Why I love Donald Miller

This book is all about living a good story. It's filled with inspiring bits about families that interview foreign dignitaries and jump into lakes, climbing Machu Pichu, raising money to build a Mexican orphanage. In it he says this,

"What I'm saying is I think life is staggering and we're just used to it."

In other words, amazing things (like the simple fact that our bodies keep us alive on a daily basis) are happening all around us every day and we often miss it. Which, when it comes down to it is a simple message and is said a lot, but is good to be reminded of. Donald Miller does just that in his usual train-of-thought style in this book. Refreshing and a good book to read on vacation.

Happy (Belated) Birthday To Me!

Twenty-two. 22. Ventidos. Not the most exciting age no matter how you write it, but it was a good day never the less. Spent a lot of relaxing time with my family and eating Jello Box Cheesecake. Horrifyingly enough, I prefer the Jello Box variety to the real thing and it's been a tradition for awhile now.

21 was a big year - probably the biggest yet. I finished up a life affirming summer in Vancouver, celebrated 2 years with my man, had a pretty rocking Christmas/New Years and learned a lot about myself, got engaged, graduated and got my official nursing license. See, it was big.

I think 22 may be bigger. Some goals:
1) Get married (this will happen in hopefully 325 days)
2) Get a real job

As you can see I haven't really thought many things through, but that is what I'm starting with. Like usual, God will probably surprise me with some pretty crazy things anyways, so I don't want to plan too much. Anywho - cheers to a big next year!

New Toy

This gorgeous picture taken from Siyeh Pass in Glacier National Park was taken with my new toy. My very expensive new toy. After a lot of saving and some generous graduation gifts I bought a Canon Digital Rebel. 18 megapixels of glory. I've had a blast playing with it and figuring out how to not use manual!

I'm sure you readers, all 2 of you (hi mom!), will enjoy better quality pictures from now on.

Bowman and Blue Cheese

This week I dove headlong into studying for the NCLEX (or nursing boards). Except it wasn't so much of a dive as it was like someone came up and pushed me in a cold pool, clothes, cell phone, and all. That's besides the point today.

Last week I was in Baltimore visiting my sister, brother-in-law and new nephew Bowman (who just started his own blog, you should check it out)! He loves drinking, pooping, sleeping, fussing and U2. And he is, of course, the cutest baby in the world. See exhibit A.

Exhibit A.

See what I mean? Any-who, while I was there I stumbled upon a culinary treat: blue cheese. Now, I am not entirely a blue cheese lover, but in moderation it is superb. We ate at The Dogwood in Hampden. Semi-fancy restaurant, with walls that look like a 5 year old painted. It was local and community focused, which is cool. There I had blue cheese macaroni. The blue cheese was a little overpowering, but I was inspired nevertheless.

Later that week I ventured to make my own version of a blue cheese pasta. I adapted the recipe from the good 'ol Betty Crocker Cookbook. Here's what happened:

1) Gather ingredients: 2 tbs butter, 2 cups milk (I used half cream half milk), garlic, some blue cheese (adapt based on how much you like, I used around 1/2 a cup crumbled up), 1 cup of shredded mozerella cheese, 1/2 a cup of parmesan, pasta (we used whole wheat spaghetti) 2) Cook spaghetti. Once it's a done as you like it (I prefer a little al dente) drain and put back in pot (maybe add a little olive oil to keep it from sticking if you want)

3) Meanwhile (I love when recipes say that because it means you have to be MULTI-TASKING in the kitchen, which is always fun), melt the butter and add the garlic to saute for a little bit. Turn head on med-low and add the milk. Warm milk til it coats the spoon.

3) Now dump the cheese in the milk mixture. Stir the cheese in to melt it.

4) Once it's mostly melted, pour that into the pasta and mix it in real good. Some of the cheese will be goopy (or at least it was for me because I'm impatient). Now cover the pot and let it sit there. For a while. Like ten minutes or so. Or longer depending on what you have to get done.


4) Garnish with some basil. Why basil? It's what we had. Now EAT IT. and enjoy.

Life

It happens. I feel like it (life) has been running past me at sprinter speed and I'm doubled over trying to catch my breath in the slow lane. Since I last blogged I graduated from college, moved out of my house, went to Disneyland, and came to Baltimore (my current location). It's been a whirlwind of fun.

This is such a time of life transition and I haven't totally processed it yet. It's odd to think that I've been in school of 16 years and for the first time since I was 4 I won't be heading back to the classroom in August. A little part of my identity has to change (woah - things just got deep). But until reality has to hit me I'm just going to avoid it by cuddling my adorable nephew, who is fussing right now...so I should go....

It is finished.

I don't mean to be blasphemous. I meant my thesis is finished. All 81 pages of it. Glorious. It was a labor of love, and hate. Kind of one of those things that I never actually thought I would finish when I started going to U of A 4 (!!!!) years ago. But I wrote it. It is a continuation of the research I started when I went to Vancouver last summer on women with breast cancer. I learned a ton about research and writing papers and can't wait to do it again (not!).

Bliss

I know a picture is worth a thousand words, so please enjoy this 5,000 word essay on one of the happiest days of my life!