it was a night full of socializing

Today was a busy but very nice day. I was able to meet up with different friends and run into old ones for a change. After the interview at a community developing company (if I get the job; I'll explain later), I went out to have coffee with one of my favorites. Then I came home and made gherkin dish for the husband and his coworker. His coworker, is living a bachelor's life because the wife is visiting India for 3 months. Poor guy, I am sure he's living on bread and butter. The cooking had to be rushed because I was meeting BP & her sister for drinks. That was fun and consisted of lots of venting. I complained about my previous employer and their acts of discrimination against me. I can't prove it but it's probable. I had a small cup of chicken chili at Mulligan's and was overstuffed. I ran into some of the husband's coworkers at the bar and spoke to them about life. Thereafter I came home to watch Big Brother (bad bad reality tv, I know) Kaysar was voted back in the house for Big Brother all stars. I am glad they have Janelle & Howie back also. I received a text from my bestest friend in the whole world, TB in DC, "Go Kaysar" Thanks! :)

After overeating at Mulligan's, I even had dinner at home. I always do that. eat more than I should but it's so tempting. For those of you that are wondering, gherkin is part of the cucumber family. we don't pickle them.

Gherkin, Indian way

Vegetable oil
1 lb Gherkins, thinly sliced
1 small potato, thinly sliced (optional)
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp chili powder
salt

In a large pan, add vegetable oil, and heat mustard seeds. When they start popping, add gherkins (if using, potatoes, add those first). Then add turmeric, chili powder and salt. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. Serve with Roti.

A friend and I were talking online about new blogs. We're planning a new project in which we'd co-create and co author a new blog full of recipes and foods. Since we both have a passion for food, we agreed this would be a good start to our career in the food business. This would also involve taking wonderful photographs of our food and posting it for the world to appreciate. We'll see where that takes us....

april 14th weekend

This past weekend was one of the best weekends in a long time. Friday, I was being a pooper and got angry with him for no reason at all. I was upset at the weather and took it out the husband. He doesn't deserve it at all I know, but sometimes I get so frustrated, I end up taking it out on him. I am sorry. After the fiasco, we went to a friend's anniversary party. It started at 10 and went through until 1. Who has a anniversary party at 10? In their defense, it was a Friday and the actual date was Saturday. But regardless, I thought it was pointless to have it that late. The party was alright. They had pizza (which I don't dislike) but it was from Papa John's (eww) & the hosts had someone else pay for it and pick it up. How rude! I doubt I'll be attending any of their parties anytime soon. ODD PEOPLE!

On Saturday I woke up at 11 because we came home late. It was wonderful sleeping in so late and relaxing with a book cuddled up in my bed. I love Saturday & Sunday mornings. I can sleep in, eat late, do whatever I please. I started to cook at 1PM after a long breakfast. I started with shami kababs and vegetables in coconut gravy/curry. I assembled the kabab mixture and baked them right before the party. I also made coconut curry and that was a hit. EB made palak paneer (Spinach with cottage-like cheese cubes) & aloo tikki. She's a wonderful Indian cook, even though she's not Indian. She's got a hand for cooking and following recipes to the tee. T made parathas & mango ice cream. That was really good. N & S came and had a great time also. I am looking forward to the next one.

life is good....

shopping galore

This past weekend, the husband & I went clothes shopping. We went to an outlet mall that is close to our house. I didn't find as many deals as I would have hoped, but we found cute kids clothes for our neices & nephews. Since we're planning a trip to India this winter, we need to get a head start on the shopping.

As much as I used to love shopping, it just isn't my thing anymore, especially if it isn't for food. :) I'm shopped out. I should be okay, until the fall.

my birthday present from him

My wonderful husband bought me tickets to go see Coldplay for my birthday. He really took the time to plan for this one. We left at 2 on Monday, 3/20, and reached A's house for a break and dinner. We ate at Cafe 56 and headed to the Arena at 7:30. As the security walked us to our seats, I was screaming, hugging, kissing, and jumping up and down because we were 15 rows from the stage. I was going to be that much closer to Chris serenading to me. When we arrived Richard Ashcroft, he’s famous for Sweet Symphony, was performing. Funny guy, made jokes about how the president was visiting Cleveland and screwed with his plan. (and I screamed, BUSH SUCKS, as he does!! Mind you, if given the opportunity to bash the president, I am there!) Ashcroft was on for 45 minutes and thereafter Coldplay crew set up the stage. I don't think I've ever been so excited to hear Coldplay. When the music started, everyone cheered, screamed, jumped up and down, myself included. Towards the end of ‘til kingdom come, he dedicated the song to Johnny Cash because they were supposed to have a duet together before his passing. After the dedication he said “I wrote ‘til kingdom come for Johnny Cash, as June wrote this for him” and sang part of Ring of fire. Everyone was surprised and impressed at how well he sang it.



Overall, the show was worth seeing. They write and play great music and of course Chris Martin is a good looking man. After seeing them live last year at HFStival, I knew I would make it a point to see them again, live. Words will never describe how thankful I am to the husband for a wonderful gift.



With the overwhelming love he shows me, this is nothing for him, but means the world to me. Thanks, I love you!

friends, family and fun

This has been long overdue for me. I have wanted and needed to blog and vent for days but haven't had the chance to, so here I am. While I was visiting DC last week, my college made it to the Sweet 16, Elite 8 and even to the Final four. That was one of the most exciting things that could happen because they were an underdog. No one expected them to make it to the the Final Four so when they beat a top ranked school, everyone was shocked. I watched the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games at friends place in VA and had the best time of my life. A, one of TB's close friends, had a house party at his place for one of the games and that was fun.

It amazes me that I've had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people during college. AV was awesome, as always. Looked gorgeous as she always does but even more so because she had this aura about her. I am not sure if it was her or if it was her gloating about having a wonderful bf glued to her the whole time we were there. I couldn't think about AV without thinking about V. My entire week with TB was worthy and unforgettable. She has an excellent apartment in the city and works couple blocks away. I am truly happy for her and pleased to say that this is just the beginning of many of her great adventures to come. She hosted like a great friend she is, and treated me to some delicious food. She treated me to good pizza and that's more than I could have asked for. She's one of the greatest people I know and I am very proud and fortunate to have a friend like her. There are some people that make life worth living; she is certainly one of them. I guess at this point, anyone else would say what are good friends for. Now it's her turn to come visit and I hope she comes soon.

I met up with the some other girls at a bad FRANCHISED restaurant on the Baltimore Harbor. The restaurant has no class and the food is probably worse than fast food. The name rhymes with sleazecake factory. Ahh what a horrible experience. I can't believe I was forced to go there. I had a suggestion to go to a tapas place, directly above this restaurant. They offered lots of vegetarian options and she wouldn't have had any trouble but of course she didn't budge. The dinner was okay, just okay. Outside of that, I had a great time with all the friends. One friend in particular has lost more weight than normal and I don't necessarily agree with it, but she didn't want others' opinions. Sometimes for people that are so stubborn, you have to allow them to be left alone until they learn on their own that anorexia is a disease.

I was able to spend time with my cute little nephew and that was great. He's growing up so much, so fast; time flies when it comes to little kids growing up. The last time I saw him, it was his first birthday. That was fun, but at the time he was much more whinier, crankier, needy, and loud. Now he's walking or in this case, running everywhere, wants to be his own person, won't allow anyone to feed him, needs 'alone' time. My sister told the doctor the changes everyone sees in him and the doctor clarified that this is the time when kids feel mature and want to be their own person. I hope my sister takes something away from that lesson and lets my nephew make some of his own choices, allows him to eat his own food, play on his own.

After some great days in DC, I headed north, to South Jersey better known as dirty jersey. I made a trip out there for couple days to spend some time with my parents. Ever since Christmas (which was the last time we saw them) they kept asking me about visting them. Spending time with them was fun but being away from the husband for so long was taking its toll on me. I missed him. It was the first time we had been apart since we moved in together so I was ready to be home again. I have a wonderful house here, my space and I was ready to be in it again.

The journey was long from NJ to home but worth it. I reminisced about my trip. I also had my Sirius radio with me so that helped. Listened to some really good music for long long time. One song that sticks out in my head is "be gentle with me" I had never heard of Boy Least Likely to.