What Would You Do?

Normally I am the type of person who says too much in a situation.  I'm that annoying person who gives you advice even though you didn't ask for it.  My friends are used to it and either take it, or blatantly ignore it.  Each of you know which category you fall in.  LOL.

Tonight's blog is about what I should have said.  Have you ever been presented with a chance to say something and you didn't seize the opportunity?  This afternoon I witnessed something that has stuck with me.

Chris and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful afternoon.  We picked Delaney up early from the day home and went to the spray park.  During our initial lap around the park I noticed that there was a young dad who was walking across the park carrying a small pair of shoes and keys.  I also noticed a 6 year old girl playing with a mounted water gun that sprays and swivels around.  As she was having fun with the spray gun she managed to get the young dad wet.  I continued to watch to see what his reaction was.  It was far from pretty.  He was aghast that he got wet.  I mean the absolute nerve of a 6 year old spraying him with water.  How dare she get him wet.  Didn't she realize that he was simply there to watch his child play.  He of course was just there to watch his son play, not to play himself.

What would you do if you were walking through a spray park surrounded by no less than forty children and water spraying everywhere?  I for one, expected there was a high risk of getting wet.  He on the other hand started yelling to his girlfriend that this kid soaked him.  Then, he proceeded to grab her by the arm and pull her in from of the gun and sprayed her from chest to ankles and back again.  I am sure that he meant this to be a form of punishment.  The girl just laughed and ran to the next spray area.  I looked to see if the girl's parents had witnessed this act of manliness but alas they were nowhere to be seen.

I should have said something to him.  Part of me would like to hid behind the excuse that I was simply too shocked to react instantaneously.

We continued to play at the spray park.  Delaney was running back and forth while Chris and I watched from our perch on the retainer wall.  A few minutes later an organic smell wafted across the park.  Chris snidely commented that he suddenly had the munchies.  I told him that I sincerely hoped it was an actual skunk. The smell continued to get stronger.  I decided that we either had to leave or move up wind.  As I stood to investigate the source was instantly clear.  It was Mr. Manly Man from the earlier. I am not sure that this surprised me.  As I looked closer I realized that him and his girlfriend were smoking the joint in the van WITH HIS CHILD IN IT!!!!When they get finished smoking their joint they sauntered back to the spray park.

I wanted to say something to him so very badly.  I couldn't tell you what would have been the exact words I would have chosen but they would have been scathing.  Lucky for me I had my voice of reason by my side....Chris.  He was telling me that I needed to stay out of it. And truth be told I have no way of determining how he would react.  Chris also told me that the joint could be keeping Mr. Manly from beating his girlfriend and his child.  Maybe that is the case.  Maybe it is not.

What I do know for sure is that the next time I am presented with a situation that sets off alarm bells I am going to follow my instinct and react.

What would you have done?  Have you ever faced a situation like this?  How did it turn out?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Much Love,

Lisa

Korean BBQ

This is slightly off topic from my usual posts.  But...that is the perk to having ones own blog.  You get to write what you want.  LOL

Ok, for the past two weeks at least I have been craving Korean BBQ.  I want it every day.  The weird part of this is that I have never had Korean BBQ before.  But, something inside my brain told me that I wanted it.   No Mom - I am not pregnant.
Lately I have been on a kick of trying new things.  Stepping outside of my comfort zone and getting a little uncomfortable.  Well today...was Korean BBQ day.  Finally!  I am not sure what you are like.  But I make it a habit to check out menus of places before we ever go there.  I need to choose what I am going have when I get there.  Oh sure, I listen to the special, sometimes I am even swayed to try that instead but typically...I order what I had in mind.  I like to have a plan and I follow the plan.  My husband tells me that isn't planning.  It is being neurotic.  Meh, whatevs.

Back to Korean BBQ.  My husband picked up the takeout menu and had the guy circle the popular items on the menu and tell him what dishes he most preferred.  And then he handed it off to me.

I had to start with the dumplings.  I am a huge fan of dumplings.  Pot stickers, perogies, gyoza, pierogies, wontons....I don't care what you call them...I love them.  These ones were deep fried dumplings. Beef rather than pork.  But I wasn't going to let that stop me.

Next I ordered Spicy Pork Bulgogi followed by Kimchi Pork Hotspot.  My husband snuck in an order of Jajangmyun (noodles in a black bean sauce).

I was a little afraid that I had built this up to taste better than it actually would.  Regardless of that I was salivating by the time my husband walked in the door with it.

We started with the Kimchi Pork Hotspot.  It was marked HOT on the menu so I was expecting some spice.  It definitely lived up to that label.  Spicy delicious, soupy, porky, cabbagey goodness.  Wowsers.  I want more thinking of it.  I left the tofu in the bowl.  I am still not a fan of tofu.  It should be called NOFU.  I highly recommend this dish if you find yourself battling a summer cold.  It will have your sinuses running in no time.

Next were the dumplings.  Sadly disappointing.  I think that it was because they were deep fried.  It killed most of the flavor and by the time they got home they were wilted and chewy rather than crispy.  The beef filling was good.  I enjoyed it independently from the wrapper.

I followed the dumplings with Spicy Pork Bulgogi on steamed white rice.  Totally delicious.  Nice and spicy.  Many layers of flavors.  Great with extra kimchi and whatever the other pickled side dish was.  The pickled side dish helped to cut the heat.

Jajangmyun - Even though my mouth was warm from the previous dishes, I still felt that it had good flavor.  I am a little twisted so I was wishing it can with more spice.  Next time I will eat that first.

All in all, I will be visiting the Korean BBQ House again. Many times over.  Perhaps in August during my 30 Day Bravery Challenge I will order Altang (Black Cod Eggs and Tofu) and the Spicy Octopus Stir Fry.

The fact that the food turned out to be delicious was just a bonus.  I was proud of myself for trying something new.  After all...Neale Donald Walsh summed it up perfectly...Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.  I can rest easy knowing I lived a little today.

Try something new....I double dog dare you! Lead Life Joyfully!

Much Love,

Lisa