crafty, Gluten Free Fridays, Healthy Vegan Fridays)
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