Day 12: Three day weekends.
Day 13: Those who serve. Since last Sunday was Veterans Day and Monday was Veterans Day observed, I am thankful for the service of all veterans and the sacrifice made by their families. I am also thankful for and admire those who serve their communities: policeman, fireman, EMTs, etc.
Day 14: Vegan pumpkin pie.
Day 15: My cute new hat.
Day 16: The sun. I miss it when it is gone.
Day 17: Some of the weirdness that comes with my job. Like trying to deal with a very (unjustifiably) angry individual wearing some weird tulle hat/headband and glitter glued to her forehead.
Showing posts with label 30 Days of Thanks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 30 Days of Thanks. Show all posts
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Sunday, November 11, 2012
30 Days of Thanks, Day 11
Today I am thankful for humor. Specifically funny movies. And more specifically, funny movies starring women.
Now, I'm not going to get into that whole women can't be funny thing because it's fucking stupid. But still, there is something special about really funny women.
Last night a friend and I saw Pitch Perfect. It's a cute movie and was entertaining, but what put it over the top into fucking awesome was Rebel Wilson. Rebel is blond, Australian, and awesome. I've seen her in Bridesmaids and Bachelorette (the movie, not the reality television show). I've seen her appearance on Ellen and few other talk shows. Simply put: She's fucking hilarious. And her part in Pitch Perfect as Fat Amy is perfect. Like Melissa McCarthy in Bridesmaids, Rebel stole every single scene she was in.
And speaking of Melissa McCarthy, one of the previews before Pitch Perfect was for her new movie: Identify Thief. I AM SO THERE.
(They also showed the trailer for Les Miserables. I made gaging noises.)
Okay, but in general, I am still thankful for humor. Want me to like you? Make me laugh. I love to laugh.
Now, I'm not going to get into that whole women can't be funny thing because it's fucking stupid. But still, there is something special about really funny women.
Last night a friend and I saw Pitch Perfect. It's a cute movie and was entertaining, but what put it over the top into fucking awesome was Rebel Wilson. Rebel is blond, Australian, and awesome. I've seen her in Bridesmaids and Bachelorette (the movie, not the reality television show). I've seen her appearance on Ellen and few other talk shows. Simply put: She's fucking hilarious. And her part in Pitch Perfect as Fat Amy is perfect. Like Melissa McCarthy in Bridesmaids, Rebel stole every single scene she was in.
And speaking of Melissa McCarthy, one of the previews before Pitch Perfect was for her new movie: Identify Thief. I AM SO THERE.
(They also showed the trailer for Les Miserables. I made gaging noises.)
Okay, but in general, I am still thankful for humor. Want me to like you? Make me laugh. I love to laugh.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
30 Days of Thanks, Day 10
Today I am thankful that I can walk into the cafe at the Co-op and ask, "Will you be making vegan pumpkin pies this year?," and no one even blinks an eye.
Friday, November 9, 2012
30 Days of Thanks, Days 8 and 9
Day 8: My cat. Yes, two days in a row. It's my blog and I can do what I want to.
I took the cat to the vet this morning. I had planned on doing this Thursday but decided I wanted to watch him for another night. By the end of the day I knew he needed to go in. I dropped him off in the morning so the vet could take a look at home while I was at work. I wasn't feeling good today so I had planned to go in for some morning meetings and then go home. When I got home my place was empty. And quiet. And for a few hours I experienced what my life would be like without him. I didn't like it.
The cat? We think it's a specific type of intestinal infection. It may be chronic, it may not. We're going to treat it with some medication and see what happens. This came on very suddenly and hopefully it will go away as quickly as it came on.
Day 9: My students. Students are the best and worst things abut being at a university and about teaching. They can be aggravating and time consuming and whiny. But they can also be cool and funny and inspiring. I've been doing consults with my students relating to their final assignments. Students have to research a topic of their choice and this week meant getting to know them a little more about them and their topics. A few of them didn't think they needed the help. Most of them appreciated it more than they thought they would.
This week they were entertaining and interesting and funny. And one, he was inspiring. He is in school to change his life. He's not what you would think of as a "normal" student and he is pretty amazing. He has some struggles, but I want him to succeed because he wants to succeed and because I know he can. I've hooked him up with some services in the library that have given him the support he needs, and talking to him, other faculty have done the same.
When we met earlier this week he told me how much he appreciated my help and how much support he's gotten from others on campus. He was very tentative and overwhelmed the first week of class, but talking to him now it appears he's settling in and adjusting. This warms my heart.
I took the cat to the vet this morning. I had planned on doing this Thursday but decided I wanted to watch him for another night. By the end of the day I knew he needed to go in. I dropped him off in the morning so the vet could take a look at home while I was at work. I wasn't feeling good today so I had planned to go in for some morning meetings and then go home. When I got home my place was empty. And quiet. And for a few hours I experienced what my life would be like without him. I didn't like it.
The cat? We think it's a specific type of intestinal infection. It may be chronic, it may not. We're going to treat it with some medication and see what happens. This came on very suddenly and hopefully it will go away as quickly as it came on.
Day 9: My students. Students are the best and worst things abut being at a university and about teaching. They can be aggravating and time consuming and whiny. But they can also be cool and funny and inspiring. I've been doing consults with my students relating to their final assignments. Students have to research a topic of their choice and this week meant getting to know them a little more about them and their topics. A few of them didn't think they needed the help. Most of them appreciated it more than they thought they would.
This week they were entertaining and interesting and funny. And one, he was inspiring. He is in school to change his life. He's not what you would think of as a "normal" student and he is pretty amazing. He has some struggles, but I want him to succeed because he wants to succeed and because I know he can. I've hooked him up with some services in the library that have given him the support he needs, and talking to him, other faculty have done the same.
When we met earlier this week he told me how much he appreciated my help and how much support he's gotten from others on campus. He was very tentative and overwhelmed the first week of class, but talking to him now it appears he's settling in and adjusting. This warms my heart.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
30 Days of Thanks, Day 7
Today I am thankful for my cat, Alexsi. After losing Sasha earlier this year Alexsi has turned into a wonderful cuddly awesome cat.
Unfortunately, today he is not feeling well. Pukey and poopy, I am taking him to the vet tomorrow to have him checked out. He's a little slower than normal, but he hasn't kept much food down and the vet told me to not feed him tonight. He was screaching earlier to be fed, but for now he is sleeping on the sofa.
Unfortunately, today he is not feeling well. Pukey and poopy, I am taking him to the vet tomorrow to have him checked out. He's a little slower than normal, but he hasn't kept much food down and the vet told me to not feed him tonight. He was screaching earlier to be fed, but for now he is sleeping on the sofa.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
30 Days of Thanks, Day 6 (pt 2)
Sanity prevailed.
Suck it, you Tea Party Fuckwads.
Let me just say this: I refuse to be a gracious winner when the other party refused to call out and condem the hateful bile that was spewed forth by some members of their party. By keeping their silence they agreed with them. Well, fuck you. We won.
- Obama releected.
- Same-sex marriage passed in Maryland, Maine, and it looks like Washington.
- The pro-rape candidates were handily kicked to the curb.
Suck it, you Tea Party Fuckwads.
Let me just say this: I refuse to be a gracious winner when the other party refused to call out and condem the hateful bile that was spewed forth by some members of their party. By keeping their silence they agreed with them. Well, fuck you. We won.
Monday, November 5, 2012
30 Days of Thanks, Day 5
Today I am thankful for disposable income. Disposable income that can be used on impulse buys like the iPad I am using to compose this post.
That is all.
That is all.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
30 Days of Thanks, Day 4
Today I am thankful for laziness.
It's been well documented on this blog that I really enjoy lying around doing nothing. Or at least having the freedom to do what I want to do when I want to do it.
Today I did that this weekend, and it's been a while since I have have that freedom without feeling guilty about not doing something I should be doing. And, as always, it was awesome.
It's been well documented on this blog that I really enjoy lying around doing nothing. Or at least having the freedom to do what I want to do when I want to do it.
Today I did that this weekend, and it's been a while since I have have that freedom without feeling guilty about not doing something I should be doing. And, as always, it was awesome.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
30 Days of Thanks, Day 3
Today I am thankful for food.
I'm thankful that I have regular access to it. I'm thankful that I have enough--if not too much--food on a daily basis. I'm thankful that my tastes in food have evolved over time.
This morning I went to the farmers market. It's Saturday and the market goes until December 22--so I was there. The market is half the size it is during the summer and early fall and my beloved Ethiopian food is gone until April (she only keeps the stand open until the end of October but she is looking for more permanent space).
This morning I walked to the market and picked up a few things: cauliflower, zucchini potatoes, onions, apples and whole wheat bread. All organic and all local. Because the Ethiopian food stand was gone, I tried the newest food stand: An Asian fusion stand. The guy that runs it was the chef at the only four-star restaurant in town, but it closed a couple years ago. Since then he's started a noodle bowl food stand open for lunch during the day and Saturdays at the market (and soon he will have an actual space). Today I ordered rice noodles with veggies (the pickled peppers and roasted squash was killer), tofu, and nori in a vegan mushroom broth. Holy shit, it was one of the best things I've ever eaten. I want two more right now.
When I say I am thankful my tastes have evolved, I mean I am thankful that I am willing to try new food, and that I have access to different types of food. In a way I am a foodie, but I consider myself a foodie be default--I'm a foodie because I'm a vegan. This means I pay more attention to what I eat and appreciate some things more than others. Don't get me wrong, I love food and have loved food for a long time, but it's different now.
I look at myself now and my habits of both eating and shopping and am oddly amused. I buy most of my food from local stores within walking distance of where I live. I only go to Trader Joe's when I really have to mainly because I grew tired of fighting for a parking lot. And I've found that the local co-op is surprisingly cheaper than the traditional grocery stores. I buy higher-end food--meaning specialty (veganized versions of non-vegan food, tofu, etc) and organic, mainly. I don't know if organic is really all that better, but most of it locally grown and I'm down with supporting local farmers and businesses.
Basically, I'm one big walking NPR-listening, organic-buying, food-obsessed cliche.
And I'm okay with that.
Anyway, so, yes, I am thankful for food. I am thankful for my access to it. I am thankful for my foodie-ness.
**This was edited because the original post was half-baked and boring. Hopefully, this is a little better.
I'm thankful that I have regular access to it. I'm thankful that I have enough--if not too much--food on a daily basis. I'm thankful that my tastes in food have evolved over time.
This morning I went to the farmers market. It's Saturday and the market goes until December 22--so I was there. The market is half the size it is during the summer and early fall and my beloved Ethiopian food is gone until April (she only keeps the stand open until the end of October but she is looking for more permanent space).
This morning I walked to the market and picked up a few things: cauliflower, zucchini potatoes, onions, apples and whole wheat bread. All organic and all local. Because the Ethiopian food stand was gone, I tried the newest food stand: An Asian fusion stand. The guy that runs it was the chef at the only four-star restaurant in town, but it closed a couple years ago. Since then he's started a noodle bowl food stand open for lunch during the day and Saturdays at the market (and soon he will have an actual space). Today I ordered rice noodles with veggies (the pickled peppers and roasted squash was killer), tofu, and nori in a vegan mushroom broth. Holy shit, it was one of the best things I've ever eaten. I want two more right now.
When I say I am thankful my tastes have evolved, I mean I am thankful that I am willing to try new food, and that I have access to different types of food. In a way I am a foodie, but I consider myself a foodie be default--I'm a foodie because I'm a vegan. This means I pay more attention to what I eat and appreciate some things more than others. Don't get me wrong, I love food and have loved food for a long time, but it's different now.
I look at myself now and my habits of both eating and shopping and am oddly amused. I buy most of my food from local stores within walking distance of where I live. I only go to Trader Joe's when I really have to mainly because I grew tired of fighting for a parking lot. And I've found that the local co-op is surprisingly cheaper than the traditional grocery stores. I buy higher-end food--meaning specialty (veganized versions of non-vegan food, tofu, etc) and organic, mainly. I don't know if organic is really all that better, but most of it locally grown and I'm down with supporting local farmers and businesses.
Basically, I'm one big walking NPR-listening, organic-buying, food-obsessed cliche.
And I'm okay with that.
Anyway, so, yes, I am thankful for food. I am thankful for my access to it. I am thankful for my foodie-ness.
**This was edited because the original post was half-baked and boring. Hopefully, this is a little better.
Friday, November 2, 2012
30 Days of Thanks, Day 2
Today I am thankful for black IPA. Beer? I'm thankful for beer when people are without power and heat and water? Yes. Because I'm shallow and self-centered like that.
Anyway... After a long week that started shitty but ended pretty good, I needed a beer. I haven't been drinking much beer lately. Since coming back from Vermont in July I've been mostly drinking cider. I found a local dark and dry hard apple cider I like quite a bit. The last few months I felt that beer was just too heavy and cider fit the bill.
Tonight, it was rainy and cool and November--and I wanted a beer. I'm pretty much an IPA drinker--the hoppier the better. And IPAs are Pacific Northwest standard. By the way people talk about them, you'd think brewers in the Pacific Northwest invented the IPA. But I've also found out I like oatmeal stouts a lot. I never thought I like stouts, but, holy shit, I do.
So, as I was about to grabs a six-pack of an IPA I like, I saw a black IPA. And since the beer guy (you know, the guy in the liquor section who knows beer instead of wine) was right there, I asked what the difference was. Simply put, it's either a maltier IPA or a hoppier stout. Or as the beer guy said, "It pretty much follows the pattern of people in the Pacific Northwest making everything hoppier." He went on to explain that the bitterness of the hops cuts into the richer chocolate taste of the malt. I was sold. To add to the Pacific Northwest ownership of the IPA, black IPAs are also called Cascadian Dark Ale.
And you know what? It's great. Super great.
Anyway... After a long week that started shitty but ended pretty good, I needed a beer. I haven't been drinking much beer lately. Since coming back from Vermont in July I've been mostly drinking cider. I found a local dark and dry hard apple cider I like quite a bit. The last few months I felt that beer was just too heavy and cider fit the bill.
Tonight, it was rainy and cool and November--and I wanted a beer. I'm pretty much an IPA drinker--the hoppier the better. And IPAs are Pacific Northwest standard. By the way people talk about them, you'd think brewers in the Pacific Northwest invented the IPA. But I've also found out I like oatmeal stouts a lot. I never thought I like stouts, but, holy shit, I do.
So, as I was about to grabs a six-pack of an IPA I like, I saw a black IPA. And since the beer guy (you know, the guy in the liquor section who knows beer instead of wine) was right there, I asked what the difference was. Simply put, it's either a maltier IPA or a hoppier stout. Or as the beer guy said, "It pretty much follows the pattern of people in the Pacific Northwest making everything hoppier." He went on to explain that the bitterness of the hops cuts into the richer chocolate taste of the malt. I was sold. To add to the Pacific Northwest ownership of the IPA, black IPAs are also called Cascadian Dark Ale.
And you know what? It's great. Super great.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
30 Days of Thanks, Day 1
Yeah, so I was taking a break. And I did this 30 Days of Thanks thing last year. And I don't know if my 30 things will be much different than last year. But, here it goes.
Today I am thankful for today. And by that I mean this very day, today.
I've had a semi-shitty week. Monday was crazy busy. Tuesday was that type of day where it felt like everything I touched I broke. I taught in the morning, and it went terribly. My students got frustrated, and I got frustrated. It I felt like I had been rambling on for seven weeks and nothing I said was sinking in. It got to the point where I almost told them to get out of the room because I didn't want to look at them anymore. But I took a deep breath, asked them what they didn't get and tried to address their concerns and questions. The rest of the day was spent in meetings or grading, and then I was at work late, still grading.
The grading continued until Wednesday, and I got even more frustrated. The grading was briefly interrupted for more meetings.
Today? Was the polar opposite of Tuesday. Or Monday. Or Wednesday. It was busier than all of them combined, but my class went beautifully. I tried something new and it worked. It really worked. My students got into the exercise and they seemed to get something out of it. It was great. And the meetings, while time consuming, were actually productive.
And I bought an iPad. It's a used one. And it was semi-impulsive, but there you go. A friend on Facebook was selling it, I counter-offered her price, and we had a deal.
So, today was what I needed to counterbalance the rest of my week.
Today I am thankful for today. And by that I mean this very day, today.
I've had a semi-shitty week. Monday was crazy busy. Tuesday was that type of day where it felt like everything I touched I broke. I taught in the morning, and it went terribly. My students got frustrated, and I got frustrated. It I felt like I had been rambling on for seven weeks and nothing I said was sinking in. It got to the point where I almost told them to get out of the room because I didn't want to look at them anymore. But I took a deep breath, asked them what they didn't get and tried to address their concerns and questions. The rest of the day was spent in meetings or grading, and then I was at work late, still grading.
The grading continued until Wednesday, and I got even more frustrated. The grading was briefly interrupted for more meetings.
Today? Was the polar opposite of Tuesday. Or Monday. Or Wednesday. It was busier than all of them combined, but my class went beautifully. I tried something new and it worked. It really worked. My students got into the exercise and they seemed to get something out of it. It was great. And the meetings, while time consuming, were actually productive.
And I bought an iPad. It's a used one. And it was semi-impulsive, but there you go. A friend on Facebook was selling it, I counter-offered her price, and we had a deal.
So, today was what I needed to counterbalance the rest of my week.
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