It's good to be back

After an extended holiday off of work and blogging, I am back. I have lots to update on, and thank you M for keeping me accountable for updating!

I have pictures too! I've updated my entry about decorating my apartment....First Bite Boulder....apple tart making...pot pie recipe....

The holiday was great. M got me an apron! I've never had one. When M's mom came over to make the apple tart with us, she wore one and I've wanted one ever since. Mine is so cute, it's black and white and has cute little pockets with bows on them. It reminds me of Paris. Ironically enough M's mom also bought her an apron and is black and white! M also gave me a Hello Kitty Pez dispenser (loves it) and two framed pictures of us from our Paris trip. I went the practical route and gave M a set of rechargable batteries and charger for her camera, a set of spatulas, and a pastry blender, which will come in handy for the next time we make pie crust.

Kristen gave me this--
even if I did a recipe a day I still wouldn't get through them all in a year!

Santa brought me my very own digital camera, and it's pink! I also got a new 3 in 1 printer, fax, and scanner, a comfy fleece blanket, and a gift card to Payless! It was nice being home, I enjoyed playing Wii with my lil brother and sleeping in. Everyone loved my cookies too! For Christmas Eve, we went to church downtown at Holy Ghost with my aunt and cousin. I saw an old high school classmate--it was awkward, but thankfully I didn't have to talk, as it we were in church. Afterwards we ate at Cheesecake Factory, and then went home. Andrew and I set out cookies for Santa, one oatmeal chocolate chip walnut, one chocolate star-shaped sugar cookie, and a glass of water. Unfortunately we had run out of milk, but Santa didn't seem to mind--he finished all the cookies and drank most of the water.

On Christmas day we were expecting to have my Dad's side of the family over, but my grandma and her significant other didn't come, as he had gone to the emergency room the night before because he tripped on some ice while shoveling snow and injured his back. I did get to see my aunt/godmother, and my uncle and his girlfriend. It was all very low key and my mom and I made good appetizers. We had a relish tray, chips and dip, and fresh mozzerella over tomato, topped with fresh basil and drizzled in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Yum! I have pictures on my new camera to upload of this wonderful feast. For the main course we had ham from the Honey Baked Ham store, smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, and steamed veggies. We were all so stuffed we didn't even break open the pies we bought--apple and cherry--from Village Inn. Oh well.

I was sad to leave home on Sunday but I had made plans with S, so I reluctantly left. We met up at Il Vicino, where we ended up sharing a side salad; lasagna; pizza with marinara sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, tomatoes, and fresh oregano; and new york style cheesecake with raspberry sauce. It was a full meal, complete with a glass of cabernet for each of us. It was great to catch up and to talk about the upcoming year. I have set some goals (both short and long term) already, so I'm excited to get started. We made plans to attend the jazz festival in February downtown, and have agreed to try and hang out more in 2009. After dessert we exchanged gifts. I gave S a giftcard to Starbucks, and he got me....a HELLO KITTY WATERCOOLER. I was completely surprised because he's always making fun of me and Hello Kitty. I haven't set it up yet but it's so cute, I can't wait to use it. And it's perfect for me. hehe.

Speaking of Hello Kitty stuff, I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday on my lunch hour and I got the new 2009 Hello Kitty Engagement Calendar. It's really cute, and I love that it's hardback and it was 50% off, so I scored a bargin and paid $8.10 total, including tax.

Right now, work is going along well. I am so glad I had last week off--I feel refreshed. I haven't figured out what I'm doing for New Years Eve yet--I was apparently invited to go over to my second cousin's house, or spend it with a boy I don't really know. Whatever I do, I want to have fun and bring in the new year. Hopefully Kristen and Josh will have something planned for us all to do, including M and her bf. So we will see! Time is a tickin, that's for sure.

Chicken Pot Pie

Last month M and I made Chicken Pot Pie, courtesy of Oprah.com. It didn't take long, and it used up some extra chicken we had in the fridge. I would make it again, but next time I am going to reduce the amount of cornbread. I like cornbread but I felt like it took over the filling and I like my pot pie nice and juicy. Also please note--we didn't use any Tabasco sauce.

Yum!

Here's the original recipe:

Filling:

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 medium Onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups chopped Roasted Chicken
• 1/2 cup frozen sweet petite peas
• 1 potato, diced and boiled
• 1 1/2 cup chopped, cooked carrots
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• Cracked pepper
• Dash of Tabasco® sauce

Crust:

• 3/4 cup white or yellow cornmeal
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 2 Tbsp. canola oil

To make filling: Preheat the oven to 400°. Spray a 2-quart casserole with cooking spray. In a large sauce pan, heat olive oil and unsalted butter together. Add onion and sauté until tender, about 4 or 5 minutes. Add in flour until blended. Slowly stir in 2 cups of heated chicken stock, whisking well. Cook mixture over medium heat until thickened and bubbly, about 4 minutes. Stir in chicken, peas, potato, carrots, salt, pepper and Tabasco®. Pour into a 2-quart ovenproof casserole dish coated with cooking spray and spread mixture evenly.

To make crust: In a bowl, stir cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Stir milk, egg and canola oil until well combined. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Spoon the batter evenly on the filling. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 22 to 25 minutes.

Procrastination Tips

#1. Plant maintenance. You're plant can always benefit from some simply grooming--clean out the dead leaves, water it, place it in a good spot for sun, etc.

#2. Organize. Whether it be your post it collection, pens, or stocking up on supplies, your desk and desk drawers always need to be organized.

#3. Update your Facebook status. Or write on your friends wall.

#4. Play games online. Try Yahoo! games, or Miniclip. Just make sure to alt+tab over when your boss walks by.

#5. Look at your blogroll, and others. Not only can you learn new recipes, random facts, or local events, it's bound to waste a good 10 minutes or so.

#6. Check all your e-mail accounts. Maybe even e-mail that friend you've been meaning to e-mail for the past month. Now's a perfect time to do it.

#7. Take a walk around the office.

#8. Refill your water, make some tea/coffee, or grab a snack.

#9. Catch up with a co-worker. Now's the time you want to hear all their stories. The more questions you have, the longer the conversation will last.

#10. Check your bank account balance, pay bills online, or put books at the library on hold.

....more to come. Additions are welcome too!

Christmas is coming...

I've been busy, hence why I haven't been updating lately. All the days have meshed together but I know alot of my time has been taken up by baking cookies. I sent out my cookies for the Cookie Swap last week, as well as Christmas cards. I baked sugar cookies this weekend with lemon icing. And I've been wrapping gifts and shopping the past couple weeks too.

This past Saturday we had friends over and decorated and built gingerbread houses, made paper chains, drank holiday punch, and put up Christmas tree lights and snowflakes cut out of paper on our windows. Our apartment is truly festive this year.

Paper Chains--We made Christmas and Kwanzaa themed ones

Our gingerbread houses!

Closeup of the one Kristen, Josh, and & I made

Closeup of M & Jake's roof--so festive!

On Monday I went to my lil brother's Christmas play and caught up with my parents. I haven't been home in awhile--just too busy or dreading driving in the snow. And then yesterday I had my court date. It went well--I talked my original three point ticket down to a 1 point ticket for a "defective headlamp." And my pictures helped save me on the court fees--I had to pay $69.50 total, most of which was mandatory court fees anyways. I feel relieved. Now all I need is a neck massage and a good night's sleep.

Hopefully everyone is celebrating the holidays in style. I have my company Christmas party tonight & more baking ahead of me this weekend. I will post recipes when I post pictures of my wonderful cookies.

All I want for Christmas...

....is to have all my holiday shopping done!

On Saturday M's mom came over and the three of us baked an apple tart.

Ready to be baked

Fresh out of the oven

Ready to eat!

None of us had done this before, but I think it was successful. We took our time baking and listened to the traditional holiday music channel, courtesy of Comcast. The recipe can be found here.

We sipped mimosas

It was very nice and relaxing, and I have to say, I think the beginning of baking coupled with the holiday music helped me start to get into the holiday spirit. I was telling M that when you're away in college, you miss home, and want to celebrate the holidays. But sometimes when you're already "home," the feeling can be harder to achieve.

Luckily, I have vague ideas of what people want this season, so I can get them soon. Other things I'm looking forward to are decorating and building a gingerbread house, and baking.

Have you done your holiday shopping?

Art, art, art

I think the best part of my job lately is the fact that I get to interview people. No, it's not the stiff, "give me a good quote to use" kinda of questions, but more or less informal. Talking about why they painted something or listening to their crazy stories. In one interview today, I had an artist who loves to paint outside, or en plein air. She shared with me how just last week when she was painting in a field, she had a cow come up and lick the paint off her canvas, and recently had a horse go through her purse! You can't make this stuff up! Another artist I talked to, who lives in Hawaii, was telling me how in her new series of paintings, she didn't use any brushes--just her hands, rags, and sponges. How the heck did she get it looking this good? I suppose that's why she's an artist. I'll just stick to writing.



I've got two more artists to interview this afternoon--hopefully they are just as interesting.

So about that snow....

I think I spoke, or rather, wrote, too soon. We are getting dumped with snow at work. I seriously drove like an old person today--like 20mph the entire way from my apartment to work. Only took me an hour to get in. And the only reason why I even ventured up to Boulder was because of my radio show today at noon. After that I'm fleeing for the warmth of my apartment and working from home this afternoon. Thank God.

The one perk of coming into the office today was that there were free breakfast treats in the kitchen--scones, muffins, danishes. All of them looked really good too.

Update: The breakfast treats are from Spruce Confections, no wonder why they are delicious!

Driving in the Snow...

I for one am happy that it hasn't snowed much lately. Yes, snow would add to the ambience of the holiday season. BUT, snow is such a pain to drive in, especially when you don't have a four-wheel drive SUV.

Perhaps my bad driving experience last winter has contributed to my dread of driving in the snow too. Last winter I was leaving my apartment complex, and as I was coming down the mini hill, I saw a car had spun out and that cops were on the scene. So I freaked, and slammed on my brakes, which made my entire car spin, and I almost hit the curb--I missed it by like 2 inches. I was so shook up, becuase I'd never done that before, so I just sat in my car, until a guy in an SUV came and moved my car for me. Given this unfortunate experience, I now dread driving anywhere in the snow, especially because all the areas by my apartment are hilly! Maybe if all the roads in Colorado were flat like they are in Kansas, maybe, winter-time driving wouldn't be such a pain.

It's snowing right now, I know. But, I'm not worried because a) none of it's sticking to the roads, much less the ground, and b) I know this weekend is supposed to be nice, so even if it does snow the predicted 2-4 inches, it'll melt soon enough.

I'm considering asking S to show me how to deal with fishtailing in the snow--he knows how to drift in the snow, so I imagine that it's very similar to driving in the snow, and I do have alot of open space aka empty parking lots nearby.... it might be something to try this winter.

Cookie Swap

I'm participating in my first ever cookie swap! I'm really excited. I've been scouring the 'net and asking relatives for recipes.

So far the suggestions I've gotten are for "no bake" cookies from my aunt, my mom's oatmeal raisin recipe, and sugar cookies. I personally want to try making gingerbread cookies, but we'll see. I don't want anything too hard, as I'm most likely going to be taking over my mom's kitchen when I make these because she has a mixer. The people in my group request that there be no nuts in any of the cookies, which I don't mind at all.

Readers: If y'all have any cookie suggestions, let me know!


Here's the cookie swap details:

• Each person will make 3 dozen cookies and will mail each of their partners 1 dozen cookies along with the recipe.


• Cookies must be home baked.


• Cookies must be prepared by adult hands, no little fingers in the dough.
  


• All cookies should be mailed by December 6th.


• Cookies should ship well packaged in air tight containers (like Ziploc bags) and packed well with paper or bubble wrap to avoid breakage.


• You need not have a blog to swap with us, anyone is welcome!

I'm backkkk

Thanksgiving and generally getting away from the city was great. We stayed in a bigger condo this time--it was awesome. My parents slept in a king size bed in a loft, then the main level had a living room, kitchen, and 2 bedrooms with queen size beds. And the downstairs level had another mini kitchen, complete with its own bathroom/shower and queen size bed.

It was perfect. Well, almost. The kitchen appliances were kinda crazy. Case in point: On Thanksgiving day, we put the turkey in the oven, and set the cooking time for 3 hours. Well, in between that time, we put brie and garlic cloves in there to cook, and what we didn't know, but found out the hard way, was that everytime we opened the oven door, the oven would completely stop baking! Luckily, my mom checked on the turkey about an hour after we put in it there, and that's when she discovered the problem. Another problem we had was with the stove top. I ended up making all three sides--Cook's Illustrated Green Bean Casserole, glazed carrots, and squash with browned butter and fresh thyme. The problem I had, was that the stove top wouldn't cool down--for one of the dishes I had to go from high to lo, and even though the knob was on lo, it felt like high. I ended up just using different burners. And my glazed carrots--the easiest recipe out of all of them--I didn't read the directions right. *my bad* So instead of glazed carrots, we had steamed carrots--probably healthier anyways, right? In addition to the oven problems, my mom broke the blender, and we later discovered that only the right side of the toaster actually worked. We did survive though--instead of eating at 3:30, we ate at 6.

Good times were had by all. We didn't get any snow up there, so no one skiied, and it was 45 degrees on Thanksgiving Day. Of course when we left on Saturday, it was snowing. Figures! While we were up in Steamboat we went swimming in the hot springs and it snowed while we were out there! I caught snowflakes on my tongue. It was awesome. I had a blast. I even stayed the weekend with the family. It was nice having my mom make my meals, be around our dog Hailey, and play Wii with my lil brother. And I quasi helped my other brother with some RA stuff. I don't miss homework, that's for sure. All in all, it was a great weekend--I don't wanna be here at work, but I'm thankful to have a job.

I made funfetti cookies last night!! Pictures to come soon!!!

At the last minute...

I'm so antsy right now. I feel anxious for Thanksgiving and really random. I feel like running around my office and jumping up and down and shouting crazy things and laughing hysterically. AHHHHHHH!

Every year my immediate family and I spend Thanksgiving up in Steamboat Springs. We usually rent the same condo, and my Dad and brother will go skiing while my mom and I either go shopping or curl up by the fireplace with a good book. Or take a long, hot bath. This year could be different due to family drama. But I still can't wait to escape the city and be surrounded by the wonderful trees and snow. Well, hopefully there's snow up there.

Last Thanksgiving I made creamed onions. I got the recipe from my friend Katie's mom, Diane. Katie and I met sophomore year of college and were both RA's. During the holidays, I never went home for Thanksgiving--it was just too expensive for a college kid to afford, so I often spent the holidays with college friends. In this case, I spent Thanksgiving with Katie and her family in New Hampshire. And I later got to see them again after they moved to Maine. Regardless, this particular Thanksgiving we actually spent in Cape Cod, with her grandparents. Her grandma made the best apple pie, and we made homemade applesauce (amazing!). All very good memories as you can see. Anyways, one of the specialties they always have at Thanksgiving is Diane's onions. They were really good, and believed to bring good health and longevity. Well last year I made them for my family, and they were great, but we couldn't eat them all.

So this year, I'm determined to make something. I want to feel as tho I've contributed to the meal. I asked my mom for suggestions and she suggested I do a vegetable dish, as the desserts are already covered. I've been browsing ideas online but I haven't really come up with anything that's exciting or something that my family will actually eat.

Here's my current ideas:

1. Glazed Carrots--kinda boring, but also simple. They have my Dad's vote.
   
2. Butternut Squash with Browned Butter and Thyme. (This has my vote.)
3. Green Beans; either the homemade green bean casserole courtesy of my mom's coworker's recipe OR simple green beans topped with olive oil and some salt.
   

I know this is last minute, but does anyone out there have any other suggestions? What's your vote??

p.s. I should add that we already are planning on having stuffing, corn, mashed potatoes, and turkey.

Quick Update

• I did attend First Bite Boulder with M. We went to Trattoria on Pearl. Yum! Pictures to come as soon as M finds her camera cord.
• More pictures to come of the pot pie M and I made a couple weeks ago.
• I'm still behind on my novel, but I'm planning to make up some serious ground this week.
• My brother is back for Thanksgiving break
• M made butternut squash soup last night--looked and tasted very good!
• Thanksgiving is almost here--can't wait to escape from the city & work.
• My insurance company called me last week to notify me that the girl involved in the accident--she's hired an attorney. (bummer)
  

First Bite Boulder

Tonight M and I went to Trattoria on Pearl for First Bite Boulder. We opted for the wine pairings instead of the flight of wine. It was so nice to have a fancy dinner together. We haven't had one since Paris. Enjoy the mouth watering pictures below!

M's first course: Rotollino di Melanzane
Rolled eggplant filled with herb goat cheese, served with marinara sauce and basil

My first course: Fonduta con asparaggi e gamberetti
Gulf shrimp, fresh asparagus and leeks in a creamy mascarpone cheese fondue

M's second course: Osso Buco
Braised lamb shank served over risotto with wild mushrooms and fresh broccolini

My second course: Gnocchi di Zucca al burro e salvia
Homemade butternut squash gnocchi tossed with brown butter and sage-lemon sauce

Our desserts: Torta al Cioccolato fondente & Lime Tart-Ooooo Fantasy

I need new blogs to read. Any suggestions?

I feel...

...like giving up.

Eeeks! I'm Behind

I'm behind. Yes, on my novel. I didn't write pretty much all last week, because I was either distracted by gentleman callers or too drained both mentally and emotionally. Apparently by today I should be at 15,000 words or so. I'm only at like 11,200. But, yesterday I started out with only 7,000 words. I went to the Denver Public Library and wrote while S worked on his paper. I got alot done, considering I wrote about 4,000 words in about, oh, 3 hours.

I know, it's probably not fair that I'm doing this whole Novel Writing thing because I'm a writer by trade. BUT, I'd like to point out that writing a novel is alot more work than writing about art, or interviewing someone, because you have to actually be creative and think. I know, what a concept. At this point my novel hasn't really evolved yet. I'm still writing about the characters and such. But I'm sure I'll stumble into a plot soon. When I was chatting with L today, she told me that some people in NaNoWriMo are already done! I was like, that's fine, but we're first timers-maybe if we had been doing NaNoWriMo for like 5 or 10 years, then we'd be one of those people. As it is, I'm just trying to keep my head above water. But I'm definitely not giving up. I've come this far, I can keep on writing. Right?

Ramblings

Saturday I went to my first CU football game with my family. Apparently CU donated some tickets to my brother's school, which also came with a coupon for a free hot dog and drink. Not too shabby. After the game, my mom and I wandered 29th Street Mall. We had fun playing dress up with make up in Sephora, where she bought new lip stain and lip balm. Who knew they had lip stain nowadays? It looks kinda scary to me but it gets the job done, so my mom is happy with it. We also perused Z Gallerie, Ann Taylor Loft, and Victoria's Secret. Sometimes window shopping can be so much fun.

After the mall, my mom and I went to eat at Mimi's, and then came home. My lil brother was high on energy, so I convinced him to let me pull out his tooth. It was so loose--it was about time it came out. I of course didn't do it, my mom did. (All I did was remind him of the perks--the tooth fairy.) Growing up, she was always the one to do the honors. She'll tie a piece of floss around the tooth, pull it tight, and then watch as the tooth falls out. It's a pretty classic method. Apparently when my brother needed his last tooth out, my Dad actually tied floss to his tooth and then around a doorknob, and shut the door. According to him, that method doesn't work--the floss tore in half. I find this to be pretty hysterical because 1) that's something my Dad would try, and 2) I've always wanted to know if that worked or not. Now I have an answer :)

But kids these days have it easy. My mom used Orajel to numb around the tooth, and then once it was all said and done, my Dad promised him $5. Whenever the tooth fairy came to me, I got a dollar per tooth. Not five dollars! Man, I was born in the wrong order. I should've been the youngest--not the oldest. Oh well. Wonders never cease.

It Could Be Worse

At 7:45 a.m. this morning I heard a knocking at my door. I was puzzled because no one besides maintenance knocks, and so I answered the door in my pajamas to discover it was...the cop from yesterday who gave me the accident info sheet and promised to call me. Calling and showing up to my apartment is completely different.

Anyways, he said that "since Colorado is no longer a no fault state, they have to find someone at fault, and they believe I was at fault." Therefore, they issued me a summons to court, along with a 3 point ticket for "failure to yield on a left hand turn." My court date is December 16, more than a month away. Part of me wishes it was sooner so that while all the details are fresh in my head. My reaction to this news was of course crying, and asking the officer a billion and one questions, which he answered until I had no more to ask. He said I could bring someone with me to court, and that most likely what will happen is that I will meet with the prosecutor and basically plead guilty, and then he will make a recommendation to the judge, who will issue the final decision. I do have the right to take it to a juried trial with people or without the people and just the judge. He also said that they will take into account my driving record, which had nothing on it, not even a ticket. He said in this case because this was an accident, I have to appear in court, and I can't receive a plea bargain in the mail.

He also said that the girl went and got a catscan and was unconscious and confused as to where she was at one point, but they said the catscan revealed nothing, and she was released. Also, the officer told me she was riding in lane 2, which clearly implies she was NOT on the sidewalk. She doesn't have to appear in court though.

I did talk with my insurance agent, and he said nothing will be paid out as far as her medical bills because they officially have not come to a conclusion as to who was at fault. If they do find I am guilty, then my insurance will deal with it.

In reality, I'm guessing that's what will end up happening, and I'm sure my insurance rate will go up, but I won't know for sure. Part of me feels scared to go to court, because I'm not a criminal, it was an accident, and I don't want to get in trouble. But the other part of me is hella pissed, and ready to fight for my side of the story and ready to defend myself. I have asked my mother to come with me, partially for moral support, but also because she is very versed in the court system stuff, and Colorado laws. No, she's not a lawyer, but she's had to deal with my 19-yr-old brother losing his license and getting in accidents, so she's familiar with the process. At least everyone is okay, and at least I have a chance to reduce the ticket. And I think I might even be able to sleep tonight. S says that situations like these give you a chance to prove what kind of person you are; I agree. I think I am in the right to be freaked out and upset at this moment, but I know come court day, I'll be a poised, eloquent, adult.

p.s. One thing my insurance agent made me feel better about was that technically they don't have any proof of me failing to yield, so how can they prove me guilty without proof? The black SUV lady was just turning the corner down the street, so she only saw the aftermath.
p.p.s. A co-worker suggested I take pictures of my point of vision from where the accident happened, to prove that the trees which line the sidewalk could've obstructed my vision. At this point, I'm willing to consider anything that will help my defense.

Worst Day Ever

I've had the worst morning ever. Seriously.

At like 8:48 a.m. I was coming out of my apartment complex. I went down the big hill, and stopped at the STOP sign. I looked both ways, and only saw a black SUV turning the corner. I was easing into the intersection, about to turn left, when all of a sudden I collided with a girl on a bike! The next moments flew by so fast--I didn't see her coming at all. Then just like the movies, it was slow motion that I stopped, and saw her roll off the hood of my car.

I was so shook up, I parked my car. I got out. I found her on the ground near the trunk of my car. She wasn't wearing a helmet, and had a backpack on. She sat up, crying. I went over and told her I was so sorry and I didn't see her, and asked if she was okay. Then the lady driving the black SUV stopped and came over calling 911, telling her to lay back down. The girl was on her way to work, biking up the hill, and is 23. She had dreadlocks, and she said she didn't want to go to the hospital because she didn't have insurance. I was just in shock.

The ambulance came, along with a huge fire truck. They checked her out, she said her head kinda hurt but she was fine. They insisted she go get checked out so she stood and put herself on the gurney thingy. Then the cops came, and they took pictures of the accident; where my car was, the scrapes on my car from her bike; where the bike landed; where I stopped. It was a good thing my car was dirty because they could see where she slid off my car. I wasn't going fast at all. I swear she wasn't on the sidewalk; I would've seen her. I was so shook up I gave the cop my expired insurance card. I thought that since it said 2008 on it that it was valid. But it wasn't. It was from April. But they called my insurance company and they verified me, so that worked out. The other cop took her bike and the last cop just gave me a copy of the accident information exchange paper and said he was going to visit the girl in the hospital and see her side of the story and then he would call me. He said at that point he didn't know whose fault it was. I tried to explain my side, while teary-eyed of course, but I'm not sure if that helped. At least the first cop I spoke with listened to me.

So now I wait. I've been waiting all day long--I'm very anxiety-ridden at this point. I don't want to eat, I don't want to drink anything. I really don't want to be at work. I am so scared to drive now but I have to tonight because I'm going to this volunteer awards ceremony. I am super paranoid now, especially because I work in Boulder--city of the bicyclists.

I just hope that she doesn't sue me. I hope that she doesn't change her story and tell the officer that I was speeding or that I intentially hit her. I hope that she is okay. I hope that I'm not in trouble. No matter how many times I've told myself it was an accident, I still feel terrible. The way that the black SUV lady looked at me, it was like I had killed someone. I just want to go home and be with my doggie and around family and cry some more.

I know that life goes on, and if I am at fault, then I have no choice but to "man up" and handle it. I'm an adult now. But my question is, if no one is at fault, who pays for her ambulance fee to the hospital? And if I am at fault, do I just pay my $500 deductible? Will my insurance go up? I asked my agent if it would, and he said it would depend on the amount of money the insurance company pays.

I want it to be okay. I want to feel safe. Keep your fingers crossed for me. If I don't hear anything tonight, I'm definitely calling tomorrow.

1, 2, 3...

...and I'm off! Writing of course. I started writing on Saturday for NaNoWriMo, and made it past my goal of 1,667 words. Yesterday was a bit tougher to get through the word count, but that was completely my fault. I didn't start writing until like 8p.m., which is bad news because I write best in the afternoons. Instead of writing, I spent my morning in bed sleeping in and then reading for fun. I am a fan of the time change. In the afternoon I went shopping at New York & Company where I got a new white puffer vest and soft purple sweater for $35. Yea, it was a steal of a deal. Then I moseyed on to Kohl's. I didn't find anything I couldn't live without, so I left. My next stop was Best Buy, where I checked out the Nikon A590, and 1100. I'm torn between which one is better, or which one I want, but nonetheless, it was good to look. Overall it was a great weekend because I got to relax and sleep in!

Halloween but nothing scary

I spent Halloween with M and her bf, drinking pumpkin beer out of my new Halloween glasses. I'll have to post a pic of them soon. They are so cute! I got a whole set of 5 at Feather Thy Nest in Boulder. I'd never been there before but I was walking back to the office and spotted the sign that said "All Halloween items 75% off." After consulting with M, I decided to just get two classes, because I thought they would be $2.50 each. Turns out the entire set was $2.50. What a steal!

We didn't have any trick-o-treaters, but I blame that on us living in an apartment complex. But we still made a sign that said Trick or Treat and taped it on our front door. After eating spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread, we all watched some of Bravo's 100 Scariest Moments, and this ghost hunters show. We saw nothing really scary, but it was a relaxing night.

Another reason to vote

Two more reasons to vote...free ice cream AND donuts!

I voted...have you?

WOOT! WOOT!

Bollywood Part Three

I hate to admit it but I actually had fun last night at Bollywood class. The instructor apparently knows my name too. She asked if I was going to keep with this class. I said I wasn't sure. But the song we're learning now, Chaiyya Chaiyya (from Dil Se), is really fun. And I actually remembered the steps this time. So I'm torn...I could just buy another 4 pack of classes for $40, and go the next couple of times and then attend again after the new year. Because classes are good for a year from the date of purchase. And I'd actually like to try the Bhangra class but I can't do it because I don't get off of work till 5:30, and class starts at 5:15, and I feel guilty asking my boss to leave early on those days just for a dance class. A paycheck is much more important.

But back to last night's festivities. After we learned the first part of the song, we gathered around and listened to our instructor tell us about Diwali, and background of it. She also showed us a tray of stuff on there and their significance. She had two figures on it, a little container filled with rice, and other with some red stuff, and a candle. She showed us the blessing that they traditionally do which includes dipping your ring finger in the red stuff and then putting a dot on your forehead and then adding rice to your dot and then you take your hands and wave the fire towards you as a blessing for the new year. I was completely fascinated by this and took part in it. It was great to be apart of such a thing, even if I'm not Indian. And I think I appreciated it even more because I majored in Cultural Anthropology, so I was totally loving that aspect of this whole ritual too.


After the blessing, she gave us each our own deepa, which is a small pot that you put oil in and then a wick and then light. She even let us keep them! (Image is courtesy of Wikipedia) How sweet of her! She explained that during Diwali, it's ritual to light these. Supposedly, the brighter your house is the more apt you are to receive the gods' blessing. We filled our deepas with mustard seed oil, and put in a little cotton ball-looking wick, and then lit them. She also added that many people gamble on Diwali because they want to make money for their family and for the new year. Sounds fun!

Once we lit our deepas, the entire class went outside in the parking lot and lit both American and Indian sparklers and danced around. When we came inside, the instructor laid out special treats that she had shipped from a store in Queens, NY. Again, she told us what they were called, but I forget. The one I tried was a ball size of dough, yellow, and had cucumber seeds, crushed up nuts, and sugar and flour in it. There was one that was made from chick peas and cashews, and another that had saffron in it. I saved half of my treat and gave it to M for her to try. It was just wayyy to sugary to eat it all at once! And I learned that one of the girls in my class, she studied abroad in India for a semester. No wonder she's like bffs with the instructor.

Overall, it was a great time. I wish every class was like this!

Voting

Gahhhh....why does the Colorado ballot have to be so long?!?!

Thank God for Wikipedia, or rather Ballotpedia. They summarize all those long worded amendments and referendums. I have a mail in ballot, that I plan to fill out tonight, provided I don't immediately collapse into bed when I get home. But I hope it'll get there in time. Or maybe I should just drop it off by hand? Hmmm...

For some reason, I have been into this election. M suggested that it might because the DNC was held here. That's a possibility. Or it could be because I actually want to know what's going on in the world now. I mean, I never will be one of those people who is outspoken on politics, but it sure does make a girl feel good when she can contribute to conversations about politics, especially in the office. And I liked talking about the debates with L. Maybe this year is different because I actually know what I agree and disagree with and where I stand on the issues. Either way, I'm armed with pen in hand, and ready to fill out this ballot. Finally.

p.s. I've decided not to risk it--I'm going to drop it off in person at one of the voting centers.
p.p.s. I will have no sympathy for my friends who are choosing not to vote when taxes go up or the cost of healthcare multiplies. They should've voted.

Diwali

I have my last Bollywood class tonight. Apparently we're going to be dancing around and eating candy tonight to celebrate Diwali. Wikipedia's definition is written below.

Diwali (or Deepavali) is a major Hindu holiday, and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. ^[3] Many legends are associated with Diwali. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Lights," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being. Diwali is celebrated on the new moon day (approx fifteenth day) of the month Kartika.

Last night on my way home from King Soopers, I finally went to the Indian store I had found via Google. Turns out they had Hindi movies! While of course they were pirated, I didn't mind paying $2 a piece. I got three, all recommended by the clerk--Hello, which is apparently a spin off of Bruce Almighty; Love Story 2050, which seems like a Matrix type movie--futuristic at least; and Dhaamal, which is apparently a comedy and really funny. Hopefully I will get to watch one or all of them soon and let you know what I thought of them. Now that I know they have movies, I want to go back and get some of the ones that we danced to in my Bollywood class.

First Bite Boulder

I'm excited for First Bite Boulder. So excited, that I spent some time looking through the menus and ranking them by preference. What are your favorites? Is anyone else going?

1. Trattoria on Pearl--everything sounds good! and it appears we get wine with the meal
2. Bacaro--Pumpkin and sweet potato ravioli with butternut squash, sage, walnut crème, or fettuccine sounds good
3. Black Cat--Farmers cheese gnocchi & chocolate dessert sounds good
4. Zolo Grill--Tortilla soup, porkchop, and pumpkin trio sound good
5. Dolan's--I like that you can get a bigger steak--12oz & good dessert choices--creme brulee or mixed berry crisp

Hopefully M and I will narrow it down and make our reservations!

Ew, Ew, Ewwwwww!

The grossest thing just happened to me. So I have no idea why, but our office has fruit flies. Not masses of them, but enough for you to notice them, specifically in the kitchen. Well, I've noticed one or two around Matilda before but thought nothing of it. Until right now. I was eating my oatmeal and perusing the Web when I looked down and there was a freakin' fruit fly IN MY OATMEAL! Like on my spoon and everything! SOOOOOO GROSSS! Seriously! I totally threw it away and lost my appetite. And then took a Clorox wipe and wiped down my desk. I wish they'd go away so I can eat in peace!

NaNoWriMo

While reading Journey Juju a couple of weeks ago I learned that there is also such a thing called NaNoWriMo--National Novel Writing Month, which takes place throughout November! I totally signed up. I'd like to think that blogging everyday this month has been kind of like a warm up for NaNoWriMo. At least I hope. I have been meaning to write a novel ever since L did last summer. And M even got me a Hello Kitty notepad for my birthday in which she suggested I use it to write down my book ideas. At one point I was writing down an idea a day. I have since stopped the brainstorming, but I'd like to think I have a few interesting plots to choose from. On one hand, I'm totally excited about this. But on the other hand, I'm thinking, "Holy crap, what'd I get myself into??" "Can I really write 50,000 words in a month?" I still need to allifilate myself with a region, but I've signed up. So there's no going back now!

Here's the welcome e-mail they sent me. I totally agree with all of it! It was as if they read my mind!

Before you head off to begin training those typing fingers, we wanted to offer a few bits of advice. You'll find many great tips in the forums, and we'll be sending pep talks directly to your inbox during November. But for now, here's a quick overview of the three-and-a-half things we wish we had known for our first NaNoWriMo.

1) It's okay to not know what you're doing. Really. You've read a lot of novels, so you're completely up to the challenge of writing one. If you feel more comfortable outlining your story ahead of time, do so. But it's also fine to just wing it. Write every day, and a book-worthy story will appear, even if you're not sure what that story might be right now.

2) Do not edit as you go. Editing is for December. Think of November as an experiment in pure output. Even if it's hard at first, leave ugly prose and poorly written passages on the page to be cleaned up later. Your inner editor will be very grumpy about this, but your inner editor is a nitpicky jerk who foolishly believes that it is possible to write a brilliant first draft if you write it slowly enough. It isn't. Every book you've ever loved started out as a beautifully flawed first draft. In November, embrace imperfection and see where it takes you.

3) Tell everyone you know that you're writing a novel in November. This will pay big dividends in Week Two, when the only thing keeping you from quitting is the fear of looking pathetic in front of all the people who've had to hear about your novel for the past month. Seriously. Email them now about your awesome new book. The looming specter of personal humiliation is a very reliable muse.

3.5) There will be times you'll want to quit during November. This is okay. Everyone who wins NaNoWriMo wanted to quit at some point in November. Stick it out. See it through. Week Two can be hard. Week Three is much better. Week Four will make you want to yodel.

And we're talking the good kind of yodeling here.

With great well wishes on the noveling month ahead,

The NaNoWriMo Team

I'm free!

So I had the talk with S tonight, and it went well. Yes I was nervous but I asked what I wanted to know, and I got the answers. And it wasn't even anything personal, and it wasn't awkward either. And it was good to catch up with him. And now I feel relieved, and free, and I know that we won't work out because we don't want the same things. I just hope these good feelings aren't just a high. I'm ready to move on. Life awaits me!

Pumpkins anyone?

Yesterday was filled with Halloween activites...I carved a pumpkin and drank some good beer, all in the midst of great company. I'd forgotten how much fun the Halloween season can be!

This is me focusing on scraping the inside of the pumpkin clean. It took awhile and sure was hard work!

Our pumpkins on our patio...M's is the bat; mine is clearly hello kitty!

Hello Kitty by night

Candy, Candy, Candy!

M's mom gave us a huge bag of candy. I've been taking it for my candy jar at work. Candy, candy, candy! There are so many options! Personally, I am a big fan of Starbursts. I used to like Skittles but only the purple and red ones. KitKats are alright and I still like Snickers. Not really fond of Whoppers or Milk Duds.

What's your favorite candy?

Dream another Dream

Surprise, surprise...I've had more interesting dreams lately.

This week alone, I've dreamt of Peter Pan, getting married, and losing a team challenge with my highschool boyfriend. Weird.

My Peter Pan dream was the coolest. I was at a house by CU and it was this like quasi mansion. The floors were marble, it had a winding staircase..you get the idea. Well, I was in the backyard of the house. I had snuck through the metal gate and climbed up the tree. I was looking for a secret button to make the trees leaves grow. But while I was on the first branch, an old, bald, and fat guy came near me and kept shouting at me to get down. In the midst of not wanting to be seen, I climbed up and up and up the tree until I was pretty much near the top. It was then that I realized I was wearing a very cute skirt--it was white but had loosely drawn on green leaves. I liked it. For some reason the old guy kept yelling, and somehow I figured out how to make the tree grow leaves. All I had to do was hold the branch with both hands and a flower would bloom. It was neat. It was then that I noticed a secret button on the tree's trunk. I pressed it and the entire tree started growing leaves. I felt proud.

Then somehow I climbed down the tree to find this little boy, and he was Peter Pan. And because I had made the tree grow, he could fly again. So I grabbed onto him and we flew! We were flying by the tree when I noticed another button on the tree, and this button made the tree's leaves change from being spiky to smooth and rounded leaves. Unfortunately, because of the old man's yelling, he caused the next door neighbors to come out and watch us flying. They were trying to video tape us and put it on Youtube. I knew this because as soon as they started to record, a screen appeared in the sky asking if it was ok to post to Youtube. It was then that I made Peter Pan fly to the balcony of the house, where his parents and other adults were eating appetizers and drinking. Peter Pan and I arrived, and his parents were very nonchalant about his flying. Like they knew he could do that. And that's how it ended.

My other dream involved me getting married! Ack! Apparently I went to the church, my family was there and so were the guests. I wore a lacy gown, but it wasn't anything spectacular. I remember my mom was crying because she was so happy that I was getting married. And I remember when they played the wedding music for me, and I walked down the aisle, I freaked out on the inside because I realized that I'd be with this guy forever, and that I didn't love him! Of course I didn't tell a soul this terrible thought. Instead I went up to the priest, and he made my brothers come up to the altar. They started telling everyone jokes about me and I laughed because it was funny. And then I remember the reception was also in the same space as teh ceremony, and during this time, people started going up to the buffet and eating! And I was upset because I wanted to be the main spotlight, I didn't want people eating before me. From what I gathered when I woke up, I never did tie the knot. Thank God!

I wonder what I'll dream of next...

Bollywood part two

Bollywood class last night was good--we finished learning the choreography to the 7 minute song. But before class, an awkward exchange took place between me and the instructor.

Class is supposed to start at 6:15, and I don't like being late, I like to be early. So I got out of my car at like 6:10, only to find that the door to the studio was locked. So of course I rolled my eyes and sighed and then walked away. Well, there was a car parked in front of the door, and I thought the lady in the car was someone I had met in a previous class. But it turned out to be my instructor. She was on her Blackberry. She and I made eye contact and she held up her finger as to say 1 minute. I of course gave her space and walked away from her car and waited.

Her: (gets out of her car, acknowledges my presence) Oh hi!
Me: Hi
Her: Sorry about that I was just finishing up an e-mail
Me: Oh no problem, I didn't realize the studio was locked because everytime I've come here it's always unlocked.
Her: Yea, sorry, i was typing up an e-mail.
Me: Oh yea, no problem...I guess I must be early today because it was locked.
Her: I KNOW I WAS TYPING UP AN E-MAIL (and says this while giving me a death stare)
Me: Oh no problem.
Her: unlocks the door
Me: awkwardly walks in and stares at bulletin board of dance flyers until other people walk in the studio. Then listen to her talk to all the other attendees about her daughter.

I seriously didn't mean to make her mad or feel bad about typing up her e-mail. I'd like to think the reason why she gave me such attitude was because she might have had a long day or might be stressed out. It's better to give her the benefit of the doubt, right?

I was so happy to be done with the class last night. That is until I got an e-mail from my instructor today saying that I have one more class left. Figures--just my luck. I don't wanna go! I'm tempted to e-mail her back asking her to double check her records, but I don't want her to email me back with attitude. So I might just have to suck it up and go again for the last time. For realz.

Bollywood

Tonight is my last Bollywood class. No, the classes aren't over or anything. I've just run out of classes. I only signed up for a 4 class package, because I wasn't sure if I would like it enough to do more than that and I didn't really have $100 to blow. I have mixed feelings on this whole Bollywood class. On one hand, I like it because it's different. I love, love, love, to try new things. And my college roommate Tina and I used to watch Hindi movies together freshmen year. So maybe I am doing this to remind me of those good times. And the songs have been fun, and I want to rent one soon. Not sure if anyone knows wheres abouts in the Denver-ish areas I can do that?

But I don't like the instructor. I used to dance but haven't in awhile. I guess I expected her to be more patient. But I feel like once you're on her good side, you stay there. And I haven't put in the effort to do so. So, I won't miss that part of Bollywood class. But I'll miss the music. At least there's always the website, and maybe I will go back and do more classes.

What should I try next?

A Mix of Everything

Marie & I

I visited my lil friend Marie last night. It was my first time meeting with her alone, but things went really well. I told her I had a present to give her (a framed picture of us), and she said "I don't know how to accept presents." It was cute. Once she saw it, she looked at it and said "I don't like the way I look in this picture. I never used to look this way." She's really funny. We talked about her four sons and she showed me pictures of her visit with them in Texas from 2001. We talked about politics too, and she showed me The Progressive, which I have never seen before. It was a good visit, and it went by fast too. I stayed for over an hour because I wanted to. I'm planning on seeing her next week, and for Christmas I want to get her a holiday mug or cup, and a snowglobe.

After driving home in the rain, I painted my nails. I used a new bottle of nail polish that I had gotten last year from Ulta. It's pink with glitter! I feel like I'm 13 again. But it works, and it dried fast and I didn't care about smudging it. I'll probably put on some "grown up" nail polish later when I have more time. I'm thinking a nice fall color--like maroon.

Today has gone by swimmingly. Ha, funny I mention swimming because I did just that in my dream last night. It was the coolest thing ever--I was in a pool and in the water there were bunches of colorful fishes. I remember swimming alongside an angel fish and seeing a jellyfish and one other kind, but they all had rainbow colors on them. And I remember being very excited that I could hold my breath for a long time and swim. The water was also calm in my dream and I just seemed to float along. It was cool!

But back to today. On my lunch hour, I went outside. My intention was to journal by the creek, but that didn't exactly happen. Instead I sat on my favorite rock and watched the ducks swimming in the creek. I even had a squirrel come up to me. Like, almost touching me. I think he thought I might have food, because an old man down the path was feeding the ducks some bread and the squirrels some peanuts. While I thought it was cool that the squirrel could come so close and not be afraid of me, I was also afraid of getting bit so I moved around and the squirrel moved along too. As I was about to start writing, a big gust of wind came and blew bunches of leaves all around. I'd like to classify this phenomenon as a leaf storm. Instead of walking away and seeking shelter, I stayed put and let the leaves pelt me and let me hair fly all around in the wind. It was seriously so fun--I laughed. I laughed hard, and loud. And I'm sure people stared, but at that moment, it was great. I felt like a kid.

It's a Monday

I woke up with a killer headache this morning but still went into work. Ate an apple and took some motrin, but that didn't help. If anything I felt worse so I left work at 10:30. Came home only to realize that I didn't put the heat on the dryer last night--I used the fluff (no heat) setting. Oy.

Seeing Marie tonight. Then hopefully taking a bath and going to bed early.

There's a new farmers market store called Sprouts. My mom went there and bought groceries this morning. She said it's comparable to Sunflower.

Slept in (yay!) and then ate breakfast--egg whites and chicken sausage. Showered, then headed downtown to the Falling Rock Taphouse. Came home with three new beer glasses, a hat, and a t-shirt. Oh, and filled up two growlers of beer! Not too bad for a Sunday.

Came home, watched the Other Boleyn Girl movie today--it was good.

Today I...

1. Got new boots at Payless
2. Had breakfast with Grandma and other family on my Dad's side
3. Went to Payless and bought new boots
   
4. Got my own Costco membership!
5. Went to Costco and bought necessities
6. Rushed back home, got ready for church
7. Went to church with Mom
8. Went to Linens n Things to look for a picture frame
9. Ended up getting a picture frame at the dollar store
10. Went to parents house & made snickerdoodle cookies

...all in a day's work.

TGIF

YAYYYYYYY! This week is overrrrrrrrrr. Man, this one felt like a long one.

I don't have much going on this weekend--it's S's birthday tomorrow and the GABF party is on Sunday. Possible ideas of things to do this weekend include:

1. Spending time outside including going for a hike or taking pictures of the beautiful trees and landscapes. I think that would be relaxing.
   
2. Journaling
3. Shopping for a pair of new boots
4. Dropping off dry cleaning/getting jeans altered
   
5. Going to the Family 9News Health Fair to get my blood tested.
6. Possible breakfast plans with my family and grandma

I went to a cooking class last night with M at our apt complex. We didn't get to do the cooking, but we certainly got to eat it. The guy who cooked everything works at the OMNI Hotel as a sous chef. His name is Patrick and he lives in our building on the third floor. He made tomato and mozzarella and basil as an appetizer, pasta carbonara as the main dish, and cannolis, which he dipped each side in crushed pistachios and chocolate chips. It was super yummy, and fun to eat. (I should've taken pictures) I also met this girl Stacie whom I have seen walking in the mornings. It was fun. They are planning to do it again next month with a thanksgiving theme. Can't wait!

Side note: I hate the new layout of iGoogle. I want my tabs back on the top!

Just Askin'

Today is soooo gorgeous outside! The leaves have changed, the sky is blue and the sun is out. Makes me wish I had time to go outside and journal by the creek. But I can't, because I have work to do and a dentist appointment at 4.

So the latest theme in my life deals with asking, as in asking questions to receive answers. Now, I love love love to ask questions--I'd like to think this trait makes me a good journalist. However, when it comes to my personal life, I don't like to ask any questions. Instead I analyze, come up with possible scenarios, or tactfully ask someone else a question.

Now the funny part is that just last night I had no problem encouraging M to ask questions, because she'd have the "freedom" of knowing.

Ironically, my spiritual adviser encouraged me to do the same recently, saying that I would feel more free after asking. But the situation he's referring to do has to do with S. You see, when S and I first starting hanging out we were technically dating, until S said he couldn't make such a commitment. I respected his decision and we continued as friends, only somewhere along the line I wanted more. So I asked him for more than friendship, in which he responded that he cared about me. At the time, I just felt better for unloading what I was wondering, and I felt good that he cared about me. Then I let it go, but the same feelings didn't go away, so I asked him again if he'd want to date, to which he said that he wasn't ready, and at the earliest he'd consider dating at the end of the summer. We spent many times together this summer and had a blast. Even though the summer is over now, and I secretly am wondering if he's ready to date, I haven't asked. I haven't because I know that if he wanted to date me, then he would've made it happen. Where there's a will, there's a way. Right? I mean, what's the point of asking again only to have him reject me? Again.

In a recent session with my spiritual adviser, he said he could see that I was struggling and suggested that I tell S what I want so that I can feel free. Instead of dealing with that, I've occupied my time with family, friends, and TV. I haven't told S how I feel because I'm over it. Well, at least that's what I say. I just have this sneaking suspicion that me not asking S about this will continue to catch up with me, until one day I'm just gonna have to do it. Maybe I'm being stubborn, but I still don't see the point.

Another example of how asking can pay off is something that happened to me today. I volunteer for the Audio Information Network of Colorado. I got into it because of a friendship turned bad with the coworker I mentioned yesterday. We used to be super close, until one day she stopped sharing all the stories she had with me. I thought it was unfair for me to tell her everything when she didn't do the same for me, so I gradually stopped sharing, which turned into not talking for a year. In return, she would sneak out of the office with other coworkers and exclude me from lunches and happy hours. I of course was upset, but I decided to do something else with my time. Which is how I found AINC. I auditioned after my birthday, and agreed to come in once a week on Thursdays during my lunch hour. I read the Canon Daily Record. No one at work knows about it except my boss.

Well, it's been over a year now, and I'm getting sick of reading the CDR. Seriously, their website sucks! It's never updated when it's supposed to be--I always read yesterday's news today. I complain to M about this. When I went into the studio today, it said the site was having technically difficulties and just had a white screen of death. I had Kat look at it (the coordinator of AINC). Turns out she couldn't fix it either, and said I could have the day off. Well, this is when I finally asked her if I could do something else. And she said yes! As of today I'm reading regional travel stories now, and I couldn't be happier. This is right up my alley, and I can't wait! So asking can pay off!

Hump Day

The Express movie was great. It didn't even seem like two hours and happy hour was good too. They had catered in food, so I ate like a queen. I had chicken skewers with mango salsa, some mini crabcakes, yummy bruschetta, and some cheese. One of the best parts of the evening was listening to this one alum talk about his time at SU. I guess he was there when Floyd Little was and had seen Ernie Davis play. It was just really cool to listen to his stories and ask him how SU has changed since then.

I also sent out Matt's care package yesterday. The post office was really busy at 4, but I got out of there by 4:30. And he's supposed to get it within 3-4 days. Yay!

It feels like a Wednesday. Woke up with a headache. Researched artists all day at work. Went to Sunflower Market for lunch and to get rice noodles. Treated myself to an apple turnover. Had a meeting, where none of my artists were picked (nothing new). Still have two hours left of work. Then Bollywood class. Getting home by 8 (hopefully). Eating something and then falling asleep.

Can't wait for sleep.

Randomness

Preggers coworker and I just made white chocolate macadamia nut cookies in our mini toaster oven. yummmmmmmmm.

Matilda is doing well--so far so good.

My lips have been really chapped lately--wondering if it's just an old wives tale that chapped lips=dehydration or if it's just the change in the weather is to blame.

Apparently the movie tonight is 2 hours long. sheesh!

Talked to other coworker whom I haven't spoken to in over a year. interestinggggg....but I'll elaborate later.

Mi Familia

This is a picture from Ben's birthday party on October 5. He just turned one! Seriously, I remember when he was born--time really goes by too fast, but he's so adorable. Even though I'm technically his cousin, I'm referred to as an aunt; the same goes for my cousin Sean, he's his "uncle." He's just too adorable. His first word was mama, but he says dada now. He doesn't quite walk yet, but he stands up all the time.

His birthday party reminded me of how grateful I am for my family, both extended and immediate. I have to admit that while I was away in college, I missed them, but that was about it. I used to complain about my mom calling me early in the morning and waking me up, or complain when I was home because I wanted to be out with friends. I didn't want to be home. I don't think I quite understood how great it is to have family.

Maybe it's growing up and being in the real world and out on my own that has made me appreciate them more. Even little stuff that they do is great. For example, when I moved into my first apartment in April of '07, I had my uncle, aunt, and family help me move in. My aunt cleaned my dishes again and set up my kitchen. My uncle bought me a new mirror for my dresser and helped my Dad move in all of the furniture--furniture which my mom gave me. Very nice coffee tables, old recliners from my grandparents, and extra pots and pans. My other aunt found me a dining set in mint condition. The lady was going to donate it to goodwill, and wouldn't accept any money for it. And my aunt even drove it up to my place and everything. Whenever I'd go home, or if my mom went to Costco, she'd always offer to give me groceries. And my uncle taught me how to change my brakes on my car and how to check my oil. Even now it's great to be invited to his house for parties or just to hang out and drink a beer or some wine.

It's just the little things that matter. Now I like coming home and eating a home cooked meal with the fam and seeing our dog Hailey. I like hanging out with my lil brother who is in third grade and watching gossip girl with my mom. Of course I still get annoyed sometimes, especially when they assume I have no plans and expect me to housesit...but the bottom line is that I appreciate them. I think my life would be a lot harder without them. Family is something that lasts forever.

Weekend Update part 2

Just got back from an amazing concert with M at the Broomfield Event Center. We saw four bands--Jars of Clay, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Switchfoot, and Third Day. They were all awesome, but my favorite of the evening had to be Switchfoot, who is soooo good in concert. Speaking of music, I have had Lil Wayne in my head all weekend.

Today I did tear down for the GABF pretty much all day. I did get another free t-shirt and tasting cup, and they fed us, so that was nice, but it was hard work. I can now say I know how to tap and untap a keg. Yea, fun stuff. I'll spare you the details.

It's a shame the weekend is already over...I wonder if I'll be busy at work this week.

I'm excited for Tuesday--the SU Alumni club is hosting a happy hour and then we're all gonna see The Express movie about Ernie Davis. Should be fun!

Beer

Last night was soo much fun at the GABF. I went with K, M, Josh and his roommate, and Jake. Even though we only had one ounce of beer per tasting, it was really fun to try different things. Like, a chili beer--and it really did taste like chili. Then, there was the infamous Utopia beer from Sam Adams. Apparently it's 16% alcohol. It tasted and smelled like whisky to me. I was scared of it, but K told me that it's like $120 a bottle, so I'm glad I got to try it. I guess they only have the Utopia once a day, so I'm glad we got it at our session. Another highlight was the Brooklyn Brewery's Local 1 lager and the Grand Cru beer. I liked those, and it was nice to talk to the NY brewers. I was a fan of Avery Brewery's 15th Anniversary Pale Ale, and of New Beligum's Eric Ale, which M thought tasted like sour apple.

I think if anything, this beer filled weekend has taught me that beer isn't boring, and that I don't have to be a beer snob to appreciate it. I volunteered today doing safety and wristbanding people--it was ok. Drunk people think it's really fun to come up to the safety people in bright yellow shirts and take pictures with them, but I can't judge them because I know last night I had my own fun. They had a silent disco there, where you put on these huge headphones and dance to the music. It was so much fun! I still have to work basically 8-4 tomorrow doing tear down, but the reward is two fold. Not only did I earn a bunch of comp tickets for this year, I got a t-shirt, free tasting cup, free program, and am invited to a exclusive volunteer party for the tear down crew only next weekend at the Falling Rock where we will get even more beer related swag. Should be good times.

GABF

Great American Beer Festival tonight!!! so excited!

edit: this is all i could post for today because our internet was down at work. bummer.

Apple Picking

Reading Damn Yankee's entry about apple picking made me nostalgic for my days in upstate New York, where I first went apple picking. The Recreation Services Department offered a trip out there for $3, and that $3 was refundable too. I forget why it was, but basically I got to go to Abbott's Farm for free. I went with Tina, who turned out to be my only college roommate. We boarded a yellow school bus and arrived at the farm about 30 min later. I remember we filled up two big bags of apples, and paid only like $2 or something. It was ridiculously cheap, and we snacked on the apples for the next month or so. We also bought a small pumpkin for our room. It was a great time.

Even sophomore year when I went home with my friend Katie for Thanksgiving, we went apple picking in New Hampshire, and brought back apples for our friends. The year after that, Katie and I made homemade applesauce with her grandmother in Cape Cod. So many good memories!

This year I want to find a place to go apple picking in Colorado. If I find a place, it'd be great to make an apple pie. A couple of years ago I tried to make one and it turned out okay--I think it needed more flour. Kristen and I are going to make one soon, so I'm on the hunt for the best apple pie recipe out there. Suggestions are welcome!

Green Thumb

I certainly cannot say that I have a green thumb, because I don't. But....what I do have is patience. Not sure if that counts for much, but I try. I wonder exactly how many people actually keep their plants alive. Does anyone know? Or am I the only one that seems to be incapable of caring for a plant?

I haven't updated about Matilda lately, mainly because there wasn't much to say or if there was I didn't want to share. But now I'm ready to catch you all up on her happenings.

You see Matilda usually sits right on my desk and sunbathes most of the day. I am careful to water her every two days, and just the right amount of water too. That took time to practice, but I'm confident in my water-feeding skills now. Anyways, last month, Matilda had a scare. Yes, it was all my fault too. You see, I called in sick on a Friday because I wasn't feeling well. And usually on Fridays, I always water Matilda because I have the weekends off, and I always move her from her spot in the windowsill to the corner of my cube that doesn't get much sun. I do this because I want to avoid her getting dehydrated.

Well, that's exactly what happened last month. When I got back to the office on Monday, it was not a pretty site. Not only was Matilda's soil dry as a bone, but all of her beautiful green leaves had wilted and were crunchy! Like, the kind of crunchy that is basically the kiss of death. I was SO sad. Why? Because, Matilda is the only plant that I have successfully tried to keep alive.

I am so bad at the whole plant thing, that I have even killed a cactus before. (When I was little I thought I could grow my own garden full of like flowers and vegetables, only nothing ever grew. Turned out I tried to plant the seeds in gravel. haha.) But, for the cactus incident--I take full responsibility. I originally got the cactus as a team-building gift, something about how we can see change grow or something lame like that. Anyways, I was in school at the time, where it basically wasn't sunny for pretty much most of the school year. So, I figured, my best chances of getting the catcus to survive the winter was to put it in my bathroom's window, so that if there was some light, it would catch it there. Only, I didn't think that I would forget about said plant and not even water the thing. When I finally remembered it was there, it was so dead that its spiky parts weren't even pokey anymore. That's how dead it was.

But I digress. Back to Matilda. Her leaves were sad and dead-looking, and so my first reaction was to water her like crazy, but then I remembered that I had read somewhere about the danger of root rot, which is caused by over watering. So I carefully gave her the allotted amount of water, and put her in the sun. Because she's scared me before like this but never have her leaves looked so dead. By the afternoon there was no change. I was beginning to think that I had killed her completely. And here I had been doing sooo well too. So, in a fit of impatience, I took a pair of scissors and started cutting. I cut off all of her dead leaves, and for those stems that were completely beyond repair, I plucked them out. I'd like to say that I was just doing maintenance but the real reason was that I didn't want to stare at her dying right in front of my eyes. I couldn't take it. It was like a constant reminder of how bad I am at this whole keeping-a-plant-alive mission. So, needless to say after I got through with her "maintenance" she looked really plain and basically was leafless. Throughout the week, I kept her in the sun, watered her the right amount, but she still looked really sad. At this point, I was seriously seriously seriously debating on going to Sunflower Market and buying another one just like her. I figured, no one would know...I mean only I would. But that's where I stopped that idea. I would know, and this is the only plant that I've kept alive, why not stick it out? So I did.


And, I'm happy to report that Matilda is doing well....she's doing so good that she....has a new pot! Yes, I finally transplanted her this past weekend. She doesn't have any new blooms yet, but her leaves are strong and healthy, and I think she'll enjoy her new home. It was about time--her roots were literally growing out of her old pot. I'm just proud of myself for keeping her alive this long! It's a record!