Milestones

This week I hit a milestone.  Or rather, Nygle did.

It was May 2005.  I was graduating from college and it was time to get a new car.  The "Olds" would only last so long and since I had a full time job all lined up, it was time to get my own car.  Against the advice of my college professor, I purchased one brand new (I think this was at the top of his list of the 5 worst financial mistakes you can make).  It was an exciting time for me, and a growing experience as I didn't know how to drive a stick shift at the time (I'm pretty much a professional now).

Nygle and I have been through a lot together the last 7.5 years.  There was a time that I wondered whether we'd make it.  But just this week I looked down and noticed we hit 100,000 miles (I was trying really hard to capture the moment right at 100,000 miles but the best I could do was 100,008....which is actually fitting in a way because when I picked him up at the dealership there were already a few miles on the odometer).  

Although I do harbor a secret love for the FJ Cruiser, Nygle has been good to me and I couldn't have asked for a better vehicle.  Here's to the next 100,000.

Atlas Shrugged, Part II

Yesterday I went to see the much anticipated (by me and a handful of friends) Atlas Shrugged, Part II.  I am very passionate about the book and am thrilled that it's transitioning onto the big screen.  Part I came out in 2011 and although it received harsh reviews, I didn't think the film was too bad.  There were a lot of no-name actors and it was definitely a low-budget film.  Some people criticized that the story line was too hard to follow and that it jumped around a lot.  Having recently read the book, my first impression was that Part I could have been EPIC, but considering the circumstances behind the making of the film it was good enough and made for an enjoyable evening (especially since I had only spent $0.99 on the redbox rental).  Taking all of this into consideration I thought my expectations were pretty reasonable for Part II.

In a nutshell, was it the WORST film I have ever seen?

No......but it was pretty close.

I was disappointed.

It did, however, make me want to read the book again.  Such a great novel!  I can't, in good conscience, recommend this film to anyone. But I do highly recommend the book, especially considering our current political climate.  Read it.  Enjoy it.  Call me and we'll talk about it.

In other news, I do have some unrelated updates:

First, it's official.  Kandis Bryant, Esquire.  It was a great day and I'm going to try really hard to remember all of the little people who helped me get to where I am today.  :)

Second, thanks for all of your concern after my post about my cooking experiences.  I will keep you updated as I learn more, but I can report that I made crockpot lasagna yesterday and the fire alarm didn't go off once.  So I'm learning.

Lastly, it looks like I'm relocating to Connecticut.....for Thanksgiving that is!  This year is the year all of my siblings head to their in-laws for Thanksgiving so instead of kicking it with Mummsy and Popsicle, I decided to head East.  As I keep telling my mom, I'm not "ditching" them (a term she likes to throw out every now and then) but I'm simply taking advantage of the extra time off of work that surrounds the holidays.  Really, I'm being quite efficient in my vacation time.  This way, when they go on their mission I will have plenty of vacation time to go visit them and spend some QUALITY time (aka a month if they go anywhere in Europe).  So really, I'm just keeping their best interest at heart (and......November may or may not be about 6 months since returning from Hawaii, so a vacation will be long overdue.  I think I might be slightly spoiled).

Have a good week!

Tips from Kan's Kitchen

So, in less than 48 hours I will get sworn in as a real life lawyer.

Don't hate me.

About 4 years ago when I first told my mom I was applying to law school her first reaction was to tell me she hated lawyers.  I think she still likes me, but that may be due in part to the fact that I told her she would get free legal services for life.  My dad has already scheduled said services.  I should probably tell them that I don't really know what I'm doing..........

But I digress.

So I'm going to be a lawyer.  I have all of these accolades and degrees and titles but there is one thing that has really been bothering me.  I can't cook.  And I really want to be the type of person that has nothing in her kitchen and a dozen people show up to dinner and she ends up feeding them the best meal they've ever eaten, you know?  Just something she "threw" together.  Like MacGyver.  But in a kitchen.

I've been trying.  It's been my goal to try my hand at cooking but frankly it's not going well.  I've even managed to ruin some of the simple things I used to make so well.  Sigh.  I think my ego is having a harder time with it than my stomach is.  But, I will keep forging forward!  I won't give up (unless I decide it would be easier to hire a cook)!  Come hell or high water, I WILL learn to make a meal without calling my mom or sister at least a dozen times with questions!

Here are a few things I've learned on my journey thus far (1.5 months in):

1.  It is worth the extra money to buy heavy duty garbage bags.  The heavier duty, the better.  Whatever the cost.  You will try to rationalize your way out of it, saying your pocketbook can't afford it, but don't give in.  You will thank me later.

2.  When a recipe calls for 1 can of tuna and 1 cup of mayonnaise use your head and think before dumping everything into the bowl.  Life has taught me that 1 can of mayonnaise equates to approximately 6 cans of tuna.

3.  When you think you are being efficient by buying mini, pre peeled and sliced carrots to use in your recipe (because, you know, the mini carrots could also double as being an easy "grab and go" vegetable to take to work), you are actually being less efficient.  It takes about 151x longer to grate the amount of mini carrots you need.  And you may lose some fingers (or fingernails) in the process.

I know what you're thinking and trust me, I'm not planning on quitting my day job any time soon!