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Aftermath

I'm long overdue in my assignments that I gave myself over Christmas break.  The good news is that even though I've failed to report on it, I was (praise God) met with a sound measure of success.  I've read four works of fiction since my last post, two were indeed over break.  I will review them in my next posting.  

Indycc was a beautiful experience.  I was blessed by my dear friends.  It was so much more fulfilling than I had expected it to be.  It wasn't that I was going into the conference with a negative mentality, the reality is, I was just a recipient of over the top, unexpected blessing.  The price is right game show we put on, and I helped out with, flowed so much better than I expected.  People "ate it up".  For me, it was so much fun to take part.  I got to spend time getting to know some very cool people that I would have otherwise not been able to share experiences with.  If you want to know more, or are interested in going to indycc next year, hit me up and we'll talk.

My food endeavors were not successful this break.  I was not motivated or diligent to prepare and document what  I did.  Thinking back on it, I'm still somewhat bummed that I didn't do better about making this happen.  Although since the 31st, I've been able to sample a number of tasty beers.  I may write a post about them in the near future.

Unfortunately given the nature of UT and how they take pleasure in my vexation.  They print many of their own books and the bookstore website was not working for over a week so I wasn't able to get my books until I went back to school.  It was somewhat of a last minute dealeo.  I'm not happy with it, but I've yet to find a better solution.

I came back to school full of life, the spirit, vitality, and rest.  Over the weeks that have passes many of those things are somewhat emptied out of me and in need of another recharging.  I found rest in the Lord over break.  Even though I kept busy and the time went by like a flash of lightning, it was a "good kind of busy".  There was a very limited amount of stress in my life over break.

That is the debt I believe I owe.  With the exception of my thoughts on the books I read which I will happily post next time for all to read if they so desire.  I'm feeling a bit goofy so I'm going to stop before I say something I regret.

Maintaining Goals pt. 1

Since exams are finally over for me I am going to take the first step to follow through with my winter break goals.  Let's talk food.  I spontaneously met up with Matt Huffman at my apartment and cooked up some dinner.  Upon looking around my kitchen, I realized that I have almost no food because of preparations to go home.  I was able to dig out some potatoes and catfish I picked up on manager's special at K-Rog. This is what I cooked and how I did it, using only what I had at the time.  Had I prepared, I would have steamed some green veggies and a salad to go with it, just to add some small measure of healthiness to the meal.
  

Pan Fried Potatoes:
Unpealed potatoes evenly sliced about 1/4" thick
Butter, Salt, Peper, Cajun Seasoning, Onion Powder


Melt a generous amount of butter in a skillet (cast iron, if you have it) over medium heat.  Add the potatoes and stir around to coat on all sides with butter.  Add in the seasoning (don't measure just add some and taste it after).  Cover the skillet, but leave a sliver open for some steam to free out.  Cook until the potatoes are soft and have some nice golden color.  Make sure they don't stick to the bottom, the fewer times you flip them the prettier they will turn out.


Fried Catfish:
Cat fish fillets
Vegetable Oil
Flour, eggs, milk, salt, pepper, old bay seasoning, Cajun seasoning


Heat up 2/3" oil in a skillet to 350 degrees (this is difficult without a candy thermometer. I didn't have one and I didn't get my oil hot enough so my fish didn't turn golden brown but it was still really tasty) Beat an egg with some milk and put it in a shallow bowl.  Throw your dry ingredients on a plate.  Rinse the fillets, dip them in the egg/milk and then cover them with the dry ingredients.  Place the fillets into the oil, be careful, when you flip the fillets make sure they land away from you so you don't splash yourself.  Cook until the fish just begins to flake when you drag a fork across it.


That's it.  It was suuuuper easy and pretty fun even though I slopped cooking oil all over the floor.  Comments, additions, and questions are welcome.  Please let me know if you actually try this out.  Happy Chrsitmas break!

Finals Week and Break Preparation

Finals week is an interesting animal. Every year it offers unique challenges and repeat pitfalls. As I am sitting here, hungry but warm under my blankets on this blustery day in Ohio, I am granted an opportunity to reflect. Yesterday I fumbled through a double dose of two hour finals in calculus and organic chemistry. I wasn't able to make it through either of the exams so I turned them both in with unfinished questions. That is something that I am not feeling very good about right now and it is effecting my ability to study for my later finals.

Despite my failure to be successful on my finals it seems this semester was a success. I knew coming into it that I would probably be facing the most challenging semester of my life. I got a new job, new(ish) major, moved to a new town, moved out from my two best friends, and started studying at a new university. I've always liked exploring fresh areas but everyone has their limits. I made it through and I'm proud of that fact.

Lastly, I feel it is important for me to set some goals for Christmas break in a desperate attempt to be productive in my season of rest (and to find rest in a spirit of productivity). So I set my list of goals to be as follows:

• Read at least one work of fiction and blog my review upon completion.
• Document and blog my culinary creations and experiences.
• Live up every moment at IndyCC and love on those around me.
• Order my textbooks before the last possible moment.
• Be rested in body, mind, and soul in preparation for my scholastic triumphs in the upcoming year.

Tea time.

Quick Update From My Life

Katie is out getting popcorn because she has the munchies so we will have a tasty treat for a chilly evening. Popcorn is one of those things that remind me of Autumn because I rarely partake because I am seldom in the mood, however tonight I am indeed desiring popcorn.

Right now I should be studying because I have another exam tomorrow but I have not the attention span for it. I just worked my butt off for an anatomy exam which I know I scored poorly on. I am left with very little drive to study for this exam. I intended to study while she was gone but I was distracted. The good news is that after much annoyance, I have finally come across a blog theme and background that I find acceptable. Everyone should rest easier now.

The positive experiences from my recent past are: my free oil change coupon which I redeemed today, finding a geocache (likely to be my last for the season) with Katie today, eating at Cici's Pizza for the first time (also with coupon, thanks Tyler), going to Brookside for the first time in too long, and teaching Katie how to play Dominion.

I Agree Charlie Brown

For the past week I have been obsessed with the hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". Growing up I was drawn to this song and I have to say it has always been one of my favorites (along with "Oh Come all Yea Faithful" and "Oh Holy Night"). What you should probably know about me is that I am not one for Christmas traditions. I want my family to be together, that is my favorite part of every holiday. Outside of that, I enjoy some eggnog, "Charlie Brown Christmas" and, provided I haven't heard the radio very much, a metered dosage of T.S.O. Christmas to me feels like one of the least honest times of the year and like my favorite characters in the aforementioned cartoon, mourn the commercialization of Christmas. I cannot get this song out of my mind.

What is so incredible to me is how detailed and Biblical the poetry is. I linked up a few things. Take the time to just look at the lyrics and be pensive. I love what this song says about salvation and a waiting heart.

1. Oh, come, Oh, come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

2. Oh, come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny;

From depths of hell Thy people save

And give them victory o'er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

3. Oh, come, Thou Dayspring from on high,

And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

4. Oh, come, Thou Key of David, come

And open wide our heavenly home:

Make safe the way that leads on high

And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lyrics/tlh062.htm

What I'm reading and why

http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/10/18/31132.htm

College forced to pay legal fees after law suit for infringing on 1st and 2nd amendment rights. Thank you for protecting our constitutional rights.

http://votesmart.org/

This is a pretty good summary of the candidates' positions based on one's zip code. They have voting records and endorsements from special interests. It is a useful tool.

http://is.gd/g78ot

A barefoot Virginia professor is preaching shoelessness. I like it.

http://is.gd/g78w2

The turmoil in France is causing problems with world transportation. It seems French protests sadly end in violence too often.

http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/

If you're an Ohio resident and someone who is interested in protecting your fundamental freedoms, it will be worthwhile for you to keep up to date with the Firearms news.