The Maze and I are headed to SA in a couple of hours-woohoo!! And while there will likely be time for blogging, my parents have pretty much the equivalent to dial-up Internet, so I seriously doubt that will be happening....which is why I'll post a Thanksgiving-related blog a few days early.
I'm so very thankful:
~ for Martha, Brian, and Claire...being home makes it feel like I never really left...I can make 1,000 mistakes and they'll still love me
~ for Emily, Margaret, Suz, Emily, and Meredeth...these girls know me better than most...for better friends you could not ask
~ for the ladies I "live" next door to and across the hall from at work: Deneise, Carrie, Meredeth, Emily, and Christy...they make "work" not feel like it at all...they also have hearts of gold and are some of the most supportive and encouraging people I've known
~ for the 22 babies I spend my weekdays with...they make me laugh and make me cry, they allow me to make mistakes and to apologize for them, and they let me attempt to make each of their days a little brighter
~ that I have an entire week off this week!
~ for my little four-legged furry friend who greets me at my door...she is the most perceptive animal I've known
~ to be able to attend graduate school and to be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel
~ as corny as this sounds, I'm so thankful that I rarely get sick...if you've ever had to leave substitute plans, you know that you'd rather be feeling like crumb at work than leaving plans for a sub
I hope you and your people have a very, very happy Thanksgiving!!! :)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
twilight
Yes, I did brave the crazed teenage girls this weekend to go see Twilight. Although, luckily, Margaret and Emily had suggested going to the Angelika in an attempt to avoid some of the crazies. The movie, for me, was really disappointing. I know the books are geared towards teenage girls...however, I don't really understand why. There's really nothing juvenile about them. Anyway, Twilight (the book) was super romantic...Twilight (the movie) was super cheesy!! People were laughing out loud in the theater because of the cheesiness. Also, I realize I am in the small minority when I write this, but Edward (the lead vampire) was so NOT attractive to me. Suzanna agreed with me. The facial expressions were the most difficult to not roll your eyes at. I thought they stayed fairly true to the dialogue of the book, so that didn't bother me....all except the "spider monkey" line. Seriously?
Two friends of mine had read all 4 books in record time and assured me that I would enjoy them and become addicted like they had. I was hesitant because it's hard for me to enjoy and want to read a book about something that is not real....i.e., I never opened a Harry Potter book. I did finish Wicked, although it took me forever. I just need real people doing realistic things. I was not really into Twilight until about the last 100 pages. And then I had to stop reading one night with only 60 pages to go because it was too scary. I knew one of two things would happen:
1.-I would be up waaaay past my bedtime finishing the book, and/or
2.-I would have scary dreams because of the book. Considering I'd already had two separate nightmares about my appraisal last week (in one, I had double the class size I have now, and they were all boys....the second one had some person I didn't know appraising me instead of my vice principal), I decided to avoid potential causes of anymore nightmares for the week. Also, since I started taking fish oil my dreams have been much more vivid and I remember many, many more than I ever did before...interesting!
I started on the 2nd book last night. It was much easier for me to get into and not want to put it down. Hopefully the rest of the reading will be like that!
Even though the movie was a bit of a letdown (I'd give it a B-), I was so glad to get to hang out with MJ, Suz, and Emily! Those girls are hard to beat.
Two friends of mine had read all 4 books in record time and assured me that I would enjoy them and become addicted like they had. I was hesitant because it's hard for me to enjoy and want to read a book about something that is not real....i.e., I never opened a Harry Potter book. I did finish Wicked, although it took me forever. I just need real people doing realistic things. I was not really into Twilight until about the last 100 pages. And then I had to stop reading one night with only 60 pages to go because it was too scary. I knew one of two things would happen:
1.-I would be up waaaay past my bedtime finishing the book, and/or
2.-I would have scary dreams because of the book. Considering I'd already had two separate nightmares about my appraisal last week (in one, I had double the class size I have now, and they were all boys....the second one had some person I didn't know appraising me instead of my vice principal), I decided to avoid potential causes of anymore nightmares for the week. Also, since I started taking fish oil my dreams have been much more vivid and I remember many, many more than I ever did before...interesting!
I started on the 2nd book last night. It was much easier for me to get into and not want to put it down. Hopefully the rest of the reading will be like that!
Even though the movie was a bit of a letdown (I'd give it a B-), I was so glad to get to hang out with MJ, Suz, and Emily! Those girls are hard to beat.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
2 new faves
I have some new items that I am currently obsessed with. One is totally vain and one brings joy to my ears...
#1: My new mascara. It.is.amazing. I have lashes that did NOT exist before!! I bought it in "glam black"...because...really, why not?? I highly recommend it!
#2: New Taylor Swift CD. I would really like to be friends with and/or be her. I think she is precious and fun and I really enjoy her tunes! You should give it a listen or two.
Also, because I can't skip my Asian experience this week:
#1: My new mascara. It.is.amazing. I have lashes that did NOT exist before!! I bought it in "glam black"...because...really, why not?? I highly recommend it!
#2: New Taylor Swift CD. I would really like to be friends with and/or be her. I think she is precious and fun and I really enjoy her tunes! You should give it a listen or two.
Also, because I can't skip my Asian experience this week:
Asian chicken salad (serves 4-6)
1 package (3 oz) oriental-flavored ramen noodle soup mix
1/2 cup pre-sliced or slivered almonds
3/4 cup bottled red wine vinaigrette
1 package (16 oz) coleslaw or broccoli slaw mix (I buy both and mix them)
2 cups cooked chicken (I usually buy a rotiserrie one and shred it)
1/2 cup cilantro leaves
2 scallions, both white and light green parts, chopped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Break up the noodles and place them and the almonds in a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until noodles and almonds turn light brown, 6-7 minutes. Meanwhile, pour red wine vinaigrette into a measuring cup and stir in the packet of seasoning from soup mix. Set aside. Place the slaw mix, chicken, cilanto, and scallions in a large serving bowl. Toss to combine. Just before serving, pour the salad dressing and toss to coat. Scatter noodles and almonds on top.
*I make my own dressing with:
1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil
3ish T red wine vinegar
2 1/2 T sugar
pinch of black pepper
1/2 packet of the seasoning from the soup mix
*I also throw in some shelled edamame to bump up the protein.
Great for quick lunches!! :)
Saturday, November 8, 2008
the maze
Mazie turned one yesterday! She celebrated by being extra crazy and playing with her friend, Lacey Lu Belew. The two wore each other out, thank goodness! I really think Mazie either thinks she is a dog, or she was a dog in a past life. She is such a playful, dominating companion to dogs her size. She attacks and chases just like they do. Rocky is still her #1 though. She is awesome because:
-she snuggles up by my neck when she's tired...it doesn't matter where I'm sitting, she finds a way to make it happen
-she comes when I call her
-she runs in the kitchen when I open yogurt...yes, she's spoiled
-she weighed 1.1 lb. when I brought her home
-when I went just to look over Christmas break when I was bored because everyone else had gone back to work, I held her at the Humane Society and she burrowed into the crook of my elbow and went to sleep purring. It was destiny.
-(I'm not sure if this is awesome or not) she is determined to catch a squirrel and she's now come within inches of getting one...I'm not really sure what she would do once she had it though...makes me nervous!
-she sleeps in the window and waits for me to come home
-she sleeps in the window and waits for me to come home
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
food!
Here are some recipes from last week and this week, including my standard Asian meal for the week. :)
Broccoli and pork stir-fry (serves 4)
1 teaspoon grated orange zest, plus 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons vegetable oil, such as safflower
1 pork tenderloin (about 1 pound), quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced
1 head broccoli (about 1 pound), cut into bite-size florets, stalks peeled and thinly sliced
In a medium bowl, combine orange zest and juice, soy sauce, vinegar, and cornstarch; set stir-fry sauce aside.
In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium. Working in two batches, cook pork until browned on one side, 1 to 2 minutes (pork will cook more at the end). Transfer to a plate and set aside; reserve skillet.
Add remaining teaspoon oil, garlic, and scallion whites to skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until scallions wilt, 1 to 2 minutes. Add broccoli and 1/2 cup water; cover and cook until broccoli is crisp-tender and water has evaporated, 2 to 4 minutes.
Add pork (with any juices) and stir-fry sauce to skillet. Cook, stirring, until pork is cooked through and sauce has thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Top with scallion greens.
*Unless you really, really like orange, I would leave out the zest. I thought it was overpowering the first time, so the second time I left it out and it was perfect. I eat this meal with some YUMMY quinoa. (If you'd like to read up on my new favorite food, check out this little diddy: http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=142 )
Banana-oat smoothie
In a blender, combine 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 banana, cut into thirds, 1/2 cup milk, 2 teaspoons honey, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Puree until smooth.
*I have this along with a piece of Ezekiel toast with peanut butter and I'm set until lunch time. Sweet!
Turkey chili with black beans and squash
10 oz. extra-lean ground turkey breast
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cans (28 oz. each) diced tomatoes
2 cans (15 oz. each) beef broth
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
4 ribs celery, finely chopped
2 medium zucchini, finely chopped
2 medium yellow squash, finely chopped
2 green bell peppers, finely chopped
1 packet (1.25 oz) dry chili seasoning (I know, I know!! I didn't want to buy prepackaged seasoning (hello sodium!! and I'm sure some preservatives), but I am not a chili expert and therefore don't know the spices that make up the seasoning...maybe next time.)
Heat a large pot coated with oil or cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until the turkey is no longer pink. Add all other ingredients and reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until veggies are tender.
*This is pretty tasty, although next time I'd just use the whole package of turkey instead of half. I ended up tossing in a can of kidney beans about halfway through because I realized all those veggies and very little turkey meat would not stick with me much past lunch time.
Broccoli and pork stir-fry (serves 4)
1 teaspoon grated orange zest, plus 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons vegetable oil, such as safflower
1 pork tenderloin (about 1 pound), quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced
1 head broccoli (about 1 pound), cut into bite-size florets, stalks peeled and thinly sliced
In a medium bowl, combine orange zest and juice, soy sauce, vinegar, and cornstarch; set stir-fry sauce aside.
In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium. Working in two batches, cook pork until browned on one side, 1 to 2 minutes (pork will cook more at the end). Transfer to a plate and set aside; reserve skillet.
Add remaining teaspoon oil, garlic, and scallion whites to skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until scallions wilt, 1 to 2 minutes. Add broccoli and 1/2 cup water; cover and cook until broccoli is crisp-tender and water has evaporated, 2 to 4 minutes.
Add pork (with any juices) and stir-fry sauce to skillet. Cook, stirring, until pork is cooked through and sauce has thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Top with scallion greens.
*Unless you really, really like orange, I would leave out the zest. I thought it was overpowering the first time, so the second time I left it out and it was perfect. I eat this meal with some YUMMY quinoa. (If you'd like to read up on my new favorite food, check out this little diddy: http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=142 )
Banana-oat smoothie
In a blender, combine 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 banana, cut into thirds, 1/2 cup milk, 2 teaspoons honey, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Puree until smooth.
*I have this along with a piece of Ezekiel toast with peanut butter and I'm set until lunch time. Sweet!
Turkey chili with black beans and squash
10 oz. extra-lean ground turkey breast
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cans (28 oz. each) diced tomatoes
2 cans (15 oz. each) beef broth
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
4 ribs celery, finely chopped
2 medium zucchini, finely chopped
2 medium yellow squash, finely chopped
2 green bell peppers, finely chopped
1 packet (1.25 oz) dry chili seasoning (I know, I know!! I didn't want to buy prepackaged seasoning (hello sodium!! and I'm sure some preservatives), but I am not a chili expert and therefore don't know the spices that make up the seasoning...maybe next time.)
Heat a large pot coated with oil or cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until the turkey is no longer pink. Add all other ingredients and reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until veggies are tender.
*This is pretty tasty, although next time I'd just use the whole package of turkey instead of half. I ended up tossing in a can of kidney beans about halfway through because I realized all those veggies and very little turkey meat would not stick with me much past lunch time.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
totally 80's
Emily and Freddie hosted an 80's Halloween party on Friday night at their casa. I wore more makeup that I can remember ever wearing. I also had on bright blue heels but they didn't make it into any pictures. :( Some highlights of the night:
1. Mere asking Freddie (in all seriousness), "Freddie, where's your costume?"
2. Emily's AMAZING bangs! I think she was channeling Peggy Bundy.
3. Emily saying to David, "Ok, David, so explain your costume."
4. First place for best costume went to Meredeth AKA 80's prom queen and third place went to Andrew AKA Tom Cruise in Risky Business.
5. The fact that we survived Emily's jello shots...I am not sure there was much jello in them...
(You may be asking why I am up and blogging so early...daylight savings time joy.)
1. Mere asking Freddie (in all seriousness), "Freddie, where's your costume?"
2. Emily's AMAZING bangs! I think she was channeling Peggy Bundy.
3. Emily saying to David, "Ok, David, so explain your costume."
4. First place for best costume went to Meredeth AKA 80's prom queen and third place went to Andrew AKA Tom Cruise in Risky Business.
5. The fact that we survived Emily's jello shots...I am not sure there was much jello in them...
Pics of the fun!!
(You may be asking why I am up and blogging so early...daylight savings time joy.)
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