ravioli w/ fresh tomato & artichoke sauce

ravioli with red pepper sauce macro, originally uploaded by minimallyinvasivenj.

Last night, I made dinner for David and myself. I still have random juices and oils splattered across my keyboard. I should really do something about that! Ha.

Anyway it was delicious. The recipe served six, so I altered it in order to accomodate us a bit better. Here is the final recipe that I used:

Ingredients I used:
_{1 (10 ounce) package fresh wild mushroom ravioli
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp olive oil
1/2 lb roma tomatoes - seeded and chopped
1 (6.5 oz) jar marinated artichoke hearts
1/4 cup chopped green onions
3 cloves crushed garlic
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
self-regulated amount of grated Parmesan cheese}


The recipe's directions for said ingredients:
<sub>Cook ravioli according to package directions.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1/2 tablespoon oil over a medium high heat. Add tomatoes, artichokes, scallions, garlic, and salt and pepper. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are warmed through. Remove from heat.

Drain pasta well. Transfer to a large bowl, and toss with 1/2 teaspoon oil. Add half of the sauce to the ravioli; toss gently, but thoroughly to mix. Transfer ravioli to a large serving platter. Pour remaining vegetable sauce over ravioli. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.</sub>


How did I cook this dish? It was more like this:
<sub>Chop the tomatoes and the green onions (while pouting because David yelled at you, with GOOD reason) and then pass off the chore to him, as I now attempt to gather the rest of the necessary ingredients for the sauce.

Begin cooking the sauce (before even opening the ravioli package) and frantically add all of the necessary ingredients. Remove the sauce, which reduced much quicker than I had planned, and begin scrambling to find a pot to boil the ravioli in.

After finally getting the noodles cooked, reheat the sauce and toss the ravioli with the oil and eventually, everything else. Allow David to serve the plates and grate the cheese, since I am already far too frantic to be able to.</sub>


We drank champagne, ate our pasta, with the deliciously tangy sauce, and followed it up with a creme brule dessert. It was quite good, if I do say so myself!! :D

Similar recipes to try:
Short Rib Ragu (beautiful photos!!)
Shrimp Risotto

music: the starbucks' sunrise

Puddle Jumper, originally uploaded by Boy_Wonder.

This is one of the newest additions to my music collection. It is best early in the morning on my drive to work. It's so soothing and uplifting. Try to snag one from Starbucks and check it out. Mmm....

Also I'm cooking dinner for David tonight.
I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow!

the rocketship is taking off

147/365 Year Two, originally uploaded by coreena.

So it's a bit more finalized now...
I am teaching and getting observed next Wednesday.
It will be in the morning in a second grade math class.
The day after will be the day of interviews, so yay...
Next week is going to be a doozy...
Especially considering that I'll get paid for two days of work next week. *le sigh*

news day: the achievement gap

Fraternidad_Cuba 292, originally uploaded by hoyasmeg.

It's no surprise to me that this study found that there is a correlation between money and mental abilities. I see it everyday. That's why Rocketship works so hard to provide the materials that they would otherwise be without. To support them in the ways that they need in order to get to and graduate from college! I'm proud to work at Rocketship each and every day I can!

stop what you're doin' & make art now

Someday Everything Is Gonna Be Different When I Paint My Masterpiece, originally uploaded by Boy_Wonder.

I love looking around at the walls at my school and can't help but feel closer to the students. So much of that person can be understood through art that they created.

I wish I had time to do it as I had in the past... Actually, I probably still have the time. I am currently lacking the motivation to get started. It's always the hardest part of an art project. Hmm...

BFX day four: bailar

lady, originally uploaded by Ivo Sekulovski.

The dancing this weekend was exhausting. So much so that I didn't even stop to blog on time...

My feet ache.
My head is groggy.
My life seems a bit unravelly.

Was it worth it?

HELL YES!!


I can't wait for FX '12!!!

BFX day three: hace frio

(Untitled, for now), originally uploaded by Chantel Baggley.

It's cold here.

Big surprise, I know, but still it's a bit surprising to be met by such a chill just after finishing a night of extreme dancing!

I loved watching the snow fall as we wandered in search of our food though. It was magical!!

BFX day two: la comida

G is for Generating Goodness, originally uploaded by Boy_Wonder.

So we obviously are not eating home-cooked meals while here in Boston for the weekend... We are not even trying to eat well actually. We're just enjoying the wonderful taste of roast beef sandwiches washed down with beer. Don't knock it... ever.

For your reading pleasure, some recipes on my to-do:
Candied Bacon Fudge
Peach Gnocchi
A Sausage Pasta Dish
Bacon Jam

BFX day one: la musica

Ghost in the Machine- Fred and Adele, originally uploaded by iri5.

The music at this BFX event is incredible... amazing.
Dancing to music that truly moves you is priceless.
Consider me moved!

Mmm... fusion...

rocketship: up, up and away

On the job, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

Update on my current position:

-- My kinder is learning SO much and he is doing quite well in the classroom! It's really exciting actually. I can hardly get enough of it.
-- I never really see my first-grader, but she's doing a lot better. I have had several really good moments with her this week.
-- My boy for transitions regressed, BIG TIME, yesterday... but he was back to his normal self today. *huge sigh of relief*
-- My other second-grader is done with me and hardly responds to any of the redirections I propose. It bums me out, but maybe the two days without me will be good. Maybe?

Update on the potential position:

I just received another email about the interviews last night, so I now know that the big day-o-interviews is two weeks from now. I also talked to Mr. Marks and Ms. Everette about any little technicalities involving the classroom observation. According to my plan, I hope to be observed while teaching the first period of math with the Cardinals (second grade). I'm nervous, exited, anxious... Yay!


Now, I must get back to packing for Boston!!

and the news keeps rolling in

USF_SOE_Teacher_Prep_1, originally uploaded by shawncalhoun.

Teach For America's presence in Texas may be in jeopardy thanks to the state's $20 billion budget shortfall. Lawmakers seeking to slash programs have commissioned a study that will look at the effectiveness and retention rates of almost 1,000 Teach For America (TFA) teachers across the state. The question they hope to answer: Are those TFA teachers worth $8 million dollars?

State Senator Mario Gallegos told the Houston Chronicle, "My concern has always been the cost. Is the school district getting the bang for the buck on the Teach for America teachers? I'm very concerned with the budget constraints right now."

Critics claim that Teach For America teachers don't get significantly better results than teachers coming from traditional certification programs that don't require the state to pony up extra cash. However, a recent study by the Tennessee State Board of Education says that students taught by Teach For America teachers consistently get higher test scores.

[via GOOD]

Another concern they have is with the fact that many people who teach through TFA only stay for the allotted two years or so. This turnover rate is something that I've always found to be quite odd myself. Having worked as long as I have in order to get credentialed, it is quite different when I hear the conversations between these individuals in the teachers' lounge.

The dialogue revolves around this finite date when the teaching will end, indefinitely. It's great to make the commitment to those kids in need, but a bit disheartening for the other teachers who are determined to stick it out. I always find myself recalling the times I spent in the thick of it, overwhelmed and sleep-deprived, during the credentialing process. I know what it feels like.

I hope Florida realizes how precious this program is for their kids.

photography love

Us., originally uploaded by erinsunday.

In honor of my photography & art day of the week I'm just going to daydream about what I want most right now... A camera.

I haven't had one in a very long time and it seriously bums me out when I have to bust out my phone to take pictures at weddings. Yes, just about all of the pictures I've taken in the past few years have been taken with my various camera-phones. It feels criminal.

I shall remedy this as soon as I can!

moved on down by the jordan stream

Solomon and Kait 5450, originally uploaded by ohtoberich.

Absolutely incredible night of dancing for me.
I feel as if I made some fantastic break-throughs as a lead.
And I had a blast doing it!!

I can't wait for the Boston Fusion Exchange this weekend...
It's going to be INSANE!!

be the change you want to see

Peace & Love, originally uploaded by Fernando Gregory.

I just ordered a few cards for Thank You's.
The above photo is a little hint for the card's cover.
I'm excited to get them filled out and sent on their way.

My goal for today was to have a blogging schedule set up and posted. I need a bit more structure in my life. I have a few of the days set in place, but the rest are still a bit up in the air... Let's see what I can come up with:

_MON: dancing
_TUE: photography / art
_WED: news
_THU: education
_FRI: music
_SAT: cooking / food
_SUN: free day!! I choose what to write about... :)

I look forward to future blogging. This should be a good year. Now, if I could just get these darned ants to leave me alone! Mer.

all in one night's work

color, originally uploaded by C.Saul.

too.

much.

fun.


1st regret of the year.



*groan*

loves linkedin & all it's done for me

218/365 Year Two, originally uploaded by coreena.

Now, I would like you to "imagine one area in your life that you want to work on or make a change in. This could be your relationship, a friendship, work. Anything. Think about one specific change that you’d like to see happen in that area, and then you turn to a friend or your partner and you play the ‘Remembering Forward’ game. [It's now December] 2011 and that change you wanted to see happen? It did. Your dialogue with your friend or partner makes it come alive."
[via asweetspoon]

I imagine myself scrambling to do one of two things (maybe even both): to lesson plan the coming months before the break comes to a quick end or to shove as much fun as I possibly can into my remaining time before returning to MY classroom. I will probably be living in San Jose, but spend most of my vacation in San Francisco. I'll be a bit more frazzled, far more pressed for time, and looking for any chance to take a break. I know this. And yet I still want it? Yeah, as crazy as it may seem, it's the only thing I'm sure of right now.

Since this is the new year eve's post, I'm going to hit you hard with a review post of epic proportions! Let's start with music:

^{2007 Pop Music Mashup: DJ Earworm
2008 Pop Music Mashup: DJ Earworm
2009 Pop Music Mashup: DJ Earworm}
And the 2010 Pop Music Mashup:



My 11 resolutions in 2011 (to be revisited on July 1st):
<sub>1. leave only 1 tab open on my computer each night
2. drink 1 cup of water for each cup of coffee [realistic editing]
3. record at least 3 sentences on my blog each day
4. recap with pictures quarterly (4 photo recaps in 2011)
5. clean my room/house/car every 5 days (dates divisible by 5)
6. read at least 1 new job-related book each month
7. abstain from clothing purchases for a year (trading is ok)
8. eat, drink, learn, or try something new each month
9. throw out or give away unused items (avoid repurposing)
10. try a new recipe twice a month (on the 14th and 28th)
11. focus at least a half-hour a day on job-searching

2010 Recap by Month:
JAN: attended BFX and it changed my life!
FEB: snagged more work with I Love A Clean San Diego
MAR: reunited with the long-distance boy & made it official
APR: got environmental & danced as much as I worked
MAY: celebrated my birthday with friends in the Bay
JUN: work died down, but I got to attend the Blues Recess
JUL: began organizing & DJing SD blues events
AUG: quit my jobs, up & moved to SF without a plan
SEP: snagged a second job subbing for charters
OCT: received allergy tests & a final diagnosis
NOV: took a long-term position subbing at RLS
DEC: job interviews, holiday parties, & family time

It's been a crazy, but good year...

I'm excited for 2011.


Bring it!</sub>

making a resolution for a new year?

Now, originally uploaded by kkalyan.

_{Be deliberate
Resist the urge to impulsively make pledges for the upcoming year based on what's bothering you at a specific moment. Spend a week, or longer, evaluating your priorities for the new year and think about how your resolution fits with these objectives. This is a great conversation to have with a friend, "Could you see me doing this goal, this year?"
Leave the past behind
Refrain from adopting old resolutions to prevent past regrets from following you into the future. Instead, redefine failed goals. If "lose weight" didn't work last year, consider the new approaches of "eat healthier" or "exercise five days a week"
Stay positive
Swearing off bad habits such as "I will never bite my nails again" only emphasizes the forbidden behavior. For better results, cast resolutions in a flattering light and vow to "Take better care of my hands and nails"
Shorten the deadline
Recent research found 80 percent of people don't keep their resolution past Valentine's Day. Maintain yours until July 1 and you will have accomplished more than most. We're betting the buzz you get from successfully making reaching the six-month mark will carry you the rest of the year.
Define the obstacles
Acknowledging and preparing for the challenges upfront allows you to better navigate bumps in the road ahead.
Go public with your plans
Telling others about your goals helps you in a couple of ways. Writing the goals down and sharing them with others can increase your sense of responsibility to meet your objectives. It also gives others insight into what you are trying to accomplish and opens new doors for support.
[via Lia Steakley Dicker, of 43things]}

I'm trying to narrow down my resolutions into attainable goals for the new year. I like the ones that I have already posted below, but I have some that I need to work in about sleep, organization, learning Spanish, attaining a permanent job, environmental practices, and cooking. Get excited. I'm determined to make things happen!

by the light of the fire

gypsy, originally uploaded by Kristen Drozdowski..

Last night was simply magical.

I will never be able to sum it up in words and I am totally okay with that fact. Power outages, the Black Swan, steak dinner, Parks & Rec, and perfection. Mmm...

More, please.


Once I recover, of course.

and a sweet-tooth to boot

sweet lips, originally uploaded by gracelina..

These past few weeks have truly been amazing... my best holiday season yet. It's been filled with family and friends and good food. We just finished up the last of the holiday parties yesterday, with David's extended family on his dad's side. I'm scared for the coming week and the fact that my sleep cycle is complete crap now. I may need to pull another all-nighter to get it back on track, since that seems to be the easiest way for me to get that done.

The best/worst part of the holidays is the immense amount of candy that collects. Right now, I have six different sources in my immediate possession. I snack on them all day long and I have little to no motivation to remedy that. In somewhat related news, I have yet to find a diet that works for me... I'm either eating too much or simply eating the wrong things. I need to make some changes, but I haven't decided how to go about that just yet. And yes, I know that the candy would be a good start... Thanks.

time to turn some new leaves

bench, originally uploaded by H@Ru.

I know I need to straighten up and bring my life back into line a bit. I have several ideas already, but one that I'm less sure of is this blog and whether or not I should make a new one. It would be easier to ignore it and to continue writing here, but I feel like it may be beneficial to start from scratch, without the controversial posts of my past. While I ponder a bit more, here are a few more of my ideas for the new year:

<sub>1. leave only 1 tab open on my computer each night
2. drink 2 cups of water for each cup of coffee
3. record at least 3 sentences on my blog each day
4. clean my room/house/car every 4 days or so
5. read at least 1 new job-related book each month
6. abstain from clothing purchases for a year (trading ok)</sub>

I also want to figure out some realistic goals for exercising and pleasure reading. If you have suggestions or tips, they would be greatly appreciated.