In other news, John says "hi."
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Van Leeuwen
In other news, John says "hi."
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Twenty-Seven
Twenty-seven years ago today my collar bone broke. Is it strange to know the exact date of such an event? Perhaps it would make more sense if I explained that my collar bone broke as I was being born. Apparently the doctors pulled my arm out first and *SNAP* it didn't go well. The way I heard the story my mom glared at the doctor and said "I hope that was ME!" Unfortunately, it was her new baby girl, but fortunately it wasn't my neck. I don't think I had to wear a cast or brace or anything because newborns don't move much. At least I've never seen a picture to that effect. Hopefully I won't relive my birthday experience by finding another bone to break. I wouldn't put it past me though, I'm pretty clumsy.
Labels:
it's all about me
The Yard
Labels:
Dogs,
it's all about me,
Maddie
Monday, September 28, 2009
First Day
I started a new job today, and let me tell you, working isn't all it's cracked up to be. I woke up at 5:30 this morning, which is about four and a half hours earlier than I had been waking up pre-employment. Just a slight difference. Needless to say, my body barely cooperated throughout the day and it took a bit of effort to put dinner together once I got home. I'd forgotten what it was like to be too tired to really care what you make. I guess I'll leave my inventive cooking for the weekends.
The hour and 45 minute commute twice a day didn't make the experience any better, that's for sure. I ride the train, so it gives me plenty of time to do some reading, and I already finished a book today. Good thing I stocked up at the library.
Luckily, I had a big slice of ice cream cake to make everything better while we sat on the couch watching How I Met Your Mother. And also I have the knowledge that the job is temporary and only goes until the end of the year. Not sure how I'd survive otherwise.
The hour and 45 minute commute twice a day didn't make the experience any better, that's for sure. I ride the train, so it gives me plenty of time to do some reading, and I already finished a book today. Good thing I stocked up at the library.
Luckily, I had a big slice of ice cream cake to make everything better while we sat on the couch watching How I Met Your Mother. And also I have the knowledge that the job is temporary and only goes until the end of the year. Not sure how I'd survive otherwise.
Labels:
it's all about me
Julie & Julia
Labels:
it's all about me
NYC Friends
The good looking gent above is my friend, Chris, whom I met in college. It is possible that we used to sing and dance to Since You've Been Gone (by Kelly Clarkson of course) almost every weekend. If it makes it any better, Eve used to be a part of it. Oh, that's even more strange? Forget I even mentioned it.
I've known him since middle school, when we were in the same core group. Let's hope he doesn't remember what I used to look like back then. Ugh.
Labels:
trips
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sixteen Candles
Natalie and Mitch came over tonight for a bit of an early birthday celebration. We seem to have created a birthday tradition that when it's your birthday you end up doing the cooking and your friends just bring over the dessert. Trust me, you wouldn't mind this tradition if your friend brought you a homemade ice cream cake for dessert!
I think now is a good time for everyone to reflect on which friend they can sucker in to making them an ice cream cake for their birthday this year. Trust me, this is a birthday cake you will not forget.
Labels:
it's all about me
Saturday, September 26, 2009
The Strand
In New York there is a bookstore called The Strand. It's humongous and relatively famous - featured in lots of TV shows and movies. I used to come by here after work and leave with an armful.
As far as I know, none of their books sell for the sticker price they would at a normal bookstore. And not just the used books. They have tons of new books that are sold at Amazon prices - if you know what I mean. They also have a huge selection of used books if you really want a bargain. This is especially nice because lots of used bookstores don't have the greatest selection.
In case you're interested, here is a list of the books I'm currently reading:
Waiter Rant by The Waiter
Second Nature by Michael Pollan
Be The Pack Leader by Cesar Millan
The Host by Stephanie Meyer
Labels:
it's all about me,
trips
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thai Things
Also, don't you just love how Thai iced tea looks and the joy you get from mixing the cream with the tea?
Ginger Cookies
Let's pretend you have a sifter and get started. Add 2 cups flour to your sifter.
I didn't really know how a sifter worked until we made these cookies. Do you know? Apparently a metal ring circles around as you pull this weird trigger thing and shoves the mixture through the sieve at the bottom.
Always the fun part of the cookie making. Bla.
Ginger Cookies
2 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar, plus more for the outside of the cookies
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses
5 heaping tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together 2 cups flour, 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer on low speed to cream together 1 cup sugar and 3/4 cup vegetable shortening. Add 1 large egg and 1/4 cup molasses to the shortening and sugar mixture. Blend with an electric mixer until completely combined. Slowly add the sifted flour mixture to the wet ingredients while blending with electric mixer. Once fully combined, add 5 heaping tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger and combine with spatula. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and roll in sugar. Place cookies on parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.
Weird Things in Brooklyn
Labels:
it's all about me,
trips
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Irony
Something ironic happened to me today, and like the Alanis song, it was ironic in the horrible way, but unlike the Alanis song, it was actually ironic, not just a misuse of the word (rain on your wedding day? c'mon!). I lived in New York for two years, and during that time, nothing bad or scary happened to me. I also went to New York for 5 days and returned to the Bay Area yesterday. Today I was in San Francisco attending a CLE class and somehow during the day - I suspect on my lunch break - my wallet got stolen. In seemingly picture-perfect San Francisco! At first I thought maybe I had just lost my wallet, so I went and retraced my steps, and of course no wallet was found. So at this point I'm getting a little freaked. I naturally break down to the unsuspecting parking garage cashier, telling him I was not only missing my parking entrance ticket, but I also had zero money to pay him. He and his boss were incredibly nice and mostly just wanted the hysterical woman to stop causing a scene. I told them I would send them the money in the mail, and they said there was no need and let me go for free. So on the car ride home I started calling my credit cards. And they did not have good news for me. The little thief used every single credit and debit card in my wallet for a fun little shopping spree in Oakland today. Target, a furniture store, gas, multiple grocery stores. It was bad. Overall I think they spent $3000 in between the hours of 1:00 PM and 5:30 PM. Needless to say, it was all a bit overwhelming. Natalie had to spot me for dinner tonight, because currently I'm without a dime. I'm relaxing right now by drinking some tea that's literally called "Nighty Night." What a day.
Labels:
it's all about me
The Reason I Went to NYC
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trips
Nuts 4 Nuts 4 Nuts
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it's all about me,
trips
USFM
The USFM is an institution in New York, visited by many chefs (and their minions). It's open long hours and four days a week, which is pretty awesome. I used to go every Saturday morning, so being back was a bit nostalgic.
The woman standing at the booth said it takes 40 gallons of sap from the tree to make 1 gallon of syrup. That's a pretty crazy ratio.
Labels:
farmers market,
trips
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