That’s what I like about Sundays.

I’m not very religious. I was raised Catholic and do not call myself Christian but Catholic, even though Catholic’s are Christians. I don’t feel comfortable with those who force their beliefs on me. I don’t like seeing posts on FB quoting the bible. I can’t stand mega churches. I can’t quote the bible, I don’t force my beliefs on others and I don’t openly pray [I know there’s a part in the bible that says something about go to the farthest corner in the farthest room to pray in private]. I’m not a saint, I don’t act like I am. I enjoy going to church on Sundays. There’s something about being in a Catholic church (not a multipurpose room or strip mall building like some Christian services are held), the ritual of the mass, how I can go to any Catholic church anywhere in the world and would know what to do regardless of the language spoken.

I’d like to say I’m probably more spiritual than religious, there are some things that the Church and I do not see eye-to-eye on, but this is the case with most Catholics I know. I enjoy the 45 minutes spent in an old church, being quiet with the exception of responsorial.

This Sunday was the silver anniversary of priesthood for one of the priests. With that, we had a more traditional mass, meaning, we sang in Latin. My parish in O’side (with an Irish priest who I could listen to for hours even if he does remind me of Shrek) has one all Latin mass and then every mass has parts of text and song in Latin. So, I learned some Latin and it makes mass sound pretty to me. I couldn’t help but feel joyful at this Sunday’s mass when I was given the pamphlet that had Latin text and song in it. Yes it ran longer (an hour vs. the usual 45 minute mass) but I didn’t mind. I couldn’t believe how much the Latin speaking part made me so happy. I just wish I had that option every week.

I had a great weekend and have been smiling and in a good mood ever since I got off work on Friday and Sunday was like icing on the cake. I even started singing at home and wishing so badly I had Sister Act and Sister Act 2 on DVD b/c I was so in the mood to sing along to Whoopi and the gang. In fact, one of the songs we sang on Sunday was a song on the Sister Act
soundtrack. I was so happy to sing it and imagined Whoopi and the sisters singing during mass, lol.

There's nothing better than ending a week and starting a week with reflection and just being without outside distractions for close to an hour.

That’s what I like about Sundays.

#23

Vegetarian Shepard's Pie

This was surprisingly easy and super filling. I didn't follow the recipe exactly (it called for 2 cups of salsa, which I didn't have and didn't agree with making this a mexican dish). In the pan, I boiled/simmered a cup of corn, 2 cans of rinsed kidney beans, and 2 carrots chopped. This took about 15 minutes for the carrots to soften. I also added about a cup of water since the recipe said boil and simmer but there wasn't any liquid in the pan, so I was like "how can it boil with no liquid?" so perhaps the salsa was what would allow it to boil?? Anyway, meanwhile, I made instant mashed potatoes. After the carrots were done, I dolloped the potatoes around the edges of the pan and then in the middle since I had potatoes left over. I covered the pan and let it cook for 5 minutes. The recipe said to serve with Parmesan cheese, which I did add after serving. Cheese makes any dish better, but this recipe doesn't really need it. It's pretty tasty without the cheese.

Monroe, LA

Friday recap: Left Boston on an earlier flight, but that got me into Dallas early so I had a few hours to spare before the Monroe flight I was on the standby list for. I rode the DFW train around different terminals, hung out at the AA lounge and was fortunate enough to get on the flight to Monroe. I was nervous b/c it was close to being full and earlier in the day was red, which meant I had a slim chance of getting on. So glad I didn't have to spend the night in Dallas. I was the last one on the flight and the pilot said we were delayed while they waited for the head mechanic to sign off on some maintenance. Unfortunately, something was wrong with a steel flap or some other part of the plane and the head mechanic wouldn't let us takeoff. So, we had to deplane and were delayed an hour while we waited for a new plane. We got word that they found a plane, but we wouldn't be taking off until 9:30, over two hours late. They had us change gates, we go down there and we are informed we're at the other end of the terminal. We finally get to the right gate and board. I finally arrive in Monroe and can't wait to see Suz. I'm also starving bc I realized with all the delays, I didn't eat dinner or anything since noon when I had lunch. Got to Suzanna's place, her apartment smelled like something was burning. She had made lasagna so we had some lasagna and sweet tea. She noticed her fridge was left open. Later she notices her fridge light is burnt out. I go to pour some water from the Brita pitcher that is in the fridge and noticed it was burnt on top. The bulb must have exploded and burnt the Brita pitcher since it was right under the fridge bulb. So, we figured out what the burning smell came from. We hung out and chatted until after 1am. My phone started ringing about 1:30am and I wasn't sure what time it was when I heard it ring, but I'm like it's late so maybe it's my mom. I didn't get to it in time and learned it was mattress boy calling me, leaving me a message and then sent me a text. Good grief.

Saturday recap: Had breakfast...cream of wheat with sugar and funny tasting cinnamon- later realizing it was ground cumin that Suz gave me and I even looked at the bottle after thinking it tasted funny. Bought Coke out of a machine for 5 cents while visiting the Biedenharn museum- first Coca Cola bottler. Louisiana has a few wineries, so we drove to West Monroe and went to Landry Vineyards for some free wine tasting. Interesting wines, they had some really sweet blueberry and blackberry Merlots, where the berries are fermented with the grapes. I wasn't a fan of the local wine, the Muscadine- this wine is what most LA vineyards grow. It's a wild grape that grows in the area and people in the area are brought up on it so they like it...us outsiders were not a fan. Later for dinner, I had promised to try crawfish, so we went out and I ate crawfish for the first time. That was kind of scary- having to pull the tale, then twist it in half, then peel the shell and eat the meat. Of course I threw out more meat than I ate bc I was terrible at the whole cracking. The restaurant reminded me of a scene from True Blood, lol. Later we went to an Irish pub and sat outside talking before going off to a bar/restaurant where cougars hang out...interesting crowd. The guys in this town wear golf shirts/polos as their going out/dressed up look.

Sunday recap: had cream of wheat with sugar and CINNAMON. Hottest part of the day we went and watched MIB3. Got Sonic for lunch-didn't get a cherry in my limeade and was charged full price even though it was happy hour. Went bowling where we had to keep track of our own scores...smart phone to the rescue b/c we couldn't do the math right with the splits and spares. Drive thru daiquiris...so many choices! Hooping by the river turned into harassing the snakes, frogs and I hit a squirrel with a sick (it didn't even move...I also didn't throw it very hard). Made dinner. Made mojitos. Had my tarot cards read: big change with solo work and more money plus 2 boys fighting for my love, all the male drama wears me out, but in the end I get everything I want and am happy. Interesting...we will see what happens. No spirits visited us. Then we went to Walmart. Why? Because it's 9:30 on a Sunday night and that's what you do in the South. We bought Yahtzee sheets, koozies, UNO but they didn't have dice. We then walked around and observed the Walmart people and I got the brilliant idea of roasting marshmallows. So we bought marshmallows and metal skewers. We then stop at CVS right before it closed to get dice. Then we sat out outside, playing Yahtzee while roasting marshmallows on our metal skewers with a lighter gun.

4th Year in Boston Begins

Memorial Day weekend. Three years ago this weekend, I flew into New England to live in Boston for the summer., never imagining I’d end up calling Boston home. Boy how time has flown! I never thought I’d end of up working for the Dean of Harvard Medical School, living in a good neighborhood with two bedrooms all to myself and becoming a city girl.

Four years ago I was free as a bird. Flying all over the States trying to find myself, find something that would make me happy. I find peace whenever I am traveling and this Memorial Day weekend, instead of celebrating the start of my fourth year in Boston, I’m traveling. My bestest friend moved to Monroe, LA a year ago and I miss her terribly. I decided to fly standby on my mom’s pass, which no doubt will be an adventure in itself.

As I write this at our cruising altitude to Dallas, the journey has just begun. I managed to get on an earlier flight out of Boston but will more than likely spend the night in Dallas b/c the flights to Monroe are overbooked.

The past year I’ve been struggling with the feeling I had before I quit my job in San Diego to travel. This weekend’s adventure is bringing me a sense of freedom and peace that I once experienced when all I had was my drivers license, credit card, Southwest miles and my suitcase and I set off to see a majority of the United States. I miss the open road [or I should say skies] and this weekend is just what I needed.

I’m such a planner and I think this weekend is the closest I’ll come to just showing up at an airport, picking a place and hopping on a flight without prior planning. It’s quite invigorating actually. Not knowing where all end up at the end of the day. If work didn’t get in the way, I could seriously see myself doing more spur of the moment trips. I must add this to my bucket list!

#22

Polenta with Garden Vegetables

So I started off looking at this recipe in my cookbook, but then I noticed it called for ingredients I didn't have (fennel seeds) or didn't like (red onion and red peppers), so I decided to use it as a guide and do my own thing. So, I bake the polenta I bought in a tube at Trader Joe's (too lazy to make my own considering I got home at 7:30 tonight). I sauteed 3 pressed cloves of garlic in olive oil, chopped up my summer squash and zucchini and added it to the pan. While that cooked, I grabbed a can of french style green beans, drained them and added to the pan. Put a lid on the pan and stirred occasionally until the veggies were crispy to my liking. I shredded some cheese and waiting for the polenta to finish baking (20 minutes or so). When it was done, I put the veggies on the plate which I lined with shredded cheese, put some circles of polenta and topped it off with some more cheese. The garlic gave it just enough extra flavor. Pretty easy dish when you have extra veggies around.

#21

I'm going to call this the O'side Wrap

I got creative. Using a whole wheat tortilla I smeared on some goat cheese, sliced granny smith apples, a sweet potato and avocado. I then drizzled on a little bit of organic honey and voila... the O'side wrap :) It was quite filling and really tasty with a great balance of flavor and it wasn't as sweet as I thought it would be.

Dirty Thirty

One week into my 30s and I'm realizing a handful of things.

1. The guys in the available dating pool (at least online) are either divorced or more chocolate than vanilla.
2. I have (and probably have always had) a thing for computer guys.
3. I need to grow up- while I can still pass for a college kid; I really don't want to.
4. Last year I complained that I was still getting carded. Getting carded on my 30th made me feel good.
5. For years I've hated jewelry and other girly things, I now own a LV purse and wallet, a ring with real diamonds and have bought 2 pairs of shoes in the past 2 weeks.
6. I want a baby sooner rather than later.
7. I rather be single and independent, than dating and miserable.
8. It's getting harder and harder to get my ass to the gym.
9. 25 was the happiest year of my life, I totally need to work on making 30 come in a close second for happiest year thus far.
10. I need to start wearing my glasses more often.
11. I have to accept the fact that I'm getting old and with that comes new challenges, experiences and adventures...the good, the bad and the ugly.
12. 30's not going to be all that dirty.