So May is gonna be pretty crazy for me!
My job wants me to travel to Omaha for a conference in the first week of May, from the 2nd to the 4th (so really with travel time from the 1st to the 5th)....Then I have a wedding in Dallas on May 7th (and I will stay til May 9th)...and finally, the end of May my girls will be somewhere in New Mexico during their road trip, and I'm supposed to meet them in Albequerque, NM on May 29th, then we drive to Cortez to Mesa Verde National Park, then drive through the 4 Corners on our way to the Grand Canyon, and finally hit up Las Vegas...from Vegas,on June 1st or 2nd, I will be returning. What a crazy month for me!!! I'm excited!!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
GRE update.
I've figured out a pretty good study schedule. I read all the materials and the "tricks and traps" associated with this test last week, and now I'me ready to start conquering and acquiring info.
Tuesdays - Math 7- 10ish
Wednesdays - Vocabulary and Writing 7-10ish
Thursdays - Break
Fridays - Review of weakest points in the week
Saturdays - Break
Sundays - Break but do vocab whenever have time
Mondays - Break but do vocab whenever have time
I started today for real, with math. At first it was fun actually...because I like some aspects of math....and then I realized how little I remember. Today I did Geometry. I realize I need a lot of work!! Its OK though...It was the first real study day and therefore mind shock is something I expected. We shall see how I feel about tomorrow's study session.
Now of course as the time gets closer I will probably increase my studying, unless by then I feel like I can handle it....I have 4 months. My Sundays and Mondays will be spend doing that vocabulary on the train rides to NYC....a good 2 hours total on each day. I'm planning on splitting my vocab flash cards into approximately 40 words a week... and add words I have problems grasping to the emergency pile that I'll go over in the weeks closest to the test.
Have approximately 15 weeks!
Tuesdays - Math 7- 10ish
Wednesdays - Vocabulary and Writing 7-10ish
Thursdays - Break
Fridays - Review of weakest points in the week
Saturdays - Break
Sundays - Break but do vocab whenever have time
Mondays - Break but do vocab whenever have time
I started today for real, with math. At first it was fun actually...because I like some aspects of math....and then I realized how little I remember. Today I did Geometry. I realize I need a lot of work!! Its OK though...It was the first real study day and therefore mind shock is something I expected. We shall see how I feel about tomorrow's study session.
Now of course as the time gets closer I will probably increase my studying, unless by then I feel like I can handle it....I have 4 months. My Sundays and Mondays will be spend doing that vocabulary on the train rides to NYC....a good 2 hours total on each day. I'm planning on splitting my vocab flash cards into approximately 40 words a week... and add words I have problems grasping to the emergency pile that I'll go over in the weeks closest to the test.
Have approximately 15 weeks!
Driving Update...
So this past Saturday was my second attempt at getting that licence....and there was yet another obstacle!! My brother's car was unacceptable!!! Not because he was missing parts or had broken lights or something....it was because his windows are tinted...Now in NH where his car is registered, that is legal as long as 35% light can get in. In CT you need a damn sticker on your windows saying its legal....He does not have these stickers, because he is not from CT, therefore I am screwed again!!! One good thing that came of this is that I learned about Thursday evening extended hours where they offer road tests until 6:30 PM. This means I don't have to sacrifice another Saturday off. I will go with a friend from work who I've been practicing with anyway. Her car will do the trick. Anyway thats that adventure....my next attempt is on April 14th, a Thursday, at 5:30PM. Third time's a charm haha.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Recipe Update...
I've been slacking, I know. There's been a lot on my mind and a lot of general life stuff happening. Obstacles basically. I have a little bit of time so I'll post my weekend dinner.
I decided to experiment with Turkish food and made borek. This particular borek dish is a pasrty filled with a feta cheese mixture. It is delicious! In order to make this, I used some authentic ingredients bought at a Turkish market in Queens. I'm sure any area of the country where a Turkish community resides has one of these markets. But just in case, I will give alternatives that can be substituted... The recipe calls for yufka pastry sheets, which are thicker than filo. Both can be used but I would double up the filo to make it thicker. Also, the great thing about this recipe is that yufka is so long after its rolled up with the filling, it can be spiraled, or rolled into a rose shape in your baking dish. It makes it look very fancy, even if its not perfect. If using filo, this is nearly impossible because filo is so delicate. I would suggest just rolling filo into cigar shapes and placing the rolls up against each other in the baking dish. You can still get a cool effect once its served.
Baked Spiral Feta Cheese Borek
Ingredients:
Yufka pastry sheets (or regular filo sheets if you cannot find yufka)
Labne, a Turkish style yogurt (can use greek yogurt)
1 egg yolk
1 stick butter, melted
sesame seeds (optional)
filling:
1.5 cups Feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 egg
1 garlic clove
1 heaping tablespoon Turkish labne (can use plain greek yogurt or lightly strained sour cream)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a mixing bowl combine all filling ingredients. Mix until well combined.
3. Because Yufka sheets are huge, and round, you need a lot of counter space for it. Cut the yufka in half. Set the straight end closest to you. This is where you place the filling. if using filo, place it in front of you so the longest side is where you will place the filling
4. Use a pastry brush to spread the melted butter all over the top of your pastry piece. Spread a "bead" of filling on the long edge.
5. Gently roll the edge towards the rounded edge. Don't make it too tight, it can rip. Rolled too loosely the filling may ooze out or you will have too much "air" once its baked.
6. After you have your long rolled piece, gently spiral it. If it rips a little, or looks stiff, don't worry it will still look and taste awesome!
7. Do the same thing with another piece of pastry and just add it to the end of the other rolled piece and continue the spiral. You can add as many layers to the spiral as you want. The bigger the borek, the cooler it looks. You can also roll individual small spirals with each yufka you fill. These will be individual portions and look quite elegant. I chose to use only two pieces, so one whole yufka round.
8. In a smaller bowl, mix the egg yolk, a tablespoon of labne/yogurt and some melted butter. I used a wisk to mix these ingredients and created a mayo-like consistency which was very easy to paint onto my borek with the pastry brush. You can make it more liquidy if you prefer.
9. Finally, before placing it in the oven you can sprinkle the top with sesame seeds for a nutty hint. It will make it look beautiful.
10. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until crust has turned a dark gold.
11. Let cool for a few minutes before serving on a pretty plate.
I chose to serve my borek with roasted veggies and my green salad. It can be served on its own as an appetizer or with a meat dish. You can slice the whole spiral into wedges/slices or pull the tubes apart and make it finger food. Most importantly, it should be enjoyed because it is heavenly. I made it two days in a row!
* Don'k know what to do with that left over yufka? You can seal it in a ziploc with as little air as possible, and freeze it for a later date, or make more borek! It can have virtually any filling you can imagine. I decided to make some ground chicken with onions, garlic, mushrooms and a hint of tomato paste, sauteed in butter. Once cooled, I filled the left over yufka. I had a lot of ripped pieces but managed to make cigar shaped rolls and placed them next to each other creating a rectangular pie. They were delicious!
Don't fear the kitchen! Be creative with food!!!
*If you have a lot of parsley and don't want to waste it, add some to your salad for a hint of excitement for the taste buds. Also, it can be chopped and placed in an ice tray (approx. 2 tablespoons per ice mold) with a small amount of water.
Freeze it without covering it and once frozen transfer to a ziploc. Thawed, it will give you that fresh parsley taste all year round!
I decided to experiment with Turkish food and made borek. This particular borek dish is a pasrty filled with a feta cheese mixture. It is delicious! In order to make this, I used some authentic ingredients bought at a Turkish market in Queens. I'm sure any area of the country where a Turkish community resides has one of these markets. But just in case, I will give alternatives that can be substituted... The recipe calls for yufka pastry sheets, which are thicker than filo. Both can be used but I would double up the filo to make it thicker. Also, the great thing about this recipe is that yufka is so long after its rolled up with the filling, it can be spiraled, or rolled into a rose shape in your baking dish. It makes it look very fancy, even if its not perfect. If using filo, this is nearly impossible because filo is so delicate. I would suggest just rolling filo into cigar shapes and placing the rolls up against each other in the baking dish. You can still get a cool effect once its served.
Baked Spiral Feta Cheese Borek
Ingredients:
Yufka pastry sheets (or regular filo sheets if you cannot find yufka)
Labne, a Turkish style yogurt (can use greek yogurt)
1 egg yolk
1 stick butter, melted
sesame seeds (optional)
filling:
1.5 cups Feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 egg
1 garlic clove
1 heaping tablespoon Turkish labne (can use plain greek yogurt or lightly strained sour cream)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a mixing bowl combine all filling ingredients. Mix until well combined.
3. Because Yufka sheets are huge, and round, you need a lot of counter space for it. Cut the yufka in half. Set the straight end closest to you. This is where you place the filling. if using filo, place it in front of you so the longest side is where you will place the filling
4. Use a pastry brush to spread the melted butter all over the top of your pastry piece. Spread a "bead" of filling on the long edge.
5. Gently roll the edge towards the rounded edge. Don't make it too tight, it can rip. Rolled too loosely the filling may ooze out or you will have too much "air" once its baked.
6. After you have your long rolled piece, gently spiral it. If it rips a little, or looks stiff, don't worry it will still look and taste awesome!
7. Do the same thing with another piece of pastry and just add it to the end of the other rolled piece and continue the spiral. You can add as many layers to the spiral as you want. The bigger the borek, the cooler it looks. You can also roll individual small spirals with each yufka you fill. These will be individual portions and look quite elegant. I chose to use only two pieces, so one whole yufka round.
8. In a smaller bowl, mix the egg yolk, a tablespoon of labne/yogurt and some melted butter. I used a wisk to mix these ingredients and created a mayo-like consistency which was very easy to paint onto my borek with the pastry brush. You can make it more liquidy if you prefer.
10. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until crust has turned a dark gold.
11. Let cool for a few minutes before serving on a pretty plate.
I chose to serve my borek with roasted veggies and my green salad. It can be served on its own as an appetizer or with a meat dish. You can slice the whole spiral into wedges/slices or pull the tubes apart and make it finger food. Most importantly, it should be enjoyed because it is heavenly. I made it two days in a row!
* Don'k know what to do with that left over yufka? You can seal it in a ziploc with as little air as possible, and freeze it for a later date, or make more borek! It can have virtually any filling you can imagine. I decided to make some ground chicken with onions, garlic, mushrooms and a hint of tomato paste, sauteed in butter. Once cooled, I filled the left over yufka. I had a lot of ripped pieces but managed to make cigar shaped rolls and placed them next to each other creating a rectangular pie. They were delicious!
*If you have a lot of parsley and don't want to waste it, add some to your salad for a hint of excitement for the taste buds. Also, it can be chopped and placed in an ice tray (approx. 2 tablespoons per ice mold) with a small amount of water.
Freeze it without covering it and once frozen transfer to a ziploc. Thawed, it will give you that fresh parsley taste all year round!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Eat Pray Love
Everyone goes through tough break-ups in their lifetime. Its part of the human condition. I too have been through those, and these events injure one's heart in strange ways. The person who gets their heart broken suffers, but so does the person who is responsible for that heartbreak. When a person knows or realizes their relationship is no longer what it was, or if they realize it never became what you wanted or needed, or even if the relationship becomes a trap, that person suffers too. They fight in their minds about implications, decisions, and the upcoming confrontation, and it is a painful process that sometimes goes on for weeks, months, and in some couple's lives, even years. Its a place where both parties are unhappy. The "destroyer" fights daily trying to resolve how to avoid hurting the person they have spend a given amount of time with, and the "destroyee" usually senses the issue and fights internally about how to avoid the confrontation because they do not want to be lonely and hurt. Once that confrontation occurs, the "destroyee" is the one hurt, as the "destroyer" becomes someone who is the center of anger, blame, remorse. This person suffers just as much as the other. Loneliness becomes their only friend, inside they're heart. This person fights within themselves: "did I do the right thing?", "why did it have to come to this?", "how could I have avoided such a situation?", and so on. It is a terrible place to be. But once the horrible grieving process subdues, a bright happiness fills the heart. The person's heart and mind open up to seeing what could be next. Doors open, ideas formulate, dreams become motivations, freedom rings!
Watching "Eat Pray Love" today made me realize that everything will be OK. If you let your heart and your mind free of past grievances, blames and pains, you will find warmth and happiness and a place where you are once again in control of yourself. You become balanced. while I have started this process a few months ago, I did not truly understand how to move on. I understand now. Your physical life is short, and spending too much time dwelling on the past will shorten your future and most importantly your present. You must move on and take in what come your way, take chances and make firm decisions.
Anyone who has gone through heartache, or became lost in their lives, should see this movie/read the book. The book will be my next step. The story made an impact on me, and I hope others can have the same revelations as I did. I'm happy :-)
Watching "Eat Pray Love" today made me realize that everything will be OK. If you let your heart and your mind free of past grievances, blames and pains, you will find warmth and happiness and a place where you are once again in control of yourself. You become balanced. while I have started this process a few months ago, I did not truly understand how to move on. I understand now. Your physical life is short, and spending too much time dwelling on the past will shorten your future and most importantly your present. You must move on and take in what come your way, take chances and make firm decisions.
Anyone who has gone through heartache, or became lost in their lives, should see this movie/read the book. The book will be my next step. The story made an impact on me, and I hope others can have the same revelations as I did. I'm happy :-)
Sunday, March 13, 2011
The GRE journey begins...among other things
Today I registered for the GRE exam. I'll be taking it on Monday July 18th 2011, at 12:30PM in Queens NYC. The damn thing cost $160, but thanks to the Tax Gods I can afford it haha. I have a while to conquer the strategy. If I start studying the week of the 22nd, that leaves me with 4 months to study....I think I'll be good. I'm sure I'll have some witty vocabulary blogs, as well as frustrating math problem blogs. I'm already entertained, and I haven't even begun! I bought the essential vocabuary flash cards. Those will come with me everywhere I go, because its easy to carry and great to kill time, especially when I'm travelling between CT and NYC on the train. Perfect. I mean I woud prefer a novel, but this is essential to my future! Kinga is a darling for giving me her old GRE test prep book.
I should put a countdown timer on here, and a progress meter or something. Gotta keep track of my goal!
Now just for the record, if any of my coworkers are reading this, don't fret! The scores are good for 5 years! I just need to do this because I think about Grad school often, and the test is changing, and I need to do it before it changes into something frightening! Wow if I wrote that last sentence in a GRE essay, I would fail. It was a terrible run on, and badly structured hahaha.
What else is new? Well, I have NOT been driving in a car since the accident. My plan is to get back in the saddle this coming week, and the week after. The test is on March 26th. I think I'm good. I just have to get over the accident part. I also realized that I would have to get insured under someone, probably my mom, so I can legally drive in a private vehicle. That's gonna be an expensive headache!
This weekend I promise recipes. I'm overdue and I apologize. Its been a hectic few days. There will probably be one complete meal on here and it will be delicious!
I bought a new point and shoot digital camera. My little "pocket" one broke after several LONG years. It was time for a new one (again thank you Tax Gods!). It was only 146 with shipping and tax. Its a Sony Cyber-Shot, like my last one, but better! I decided to go with a Sony as opposed to a Nikon or Cannon, mainly because I have memory cards to go in a Sony and a battery and charger. This way I don't have to dish out even more money on those items. I wanted a green one, because I'm 27 and still have a favorite color, but instead I got a blue one. It was so pretty I couldn't resist! I just hope it ships in time for next weekend. I really wanna take pictures at Kinga's birthday party.
and I ramble on...Time for a movie and some lite supper :)
I should put a countdown timer on here, and a progress meter or something. Gotta keep track of my goal!
Now just for the record, if any of my coworkers are reading this, don't fret! The scores are good for 5 years! I just need to do this because I think about Grad school often, and the test is changing, and I need to do it before it changes into something frightening! Wow if I wrote that last sentence in a GRE essay, I would fail. It was a terrible run on, and badly structured hahaha.
What else is new? Well, I have NOT been driving in a car since the accident. My plan is to get back in the saddle this coming week, and the week after. The test is on March 26th. I think I'm good. I just have to get over the accident part. I also realized that I would have to get insured under someone, probably my mom, so I can legally drive in a private vehicle. That's gonna be an expensive headache!
This weekend I promise recipes. I'm overdue and I apologize. Its been a hectic few days. There will probably be one complete meal on here and it will be delicious!
I bought a new point and shoot digital camera. My little "pocket" one broke after several LONG years. It was time for a new one (again thank you Tax Gods!). It was only 146 with shipping and tax. Its a Sony Cyber-Shot, like my last one, but better! I decided to go with a Sony as opposed to a Nikon or Cannon, mainly because I have memory cards to go in a Sony and a battery and charger. This way I don't have to dish out even more money on those items. I wanted a green one, because I'm 27 and still have a favorite color, but instead I got a blue one. It was so pretty I couldn't resist! I just hope it ships in time for next weekend. I really wanna take pictures at Kinga's birthday party.
and I ramble on...Time for a movie and some lite supper :)
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
sometimes things happen when you least expect them...
Hello,
I did not get my license. Not because I'm a bad driver, or because I didn't wake up for my appointment, but because on Friday evening, while practicing with my mom, we were in an accident. We were stopped on a red light, and suddenly, when we least expected it, we got rear ended HARD. Our car got pushed across the intersection, and thankfully no cars were coming horizontally to us. I managed to steer to the right and stop at the corner. Gasoline was dripping out of the gas tank. The "rescue team" got there so quickly. Luckily nothing happened to us, as we were strapped in with out seat belts...also the fact that we didn't see it coming, and were relaxed, helped us a lot. At the hospital, we found out that our calf muscles spasmed, and that's about it. We recieved some muscle relaxers and pain medication. A police officer showed up to talk to us while we were there. He told us that the man driving suffered from a medical condition called a petit mal seizure, or abscence seizure. This causes a person to blank out completely, freeze in action, and 30 to 90 seconds later, its over. The person continues on not knowing anything happened... The driver had no idea he was involved in a crash. I would think someone with such a condition should NOT be behind the wheel, because he or she endangers hundreds of people around them. The police officer proved my theory right, and said that man's license was taken away until a doctor can claim he is "cured" or able. It was scary, an accident BEFORE even holding a license in my hands... Sadly my mom's car-baby is most likely totaled, but we will find out as the week progresses. At least we're ok and alive.
In the morning I called the DMV to attempt a reschedule, and a very nice agent helped me. My next appointment is on March 26th. Hopefully nothing stands in my way next time.
Everything happens for a reason, but what reason was there here? am I going to find out eventually, or did the meaning escape me as I thanked God I was alright?
I did not get my license. Not because I'm a bad driver, or because I didn't wake up for my appointment, but because on Friday evening, while practicing with my mom, we were in an accident. We were stopped on a red light, and suddenly, when we least expected it, we got rear ended HARD. Our car got pushed across the intersection, and thankfully no cars were coming horizontally to us. I managed to steer to the right and stop at the corner. Gasoline was dripping out of the gas tank. The "rescue team" got there so quickly. Luckily nothing happened to us, as we were strapped in with out seat belts...also the fact that we didn't see it coming, and were relaxed, helped us a lot. At the hospital, we found out that our calf muscles spasmed, and that's about it. We recieved some muscle relaxers and pain medication. A police officer showed up to talk to us while we were there. He told us that the man driving suffered from a medical condition called a petit mal seizure, or abscence seizure. This causes a person to blank out completely, freeze in action, and 30 to 90 seconds later, its over. The person continues on not knowing anything happened... The driver had no idea he was involved in a crash. I would think someone with such a condition should NOT be behind the wheel, because he or she endangers hundreds of people around them. The police officer proved my theory right, and said that man's license was taken away until a doctor can claim he is "cured" or able. It was scary, an accident BEFORE even holding a license in my hands... Sadly my mom's car-baby is most likely totaled, but we will find out as the week progresses. At least we're ok and alive.
In the morning I called the DMV to attempt a reschedule, and a very nice agent helped me. My next appointment is on March 26th. Hopefully nothing stands in my way next time.
Everything happens for a reason, but what reason was there here? am I going to find out eventually, or did the meaning escape me as I thanked God I was alright?
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Driving myself to a goal...
In my first ever blog post I mentioned I'm getting a driver's licence. My road test date is on SATURDAY! I've been practicing a lot, I think I'm doing great, and my two "teachers" think I'm doing great too...yet I'm a ball of nerves! I'll be using my mom's car, a jeep liberty, but I've been practicing in a jetta and a civic.....thats a huge difference.... Also I'm having some mirror adjustment issues...and I'm still nervous getting on the highway, even though I've done it a few times and didn't die. I don't know, I guess its anxiety. I can't even imagine a 16 year old doing this...they're so irresponsible and naive at that age....its insane. Here I am: 27 years old and just doing it now.
One good thing that comes from my mom coming up to CT is that I'm gonna cook dinner for my mom and my little sis. This means there will be blog posts and recipes! I still have to post my dinner I made on wednesday, but I'm too lazy to upload the pics into my computer at the moment. Its been a hectic week.
So the next time I write will probably be on Tuesday. There will be recipes galore haha. I'll get more involved in the blog after this week is over.
My next goal is that GRE. I'm trying to take the test at the end of July and will study A LOT until then, but I will find time to entertain the blog a bit.
By the way, I watched a movie yesterday. Its called "The Extra Man". Its based on a novel of the same name written by Jonathan Ames. I loved that book. I had to read it for a literature class when I was undergrad. Its hilarious. Anyway the movie was pretty funny as well. I enjoyed it a lot. It stars Kevin Kline, Paul Dano and Katie Holmes. Its a strange story that includes sexual confusion, defining oneself and accepting yourself. Its a worthy flim.
One good thing that comes from my mom coming up to CT is that I'm gonna cook dinner for my mom and my little sis. This means there will be blog posts and recipes! I still have to post my dinner I made on wednesday, but I'm too lazy to upload the pics into my computer at the moment. Its been a hectic week.
So the next time I write will probably be on Tuesday. There will be recipes galore haha. I'll get more involved in the blog after this week is over.
My next goal is that GRE. I'm trying to take the test at the end of July and will study A LOT until then, but I will find time to entertain the blog a bit.
By the way, I watched a movie yesterday. Its called "The Extra Man". Its based on a novel of the same name written by Jonathan Ames. I loved that book. I had to read it for a literature class when I was undergrad. Its hilarious. Anyway the movie was pretty funny as well. I enjoyed it a lot. It stars Kevin Kline, Paul Dano and Katie Holmes. Its a strange story that includes sexual confusion, defining oneself and accepting yourself. Its a worthy flim.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The High Line
NYC has its little treasures...one of these treasures is the High Line. This magical place is a park, built atop old freight train tracks. This railway used to supply the meatpacking district and other area companies with goods, as well as pick up goods to freight to other places. It was very useful in the 30's (when it was built). This tool was used into the 80's until, I suppose, the advent of owning your own supply trucks and such started being more popular. So what happened to the tracks? They were abandoned. In 1999, the tracks were supposed to be demolished. The unused tracks were a wasteland, and affecting the neighborhood below...But some residents were unhappy with this demolition derby, so they fought back with an organization known as Friends of the High Line. In 2002 the organization finally made headway with their ideas to use the tracks as a public space, and the redesign of the High Line started to materialize. In April 2006 construction began, and by June 2009 the first section of the park opened to the public! In 2011, section 2 is due to open and eventually section 3. So far the place is beautiful...and even though its late winter, and most of the plants are dried up, dead, or hibernating, it is still an incredible place to explore...the views are amazing, and you're left in awe that such a place can exist in such a busy section of town.
I cannot wait to go back in the Spring and the Summer...and I suppose Autumn is gorgeous there too...
for more information about this treasure, check out their website:
I cannot wait to go back in the Spring and the Summer...and I suppose Autumn is gorgeous there too...
for more information about this treasure, check out their website:
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