I cried in the lobby. I've never dropped my computer before. Once is enough I suppose.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
I cried in the lobby. I've never dropped my computer before. Once is enough I suppose.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Yesterday's Pictures
Loving Myself
The other day, or week, or something, time has been PMSing recently, I went on a walk and loved it so much! I ate tons of blackberries sun ripened right from the bush. I then thought about how much I would love to document, each day, a: "How I showed myself love." That sounds soooo much cheesier when I write it down hahahaha. Anyway, today I went on a nice walk after my accounting exam, which, by the way, went reallllyyyy well. The weather was screaming to be outside, so I did it. I brought a friend along and we studied for our Psychology exam tomorrow and enjoyed tons of berries. These are the best berries, Oh, and plums from the trees, also delicious. And I'm going to Yoga in 45 minutes. It is taught in French by the way, which is really nice to learn new words in french by taking yoga. I know most of the poses already, and enough french that I can follow surprisingly well! Lots of self loving activities going on today. YAY!
Other news
- For my trip to Barcelona, I need to figure out cheap, but awesome, things to do. Does anyone have any suggestions? They would be much appreciated!
- I'm running my second ever race on the 25th of October, a 15K and I'm getting really excited about it. I remember the state I was in for the last one, it was not a very good one. Perhaps I will recount it on a another post. This time things are so different in a really good way!
Yesterday:
Here are the pictures I took yesterday from my hike, and a recipe!
This looks like your ordinary salad, but it is the most amazing salad of forever! It is my FAVORITE dressing! My mom's ceasar dressing:
With mortar and pestle:
- Crush 2 garlic cloves
- Smoosh a can of anchovies
- Add 1/2 tsp of mustard powder
- A couple drops of Tabasco
- A dollop or two of Worscheshire
- Wisk in juice of 1/2 a lemon
- Wisk in about 1/3 cup olive oil depending how lemony you like it
- Wisk in 1/4 cup parm, or sprinkle directly onto your salad or ommit, I ommit.
This is honestly the freshest, tastiest ceasar dressing. In my salad I threw in some sardines because I love sardines. It complimented the dressing quite nicely.
I walk to school often times, and this is part of my walk. I liked this picture because, not only is it the "fork in the road" symbolic of decisions, it is also "the high road or the low road." My school is down the mountain, yah hahaha.
I love Swiss walking signs. Les Roches, the school, is in Bluche
Then I went on my evening hike!! I saw cows! I love Swiss cows. And you always know where your dairy is coming from because the cows are all around all the time.
This picture I love!! My Italian friend Enzo and I went walking this way before and saw the river and decided to build two dams to reroute the water. Just for fun! I miss those random acts of adventure. We did it a week ago, and it was still there, though the river found its origional path again.
This was my REAL hike, through the woods of Montana-Village. I was batteling the sun setting.
The trail
One of my favorite points on this hike is this small sanctuary. The first time I stumbled upon it I started crying, and I'm not religious in anyway. I felt so peaceful and greatful to life. I just think it is such a random tribute to life that was placed along the trail.
And, this is the full spot. There is a bench in the bottom corner, and the statue in the opposite top corner. I know hard to see...
And finally at the end of my hike I came upon some more cows and I was all euphoric from the experience. I love Switzerland.
The other day, or week, or something, time has been PMSing recently, I went on a walk and loved it so much! I ate tons of blackberries sun ripened right from the bush. I then thought about how much I would love to document, each day, a: "How I showed myself love." That sounds soooo much cheesier when I write it down hahahaha. Anyway, today I went on a nice walk after my accounting exam, which, by the way, went reallllyyyy well. The weather was screaming to be outside, so I did it. I brought a friend along and we studied for our Psychology exam tomorrow and enjoyed tons of berries. These are the best berries, Oh, and plums from the trees, also delicious. And I'm going to Yoga in 45 minutes. It is taught in French by the way, which is really nice to learn new words in french by taking yoga. I know most of the poses already, and enough french that I can follow surprisingly well! Lots of self loving activities going on today. YAY!
Other news
- For my trip to Barcelona, I need to figure out cheap, but awesome, things to do. Does anyone have any suggestions? They would be much appreciated!
- I'm running my second ever race on the 25th of October, a 15K and I'm getting really excited about it. I remember the state I was in for the last one, it was not a very good one. Perhaps I will recount it on a another post. This time things are so different in a really good way!
Yesterday:
Here are the pictures I took yesterday from my hike, and a recipe!
This looks like your ordinary salad, but it is the most amazing salad of forever! It is my FAVORITE dressing! My mom's ceasar dressing:
With mortar and pestle:
- Crush 2 garlic cloves
- Smoosh a can of anchovies
- Add 1/2 tsp of mustard powder
- A couple drops of Tabasco
- A dollop or two of Worscheshire
- Wisk in juice of 1/2 a lemon
- Wisk in about 1/3 cup olive oil depending how lemony you like it
- Wisk in 1/4 cup parm, or sprinkle directly onto your salad or ommit, I ommit.
This is honestly the freshest, tastiest ceasar dressing. In my salad I threw in some sardines because I love sardines. It complimented the dressing quite nicely.
I walk to school often times, and this is part of my walk. I liked this picture because, not only is it the "fork in the road" symbolic of decisions, it is also "the high road or the low road." My school is down the mountain, yah hahaha.
I love Swiss walking signs. Les Roches, the school, is in Bluche
Then I went on my evening hike!! I saw cows! I love Swiss cows. And you always know where your dairy is coming from because the cows are all around all the time.
This picture I love!! My Italian friend Enzo and I went walking this way before and saw the river and decided to build two dams to reroute the water. Just for fun! I miss those random acts of adventure. We did it a week ago, and it was still there, though the river found its origional path again.
This was my REAL hike, through the woods of Montana-Village. I was batteling the sun setting.
The trail
One of my favorite points on this hike is this small sanctuary. The first time I stumbled upon it I started crying, and I'm not religious in anyway. I felt so peaceful and greatful to life. I just think it is such a random tribute to life that was placed along the trail.
And, this is the full spot. There is a bench in the bottom corner, and the statue in the opposite top corner. I know hard to see...
And finally at the end of my hike I came upon some more cows and I was all euphoric from the experience. I love Switzerland.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Running to the Funi
1. I went on an awesome hike this evening while the sun was disappearing. And I took some nice pictures. I was so excited to post them and then I realized that I left all my stuff in my apartment, so I had no cable to connect my camera to my computer...silly me.
2. I found this awesome link to remind you how important you are:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I34FNr_peUk
3. I have my Managerial Accounting midterm exam tomorrow. I feel pretty good about it.
4. I'M GOING TO BARCELONA FOR MIDTERM BREAK!!! WOOOOOO!!!!! Can you tell I'm not excited at allllllll ;) I will be sure to take lots of photos, BUT if you want some higher quality photos, you should check out my friend Tahir's blog, Shutter Speed. I'm going with him and some other friends, and he happens to be into photography and also has a really nice camera.
2. I found this awesome link to remind you how important you are:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I34FNr_peUk
3. I have my Managerial Accounting midterm exam tomorrow. I feel pretty good about it.
4. I'M GOING TO BARCELONA FOR MIDTERM BREAK!!! WOOOOOO!!!!! Can you tell I'm not excited at allllllll ;) I will be sure to take lots of photos, BUT if you want some higher quality photos, you should check out my friend Tahir's blog, Shutter Speed. I'm going with him and some other friends, and he happens to be into photography and also has a really nice camera.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Fuf
Where am I?
I have been busting my butt for the big IP project I've been stressing about. But, it is FINISHED!!!! YAY!!! I was so relieved when it was finished I literally cried, not too much, but a bit. It was a crazy experience. I did reflect on it though, and this is how I feel: I loved it. In the end I learned SOOO much about organizing a group and managing people. My biggest issue, which I mentioned about a year ago, was that I had issues motivating people to want to work on something. When I worked in CDV last summer I had issues teaching unmotivated coworkers, but this project really made something click. It was pretty cool. And I made some quality friends out it too. All in all I enjoyed it. The teacher in charge of the project told me, after hand-in, that when he saw my group, that he was expecting to have me come to his office crying in the 3rd week or so. hahahahaha!! No, I never felt that way actually. I was really surprised with myself during this project. I didn't freak out at anyone, I didn't break down, I got close once though, and I didn't die hahaha. It is over now, and that means I have TONS of free time on my hands yay! Finally. That is why I was not writing for a bit. But I am back now. WIth some pictures:
This is the Cashew Alfredo sauce I mentioned earlier. I put it atop:
- Leftover roasted rosemary turkey breast (sliced)
- Leftover, cold, roasted butternut squash (amazing idea!)
- Spiralized Zuchini (yes I know, my staple)
- Sliced Cherry Tomatoes
So good.
This is something I made at some point in the past few days! SO YUMM!! Venison in redwine sauce atop a cauliflower broccolli "cake" with steamed broccolli and caulifower as a side, can you tell I had too much broc and cauli?
-Marinade venison entrocote(donno what this is in english) with redwine, some vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, and rosemary
-Steam lots of broc and cauli
-Puree some of them, put in a pot on heat, add cream, and butter (or olive oil, but I made this at a friend's place) and salt to taste, and some rice flour or regular flour if it needs to thicken
-Put puree in a skillet and brown it so it has a more cake like texture
-Brown the venison in a skillet with some olive oil and throw in some mushrooms
-Add the marinade before the venison is fully cooked and simmer until sauce is desired consistency or meat is done
-Time it right so everything is hot at the end and eat yum!
I mention the funi sometimes and I'm sure you don't know what I'm talking about, so I took a picture of it. It is just a cable car to go up and down the mountain. This is what I take to school in the morning, and home at night. I usually don't take it to buy groceries thogh because I live close enough to the top of the mountain that I like to walk.
I saw my favorite clouds and had to share: lenticular clouds! They look like lenses above the mountains. Awesome.
These are just two pictures of my morning view taking the funi to school, what I get to look at before I hop on the transport.
I have been busting my butt for the big IP project I've been stressing about. But, it is FINISHED!!!! YAY!!! I was so relieved when it was finished I literally cried, not too much, but a bit. It was a crazy experience. I did reflect on it though, and this is how I feel: I loved it. In the end I learned SOOO much about organizing a group and managing people. My biggest issue, which I mentioned about a year ago, was that I had issues motivating people to want to work on something. When I worked in CDV last summer I had issues teaching unmotivated coworkers, but this project really made something click. It was pretty cool. And I made some quality friends out it too. All in all I enjoyed it. The teacher in charge of the project told me, after hand-in, that when he saw my group, that he was expecting to have me come to his office crying in the 3rd week or so. hahahahaha!! No, I never felt that way actually. I was really surprised with myself during this project. I didn't freak out at anyone, I didn't break down, I got close once though, and I didn't die hahaha. It is over now, and that means I have TONS of free time on my hands yay! Finally. That is why I was not writing for a bit. But I am back now. WIth some pictures:
This is the Cashew Alfredo sauce I mentioned earlier. I put it atop:
- Leftover roasted rosemary turkey breast (sliced)
- Leftover, cold, roasted butternut squash (amazing idea!)
- Spiralized Zuchini (yes I know, my staple)
- Sliced Cherry Tomatoes
So good.
This is something I made at some point in the past few days! SO YUMM!! Venison in redwine sauce atop a cauliflower broccolli "cake" with steamed broccolli and caulifower as a side, can you tell I had too much broc and cauli?
-Marinade venison entrocote(donno what this is in english) with redwine, some vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, and rosemary
-Steam lots of broc and cauli
-Puree some of them, put in a pot on heat, add cream, and butter (or olive oil, but I made this at a friend's place) and salt to taste, and some rice flour or regular flour if it needs to thicken
-Put puree in a skillet and brown it so it has a more cake like texture
-Brown the venison in a skillet with some olive oil and throw in some mushrooms
-Add the marinade before the venison is fully cooked and simmer until sauce is desired consistency or meat is done
-Time it right so everything is hot at the end and eat yum!
I mention the funi sometimes and I'm sure you don't know what I'm talking about, so I took a picture of it. It is just a cable car to go up and down the mountain. This is what I take to school in the morning, and home at night. I usually don't take it to buy groceries thogh because I live close enough to the top of the mountain that I like to walk.
I saw my favorite clouds and had to share: lenticular clouds! They look like lenses above the mountains. Awesome.
These are just two pictures of my morning view taking the funi to school, what I get to look at before I hop on the transport.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Choice and Recipes
Hey all! I hope life is treating you wonderfully and you are treating it well too.
I have one important message before I write anything else:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!! I LOVE YOU SOO MUCH AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU SOON!!!!
Yah, that's my mom! Isn't she beautiful! I haven't been around much to celebrate her birthdays properly, but hopefully next year I will be.
Otherwise:
This weekend has been sooo chill for me. I slept at 9.30 on Friday! Hahaha, I got a few late night phone calls and they were thoroughly surprised I was not out partying like the majority of the students. No, not I. I chilled with some delicious shrimp scampi and a glass of Woodbridge Chardonanay while watching The Bridges of Madison County:
I was told it would bring me to tears for sure, but it didn't. Perhaps it was because I already knew what was going to happen after reading The Choice Theory.
Regarding Choice
The book is about understanding that control is not going to be benefitial to you or anyone else, and that everything in your life is your choice. Being upset is you choice, how you treat your spouse or significant other is your choice. There is no one you can control except yourself. The book is focused on relationships between people. Not just the romantic ones, but also things like parents to children, and teachers to students. I would reccomend this book to anyone for the sake of understanding the concept. I sorta kinda stumbled upon an idea? Well, I mentioned in earlier posts that I never seem to follow my "challenges." And I think it correlates with this concept of choice.
You know how there seems to be two people in your head telling you what to do, or what you should do etc. One can screw up the good intentions of the other. Weeeellllll, I think Choice Theory can be implemented here as well. Since there is clearly some sort of relationship situation going on within each of us, by understanding that one side cannot control the "other side" of ourselves (look at them as 2 people in an intimate relationship) then those expectations and the pressure one puts on the other are gone. This "liberation," this respecting of each side's freedom to exist how it wants, creates a harmony where, before, there was dissonance. The result is an equilibrium of sorts, where each side is more understanding of the other and something akin to teamwork becomes present within yourself.
I probably sound schizophranic or something hahaha. Well it works for me. When one side of me stops trying to control the other, the two sides are more willing to help each other stay happy. Ok, end.
Diana asked about recipes for some of my dishes, so I'm gonna post some, starting with Friday's Shrimp Scampi, which I did not take pictures of. I'll start by letting you know that it had spiralized zucchini in it, steamed in the garlicky scampi sauce so it even more had the texture of noodles. For anyone who wants a substitution for pasta, this is it!
Shrimp Scampi over Zucchini "Noodles"
-Marinade overnight (or a few hours) shrimp with salt, olive oil, lemon juice, and parsley
-Heat olive oil in skillet and saute lots of garlic with some salt (I LOVE garlic)
- Add the shrimp and cook until about 2/3 done
-Add fresh chopped parsley and white wine
-let reduce for a while
-Spiralize zucchini and throw it in the pan for the last couple minutes of cooking
- Toss occasionally to let scampi flavours cook into the "noodles"
SERVE!
The next day what do you do with leftovers? Mix two sauces! The Alfredo I made a few days before so I'll give the recipe here. You can just use the Alfredo, which I did with herbed chicken breast over my spiralized zucchini before.
Scampi "Alfredo"
For the Raw Alfredo Sauce:
-Soak Cashews in the morning (5-8 hours or whatever time you have)
-Throw them into your blender until creamy
-Add some salt, a chopped clove of garlic, and lemon or lime juice (I used a half a lime)
- Add water and oil as needed (I used sunflower oil)
- Add a generous amount of nutritional yeast (Or Parmesan cheese if you eat cheese)
- Season to taste
-Spiralize zucchini
-Grate carrots and cabbage
-Cut some cherry tomatoes in half if you like them too
-Mix scampi with "Alfredo" and pour atop and enjoy! Yummm! This was my lunch yeserday that the guy in my group loved!
I'll leave recipes at that for now since I have some pictures, but forgot the connector in my apartment, and want to show before I explain.
I have one important message before I write anything else:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!! I LOVE YOU SOO MUCH AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU SOON!!!!
Yah, that's my mom! Isn't she beautiful! I haven't been around much to celebrate her birthdays properly, but hopefully next year I will be.
Otherwise:
This weekend has been sooo chill for me. I slept at 9.30 on Friday! Hahaha, I got a few late night phone calls and they were thoroughly surprised I was not out partying like the majority of the students. No, not I. I chilled with some delicious shrimp scampi and a glass of Woodbridge Chardonanay while watching The Bridges of Madison County:
I was told it would bring me to tears for sure, but it didn't. Perhaps it was because I already knew what was going to happen after reading The Choice Theory.
Regarding Choice
The book is about understanding that control is not going to be benefitial to you or anyone else, and that everything in your life is your choice. Being upset is you choice, how you treat your spouse or significant other is your choice. There is no one you can control except yourself. The book is focused on relationships between people. Not just the romantic ones, but also things like parents to children, and teachers to students. I would reccomend this book to anyone for the sake of understanding the concept. I sorta kinda stumbled upon an idea? Well, I mentioned in earlier posts that I never seem to follow my "challenges." And I think it correlates with this concept of choice.
You know how there seems to be two people in your head telling you what to do, or what you should do etc. One can screw up the good intentions of the other. Weeeellllll, I think Choice Theory can be implemented here as well. Since there is clearly some sort of relationship situation going on within each of us, by understanding that one side cannot control the "other side" of ourselves (look at them as 2 people in an intimate relationship) then those expectations and the pressure one puts on the other are gone. This "liberation," this respecting of each side's freedom to exist how it wants, creates a harmony where, before, there was dissonance. The result is an equilibrium of sorts, where each side is more understanding of the other and something akin to teamwork becomes present within yourself.
I probably sound schizophranic or something hahaha. Well it works for me. When one side of me stops trying to control the other, the two sides are more willing to help each other stay happy. Ok, end.
Diana asked about recipes for some of my dishes, so I'm gonna post some, starting with Friday's Shrimp Scampi, which I did not take pictures of. I'll start by letting you know that it had spiralized zucchini in it, steamed in the garlicky scampi sauce so it even more had the texture of noodles. For anyone who wants a substitution for pasta, this is it!
Shrimp Scampi over Zucchini "Noodles"
-Marinade overnight (or a few hours) shrimp with salt, olive oil, lemon juice, and parsley
-Heat olive oil in skillet and saute lots of garlic with some salt (I LOVE garlic)
- Add the shrimp and cook until about 2/3 done
-Add fresh chopped parsley and white wine
-let reduce for a while
-Spiralize zucchini and throw it in the pan for the last couple minutes of cooking
- Toss occasionally to let scampi flavours cook into the "noodles"
SERVE!
The next day what do you do with leftovers? Mix two sauces! The Alfredo I made a few days before so I'll give the recipe here. You can just use the Alfredo, which I did with herbed chicken breast over my spiralized zucchini before.
Scampi "Alfredo"
For the Raw Alfredo Sauce:
-Soak Cashews in the morning (5-8 hours or whatever time you have)
-Throw them into your blender until creamy
-Add some salt, a chopped clove of garlic, and lemon or lime juice (I used a half a lime)
- Add water and oil as needed (I used sunflower oil)
- Add a generous amount of nutritional yeast (Or Parmesan cheese if you eat cheese)
- Season to taste
-Spiralize zucchini
-Grate carrots and cabbage
-Cut some cherry tomatoes in half if you like them too
-Mix scampi with "Alfredo" and pour atop and enjoy! Yummm! This was my lunch yeserday that the guy in my group loved!
I'll leave recipes at that for now since I have some pictures, but forgot the connector in my apartment, and want to show before I explain.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Another Quickie
A Quick Update:
I've been working on my Integrated Project all day today, and feel pretty good about it. It is definitely taking more time than I would like, but it is moving, and it will be done and it will be done relatively well. Everything is coming together now.
I've been trying out this "primal" lifestyle to see how things go. I'm enjoying the food a lot hahaha, but when don't I? My favorite dishes have been fusions of raw with meat. Like today, for example, I used leftover shrimp scampi on top of spiralized zuchini, grated carrots, and cabbage, with my cashew alfredo dressing. SOOOO good. One of my Group members grabbed a bit of it, he is a meat eater, and really liked it, wanted to know how I made the sauce. He thought there was cream and cheese in it, but no, just nuts, and other goodness! Totally primal, and totally delish! The more veggies I eat the better I feel. At the begining of the week, I was still sticking to my carb lovingness, and felt all bloated and nasty, but once I reincorporated my old favs without the bread and stuff I felt MUCH better. I'm interested what the longer term effects will be...like a change in body composition, or increased strength? Energy, focus? I'm curious...I like seeing how food affects our life more than we usually think. I HAVE been feeling fuller longer recently, which is really nice :D And this is without eating past comfort. It just stays longer I guess.
I've been feeling compelled to run now for some reason. I know my shins don't like running, so I'm not letting myself go too long or too often, not yet anyway. I did sign myself up for the Lausanne 10K, which I did 2 years ago, so it will be interesting to see it this time around. Like a last hurrah to Switzerland. I've also been incorporating more yoga into my day. Just 10 minutes here or there. After a morning run or something, and it feels nice. :D
I hope everyone is continuing life's search for ultimate happiness!
I've been working on my Integrated Project all day today, and feel pretty good about it. It is definitely taking more time than I would like, but it is moving, and it will be done and it will be done relatively well. Everything is coming together now.
I've been trying out this "primal" lifestyle to see how things go. I'm enjoying the food a lot hahaha, but when don't I? My favorite dishes have been fusions of raw with meat. Like today, for example, I used leftover shrimp scampi on top of spiralized zuchini, grated carrots, and cabbage, with my cashew alfredo dressing. SOOOO good. One of my Group members grabbed a bit of it, he is a meat eater, and really liked it, wanted to know how I made the sauce. He thought there was cream and cheese in it, but no, just nuts, and other goodness! Totally primal, and totally delish! The more veggies I eat the better I feel. At the begining of the week, I was still sticking to my carb lovingness, and felt all bloated and nasty, but once I reincorporated my old favs without the bread and stuff I felt MUCH better. I'm interested what the longer term effects will be...like a change in body composition, or increased strength? Energy, focus? I'm curious...I like seeing how food affects our life more than we usually think. I HAVE been feeling fuller longer recently, which is really nice :D And this is without eating past comfort. It just stays longer I guess.
I've been feeling compelled to run now for some reason. I know my shins don't like running, so I'm not letting myself go too long or too often, not yet anyway. I did sign myself up for the Lausanne 10K, which I did 2 years ago, so it will be interesting to see it this time around. Like a last hurrah to Switzerland. I've also been incorporating more yoga into my day. Just 10 minutes here or there. After a morning run or something, and it feels nice. :D
I hope everyone is continuing life's search for ultimate happiness!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Yoga Nummyness
Calm Mindfulness
I've been a bit frazzled of late due to projects and stuff, but I've also been doing some more yoga, and I think it is helping. Not too much to say today, so I will show you some recent pictures.
This was what I saw on my walk to the funi the other day, morning :)
More beauty
This is a quick sketch of me in yoga on Monday, trying to do a headstand hahaha. I fell...
I had my first attempt at "Pumpkin" Pie Overnight "Oats" which means it was Ezeikiel cereal soaked overnight in water, then blended int he morning with a half a banana, coconut milk, cinnemon, nutmeg, and roasted squash, topped with a bit of honey and chunky almond butter. SOOO good. It didn't look too nice on the camera, and this looks so much cooler, and I eat out of a gravy boat since I have no bowls :D
I've been a bit frazzled of late due to projects and stuff, but I've also been doing some more yoga, and I think it is helping. Not too much to say today, so I will show you some recent pictures.
This was what I saw on my walk to the funi the other day, morning :)
More beauty
This is a quick sketch of me in yoga on Monday, trying to do a headstand hahaha. I fell...
I had my first attempt at "Pumpkin" Pie Overnight "Oats" which means it was Ezeikiel cereal soaked overnight in water, then blended int he morning with a half a banana, coconut milk, cinnemon, nutmeg, and roasted squash, topped with a bit of honey and chunky almond butter. SOOO good. It didn't look too nice on the camera, and this looks so much cooler, and I eat out of a gravy boat since I have no bowls :D
Sunday, September 13, 2009
More Life Insight
Yah
So, I have been doing pretty well. I've been feeling really chill recently and LOVING the Fall mornings, though afternoon turns back into summer for some reason. Last Tuesday I went to Lausanne for a bit of a recentering thing and needed a mini vacation.
This is another reason the Swiss are fit. The whole city is full of having to walk up the mountain rediculously steep hahaha:
I also needed Starbucks.....mwhahaha, and Switz does not cater to Pumpkin Spiced goodness...
This is just a nice view of the buildings:
I did meet a winter-batch friend of mine, Nazih, who is doing his internship at the Beau Rivage in Lausanne. We did some work in Starbucks and chatted about his next semester, what I am currently going through. It was nice to see him and walk around some of the hotel grounds.
Today, I planned properly and made my first proper dinner of deliciousness:
Here we have roasted Butternut Squash, salt, pepper, and rosemary; Roasted carrot and courgette; Turkey with more rosemary mmmmm; and finally my version of cauliflower broccoli puree. I love purees sooo much. This one had sauteed garlic in it, which I didn't even taste unfortunately, but it was still good!
While I ate that, I had some Chestnuts roasting as well!! I love Fall, did I mention that? I shared them with Tahir, and in his dexterity he pounded one to open it and it exploded its contents quite elegantly onto my shirt....hahaha, t'was a sight!
Soooo, another reason I went to Lausanne was to get a peircing, well a couple actually, but it was rather pricey, and did not work out, so the next day I was bored and alone in my room, so why not do it yourself? I did. The top earing is the new one! Didn't hurt much at all, I was rather surprised, and pleased.
I am excited that things are coming to a close with projects now and midterm is coming up soon. I don't know what I will be doing for it, but it will be good I am sure!
I hope everyone is feeling gooooooooddd! Remember it is all about your own happiness, so DO IT!
So, I have been doing pretty well. I've been feeling really chill recently and LOVING the Fall mornings, though afternoon turns back into summer for some reason. Last Tuesday I went to Lausanne for a bit of a recentering thing and needed a mini vacation.
This is another reason the Swiss are fit. The whole city is full of having to walk up the mountain rediculously steep hahaha:
I also needed Starbucks.....mwhahaha, and Switz does not cater to Pumpkin Spiced goodness...
This is just a nice view of the buildings:
I did meet a winter-batch friend of mine, Nazih, who is doing his internship at the Beau Rivage in Lausanne. We did some work in Starbucks and chatted about his next semester, what I am currently going through. It was nice to see him and walk around some of the hotel grounds.
Today, I planned properly and made my first proper dinner of deliciousness:
Here we have roasted Butternut Squash, salt, pepper, and rosemary; Roasted carrot and courgette; Turkey with more rosemary mmmmm; and finally my version of cauliflower broccoli puree. I love purees sooo much. This one had sauteed garlic in it, which I didn't even taste unfortunately, but it was still good!
While I ate that, I had some Chestnuts roasting as well!! I love Fall, did I mention that? I shared them with Tahir, and in his dexterity he pounded one to open it and it exploded its contents quite elegantly onto my shirt....hahaha, t'was a sight!
Soooo, another reason I went to Lausanne was to get a peircing, well a couple actually, but it was rather pricey, and did not work out, so the next day I was bored and alone in my room, so why not do it yourself? I did. The top earing is the new one! Didn't hurt much at all, I was rather surprised, and pleased.
I am excited that things are coming to a close with projects now and midterm is coming up soon. I don't know what I will be doing for it, but it will be good I am sure!
I hope everyone is feeling gooooooooddd! Remember it is all about your own happiness, so DO IT!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Omnivore?
This is going to be a longer post so bear with me. Self-reflective post:
I have been vegan pretty consistently for 2.5 years now, and have had my ups and downs. I’ve learned an enormous amount about how to keep my diet balanced and full of nutrients. I also had EXTREMELY good blood analysis results, nutrients were beyond amazing (I was surprised to be honest, so I’m not just tooting my own horn). I’ve never had problems with B12 or iron, or Omegas. I also went raw for a period, and felt AMAZING, by DOING IT RIGHT. So, now, looking back, I’m starting to consider going back to an omnivorous diet, and that feeling awesome all has to do with doing it right. I’m not exactly sure why, but it feels right right now, and I think the reason I want to is because I feel so much more equipped to keep myself healthy than 2.5 years ago. I've also been reading a lot and rethinking my philosophy on being vegan. It is not as strong as it used to be, and I've been finding rightness in eating certain non vegan foods.
The moral reasons were never a huge motivator for being vegan; it was mostly health related beliefs that drove it. Those beliefs I have been questioning, and I guess I am going to explore my curiosities. I'm going to continue my experiment on healthy living. I feel the need to explain myself though, which I don't like. As I was told before: justification is an excess. I agree with this, but clearly contradict myself. I feel the need to justify because I have been labeled "The Vegan" here at school, and generally. I hate it when people look at me and say "That's not vegan!! You can't eat that!" I can eat what I please thank you very much. And my focus has been more toward balance, health, and fitness, more so than loving the animals or restricting myself.
Another thought that has always been in the back of my mind is that I like restrictions. I think I like to keep restrictions and high standards on myself not necessarily for any particular reason, and veganism may have become associated with that need. While it did make me feel better than before, I started eating better than before, so it makes sense that eating better generally would make me feel good. It is an experiment, and a continual process.
I’ve recently found myself missing things that I treasured as an omnivore. Food has been a passion of mine since I was young, and I think I am rediscovering that love more and more after a period of having mixed feelings and some bad experiences.
SO! here I am now, and we will see what happens and where I go!
I have been vegan pretty consistently for 2.5 years now, and have had my ups and downs. I’ve learned an enormous amount about how to keep my diet balanced and full of nutrients. I also had EXTREMELY good blood analysis results, nutrients were beyond amazing (I was surprised to be honest, so I’m not just tooting my own horn). I’ve never had problems with B12 or iron, or Omegas. I also went raw for a period, and felt AMAZING, by DOING IT RIGHT. So, now, looking back, I’m starting to consider going back to an omnivorous diet, and that feeling awesome all has to do with doing it right. I’m not exactly sure why, but it feels right right now, and I think the reason I want to is because I feel so much more equipped to keep myself healthy than 2.5 years ago. I've also been reading a lot and rethinking my philosophy on being vegan. It is not as strong as it used to be, and I've been finding rightness in eating certain non vegan foods.
The moral reasons were never a huge motivator for being vegan; it was mostly health related beliefs that drove it. Those beliefs I have been questioning, and I guess I am going to explore my curiosities. I'm going to continue my experiment on healthy living. I feel the need to explain myself though, which I don't like. As I was told before: justification is an excess. I agree with this, but clearly contradict myself. I feel the need to justify because I have been labeled "The Vegan" here at school, and generally. I hate it when people look at me and say "That's not vegan!! You can't eat that!" I can eat what I please thank you very much. And my focus has been more toward balance, health, and fitness, more so than loving the animals or restricting myself.
Another thought that has always been in the back of my mind is that I like restrictions. I think I like to keep restrictions and high standards on myself not necessarily for any particular reason, and veganism may have become associated with that need. While it did make me feel better than before, I started eating better than before, so it makes sense that eating better generally would make me feel good. It is an experiment, and a continual process.
I’ve recently found myself missing things that I treasured as an omnivore. Food has been a passion of mine since I was young, and I think I am rediscovering that love more and more after a period of having mixed feelings and some bad experiences.
SO! here I am now, and we will see what happens and where I go!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Fall
The weather has certainly changed here, bringing with it a HUGE wave of nostalgia and memories. Fall does that for me. Perhaps it is because of the many many years of school starting as the weather turns, or the return to home after a summer away in the woods. I think nutmeg, cinnemon, and pumpkin :D I think warm sweaters and fluffy blankets, the cold when you get out of the shower, the crispy smell of browning leaves. Sooo nice. I love taking hikes in the fall....I'm definitely homesick about now. But anyway, it is already September, I cannot believe things are moving so quickly. Time is shimmying away from me this semester, way faster than last semester. Midterm break is next month, and we still have not settled on where to go. Man oh man.
Here are some promsed pictures:
I'm the most stylish hiker ever hahaha! Yah, I definitely hiked up the mountain to the grocery store in a skirt and carried my groceries down the mountain. This is why the Swiss are in shape. In the white bag is my new kitchen applient/LOVE OF MY LIFE!
Yes, I did it. I bought the spiralizer. It was 55chf, but worth the investment. My hand held grater/mandolin was breaking already, how, I donno, couldn't handle the volume I suppose. I immediately put zuchini in and made my first proper zuchini pasta:
Whipped up some fresh coriander pesto, spiralized some carrots, and cut in some cherry tomatoes and you get my favorite dish ever:
Look at it a little longer.....ok That was Friday DAY. Friday NIGHT looked different:
What? Anyone? My friend Ursula had this on her bedside. I didn't know what to do so I took a picture of it. This was pre-party. IT was Tahir's birthday, so we got to preparing some surprises for him:
My friend Natalie made some Swedish Sticky Cake:
Not Vegan, but SOOOOO good. Then came the party:
SURPRISE! He was so happy hahahaha! It definitely looks like a college party...
Singing to Coldplay hahaha!
Being rediculous with Tahir.
Tahir's roomy, Sebastian, and Natalie, posing
It was a good night, and lots of fun, sans Lia getting sick. It is Sunday now, and I'm still feeling a bit off, but the weather is rejuvinating for sure. Alright. I think I've finished procrastinating my project work for now. I hope everyone is feeling the kiss of Autumn!
Here are some promsed pictures:
I'm the most stylish hiker ever hahaha! Yah, I definitely hiked up the mountain to the grocery store in a skirt and carried my groceries down the mountain. This is why the Swiss are in shape. In the white bag is my new kitchen applient/LOVE OF MY LIFE!
Yes, I did it. I bought the spiralizer. It was 55chf, but worth the investment. My hand held grater/mandolin was breaking already, how, I donno, couldn't handle the volume I suppose. I immediately put zuchini in and made my first proper zuchini pasta:
Whipped up some fresh coriander pesto, spiralized some carrots, and cut in some cherry tomatoes and you get my favorite dish ever:
Look at it a little longer.....ok That was Friday DAY. Friday NIGHT looked different:
What? Anyone? My friend Ursula had this on her bedside. I didn't know what to do so I took a picture of it. This was pre-party. IT was Tahir's birthday, so we got to preparing some surprises for him:
My friend Natalie made some Swedish Sticky Cake:
Not Vegan, but SOOOOO good. Then came the party:
SURPRISE! He was so happy hahahaha! It definitely looks like a college party...
Singing to Coldplay hahaha!
Being rediculous with Tahir.
Tahir's roomy, Sebastian, and Natalie, posing
It was a good night, and lots of fun, sans Lia getting sick. It is Sunday now, and I'm still feeling a bit off, but the weather is rejuvinating for sure. Alright. I think I've finished procrastinating my project work for now. I hope everyone is feeling the kiss of Autumn!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Tummy Trouble
So I did not end up going to Milan, but was instead throwing up. Yeeaahhhhh... My tummy was not feeling well at all during the day yesterday, this is pre beverages, so it was not alcohol induced. I even got sick at Tahir's birthday :( So, we went out dancing and I got sick AGAIN, so I ended up not feeling up for a 3 hour bus ride to Milan. I actually ended up sleeping most of the day hoping for a better tummy. I have pictures of the birthday and a new kitchen appliance I did invest in, but I will have to upload them later, as I am not on my own computer etc. right now. I'm feeling better, but still off. Moodyness is still there too, but I did have a good chat with Tahir and I feel a lot better in that department too, thanks Tahir!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
A More Positive Post
So I've clearly been in a mood the past few days. That is so like me. BUT then I started to perk up about a minute ago. I felt the joy and passion return. Perspective returned yay! Phewww! Ride the waves knowing you will get to where you need to be. That is kind of my mentality about my moodiness. I wonder about it, hahaha! Honestly I can be such a moody woman sometimes and I wonder where it comes from. Sure, my mom would say "hormones" but a lot of times I get moody at no particular time of the month, so yah....At least I know it will pass in about the time it arrived so I don't take it too seriously. It is when it lasts more than 2 weeks that I get worried, but that is pretty rare. Lalalalala, okay life is good again. I've always thought I was more of a Gemini than a Cancer to be honest hahaaha! June 23rd, close enough. Do I have anything interesting to talk about besides my change of mood? Not really. I need a new watch because mine died ultimately and in so many ways, and I am going to Milan on Saturday! Woohoo! With friends, even better (I'm getting tired of doing everything alone...actually Tahir commented that I have a lot of pictures of me doing things...alone, yah.....the trouble with living off campus) I will have batteries by then, for my camera. PROMISE! Everyone is so pretty! Oh goodness, I'm back to giddy Lia mode. I must be crazy :D Makes life more interesting.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Quickie
Aight! I have to catch my funi in a sec so this is what is directly on my mind:
So I'm taking my week off now instead of later. I've been working out pretty hard core for something like 7 weeks now, and I'm feeling it in too many ways. No point pushing right now. My body and mind are telling me I need the break, so I'm gonna listen. I almost had a breakdown of sorts today and the consistent soreness in my hamstrings along with generally increasing fatigue= BREAK! I even ate cheese today! I have NO IDEA why. I don't even like cheese anymore (except on a NY pizza, fond taste memories there), AND it isn't vegan, so I donno what was going on, I think it was a self-doubt freak out moment. I got nasty tummy feelings afterwards and didn't like it or finish it, soooo yah. Time to chill properly. I came to this realization/conclusion during yoga today, which was the only thing I was looking forward to today. I'm gonna do yoga only this next week and any dancing that might come my way ;) And I would like to get back to my fresh raw cuisine I was enjoying until a couple days ago. I felt so much better eating that way. We live we learn.
Thought for tonight: LOVE UNABASHEDLY!
So I'm taking my week off now instead of later. I've been working out pretty hard core for something like 7 weeks now, and I'm feeling it in too many ways. No point pushing right now. My body and mind are telling me I need the break, so I'm gonna listen. I almost had a breakdown of sorts today and the consistent soreness in my hamstrings along with generally increasing fatigue= BREAK! I even ate cheese today! I have NO IDEA why. I don't even like cheese anymore (except on a NY pizza, fond taste memories there), AND it isn't vegan, so I donno what was going on, I think it was a self-doubt freak out moment. I got nasty tummy feelings afterwards and didn't like it or finish it, soooo yah. Time to chill properly. I came to this realization/conclusion during yoga today, which was the only thing I was looking forward to today. I'm gonna do yoga only this next week and any dancing that might come my way ;) And I would like to get back to my fresh raw cuisine I was enjoying until a couple days ago. I felt so much better eating that way. We live we learn.
Thought for tonight: LOVE UNABASHEDLY!
Brief
Update
It's been chilly here. I've been craving warm food, so I've been eating it, yummm! I wondered how I would react when the weather got colder, and it is exactly how I supposed. I'm also pretty stressy lately. I'm not one to force myself against my inclinations, less and less, so I'm not fighting it. My cravings are generally short lived and still healthy, so why not.
Birthdays!
Yesterday was my friend Sebastian's birthday and we all went out to a Thai restaurant! It was o nice and very delicious. We got an assortment of apatizers for the table and I tried my first Mai Tai! Yummmm! I had Tofu and Veggie Paneng Curry with some steamed rice, heavenly! This is what I have been craving for a good 3 weeks, so I was very happy about it! I would have taken pictures, but I still have not had the opportunity to go to the store, and yes it actually does take scheduling and at least 2 hours to go to the store and back, unless you have a car....which I don't. We had a really nice Chardonnay with the food, and I didn't pay enough attention to know where it was from, alas. But it was good. Dessert was a Black Forest Cake, which I had never tried before, and htough not vegan I did try it. It is nice. Too creamy for my tastes, but otherwise the flavours were good. There was also some kind of chocolate on chocolate on dense dark chocolate situation. I took a peice of that one :D The boys have the pictures and I would love it if they let me upload them onto the blog. I shall ask them when I see them. They went to see Cold Play today, so they are MIA. BBAII students have so much free class time. Friday is Tahir's birthday, so we shall see what deliciousness and fun will follow!
I hope everyone is doing well and finding joy each day!
It's been chilly here. I've been craving warm food, so I've been eating it, yummm! I wondered how I would react when the weather got colder, and it is exactly how I supposed. I'm also pretty stressy lately. I'm not one to force myself against my inclinations, less and less, so I'm not fighting it. My cravings are generally short lived and still healthy, so why not.
Birthdays!
Yesterday was my friend Sebastian's birthday and we all went out to a Thai restaurant! It was o nice and very delicious. We got an assortment of apatizers for the table and I tried my first Mai Tai! Yummmm! I had Tofu and Veggie Paneng Curry with some steamed rice, heavenly! This is what I have been craving for a good 3 weeks, so I was very happy about it! I would have taken pictures, but I still have not had the opportunity to go to the store, and yes it actually does take scheduling and at least 2 hours to go to the store and back, unless you have a car....which I don't. We had a really nice Chardonnay with the food, and I didn't pay enough attention to know where it was from, alas. But it was good. Dessert was a Black Forest Cake, which I had never tried before, and htough not vegan I did try it. It is nice. Too creamy for my tastes, but otherwise the flavours were good. There was also some kind of chocolate on chocolate on dense dark chocolate situation. I took a peice of that one :D The boys have the pictures and I would love it if they let me upload them onto the blog. I shall ask them when I see them. They went to see Cold Play today, so they are MIA. BBAII students have so much free class time. Friday is Tahir's birthday, so we shall see what deliciousness and fun will follow!
I hope everyone is doing well and finding joy each day!
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