A bit of recent and big news: I will be a doctoral student beginning this fall! I was pleasantly suprised to complete Task 20 (Get into a Ph.D. program). Getting a Ph.D. has been a dream of mine for many years now, so I am incredibly thrilled to begin the long process.
If I complete my doctorate in the amount of time estimated by the program I will be attending, I will have completed over a decade of higher education. I repeat the title of this post: It's a good thing I like school. Actually, I really like school, so that will be helpful.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
Of chicken, tofu, Indiana, and drastic measures
I have a confession. The thought of cooking a whole chicken (Task 18) has frightened me just a bit. I cannot really figure out why. It could be that it is basically a chicken body, minus the head. When it's just chicken parts, like drumsticks, it is a lot easier to ignore the fact that it used to be a living thing. Morbid, I know. As I was grocery shopping a few weeks ago, I found a smallish "natural" chicken on sale ($4.75!), so I seized the moment and decided to conquer my fear. So, a few days later, I cooked that chicken with some lemons and garlic. I used a combination of recipes: one from a cookbook titled, .Poulet (guess what its focus is), one from a friend, and basically some decisions made at the last minute, with the guidance of my beloved aunt and uncle. Before I began preparing it, I had to have a chicken anatomy lesson thanks to my uncle. "This is the short thigh, attached to the drumstick. The gizzards and liver will be somewhere inside." "Oh, please no." I don't do blood and guts well. Fortunately, the chicken was already cleaned out, so no gizzard and no liver. However, I did stab my hand with a chicken rib. That baby hurt. After covering and stuffing the chicken with butter, garlic, and lemon, I stuck it in the oven for an indeterminate amount of time. ALthough it was quite an ordeal (I'm not the most skilled traditional chef), it was delicious. The meat was tender and basically fell off the bone.
About a week or two later, I then ate tofu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Task 24). That was more than likely a one-time deal. I have eaten tofu before and it was okay, but cooking it grossed me out for some reason. It just looks weird and unless it is covered in sauce (which I did not do), it has a strange taste. For breakfast, I made a breakfast burrito with super greens, tofu, and some other healthy stuff. Lunch consisted of an English muffin with almond butter, tofu, banana, and cocoa. Dinner was salmon, pasta, and a few tiny slices of tofu. My idea of becoming a vegetarian has come across a potential road block.
Two weeks ago, I visited Indiana and therefore can now mark Task 14 off my list. I have never been to Indiana, other than potentially traveling through it. Indiana was cooold, and much nicer than I expected. I was in Indianapolis the weekend after the Super Bowl, and the city seemed to be recovering nicely.
And now for the big news. [Insert drumroll here.] I drastically changed my hair (Task 3). And by drastically, I'm talking approximately 9 inches from the back of my head and 6 inches from the front. I was a bit nervous, but less nervous than I expected. It was somewhat of an impromtu decision and I am really glad I did it. And although I keep getting spooked when I pass a reflective suface, I love it. I can no longer be identified as the girl with the long, blonde hair. I feel like I now can wear my haircut, instead of the other way around. What are your thoughts?
About a week or two later, I then ate tofu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Task 24). That was more than likely a one-time deal. I have eaten tofu before and it was okay, but cooking it grossed me out for some reason. It just looks weird and unless it is covered in sauce (which I did not do), it has a strange taste. For breakfast, I made a breakfast burrito with super greens, tofu, and some other healthy stuff. Lunch consisted of an English muffin with almond butter, tofu, banana, and cocoa. Dinner was salmon, pasta, and a few tiny slices of tofu. My idea of becoming a vegetarian has come across a potential road block.
Two weeks ago, I visited Indiana and therefore can now mark Task 14 off my list. I have never been to Indiana, other than potentially traveling through it. Indiana was cooold, and much nicer than I expected. I was in Indianapolis the weekend after the Super Bowl, and the city seemed to be recovering nicely.
And now for the big news. [Insert drumroll here.] I drastically changed my hair (Task 3). And by drastically, I'm talking approximately 9 inches from the back of my head and 6 inches from the front. I was a bit nervous, but less nervous than I expected. It was somewhat of an impromtu decision and I am really glad I did it. And although I keep getting spooked when I pass a reflective suface, I love it. I can no longer be identified as the girl with the long, blonde hair. I feel like I now can wear my haircut, instead of the other way around. What are your thoughts?
Friday, January 20, 2012
Something's gonna change
Okay, this post is going to be much more girlie than usual. I've been looking at and considering options of how to drastically change my hair (Task #3). I have considering dying it either brown or red (a la Emma Stone), but I a) like my natural hair color and b) dread the potential disasters that may occur. So, I am almost certain I will cut it nice and short, because hair grows back. And it wil be cheaper than having to redye it every few months. I have been poring over numerous photos of celebrity haircuts on Google. The following photos show the styles I am currently considering. Here's where you come in. I want your opinion. Please vote!
Choice A
Choice B
Choice C
Choice D
Choice E-part 1
Choice E-part 2
Choice A
Choice B
Choice C
Choice D
Choice E-part 1
Choice E-part 2
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
I feel stupid, oh so stupid.
I just took an online test to see if I qualify to be a contestant on Jeopardy (Task 1). I am pretty sure I bombed it. It was sooo fast and my brain was moving at glacial speeds. At least I tried. My mother has been urging me to try out for years. Now, when she tells me yet again to try to be on a gameshow, I can inform her that I am getting progressively stupider and that I am not gameshow material. It seems my brain has kicked out all information that is not relevant to psychology, musical theatre or how to apply to graduate school. But, on the bright side, I think I may have a few things to add to my list of 100 Things I Want to Learn About.
Have you ever tried out for a gameshow? Reality show? If so, how did the experience go for you?
Have you ever tried out for a gameshow? Reality show? If so, how did the experience go for you?
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Start of Something (Kind of) New
Well, dear readers, 2011 came and went, made us laugh til whatever we were drinking came out of our noses, made us cry like babies, surprised the stew out of us, bored us to tears, made us angry, and brought us joy. And now we face a new year. (I’m really starting to sound like a Hallmark card.) Last year brought some pretty big accomplishments for me personally (Hello, Master’s degree!) along with some disappointments (Josh Groban still doesn’t know I exist). And I really slacked off on my annual to-do list. I think I may have accomplished 13 or 14 tasks out of 52.
For those of you who may be tuning in for the first time, a) welcome, b) you must be really bored, and c) for the past two years, I have tried to complete an annual 52-task to-do list within a year. If you do the math, you will realize that there is one task for each week of the year.
2010 was pretty successful (40-something tasks completed), but 2011 was not so victorious. I could and will blame certain life events (grad school, starting a job) for my less-than-favorable attempt at completing the list. Also, some of the tasks were not very reachable given the resources I had available. And maybe you’re shaking your head, muttering, “Excuses, excuses.” I am, too. I’m saddened by my overabundance of excuses and dearth of effort. Along with all those excuses, I have realized that I’ve begun to climb back into the box that I have tried so hard to get out of over the past few years. So this year, as I attempt to complete my to-do list, I plan to use the same motto as the newest season of The Biggest Loser: No excuses. And I have a favor to ask of you (yes, you). Hold me accountable for getting this list done. When I come to you with some pathetic excuse, such as “I broke my big toe” or “I have no money,” I give you full permission to pull a drill sergeant move and yell in the comments section. Will you please do that for me? Thanks.
So, without any further ado, I present my 2012 To-Do List.
1. Audition/try out for a game show.
2. Learn the “Thriller” dance.
3. Do something drastic to my hair.
4. Write and send a letter to each of my family members telling them what they mean to me.
5. Be a vegan for a day.
6. Go an entire day without complaining or saying something negative.
7. Try on a designer ballgown or evening dress.
8. Host a dinner party.
9. (Re)Memorize Romans 8.
10. Try rhubarb.
11. Go snowshoeing or boxing.
12. Do 40 push-ups in a row without stopping.
13. Try caviar.
14. Visit a state I have never been to before. (I can visit a state I have travelled through, but have not stayed at or toured for any length of time other than to simply get through it in order to get to another state.)
15. Carve a pumpkin.
16. Correctly and successfully poach an egg.
17. Swim a full lap (2 lengths of a 25 yard or 25 meter pool) in 35 seconds or less.
18. Cook a whole chicken.
19. Watch “The Wizard of Oz” to Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” album.
20. Get into a Ph.D. program. (I have a task for this to replace this if it does not happen, but I’ll cross that bridge only if I need to.)
21. Make panna cotta.
22. Drastically improve my British accent.
23. Learn conversational [insert a specific language here].
24. Eat tofu for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the same day.
25. Watch every episode currently in existence from “The Big Bang Theory.”
26. Make a homemade pizza from scratch.
27. Help somebody in need.
28. Finish my list of Top 100 Things I Want to Learn About that I began last year.
29. Learn about the first 50 things from the list mentioned in Task #29.
30. Plant a plant.
31. Take a dance class at a professional dance company’s studio.
32. Watch every John Hughes film.
33. Pick a country and cook a meal made up of dishes from that country.
34. Attempt a form of exercise that I have never tried before.
35. Do something unexpected.
36. Make a loaf of Challah bread (Third time’s the charm!).
37. Finish Special Topics in Calamity Physics and then convince someone else to read it.
38. Hold or pet a tarantula.
39. Make a traditional French dish.
40. Make something by myself (with guidance, if needed) that requires at least one of the following tools: hammer, screwdriver, wrench, and/or drill.
41. Drink the recommended 64 ounces of water per day for a full week.
42. Memorize a piano piece that is at least 2 pages long.
43. Get a spray tan.
44. Read the entire Bible from Genesis through Revelation.
45. Complete some sort of shame-attacking exercise, such as going out in public is incredibly mismatched clothing.
46. Spend a day without using my phone (except in an emergency), computer (except if necessary for work), TV, or radio.
47. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or other charity.
48. Learn how to do an ice skating trick.
49. Choreograph a dance piece to be performed in a setting other than a musical.
50. Bake a soufflé.
51. See a live platypus.
52. Learn where every country in the world is located on a map.
So, there it is. My third annual to do list. I'm already a week behind, since I've procrastinated posting it on this here blog. Yeehaw. That should make things more funner. Yes, more funner. Wish me luck!
For those of you who may be tuning in for the first time, a) welcome, b) you must be really bored, and c) for the past two years, I have tried to complete an annual 52-task to-do list within a year. If you do the math, you will realize that there is one task for each week of the year.
2010 was pretty successful (40-something tasks completed), but 2011 was not so victorious. I could and will blame certain life events (grad school, starting a job) for my less-than-favorable attempt at completing the list. Also, some of the tasks were not very reachable given the resources I had available. And maybe you’re shaking your head, muttering, “Excuses, excuses.” I am, too. I’m saddened by my overabundance of excuses and dearth of effort. Along with all those excuses, I have realized that I’ve begun to climb back into the box that I have tried so hard to get out of over the past few years. So this year, as I attempt to complete my to-do list, I plan to use the same motto as the newest season of The Biggest Loser: No excuses. And I have a favor to ask of you (yes, you). Hold me accountable for getting this list done. When I come to you with some pathetic excuse, such as “I broke my big toe” or “I have no money,” I give you full permission to pull a drill sergeant move and yell in the comments section. Will you please do that for me? Thanks.
So, without any further ado, I present my 2012 To-Do List.
1. Audition/try out for a game show.
2. Learn the “Thriller” dance.
3. Do something drastic to my hair.
4. Write and send a letter to each of my family members telling them what they mean to me.
5. Be a vegan for a day.
6. Go an entire day without complaining or saying something negative.
7. Try on a designer ballgown or evening dress.
8. Host a dinner party.
9. (Re)Memorize Romans 8.
10. Try rhubarb.
11. Go snowshoeing or boxing.
12. Do 40 push-ups in a row without stopping.
13. Try caviar.
14. Visit a state I have never been to before. (I can visit a state I have travelled through, but have not stayed at or toured for any length of time other than to simply get through it in order to get to another state.)
15. Carve a pumpkin.
16. Correctly and successfully poach an egg.
17. Swim a full lap (2 lengths of a 25 yard or 25 meter pool) in 35 seconds or less.
18. Cook a whole chicken.
19. Watch “The Wizard of Oz” to Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” album.
20. Get into a Ph.D. program. (I have a task for this to replace this if it does not happen, but I’ll cross that bridge only if I need to.)
21. Make panna cotta.
22. Drastically improve my British accent.
23. Learn conversational [insert a specific language here].
24. Eat tofu for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the same day.
25. Watch every episode currently in existence from “The Big Bang Theory.”
26. Make a homemade pizza from scratch.
27. Help somebody in need.
28. Finish my list of Top 100 Things I Want to Learn About that I began last year.
29. Learn about the first 50 things from the list mentioned in Task #29.
30. Plant a plant.
31. Take a dance class at a professional dance company’s studio.
32. Watch every John Hughes film.
33. Pick a country and cook a meal made up of dishes from that country.
34. Attempt a form of exercise that I have never tried before.
35. Do something unexpected.
36. Make a loaf of Challah bread (Third time’s the charm!).
37. Finish Special Topics in Calamity Physics and then convince someone else to read it.
38. Hold or pet a tarantula.
39. Make a traditional French dish.
40. Make something by myself (with guidance, if needed) that requires at least one of the following tools: hammer, screwdriver, wrench, and/or drill.
41. Drink the recommended 64 ounces of water per day for a full week.
42. Memorize a piano piece that is at least 2 pages long.
43. Get a spray tan.
44. Read the entire Bible from Genesis through Revelation.
45. Complete some sort of shame-attacking exercise, such as going out in public is incredibly mismatched clothing.
46. Spend a day without using my phone (except in an emergency), computer (except if necessary for work), TV, or radio.
47. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or other charity.
48. Learn how to do an ice skating trick.
49. Choreograph a dance piece to be performed in a setting other than a musical.
50. Bake a soufflé.
51. See a live platypus.
52. Learn where every country in the world is located on a map.
So, there it is. My third annual to do list. I'm already a week behind, since I've procrastinated posting it on this here blog. Yeehaw. That should make things more funner. Yes, more funner. Wish me luck!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
It smells like brains in here...
Dear blog,
I am sorry I have neglected you so long. You mean a lot to me, I've just had to focus on some other priorities, such as finishing my thesis, defending it, and working on graduating on time. Yes, I know that means you got the short end of the stick. But, I'm back now. You know why? Because...
I PASSED MY THESIS DEFENSE!!!!
Sincerely,
Jess
I have been tragically remiss in tending to this blog and attempting to achieve tasks on my annual to-do list. I defended my thesis two days ago. The meeting began with a committee member saying, "It smells like brains in here." There was a supply of sheep's brains (similar to the one's I sold a while back) in the room where we met. The meeting was intimidating and brutal, but I survived (and passed with flying colors!).
Because of the majority of my time being devoted to school, and in particular, my thesis, I can only report two completed tasks. Two is better than one and definitely better than none, right? I attended a religious ceremony that is different from mine (Task 41) and learned how to pick a lock (Task 47). I attended my very first Catholic wedding. It was so beautiful and reverent. I also learned how to open a locked door. It wasn't exactly "picking a lock," per say, but it was very closely related. Without going into details, just know I didn't do anything illegal. I promise.
Even though I haven't fulfilled many tasks since the end of April, I have done some things that are definitely annual-to-do-list-worthy. For example, a few weeks ago I ate monkfish liver. Yes, dear friends, you read that correctly. Monk. Fish. Liver. Also, I've made some life changing decisions. I feel like a grown up for the first time in my life. Over the past few weeks, I've been yelling, "I DON'T WANNA GROW UP!!" sporatically, just like a two year old. And yet, I've come to realize I have no say in the matter, so I can either try to rebel and be at odds with the universe and myself, or just go with the flow and enjoy the ride. It is absolutely amazing how scary yet peaceful the latter can be.
Mama, I'm a big girl now.
I am sorry I have neglected you so long. You mean a lot to me, I've just had to focus on some other priorities, such as finishing my thesis, defending it, and working on graduating on time. Yes, I know that means you got the short end of the stick. But, I'm back now. You know why? Because...
I PASSED MY THESIS DEFENSE!!!!
Sincerely,
Jess
I have been tragically remiss in tending to this blog and attempting to achieve tasks on my annual to-do list. I defended my thesis two days ago. The meeting began with a committee member saying, "It smells like brains in here." There was a supply of sheep's brains (similar to the one's I sold a while back) in the room where we met. The meeting was intimidating and brutal, but I survived (and passed with flying colors!).
Because of the majority of my time being devoted to school, and in particular, my thesis, I can only report two completed tasks. Two is better than one and definitely better than none, right? I attended a religious ceremony that is different from mine (Task 41) and learned how to pick a lock (Task 47). I attended my very first Catholic wedding. It was so beautiful and reverent. I also learned how to open a locked door. It wasn't exactly "picking a lock," per say, but it was very closely related. Without going into details, just know I didn't do anything illegal. I promise.
Even though I haven't fulfilled many tasks since the end of April, I have done some things that are definitely annual-to-do-list-worthy. For example, a few weeks ago I ate monkfish liver. Yes, dear friends, you read that correctly. Monk. Fish. Liver. Also, I've made some life changing decisions. I feel like a grown up for the first time in my life. Over the past few weeks, I've been yelling, "I DON'T WANNA GROW UP!!" sporatically, just like a two year old. And yet, I've come to realize I have no say in the matter, so I can either try to rebel and be at odds with the universe and myself, or just go with the flow and enjoy the ride. It is absolutely amazing how scary yet peaceful the latter can be.
Mama, I'm a big girl now.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Of Beethoven, Bodyguards, and Really Big Hair
Confession: I have now seen the Trans-Siberian orchestra in concert five times. And I intend to see them again this year at their winter concert for concert number six. I saw them last week during their spring tour of "Beethoven's Last Night" and I've just gotta say it was my favorite concert yet. Jeff Scott Soto (a musical crush o' mine) played an epic Mephistopheles complete with the creepiest evil laugh ever and midnight-black nails. I had to fight back tears as Rob Evan (Beethoven) sang "What is Eternal" (waaaay better than the album version, in my opinion). And something hilarious and unexpected to all parties involved occured: One of the girls was singing this really powerful, raw song from the Gutter Ballet about how run down she was from dealing with her current lot in life. Se began singing "I don't care" over and over in this really gut-wrenching way. Right after about the 5th "I don't care," this guy in the audience screamed, "BUT I CARE FOR YOOOOUUUU!" The audience, the band, and the great Al Pitrelli(who was playing acoustic guitar) all lost it, but she kept a straight face and kept on singing. I have no idea how she did that. But alas, the song was over for the rest of us.
After a mix of the complete "Beethoven's Last Night" with some songs from Gutter Ballet and their newest album, "Night Castle," I was a happy camper. I had another good concert to tuck away into my musical memory box.
Aaaaaannnndddd then, to make the concert even more memorable, I met them. After 5 concerts, I can now say I have met a good portion of the members of TSO.
While I did not have a conversation with each of them, I did talk with about 2/3 of them. Vitali, the Ukrainian keyboardist, told me, "I like ze curly hair. It looks veerry nice." I tried to get the nerve to ask him and Mee, the new female keyboardist, how long it took them to get the fast movement of Moonlight Sonata up the full speed, but instead I just stuttered and stumbled my way through the line. And then, there he was, with his massively big hair and black nails. I was face to face with Jeff Scott Soto. His first words: "I like the hair" as he picked up a piece of his own hair. I fought to keep from collapsing while trying to form complete words. "Thank you. I like yours too."
(There are two things JSS could have said to me that would have made my life. One was "Marry me." The other was "I like the hair." Seriously. I'm not making this up.)
After JSS, came Andrew Ross, who seemed a little perturbed at being forced to wait on us to sign autographs. I just smiled and told him, "Y'all did great" which I'm sure he already knew. I guess that was better than, "Fix the attitude, pretty boy." But other than his smelly attitude, everybody else was genuinely nice. I vaguelly remember some of the girl singers and meeting Roddy Chong, the fiddle player, but I was still spinning from my encounter w/ Mr. Soto. (I'm telling you, I am a huge fan.) I should mention that throughout this process, my friend asked me to take some pictures of her, which triggered some bodyguard to tell me not to take anymore picutres till I got to the end of the line- which was funny, because the people behind me were going waay slow, so the band in between had nothing to do. At the end of the meet-and-greet line came the one and only Mr. Al Pitrelli (yes, the same Al Pitrelli from Megadeth). My friend asked him if he had ever had someone ask him to sign a ketchup packet. Apparently he had not, as he and the girl next to him began laughing hysterically, exclaiming how cool it was to sign it and how ketchup was totally their favorite condiment. He told my friend to come around to the other side of the table and asked me to take a picture of them (which I did, even though the bodyguard gave me what might possibly be the worst look I have ever received from anyone I've not known by name. Really, it was so bad, I cropped him out of my pictures.). Al then told me to walk behind the table to take a picture with him, too. (See? Super nice!) I met Mr. Bodyguard face to face and he started scolding me. I simply pointed to Al and said, "He told me to." He had no response and left me alone. Turns out, it pays to have connections.
And so, without further ado, my proof that I a) met TSO and b) completed Task 51 by meeting another celebrity and not offending him or her this time.
(From left to right) One of the female vocalists whose name I do not know, me, the one and only Al Pitrelli.
Me and Jeff Scott Soto
After a mix of the complete "Beethoven's Last Night" with some songs from Gutter Ballet and their newest album, "Night Castle," I was a happy camper. I had another good concert to tuck away into my musical memory box.
Aaaaaannnndddd then, to make the concert even more memorable, I met them. After 5 concerts, I can now say I have met a good portion of the members of TSO.
While I did not have a conversation with each of them, I did talk with about 2/3 of them. Vitali, the Ukrainian keyboardist, told me, "I like ze curly hair. It looks veerry nice." I tried to get the nerve to ask him and Mee, the new female keyboardist, how long it took them to get the fast movement of Moonlight Sonata up the full speed, but instead I just stuttered and stumbled my way through the line. And then, there he was, with his massively big hair and black nails. I was face to face with Jeff Scott Soto. His first words: "I like the hair" as he picked up a piece of his own hair. I fought to keep from collapsing while trying to form complete words. "Thank you. I like yours too."
(There are two things JSS could have said to me that would have made my life. One was "Marry me." The other was "I like the hair." Seriously. I'm not making this up.)
After JSS, came Andrew Ross, who seemed a little perturbed at being forced to wait on us to sign autographs. I just smiled and told him, "Y'all did great" which I'm sure he already knew. I guess that was better than, "Fix the attitude, pretty boy." But other than his smelly attitude, everybody else was genuinely nice. I vaguelly remember some of the girl singers and meeting Roddy Chong, the fiddle player, but I was still spinning from my encounter w/ Mr. Soto. (I'm telling you, I am a huge fan.) I should mention that throughout this process, my friend asked me to take some pictures of her, which triggered some bodyguard to tell me not to take anymore picutres till I got to the end of the line- which was funny, because the people behind me were going waay slow, so the band in between had nothing to do. At the end of the meet-and-greet line came the one and only Mr. Al Pitrelli (yes, the same Al Pitrelli from Megadeth). My friend asked him if he had ever had someone ask him to sign a ketchup packet. Apparently he had not, as he and the girl next to him began laughing hysterically, exclaiming how cool it was to sign it and how ketchup was totally their favorite condiment. He told my friend to come around to the other side of the table and asked me to take a picture of them (which I did, even though the bodyguard gave me what might possibly be the worst look I have ever received from anyone I've not known by name. Really, it was so bad, I cropped him out of my pictures.). Al then told me to walk behind the table to take a picture with him, too. (See? Super nice!) I met Mr. Bodyguard face to face and he started scolding me. I simply pointed to Al and said, "He told me to." He had no response and left me alone. Turns out, it pays to have connections.
And so, without further ado, my proof that I a) met TSO and b) completed Task 51 by meeting another celebrity and not offending him or her this time.
(From left to right) One of the female vocalists whose name I do not know, me, the one and only Al Pitrelli.
Me and Jeff Scott Soto
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