Thursday, October 9, 2008
A Birthday Wish
Last night we went out to eat at a really nice Italian restaurant for my (our) birthday celebration. It was time to blow out my candle, so I closed my eyes to make my birthday wish. My very first thought was to wish for my application for NC residency to go through so that I can pay in-state tuition this year instead of out-of-state ($15,000 difference!). Then I thought that I should wish that the company Marcos is working for makes it through the economic crisis, and that the company shares will retain their value over the next year. Then I just thought, "Screw it. Money comes and goes", and I made a wish for us to be happy...
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Ratatouille!
Aren't we all fairly familiar with this scene from "Ratatouille"? Food critic Anton Ego enters the restaurant, bent on ruining its reputation, and is instead taken back to a touching scene from his childhood by the amazing taste of the ratatouille, which was chosen, baked and prepared in the kitchen by our little rat friend Remy...
Well, rewind two scenes to my entry on the Carrboro Farmer's Market. Imagine me taking the fresh bounty home, putting away the vegetables, and then pausing each day as I pass the colorful display of Italian sweet bell peppers, zucchini and yellow squash that are sitting in my kitchen, wondering what I should make with them. Then one day it hit me: doesn't ratatouille require these ingredients? Yes! So I sliced...
...and arranged...
...and baked...
...and ate one of the best meals I have ever prepared. Of course, I wiggled with the recipe quite a bit as my nature almost requires it, but I'm confident that even adherence to the recipe will result in a really great meal. Ratatouille is traditionally a rustic, country peasant's fare, usually presented almost like a vegetable stew, so this version may be a different way of presenting the dish, but it is surely not lacking in deliciousness!
Well, rewind two scenes to my entry on the Carrboro Farmer's Market. Imagine me taking the fresh bounty home, putting away the vegetables, and then pausing each day as I pass the colorful display of Italian sweet bell peppers, zucchini and yellow squash that are sitting in my kitchen, wondering what I should make with them. Then one day it hit me: doesn't ratatouille require these ingredients? Yes! So I sliced...
...and arranged...
...and baked...
...and ate one of the best meals I have ever prepared. Of course, I wiggled with the recipe quite a bit as my nature almost requires it, but I'm confident that even adherence to the recipe will result in a really great meal. Ratatouille is traditionally a rustic, country peasant's fare, usually presented almost like a vegetable stew, so this version may be a different way of presenting the dish, but it is surely not lacking in deliciousness!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
A Baby Shower for Kokoro...
A few friends and I threw a baby shower for our friend Kokoro last week. It was my first time, but the others had hosted showers before, so they brought in good experience to our motley crew of various skills. We split up the three jobs of RSVPs/games, decorations and food between us, and everything was so manageable. Delegation is the way to go...
This is Kokoro. I am fascinated with her belly (this is coming from a woman with a closet dream to be a midwife), and she has become quite used to me bending over to kiss her bulge and talk to little "Ren chan". He is due October 7th, a day before my birthday, and I have been invited to be present at her labor! Only three people are allowed to attend, so I feel really honored to have a chance to witness the birth of the little guy! Once I leaned down to coo to him, and some body part lept out and hit me in the face, so I have a hunch that he will be samurai in a big way...
Kristi has mad domestic goddess skills up her sleeves. This is her gift to Kokoro and one of her many creations: a very, very cool monster.
The theme of the party was monkeys. Nicole and I made a "diaper cake" and topped it with a monkey holding a balloon. So cheesy, and so enjoyable. We took the monkey theme from a little Japanesey cartoonish drawing of monkeys Kokoro had made one night months ago as part of a game, and I took her style and made some sketches, which Nicole then made into the shower invitation, thank you cards, etc. This party has served Nicole and I as a creative outlet as well...
Not a hot shot (because I'm so anti-flash, even when I sometimes need it), but here are some of our friends who were in attendance: Ann, Pamela, Pamela, Kaitlin, Alicia and Corvin.
The shower was after-dinner hours, so we kept the goodies simple, and just did Ghiradelli chocolate and yogurt fondue, with tons of fresh fruit, and small desserts, and sparkling punch. Kokoro was the guest of honor, but is a gracious guest, and so she brought home made donuts to add to the smorgasborg!
Nicole, Kokoro, me and Melissa at the end of our celebration. Wouldn't it just be grand if all babies were welcomed into the world with so many people to love them?
This is Kokoro. I am fascinated with her belly (this is coming from a woman with a closet dream to be a midwife), and she has become quite used to me bending over to kiss her bulge and talk to little "Ren chan". He is due October 7th, a day before my birthday, and I have been invited to be present at her labor! Only three people are allowed to attend, so I feel really honored to have a chance to witness the birth of the little guy! Once I leaned down to coo to him, and some body part lept out and hit me in the face, so I have a hunch that he will be samurai in a big way...
Kristi has mad domestic goddess skills up her sleeves. This is her gift to Kokoro and one of her many creations: a very, very cool monster.
The theme of the party was monkeys. Nicole and I made a "diaper cake" and topped it with a monkey holding a balloon. So cheesy, and so enjoyable. We took the monkey theme from a little Japanesey cartoonish drawing of monkeys Kokoro had made one night months ago as part of a game, and I took her style and made some sketches, which Nicole then made into the shower invitation, thank you cards, etc. This party has served Nicole and I as a creative outlet as well...
Not a hot shot (because I'm so anti-flash, even when I sometimes need it), but here are some of our friends who were in attendance: Ann, Pamela, Pamela, Kaitlin, Alicia and Corvin.
The shower was after-dinner hours, so we kept the goodies simple, and just did Ghiradelli chocolate and yogurt fondue, with tons of fresh fruit, and small desserts, and sparkling punch. Kokoro was the guest of honor, but is a gracious guest, and so she brought home made donuts to add to the smorgasborg!
Nicole, Kokoro, me and Melissa at the end of our celebration. Wouldn't it just be grand if all babies were welcomed into the world with so many people to love them?
Boys and girls are different
My usual method of fixing things - especially technological items - is to whack them a bit. Broken cell phone? Turn it off, and give it a few good whacks. Computer monitor not working consistently? Pound it a few times on the side. And sometimes, it even works.
Marcos has a different approach. Our computer has been acting up for a few days, and he spent the better part of yesterday fixing it. Whatever he did, it took a lot longer than my method would have taken, but no complaints. We're up and running again!
Marcos has a different approach. Our computer has been acting up for a few days, and he spent the better part of yesterday fixing it. Whatever he did, it took a lot longer than my method would have taken, but no complaints. We're up and running again!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Carrboro Farmer's Market
Today after work I met some friends at the Farmer's Market in downtown Carrboro. Carrboro is Chapel Hill's progressive next-door hippie town, known for it's flavorful night life, live music, bike trails, thrift stores, and Farmer's Market.
As far as narrative about the excursion, my words are few: it was a market, and there were farmers. But the produce, ohhh how beautiful... When I went through my photos after my visit, it looked like someone had clicked the "saturation" button too many times, because the freshness of the produce makes for such radiant pictures. Not only are market vegetables healthier and much tastier than store-bought veggies, but they are more beautiful too...
As far as narrative about the excursion, my words are few: it was a market, and there were farmers. But the produce, ohhh how beautiful... When I went through my photos after my visit, it looked like someone had clicked the "saturation" button too many times, because the freshness of the produce makes for such radiant pictures. Not only are market vegetables healthier and much tastier than store-bought veggies, but they are more beautiful too...
Finishing Projects: Pros and Cons
Today as my professor taught us about threats to internal validity in my research class, I stitched the last stitches of the baby quilt I have been making for my friend Kokoro. Because tonight was the big night for her baby shower, I have been working hard to finish the blanket so that I could give it to her as a gift.
But I came home tonight from the shower and immediately felt a slight sense of loss. Where was my project? And what would I now do to avoid having to do my school work? The following is my personal take on the pros and cons of finishing projects.
Pros: 1) You can move on with life. 2) You (or somebody else) can enjoy the finished product. 3) It is satisfying to complete projects. 4) Creating things is therapeutic.
Cons: 1) You have to move on with life. 2) There's no sense of urgency about completing the project anymore since it's DONE, so you may have to actually do the other things you've been dreading...
But I came home tonight from the shower and immediately felt a slight sense of loss. Where was my project? And what would I now do to avoid having to do my school work? The following is my personal take on the pros and cons of finishing projects.
Pros: 1) You can move on with life. 2) You (or somebody else) can enjoy the finished product. 3) It is satisfying to complete projects. 4) Creating things is therapeutic.
Cons: 1) You have to move on with life. 2) There's no sense of urgency about completing the project anymore since it's DONE, so you may have to actually do the other things you've been dreading...
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The Talent (or Un-talent) Show
Every Monday night we have Family Home Evening with a group of our friends. Most of us are young couples without kids and are fairly new to the area, so we morphed it into a happenin' social event and I think it's pretty safe to say that it's become a highlight of the week for all of us.
Our group started out small (three couples), and it was manageable to rotate through the assignments of preparing lessons, activities and refreshments for afterwards. At our last tally however, we were up to 14 people. Hmmm... is it time to do some social engineering and split the group? Very sad thought.
Happy thought again: this week we did a talent show. It was per my request, and with the response of groans it was only right to make it a talent/un-talent show. For example, I demonstrated (decked out in a pink boa) how to fold a fitted sheet. Marcos juggled and shared his monkey face. Actually, I was really impressed that everyone came with something to share, and it was funny, impressive, and overall really enjoyable!
Nick was a rock star in high school. He was very cool then, and he is still very cool. He sang a song he wrote, and rapped for us.
Nicole did the Jiggly Puff song. For people like me who grew up in a Waldorf School and wouldn't know the Jiggly Puff song if it hit me in the ear, I loved it for what it was, but all of the knowledgable people said that she sounded just like the real Jiggly Puff.
Jason's talent was coaching Kinsey as she counted to ten. At some point she caught stage fright and we had to bust out the cookies as incentive, but she reached "four" before grinding to a halt. Apparently, he's also taught her to count to ten in Spanish!
Kokoro made black ink and demonstrated her skill in Japanese calligraphy. After doing the character pictured here (which means moon, or month), she showed us the character for her son's name when he's born, which is "Ren", or "purified by fire".
My boyfriend is really handsome. It's amazing to me that when I first met him I didn't have that impression at all. Love really does great things; either he's getting handsomer and handsomer every day, or my eyes keep readjusting. Here he is with the Whittier's baby Corvin, looking like a natural...
Our group started out small (three couples), and it was manageable to rotate through the assignments of preparing lessons, activities and refreshments for afterwards. At our last tally however, we were up to 14 people. Hmmm... is it time to do some social engineering and split the group? Very sad thought.
Happy thought again: this week we did a talent show. It was per my request, and with the response of groans it was only right to make it a talent/un-talent show. For example, I demonstrated (decked out in a pink boa) how to fold a fitted sheet. Marcos juggled and shared his monkey face. Actually, I was really impressed that everyone came with something to share, and it was funny, impressive, and overall really enjoyable!
Nick was a rock star in high school. He was very cool then, and he is still very cool. He sang a song he wrote, and rapped for us.
Nicole did the Jiggly Puff song. For people like me who grew up in a Waldorf School and wouldn't know the Jiggly Puff song if it hit me in the ear, I loved it for what it was, but all of the knowledgable people said that she sounded just like the real Jiggly Puff.
Jason's talent was coaching Kinsey as she counted to ten. At some point she caught stage fright and we had to bust out the cookies as incentive, but she reached "four" before grinding to a halt. Apparently, he's also taught her to count to ten in Spanish!
Kokoro made black ink and demonstrated her skill in Japanese calligraphy. After doing the character pictured here (which means moon, or month), she showed us the character for her son's name when he's born, which is "Ren", or "purified by fire".
My boyfriend is really handsome. It's amazing to me that when I first met him I didn't have that impression at all. Love really does great things; either he's getting handsomer and handsomer every day, or my eyes keep readjusting. Here he is with the Whittier's baby Corvin, looking like a natural...
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Men in the Kitchen (aka how to please women)
Last weekend I was busy doing a trillion things, and with two potlucks and minimal time, I recruited Marcos' help with the food prep. Lately I have been staying current with a foodie blog that my friend Damaris owns, and I have been raving about how some of her photography looks so delicious that I want to nibble at the monitor.
Now, if you know Marcos, you know that he is a very conscientious man. Since we have been married, he has worked hard to develop an eye for design, fashion, and a knack for cooking. It tickles me to have him participate and try to care about the traditionally "feminine" things, even if some of his ideas make me wince. I have to hand it to him: I have put in much less effort to be brilliant in areas that he excels in, such as computers.
To put these thoughts together: here is Marcos' work in the kitchen while I was gone. As a tribute to his awesome Aztec Couscous salad and his idea to take a picture of his process, here is a photo of his work, which he appropriately labeled.
Caption: Lime juice, cilantro, red onion and chicken sausage ready to be mixed with the couscous, corn and beans.
Now, if you know Marcos, you know that he is a very conscientious man. Since we have been married, he has worked hard to develop an eye for design, fashion, and a knack for cooking. It tickles me to have him participate and try to care about the traditionally "feminine" things, even if some of his ideas make me wince. I have to hand it to him: I have put in much less effort to be brilliant in areas that he excels in, such as computers.
To put these thoughts together: here is Marcos' work in the kitchen while I was gone. As a tribute to his awesome Aztec Couscous salad and his idea to take a picture of his process, here is a photo of his work, which he appropriately labeled.
Caption: Lime juice, cilantro, red onion and chicken sausage ready to be mixed with the couscous, corn and beans.
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