Diary of a Confused College Grad

Experimental Dinner

2012-01-25T19:01:00.000-08:00

I don't have much left in my fridge right now...

So I combined kale, steak, and quinoa with a miso dressing.

AND IT WASN'T AN EPIC FAIL! :D

I feel so accomplished.

It looks pretty ugly tho, so no pics for you!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-23T15:31:00.000-08:00

A glimpse at hot pot from last night :)

Snowmageddon

2012-01-18T09:58:00.001-08:00

SNOW DAY!!!!

But I'm a grad student which means the only perk of today is not having to go to class.

Snow!

2012-01-15T09:45:00.001-08:00

I hope the city doesn't shut down!

Sunset in Seattle

2012-01-13T16:56:00.001-08:00

Sweets

2012-01-13T12:59:00.001-08:00

Boyfriend left a cupcake on my desk for me to find when I got back from class!

Bulk sizing

2012-01-12T09:01:00.001-08:00

Who thought it was a good idea to buy clementines at Costco?

New Year Thoughts

2012-01-02T15:26:00.000-08:00

Today I sat on the floor of Barnes and Noble with two of my high school friends smashing a pink peppermint candy pig with a small metal mallet. Apparently a new years tradition of one of the small towns in Upstate New York is you go around the circle and say one good thing that happened in the past year and you smash the pig (which you put inside a velvet bag) with the mallet after your statement. We started this activity at a restaurant but realized we were making way too much noise, so we meandered over to the Barnes and Noble religion section (seemed like the quietest spot in the store), plopped down on the carpet, and started smashing. It was pretty fun, though with only three people, you can only go around so many times before you run out of things to say.

I have jury duty tomorrow. Let's hope I don't get picked. It's also supposed to have a high of 15 degrees tomorrow. Fuck.

Happy New Year, everyone. Here's to 2012 bringing great things. Like me finishing my novel. Just kidding.

Happy new year!!

2012-01-01T14:07:00.001-08:00

Winter

2011-12-15T15:01:00.001-08:00

Oh there's the Seattle I know. Totally grey and dreary. I'm happy to be heading mitten-side soon. Hopefully there will be some sun there!

My Guy

2011-12-14T13:56:00.000-08:00

me: O.O

J: o_O

me: you are turning into me

J: o.O

me: HAHAH

J: hahahahahhaha
Alrighty, back to my fake grant!

Blue skies

2011-12-09T11:41:00.001-08:00

It's supposed to start raining again next week so I'm soaking in what sun I can!!

It's final's week

2011-12-08T16:35:00.000-08:00

Today I was trying to plug my ear buds into my ipod and I was so brainfried from too much studying that I tried to put the jack into my ear instead of a bud.

Christmas season

2011-11-30T20:18:00.001-08:00

Today I listened to Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas" guilt free :)

And yes, that is a Christmas tree on top of the space needle :D

Turkey Day

2011-11-24T20:04:00.000-08:00

I am grateful...

(1) for my family and friends and a HEALTHY DOG (in like 2 weeks it will be the anniversary of Momo's death. It feels like forever ago).

(2) that I got into graduate school. Who knew that would happen?

(3) that I like graduate school and made friends and am pretty content with where I am in life right now. Who knew that would happen?

(4) for the food I just ate and all the food I'm going to EAT THIS WEEKEND! Wahahahahha.

(5) to be alive after tempting fate with all the plane rides I've taken since turning 24. Woo!

Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T09:49:00.001-08:00

This year, on Thanksgiving I am thankful that my family is happy and healthy (well kind of healthy...we're all quite lazy :p). I am thankful for new friends as well as old friends - and hopefully they are happy and healthy too! I am thankful to be in school in a wonderful environment. And this is the silliest of them all - but I'm thankful the class I'm teaching doesn't hate me or think I'm a bad teacher.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

It's not me, it's you

2011-11-23T09:40:00.000-08:00

I have always been a somewhat superstitious person. In the past two weeks, two people I know have passed away in fiery car accidents. In both cases, the people I knew were rear-ended when they were being completely safe drivers.

When I heard about the accidents my first thought was "Cars can actually light on fire? I thought that was just something that happened in movies"

The reason I bring up the superstition is because I am terrified there will be a third person. So please drive safe and watch out for people behind you!!

STOP THE SELF-BANG VIOLENCE!!!

2011-11-16T08:26:00.001-08:00

Got a haircut, it's A LOT shorter than I meant it to be, and when it's down an straight I feel like Javier Bardem in No Country For Old Men. On the plus side, he fixed my bangs. I really need to stop believing I can cut them myself :)

gchat

2011-11-14T09:48:00.000-08:00

Crouton visited me this weekend, and is currently in the bathroom...

Christine: Hello from the bathroom!!! :)

me: OH CHRISTINE.

True colors shining through

2011-11-10T14:46:00.001-08:00

My walk to work is gorgeous right now. Thanks for a better Fall than last year, Seattle!

Veggie love

2011-11-08T19:57:00.001-08:00

Purple carrot!!! My CSA is over next week and I'm pretty sad about it. At the very least, I've learned to love chard :)

Chapters

2011-11-06T07:08:00.001-08:00

Rochester

Bagels. Snow. Nerdiness. The best friends that I've had since childhood. Even though I fought with my parents constantly, this was home, and I was afraid to leave it.

Ann Arbor

For some reason I will always associate college with being cold, with studying late into the night while the snow accumulates steadily outside and the windchill is negative twenty degrees. I miss these nights when I leave Ann Arbor, the sting of the cold when you step outside and eating hot soup with friends in the apartment on Packard and waking up every morning in a warm bed because hummusboyfriend had come back from the computer lab sometime around four in the morning. I miss the nights of going out on South U and throwing 16-person-dinner-parties and going on a mad scramble of having enough chairs. I miss Cottage Inn. I am nostalgic for these days for almost the entire first year out of college as I struggled to adapt to a new city and a new lifestyle and a place where not all of my friends were within a ten minute walking distance.

Cincinnati

I hated Cincinnati for the first few months. Moving three times in my first week did not leave me with a favorable impression of the place, and when I was attacked by an army of houseflies Drag-Me-To-Hell-style, I was pretty sure this was god's way of telling saying I did not belong in Cincinnati. For the first time in my life, I was alone in a strange city, and without the safety cushion of college where a bunch of young people are just as eager to make friends and start a new chapter in their life. My co workers were mostly around my parents' age, and the one young guy who started work on the same day I did was aloof and had no interest in being friends. Slowly, I began to meet people, our friendships reserved and awkward at first, but with time it grew into a solid group of six food lovers who did everything together, especially stuffing our faces. We went glamping in northern Ohio, a weekend in a snug cabin with a hot tub where we rotated kitchen duties and had fabulous homecooked food for every meal. We ate at every new restaurant in Cincinnati. We had bad movie nights. We raised my poor sick puppy Momo, and grieved when she died. In the end, my time in Cincinnati went from unbearable to something that I would miss dearly when I left, and it would have nothing to do with my quirky boss or the delicious black raspberry chocolate chip ice cream or the blonde-haired boy that kissed me good night and good bye on the doorstep, but six friends I had never expected to care for.

Atlanta

The transition to Atlanta and grad school was 6000 times smoother than my move to Cincinnati. Perhaps it was because I was ready to be back in graduate school, or the adorable roommate in a beautiful apartment that we decorated together (with a KITCHEN ISLAND!!!!), or the friend that I made on the first day of orientation that I hit it off with instantly and now we're pretty much attached at the hip, or all the delicious things I've discovered for eating. I'm stressed and overwhelmed and sleep deprived, and I'm nursing a head cold as I type this, but I'm pretty happy with where I am right now.

HOWEVER, this is the first time in my life that I have not had access to Brueggers or any sort of decent bagel, and that makes the New York snob inside of me rear its ugly head.

What's next...San Francisco?

Drifting

2011-10-28T13:31:00.001-07:00

I pretty much pulled an all nighter last night to finish a computer coding project so I'm feeling like a zombie now.

Crouton and two of my Cincinnati friends are coming to visit me 2 weeks from today! HOORAY! I'm so excited. :)

Adventures in TA-land

2011-10-27T13:49:00.001-07:00

I did an eval today in my class to see how I'm doing.

No major complaints so HOORAY FOR ME!!!

So early

2011-10-24T05:23:00.001-07:00

SF at 5:15 in the morning. Catching an early flight back to Seattle so I can put in a full day of class an work.

I think that it is time for a nap...

Weekend!

2011-10-21T19:41:00.001-07:00

Yes I need a rolly bag for a weekend trip.

Unrelated - why am I always craving burritos?

Detroit love

2011-10-10T23:19:00.001-07:00

Some unexpected Detroit love at the chromeo concert

Sunshine on my window

2011-10-08T15:52:00.001-07:00

Why yes, it is a gorgeous day in Seattle!

you can do what you like...

2011-10-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

Seattle has definitely settled into gloom and doom. I feel like I haven't seen the sun in days and last night by 7PM it was already full dark. At least it felt like it was super dark.

So I am doing my best to be cheerful. That includes decorating my desk some more:

psst...yes that's you guys!!!

And also demolishing a gigantic zucchini. I made this:

based on this recipe. We took a few shortcuts though and managed to burn the crust a little bit, but it was still tasty and delicious. Also, I was mad at my pastry for not puffing like it was supposed to, but still, it's dough and I love dough so I couldn't stay mad for long.

We also baked up some zucchini chips. AND I still have 1/3 of the enormous thing left. I think zucchini bread is in my future.

Pickles

2011-10-03T13:34:00.001-07:00

In about a month these guys will be pickles!

Ah, friends

2011-09-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

Upon expressing my concerns to Emma that I will have issues saying no to HummusFling when I return to Cincinnati to get the rest of my stuff...

"You might not be able to say no, but I will have no problem saying no to that. In fact, I will hold your belongings hostage."

The Simple Things

2011-09-23T13:47:00.000-07:00

Lavender along my walk home smells so nice :)

So Early...

2011-09-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've had to escape my bed at this time in the morning...

Summer's End

2011-09-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

It's getting cold in Seattle (I could argue that it never really warmed up anyway). The clouds are rolling in, but at least the sun is making some effort today.

I'm gonna fight 'em off...

2011-09-07T14:42:00.001-07:00

Someone left a chair army in the hallway outside of lab.

Hello September!

2011-09-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

Well, life is still rolling along.

I've made another new friend.

The sun finally came out in Seattle! And look! It's a drawbridge!

I've also been having plenty of food adventures.

Overall, I think I'm ready for classes to start again and work to kick into high gear, but I will definitely miss summer!

Desk Update

2011-08-18T15:17:00.001-07:00

Still working on getting pics of you guys up, at least for now I have a second plant to keep the first one company :)

Life Update-y Stuff

2011-08-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

In personal news, boyfriend is gone. I think my parents had the funniest reaction to this news that I'd ever heard of. My mom said, "well you're dad won't be upset" and my dad nodded yes. By no means is this depressing news! My overwhelming thoughts are RELIEF that it's over.

On a brighter note, I have joined a lab!! We are supposed to take three rotations in different labs and then match and join one of them, however, I'm in my fourth rotation. To do a fourth rotation is rare in my program, however, I've heard from other programs that it is less rare, although still not standard. I'm not sure if my friend was just saying that to make me feel better or if it's actually true, but in any case it doesn't matter. It's serendipitous that I ended up where I did. Once I was able to think clearly about it, this lab will really be the best fit for me.

Check out my desk!

I also have a plant! One of my lab friends heard me complaining about how everyone across the way from me has plants so he brought me a little carnivore to keep me company. There's 3 separate plants in there and their names are Herp, Derp, and Merp.

Anyway, except for the plant, my desk is pretty lame. I would love to hear ideas about how to decorate :)

Things Happening In September

2011-08-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, yes, I realize the current month is August, doesn't mean I can't talk about the future though!

College football starts again! Although I am not a huge football fan, I am excited about watching the games with an entire bar full of Michigan alum. I'm crossing my fingers that there are fewer noon games this year because noon Eastern means 9AM western, and I feel guilty about heading to the bar so early.

I hit my 1-year anniversary in Seattle! After a year I definitely feel more comfortable in this city. However, I still have not explored very much. I think the goal for this year is to not only get out of my neighborhood more, but to get out of Seattle more. I also have to work on being more outdoorsy. No one is around on the weekends. EVER. In the summer there is camping/hiking and in the winter there's skiing. I suppose I have a few weekends where it's too rainy to camp and it hasn't started snowing yet that I'll have friends on the weekend!

my hair is straight again

2011-08-08T06:38:00.000-07:00

I got my hair straightened yesterday.

not that it wasn't straight before. just really frizzy.

this should beat hongy's asian curls in her picture below :p

A True Hummus Moment

2011-06-27T09:26:00.000-07:00

I'm having a dinner party tonight.

Menu: dumplings, hot and sour soup, veg fried rice, veggie stir fry

(not Hummus moment: totally forgot about dessert again)

Guests: 15

Seats in my apt: 9...maybe 11 but that involves some creative couch squishing

My apartment is TINY.

Maybe I should get some floor pillows.

Two days until AirHeads and I meet up in Thailand!

2011-06-24T05:52:00.000-07:00

WOO WOO!

My sleep schedule is super messed up though. It's not even 9pm yet and I'm really sleepy (though I just drank half a lychee beer, which never helps)...I better get over that before this trip.

There are so many good baked goods in Taipei, I've basically been living on just carbs. Mm, the anti-atkins diet.

I'm in Taipei

2011-06-20T03:29:00.001-07:00

Today I was at a drugstore and saw a PLASTIC CLIP THAT YOU CLIP ONTO YOUR NOSE TO MAKE IT POINTIER. I tried to take a photo of it but the store owner yelled at me so I had to run away.

Crazy Asians.

The Weekend of Stuffing My Face

2011-06-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

Hello. I am a silly girl who doesn't really know how to use a webcam to take a picture of myself. Also the fact that my hair is curly gives me an identity crisis.

I spent this past weekend in Indianapolis for my friend's brother's wedding (I shall refer to said friend as Mustard from this point on). Mustard's brother and his bride are both big foodies, and I knew the wedding budget was pretty huge, so I've been looking forward to this wedding for quite some time. It was a pretty extensive wedding weekend, with a rehearsal/rehearsal dinner/hospitality suite party, wedding, and post-wedding brunch.

Unfortunately, I got a superheadcold right before the wedding, and my taste buds were dead for most of the weekend, but I enjoyed myself anyway, despite much pain from clogged sinuses and blisters from wearing too many high heels and super expensive dresses in 90 degree weather.

The hospitality suite on Friday night was pretty crazy. It was in a suite

in the hotel that most of the wedding guests were staying at, on the top floor of a high rise. Apparently George Bush stayed in this suite when he visited Indy. There was an open bar and bartender, a candy buffet!, and a dessert bar. The candy buffet consisted of peanut butter-filled pretzels, gummy bears, m&ms, and chocolate covered blueberries in tall glass containers. I popped a chocolate covered blueberry into my mouth, and Mustard asked me if it was licorice, to which I answered yes, I think so. That was the first sign that my taste buds were way dead. The second sign was when I approached the dessert buffet, which had the typical cheese and crackers and fruit platters, as well as chocolate-covered strawberries (I ate about 10 of these), chocolate chip cookies, and what looked like cake pops. I bit into the 'cake pop', and said 'hmm...I think it's ice cream.' Upon further inspection, I realized it wasn't very cold, and wondered aloud if it was chocolate covered frosting balls. Then someone told me it was cheesecake on a stick. RIP taste buds. May you and my nostrils someday work again.

On a random note, I had just seen a picture of $3000+ Christian Louboutin shoes in a magazine a few days ago, and thought wtf, who wears $3000 shoes. At the rehearsal dinner, one girl was wearing those exact shoes.

The wedding the next day was beautiful. It was in the garden of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, with the cocktail hour and reception held inside the museum. The wedding ceremony was the perfect length - about 20 minutes, and I got served a delicious bubbly cocktail with fresh raspberries as I walked into the ceremony area. Note to any friends getting married in the future: please keep your ceremony under half an hour, because that

's about how long my attention span is. The food at the cocktail hour blew my mind. I've been obsessed with the concept of soup served in shot classes, both because they're pretty and because I love soup, and they had three types of soup served in shot glasses at this wedding. If you've never seen this before, here's a picture:

They also had a gourmet cheese bar, and numerous delightful bites being handed out: fried risotto balls, SWEET POTATO FRIES SERVED IN SHOT GLASSES WITH SOME GARLIC AOLI (I loved these), lamb meatballs (I obviously didn't eat this), figs stuffed with goat cheese, just to name a few. The bartender asked me if I was over 18, and I was sad, because I had just turned 24 less than 48 hours ago.

For dinner, I sat at the head table with the rest of the wedding party and their plus ones. Mustard was pretty nervous for his best man speech, but he did great, which is good because I told him if he froze or got emotional in the middle of it, I was going to pinch him really hard. Mustard and I joked that I was Head Asian (there were 3 other Asians at the wedding, which we dubbed Happy Asian, Ambiguous Asian-we couldn't agree on whether or not she was actually Asian, and Short Asian..everyone else was Caucasian) since I was the only Asian at the head table. The sides were passed down family-style, but the main entrée items (braised short rib and marscapone ravioli with heirloom tomatoes) were served by the waitstaff. The ravioli waiters kept missing me and the groomsman sitting on my other side, and we were joking around with each other that they were purposely not giving us ravioli, when (I didn't hear this, but Mustard told me):...

Bride: (to wedding planner) The service is poor! Hummus hasn't gotten any ravioli! Look at her plate! It barely has anything on it!!!

[A minute later, server 1 appears next to Hummus with plate]

Server 1: Would you like some ravioli?

Hummus: Yes, thank you.

[15 seconds later, server 2 appears at Hummus' elbow]

Server 2: Would you like some ravioli?

Hummus: ....

When Head Asian wants ravioli, she gets ravioli. Hee hee, just kidding. :)

The sides were also good: fingerling potatoes, swiss chard, buttered radishes, and other stuff I can't remember, because I was too busy gawking at the DESSERT BUFFET - 2 different types of cake pops (double chocolate, and strawberry cake covered with white chocolate), red velvet whoopie pies, rice krispy treats, and FIVE KINDS OF CAKE. My favorite one was a hazelnut cake with nutella buttercream. <3 We stuffed our faces and danced up a storm.

Okay I'm still pretty sick so I'm going to sign off now and write about the post-wedding brunch later.

Happy Cinco De Mayo

2011-05-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

I'm so full I'm pretty sure I'm going to burst any second. I'm also disgusting.

Today I ate

3 donuts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

a quesadilla

a cupcake

a latte

some soup

a banana

2 big margaritas!!! It's cinco de mayo, after all.

a giant burrito

frozen yogurt with fruit

Now I'm sitting up being sleepy from our not-so-wild evening out and waiting for HummusBoyfriend to arrive. Zzzzz.

Happy Cinco De Mayo. Cheers.

Basel the Basil II

2011-04-25T22:17:00.001-07:00

I bought another Basil this year. I have high hopes for this one.

...even if he almost died overnight already

2011-04-19T15:37:00.003-07:00

http://mandaflewaway.tumblr.com/post/2057242738

Good way to amuse yourself for a bit!

Brown Bagging Lunch

2011-04-05T22:23:00.000-07:00

I've had trouble getting back on a schedule since Spring Break a week and a half ago. Typically I'll cook a ton of dinner and then pack some for lunch the next day since microwaves/fridges are abundant. (Although some of the fridges in lab are decidedly food free :p)

Side bar: is Mario Batali not wearing pants?? I need to stop watching Iron Chef at night - I just get so hungry. In case you're curious it's Battle: Rice! And now I want risotto obviously.

Anyway we've been eating out a ton and I'm already tired of sandwiches after 2 days. Ideas for more interesting lunches I can bring that are pretty easy to put together?

Glamping = glamorous camping

2011-04-03T15:55:00.001-07:00

So a few months ago, Shorty was like 'let's go camping', even though Shorty is the least roughing-it person I have ever met, even more than me, and that's saying something. The boys were like "Let's pitch tents!" but the girls put an end to that real fast. So as a compromise, we decided to go to Hocking Hills for the weekend and do woodsy activities while staying in a nice cabin with 3 bedrooms and a hot tub.

We went ziplining and hiked in a beautiful forest with lots of interesting caves and waterfalls, but we also spent a lot of time at the cabin, making homecooked meals (I love having lots of foodies for friends), hanging out in the outdoor hot tub with wine, which is on the back porch overlooking the forest, grilling, roasting marshmallows around a bonfire, and watching movies. Highlights of our weekend food:

Granola and yogurt fruit parfaits (with THREE types of granola, and strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, bananas, and the best kiwis I've ever had)

Sandwich bar

BBQ grill out with hot dogs, meat kabobs, veggie kabobs, roasted carrots, potato salad

S'mores around the bonfire

Pancakes (plain, blueberry, banana, banana chocolate chip, and chocolate chip) with maple syrup and breakfast potatoes

Picnic lunch mid-hike: roasted eggplant and zucchini pearl barley salad, homemade potato salad, hummus, homemade bread, fruit salad, brie and rosemary asiago cheeses, brownies

West African Stew (slow-cooked in a crockpot all day while we were off on our hike) with crisp green beans that are tossed in minutes before serving...yummm

Did this blog die?

2011-03-29T21:53:00.000-07:00

We are lazy :'(

I'll update on how grad life is. Had my rotation talk for the winter quarter. I'm finally getting really used to saying quarter. I think it went well. My PI said, "Good job. Nice shoes." I think that's good?

Unless there was nothing else good to say about my talk :'( But for reallies I think it went well. I liked the lab except for the nasty mice. I'm moving on to the next thing tomorrow so wish me luck!

Yummy Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

2011-01-30T07:37:00.001-08:00

Here's an easy soup that I threw together last night for one of our Group Loser gatherings. People liked it and asked for the recipe, so here it is. It didn't require buying a lot of weird ingredients, so that was nice.

1 large onion, diced

2 cloves of garlic, crushed/chopped

3 TB. canola oil

1 green bell pepper (or any other bell pepper..bell pepper away!)

2 hot peppers, diced (I used one jalapeno and one thai chili)

1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes (that's the big fat can)

1 normal sized can of black beans (aren't I good at writing recipes)?

2 TB cumin

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 TB cayenne pepper

2 c. veggie broth

salt and pepper to taste

Tortilla chips & shredded cheddar to garnish

Saute onion and garlic in oil. Add bell peppers and hot peppers. Dump everything else except for the garnishes in and bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve topped with cheese and broken up bits of tortilla chip. EAT!

Cincinnati Bucket List

2011-01-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

First of all...whoa, someone else already came up with a Cincinnati bucket list. Eh?

http://www.cincinnatichamber.com/liv_b.aspx?menu_id=178&id=8256

This is mine:

(1) Go ziplining.

(2) Go to Cincinnati Museum Center Omnimax Theater

(3) Have Mike host a dinner party.

(4) Eat burritos at The Comet!!!!!!!!!!

(5) Go kayaking.

(6) I don't know if I'll be around for it still when it starts up again, but I would like to pack a picnic and go watch outdoor movies in Mt. Adams in the summer.

(7) Eat at Local 127.

(8) Have afternoon tea at Essencha (the full deal with food involved).

(9) Have Stu host Bad Movie Night, complete with snacks.

(10) Go camping. (umm...I'm actually more of a fan of renting a cabin, but we'll see)

(11) Have a fondue and wine night.

(12) More themed dinner parties: dim sum? sushi? Pizza? Southern food? Color theme? Cooking with booze (as an ingredient)? Stew-off, if Stu doesn't end up having his work one?

(13) I should probably eat Dewey's pizza at some point.

(14) Pool party

I know there are more but I can't think of them right now.

OLD!

2011-01-14T15:28:00.000-08:00

Well, maybe not so old. I'm going to be 24 in a month! aaaahhh!! Should I have a quarter life crisis?? Actually I'm looking forward to my quarter-century bday bash. I should have a bash!

I am in a different lab now. For our first year we rotate through 3 different labs and try to match to where we'd like to stay for the rest of our grad studies.

The project itself is starting somewhat slow but I'm sure it'll pick up soon enough. Also we finally go all of our grades back. I didn't do great for my rotation talk but I just have to be optimistic and think that there's lots of room for improvement! :)

Me too! Me too!

2011-01-14T14:34:00.000-08:00

One new thing I did: I started working out fairly regularly...still can't see much as far as results though! haha :)
One thing I am not proud of: How tired I always am.
One thing I am proud of: Finally starting to feel happy about my job and being in Michigan.
Fond Memory from 2010: All my sweet trips!
One thing that has changed about me since beginning of 2010: I don't like drinking nearly as much as I used to.
One Resolution: Nope.
One thing I look forward to in 2011: Going to India/taking 8 days off work...and of course heading out to Cincy to meet Hummus's new puppy!

Super late but why not, right??

2011-01-10T07:16:00.002-08:00

One new thing I did:
I successfully karaoked in front of more than 50 people. by successful I mean people were cheering!!

One thing I am not proud of:
how much I smoke. Really not that much.

One thing I am proud of:
my kinda sorta toned legs from all those spinning classes

One Fond Memory from 2010:

CNY with Adam in Singapore and going to HK with Jamaine. Wow i'm a playa!

One thing that has changed about me since beginning of 2010:

I barely drink.

One Resolution:
to not have one

One thing I look forward to in 2011:
my sister's wedding in September(if i'm lucky enough to go to England), trip to thailand with Hummus

2010 hooray

2010-12-31T09:59:00.001-08:00

One new thing I did:

Moved to Seattle - furthest I've lived from my fam since...ever

One thing I am not proud of:

The obscene amount of tv I watch

One thing I am proud of:

Getting into grad school and actually starting to think.

One Fond Memory from 2010:

Jogging around the block with a tornado warning siren - I still didn't run any faster :( Finding out what a thug JGG is on our way down to see Hummus. AND! Playing with my brother's kitties - Neil and Patrick

One thing that has changed about me since beginning of 2010:

I'm starting to become a beer snob.

One Resolution:

I should work out more than once a month. And learn how to do something outdoorsy so I can fit in in Seattle

One thing I look forward to in 2011:

Hopefully whale/sea lion/salmon watching! And visiting Vancouver

2010-12-31T09:48:00.000-08:00

One new thing I did:

I got a cat.

One thing I am not proud of:

Putting myself in the middle of situations I don't want to be in because I'm stupid.

One thing I am proud of:

I walked in the streets of Detroit after 2am because I'm thug.

One Fond Memory from 2010:

I turned my friends life around by taking him to an eminem/jayz concert. He's kind of an idiot, but I guess that was how to get through to him. Oh and the concert was awesome.

One thing that has changed about me since beginning of 2010:

I'm less patient. Oh I've lost 30 lbs too.

One Resolution:

Be more upfront and honest about my opinions and don't try to pretty it up because I know what answer someone wants to hear.

One thing I look forward to in 2011:

Grad school and new projects.

Reflecting on 2010! Holla!

2010-12-31T08:51:00.002-08:00

One new thing I did:

I got a dog. And I got into a car accident! And I went to Europe for the first time! Okay that's three new things.

One thing I am not proud of:

The magic powers sometimes get out of control and ruin friendships. I am a trollop.

One thing I am proud of:

Being spontaneous enough to finally haul my ass to Italy. Hopefully giving Momo a comfortable end to her life. Not screaming at any of the secretaries for being total children.

One Fond Memory from 2010:

Dancing in circles at Ashira's wedding. Eating breakfast on the terrace overlooking Florence. Momo laying down on the sidewalk so that two year old girls in dresses could pet her.

One thing that has changed about me since beginning of 2010:

I like puppies and my hair is hella long.

One Resolution:

I seriously need to take more advantage of my gym membership, but that seems like an old lady resolution . I should save more money. That also seems like an old lady resolution. Okay I don't have any resolutions.

One thing I look forward to in 2011:

Weddings. Cake. Grad school??? Please???

December Rush

2010-12-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

gaaaahhh I think everything will work out okay but right now I feel a bit stressed out trying to finish everything in time to head home for the holidays.

It's a weird stress like "aaah I need to finish all this" and "meh it doesn't matter." Since they only give us 10 weeks in each lab it's hard to find anything meaningful. I heard last year someone described their methods and put up basically blank slides saying "I found nothing but this is how I did it!"

I'm really excited to head home and be a bum for two weeks. What's everyone else's holiday plans??

2010-12-08T16:38:00.000-08:00

I read this on totallytogetherjournal.com and wanted to spread the word...

your challenge for today: if you find yourself feeling unhappy, change it. Turn off the news if it’s depressing. Don’t talk to that certain someone who drags you down. Stay away from cranky people at the grocery store. Spread joy.

choose happiness.

Except Mo is being put down on Friday. Damn. What do I do about that?

UPDATE

2010-12-03T17:19:00.000-08:00

The day after I wrote my last post, Momo had diarrhea in her crate while I was at work. AWESOME.

Belated Thanks

2010-11-30T18:48:00.000-08:00

I am thankful to be (almost) done with applications to grad school.

I am thankful for my metabolism, esp. after all the cookie dough I ate.

I am thankful that I have a job.

I am thankful that Momo has never had diarrhea, after reading all the horror stories.

I am thankful that we found out Momo had ruptured discs in her spine BEFORE paralysis set in.

I am thankful to have friends and family.

I am thankful for this cup of coffee that I am about to drink at 10PM.

Seattle + snow = fail

2010-11-22T21:49:00.000-08:00

There's 1.5 inches of snow on the ground and the entire city shut down. Also it's going to be about 20 degrees tomorrow.

And Michigan is warmer.

Global warming???

Brotherly Motivation

2010-11-18T15:04:00.000-08:00

me: tell me to go to the gym

Sent at 5:59 PM on Thursday

Sam: go to the gym

me: no!

Sam: if you dont go you'll get fat and lazy

kinda like momo

me: but momo is cute

Sent at 6:02 PM on Thursday

Sam: yeah but its different with people

you'll end up being like this

http://i.imgur.com/SCamC.jpg

you dont want to be that person

cause people will take pictures of you

and put it on the internet

so people like me can laugh at you

so go to the gym

This might be too good to pass up for the Hummus Project...

2010-11-16T18:47:00.000-08:00

Head to Starbucks with a friend November 18-21, 2010 and you will enjoy a fantastic special: When you buy one holiday drink you will get one free. The offer is only available from 2 – 5 p.m. on the aforementioned days. The drinks included in this promotion include: Caramel Brulee Latte, Peppermint Mocha

I am eating lentils that my friend left me when he moved to California. That is what I've resorted to. I wouldn't be nearly as dramatic about this, except Friend#1 is going all out on her financial fast and making me feel guilty. Though she did spend more money in Italy than I did, but I have a effed up dog. Damn you, Hummus Project. I will just have to remember Italy and all the wonderful things I've eaten there...

Rambles

2010-10-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

Something always breaks in my apartment right before I get a visitor (or during...like my door, when Watermelon and Jelly Bean was here). Currently, the faucet in my bath won't turn off completely. Sigh.

I also fail at the Hummus Project. Yesterday I got an Auntie Anne's pretzel because I just really wanted one. Then I went to an Indian restaurant for dinner. I suck.

I spent $90 on meds for my trophy wife Momo today. Being poor is awesome.

Hummus Project Update

2010-10-27T23:34:00.000-07:00

Well. I suck at this. I am eating out a lot.

It is somewhat embarrassing in light of the project parameters how little I was able to follow it.

On the other hand, since I am at least conscious of the Hummus Project, I'm definitely spending less/eating out less/paying more attention to my going out than I normally would.

Hooray for small victories!

Asia trip yo

2010-10-21T07:23:00.000-07:00

Hummus, Wangster and I are meeting up in Asia sometime next year.

I've informed my friend, who i'm supposed to go to Myannmar with in February, that I need to bail out so I can meet up with H and W. He said he's letting me off the hook this time but when he goes to North Korea I have to go with him.

So I have to fight crazy nuclear tycoons to see you guys. Totally worth it :D

Let's start saving our moneys.

My name is Hummus and I have an Indian Food problem

2010-10-19T15:54:00.000-07:00

Everyone: Hi Hummus.

Tonight I am going out to eat at my favorite hole-in-the-wall Indian place. I need to confess every time I break the Hummus Challenge, so there it is. I suck.

I Am A Rockstar

2010-10-13T20:55:00.000-07:00

I had my first rat surgery today!

4 rats!! 5 hours!! 0 deaths!!

I am so cool.

The Hummus Challenge

2010-10-11T09:17:00.001-07:00

In light of furnishing my place completely, I'm going to join in the challenge.

Good luck to us :)

2010-10-09T13:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Crouton,

You should buy an Iowa ticket so that we can have friend bonding time.

Love,

Hummus

Yay, it's a long weekend! I have Monday off for Columbus Day. Today, Mo dragged me on a jog because she got me confused with someone who exercises. Mo does not act like a potentially dying dog.

These are the things I'm going to do:

Work out (hmm hasn't happened yet)...

Clean and reorganize my apartment

Decorate my apartment with some classy things from the dollar store! Candles and frame some photos and fill vases with pretty glass stones and such...

Bootleg dry cleaning, the kind in the dryer

Go on a haunted hayride

Go to the outlet mall with Friend#1

Go to a farm fall festival thing to pick up our CSA with Friend#1 (and also to pet baby barn animals)

Make homemade maple flavored yogurt

Make ricotta

Put said ricotta into a roasted vegetable lasagna that I will freeze and bring to Ann Arbor next weekend

Gut and slice pumpkin (yarrr) and make into pumpkin puree

Make pumpkin chocolate chip bread

Make grasshopper (mint/chocolate) pie to bring to Ann Arbor (though I'll make this later in the week so it's not really a weekend thing)

Steam clean my carpet

I am a pioneer housewife. Kay bye.

Hummus' One Month Challenge

2010-10-05T19:03:00.000-07:00

With the exception of my weekend in Ann Arbor for the Iowa game, I, Hummus, after spending $740 today on my dog's rhinoscopy and a steam cleaner to clean up all the blood and urine, vow not to eat out until November 5, which is when I leave for Italy.

Okay. I blogged it. Now it's official.

Step 3: Profit

2010-10-04T21:40:00.000-07:00

Or not. I bought a couch today. I have about a week to decide if I still want it and cancel the order without penalty.

And now I is broke. But I successfully don't have any Ikea furniture so I suppose that's worth something.

I was laughing at how easy classes are, and then my neuro class dropped some physics on us and now I'm totally lost :( But my animals show up on Wednesday so lab will be picking up soon and I'm super excited about that :D

India

2010-10-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

Should I go to India? Matt has a conference there and I am deciding if I want to go with him.
Plus sides: I won't have to pay for a hotel. I will have someone to travel with, which I usually don't. It will be much warmer than Michigan in February.
Down sides: I am scared of India. I heard people poop on the streets. It will cost money to fly out there. I don't know what I would do once I am there.

Five Reasons Why I Am Awkward

2010-10-04T14:54:00.001-07:00

(1) I like the fact that to refill prescriptions at Kroger, I can just press some numbers to an automated voice prompt instead of talking to a real person.

(2) We have less than a month to go before our trip to Italy, and the only Italian phrase I've picked up (outside of singing Italian arias) is "I never should've let you near me".

(3) I can list 20 different ways to cook asparagus off the top of my head, as well as all the latest news about Broadway musicals, but I can't tell you a single thing about the sports world.

(4) I was walking with my dog through the art fair the other day and I tripped over her.

(5) Somehow, all of my other co workers got into the building without incident one morning, but I was the lucky one that the security guard kept at the front desk for ten minutes while he chatted on and on about his muscle gain and workout routine, while flexing his arms. How do I get myself into these situations?

Why are you awkward?

For anyone who is interested...

2010-09-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

Out: OMFG (Oh my fucking God)
In: OMLG (Oh my Lady Gaga)

Thank you, Cosmo.

Fall Cleaning

2010-09-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

This weekend is fall cleaning weekend, because I never did spring cleaning. It's Friday night and I am doing laundry. I am so cool. I did go out with dinner with a friend earlier, and then we went to this thing called Final Friday where all these small art galleries are open for free and you can go from gallery to gallery up and down the block, looking at art and drinking their wine/soda/eating their food. It's pretty fun. Then we came back to my place and watched Letters to Juliet, which was terrible.

Tomorrow, I am

Going to Goodwill

Going to the gym

Going to work for a few hours (what has my life come to? At least I'll have a zillion vacation hours for Italy)

Going to pick up a steam cleaner from my co worker

Steam cleaning my carpet and couch and dog

Zzzz....

Step 2 To Becoming a Person

2010-09-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

I own a table now!

Update

2010-09-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

I made 2 pumpkin pies last night from a tiny pie pumpkin. I did it the pioneer way. Gutting and cutting up and cooking a pumpkin sucks. Tastes much better than the stuff from a can though.

Momo got really hyper and attacked Bobo. That's the first time I've seen her interact with a toy.

I'm trying to find UM vs. Iowa tickets for me and friend1 but I refuse to pay over $50 so it's kind of difficult. Dammit UM, why must you be good this year, it's making ticket prices higher!!! Haha.

I drove back from NY with Lauren, which was way more fun than if I had made the drive myself. Also I learned that my limit is driving for 6 hours, so good thing Lauren was there to take over. It was really nice having her for a roommate for a few days; I'd go to work and come home and we'd lie around for a bit playing with Mo, then go find some ice cream or something. It makes me kind of miss living with someone. I wish Lauren lived closer. We discovered the best hole in the wall indian place though. I am going to move into the restaurant and worship their chef, that's how good it is.

Seattle

2010-09-07T15:24:00.003-07:00

Well I'm moved in. I have no furniture, I'll post some pics later. My apt building looks like a dirty old motel, but guess what? I can see the Space Needle from my place!

Mockingjay

2010-08-31T22:01:00.001-07:00

Did we all read it? Can we talk about it now? Here??? :D

Ramadhan

2010-08-31T08:22:00.001-07:00

I am fasting for a whole month (only during the day, i'm not that crazy) coz it's Ramadhan and in Malaysia if you look Malay you are expected to fast.

But when people are not looking I always drink some water. Ramadhan means tons of food that could potentially be really good. The reason I say this is because there are a lot of amateur cooks who wanna sell food during this time just because when you fast everything looks so delicious and everybody tends to buy a whole lot more than their stomach could handle.

I just came back from a buffet at KLCC (the twin towers that is) and I am pretty sure my belly button is gonna turn inside out soon. Just like a pregnant lady.

Pulled My First All-Nighter In Over A Year

2010-08-24T15:28:00.000-07:00

I went to the midnight party for the release of Mockingjay last night and stayed up all night reading. GO READ MOCKINGJAY NOW. I AM DYING TO HAVE A BOOK DISCUSSION.

On a more serious note, I think Mo is dying. She just sneezed blood all over my carpet and Friend#2 is coming over to drive us to the vet (since I still lack a car). Thank goodness for friends who adore my dog.

Perfect Day

2010-08-22T22:23:00.000-07:00

Tonight I got to take off my bucket list and cross off "experience cliche end of summer movie moment IN REALITY"

Some people came over to the lake and we went sailing and grilling. To top off the evening we rode around in the Duffy boat with 2 guitars and a mandolin. We had a sunset 90s sing-a-long cruise complete with the moon rising behind us. To top it off, when we came in to dock, my neighbor came out with a trumpet and started jamming with us from his porch.

I will (hopefully) never forget this day :)

Doggie Woes

2010-08-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

I googled 'how to train your dog not to eat on your carpet' and I only got results for 'how to train your dog not to eat your carpet'. Apparently my doggie problems are trivial.

Influence

2010-08-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

10:55 AM Hummus: watermelon

should i walk to the gym

me: no it's raining here

H: when there is a 70% chance that it will rain on me?

me: :D

RUN TO THE GYM

RUN FASTER THAN THE RAIN

HAHAHAHHAHAHA

H: watermelon

this is hummus

10:56 AM hummus does not run

me: lolsies

10:57 AM okay i have to work out so i can go eat brunch

wahooo!

byeee

H: wtf

you told me not to work out

but you're going to work out?

now i have to work out

me: well i was always going to work out

H: -_-

bye, i hate good influences

Hooray for influence! I'm currently reading "Eating Animals" by Jonathan Safran Foer...I might be becoming a veg o.O

Just Relax

2010-08-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

You know, I am absolutely loving my summer vacation! I'm glad I didn't do this all summer though.

I get to wake up late everyday and soak up lots of Food Network and Bravo. I'm pretty happy :)

Also! The flies are gone! Hooray!

2010-08-18T14:57:00.001-07:00

Poor Momo. She is half dead because the vet pulled out four of her teeth and cut open her belly. I bought her a dog toy. It is a green stuffed dog that squeaks. Its name is Bobo.

Dream

2010-08-08T11:53:00.000-07:00

I had a dream that when I had my car accident, I lost an ear, and they found my ear when they were straightening out my totaled car (which they aren't doing, by the way...I'm buying a new car), and I was like huh, I didn't even realize I was missing an ear.

I am trashy

2010-08-05T20:04:00.000-07:00

I love Jersey Shore. I am watching the same episode back to back. :D

Life

2010-08-04T20:36:00.001-07:00

My car got totaled because of some idiot. Now I'm driving a giant rental SUV.

Also a really cute waiter gave me a second dessert for free tonight. I am in love.

need an exterminator

2010-08-04T19:24:00.001-07:00

my house is infested with giant flies.
i don't know where they came from.
they are everywhere.
and they keep flying into the lamps.
and now it smells like burning.

....save me plz.

A Place To Call My Own

2010-07-27T17:07:00.000-07:00

I HAVE A PLACE TO LIIIIVEEE!!

I found an apt in Seattle. I heard it's a huge non-walkable hill away from the trendy bar/gay neighborhood but I'm okay with that. It's about a mile and a half from school. Also, according to Hummus and my super inaccurate measuring system (lining up head to toe on her floor) it's probably a decent sized apartment for one Watermelon. (That is Watermelon me and not watermelon the fruit).

Update on my car bump/ticket: I had to pay the full ticket and got points on my license :( At first I was really upset at the judge cuz I've heard of other people schmoozing their way out of these, and then my roommate pointed out that I had a fair judge and there was nothing to be upset about anymore.

So I have realized over the years that I am pretty much a huge flake when it comes to plans, but at least I recognize it. Is it better for me to know that and use it as an excuse to be even flakier, or should I try to fix my flakiness??

Last thing, after reading the fork heart knife blog, I've decided I want to add "yayaya" to the ends of my sentences too :D

Doggie

2010-07-26T14:35:00.001-07:00

Puppy peed in my apartment today. I was warned that she might have an accident while adjusting to her new home. Oh well, I can't remember the last time someone was that happy to see me come home, so she is forgiven.

Huh?

2010-07-21T19:11:00.001-07:00

¯\(°_o)/¯

Creationism

2010-07-21T14:33:00.000-07:00

My coworker gave me a pamplet about creationism today.

Sigggggggh.

On the other had, it inspired me to write on the blog! :)

What's the hap in my life: I am impressed that my friends are getting old enough to get engaged and have puppies. I am moving in three days and haven't started packing. I wish I was moving farther away, but I suppose this is fine for the sake of being employed.

There really isn't much going on with me. But I did make baked brie for work today and I am thoroughly enjoying the left overs.

A Beautiful Friendship

2010-07-19T19:13:00.001-07:00

Me: I hate Hummusboyfriend. He told me that my dog was gonna die in like 3 days.

Watermelon: Well you did kill Franklin.

Me: I hate you

Watermelon: Whatever, I told you I got into a car accident and you asked me what kind of chocolate was in my Zingermans bread.

Me: Hummusboyfriend really wants to name the dog Pancake.

Watermelon: Pancake? Maybe if she was a flounder.

2010-07-18T16:36:00.001-07:00

I'm getting a female maltese. What should I name it?

We Are A Boring Bunch

2010-07-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

Guys, we are the suck at keeping in touch with each other.

Basel the Basil sprouted some flowers yesterday. So I picked them off and the whole room smelled like basil. I think we will have some fresh basil stuffs tonight. Don't tell Basel though, I don't want him to get upset.

Also, clothing pieces W should probably own at her age and still does not:
Blazer/Jacket
Cocktail dress
Khakis
...

What else am I missing?!?