"Food Blog"

This photo entry is dedicated to my mother.  When we found out I was moving away to my very own apartment, she, with a look of slight lack of faith, frequently reminded me that I was going to have to cook for myself.  Well, mom, with one week down, I hope I did you proud:

Pasta & Pesto chicken.

Patty melt.

Wegmans Super Pasta.  Okay, this doesn't really count, but I actually tried it voluntarily, so points for that.
However, I don't think it still counts as "super" since it's smothered in mozzerella cheese ...

I'm a big girl now

Things I did in the past 24 hours that I am proud of:

- killed an ENORME daddy-long-legs.  it was terrifying and disgusting and I will spare you the details.  let's just say it died in more pieces than Rupert & Wanda, and it was not fun going at it alone.
- took the bus to work, and arrived early.
- got hooked up to a 2-monitor computer.  schmancy!
- didn't have to double check the metro map to find out which route I was taking.  I knew.
- took the metro.
- changed my shoes on the metro.
- went to a college alumni event, wore a name tag with my year on it, networked, collected business cards. So adult.
- bought a SmarTrip card that can get me on the metro and busses with an easy swipe.
- used said SmarTrip card.
- in the dark, got off the right stop from the bus without having to ask the bus driver.  though he did look kind.
- ordered my own business cards.

woot.

It starts.

I keep trying to start this entry but I am so distracted by the renewed presence of cable TV in my life,  I have had this "new post" page up for 45 minutes.  It's the third episode in a row of SVU... thank you USA! 

Okay, let's go! (2 hours later) ...

Welp, this is it. The starting of the next pod of life.  Up the hill I go.  I packed up my life into boxes, said goodbye to the home in which grew up, and drove my car to new city to start an internship at an organization I know very little about.  The adventure began right at the start.  After a drudge-like drive on a snowy route 15, we arrived at my new address.  And there was no light to be seen. Yep, there was no power in the house due to the snowstorm.  So, we carried my boxes, bin of shoes, bags of clothes, and more bags of clothes into an apartment that I still hadn't seen.  That was a little unsettling, but it seemed nice in the dark.  With the possibility of a cold night ahead of us, we took a drive around the neighborhood and wound up driving down Capitol Avenue, with the Capitol building right in front of us.  Pretty cool.  Then the Washington and Jefferson monuments showed up.  This is when I realized that I really was living in Washington DC.  It was a pretty crazy feeling (spending the next day walking down Pennsylvania Avenue, taking the bus and metro, and perusing dinosaur fossils at the Smithsonian helped too).  And when we arrived back from our drive, the power was back!  The warmth and lights returned and I was able to take a real look at the place, and it is beyond adorable.

And now here I sit, in a cozy, colorful, and well-decorated basement apartment that is the perfect little perch for a girl like me.  And ironically, like my last apartment, the walls in each room are painted a different bold color--my bathroom is purple, bedroom is yellow, and my kitchen is a lovely, smokey blue.  I even have fancy wood coat hangers, foldable closet-style doors to my bathroom, a lap table for TV dinners, and a red teapot.  Totes adorbs:

My entranceway.

Fancy hangers, paper lamp, coats, & boots.

Kitchen.

Tea & dinner tray.  I'm a grandma.

Cash Cab is on!

Resolved

In the belated New Years spirit ...

There's always so much pressure to come up with a good New Year's resolution.  I always forget to start brainstorming until around December 30, and by the time midnight on the 31st, I just have to scramble to think of something so I can start.  And, how many times have I actually kept a New Years Resolution?  Zip.  It always seems that we are so ready to start anew and we do really well the first month (or maybe two, if they we are really good), but once March rolls around new goals have faded into the background.  And, at least for me, by April I have forgotten what resolution I made in the first place.  But how to get the most out of life if there isn't a challenge to be accepted? (<-- to be read in a Barney Stinson-esque voice).

Thus, I was thrilled when my good friend Travis told me of a new take on resolutions that he was doing.  I don't know if it was the spirit of New Years Day in New York City or the magically delicious salsa we were sharing at Jalapeno (what was in that salsa?!  I must find out!) , but I was inspired and pledged to begin immediately:  Monthly resolutions.  Yes, a new life resolution for every month.  This is makes so much more sense than a full year resolution, I don't know why I hadn't heard of or tried it before.  And the cool thing about this is if one is going well, you can keep it up and add another one, or just extend it into another month.  You could keep this going for years!

For example, I chose to give up the crispy, greasy, breakfasty- and burger-y goodness of bacon for the month of January.  And, with 6 days to go, I can say I have succeeded.  (We are going to ignore that very small but decadent slice of quiche I had at a wedding a couple weeks ago ...  hey, no one's perfect.)

Here is my brainstorm for options to take on in the coming months.    I welcome any additions and encourage any fellow resolution non-keepers to start your own list!:

• Read a book all the way through
• Write a pen-and-paper letters to my friends and family
• Limit dessert to once a week
• Blog at least 2 times a week
• Take at least one photo a day (and post it?)
• Try new foods--order something I usually wouldn't when I go out, and wander into a new aisle at the grocery store
• Eat all organic
• Watch/rent only foreign films
• Try 5 news recipes
• Read the newspaper/online news fully every day
• Go to community events/museum events/exhibits at least twice
• Find a volunteer opportunity for the weekends
• Eat vegetarian
• Do an art project, like a T-Shirt blanket or scrapbook
• Call and update the grandparents
• Go to a religious service of a different religion
• Buy a homeless person a meal
• Blog about the resolution completed (or not completed) at the end of each month!

What are your resolutions?

Tanti Auguri

To my long-time-no-blog-buddy in the Netherlands ... 

Happy birthday, Tim!  As a present, I give you a shout out on my blog, a link to your website, and the full-hearted effort to start blog-swapping with you again.   And this:

Baci from New York!

And the world spins madly on

There's been a lot going on these days.

Since I last wrote, I've gotten my first pedicure, taken two weekend trips to the Big Apple, gotten my nose pierced, had my first ever experience shopping at TJMaxx, and been offered an internship in Washington, DC.  Talk about life changes!

For the curious: Besides the few moments of excruciating ticklishness that I tried my hardest to mask with a face of relaxation, my pedicure was lovely and I am thrilled with the color I picked-- a deep, beautiful "Catherine the Grape" purple by OPI.

NYC was a blast, I enjoyed using public transportation (what can I say?  I'm a suburban gal), stopping to take photos like a first-time tourist, Central Park, meeting and taking a photo with Cookie Monster on the street (the best dollar we spent), and walking hand-in-hand with a handsome fellow.  Teehehe.

My nose is a little numb from the piercing, which I hope is normal ... I'm liking the new style.  However, I'm constantly feeling like the left side of my face doesn't get completely dry because I have to avoid my left nose with my towel so it doesn't get snagged.  Left nose?  Yeah.

I scored at TJMaxx and am confused as how I've never shopped there before. 3 colorful satiny, ruffly tops, work pants from The Limited, sweater dress.  $85!  I have no shame.

And for the biggest piece of news, that whole moving to DC thing.  Yeah.  I'm excited and terrified all at the same time, since I know nothing about DC, besides the fact that my many friends who live there already love it.  That's been encouraging. However, I'm at appx. T-8 days to moving and have yet to have a definite place to live.  Eek.  To live on the edge ... Once I get my living situation figured out,  I will stop freaking out, which is something my friends and family have been experiencing from me quite a lot these days.  But DC will be an adventure, and I'm excited to start this new phase in my life that could launch me into something even more exciting!  Imagine that!  And I get to live the city lifestyle (I get to ride a bus!  And a metro!).

I also feel compelled to share an incredible piece of art discovered on Youtube.  Oh, 'tubey, how you have been a friend to me.  From mindless entertainment to full Disney movies (in 10 parts!) and moving pieces, you will never cease to have a place in my bookmarks bar.  But this 3-minute video may be my favorite thing, like, ever.  It is music meets choreography meets dance meets drawing meets animation.  I think what I love so much about this is that it's a wonderful example of collaboration.  I'm really curious what people's interpretations of the piece are.  I've read the comments on youtube and discussed it with friends, but there is so much there.  Every time I watch it, I find something new to help me understand it more deeply-- tiny little details in every movement and every frame.  I'm going to wait a few days to give my share-- I hope you watch it first, and I would love to hear thoughts.

And here's a link to the making of in the description which is worth watching, too.

And the world spins madly on ...

Floating in Space

Wow.  Remember that time I had a blog?  I don't know what is going on-- it is quite strange.  I am usually full of words but over the past month or so, I have been feeling empty of wisdom and share-able energy.  I shall re-discover my inspiration soon... perhaps some resolutions, revelations, or something of that sort for the New Year.

In the meantime, I hope everyone's holidays were/are will be happy.  Mine was not as festive as usual, with everyone in the family more spread out every year.  I has some pictures to show how awesome I made the more involved evenings:

Potatoes + gallons of oil = latkes

Latkes, wine, and menorah.  Successs

Night 8!

Oh, also, I haven't mentioned that I had completed a life goal this month.  Call me crazy, or a weirdo groupie (I don't deny it), but I can finally say I have met, chatted with, and hugged all current members of Guster!  In combination with the photos from my November 1st entry, I can add these to the mix after a  short set they played in my hometown earlier this month:

Thundergod 

Adam!!!

VIP-ness is thanks to the fantastic Luke Reynolds, who is not only a kick-ass musician but also one of the coolest guys ever (and whose new album, "Maps", is a gem).  The title of this entry is a nod to my favorite song on the album, which is on repeat in my car as of last week.  It is also comparable to the way I've been lost in my blogging ways, but remembering that yes, I DO still exist in the blogosphere!

More soon.  Thanks for not giving up on me.

I can haz hug?

It's been a tough couple of days over here, with a slew of bad news and tragedy happening to friends and classmates. I've found that a big, heartfelt hug is the best thing I can do for my friends and peers and for myself.  I've been hugging and squeezing a lot over the past few days.  The affection within them is so strong--an affection that is healing and needed in times of mourning and hope, but also just as welcome when all is well and good.  People forget that sometimes. I am lucky to have many incredible friends who will give and take a hug at at anytime, and for that I am grateful.  (If any of you guys are reading this, thank you!).

I encourage anybody who comes across this post to go out and give somebody a hug today.  It can be anybody. You can even follow this guy's lead, who started the Free Hugs Campaign.

(edit:  I removed the video box because it was freezing up my page.  Apologies if that happened to anyone else.)

(icanhascheezburger.com)

I say po-tay-to.

My kitchen and cupboards have been full of lovely (and some unlikely) surprises lately.  These wonderful and unique discoveries made me extra glad I have taste buds.  I hope that you, oh-mighty-reader, either already have or will experience at least one of them in your lifetime:

- My microwave has a baked potato button.   A big, fat button that says "BAKED POTATO."  And it heats a patoot to perfection.  INGENIOUS! How I've been living in this house for a few months unbeknownst to the baked potato button, I don't know ... especially considering the borderline unhealthy percentage of my diet that is potatoes.  All I know is, this button will probably change the way (and significantly reduce the time, effort and skill) I prepare my beloved potato.  And when the blessed day comes when I need to buy my very own microwave, I now have a feature that will make or break my purchase.

- Baked Lentil Chips.  Yes, Lentil chips.  Chips made out of lentils and adzuki beans (whatever those are). But they are crunchy, healthy, and delicious, and go wonderfully with everything from hummus and french onion dip to sandwiches to soup.  They are also gluten free, all natural, and full o' fiber.  Whodathunk?!  Thanks for being a health freak, mom!

- Trader Joe's Pounds Plus Dark Chocolate.  It's just like what it sounds.  A full 1.2 pounds of nothing but solid, sweet, dark chocolate.  So thick that it takes some muscle to break off a piece and strong teeth to bite your selected chunk, but the effort is totally worth it.

- Imagine Natural Creation's organic creamy soups. Cream-free vegetable soups more delicious than any of that condensed business.  And it comes in box, which in my experience, always yields better soup than a can.  And they come in so many of my favorite creamy soup flavors including broccoli, butternut squash, tomato (sprinkled with some pepper and basil with a grilled cheese sandwich for dipping = perfection), and of course, po-tay-to!

... Does anyone actually say "po-tah-to"?

Guster is Gorges

It's November?  What?!  When did this happen?  I'm not complaining, though.  I find November to be quite the mediocre month.  A pretty solid balance between the happy and the sad.  Happy November = big sister's birthday, the prime time of crunchy and colorful leaves, leftover Halloween candy, the end of obnoxious political ads on TV, killer sales on fall clothing, primetime Facebook material of Halloween photos, and the anticipation of Grandma's Thanksgiving mashed potatoes.  Not so happy November = Black Friday is forecasted to come WAY early and this year I'm working in retail, Republicans are looking likely to take over the New York political scene, and snow tires.  And really, Mother Nature, you couldn't hold back the half-hour of sharp sleet until the kiddies were done trick-or-treating last night?  Cruel.

Guster.  My hands down favorite band since 9th grade.  Why do I love them?  Because they make videos and songs like this and people use their songs to make videos like this.  Last weekend marked my 5th time seeing the boys play live.  And on this monumental occasion was the opportunity to get up close and personal with Ryan, Brian the ThunderGod (he plays with his hands!), Adam, and their newest member Luke Reynolds!  Thanks to familial connections (through marriage, Luke Reynolds and I are related!) and a coincidental run-in in downtown Ithaca, I got the chance to hang out with Luke a little bit and meet Ryan and Brian after the show, get autographs and pictures, and even taping a video message for my twin sis, a fellow Gusterrhoid who missed the show since she's doing awesomewaycool things like teaching English in South Korea.  To put it lightly, I flipped.  After running into Luke Reynolds in front of the State Theater the afternoon of the show and introducing myself (despite the fact we're family, we hadn't met yet) and making plans to have a meet-and-greet after the concert, I was on a crazy high for the rest of the day.  Shaking and heart pumping and all that.  ```Not only was I still psyched that I had a personal connection, but I get crazy star-struck. This was probably the equivalent of any 13-18 year-old girl meeting Robert Pattinson (sleezeball) or my friend's mom meeting Bruce Springsteen.

Jammin' on the State Theater Stage

Luke Reynolds!

Sup Ryan Miller

It was also a balmy 70 degrees all weekend, making for a perfect day for idol musican meet-and-greets and thrift-store shopping for my Halloween costumes.  A kick-butt weekend indeed!

Less materialistic highlights of the weekend: photographing my grandma's house and the incredibly eco-friendly community where my one of my sisters lives.  There's nothing like Ithaca in the falltime, I'm telling you:

(more on my flickr photostream)