Dieting woes and other things

I have lost about 5 pounds in the last few days, but mostly because I was sick. Yesterday I was feeling all blarghy, so I didn't eat anything all day.

I went to the store today, did you know you can't buy a single 12 oz. soda by itself. They are all 20 oz. or more, if you want a 12 oz. can you have to buy more than one. all the 20 oz. sodas are 200 and more calories, even the tiny 9.5 oz of Starbucks frappuccinos are 200 calories.

So I ended up with a 20 oz. Gatorade, even though I really did want something with caffiene in it. It is still 160 calories.

I want to keep the weight I lost off, so I have to count my calories, also if I do the Kaiafit thing I have to keep a food log any way, so I figured that I better start now. Of course I had half a fillet of mackeral for lunch and I have no idea how many calories that is... this counting calories thing sucks.

Although I am baking cookies today. Tomorrow is Jasmine's last day of school before the winter break, and they are having a pajama party. So I am going to make Chocolate and Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies and some sugar cookies shaped like snowflakes. I'll post some pictures when I get a chance.

12/24/12 Oops, forgot to publish this. Anyway, went to Kaiafit on Saturday and I am still sore. I did sign up for the BRIK. I am going to die.

I need to figure out some New Year's resolutions, besides the same one I have every year, lose weight.

I finished watching an old Korean drama, Assorted Gems. It was 50 episodes long, and very rushed at the end. I think the last episdoe in particular was rushed and too much was just slammed together.

I will try to remember later to write about the variouse Korean dramas I have watched.

I will try to post my 순두부 찌게 Sundubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew) recipe before we leave for Las Vegas, for New Year's.

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End-of-the-year-rush update

I stareted using allrecipes.com to help selecting dinner items to cook. They have a spot that you can design weekly menus, you have to pay to save them, but I can plan out the whole week and just write in a notebook the items I selected and then purchase just what we need. That away we aren't throwing away so much excess. We are really trying to cut down on eating out so much and dinners out is where we spend the most. The second is lunches, or more lunches for Jasmine. But some times she is so picky.

I texted the above to myself at the beginning of November, as you can tell it did not get posted. I have tons of things I want to post, recipes, crafts and just life in general posts, but often finding the time to set down and write out a post doesn't happen.

As an example I used the allrecipes.com site for one week, and then life, visitors and finals happened and I haven't been able to use it since. But for that week it did work out pretty well, even when I had to make adjustments for a few days of not having the husband around. I think we will try it again after the New Year starts, but can't guarantee anything.

The beginning of the New Year is when we will start trying to sell our house. We ahve found a rather nice set of apartments that have an indoor pool, which if there is availabilty is where we will move to temporary, until the reall big move. Right now we are waiting on Oxford and Brown University in Rhode Island. Cambridge said no, Auckland said yes. We should hear from Oxford and Brown by the end of March and will make our decision then.

If we move to Rhode Island or Oxford I may need to go back to work. If we move to New Zealnad I am not sure what we are going to do, it is apparently ver difficult to get a work visa. What I would like to do is apply to the University of Auckland myself and go through their Bachelor's of Asian Studies with an emphasis in Korean. Afterwards I could work on an MFA in linguistics/translations. But I don't know if we could afford having both of us go to school. But still, I would like to try.

I think one of the things I need to do is get back into writing, and maybe see if I can sell some short stories or something. Maybe I can earn some money that away, since we are going to keep our P.O. Box due to the husband's home business.

I think it will be easier to sit down and write once we move and get rid of all the excess junk we have collected over the years. Right now everything feels messy and I never get anything done.

In the New Year the husband and I are thinking of doing a fitness/workout bootcamp with one of the local fitness clubs. I am also thinking of eating a pescetarian diet for a while. I think I need to cut out beef, pork and dairy. I often crave beef and cheese, but I think it is making me fat and tired. My mother was here the last week and during that time I was eating a mostly pescetarian diet, and while I didn't lose any weight I did feel better.



I choose my end weight sort of at random, it is the weight I was at the end of college, but that part is not so important for me. I want to look better, but I really also want to feel better and especially have more energy.

So far I have 2 goals for 2013, finish and submit a short story, lose weight. I am also going to try to write a post once a week, but it won't be a hard goal.

I'll write more later.

Book recommendation:
Abandon Book 2: Underworld by Meg Cabot.

I don't know why, but recently there has been a lot of Hades/Persephone books come out. Everneath by Brodi Ashton is another series about the Hades/Persephone myth, but I didn't like the first book very much and have not read the rest of the series. This series Abandon by Meg Cabot isn't as good as some of her other works, but in my opinion a better take on the myth than Everneath. There is still another book to come out in the series, so I don't know how it is going to end.

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The Korean food list

A while back I was looking around and found this tumblr: http://1796foods.com/

The lady is writing about the 1,796 ingredients and recipes that some book(s) say you have to try. I don't get it cause some things it seems like everyone would have eaten or at least tried once. But that's not the point.

Reading that tumblr reminded me of this list of 100 Korean Foods you have to try.

I bolded the items that I have eaten, I will try to come back and add links to recipes that I know how to make. I would like to try and finish the list, but some items are things that are only available in Korea (as far as I know, like the Lotteria Shrimp Burger.) And I don't know when or if I'll even get to Korea.

1. Myeolchi Bokkeum (Stir-fried Anchovies) 멸치볶음

2. Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) 삼계탕

3. Bulgogi (Grilled Marinated Beef) 불고기

4. BulDalk (Burn-your-pants-off Spicy Grilled Chicken) 불닭

5. DalkBal (Spicy Chicken Feet) 닭발

6. Korean Fried Chicken 치킨

7. Dalk Galbi (Stir-fried Marinated Chicken and Veggies) 닭갈비

8. San Nakji, chopped (Semi-live Baby Octopus) 산낙지

9. Buddhist Temple Cuisine

10. Sundubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew) 순두부 찌게

11. Jeonbok Juk (Rice Porridge with Abalone) 전복죽

12. Galbi (Grilled Short Ribs) (소)갈비

13. Galbitang (Short Rib Soup) 갈비탕

14. Shinseollo (Fancy Hot Pot) 신선로

15. Gobchang Gui (Grilled Beef Intestines) 곱장구이

16. Seng Gan (Raw Beef Liver) 생간

17. Galbi Jjim (Stewed Ribs) 갈비찜

18. Bossam (Steamed Marinated Pork with Lettuce Wraps) 보쌈

19. Japchae (Clear Noodles Stir-fried with Pork and Vegetables) 찹재

20. Jaeyuk Bokkeum (Spicy Stir-fried Pork) 재육볶음

21. Kimchi Jjim (Stewed Kimchi with Tofu)깁치찜

22. Ddong Jip (Chicken Gizzards)똥집

23. Odeng/Eomuk (Street-side Fish Noodles) 어댕/어묵

24. Hoddeok (Stuffed Street-side Pastries) 호떡

25. GeiJang (Raw Fermented Crabs) 게장

26. Hongeo (Fermented Skate) 홍어

27. Gochujang Samgyeopsal (Grilled Pork Belly Smothered in Red Pepper Paste) 고추장 삼겹살

28. Lotteria’s Shrimp Burger

29. Sae-u Kang (Shrimp Flavored “Fries”) 새우깡

30. Doenjang Jjigae (Fermented Bean Paste Stew) 됀장찌게

31. Cheonggukjang (Stinky Fermented Bean Paste Stew) 정국장

32. Boshintang (Dog Soup) 보신탕

33. Seonji Haejangguk (Hangover Stew with Clotted Cow Blood) 선지 해장국

34. Ddeokbokki (Chewy Rice Cakes in Spicy Sauce) 떡볶이

35. YukHui (Raw Beef Salad) 육희

36. MiyeokGuk (Seaweed Soup) 미역국

37. Mae-eunTang (Spicy Fish Soup) 매운탕

38. Nakji Bokkeum (Stir-fried Baby Octopus) 낙지볶음

39. Mareun Ojingeo (Cuttlefish) (마른) 오징어

40. Beondaeggi (Silkworm Larvae) 번대기

41. Golbaenggi (Sea Snails) 골뱅이

42. Jangeo Gui (Grilled Eel) 장어구이

43. Jaratang (Turtle Soup) 자라탕

44. Bogeo (Blowfish) 복어

45. Sae-u Sogeum Gui (Salt Grilled Shrimp) 새우소금 구이

46. Deodeok Root 더덕

47. BindaeDdeok (Mung Bean Pancake) 빈대떡

48. Pajeon (Green Onion Pancake) 바전

49. Bibimbap (Mixed Rice and Vegetables) 비빔밥

50. Boribap (Mixed Barley Rice and Vegetables) 보리밥

51. Marinated Garlic (마늘장아찌?)

52. Patbingsu (Shaved Ice and Red Bean Treat) 팥빙수

53. Dotorimok (Acorn Jelly) 도토리목

54. Naengmyeon (Chilled Noodles) 냉면

55. Makkoli/Dongdongju (Rice Beer) 막거리/ 동동주

56. Bokbunja (Raspberry Wine) 복분자

57. Soju (Rice Whiskey) 소주

58. Andong Soju (Strong Rice Whiskey from the Andong Region) 안동소주

59. Jogae Gui (Grilled Shellfish) 조개구이

60. Haepari (Jellyfish) 해바리

61. Gyeran Jjim (Steamed Egg) 계란찜

62. Corn Ice Cream

63. Dolsot Bibimbap (Mixed Rice and Vegetables in a Sizzling Stone Pot) 돌솥비빔밥

64. Mandu (Stuffed Dumplings) 만두

65. Ddeokguk (Chewy Rice Cake Soup) 떡국

66. Songpyeon (Stuffed Chewy Rice Cakes) 송편

67. Hot Bar (Fried Fish Batter Street Food) 헛바

68. Shikhye (Sweet Rice Punch) 식혜

69. Any product with Green Tea in it 녹차맛 xxx

70. Gujeolpan (Nine-section Dish) 구절반

71. Yogurt Soju Cocktail

72. Baechu Kimchi (Cabbage Kimchi) 배추김치

73. Any Kimchi that’s over 3 years old

74. Baek Kimchi (White Cabbage Kimchi) 백김치

75. Shake-’em-up Dosirak

76. Mul Kimchi (Water Kimchi) 물김치

77. Oi Sobagi (Stuffed Cucumber Kimchi) 오이소바기

78. Ggakdugi (Cubed Radish Kimchi) 깍두기

79. Sae-u Jeot (Salted Tiny Shrimp) 새우젓

80. Myeongran Jeot (Salted Pollack Roe) 명란젓

81. Changran Jeot (Salted Pollack Guts)장란젓

82. Ssamjang (Mixed Soybean and Pepper Paste) 쌈장

83. Kalguksu (Hand-cut Noodle Soup) 갈국수

84. Ramyeon (Ramen Noodles) in a Tin Pot 라면

85. Entire Hui Meal (Korean style Sashimi) 회

86. Gimbap (Seaweed Rice Rolls) 김밥

87. Jokbal (Pigs Feet) 족발

88. Sundae (Blood and Noodle Sausage) 순대

89. Yeot (Traditional Korean Candy) 엿

90. Naengi (Shepherd’s Purse) 냉이

91. Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew) 김치찌게

92. Budae Jjigae (“Army Base” Stew, traditionally including hot dogs and Spam) 부대지게

93. Agu Jjim (Stewed Monkfish) 아구찜

94. Haemultang (Seafood Soup) 해물탕

95. Nurungji (Hot Water Mixed with Rice Scrapings in a Stone Pot) 누릉지

96. Sujebi (Rustic Dumpling Soup) 수재비

97. Janchi Guksu (Thin Noodles in a Seaweed Broth with Condiments) 잔치국수

98. BungeoBbang (Goldfish-shaped Stuffed Pastry) 봉어빵

99. Raw Ginseng or anything with Ginseng in it 인삼

100. MakHui (Chilled Sashimi Soup) 막희

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Where is all the time going?

Nothing tons intersting happening here. I went to Vegas over a weekend with Jasmine. We saw the brother-in-law and his family.

We only got to see them for a few hours on Saturday, since they had to drive that night to San Fransico in order to catch an airplane Sunday morning.

Jasmine was Wonder Woman for Halloween and she was really cute. I dressed up as Hippolyta, Wonder Woman's mother, and a friend dressed up as Circe, Wonder Woman's arch-nemesis.

It looks like we aren't going to have any problems with the bank taking back our house, so we are looking at apartments and houses for rent now. We plan on having a place in December so we can start moving the things we are going to keep. The bank should close on the house in January.

We should find out about different colleges by February or March. The husband did not get the Marshall Scholarship, but that is okay. He has gotten accepted into Nanyang Technical University, and to The University of Auckland. We are waiting on word from Cambridge and Oxford. He is also applying to Brown University in Rhode Island.

My mother is supposed to visit mid-December, my best friend is coming out of Texas at the end of March and my father is supposed to visit either in April or May. So we will be a bit busy.

The husband is graduating in December and I should, if the school can get its act together, graduate in May.

I think that is all that is happening now. I am preparing other posts, but have to find the time to finish writing them.

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Granny Square baby blanket

I made this blanket with a discontinued yarn by Bernat Sweet Stripes in Sprite Stripes, when that ran out I finished it with Bernate Baby Cordinates in White.

It measures roughly 28" X 28". There is going to be a craft fair at WNC on November 6th, and I am going to try to sell this blanket for $15.



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Ripple blanket using Carron Simply Soft Brites

I made this blanket as a winter gift for a girl in Jasmine's class, who is Jasmine's friend. I was inspired by this work: http://neisripplealong.blogspot.com/2007/04/i-finished-it.html

I used Carron Simply Soft Brites in: Watermelon, Mango, Limelight, Blue Mint and Grape. I also used Carron Simply Soft in Lemon for the yellow.

The blanket measures roughly 4'10" X 38".


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A new start

If you have followed me over from one of my other blogs it is nice to see you again. If you are new, welcome and hello!

I got tired of going back and forth between blogs and it really drove my desire to write straight down. Now I will just have one place and be able to write whatever I want to write about.

Tons of things have happened since I wrote any where.

In July, before we left for Greece, Jasmine had her testing at Taekwondo and is now a confirmed yellow belt.

Then we flew off to Greece and had a fabulous time with the family, brother and sister-in-law, and cousins. We got to see a lot of great places and swim in the Agean Sea several times. I do wish we could have gone in a cooler month, it would have made all that hiking a lot more pleasent.

On the way home we flew British Airways into London. AH! Finally a proper cup of tea. I tested this and when we flew on American Airlines on the way from London to Chicago I ordered a cup of tea... yeah it was nasty and I immediately regretted the decision.

After coming back from Greece I got bronchitis and tonsillitis. Not fun. The tonsillitis lasted about a week and a half, but the bronchitis was never-ending.

We had Jasmine's birthday and then school started at the end of August. Jasmine is in first grade at Carson Montessori and really liking it there, she asks to go to school on the weekends.

I was supposed to take a second Korean class online, but it was cancelled after the first week, so I had to scramble to register for Painting II at WNC.

I am supposed to have only two more classes to finish at WNC for my associates, but I found out when they did my transfer credits, for the second time, they took away one of the social science credits they had previously given me. So, I am waiting for a copy of my transcript and then I will need to make an appointment and argue with them. I am also going to try and get out of the digital photography class at the same time.

Well, my husband is graduating this December with his Master's in Philosophy from UNR. So, we sat down to talk. He wants to continue with his doctorate right away. So, we are moving. Internationally. We aren't sure when or where yet, but it is happening.

Right now the first scholarhsip ends mid-November, and that scholarship is UK-centric. He is applying to Cambridge, Oxford and St. Andrews. He has a 1:12 chance of getting the Marshall Scholarship, but even if he doesn't get it there is a possibility that he might get a scholarship from one of the universitites.

After he has exhusted all the possibilites in the UK we still have New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. Singapore is lasted because it is such a large city, and there will be some finacial burden, as an example Jasmine would have to go to a private school, and my husband's PTSD kicks in when he is in crowds of people, it doesn't even have to be a large crowd of people and it can even be people he knows. Anyway New Zealand and the rest won't happen until 2014.

We are trying to sell our house for the cost of the loan, but since our house is vauled at 130k less than what we payed for it, that is probably not going to happen. We will probably have to do a short sale, that will hurt our credit rating for a few years, but the shortest doctorate program is two years so most of that will be cleared up by the time we get back.

If we do get the Marshall scholarship and my husband gets into Oxford we would move in July of next year. That would leave me only one semester to complete my degree, which is why those transfer credits are so important. If he gets into Cambridge we would leave early October, which would give me a summer class possibility if the right classes are offered.

So, we do a whole lot of waiting and planning, but we can't make any solid plans because everything depends on other people. I look at furnished apartments online all over the UK. We are selling most of our possesions since it is too expensive to ship things and they aren't worth storing. We made a deal that things we couldn't store at friends and families houses we would sell. We are not getting a storage unit.

Of course in all this my mother-in-law has become a super drama queen. Oh, how could we drag her to Northern Nevada and then abandon her here. When my father-in-law was dying she had no where else that she wanted to go. Her daughter is living in 'Vegas and she could have moved there. But nope, she didn't want to live with daughter and grandkids. Now the mother-in-law owes us 11k, that we know we will never see, and thinks that it is our fault that she didn't plan during the years that she knew that my husband's father was dying. It is very frustrating.

But there is no way in hell that she is moving with us internationally.

There's no way I could do it.

I'm going to stop here and write more later.

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