#51

Ok, I had this long entry all wrote at that I worked on all day but then I read it and was like 'WTF! Moi, you wrote this and you know you are rambling.' So I started all over.
First: Look! a handy dandy map so to help you understand the random neighborhoods in Pittsburgh.

Pitt is located in Oakland and Duquesne (the school my one roommate is going to) is Downtown. We looked in Oakland (too expensive), Shadyside (too yuppie), Lawrenceville (too far away) and Point Breeze (too dangerous). But we finally ended up in Squirrel Hill (ahh just right!). 

 

Squirrel Hill is known as the old Jewish neighborhood which is kind of weird since the Jewish faith is still very prevalent there. There are beautiful synagogues, community centers and kosher grocery stores everywhere. I'll be living right by the intersection of Beacon and Murray. Murray is an awesome street that literally has everything I'll ever need. Panera, Barnes & Noble and Starbucks are all right around the corner. Interspersed between those chains are various local ethnic restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and CUPCAKE BAKERIES. 

But really the best part of the neighborhood is one of its residents:

Mr. Rogers!!!!

Well he no longer lives there on account of being dead and all. But there are plans to unveil a statue of him and I've hear they have such days as 'Wont You Wear A Sweater?' What else could I possibly want in a neighborhood?
 

#50

Am watching Project Runway. So far I am disgusted by the judges' opinions. Everything I think it cute, they hate. Everything I think is ugly, aqua, purple and horribly 80', they love. God Nina, you are boring me. I think this is Bravo's way of screwing with the producers after they chose to move the show to another network. Only its us viewers that are suffering.  

#49

The poll has closed. My computer shall be known as Murray Boondoggle (Boonie). I think its a nice mix of funky and cool. He can always go by Boonie if he chooses but this way other laptops at school wont make fun of him. I want to thank MMM for her suggestion of Boondoggle because I never knew what is meant but I think its appropriate. 

I went to the library and got some new books today. The new biography of Benazir Bhutto, a book by the first female press secretary (so I assuming that one is going to be just like watching CJ on West Wing, right?), and Brideshead Revisited. I'm guessing I wont read all of them but I sure looked smart checking them out today. 

Is anyone else totally bored with this season of Project Runway? I just feel I've seen it all before and no one is bringing anything new to the show? I miss Santino, Christian and Daniel V. (even though I read he got a really big head after the show and turned down a bunch of job offers because he felt they were beneath him. And where is he now???) Maybe the change to Lifetime & LA will be good but I sorta doubt it. 

#48

So...the University of Pittsburgh. So much to tell y'all. I've been wanting to write this post for the last month but I didn't want to jinx anything. I think I will start with the biggest and its very literally the biggest.

That my friends is the Cathedral of Learning. It is the tallest educational building in the Western Hemisphere only second to a building in Moscow. Its kind of so over the top that its fabulous. The chancellor of the school has his office here and it makes me giggle. However, there are some very cool things inside. First, the Commons Room:


Its HUGE! all like a gothic cathdreal but with massive fireplaces that are lit during the winter. I guess students study here. While I was exploring I found these staircases that take you to the second floor where there are separate women and men's lounges. Seriously, when I walked in I thought Hogwarts. I've finally made it to Hogwarts and I never want to leave.

The second coolest thing about the Cathedral of Learning is The Nationality Rooms. They have actual classrooms that are designed to look like classrooms from different countries from past centuries. They paid a lot of attention to details and it shows. One room has a hidden staircase behind the fireplace that is reported to be haunted!!! Here are some of my favorites:

Syria-Lebanon Room

Israel Heritage Room

I cannot wait to take more pictures to share or for you guys to come visit so we can explore together!

#47

3 words:

I GOT IN!

#46

I just wanted to say a HUGE thanks for all the support, comfort and advice I've gotten from you guys lately. Dealing with some things/people lately, its really made me realize what GREAT friends I have. You guys don't make me feel bad about myself or doubt myself. You don't make me want to cry or get mad if I tell you right when I meant left. Your friendship means the WORLD TO ME and I am so sad that we wont all be hanging out in A8 next year.


Sorry its so sappy but its how I feel.

#45

An alarm went off at 7:30. It was the loudest thing with bells and a ringtone and something else. It scared me and made it impossible to go back to bed.

We have no plans or appointments for today. So why the alarm went off this early? I do not know. I do not care. I just want sleep.

Thanks for the votes. Its exciting!

Here is another short, informal poll:
When you hear the name Tim-Tom, do you think dog or cat or a dog & a cat (2 separate animals, not like that weird cartoon from back in the day)?

#44

I put up a poll combining some of my picks for the computer name and some of your suggestions. I think voting ends like 7/29 or something like that.

I know I always wanted a baby elephant but Toi would never let me have one. But after seeing this video:

I now want a lion cub. Anyone want to raise it with me? (Ignore the cheesy music)

I feel like I am being stalked by a former classmate. I get multiple texts, voicemails, e-mails, and phone calls to my home line. Honestly, I am a bit sick of it.

But tomorrow I will travel to Pittsburgh with classmate in another attempt to find an apartment for next year. I'm more than freaked out about the whole thing. I haven't been accepted yet and I feel like this is just jinxing everything and I wont get in. Its just not fun.

#43

I want to take a minute to remind everyone to hug their computers.

Because you never know when your mother is going to dump her entire glass of coke directly on top of your computer and you will spend the next 24 hours drying it out and cursing yourself for not putting it on the insurance policy like your mother told you to and the fact that Apple's protection plan does not cover liquid spills.

#42

so excited!!!

#41

I bought myself a new computer case. I'd been admiring it for a bit and when I wandered into the store today it was on clearance. So I snatched it up. 

Anyway that got me thinking I never quite named my laptop. And I feel horrible about that. Its been using the alias "Moi" for about 2 months now. But I've decided its time for it to have a real name. Only I'm completely drawing a blank on anything cool. Should I give it a human name or a reference to one of my favorite shows or something else? Anyone have a suggestion?

#40

I had a crazy weekend and I don't even know where to begin. But I will leave you guys with this:

+

=

AWESOMENESS!!!

#39

I was reading this article today. It was questioning whether or not children should be allowed to attend weddings. As I was scrolling, I saw that the photo they chose to accompany the article was this:

It had the caption "I said no kids and no Time Lords!"

Oh, Donna.

I'm still mad.

#38

That is the picture I took of tonight's dinner. My presentation needs some work but it was delicious. I made Herb Roasted Pork Loin with Parsley Shallot Sauce with Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes. It was fairly easy to make and clean up was a breeze. I used the dried herbs because that is what we had at home but other than that I followed the recipes. Besides being yummy, its also healthy for you which is always a good thing.

#37

I don't even know why I watch Doctor Who anymore. It just makes me sad and angry. I just finished the season finale and my head hurts, really hurts. 

Its like Russell T. Davies (couldn't just be Russell Davies or Russ, oh no he needs that whole long big name because he's stupid) tapped into one of my biggest fears of being stupid and not being able to lead a productive life and injected it all into Donna. Just to show her that she is awesome and BRILLIANT and it was there inside of her all along only to take it all away. Its like she'll forever have that thing on her back that everyone can see but her because the two people she cares about most in the world are keeping the BIGGEST secret from her for the rest of her life. Its just mean, very mean. 

The line at the end when The Doctor was all like I guess they all have someone else blah, blah, blah. Its only because he makes it that way. 

There are only 2 things keeping me a fan right now:

1. K-9 is still just as awesome as ever!!!! Though he should have had way more dialogue.
2. The fact that nothing is permanent on this show. So whenever the writers can't think of a plot for next week, they can always bring Donna back and fix her.

I guess maybe now there is always a possibility that she can find stuttering guy and live a completely fulfilling life.

#36

When I first started this blog, I had visions of food and drink recipes in every entry. I would post pictures of every new attempt and review what went wrong or right. Needless to say, that did not happen. I don't think I've ever posted a recipe or photo. So I'm vowing to change that and this blog. I promise at least one new food and drink recipe a week. The photo thing might be a bit difficult because of the whole no digital camera thing but I'll work something out. 

I bring you the RECIPE OF THE WEEK!!!! I made this for the fam last Sunday night and there were no leftovers and it was pretty easy to make. Oh and it tasted FANTASTIC!

Creamy Baked Mac-n-Cheese

Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup cottage cheese (not lowfat)

2 cups milk (not skim)

1 teaspoon dry mustard

Pinch cayenne

Pinch freshly grated nutmeg 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 pound sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated 

1/2 pound elbow pasta, uncooked.

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees and position an oven rack in upper third of oven. Use 1 tablespoon 

butter to butter a 9-inch round or square baking pan.

2. In a blender, mix cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg and salt and pepper together. Reserve 1/4 cup grated cheese for topping. In a large bowl, combine remaining grated cheese, milk mixture and uncooked pasta. Pour into prepared pan, cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes.

3. Uncover pan, stir gently, sprinkle with reserved cheese and dot with remaining tablespoon butter. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes more, until browned. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

I used low fat cottage cheese because that's what we had so I added a heaping tablespoon of sour cream. I skipped the nutmeg and used about 1 lb. of elbow pasta.

#35

Sooooo.....still in PA. We leave tomorrow and I am happy to go home. I would love to stay here but I think its just been too much family time. Its not fun when everyone in the whole family like aunts and uncles are all fighting with each other. 

We had another graduation party to attend. But before the party we drove into downtown Pittsburgh to look around. That was a lot of fun and I got to eat at Primanti Bros.  Frances, you should have been there. I could barely finish half and felt bad about leaving all the food behind. After we drove all over the city and visited the football and baseball stadiums we made our way to the party. 

At this point, we were about an hour late but who really cares? Anyway, we got there only to find that UNCLE's family had not shown up yet. Why might you ask? Well my youngest cousin who we shall nickname Bruiser fell off of the monkey bars (according to his sister 6 to 8 feet) and broke his elbow! He was being taken to Urgent Care where his doctor had "long blond hair parted in the middle, he was a hippie!!!"~AUNT

Then, AUNT talked to me today about going out for drinks and devising a plan to take down my grandmother who she believes is bi-polar. Doesn't that sound like a fun idea?!?!? It is like full blown family civil war with my family as Switzerland. The whole thing is just going to explode very soon.

Oh and my one cousin COPYCAT thought it was just hilarious that I got so drunk last night HAHAHA. Whatever, last night my parents didn't think I was drunk. I was loopy but I was no where near as drunk as the night before graduation. I didn't even feel weird when I woke up. So seriously they can SUCK IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

#34

Hi FRIENDS!!!

I can honestly say I am a little bit drunk. I 

woke up at 6 this morning!!!! and drove to Pennsylvania. Then as soon as we got here we went to a 2nd cousin's graduation party. It was okay. They had a slushie machine that my Aunt and I think you all know what Aunt that is, kept telling me that it was more healthy for me to drink a slushie than milk. So I decided to dedicate my time to the beer. Toi, I am sorry. I texted you about 6 beers but then I recounted and it was only 5! I drank 2 Blue Moons:

And  2 Miller Chill. This was my first time trying them and they were quite good. I enjoyed them.

This took me a long time to place the picture where I wanted it. I think it was blogger and its Mac system. Sometimes it is very difficult. 

And then I had a Yeungling. Doesn't it sound like a Chinese panda bear. It is from a brewery in Pottsville, PA. And I quite liked it. UNCLE has a case of it in his hotel room. Maybe I shall wander over and get some.

I WISH YOU ALL WERE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(THAT WAS FOR TOI!!!)

#33

These are Harpo's buddies Benny and Lenny. This is how Harpo arranged them before he wandered off to take a nap. He worries me sometimes.

#32

I've chosen to write in color today for no other reason than I never have before. Nothing much to say except I've officially applied to the last of the grad schools. Its just a waiting game now. 

Oh, Bubba is my favorite brother of the moment for 2 reasons:

1. As he was folding the laundry, he remarked that my clothes looked like they belonged to a kindergartner  because they were so little.
   
2. He wrote me a thank you note for everything I did for his graduation party which included a poem.

"Even though we fight, Even though we fuss

There will always be a bond, Between the two of us!"

I thought it was really sweet. I don't think I've ever had someone write me a poem before. 

The whole family including grandparents and cousins are heading to Pennsylvania for the weekend. It should be pretty interesting. I don't think anyone is actually excited for the trip.