6A's shared items

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Restaurant Review: Magnolia Cafe


I've been here three times already and it's fast becoming one of my favorite breakfast spots. Right when you pull up, the first thing you'll notice is the huge crowd that is always in front of the place. While this isn't an accurate gauge of how good a place is, Magnolia draws out consistent packed restaurants every time I've been there.

Once you're able to get seated, the first thing you'll notice is the unique decor. It's a combo of Davy Crockett era log cabin with tinges of hippy accents. It's kinda weird to describe, but it somehow works. There is also a constant gentle murmur of conversations and various restaurant-y sounds (dishes being stacked, food sizzling, etc) that makes it really comfortable to chill and talk.

Food here is a high quality version of Denny's. Obviously, the place is a cafe, so there are a lot of similarities, but they have a great selection of unique items as well as weekly specials handwritten on the walls. When I went last week, I tried their Texas Benedict and we split their famous Mag Mud.

The Mag Mud is served with a large bowl and freshly made crispy chips that get replenished whenever it gets eaten up. What's in the Mag Mud? There's a base of black beans at the bottom and a hearty layer of mildly spicy queso on top. In the center is a scoop of avocado and a spread of pico de gallo along the side. Typically people mix it all up into a lumpy mud-like mixture. Upon first inspection, the dip looks pretty disgusting, but after your first bite, you're guaranteed to be hooked on it. Typically one order of Mag Mud is too much for 4 people (I would recommend for 5-6) so it is well worth the price.

My order of Texas Benedict was a twist on my favorite Eggs Benedict. Instead of hollandaise sauce, they used a sauce with a light spicy kick and a more tart flavor that made it taste like a totally different dish. The food was served pipping hot and each bite was flavorful and very comforting as good breakfast food should make you feel. The potatoes had a light dusting of seasoning and had that crispy outer layer with the soft crumbly inner goodness that all good potatoes are made like. What surprised me the most though, was actually the oranges. Usually when you get fruit at restaurants they taste pretty disgusting. Sometimes you'll be surprised with a palatable serving of fruit, but more times than not, the fruit seems to be an afterthought. Not here. When I took the first bite, I was blown away by how sweet it was. The juices pretty much rocked my world, and I'm not even that big of a fruit person.

When I combine the comfortable ambiance of the restaurant with the great tasting food along with the great service, it is easy to see why so many people make the trip out to Magnolia even though parking is such a hassle. Even having to wait 30-45 minutes to get seated seems so inconsequential when you get the total fooding experience with your friends.

Definitely a Highly Recommend from me.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Ladies Man?

This conversation happened for real @ school about a week ago...

During lunch, two students were eating in the classroom and we're just talking about random stuff when one of them (whom I'll call Francis*) started bragging about how he was able to pick up girls 2 years older than himself. Billy* thought Francis was full of crap, and they went back and forth about each other's game (or lack thereof).

This entire conversation was extremely amusing for me, so I was content just to eat and watch both of them explain what they thought girls wanted in a guy. After a lull in the argument, Billy turned around and asked, "Hey Mr. Lee, are you a ladies man?"

I had no idea how to respond so I just asked back, "Umm, what do YOU guys think?"

Francis went right ahead and blurted out, "Yeah, I bet he was," while Billy nodded in agreement.

Outwardly, I just laughed and shrugged, but inwardly I was so filled with joy. That was quite possibly the nicest thing anyone ever said to me.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Halloween Funny

In honor of Halloween, I thought I'd share this amusing comic until my next substantial posts.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Rediscovering Old Joys

You know the saying, every cloud has a silver lining... well, I just realized that the silver lining to being stranded in two different airports was that it caused me to rediscover how great reading is. At my first delay I was incredibly bored so I ended up just wandering around and walked into a store. As I was browsing through the top 25, I noticed the book Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. I read Tipping Point years ago and I loved it so I figured, what the heck, and splurged $18 for it.

It's really sad how being forced to do something totally sucks the joy out of it: even something as cool as reading. But that's what happened to me after 7 years of college and post-bacc: reading became a chore. Maybe when you're totally bored the most mundane things become interesting or my mind was craving some kind of intellectual stimulation, but I really started enjoying reading again. I'm just about finished with Blink, so if you have any suggestions for good reads, feel free to let me know!


Synopsis: A study of how good decisions are made and an analysis of the decision-making process.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

TYW a wedding, a new job, and a new look

Shoot, it's been over a week since I last updated...

Wedding
Grace and Yohan's wedding was gorgeous. Yohan was pimpin' it and Grace looked beautiful, not to mention every aspect of the wedding was balling! It was great getting to see and reconnect w/ so many people, but it was a bit bittersweet since I had to say goodbye so quickly. Just wanted to also give a special thanks to Yong Woo for being a great host and driving me all around New York.


New Job
After getting a week under my belt, work has been incredibly draining. I work as a Teaching Assistant in the DARTS program at Del Valle Middle School, which is a place where students who have difficulties staying under control in the classroom get sent for us to calm them down. Needless to say, it gets pretty hairy in there. Most of the kids are good underneath their rough exterior, and I'm excited to keep working with them.
Once again, I just have to give a huge praise to God for this job, and an equally huge thanks to Touf for all his help in my job searching. I know many of you also lifted up prayers for me this past 2 months and I know each and every one of them played a part in my being employed now. Thanks Thanks Thanks!!!
I'll try to share more about the job later, but I don't want to overwhelm you guys.

New Look
Most of you probably don't remember Jorgy in anything other than his viking beard covering his face. On a whim, Matt decided he wanted to shave it off and asked for my help in figuring out the best way to shave it off. Below is the documentation of the transformation from "Wildman" to "prepubescent".

Monday, October 12, 2009

Best News... EVER!

So you guys remember that interview that I mentioned a couple weeks ago @ Del Valle Middle School? I just got the call today that told me to officially come in to work...TOMORROW. Holy crap, I am so excited! Nervous too... but freakin overjoyed. Seriously, God is GOOD.

Flight Delayed

When you're traveling, one of the worst things to hear from the front counter are the words, "Flight Delayed". For my trip to NY, I heard that a total of 4 times: 3 times on my return trip. Normally delays aren't that bad, merely inconveniences, but when you're flying solo after staying up the entire night before, trying to stay awake for fear of missing the next announcement... it's one of the toughest marathons you will ever undergo.

After the reception, some people went to Flushing for Korean BBQ until approximately 3am, then Victor, Tina, and I took a cab to the airport cuz we all had morning flights. I think if anyone invents a device that makes it comfortable to sleep in hard plastic chairs, they would make bank, because it was actually pretty funny watching people try to sleep in the airport.


But yeah, on the return leg, here is the breakdown of my day.

4am: arrive @ LGA @ Northwest Terminal
~5:3oam: say goodbye to Tina and Vic (they left for their gate). Take shuttle to AA terminal
7:40am: board airplane to Dallas. Sleep in fitful 30 minute intervals.
12pm: land @ Dallas
2:20pm: receive our first delay announcement. Call Jorgy to inform about delay.
3:30pm: receive the second delay announcement. Call Jorgy. Decide to walk around to stay away. Find TVs showing the Dallas Cowboys game. (Thank GOD)
4:15pm: Informed that we're getting a plane, but it's just getting in... at a different terminal.
4:30pm: get on the plane, call Jorgy, pass out.
5:45pm: land in Austin.

Oh, all this was compounded with the fact that I was flying in coach for the first time in almost 10 years. How I miss first class. hahahha that sounded really bratty, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart. Coach seating SUCKS.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

On Vacation

Heading to New York for Grohan's Wedding tomorrow!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Peekaboo!




I think I'm losing my touch a bit. Only KOk got scared this time. =(

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Sleepless Night

Lots on my mind tonight. Rain all day and night. Flooded sidewalks. Can't sleep. When I close my eyes I feel like my brain is whirling around at 100 mph. Nights like this I truly appreciate being able to give up all my burdens to God. It's been a long time since I've been so overwhelmed and unable to help. I keep seeing myself on a ship with giant gaping holes and cold, dark water rushing in and I'm trying in vain to plug up the holes with anything I can find. No matter how hard I try and whatever progress I make in one area, another hole opens up somewhere else. As the water rises, it gets so cold, and I get more numb and frustrated at my inability to fix the situation. Seems like God is trying to drill home this lesson to me this year. Let go of control. Let go. Let go. Trust in My plans. Your attempts at helping are noble, but I am the Healer, the Redeemer, not you.

Sometimes it takes nights where you just throw up your hands in frustration to gain the right perspective.
And I’m amazed by You. Cause You’re never far away
And all that I’ve been through, Your love has never changed

Chorus:
You make oceans from the rain
Breathing life into this place
And I will drown inside your love
Until I see your perfect face
And nothing I’ve acquired means anything at all
Cause you’re everything I needed
You’re so much more than I deserve
(Chorus)
And I thank you Lord (repeat 4 times)
(Chorus)
The blood of Jesus can wash your pain away
Seventh Day Slumber- Oceans from the Rain

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Round Rock Donut Review

I had planned to do a quick review of all the local restaurants I tried in Austin, but definitely failed for the first 10 or so new places I've tried because I kept forgetting to bring my camera. I wanted to be able to provide pictures to go along with my critiques, so I held off. Hopefully as I go back to the good ones, I'll be able to provide more in depth reviews. But I digress from RRD...

Round Rock Donuts is approximately 20 minutes away from Austin and is home to the famous "Texas Donut" shown on the Travel Channel's Man vs. Food; which coincidentally was what prompted us to visit this place. The shop opened in 1929, and the decor and feel of the place holds true to its humble origins. As we pulled in around 9:45am, the first thing we noticed was the gigantic line of people coming out the door as well as a giant line of cars wrapping around the block waiting in the drive-thru. Simply amazing! It was a good thing it was a rainy day, so a lot of people ended up leaving the line when it started drizzling, so we were able to get inside fairly quickly.

On the inside, the display of mouth-watering gut busters made our knees wobbly and our stomachs growl. Their freshly fried donuts, eclairs, various baked bread items, and of course the reason we drove out here: the Texas Donut. This beast is approximately 15 inches in diameter and they use a bucket to cut out the mold from the dough. The line moved incredibly quickly considering they only had one counter for both drive-thru and walk-in orders. Service was incredible. Hands down, the workers were one of the friendliest and helpful workers I've ever interacted with in my life. Everyone worked quickly and accurately, and were very patient with first-timers like us.
After debating, I decided on ordering 2 Texas donuts (one original glaze and one chocolate glaze), a cherry bismark, a Pigs n Blanket (just cuz I love'em), and 6 regular glazed donuts for the road. When I got the boxes of goods, I could feel the heat radiating from the bottom of the boxes because they were that fresh. Unfortunately it was raining so we couldn't eat outside, so we ran back into Jorgy's car and popped open the Texas donuts.

Texas Donut/ Donut- heavenly. I'm sure many of you will doubt how incredible a donut can possibly taste, but let me be completely honest with you; the feeling you get from the first bite of a pipping hot Texas donut is mind blowing. Dunkin Donuts and even Krispy Kreme don't hold a freakin candle to this beast. The texture is soft, yet firm, and the special orange glaze adds an extra level of crisp to the bite. Once the donut hits your tongue the flavors all kinda blow up at once. The dough just breaks down and the glaze oozes all over and the flavor is straight up INTENSE. For $5.50, a group of 4 hungry 20+ year old guys couldn't finish one Texas Donut.
Pig n Blanket- Disappointing. First of all, there was way too much bread in relation to the amount of hotdog. I should have expected it since it just looked like a roll of bread in the display. After 2 bites I got my first taste of the tiniest little hotdog I'd ever seen. Bread didn't taste fresh and the hotdog was unsatisfying.

Cherry Bismark- TBD

Overall, I loved the place. The simple homestyle aesthetics combined with the friendly staff only serve to enhance the quality of their product. The only warning would be to stick with what they're known for (donuts), since their other baked goods don't seem to have the same high standards.

Final verdict: Highly recommend to everyone.