BACON!!!
And Oreos!
That is my life today.
yum.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Thursday, January 22, 2015
A Proper Cup of Coffee (to be read aloud, preferably with an audience)
They say that a proper cup of coffee from a proper copper coffee pot is all that I want. If all I want is a proper cup of coffee from a proper copper coffee pot then I should buy a proper copper coffee pot to make my proper cup of coffee.
Well I didn't buy a proper copper coffee pot to make my proper cup of coffee but I did buy something to make a proper cup of coffee. To make my proper cup of coffee I bought a French press, also known as a press pot or a coffee press.
So to make a proper cup of coffee from a proper coffee press, you put the proper coffee in the proper coffee press, fill with pleasantly piping water and practice patience. Once your proper coffee is properly coffee'd, properly press your coffee press' press to produce your proper cup of coffee from your proper coffee press. Pour your proper coffee from you proper coffee press into your proper coffee cup and properly cherish your new proper coffee press.
If you made it thorough this post, you deserve a proper cup of coffee.
Stay cheerful, friends.
Well I didn't buy a proper copper coffee pot to make my proper cup of coffee but I did buy something to make a proper cup of coffee. To make my proper cup of coffee I bought a French press, also known as a press pot or a coffee press.
So to make a proper cup of coffee from a proper coffee press, you put the proper coffee in the proper coffee press, fill with pleasantly piping water and practice patience. Once your proper coffee is properly coffee'd, properly press your coffee press' press to produce your proper cup of coffee from your proper coffee press. Pour your proper coffee from you proper coffee press into your proper coffee cup and properly cherish your new proper coffee press.
If you made it thorough this post, you deserve a proper cup of coffee.
Stay cheerful, friends.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
I'm Sorry, Was I Standing In Your Way?
To the woman on the L5 today at 5:10,
If my presence on the metro is an inconvenience to you, you are welcome to pay for me to take a taxi to work.
If my holding on to the handrail so as not to risk falling down or bumping into anyone while on my short ride to my class is an inconvenience to you, you are welcome to pay for me to take a taxi to work.
And finally, if my body is in the space in which you deem necessary to occupy with your own body, and that of your friend, you are welcome to pay for me to take a taxi to work.
Otherwise, I will thank you to not try to walk through my body or any of my limbs while getting on the metro.
Sincerely,
The person who you tried to walk through today.
Yes, this actually happened. I would love to just call her the B-word and get on with my day, but this is actually how people here are. They have no concept of the people around them, and no consideration for the space they occupy and how that might affect the people around them. Just last week, I had a person put their arm, literally, infront of my face in order to hold on to the handrail in the metro.. Just ask dude, I don't want your arm hair tickling my nose. Also, its a full metro, so relax, your arm sweat is also not appealing.
The people here grow up without being told to mind the other people sharing space with them. Children are let free in restaurants and on metros, free to swing around, or run around, bump into things or people and not apologize. Just last week, again, a student of mine who is five kicked me in the shin. Her mother, standing right there, said the girl's name in a gentle warning voice and turned to me to apologize. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! If that was me and I kicked someone infront of my parents, I would be scolded, made to apologize and sent to the corner for a time out. All this kid got was an eye-roll. WHAT IS THAT GOING TO TEACH ANYONE?!
So I guess when I get angry at inconsiderate people on the metro, my response shouldn't be "some people, geez!" it should be "I'm sorry your parents did a terrible job of raising you, but could you grow up and get a clue?"
*sigh* and that is why I choose to walk with the wanderers on the sidewalk most of the time.
If my presence on the metro is an inconvenience to you, you are welcome to pay for me to take a taxi to work.
If my holding on to the handrail so as not to risk falling down or bumping into anyone while on my short ride to my class is an inconvenience to you, you are welcome to pay for me to take a taxi to work.
And finally, if my body is in the space in which you deem necessary to occupy with your own body, and that of your friend, you are welcome to pay for me to take a taxi to work.
Otherwise, I will thank you to not try to walk through my body or any of my limbs while getting on the metro.
Sincerely,
The person who you tried to walk through today.
Yes, this actually happened. I would love to just call her the B-word and get on with my day, but this is actually how people here are. They have no concept of the people around them, and no consideration for the space they occupy and how that might affect the people around them. Just last week, I had a person put their arm, literally, infront of my face in order to hold on to the handrail in the metro.. Just ask dude, I don't want your arm hair tickling my nose. Also, its a full metro, so relax, your arm sweat is also not appealing.
The people here grow up without being told to mind the other people sharing space with them. Children are let free in restaurants and on metros, free to swing around, or run around, bump into things or people and not apologize. Just last week, again, a student of mine who is five kicked me in the shin. Her mother, standing right there, said the girl's name in a gentle warning voice and turned to me to apologize. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! If that was me and I kicked someone infront of my parents, I would be scolded, made to apologize and sent to the corner for a time out. All this kid got was an eye-roll. WHAT IS THAT GOING TO TEACH ANYONE?!
So I guess when I get angry at inconsiderate people on the metro, my response shouldn't be "some people, geez!" it should be "I'm sorry your parents did a terrible job of raising you, but could you grow up and get a clue?"
*sigh* and that is why I choose to walk with the wanderers on the sidewalk most of the time.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Morning Coffee
Living in Barcelona is wonderful. There is sun every day and no snow in the winter. Don't get me wrong, it's still cold, but it isn't so cold you can't go outside without adding a layer to every part of your body.
On cold mornings (well, most mornings), I like to wake up and have a coffee. If I could, I would have Starbucks latte's every day, or a café con leche, or some other fancy coffee. Since I can't afford that on my measly teacher's salary, I have adapted the usual double-double to suit me.
Coffee (if I had something to make drip coffee, I would do that, but instant is what I have to deal with for now)
Milk (a generous amount)
Honey or Maple Syrup (sweetness the way it was meant to be)
Cinnamon
Yes, I now add cinnamon to my coffee. It is wonderful. I have been debating experimenting with cayenne pepper as well, as I know that the Mayans put that in their hot chocolate to add some spice and it is delicious! (Soma Chocolates in Toronto's Distillery District does it and it is amazing!) So what happens when you put cayenne into coffee? We'll have to wait and see. For now, I'm enjoying cinnamon!
What do you add to your coffee?
On cold mornings (well, most mornings), I like to wake up and have a coffee. If I could, I would have Starbucks latte's every day, or a café con leche, or some other fancy coffee. Since I can't afford that on my measly teacher's salary, I have adapted the usual double-double to suit me.
Coffee (if I had something to make drip coffee, I would do that, but instant is what I have to deal with for now)
Milk (a generous amount)
Honey or Maple Syrup (sweetness the way it was meant to be)
Cinnamon
Yes, I now add cinnamon to my coffee. It is wonderful. I have been debating experimenting with cayenne pepper as well, as I know that the Mayans put that in their hot chocolate to add some spice and it is delicious! (Soma Chocolates in Toronto's Distillery District does it and it is amazing!) So what happens when you put cayenne into coffee? We'll have to wait and see. For now, I'm enjoying cinnamon!
What do you add to your coffee?
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Bacon-Wrapped Lifestyle
Bacon-Wrapped Pears.
With goat cheese.
And Cinnamon.
That is all.
I would just like to take this moment to remind you all that bacon makes everything better. Everything. You're having a bad day? Eat some bacon. You need a pick-me-up? Eat some bacon.
Not enough salt in your diet? Eat some bacon. Your class/ boss/ teacher/ husband/ wife/ brother/ sister/ boyfriend/ girlfriend/ third cousin once removed/ neighbour/ mechanic/ dentist/ therapist is giving you grief? Eat some bacon. You ate too much chocolate? You should have eaten bacon.
Cucumber.
Cream cheese.
Hot sauce.
Bacon.
If ever anyone wants to make something better, bacon is the answer. Pizza: Bacon. Baked Potato: Bacon. Sandwich: Bacon. Ice Cream: Bacon (and maple syrup... just saying). Steak: wrap it in bacon.
Seriously, anything that can be baked should be wrapped in bacon. Or have bacon sprinkled on it. There are even Caesars that come with bacon. I'm not kidding.
So when you next go to the grocery store, don't forget the bacon!
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Blah Blah Blog
I bought coloured pens yesterday! There are six of them, all different colours!
They remind me of grades 6-10 where everything in my life was colour-coded by pen- homework, letters to friends, cards, notes passed in class (shhhh), my day planner and anything else that needed to be written down.
Wonderful!
Live happy people!
They remind me of grades 6-10 where everything in my life was colour-coded by pen- homework, letters to friends, cards, notes passed in class (shhhh), my day planner and anything else that needed to be written down.
Wonderful!
Live happy people!
Rude about Food
Well, I don't really have much to say today. Except that it seems that I have to work on my acceptance of things being "the way they are".
Yesterday I had the worst experience I have ever had in a restaurant, EVER. Including working in one, and dealing with irate customers, screaming kids and Hockey teams.
My friend and I sat down, and ordered dos cervezas, una patatas bravas para mi, y un espegetti bolognas para ello. The two beers came after about five minutes. The spaghetti came about ten minutes after that, and the server (who is also the owner) just dropped it off with no words and didn't even look at us. Ten minutes after that, I went to ask about my bravas. "Umm.. patatas bravas" "Si, si, bravas." with a casual wave as if to say I'm pestering here and its about to be at my table and why am I so impatient? So a few minutes later, it finally arrives. Thankfully my friend didn't wait for my food to arrive to start because otherwise his food would be cold.
The cook who dropped off my food (which is literally deep fried potato with a sauce on it) didn't apologize for the wait, or ask my friend how his food was.
The first bite I took was not cooked. It was firm in the middle. How disappointing!
I understand that it is not the culture here to tip, so I am not paying for the smile and service that I do in North America. I get that. But when did serving food in a restaurant become just so casual? I don't need a smile to enjoy my food, but being asked if there is anything else I need would be nice, and communication from the staff that my food is going to take 3x longer than my friends would also be appreciated.
I love Spain, but the standards for food service is undeniable shameful. I am a foodie, and all food experiences should be wonderful. You have ruined bravas for me. No Bueno.
Yesterday I had the worst experience I have ever had in a restaurant, EVER. Including working in one, and dealing with irate customers, screaming kids and Hockey teams.
My friend and I sat down, and ordered dos cervezas, una patatas bravas para mi, y un espegetti bolognas para ello. The two beers came after about five minutes. The spaghetti came about ten minutes after that, and the server (who is also the owner) just dropped it off with no words and didn't even look at us. Ten minutes after that, I went to ask about my bravas. "Umm.. patatas bravas" "Si, si, bravas." with a casual wave as if to say I'm pestering here and its about to be at my table and why am I so impatient? So a few minutes later, it finally arrives. Thankfully my friend didn't wait for my food to arrive to start because otherwise his food would be cold.
The cook who dropped off my food (which is literally deep fried potato with a sauce on it) didn't apologize for the wait, or ask my friend how his food was.
The first bite I took was not cooked. It was firm in the middle. How disappointing!
I understand that it is not the culture here to tip, so I am not paying for the smile and service that I do in North America. I get that. But when did serving food in a restaurant become just so casual? I don't need a smile to enjoy my food, but being asked if there is anything else I need would be nice, and communication from the staff that my food is going to take 3x longer than my friends would also be appreciated.
I love Spain, but the standards for food service is undeniable shameful. I am a foodie, and all food experiences should be wonderful. You have ruined bravas for me. No Bueno.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
What is that sound?
I have always had roommates. Or parents. Or my landlord. Always had someone living with me, someone sharing space.
I'm not going to say it's a bad thing. It's not. But I can tell you that now that I have had a small taste of what it is like to live alone, I like it.
My new tenants just moved in over the last two days. Already they have become an irritation to me. Not because of anything specific. But I come into the kitchen, and something is moved. I go into the bathroom, and the mat that I leave on the edge of the tub is on the floor with footprints on it. There are sounds outside my room at any given moment. I am aware that they are there.
I can no longer make coffee in my underwear. I can't stroll from the bathroom to my room without being wrapped in a towel. I have to close my curtains because they could go out on the terrace at any moment and see into my room. I can't pee with the bathroom door open. I realize that most of these complaints are about not being able to be naked in some form, but for people like MC, she was already aware of my love of being pantsless or in some other degree of undress. We Skype pantsless most times.
It is not anything I cannot get over or deal with, but I am now much more aware of how much I wish I could still live alone. Never worrying if someone needs the bathroom, or if your need to do laundry at 8am is going to wake someone up. All of the space in the fridge is yours, and the food you buy is still going to be there when you get home. If you run out of milk, its your own fault.
So I suppose I have some adjusting to do in the next few weeks, and some dreaming for what my next apartment will be like.
Happy day people, smile!
I'm not going to say it's a bad thing. It's not. But I can tell you that now that I have had a small taste of what it is like to live alone, I like it.
My new tenants just moved in over the last two days. Already they have become an irritation to me. Not because of anything specific. But I come into the kitchen, and something is moved. I go into the bathroom, and the mat that I leave on the edge of the tub is on the floor with footprints on it. There are sounds outside my room at any given moment. I am aware that they are there.
I can no longer make coffee in my underwear. I can't stroll from the bathroom to my room without being wrapped in a towel. I have to close my curtains because they could go out on the terrace at any moment and see into my room. I can't pee with the bathroom door open. I realize that most of these complaints are about not being able to be naked in some form, but for people like MC, she was already aware of my love of being pantsless or in some other degree of undress. We Skype pantsless most times.
It is not anything I cannot get over or deal with, but I am now much more aware of how much I wish I could still live alone. Never worrying if someone needs the bathroom, or if your need to do laundry at 8am is going to wake someone up. All of the space in the fridge is yours, and the food you buy is still going to be there when you get home. If you run out of milk, its your own fault.
So I suppose I have some adjusting to do in the next few weeks, and some dreaming for what my next apartment will be like.
Happy day people, smile!
Thursday, January 1, 2015
A New Year's Resolution for the Year of Glitter and Glam!
January 1st is a day of new beginnings. It is a day of starting fresh, making goals and moving forward.
I am very happy that 2014 is over, but I am having a hard time accepting the traditions of a new year. I don't want to start a new year without my best friend. I don't want to admit that she is gone, and that last year was the last time we would run out into her yard and yell "Happy New Year!" while banging pots so loud and vigorously that the neighbours threaten to call the police. I don't want to move on. I cannot accept that she will not be there on my birthdays, or, if the day should come, my wedding day. She was too special to just let her life slip away, and accept that she is gone.
She has come to see me a few times in my dreams lately. She has told me each time that she is going to die; that she only has until the end of the week. And every time, I tell her that I am spending every minute with her until that moment. She wasn't sick, and in her true life, there is no reason that she would have known that she was going to die that night. And I think she fought to live. She wasn't giving up. I can't stand the thought of her being gone. She can't be.
But she is. Every year we have a theme. It is something to think about as the year goes by: a mantra of sorts. Last year's theme was "Things are Gonna Happen", and things certainly did happen. They happened whether we liked them or not. And whether we wanted them to or not. A lot of people died last year. Souls left this earth and went on without the rest of us. It has been a terribly sad year. So this year's theme is "Take a Leap (and add some glitter)". This is a year to start fresh again. A year to celebrate, a year to love yourself, and treat yourself, and take a chance on yourself. I have friends back home in Canada who are looking for a new job: leap. I have a friend getting married: leap. I have a couple of friends expecting little ones throughout the year: leap! I don't know what this year will hold in store for me. I really couldn't say, but in any case, it is a matter of taking things into your own hands and doing something. And when I say "add some glitter" I don't always exclusively mean glitter, although that could be fun. I mean, take your leap with personality; make it your leap.
So with this new year upon us, I will "Take a Leap" on day one and tell myself that I will work to accept that she is gone. She will always be in my heart. And I hope that she continues to come and visit, even until I am an old woman sitting in a rocker on my front porch. But for now, she is not present on this planet anymore. And though I hate to say goodbye to the last year that my best friend was with us, I have to say "Happy New Year" to 2015 because I am determined to make this a happy year. I will continue to do "Rue things" and celebrate her life and the things we shared, and I will never forget her. She is my best friend always and forever, because not even death can separate the love and friendship that we had. But my life is going on and she would be the first person to tell me not to waste my life with sadness, and to get up, put on some music and go be glamorous!
Happy 2015!
I am very happy that 2014 is over, but I am having a hard time accepting the traditions of a new year. I don't want to start a new year without my best friend. I don't want to admit that she is gone, and that last year was the last time we would run out into her yard and yell "Happy New Year!" while banging pots so loud and vigorously that the neighbours threaten to call the police. I don't want to move on. I cannot accept that she will not be there on my birthdays, or, if the day should come, my wedding day. She was too special to just let her life slip away, and accept that she is gone.
She has come to see me a few times in my dreams lately. She has told me each time that she is going to die; that she only has until the end of the week. And every time, I tell her that I am spending every minute with her until that moment. She wasn't sick, and in her true life, there is no reason that she would have known that she was going to die that night. And I think she fought to live. She wasn't giving up. I can't stand the thought of her being gone. She can't be.
But she is. Every year we have a theme. It is something to think about as the year goes by: a mantra of sorts. Last year's theme was "Things are Gonna Happen", and things certainly did happen. They happened whether we liked them or not. And whether we wanted them to or not. A lot of people died last year. Souls left this earth and went on without the rest of us. It has been a terribly sad year. So this year's theme is "Take a Leap (and add some glitter)". This is a year to start fresh again. A year to celebrate, a year to love yourself, and treat yourself, and take a chance on yourself. I have friends back home in Canada who are looking for a new job: leap. I have a friend getting married: leap. I have a couple of friends expecting little ones throughout the year: leap! I don't know what this year will hold in store for me. I really couldn't say, but in any case, it is a matter of taking things into your own hands and doing something. And when I say "add some glitter" I don't always exclusively mean glitter, although that could be fun. I mean, take your leap with personality; make it your leap.
So with this new year upon us, I will "Take a Leap" on day one and tell myself that I will work to accept that she is gone. She will always be in my heart. And I hope that she continues to come and visit, even until I am an old woman sitting in a rocker on my front porch. But for now, she is not present on this planet anymore. And though I hate to say goodbye to the last year that my best friend was with us, I have to say "Happy New Year" to 2015 because I am determined to make this a happy year. I will continue to do "Rue things" and celebrate her life and the things we shared, and I will never forget her. She is my best friend always and forever, because not even death can separate the love and friendship that we had. But my life is going on and she would be the first person to tell me not to waste my life with sadness, and to get up, put on some music and go be glamorous!
Happy 2015!
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