#31: Back to School Thoughts

I think it is ridiculous to say that I've "narrowed down" my search of graduate schools to a final 10.  10 is still a lot of schools and is going to cost me $510 in application fees alone.  Right now I have very mixed feelings about everything in the future.  I have this cautious attitude to not be too excited about any school I like because I've learned too many times how nothing goes the way I plan or how so much can change in such a short period of time.  One year ago, Allison & Phil got married and I was happy with Sean and look where he is now- gone.  He disappeared.  Obviously, I'm still a little upset about that but I think it only hurts again now because I was so happy a year ago.  So I'm not putting too many eggs in one basket, as they say, like I did last time because I'm not sure I can stand another disappointment like that.  Plus I just need to get out of here.

I want to go back to school.  I really do.  But every time I drive past a house for sale, I think about what it would be like to just buy a house and settle down here.  But then I remember how I have nothing (and no one) to settle down with and I start thinking about school again.  I think it all comes down to me being lonely.  I love my family but I miss the community of being on campus.  I like most of the people I work with so that helps me continue to make it through work each day but its not the same.  I miss being on campus and learning.

I signed up for a Spanish continuing education course at Normandale starting in a couple weeks.  Its a six-week visual learning course.  I'm really excited about it.  I just want to learn more "every day" Spanish so I can have conversations, short as they may be, with our Spanish speaking patients.  I think if I could continue my Spanish education it could give me a huge advantage in the higher education job market in the future.  I think this is a good move for me right now.

I'm also considering an 8-week class in beginner's quilt making.  "Make a quilt" is on my list of 23 Things ever since I saw the adorable quilt Kasi made for Jaci.  Because I more or less taught myself to knit and never quite mastered the skill, I decided I needed to take a class to get me started on quilting.  I'm excited about that too because its going to give me something to do.  Plus, maybe I'll make a baby blanket...

And I've decided to start going to Zumba classes at LA Fitness on Monday nights.  This could be hit or miss.  I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do about my personal trainer changing his hours.  Right now I'm scheduled to work out with the female trainer Eric recommended but I don't like her hours (I saw Eric at 5:30, Ruth has openings at 6 or later on most days) so that frustrates me.  Working out has to be convenient for me, otherwise I won't do it.  So I may have to try out the other trainers again.  But Zumba has potential, I suppose.

By the way, I've decided to stop taking a "Picture a Day".  The pictures I took were mostly crap and I forgot a lot so I figured it wasn't worth doing anymore.  I know I'm only 3 months away from the end of the year but what's the point in 3 more months of Jazz pictures?

Anyway, here is the list of my top 10 grad schools.  I decided 10 was a good number because its my favorite number (birthdate) not to mention that when I laid out all the individual papers I wrote down with school info on it, Jazz messed up about 3 or 4 of them so Mom and I decided it was a sign to toss them (also I didn't like the programs the longer I thought about it...).

1. San Diego State University
2. Bowling Green State University (Carl wants me to go here)
3. Indiana University of Pennsylvania (it is random but it looks like a great program)
4. University of Connecticut
5. Seattle University
6. University of San Diego
7. University of Vermont (I heard its nice in Vermont this time of year, all that snow...).
8. Colorado State University (note how far down on this list it is now.  I'm sad about it but also I've finally hit the "anger" stage of grieving.  I'm mad at them for not accepting me, mad for the lameass excuse ("not enough experience") and mad at myself for not gaining more experience in the last year since I got the rejection in January...)
9. University of Denver
10. University of St. Thomas (more or less my safe school as I REALLY would prefer not to stay here)

Here are all of those schools plotted out on a map according to longitudes and latitudes.  I'm a big nerd.  :)

This is the latest I've stayed up in weeks due to my busy schedule but I suddenly had a lot to say and had to write it down before I forgot.  Wish me luck with my very expensive endeavor of applying to grad schools!

Post Grad Book #10

If You Were Here by Jen Lancaster
Finished: August 30, 2011
Page Count: 306
Why I read it: 
My mom read it and then told me to read it before it was due back at the library.  So I did (read it, I mean.  I did not meet the deadline before it was due at the library).


Amazon.com review:
Told in the uproariously entertaining voice readers have come to expect from Jen Lancaster, If You Were Here follows Amish-zombie-teen- romance author Mia and her husband Mac (and their pets) through the alternately frustrating, exciting, terrifying-but always funny-process of buying and renovating their first home in the Chicago suburbs that John hughes's movies made famous. Along their harrowing renovation journey, Mia and Mac get caught up in various wars with the homeowners' association, meet some less-than-friendly neighbors, and are joined by a hilarious cast of supporting characters, including a celebutard ex- landlady. As they struggle to adapt to their new surroundings- with Mac taking on the renovations himself- Mia and Mac will discover if their marriage is strong enough to survive months of DIY renovations.

What I thought:
Except for a few parts where the book made me anxious because the main character who is an author is avoiding writing her new book to focus on home rennovations where they have no money (which is why I couldn't read Shopaholic because she kept spending money she didn't have), this book was amazing.  It was full of references to the 80s and John Hughes (you know I love "Sixteen Candles" and "The Breakfast Club" and "Pretty in Pink" and "Say Anything"... ) as well as HGTV references ("Holmes on Homes"?  Yes please).  Basically, this book was fantastic and I loved it and I'm looking forward to reading whatever else Jen Lancaster has out there.

Food Challenge: PEACHES/Peach Sorbet

Recipe #3 of my peaches challenge.  I wanted to make a peach ice cream but then I remembered I don't love peach ice cream and then I also remembered what happened last time I made ice cream and decided to pick another route.  The obvious next choice is sorbet!

This was so easy to make and once I figured out how to use my stupid ice cream machine, it was a complete breeze!

Peach Sorbet
Recipe from: Annie's Eats

Ingredients:

4 cups chopped fresh peaches

½ cup sugar

½ cup light corn syrup

½ cup water

1 tbsp. lemon juice

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.  Chill mixture in refrigerator for at least two hours.  Once chilled, freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

I didn't let it freeze for 4 hours before taking this picture.  You can see how its already melting.  I'm sure it'll be perfect in 4 hours but right now it tastes lovely!

Food Challenge: PEACHES/Oatmeal Peach Pie

Recipe #2 of my peaches challenge. We bought a crate of Colorado peaches at Cub the other day. I told my dad I'd eat two a day until they were gone. I did that for about a week then forgot we had them. Yesterday he told me I better eat 12 while he was gone because they were so ripe. Instead, I made peach desserts!

It didn't turn out exactly like the pie in the recipe I found but its still good!

Upside Down Peach Crumble Pie
Recipe from: Rock Recipes


Grease a 9 inch springform pan or deep dish pie plate.

In a large bowl toss together:
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/2cups rolled oats (large)
1  1/2 cups flour
½ cup brown sugar

Using your hands, rub thoroughly through the dry ingredients:
¾ cup cold butter, cut in small cubes.

Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom and sides of the greased pan.

Slice into thick wedges 6 -8 large ripe peaches, peeled or unpeeled; your choice.

Mix together:
½ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp corn starch
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp freshly ground nutmeg 

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

Toss with the sliced peaches and pour into the prepared crust. You can arrange the peach slices in a circular pattern in a couple of layers if you like.

Cover the pie with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees F. Remove the foil, reduce the heat to 350 degrees F and bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes or until the filling is bubbling. Cool for at least 30 minutes to an hour before serving.

This is so tasty.  I had some last night and then more for breakfast!  Yum!