So, I voted...

I voted yesterday for the first time in my life. I figured I couldn't very well continue to criticize government decisions without having done my part and contributing to who was making those choices. So, I parked in the shopping center lot across from the recreation center where we voted. As I made my way down to the street to cross, a couple was walking towards me. The woman had this very weird look on her face as if she was sending me some sort of telepathic message to "do the right thing. Vote for Obama." I swear that's what she was thinking... My assumption that she was thinking Obama and not McCain was solely judgmental and based on her hippie attire and not the alternative, crisp, pressed look. But still...I'm pretty sure that's what her look meant....her long gaze at me freaked me out a little bit.

But, I continued on. I walked passed the assortment of flier/pamphlet hander-outers and grabbed the ones from those that seemed pretty nice...or said it was their dad or the guy himself. I decided that I liked the guy that was actually standing out there, so I made sure to vote for him. But, then I thought...well...these guys can't be at all the locations...but he was the lucky one that happened to be where I was voting. I didn't know anything about him other than that he was willing to stand there all day and I liked that.

So, as I walked inside I looked around at all the people. I swear everyone was looking at each other trying to guess inside their heads who the other person was going to vote for. I know I was doing that.... On another note...there was a group of Russians or Ukrainians or something standing in front of me in line. They were speaking in their language the entire time. The man wore tiny little glasses and carried a nice, leather man bag. I thought it was odd that they were able to vote in an American election, yet didn't bother to speak the language while waiting in line. But, I guess that's America for you...the melting pot of the world.

I don't know if I made the best decision....but I do know I did what I could and finally did my part as an American citizen.

OCD

So, I just walked passed a cabinet with a drawer that was not quite shut all the way and I thought to myself..."that's weird, I've never noticed any of those drawers open before. I really want to go close it....does that make me OCD??" Then I continued on my trek to the ladies room and thought "well I guess not...because if I was OCD, I would be compulsed to go close the drawer...phew!"

I know I'm mental....but at least OCD isn't one of my issues.....

Gross.

This is more of an opinionated comment than an actual blog, but something just happened and I felt the need to make note of it.

If you are sick, have allergies, sinus infection, etc, blowing your nose is an acceptable side effect. But, blowing your nose so hard that the people around you are forced to envision brains ending up on that kleenex of yours is just NOT okay. No one wants to hear it. So if this is happening to you, go to the bathroom and blow out some cerebellum in private.

Self-made, motivational post-its.

Do they work? They do for me! If you’re dwelling on something too much, how about the tried and true, “let it go” post it. If you’re over eating, how about the “Eat a snack – end up like a mack….truck that is,” post it. Or what about the, “quit stressing, it makes you fat” friendly reminder??

I’ve found that writing a little inspirational message to yourself and sticking it to your monitor can really be helpful. For example…I currently have 4 on my monitor. “Live today and quit focusing on what’s next.” Sometimes I get ahead of myself and need to remember to “live in the now.” Another is “let it go.” Wow…is that one deep or what? I mean 3 little words and you’re off to emotional stabilization. You read it and think…hmm...let it go. Stop dwelling on this and let it go! Hmmm! I’m feeling better all ready!

If you read my first blog, you will understand the next two post-it notes on my desk. They are as follows: “Be thankful always” and “Look on the Brightside.” So…the former is biblical…can’t go wrong with those words of wisdom…. Be thankful! You have a great job!! You are employed! You can support yourself!! Those are all things that come to mind after reading those 3 simple words. How about the latter? “Look on the Brightside” So…its not the most thrilling thing in the world….so I don’t LOVE it….so I don’t get excited thinking about what I do…BUT. BUT. On the Brightside, I make a nice salary that supports my spending habits. On the Brightside, I get to leave at 5 most days of the month. On the Brightside, I’m so NOT stressed. And on the BRIGHTEST side….no one dies in accounting!

So, it’s up to you if you want to follow my form of motivational living….But, hey…it’s worth a shot!

Cookin' in the kitchen....

Sorry that I don’t write more blogs. I sort of feel that if I’m forcing a topic, the whole thing is just going to suck. And I really don’t want to bore everyone. Although…I’ve been getting a lot of…”update your blog…I check your blog for new ones and nothing!....etc”

So…here goes.

We’re taking a cooking class out of our house. My roommate’s friend’s boyfriend was a chef for a number of years and now works in sales. Well, his passion is food (see blog #1 – I hope to find this passion one day). Anywho (yes I meant anywho…not anyhow), somehow he agreed to teach a bunch of amateur cooks to create dinner a little more exciting than rice-a-roni and shake and bake.

Our first class took place at Central Market. For those of you not from here, it is one of best grocery stores in Houston. (Well…if fresh produce, organic food, and a fresh meat market is your thing). We started in the produce section and he basically walked us around, showed us new things, and explained the best way to cook them. Meanwhile, we, apprentices, feverishly took notes. As soon as we walked in, someone who shall remain nameless, asked a question and I was sure it was going to be a LONG night. Here goes the question, “Umm…so what’s the difference between this and that?” Tim (the amazing teacher) explains, “Well, that is a zucchini and that is a cucumber.” Oh lord….I hope this isn’t an omen of future questions to come….

But, it ended up being great. We all learned what a shallot was…it’s an onion….but not the long, green onion (which we all assumed was a shallot), but instead they are like normal onions, but smaller with a weird shape. We learned that leeches (the asian fruit not the blood sucking bug) are aphrodisiacs (I’ll be buying those more often). We learned about different types of fish and how much we should order for different amounts of people. And the list goes on…

Last night was our first official, hands on cooking class. It was GREAT! Tim came to our house and brought over his special pans and knives that he knew us novices would not have. We learned how to cook Tilapia, Salmon, and Tuna Steak. Umm YUM! WE learned how to bread the fish and pan fry them, broil the salmon and to pan sear the tuna steak. Did anyone know you go – Flour, then egg, then breading??? I always thought the egg was first! (well not that it ever mattered because I had actually never attempted cooking fish, but if I had, it would have been ALL wrong). Tim brought some previously made couscous (which I had no idea was supposed to be served cold) and we also learned the best way to cook broccoli. He emailed us the recipe for the couscous…so we can try it ourselves next time!! The best part was we got to laugh a ton, drink some great wine and enjoy the food with each other in the end!

I can’t wait to learn how to cook some more amazing dishes!!