Latest and Greatest

Thanksgiving was great. The turkey came out great and boy was it moist! There were hardly any leftover turkey left. I was actually looking forward to some turkey to eat this week. Oh well, I guess I will just have to make another one soon.

Well, I've been shadowing my co-workers on the job and going to various customer sites. Generally, the sites I've visted are at the same sites as my previous job. It has been pretty exciting getting to know various oncologists and radiation therapy techs. I definitely have a lot to learn on these systems. They are pretty complex and involve a lot of thinking.

My fiance and I have actually set a date to get married. April 30, 2005 will be the big day. Dang, that is right around the corner. I guess it's goodbye bachelorhood and hello ball and...I mean hello happily married life! I still am a bit off guard that in a few months I will no longer be single but will now have to share my underwear drawer with a woman. Nah, I'll just have her use her own dresser! LOL! Seriously though, I can recall when I was content to be single for the rest of my life. It is amazing when you meet the right person that you actually can change your mind and decide that you want to share your life with someone.

Speaking of my fiance, she wants me to go see the Phantom of the Opera movie when it comes out. I'm not so thrilled at that but she did agree to see and rent out Dr. Doolittle I and II. Do you think this is a fair deal? I'm not really into musicals. I mean what guy really is? C'mon! I'm a beer drinking, fishing and gun shooting kind of guy. Well, she really wants to see it so I will be the supportive fiance and go with her. I'll probably catch a lot of flak writing this out since she regularly reads this blog. I love you, honey!

Well that's all for now. Sorry for the irregular updates but you know, I got a job now so I'll make updates when I can. Aloha!

The Incredible 2 Hour Turkey Recipe

I thought I'd share a treasured family recipe of mine for a method to cook a turkey in only 2 hours. Two hours?! Yes, only 2 hours to get a well cooked, juicy turkey. Since Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I figured that someone might need a recipe to roast a turkey. I know that a lot of people will question the 2 hour roasting time since tradition calls for several hours of cooking. Well, when you do it the "traditional" way you end up with what I call turkey jerky on a platter. This recipe will provide you with a fully cooked and extremely juicy turkey. Prep time takes a long time but I'd rather spend more time prepping than cooking. So here goes:

Ingredients:
1 frozen turkey up to 20 lbs.
Hawaiian rock, sea salt, or kosher salt ( don't use table salt!)
Water
Butter (don't use the fake stuff - margarine is evil and unhealthy)
Sherry wine

Note: Do not stuff the turkey with stuffing. Doing this can lead to food poisioning.
Make stuffing seperately.

Create a brine solution using the salt and water. Best way to do this is to melt the salt with some warm water and then add it to a pitcher or bowl of water. The brine should have the same saltiness as ocean water (for those of you who don't know how salty sea water is or have never been to the beach, sorry but I really don't measure when I cook). Make enough brine to complete cover the turkey. You may want to use a big trash bag (non deodorant type) so that the turkey can be completely immersed. Place the trash bag in a suitable bucket or container.

Make sure you remove the wrapper of the turkey when you are soaking the bird in the brine solution. Let the turkey defrost in the brine for about 16 hours. Place the turkey in a cool spot (not arctic cold spot) of your house or garage. There should be no fears of bacteria since you are soaking the bird in a brine. If you need to, place a weight on the bag with the turkey so the turkey is completely immersed in the brine.

After the 16 hours of soaking, check to see if the turkey is completely defrosted by checking the inside cavity. At this point, you should be able to remove the gizzards and neck out of the turkey's cavity. But check to see if the turkey is fully defrosted by feel. If it is still frozen, let it soak for a little longer.

Once the turkey is defrosted, preheat your oven to 500 deg. F and remove the turkey from the brine. Pat the turkey dry using paper towels inside and out. Place the turkey in a suitable roasting pan (the cheap aluminum disposable ones are great) breast side up. Rub sherry wine on the inside cavity of the turkey. I use roughly a total of a handfull (I think about 1/4 cup? I don't know since I don't measure). Use a little bit at a time to make sure the inside has been completely rubbed with the wine. Rub butter on the breast and thighs (on the turkey and not yourself unless you are into that but the turkey needs it more at this point). Use about 1/2 to 1 stick of butter total.

When the oven temperature of 500 deg. F is reached, quickly place the turkey in the oven breast side in and close the door immediately. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR AFTER INSERTING THE TURKEY IN THE OVEN - MAINTAINING TEMPERATURE IS CRITICAL TO COMPLETING THIS IN 2 HOURS! Leave the turkey at this temperature for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes have past, quickly pour one cup of water over the turkey and close the door immediately. Reduce the temperature to 375 deg. F. and leave it alone for 1 hour and 25 minutes. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR AT ALL DURING THIS PERIOD! After this, quickly poke holes where the thighs and body meet and quickly baste the turkey a couple of coatings should be ok using a baster. Close the door immediately and continue roasting for 5 minutes.

After this 5 minute period, remove the turkey from the oven and let it sit for about 20 to 30 minutes before carving. You may use foil to tent the turkey to keep it warm.

While carving, you will notice how juicy this turkey will be. Use the pan drippings to make some gravy or sauce.

I'm Back!

My first session of training with my new employer has been completed and now I am back to my biohazard abode. It sure was chaotic travelling on the 23rd. Getting on the plane was easy and the check in procedure was not that bad. When I flew into LAX, that's when all hell broke loose. The traffic was so intense...I could only imagine today's traffic being it is the day before Thanksgiving. It took 2 hours for me to get out of the airport and be back at my place. I'm so exhausted today. But at least I got to sleep in my own bed which was great!

Training was very intense and challenging. The instructor was great and has vast knowledge of the system. I think I did ok but I know I have to study more and basically connect the dots to know how the overall system works and its various components and how they interact with one another. We had to do a practical test - troubleshooting the unit. It was a real ass kicker and was a very humbling experience. The best part is that I will not forget some of the problems I had and it was a definite learning experience. In all of my years of being an engineer, this training course was the best I ever had. It really reminded me of my college experience complete with exams and labs. Some people may think that the instructor was a bit on the rough side and may complain to management but I didn't see it that way. Instead, I saw it as his passion to pass on his knowledge of the system to those of us who don't know the system and to make us successful. His training was the closest one could get without going out into the field. Very realistic. I truly hope that the intensity and format of the training does not change. I give major kudos to the instructor.

It is great to be back home. Well, not exactly home since I still consider Hawaii to be my home. But it sure was great to see my fiance. I've never missed anyone like her before. Tomorrow will be busy with me making the turkey for my fiance's family. I'm going to use my mom's 2 hour turkey recipe. 2 hours? Yeah, it actually takes only 2 hours to roast. Yes, it is fully cooked and very juicy. Not like some roasted turkey jerky. I think I'll post up a recipe today for it since I know there are going to be several people looking for recipes. Well, off to make that post. Until then, Aloha!

Another Update

Being up in the northern part of the Bay Area has been pretty exciting but it is much colder than in Southern California. At least it isn't so cold as the times I spent in Wisconsin where there is major shrinkage.

The weather up here has been mixed with fog, rain, and cold. We did have a few days where the weather was nice and sunny.

Over the weekend I got to see people whom I didn't see for over 28 years! It was great catching up and meeting their spouses. I was only 10 years old when they last saw me. From my vantage point, they still looked the same and would have recognized them if I saw them out somewhere. It was a great drive over to where we met. Got to drive through Napa and Sonoma counties. It is the first time seeing the northern part of the bay.

Sunday, I went to church with my fiance's cousin and family up in Napa. Napa looks so beautiful with all of the grape fields. Beautiful country. Too bad I didn't have time to go and visit the various vineyards and do some wine tasting. I probably would have gone crazy and with no designated driver, I would have been screwed so it was probably good that I didn't do some tastings.

Training has been challenging but has been a great learning experience. We got to cover the way the system operates and how all the components interact with one another. People in the class are generally nice but there are some that have dragged the class down. This has made me a bit irritated because the majority of the class is up to speed with one individual dragging things down. I want to learn as much as I can so it is a drag when one person slows things down. I guess I just need to learn to be accept people for who they are and just let go of any irritable feelings. However, I figure we are not rookies and thus the learning curve should be pushed to maximum if you are to succeed. Oh well, I'm trying to let it go.

I do miss being back in my own home...my own bed...driving my own car. The one thing I miss the most is being with my fiance. Never missed anyone like this before. I guess that's a good sign. Well it better be if I'm marrying her...hehe. Beside, I know I should say that I'm missing her because I know she reads this. All joking aside, I do miss her.

Ok, enough of the mushy stuff. I guess that's all I have for now. I need to get off of this computer...back to training. Until next time, Aloha!

Brief Update

Sorry for not updating this blog in a while. I have very limited internet access so I can't do much updating.

I'm taking a break from a training class so I'll be brief. Started training and all seems well. I do miss being in warm Southern California. Northern California is cold...burrrr. Learning alot about the system I will be working on and meeting my new co-workers. All is well and all is fun. I'll update more later.

Until next time I get a chance to update...Aloha!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Well, a new week has started along with a new chapter in my career. I'm all set to call the company that made the offer to formally accept the position they offered me on Monday and then go to their office up in the Bay area for three weeks. Well, at least I won't be freezing my ass like I did when I had to travel to Milwaukee during the fall/winter season. Bay area is much nicer because it does not snow! I do not think I could really enjoy life if I had to live where it snows. Being an island guy, I'm a complete wuss when it comes to snow. It's ok to visit an area with snow and play around. Another thing to live where it snows. Talk about major shrinkage.

By being away for three weeks, I'm really going to miss my fiance. It will feel kind of strange and a bit sad not being around her for a while. Hmm...maybe I might get an invitation from my other girlfriend...nah, I doubt that Tricia Yearwood will call me to go out. Anyways, this will be the first time that my fiance and I are going to be apart for an extended period of time. Well, I know I'll see her when I get back so it's not too bad. Also with this new job, we can finally start making some real plans for our wedding.

I am so grateful for all of my friends that have prayed for me while I was unemployed. But my biggest thanks go to God for providing me this opportunity. I was really hoping to stay in the area and be able to make at least the same amount of money as my last job. God provided both and I am so grateful. Also, I am very grateful for my fiance who helped me out mentally and financially. She has shown much patience with me and has comforted me through this ordeal. Ok, enough sappiness...besides she's probably going to read this and I don't want her to get all teary eyed or get a big head. Opps, did I say that? Oh, never mind.

Well, my next post might be a while. I'll try to get some sort of computer access somehow and try to update this as regularly as possible. Until then....

Aloha!