Update, its been a while

Wow, a lot has happened since I last updated this.

Let's start with my nervous breakdown. Hah! I wish I was kidding, but I'm kind of serious. I had a breakdown regarding work. My final year as a student is coming up and first of all I haven't applied myself enough since surgery, second when I do apply myself I get so frustrated with it, and third, holy crap I'm going to have to find a job if I finish my dissertation (and that feels like a BIG IF).

Also regarding work, I now have to teach. Its not because I don't have funding, but rather for "the experience." Never mind that I have quite a bit of teaching experience (Bio I and II lectures and labs, Anatomy lectures and labs) the head of our department isn't giving us a choice in the matter. I am more than displeased. Its not that I don't like teaching, its fine, I just don't have the freaking time to do it!

My one year surgery anniversary has come and gone. I'd lost 175 at that point, well still sitting at 175 lost actually. I saw my surgeon and he wants me to go back to doing protein shakes because I am a failure, I am not losing enough. Blah blah blah.

Hehe that reminds me of Arrested Development, the Bob Loblaw Law Blog. That show rocked. If I like it, it will be canceled.

We almost decided to move into our friends' house, but ended up backing out. Now we hope they don't hate us. Sorry Barbi and Joe. We weren't sure how long we'd have to pay rent on the apartment before it got rented out again, and I wasn't sure I could finish my dissertation if I had distractions. I am sad that I won't get to play with the doggie though... and the big kitchen. I am also sad that we won't be saving money after all and digging ourselves out of a financial black hole.

Hmmm, what else? Ryan changed jobs again. He is working online so his school schedule can be more flexible. It helps with the car-sharing situation too. I am also working online, but only a little bit, to generate a little extra cash.

Movie reviews

Tropic Thunder - B. I am almost ashamed that I enjoyed it as much as I did. It reminded me of the Ben Stiller show, it was like one long Ben Stiller show sketch. Robert Downey Jr. was especially hilarious. It was completely ridiculous, and hilarious.

Step Brothers - B. Speaking of ridiculous and hilarious, this one was better than expected. It was pretty damn funny too. (Note to self, I need to see a serious film soon).

Dr. Strangelove - B-. Wow. That's one crazy flick. I liked it but wow.

Run Ronnie Run - C. Geez I've watched some crazy-ass movies lately. This was a very special movie, but I was chemically altered at the time so you might not want to trust this rating.


So there you go, my life in 500 words or less. Not very interesting, but I'm keeping busy. I'll post some pictures or something again soon.

Adios!

Recipe #7 - Lemony pesto bean and cheese salad

Ryan apparently had an unfortunate pesto experience before I met him, and has refused to eat it since. I decided to try again, and listed the ingredients in my pesto for him. He liked all the ingredients and agreed to give it a try, and success. Here is what I did with it.

Ingredients for salad
1 can canneloni beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced in half length-wise
1 cucumber, unpeeled, cut into comparable size chunks as tomatoes
approx 1c ciliegine (little cherry size) .33 ounce balls fresh mozzarella (I just buy a container and use the whole thing)
juice from 2 small lemons (1/4c)

Mix these ingredients together and add pesto, refrigerate for at least 30min to allow the flavors to meld.

Pesto Ingredients
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1c loosely packed fresh basil
1/4c loosely packed fresh baby spinach
1/4c extra virgin olive oil
1 ounce parmesano reggiano or pecorino romano (this is one instance where I prefer the latter)
peel from one lemon
1/3c pan roasted (shelled) pine nuts (or walnuts)
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients except olive oil, salt, and pepper, into food processor and puree, drizzle olive oil in as mixture combines. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add to salad and let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour. Also very good as pizza sauce, pasta sauce, or on a baked potato or meat.

For Ryan I served this salad with salmon, although I don't really care for salmon, I thought it'd make a nice combo with the strong flavors of the pesto. Ryan tested, Ryan approved.