You've been feeling quite lonely lately but some exciting news today will change everything.
No exciting news yet...about half an hour to go. Hmmm...What do you think it is folks?
Monday, August 11, 2008
Monday Madness
Mondays are hard enough. And after the perfect Sunday I had yesterday this particular Monday was even harder. It was tough getting out of bed, getting to work, sitting through work, so on and so forth. As you all know, I'm a planner extraordinaire (heavy sarcasm there) and decided some time ago that Mondays would be the perfect day for my session with the personal trainer. Why of course! Makes perfect sense! Put my body through excruciating pain at the end of a day that already sucks. Really? Really.
I was this close to cancelling on him today. But I do love him dearly. He's terribly good to me. He's patient. And deals with my craziness. That's hard to find. Plus I figured a boost of endorphins could spruce up my Monday a bit. And wouldn't you know it, I feel great. At least for now.
Come Wednesday, it's going to be an entirely different scene. The last session (two weeks ago) I felt for an entire week and my arms didn't stop hurting until two days ago. Two days ago! So if we do the math, I was sore for almost two weeks. Really the man is a genius. I was cursing him, mind you, the entire time but deep down, I know, he's a genius.
Not only are the sessions therapy for my body but he's so much fun to talk to. He's like the cool big brother. So it's like body AND soul therapy all wrapped up in a lovely gym towel.
He gave me homework to do which I will totally do, um, everyday. Really.
I was this close to cancelling on him today. But I do love him dearly. He's terribly good to me. He's patient. And deals with my craziness. That's hard to find. Plus I figured a boost of endorphins could spruce up my Monday a bit. And wouldn't you know it, I feel great. At least for now.
Come Wednesday, it's going to be an entirely different scene. The last session (two weeks ago) I felt for an entire week and my arms didn't stop hurting until two days ago. Two days ago! So if we do the math, I was sore for almost two weeks. Really the man is a genius. I was cursing him, mind you, the entire time but deep down, I know, he's a genius.
Not only are the sessions therapy for my body but he's so much fun to talk to. He's like the cool big brother. So it's like body AND soul therapy all wrapped up in a lovely gym towel.
He gave me homework to do which I will totally do, um, everyday. Really.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Breakfast Stack aka: First Homemade Meal in Apt
It started out as a simple idea: A sunny side up egg and a slice of spelt toast. As I started getting the eggs and bread out of the fridge I noticed the red onions, the red bell pepper, and the cheese just hanging out with nothing to do. I decided they needed a little love and attention too. So out they came and this is the trouble we got into:
Home Fries:
1 medium potato quartered and sliced thinly
½ of a small red onion sliced thinly
½ of a red bell pepper cut into small chunks
1 tbsp garam masala
Salt to taste
½ tsp chili powder
Note: I have a tendency to desi-fy everything, irrespective of the origin of the dish. Mexican? Add a little garam masala. Japanese? Add a little more chili powder. Unless it comes out of a cookbook and there are clear instructions to follow. But even then, I will add a little heat to it. Given this recipe sprung up from my own mind, it’s spicy and a combo of various flavors – Indian, Mexican, etc. – so be careful and as always adjust to your taste.
In skillet on high with a little olive oil sauté red onions and red bell pepper. (At this point my fire alarm started sounding off. Used my spatula to calm it down. Funny now that I’m looking back on it. Not so much as it was happening.) Add some salt. After about 10 minutes, add potatoes and spices. Mix it up, lower the heat, add a splash of water and cover slightly. Let cook for approximately 20 minutes or until potatoes are cooked all the way through, stirring in between.
Eggs:
Hot skillet with olive oil. Two organic eggs. Sunny side up. Sprinkle of salt and freshly ground pepper on top. Lower heat and let eggs cook. Crunchy on bottom and velvety smooth on top when done. Gorgeous!
Toast:
1 slice spelt toast
Monterey Jack Cheese
In the same skillet as eggs are cooking merrily away, place slice of bread and warm up one side. Flip and place however much cheese on top and let it melt.
Breakfast stack goes like this:
Cover entire plate with home fries. Place toast on top of home fries in the center. Place eggs sunny side up on top of toast.
It’s a party in your mouth.
Home Fries:
1 medium potato quartered and sliced thinly
½ of a small red onion sliced thinly
½ of a red bell pepper cut into small chunks
1 tbsp garam masala
Salt to taste
½ tsp chili powder
Note: I have a tendency to desi-fy everything, irrespective of the origin of the dish. Mexican? Add a little garam masala. Japanese? Add a little more chili powder. Unless it comes out of a cookbook and there are clear instructions to follow. But even then, I will add a little heat to it. Given this recipe sprung up from my own mind, it’s spicy and a combo of various flavors – Indian, Mexican, etc. – so be careful and as always adjust to your taste.
In skillet on high with a little olive oil sauté red onions and red bell pepper. (At this point my fire alarm started sounding off. Used my spatula to calm it down. Funny now that I’m looking back on it. Not so much as it was happening.) Add some salt. After about 10 minutes, add potatoes and spices. Mix it up, lower the heat, add a splash of water and cover slightly. Let cook for approximately 20 minutes or until potatoes are cooked all the way through, stirring in between.
Eggs:
Hot skillet with olive oil. Two organic eggs. Sunny side up. Sprinkle of salt and freshly ground pepper on top. Lower heat and let eggs cook. Crunchy on bottom and velvety smooth on top when done. Gorgeous!
Toast:
1 slice spelt toast
Monterey Jack Cheese
In the same skillet as eggs are cooking merrily away, place slice of bread and warm up one side. Flip and place however much cheese on top and let it melt.
Breakfast stack goes like this:
Cover entire plate with home fries. Place toast on top of home fries in the center. Place eggs sunny side up on top of toast.
It’s a party in your mouth.
Sunday Shower
At this moment I am pretty much in heaven. It’s Sunday late morning. I have finished my inaugural made it myself meal at the new apartment and am looking out the window at a gorgeous gray blue sky.
The day started out bright and sunny. I picked up my morning cappuccino and walked to Trader Joe’s to get groceries for the week. Bought a very regal looking orchid to keep me company as well. Was inspired to make breakfast and what started out as a simple sunny side up egg with toast turned into home fries with red onion and red bell pepper, spelt toast with cheese on top toasted in the pan alongside two sunny side up eggs, crispy on the bottom and smooth and velvety on top. (Recipe to follow shortly).
And given that I still have zero furniture (I did purchase a fantastic rug this weekend though!) I ate my wonderful meal sitting on the floor with the plate resting atop a stack of magazines – the top most being the Special Green Issue of Marie Claire, naturally. Part of the reason why it’s taking me forever to find suitable seating for the place is because I like the idea of minimalism and using what you have.
While eating my breakfast, the city was hit with a brief thunderstorm. Nothing major but enough to cool the place down. The air now smells of fresh earth – like how it smells just before or after a rain shower. It’s one of my favorite smells because it brings back a host of wonderful memories. The rain is on and off now and there is a cool breeze coming in through the windows. I love overcast weather. It’s another one of my favorite things.
So it’s late Sunday morning, my belly is full with yummy goodness and I’m looking out the window at an overcast and gray blue sky. It’s bliss.
Now I’m off to do some cleaning and contemplate a name for my orchid.
The day started out bright and sunny. I picked up my morning cappuccino and walked to Trader Joe’s to get groceries for the week. Bought a very regal looking orchid to keep me company as well. Was inspired to make breakfast and what started out as a simple sunny side up egg with toast turned into home fries with red onion and red bell pepper, spelt toast with cheese on top toasted in the pan alongside two sunny side up eggs, crispy on the bottom and smooth and velvety on top. (Recipe to follow shortly).
And given that I still have zero furniture (I did purchase a fantastic rug this weekend though!) I ate my wonderful meal sitting on the floor with the plate resting atop a stack of magazines – the top most being the Special Green Issue of Marie Claire, naturally. Part of the reason why it’s taking me forever to find suitable seating for the place is because I like the idea of minimalism and using what you have.
While eating my breakfast, the city was hit with a brief thunderstorm. Nothing major but enough to cool the place down. The air now smells of fresh earth – like how it smells just before or after a rain shower. It’s one of my favorite smells because it brings back a host of wonderful memories. The rain is on and off now and there is a cool breeze coming in through the windows. I love overcast weather. It’s another one of my favorite things.
So it’s late Sunday morning, my belly is full with yummy goodness and I’m looking out the window at an overcast and gray blue sky. It’s bliss.
Now I’m off to do some cleaning and contemplate a name for my orchid.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Mmmm....Fall
It's August!!! We're almost to Fall. I'm so happy. I've had the windows open at the apartment, enjoying the fresh air. No need for A/C. It's great.
Even though I'm a summer baby I can't stand the heat. July was awful. And to all those people who are thinking "But you're from India. You should be fine with the heat." Um, no. Oh, you don't think I've heard that before??? Yeah I couldn't believe it either when I heard it the first time and realized the person wasn't trying to make a bad joke, they were actually seriously asking that question . The second and third time I just gave in and eventually it started to roll off my back but yeah, it's happened more often than I care for.
But I digress.
So I love Fall. I love the clothes, the smells, the proliferation of pumpkin spice nutmeg cinnamon everything, the massive encyclopedia size issue of Vogue. It's bliss.
Even though I'm a summer baby I can't stand the heat. July was awful. And to all those people who are thinking "But you're from India. You should be fine with the heat." Um, no. Oh, you don't think I've heard that before??? Yeah I couldn't believe it either when I heard it the first time and realized the person wasn't trying to make a bad joke, they were actually seriously asking that question . The second and third time I just gave in and eventually it started to roll off my back but yeah, it's happened more often than I care for.
But I digress.
So I love Fall. I love the clothes, the smells, the proliferation of pumpkin spice nutmeg cinnamon everything, the massive encyclopedia size issue of Vogue. It's bliss.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
First day. New Apt.
And the day has come.
I am writing to you from the living room floor of my new jewel box of an apt. It's completely adorable.
My family helped with the move. There wasn't much to lug in as I have zero furniture. Pillows, clothes, toiletries, etc. The kitchen got a lot of TLC as mom did her magic in there. The stove has already been used to make copious cups of tea. I'm slowly settling in and can't wait to turn this place into a home.
To all you lovely people, the door is wide open. Visit soon and visit often!
I am writing to you from the living room floor of my new jewel box of an apt. It's completely adorable.
My family helped with the move. There wasn't much to lug in as I have zero furniture. Pillows, clothes, toiletries, etc. The kitchen got a lot of TLC as mom did her magic in there. The stove has already been used to make copious cups of tea. I'm slowly settling in and can't wait to turn this place into a home.
To all you lovely people, the door is wide open. Visit soon and visit often!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
It's My Birthday!!!
My apologies for being away for so long again. But I was busy getting ready for my 29 and 1 Month Birthday. And here we are!
So the big plans for today are...drum roll please...to pack for my move to my apartment and enjoy a fabulous meal with my family prepared by my amazing mother.
My present to myself when I turned 29 was a faboo gem of a place in the city. It’s less than a half mile from my office, it’s across from a park and it’s in a young and energetic part of town. Now mind you, it’s a glorified studio. It’s billed as a one bedroom but really it’s a glorified studio.
Nonetheless, it’s cozy, cute and I love it!
This past weekend I went shopping with my parents and have been reluctantly packing the past few days. Why reluctantly you ask? Because I am going to miss my family. They drive me nuts but that’s their way of loving and I’m going to miss it. Who would have guessed? I’m only an hour away and can easily get home but it’s not the same. This doesn’t mean I’m having second doubts about the move. I’m definitely moving and I am definitely excited about it. Just caught off guard that a part of me is sad too.
So let’s review this past month and see how far I’ve come with my resolutions:
1. Be present for family and friends. - Check
2. Laugh a little more. Not worry so much about wrinkles. - Happy to say, check.
3. Exercise at least 3 times a week. - Um, have hired a personal trainer. Who I've seen once. But will be seeing again this coming Monday. I'm working my way up to it!
4. Limit the caffeine - Yeah, failing miserably at this. I think at least one day this week I had two grandes from Starbucks AND a Mocha Frappuccino. WTH???
5. Start the projects I have been talking about for years now. - Check, check and check. There are quite a few projects that I was afraid had taken up permanent residence in my brain. In that they never wanted to leave, to come out and make themselves known. However, I have made headway on two of them thus far and will be posting on that shortly!
6. Travel. Reclaim old places. Discover new ones. - Not yet but I'm not discouraged.
7. Eat my veggies. - Check!
8. Save enough to buy a place soon. - Not yet. But will become a budgeting diva in the coming months.
9. Get organized - from closets to checkbooks to important contact information. - With the move, this is in progress.
10. Quit my addiction to bottled water. Go aluminum. - Partial check. I've renewed my vows with Brita. I purchased one for my apartment and am quite happy with it thus far. I will be ordering the aluminum bottle this week.
11. Follow through. In every sense. - Check.
So the big plans for today are...drum roll please...to pack for my move to my apartment and enjoy a fabulous meal with my family prepared by my amazing mother.
My present to myself when I turned 29 was a faboo gem of a place in the city. It’s less than a half mile from my office, it’s across from a park and it’s in a young and energetic part of town. Now mind you, it’s a glorified studio. It’s billed as a one bedroom but really it’s a glorified studio.
Nonetheless, it’s cozy, cute and I love it!
This past weekend I went shopping with my parents and have been reluctantly packing the past few days. Why reluctantly you ask? Because I am going to miss my family. They drive me nuts but that’s their way of loving and I’m going to miss it. Who would have guessed? I’m only an hour away and can easily get home but it’s not the same. This doesn’t mean I’m having second doubts about the move. I’m definitely moving and I am definitely excited about it. Just caught off guard that a part of me is sad too.
So let’s review this past month and see how far I’ve come with my resolutions:
1. Be present for family and friends. - Check
2. Laugh a little more. Not worry so much about wrinkles. - Happy to say, check.
3. Exercise at least 3 times a week. - Um, have hired a personal trainer. Who I've seen once. But will be seeing again this coming Monday. I'm working my way up to it!
4. Limit the caffeine - Yeah, failing miserably at this. I think at least one day this week I had two grandes from Starbucks AND a Mocha Frappuccino. WTH???
5. Start the projects I have been talking about for years now. - Check, check and check. There are quite a few projects that I was afraid had taken up permanent residence in my brain. In that they never wanted to leave, to come out and make themselves known. However, I have made headway on two of them thus far and will be posting on that shortly!
6. Travel. Reclaim old places. Discover new ones. - Not yet but I'm not discouraged.
7. Eat my veggies. - Check!
8. Save enough to buy a place soon. - Not yet. But will become a budgeting diva in the coming months.
9. Get organized - from closets to checkbooks to important contact information. - With the move, this is in progress.
10. Quit my addiction to bottled water. Go aluminum. - Partial check. I've renewed my vows with Brita. I purchased one for my apartment and am quite happy with it thus far. I will be ordering the aluminum bottle this week.
11. Follow through. In every sense. - Check.
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