drammatical

We leave to Ixtapa in 48 hours, oh yeah!

I think we are both just ready to camp out at LAX tonight but we still have some last minute shopping and packing to do, and work [ugh]. There is snorkel gear to buy, Miffy supplies to pack for her weeklong stay with family and then all of our stuff. So much to do so little time.

This vacation is a special one though. It will mark our last as a couple, alone. Our last “easy” vacation as I like to joke. One without car seats, strollers, baby gear, babies, etc. It’s special. Not to say that when the parlay arrives our vacations won’t be special, it’s just a special couple vacation as a unit of two.

We will definitely enjoy every single minute of our time in Mexico and we will also enjoy each other as much as possible.

On the 28th I turned 29. It was sad. Seriously. This will be my last year in my twenties and well it’s sad. I love(d) my twenties. Not afraid of getting older just afraid of what’s expected with it. I’m still trying to get used to the idea that I’ve become an adult. I think it happened a year ago. Getting married does that to you, make you grow up that is.

1. There is tons that I want to get done next year. Special projects and attend events and read, lots more reading. Hopefully my old book club can get its act together again…

2. Something that I really liked this year was meeting with friends at least once a week. I know we all have crazy schedules and I hope we can all keep it up, meeting.

3. I also cut down my spending, a lot. Want to continue that and hopefully I can cut back some more. Sure it was great on the pocketbook but really I don’t want anymore more stuff. There’s far too much stuff as it is and I want to cut my dependence on the accumulation of stuff.

4. I’d like to seriously start a library. Maybe invest in some early editions of my favorite books. Total contrast to what I just said up there I know, but these are books!

5. Also, I need to get my Spanish reading up to high school level. I set out this year wanting to read the entire Harry Potter series in Spanish and just never got around to it.

6. Well I will do it this year.

7. Must also finish reading all the books that haven’t ever been opened currently on our bookcases.

8. Take a vacation, again. After our awesome two weeks in Mexico N and I realized that was probably going to be our last vacation for a long time.

9. We are planning a big purchase this year, biggest one in our lives, so we figured we wouldn’t be able to afford one. Well nope, I think vacations are a necessity and I want to take one, again. Maybe somewhere in Central America. I’m even up to going back to Huatulco since we loved it so much with a trip to Oaxaca City first.

10. Must save my pennies for this one splurge.

11. Professionally I need to get my act together.

12. There are some certifications that I’ve been putting off that need to get done.

13. Also, I will invest more time in my career. Apparently this is what I’m going to be doing from now on, that’s a good thing.

14. Focus on health. No more chocolates, cheese, cracker, wine dinners. Getting far too old for that nonsense.

15. Will make breakfast a priority.

16. More intake of protein, both the animal and vegan kind.

17. Cut back on animal milk, must acclimate to soy.

18. Learn to say no to tias that force food on me, and my dad too.

19. Will look into ways to reduce my asthmatic episodes.

20. Goals that are up for next year include a mini triathlon with Shannon,

21. Mt. Wilson race time decrease with N’s help,

22. Rosarito Ensenada bike ride with my tia Chevy,

23. and complete the San Dimas AR with team Three.

24. Need to make sleep a priority. At least seven hours a day to begin with.

25. When tired, must rest. No more burning myself out to a point that I’m nonfunctional.

26. Be more kind and appreciative of people, everyone.

27. Act the way I want to see people act.

28. Help where help is needed.

29. Love more.

I took this post from here.

Work is getting a lot harder. Not because of the actual work but because I just can't focus! With only three weeks to go for our trip I can't seem to concentrate on anything. Well anything that needs my attention. Argh!

This is all I've been thinking about...







I can't wait!

I wish it were. Two weeks ago I was ranting and raving about how refreshed and happy I was to be back at work. Yeah, that lasted all two days. Can't wait for our trip to Oaxaca come Fall.

We'll be flying into Oaxaca City and staying for about four nights then off to Huatulco for five nights. Can't wait for the sun and surf and FOOD!


In the meantime we're planning a little getaway to SanD. Both N and I desperately need this, except I must admit that he needs it more than I. Poor guy has been working like a dog. Pobre. Hopefully we'll be able to sort out some dates and leave ASAP. Our trip will include a mandatory visit to Shamu and maybe a stop at the zoo. N wants us to also do this. Can't forget about all the dining and drinking too. Need to find the illustrious tequila bar I once saw featured on a best of San Diego show. At least I can refer to this Best of List for now.

I had such a great weekend! Was filled with food, booze, jogging, family and movies. I may still be high off the festivities.

On Friday I worked from home and did some cleaning and cooking. Felt so good finishing all my chores before the weekend. Our poor little apartment hadn't had a proper cleaning since before we left on our trip to Mexico. Speaking of which...


On Saturday I did all our laundry and went for a jog. That jog was one of the most difficult things on earth. I hadn't gone out since before Thanksgiving so I knew that jog was going to be painful, very, and it was. I'm so proud of myself though because I was able to talk myself into doing it and making it at a pretty good pace. Was still very tough though. Later that evening my sis came over with her little monkeys. We had pizza and watched License to Wed. Both my sister and I thought it was quite comical but the kids were looking at us like some uncool losers. Looks as though we've been dumped off the cool train.

Yesterday all we did was watch NFL and drink. Good times I tell ya. Out of all the years I've been watching football I must admit that I only really pay attention when (a) I'm at the game or (b) I have a (monetary) vested interest in it. Since we don't have any NFL teams in our city it was (b) that had me glued to the tube. N won a ton of cash which made him very happy and made me very happy!

Also, I did manage to trick myself into another run yesterday. Boy was that even more painful than Saturday. I was so tired by 6ish that I had to literally take a disco nap. I blamed N's cold claiming that my body was probably trying to fight the cold N has but I really think that those two runs just did me in. What a fattass I've become. The shame. I'm going to give myself some rest today since its Monday and all but come Tuesday I'll have to lock myself out of the apartment to continue with my jogging.

... for some california grass.

I'm back, from Mexico, Thanksgiving, Out-of-town assignment, and so on. Luckily I won't be going anywhere for work anytime soon. At least not till January/ February until I'm assigned a new job. But enough about that. Now to some fun stuff.

#1. Mexico. Was. Fucking. AWESOME. So much so we were literally depressed coming back. The people, my people, the food, the environment, the water, the booze, the gra… it was all so great. Beyond great.

We went to Ixtapa/ Zihuatanejo. This place is so beautiful. Still so very virgin, which made it so breathtaking. Both N and I have always talked about moving to Mexico, away from this Matrix world. A place full of peace and love and all that. No, we’re not tree huggers, at least not yet. Anyway, it was so refreshing to see people in there domain. Living freely, without a worry. I mean yes people work hard, they work their asses off but in the end it pays off. Here we work our asses off and for what? A Porche? A BMW? To live in the 90210? Seriously, I can’t live like this anymore. The commercial American way that is. So yes, this trip was not only relaxing but also an eye opener. More like a validation to our already thoughts on life. I can seriously go on and on but I’ll stop right here. Just make it to this place if you can, and please go with an open mind. Please treat people with respect. Treat the land with respect. Unfortunately we did see some American tourists already bringing the ways of the gringo down there.

#2. Thanksgiving. This was really our first Thanksgiving here in the States as a married couple. We hosted N’s mom and sister for brunch at our little casita and then headed off to my sister’s in the boondocks for dinner. Except we were so full from brunch we didn’t eat. Whoops. Fun was had all day though. Lots of drinking of course and catching up with my sis. I love her to death and I hate that we don’t spend more time together.

As for the food, I actually took it upon myself to become Suzy Homemaker for a day. I did all the prepping/ cooking on Wednesday and on Thursday it was nothing but reheating. I made two quiches (thanks G!), stuffed mushrooms, gravy, brownies, and a fruit salad. I wanted to also make a pumpkin pie but I was really done by the end of the night. I took pictures too! But those will be uploaded later, I swear. As for my recipes:

*My modifications are in italics
Quiche alla Geefunk
10 oz Chopped Spinach [TJ’s frozen]
1 pkg Cubed Pancetta [TJ's] (I used sweet Italian and spicy sasauge from local Italian market)
1/2 an Onion (used brown onion)
1/2 cup diced Mushrooms (maybe next time I’ll add a bit more)
8oz Sour Cream
1/2 pkg TJ's 4 Cheese Italian Shredded Cheese (used 4-cheese from Italian mrkt)
4 Large Eggs (used 5)
3/4 cup half & half
1 1/2 tsp Dry Parsley (used fresh Italian Parsley)
2 - 9inch unbaked pie crusts (used TJ’s frozen pie crusts)
Salt & Pepper

Preheat Oven to 375°

Cook cubed pancetta (sausage) and set aside on paper towel to drain. Cook
spinach according to pkg instructions and allow to cool. Sauté diced onion until transparent. Add diced mushroom and sauté for 2-3min. Mix in cooked pancetta (sausage) and remove from heat. In a bowl mix the sour cream with the drained spinach [use your hands to squeeze out liquid] and season with salt and pepper. In another bowl whisk the eggs, half & half, dry parsley, and salt & pepper. Split mixtures into the 2 pie crusts in this order - spread the sour cream/spinach mixture evenly for the 1st layer, add the onion/mushroom/pancetta (sausage) mixture for the 2nd layer, add a cheese layer, and top with the egg mixture to coat the top. Remember to spread everything evenly on both pie crusts.
[Side note: I felt the need for more of the egg mixture. I think next time I'll use another egg] (Thanks for the rec G!, it worked better with the xtra egg)


Place the 2 quiches on a baking pan and pop in the oven. Cook for 40 mins - until top is golden. Allow to cool for 5-10min. (I only put them in for 30 min since my oven is like Satan’s lair)



Brownies
13 ounces of butter
11 ounces of chocolate chips (usually come in 12 ounce packages – this allows for a little chef snack!)
2 1/2 ounces of dark chocolate
1/4 cup of corn syrup
2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups cocoa powder
6 ounces nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.), chopped

Preheat the oven to 300F. Spray or grease a baking sheet and line with parchment paper. You may also use a silpat.

Melt the butter in a medium sauce pan, remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips, chocolate and corn syrup until fully melted and mixture is well combined. Set aside to cool.

Whip the sugar, eggs and vanilla on medium speed until light and fluffy. When the chocolate mixture has cooled to just about room temperature, add it to the sugar and egg mixture until incorporated. Continue mixing and sift in the flour and cocoa powder until combined.

Spread mixture evenly on prepared sheet. Spread the chopped nuts over the top, pressing down with your hands. Bake for about 1 hour until the top is springy to the touch. (all ovens are different, I only have mine in for 40 minutes) To cut, let cool, turn upside down onto a cutting board, remove the parchment paper, reinvert and cut into desired pieces.

Stuffed Mushrooms
... will post later