When I was growing up I always felt like we (I) were left out from the extended family's fun holiday gatherings--which we were--there were only a handful of times we actually visited them during the holidays.
So when I came to graduate school near my extended family, I was really excited to spend more time with them. I soon realized that other family members saw us as having been lucky to have a good excuse to miss certain gatherings. And I soon saw why. You know families!
At any rate, for some reason (probably because I've never done it before) I have this intense desire to make Thanksgiving dinner. C & I even discussed declining all invitations and staying home to have our own Thanksgiving. After much thought and careful consideration we decided we'd spend it with my grandparents on my dad's side...and have our own Thanksgiving on Friday.
I'm so excited about it! Here's the menu I picked out:
Baked mashed potatoes, w/ pancetta, parm cheese, & breadcrumbs
2 in 1 gravy & sausage stuffed stuffing
Cornish game hen (on the panini press)
A green bean casserole of some sort
A sweet potato casserole of some sort
Cranberry sauce (yes, from the can, it's my favorite)
Pumpkin pie
And maybe a sweet corn bread pudding--if I'm feeling adventurous
I'm trying to think if I'm missing something my mom usually makes, but I think I covered it all. I only have one oven, so I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up being fiasco. Then again, I might discover a talent I never knew I had. Come to think of it, most people only have one oven, so it must be doable.
In case you're wondering, the cornish hen is taking the place of a turkey. A turkey would just be ridiculous for two people. Unless they have turkeys made for two. I have no idea.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Job Update
My heart it overflowing with joy about my job. Kinda weird, and I'm sure it won't last, but I certainly hope it does.
We had lunch as an office today to say farewell to one of the employees and I realized just how wonderful it is to work with a group of people who are positive and so caring about health and wellness.
It's just such a nice reprieve from the countless negative thoughts that are seemingly constantly thrown at me (be it from people or media); and to top it off, their specialty is wellness, something I strive for in every part of my life.
Sometimes I feel a little inept (especially when they're eating salads or talking about the race they just ran etc), but they never make me feel that way--I do that to myself.
I spoke with the previous director of the department this morning (she got promoted) and it looks like they're going to try their hardest to keep me in February and bump me up to full-time. I might have to do the happy dance if that transpires. For one, more money; two, health benefits!!
The other thing she said was that she's heard good things about me. Yay! And last week the lady that has been training me said, "Well, we might just have to do one session since you pick everything up so quickly." Another yay!
Something I've learned recently is that I'm really hard on myself. I want to pick things up the first time & when I don't, I beat myself up over it. C says, "Oh, you're doing fine." But he doesn't know, he doesn't work in my office--he's just being the supportive husband. And I didn't realize until recently how instrumental it is for me to hear that I'm doing well.
The only thing I'm still having a hard time with is getting everything I need to get done in the amount of time I have to do it. I'm only working 20 hours a week, so it's definitely challenging.
Perhaps I chose the wrong major after all. ;o)
We had lunch as an office today to say farewell to one of the employees and I realized just how wonderful it is to work with a group of people who are positive and so caring about health and wellness.
It's just such a nice reprieve from the countless negative thoughts that are seemingly constantly thrown at me (be it from people or media); and to top it off, their specialty is wellness, something I strive for in every part of my life.
Sometimes I feel a little inept (especially when they're eating salads or talking about the race they just ran etc), but they never make me feel that way--I do that to myself.
I spoke with the previous director of the department this morning (she got promoted) and it looks like they're going to try their hardest to keep me in February and bump me up to full-time. I might have to do the happy dance if that transpires. For one, more money; two, health benefits!!
The other thing she said was that she's heard good things about me. Yay! And last week the lady that has been training me said, "Well, we might just have to do one session since you pick everything up so quickly." Another yay!
Something I've learned recently is that I'm really hard on myself. I want to pick things up the first time & when I don't, I beat myself up over it. C says, "Oh, you're doing fine." But he doesn't know, he doesn't work in my office--he's just being the supportive husband. And I didn't realize until recently how instrumental it is for me to hear that I'm doing well.
The only thing I'm still having a hard time with is getting everything I need to get done in the amount of time I have to do it. I'm only working 20 hours a week, so it's definitely challenging.
Perhaps I chose the wrong major after all. ;o)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Pies, pies, & more pies!
If you love pies, you'll love Martha Stewart's Pie Contest blog post. The pies are beautiful and it makes me want to go home right now and bake one up!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Not much into history
I'll warn you before hand and let you know that this will be kind of a weird post. I don't know, maybe not, but it's regarding the sensitive subject of the Holocaust, so it certainly has the potential.
As the title suggests, I've never been what you would call a History buff. Except when it comes to the Holocaust. I've seen numerous movies (I know, movies...but many are quite good and accurate), read countless books, took a History of the Holocaust class in college, visited a concentration camp, and attended seminars.
I'm writing about this because recently I watched two movies on the subject and attended a presentation by a man who survived it. If you weren't aware, November 9th marked not only the fall of the Berlin Wall, but also Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass--an anti-Jewish riot).
The movies are Fateless and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and I recommend them both. Assuming you're in the mood to be depressed.
"We in the United States should be all the more thankful for the freedom and religious tolerance we enjoy. And we should always remember the lessons learned from the Holocaust, in hopes we stay vigilant against such inhumanity now and in the future." - Charlie Dent
As the title suggests, I've never been what you would call a History buff. Except when it comes to the Holocaust. I've seen numerous movies (I know, movies...but many are quite good and accurate), read countless books, took a History of the Holocaust class in college, visited a concentration camp, and attended seminars.
I'm writing about this because recently I watched two movies on the subject and attended a presentation by a man who survived it. If you weren't aware, November 9th marked not only the fall of the Berlin Wall, but also Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass--an anti-Jewish riot).
The movies are Fateless and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and I recommend them both. Assuming you're in the mood to be depressed.
"We in the United States should be all the more thankful for the freedom and religious tolerance we enjoy. And we should always remember the lessons learned from the Holocaust, in hopes we stay vigilant against such inhumanity now and in the future." - Charlie Dent
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