Tuesday, May 24, 2011

almost relaxed

For the past week and a half I have been winding down from my crazy first year in business school!  I went to the beach with Jason, met my cousin's beautiful baby boy, went to one of my good friend's bachelorette party (complete with lap dance instruction), saw Bridesmaids (I might have to post a review about this movie)... and I can say that I am almost relaxed.  I thought that once school was over and all of my assignments were turned in, that I would be able to completely relax, but I can't.  Is it always going to be like this?  Will there always be something on my mind that keeps me from completely letting go and vegging out?

What is the culprit you ask?  Answer: my summer.  I move to NYC on Friday and start my internship next Tuesday.  I have so many emotions running through me.  I keep going back and forth between being excited and nervous about my NYC summer adventure.  I've always wanted to live in a city being that I grew up in the 'burbs and now I have the opportunity to do so in one of the most amazing cities in the world.  But change is good and nerves mean that you really care about whatever you are nervous about.

I am looking forward to having an income again (even though it will be short lived), being closer to Jason, hanging out with my friends, and exploring a new place.  So stay tuned for my summer adventures.  Between my internship and time in the city, I am sure that I will have some crazy stories!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

almost a hoarder


I am so ashamed of myself.  I literally spent my entire Sunday sorting and cleaning tons and tons of clothing, shoes, purses, scarves... you get the picture.  I found stuff that I didn't know still existed and clearly haven't worn in years...years.  For instance, I counted 20+ t-shirts that have been in the same damn, plastic container I originally packed them in, to come to school.  Who the hell needs 20+ t-shirts?  Ridiculous.  Even better, I had shoes that were literally falling apart and I seriously tried to justify keeping them!  "These are so fly... no one will notice that the fabric is splitting".  Insanity.

What prompted this massive undertaking?  Three different reasons: 1) I have to pack to go home to VA for two weeks (yay -- I miss Jason, my family, and crazy friends), 2) I have to pack for my 3 month internship in NYC (wohoo summer in the city), and 3) I have to pack for my summer tenants (praise God I don't have to cover two rents this summer).  My family is right.  I am like a gypsy.  I am always on the move.  Oh and I have to do all of this before I leave Ithaca on Thursday.  FML.

Under normal circumstances (i.e. circumstances involving me not being in business school), this wouldn't be such a big deal.  But I have finally had a moment to breath and actual hours to myself.  Having this time to myself has now caused me to stress out and just starting thinking about how much I miss having a "normal life".  Yes I brought this on myself and yes, there is no way I could have turned down this opportunity to come to school on a full-ride, but I often find myself reflecting on all of this when I have time to just think.

Anyway, back to the hoarding.  I have 2 full, black, plastic bags for the Salvation Army (another one that is halfway full) and a pile of items I am trying to sell on eBay.  I figured, if I am going to give them away, might as well try to make a quick buck if I can.

So I am sitting here on my sofa, surrounded by bags of clothes, clean clothes folded in random piles on the floor, bras hanging from chairs, and all I can do is laugh.

Did I mention I need to scrub this apartment from top to bottom too?

Sunday, May 1, 2011

almost a chef: blueberry pancakes

It's a beautiful day in Ithaca and what better way to start the morning than with blueberry pancakes?!?  Jason made the request last night and I gladly obliged especially since I miss being able to cook for someone, other than myself 

Since I have been on this no carb/low carb kick, I haven't made pancakes in at lesat 6 months.  With that said, I have never been a fan of pancake mixes especially since it is so easy to make them from scratch.  Instead of using my go-to pancake recipe, I remembered that Gwyneth Paltrow has a feature in this month's Self magazine, including recipes from her new cookbook.  I decided to give her dad's pancake recipe a try: Bruce Paltrow's World Famous Pancakes (best if the batter is made the night before).  I simply added blueberries to the below recipe.

The pancakes were super light and not too sweet.  The blueberries gave a nice tartness as well!

Next up:  Spaghetti squash -- satisfies my pasta cravings!


INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 eggs (preferably organic)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly, plus 1/2 tsp per batch to grease pan
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • About 1/2 cup whole milk
  • Maple syrup (I used Agave Nectar -- very yummy)

  • PREPARATION
  • Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Whisk eggs, 3 tbsp butter and buttermilk in another bowl. Whisk wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined. (Small lumps are fine.) Cover batter and let rest overnight in the refrigerator. Heat a large greased griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add milk to batter until it reaches desired consistency; the more milk, the thinner and more delicate the pancakes. Working in batches of three pancakes, spoon batter onto griddle or skillet. Cook until surface of pancake is covered with bubbles, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Drizzle warmed maple syrup over pancakes; serve.

  • THE SKINNY
  • 372 calories per 2 pancakes with 2 tbsp maple syrup, 11 g fat (6 g saturated), 60 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 9 g protein