October 31, 2004
Blog Explosion
I joined Blog Explosion the other day and I have found so many cool sites through it. Be sure to check out my updated blogroll to see some of the new blogs I now am following.
Happy Halloween!
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Halloween!
I hate when Trick-or-treating is done on another night other than the 31st. I feel cheated like there isn't much to celebrate today, so I have decided instead of just celebrating on the 31st, I get a Halloween twice as nice because I celebrated yesterday and today!
Yesterday was a day for scary movies, handing out candy, and baking pumpkin bread. I just finished watching the Munsters (one of my favorite shows on TVLand) and I plan to go see Saw this afternoon. Happy Halloween! :-)
October 30, 2004
Trick-or-treating
Doggys' love Trick-or-treating too. They seem to think the kids come to see them. :-)
October 28, 2004
Balinese Body Scrub
I have always loved Origins' products. I am really wanting this Balinese Body Scrub for Christmas. Just listen to the description:
"To escape to paradise: Step into the shower. Scoop into hand and swirl over dampened body skin. Feel how kindly Coconut Shell Flakes softly polish shoulders, torso and limbs to a gentle glow. Enzymes of ripe Papaya cast away dryness and flakiness. Satiny Soybean Extract nourishes, softens and smoothes. Catch the unmistakable aroma of fresh-cut Pineapple and Orange and suddenly you are standing naked beneath a languid tropical waterfall. Lush flowering branches fringe vast spans of deep turquoise sky. To return to civilization, simply rinse."
October 27, 2004
Little Lanterns
I was looking at our pictures from Korea last night, and this one really stuck out. This plant in Korea was growing delicate, beautiful, little lanterns. I would love to have a plant like this-- so exotic!
Has anyone ever seen anything like this before?
Lunch
Today I had a doctors appointment, so James and I got to meet for lunch. James had Pad Thai and I had Rama Curry.
October 25, 2004
Singing
Tonight I sat in Barnes and Noble and listened to different artists and songs on the headphones in the music section. This is something I like to do from time to time because I have always loved music. (I grew up with a music teacher mother). As I sat tonight listening to a myriad of different tunes, I was reminded of how much I always loved singing in choruses and suddenly I felt nostalgic and sad. From sixth to twelth grade I was always in a chorus, sometimes two, the majority of them auditioned choirs. I absolutely loved it. Because I was living in the D.C. area, we always sang a variety of international songs. As I type this entry, I am listening to some of my old recorded CD's when I was in choruses. I must find a chorus to join.
October 24, 2004
Sportline
I bought a Sportline pedometer on Friday afternoon to measure how many steps I take each day. It's not a top of the line pedometer by any means, but it's pretty good for now. I do quite a bit of walking and stepping as a teacher and I've been curious to see just how many I take. I'm constantly on my feet.
I think once I figure out how far I'm walking each day, maybe I'll set goals. I go through periods of being more active and I'd love to tone up a little bit.
Here are the features of my Sportline:
Pendulum movement
Records from .01 to 1000 miles on large electronic digital display
One to five (1 - 5) foot stride adjustment range
Tough belt clip
Single button stride set and single button for reset
October 23, 2004
New Friends
Today we met our new friends Eva and Chris in Peachtree City for lunch. Eva and I began corresponding when she found my blog and told me that she and her husband Chris were about to move to Georgia. They live in Atlanta and we live in Columbus, so we're about an hour and a half apart. We make frequent trips to Atlanta, so it won't be hard to maintain a friendship. We had a great time and we're looking forward to seeing them again.
Hello Kitty Coffee Maker
I have been thinking about buying a small coffeemaker to take to work and I saw this one at the Sanrio store yesterday. Is this too babyish to take to work? (I'm sure my students would love it!)
October 22, 2004
Minimum Size, Mazimum Convenience
Today's Daily Candy led me to a wonderful site. The products this site offers really will come in handy when I start thinking about what I need to take on our South Africa trip. This site offers travel size everything-- even tea from Tazo and Stash! Anytime I travel somewhere exotic (not that it has been much), I like to bring some snacks and stuff in case I can't find anything and I'm hungry. Minimus.biz offers all kinds of snacks, even small supplies of hot chocolate. What cute little products!
October 21, 2004
Lip Balm
I have always loved chapsticks, especially in the winter months. I love various scents and flavors. When I was little, bubblegum was my favorite. Today, I use all kinds and I often have more than one in my purse. Here are some different kinds I thought were neat!
-- Nature's Gate Organics Lip Balm, Green Tea & Mint
-- Kiss My Face Certified Organic Lip Balm, Ginger Mango
October 20, 2004
Hump Day
I am so glad to be more than halfway done the week. I have been to the hospital almost every day for a week and a half to see my grandma who is recovering pretty well from from a knee replacement. I love visiting her, but I am exhausted and I'll be glad when she goes home Friday so I can start going straight home after work. I am already thinking about the weekend. I don't know what we're going to do yet, but it will probably involve movies and good meals. :-)
October 18, 2004
Co-workers
How come there is always someone wherever you work that enjoys screwing up other people's lives? There is a woman at school who I work very closely with and if she's not criticizing someone, she doesn't know what else to do. I have tried to bend over backwards to be kind to her because I know she has some issues at home that are upsetting her, but she doesn't need to ruin my first year teaching. the worst part is, none of it is blatant. It's always done in a "helping" way. Being underhanded and sneaky is even worse if you ask me.
October 17, 2004
Weekly Bulletin
My principal likes to "help" us teachers out by sending the weekly bulletin on Sunday evening. I know he's trying to be helpful and that many teachers with nothing better to do truly appreciate it, but do I really want to think about all the crap I'll have to deal with Monday? Uh, let me think, NO!
October 16, 2004
El Vaquero
Tonight James and I had a great Mexican meal. Mexican food is near and dear to our hearts because we had our honeymoon there. Tonight I had chili relleno, a beef enchalada, rice and beans, and a marguerita. James had shrimp and cheese nachos. We're going to have a movie fest now for as long as we can stay awake.
Just One More Thing . . .
Yes, Columbus is growing (Thank the good Lord). Last night I did something I have been wanting to do for almost 3 years (aka ever since we left Maryland). Last night, I picked up the phone, called an Indian restaurant to place an order, picked it up, and enjoyed an Indian spread. This is something I have never been able to do here. It may sound trivial, but I could eat Indian food every day for the rest of my life. If someone said, "Ok Hannah. We're going to lock you in a closet for the rest of your life and you can only have one thing to eat forever." Hannah's response: "Ok, no problem. I'll take some Palak Paneer, or maybe some Chana Masala. . ." :-)
OK, so now that I have my Indian restaurant, there is just one more thing I really want. I told myself (and God) just last night that I could be satisfied with this nice change of having Indian food at my disposal, even though in the back of my mind I was thinking "well . . . if Columbus could just get a Starbucks . . ." And then I read an entry on Arin's blog today about the amazingly awesome-sounding new drink due in January at your local Starbucks (except that I have no local Starbucks). The drink is called Chantico. "Unlike hot chocolate, which is made from cocoa powder, Chantico is steamed with cocoa butter and whole milk."
God, will you please consider just one more addition to boring old Columbus, Georgia? (If not, then I understand I really do not need a place that sells drinks with 21 grams of fat).
October 15, 2004
Sugar Shots
I usually make my own simple syrup, but I found these on adagio's website and thought maybe I'd order some sometime for iced tea. we'll still be drinking tea for another month down here in the good ol' south. It's supposed to be in the 80's this weekend!
Cosi
When I lived in Maryland, my favorite hangout was a coffee shop/bar called Xando-Cosi. In fact, when I went home for a measley 3 days last year, this was the main place I wanted to visit. It was (and still is) the hippest hot-spot in the D.C. area and those who frequented this spot always looked their best. I enjoyed drinks like espresso martinis and blackberry steamers and the tapas were always amazing. Today, just for the heck of it, I visited their website and what did I find? We're getting 2 in Atlanta. Yippee!
Stef- you're also getting one in Seattle. I promise you will love this place! Check out the above link.
October 14, 2004
Lunch
Cafeteria food (eggplant casserole and greens) and a little something from home. Looking at my lunch, can you tell I'm in the south? (except for the Korean noodle soup of course).
October 11, 2004
Thai Wraps
Because we spent a great deal of time at the hospital today with my grandma, I needed a quick and easy dinner. The solution-- Rachael Ray's Thai Chicken wraps with peanut sauce. Here's the filling and then then you fold the tortilla over like it's a burrito. I like to use sesame wraps.
And by the way, I don't know how clear I've made it, but I am a HUGE fan of Rachael Ray. Quick, easy, and often ethnic is the way to go with me!
P.S. Looky, looky, Stef! Thank you for your image alignment advice. :-)
Ice Wine
As I read yesterday's Daily Candy on good eats, I am reminded of a wine tasting I went to in Germany a few years ago. I tasted a number of beers and wines, but what really sticks out in my memory was tasting ice wine.
I'll let About.com do the explaining:
"Icewine, or Eiswein, originated in Franconia, Germany in 1794. Grapes were left on the vines until the first deep frost, and the freeze/thaw cycles that occurred concentrated both the sugars and flavors of the grapes. The process was refined, and now icewines are highly prized drinks that are created in Germany, Austria, and Canada."
I remember it being very sweet, almost like a muscadine wine, but of course, much better. I also remembering it being about $50 for half of a bottle. I probably would find it worth the money today, but my 19 year old pocket book did not back in those days.
If you'd like to learn more about ice wine, you can read about it here.
October 10, 2004
Support
We just left the hospital where my grandma is awaiting a knee replacement in the morning. Please keep her in your prayers. She means the world to me.
Coffee
There's nothing like an iced peanut butter cupuccinno to put a smile on my face!
October 09, 2004
Mayuri Cuisine
It's finally here-- the grand opening of Columbus's first Indian rertaurant! We went for lunch today and enjoyed a great, big buffet with all our favorites: tandoori chicken, vegetable pakora, sambar (a spicy pureed lentil soup perfect for dipping), naan, and an awesome rice pudding. James had a mango lassi and I had what I thought would be chai, but ended up being more like hot, black milk tea. It was quite crowded for just having opened, which is comforting. Sometimes these places don't always do so well.
October 07, 2004
Cats and Dogs
Whoever said that cats and dogs don't like eachother? Our dogs play with this sweet cat from next door all the time.
October 06, 2004
Oriental Food & Gifts
Tonight we went to the Asian grocery to pick up some bottled green tea and canned Korean fruit drinks (they have real chunks of fruit floating around). We fell in love with these in Korea. We also bought some frozen udon noodles for soups and stir-frying. Yum! I love grocery shopping trips.
Teapots
Even the storage cabinet in my classroom has teapots on it.
October 05, 2004
Which Food Network Personality Are You?
Now this is the quiz for me! Check this out to see which chef on the Food Network you are most like.
I honestly hoped I was most like Rachael Ray-- not because I'm quite that perky, but because we seem to have similar cooking styles and tastes. Also, I've been convinced for some time that if I knew her in real life, we'd be best friends! In fact, the only reason the quiz matched me up with Sara Moulton was because EVERY question on Rachael Ray was about being spunky or zany. It's not a perfect quiz, but it's just for fun! Sara Moulton is pretty damn cool too though.
October 04, 2004
Sick
This morning I felt sniffly so I made myself some earl grey tea at work. I'm definitely getting a cold. Don't you hate that feeling? By the way, this is my first mobloggin' post. :-)
October 03, 2004
Just in . . .
Be sure to check out a new addition to my blog: 100 Things About Me
Comfort Foods
I spent a great deal of time this evening cooking-- something I seem to have less time for lately. Cooking is peaceful for me and eating what I cook is even better. I found some wonderful recipes from Food Network: Tyler Florence's Eggplant Parmesan and the Pumpking Gooey Butter Cake I posted about a few days ago.
October 02, 2004
3660
I just received my new phone in the mail. It all started when James wanted a new gaming phone, so I decided I wanted something cool too. I can blog with this phone, which is a feature I'll use since we have two out-of-town trips coming up.
October 01, 2004
Ladder 49
We just got back from dinner & a movie-- a classic combination. We had dinner at Olive Garden with my mom and grandma and then we saw Ladder 49. Wow! It was indredibly moving and I highly recommend it. You can view the trailer here.