A quiet getaway to the friendly neighborhood state park.
Its a good thing you didn't hear that. I can really scream.
After all, a little adrenaline rush never hurt anybody.
The view was awesome, but mostly I was glad to be alive.
What do you think should come next, white water rafting or skydiving?
A thank you to all my friends and neighbors who generously chipped in with advice and suggestions on how to improve my personal statement. I mean you, Leenda, Jaklumen, Amy, Lakshmi, Scott, Waterbaby, Oink(who appreciates fine thighs- I do, too), Aubrey and Vijay. It wasn't just the advice, but also that you took the time to post thoughtful, useful comments instead of just telling me to go back to school.
I hadn't expected so much good advice, but I should have. Lesson learned.
Remember the mangosteen?
*slaps forehead*
I must be really busy.
I spilled water on it.
Not on it, really. Behind it. On the coffee table. As soon as it happened I swiped the laptop and put it on the couch, hoping it would dry its behind and all would be well. It was only after I returned to it, having fortified myself with tea, that I realized it wouldn't start.
It wouldn't Start? It Wouldn't START??
The imminent panic attack was prevented by the presence of husband's laptop, and the internet came to the rescue. Specifically this awesome website. Armed with a set of tiny screwdrivers imported from the mother country, a tissue paper, and a popsicle stick, I dismantled the computer. Most of it, anyway.
Then A came home and had a fit. You can't do this without the right instruments! So we replaced the popsicle stick with a 5-buck spudger, the tissue with a container of pressurized air, and my eyes with his, behind surgical magnifying loops. Much labeling of screws and making of notes later, the logic board was taken apart. And put together again.
The moment of truth arrived, very similar to the moment we first laid eyes on each other. Will it happen? What if it doesn't?
It did. The little blue screen came on, followed by that sound of a Mac stirring to life. Oh, that sweet sound.
I have a feeling more than my laptop was rescued that day.
To be perfectly honest, its not that painful. I'm full most of the time, and have even managed to keep the binging-when-I'm-alone thing at bay. Maybe because I'm so busy cooking all this 'diet' food.
Toss together in a large bowl:
5 oz broiled tofu ( I used miso-rubbed tofu, broiled for about 7 minutes on each side.)
4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup diced tomato
2 tbsp lite Italian dressing
1/2 cup boiled pinto beans
2 tsp taco seasoning (I used a mix of chilli powder, toasted ground cumin, dried oregano)
1 tbsp chopped cilantro
2 scallions, chopped
Top with 2 tbsp of light sour cream (I skipped that) and 1 tbsp of Parmesan cheese.
One serving has about 300 calories, a whopping 30 gm protein, 5 gram fat, 30 gm carbs and 8 grams of fiber. Its delicious, especially when followed by a 'sugar free gelatin dessert'.
Unfortunately, the authors consider eggs, fish and gelatin to be vegetarian. So I had to take matters into my own hands and create a sugar free, calorie free, jelly dessert that is Vegan!
Agar desserts don't wiggle like real Jello, but they are delicious and gelatin-free. I was quite happy with the end result.
Update: I need to go shopping for smaller clothes. :)
Thanks to one very playful squirrel, we don't have a single tomato left on our tomato plants. I tried sprinkling cinnamon around my plants, then jerk seasoning with habaneros, and finally, a critter-repellent from the local Green and Seed. The stench drove us away from the patio, but not the squirrels. This is the closest I've come to reconsidering my vegetarian diet.
And finally, the Indian squash seeds that my mom planted have sprouted!
I'm hoping we'll get some tender Indian lauki, but scared that the critters will get to them before I do.
*No, please don't send me recipes of squirrel stew. They'll taste like tomatoes anyway.
