Grant Writing and Sushi

Today marks a big day for Eugene and me. As of early this afternoon we completed our first grant for our theatre non-profit. I didn't want the chance of documenting this day slip past me, so here I am sharing it with all the lovely people of blog land. I wish I could say that I had much to do with this grant, but really it was mostly Eugene's hard work and late night hours. I was busy doing my end of business and work that he was left to fend with this by himself.  It's a miracle that we finished a bit earlier than the deadline, and it just gave us enough time to find a few more to apply to from now into the beginning of the upcoming year.

We are super proud of our loving theatre non-profit that has run so far strictly by donations and volunteers alone. Each year that this company grows I'm just blown away at the amazing incredible things that we've done. On top of Directing/ Producing/ Sponsoring/ Guest Speaking/ ____ (fill in blank), we had to become grant writers ourselves. Something that I will be involved more with the next one.

In the past three years we have gone through four grant writers; all of which had left us for good or bad reasons (That story alone would make quite the short comical play). A thrown table and Producer's frown later, we decided we wanted to take the challenge ourselves. Let me tell you, grant writing is another type of animal that any other writing task. I will say however, representing a cause you truly feel passionate about and putting it to the test is an experience second to none.

To celebrate we went out for a quiet day at our favorite sushi bar. Then we brought home a bottle of bubbly and finished it off with a double chocolate scone. My romance runs dangerously close to business, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Being here compared to yesterday, has a lifting sensation to it. Thank you for sharing it with us!

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Out & Abouts: Mako Bowl

Friday Night I wanted to go out, but I didn't want to spend an arm and a leg doing it. There is just something about trying to make a fun Friday night and it happening naturally. I also wanted to celebrate this rare time where the weather was actually cold for a weekend in SoCal (Yes, even in October) and enjoy something warming. As we browsed the shops in Pasadena we decided on a good old friend: Mako Bowl.

Mako Bowl was a place that I regulared while I was attending Community College for a short time. There was one right across from the front of the campus. To summarize Mako Bowl, its basically a Japanese comfort food place, much like Yoshinoya except healthier and with much better options. Something that always made it a choice to go to was the affordable sushi, Eugene's favorite and choice without fail is the Salmon Bowl where they give you salmon sashimi laid on a fresh pile of sushi rice. You can also get it with slices of avocado if you want even more of an indulgence.

Veggie Tempura, Chicken Udon, & Salmon Bowl

I for one was always a soup person so I'm a sucker for the Chicken Udon. Fresh skinless/boneless chicken boiled in Udon broth and loaded with noodles and green onions. It's the cheapest entree on the menu but so filling! to mix things up I usually order a side of something, usually its either California Rolls or Tempura, which I went for the Veggie Tempura this time.

By the time I was finished, you had to roll me out of the shop! It was cold enough of a night that we took a light stroll around to let the food settle; later to find our way into Old Town. If your in Pasadena and like Japanese food, give Mako Bowl a try. Trust me, it's a place your taste buds and wallet can agree on.
-Stef

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