New Job

Ladies and Gentlemen, yesterday I got the most wonderful and unexpected phone call!

A woman who I had interviewed with two weeks previous called to offer me a job. . .AAH!

In case you haven't been following too well, a little less than a month ago, I left my job and home behind to come to Boston and start something new! My previous job was just not providing enough income, and, well, if you go back a few dozen blog posts you can read about my crazy boss who drove me to the edge of insanity just about every day.

A lot of people (maybe you!) thought I was a little nuts to leave a steady job to head out someplace new in such uncertain times. I wasn't worried all that much (minus a few panic attacks here and there. . .EEK!). Those who knew me best were confident that God has some good things in store for me here, and I believe they were right!

As always, for the sake of privacy, I can't give too many name details on the web, but I can tell you that I now have a full time job, monday through friday, 9 - 5, working at an insurance company. I'll be doing lots of administrative stuff and actually working with a friend!

Definitely less interesting than all my previous jobs, but we all know that when I'm involved, things always tend to get a little whacky;0)

I wish I could say that I was totally level headed about all this and incredibly mature after finding out this glorious news, but. . .

The first thing I might have done was jump online and start some online shopping!! For the last few months my life has been all about holding back because I was saving to make sure I'd have enough money to last me a few months if i didn't find a job right away.

Here are some things I love:

Notice the gray theme? I've loved gray for ages, and of course now it appears that gray/silver is the new black. I'm clearly wicked ahead of my time. . .

Of course, my penny pinching ways won out and I didn't actually buy anything except some cute handmade jewelry from a great online, handmade shop since it was on sale!

However, I'm plotting a little shopping spree this weekend, and I may just have to order those boots, because good grief are they amazing! (Check out the lining if you can see!)

Hope you're all having as good a week as me.

Airplanes in the Night Sky

I spend most of this weekend LOST. No, not awesome lost on a deserted island with sexy doctors and con-men evading, "the others." Just plain, 'no-idea-where-I-am' lost.

I've quickly learned that this city is just huge amounts of circles winding to and fro with no real rhyme or reason. It's total chaos and being plopped in the middle of it is sort of hilarious.

On Saturday, I spent an hour and a half trying to find a reservoir that should only be about a 30 minute walk from home. I never found the large reservoir, but somehow managed to make a giant circle back toward my apartment. After walking for a little over an hour, I stopped to google the area on my phone to see what I'd done wrong. I happened to glance up at the street crossing, only to realize I was at an intersection about 15 minutes away from home/where I started! I trudged back defeated, having never found the reservoir. Good grief!

Then, yesterday, Becca and I ventured out to find a new church. The result: us driving around Cambridge aimlessly for almost 40 minutes. Again, never reaching our destination. I did, however, manage to start driving the wrong way down a one way street and pull some ridiculous illegal U-turns:0) In our defense, how were we to know that a main route over the river is closed off Sundays in the summer for bicyclists or some other shenanigans?

Despite all this wandering around directionless, I did manage to make it to the beach yesterday with a friend. The beach was right across from Logan, and so giant, low-flying planes were cruising over us all evening. It was a little scary because they were so close as they took off, but it was mostly really fun to watch! and loud!

(PS: I think we were actually going to a different beach but got a little lost and ended up here.)

Going Away to College

Despite the fact that it's Friday and I should be out with all the other young people living the dream, I'm home because I'm:

1. Poor for the time being, and thus am conserving money

and
2. Not feeling so hot. I seem to have contracted some thing this week I just can't shake

also,
3. What with using phrases like "young people," I've clearly reached old age prematurely during my ripe old twenty-somethings and probably couldn't handle being out and about anyway!

Anyway, back to the subject. . .which I haven't introduced yet.

Today, my sweet baby sister (ok, ok she's 18) headed off to college. A brief text convo this evening confirmed that she's doing great, has made a ton of friends, and is generally cooler than I could ever hope to be. I was thrilled to hear this and of course, couldn't help wistfully reminiscing of our life as we became these amazing grown-up sisterfriends :0)

(you may remember a similarly sappy post when she turned 18. Clearly, I'm unprepared to handle the maturing of my younger siblings. I can't even imagine how my parents feel!)

And I know I usually make excuses for my poor photography/camera but this time my excuse it much better: the 90's. . .


I wish you could see this better, because she is just too cute!



Miss E and I a few months before she left for college!

FALLmost Here

Get the title? heh heh heh.

I know, I'm a total dork. Just imagine me sitting here in my living room laughing to myself over this (to complete the picture).

So far, this week has been totally rainy and windy. I've seen so many umbrella wipe-outs it's hard to believe. I would laugh, except I've had a few of my own with my ghetto umbrella and so I can only have pity when I see someone's umbrella go flying inside out as they struggle to right it again while getting soaked to the bone.

Nonetheless this weather is getting me excited for a little season we like to call "fall."

Fall is my favorite season of the year, and while I do my fair share of moaning and complaining, I even like that it leads to (mostly) glorious winter!

One of the reasons I love fall so much is that I can bake until my hearts content: apple pie, pumpkin muffins, cranberry walnut bread. If you can dream it up, I will totally bake it. And it's all the better if there is plenty of nutmeg and cinnamon involved.

I love crisp leaves that crack when you step on them, candy apples that leave your hands sticky, corn mazes, hay rides, and just about every other aspect of fall.

While these don't have to be exclusively for fall, here are some of the recipes I'm hoping to make now that it's not so dang hot for baking!


Orange Cranberry Drops






and this:

Pumpkin Roll




They look delicious, no?

I know there are you naysayers out there who are cursing my name as I wish for the end of summer and the beginning of fall.

All I have to say is, you're invited to my place for some decadent seasonal treats this autumn, and we'll see what your favorite season is then!

Note To Self

Choosing to save T fare and walk the 40 minutes home from work on a rainy, windy day is a poor life choice.

It's also probably a bad idea to decide to stop at Goodwill and the grocery store during said walk home. . .or proceed to make plans to traipse through the city during rush hour in your slow fading car in order to go to Target.

Furthermore, arriving home and feeling ill and somewhat feverish should not immediately segue into eating chips and queso for dinner instead of something healthy . . .nor should the partaking of C&Q happen in front of an open living room window with cold, rainy air blowing.

In short, being stubborn is not always a good thing. This time it's ended with you feeling just a little bit closer to death's door. great.

HOWEVER,

It is perfectly acceptable to address the aforementioned ill feelings by continuing to watch Season 1 episodes of Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman which you joined Netflix solely to acquire after seeing the pilot on TV recently.

Reliving an amazing part of your childhood is definitely not a poor life choice.

Fried Green Avocados

It is often said that you can fry just about anything. From twinkies to pickles to turkeys, people are always into trying some new deep-fried delicacy (lets face it, no matter how disgusting we know it actually is--fried food is dang good!)

Enter the avocado. The lush, green fruit of guacamole and "good fat" fame. Rare is the person who doesn't love indulging in this creamy little treat. Therefore, it follows that it would be that much more delicious if it was fried.

And so last night, some friends and I gathered together to embark on a fried avocado adventure. With just a little egg and cornstarch mix, some panko crumbs and olive oil, we were in business. Not ones for moderation we cut up enough avocado to feed about 30 people which in hindsight was not so smart, given there were only about 9 of us, and we'd already had some pre-avocado treats.


Not to be deterred, plumes of smoke soon filled the apartment (causing a moment of panic when we thought that cat got loose because the front door was open to clear some of the smoke) and in no time we were rewarded with a heaping plate of crispy, fried avocado.



Next, we're taking on the dipping sauces that should go with this delightfully unhealthy treat. I believe bleu cheese was one suggestion along with. . .sweet and sour something?

Obviously, this is all leading up to us opening some sort of avocado themed restaurant . . .I'm still thinking of obnoxiously cutesy names for it. Nothing stands out yet, but I'll get there!

BEACH

I'm ashamed to admit that in all the craziness that has gone on this summer I've yet to make it to the beach!

Sure, I've been to some local ponds and lakes to swim and cool off and the like. I've even been sailing, but it was a cloudy day and a little chilly, so no swimming actually took place.

Imagine how excited I was then, when my roomie Becca suggested that we meet up with a friend and hit the beach today. So, this afternoon after packing some lunch and entertainment, we headed out. We met V and headed over to Nahant.

It was perfect.

The tide was out, the water was surprisingly warm and it was not too hot. The water was so clear you could see the bottom and their was NO seaweed (this always ratchets my enjoyment up a notch, as I find seaweed completely disgusting and somewhat terrifying. Goodness knows what kinds of gross things are lurking in all that stringy, smelly mess. Bleck!)

I'm definitely really liking this living in Boston bit so far. And now I can add another thing to my list of likes. The beach. A T ride away. Fabulous.


Here's a picture of us hanging out on the beach:


. . .By now you've realized I'm totally joking. I mean, I would never wear that crocheted number. But you get the picture, I think!

Happy 100th!

This post marks the 100th post on my blog.

A small milestone but an exciting one nonetheless. YAY!


Thank you to all the people that have been reading my blog:) I hope you've had as much fun reading as I've had writing! I can only hope there will be hundreds and hundreds more to come (and I have no doubt there will, I mean my life always seems to be one ridiculous scenario after another!).

****************************
In honor of my 100th post, I really wanted to knock this one out of the park. I'm not really sure when this sport analogy came to me because I have absolutely zero interest in anything sports related, but no matter.

As such, I decided to tell you a little tale about my morning yesterday. I was very upbeat because I had my first interview since moving to Boston 2 weeks ago, and it seemed quite promising. I got up 2 hours early, already has a power outfit picked out, and had looked up directions to the place from the T. I was all set. . .

HAH!

Actually, I wasn't. After waking up, getting ready and fussing with my hair, I realized that I should probably print out a copy of my resume to bring along. I popped into my bedroom to unpack my printer (yes, my bedroom is still out of control!) only to find that I managed to lose the cord that connects the printer and computer.
"No big," I thought, "I'll just use Becca's"

That was before I saw Bec's intense printer that involves software and various wires, and goodness knows what else! At this point I became slightly panicked, as I had to leave in a few minutes and still wasn't wearing any pants.

So, I threw all professionalism out the window, forwent the resume, and threw on my pants and some shoes. I briefly thought I should wear different shoes because these would give me blisters, but didn't have time to do anything else besides find my keys and book it to the T stop.

As I'm still getting used to the whole T bit, I took a T that wasn't wrong, but just didn't get me as far as I thought. I quickly figured out my route though, and was dumped off in no time at the right stop.

And that's when it hit me.

I didn't print out/bring the map that showed me where to go from the T! Let me just say, thank God for phones with internet. After wandering around (and trying not limp in pain from the huge blisters that were forming all over both my feet. . .EEK!) looking for a building with an address I managed to Google map it to my destination just in time.

Thankfully, the interview went better than the trip getting there. I won't know if I've got the job for a bit, but I arrived home feeling much better about life in general, despite the 4 very large, very painful blisters I'm now sporting.

AND. I get to do it all again tomorrow. Although this time Becca is around to help with her printer, I plan to wear much more sensible shoes, and I'm totally on top of the whole directions sitch.

Wish me luck!

Post-Wedding Reflections

Yesterday I got all gussied up with a bunch of my friends and headed to the wedding of Matt and Ashley, some of my friends from college.

I've known them both since before they even started dating, and it's been such a joy to see their relationship grow and strengthen and now start a new faze with marriage!

not to mention the giant dance party!

I've been to a couple of friends weddings over the last year or so, and they've all been wonderful and special. This wedding was no different. It was particularly special because so many people I know and love were involved, from some of the bridesmaids to most of the groomsmen to the officiant and many of the guests!

No to mention, after the beautiful ceremony, and all the traditional reception activities, the most ridiculous dance party ever ensued. If there's one thing my friends know how to do, it's tear up the dance floor. Whether it was "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees (?) or "Your Love Is My Drug" by Ke$ha moves were being busted as if there was no tomorrow.

The DJ even complimented my roommate Becca and I. He told me he loved us because we told him we would dance and we definitely kept our promise (we made friends with him early on and were basically BFFs by the end of the night!) He even continued the music for us after the bride and groom had departed:)

I know, you really want to see some pictures, right? If you've been around for any length of time, you know me+my camera phone=mediocre pictures. So take what you can from these teasers. There aren't any from the dancing portion, as I was too busy shakin' it to bother with pictures. . .sorry!

Despite what these pictures might indicate, there were actually more men at this wedding than just the groom:)

Congrats again, Matt and Ashley! I can only hope my own wedding will be this fun and full of love!

News from Boston

I feel like I moved and left you all hanging! No pictures, no real descriptions of the new place. . .

So today, I've decided to remedy that. Becca (my friend and apartment mate) and I moved in last Tuesday and it was my first time seeing the place in person. It was incredibly overwhelming, and I mostly just wandered around like a zombie the first day. People kept asking me where I wanted things and I just kind of directed them to general locations. I actually don't have a really clear recollection of the first evening, short of making my bed, showering, making some calls to let people know I'd arrived, and going to bed.

It's now been about a week since our move, and although still slightly overwhelmed by the city, I'm feeling much better about our new place and neighborhood. We're becoming more and more settled in the new apt, and starting to think of it as home! There are still pictures to hang, and curtains to be made (by our incredibly creative friend!) and general settling, but I already feel so comfortable here. On Saturday night, we had our first guest and while baking on our new kitchen island, laughing and talking, I felt like, "Oh yea, I can do this!"

Here are some pictures and more editorializing by yours truly (since, of course, I know you're dying for more of that. . .) Click the images to view them larger.

Here's (part of) the view from the front door. The front of the apartment is an open floor plan. Can you spy my beautiful red bamboo and pistachio nut bowl made in Thailand (from Ten Thousand Villages, one of my favorite stores ever!)

If you look to the left of the front door, you'll see our kitchen! It's small but has a really big island which is/will be great for baking. . .I'm pumped!!


This is the view of the living room from the kitchen



I don't think this needs much explanation. Except, I'd really like to know who decided that pink was an appropriate tile color for any room, but specifically bathrooms. . .BLECK!


There you have it! Well, actually you're probably wondering where we sleep. We don't actually have bedrooms, we just sleep on the sofa bed. HAH! Totally kidding!! My bedroom is still a hot mess so I decided to wait til it looked all glamorous to post it on the internet for everyone to see. And I didn't think Becca would appreciate her bedroom being plastered on my blog, so I refrained!

More pictures to come, I promise!

Madeleines

Well, I've been unemployed for almost two weeks (on Wednesday) and let me tell you, I'm starting to go a little crazy

"Starting to?" you're probably thinking, "I think what you mean is you're going more crazy than you already were, K."

I guess, you're right. Let me just tell you that I'm so over it. I'm thankful for the time to get settled in and somewhat used to my surroundings but, sheesh. How much organizing, walking around the neighborhood, and Hallmark Movie Channel can one girl take?? At this stage, I can predict what will happen during any given HMC movie in about the first 5 minutes (actually, I think probably anyone could do that. . . these people aren't exactly in the running for any awards).

At any rate, it doesn't take much anymore to spark some excitement into my days. Today, for example, while at The Goodwill Store, I found this gem and was overjoyed!


This, dear friends, is a Madeleine pan. Madeleines are sweet little fluffy "cookies" that French people often eat with their tea. They are sort of dry since you usually eat them with a beverage, and are absolutely delicious (and such a darling shape!)

I'm so excited to use my pan, and try out this great recipe that combines two of my favorite flavors! I'll let you know how it goes!

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On a completely unrelated (but just as sweet!) note: today I was reflecting on this verse and wanted to share it with you all.

Jeremiah 17, 7 & 8 ~

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

As I struggle with joblessness and feeling a little lost in this bustling, new city, I'm trying to be like this tree. Drawing from the living waters instead of finding purpose in a million other things. Right now I have much fear and anxiousness, but I want to shed it, and remain green and bear fruit. I'm thankful I have a God that makes this possible:0)

Jimminy Crickets!

About 2 months ago, my friend Lauren wrote a blog post while in Cambodia about the market, and all the kinds of bugs that Cambodians eat. You can read about that here.

I'm really interested in cultures that eat a lot of bugs, and have tried a few myself, as I have many friends globe trotting around and bringing me back these little "treats."

Last fall, a friend from Thailand brought me back some bamboo worms which I tried. . .and they were disgusting.
Clearly, this didn't deter me from round 2, this time with crickets! Last night, Lauren came over to hang out and see my new place in Boston, and brought with her some juicy little crickets.

I got a little nervous about what I'd gotten myself into, but since she'd gone to the trouble of getting them all the way here for me, I couldn't back out!

So . . . after selecting what seemed like a good cricket (really, how does one even tell that sort of thing?) I sucked it up and popped it in my mouth

It actually didn't taste as bad as I thought. Kind of like dirt, and grease (they're fried) and well, I guess, cricket!

In a few mere seconds, it was all over. After washing it down with a glass of water, it was like it never even happened. Although, despite my friends urgings, I decided against going back for seconds. . .

Escapades Galore

Picture if you will, three woman (tired after a day of IKEA shopping) in a tiny white Corolla. One is in the back out the window, and one is in the passenger side out that window. Both are holding onto a queen-size futon mattress which is lopped on top of the roof. The third woman is easing the Corolla up a hill.

Totally ridiculous right? Never would happen.

WRONG.
That was the scene today (twice, a second time with the wooden frame) as me, Becca and her mother (here to help us with the move!) picked up a futon we'd purchased just a few blocks away from our new place.
Surprisingly, no disasters ensued, and both times the giant pieces of furniture stayed on the roof without any problems . . .we barely even had to hold them on!

As you can see, the craziness has yet to subside here in Boston. Here's a picture of the bad mamba jamba put back together and lookin' good.

(I'm not really into naming my furniture, but for some reason, I feel like this futon is an Alejandro)

PS: In case you were wondering, I never did get ahold of George. I think he was avoiding me, so I took the hint.
I ended up having to call our internet provider several times. Every time there was a huge confusion because my name was spelled wrong, the found my old account. . .yadda yadda yadda.

When I finally did reach someone who could help me, my phone died! A never ending escapade it seemed--until this guy got it together and got me online! Whohoo!

And that, dear friends, means more stories for you:)

Smooth Sailing?

It feels like it's been so long since I last posted!

Alas, I know it's only been one day and this is probably saying something about the sad nature of our computer dependent world: A person without internet at their house feels like they're completely cut off from the rest of the world within 24 hours (Although it should be noted that I have actually had internet this whole time via my phone. . .).

There is just something so comforting about grabbing your computer and looking something up, that for some reason doesn't feel the same on my phone.

Upon scheduling our cable and internet set up, I had finagled this crazy deal with the company, whereby they would install cable first so I could get a special deal on internet by installing it over the phone the same day after the cable guy had left. My trusty cable representative George promised it would be quick and painless.

The only problem is--George appeared to be out of the office yesterday.

I felt like some crazy, jealous girlfriend as I called several times and left a slightly panicked message pleading with George to please call me back ASAP. All to no avail. He is probably on vacay with fam in St. Barts or something, blissfully unaware that I'm drying up like a grape in the sun without out internet.
And I really don't care for raisins.

OK, OK I know what you're thinking: "Dramatic much, you whacko?"

Maybe you're right, I just need to take it down several notches, because clearly I can just pop down to a coffee shop and have internet there. I'll try to keep it together. But that won't stop me from trying to reach George today, even if I have to keep calling until he picks up!

In any case, the move actually went really well. Praise God for wonderful friends giving their time (and muscles!) to help us get everything loaded, unloaded, put together, etc. What a blessing everyone was!

Sadly, I had to leave Betsy behind in Amherst, as she is suffering from some exhaust issues. I'm making the decision of whether or not to scrap her or bring her to the B. We shall see. . .

AND here is a (messy. . .EEK!) picture of my my new bedroom. More to come once we're more settled!

Love that Dirty Water, Boston You're My Home

Moving day is finally here! I seem to be in some sort of strange state where I'm completely calm. I don't know if I've realized I'm leaving. . .

I think maybe because I'll be back a lot I'm sure. So there's no reason to panic.

Here's a picture of our trusty U-Haul, that for some reason says "Mom's Attic" on the side? No idea what that's about, but no matter, as long as it fits all our stuff!

Stay tuned for pictures and LOTS of news about the new place!

Moving Day!

Tomorrow is moving day! I can't believe that it's already here!

I spend much of today getting ready by packing up all the things that I had laying around my "summer house" and doing some last minute errands.

Imagine my surprise, when suddenly on the way to Target, my car started making a really loud noise, somewhat akin to a lawn mower.

If you'll recall, Betsy was just recently in the shop for huge repairs of the engine variety. Well, now, it appears her exhaust system is out of whack. She should (hopefully) make the move just fine, but I'm going to have to get her fixed soon, because she definitely will not pass inspection!

Oy Vey

It seems I can't catch a break!

At any rate, I'm excited to make the move tomorrow and be settled in my own place again. I especially can't wait to get my bedroom decorated which I have big plans for!

Be expecting some pictures very soon:)

Fir--I mean Gas Leak!!

Imagine this: Three fire fighters in full gear pulling up to a calm apartment building, lights flashing, ready for action. After charging onto the lawn, one of them is under the hood of a car parked in the lot, one is under the front of the car, one under the back. People at the business next store are outside watching and pictures are being snapped.

(if you look really closely, you can see the firefighters gettin' work done!)

Wait, sorry. You're probably confused. I should start at the beginning.

Actually this scenario begins the night before. Becca, the friend I will be moving to Boston with this week was having some issues with her car. Sometime late Friday evening the girls and I were hanging out when we noticed an incredibly strong gas smell flowing in through the open window.

"Oh that's my car" Becca said and instead of worrying, we all just took that as an acceptable response and continued on unconcerned with our evening (at least I did!).

The next morning, I head out to run some errands only to be accosted at my car by one of the delivery drivers from the pizza place we live next to.

"Do you know who owns this car?" He asks.

"Umm, yea?"

"Cuz you have a major gas leak, like I was outside here last night smoking a cigarette and I was afraid! You need to get that checked out."

Becca hears the exchange, thanks the guy and I head out to do my errands.

Cut to a few hours later when the firefighters get involved. I arrive home and Becca gets word she shouldn't drive the car, but have it towed to a mechanic. OK.

While on the phone with AAA, Becca finds out that they won't give her a tow until the
FIRE DEPARTMENT comes and clears the car because there is a gas leak involved.

Enter the crazy firemen (and woman!) blazing down our road.
Of course, like total whackos the roomies and I are milling around on the porch trying to pretend we're not taking pictures, which we all totally were.

The scene is total chaos and all I can do is just keep laughing at the fact that this is our life. Two days before we undertake our crazy move.