Seeing = Believing?

So I've stumbled upon something that is frustrating the hell out of me. It's a matter of legitimacy, mixed in with trust and faith, that seems to be lacking in my life right now. Well, maybe not with me in particular, but I sense it and it's driving me crazy.

I don't understand why, in this day in age, we still can't easily comprehend (certain) things, unless we see them with our own eyes. We believe tabloids, we put faith into the e-world via our Blackberrys and iPhones, but we can't process other instances in life without witnessing them.

Maybe some of you know the specific instance this has spawned from, while others may not. It doesn't matter, because it happens all the time. When did we lose our faith?



We thrust ourselves into trusting electronics, but can't trust people. We rely on technology, but can't depend on each other.

What. The. Hell.

I wish people could trust me and what I know and what I'm doing. Just because you can't see the process or visualize the outcome, doesn't mean it won't be successful. I put my heart into things and then have people who can't understand it because it isn't tangible to them.

Did none of you watch Peter Pan? Did you not listen to Tinkerbell?

Witnessed or not, we have to resort back to trust. You have to let your stomach sit, and wait out that feeling of unsettlement. The best things in life can come from the biggest surprises-- even if you don't see them coming.

Just because someone can't see something, doesn't make it less real. If you love something, just because you don't see it, doesn't make it less true.

ridiciously, frustrated.

Sugar, Sugar, da da da da da da, oh Honey, Honey

The easiest comfort food around, is sugar. Alright, so maybe it's more of a spice, ingredient, etc, but it can make most things instantly better-- which is why we've been recently implementing it into more and more things.

Sugar is an essential part to sweet treats, most specifically birthdays. Although we will soon be celebrating Kayla & Meg's days, we just partied it up for Heather's this past weekend. To simply celebrate, we made some J e l l - O.

Prepping.

Lime, Raspberry, Mixed fruit, and Cherry.

Feeling a little awkward putting these in the fridge as Steve & Chris stare us down.

Had to turn to the pie dish with overflow.

Rando girl who insisted on wearing this crown.

Just kidding, it's Heather!

Jell-O went over well on Saturday, but the real hit of the weekend came during, dun dun dahhhh! Sunday night dinner. If you didn't notice, I like cooking, baking, etc etc. Going back to my roots from summers at Kimberly's Ice Cream Factory, I decided to make Heather a birthday cake... made of ice cream. I've only done this in the pink walls of comfort at the shop, and was nervous about the task.

Trying to replicate the way we did things at work, I spent Sunday working on the cake. Considering the fact that I didn't have top-notch equipment or products, I tried my best anyway. The goal was to make a vanilla and chocolate layered cake, with the classic cookie crumb center, decorated in a cute yet classy way for Miss Heather. This is the result.

Happy Birthday Heather!

mmmmm chocolate drizzleeeeeee

Chef Tom eyeing the desserts for the evening. He makes the final call on what's good.

It worked! Epic layers!

Plumber's here to fix the drain.... don't go there....

always

frustrated!

Injuries & Spiders

INJURIES

I really shouldn't be bitching. I mean, really. I have never had a cavity, any extreme surgeries, or broken bones. While I know I'm lucky, I'm currently suffering from the following:

Went to bed and this eye was a little pinky. Woke up and it was significantly red. Kthx to whoever bare-ass farted on my pillow.

Hard to tell, but that little fleck on my forehead? I found that little guy and wasn't sure where it came from. Then it hit me. Actually, the freezer door hit me. I was squatted down checking on jello shots (story to come) and didn't see the freezer open. Oops.

I know I'm not the only on who's done this. In an effort to squish down the trash, I completely forgot that Meg had thrown a plastic cup that had cracked in there. I palmed the trash, heard the crack, then felt the pain. The pics don't really show it well but they're each a half an inch long and the top's pretty deep. Oh well.

Spiders

In the same nature class that I took my bike class with Kayla, we also talk about animals and bugs. Today, we talked about spiders. Kayla cringed when my professor said we were going to watch a quick video about spiders.

Although I wasn't super stoked on the idea, I was glad that the lights would be dimmed and I could close my eyes. Instead, I watched the whole thing, intriged and loving it. I hope you like it too:



 UNTiL THEN
textually frustrated

Hungry

One of the feats that I always amaze myself with, is the ability to cook.  As a junior living in a campus apartment, I have a limited meal plan, thus forcing me to make the majority of my meals. Trying to avoid the Ramen diet, I have gotten in the habit of buying  veggies, chicken, and turkey, that I common make sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes, or wraps with.

This past week I took everything I bought and cooked it up. I thought the week might be hectic so getting ahead couldn't hurt. Two hours later, the masterpiece was finished:

Mushrooms, magical!

Lulz.

Alright, let's just get this straight. Tons of people hate on broccoli, and I used to think so too, but it's actually super dank. Eat it.

Under construction.

Zucchini and summer squash are good when in season because they are stupid cheap, hearty, and hold whatever flavors you add to them, really well. We'll catch up with them agian later.

Since the carrots and broccoli are a little tougher than the other veggies, I put them in the pan first, with some butter and water, so they would simmer and soften in texture.

I was actually looking for a Vidalia onion the day I went shopping because they are a lot sweeter, but the reds were on sale and are good for adding color into a dish.

Rasta Peppers! I commonly say this to refer to the combination of red, green, and yellow peppers. The green are usually significantly cheaper, but if you can get red, yellow (or orange) on sale, totes mcgoats do.

I wouldn't sound like a pseudo-Vermonter without a plug for composting, although I have a grudge against it since the school's designated compost chick didn't answer my emails. Suck it.

Butter, salt, pepper. Count it.

The onions, peppers, and finally, mushrooms have been added. Make sure to add the mushrooms last to prevent them from.... getting mushy.

Roomie Alexsis totally showed me up, in the middle of my dinner-blogging mission, by making roasted red potatoes, sauteed green beans, and lightly buttered shells. Damn her.

Alfredo (parmesan cream) sauce from scratch. Super easy as long as you pay attention to it do it doesn't thicken wrong. Because then it will look like baby puke and it's freakin' gross.

BUTONI!!!! Definitely didn't make my own pasta. Upgraded the reg. tortellini to spinach to be jazzy.

Everything flooded together, but it's: Cheese-filled spinach tortellini with carrots, mushrooms, peppers, onions, and broccoli in an alfredo cream sauce with sauteed zucchini and summer squash.

Maybe this wasn't the most exciting blog post... but next: Jello shots and Ice cream cake!

UNTiL THEN

textually frustrated

On a Bicycle Built for Two

The mystical song always used to seem so fun and cute, illustrating the young love a man has for a girl named Daisy. In case you don't know or don't remember...

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do,

I'm half crazy all for the love of you.

It won't be a stylish marriage -

I can't afford a carriage,

But you'd look sweet upon the seat

Of a bicycle built for two.

Okay I recently rode a bicycle built for two.....
..it sucked.

This semester I signed up for a course entitled, "Feature Writing- Nature/Outdoors." Hoping to become a ski journalist, I thought this class would help me write about my experiences on and around the snow.

It's not exactly what I expected.

This past Wednesday, my professor took our class to Local Motion, on the waterfront of Lake Champlain in downtown Burlington. This non-profit group works hard to promote healthy lifestyles and eco-friendly choices. Our afternoon started off with conversation with Chapin Spencer who works tirelessly for the organization. After he gave us a bunch of information, we got suited up with helmets and assigned bikes, headed out to the Colchester Causway by way of the Burlington Bike Path. My good friend Kayla and I decided to rent one of the two tandem bicycles.

Let the fun begin.

My helmet didn't fit. It was cold. I refused to take of my uni hat because it was cold. We tried reaaaally hard to look cute regardless! Ugh

Little pit stop that "bridges" Burlington and Colchester.

I recognized this from LJ jumping off of it at the end of one of the Meathead movies.

A little break before we turned around. This was a strip with water on either side. We swapped the tandem with some eager (ha) classmates at this point.

Artsy.

Trying to be artsy, ride my bike, and take pictures. Fail.

KAYLA!

SCARY!

I really suck at this photog thing.

Wheel.

Sun shining on New York across the lake.

Again.

I really love when the sun streaks through in selective areas.

Some cool art that I sat and appreicated after surviving a TEN mile bike ride!

If you're ever in Burlington, come check Local Motion out!

I have to go ice my butt and legs some more.

Until then I'm (more than usual)

textually frustrated.