There's always a choice...

I'm frustrated at the moment...and a little angry, possibly due to frustration. Therefore, this post will be filled with only positive things that have happened; progress being made, fun that was had, and fun to come.

1. I had my first language exchange in over two years tonight and the next is already planned. I learned that Peru qualified for the World Cup in Russia, what the secret ingredient for good ceviche is, and did a bit of catching up in general (Fun! Progress! Future Fun!)
2. I finished the painful and wonderful book I was reading and watched the movie today. I give the book a full five stars. The movie was...meh. But movies based on books usually are. Doesn't kill the excitement of finally seeing what was in your head on the screen. I teared up on only one part of the movie because there was a moment between the characters that hit home a little forcefully today. Anyway, great book. Read it! (Fun! Progress!)
3. I spent a couple hours playing Witcher 3 today which is always a beautiful place to escape to. Completed some quests, got some XP, advanced the story, etc. (Fun! Progress!)
4. This coming week will be the first one in which I receive pay from two jobs instead of one. I know what I want to do with the money but not sure yet what is the right thing. More than likely I will sit on it until I do know. (Fun! Progress!)
5. I've officially gathered all of the supplies to build four new raised garden beds for the backyard and the very best part is...I'll have a building partner this time. (Future Fun! Progress!)
6. I'll be cooking two or three new things this week based on time. a) Homemade Syrian Tabbouleh b) something Ukrainian and c) a new grilled cheese from the book (Future Fun!)
7. I chose my next "book", a graphic novel series I started in grad school but never finished. The series is called Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and there are definitely some scenes that first caught my eye and piqued my curiosity...and then I just got sucked into the world. I've gathered them all and have three to go. (Future Fun!)

I'll leave you with a couple "special" scenes from Saga. ;)

I love the artwork and story, I love their blunt honesty and openness with each other, and I love watching them give everything they've got for each other and their little baby to survive.

There! Now wasn't that positive, dammit?! What have you been up to? Hmm?

Ugh...will be quick

Still don't want to talk to you.

I'll only share two things.

Grilled cheese #4 went down tonight; fresh(er) mozzerella, roasted red peppers, arugula, and a drizzle of olive oil on Italian bread. The family killed it and used marinara sauce for dipping. Success! Forty-six more to go.

This weekend I will officially start working two part-time jobs. Should be interesting. The last time I did something even close to this was when I was 18 years old. I walked from one job to the next, to the next each day...and then barely slept on purpose. If I could do that I can do this easy!

That's all. Bye!!

Not sharing but sharing...

I don't feel like sharing with you today dammit! So quit asking! ;)

I'll only share the MV/song of the day because it was a big part of my day. I was told to watch this video/listen to this song a couple days ago but it looked like it was going to be a "conscious rap song" which I have to be in the mood for and was not. So I let it sit. I finally, and begrudgingly, sat down to watch the video today while eating and was completely and unexpectedly sucked in by the MV. Bravo!! I love when people use their music videos as an extension of the art where they end up enhancing the song. He killed it in so many ways down to the tiny details, even of the way he made the song and lyrics! Strong message delivered in a nice little pill that's easier to swallow. In the end, it did end up being a "conscious rap song" but he brought it in a fresh and different way and I'm always down for that. After that, I just couldn't help but dance to the song the rest of the day; in the car, at home, I held it in at the gym...barely. You get the picture. Now, that's enough! Goodbye!!

To books, treats, and new beginnings!

Let's dive right in, shall we?

I finished Christmas Caramel Murder which turned out to be absolutely awful all the way to the end. At least it was consistent. Right?! It was so bad that I'm laughing as I write this. Wow. At least it was short but I can definitively say that I am not a fan of Joanne Fluke or cozy mysteries. The experience wouldn't be complete without making something from the book. Therefore, let me introduce the strangest cookies I've ever made, "Red Velvet Whippersnapper Cookies".

I ate one to taste it and my feelings about them are sort of...blah. They taste OK but I'd take my oatmeal chocolate-chip babies over these any day. Despite how they look, they are bursting with mini chocolate chips. The rest of my family devoured them and the remaining dough is in the freezer for another day. Despite all, I was mildly amused by this whole thing so thumbs up. Laying this little adventure to rest!

To catch you up on the grilled cheese spree, I've had to take a small break. To make a long story short, the book has been purchased instead of repeatedly checking it out from the library and should arrive on my doorstep any day. Recipe #3 contained cherries, basil, and ricotta cheese. I wouldn't say it tasted bad...but that's only because I made it. Unfortunately, the poor, unloved sandwiches didn't make it and found themselves in the trash a few days later when no one would eat anymore. We just couldn't get down with the cherry and basil mixture. Three recipes down, forty-seven more to go!

I started reading The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin and it has been exactly what the doctor ordered.

It was made into a movie with Idris Elba (YAAAASSSS!!!!) and Kate Winslet and I've heard it does the book justice, which almost never happens. The book is wonderful and I'm excited for this ride.
I'll add a weird quirk here. In general, I like love stories but they aren't always easy to swallow. This one is good so its been especially painful. Sometimes I have to put it down for a minute or only read a couple pages at a time. I watch a lot of horror movies for this reason...because its too hard or I don't feel like handling the sometimes painful emotions that surface for me when I watch a love story. Pretty sure that's one of those previously damaged parts of me causing a little sting there. Very manageable though. Moving on!

I've moved up in the world of employment and have left one job for a bigger and better one. I'm still adjusting to this bigger and better job so I'll save that for another day. For now, I had an awesome last day at the old one where coworkers showered me with gifts and goodies and teased me about having no emotions about leaving. Oh, how little they know! :) I received one gift that was extra special though.

• A little history first. Growing up, my mom made all of our cakes and we were to request which kind we wanted each year for our birthdays. My favorite cake, hands down, was homemade chocolate mayonnaise cake and I'd simply switch up the icing each time. Until recently, I was under the impression that this was a top-secret family recipe that had been passed down through generations; at least since the generation that was first able to buy mayonnaise in a store. Hmm, I'll admit I didn't think that one through...lol

When I walked in the break room on my last day I saw this; homemade chocolate mayonnaise cake with homemade chocolate buttercream frosting! OMG!

My work mom had made it for me the night before and had no idea she had whipped up my favorite type of cake. It was a little eerie actually but tasted so good!!! It was the best kind of last day, as last days go.

Two people in my life are graduating this week! My sister will officially become a doctor on Tuesday and the friend who's been with me through thick and thin since middle school walks across the stage this morning to receive his masters degree. I'm streaming it live this morning so I can watch his big moment. Soooooo proud of both of them!

'Til next time!!