Garba

This weekend our church had the annual Indian Garba Christmas celebration. Every year at Christmas time the Indian people in our church hold a celebration. There is a message, good food and some traditional Indian dancing. There are only a few times a year that I wear an Indian dress to church, one is Easter and the other is to the Garba.

The first year I attended the Garba they had a few dances that were choreographed, then they brought in everyone else to join in a more simple dance. Everyone walks around in a circle turning, stepping in and out and clapping at certain steps. Once you catch on it's pretty fun.

I always love seeing all the beautiful, intricate Saris and Punjabis on the women. Most of the Indian people in our church wear them to church on Sundays too, but for special occasions, like Christmas and Easter, they come in their more ornate dresses. It's fun to dress up with them too.

I really feel so blessed to go to a church that is so multi-cultural. I don't know how many different countries are represented by the people in our congregation, but there are people from Africa, India, Norway, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, China and the Philippines. I love worshiping together on Sundays knowing that this is just a glimpse of what Heaven will look like, with all of God's people gathered together singing and praising Him, our Creator.

Holy Macro! Mackerel??

A few weeks ago I responded to something Chris was telling me with the phrase "Holy Macro!" *You know, like when someone says that they saw fifteen rats outside the train station on their way home from work tonight, eating bird seed someone had spread on the sidewalk by a construction site, you might say HOLY COW! Fifteen rats?! Or when you hear that it was 61 degrees outside on Monday, you might say, Holy Moley! That's warm weather!

Did you just say 'macro'? He asked me.. This turned into a debate on whether or not the phrase was holy macro, or holy mackerel. We turned to the ever trusty Google search to see who was right. I was not. Baffled, I could not believe that the phrase was indeed holy mackerel.. I had always said holy macro and was sure that any time someone else said it they were saying macro too. Apparently, I was mistaken. Or was I really? Do you say macro or mackerel?

Apparently the phrase dates back to the late 17th/early 18th century. Other than just a silly word to substitute for another in a holy oath so as not to blaspheme, I found some reasons as to why this phrase came about, such as a form of insult to Roman Catholic immigrants who didn't eat meat on Fridays so they ate fish (ie: mackerel, because it was very cheap to get) instead. Similar to holy cow- because the of the Hindu belief of reincarnation and cows being sacred. Also, I learned that the word mackerel sounds similar to a French word, maquereau, meaning 'pimp' which is possibly where the term 'Mack Daddy' came from. Huh.. I wonder if those cool guys who like being called a mack daddy would still feel cool if they knew it was actually a cheap fish they were being labeled as...

*note: I did in fact see at least fifteen rats on the sidewalk (just beyond the stairs you go down) as I approached the entrance to the train station tonight on my way home from work. Who would spread bird seed outside a construction site for the rats?? People were really grossed out about it.. it was pretty startling to me and my knees were shaking as I tried to get a picture on my phone. I wish I had had my camera with me. Here is a picture of the picture on my phone. All those dark blobs.. those are rats, or clumps of rats. They weren't even phased by the people walking into the train- they were so focused on eating.. only the smaller ones would back off when someone approached, the big fat ones just kept on eating. Sick. There were a lot more in the shadow but it was too dark and they didn't show up in the photo.

*a second note: It was in fact 61 degrees on Monday. For those of you who wonder why we don't want to come home for Christmas this year.. that is why. Sorry Minnesota winters, but we can no longer tolerate you.

Weird Sightings

It's common to see and hear some pretty weird things on the train. Take this morning for example. I sat down next to a guy who took out a small tupperware container which I assumed had food in it. Maybe granola or oatmeal or some fruit perhaps. Boy was I wrong... inside the tupperware was a small clay head he was working on, a cube of unused clay, and some matches. He proceeded to take out the clay head, which was about the size of a large walnut, and sculpt it with the end of the match stick. Most people in the morning are either reading the news paper or a book, working on a sudoku, listening to their ipod, sleeping, maybe applying makeup (which always amazes me how they can do that on a swaying train ride and also makes me wonder- why can't you just do it at home before you leave?) or eating a breakfast to go. Never have I seen someone sculpt a small clay head with a matchstick. That is a first.

A Week in Pictures. Vol. 2

Last Saturday I went to my first Mary Kay party. I wasn't planning on spending a lot of money.. and in the end, I really didn't spend that much, but it was more than I thought I was going to spend. I went in thinking I would just get the satin hands set. A friend of mine had given me that when I got engaged and it is just so wonderful. In the end I also came away with an order for eye cream as well as some powder foundation, which I don't even wear but for some reason I thought I needed. I must admit, I am super excited to get my stuff next Sunday:)
Fun end to the night? The woman's daughters brought out their pet tortoise (who they let roam around the house freely). I don't remember it's name but it was sure faster than I thought it would be, especially when she put some lettuce in front of it. Look at that tongue! Is anyone else hearing the voice of Morla from NeverEnding Story??




Sunday I celebrated my 26th birthday. 26! I am now closer to 30 than I am to 20, and I kind of like that. We went to a cajun restaurant with some friends called NoNO Restaurant (North of New Orleans).MMmmm Jambalaya.. Didn't get a lot of pictures that night but it was really great to be out with friends (and of course my hubby) on my birthday.




Of course Thursday was the big Turkey Day. We ended up having 16 people over for dinner. Boy, was there some great food to be had! What did I make? Corn casserole, creamy herbed potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls, stuffing and apple, pumpkin and chocolate/peanut butter pies.
Some of that food included brown sugar. If you read my previous post you may be wondering what I did with the sneezed-on brown sugar. Well, after reading some of the comments I am feeling a little bit wasteful. I did indeed throw it all away. Initially, I just put the lid back on and walked away thinking 'no one will know' but my conscience has been effected after five years working in a restaurant and two years working in a group home. It would have probably been different if it was just Chris and me but knowing that Thanksgiving was a few days away and that we would be cooking with that same brown sugar for tons of other people.. I just couldn't do it. I told Chris what had happened and he advised me to throw it away. Actually, I believe his response was something along the lines of "UUHHGG.. you just left it there?? Gross. You need to throw it away." I didn't think about the fact that cooking it at high temperatures would probably kill any sneezy bacteria that could have (did) land on the brown sugar. So, at the risk of serving germy, sneezed on brown sugar, I opted for the wasteful act of throwing it away. At least I could serve my food with a clean conscience right? A clean, wasteful conscience.. Oh well.


Lastly, after waking up from a nap yesterday I opened my eyes to see this:
He's a crazy, bipolar cat. But I still think he's super cute. I mean come on.. look at him.

How was your Thanksgiving??

Gimme some of that brown sugar..

Last week I stopped at a small grocery store on my way home to get some things for dinner that night and knowing that my brown sugar was almost gone I picked up a bag. When I got home I put the few things away and as I was just finished pouring the brown sugar into the glass jar I keep it in I sneezed. It was one of those sneezes where you breathe in and it tickles your nose so you sneeze, not a 'I'm sick' sneeze. Nevertheless, I pretty much sneezed right into the jar of recently poured brown sugar. I didn't have time to cover my mouth and nose, one hand was holding the bag of brown sugar and the other was holding the jar, plus it was an unexpected sneeze.. what could I do? I thought about it for a moment..  should I just put the lid on and forget it happened? After all, it was just a tickled nose sneeze, not an I'm  sick sneeze. No one will know... But there are still germs right? Personally, I don't really like germs and I think most other people don't either. Should I throw away all the brand new brown sugar I just bought? Should I just scrape off the top and leave the rest?? Is it all contaminated?? 

What would you do? Most importantly, what do you think I did?

Six Days and Counting...

Well, I guess I have been a little MIA lately. My only explanation is that I have been so stressed that I have really had nothing good to blog about. Things at work have been... stressful. My eyelid has been twitching for a week. I have no other words to say about it right now. 

BUT- Thanksgiving is next week! This is a great thing. You would think that the thought of having over 20 people at our place for Thanksgiving dinner would only add to my stress, but it's quite the contrary. It makes me happy and excited. Let me explain.. We kind of live in 'community' here and so for the people who live in our building (all work at the church) or in the parsonage (which up until a few months ago housed our pastor and his family) and anyone who doesn't have a family to be with for Thanksgiving, well we all get together for a big dinner followed by a traditional game of MAFIA. Some call this an 'Orphan's Thanksgiving' but I like to look at it as an extended family. This is the first time we'll be hosting it and I am super excited. It helps that I am not making the turkey.. I think that would make definitely me stressed. I mean, if you mess up the turkey that's huge right? No, I'm not making the turkey. I am making pumpkin (with my own pumpkin puree) and apple pies, creamy herbed potatoes, stuffing/dressing, and some kind of roll. Depending on what other people are brining I may end up making something else as well, but we'll see. Last year Chris made sweet potatoes. They were the sweetest sweet potatoes I have ever had. He'll definitely be making them again. Hmmm.. all this talk about food is making me hungry. 

So, what's your favorite thanksgiving dish? Anybody else hosting a big dinner? 

A Week In Pictures

Seven Years

Chris and I have been together for seven years. We have been married for three and a half, but together for seven. Sure this may seem a little juvenile, but I think it's pretty cool too. Seven years ago today Chris asked me to be his girlfriend, and from that question we became a couple which eventually lead to the even more important question which lead us to be man and wife. Following my train of thought? So although this isn't really a day we celebrate anymore, I still think that it's pretty special. 

Thanks for asking me to be your girlfriend baby, I love the history we have together, I love that from being your girlfriend I became your wife, and I love YOU even more! 

Fall, don't leave me..

I smelled winter yesterday. I can't explain it, but I know what I smelled and it was winter. This week has gotten pretty cold here in New York. Today it's back up to 62 degrees but I know that these days are going to be less and less. I know that I have stated before that I LOVE FALL. Love it. It's my favorite time of year. Winter on the other hand is definitely NOT my favorite. Sure, it's pretty when you wake up early in the morning and see a fresh snowfall outside. Thick bands of snow hanging on the trees and everything is beautiful and white and clean. But then you have to go out side. Start your car (in MN) or walk almost half a mile to the train station here in New York. One good thing about living here is that we may get a few big snows during the winter but they don't last, and it doesn't get nearly as cold as a Minnesota winter. The bad part? That beautiful white snow will quickly turn to a slushy mess. Winters aren't really pretty here in the city. Don't get me wrong, I would much rather be here in New York for the winter than in MN. Coming back the last two years for Christmas have made Chris and I wonder how we ever lived there. I think our blood has gotten warmer or something. Is that possible?
I haven't posted any 'signs' lately so I thought this one would be appropriate for how I am feeling about the approaching cold weather. This photo was taken back in May when we went to Boston for our anniversary. We went to this restaurant on the waterfront called The Barking Crab and ate a whole lobster together. That's right. A whole lobster. It was so good! It was spring, summer was just around the corner and everything was new and beautiful outside.
It's beautiful outside now too. The leaves are all orange and yellow and I love walking through the fallen leaves on the sidewalk. The bright colors look even more pronounced against the harsh grey of the concrete. But, that smell.. I'm telling you. It smelled like winter. There was something in the air. Today there is no winter smell, it's a perfect autumn day in New York. I am happy for the fall, I love the fall. Please stay a little longer!

Viewer Beware

The following is not for innocent eyes...

Ok, so I would like to start off by saying that I have been pretty unsure as to whether or not I should post the following photos on my blog. I realize that the content is pretty 'adult'. However, please bear with me and view the photos with a purely artistic eye.

I am not a professional photographer. Nor am I a paparazzi (although the two being photographed may argue otherwise). My only photographic claim to fame is that I submitted a photo into a contest that was chosen and printed in a calendar, which I am very proud of. However, after capturing the following photo I was urged by a few people, my husband included, to submit it to National Geographic.

Well, two days ago, I did just that. This is that photo:

I titled it "Making Larvae".

Let's add some zoom..

Now, please, before you pass judgement and run from the computer screen asking for forgiveness for what you have just seen, let me tell you how I came across these two.

It happened a few months ago. I was about to put a load of clothes on our clothesline and as I opened the kitchen window to do so I noticed a black blob hanging from the line a few feet away. I slowly turned the line so that the blob was on top- and this is what I saw. I carefully pulled the line in for a closer look and expected the couple to fly away in shame, but they were pretty set in their task. It was at that point that I knew I had to try and get a picture. I ran for my camera, set it to manual, came back and they were still there!
Needless to say, I was able to get a few shots before the two finished their business and flew off. Those whom I showed the photo to encouraged me to send it into National Geographic. I really don't think it's going to get anywhere, have you seen some of the photographs on their site?? Wow. Well, I finally sent it in anyway. Each day a dozen photos are chosen for their 'Daily Dozen' and of these some are then chosen to be published. I will be checking their website daily to see if it's chosen and let you know. Even if it's not, I have really loved looking at some of the other photographs that others have submitted. Like I said.. WOW. Check it out here and click on  'your shot' to see their daily dozen.

Girls Night

Monday night was so fun! Remember when I told you about our new friends Domi and Bini and how Bini wanted the 'full American experience?' Well, we continued that Monday night. Here's how it went down..

First, I'd like to mention that I have been discovering more and more how much I enjoy cooking and baking- especially for others. I have even been named 'Martha' by a friend here- and I kind of like it. Now, to be honest- I don't make up my own recipes or anything, I just find good recipes from other sources and follow them, but I still really love doing it. When we decided to have the pumpkin carving at our place I thought it would be fun to make a meal and although it was only Tacos, it was still great to make food and eat together. This is the third time we have people over for dinner in one week and it was great! Also- I think I have mastered the art of making guacamole- thanks to a wonderful Guatemalan woman in my building who is also my very good friend Sharon's mother. (Oh man, I could write a whole blog about her cooking.. yum!) This is the real stuff folks and I am forever grateful to her for teaching me. 

Along with the Tacos, Bini showed me how to make her version of Apple Crisp- (we made my Grandmother's recipe last weekend when she and Dominik came over for dinner) which they call Apple Crumble. MMM.. it was good! It's very similar to Apple Crisp but the topping doesn't have oats in it so it's more like a streusel. Chris said he liked the German version better. Don't worry Grandma, yours is still my favorite :)

While we waited for the Apple Crumble to bake, we carved our pumpkins. Bini and I had our pumpkins from when we went apple picking but Ashley and Sharon got theirs at the grocery store. These were the smallest ones available.. can you believe that? 

This pile of innards next to Bini is mostly all from Ashley's pumpkin. It looks like shredded cheese, but believe me, it's not. 
When I was younger I didn't really like getting my hands dirty so I would try to get out all the slimy stuff out of the pumpkin with a spoon. It doesn't bother me anymore, now I think that's the best part! How about you? Spoon or hands?

Here are our finished jack-o-lanterns. 



It was so fun to have some girl time. Honestly, God has really blessed me over the years with really good friends. It was hard moving away from my friends back home, and at times I ache to see them and talk with them in person. But, God is SO GOOD. He has given me friends here that are so amazing! No one can replace the friends I have known for years and years, my 'lifelong friends,' but no one can replace the friends I have made here either. I believe that they are 'lifelong friends' as well. I cherish them. ALL of them. I am so thankful that God has put these girls in my life and that I can not only hang out with them, talk over coffee and laugh together, but that we can also share with each other our struggles and pray together. It is very cool how God puts people in your life at different times and how He can use these people to show you how much He loves you. Thank you Lord for old friends, and for new!