Give it a go

Thank you, Colin Powell

2008-10-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

FINALLY, somebody said it. What if Obama were a Muslim (he's not, of course)?? What would be so terribly awful about it? It makes me SO angry that the response is that he's a good Christian, not a Muslim.

So, yes, thank you, Colin Powell. You have no idea the amount of respect I just gained for you. My family is not a bunch of terrorists and scary just because we're Muslim. I may not be a practicing Muslim, but apparently I am a terrifying person to some people.

Link to Colin's comments

Elite

2008-10-07T00:06:00.000-07:00

Elite athletes are cool, but we want mediocre to run our country. Take that, elite media!

Makes me sick when I think about it.

Wish he were home...

2008-10-01T16:49:00.001-07:00

It's amazing how much longer two weeks is than 4 days. I feel like Rob has been gone forever. I wish he were coming home today. Just two days to go... but keeping busy is not doing as good a job of keeping me distracted as usual. I just keep thinking, I wish he were on his way home now.

And to continue with the depressing thoughts: http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/12/bush200712?printable=true&currentPage=all. I have to say, I am really sick of this administration. I really, really hope that Obama wins. I really don't understand how ANYBODY could choose to vote for McSame. Then again, Americans actually managed to re-elect Bush in 2004. That makes me feel like anything is possible. Sadly, that is not a positive statement in this case.

I've been thinking though... why in the world is Obama running? There is NO way that I would want the job of attempting to repair the horrendous damage accomplished in the last 8 years. Call me lazy, but it seriously seems overwhelming. Then again, things are falling more and more apart as the selfish decisions of this administration's work comes to fruition. Who knows if he had to choose today if he wanted to run, if he would still want to. Probably. They're all politicians in the end. I figure if you really want to be President of the US, the desire for power has to motivate you to some extent.

Gee! Aren't I Ms. Optimistic today?

Pretty awesome

2008-09-30T15:18:00.001-07:00

http://cbs5.com/politics/google.gay.marriage.2.828790.html

This makes me sick...

2008-09-29T10:36:00.001-07:00

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/28/203016/697/536/613742

Chicken Fried Bacon

2008-09-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

We're going to a bar tonight that serves chicken fried bacon, with gravy of course! I have to admit that I am intrigued. I do plan on eating other things, so hopefully the rest of their stuff is just as exciting, but hopefully healthier. :)

Rob is having a "male baby shower" thrown for him. This involves an overnight rafting trip, lots of booze (I believe), and no gifts. I'm not sure the term applies. At least, they're not going to a strip club, as had been joked around a few times. If they want to deal with boobs, do us a favor and buy the breast pump. haha. Seriously though, I would not have been happy with that. Something about me getting big and not feeling super attractive would make it rather upsetting for Rob to feel that that was the time to go check out strippers. Not cool. I hope he and the boys have fun though... it will be his last month before daddyhood hits hard. I feel like I'm in mommyhood already, as I would not have been able to enjoy a baby shower like that anyhow. No rafting or boozing for me... not that there won't be post-baby, still though.... Maybe I'll host a sleep over. We can do masks and stuff, watch a chick flick, and bake cookies. It also falls over the last weekend before my mom arrives, a.ka. the weekend before about 25 years of no more alone time starts. Kind of scary.

Lazy

2008-09-15T15:21:00.000-07:00

Sick + pregnant = very lazy. I did do a lot of cleaning today though. I just need to fold the laundry, and I don't have _much_ to feel guilty about.

Going to pre-natal yoga for the first time tonight. I am looking forward to it.

Rob gets home tomorrow night, so I'm planning meals for the week. It's kind of exciting to not just cook for me. I think I'll make chicken soup for myself tonight...

Cravings...

2008-09-13T10:53:00.000-07:00

I've decided that I have to upgrade my current love for ice cream to actual cravings. I have learned that it is in fact possible for me to want ice cream more than I did before. Do not ask how many pints of ice cream we have in the freezer. All I can say is, $2.50/pint for Haagen Dazs is a GREAT deal. Still... I'm not going overboard. I eat a very reasonable amount, even if ice cream is often on my mind. Like right now at 11am.

Scared

2008-09-10T11:01:00.001-07:00

I am depressed. I am worried. In fact, perhaps I'm even a little terrified.

For some reason, I have woken up today (well, maybe it started a bit last night) pretty much convinced that McCain is going to win. How can people not care about the issues? How can people let selfish statements like "we won't raise your taxes" be the only thing that matters to them? How is McCain and this administration not responsible for the 8 years of crapola we've had? How can Fred Thompson keep a straight face and blame the liberal Congress for the difficulties we are currently facing?

Sadness...

Honesty

2008-08-22T17:33:00.002-07:00

I wish politics would just let people vote on the facts. The deception is awful. We're meant to elect people that represent us; I wish we were allowed to do just that. Instead, I feel like we're constantly lied to and have to wade our way through all the deceit to get to the truth. It shouldn't be that way.

Check out this video from www.factcheck.org.

Gotta love this exchange...

2008-08-22T14:27:00.004-07:00

Referencing this fact from DailyKos*
The McCains increased their budget for household employees from $184,000 in 2006 to $273,000 in 2007, according to John McCain’s tax returns.
--------------

me: household employees?

well, he must be paying them more than $50/hr

Rob: yup

maids and butlers

me: :)

Rob: in their 7+ houses

me: crazy!

Rob: sure looks like it

me: I can't believe people actually have those jobs!

who has those jobs???

I want to be a butler!

how easy - open a door!

Rob: seriously

me: live in a mansion, and I'm sure with good perks

and manage the staff

cook - I told you to go make some yummy food. pronto!

Rob: snap to it

me: exactly

I want to be a butler.

I have found my life calling!

Rob: you can be my butler
--------------
* If you speak Farsi, you know how unfortunate this name is for the blog.

New One Ad

2008-08-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

Found this a bit weird: New One Campaign Ad

Don't think I'm a fan.

1/2 a ton

2008-08-22T13:11:00.002-07:00

How do you come to weigh 1000 pounds? I don't think it would be possible for me. It must be a genetic thing, no?

Lunch with Robin Hood

2008-08-18T12:31:00.002-07:00

Rob and I are at Top Pot Doughnuts working... well, he's working and I'm just hanging out. Just had a tuna fish sandwich, but I am very much looking forward to a maple doughnut in a bit along with a hot chocolate - yum!

Living in Capitol Hill, I have gotten used to seeing strange things. However, I was still taken aback by the man wearing a Robin Hood hat here. His hear was blond and waist-length, and he was dressed fairly appropriately for the role. Sadly, he was not in tights. Very funny.

And they just placed out a platter of fresh apple fritters... what a dangerous place to pass time!! I'm going to have to get engrossed in my book - fortunately, I'm really enjoying it! Luckily, the place does not exude bakery smell or else I couldn't be blamed for ridiculous doughnut consumption.

I prefer the spelling donut, but I figure I should keep with doughnut as that's how they spell it here. Donut spelling reserved for another time.

Married... again!

2008-07-16T08:36:00.002-07:00

Pregnancy is going great, but I finally can't wear my wedding rings. Waking up in the middle of the night because you feel like your fingers are exploding is not the most pleasant experience... and finding that you can't pull off the ring contributing to this feeling is highly agitating. After two nights of this, I decided it was time to take off the rings and put them aside. I could have chosen to put the rings on a necklace, but I can't get over the thought that the chain could break and then bye bye rings. Too scary a thought.

So I came up with my own plan... buy myself a bigger ring! I know other women have done this as well. Something about noticing that people look at your belly and then your finger next really motivates you to get on buying the new one fast! Let me tell you. The tan line I was sporting made it even worse... do people think I'm separating mid-pregnancy?? None of this should matter, but what can I do? To me, it does.

Yesterday, I got a new ring and (yay!) now we're married again. I called R (working in Cali) and told him. Considering he hadn't seen me sans rings, the news did not have much impact on him. The part I'm happiest with is the new term I've coined, "baby ring." I bought a cute little ring (nothing too crazy) that can be sized down the road as needed. I plan on giving this to my child at 13 years old or so, if a girl, so she can wear her "baby ring." If I have a boy, well, I'll just wear it, because it is cute and a little funky. :)

I find this depressing

2008-06-11T09:12:00.003-07:00

Colder than Siberia - what?!?

So not cool. July had better be sunny and warm as promised. I know I've whined about the weather a fair amount (and I really try hard not to), but this is ridiculous!!!!

Rick Steves

2008-05-30T16:49:00.003-07:00

I just want to take a minute here to thank Rick Steves. Thank you for going to Iran, thank you for planning on making a show of it, and thank you for updating your blog on your experience (www.ricksteves.com/blog). I may not agree with all of his observations, but I appreciate what he is doing. Traveling to Iran is not as scary as people think (I have yet to go - hopefully in the next 1-2 years!), but my cousins have told me how easy it is and how AWESOME it is. I also can't believe he hasn't found good food! Where is he looking? Persian food is the best!!! Ok, maybe I'm biased, but seriously... is there any dish that can compete with ghormet sabzi? and what about gheimeh!! and a delicious kebab!

Ok, I can't wait for my parents to visit in the fall. My mom can handle all the stews, etc. and my dad will HAVE to make some of his delicious kebab... yum! Luckily, I don't have to sit and salivate pathetically. Tonight's dinner is ghormet sabzi. My mom froze some portions for us before she left. (Of course, I could also make something myself, but nothing compares to mom and dad's cooking!)

Anyway, again, a BIG thank you to Rick Steves. I may find him a bit annoying at times (though I will admit his Italy guides were very handy!), but now he certainly has a place of honor in my heart.

(Baby just kicked! very strange and so cool! It's been two days that I've known that that is what I'm feeling, and I can't imagine that it's only going to get stronger and more frequent! Only about 1-2 times a day right now and only lasts for a minute max.)

Public Exposure

2008-05-19T15:03:00.002-07:00

I am sitting at my desk wondering... how inappropriate is it for me to have my buckle undone and my pants unbottoned? Everything is covered by a light sweater, but it is definitely a bit strange.

Cat's Out of the Bag

2008-05-05T15:06:00.003-07:00

And it feels great... I'M GOING TO BE A MOMMY!!! Feels good to get that off my chest. It's SO exciting... and scary. I've had things that I've thought about a lot, but never anything that I've thought about quite so much as this. I mean, I'm not naturally one of those people to go on and on about it, but I have to admit... I do think on and on about it. It's hard to not be aware of the changes going on in our lives, in my body, and eventually in my brain.

But I love it. I'm scared of it, but in a way that lets me know that I'm slowly accepting the changes that will come to my social life. Of course, that had already started changing. I don't find any of my friends really want to go out dancing until 1-2am before... perhaps on occasion, but not like it was 5 years ago.

I mean... I'll have to drink less from now on. Then again, realizing that I'm pregnant and LOSING weight in the beginning from losing alcohol calories has been a huge indicator to me that perhaps that's a _good_ thing.

Anyway, that's all for now. Right now, all I have to say is... I'M PREGNANT! God willing, we'll be a mom and dad come November. And it feels so good to let everyone know. Frankly, I was getting sick of having co-conspirators doing the alcoholic drink shuffle with me... perhaps esp. because the smell of alcohol kind of grosses me out right now. :)

Polygamist Ranch

2008-04-21T12:47:00.002-07:00

This weekend, Larry King had an exclusive interview with some of the mothers from the ranch and a visit to one of the polygamist homes on the ranch. It was uncomfortably exploitative (I thought), and I was torn... is it really much better to take these kids and put them in the Texas foster care system? The mothers were periodically crying, and it all just seemed so wrong.

Snow + Sprint = Bad Day. TGIF

2008-04-18T10:24:00.008-07:00

Let's just say that canceling an account with Sprint is not the most pleasant of experiences. They charged us an invalid $450 cancellation fee and are telling me that I have to wait a month to get it back. Last week they said the check was in the mail. Every time I'm switched to somebody, I have to wait for 20 minutes. This is getting absurd.

It just snowed. Wet snow and it's done 5 minutes later, but it was snow nonetheless. Considering I'm already struggling with the weather, I've got to say that I found it pretty disheartening. Will it ever warm up? It's 71 degrees in Boston today. :(

At least it's Friday. That's a super silver lining!

(waiting to speak with a supervisor)

Zereshk, Halva, and Pomegranate Paste... oh my!

2008-04-17T15:50:00.005-07:00

Yesterday my co-worker suggested I try this "good, but sketchy looking" gyro place nearby. I drove the five minutes to get there, parked, and got out of my car... and what did I see right in front of me? A small Persian restaurant with a grocery store in the back! WHAT?! So close to work... and I didn't know. I walked in, the cashier (owner) welcomed me in Farsi, and I just strolled the aisles in awe. I felt like I had to buy something, so I bought two bags of "Pari" rice, which my mom has told me is a very good brand. I bought two bags, because it was "Buy 1, Get 1 Free," although I have to say that for $22, I didn't feel like I was getting much free. :)

Then I went to the gyro place, only to find that they didn't take credit cards like my colleague had assured me they do. Then something very strange happened. The guy said, "Don't worry. Come back another day and pay." What? Was I in the US? It turned out that I had enough cash on me in the end, but I was still surprised. Turns out he was from Libya, and he said that it was how they did business back home. They just write it down in a corner, and you pay once a week or month or whatever. He said he does this with customers here all the time. I have to say... the trust his statement showed felt WONDERFUL. I will be going back, especially because the gyro was good too! Maybe next time I'll just have it put on my tab.

As he made my gyro (with this really yummy bread), he asked me if I worked at the bakery next door. No. Why did he think that? Because I look like somebody who works there... it's a Persian bakery! He said it's quite good, and he buys something there almost every morning (must go try it out myself). So now there is a Persian grocery store, a Libyan owned gyro place (complete with two guys sitting in the back just hanging out and chatting in Arabic), and a Persian bakery all on the same block? How was I so lucky to fall upon this little corner of the Middle East in Lake Forest Park, WA? It doesn't really matter, I guess. All I know is that I came back to work, ate my gyro, super thanked my co-worker for the suggestion, and had a smile on my face for the rest of the day.

Today, I went back to the grocery store today where I was welcomed warmly, and I did some proper shopping. I have a grocery bag full of goodies to share with my mom when I get back home. :)

Grey Skies...

2008-04-15T14:58:00.002-07:00

I'm not sure I'll be able to settle in Seattle. Right now, I hate the weather. I have been promised that snow at the end of March is abnormal and that it's colder than usual, but really... I can't take much more of this! I want it to be WARMER! And SUNNIER! I've been told the summer starts after July 4th... can I make it that long??? Thankfully, we are going to Hawaii in June.

Please, please let me make it to the summer, so I can see the beauty I have been promised. Maybe it'll make me realize it is all worth it? I don't know. For now, I feel like this dreariness will never end. OK, to be fair, it's not the gray that is annoying me as much as the constant 40-50 degree weather. Saturday was 70 degrees, fair enough. But is one day really supposed to make me want to LIVE somewhere?

Otherwise... I'm loving Seattle, so hopefully some warmer weather is coming MUCH sooner than July!

Yum

2008-04-15T10:47:00.001-07:00

Today I proclaim that dark chocolate covered graham crackers are amongst my favorite things... it is the only thing able to entice me to walk into a Starbucks. (Hate coffee... which makes being married to an addict annoying at times. :p)

Dick's

2008-03-27T13:16:00.002-07:00

Well, I tried the famous Dick's today. It was ok, but not that spectacular. The Deluxe reminded me of a McD's cheeseburger with two patties. The fries were soft and limp (icky word), and I had to buy the ketchup. To be fair, it's pretty cheap regardless. However, I definitely prefer McD's fries. I haven't been to McD's in ages, but it doesn't mean I forget how much I like their fries! I guess next on my list is Jack 'n' Box's fries. Hmm... I really miss the Thirsty Scholar's spicy fries.

Honey Bucket

2008-03-26T12:46:00.004-07:00

"Honey Bucket" instead of port-a-potties is definitely the grossest term I've come across here. I'm not sure I'll ever get used to it. Some claim that it's "just a brand name." I could maybe accept that (would still be gross), but it's more than just a brand name. It is this region's typical phrase used for the structure in which you go to defecate. I don't expect gross, more fitting names like "shit hole," but really.... Honey Bucket?!

Houston

2008-03-26T11:47:00.002-07:00

It's so strange... I'm flying to Houston tomorrow night. My nine months there seem like a blur. My time at Enron stirs a mixed bag of feelings... I loved my work, but hated the dramatic ending. I love the friends I made and kept while there, but remember being so lonely in the city. Poor Houston, it didn't really have a chance. Nine months is not a large amount of time to build a friend community, especially as I generally worked pretty late. Seattle also had the advantage of us having good friends who already lived here and who were pretty well established in the city already. I suppose it's not fair to compare my first 7 months there to my first 7 months here. Of course, my last two months (laid off, frustrated, and most people I knew already gone) will almost certainly compare very poorly to the next two months here.... I'll definitely have to swing by the Enron building, maybe see if that felafel place I liked so much in that area is still there. Hmm... perhaps this means that we should rent a car. :p

As for the wedding... should be a lot of fun. I'm very interested to see how they will combine Houston high society and an Indian wedding. I'm guessing it'll be a pretty spectacular event!

Potlucks: To Host or Not To Host?

2008-03-18T16:03:00.003-07:00

We used to do potlucks with my high school friends (and others at times) on a roughly monthly basis back in Boston. Presumably, potlucks are a great way to take pressure off the hostess. However, over time, I came to find potlucks extremely annoying. Organizing everything got stressful and that was SO not the point... and you had to organize for reasons discussed in the next paragraph. However, no matter how much you organized, you could not avoid the oft incongruous dishes. For example, a complex main dish (i.e., Beef Bourguignon) with a salad consisting of iceberg lettuce, velveeta cheese and deli ham strips. Honestly, we had some great meals, but fortunately, with the high school friends at least, we grew into hosting for each other. The consistency across a meal was nice, and you only stressed once every 6 months instead of once every month. I was happy to no longer feel the obligation to be one of the people that contributed a main or side dish.

And that touches upon the other issue with potlucks. EVERYBODY wants to bring appetizers and desserts. It's ridiculous; it's not like the host is stupid. Those options are clearly the easiest things to make and usually the cheapest! What a host/ess (I keep switching, I know) wants is main dishes and side dishes. Unfortunately, when we did our potluck, the same people always wanted to bring dessert (their favorite thing to make!) or appetizers (also fun to make, easy, and cheap!) or salad. But is that fair? NO, not at all.

So... I'm not sure that I'll ever do a potluck again. If I do, I will go back to my strictly organized ways. Then I'd deal with the complaints of people feeling like it lost the spirit of the potluck, but at least that way I could stress only before (and not the evening of the potluck). I'd enjoy the variety of foods and hopefully it would all come together as a somewhat cohesive theme. If I did it often, I'd certainly try to spread the appetizer/dessert/salad making love. Everybody's got to make a main/side dish sometime. If you can't make it, BUY IT.

Perhaps this frustration comes from a bit of guilt... last night, I was at a potluck. I WANTED to make Irish Soda Bread, but realized there just wouldn't be enough time. Dinner started at 6:30, as the hostess wanted to leave time for going out to bars afterwards. To make up for this last minute change in my plans, I offered to buy some, but the hostess told me not to worry. She found one at a good bakery (the bakery by me at work didn't have any, and I wouldn't be able to make it to another). So, instead, I came with some wine. But I felt SO guilty! Of course, she told me not to feel guilty, as I've "hosted dinner so many times," but I still do... I _really_ wanted to make the Irish Soda Bread.

OH! And this touches on another point of annoyance. If I had known that people would be late to a dinner party, I would have had the time to make it at the friend's house... which had been a plan we discussed. I could have made a delicious Irish Soda Bread and not felt any guilt. I could have shared my bread and eaten in pride, instead of asking people sheepishly (at least in my head), if they liked the wine.

And there's my ranting and raving... hmm, I guess this means I really should not host a potluck again. But they can be SO convenient! AH!

Cook's Illustrated Stir Fry

2008-03-16T21:49:00.002-07:00

I love their stir-fry. Each time I forget how easy it is to make, and how quickly it is ready! Chicken or beef. We just throw in whatever veggies we're in the mood for, follow their great recipes for sauces, and yum! Great dinner! I can't believe how great the beef or chicken comes out each time. Tonight we had beef, red bell pepper, onion, mushroom, and snow peas in an garlic, ginger, and oyster sauce.

Khaneh Takani

2008-03-15T09:32:00.002-07:00

I am so not looking forward to cleaning the whole house, but I will be happy when it is done. We may go to IKEA tomorrow to furnish the spare bedroom (finally). I wish I liked shopping more...

I am sad

2008-03-14T16:22:00.003-07:00

I wish I could be with my mom and sisters for Eid... then again, my dad is away from all of us as well. And what is wrong with Seattle that the Norooz celebration is tomorrow? I can't go due to plans, but I'm not sure I would have wanted to go. Who puts the concert a week before Norooz actually begins?

I love Eid... I think next year we will go to either Toronto or London for the celebration. Or even be with my sisters so we could go to San Fran. All three cities would have lots of stuff going on... I wish San Fran weren't so expensive! Moving there would be very tempting if for no other reason than the large Persian population. I don't really want to live in LA; even if it is called Tehrangelos.

My dream... to go to Iran for Eid someday. We really need to get working on R's paperwork.

Vocab

2008-03-06T22:35:00.003-08:00

If you click on a word in a NY Times article, you'll get it's definition! I just randomly clicked on a word by accident while reading, and all of a sudden a dictionary page popped up! Happily, I knew the meaning of all the words in this article, but this little trick is bound to come in handy some day. Now the real surprise here may be that I didn't know about this earlier. Does everybody know about this?? How far behind the times, no pun intended, am I?

Just watched Lost and am very pleased to learn that there will be a new episode next week! I've heard that they were affected by the writer's strike, but I have yet to see an impact yet - yay!

Self Castigation

2008-03-04T23:02:00.003-08:00

(Had to edit this post... sheer exhaustion resulted in it not making sense. Then again, should I be editing now too when I'm functioning on even less sleep? Anyway.)

I hate when you do something wrong (and know you did) that you have to deal with also being mad at yourself for it having gone wrong. An example: you burn food and end up with a crappy dinner. However, not only do you have to eat the crappy dinner, you are also mad at yourself about the whole situation in the first place... and probably will be for the whole night. Sucks. Of course, this situation is much worse when it applied in a social setting or something along those lines. Then again, perhaps it's worse when something goes wrong and you don't give a f#!*, because then you'd just be amoral. All of this sounds like I am thinking of some grandiose subject here, but I am just wondering... why am I not sleeping yet?!?! I have to be at the gym at 6 for a "kick my butt" session!

Also, I don't like when the pot calls the kettle black. I have experienced this a couple of times today (both related to me and not really), and it really frustrates me. Enough said here.

Today is apparently "National Grammar Day." I've given up on grammar in a sense... sad, I know. I still really value you it, but I think I can't stress about commas, etc. any more. I don't remember high school grammar perfectly enough for that... and there's far too much negative reinforcement. Still, all of this goes back to the being annoyed with yourself thing and thinking about things too much anyhow - gotta let it go! ;p

Delicious

2008-03-02T21:33:00.004-08:00

First, an amendment. It was 50,000 IU of Vitamin D; not 10,000. I thought I remembered it as 50,000, but I thought that was crazy. Nope. The ludicrously high value it is... and then I get a blood test as a prize. Will it work? will it be toxic? or will it be a failure? Tune in to find out.

Tonight we had dinner at Tilth. It was SO delicious... just plain old good food. But at the same time... it was different. I'd never had a slowly braised chicken quite like that... or a vegetarian bean cassoulet. And I highly recommend ending with the hot chocolate! However, the best part was that you could order small or large plates. Hubby and I split 5 small plates and had had a hot chocolate each - perfect! From salmon to duck to beef (and veggie cassoulet and chicken), it was all delicious. We will definitely go back... ideally when the patio is open in the summers!

............. but after a delicious dinner and a lazy day (although I did create a fabulous - and colorful! - budget Excel sheet), it's still hard to accept that it's Sunday. It's hard to have hubby (awful term, but it works when you want to pretend that you have SOME anonymity) leave tomorrow morning. Every week somebody asks... oh, is he gone away this week? YES, EVERY WEEK FROM OCTOBER TO MAY/JUNE. Please, help me forget.

So Sunday it is... and a great weekend was had - with an awesome party hosted by us on Friday, if I may say so myself. Should be a nice week (Project Runway finale!) and then a weekend at Whistler - woo-hoo!

ha!

2008-02-26T23:28:00.002-08:00

It's not 2:15 am or whatever it thinks it is... my iPhone (got it for my b-day from R!!!) also has this problem with my gmail calendar. can be annoying. Fortunately, 3 hours off is enough for me to know that it's wrong.

oh - and I had a friend adamant tonight (just went out for a couple of drinks) to pay for the night. It was nice. I think friends should do that more. I certainly plan on returning the favor, but there's something sweet about friends paying for each other.

Friends

2008-02-26T23:15:00.003-08:00

I gotta say that I've got a pretty awesome group of friends here. I was worried when we moved here, as I'm used to being able to have people to hang out with... but it's been great! Friends who buy me drinks, who meet up for a late night drink, who are EXCITED about us wanting a baby, who are foodies, a group of friends where someone is often available at the drop of the hat, etc.

Yeah, I'm pretty happy. And a week of sunny weather made it even better. Choosing to move here was hard, and I definitely miss my Mass friends (I grew up there for crying out loud!), but I think we made a good decision... especially as Rob is really enjoying his job. If only I could get myself to love my job too.......................... then it would be perfect.

(And, no, I don't want to get pregnant, so I can leave my job. Totally independent thoughts/decisions.)

Vitamin D

2008-02-26T17:27:00.003-08:00

I can't stop thinking about it... just got my bloodwork results last week (from a physical), and I am insanely Vitamin D deficient. The sheet says you're supposed to be between 32-100 (don't ask me the measurement units). Some would say that you should be between 25-100, especially considering that most people north of DC/San Francisco line are Vitamin D deficient in the winter. Then I read somewhere that under 12 is considered extremely deficient and a cause for concern. Me < 7. I am concerned.

Along with this information, there was a statement from my Doc saying that I had to take 10,000 IU a day of Vitamin D and follow up in 6 months. I went to the store, and the recommended daily amount is 400 IU. NOBODY sells anywhere near 10,000 IU tablets... apparently Costco sells 1,000 IU tablets, but am I really expected to take 10 of those a day? (Uncoated pills too - yuck!)Plus, I felt like 10,000 IU a day had to be toxic. Fortunately, I have a brain and looked this up.

Based on what I found, I called the doctor's office and here is how the conversation went:

Me: What is going on here? These amounts don't make sense to me.
Nurse: Did you not get the prescription in the mail?
Me: Uh, no.
Nurse: Oops! I'll call one in to a pharmacy for you. Which is convenient for you.
Me: Why, thank you! Broadway QFC would be great. Oh and, I really take them once a day?
Nurse: Oh, the once a day was a typo. It's once a week.
Me: Good to know. Thanks. Bye. Have a nice life. Thanks for trying to kill me.

What if I had just taken 10 a day? Geez. Fortunately, I read about Vitamin D overdoses - not pretty. That's why I called in the first place. If I'd ended up with renal failure (I'm sure even someone without a brain would not have progressed to this point!), I would have been pissed... to say the least.

Baby Talk

2008-02-25T22:54:00.002-08:00

Just got back from my first sig. other "Firm" book club. It was interesting. I hated the book"Eat, Pray, Love." It's just not a very me book... maybe it should be a me book though. My whole issue is that the idea of meditating drives me up a wall. There's a whole portion of the book where she talks about struggling with that, and maybe I should struggle with it and find my inner peace. hahahahhaha. yeah, right. I'm pretty sure that that idea won't appeal to me any time soon.

But there is an idea that does appeal to me soon... becoming a mommy. Two pregnancies were announced at the dinner and there was a mom with her 12 day old. I have been so worried about being on my own here, without friends with babies. Now, I walked into a WHOLE bunch of them. Only two people there tonight (there are others, of course) did NOT have babies... and some of the mom's were even my age! It was just really neat, and I felt that I would have a support network.

In addition to all the baby talk, there was lots of talking in general. How would that not be possible with 12 women in a room?? Seriously, though. We were at the top guy in the office's house, having a relaxed dinner with totally normal talk. I drove over one of the other "SO's" and in the car ride there she said, "I am so not into hierarchy. I hope it won't be a problem." Except for her being the one with the incredible house on the water (with the kitchen she designed as she's an architect) and the largest diamond ever, you would have no clue who you were talking to! It was awesome.

Anyway, I'll stop here. Suffice it to say that I really do enjoy my husband's colleagues and their partners. Seattle is feeling pretty good right now... esp. after a week of sunny "winter" days!

Favorite Work Benefits and Spiders?!?!?

2008-02-25T13:33:00.003-08:00

There are two things about my job that I especially love: getting one day off every other week (Flex Day) and that we're allowed to bring dogs to work. Dogs are certainly a distraction, but they also make for a very cheery workplace at times. Who else can say that they've had a meeting interrupted by a dog fart?

Zelda, the owner's huge Bernese Mountain Dog, is awesome. She's very gentle, and has a funny personality. She loves to bang her head against you, so you'll pet her and give her attention. The other day, she stole my water bottle... it was pretty hilarious chasing her around the house, and then getting the water bottle back in exchange for my opening the porch door for her. For some reason, she has especially taken to pushing herself through my legs and maybe even purposefully trying to get me to fall over. Due to her height, I do always nearly fall over, whilst I burst out into giggles along with a minor gasp/shout. It doesn't get old, and no, it doesn't annoy me. It's just too darned funny, and I get to wear jeans to work anyhow.

The same day that Zelda so gloriously interrupted a meeting with a fart, she was also OBSESSIVELY licking one of her paws... for 2 hours straight. It was super annoying, and we were all four of us pleading with her to stop. It was incredibly aggravating. However, this licking turned into something she was doing often, and combined with a week of her seeming a bit off (tired, really red eyes, fever) and then seeing a little spot on her paw, she was taken to the vet. It turns out she was bit by a spider. Poor Zelda! I hope she feels better soon. The vet called with more info today, and she's on antibiotics. Stupid spider.

Spider... What? A spider bite did this... wait a minute? Did you say it's a poisonous spider? As in, poisonous to pets and people? Let me get this straight - POISONOUS SPIDER. What?!?! WHAT?!?! There are poisonous spiders here?!?!!?

And there are. oh my gosh there are. Hobo Spiders... a.k.a. Aggressive House Spiders. HOUSE?!?! You mean this thing can be in my house?!?! And there are reports of maybe there being Brown Recluse Spiders?!? I apologize for the excessive interrobang (new favorite word) usage, but I just got finished looking at what these bites can look like on a human being. OMG.

I'm generally not freaked out by bugs, spiders, worms, etc. but we're talking poisonous spiders here. I just need a bit of time to accept that they're around and biting our pets! and us! (Watch out Sheitoon!) It's going to take some effort to keep to my one true irrational fear... bees. (Never been stung myself, but watched my sister have severe allergic reactions enough times to scare the crap out of me.) For now, spiders are on the list too.

I wonder how this will affect my general attitude towards spiders in the house... pretend I don't see them, so they can go eat bugs and do their vital part for the planet. I've only seen one spider in our house here so far - phew! Hopefully, it'll have been my last. But for now, indoors or outdoors, I'm pretty sure that every time I see a spider, I'm going to pray that it's not a hobo, recluse, or any other social outcast.

New Post.

2008-02-14T16:20:00.002-08:00

I should get back to posting. I reread my last post and it was nice to remember that time and moment... even if it was about how I was feeling old. :) Thank you BS for bringing me back to blogging, but I guess the thanks should really come after I do some more regular posting.

Valentine's Day. I really do love this day. I know many people hate it, but I love it. It's a family holiday to me... my dad always had chocolate and flowers for me, my two sisters, and my mom. I'm sure a brother would have gotten something as well, if I had one. We even got jewelry sometimes... very cute! Actually, my first semester at Wellesley, he drove to campus with flowers and chocolate. Dad's are awesome.

Rob got got me a dozen roses and a balloon! I love the flowers, but I have to say that I REALLY love the balloon! How can balloons be so fun? He also got me my first piece of jewelry from Tiffany's. A pretty heart pendant with a short silver chain to go with it... I've really needed a short silver chain so I am VERY happy about it!

We're having Valentine's Day dinner at the airport. SO romantic. Rob flies in from Portland, I cab to the airport, and we have dinner before our flight to FL. I am very much looking forward to our weekend in FL... sunny and warm, I hope! I'm sure the wedding will be a blast too!

Ok, enough. I just felt like I needed to summarize a bit of what is currently going on in my head.

I feel old...

2007-09-20T21:17:00.000-07:00

I should probably be writing about living in Seattle, and how it's been great so far. Or how Rob made a yummy Persian dish from scratch on his own - one I haven't made yet. He used a recipe book... but to be honest, that recipe needs some work. I want my mom's kalam polo (cabbage rice - much better than it sounds).

Anyway, but here I am writing, because I feel OLD. What the heck is 1/2 of my high school class (if not more) doing being engaged. Just learned of another friend who got engaged. Crazy. Of course, I'm happy for him!

And anyway, what's so wrong with being old? I have to admit that I enjoyed Rob making dinner, while I was reading a book on the couch. Then again, is it old to go camping and white water rafting this weekend? and Sunday going to a beer festival? I think not. I guess you're only old if you feel old... and part of me feels old now. but not because I'm married... more because other people I am friends with are getting married too. :)

Two more weeks...

2007-06-21T20:40:00.000-07:00

Work just offered/asked that I stay through the end of August. Well, I had a meeting about it on Tuesday, and was given until tomorrow to decide. And we're going to do it! I'm going to take over a friend's apartment (I think) for the last two weeks in August. He is moving to Denver, so it works out well for the both of us. Even better, he lives in the North End... we finally get to live in Boston! So exciting! and then we'll move to Seattle. Sadly, I think we'll still miss S's visit to Boston.

Good Morning!

2007-06-18T05:41:00.000-07:00

Rob is now about 4 hours into his bike ride to Provincetown. There's still a long way to go... I'm happy that they at least got a nice day for it. I'm going to feel so lazy driving to the Cape on Friday!! I'll have to see if I can become a "biker" once we get to Seattle. I hate biking on streets... I can't get over my fear that I'm going to fall onto someone's car. I'm not as much worried about a car hitting me, unless it's caused by my swerving 5 feet in the wrong direction. Ok, I'm not that bad, but I certainly do feel that way when on a bike in traffic.

If I become a biker in Seattle, maybe I'll join Nate, Kate and Rob and bike to Vancouver... or maybe this is just crazy talk.

Moving...

2007-06-16T13:02:00.001-07:00

It's finally hitting home... we are moving from Boston. We had a wonderful day today (with perfect weather!) - had brunch at Flour Bakery (Toro is closed on Sundays), went on a Fenway Tour, tried out the tacos at La Verdad (go for the pescado, margaritas, and plantain chips), went to the Sam Adams Brewery (and walked out when we realized we'd be with 50 other people), and now are sitting on our porch enjoying some beers. Just had our picnic delivered (bought it at a charity auction at work), and we're going to the Common to enjoy!

But in the midst of all this, somebody came over to buy some of our furniture. He's upstairs looking at OUR bookshelves and drawers. And now he's even said he'll buy them... we are moving. I'm going to miss home. my friends. and the many restaurants I've come to love.

With all that said, we're ready for an adventure. It's going to be an AMAZING summer (Italy, Japan and Hawaii... and maybe even Honduras in September/October)... and then we'll move to a beautiful city. I am excited to find the new restaurants I'll love, reunite with much missed friends, and start finding the parts of Seattle that will tempt me to call it my new home. For now, there's no turning back. and I'm kind of excited about that too.

convos

2006-12-14T13:24:00.000-08:00

random question - is it that weird to use the phrase "convos?" I was told that it kind of is... I don't think so!

Company holiday party tonight... I'm spoiled from the one in Seattle this past weekend. I really enjoyed not dealing with drink tickets and all that jazz. Bollywood theme tonight - should be interesting! I got some great earrings to go with this shirt that I'm wearing that I actually got while in India. I'm rather excited. I'm not going to wear the shawl and skirt that goes with the outfit (a lenga). I think black pants and shoes will be just fine... although I did look for some matching blue shoes... still, I think it'll be a super cute outfit!

Moving...

2006-12-04T07:48:00.000-08:00

Well... it looks like we'll either be in DC or Seattle. I'd say my top choice is Seattle. We're going to DC at the end of the week to check out the company, and get a better feel for the city (in terms of living there). I think we'll get a similar opportunity with Seattle at some point too... Our roommate and her bf are going to DC. They just got back from a weekend there, and they loved it.

I guess we'll know in a month where we are headed, and then we can start planning for it. How exciting!!

Putting your life in the hands of another...

2006-11-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

It's so strange. R has 2-5 interviews a week, and I am just sitting here waiting. Will we have to move? Will he get this job? Will he be working 50, 70, or 100 hours a week? How much will he be paid?

He's currently at an interview for a big consulting company - what we've decided is the most desirable job for him to get. Of course, there are about 200 PhD candidates alone interviewing for about 5 jobs in the Boston office (and all Ivy League, so they can afford to be snooty!) Of course, all candidates are pretty much qualified too. I can't imagine being an interviewer for a company with a draw like that. It must be difficult - no wonder little things get you knocked out. The first round was a test for crying out loud! He was doing practice GMATs to get ready.

It's strange, because our roommate is almost in the same situation. Her bf, however, already has an offer from this consulting company - he worked there before and he's coming out of HBS, so their interviewing times, etc. are a little different. Our roommate has to decide between the Atlanta and DC office, and they're not engaged, so it makes it a even more stressful for her. She and I also discussed the discomfort that would come from having such disparate salaries from our sig other.

If we get to the point of choosing between cities , it would probably be between Seattle, San Fran, NYC and Boston. If it weren't for my sister (possibly sisters and therefore my mom and dad too), San Fran wouldn't even be on the list... but it is and with very compelling reasons to go. Too much to think about! and this is before we have any offers on the table.

I'm confident that he will get a job - but who knows where and doing what? How often will I see my husband once he starts working?? For now, I just sit and wait... but I wonder: where will I be in a year?

Voting...

2006-11-07T06:32:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I wish my vote "meant" more... in MA, the Democrat will almost always win (unless we're talking governors). However, I felt pretty good today when I threw in a couple of votes for the green-rainbow party, the working families party, and the socialist party. Why not? If they don't win, their only opponents were Democrats. I can live with that. It's nice to be able to throw in some votes for other candidates and express a desire for a more than two party system.

I REALLY hope we come out headed towards change. I can't handle another two more years of this - people dying, average salaries decreasing, and nature being treated like a dumpster. We've got a hopefully celebratory party planned at our house tonight. Can't wait to see the results!

oh - and why don't some people vote? Everyone didn't even have the right to vote in our country until the 1960s - is that so long ago that we don't remember what it's like??? I feel like it's a major snub and disservice to those in the world who don't have the right... then again, we're so wasteful with resources, food, and the environment that I guess it's really no surprise. Apparently even the right to vote isn't all that noteworthy.

Cocktail Dress

2006-11-06T19:15:00.000-08:00

I need to find a cocktail dress. R and I are going to a March of Dimes event at the Four Seasons this Friday night, and I don't have a dress to wear... well, I have one option, but I wore it recently. I feel like something new. I went shopping for an hour today (during my lunch break), and I couldn't find anything I liked. The one store with a dress I did like only had a size too big and a size too small left. Great.

I feel like I'm between sizes at the moment, although I admit to hoping that I'm on the way down. It makes me feel like I should just wear the old dress (it is very cute!), and wait on something new until I settle into a size... of course, with the way sizings work these days, I'm sure I'll fit into some stores' sizes perfectly. Consistency in size measurements between stores would be nice... except for days when you're not feeling so hot, and then fitting into a (fake) smaller size can certainly be a boost to the ego.

Still... this leaves me with the same problem. I need a new dress. I'm leaning towards red.

Cooking Difficulty

2006-11-05T14:42:00.000-08:00

It's amazing what people consider to be hard to make... Rob and I are making chicken tikka masala for dinner. It takes some time to make and requires some planning, but is it difficult? I don't think so. In fact, I'm beginning to realize that when people say something isn't easy to make, it often only means that it takes awhile to make... and now with "30 minute meals," most things will start to be too complicated!

This makes me wonder... what is hard to make? Baking can definitely be a challenge. You stir a few too many times and your cupcakes (not from a box) take on a mild resemblance to corn bread. It doesn't take long to burn something, and from there it's not a huge leap to burning the house down. Ok, now I'm rambling.

I guess my point is... people should start saying they don't have time, or usually the patience/desire to cook. Following a recipe really shouldn't be that difficult, even if it's for something with a lot of chopping, long periods of simmering, etc. Cooking isn't hard (in my opinion); it's just time consuming.

Actually, one thing that was a bit "hard" was making Egyptian food from a cookbook from Egypt. There were many references to foods I didn't recognize, but more importantly, there were very few measurements! Even if you do cook a fair amount, it required either being familiar with Egyptian food or at least having an idea of how all the foods/spices would combine. It was a bit of a challenge picking out a recipe, because I'm not familiar with Egyptian food at all... yet.

Why was I making Egyptian food? No, not in preparation for my trip to Egypt (yay! can't wait!) I had coincidentally picked an Egyptian author's book for our last book club. I had read an interview of the author in National Geographic, and I thought it was a book worth reading. The Yacoubian Building has been the number one best selling book in the Middle East for a couple of years. I thought it might be neat to read in a book club in the States. Oh - and the food (imam biyaldi - an eggplant/beef dish) was pretty tasty.

Egypt

2006-10-18T12:17:00.000-07:00

woo-hoo! I'm going for 2-3 weeks at the end of the year for work. I think I'll be in Cairo for the end of the year. How exciting!

columbus day

2006-10-09T05:19:00.000-07:00

i can't believe i have to work today. i hate it. good thing they mentioned the bus being on a Sat schedule, as that would have just added insult to injury... waiting for a bus that isn't coming.

hike

2006-10-08T19:32:00.000-07:00

we went on a beautiful hike today. the weather was perfect... the blue of the sky was the kind that you only get on a fall day. R and I went right before going to bottle our beer.

The pilsner is great. The stout feels like a cheap imition. Like Tang and OJ, only not quite so extreme.

I made a peach/pear crisp in ramekins. Well, I am making them, as they are still in the toaster oven. I don't think I have used my ramekins before, so I'm happy about that. It should hopefully be very yummy, especially with vanilla haagen daaz ice cream. yum.

booze

2006-10-07T21:32:00.000-07:00

going to bottle some beer tomorrow. i'm looking forward to it. just got back from an evening at the living room for a friend's birthday. they have some good martinis there - but they're expensive! i was a bit disappointed in my dirty (vodka) martini - it was weak. how is that even possible??

anyway, time for bed. i'm tired. i have to wake up early tomorrow to wash the bottles for the bottling... we were going to go for a hike, but R really just has way too much work in the next few days. he has a conference in atlanta and he has to apply for jobs and participate in some competition all in the next few days... he'll get to visit his mom while in atlanta though, so that's nice.

Oprah

2006-10-07T07:32:00.000-07:00

So a girl at work asked if I would go with her to an Oprah workshop - she had comp tickets. I figured I may as well go and check it out. She's picking me up at 1, and then we're off to the new convention center. I'm a little worried that this will be crazy boring, but I'm also super interested in finding out what this is all about. Who is paying $95 to attend?? Will I actually benefit in some way? oh - and there are free gift bags, and they looked fairly promising. Oprah won't be there, just people who are regulars on the show or regular contributors to her magazine, so - again - who is paying $95 to go?? We also get a year subscription to her magazine - I've never read it. Hopefully, it'll be interesting.

I'm about to go to the gym, and then to the grocery store. I'm hoping they have Peet's coffee beans, so Rob can finally use the grinding part of the coffee maker I bought him. He really likes the coffee maker I got him - yay! He was so sad when the one he had broke... as much as I'm against his coffee addiction, I had to get him a new (and of course better) one. This one grinds beans and has a "gold filter" which he was very against for some reason before. Now he's a fan of the gold filter, even though he can use a paper filter if he likes. Sometimes I wish I liked coffee... I'll even try it out every now and then to check if I like it, but it's always just impossibly bitter. How could something with such a rich and inviting smell be so revolting (to me)? On top of that, one sip gives me a stomach and headache. The coffee culture just looks so warm and fun - ooh! Starbucks coffee breaks and mocha choca lattes, but it's not for me... I'm really just not a fan of warm beverages... although very little beats hot chocolate on a cold day. makes me feel like a kid.

Lunch with my mom...

2006-09-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

It was nice to see my mom for a couple of hours, during a lay-over on her way to Cali... only the circumstances are so sad. Our family dog, Gunner, had to be put to sleep unexpectedly on Wednesday. He was my sister's best friend, so everyone is a bit worried about her. If I was heartbroken, I can't imagine how she is feeling... that's why my mom is on the way to visit her. I wish she could have gotten there Wednesday night, but things just aren't that easy... but Saturday is not too bad, and she'll keep my sis company for 2 months.

Unfortunately, a 2 hour lunch just isn't long enough, and it's hard to not be sad when I know why she is coming through... I hope she can help cheer my sister up a bit. I know she needs it...

Planning

2006-07-20T06:24:00.000-07:00

So many little details to think about, but planning a wedding really isn't that bad. Of course, I've always been a planner. I also am not picky in terms of exactly what flowers I have, what kind of cloths are on the table, etc. etc.

I'm currently working on seating charts, getting my dress altered, mom is working on the veil, bridal shower is this weekend, and I've got to get the last few bridesmaids their dresses. ok, 5 of them. ;p I have to call the coordinator from the hall in a bit to work out a few more details. I guess there are a lot of things to do, but the timeline of when things have to be done by is so large that I'm finding it really hard to be stressed out about it. This is where being a procrastinator is a good thing... I don't really think of much being done late. very nice.

One thing that is REALLY annoying is the response cards. MANY people haven't sent them. I can't understand that. I find it really rude actually. We're talking about 50 people haven't responded! and most of them are coming. oh well. What can I do about?

Time to play some Family Fued with co-workers. It's so quiet here in the summers... it's amazing. Of course, having been out of the office for awhile, I do have some stuff to catch up on. I'll get to it. ;p

dresses

2006-06-28T10:27:00.000-07:00

I just learned that the bridesmaid dresses will not be ready until the end of July. I find this upsetting. I wanted to write it somewhere... at least, it's not my fault. It's mainly people taking their time ordering... and then the salon's for being unorganized. oh well. some stress is needed in the planning process, no?

(well, 4 dresses are already made and sent. that's for the on time crowd)

fired

2006-06-27T13:49:00.000-07:00

somebody was fired today... mainly for negativity. She was leaving in a month. She was crazy negative, and I can see why they got rid of her. But still... I liked her. It makes me sad.

90th post

2006-06-14T16:08:00.000-07:00

I've become such a sporadic poster, I suppose I have reasons/excuses, but still... I am a sporadic poster. However, what amazed me most about this fact is that I still have 90 posts now. Ninety mini-documentations of my life. Kind of cool. Will the internet last forever? Will this always be here and available to me? Who knows? If the world continues down the crap path it seems to have chosen, who knows how long "forever" will even be?

Saw An Inconvenient Truth recently. very good. everyone should go see it, be scared by it, and be motivated to make some changes in their lives... like take public transportation or even walk more for crying out loud! I can't believe everyone doesn't recycle yet... is it really that complicated? oh well... just thoughts. I don't have much hope - such a sad thing to admit. Part of me feels like I should just become a crazy consumer. Why not? Twenty years from now, maybe there won't be much left to consume. And then I'll wish I'd lived the easy life in all its glory while it was available to me.

Of course not... that's not me. Instead, I'm looking into CSA farms, and planting my own herbs. I'm considering internships on farms to learn more about farming. I want to have my own food garden some day. I hate the idea of being told what's in season, and having a selfish, unreliable government tell me whether genetically modified food and pesticide-ridden crops are good for me. Of course, I'll probably still by fruits in the winter time. So sue me.

Meeting a friend at Gargoyle's for dinner, and then going to a friend's combo b-day and bye bye party for the summer at a bar. Should be a good night. I should probably get ready, considering I'm meeting Shruti in 15 min. How does time go by so fast? That's the real question.

Give it a go

2006-05-11T08:10:00.000-07:00

Went to the dentist this morning... lying in the chair, wishing I were in bed instead, it all of a sudden hit me hard - I don't want to be there. Actually, I really just didn't want to open my mouth, because I was tired. I contemplated getting up out of the chair and saying I forgot something I had to do and just leave... but I didn't. and now it's over and my teeth feel nice and clean. It was just weird what an overwhelming feeling it was... and it happened the last time I went. I hate more than anything else that I feel like I'm choking on my own saliva for 20 minutes or however long it takes... it's just unpleasant. It made me wish that I did have some control over my bodily functions - just have my brain say, "No need for that much saliva right now."

On the same note, it would also be cool if my brain could say, "It's really not cold enough for you to die, so no need for you to report to me, Cold Sensing Nerves." Imagine how weird it would be? Perhaps it would make us appreciate life a lot less, and that would be sad....

Love Being a Heathen

2006-04-29T12:08:00.000-07:00

Well, it finally happened. Last night, we went to the Thirsty Scholar to celebrate one of the people in Rob's lab getting her doctorate. But this is not what finally happened... one of her friend's friends who recently moved up here from Dallas, TX to go to the Divinity School sat next to me. Not too strangely I guess, she prompted me to talk about my views on religion. I don't quite remember what we were speaking about (alcohol can do that), but I definitely remember her saying, "Well, tell me a little more about what you think..." Then that lovely little voice in the back of my head goes, "Oh boy... can't wait to see what I'm in for!"

So what happened? Well, she was the first person to ever truly try and convert me! Whenever I said, "I don't know, I just think we should be good to each other," she would say - "You know, the answers you are looking for are available in the Bible. May I suggest the Gospel of Matthew?" WHAT??? and then she tells me that she has read 3/4 of the Koran, and some of my answers are in there... but not all of them. DUDE - you just told me you've only read 3/4. Maybe the answers are in the other 1/4!! and stop telling me about the son of God - I thought I told you 5 minutes ago that I have an issue with that?? Anyway, it was unbelievable. She had recently told me that she went to India... and how before India, she would try to take part in politically active volunteer issues that were not faith based, as she thought people should be at liberty to pick what they want and have that freedom... but after seeing a country living based on a "man-made religion" (you've no idea how many times she said that), she realized that maybe Christ had a place in American politics. Oh man - I was boiling! Who decides which religion is a "man-made" religion? and don't tell me the Bible is the word of God, because even the Bible doesn't say that! I did want to point out to her that the Koran does say that it's directly the words of God... but would it even matter? No, of course not. anyway, it was a little shocking. She took my e-mail address (how could I not give it?) and said that she would be more than happy to do some "readings with me" and "seriously - I would enjoy it." Of course you would enjoy it - you're trying to get your butt into heaven! and perhaps mine too, but please just leave me alone! I'm happy as I am!!! Of course, she did say that I brought up a lot of "controversial issues" that are definitely challenging to think about - homosexuality, the human need to punish sins rather than waiting for God to take care of his business, and my inability to accept a God who would banish Native Americans, etc. to hell because his "son" couldn't get around to letting them know what religion to follow. Of course - Rob was not a fan... the little clips he overheard were enough to get him angry. oh well. I guess it was interesting and somewhat entertaining in the end...

WOW

2006-04-27T12:07:00.000-07:00

Luis called earlier from the package receiving room at work and says the usual, "Nelly, I have a package for you." I sit and think... and think... and can't think of what it is... I tell him, "Luis, I have no idea what it is... maybe one of my teachers has gotten me a gift! What's the box look like??" (Luis obviously likes me and has patience for me, because who would normally entertain such questions?!?) He says, "It's a big, slender box."

Well, all I heard was BIG. How exciting... but what could it be?!? So I tell him I'd be right down, and I rushed to the elevators. I go into the receiving room with its familiar music, and I say, "Luis, what can it be?? It is big." And he says, "I don't know. Maybe it's your wedding dress." And he laughs.

Here's the crazy thing - he doesn't know I'm engaged even, and it IS my wedding dress! How could I forget that I gave them the address and everything on Monday?? I needed somebody to sign for it. So, of course, I gasp and say, "But Luis, it IS my wedding dress! How exciting!"

So Luis turns a bit red... thinks perhaps I'm crazy, as I grab the box and run up to my desk wondering if I can open it at work... and wondering how I can get the box home considering that I'm going to the Alvin Ailey dance show tonight. I run out in the security area of the lobby and run into Elizabeth and Henry, and tell them my little funny story. Go up the elevators with Elizabeth - we grabbed Kathy and Kate and ran to the copy room (bathroom just didn't seem right) and pulled out the dress - and it's BEAUTIFUL! I love it!!!

Then Alison took me home for "lunch" and I tried on the dress with her help - because I definitely can't do it on my own. It's so fabulous. It's strange... one expensive dress that will require steaming and maybe even cleaning and some tailoring before the wedding, and then I'll never wear it again. But really... it's the only thing that has made this whole thing seem real. Trying it on again - as my very own dress was so exciting. Definitely the best lunch break I've ever had. What a wonderful day.

lemon poppyseed

2006-04-24T15:39:00.000-07:00

The lemon poppyseed bread (cake really) came out well. Woke up at 6 - had some with an egg - and went to the gym. very proud of myself. Even got in a quick "power abs" class.

I've been getting a lot of headaches lately... very strange. I didn't get my first headache until college maybe?, and now I feel like I am making up for lost time. I get them almost every day... I think I have to talk to my doctor about it. My doctor who I love oh so much! She'll probably just tell me I'm imagining it or something... perhaps they are tension headaches? I don't know. But I was very surprised to learn that people don't get headaches pretty much daily - or even weekly! I've been surrounded by headaches so much (my sis and dad get migraines as do much of my paternal family) and many of my friends get them too... so I thought this was normal! And now that I know it's not... I want relief! I don't like taking a ton of medicine either, so I don't really take anything ever... it's so tempting right now though. As it definitely hurts... I thought maybe it was due to dehydration (which shocked me as I've never really needed much water), and confirmed that it's probably not the case. I've been drinking a lot of water and avoiding alcohol, and I don't really have any source of caffeine, so... what's going on?? Hopefully something solveable. It would be nice to not get headaches!!!

ok... back to making eggplant (beef) stew. and then making tonight's dinner after that. Pork sausage (organic) with veggies, salad, mashed potatoes and some ajvar I picked up in Croatia. I set aside some beef for grilling too, as I had extra from the stew. Should be a good dinner.

nice weekend

2006-04-23T18:36:00.000-07:00

over all, it was a great weekend.

Friday night, we bbq-ed. I was very happy with the way the burgers turned out, and they were excellent with the pepperjack cheese Rob had picked up.

Saturday, I spent the day with high school friends, after Rob and I checked out an apartment in the morning. We had planned to save the date a couple of months ago - it's so hard to get 10+ people together without planning now that we're older! We went to the Museum of Science's Star Wars exhibit, and then we went on the Swan Boats - Lily's (of course), Tiffany's, and my first experience! Afterwards, we went to PF Changs, and then Jennie, Mark, Rob and I went to Boston Beer Works for a couple of beers. Then Jennie, Rob and I met Alison to see the Champions on Ice, which was fantastic! I love fiure skating, so I really enjoyed this - free tickets add to the enjoyment too! Anyway - Sasha Cohen looked great, Michelle Kwan seemed to still be injured as she did no jumps despite being the final skater, and the acrobats and the girl who skated with hoops were entertaining. Really a packed day that left me tired, but very happy too.

Today, I went to the gym (and watched Demi Moore in Half Light - pretty good), played squash with Rob, and just finished making a huge amount of veggie stew and the lemon poppyseed bread is in the oven! I'm excited for the bread, as it is a first attempt. I saw a large amount of poppyseeds on sale for $1.99. I figured I'd buy them, but I've never made anything with them before... so I'm excited to check it out.

Now I'm tired - but feel good. Ready for a shower, a quick try of the bread, and a good night of sleep! It's a shame, no matter how good a weekend is... I can never get myself to be happy about Mondays.

Passover

2006-04-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

Going to a friend's for Passover dinner tonight. I am bringing some white bean dip that I love (and made last night) and some wine. There should be a lot of food, so I am looking forward to it. I didn't realize that pita is leavened bread, which I should have, so she got some matzah chips to go with the dip. Three of my Jewish friends have written me with all different spellings for matzah. I'm just spelling it phonetically at this point, as there seems to be no consistency whatsoever. Ok... I just checked it on dictionary.com and it seems there are 3 different spellings... but it looks like the one I went with is the main one. Interesting.

Kind of like the word flier and flyer. They are both right. That threw me for a loop once.

back to work. It's almost 70 degrees. We are slowly approaching solid warm weather days - so looking forward to it!

sunny day

2006-04-09T10:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a nice day so far... woke up this morning and had breakfast with Rob. Just an egg, toast, and 1/2 a grapefruit, but it was nice. He has to work all day, so it was nice to see him for a bit this morning. Then I went to the gym for a couple of hours (very proud of myself) and worked out to and watched all of Separate Lies. Personally, I liked it, but it looks like it didn't get very good reviews. I just liked the tension and the weird understanding that existed between everyone... plus, it made the time pass away very well!

Then I went to the grocery store and picked up the rest of what I need to make banana bread - my first time doing so! I'm looking forward to it.

At 4, I'm going to a friend's for dinner, and a movie... we may watch 1/2 of A&E's Pride and Prejudice, which I LOVE. If we're not quite in the mood for that, we'll watch The Constant Gardiner. Looking forward to ordering in... and trying the banana bread!

I just finished reading a very disturbing New Yorker article on attacking Iran... like attacking Iraq wasn't enough of a lesson...

on that note, time to go make the banana bread!

emergency phone service

2006-04-08T03:40:00.000-07:00

I'm tired. and I hate cell phones right now. I've gotten like 10 calls since end of work last night on the emergency phone which is my lucky responsibility tonight. I CANNOT wait to pass this thing off tomorrow morning... I have to drive to Brighton to get it off my hand (not waiting for them to come get it from me - that's for sure!), but it's totally worth it. We'll pick up the wedding bands that are ready (how exciting!) in Brookline as well... though now I'll be worried that I'll lose them somehow.

It is AMAZING the things that can go wrong... and it is VERY annoying to deal with someone's stupid mistake... such as leaving your passport on the flight from RDU -> CLT. Raleigh to Charlotte... on your way to Europe. AH! One of many folks, one of many... The crying mom who was worried because she hadn't heard from her daughter - ok, those always strike me as a little cute, and it makes me cry a bit, but I've always been a sucker for someone in need. It did feel good to help. But that was 10 pm. and now it's 6:40 am and I've gotten like 10 calls in between. I'm going on 4 very interrupted hours of sleep. oh well... what else am I going to do but complain while I wait for the person on flights emergency phone to get back to me???

going to a bbq this afternoon. that should be fun... if I can sleep enough so I'll have some pep when I get there. Fortunately, I've never needed much sleep.

beautiful day

2006-04-01T11:31:00.000-08:00

finally, it feels like spring. yesterday was 74 - somebody said Florida was colder than that! I love it. We had our first bbq of the season last night - very exciting. Had a bunch of people over, and everyone was in a great mood - very fun night! with A LOT of good food... Sherean even made chocolate covered strawberries!

tonight I'm going to this Persian comedy show - should be fun/interesting. in English. Rob is going and a coworker and her bf. Should be fun.

going to get a pedicure and manicure now - how fun! and I'll get a new cell phone today... finally waited long enough to get a $150 rebate - woo-hoo! No more having to sign on to the internet to receive text messages - which means I won't be mad at friends for sending them any more... yay!

personality test

2006-03-26T09:15:00.000-08:00

pretty cool personality test... fairly accurate I'd say, maybe more so in the "How You Relate to Others" section: my personality. Thanks for linking to it, TK!

Harlem Globetrotters

2006-03-26T08:39:00.000-08:00

I wish I had seen them years ago rather than yesterday... was rather boring. some parts were quite funny. at least I got the tickets for free.

I've eaten out or had generally a lot of crappy food lately, so I feel like I need to go through detox. Fish and veggies for dinner tonight. Going to Whole Foods to get the fish... beautiful store.

Meat Loaf

2006-03-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

I made meat loaf for the first time last night. It was good. It said to cover it with bacon, and I did, but I will never do so again. We barely ate that part and just threw it away... and I would have liked a "crust" or glaze on it. Perhaps the bacon kept it moister though... I guess I'll see the next time I try making it.

The Oscar's are tonight. I'll be watching at a friends house... there should be a ton of yummy food too, so I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to watch Wallace and Grommit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit. I've never seen any of the others, so it should be interesting. Well, that's what I'm off to do now... and then maybe visit friends and their new baby. We have yet to meet him, but he sounds like he's keeping his parents busy and exhausted already!

mousse

2006-02-20T12:09:00.000-08:00

I'm going to a ladies' potluck tonight with an alcohol theme... I'm going to make chocolate mousse w/ frangelico... and maybe one with chambord or something like that. I was considering an almond flavoring, but I just remembered the alcohol rule and I only have almond extract... I believe technically it has alcohol in it, but I don't think that quite counts!

Planning is coming along... flowers, cake, music are the major things left. I believe I'm supposed to already have them done... along with having a veil, shoes, and accessories, but since when have I ever followed suggested timelines?

Friends are having babies all over the place and although at first it was strange, and I felt like I was aging too quickly, I realized there's nothing I can do about it. Babies are coming... Seeing Viviana last night (who is 10 days over due!) really drilled it in... and with my second high school friend pregnant, and the last one having had her baby last month... well, baby time is here. and my best option is to enjoy them and be excited, and fortunately I definitely am!!

I've been thinking about growing older a lot lately. I learned early this week that my cousin's husband died in a car crash two weeks ago. I called to get her married name from my aunt (for invitations - such a happy thing) and then I learn about this. Fortunately, I had asked my aunt whose son is getting married this summer too, as I figured she would have to know... and then I learn this. Thankfully, I wouldn't have called her parents as they are in Iran, and I'm not quite as close with them. Sima, my cousin, was in the car too, hurt her arm, and had to have surgery for that. She is in Iran now with "the body" as my aunt put it, as she is one of my London cousins. It's really very tragic, especially considering that their family has suffered in many ways in the last 10-20 years. On top of it all, I learn that my uncle (her dad) had a heart attack and was having surgery last week, so he doesn't know about his son-in-law yet. Combined with the babies, the engagement, and my birthday last month, I can't help but realize that such is the cycle of life. I'm a little scared of the deaths the future holds - ok, terrified - especially because they're inevitable. Part of me wants to whole up somewhere and not be friends with anyone... but I can't miss out on the happy things... it's the graduations, the parties, the ladies' nights, the babies and the weddings, the Super Bowls that I suffer through, and many other markers and accomplishments in our lives that I have to witness... and perhaps the pain of loss is beautiful, because it comes from a well of loving and caring. How cheesy.

Hello again

2006-02-11T08:23:00.000-08:00

Strange to not have posted for so long, but I guess that's the way things go... wedding planning is coming along. It's not nearly as stressful (for me) as people have always made it sound. There's a lot left to do, but it's all coming along. Hopefully, we'll get at least a step closer to mailing the Save-the-Date cards today.

It's Meghna's b-day today... we're going to Les Zygomates for a "wine tasting" with dinner I believe? It should be fun.

We're supposed to get a crazy snow storm at some point today... for now it's just super sunny. I can't wait for the warmth to be back. Sitting outside under the sun is just such a happy thing for me.

Etiquette...

2005-12-22T09:18:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how many ridiculous rules can surround one event. Why do the bride and groom have to give each other gifts at the wedding/rehearsal dinner/whatever? and it goes on and on... It's actually kind of funny. Fortunately, a friend gave me a handy book on all the etiquette rules around weddings. We haven't broken any rules yet - phew!

Can't believe that my parents will meet Rob in one week... as well as my little sister (not so little any more), my aunts, grandmother, etc. I hope it's not too overwhelming for Rob and his mom.

Speedo Santa Run

2005-12-20T06:06:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, I went to watch Syriana with Rob's lab (and had a mini-engagement party at his advisor's house afterwards). The movie was pretty good. I think you have to know about the history of the region to fully understand the movie. I found it very thought provoking movie, and I find that I keep looking back and thinking the message, history, and perhaps the sad hopelessness of the situation.

We went to the Loews on the Common to watch the movie, and we got there just in time to see the Santa Speedo Run! I could easily have spent my lifetime not having witnessed this event. Who in their right mind wants to see 100s of men running in their speedos?!? I didn't even know the run existed. It was really funny though... although there was one guy in a g-string that was decidedly not funny. The hardest part was trying not to laugh when two guys slipped and fell - it made me feel mean, but I just couldn't suppress my giggles!

On a very happy note - I finally have my real ring. I love it! On the planning note... still no closer to having a set date.

new people

2005-12-13T20:15:00.000-08:00

met a few new co-workers... or rather hung out with them more intimately. also met a friend's fiance and that was cool. is fiancee or fiance male/female? i met a male.

Honeymoon...

2005-12-10T14:58:00.000-08:00

Belize - rainforest and beach combo that we're hoping for... it's quite high on the list at the moment. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out. I guess we really need a date first?

Planning hasn't been TOO bad yet. I wish it were easier for places to accept the idea of an outside caterer. I want Persian food... you can't make it, so let's make a deal. But it's not working quite that way. It's interesting. I like the places that say if we give them the recipe, they can make it. yeah, right... even better are those who offer to create a "Persian fusion." I think I'll pass on an experimental menu.

U2

2005-12-05T21:22:00.000-08:00

Just got back from the concert - it was AWESOME! We had such a good time.

Date considerations for wedding have been brought to end of August, September, or October. My mom has been given the task of finding places for me to visit during my short time in Toronto. We have booked tix to go see Rob's family in NC, and then to go up (with his mom) to meet my parents. So much to do between now and then!

Friends, Advice, and Bridezilla

2005-12-04T19:28:00.000-08:00

Just had our first engagement toast together... my manager at work invited everyone on my team, and the two girls from the team next to us, but this was different. It was just lovely to have friends who cared for you celebrate an engagement together, especially over nice champagne (which you can count on BS for!!)

I can't help but look for advice from friends who have been married who have been engaged longer than us... I also can't help but comment on the things that I've learned so far - such as rings not costing as much as you think, just because the diamond is absurdly huge! (Some people have told me more about their rings than I want to know!) I am going to try and be good and not bore anyone, but I feel like (considering less than a week has gone by) that I can have at least this time to enjoy... to say what I want... at least until I go to Toronto and all is really official. I can't wait for that though!!

All is good...

2005-12-01T19:36:00.000-08:00

Told my dad this morning, and it went REALLY well. I can't believe how easy it was, and he was excited. Funny statements from convo:
"Does he take drugs?"
"Does he drink a lot or too much... like with a bottle next to him at night?"
"Is he an American??" (worried that I was being taken in for citizenship!)
I said Rob is from a Welsh background and my dad said, "I was just talking to someone the other day about how hot-headed the Welsh are... is he ok in that respect?" (haha)

Anyway, it went wonderfully. My mom called me a few hours ago to let me know that she looked at another place for the engagement party. She invited some friends already, and they are coming... one is going to do my makeup! If she does it well, she can do it for the wedding. craziness... and now we are wondering if Rob's parents should come for the engagement party as well. The madness has begun.

Then I talked to my little sis who was SO excited. She was the first to ask what his last name is... and she repeated it to my mom who thought she said "jinx." great. lots of laughter and happiness, and it was so fun to hear. It's amazing the excitement an engagement/wedding can bring to lives... do people suffer post-partum depression-like stuff afterwards? Then again, the planning is supposedly so stressful, that I think most people are just relieved.

PRAGUE

2005-11-29T20:28:00.000-08:00

It was crazy leaving on Thanksgiving Day... baking the night before and having a couple of friends over for dinner didn't help either. Then there was the whole flooding toilet incident. However, Thanksgiving lunch was very good! I had corn casserole for the first time and really enjoyed it! I liked the cranberry sauce, and the pumpkin pie I made was wonderful. The pecan pie had WAY too many pecans in it... definitely writing that in the epicurious review - not the best recipe! Flying later that day on a full belly - not the brightest idea, but what are you going to do when you are flying on Thanksgiving Day???

Let's get to the good part... Prague was wonderful. I really enjoyed the sites, and I actually didn't find the food all that much. We tried about 10 different beers (including a vanilla and a sour cherry beer at a microbrewery we went to), so that was fun! Ultimately though... the last meal at Kampa Park really tied everything together. The setting was SO romantic - swans, incredible view of Charles Bridge, candlelit room, and soft jazz playing in the background. Rob said something along the lines of, "Well... I thought it was time to maybe stop all the comments" and he pulled out a ring!! He totally had me convinced the whole trip that nothing was planned - said that his brother had asked him, and he said that he didn't have a ring, so nothing could be planned, etc. etc. etc... he definitely fooled me! The ring is beautiful! I love it... today we went to the designer, as this is only a sample/base for the real ring. I made some suggestions for things I would like, she made a wax model (while we had dinner across the street), and then we went and it looks SO great! December 17th estimated date for the arrival of the real ring... the one that is mine. Edwardian antique style, which is what I love! Round diamond, with some smaller diamonds. The ring is actually from a place that a friend of ours got his ring from a year ago... I had said that I liked his wife's ring, so Rob asked him for the address of the jewelry shop. The only stipulation in exchange for address was to not get the same ring - we didn't, of course! I want my own ring too!! I'm excited to see it, as it's not her standard settings, and she was excited to try something a little different too... can't wait! It's what I had been looking at online (ssssh... don't tell Rob!) only better!

So now... the calls and e-mails have begun. I quickly realized I couldn't call everyone, so I've already sent an e-mail, though a second round of those have to go out too. I've talked to a few people, missed a few people... first call was my sister; she was SO happy! She really likes Rob, and she is going to fly to Toronto for the INTRODUCTION. Time to meet the parents. This is what makes it so scary... I really feel like this is a transition in my life, and it makes me SO nervous. Things will never be the same, but I can't wait! I know my parents will love him, and I'm sure he'll love my family, and I can't wait for it to be the end of the month... and then again, maybe I can. It's all a bit overwhelming right now... but I figure it's got to all be downhill once the meeting is over with...

Toilets

2005-11-23T21:35:00.000-08:00

I hate when things go wrong with toilets. Mine just decided that it no longer wanted to work. The tank wouldn't stop overflowing, but thankfully it was not the bowl overflowing as the troubles started after a flush. I had to call my landlord (at midnight) and ask him to come on over and figure it out. Well... it's not an easy fix. So we turned off the water to the toilet (which took some effort as the switch-thing was stuck... but it got done), and the issue will be dealt with on Friday. Thankfully, we have a second bathroom in the apartment, and it is the one I primarily use... not that it matters much, as I won't be home for much longer... and by the time we're back, I fully expect that the toilet will have been set straight. (What a way to meet your landlord... my new roommate also moves in on Friday; I made sure to ask our landlord to introduce himself and not just walk in. ;p)

Pies are done... just need to make whipped cream for the pumpkin pie in the morning. Of course, "the proof is in the pudding." I won't know until tomorrow how they really came out. I'm waiting for the pumpkin pie to cool down a bit now, and then I'll cover it and refridgerate it for tomorrow. I am SO looking forward to dessert! It's amazing just how bad both those desserts are for you... but whoever said that Thanksgiving is a day to be healthy? It's a day to celebrate gluttony!!! (Ok, I know the Pilgrims a.k.a. Puritans would disagree with me... but are they around to say anthing??? NO.)

I'm looking forward to sleeping in, not looking forward to packing, and looking forward to going to my friend's for our Thanksgiving lunch. I'm loving the beginning of these 6 days or so already (despite toilet issues!)

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

2005-11-23T07:03:00.000-08:00

I'll make pumpkin and pecan pie tonight, but I made the cranberry sauce last night. It's SO easy to make, and it's really good! I was a little worried when I took it off the stove, as it seemed WAY too liquidy, but it quickly got the right consistency as it cooled. It even changed colors. R and I agreed that the sound of the splitting cranberries was definitely akin to popcorn popping.

I learned that a friend got divorced a few weeks ago (honestly, I'm not surprised), and that he has a preliminary hearing for a DUI today in court. That part is SO not him, especially as he is very against driving drunk in general. He's SO irresponsible sometimes that it is frustrating. He just finished a school program for post-production. I hope he gets back on track, as he is quite older than I am.

Prague Christmas markets open on Saturday... did I write this already? I can't wait! I want to get some sausage, mulled wine or hot cider, and a snack/dessert thing and just walk around and absorb it all. So happy it'll open! I was worried that it might not be opened yet.

Opera Choices

2005-11-22T14:21:00.000-08:00

Anybody know anything about opera? Which one should we go to? We can go on Fri, Sat, Sun, or Monday night. We have dinner reservations on Sunday night, but we can probably change those. I've never been to an opera before, and I know Prague would be the perfect place for my first experience. I'm leaning towards Dvorak, only because he was Czech. I do like Verdi... and Carmen is very tempting, but only because it's the only one I've heard of before. Is that a good basis for making a decision? (It also means we'll have to change the night we have our dinner reservations for...)

This was disheartening. What is the world coming to?

pecans

2005-11-21T20:34:00.000-08:00

how can pecans be so expensive? and how much do you have to put in a pecan pie for it to be good? I have a recipe that says about 2 cups, but I've found one that says 5 1/2 cups. That's a pretty big difference... not just in amount of pecans, but in cost as well! Pecans run at about $4/bag, WTF? That just strikes me as ridiculous. I feel like there must be a story about pecan shortages that I don't know about... I should do some research.

Just got an e-mail from a friend about his travels through Latin America. He just finished his Peace Corps time in Paraguay, and has gone through Brazil (the Pantanal! I just read an article in National Geographic about it), Ecuador, Peru, and he is now in Columbia... He then plans on heading back home to TN via land. Crazy! I love Latin America. Reading his e-mails makes me wish I was on one of those reggae beaches right now...

BUT I am going to Prague! It's so exciting! I've never been before and based on a friend's sister's suggestion who studied abroad there, we've already picked at least one restaurant to go to. To make it semi-fair, we've decided that meals will be on me. He is a grad student after all.

I'm so looking forward to a long weekend away from the office. I only have two more days to get through.

I am good!!!

2005-11-19T21:46:00.000-08:00

We are going to Prague. He' s decided he wants me to help plan our days, so he's let me know where we're going! woo-hoo! Now to see if there are any other secrets remaining???? (I'm so excited! I've never been, and itPrague has definitely been on my list of places to visit!)

yesterday, today, and four days after tomorrow

2005-11-19T12:44:00.001-08:00

I called in sick yesterday, as I've been sick for a couple of days. It was nice to just sit in the sun, watch the Food Network or Discovery Channel (my two favorites!), read a random blog that I linked to from a friend's account that I'm growing sickly addicted to, and just doing nothing. I am feeling much better, thank you.

Last night, I continued the relaxed pace, instead of going drinking for a friend's b-day. I didn't really have it in me, and a girls' night was just what was in order. It was the first time all of us (local) girls were able to get together. We went to M's house and had sushi, baked the triple chocolate cookies (better the first time for some reason, but still good!), watched Happy Endings and a few Sex in the City episodes from the first season. We stayed up until 2, and it was such a good night. Then I slept in this morning, which was also fabulous.

Today, I have started to unpack some of my dishes, etc. as my roommate is moving in with her boyfriend. I look forward to living a settled life again, as things feel so up in the air right now. (I also look forward to feeling 100% better... Rob's being sicker (worse off than I) is no help either. So demanding, aren't I???)

Tonight, we are going to a friend's for a surprise menu. We've been asked to bring a cushion each (not a huge apartment, and she's having 13 people over!), and she has said that the dress is semi-formal. Interesting. Of course, we're expected to bring some wine as well.

Random thought process from last night: it is amazing how accustomed we are to Christianity. A friend was saying how her bf (Jewish) was perhaps uncomfortable going to her family's for xmas, as he would be the only non-Christian. I said that I could understand that, but said that at least he would know most of what was going on... I found it very hard going to my ex's for Passover, as I really had no clue what to do and when. (It also didn't help that his Grandmother decided that she wasn't going to talk to me, because I'm Muslim - really great experience, I must say. Thankfully, I can't imagine anyone in my family doing such a thing, let alone one of my Grandmothers!) I said that anyone who grew up in the US knows so many Christian rituals from school and society, so it makes the transition for a non-Christian to a Christian home (holiday) much easier. The response was that there are so many more rituals that take place for Passover (or in Judaism) that it doesn't quite compare... but as I was falling asleep, I thought about all the rituals that we know from xmas, and we don't even think about. The gift giving, a traditional xmas dinner, ALL the xmas songs - imagine going to someone's house and not knowing "Jingle Bells!," midnight mass (which I've never attended), the stockings, the tree (and putting gifts under it) and the star/angel on top, the fact that it's considered Jesus' birthday, and so on. That's a lot to know about a holiday - especially as a non-Christian! I guess it's good in a way (easier for me to date someone Christian - as I am doing now), but a little sad at the same time.

My official guess for where we fly Thursday night: Prague. Let's see if I'm wrong.

I love Internet Access

2005-11-17T15:49:00.000-08:00

Rob's brought the computer back from the conference, and wireless access miraculously came back. Thank goodness!

I've got just enough time for a quick post before my new roommate comes over... we're going to have a mini-roommate talk and then maybe go out for dinner/drinks. It does not help that I am sick! Not in a big go out and do anything mood.
~~
One week to go to the mystery trip. I have found out that the cost aspect was not true, as it is more expensive than he said - liar. Here is what I know so far:

- We're flying Alitalia (and we have good seats)
- Not Vienna
- Somewhere I've never been before
- Today he asked if I'd be into a "cultural" experience, such as a concert... hmmmm? (I asked in what language, but he caught me in the act of trying to find out - haha!)
- Staying in one city for all 4 nights (yay! I didn't feel like moving around.)

I'm allowed to ask a question a day, but he won't answer if he feels it divulges too much info. Honestly, I had NO clue that Rob is so good at keeping a secret. It's kind of scary! His plan is to ask me a question a day, so he can plan an itinerary we'll both enjoy. I can't wait!
~~
We are no longer going to Harvest for Thanksgiving. We got an invite! A co-worker invited us to his place to share T-lunch with him and his roommate. They know we fly that night, so they said we don't have to help with clean up and don't have to bring anything! But, me being me, I have offered to bring cranberry sauce, garlic mashed potatoes (Rob's are SO good), pecan pie, and pumpkin pie. Let me know if you have any good recipes for any but the potatoes. I've made pecan pie before, but I never keep the recipe for some reason. I may also make some zucchini bread, as I made some Sunday (first time I'd ever had it) and it was quite good and easy! It was still good even though there was no white flour (it was moved out of the house, and I did not know,) so I had to use 3/4 cup regular flour (all I had left) and then 1 1/4 cups of organic wheat flour. I think next time I'll try only wheat flour and a little less sugar. It was sweeter than I would prefer... I was happy my forced healthier version was so yummy! (In case you're wondering why I had some flour but say all was gone - I bought some flour recently, as I've been cooking so much, and filled up our canister. But the whole thing wouldn't fit in the jar, so I had to keep some in a bag in the cabinet. This is part of the reason I hadn't noticed the moving until I had already shredded the zucchini; fortunately, this resulted in the discovery of the yummy healthier version. I figure healthier is better, right?)

The difference a night can make...

2005-11-11T07:43:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a miserable day... a tense outlook on the roommate search, battles over motivation and workload at the office, and a worrisome call from my dad about family matters. But come 8 pm, I have a seemingly amazing new roommate for December (if only I can remember her name!), the President of the company makes a change in goals and makes everyone's life easy and I win a dinner with her and the VP to Aquitane, and talking to my dad, I'm not as worried as I orginally was... I'm sure that will resolve itself too.

Also, went to trivia with Frances and friends and we won first place! We made a huge comeback, and won by 15 points! Unbelievable... got both of the last round questions right - yay!

And symbolically, representing the revitalization of our team (at work), our Betta fish (mascot as we're Team Beta) has come back from near death!

Might go to a few parties this weekend... we'll see how motivated I feel. Rob took his computer with him to the conference in Baltimore/D.C. so I'm probably outie for the weekend.

Is Book Club Dying??

2005-11-08T19:45:00.000-08:00

It's been a two year run... I can't believe it's lasted so long, but I'm worried that our book club may be suffering a slow death. The next few book clubs may reveal the path that our book club is destined to travel... I hope it continues. I've read so many books that I never would have read on my own; tonight's book is just one example of that (1776by David McCullough.) My mom was surprised to hear that we're still doing it, because she thought it would be a passing phase for some reason. She was actually really pleased to hear it, which was nice. I hadn't talked to her in a week, so it was good to catch up a bit.

So something I've been wondering about lately is how it's possible for some gays or lesbians to question the existence of bi-sexuality. Being gay is questioned so frequently and strongly that I am surprised that someone who is gay would question anther in the same way. In fact, I feel like most gays or lesbians I've spoken with do not believe bi-sexuality exists, and think it is a result of people just playing around with simply a sexual response, rather than the emotional (preference) that they experience. I can't help but feel that this view of bi-sexuality is sometimes as though they feel threatened by bi-sexuality... and I can see why that could be: presenting the idea that there could be a choice in the decision of sexuality, opens doors to the arguments that some are simply choosing to be gay. Personally, I think everyone is bi- to some extent. I view sexuality as a spectrum, rather than one of a few options. I guess I'm just willing to admit that out of the 3 billion women on this planet that there may be one who exists that I would be interested in having a relationship with... I have yet to meet that woman, but I can see that such a thing is possible, I guess.

Danish Pastry House

2005-11-07T18:57:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Anna and I made the most unbelievable cookies. Ultra-rich, SUPER chocolately, and delicious! Never going to lose that recipe! It was a perfect day for baking... I totally just needed a day when I did a lot of nothing. (I accomplished most of my list... except for cleaning and laundry. Funny how it often works out that way!)

Tonight, I say Salman Rushdie speak, and it was very interesting. He was funny, and very much an artist. He was presented and held a discussion with a Harvard English professor, Homi Bhabha, who distinctly differed from Rushdi in his very academic approach to the conversation.

After the talk, I went to Border Cafe for dinner and drinks with friends. Now I'm back home... ready to shower and go to sleep. It was nice to come home and see that a friend had left some homemade pumpkin-apple bread (I believe that's the combo) for me. yum!

I have to try the Danish Pastry House out! What great reviews! I'd never heard of the place before, but I just saw it on the Food Network. It's got to be good! Definitely looked great on tv...

Interesting...

2005-11-06T07:43:00.000-08:00

Hmmm... I just learned that someone "bitched out" my ex's ex (on my behalf), but I have no clue who it was! Let me know if it was you! And from the sounds of it, it was someone who knew me pretty well in college. Very interesting.............

Back from NC, rather exhausted. It's nice to have a whole day free to myself. It's a bit of a shame that Rob has to work all day long. He's been working 12 hour days for this conference he goes to in a few days. It sucks (for him) that he has to work like that over the weekend even. Hopefully, he'll get some good data to present.

NC was good - always reminds me of New England with a little fewer coniferous trees... at least when driving. But then you see the Bojangles, here the Southern accent, and can't find a decent beer selection anywhere, and you know you're no longer home.

My proposed itin for the day (in no particular order):
1. Eat breakfast
2. Do laundry
3. Go to the gym
4. Do some cleaning (bathrooms at least!)
5. Determine what to make for dinner - okra (beef) stew or walnut-pomegranate (chicken) stew.
6. Make dinner

I think I can keep to that list. We'll see.

Tar Heel State

2005-10-31T17:02:00.000-08:00

Off to North Carolina tomorrow... so many odds and ends to tie up at work, but it should be a productive week. Rob and I are back to our good old avoiding each other thing, he's going to D.C. for a conference next week. We spent 6 weeks apart this summer in the same way, so it's kind of funny. You'd think we didn't like each other or something!!

The weather has been so bizarre, but I loved what a wonderful day (70 or so) it was today. I'm happy that I didn't miss the first snow, but not as appreciative that it was before the end of October!

Ok, time to get some kind of dinner on the table. I believe we're going the leftover route, as all the beer in the fridge is taking too much space - we need to make room somehow!

Party

2005-10-30T18:08:00.000-08:00

The party last night was fun! There were some good costumes, which is always nice. I really get annoyed when people come costumeless... it's not like you have to come! We're not asking you to help pay for the party, so the least you can do is just wear a costume or not come! And no costumes with just signs! (Ok, Jason has to be an exception here, because his "Mourning Wood" was pretty funny... and SO Jason.) So there, I said it. I feel better now. I was Cruella daVille (VERY last minute!) and Rob was a vampire - pretty scary looking too! The party ended at 3, when I finally had to tell this rather disturbing kid (that I did not know) to leave. I was tired, and if I'm going to be entertaining at that time, I'd rather it be for one of my friends.

I've decided that the BBQ on the day after the party (to get rid of beer that won't fit in fridge) doesn't work so well. Everyone is hung over and just doesn't want more to drink, and Rob and I just get to cook and then clean up afterwards when we're already exhausted and not even done cleaning from night before! It was nice to see everyone, and Sara's brownie cupcake with mini-Reeses PB cups were amazing, but this may be an end to that fine tradition. We're still cleaning and I'm even more tired now!

Going to a baby shower at 11 this morning definitely made me tired, but it was cute to see Tiffany that happy. She is such a naturally grateful person that she really makes me think about things sometimes. Her enthusiasm is so infectious! The baby shower itself was nice... but it was amazing how almost EVERYTHING she got was pink. (Right now, I don't think I'd want to spoil the biggest surprise of my life - boy or girl?) I got a really cute Baby Gap onesie, and an adorable jean skirt. Nothing pink of course; I refuse to gender my baby from pre-birth! (I also gave them a Gymini with Jennie and Anna.)

Charmed... I may be back into watching it! I'm coming to realize that my obsessions have more to do with the fact that I love to look forward to things... trips, shows, seeing friends, etc. I'm already looking forward to Nate and Kate coming in January, and to Rob's 30th b-day party in a year and a half. I know, I'm mildly crazy.

And last thing to think about... roommates. Jess is moving in with Brian, so I need a new roommate for December. Mariko, my former roommate, is interested. Her deal that she expected to come back to from Russia fell through, so she ended up living in a situation with 3 random people. She doesn't love the new place (or peeps) that much, so she was very excited about moving back in with us. She was a good roommate, so I'm kind of excited by the prospect that it might be that easy. Furniture, etc. shoul work out pretty well too. Mariko only needs a lease until end of July, which fits perfectly too. I'd rather not get to know another new roommate again, so this works out perfectly. Of course, I'm getting closer and closer to really just wanting a place of my own. Life is so much less complicated that way (or so I imagine. ;p )

rough day

2005-10-28T19:48:00.000-07:00

it was a hard day at work. i need more incentives, and my manager seems to just not want to realize that. i'm on a team, but i feel so disconnected these days. i have to figure out a way to correct this direction things seem to be going in... on the positive side of things, it turns out i have 16 days of vacation left for the end of the year. i'm using 2 for this suprise of rob's (he confirmed we're flying alitalia somewhere!) and then i need to use 4 more... i'll carry over 10 days, and that would make it 6 weeks of vacation (plus two floating holidays!) for next year. craziness.

halloween party tomorrow. like 70 people plan on coming - OMG. should be fun!

North Carolina

2005-10-27T20:44:00.000-07:00

It's just hitting me that I'll be in North Carolina for 5 days next week... hopefully it will be a good time. I planned much of the time today. I'm going for work, and the schedule - at least in the evenings - will be pretty packed. Going with a colleague, who I think I'll have a pretty good time with... we'll see.

Rob will be in D.C. the week after I leave. I swear we take turns being away... maybe it's to maximize our alone time. ;p

As for tonight, I was at the Thirsty Scholar. I love that bar. Although the menu has changed (looks a lot more fancy now), it's still got yummy food and good beers. Amongst other choices, I had a couple Shipyard's Pumpkin Ale, which I quite enjoyed.

Dinner

2005-10-26T21:22:00.000-07:00

well... it was ok. Rolled lasagna and strawberry shortcake were pretty good (esp. rolled lasagna), but I don't know about the stuffed mushrooms. mini-souffles also still ok, but not amazing. Dinner was fully served by 10:00 (hee hee, late I know) and we went to Sligo's afterwards. I love Sligo's - it is such a great dive bar!

Whole Milk

2005-10-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

I decided on a theme dinner for tomorrow night. I used whole milk for the lemon bars I made this weekend, and generally not being a whole milk household I had to come up with a way to use it up. As such, I decided to invite people over and make a whole milk themed dinner.

As such, I just finished making the "Miniature Jalapeno Souffles." Rob will be the taste-tester for those. Tomorrow, I'll make homemade salsa (no milk in that!), crab-stuffed portobella mushrooms, rolled lasagna, and strawberry shortcake. Hopefully, all of that will go well together.

Time to write a 2 minute speech on something I'm passionate about... I'm doing mine on food!

Mystery...

2005-10-24T19:58:00.000-07:00

Hmmm... Rob has announced that I should take Monday and Tuesday off after Thanksgiving. I took care of that today. Here are the clues:

Thursday (Thanksgiving) - Tuesday.
A flight with Alitalia (that costs less than $200 each)

What does this all add up to? I was mildly not looking forward to Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday!), as we had no plans. Now this comment has skyrocketed my anticipation, and I can't help but wonder... what does he have up his sleeve?!?!

He just read this and said, "What if I have nothing up my sleeve? Will you be disappointed?" What kind of question is that??? The answer is certainly no mystery.