Apologies

It's been way too long since I've written anything.
This is partly because I have been busy with school, and sick, and partly because I am extremely judgmental of my own writing. Even though this is supposed to be my unedited view of the world around me, I still nitpick over everything I type out...and more often than not, I dislike it and end up not pushing "publish".

But my good friend Jessica told me to "get over it" and "write already". So, here it is.

It's been a long winter. Where I'm currently living, this means a lot of snow and cold winds. Regardless of how beautiful that can be (see previous post), it can also get old. This morning it was sunny and, despite the wind picking up (think: average of 20-25MPH), warm. By the time I made it to my 10am class I was regretting the jacket and sweatshirt combo. Of course, it ended up clouding over and raining later (which, because of the rarity around here, was sort of nice)...but I enjoyed it while I could. I'm usually a big fan of the seasons in Washington, but this day-in, day-out low temperature, slipping-on-old-snow, worrying-about-driving thing is getting me down.

This might be a slight exaggeration

So I've had to come up with a few distractions.

I started enhancing my cooking techniques. Instead of copying each line of a recipe for dinner, I've started to research multiple versions of the same dish and piece together my own recipes. I'm working on memorizing useful ingredient substitutions (this one is mostly because I am a broke college student who can't afford to buy buttermilk). I'm trying new things. Vegetables I used to balk at are now becoming staples. Tonight, I cooked with garbanzo beans for the first time! I have dabbled in everything from hearty stews to crockpot roasts to spicy dry-rubbed chicken to key lime cake (Soon, Kevin, I promise) over the past few months, and it's earned me a bit of a reputation.

I've gotten into Parks and Recreation. Really into it. My fiance and I have watched three and 1/3 seasons. I referred to someone as "pulling a Ron Swanson" today. Anthony points out certain things I do as "very Leslie". We hate Ann. This needs to stop.

Yet another thing we have in common, fellow over-achiever.

I have been contributing to my love for knowledge with documentaries. I've been watching Stephan Hawking documentaries and shows on "origins of [insert ancient civilization here]" on NOVA and the Discovery channel for a long time, but it's only been in the last few months that I have really explored the documentaries section on Netflix, and actively pursued flicks on my favorite topics. Say what you want, but besides Sense and Sensibility or Cool Runnings, there isn't another moving picture I'd rather curl up with than a good ole' documentary. I'm majoring in Cultural Anthropology and Religious Studies, with a focus in Eastern philosophy, so that tends to be my subject of choice. Recently I watched one called Please Vote for Me about a democratic election in an elementary school in Communist China. If you don't have Netflix, you can read about it and watch previews/clips here. It sounds a little kitschy, but the underlying messages and values are phenomenal. 

I started working out. Sort of. I do yoga and walk/jog a lot. But I've recently been going to the school gym more and specifically working. I've always been athletic, so it's not a big lifestyle change or anything, but I am excited to get back into shape nonetheless. Besides, exercise = endorphins, right?

And from now on out, I'll be writing more often!

Really, besides school and the few "college lifestyle" things I indulge in, these are my "winter-is-dragging-on" activities. (Anthony will probably say something if I don't include beating Diddy Kong Racing 64 as well...I'm a violent player) I'm counting down the days till it's warm again and I can hit the streets on my longboard. I worked my class schedule for Spring quarter so I can be out at noon everyday again...oh, the possibilities :)

But for now, I'll just study for math and watch another Parks and Rec episode...or two...

What do you do to ward off "winter blues"?
Do you like Parks and Rec?
What are some awesome documentaries you've read lately?
Got any awesome recipes?  

 

Images courtesy of: Funzu, ImgFave,

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