Saturday, June 23, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
New Year, New Beginnings....
Happy New Year! Yes, I'm about two weeks late. What else is new? Here are a few things that 2012 has brought:
A new interest in rock climbing - My sister bought two groupons (groupons.com) to a rock climbing gym in Manchester for $30 each. When she asked me if she should buy them I was intrigued but skeptical. They are good for one month of unlimited climbing and one beginner belay lesson. I had tried rock climbing when I was younger. I remember it being fun, but I also remember being terrible at it. Beyond that, I wasn't sure if I would be around for a full month before it expired in March. After some deliberation we decided to go for it. It sounded like fun. I have to say, this has been one of the best decisions we have ever made. No, neither of us are fantastic, but nothing beats the feeling of reaching the top of a difficult wall. I'm hooked. I've found a rock climbing gym by my apartment at school that I want to check out. Maybe they'll be hiring. (Crossing my fingers.)
Freedom from a terrible job - This one is simultaneously awesome and terrible. I found out a few days before Christmas that I lost my job at home. I worked for a huge company doing a mindless job. While I like the people I worked with, I hated going in to work. Last winter break, I worked there almost every day. I'd go in early, before the sun came up, and left after sunset. It was incredibly depressing. I had been considering quitting since I found out that they instituted a new policy stating that you had to work every month in order to remain on payroll. There's no way I could make it back to MA every month to work, so January was going to be my last month there regardless. Needless to say, when I got the call I wasn't terribly upset. I was actually kind of relieved. Being laid off meant that I now had time to rest and do my own thing.
One less housemate - Here's the big one. I got a call last week from my housemate informing me that she has to move back home for financial reasons. This got me thinking. If I were in her situation I don't think I could do what she's doing. She's leaving school (it must be said that this was already part of her plan) and moving back home to finish her degree at a community college near home, get a job, and help her family pay the bills. If I were in the same position, I think I would fight and claw to stay here.
A whole lot more free time - I have no classes on Fridays and I quit my a'cappella group. It's time I learn to do less. Is it strange that I find this terrifying?
A new interest in rock climbing - My sister bought two groupons (groupons.com) to a rock climbing gym in Manchester for $30 each. When she asked me if she should buy them I was intrigued but skeptical. They are good for one month of unlimited climbing and one beginner belay lesson. I had tried rock climbing when I was younger. I remember it being fun, but I also remember being terrible at it. Beyond that, I wasn't sure if I would be around for a full month before it expired in March. After some deliberation we decided to go for it. It sounded like fun. I have to say, this has been one of the best decisions we have ever made. No, neither of us are fantastic, but nothing beats the feeling of reaching the top of a difficult wall. I'm hooked. I've found a rock climbing gym by my apartment at school that I want to check out. Maybe they'll be hiring. (Crossing my fingers.)
Freedom from a terrible job - This one is simultaneously awesome and terrible. I found out a few days before Christmas that I lost my job at home. I worked for a huge company doing a mindless job. While I like the people I worked with, I hated going in to work. Last winter break, I worked there almost every day. I'd go in early, before the sun came up, and left after sunset. It was incredibly depressing. I had been considering quitting since I found out that they instituted a new policy stating that you had to work every month in order to remain on payroll. There's no way I could make it back to MA every month to work, so January was going to be my last month there regardless. Needless to say, when I got the call I wasn't terribly upset. I was actually kind of relieved. Being laid off meant that I now had time to rest and do my own thing.
One less housemate - Here's the big one. I got a call last week from my housemate informing me that she has to move back home for financial reasons. This got me thinking. If I were in her situation I don't think I could do what she's doing. She's leaving school (it must be said that this was already part of her plan) and moving back home to finish her degree at a community college near home, get a job, and help her family pay the bills. If I were in the same position, I think I would fight and claw to stay here.
A whole lot more free time - I have no classes on Fridays and I quit my a'cappella group. It's time I learn to do less. Is it strange that I find this terrifying?
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Late night snack
2 cups popped "natural" popcorn (plain)
1/2 tsp olive oil
1tbsp grated romano/parmesan cheese (the fake stuff with the convenient lid)
It totals 100 calories, and it's delicious.
1/2 tsp olive oil
1tbsp grated romano/parmesan cheese (the fake stuff with the convenient lid)
It totals 100 calories, and it's delicious.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Adventures of a poor college kid
I've got no money, that's a given. I've been tweaking out about my account balance and paying rent and putting food on the table recently. That being said, I obviously cannot afford to buy new clothing or anything frivolous. It's been killing me!
Since last summer I lost some weight (Huzzah!) which means that some of my clothing is too big. I experimented with a pair baggy, saggy-butt khakis the other week with some success. Now, I was absolutely terrified. Here I had a perfectly good pair of pants that I paid good money for (they were from the Loft!) that I was about to tailor myself. I'm not incredibly confident in my sewing skills. I have a sewing machine, yes, but I haven't used it to great lengths. Just a few things here and there. However, I NEVER wear these pants. I was wasting money just keeping them in my closet. My options were to either take them in myself (can't afford a tailor) or give them away. I took the plunge and now have a pair of slimfit pants that are teacher appropriate.
I was feeling brave last weekend, so I took to my sewing machine again. This time, I attacked my jeans. I managed to take in both pairs of my super saggy jeans. I was a bit saddened when I wore one pair today and still had a saggy butt. I'm optimistic, though. I think a wash will shrink them back up to suit my behind.
This has inspired me to launch a campaign on the rest of my closet. That and buy some more thread and needles for my sewing machine. (I broke two on the jeans.)
Since last summer I lost some weight (Huzzah!) which means that some of my clothing is too big. I experimented with a pair baggy, saggy-butt khakis the other week with some success. Now, I was absolutely terrified. Here I had a perfectly good pair of pants that I paid good money for (they were from the Loft!) that I was about to tailor myself. I'm not incredibly confident in my sewing skills. I have a sewing machine, yes, but I haven't used it to great lengths. Just a few things here and there. However, I NEVER wear these pants. I was wasting money just keeping them in my closet. My options were to either take them in myself (can't afford a tailor) or give them away. I took the plunge and now have a pair of slimfit pants that are teacher appropriate.
I was feeling brave last weekend, so I took to my sewing machine again. This time, I attacked my jeans. I managed to take in both pairs of my super saggy jeans. I was a bit saddened when I wore one pair today and still had a saggy butt. I'm optimistic, though. I think a wash will shrink them back up to suit my behind.
This has inspired me to launch a campaign on the rest of my closet. That and buy some more thread and needles for my sewing machine. (I broke two on the jeans.)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
When there's nothing else...
At the moment, there is a jar of grape jelly, one carrot, a few leaves of spinach, and a block of cheese in my fridge. The cupboard and freezer don't fare much better. However, there remained half a box of pasta. With this, I made dinner.
Pasta
Broccoli (on the stove with some olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic)
combine and drizzle some oil over it all
top with grated cheese
Easiest thing in the world. Especially fantastic when you can't afford to buy more food because rent is due in a few days. I've been eating like this a lot lately. You should distance the words "eating" and "a lot" as much as possible in your head, though. Our pantry has been looking pretty sad lately.
My last ditch effort was some home made soup on Friday. At first, it was incredibly bland and the beans weren't cooked enough and there just wasn't much in it. Then, I added some chopped apple and let it cook some more. The result, while not the best soup I've ever tasted, was thoroughly edible and mildly enjoyable. It was sustenance, and sustenance was more than enough for me. Unfortunately, this morning Ashley and I witnessed the death of our soup. If only I had put it in the fridge last night I could have enjoyed a bowl for dinner. Alas, we left it out too long and this morning it had developed a suspicious tanginess. I suppose know we know, but I can't get over the waste. I can't afford to make another soup. I can't afford another box of cereal either. I'm praying my financial aid goes through within the next week or so. If it doesn't, I don't know what I'll do.
Pasta
Broccoli (on the stove with some olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic)
combine and drizzle some oil over it all
top with grated cheese
Easiest thing in the world. Especially fantastic when you can't afford to buy more food because rent is due in a few days. I've been eating like this a lot lately. You should distance the words "eating" and "a lot" as much as possible in your head, though. Our pantry has been looking pretty sad lately.
My last ditch effort was some home made soup on Friday. At first, it was incredibly bland and the beans weren't cooked enough and there just wasn't much in it. Then, I added some chopped apple and let it cook some more. The result, while not the best soup I've ever tasted, was thoroughly edible and mildly enjoyable. It was sustenance, and sustenance was more than enough for me. Unfortunately, this morning Ashley and I witnessed the death of our soup. If only I had put it in the fridge last night I could have enjoyed a bowl for dinner. Alas, we left it out too long and this morning it had developed a suspicious tanginess. I suppose know we know, but I can't get over the waste. I can't afford to make another soup. I can't afford another box of cereal either. I'm praying my financial aid goes through within the next week or so. If it doesn't, I don't know what I'll do.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Eggplant revisited
Cube one eggplant
1/4 to 1/2 cup diced onion
mince 2 cloves of garlic
combine garlic and onion in a frying pan with a splash of olive oil and salt, pepper, and garlic powder
cook until onions begin to brown
add eggplant
cook until eggplant is soft
MEANWHILE:
boil pasta!
Combine pasta and eggplant and grate some romano cheese over the top. Yum!
1/4 to 1/2 cup diced onion
mince 2 cloves of garlic
combine garlic and onion in a frying pan with a splash of olive oil and salt, pepper, and garlic powder
cook until onions begin to brown
add eggplant
cook until eggplant is soft
MEANWHILE:
boil pasta!
Combine pasta and eggplant and grate some romano cheese over the top. Yum!
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