Everyone Knows the Secretest Code of Mine

Okay so I think I am pretty much obsessed with murder mysteries because we've been watching so much Bones. I checked out a book by Kathy Reichs (producer/novelist/forensic anthropologist) and it is incredible! No seriously. I just stopped on a chapter where Temperance Brennan is about to be a humongous gator's lunch!

I'm reading Break No Bones. I don't know if these novels of Kathy Reichs go in any particular order but I am getting completely absorbed into the language. I took an anthropology class my freshman year at the U and I loved it. I like its application in novels nowadays. And also on tv. Even if it is a little mindless and absolutely alienating watching Bones, I love it.

I don't know why I brought up my recent obsession with Bones & murder mysteries. I think it's because Bones is always trying to create a dichotomy between psychology and anthropology (science). Sometimes it gets a bit trite. I get a little annoyed when Dr. Brennan says that she is all rational, doesn't rely on gut and uses her scientific knowledge to make logical decisions. Sometimes this "anthropological rationality" makes her absolutely infantile and frustrating to deal with. Agent Booth constantly has to lead her around by the hand, correct her misunderstandings of jargon and furthermore remind her when she is being spastic and mean.

I like the novels by Kathy Reichs (Bones is based on her novels) because Temperance Brennan is a normal human being. Her talents are extraordinary, but what makes her exceptional is her ability to comb through details of a person's life that are not necessarily scientific fact. Other than just examining bones, she can connect events and recall stories. She uses her emotional attachments to people to re-evaluate complex pieces of evidence.

I want to be like the novel version of Temperance because she is uniquely intelligent, bold, and able to make rational decisions while accepting her "gut reaction". She's a problem solver. She likes to be the one with the answers but accepts the responsibility of having to solve it if the evidence is insufficient.

I used to think that I wanted to be a scientist. I wanted to be a dermatologist in high school. That was until I took all humanities courses and realized that I actually enjoyed English. However, I'm starting to think that I'm still a scientist in my own way. The first day of my Renaissance Studies Seminar we were asked to give a reason for why we were English majors. Most said it was because they wanted to write. Many were already writing novels. My answer, of course, was vague and not specific. It wasn't until my professor said that the reason we were there was because we loved to solve problems: problems in language, plot, characters, everything.

So. I am a scientist! I kind of wish I was a little bit more knowledgeable about math and science. But that's why I have Graydon : ). I think that I enjoy reading these murder mystery novels because it reminds me of this quote from Northanger Abbey:

And what are you reading, Miss—?" "Oh! it is only a novel!" replies the young lady…in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humor are conveyed to the world in the best chosen language.

So although novels (especially murder novels) might seem flippant, I enjoy the refreshing take on life, I truly agree that they display "the most thorough knowledge of human nature".

Yay murder mysteries!

rabble rabble rabble rabble

after a month of trying to play guitar, i can almost play the following songs.

painting by chagall by the weepies
try by nelly furtado
cherry tulips by headlights


and now i'm working on

sunnyroad by emiliana torrini
you were meant for me by jewel


i'm not very good and i'm getting really frustrated because i don't have a capo. that would be really useful right about now. peace.

Newlywed Cooking. For the newlywed. Yeah.

When Gray and I first got married I was nervous at the prospect of having to cook dinner every night.  Luckily I had the help of a Thai cooking background, advice from siblings, and wonderful recipes from in-laws. However there were still things I wasn't prepared for.  When I had previously been on my own I rarely cooked at home (the benefits of working in a restaurant I suppose).  When Gray and I started our home together i worried about how to do my grocery shopping: What do I buy? How should I stock my pantry and fridge without wasting food?  Is cheaper always better? I'm still learning about how to fill my pantry and fridge efficiently, but here are a few things I've discovered in my grocery shopping struggle. 

1. Staples for your Pantry

Have staple ingredients. This may depend on what type of foods you decide to cook but the following items are things I use frequently:

Thyme
Rosemary
Oregano
Herbs de Provence
Garlic powder ( I also keep a jar of minced garlic )
Salt/pepper
Cayenne pepper
Dill weed
Coriander
Basil
Mrs. Dash
Olive oil
Canola oil
Balsamic vinegar
White vinegar
Worcestershire sauce
Fish sauce
Low sodium soy sauce
Oyster sauce
Dijon mustard
Ketchup
Sugar (white and brown)
Flour
Rice (brown or white)
Bread crumbs
Eggs

This list of ingredients can be acquired over time. However your shopping list becomes a lot shorter after your basics are covered. 

2. Meal Planning with Proteins

Now that you have your basic seasonings, herbs and bases for sauces, you can put together a meal even if you don't have a recipe.  First, decide what proteins you want for the week. I usually aim for chicken breast, ground beef, and maybe turkey or pork loin. I like to reserve the rest of the week for meals not planned around a protein but use more grains and vegetables. This will help cut grocery costs and balance your diet. This also allows you to embrace some creativity in your cooking. You can switch it up and try a vegetarian stir-fry with yakisoba noodles or handmade meatballs with easy homemade spaghetti sauce.  

3. Choosing Vegetables 
 
Next, decide on your veggie list. Sometimes buying fresh vegetables is expensive. Mix it up by also buying frozen and canned vegetables. However, always try to include a fresh piece of veggie or fruit with your meals. Buy salads with dark lettuce. Spinach salads seem to last longer than iceberg. Toss spinach with different veggies every night. Try bell peppers and mushrooms on Monday. Romaine tomatoes and cucumbers on Tuesday.  Maybe try mandarin oranges and your favorite nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts) on Wednesday.  Use your pantry items to make a simple vinaigrette. Mix olive oil, Dijon mustard, and white vinegar with a little pinch of sugar. Pepper and salt to taste. 

3.  Strategic Grocery Shopping

Coupon clipping is a great way to save money, but sometimes it changes the way you plan your meals. If there is a buy 3 get 1 free deal for Hamburger Helper, you might find yourself eating boxed dinners every night, therefore depriving your diet of fresh vegetables and fruits. Try clipping coupons when they are pertinent to your cooking. Find coupons for spices and soups. Occasionally organic poultry products may have coupons so don't let new products scare you off: try them! You may end up loving it. 

Grocery shopping also begins with knowing what your menu will look like for the week. Consider food allergies, favorite foods (as well as not-so-favorite foods), and what seems to taste better when microwaved or reheated. I like to plan meals that use the same ingredients in different ways. For example, here is a menu I put together with these considerations.

Monday:
Balsamic steak & mushrooms with mashed red potatoes and green beans. Side salad. 

Tuesday:
Baked garlic and thyme red potatoes with green bean casserole. Side salad. 

Wednesday:
Leftovers or
Four cheese tortellini with homemade tomato sauce and garlic bread. 

Thursday: 
Steak with tomato, mushroom and onion sauce. Side salad. 

Friday:
Veggie fried rice with fried eggs. Optional side soup. 

Saturday: 
Leftovers (we usually don't have time to cook on Saturdays)

Sunday:
Pot roast with boiled Rosemary potatoes and onions. 

With this menu I tried to limit the meat intake but include tasty alternatives. Usually pasta or casseroles are good replacements and stir- fry will use smaller cuts of meat. This week, my grocery list would've looked like this:

2-4 Eye of round steaks
Bag of red potatoes (will last for a few weeks)
Green beans ( always freeze excess veggies for stews, broths or for steamed sides)
Mushrooms
4 fresh Roma tomatoes or 2 cans of diced Italian style tomatoes
Spinach salad 
Cheese tortellini
Eggs (if not already a staple)
Rice ( if not already a staple)
Large yellow or red onion
Pot roast

How to Write an Employee Handbook

I really have no idea how to. I just decided that I am going to be really ambitious and research a bunch of employee handbooks, then write one! Voila!

That will be a hecka cool thing to add to my resume.

well i tried to stay away. still trying.

Hello world. Guess what? I have been on facebook again. Is that bad? I wouldn't have seen Mindy's awesome wedding video if I didn't nor what Mindee and Jerry and Tayden have been doing, nor how Michelle is feeling nor what lovely links Graydon and Brad are posting.

Maybe these are all excuses but I really have missed being able to see what my family is doing. My dad is even on facebook now, and he has the funniest jokes sometimes. I felt kind of weird when my dad was more updated on facebook than I was! But I've decided that in moderation it's not so bad. If I'm on it all the time then I always begin to overanalyze everything.

This weekend Graydon and I are flying out to San Diego to visit Mindy and George. I am so excited to be able to see them both. We're planning on going to Disneyland on Saturday too. I hope we'll be able to make it to the beach as well. Last fall, Gray and I stopped at Huntington Beach but I didn't get to spend too much time there since it was a little cooler. We really had a great time going to Disneyland with our friends Jake and Ashley so we're looking forward to hanging out with Mickey Mouse again with our siblings. I think I'm really excited to see Mindy and George's apartment and just see how well they're doing. Mindy will be coming next week to Utah for Michelle's baby shower too so I get two weekends with her which is really rare. I just hope they don't ever move too far from us!

I've had a great week so far. Busy, but great. Michelle no longer works at the restaurant since she is so close to having Will so I've been kind of lonely. It's strange how much of a difference having a friend makes. She is someone I can count on. I can talk to her about anything. She is always sympathetic and I don't think I've ever felt like she was judging me even if I have done stupid things in the past. I'm so grateful for my siblings. Gray and I had fun watching Tayden the other night and I was glad to be able to be so close to Mindee and Jerry so that we were able to help out. It will be heartbreaking when everyone starts moving away :(

Sometimes I think I'd like to stay around in Utah, sometimes I feel like i want to raise our family elsewhere. But at the end of the day, Utah is a pretty rad place. I'm not complaining about how boring it is anymore, I actually appreciate how it's possible to have a great time here even though it isn't a huge city. We're not far from the mountains and I'm not complaining about the amount of snow we get: I love snowboarding in powder. I wouldn't mind teaching our kids some day how to ski (and in Graydon's case, water ski). I especially love that our family is always within driving distance. Holidays sometimes get crazy but it is possible for us to see everyone.

I think my blogs are increasingly more boring than they used to be. Maybe it's because there isn't much that goes on in my life? Or maybe it's because I don't make a fuss of little things anymore...I'm still not sure.

I'm still trying to stay away from facebook a little bit. Every time I sign in I get offended by someone...and there really is no need to be offended by an old friend deleting me or someone not responding immediately...they really are petty things. Although it stings for the first few minutes, I just have to shake it off. Friendships can only be cultivated in person anyway. I fail as a friend if I get offended for not hearing from them on facebook but then on the other hand never give them a text or call.

I will try to be a better friend.

day 4

My body hurts. My arms are jello and my legs are on fire. Yoga and pilates within two days of each other was pretty ambitious for me.

Tomorrow I plan on eating some meat. Like, a lot of it. I haven't had a lot of meat lately and the carnivore in me is screaming out for something delicious and beefy.

But I'm proud of myself. I haven't felt this relaxed in a long time. Meditation really is incredible. If I were going to prescribe one thing to anyone reading my blog, take some time to yourself for just 15 minutes and your day is incredibly more stress-free.

Ahh. Now it's time to go to bed.

day 3

Sorry I missed yesterday. I guess it didn't turn out how I expected in a lot of ways. Even if I still was on facebook, I wouldn't have had time to get on it. I was so busy yesterday. I was busy all day at work and couldn't be more relieved when it was finally over. We were busy today too. We have been busy a lot lately. I thought that maybe everyone decided to come on Tuesday for their Thai fix but I guess I was wrong. I can't blame everyone though. You should all stop by for some delicious curry or coconut ice cream. Homemade coconut ice cream. We make it at the restaurant now. Although mangos aren't in season, it still sounds so delicious to me. I have to go a few months without it. It always makes it that much more delectable.

So I've been talking about my excruciatingly painful canker sores. I'd take a picture of them but that would be absolutely disgusting! Gray and I have been doing research online. It could be a number of things: food allergies, poor immune system, stress, or even my toothpaste. We decided to go with the toothpaste. I guess SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) is found in most toothpastes and may be the cause of irritation for some unlucky people as myself. We found some lists of natural SLS free toothpastes. We came up with Tom's of Maine.

It's looking good so far. It's definitely a good sign when it doesn't sting your mouth when you brush. It's also a good sign when you don't feel like your gums have been wrecked by chemicals. We'll see how it goes. I'm feeling all right so far.

In other news, Graydon and I are waiting for our brand new tv to arrive. It's a 47" (can't believe I let Gray talk me into it!) and it's an LG. That's all that I really know about it. I just know that we've had a hard time trying to find some nice furniture to put it on. Ikea has some stuff but a lot of it needs to be drilled into the wall, which we can't exactly do. We might just settle for a black-brown long table for the tv. I just need some storage space. I think I've been so picky about finding the right tv stand because I don't want it to age too fast. Sometimes those big and bulky entertainment centers look dated unless you have the right space (which we are very limited on). I hope we can find something soon.

Tonight Gray is going to hang out with his dad. I have a free yoga class coupon for Breathe yoga at Daybreak and I might use it tonight. I've never taken an actual class so I think I might head over in a couple hours to see what it's all about. If I'm lucky I might be able to make the Yoga Fundamentals class which would be perfect for me. I really need to try my hand at meditation. I am too stressed out and anxious all of the time. There isn't anything particularly irksome right now in my life or terribly stressful, but I always manage to find something to think about right before I fall asleep. It's frustrating. I think my irritable bowel and my reoccurrence of canker sores as well as headaches (sometimes random painful interruptions when I'm about to sleep) are all a result of stress. I think that things are still as stressful/stress-free as they were a year ago but somehow I am starting to notice how much more it is affecting me. Perhaps it's just how growing up goes. You get more and more responsibilities which may bring awesome blessings but if not handled right, may come off as just another stress to life.

This Sunday our lesson for Primary is going to be about talents. I've been trying to come up with activities for the class. I might make each child a simple gift for them to take home to remind them of their talents. I hope we can talk to them about not hiding talents but rather sharing them and developing them. I was thinking of teaching them a new skill like a craft of some sort. I just need to organize all these thoughts and ideas before Sunday comes around. I promised all the kids a surprise last week so I must get the simple gift for them. It's always so much fun to open wrapped presents, even when you're an adult. Handing out candy is awesome but what about unwrapping a present to get to it? I just hope Gray and I will be able to get the lesson across to our class.

Well, I talked about facebook earlier in this blog. I can't say that I miss it too much. The one nice thing about it though is that it consolidates my pictures. I don't have to search through my computer because they are already available online in a labelled album. Also one thing I miss about facebook is being able to communicate with someone semi-instantly. I guess I mean that you can contact someone when it is convenient for you, and then wait for them to respond at their convenience. This is different than texts and phone calls because those need to be returned immediately. facebook, however, despite apps on our phones is always allowed more time. Not too much, but just enough to let the receiver mull things over. Should we double? Should we go to that party? What do I say to that?

I miss that. Now I have to answer people almost instantly. Which I suppose isn't as big as a problem as it appears. Does anyone ever remember waiting around for a phone call rather than a notification or text message? I have to admit I can't remember how patient I used to be.

I think I liked how this blog turned out. I would like to see what happens tomorrow.