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| The spread |
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| Lemon Chicken |
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| Creamy potatoes |
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| yummy salad |
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| The appetizer |
Friday, January 17, 2014
Feel Good Food
I haven't just cooked for my family in a long time. It feels good to be back.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
2014: A New Chapter
Yeah yeah yeah, New Years resolutions again? I hear ya. But it really does help me. And I think it's important now more than ever for me to make them. Why? Well, because I'm waiting to see if I made it into any graduate school. And that means that for a few months, I won't know if I'm going to grad school. This also means that if I don't get into grad school, I'd better have one killer backup plan ready—otherwise known as a life plan. I probably won't have many goals written down like I have in the past. So many of those were school oriented, and now that I'm not in school, they're gone. I am not going to put down so many small ones like I did before; it seems silly for me to write down things like "be more religious" or "make so many of this and that" when it seems to me that those goals are either just for the sake of saying I did it or too vague to actually measure progress. So my goals are going to be specific this year. And I am going to give explanations for these goals because then I will remember exactly why I chose to be that specific. More things may or may not be added to this list over the course of the year. But these are the five main goals:
1: Communicate what I'm thinking and feeling to people when pertinent.
1: Communicate what I'm thinking and feeling to people when pertinent.
- Yes, the word pertinent needs to be there. I will always subscribe to privacy and decency in regards to what I tell people and when. The key here is that I have caused myself, and others, a lot of problems in the recent past because I have been unable to communicate what I am thinking and feeling even though I recognized I needed to. Recognition may be the first step to change, but I've recognized this for almost all of last year, and it really has always been out of hand. I need to realize that I am not being ridiculous when I feel or think something that I legitimately am having a problem with, or even simply enjoying. If I don't communicate, then the people I care about will never know.
2: Write something and try and get it published: novel, essay, short stories—something.
- If I don't keep up my writing, then I'll be rusty if I get accepted into graduate school. And if I'm going to use writing as part of my livelihood, then there's no better time like the present to get started on something. I did put my short stories from my thesis into different competitions, and they'll be published for the public to read if I win, but if I don't then I really ought to keep trying. And if I do get published, well, then that's good! And I can add that to a list of firsts. The point is, if I don't keep writing, I'll have a harder time picking up the pen, or the keyboard, if you will, again.
3: Get a full time job.
- I do freelance. Also known as odd jobs. The work isn't consistent. When I get it, it pays well. However, it would be fantastic to secure something that will ensure I get a steady paycheck so I could possibly move into my own flat without roommates—or choose my flatmate. The point is, while I do have a housing contract that doesn't end until August, if I had a better job then I wouldn't be so worried about where I'm going in life. Also, if I don't get into graduate school, then this will make me feel loads better about my situation.
4: Read more philosophy books.
- I had a fantastic Shakespeare professor who gave me a list of philosophy books to read when she found out I had read some Althusser, Heidegger, Adorno and Horkheimer, Saussere, and other literary criticism. The thing is, no matter which way I slice it, I'm going to have more time. I have work, and that work will be done between certain hours, but there is no homework, per se. I get to choose what I do. And this is something I really think I'll not only enjoy, but benefit from. Even though I'm not in school anymore, I fully intend to continue my education, and this will be a great way to do that.
5: Exercise
- I don't have a once a week or twice a week put on the end of this for a reason. I don't like the stress of thinking that I should stop trying if I'm not going to buy a gym pass and use it regularly. I have a friend who wants me to get a 24 Hour Fitness pass so I can go there and we'd have a workout buddy system, but I'm not sure yet. I do know that my family has an elliptical and bike I can use, as well as a weight system. When I'm visiting them, I do use those. Consistently. But when I'm not visiting, well, it's harder to want to exercise in the winter months. It's cold outside so I don't want to go for long walks and bike rides. So when I say that I have a goal to exercise, it's more of a goal to maintain weight than to lose it; it's more of a goal to enjoy time doing things I like instead of torturing myself about not being able to bench press such and such a weight. It's about staying active and enjoying life, whether that is dancing, biking, walking, swimming, or any other activity that I enjoy.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Year-End Goal Review
I did a lot this year. I didn't succeed at everything, but I learned a lot of life lessons. And without further ado, I'm going to post my goals for 2013 for the last time. Next month I may set new ones, since for a few years now this has been a successful venture.
1. Exercise at least once a week outside of dancing.
This didn't go over so well. However, I did exercise today, and I was thinking that now that I have easy access to an elliptical and stationary bike and weight system, this might be easier for me to do.
2. Read one book a month outside of required reading.
I lost track of what I read, but I know I made the goal.
3. Get all my great works papers written.
Done.
4. Save around $50 a month.
I've tried to be really good at this. I think I mostly succeeded.
5. Get my Honors Thesis written.
This was possibly the hardest thing I did all year. But it's done, and it is published.
6. Graduate.
So nice to be done.
7. Get an internship.
The internship will most likely turn into a job. I'm interning with Jolly Fish Press, a national publishing house based out of Provo, but with a virtual office so I can work anywhere!
8. Get an editing job.
Did that.
9. Apply for Grad school.
Done and done! This was only slightly frustrating.
10. Cook 10 new things.
Probably did it. Didn't keep track of new things cooked.
11. Have at least a 3.59 GPA by graduation.
3.6 final GPA!
12. Crochet something new.
Plenty of new things, including a shawl, minion hats, and a cardigan in the works.
13. Take a recreation class.
meh . . .
14. Eat out less.
If we don't count late night Denny's runs.
15. Manage my time better.
Mostly good.
16. Read the New York Times at least twice a week.
Like I said, the Guardian.
17. Go to at least two dance conventions.
Still going strong. Denver Fusion Exchange in January!
18. Index at least 200 names.
...
19. Scrapbook at least 10 pages.
No excuse. I made cards.
20. Make handmade cards for all the major holidays.
Goal accomplished! So much fun.
21. Do something I've never done before.
Plenty. I named some in my previous post, but I'd like to add to the list becoming a DJ for west coast swing and blues dancers. I never would have ever thought I'd do that in my lifetime.
So, total: 17/21
That's proof enough for me that writing my goals down and keeping a monthly account of my progress works for most things I plan to do. I think that I'll probably change certain goals in my next year depending on if and where I get into graduate school.
Here's to a fabulous year, and a fantastic year to come!
1. Exercise at least once a week outside of dancing.
This didn't go over so well. However, I did exercise today, and I was thinking that now that I have easy access to an elliptical and stationary bike and weight system, this might be easier for me to do.
2. Read one book a month outside of required reading.
I lost track of what I read, but I know I made the goal.
3. Get all my great works papers written.
Done.
4. Save around $50 a month.
I've tried to be really good at this. I think I mostly succeeded.
5. Get my Honors Thesis written.
This was possibly the hardest thing I did all year. But it's done, and it is published.
6. Graduate.
So nice to be done.
7. Get an internship.
The internship will most likely turn into a job. I'm interning with Jolly Fish Press, a national publishing house based out of Provo, but with a virtual office so I can work anywhere!
8. Get an editing job.
Did that.
9. Apply for Grad school.
Done and done! This was only slightly frustrating.
10. Cook 10 new things.
Probably did it. Didn't keep track of new things cooked.
11. Have at least a 3.59 GPA by graduation.
3.6 final GPA!
12. Crochet something new.
Plenty of new things, including a shawl, minion hats, and a cardigan in the works.
13. Take a recreation class.
meh . . .
14. Eat out less.
If we don't count late night Denny's runs.
15. Manage my time better.
Mostly good.
16. Read the New York Times at least twice a week.
Like I said, the Guardian.
17. Go to at least two dance conventions.
Still going strong. Denver Fusion Exchange in January!
18. Index at least 200 names.
...
19. Scrapbook at least 10 pages.
No excuse. I made cards.
20. Make handmade cards for all the major holidays.
Goal accomplished! So much fun.
21. Do something I've never done before.
Plenty. I named some in my previous post, but I'd like to add to the list becoming a DJ for west coast swing and blues dancers. I never would have ever thought I'd do that in my lifetime.
So, total: 17/21
That's proof enough for me that writing my goals down and keeping a monthly account of my progress works for most things I plan to do. I think that I'll probably change certain goals in my next year depending on if and where I get into graduate school.
Here's to a fabulous year, and a fantastic year to come!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Finally Some Progress!
So, I'm really doing well on achieving my goals this year. And that feels pretty darn fantastic. Right now I stand at four failed goals out of twenty-one. So that's 17/21. That's 80 percent success!
1. Exercise at least once a week outside of dancing.
...
2. Read one book a month outside of required reading.
I've been so enjoying literature.
3. Get all my great works papers written.
Like I said before: five stars!
4. Save around $50 a month.
I was able to save a lot of money last month.
5. Get my Honors Thesis written.
Honors thesis defended and passed! Now to publish.
6. Graduate.
As long as I don't fail, this is happening, people!
7. Get an internship.
I heard back. Trying to set up an interview.
8. Get an editing job.
I love freelancing!
9. Apply for Grad school.
I only have to wait for my GRE writing score, and then all my applications can be submitted. And that's both a relief and a worry. Now I'll have to see if I get in!
10. Cook 10 new things.
I'm going to really enjoy cooking more now as my time has freed up a little bit.
11. Have at least a 3.59 GPA by graduation.
I've reached this goal, and so I just have to get good grades this semester to keep it.
12. Crochet something new.
I'm working on a cardigan now, and I plan to make minion hats for my cousin's kids.
13. Take a recreation class.
FAIL
14. Eat out less.
I've been pretty good at this.
15. Manage my time better.
If I didn't know how to do this, my life would have fallen apart last month.
16. Read the New York Times at least twice a week.
Well, does the Guardian count?
17. Go to at least two dance conventions.
I think I've been to four this year. The problem? I want to go to more conventions, but school is getting in the way!
18. Index at least 200 names.
FAIL
19. Scrapbook at least 10 pages.
FAIL
20. Make handmade cards for all the major holidays.
On to Thanksgiving cards!
21. Do something I've never done before.
Well, I've never defended a thesis before, taken the GRE, made finals in an advanced blues comp . . . I'd say this year is full of firsts.
1. Exercise at least once a week outside of dancing.
...
2. Read one book a month outside of required reading.
I've been so enjoying literature.
3. Get all my great works papers written.
Like I said before: five stars!
4. Save around $50 a month.
I was able to save a lot of money last month.
5. Get my Honors Thesis written.
Honors thesis defended and passed! Now to publish.
6. Graduate.
As long as I don't fail, this is happening, people!
7. Get an internship.
I heard back. Trying to set up an interview.
8. Get an editing job.
I love freelancing!
9. Apply for Grad school.
I only have to wait for my GRE writing score, and then all my applications can be submitted. And that's both a relief and a worry. Now I'll have to see if I get in!
10. Cook 10 new things.
I'm going to really enjoy cooking more now as my time has freed up a little bit.
11. Have at least a 3.59 GPA by graduation.
I've reached this goal, and so I just have to get good grades this semester to keep it.
12. Crochet something new.
I'm working on a cardigan now, and I plan to make minion hats for my cousin's kids.
13. Take a recreation class.
FAIL
14. Eat out less.
I've been pretty good at this.
15. Manage my time better.
If I didn't know how to do this, my life would have fallen apart last month.
16. Read the New York Times at least twice a week.
Well, does the Guardian count?
17. Go to at least two dance conventions.
I think I've been to four this year. The problem? I want to go to more conventions, but school is getting in the way!
18. Index at least 200 names.
FAIL
19. Scrapbook at least 10 pages.
FAIL
20. Make handmade cards for all the major holidays.
On to Thanksgiving cards!
21. Do something I've never done before.
Well, I've never defended a thesis before, taken the GRE, made finals in an advanced blues comp . . . I'd say this year is full of firsts.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Goals Update . . . Long Overdue
I decided that, on this, my birthday, I would look at how well I've done on my goals. I think I've done decently!
1. Exercise at least once a week outside of dancing.
I haven't really done this. I suppose it's never too late to start, but sometimes it seems a little futile.
2. Read one book a month outside of required reading.
I've been in and out on this. Some of the books that I am required to read, such as Their Eyes Were Watching God, were on my "to read" list anyway, so I feel like I want to double count some books. Is that fair?
3. Get all my great works papers written.
My honors portfolio has been submitted and passed!
4. Save around $50 a month.
I've been really good at making sure I do this.
5. Get my Honors Thesis written.
I defend my thesis in two weeks!
6. Graduate.
If all goes as planned, this happens in December.
7. Get an internship.
I've applied for an internship, but haven't heard back.
8. Get an editing job.
I have three editing jobs right now, and that feels great.
9. Apply for Grad school.
In the throes. I need to take the GRE. Yikes!
10. Cook 10 new things.
I'm pretty sure I've done this. The last new thing I made was Caribbean rice.
11. Have at least a 3.59 GPA by graduation.
It will actually be difficult to get this, but I should only be one or two hundredths of a point short.
12. Crochet something new.
I've been enjoying crocheting for awhile now. Over the summer I crocheted a shawl, and I'm making a shirt now.
13. Take a recreation class.
I bailed out on this . . . yeah yeah, I know.
14. Eat out less.
I've been pretty good about this, minus late night Denny's runs.
15. Manage my time better.
I think that finishing my thesis and work forced me to manage time a lot better.
16. Read the New York Times at least twice a week.
I was good at this for awhile, but not so much lately. I do read a bit of news online, but I could be better.
17. Go to at least two dance conventions.
Nocturne Blues, Sweet Molasses Blues, and I'll be going to the Denver Fusion Exchange in January.
18. Index at least 200 names.
Haven't even started (face of shame).
19. Scrapbook at least 10 pages.
Haven't even started . . . (more shame).
20. Make handmade cards for all the major holidays.
I made lots of Halloween cards! Maybe pictures later?
21. Do something I've never done before.
I think I want to
1. Exercise at least once a week outside of dancing.
I haven't really done this. I suppose it's never too late to start, but sometimes it seems a little futile.
2. Read one book a month outside of required reading.
I've been in and out on this. Some of the books that I am required to read, such as Their Eyes Were Watching God, were on my "to read" list anyway, so I feel like I want to double count some books. Is that fair?
3. Get all my great works papers written.
My honors portfolio has been submitted and passed!
4. Save around $50 a month.
I've been really good at making sure I do this.
5. Get my Honors Thesis written.
I defend my thesis in two weeks!
6. Graduate.
If all goes as planned, this happens in December.
7. Get an internship.
I've applied for an internship, but haven't heard back.
8. Get an editing job.
I have three editing jobs right now, and that feels great.
9. Apply for Grad school.
In the throes. I need to take the GRE. Yikes!
10. Cook 10 new things.
I'm pretty sure I've done this. The last new thing I made was Caribbean rice.
11. Have at least a 3.59 GPA by graduation.
It will actually be difficult to get this, but I should only be one or two hundredths of a point short.
12. Crochet something new.
I've been enjoying crocheting for awhile now. Over the summer I crocheted a shawl, and I'm making a shirt now.
13. Take a recreation class.
I bailed out on this . . . yeah yeah, I know.
14. Eat out less.
I've been pretty good about this, minus late night Denny's runs.
15. Manage my time better.
I think that finishing my thesis and work forced me to manage time a lot better.
16. Read the New York Times at least twice a week.
I was good at this for awhile, but not so much lately. I do read a bit of news online, but I could be better.
17. Go to at least two dance conventions.
Nocturne Blues, Sweet Molasses Blues, and I'll be going to the Denver Fusion Exchange in January.
18. Index at least 200 names.
Haven't even started (face of shame).
19. Scrapbook at least 10 pages.
Haven't even started . . . (more shame).
20. Make handmade cards for all the major holidays.
I made lots of Halloween cards! Maybe pictures later?
21. Do something I've never done before.
I think I want to
Monday, September 30, 2013
Tot Mai Sus
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
David Tennant and His Socks
Oh my . . . Just discovered that David Tennant is the real life Sheldon Cooper when it comes to clothes. Certain socks can only be worn on the day that's printed on them. Dear Lord, why does that make him more sexy?
Good old Graham Norton!
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