Sunday, May 31, 2009

Weekend update

Well it has been a crazy week, not really, it has been rather boring. Bill completed his first week of work, and so far so good. He likes his firm and his mentors. And thank goodness, the lunch budget at the firm doesn't seem to be hurting despite the economy. I wish the same were true for my work. The u of c would definitely count as the food Nazi, no food for you......or Kleenex, or coffee, or paper towels for the bathroom.....the list goes on. But Bill is happy and excited about the work.
As for me, I ate the same thing for dinner 4 nights in a row.......awesome. I went to the Turkish festival and watched various Turkish dances and my personal favorite the Whirling Dervish! I was kind of disappointed that they didn't whirl more. I think my spiritual journey into perfection would take more than a minute of twirling. They also had a fashion show for traditional Turkish garb. I treated myself to a lamb kabob and it was simply deliciouso. Liz Lemon said it best "I want to go to there". Bill, bar trip to Turkey??? And finally, I down loaded a Regina Spektor cd from itunes, and I've been listening to it all week.
And in other news, the cat has successfully figured out how to open the cupboards as that is what he is doing while I type. Little weasel.
Drummers, can't you tell?
They did some belly dancing moves, it was pretty fun.
More dancing
And more dancing
The Whirling Dervish. Hurrah!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Gangsta Wednesday & Lawyers

I heard that it is gang initiation week. Just kidding, it was just a joke. I'm sure gang initiation week was at the beginning of spring. Things like that happen when the weather begins to improve. But for fake gang initiation week, I'm going to have gangster day...well gangster night, where I have to do everything in gangster mode (good thing I won't be leaving the apartment). So here goes:

Was up man? I be read'n da redeye (free newspaper), cuz it be free G and I saw this phat add "I heart lawyers", I ain't be no foo, I steal dis add like it be my bidness. Then my homey ax for da add, and I be "yo foo, i needs a jackson and a lincoln fo' that". en she be, "why you tripp'n foo", I be "foo, I heart lawyers cause I be hitched to one". Then she be "i give yous props for dat phat add G, and da Baby Phat and da Jincos you be wear'n" But, I see da po po and scream "Lets book da honky pigs a comin".

Translation:
whats up man. I was reading the readeye because it is free friend and I saw this awesome add "I heart lawyers", and I'm not dumb, so I take the add like it is my job. Then my friend asked for the add, and I said "no way, you have to pay me $25 for it. Then she said "why not" and I said "friend, I heart lawyers because I'm married to one". Then she said " Well that is a cool add friend, and I like your clothes (brand called Baby Phat) and Jincos". But then I see the cops coming so I scream "we better run from the cops who are coming"


Peace out fools. Hope you like my phat add. Leave a comment in gangsta speak. If you need help check out this website or listen to some rap. But be forewarned, if I were a real gangsta there would have been way more %$#@!*#%# &^$*.
I think I've got too much time on my hands. And I really did find this add in the paper. Awesome.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Soldier Field 10 Miler

Pre-race picture. There was actually a lot of people there for the finish. But I guess a race of 9,000 would bring a lot of spectators.I ran the Soldier Field 10 Miler this weekend. It is a pretty cool race since the race begins and ends in Soldier Field (where the Chicago Bears play). It didn't go as well as I had hoped. But I suppose it was my own fault, I wasn't feeling it, and I shouldn't have gone to Flaco's Tacos for dinner on Friday night. Oh but those greasy tacos were sooo good. Oh well, I guess I'll have to run it again next year.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Kinder Bueno Heaven

One of the doctors that I work for just got back from Copenhagen. She brought me back this sweet delight. It is deceiving though, it looks like one Kinder Bueno, but it is really a big box with 16 individually wrapped bars. Oh, I'm in heaven. Is this day the best day of my life? Very possibly!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Milton Green Needs a Kidney




Nan, this is for you. Watch the 30 Rock season finale for the full episode. It is worth watching. You can buy this video on iTunes and 100% of the proceeds go to the Kidney Foundation. For real.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Word of the Day

Ignernt
Pronunciation: \ig-ner-nt\
Function: adjective
Language of Origin: American \ah-mer-e-caan\
Comes from the Latin root: ignorantia, ignorantem

Definition:lacking knowledge, behaving stupidly, the act of being dumb
Use in a sentence: "his driving was just plain ignernt!"

*disclaimer, this sentence was not said to me or by me. I heard it in passing. However....

I was "ignernt" this morning in that I was running hills with a friend from work. I threw my jacket on the limb of a tree and continued with my repeats. Don't worry, my jacket was long gone when I came back down the hill.

I heart Chicago.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Random Report

This is the view from out apartment. Well not today, it is cloudy and raining, but this is what you would see. We have a great view.I woke up the other morning to this. Apparently, the cat doesn't agree, because he had to stand on his hind legs for a better view.We went to the symphony last Saturday. For some reason, it is cheaper to go to the symphony than to go to the movies.
The featured piece was Shostakovitch's 15th symphony. I've heard some of his earlier works, and liked them. But I didn't much care for the 15th. In fact, it was a long hour of discombobulated notes with random motifs from other composers. My favorite part of going to this event (we still had a lot of fun, don't get me wrong) was the research of Shostakovitch. Aren't these pictures strikingly similar? Some people just don't change much.
1925
1942

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Blond......Kate Blond

*Forgive my lame title, my creativity is struggling.

I'm a changed women. How so you ask? I'm finally blond again. It has been a long time coming, but today I made a visit to Dave, my favorite hairdresser and was transformed. Oh it feels great. I miss the days of lovely blond hair, because you know, blonds have more fun.
Before
Boring strawberry blond hair. This aged filter I added to the photo really doesn't help my case, but here it is.
After
I added the aged filter so you could have a fair comparison. Too bad it is so cloudy out, all natural light was lacking.
And here is a "vintage photo for you. I am in high school (yours truly is on the right, just in case you couldn't tell) with my swim team girls. I was so blond and tan back then. Oh those wonderful days. Oh well, blond from a bottle is healthier anyways, it doesn't come with skin cancer.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Good Food Friday



It is time for Good Food Friday! This probably won't be a regular post since I really don't foresee a lot of cooking this summer. You know, cooking for yourself is never as fun. But I made this tasty meal for dinner last week, and L.O.V.E.D every bite of it.
I present to you a recipe from the Barefoot Contessa. Her show is kind of lame, but I watch it anyway because she makes some really tasty dishes. And I'm always looking for dishes that I can incorporate seasonal food into. I heart asparagus.

Spring Green Risotto

4 servings for dinner, or 6 servings for appetizer

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons good olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts (2 leeks)
  • 1 cup chopped fennel
  • 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
  • 2/3 cup dry white wine
  • 4 to 5 cups simmering chicken stock, preferably homemade
  • 1 pound thin asparagus
  • 10 ounces frozen peas, defrosted, or 1 1/2 cups shelled fresh peas
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup mascarpone cheese, preferably Italian
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh chives, plus extra for serving

Directions

Heat the olive oil and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the leeks and fennel and saute for 5 to 7 minutes, until tender. Add the rice and stir for a minute to coat with the vegetables, oil, and butter. Add the white wine and simmer over low heat, stirring constantly, until most of the wine has been absorbed. Add the chicken stock, 2 ladles at a time, stirring almost constantly and waiting for the stock to be absorbed before adding more. This process should take 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut the asparagus diagonally in 1 1/2-inch lengths and discard the tough ends. Blanch in boiling salted water for 4 to 5 minutes, until al dente. Drain and cool immediately in ice water. (If using fresh peas, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes until the starchiness is gone.)

When the risotto has been cooking for 15 minutes, drain the asparagus and add it to the risotto with the peas, lemon zest, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Continue cooking and adding stock, stirring almost constantly, until the rice is tender but still firm.

Whisk the lemon juice and mascarpone together in a small bowl. When the risotto is done, turn off the heat and stir in the mascarpone mixture plus the Parmesan cheese and chives. Set aside, off the heat, for a few minutes, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve hot with a sprinkling of chives and more Parmesan cheese.

Try this tasty little recipe, it is so good. Bill felt that the dish would be better without the asparagus, so i told him to pick the asparagus out. I think all the flavors meld and provide a lovely harmony of flavors.

Try it, you'll like it!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Biggest Loser

Don't forget to vote for the final 3 on Biggest Loser. You have until 9:50 PM ET tonight.

**Did you really think I wouldn't do a post on Biggest Loser. Ye who have little faith.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

title? I can't think of one




I can't deny it, my blog is totally boring. I don't have any good material. I know, you miss our days in crazy Las Vegas. As much as I hated LV, we had a great time. That city always provided good blogging material. Now, all I do is go to work in a former psych ward and write memos etc.
But never fear, there is always something crazy happening here on the south side. Oh yeah, like that one time (last week) I was tested for the infamous swine flu.
Yep, it was h.o.r.r.i.b.l.e.
They stick a skinny swab up your nose until it touches your brain (slight exaggeration). It really hurt. I couldn't help but wither in pain, like a 2 year old getting her nose wiped.
To make a long story short, I tested negative. But can we say that people were over reacting. Paranoia had swept the land. And the swine flu had the same symptoms and was just as severe as the regular flu.
What have we learned, the poor pork industry will probably suffer the most from this "pandemic". So everyone, guy buy yourself a pork tenderloin for dinner. You'll like it.

The End

Saturday, May 2, 2009

I Heart Visitors

Can you see us? We are all busy taking a picture with our phones of us in the bean.

Before we went to Boston, my sister and my niece came to visit us. I am a very lucky girl. We had a great time. We did all the usual Chicago things. Shopping at H&M, shopping, and more shopping. We were graced with excellent weather for the last 2 days they were here, and were able to take the architecture river tour. We also hit up the Museum of Art, Sweet Mandy B's for delicious cupcakes, visited the Robie House and the U of C, and shopped some more. Oh, and we ate, because we like food.
Too bad I didn't take very many pictures, hence the posting of pictures with eyes closed.

Hurray for visitors!! Thanks for coming!

*Book your trip now, you only have 1 more year to visit Chicago!!

Friday, May 1, 2009

My Week

It has been a crazy week. I've neglected all of my blogging responsibilities. I have yet to blog about my sister's visit, the only pictures I could get up of our ball game were the ones off my cell phone, I've been sick....but not with the swine flu (that probably requires its own post), and we had an amazing work party which is also post worthy, because totally wasted co-workers and bosses are always embarrassingly amusing. I watched professionals make complete fools of themselves. Is slurred speech, tipsy walking, wondering hands, and bipolar behavior worth the buzz? For real?
The End