Tuesday, April 12, 2011....
I live in a small house and cook in a very small kitchen. Often when I cook, the aroma, or odor, lingers throughout the night. Sometimes the house is filled with the scent of a chicken roasting or vanilla if we baked (that is rare, but it happens). These scents I like. However, last night I made turnip greens for the first time.
I cooked them with a little rice wine vinegar, veggie stock and Asian chili paste. There wasn't any smell while I was cooking them,but afterwards, I have only one word: HORRID.
The smell was so bad, it made it difficult to sleep and I was up spraying Fabreeze sometime in the middle of the night. It still smells this morning and I am now forced to think of something to make to combat the smelly foot odor smell. Hmmm.... not sure what, but I'll come up with something so I don't pass out or have the smell penetrate into my skin (god, I hope I don't smell like that).
Btw, the turnips greens were actually very tasty. Smoky and spicy. It'd be great with white rice (and I'm not a big fan of plain white rice) and sesame chicken.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Beauty of a Warm Saturday......
Monday, April 11, 2011.......
This past Saturday, hubby and I got to enjoy a great warm Spring day and definitely took advantage of it. I have to admit, it's been an extremely stressful time for me, so spending time outside with hubby on a wonderful Spring day was just what I needed.
We spent the time working our garden (YogaGirl would not find this fun, but what does she know). We also separated some of our seedlings (heirloom tomatoes) and planted lettuce, beets and sugar snap peas. We were also surprised that some of my herbs survived the winter, so I repositioned them. Now, I just have to be prepared for Mr. Woodchuck and his friends.....and I am. I have my cayenne pepper and dish soap and will get him before he has his first nibble on the parsley and think my garden is his version of Denny's all-you-can-eat buffet.
I love these days. It is these type of days when hubby and I slowly turn over our garden, clean the yard and stand in wonder of how crappy our front yard looks compared to our neighbor's that make me forget all that's going on with me right now.
This past Saturday, hubby and I got to enjoy a great warm Spring day and definitely took advantage of it. I have to admit, it's been an extremely stressful time for me, so spending time outside with hubby on a wonderful Spring day was just what I needed.
We spent the time working our garden (YogaGirl would not find this fun, but what does she know). We also separated some of our seedlings (heirloom tomatoes) and planted lettuce, beets and sugar snap peas. We were also surprised that some of my herbs survived the winter, so I repositioned them. Now, I just have to be prepared for Mr. Woodchuck and his friends.....and I am. I have my cayenne pepper and dish soap and will get him before he has his first nibble on the parsley and think my garden is his version of Denny's all-you-can-eat buffet.
I love these days. It is these type of days when hubby and I slowly turn over our garden, clean the yard and stand in wonder of how crappy our front yard looks compared to our neighbor's that make me forget all that's going on with me right now.
Friday, April 8, 2011
My Starbucks Barista.....
Friday, April 8, 2011.....
Last night I met a girlfriend at Starbucks. We usually meet every couple of weeks at Starbucks, but it had been awhile since we last got together.
The last time we got together, a small snafu happened. My order was placed, but the guy making the drink didn't hear the order. After about 10 minutes, I asked where my drink was and he looked at me as if I had 2 heads. I said I had ordered a grande mocha and he said he didn't know and please don't snap at him. I laughed. I asked him why would I snap and he said a lot of people would. I explained if not getting my coffee order was going to set me off on a tirade then I had some serious issues (I wish not getting a coffee order was my biggest problem). However, I understood what he meant.
I live in an area where people are always in a rush, expect too much, forget to say thank you and are often condescending. We chatted a bit and he was a really nice guy.
Fast forward 6 weeks later.... I go into Starbucks and before I even get a chance to say: "Hi. How are you?" (in honor of my April experiment) he blurted out: "Where have you been"? It made me laugh to think he remembered me, but I guess it's rare to meet polite customers.
We chatted a bit while I waited for my friend and asked him about a new drink a caramel mocha latte (I thought that is what my sister in NJ told me it was great and how it cut the bitterness of the mocha drink)and the 2 baristas behind the counter thought I was crazy. I mentioned my sister is from New Jersey, and that sparked a very fun conversation (sorry, New Jersey). By this point my friend arrived and the barista, well, he told me the secret to cutting the bitterness from a mocha latte -- ask for 2 pumps of vanilla.
It pays to be nice to your barista. What am I saying? You should always be nice to anyone you come along -- it may just make their day and yours.
Last night I met a girlfriend at Starbucks. We usually meet every couple of weeks at Starbucks, but it had been awhile since we last got together.
The last time we got together, a small snafu happened. My order was placed, but the guy making the drink didn't hear the order. After about 10 minutes, I asked where my drink was and he looked at me as if I had 2 heads. I said I had ordered a grande mocha and he said he didn't know and please don't snap at him. I laughed. I asked him why would I snap and he said a lot of people would. I explained if not getting my coffee order was going to set me off on a tirade then I had some serious issues (I wish not getting a coffee order was my biggest problem). However, I understood what he meant.
I live in an area where people are always in a rush, expect too much, forget to say thank you and are often condescending. We chatted a bit and he was a really nice guy.
Fast forward 6 weeks later.... I go into Starbucks and before I even get a chance to say: "Hi. How are you?" (in honor of my April experiment) he blurted out: "Where have you been"? It made me laugh to think he remembered me, but I guess it's rare to meet polite customers.
We chatted a bit while I waited for my friend and asked him about a new drink a caramel mocha latte (I thought that is what my sister in NJ told me it was great and how it cut the bitterness of the mocha drink)and the 2 baristas behind the counter thought I was crazy. I mentioned my sister is from New Jersey, and that sparked a very fun conversation (sorry, New Jersey). By this point my friend arrived and the barista, well, he told me the secret to cutting the bitterness from a mocha latte -- ask for 2 pumps of vanilla.
It pays to be nice to your barista. What am I saying? You should always be nice to anyone you come along -- it may just make their day and yours.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Hi. How are You?
Thursday, March 7, 2011......
While out running errands on Tuesday, I stopped at my local convenience store to pick up a Powerball lottery ticket. As I was getting out of my car, a older gentleman was getting into his truck. He had backed into his space making his car door next to mine. When I got out of the car, I said hi, how are you? I could tell he was a bit taken aback and responded with saying hi and began talking about the weather (skies very gray and opposite of what you envision a spring day would be). I commented the skies were gray, but it was warm out and better than snow.
As I made my way away, I told him to have a good day and he said the same. What struck me was how my simple interchange seemed to happily surprise this gentleman and I told my husband how I plan to say "Hi, How are you?" to every stranger I come across for the rest of this month.
I'm curious how people will respond. I wonder if they will. I also wonder if they will try to engage in further conversation or just walk away. I'll let you know at the end of the month.
While out running errands on Tuesday, I stopped at my local convenience store to pick up a Powerball lottery ticket. As I was getting out of my car, a older gentleman was getting into his truck. He had backed into his space making his car door next to mine. When I got out of the car, I said hi, how are you? I could tell he was a bit taken aback and responded with saying hi and began talking about the weather (skies very gray and opposite of what you envision a spring day would be). I commented the skies were gray, but it was warm out and better than snow.
As I made my way away, I told him to have a good day and he said the same. What struck me was how my simple interchange seemed to happily surprise this gentleman and I told my husband how I plan to say "Hi, How are you?" to every stranger I come across for the rest of this month.
I'm curious how people will respond. I wonder if they will. I also wonder if they will try to engage in further conversation or just walk away. I'll let you know at the end of the month.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Words I Never Wanted to Hear.......
Wednesday, April 6, 2011.....
Sunday evening, hubby and I were watching 60 Minutes and they did a segment on the unemployed. I always get a pit in my stomach watching these things, often turning the channel, but decided to watch it. They mentioned how employers are now requiring an applicant be employed to apply for the posting. There is nothing illegal about this, but in the back of my mind I always fear an employer may dismiss my application because I've been out of work far too long.
Monday I apply for a position through an agency and get a call about my resume. They were very interested in me until she saw the gap in my resume. She asked if I had been employed elsewhere since 2008 and when I said no, she told me I'm not the type of client her agency wants to represents.
Why?
I actually asked her this. Her response: "We don't make any money". Again, I asked why, but added it logically didn't make any sense. I explained my interviews, pulled positions, geographic limitations, what I've doing since 2008 and finished with: Why wouldn't you make money off me? After all this time, I'd be grateful for a job and there would be no worries about you getting a commission.
I think she realized how she came off. I have to tweak my resume, but have an interview with this agency on Friday. I know nothing will become of it, but know it's good practice to sharpen my interviewing skills with people who have a wall up.
Interviewing is like dating. Often it takes a lot of first dates to get into a meaningful relationship.
Sunday evening, hubby and I were watching 60 Minutes and they did a segment on the unemployed. I always get a pit in my stomach watching these things, often turning the channel, but decided to watch it. They mentioned how employers are now requiring an applicant be employed to apply for the posting. There is nothing illegal about this, but in the back of my mind I always fear an employer may dismiss my application because I've been out of work far too long.
Monday I apply for a position through an agency and get a call about my resume. They were very interested in me until she saw the gap in my resume. She asked if I had been employed elsewhere since 2008 and when I said no, she told me I'm not the type of client her agency wants to represents.
Why?
I actually asked her this. Her response: "We don't make any money". Again, I asked why, but added it logically didn't make any sense. I explained my interviews, pulled positions, geographic limitations, what I've doing since 2008 and finished with: Why wouldn't you make money off me? After all this time, I'd be grateful for a job and there would be no worries about you getting a commission.
I think she realized how she came off. I have to tweak my resume, but have an interview with this agency on Friday. I know nothing will become of it, but know it's good practice to sharpen my interviewing skills with people who have a wall up.
Interviewing is like dating. Often it takes a lot of first dates to get into a meaningful relationship.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Can Anyone Explain This to Me?
Tuesday, April 5, 2011.......
Last week I heard on the news that Snooki from the reality show, Jersey Shore, was paid $25,000 to speak at Rutgers University on partying and tanning. What's more astonishing is that Nobel-Prize winner, Tonie Morrison, is getting less for making the commencement speech.
Initially I laughed, but then I started thinking, how much does it cost to have a celebrity speak at an engagement, so I did a little research. For under 10K I can hire the following:
Reality TV Personality - Jillian Harris
Model - Kim Alexis
Actress - Mackenzie Phillips
Music - Beatlemania
Granted there are a slew of other speakers within this price range, but I didn't have a clue who they were. So, I did a little more digging....
Lance Armstrong gets over $50,000, Jay Leno and Donald Trump over $100,000, but did I expect to pay anything less?
What I was surprised about, assuming info on the Internet is accurate, I was pleasantly surprised that Jacques Pepin's fee is under $20,000. I adore Jacques Pepin. My dream job would to be his assistant....wait, I'm getting sidetracked.
Point of my findings is that Snooki, gets $32,000? Am I missing something?
Last week I heard on the news that Snooki from the reality show, Jersey Shore, was paid $25,000 to speak at Rutgers University on partying and tanning. What's more astonishing is that Nobel-Prize winner, Tonie Morrison, is getting less for making the commencement speech.
Initially I laughed, but then I started thinking, how much does it cost to have a celebrity speak at an engagement, so I did a little research. For under 10K I can hire the following:
Reality TV Personality - Jillian Harris
Model - Kim Alexis
Actress - Mackenzie Phillips
Music - Beatlemania
Granted there are a slew of other speakers within this price range, but I didn't have a clue who they were. So, I did a little more digging....
Lance Armstrong gets over $50,000, Jay Leno and Donald Trump over $100,000, but did I expect to pay anything less?
What I was surprised about, assuming info on the Internet is accurate, I was pleasantly surprised that Jacques Pepin's fee is under $20,000. I adore Jacques Pepin. My dream job would to be his assistant....wait, I'm getting sidetracked.
Point of my findings is that Snooki, gets $32,000? Am I missing something?
Monday, April 4, 2011
Celebrating My Dad's 89th Birthday.....
Monday, April 4, 2011.......
This past Saturday was my dad's 89th birthday and my sister invited YogaGirl, dad, hubby and I over for lunch (Saturday is church day for my dad and although it starts at 4:00 pm, he leaves 1 hour in advance of service - we don't really know why and stopped asking).
My dad is an AMAZINGLY active man. He golfs, walks daily, president of his town's senior center, a member of a men's club, bridge group, but for the past 2 years, I've noticed how he hasn't been that happy about getting another year older. I guess I can't blame him.
He's outlived 2 sets of friends (this reminds me of Tom Hanks' character in the Green Mile) and starting to really slow down. He's finally acknowledging his hearing is going and wearing his hearing aid. Mind you, unless we told him to put them in, we'd have to scream at him in order for him to hear us. I can only imagine if a stranger saw this, I wonder if they thought we were guilty of elder abuse.
Anyway, the lunch was nice and then all talk turned to our Easter Egg Hunt. Yes. Easter Egg Hunt. My family takes it very seriously and it can turn into a blood sport (note: youngest member of egg hunt is 24). Winner gets to gloat for an entire year, and, when I say gloat, I mean GLOAT.
The one tricky element about the hunt is that my dad hides the eggs and as he ages, well, he hides them in unusual places. He recently started hiding the chocolate eggs under patches of grass he cuts up. Every year it gets weirder, and every year, he can't remember where he put them.
This should be interesting, but I do plan on taking down my contestants. Everyone is going down this year. Just saying.
{I'm glad potential employers know nothing of this blog because they might begin questioning how old I really am}
This past Saturday was my dad's 89th birthday and my sister invited YogaGirl, dad, hubby and I over for lunch (Saturday is church day for my dad and although it starts at 4:00 pm, he leaves 1 hour in advance of service - we don't really know why and stopped asking).
My dad is an AMAZINGLY active man. He golfs, walks daily, president of his town's senior center, a member of a men's club, bridge group, but for the past 2 years, I've noticed how he hasn't been that happy about getting another year older. I guess I can't blame him.
He's outlived 2 sets of friends (this reminds me of Tom Hanks' character in the Green Mile) and starting to really slow down. He's finally acknowledging his hearing is going and wearing his hearing aid. Mind you, unless we told him to put them in, we'd have to scream at him in order for him to hear us. I can only imagine if a stranger saw this, I wonder if they thought we were guilty of elder abuse.
Anyway, the lunch was nice and then all talk turned to our Easter Egg Hunt. Yes. Easter Egg Hunt. My family takes it very seriously and it can turn into a blood sport (note: youngest member of egg hunt is 24). Winner gets to gloat for an entire year, and, when I say gloat, I mean GLOAT.
The one tricky element about the hunt is that my dad hides the eggs and as he ages, well, he hides them in unusual places. He recently started hiding the chocolate eggs under patches of grass he cuts up. Every year it gets weirder, and every year, he can't remember where he put them.
This should be interesting, but I do plan on taking down my contestants. Everyone is going down this year. Just saying.
{I'm glad potential employers know nothing of this blog because they might begin questioning how old I really am}
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