Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Over already?

This weekend started out so nice and it ended kind of nice too. It just went way too fast. Just as those things always go.
I think I’m still a little too doped up to fully function, but at least I’m awake.
A couple more days and I’m done with the meds and hopefully back to normal. By then it is fortunately the weekend again.
This weekend’s plan?
Christmas party in DC on Friday (we booked a hotel room!!!).
Army-Navy game on Saturday!!!! We’re still trying to see where we’re actually going to watch it. Preferably with a couple more navy people around.
Go Navy!

Saturday, November 26, 2005

The Day after

I thought it would be way too boring spending my Black Friday getting stomped on and pepper-sprayed. So, I thought, how about some more excitement? And boy, did I have that.
Now I can truly say, I’d rather have a root canal than go shopping.
Funny thing though, my tooth has been hurting on and off for a while but I’m too cheap to spend money on that. So I let it go. Then, Thanksgiving night, I couldn’t go to sleep at all until I took a couple of Advils and so I went to get the root canal done. Thank God, somebody was working yesterday. But after all was done and I get all my prescriptions (antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and some nice pain killers), my tooth did not hurt anymore. Not all day yesterday and not today. I would have thought a root canal would ruin my whole weekend but I’m fine.
So, all you people out there that are too scared of a root canal. Don’t worry.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Home Sweet Home

Nothing like coming home and having friends over that are already enjoying a nice cold beer.
I love Thanksgiving!
Done with the wings and on to the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Later

Must be a good day

So at first I thought nothing of the fact that so far the day seemed good. Surely something would come up that would ruin it and at least give me something to really rant about. But then I get the news that we all get to leave early and I’m starting to doubt my initial thoughts.
Maybe the good guy up there just wants to make sure I have something to be thankful for tomorrow. Not that I don’t have enough already.

Holiday Rant

Ok, I figured I go out with a big boom. Not really out, since I’ll be back, but who knows if I’ll be able to post something over the extended weekend.
So, to generate a little traffic, my husband suggested to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving (which I did below) and mention things like “penis enlargement” or “porn” or ”huge boobs” as often as I can, but I didn’t like the idea.

So, I thought a rant would be good. You know, just to pass the time and all. But then I didn’t know what to rant about. Today everybody seemed to be aware of me and the metro ride was OK.
Actually, so far, this day has been pretty good.

I finished reading "My War: Killing Time in Iraq" by Colby Buzzell. I really liked it.
You know, I was thinking, with all the books I read, I should write what I think about books and maybe give a little summary, but when I finish a book I feel like I don’t really have anything to say about it.
So, I’ll just go on to the next book, which will be “Do As I Say (Not As I Do)” by Peter Schweizer. I read good reviews and so I’m looking forward to reading it. Also, even though it is a hardcover, it still fits in my purse, which is a huge plus for me.

So, unless something happens, which will cause me to rant a little more, I think that’s it. At least for now.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Especially to all you travelers going through Washington, DC on I-95 this morning.
As always, I am glad I don’t drive on 95 and very glad I don’t live in Maryland today.

- via NBC4

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Anybody Home?

You know how those little thingies (*) are next to some links on the blogroll indicating that they just posted recently? Well, for the last couple of days there have hardly been anything going on. I think it works because some still update but most don’t. IS everybody taking the whole week off?

Poor me, I still have to work.

I’m invisible

I’m invisible

At least I think so. This morning I was walking to the elevator in my office building and it opened and this one cleaning lady came out with her big cart. Well that dumb bitch didn’t think it was necessary to move at all once out of the elevator so I couldn’t get in and the elevator took off. What a dumb bitch! (I know I said that already)
So, then, once I get settled in the office get ready to go to kitchen and get some coffee. I walk past the conference room and there is something going on and I’m at the kitchen door and this lady, that I don’t know and have never seen, stands right in front of the kitchen door and doesn’t move! I’m like WTF, bitch? (Not really, but at this point I was kind of upset. Also, I hadn’t had my coffee yet.)
And just now, I was outside and I’m walking to the store. And I know that there are lots of people in DC and all but unless you have a cane I assume you can see. So, this guy walks kind of next to me and then passes me and then (kind of) walks right into me. Like I wasn’t just next to him? Idiot. It’s somewhat hard to explain because some people around here are just plain stupid and you think that they should’ve been killed by a car by now, the way they’re getting around, but this was obvious.
So, this is how it’s been today.

Hungry

I don’t think I ever was this excited about Thanksgiving. I just can’t wait to eat. Not that I’m not eating right now. Believe me, that would be fatal. Not to me but to anyone around me. But I keep thinking about all the food and all the choices and all the people we’ll be spending that day with.
One theory I have about is that since I never celebrated Thanksgiving until I came to the US, I pretty much have 18 or 19 years to catch up. Or I just like the food.
So, forgive me if the next couple of days evolve around how many days are left (2) or how I can’t wait. Of course, it helps having a long weekend too.

Monday, November 21, 2005

Three Days

What a great week. Only three days of work and then four days of eating like crazy. I can’t wait. I’m already hungry and think about turkey and green beans and sweet potatoes and apple pie and all that good stuff. These three days better go by fast or I’m going to be grumpy by Thursday.

Carnival of the Recipes

Over at Teds.
Scroll down a little to the “Non-Holiday Goodies and Yummies” and you will find my submission!!!!

Friday, November 18, 2005

Made It

Well, people it's Friday. A day, I thought would never get here.
Now I just have to get busy and hope this day goes by fast.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Ha, me too!

Married to a Sailor, that is.

Almost Forgot

With all the excitement lately I almost forgot to mention that maybe, just maybe, very very soon I will be finally an American citizen.
I got a letter this weekend asking e to appear for an ”initial interview” at the beginning of January. I have to bring all the documents and blah, blah, blah. But I also need to be prepared to take the English and Civics tests. Then they can decide right then and there if they grant me the citizenship and I can elect to take the oath that day. So, I need to study hard…well, I looked the questions over and they are not that hard. But over the next couple of months, if any of you have some questions about American History or something, I might be able to help.


Oh and BTW, this was post #800!!

Monday, November 14, 2005

Guinness Beef (or Deer) Stew

Just in time for Ted to host the Carnival of the Recipes I am posting the recipe for Saturday night’s Stew.
You have go to try this one. We substituted the beef for deer, but not everybody will have deer meat available so I am leaving the recipe the way it is.
Here it goes.

1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/4 pounds stew beef, cut into 1-inch pieces
6 large garlic cloves, minced
6 cups beef stock or canned beef broth
I cup of Guinness beer
1 cup of fine red wine
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 7 cups)
1 large onion, chopped
2 cups 1/2-inch pieces peeled carrots
Salt and Pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add beef and sauté until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add beef stock, Guinness, red wine, tomato paste, sugar, thyme, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves. Stir to combine. Bring mixture to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, then cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

2 While the meat and stock is simmering, melt butter in another large pot over medium heat. Add potatoes, onion and carrots. Sauté vegetables until golden, about 20 minutes.

3 Add vegetables to beef stew. Simmer uncovered until vegetables and beef are very tender, about 40 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Tilt pan and spoon off fat. (Can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Salt and pepper to taste. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before serving.) Transfer stew to serving bowl. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Serves 4 to 6

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Yummy

Tonight’s menu will feature a Guinness Stew, substituting the beef for deer (yepp, we know hunters). For the health conscious there will be a spinach salad with bacon and honey-mustard vinaigrette.
And to keep things at a comfortable entertainment level we will offer various assortments of beer.
I also heard somebody is going to bring over apple pie (!!!).
Once everybody is ready to burst will exercise some, playing pool.
I can’t wait.

And, if I ever get to it, I will eventually post the recipe for the stew.

Friday, November 11, 2005

Slow

This must be the slowest day ever. I swear it feels like I’ve been here for days. Every time I look at the clock only seconds have passed. I’m afraid I’ll be spending the whole weekend here.
Help!

Friday…again

Now, I am finally almost done with the workweek. Too bad today is my long day but that’s OK. the weekend will be that much better.

Today is Veteran’s Day and I want to thank each current and former service member for all that they have done to make this country the Greatest there is.
Thank you.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

It’s Friday!!!

Not for me but for so many of the people out here. Well, to all of you…you suck.
Thank you. I just had to say it.

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Bullshit

I am so glad that they started the whole Minuteman movement up here in NoVa. I still can’t believe they approved that site there in Herndon.

One very funny quote from one of the people “helping” the illegals says.

"They aren't criminals. They are just people who want to work, and they have not come to destroy. They have come to build and help out the community."

Sure. The last time I checked being in the US illegal was a criminal act so you’re wrong.

I went through INS and am still dealing with them. Paying all the money when I didn’t have any and all that stuff. So I have no understanding for anybody coming here illegally. Tough Shit. I’m not going to give you one dime if I don’t have to.

- via the WaPo

Did it too

I felt so under pressure from everybody that I just had to do it.

One more here and more about it here.

Super Me!

Got up almost two hours late and was only thirty minutes late to work. And I slept well too.

Monday, November 07, 2005

Mondee

And the new workweek started again. Bummer.
Lucky for me (and my grandma), I will be staying here. She seems to recover OK. She is starting to move a little and opens her eyes and seems to recognize everybody, so we’re all happy for her. Let’s just hope that this kind of progress will continue.

Other than that, not much is going here in my world.
Friday seems to be a holiday…but not for me so all you people, who are off suck.

That’s it for now.

can you get arrested for threatening someone?

I think you can. I guess it depends who you threaten.

i am not happy porn

Sorry. Poor guy.
I am not happy porn either.
???

Friday, November 04, 2005

It couldn’t have been any sooner

Well, the weekend is oh so close. Finally.
Grandma is doing Ok I Guess but I’ll hear more this weekend once my parents get there. She is partially paralyzed and can’t talk. She opened her eyes today and seemed to try to communicate, but we’ll see. My grandpa mentioned that it’ll be hard and that he’ll have a lot of work with her once she comes home.
I am glad I don’t have to go there, although I would have loved to see them all.
Let’s hope she’ll get better.

Thursday, November 03, 2005

What a bitch

This is the very first time, that I hate living over here in the US. And that is only because it is so freaking far away from Germany.
Last Friday, my grandma fell and broker her wrist. On Tuesday she had surgery to re-brake the arm and put it back together. They didn’t give her full anesthesia because she is so old. Today my grandpa had to call the ambulance because she could hardly move anymore. They think she might have had a stroke and she is at the hospital right now to get checked out.
If I were to fly over to Germany tomorrow, it would cost me about $1600. Right. Next week would be more around $550. I hope I don’t have to go over there at all.
She’ll be 86 this weekend.

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

nbc4.com - News - Flying Manhole Covers Close D.C. Street

A little late in the year, but I started thinking that something was wrong, because I only heard one story about that this year. But everything is fine. The manhole covers are flying again.....