Virtue in Hedonism.

My philosopher snores so loud that sometimes it is a sincere wonder to me that he doesn't wake himself or the dead up. It's utterly wretched, the sort of noise that penetrates through to your very core making your spine shiver and causing that thrum of nerves that any sane human knows how to control.  I control it because I love him, because I am courteous enough to not yet start punching him since sleep for me is very far away at the moment, and because smothering him with a pillow is in no way conducive to a healthy relationship. It may be fodder for writing, but it does not help me relax enough to sleep.


And I am exhausted in a way I haven't felt since last summer, with days spent trekking hundreds of miles in the heat through Europe.  I joined a gym, having abandoned Bally's more than half a year ago due to a sheer lack of will power. And in the past six days, I have gone five times, with H as my conscience and over achieving work out partner. I have done far more cardio in the past few days than i think I may have ever accomplished in my life. Simply stated, I want to die.


Today was my first weigh in since then, from two weeks ago I have gained 1.8 pounds and I am now 208 pounds respectively. It is still almost 30 pounds less than I was at my heaviest, and I have been at this plateau for some time now. It's time for a change, and the time is now. I don't necessarily plan on dieting all too much during this experience, as I am quite sure culinary school and my own hedonistic tendencies won't allow much. But there will be small changes. And no, this will not turn into a Diet Blog, I simply figure that by making this public. I will work harder, and perhaps in the process a few good ideas will come from it. My ultimate goal? 20 pounds lost by the end of the Summer. 

Manic planning and a reprieve.

I've fallen behind on posting but this is primarily the result of what could only be describe as a miniature panic these past few weeks. I'm been busy planning a giant sized party for my old school BFF, who I've known since we were but wee 7th graders working on Ku Klux Klan project.


We shall call her H, H has joined the Peace Corp and for the next two years she will be taking up residence in the Philippines. Furthermore, her birthday has never been given much thought due to it's place in the year. I'm both marvelously proud and somewhat guilty that I've never given her the same treatment, and thus...voila...a giant mashed up party.


The problem with a giant party, however, is that one's small party preferences - like a cohesive theme, pretty decorations, delicious home made food, fancy drinks and good wine and beer.... Are extremely difficult on a limited budget, limited time, and with only one pair of hands. As this is a surprise party; and H is typically the workhorse who helps me with all of my affairs I have had very little help. Although I did trick her into helping me lay a pathway and plant a bit of a side garden.


And so it has been my challenge to switch around our dismal back yard into something presentable to the mass of strangers I have invited to our home, lay down some pretty things to make it look charming, and to find decor on the cheap and funds from wherever possible. It is set for this Friday, and you, dear readers shall be privvy to the entire god damned process- from back yard renovation to my "Ghetto Ass Fancified Banner Techniques" and the art of purchasing party items that can be reused in a multitude of ways!

A means of escape.

Life, has been only vaguely chaotic as of late. Enough to cause one's brain to shrivel and any productive notions to be set aside in the name of mental rest. But spring has finally bloomed upon the Island, and gardening and exploring the great outdoors has aided in the earlier atrophy which had plagued me. 

With the spring also comes good news. Of a new beginning. Of hope. 

As of July, I will be a bonafide culinary student. I begin at ICE on July 7th, as a student in Culinary Management and Baking and Pastry Arts.  I'll not only be on my way to opening the long awaited tea shop, as well as being forced to finally take on those projects that terrify me. Like a Mille-feuille! And bread! And other terrifyingly flaky butter based French confections. 


This also means that by the end of the summer, I will be off of this god forsaken island.


 

Resisting Atrophy.

 I've been sitting at a cross roads for exactly five months now.  I am officially a college graduate, sitting in her parents' house with a philosopher, a one eyed cat, and a bachelors degree in Art History and Anthropology.

So I sit in transition, as I imagine all college graduates or those recently laid off are.  The world is spinning and I've been in one spot for too long. I have felt my brain atrophying without the rigors of academia.  And so I've decided that I must write, I must write or die.

This is blog attempt number six. What is different? I finally have something to write about, and an identity. I will no long try to be Jeffrey Steingarten, Martha Stewart, Anthony Bourdain, or Bakerella. I will be me. A girl, in transition.

There will probably be bitching, there will be the shenanigans of the one eyed cat named Odin,  and there will be food. Delicious food. And plenty of recipes along the way.