Ninja by day, student by night

You know I’m bored and not wanting to working on my homework when I start practicing my chopping, dicing, and mincing skills on various vegetables in the crisper.

Today I managed to chop up:

• 1 small tomato
• 1 full stalk of celery
• 3 large garlic bulbs
• 6 red peppers
• 1 lb of chicken

Yesterday I chopped up:

• 3 red peppers
• 1 medium head of broccoli
• 2 medium onions
• .5 lb of chicken

The garlic took a bit since I was mincing it, but wow, I’m slowly improving, and learning to chop things up a bit faster.  I told Gus about my activities, and he thought we didn’t need a food processor after all!  Yeah right!  I think we could use a food processor for some sauces and for chopping up onions, my evil foe.

I am so tired but I’m really hungry for something good to eat, but I’m going to wait until tomorrow so I can prepare some Hollandaise sauce.  I’m definitely wanting to try out an Eggs Benedict recipe, that would definitely motivate me to work hard all day!

I’m tempted to shred some cheese so I can bake up some savory biscuits (and then freeze them for later), but I don’t have any freezer bags or containers to hold them, so I guess that’s out of the question.  I’m really quite surprised that I’m not hugely fat from all the cooking, but to be honest, cooking is such a relaxing, fun thing for me to do, compared to real work like cleaning the house or working on a software program.

I’ve really got to get back to running through, it’s almost been two weeks since I’ve worked out, mostly because Honorable Red was visiting and that always makes me feel lethargic to the point where I feel sick.  I’m definitely going to have to get back on birth control so I don’t feel so crappy.  I think I’m going to look into one that will avoid the whole period…well period.   It’d be nice to avoid losing a week to my tumultous hormonal rollercoaster ragefests.

Today was much better, Gus and I talked a little about things, but I’m trying not to focus so much on the past and on the future. Maybe the Dog Whisperer is rubbing off on me, I really need to start thinking about the “now” and not worry so much. So as part of that exercise, I decided to get a good night’s rest last night, which sorta worked ( Gus only snored a little so I napped on the couch for 2 hours).

It also helped that I exercised a lot today, even though I have a lot to do. I broke my old mile record, and now I’m down to 15:36 on my mile! I admit that isn’t the most fascinating thing I’ve done lately, but it means my muscles are stronger, and I didn’t feel like dying, which is even better. My goal was to run/jog/walk for 35 minutes for each of my “workouts” this week, I think that means three of them, which isn’t that hard since I’ve been doing that since day 1. I ended up doing my second mile in 20 minutes and then I continued at a 3.0 pace (1.5 incline) until I reached my 35 minute mark, then I slowed down the pace for about 10 minutes to cool down. Since I didn’t do my Day 16 “active rest” workout, I did it today, which was barbell and abdominal work.

So I’m very sweaty, and I think I may have ruined my wavy hair from sweating, boo. Yesterday I took a late shower and braided my hair so I wouldn’t shed all over Gus’ birthday dinner, and when I woke up in the morning, my hair had braid waves, which was pretty cute, but with my hair being so…unstylish, it wasn’t the best look. We’ll see what I can do with it, maybe I’ll take a pic. I’ll be glad when my hair has less layers, it really makes doing pincurls a pain in the ass.

Anyway, here’s my to-do list:

1. Pack up vitamins
2. Go to post office and send out vitamins
3. Backup dvds (doesn’t seem to be working well)
   
4. Return dvds
5. Type out homework
6. Send out health insurance bill
7. Go to class
8. Defrost chicken for Gus

I think that’s it, not impossible, but pushing it since I still have to shower and get ready.

Welps, I’m off, good lucks.

Today was Gus’ birthday, he turned a lovely shade of thirty-one! It was a bit of a slow day, mostly because we had an argument the day before and I was feeling pretty low. I made him a special breakfast of fresh savory biscuits, sausage and fluffy eggs, and we celebrated that night with some cake that his mom got him (raspberry flavored frosting with chocolate cake), wine, 3 blue candles and one pink one. I wanted to be extra nice to him, but I was feeling so down, it was really hard to get motivated. Instead, I made him what he wanted for dinner, shrimp scampi with bow-tie pasta.

I took some pictures, so I guess I’ll have to upload them at some point, but not today, since I’m double-posting for today and yesterday. I didn’t exercise at all, instead I finished reading Monster (the manga) and started reading After Monster. I also managed to choke through my class reading for today, but I still need to get my homework done. I just couldn’t get myself to feel good, and it probably didn’t help that I couldn’t sleep the night before.

Whoosh, today is going by fast, I feel a little overwhelmed! I need to read Ch 7 & 8 for class today, good thing I’m ahead on my other class. I also need to look at the homework, because this week is so busy with Gus’s birthday tomorrow, potluck cookies for Friday and going to Pullman for the Valentine’s Day Dance.

I feel pretty stressed to be honest with myself. I also had two margaritas last night and it messed me up a bit. I slept in, told Gus to make his own breakfast today (granola) and I crashed out on the couch because I was having trouble sleeping. Gus was really noisy last night with his dreams. I guess he was having a dream about work, and I was in it, mostly answering all questions with, “Milk and Cheese! Cheese and Milk!” Yeah, I don’t really do that.

Yesterday we went to the grocery store, but somehow I can’t find my new face mask that I bought at the store! How does that disappear anyway? We watched Death Race, got a little drunk, messed around and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.

We did have a serious talk though, because I think one of his friends was having trouble conceiving, and I think it made him worry a little, since we are getting to the point where I’m starting to get too old for kids. He asked me if we had trouble, what I would want to do. I told him that it would depend on our financial situation, because I’d try to get pregnant with those methods first. I told that adoption is pretty difficult in the U.S., and that we might not qualify, so I wasn’t sure if I was willing to go that route. He mentioned that adoption in India might be easier, and we could get an Indian child, which could work, I suppose. I would definitely prefer to have a child that was his, even though that sounds a little selfish. However, I love him a lot and I think he would be very happy if he could have a few kids, so I definitely don’t want to take that dream away from him. So in short, I’m a little conflicted about it.

In exercise news, I did a cardio workout and the normal stretching bit, so that brings me to 2.02 miles for 44 minutes. the workout is actually almost 2 miles for 37 minutes, and then I cooled down until I felt I wasn’t going to get that weird feeling from working out then stopping completely.

I think I’m going to eat something now, I’m so hungry and I still need to get my to-do list together. I want to get Gus a special gift, and I think I know what to get, plus I have to get him a cake, read my chapters, fill out my scholarship applications, fill out my change of address, and e-mail Jeff about my W-2 again. Blech.

Okies, so today, I went and did the day 13 workout, which was basically a walk-jog-run circuit for 30 minutes, and then I stretched out doing the cool down workout. So it ended up being 1.55 miles, not too shabby, but I was really tired because I was running for one minute sprints, and I never run. The fastest I will go on my own steam is 4.5 with the 1.5 incline and believe me, that’s plenty, but I had to turn up the dial to 5. It didn’t kill me, but it meant I had to slow down a lot so I could recover enough so I wouldn’t have to stop.

Yesterday I went to Wal-mart and spent 3 hours there! I am not fond of Walmart because they usually never have cool stuff, but I did manage to find a dress shirt for $12, and I realized that I could find some decent-fitting jeans there if I can lose an inch or two off my waist so I can go down one more size and make it fit on my hips. Yay! I really would like to get a sewing machine, but I’m still researching it, and I think I may wait until next month. Part of the reason I was at Wal-mart was due to Gus, who needed me to drop off a monitor for him at work, so I figured I might as well pick up a few things at Wal-mart. It was fun seeing him in the middle of the day, and he bought me lunch at the Dairy Fair (a juicy hamburger). I also got to see his co-workers again, and that was nice, everyone was very kind and I just listened in on the conversations. Next Thursday I need to make some cookies for the dessert (but Gus might not know he’s bringing a cake to work so he can enjoy it with his coworkers). I’ll probably make oatmeal again, but I’m wondering what kind of cake to make for Gus, I have a ton of Dutch baking chocolate powder so I’d like to use this if possible. I guess I better make up my mind and get the ingredients today so I can surprise him. I have cute candles, but I don’t have any decorations or colored icing. I might go to TJ Maxx or Ross to see if they have any heart-shaped mini-cake pans left.

I’m also considering volunteering for the Sakura-con in Seattle, it sounds interesting and I think it would be fun to dress up like a GAL in public again. It’s in April, so I have time to figure out the logistics. It would be even better if I could find someone who is going from the Tri-Cities. I don’t understand why I’m so fascinated by cosplay or even just dressing up in general. I’m going to talk to Gus about it, and since I can stay at my brother’s place, I should be able to make it work since it’s just gas, and if my brother is working, I might be able to catch a ride with him. Just thinking about it makes my heart get all excited, that hasn’t happened in a while, that’s for sure.

Oy, I’m so sore today, but that’s good because that means I did a great workout. I bought some samples of a mineral foundation, but they just don’t seem to look right. I also made a purchase for my holy grail retinol, Green Cream on ebay. I’m trying to be good, but at the same time, I’m tired of my skin looking so horrible. The fact that I’m working out is giving me some confidence that I will tone up and look a little less flabby. Gus wants to buy a scale for the bathroom so he can track his weight, but I’m worried it will make me feel bad about myself. I guess I don’t want to face the truth, as usual.

I’m going to finish my chores and watch a movie, I think that would be fun and maybe, just maybe I’ll do some studying, haha. Gus is gone this weekend, so that means I can do what I want, which means, probably nothing. I’m much more motivated when he’s around, isn’t that weird?

I love a peaceful day off, with music blaring, doing my workout (which I didn’t really want to do, but I did it anyway). I’m feeling a little less sore, although I know I’ll be feeling a little off in my sides tomorrow. I’m trying to rest my arms so I can give Gus a really great massage tonight because his back is killing him from doing some home renovation on our satellite dish.

So for today’s workout, I did .7 miles so I got my “active” rest in, plus I did the recommended beginner ab exercises and the beginner full body exercises. I hate doing strength training and anything that works out muscles, hehe.

So kitty’s introduction to our home was successful, no accidents with the litter box, but she was being very naughty last night. I went to pick her up so I could remind her where the litter box was located, and she bit me! I have two good-sized scratches on my hand, but I didn’t let go of her, and decided that she would stay in the bathroom until she calmed the hell down. She knew she was being bad and didn’t fuss when I left her for the evening. I let her out sometime in the middle of the night so she could explore in the dark, and get something to eat or drink. After that, she relaxed and sat on the futon for a while with me, and after I returned to bed, she wandered around. However, once Gus and I got up, she must have gotten a little scared because she ended up hiding under the bed and only came out after I turned off the tv. I hope she gets used to being here, since this will be her permanent home.

My mom was very excited to have Kitty leave, she talked about how she could get new carpets, etc. I hope she does, the carpets in her house are hideous (even before Kitty made a few deposits). She seemed almost hyper or frantic when I came to pick up my cat. She started talking almost frantically about a book she bought and how she got it autographed by an author. I was happy for her, but at the same time she was kinda weirding me out. I started picking up stuff because I had the car running (to keep it warm for kitty) and Gus was waiting for me at home with a hot meal. She offered to feed me but I told her I had to get going because Gus was waiting for me at home. I did share that I made my first apple pie, and she said that fruit pies were always good. I guess I couldn’t explain how happy I was that the crust wasn’t soggy or tough even after a day! All I wanted to do was get out of there because I was sooo hungry and I still had to pick up all of kitty’s bits and pieces from around the house. In any case, it was a successful visit, even if she irritated me for some unknown and probably ridiculous reason (basically her hyperness and overcheerfulness).

I will NOT focus on this though, what matters is that I get some studying done, I’m really behind on my study hours for my classes. Most study guides recommend 2 hours per class hour, and I barely spend an hour a week, other than homework. Not good. I also have to redo my resume and send it to my instructor, he might get me in an internship for summer. He told me not to get my hopes too high, but to be honest, I’d like to have some alternative choices, and not be depending on DMJM even though I loved working for that company.

Now that I have my camera charged, I think I will take more pictures of food and other things, Gus has been bugging me to use my camera more and take pictures like I used to do back in my hardcore blogging days.

Today I took it easy, I was so sore from doing the squats, I swear I was ready for my joints to refuse my limbs and just pop them off! So today was 1.51 miles in 31 minutes (187 calories), whew. It was hard to get going though, so I did a long stretching warm-up before I got started. I’ve been continuing with the same cooldown exercises after my walk, and today I tried a video about doing non-crunch ab exercises. They are more motivating than regular crunches, which I hate, basically you lie down on your side and lift with your side muscles. Gus showed me this one a few months ago, but I haven’t been good about doing them on a regular basis. The second exercise involves a modified plank pose, which to me looks like a girl push-up but on your elbows. In any case, my tummy was shaking from the work, so that’s a great improvement.

Yesterday was a day of new challenges! I decided to make a spicy snapper in the pan, asparagus, and I baked my very first pie, an apple pie with a side of dulce de leche. It turned out so great, I was really proud of myself because making a tasty, flaky and delicious crust was a big deal in my eyes. I love pies but the crusts are usually a) hard as rock, b) taste like fat, or c) are soggy, so I avoid eating the crust if I can. Here’s the recipe for a classic apple pie and its tasty crust. It wasn’t easy for me to make everything since I don’t have a food processor or an apple corer, but with a little arm exercise, it worked out fine. I made some modifications on the spices, I added extra cinnamon, a teaspoon of nutmeg and a 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom.

Now here’s the funny part. By the time Gus got home, the pie was starting to smell good, but I didn’t want him to know I was making a pie. So while we were eating dinner, I asked him if he liked the candle’s scent that I was burning. He couldn’t tell what it was, so I told him it was an apple cinnamon scent, kinda like apple pie. After a while he begin to notice the scent, and told me he was getting hungry for apple pie. It was very hard to keep a straight face and wait until the pie was done, but I managed somehow. Then when I wasn’t paying attention, the oven timer went off, and Gus ran over to see what was making the racket, and he figured out that I made him a surprise treat. He ended up chasing me around the kitchen until I told him that if he didn’t stop, the pie would burn. I sure got him good that time, but he admitted it was a good prank and a good resolution since he got a slice of fresh from the oven pie with some homemade dulce de leche to sweeten it up a little. He told me liked that the pie filling wasn’t too sweet, and that I was a really great cook. It was fun watching him hover over the pie while it cooled off a bit, and he was good and refrigerated the rest.

Since I didn’t have a round pan, I used my Calphalon square 9×9 baking pan, which I swear has been heaven-sent, it works for brownies, bar cookies, baking chicken and now pie! One of these days I’ll have to post all my favorite recipes from online sources and my favorite cookbooks, but I can’t today! We have a big day since Kitty will be staying with us now. Gus is going to buy her litter box and I’ll be picking up the litter at the store before I go to school. I also need to do my reading for my computer security class, and I also need to prepare for my two presentations today. Busy busy!

Gus gave me some good news as well, we are doing good, money-wise (things were a little tight last month), and we are definitely going to the Valentine’s Day dance. I’m still thinking about what to get him for his birthday, he needs undershirts, but I’d like to get him something special. I guess I’ll have to think about it.

I worked hard today! Right off the bat, I worked on my exercise (10 pushups, 2 sets of sideups for 15 seconds, 15 squats). I even did 1.25 miles too! I’m very proud of myself for getting my exercise out of the way.

When I finished, I decided to clean up the house a bit, vacuumed, dusted and cleaned the bathroom sinks. So now the house looks pretty good, and I opened up the windows to let some fresh air inside. It feels good to be busy.

I really hope that Gus and I will be able to have a special vacation. It would be exciting to go to Cancun, but even if we don’t make it there, I want to see if we can make it somewhere else, Gus was thinking about Chicago, I was thinking New Orleans, but I wonder if it is worth it to go when it hasn’t been that many years since Katrina.

I went to the library yesterday and picked up some new cookbooks and a few books on Mexico. I hope I’m not jumping the gun. I guess I better start work on my homework, which is a presentation on technical/computer related topics. Hopefully my pin curls will turn out so I can take some new pictures.

Gus has been incredibly supportive this weekend, he made dinner for both days and even made chai for me to drink, which made me feel really loved and happy inside.  We even messed around twice last night, which was pretty fun, I guess the heart (and other bits) do grow fonder after an absence!

So today is my theoretical day 8, and I walked/ran/jogged 1.75 miles, for about 34 minutes and then I added a cooldown stretch. So I feel good and now I’m off to shower so I can get read for today, I have a lot to do!

I have to go to the library and drop off my due books, turn in my homework online and if time permits, go see Sophia at my mom’s house since my brother and Michelle are visiting. Did I mention that we had a ton of visitors this weekend? It was great to show some of Gus’ friends (Patti and Steve), my brother’s ex Maria, and my brother and his girlfriend (Michelle) our new place (but not at the same time).

I am also planning to pick up my cat from my mom’s place on Wednesday evening so she can get used to the place. I’m very excited to spend time with her and have someone there that will keep me company when Gus is gone for the weekend. Speaking of which, Gus will be gone next weekend again because of his upcoming birthday AND hopefully we will be going to the V-day Masquerade dance on Valentine’s Day, I’m excited. I’m not sure what I want to do for a mask, I’ll have to get some ideas, but I’m thinking of making a little veil for my face or do a makeup mask based on peacock feathers, so Gus can have a matching mask. Sounds like fun huh? Hopefully my old dress will fit or I’ll have to go with a different pinup look.