Quick notes

Getting the flu really knocks me out for a few days. I'm feeling better now, but I'm still pretty tired. I really should be getting to bed, but there are a couple things I wanted to write.

First off, I'm going camping this week. We had to change our plans slightly since everywhere we wanted to go will be freezing at night—literally. So we're headed farther south than originally planned, but it will still be fun. I'll be gone several days, so don't worry if you don't hear from me. Ha. Like anyone worries anyhow.

I just have to say that I've just finished watching the very last episode of my new favorite TV series. It's a show from Korea called Dae Jang Geum, and it is so incredible. I'm sort of sad that it's all over, but oh, the love story in it is one of the best I've ever seen. I just wanted to yell at the screen on multiple occasions, "Just kiss her, you fool!"

Ah, it's so wonderful. I need to find me a man like Sir Min. Now I know it's hard to find, but if you can ever get your hands on a copy of the series, watch it. You will become so addicted that life will soon seem dull by comparison. I'm pretty sure most people's lives are dull compared to Jang Geum's.

That's all for tonight, but I just had to let everyone know that my dream man lives in Korea and probably doesn't even speak English. Besides the fact that although he was a real person, he lived several centuries ago and was only portrayed by an actor on TV. Sigh. Well, as long as I have sweet dreams tonight, it'll be okay.

Ah, the memories

My friend and wonderful co-worker has tagged me for a rather interesting meme. And since my birthday is this Saturday (I will be accepting any form of presents, cash or check included), it is a very apt time to look back on my life thus far.

20 years ago: I would have probably been getting a birthday party ready for myself. My mom probably baked a cake (it would have been before I had to make my own.) It may very well have been the year she tried to make a piñata that exploded in the oven as she was trying to dry it. I was very sad that there wasn't a piñata for my birthday. I've always wanted one . . .

10 years ago: Most likely I'd be performing in my high school musical—chorus, of course. It was Pirated Penzance that year, and I was a policewoman. Not my favorite part, by far, but fun all the same. Other than that, school and taking care of my pesky little brothers.

5 years ago: Wow. In 2003 I was on my mission and had been there for a good six months. It was finally spring in Montreal, and I was the senior companion training my greenie, who I got after a good three months out in the field. That was a crazy time. I can't believe it's been five years already. (Note: Anyone who isn't Mormon and wants an explanation, leave me a comment.)

3 years ago: I was working at the student newspaper. I also had just started an internship with a small LDS book publisher (unpaid, of course). That was a very busy time—class, work, homework, more work, and then enough time to play with my roommates. Ugh, and finals would probably have been that week. Even with all that, college was so much fun.

1 year ago: Last year I had just found a job working for my current company and was more than a little weirded out by the barn and the sheep and all the cats. My new co-workers were an interesting lot as well, but I've learned to love ’em. For several weeks I was working both jobs, the current and also finishing up working as a copy editor at a major local newspaper. Let's just say I had time to eat, sleep, and work, and that was it.

So far this year: So far this year I got a promotion and a raise, and I've been getting better and better at my work, as well as more comfortable with my job responsibilities. I've also been working hard on my book, trying to finish up the first draft, which is coming along well. Dating, not so much. Having fun, always.

Yesterday: I went shopping for my dad's birthday present, and then I wrapped his and my niece's presents (his birthday a week after mine, and she was born on my birthday four years ago). But I didn't just wrap them. I went all out, with ideas from a ribbon book that we're publishing at work. I'll have to post pictures of them, they're so cute. And while I was out shopping for others, I ended up with, ahem, some things for myself. I mean, honestly, how can I pass up $5 shirts?

Today: Church was at 2 p.m. today, so I got to sleep in. Heavenly. I also came up with a brilliant plan for what I want to do on my birthday. Picnic, anyone? The weather is supposed to be delicious that day, so I think it will be the perfect thing. Oh, and I finished reading A Little Princess, which only made me cry a little.

Tomorrow: It's back to work. Why do the weekends all seem to fly by so quickly? Then I'll head to the gym after (if I'm being good, which is always debatable). I'll probably finish up the day by working on my book.

This year: I plan to finish writing my book, drafts, revisions and all. Then get an agent who will get my book published. Nothing too difficult. It would also be nice if I met the man of my dreams who will sweep me off my feet and love me forever and ever. Either that or a nice, decent guy who kinda likes me and who I could see myself marrying. I'm open to anything, at this point.

Oh, and you're tagged, if you feel so inclined.

Busy, busy

I've been busy this past week, which is why I've neglected my little bloggie. I had an idea a while ago to write (sort of) a book journal. I presented the idea to my company, but since we don't publish journals, they passed on the idea. They did, however, tell me to pursue it with another publisher who might be interested in the idea. 

So that's what I've been doing this week, sending out book proposals to different companies. More than likely I'll end up with a slew of rejection letters, but if someone is interested, that'll be great for me.

In other news . . . well, there really is no other news. Except, my sister is moving back here in a few weeks, so that'll be good. Our whole family will all be together—at the same time—for the first time in years. 

Plus I get to go camping in 2 weeks, which I am very excited about. My camping buddy and I are getting things ready to go, and I bought a cooler today. Slowly my arsenal of camping gear is growing. 

Between the two of us, though, we've got everything we need. It's usually pretty funny when we start on a trip: "Shoot! I forgot plates." "Oh, I've got those, but I forgot to bring garbage bags." "No worries, I've got plenty." And so it goes until we figure that we've got everything we need. 

My next big camping purchase, though, is going to be a tent. I think I'll save up to get a good one, and at least a 5-man tent, because we all know they accommodate 1 less person than they say they do. That way I can invite 3 friends along and we'll all be comfy.

I'm also trying to plan more trips this summer because we all know there's only so much sunshine and perfect weather each year and I have to enjoy it as much as is humanly possible.

I guess I did have more news. Oh well, I lied.

Seeing someone? Ha, that's funny

You know, sometimes I think it might be nice if I actually went out on dates fairly frequently, or as one friend put it, more than the once a year quota. Not to say that I'm desperate for a boyfriend/husband, but it could be a nice change from my constant singles status.

Now I know I'm not ugly—not by a long shot. But neither am I absolutely gorgeous. That doesn't mean there aren't guys out there who aren't or wouldn't be interested in me. They just never ask me out!

I don't know what the problem is. Well, I do know of one problem. Most of the guys in this state are more interested in hanging out with girls than actually asking them out on dates. It's rather frustrating when perfectly nice guys will talk to you every time they see you but never once take the chance of going out on a date. Even if nothing happens, you'll never know until you try.

Oh, well. I'm not worried about ending up a bitter, lonely old maid. I already am one. (Just kidding!) In all honesty, I know whatever will happen will happen, and definitely not when I want it to. I just think it would be nice to have fun going out on dates, oh say, on a bi-annual basis.

My own little tutu

It was a hit at work today. What, you ask? My Pavlova. Now I know most people have no idea what that is, or even what type of thing it is. Actually, it's a dessert. A very tasty one.

The name actually comes from a famed ballet dancer, Anna Pavlova. When she visited New Zealand and Australia on a world turn early last century, an industrious chef created this light concoction and named it after her. The name is apt considering it looks very much like a tutu.

It is a type of meringue, and very easy to make, though it looks spectacular when finished. The meringue is topped with whipped cream and then raspberries and kiwi. That, at least is the traditional topping, but after some discussion at work we decided everything from strawberries to chocolate to raspberry pie filling would all work incredibly well on top of the whipped cream.

That said, here is the recipe I made last night, which I adapted from Culinary Concepts.

1/2 cup whole hazelnuts, divided

4 egg whites at room temperature

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon cornstarch

Whipped cream

1 kiwi, sliced thinly

1 small container fresh raspberries

Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Toast the hazelnuts for 7 to 10 minutes and then remove the skins by rubbing vigorously with a kitchen towel. Place 1/4 cup hazelnuts in a food processor and grind finely. You will need 1/4 cup ground nuts for the recipe, so grind more in needed to get 1/4 cup.

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until they are stiff. Slowly beat in the sugar with the mixer at medium. Then add the vinegar, vanilla, and cornstarch on low. Fold in the ground nuts.

Pile the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Smooth the top an

d sides as evenly as possible without flattening; it will do so naturally as it cooks. Bake for 45 minutes, then turn off the oven and allow to cool in the oven for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Carefully slide onto a serving plate. Spread the top of the Pavlova with plenty of whipped cream. Using a piping bag, decorate with rosettes, forming a ring around the outside edge. Decorate the center with sliced kiwi, then place a ring of raspberries around the kiwi. Finish by placing the remaining whole hazelnuts on each of the whipped cream rosettes.

Decorate Pavlova as close to serving as possible since the Pavlova will become soggy from the whipped cream. It will also become chewy if refrigerated for longer than 3 hours.

I wish I had a picture of the Pavlova I made to share with you, but somehow the camera on my phone didn't save the picture I took even though I told it to. Technology, grrr. . . The one in the picture actually has pomegranates on it, which just goes to show how versatile this dessert really is.

TT 21 Foolproof ways to annoy your roommates

Hmm. . . how can I annoy my roommates. Let's think.

1. Leave food out on the counter to rot for several weeks.

2. Be the first one to shower in the morning: use all the hot water and shower for well over half an hour so everyone else is late. This works especially well if there is only one bathroom and everyone else is dying as they try to find a potted plant.

3. Use all your roommates dishes, then leave them dirty in the sink for over a month.

4. Keep a pile of dirty clothes as large as your bed on the floor so there's nowhere to walk.

5. Start the washing machine, which is broken so it makes loud banging noises as it washes, right as your roommate is about to fall asleep.

6. Decorate the apartment with horribly kitschy items so your roommates are embarrassed to show people where they live.

7. Don't pay your part of the bills, then get mad and act like you already did when they ask for the money.

8. Leave hair and makeup spills all over the bathroom counter.

9. Never clean the toilet or shower.

10. Eat all your roommates ketchup and never replace it. Then act like you don't know who would have used it all.

11. Claim your roommates movies and cds as your own as you are moving so they don't realize they're gone until it's too late.

12. Demand that everyone in the apartment be completely silent whenever you watch tv or a movie, which is most of the time.

13. Try to hit on your roommate's brother and hint that if your roommate was a good friend, they'd set you up. Also, loudly proclaim that if you like any guy your roommates had better back off, even if the guy has absolutely no interest in you.

That's just a sampling of all the joyous experiences you can have with roommates. There are many fun moments in between, but enough of the items listed above will create more than enough roommate drama for anyone.

Now, this list applies specifically to women, but I'm sure many of these translate for both sexes. I've had the misfortune to experience all of these (and have probably been the perpetrator of several). They are guaranteed to drive everyone around you absolutely mad.