Well hello there!
June 18th, 2009 § 4 Comments
I know, I’ve been a lazy blogger. But that’s just cuz I’ve been crazy busy! I promise I’ll be better now. Actually my fingers are a little tired, so I’ll do the rest of this post in bullet format:
1. Made my Artos bread today! More details and pics later…realized earlier that I forgot my camera in Chicago.
2. Found out my mom reads this blog…hi Mom!
3. Am back in Philly for the next while–did I mention that in my last post? Anyway back at home for a while until I find a job. Even though yesterday and today I didn’t do any job searching. But I did do a lot of errands and grading and apartment searching and baking! I feel like that’s good enough.
4. Still running! Now that I have the Nike + it’s easier to track my progress through that website, so I haven’t done much reposting over here. But yeah, into official training now, which is fun. And I’m glad to have a free schedule that allows blocked out running time! Yesterday I tried to run with the dog, and it was a real struggle. He didn’t really want to move past mile 1 but somehow we made it to 3 and arrived safely back at home. But with all the dragging and stopping I had to do for him to go to the bathroom like 4 times, my pace was all off. I was not pleased at all when my average pace of all my training jumped by like 10 seconds hahaha. Anyway, went at it solo today, but with fancy new running shoes! Hooray.
That’s all for now. Am starved for dinner, so hopefully that’ll be ready soon…and then I WILL watch the Bachelorette tonight! I’m so far behind but I can’t wait. And I’m sure I’ll be even more excited when I finish and there are only a couple days until the next episode–woot!
Wow…MBA: Check!
June 12th, 2009 § 1 Comment
So yesterday was my last presentation of grad school…it’s over! I honestly feel like I just got here. It just goes by so quick. In the past two years, I’ve met lots of fabulous people, learned lots of cool things about business, and most importantly learned a lot about myself (barf, I know–but true!). It was a different experience being on my own after college, and even though I hated it at times and felt lonely others, I’m so glad I had the opportunity to do it…I think I grew a lot as a person (and as I’m typing this I can’t help thinking that running the marathon was no small part of it–I really think everyone should do at least one in their lives). That said, I am SO excited for the next chapter, where Drew and I move to DC! He decided on a job, and I have a few leads on other jobs (Nancy may have spammed my resume to everyone she knows so I’m getting in touch with some great people)–so hopefully that will be settled soon and we can pick out an apartment! I am really excited to get working–I’ve missed it a lot. I miss the dedicated space of work where you have a routine of going to work with others. I sort of had that with the reading room, but it wasn’t near as regular as it should have been 
I told Nancy that I really expected to feel more finality to the end of my education (when all my friends were celebrating their last final ever of college, I couldn’t really relate)…but honestly, I don’t see my education as being over. Right now I’m going to work for awhile, but I’m sure I’ll be back. To study what I’m not quite sure, but I’ll figure it out! Haha, but yes, yay for being done, and yay for what’s sure to be a crazy summer of lots of activity. I’m heading to Philly on Tuesday and staying there for a while…depending on when I get a job, I’ll eventually make it down to DC. My lease in Chicago ends on August 31, but if I have a month of overlap, I’m gonna call that good enough. Anyway, off to make breakfast for Drew so maybe he will smell it and wake up!!! Hope everyone’s having a great Friday–it’s sunny in Chicago! 
ps. If anyone wants to read Prince of Tides with me, I’m a few chapters in and LOVING it so far! I would be thrilled to have a reading partner or two–I’ll plan to write a little review once I finish…been a while since one of those, huh?
My first loaf of bread!
June 7th, 2009 § 16 Comments
Remember a while back when I mentioned joining the Bread Baker’s Apprentice Challenge? Well, I finally baked my first loaf! I have literally never made a loaf of bread before (well, besides banana bread) and after seeing lots of people’s pictures and discussions about what teeny, tiny mistakes they made, I was quite nervous that I’d end up with two pieces of plop (I guess it is normal that when you bake bread you end up with 2 loaves…surprise #1!). So, anyway, today I embarked upon my very first recipe (there are 43 total), which is called Anadama Bread. Similar to a white sandwich bread, but made with a cornmeal starter and molasses.
I started out last night mixing the corn meal and water in a bowl and letting that sit overnight. Then today I put that in the mixer and added the flour, yeast, and water, and gave it a whirl. I let it sit under a towel for a while to make a sponge (this bread was made using the indirect method, which means there are several periods of waiting for the dough to rise, but the sponge was my favorite part–it really looked alive!). Then I added the rest of the flour, molassses, butter, and salt, and mixed it up. Then it was time to put on the dough hook and let it whirl in the mixer! The dough was a lot wetter than I anticipated, so I added a good bit of flour…probably added close to 3/4-1 cup in the end. After 10 minutes in the KitchenAid on speed 2, I took out the dough and finished kneading it by hand. Probably could have gone a bit longer, but I was anxious to move on at that point! Put it in the greased bowl and let it rise. After punching it down in the middle, I took it out and divided it in half, then formed two loaves using Reinhart’s method. Then into the pans for the final rise, dusted with corn meal and into the oven! 40 minutes later I had two beautiful and fragrant loaves, if I do say so myself!
Quite pleased with my first run…am trying to be patient as I wait for it to cool so I can eat a slice-I’ll let you know how it is. If you want to join the BBA Challenge, just head on over to Amazon and pick up The Bread Baker’s Apprentice! There are 43 recipes so even if you’re starting late like me, you can catch up in no time. Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend!
Update: Actually you can find The Bread Baker’s Apprentice on Google Books as well…hooray! [Thanks Appoggiatura for the link!]
Lazy Blogger
June 5th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
I have been a lazy blogger, I know, but it is the last week of school and I’ve been busy! And I have no good news really to report so I’ve stayed away for that reason as well… I promise there will be more updates soon! The short story is I have been running, finishing up class, and applying to lots of jobs (still no leads yet). This weekend and the beginning part of next week will be very busy doing final assignments, studying for exams, grading papers, and doing final presentations, but after Thursday I will be done!!!! Then Drew is coming to visit so that should be very exciting. Anyway, I’ll just leave you with a few images from Nancy Froehlich that I found via Design*Sponge…aren’t they neat?
That’s all for now! Off to my last class, if not ever, then for a very long time! Sort of weird!
