Pan Seared Spinach with Garlic

I was at the grocery store in the produce section and I came across this amazing "Island Spinach".  It was so lush and green.  I had no idea what I was doing with it but I had to buy it.  The leaves were amazing; they very texturized and funny shaped, pointed at the tip of the leaves.  I decided to sear the spinach.  This recipe is really easy & loaded with flavor.

• 1 lb spinach
• 5 garlic cloves, sliced
  
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  
• Salt (I prefer "Real Salt" or Sea Salt)
• Black Pepper (I always use freshly ground)
  

Take your favorite frying pan and put enough olive oil in it to cover the bottom.  Turn the heat up to medium-high.  Once the oil is hot place the garlic and spinach in the pan.  The oil should be popping and steaming a bit.  Let the spinach cook on one side for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.  Quickly flip over and cook for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute.  When the spinach is done is should be dark green to brown in color, it will also be wilted.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Serve Immediately.

HIFF - "Headhunters"

I went to go see "Headhunters" on Wednesday night. It was such a good film! I don't want to give too much away.... so here is the synopsis from IMDB:

Save for a somewhat diminutive stature, Roger is a man who apparently has it all; hes Norways most successful headhunter, hes married to the exceedingly beautiful gallery owner Diana, has a far too expensive villa and must, to keep his head above water financially, steal a little too much art.

Clas Greve is the perfect candidate for Rogers new recruitment assignment, being a former elite soldier and chief executive in the electronics business. Hes also in possession of a very valuable painting. Robert eyes a chance to permanently get rid of his financial worries and begins planning his final, greatest score.

But it turns out that Greve is playing games as well. When Roger breaks into Greves house, he finds something that changes his life completely, and soon forces him to run for his life...

I highly recommend this movie. It kept me on the edge of my seat!

"Gianni e le donne" otherwise know as "The Salt of Life"

I went to go see "The Salt of Life" on Saturday at HIFF. I really enjoyed it. This movie moved very slowly compared to American Hollywood movies - but I am slowly learning to appreciate films from other cultures. 

This is what the lines looked like at HIFF for nearly every movie screening! It was pretty crazy. But it is so worth it. It you haven't gone to the Hawaii International Film Festival yet, you must! 

Interview with Megan Nichols

I

60's Throwback TV Shows

Has anyone else noticed that there are two shows debuting this season that take place in the 60's?  There's The Playboy Club on NBC and Pan Am on ABC.

I'm wondering if this is due (in part) to the wild popularity of Mad Men.

I sat down to watch the pilot episode of The Playboy Club after my sister told me that she had watched it and she liked it. I kind of expected it to be trashy, but I was plesantly surprised. The costumes were beautiful, the make-up was so classically glamourous. I don't know a whole lot about film yet, but I LOVED the lighting. The story line was also surprising to me.

As for Pan Am, I can already tell that I'm going to adore this show. I thought the pilot episode was brilliant. Seriously, don't get me started on the costumes. Beautiful.

You can find both shows on Hulu. You should really check them out if you have a chance.

Bio

My name is Lauren Victoria. I'm a junior at Hawaii Pacific University, majoring in Integrated Multimedia with a minor in Theatre. I was born and raised in Hawaii on the island of Oahu.

I've always loved the arts; you name it, I've probably tried it. I started out dancing ballet when I was very young and I went wild from there. I'm most passionate about performing arts: musical theatre, dancing, singing and acting. I also learned to appreciate the studio arts through classes I took in middle/high school. But digital arts, digital media... I never thought of web or graphic design as an art until I was about 17. When I discovered that I could major in digital arts, I was thrilled.

I'm currently working as a graphic designer at HPU in the Study Abroad office. I've also started my own graphic design and photography company, Lauren Victoria Designs. I'm working towards being a full-time freelancer.

Now for the fun stuff: I love dark chocolate and tea. On the weekends you'll find me in trapeze and aerial silk classes. I have a cat named Tigerlily and 2 kittens name Samson and Maximillian.