El Fin

Well, darlin', it's over.

I have completed my internship. It is crazy to think that just a little under 4 months ago I was moving in to my little apartment in Bethesda, going to church on that first sunday by myself - not even really remember what my roomates looked like and having to act like I did when I saw them at church (yikes), struggling with finding my groove in D.C. life and trying to make friends.

I feel like I accomplished many goals over my summer.

I feel like I bonded with my roomate, Kita. I feel like I made friends with people in the ward (DC2nd you are all FANTASTIC!). I broke out of my comfort shell, even if it didnt seem like it at times. I participated in two Iron Chef competitions. I explored the unknown parts of the city. I ignored places with hype - I had one day where I went and toured around the monuments. My days were filled with work and normal activities, things that people in my ward did, things that people that live in the district actually do. I enjoyed Pub Trivia. I nudged M more than a few times and asked him to do game nights. I drove to work near the end without much panic = I conqured Rockville/Wisconsin/495 :-)

On the internship front, I met amazing people. My co-workers are truly great people who I have come to love and admire. They taught me so much not only regarding the office I worked in in particular but things I could apply to the Career Development Center, Management Society and more. Im really grateful to them.

Im really not sure what else I can say. My time in Washington has come to an end. I have just finished my first week of senior year.

Its time to head back to this blog over here. I hope youll follow me, I am on to more adventures and wouldn't want you to miss them.

Its called KETCHUP!

Here it goes!

Iron Chef: Saffron was on Sunday (the 22nd) at David's place. To be addressed later in the post, I thought I was homeless in Virginia and had to make an emergency trip down to pack all of my things in my house so my roomate would not have to do it on her own. I left Saturday early and came back Sunday.. early. Right before church actually. I called Kita when I was about thirty minutes away to see if she would wait for me and drive to church - I had a feeling that post-church I would not feel up to driving home (and I was right). I had given up all hope on being able to cook for Iron Chef when I ran in to David after Munch N' Mingle. He pulled out a small glass vile and a jar of Saffron... sketch for sure but hey! I got myself some Saffron!! I had a recipe I had planned on doing, and Kita had the needed almonds. I went home and made Saffon Cantuccini found HERE. I melted some Dark Chocolate chips that J had and after plating drizzled the chocolate on top of the pile of cantuccini. It was fantastic! I won third place out of probably 15 entries. 5 votes for Cantuccini. 6 votes for Saffron Braided Bread with Honey and 7 votes for Meatball Tangine - it was CLOSE!

Next month is Fennel, hosted by Marie & Hugh. I just may be coming up to DC that weekend. I dont think these folks realize how much I love the idea of Iron Chef.


******

Homeless. Sort of.
Katie and I received calls from our Landlord and his wife on thursday (the 19th) that some business deal they had was bringing a family to BV and they would need us out of the place by August 31st. That is thirteen days. Thir-Teen. All while I am out of town. Needless to say the search for housing was stressful. I was not sure what they really expected me to do with so little time before school starting and not having any leads and did I mention - most housing is full. I called. I e-mailed. I texted. I begged. I found one place that had an opening but would not be ready to move in to until Sept 11th. Not acceptable. I couldnt find anywhere to stay for those two weeks (slight correction: my Bishop offered his home, he is Fantastic but I did not want to do that to them, even if they offered - it would be just great to find a place to move in to and then stay at). I called one of the off-campus housing listings and got a woman who was in one of my classes last semester. Her husband is a professor at the school, and she has children about my age. Sweet lady. After chatting I asked if she remembered me, she did, and we became more friendly - then! (drumroll) she said... you should call my daughter, shes looking for a roomate. Her daughter happens to live with my old RS president (who is getting murried, yup - murried in Oct.) I call and it just happens to be perfect. Great price. Great location. Keeps me in my old ward. All around - PERFECT.

I move in Saturday. :-)

*****

I really want to make this Lemon-Blueberry pull apart bread. Think Monkey Bread with a sweet but tangy kick :)


*****

Cooking with Gina.

Im going to start a cooking blog. Not kidding. Look for it. Ive got a sweet title (and no, its not Cooking with Gina)

Updates... in a post to come :-)

*Third Place - Iron Chef Saffron

*Im Homeless. I may not be Homeless. Im officially, Not Homeless!! (<--thought process)

*I really want to make this Lemon-Blueberry pull apart bread. Think Monkey Bread with a sweet but tangy kick :)

*Starting a cooking blog...? Talk about Generation Y

*My Final Week in Washington (incl. New Interns)

Music Monday

Kita wrote a post on Official and Unofficial State Songs talking about the current state songs and what they really should be. I thought I loved New York, I knew that I disliked it sometimes (especially the city) but the Unofficial aka what they think should be the 21st Century State Song of New York not only made me miss New York, It reminded me of my love for the City. The video was shot on September 7th, 2001 - Just 4 days before the attack on the WTC. You see the towers behind him in the video. At that point I even got emotional. I was close, too close for comfort, to that event. My mom was in the city on that day. I am told I said things and did things that I dont remember, a little PTSD I suppose when you think your mom could be apart of the thousands affected by the attack. I love that city, I love that state - This is the perfect video for Music Monday.



Found a lot of trouble out on Avenue B
But I tried to keep the overhead low
Farewell to the city and the love of my life
At least we left before we had to goAnd love won't play any games with you
Anymore if you want 'em to
So we better shake this old thing out the door
I'll always be thinkin' of you
I'll always love you though New York
I'll always love you though New York, New York, New York






For Music Monday, I give you;
Ryan Adams - New York, New York

Music Monday

Pretty sure I have missed one or two of these due to being away from the office and my blog and on vacation.. and doing other fun things. I have been on a kick with a few different bands lately, where I could just listen to all of their songs, over and over. Train is one of them so for your entertainment....

Shes on Fire - Train

The Couple That Prays Together...

Stays Together...

I really liked this article that I read this morning.

Music Monday

Youtube is being lame and wont let me put the video in, but its fabulous and brings back middle school memories. Enjoy.


Music Monday