Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Productivity
Today was surprisingly a very productive day. It was quietly productive. One of those days that start out slow and steady and you just keep chugging along and as you pull up the covers and settle in to drink your tea, read a book, write a post for your blog, begin to reflect on the last 24 hours you realize how much you've accomplished.
More cashola
Check it...
the author of the blog recently published a book. it's a decent site though i prefer the ladies who blog about finance. i like to mix up my fashion and finance:
www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com
for the serious investing geeks in the house:
www.seekingalpha.com
the author of the blog recently published a book. it's a decent site though i prefer the ladies who blog about finance. i like to mix up my fashion and finance:
www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com
for the serious investing geeks in the house:
www.seekingalpha.com
Monday, April 6, 2009
Cashola
April is Financial Literacy Month. Not sure of the history behind that one but there you have it. To kick off the month long celebration, I thought it would be beneficial to link to a few financial blogs and websites that I read on a regular basis. I hope you find something of interest.
A twenty something lady in the big city making it happen:
www.budgetingbabe.blogspot.com
A thirty something lady in another big city making it happen:
www.myopenwallet.net
Tons of information on everything from banking to mortgages. A great starter website for your financial questions:
www.bankrate.com
I will post other useful financial tidbits as I come across them in my research or as it pops into my head. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to track down the best answer(s)!
A twenty something lady in the big city making it happen:
www.budgetingbabe.blogspot.com
A thirty something lady in another big city making it happen:
www.myopenwallet.net
Tons of information on everything from banking to mortgages. A great starter website for your financial questions:
www.bankrate.com
I will post other useful financial tidbits as I come across them in my research or as it pops into my head. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to track down the best answer(s)!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
hello stranger
my poor neglected blog...i'm a bad parent.
i have so much to share i don't even know where to begin. so while i sort out the many, many blog posts to come, let's start with one about food.
i was in a local whole foods-esque type place last week. they have a section of prepared foods which I salivate over every time i'm in there because it all looks so good but deep down i know it's a total crap shoot that it will actually taste as good as it looks.
it's like that really hot guy across the room. you want to go talk to him. but you worry that once he opens his mouth all the hotness will vanish. so you're content to just stare at him.
i eyed a beautiful plate of curry chicken salad and decided to take a shot. the nice man behind the counter filled up a small container for me.
once home, i quickly put away my groceries and dove into that chicken salad. lady luck was with me. the taste texture combo was really good. it could have used a bit of a kick as the spice was definitely toned down. all in all it was good enough to inspire me to try it out myself.
today i took advantage of the fantastic weather in the city and walked to the whole foods and picked up the ingredients:
1 chicken breast
fennel
celery
carrot sticks
a container of low fat plain yogurt
first step is to create the yogurt marinade for the chicken breast:
1/2 cup of yogurt
white vinegar
*garlic/ginger/onion paste
paprika
salt
combine all the ingredients above and i know i'm annoying because i didn't give any indication on amounts for anything aside from the yogurt. it's all to taste. as a guideline, i'd say 2 tablespoons of vinegar, at least one heaping tablespoon of the garlic/ginger/onion paste, a pinch of the paprika and a teaspoon of salt. this should provide a mild kick and then you can take it up a notch however you see fit - for instance, i usually end up going heavy on the vinegar.
place the chicken breast in the marinade and marinate for at least 2 hours. overnight is the best.
once done marinating, place the chicken breast in a glass baking dish that has been coated with oil. bake at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes or until cooked through.
while chicken is marinating or baking (depending on how fast you are), thinly slice the fennel, celery and combine with the carrot sticks.
once chicken comes out of the oven, let it sit for a bit, cut into thin strips, and add the sliced vegetables. mix. enjoy! if needed, you can add a bit more yogurt to the salad.
it's quick and very yummy. better chilled. perfect for the summer (no mayo) and with a bottle of riesling.
*the garlic/ginger/onion paste is a regular occupant in my fridge. nearly every indian recipe i know uses these three ingredients. i use a 1:1:1 ratio. i combine all three and blend until i get a paste like consistency. i store it in a glass container and into the fridge it goes. it's a huge timesaver for me.
*************************************************************
i missed you guys! :-)
i have so much to share i don't even know where to begin. so while i sort out the many, many blog posts to come, let's start with one about food.
i was in a local whole foods-esque type place last week. they have a section of prepared foods which I salivate over every time i'm in there because it all looks so good but deep down i know it's a total crap shoot that it will actually taste as good as it looks.
it's like that really hot guy across the room. you want to go talk to him. but you worry that once he opens his mouth all the hotness will vanish. so you're content to just stare at him.
i eyed a beautiful plate of curry chicken salad and decided to take a shot. the nice man behind the counter filled up a small container for me.
once home, i quickly put away my groceries and dove into that chicken salad. lady luck was with me. the taste texture combo was really good. it could have used a bit of a kick as the spice was definitely toned down. all in all it was good enough to inspire me to try it out myself.
today i took advantage of the fantastic weather in the city and walked to the whole foods and picked up the ingredients:
1 chicken breast
fennel
celery
carrot sticks
a container of low fat plain yogurt
first step is to create the yogurt marinade for the chicken breast:
1/2 cup of yogurt
white vinegar
*garlic/ginger/onion paste
paprika
salt
combine all the ingredients above and i know i'm annoying because i didn't give any indication on amounts for anything aside from the yogurt. it's all to taste. as a guideline, i'd say 2 tablespoons of vinegar, at least one heaping tablespoon of the garlic/ginger/onion paste, a pinch of the paprika and a teaspoon of salt. this should provide a mild kick and then you can take it up a notch however you see fit - for instance, i usually end up going heavy on the vinegar.
place the chicken breast in the marinade and marinate for at least 2 hours. overnight is the best.
once done marinating, place the chicken breast in a glass baking dish that has been coated with oil. bake at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes or until cooked through.
while chicken is marinating or baking (depending on how fast you are), thinly slice the fennel, celery and combine with the carrot sticks.
once chicken comes out of the oven, let it sit for a bit, cut into thin strips, and add the sliced vegetables. mix. enjoy! if needed, you can add a bit more yogurt to the salad.
it's quick and very yummy. better chilled. perfect for the summer (no mayo) and with a bottle of riesling.
*the garlic/ginger/onion paste is a regular occupant in my fridge. nearly every indian recipe i know uses these three ingredients. i use a 1:1:1 ratio. i combine all three and blend until i get a paste like consistency. i store it in a glass container and into the fridge it goes. it's a huge timesaver for me.
*************************************************************
i missed you guys! :-)
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
question
why is it that in every drama/comedy/dramedy the token asian kid doesn't have an accent but the token indian kid always sounds like a fob?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
lesson of the day
don't let someone else determine your worth.
anyone who tells you that you are anything short of priceless doesn't deserve to be in your presence.
ever.
anyone who tells you that you are anything short of priceless doesn't deserve to be in your presence.
ever.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
on the 11th day of the countdown
my parents gave to me...
a long list of people I must visit. Gifts I must give. Presents I must buy. Oy.
3 weeks is not nearly enough time for me in India. My goal for the coming years is to be able to go every year for a few months at a time. I've been discussing this with my friends and trying to come up with a way to live in two countries, preferably have a job that necessitates I split my time between India and the US. This way I have a career, some cashola in the bank and serious frequent flier miles.
So far, no ideas. If you have any, help a girl out.
a long list of people I must visit. Gifts I must give. Presents I must buy. Oy.
3 weeks is not nearly enough time for me in India. My goal for the coming years is to be able to go every year for a few months at a time. I've been discussing this with my friends and trying to come up with a way to live in two countries, preferably have a job that necessitates I split my time between India and the US. This way I have a career, some cashola in the bank and serious frequent flier miles.
So far, no ideas. If you have any, help a girl out.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
12 days
12 more days...
At home and stuffing my face. Packing is an afterthought at the moment. I'll stuff my face in India too (that's where I'm going!!!!) and I will end up losing weight. It's the best diet ever. Eat five times a day - sweets included - and come back 20 pounds lighter. Nice!
They have medical tours to India to perform surgeries for like 1000th the cost. Someone needs to organize a dieting tour to India. Eat well. Lose weight. Get some culture in you. Meditate a little.
What's not to love?
At home and stuffing my face. Packing is an afterthought at the moment. I'll stuff my face in India too (that's where I'm going!!!!) and I will end up losing weight. It's the best diet ever. Eat five times a day - sweets included - and come back 20 pounds lighter. Nice!
They have medical tours to India to perform surgeries for like 1000th the cost. Someone needs to organize a dieting tour to India. Eat well. Lose weight. Get some culture in you. Meditate a little.
What's not to love?
Friday, February 6, 2009
13 days to go
One down, 13 more days to go.
I'm going home to mom and dad and sisters this weekend. They are helping me pack and get ready for the trip. I'm a little nervous - truth be told. This is my first time going all by lonesome. I will be laying over in Paris which is another issue in and of itself. Thankfully the layover both ways is no more than a few hours. I will hole up in the airport and pray the time flies quickly. I entertained the thought - for a hot second - of venturing out into the City of Lights but I'm not quite there yet.
I'm going home to mom and dad and sisters this weekend. They are helping me pack and get ready for the trip. I'm a little nervous - truth be told. This is my first time going all by lonesome. I will be laying over in Paris which is another issue in and of itself. Thankfully the layover both ways is no more than a few hours. I will hole up in the airport and pray the time flies quickly. I entertained the thought - for a hot second - of venturing out into the City of Lights but I'm not quite there yet.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Countdown
Well hello stranger!
I'm a tease because I'm posting this just to let you know that two weeks from today - in 14 days - your's truly is going away for about three weeks. I'm going to keep you in suspense. But I think most, if not all, of you already know. ;-)
In any case, my apologies for being a bad blogger. I will be posting intermittently for the next two weeks before disappearing again.
Kisses!
I'm a tease because I'm posting this just to let you know that two weeks from today - in 14 days - your's truly is going away for about three weeks. I'm going to keep you in suspense. But I think most, if not all, of you already know. ;-)
In any case, my apologies for being a bad blogger. I will be posting intermittently for the next two weeks before disappearing again.
Kisses!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
wtf
I hate to be such a negative nancy but wtf.
We are only 7 days in to the new year and I feel like a steam roller has passed over me a few times already.
I came back to work on Monday from my staycation - on my Half Birthday - to find that something extremely important had fallen through the cracks. I did my best to fix it but unforutunately it's one of those things that is unfixable. I haven't touched my planner. It's not even the middle of the year and I'm already slacking on using the planner! I thought I was being all responsible by shopping around for life insurance since I'm going to hit the big 3-0 soon. I figure it makes sense. Apparently, in the insurance world, I'm ALREADY 30! After a person's half birthday, insurance companies round up. That was my birthday present as I went to see the insurance lady on Tuesday - the day after my Half Birthday. Today is Wednesday. Only Wednesday.
And it's not just me. I feel a lot of people around me are making their way through some challenging times. If this is how it is just a week in, I don't even want to think about what the rest of the year has in store.
I am usually very good at seeing the silver lining on the cloud. But I am TIRED. I don't want to make the effort to see the silver lining. This is me whining. I would just rather there not be a cloud. Clear skies. Sunny day. Everything going my (and my friends') way.
But this is me we are talking about. No matter how many times my little heart gets trampled, it gets right back up and falls for the cute boy next door. Same goes for my optimism.
So - aside from the usual blessings I thank the Lord for bestowing upon me and my family like health, food, shelter - I do have much to be thankful and blissful for...
I was emailing back and forth with my mom and dad today at work. I took a step back and surveyed the situation...I'm used to emailing with dad but my mom emailing is the cutest thing in the entire world!
I made a new friend recently. She was going through a rough patch and I happened to be there and we've gotten close.
Another friend has found herself in a pretty wonderful situation and it warms my little black heart to see her so happy!
I have a job. It's a doozy. But I do have a job.
I just tried a new way of making bhindi and it is fantastic - if I do say so myself.
In my panic-y state on Monday, I found solace in lots of fantastic friends. I reached out and they reached right over with advice and comfort.
I have dinner plans at a friend's house tomorrow night.
I have so many amazing trips and events to look forward to this year.
I'm planning a trip to India. I'm going home.
Hmmm....not bad.
We are only 7 days in to the new year and I feel like a steam roller has passed over me a few times already.
I came back to work on Monday from my staycation - on my Half Birthday - to find that something extremely important had fallen through the cracks. I did my best to fix it but unforutunately it's one of those things that is unfixable. I haven't touched my planner. It's not even the middle of the year and I'm already slacking on using the planner! I thought I was being all responsible by shopping around for life insurance since I'm going to hit the big 3-0 soon. I figure it makes sense. Apparently, in the insurance world, I'm ALREADY 30! After a person's half birthday, insurance companies round up. That was my birthday present as I went to see the insurance lady on Tuesday - the day after my Half Birthday. Today is Wednesday. Only Wednesday.
And it's not just me. I feel a lot of people around me are making their way through some challenging times. If this is how it is just a week in, I don't even want to think about what the rest of the year has in store.
I am usually very good at seeing the silver lining on the cloud. But I am TIRED. I don't want to make the effort to see the silver lining. This is me whining. I would just rather there not be a cloud. Clear skies. Sunny day. Everything going my (and my friends') way.
But this is me we are talking about. No matter how many times my little heart gets trampled, it gets right back up and falls for the cute boy next door. Same goes for my optimism.
So - aside from the usual blessings I thank the Lord for bestowing upon me and my family like health, food, shelter - I do have much to be thankful and blissful for...
I was emailing back and forth with my mom and dad today at work. I took a step back and surveyed the situation...I'm used to emailing with dad but my mom emailing is the cutest thing in the entire world!
I made a new friend recently. She was going through a rough patch and I happened to be there and we've gotten close.
Another friend has found herself in a pretty wonderful situation and it warms my little black heart to see her so happy!
I have a job. It's a doozy. But I do have a job.
I just tried a new way of making bhindi and it is fantastic - if I do say so myself.
In my panic-y state on Monday, I found solace in lots of fantastic friends. I reached out and they reached right over with advice and comfort.
I have dinner plans at a friend's house tomorrow night.
I have so many amazing trips and events to look forward to this year.
I'm planning a trip to India. I'm going home.
Hmmm....not bad.
Monday, January 5, 2009
3 Weddings, a Baby, Graduation and a Big Birthday
My 2009 calendar is quickly filling up...
I'm heading to India in February for a friend's wedding.
A dear friend and his wife are expecting sometime in April.
My cousin in Canada recently got engaged and her engagement is sometime in May/June and the wedding is in August.
Another family friend of ours has notified us of her daughter's wedding set for mid June.
One of my sisters graduates from high school in June.
I turn 30 in July. Whoa. It's weird seeing it in print. Anyhoo...
We're only 5 days in to 2009 and the first half of the year is pretty much booked solid.
The second half of the year is open. Book me now! It's going to be a busy year.
I'm heading to India in February for a friend's wedding.
A dear friend and his wife are expecting sometime in April.
My cousin in Canada recently got engaged and her engagement is sometime in May/June and the wedding is in August.
Another family friend of ours has notified us of her daughter's wedding set for mid June.
One of my sisters graduates from high school in June.
I turn 30 in July. Whoa. It's weird seeing it in print. Anyhoo...
We're only 5 days in to 2009 and the first half of the year is pretty much booked solid.
The second half of the year is open. Book me now! It's going to be a busy year.
Happy Half Birthday...
...To Me!
6 months have passed. Another 6 months to go. Given that my half birthday is right around the New Year, it seems appropriate to review resolutions...
6 months have passed. Another 6 months to go. Given that my half birthday is right around the New Year, it seems appropriate to review resolutions...
The resolutions I had made on my 29th birthday are as follows:
1. Be present for family and friends. - Check
2. Laugh a little more. Not worry so much about wrinkles. ;-) - Check
3. Exercise at least 3 times a week. - Check. I'm just as surprised as you.
4. Limit the caffeine. - I've given up the addiction to Starbucks. But as mentioned before, it's simply been replaced by an addiction for another coffee place. Does it count that this other coffee place has the best cappuccinos in the entire city? And the cutest barristas? Didn't think so...Ok, so still working on this one.
5. Start the projects I have been talking about for years now. - Half Check. I started (and maintained) this blog. I've made progress on the self employed project. Still need to work on the non-profit and that Oscar worthy script. ;-)
6. Travel. Reclaim old places. Discover new ones. - Another half check. I have discovered new places. I haven't reclaimed old ones though. Next trip: Chi-Town.
7. Eat my veggies. - Check!
8. Save enough to buy a place soon. - The market is not going my way. Don't know if this will happen by my 30th birthday.
9. Get organized - from closets to checkbooks to important contact information. - I've been bad. Still nowhere near as organized as I should be.
10. Quit my addiction to bottled water. Go aluminum. - No aluminum yet but I have the Brita and that has drastically reduced my bottled water usage.
11. Follow through. In every sense. - I hope so. I think I'm doing well on this front.
Only one new resolution to add to the list courtesy of a dear friend: Pursue Me.
This is a hard one because this means putting myself first. And believing that I deserve it.
Oy.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Ostriches
Thus far 2009 has been…rough. I’ve spent the first few days of the new year getting up well past noon and staying up well past midnight and feeling like an ostrich with its head in the sand. No crazy nights. No crazy parties. I’ve been holed up in the apartment only stepping out to grab a cappuccino or two. I’ve been cooking and making my way through my DVD collection. (Those ‘habits’ I blogged about earlier – not so much.)
Currently playing on the TV is Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (DDLJ). It’s a classic. And the fact that I’m watching it right now means I’m feeling pretty crappy. I haven’t watched this movie in ages. When it first came out, it was on constant replay at the house. That was well over a decade ago. Since then, I’ve put it on here or there but just as background noise. Tonight, I’ve watched it straight through. Reminisced about when it first came out. Thousands of memories flooding my brain right now. Hindi movies – as corny as they are and DDLJ is pretty darn corny – always lift my spirits. I get caught up in the songs, the cheesie/improbable/unrealistic plot lines, the even cheesier/improbable/unrealistic sub plot lines, and I fall in love with them just as the main characters are falling in love with each other.
So here we are. Yay 2009. Maybe I’m all emotional because tomorrow is my half birthday. And because I don’t have anything planned. And will work a long day tomorrow because I have been away from the office for over a week.
Maybe that’s all it is.
Currently playing on the TV is Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (DDLJ). It’s a classic. And the fact that I’m watching it right now means I’m feeling pretty crappy. I haven’t watched this movie in ages. When it first came out, it was on constant replay at the house. That was well over a decade ago. Since then, I’ve put it on here or there but just as background noise. Tonight, I’ve watched it straight through. Reminisced about when it first came out. Thousands of memories flooding my brain right now. Hindi movies – as corny as they are and DDLJ is pretty darn corny – always lift my spirits. I get caught up in the songs, the cheesie/improbable/unrealistic plot lines, the even cheesier/improbable/unrealistic sub plot lines, and I fall in love with them just as the main characters are falling in love with each other.
So here we are. Yay 2009. Maybe I’m all emotional because tomorrow is my half birthday. And because I don’t have anything planned. And will work a long day tomorrow because I have been away from the office for over a week.
Maybe that’s all it is.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! I wish you and yours much love, happiness, peace and prosperity. I wish that while all of your hard work pays off that you also find some things come easily.
Kisses!
Kisses!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)