I've been meaning to make this post for a while. I've been at my new job for several weeks now, and I'm really enjoying it for lots of reasons. But by the time I get home each day, the last thing I want to do is get back on the computer. So the blog kind of got neglected.
My desire to stay off the computer stems from a few things. My shorter commute allows me less time to read, so I've been trying to read a bit more from home. I've also been thinking so hard at the new job, that once I get home I want to do something more passive, like watching TV, or easier on the eyes, like playing board games with Kevin. And I just like being away from the computer more. During my two week vacation I barely got on the computer at all, even to watch things on Hulu, and I liked being unplugged. So I'm trying to keep that up.
But I don't want to abandon the blog completely. I like writing about what I'm reading and doing the occasional life update. Now that I'm a bit more settled, I'm hoping to get back to more regular posting.
The new job really is fantastic. I'm actually enjoying having only one project to work on, as opposed to the 5-6 projects I've grown accustomed to splitting my time between. It makes it easier to explain what my job actually entails, and I have several different tasks which keeps me from getting bored or fatigued. The project also ties in with what my brother does in the Marines, which gives me a better sense of purpose than I've ever had before.
The people I work with are really nice, though I am having a little trouble breaking into the clique. I go to lunch with them every day and everyone's friendly. I just have a hard time socializing at work. I'm being paid to do my job, not hang out with people. So making friends is slow-going. I have confidence that it will, eventually, happen though.
The other perks of my job include a later start time and a fitness room on the premises that I have can access. I've been trying to run a mile every day after work. This was briefly interrupted last week when a stomach bug, but has otherwise been working out pretty well. Going for a jog after work has been a pretty great way to decompress from the day. The timing works out well, too. I'm able to sleep almost an hour later than I had been, go to work, jog a bit, and get home at roughly the same time as when I was working downtown. That time savings will hopefully keep me motivated on the workout front, though at the moment I'm just trying to establish a routine.
All in all life is good, if busy. I'm really glad I changed jobs. I feel like I'm in a much better environment now.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Family Dinner
Over the last year I've had more and more occasions to feel like an actual adult. Everything from taking care of a dog to saving money to finding a new, better job have contributed to my realization that I may be able to pull off this grown up thing after all. The most recent such moment was a week or so ago when we had Kevin's family over for dinner.
The amazing part about all of this was that we were serving twelve people and I didn't get stressed at all. Somehow I'd figured out things like how to put together a menu and time the food. I'd also managed top internalize the fact that it ultimately doesn't matter. The food will probably be good, but even if it isn't the evening won't be a total disaster.
Kevin roasted a leg of lamb and cooked his family's rice pilaf recipe. I glazed some carrots and roasted some asparagus. We served this with wine and rolls (though we forgot to put the rolls out). It was actually all really straight-forward. Mostly because we chose simple recipes that were easy to double (or quintuple in the case of the carrots). We also let our guests handle appetizers and desserts. The one tense moment when everything seemed to be done at once was made much easier by Kevin's uncle lending a helping hand.
The dinner was an unmitigated success. The food was delicious and the company was easy-going. If you'd told me a year ago that I could successfully throw a dinner party, I wouldn't have believed you. Honestly, you should have seen how stressed I was about our first Thanksgiving. But now that we have a couple of successes under our belt, I'm feeling more confident about the whole hosting thing. It makes me wish my family lived closer so I could start hosting dinners for them, too.
In case anyone is interested, here are my super simple veggie recipes:
Carrots:
Per pound of carrots, you need: 1 cup water, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 TBSP butter, dash of salt, lots of pepper (I keep wishing I'd put more pepper in these, but it's really to taste). Throw everything in a pot and bring it to a boil. Then simmer until the carrots are tender (~20 minutes)
Asparagus:
Coat the asparagus with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper (I'm still figuring out more complicated spices, but feel free to add those, too, if you think it's a good idea.) Heat the oven to 400 and put the asparagus in. They need to cook for 5-20 minutes depending on how thick they are, but ideally you want them to still be bright green and crisp. I usually overcook mine a tad, but no one complains. When they come out, sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
The amazing part about all of this was that we were serving twelve people and I didn't get stressed at all. Somehow I'd figured out things like how to put together a menu and time the food. I'd also managed top internalize the fact that it ultimately doesn't matter. The food will probably be good, but even if it isn't the evening won't be a total disaster.
Kevin roasted a leg of lamb and cooked his family's rice pilaf recipe. I glazed some carrots and roasted some asparagus. We served this with wine and rolls (though we forgot to put the rolls out). It was actually all really straight-forward. Mostly because we chose simple recipes that were easy to double (or quintuple in the case of the carrots). We also let our guests handle appetizers and desserts. The one tense moment when everything seemed to be done at once was made much easier by Kevin's uncle lending a helping hand.
The dinner was an unmitigated success. The food was delicious and the company was easy-going. If you'd told me a year ago that I could successfully throw a dinner party, I wouldn't have believed you. Honestly, you should have seen how stressed I was about our first Thanksgiving. But now that we have a couple of successes under our belt, I'm feeling more confident about the whole hosting thing. It makes me wish my family lived closer so I could start hosting dinners for them, too.
In case anyone is interested, here are my super simple veggie recipes:
Carrots:
Per pound of carrots, you need: 1 cup water, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 TBSP butter, dash of salt, lots of pepper (I keep wishing I'd put more pepper in these, but it's really to taste). Throw everything in a pot and bring it to a boil. Then simmer until the carrots are tender (~20 minutes)
Asparagus:
Coat the asparagus with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper (I'm still figuring out more complicated spices, but feel free to add those, too, if you think it's a good idea.) Heat the oven to 400 and put the asparagus in. They need to cook for 5-20 minutes depending on how thick they are, but ideally you want them to still be bright green and crisp. I usually overcook mine a tad, but no one complains. When they come out, sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Alice En Pointe
For part of last month, the National Ballet of Canada was in DC performing the contemporary ballet, Alice in Wonderland, at the Kennedy Center. Since Kevin's cousin was dancing in it (as the Red Queen) we went to see it. Along with what seemed like Kevin's entire family. I'm still not sure how everyone was related, but I believe there was a great-grandparent that everyone had in common.
The ballet itself was a lot of fun. I definitely recommend that you go see it if you get a chance. We were way up in the highest balcony, but that made it easier to see the entire stage. And since there was often a lot going, that was definitely a good thing. The show was aimed at kids more than adults, so it had two 20-minute intermissions to break things up. There were also some really fun sets and multimedia effects to aid the illusion of Alice growing and shrinking.
The producers of the show aged Alice a bit and injected a romance into the story to tie everything together. They wanted the story to have a definite plot and flow, rather than the series of disconnected adventures that the book leans more towards. So in the real world, Alice's mother is throwing a garden party and her secret boyfriend Jack is in charge of the flower arrangements. He sneaks a rose to Alice, prompting her to steal a jam tart for him. When Alice's mother discovers (and misunderstands) the situation, Jack is fired and Alice is off to Wonderland, on a mission to save the innocent Jack (Knave) of Hearts, who's been accused of stealing tarts from the Queen of Hearts.
This plot thread serves to tie together Alice's adventures and gives her a larger purpose, but all of the adventures are still there. And they become even more fun if you have a decent sense of the history of theater. The Mad Hatter is reminiscent of the tap dancers in 42nd Street (I was so excited to have a tap dancing interlude in the ballet). The Duchess, her cook, and the baby who becomes a pig nod to Sweeney Todd. And the flowers that welcome Alice when she finally makes it to the queen's garden should put everyone in mind of The Nutcracker.
I'm so glad we were able to see this show. It made me realize how much I miss ballet. Not that I'll ever dance again (probably), but just going and being surrounded by it is so much fun. It's probably why I'm drawn to Bunheads, as cheesy as that show is. There's something about the dance world that I really miss. So here's hoping we have a chance to see more ballet in the future.
The ballet itself was a lot of fun. I definitely recommend that you go see it if you get a chance. We were way up in the highest balcony, but that made it easier to see the entire stage. And since there was often a lot going, that was definitely a good thing. The show was aimed at kids more than adults, so it had two 20-minute intermissions to break things up. There were also some really fun sets and multimedia effects to aid the illusion of Alice growing and shrinking.
The producers of the show aged Alice a bit and injected a romance into the story to tie everything together. They wanted the story to have a definite plot and flow, rather than the series of disconnected adventures that the book leans more towards. So in the real world, Alice's mother is throwing a garden party and her secret boyfriend Jack is in charge of the flower arrangements. He sneaks a rose to Alice, prompting her to steal a jam tart for him. When Alice's mother discovers (and misunderstands) the situation, Jack is fired and Alice is off to Wonderland, on a mission to save the innocent Jack (Knave) of Hearts, who's been accused of stealing tarts from the Queen of Hearts.
This plot thread serves to tie together Alice's adventures and gives her a larger purpose, but all of the adventures are still there. And they become even more fun if you have a decent sense of the history of theater. The Mad Hatter is reminiscent of the tap dancers in 42nd Street (I was so excited to have a tap dancing interlude in the ballet). The Duchess, her cook, and the baby who becomes a pig nod to Sweeney Todd. And the flowers that welcome Alice when she finally makes it to the queen's garden should put everyone in mind of The Nutcracker.
I'm so glad we were able to see this show. It made me realize how much I miss ballet. Not that I'll ever dance again (probably), but just going and being surrounded by it is so much fun. It's probably why I'm drawn to Bunheads, as cheesy as that show is. There's something about the dance world that I really miss. So here's hoping we have a chance to see more ballet in the future.
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