I have about twenty cookbooks. The last one I received was a Christmas gift from my husband: "America's Test Kitchen 2001-2011" which was suppose to come with the DVDs from last season. I just received the DVDs two weeks ago. I love receiving gifts later actually.
What is the purpose of cookbooks? For some, like new cooks, it's a step-by-step guide to make a dish. For others, like me who are more comfortable in the kitchen, it's a reference to get inspiration.
I have cookbooks on healthy cooking, low-sodium and Mediterranean, Alicia Silverstone's book on Vegetarian cooking . I've used cooking to look for answers when my allergies were driving me crazy. I followed my love for Julia Child through reading and re-reading my favorite foodie book, Amanda Hesser's Cooking for Mr. Latte.
What do you use cookbooks for?
Showing posts with label work life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work life. Show all posts
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Saturday, January 02, 2010
The Surprise Proposal!
George got me good! After planning our wedding for about 4 months, he finally formally popped the question New Years Day morning after breakfast. He'd planned on asking me in NYC the night before but I got suddenly ill and he was exhausted from getting up early that day to help his dad out.
I had NO IDEA he had the ring with him in his pocket for nearly 2 days! The jeweler has been particularly slow in getting his ring ready but it was FINALLY ready NYE afternoon. I love it and it's more beautiful than I ever imagined.
We called a bunch of our friends yesterday before George left for a ski trip with his friends for the weekend. I was suppose to go but wasn't feeling up for it after the night before did not end elegantly for me.
I still can't believe I'm actually getting married and I get to see George more than twice a week but the end of the summer 2010. I'm looking forward to making a move into more work that I love rather than what simply pays the bills- that's when the opportunity is formally presented. Hopefully it will not be stuck at the jeweler's store!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Time Passing By
I've been writing at my newspaper gig, seemingly non-stop since my last post. It left me completely forgetting about this free-space, so to speak. There's a lull (and I have some time to kill)so inspiration calls me to my keyboard once again.
The opportunity to write for myself comes and goes and I have a few half-full journals to prove it. Getting it into a cohesive project has yet to happen, however, the opportunity may be on my horizon. Last month, George and I talked about him supporting my desire to teach full-time next fall. The next week, my boss at the college where I adjunct said she would "try" and slot me for a full-time temporary position. Hooray- but I'll believe it when it's affirmed next spring.
A year ago, I was beyond miserable with my city job and was about to eulogize my grandmother at her memorial service. I stuck it out, thanks to George's seemingly endless amount of support and here I am a stronger, wiser woman. Central Park used to be my sobbing ground, now it's the sanctuary it should be for me during lunch breaks.
Last year, my relationship with my older sister was getting better but still a little awkward. Last night, we went to a concert at the Garden and the rapport we used to have before she got married returned. It just showed up over pad thai and carried us on the train ride home. Even though I'm the younger sister, I took the train part way home with her and made her call me when she made her connection. She doesn't like the city much and it was so late at night I just wanted to be sure.
My life as a writer continues to expand and change as well. My friend from grad school started up an ezine which I want to submit something to. I have to dig through my work and see what's worthy of submission.
At the newspaper, I've written theater reviews, concert reviews, walked through a golf course converted to an outdoor concert space to review a festival, and the list goes on. Sure, I'm getting paid peanuts but it does pay a bill or two that finds its way to my mailbox every month.
The one part of my life that I cannot write about is the specifics about George and me. Partly it's to protect our privacy and partly because I simply cannot put it into words.
I could list adjectives: enthralling, romantic, comfortable, helpful, supportive, predictable.
I will say this: we are the Tortoise (me) and the Hare (him) when it comes our approach to life. This will take some struggles to adjust to if we ever change the status of our relationship. I want to both move forward and hang back where we are at the same time. He tells me how he feels (sometimes) but I cannot put it into words here.
A year from now, I really hope I'm not writing a blog entry from this desk where I sit. I want to be home, making dinner and having a glass of wine. And I want a puppy next to me too :)
The opportunity to write for myself comes and goes and I have a few half-full journals to prove it. Getting it into a cohesive project has yet to happen, however, the opportunity may be on my horizon. Last month, George and I talked about him supporting my desire to teach full-time next fall. The next week, my boss at the college where I adjunct said she would "try" and slot me for a full-time temporary position. Hooray- but I'll believe it when it's affirmed next spring.
A year ago, I was beyond miserable with my city job and was about to eulogize my grandmother at her memorial service. I stuck it out, thanks to George's seemingly endless amount of support and here I am a stronger, wiser woman. Central Park used to be my sobbing ground, now it's the sanctuary it should be for me during lunch breaks.
Last year, my relationship with my older sister was getting better but still a little awkward. Last night, we went to a concert at the Garden and the rapport we used to have before she got married returned. It just showed up over pad thai and carried us on the train ride home. Even though I'm the younger sister, I took the train part way home with her and made her call me when she made her connection. She doesn't like the city much and it was so late at night I just wanted to be sure.
My life as a writer continues to expand and change as well. My friend from grad school started up an ezine which I want to submit something to. I have to dig through my work and see what's worthy of submission.
At the newspaper, I've written theater reviews, concert reviews, walked through a golf course converted to an outdoor concert space to review a festival, and the list goes on. Sure, I'm getting paid peanuts but it does pay a bill or two that finds its way to my mailbox every month.
The one part of my life that I cannot write about is the specifics about George and me. Partly it's to protect our privacy and partly because I simply cannot put it into words.
I could list adjectives: enthralling, romantic, comfortable, helpful, supportive, predictable.
I will say this: we are the Tortoise (me) and the Hare (him) when it comes our approach to life. This will take some struggles to adjust to if we ever change the status of our relationship. I want to both move forward and hang back where we are at the same time. He tells me how he feels (sometimes) but I cannot put it into words here.
A year from now, I really hope I'm not writing a blog entry from this desk where I sit. I want to be home, making dinner and having a glass of wine. And I want a puppy next to me too :)
Friday, July 10, 2009
Buzz Is Ruining My Life
I swear he is and we haven't even met yet. Since he is not one of George's heroes (it's Winston Churchill) I think I can delicately vent here about why this man is ruining my vacation plans for the rest of '09.
If you've been following along with me the last few months, I've been wondering what exactly is next. I've been "trying" to work harder and smarter. About a month ago I was told my performance at work was not up to par and my position was possibly going down to part-time. I kept it together until my lunch and went for a good cry in Central Park. I went on a short trip at the end of that week which was the best thing I could do mentally. Literally walking away was so beneficial to get some perspective.
I'm about 4 weeks into "the hunt" to get a new job when I'm whisked into yet another meeting to get my annual review. A very sudden 180 happens and I'm told that not only is my work on par but in lieu of a raise (they can't afford the $$) I'm getting an extra week of vacation. Yes- this is my work life. One day I'm in hell the next day in paradise.
So I confer with George about it and it's his turn to get the okay from his work for the extra week. This is part of relationships where you have to "work it out". His boss has already ok'd our original week in August but is now on the verge of redacting it in the name of a major shift of workload at the firm. George, being the amazing boyfriend, tells the boss that his traveling companion (without giving its gender) has already booked the time. And this is when it gets cute- the boss asks if it's a lady with a smirk on his face. George affirms it and gets the okay. That night I insist that we get this boss man a drink after work sometime. We'll see.
So how does Buzz come and screw up my life?
Well I wanted to go away in Sept., George can't make it and the week he's free in October Buzz is coming to my work for an event and I'll probably have to be here as backup to the Events Manager. Should I pray about this or just go and buy George's boss a bottle of expensive wine as a bribe? Maybe I'll do both ;-)
If you've been following along with me the last few months, I've been wondering what exactly is next. I've been "trying" to work harder and smarter. About a month ago I was told my performance at work was not up to par and my position was possibly going down to part-time. I kept it together until my lunch and went for a good cry in Central Park. I went on a short trip at the end of that week which was the best thing I could do mentally. Literally walking away was so beneficial to get some perspective.
I'm about 4 weeks into "the hunt" to get a new job when I'm whisked into yet another meeting to get my annual review. A very sudden 180 happens and I'm told that not only is my work on par but in lieu of a raise (they can't afford the $$) I'm getting an extra week of vacation. Yes- this is my work life. One day I'm in hell the next day in paradise.
So I confer with George about it and it's his turn to get the okay from his work for the extra week. This is part of relationships where you have to "work it out". His boss has already ok'd our original week in August but is now on the verge of redacting it in the name of a major shift of workload at the firm. George, being the amazing boyfriend, tells the boss that his traveling companion (without giving its gender) has already booked the time. And this is when it gets cute- the boss asks if it's a lady with a smirk on his face. George affirms it and gets the okay. That night I insist that we get this boss man a drink after work sometime. We'll see.
So how does Buzz come and screw up my life?
Well I wanted to go away in Sept., George can't make it and the week he's free in October Buzz is coming to my work for an event and I'll probably have to be here as backup to the Events Manager. Should I pray about this or just go and buy George's boss a bottle of expensive wine as a bribe? Maybe I'll do both ;-)
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Dangerous Love
Like many who are fascinated with the Craiglist's killer story, I was not surprised to learn that Philip Markoff and Megan McAllister have canceled their engagement. Apparently her parents will be using whatever money they haven't lost to deposits (the band the booked refunded their money) on a lawyer for their daughter. I just feel so sorry for Megan, I truly do. I know many are thinking: hey didn't she noticed that her fiancee had womens' underwear ( I depise the word panties, it sounds so creepy) in their apartment? And she will have to rebuild her reputation and have to (when she's ready) re-enter the dreaded dating pool.
Another form of dangerous love is dealing with an unwanted advance in the workplace. At one of my many jobs one of my co-workers is quite upset (and rightly so) that her boss will not stop pursuing her despite her relating her dis-interest. Unfortunately she knows that this means she has to look for another job because she knows if she complains she might as well look for another job anyhow.
Yesterday, I was getting to know a new friend better and we talked about why women put up with abuse in a relationship. We both know of a woman who is with an abusive husband. I remember picking our my friend's wedding gift based on what likely her future husband would not use to throw at or hit her with.
Luckily my new chicka and I are in relationships as safe as they could possibly be.
Another form of dangerous love is dealing with an unwanted advance in the workplace. At one of my many jobs one of my co-workers is quite upset (and rightly so) that her boss will not stop pursuing her despite her relating her dis-interest. Unfortunately she knows that this means she has to look for another job because she knows if she complains she might as well look for another job anyhow.
Yesterday, I was getting to know a new friend better and we talked about why women put up with abuse in a relationship. We both know of a woman who is with an abusive husband. I remember picking our my friend's wedding gift based on what likely her future husband would not use to throw at or hit her with.
Luckily my new chicka and I are in relationships as safe as they could possibly be.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
The First Lady's Stylin'
I'm nothing short of impressed by Mrs. Obama's stylist. The First Lady's outfits are being looked out at closely as the red carpet at the Oscars. I appreciate that her style is short on shoulder pads and comes from a variety of retail and high-end designers. Her favorite is J.Crew, which her daughter's wore at the inauguration.
Speaking of style, I've taken my work blazers off the hanger and tried them out at work. Wearing a cardigan day in and out makes me look more like Pam from "The Office" rather than the executive assistant I want to portray as I continue to mold my professional aspirations.
One of my newly vamped up outfits made someone at a meeting I covered for my freelance journalism gig mistake me for an assistant principal, ha! As if I would be an assistant principal. The paperwork, the unpaid overtime, I don't think so. I'd better off assisting an executive rather than being one myself.
Speaking of style, I've taken my work blazers off the hanger and tried them out at work. Wearing a cardigan day in and out makes me look more like Pam from "The Office" rather than the executive assistant I want to portray as I continue to mold my professional aspirations.
One of my newly vamped up outfits made someone at a meeting I covered for my freelance journalism gig mistake me for an assistant principal, ha! As if I would be an assistant principal. The paperwork, the unpaid overtime, I don't think so. I'd better off assisting an executive rather than being one myself.
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