Soul food

I hovered over my green chile and beans with cheese today. Passers-by might think I was praying... or smelling... or looking for a bug.

I was smelling. I was taking in the scent of my childhood. My olfactory memory was in full swing. This particular smell was the same as the most memorable enchilada I'd had from Tesuque Market [before it became an overpriced, undertasty, tourist trap with management who apparently doesn't understand the importance of having the support of the locals]. I was growing like a weed at that age and finally finishing everything on my plate. We were eating out on the porch during what I like to believe was Fall, when Tesuque becomes even more magical than it is in every day life.

In fact, today I had to stop typing in order to finish my green chile and beans from Dos Hermanos. C'mon, I had to concentrate on the food. It's healthy to eat consciously, with purpose. My warm tortilla complimented my spoon like they were made in the same kitchen, both supporting each bite from the plastic bowl to my mouth.

Real chile, the chile from my favorite restaurant (see my pic of Tomasita's christmas enchilada), and the kind I find in my favorite kitchens, is THE most comforting food for me. There have been times when the comfort, the savoring, the emotions of the experience of covering my taste buds with the redest red or chopped green have simply been overwhelming. My stepdad makes the most wonderful red chile sauce and a pequi, recipes I've been enjoying for decades. Since I was 13 years old I could be found happily standing over his stove and soaking up the chile with french bread or a doughy tortilla. I make special trips to Tomasita's when I'm in Santa Fe; and believe me, the wait is always worth it.

So, this is my brief and semi-emotional ode to my comfort food. These feelings helped me to recognize my boyfriend's emotions when we finally found a real Japanese restaraunt here in Albuquerque Mirai Express. It was like all the years of his youth in Japan and his mother's kitchen come, flooding back to him. He could barely get the words out to explain how he felt, or all that he wanted for me to take from this experience. We were both elated to have stumbled upon this place near the UNM campus where he could order our meal and speak with the owner in Japanese. We oogled at the food, each other, and sighed with happy tummies as we walked out with our to-go boxes and green tea shake. Here's to soul food in our own metro!

'Bout time for some Mardi Gras pics, no?

Cherish one another

Reality check today.
We need to actively cherish each other.

I lost a friend tonight. He was a special, loving, funny man. His loss is heavy upon those of us touched by his friendship.
I went to the scene of the accident tonight. Maybe to some this is a bit morbid. But I couldn't walk around the house anymore, and felt like I needed to see the place, and to be with his spirit, to show him that someone was present and hoping he could feel my love.
While driving a van load of students back to school, somehow in the midst of having a heart attack, Jerry safely drove his van between trees and across 6 lanes of traffic without hurting any of his passengers. I saw the dented garage, the dented pick-up truck, and the tire marks across the neutral zone. I saw the AED pad package on the ground, the grazed tree branch. I walked in between the tire tracks on the grass back to my truck. My heart was heavy. I saw what he saw.
I ache for his wife and family.

We need to cherish each other. Tell your friends and family how much you care about them. You never know when it will be the last time you see them. You just never know.

Musings...February 8, 2009

Apparently I was feeling revealing when I typed this up (edited and posted January 9, 2010)...

i got tired of being hungry today so i went shopping.
i made a chicken salad; it never tastes like my mom's
i have a little greenhouse in my room now; had to bring all the plants in my room so the kitties wouldn't play so rough with them.
Kingsolver - Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - make me more aware of buying locally and organic products
75 degrees today...
Might as well just make a list:
1. i love driving. i turn up the music and don't care who sees me singing and dancing in my truck.
2. i talk to cats a lot. this may be because I live with 6 of them right now. we have short conversations around dinner time. they talk about what a busy day they've had and I share stories of the collegiate world.
i got a lot done today! - target, walgreens, whole foods, chicken salad, laundry, moved the plants and papasan to my room, Valentine notes, nachos, iTunes, texting an old friend, and more laundry. :-)
funny how so many new words like iTunes and texting aren't recognized by word programs these days.
3.i love hot showers!
4. i want to start my own organic garden. i love the smell of tomato plants!
5. i don't like being interrupted before i've gotten to my point, and I don't like it when people beat around the bush instead of getting to their point.
6. i collect sand from every trip i take.
7. i cry at the drop if a hat and don't understand how more people can't see the beauty in life.
8. i don't like shoes. at most, i'd rather wear flip flops all the time. i did this way before it was cool to do so.
9. i was a ticket agent for Delta for two months. I prefer not to check my bags, and I don't understand what it is about the airport that makes people loose their marbles.
10. i don't trust nail salons that don't have English speaking beauticians. Athough, i do like their prices.
11. i'm pretty sure that any minute now, someone is going to grab me by the shoulders and say, "you are 30 years old! get a grip on your life!"
12. i don't think a girl can have enough earrings or silver bracelets.
13. i heart World Market. I have lost heart for Old Navy.
14. i don't think someone should tell the person doing it that it can't be done.
15. i don't appreciate negative attitudes. in fact, i usually shut down the conversation as soon as politely possible.
16. i've watched Pretty Woman probably a hundred times and it's always a good time!
17. i apparently don't know how to shop for shoes. if they fit and are affordable, i buy them. when I wear them once, they hurt too much to wear again. anyone want some used shoes?
18. i'm really good at getting back in touch with people I haven't talked to in forever. but lately i feel like i'm doing more reaching than being reached.
19. when i was younger i wanted to be an interior designer. i can look at a room now and think of great ideas, but you'd never know it to look at my place.
20. i collect candles and vases.
21. i love Mary Poppins!
22. i love love love Matchbox 20 and Maroon 5. Is there a pattern here?
23. i don't like worrying about what to wear to work. I dress according to shoes, and that isn't much to go off of these days considering my worn out collection.
24. the best concert i've ever been to was Tim McGraw and Faith Hill hands down; then Sarah McGlachlan. i also loved Def Leppard.
25. i still visit my favorite high school teacher.
26. i love scar stories.
27. i've always wanted to be a Godmother since I have such a fantastic Godmother of my own. She never spoiled me, but she was always honest with me. My Godfather owned a mortuary, but was way cooler than you might think.
28. i have zero artistic capability; yet I still try to bead and scrapbook and play with markers.
29. i have a weakness for milkshakes. if you buy one for me you will be my friend - forever.
30. i love to read.
31. i know i'm a lucky person in many respects. I wish others would count their blessings as often as I do.
32. i am a fire sign, and i surround myself with other earthly items like wood and water and plants and sunlight. i want to live in a treehouse on a river. :-) my dad built a bed for himself and my mother one year; but the bed was hung from tree branches out over our little valley's river.
33. i love sleep. i slept in a speed boat on Conchas Lake once, when I was little. My dad would rather sleep there than inside the house, and I agreed.
34. i tought driver's ed - in high school
35. i love to go dancing!! but i get moody if the music isn't right. just ask Aaron.
36. i hate feeling powerless when my friends or family have problems I can't do anything about.
37. i like to housesit.
38. i've always loved to drive! i want to go to a racing school!
39. My Paternal Grandparents won an award for rollerskate dancing. My Maternal Grandparents owned an import shop. But of course there is much more to their lives.
40. i used to work for an oral surgeon who is also a writer; i was his dental assistant, and his editor.
41. I love food. If you put food in front of me, I will eat it. I can't stand being away from Tomasita's!

I wonder what that was all about.

Three decades of life!

So, I turned 30 years old nine days ago. I sure as heck don't feel like 30, or at least I'm not where I thought I would be at 30 in terms of life expectations. I don't have a masters degree, I'm not thinking about kids, I don't even have a start on a solid career. But! I do know that I am happy with who I am for the most part (I'm still the best procrastinator around!), I'm grateful for the blessings in my life, I love my boyfriend and my family with all of my heart, and I have the greatest friends! All in all, I look forward to getting up in the mornings and to what life has to offer. Here's to another new chapter in life, and to only making it better! (Pictured: Aaron, me and my amazing dad, John)

adendum to "Men and Their Cats"

This is Missy, my dad's cat, who can't stand to be away from him. She even puts up with things like this.

Obama Wins!

This has been the most emotional election of my lifetime, and that of others. I know we've made the right choice. I know the next 8 years will be full of CHANGE and HOPE! We will see the fruits of our labor. This is our chance to make this country great again, to realize our American Dreams.
I gasped for air tonight as I reveled in the celebration, and tried to ignore the bit of fear that crept in. I put my hands over the Obama family to watch over them, and our country's future.
I can't wait to begin tomorrow, and next week, and 2009 with Barack Obama, President Elect!
GOBAMA!

Pre-hurrication

These two items - box over window and television - say a lot about what's going on in my life and those of others. The stuff spread all over the floor is also indicative of history in the making.

I am prepairing to move out of my apartment.
Obama just accepted the Democratic presidential nomination.
And I am going to evacuate New Orleans tomorrow to Mississippi.
This hurricane is screwing up my moving plans.

No meGustav!

Aaron to Afghanistan

Aaron left the U.S. today for Afghanistan.
He'll be working at Bagram Air Base for a year doing air traffic control for Midwest ATC.
He'll get two vacations, for two weeks each.
I'm missing him like crazy.
I am moving in with a friend at the end of September.
I'll be fine.
He'll be fine.

Affirmations

Today was incredibly affirming, or positive, or whatever makes a good day good!

Everything seemed to work out even if I wasn't trying. Driving home at the end of the day somehow it all hit me...

I was early to work; the traffic flow was great this morning.

My great friend Matt who no one ever hears from emailed me from England.

When one of my professors found out I wouldn't be working with him in the fall, he immediately called to ask who he needed to talk to to keep me as his coordinator.

Another one of the professors I worked with in the Spring took me to lunch. I had a wonderful grilled salmon with sweet potato fries!

I have been getting to know my supervisor more and liking her more every day.

I'm looking forward to moving to a new office next week.

I am indeed making a good friend in the office who shows me appreciation by giving me Kit Kats.

We had plenty of chocolate in the office today.

I helped decide who to hire to replace one of my coworkers.

I've been given the assignment of designing a Teaching Assistant program for the upcoming school year.

Aaron and I were again invited out by two separate couples who I work with.

Our director came into my office with a smile while asking about a class update and in another conversation even mentioned me in the list of people doing a great job in the office.

We left work at 4:30.

All my favorite songs were playing on the radio on my way home.

I was home by 5:15.

I had a great conversation on the phone with my dad, though that isn't out of the ordinary.

I also had a great talk with my God/Universe Mother who offered to take me horseback riding when I visit home.

Aaron even had a great day as he was offered a position with the D.O.D.

The day isn't even over yet!