Emily at her aunt & uncle's
My 2nd and final year of library school is well underway. In order to stave off the impeding doom, Emily and I went to Galveston the first weekend after classes started.
We started in Houston, actually, to visit Emily's aunt, uncle, cousins, cousins' girlfriend and wife, and their baby and dog. The dog's name was Anna which threw me off a few times.
From what I've heard, everyone in Houston lives in a gated community. This one had a variety of flora and fauna. Have you ever had an egret look straight at you? They are paper thin! It basically disappeared.
We made it over to Galveston the next day and were looking forward to balmy 90 degree weather after weeks of 105.
I really just wanted to see a pelican. Check.
We visited the Elissa, the Official Tall Ship of Texas.
Then took a dip in the Gulf, which was surprisingly warm. Almost bath warm, so it was a little weird.
We got the safari room at the
Avenue O B&B which was charming, especially with touches like this.
But after a too-quick trip, it was back to reality.
This semester I'm taking usability, archives and "Understanding Users". I've already taught two classes at work. I have already skipped multiple readings. So, the semester is pretty much underway. It's a little creepy to have a Major Life Change only 8 months away. I've already started one job application.
But, let's talk about something more interesting. Food and Stuff!
I accidentally went to an Austin Fashion Week show for Emily's friend's birthday dinner. What does this have to do with food?
Phara's makes a mean tabbouleh. This is not it pictured. This is
this made with quinoa. Just wanted to share.
Now for Stuff. I got a new laptop and decided to become a Mac person. Except for the problem that I'm having transferring my backup files from my PC to my Mac, I'm sold. Any advice is appreciated (especially with transferring music from iTunes, although I'm enjoying the Aaliyah station on Pandora).
Finally, Food and Stuff. Because I can use my new iPad to read while I'm eating spaghetti. I LOVE MY NEW IPAD. Here is my almost-equally-great "stuff in my kitchen" spaghetti carbonara recipe:
1 serving spaghetti
2 slices bacon, chopped into 1" pieces
1 egg
2 tablespoons half and half
1/4 cup grated parmesan
salt & lots of pepper
parsley
peas if you have them
Cook the spaghetti (duh). While the spaghetti is cooking, start cooking the bacon with a little oil in a skillet on medium heat, stirring every once in awhile. Meanwhile, stir the egg with the half and half and parmesan. Some people only use the egg yolks, but that's a waste of good egg (what would the chickens think?). Season with salt and pepper. Once the bacon is cooked, but is still soft, drain some of the fat (if you're worried about health or whatever). Drain the spaghetti and add to the bacon skillet. Pour in the dairy mixture and peas while stirring constantly to prevent the egg from scrambling. When it looks like sauce and is heated through, put on a plate and top with parsley. Yum!
I was able to get another trip home a few weeks ago. It was a lovely respite from the heat and the real world in general. Here are a few pictures to further emphasize the loveliness.
Kristen got back a few weeks before me and Jessica just happened to be in town, so here is the reunion a year and a half in the making. Always nice to see old friends.
And there was plenty of family time.
Finally got to eat at How to Cook A Wolf. I had a pretty mean rhubarb cocktail, but they could really use a happy hour. $15 per small plate was about average.
The trip was too short and now I'm back and trying desperately to get back in the mood for school to start in three days.
I saw this truck after some retail therapy with Sarah.
Why can't life just be working 20 hours per week and weekly farm visits for pizza ingredients?
Oh well, I put on my best face and welcomed students at orientation. Feels good to be going into my final year, but also very scary to not know where I'll be in a year.
