It's been awhile.. thanks Aimee for reminding me to do this!

I'll start with the most recent - I just found out yesterday that I am a victim of identity theft.  OF COURSE!  on top of everything else i have to deal with in my life..

School is going pretty well.  My first grad school midterms are finally out of the way so I'm pleased about that.  That's all I'm going to say about school because I could say a lot more boring stuff.  But I do want to add that the people in the division are awesome.. all of them unique, interesting, and wonderful in their own way.  There are 5 other first year social psych students besides me.. we take the same classes, hang out outside of school, study together, and every Wednesday evening is what we call "group therapy" - we get together for dinner to unwind from school.  The older grad students, the professors, or rather my 'colleagues' as they like to be referred.. everyone is pretty great. 

Connecticut still sucks though.  The weather never knows what it wants.  Went to play pool at a billiards place nearby - it was ugly and lame and a fight broke out between two guys over a girl with a half-shirt and a big belly.  I asked the bartender for a green apple martini and she had to ask me what goes in it.. after I told her she proceeded to POUR the ingredients into the glass - so it was warm.  But I'll be home for Thanksgiving!!! For 10 days - I'm so excited!!!

Jonas and I are doing great - he's an awesome roommie! =)  We make everything a team effort - the cooking, dishes, cleaning, laundry, groceries, etc.  Except actually he does most of the cooking.  =P Every night he makes the two of us take like 5 vitamins - multi, C, zinc, echinacea...  We try to make the most with what we've got here.  Probably going to the city at the end of the month.. and in November we're gonna watch a Nets-Heat game in Jersey.  He was able to get a transfer from CVS.. and what's even more great about that is that he works at the one 5 minutes away from campus - which really works out because we only have one car for now. 

I miss my loved ones a whole lot!  Can't wait to be home again.

A place called home ...

Although I'm finally settled into my condo here in CT - this "house" has not yet become a "home".  For me, my home is still that house on the almost end of that suburban street, in that city I once hated, in that state I sit and so long to be in again. 

The amount of fear I have in this unfamiliar place almost matches the amount of loneliness I feel.  I sigh so often it's as if I'm gathering all of the sadness in my body and trying to push it out with each exhale.  But it's getting better.. Today is the first day since Joanne left that I didn't cry - but the day is not over yet ... *crossing fingers*

But I know this too shall pass, and that I am here because I am following my dreams, and reaching my goals - and I know I am so lucky to have the drive and resources to be here right now. 

Here are a couple tidbits about CT:

- The nearest major grocery store does not sell any other alcohol besides beer AND it is illegal in this state to sell alcohol on Sundays. 
-  Dunkin' Donuts is EVERYWHERE - *you're driving along, and there are no businesses around, a few houses, oh look there's a dunkin' donuts.... there are no street lamps to light the road, but look - there's a dunkin' donuts... oh look, there's a deer - and right next to it... a dunkin' donuts!!!*

Oh!  But I was pleased to find that the ONE filipino restaurant here in CT is located only about 15 min. away.

Oh by the way, as my random bit of advice: ALWAYS check your receipts with every purchase you make!  When I bought 90% of my things here in this condo at IKEA in one trip - the lady mischarged me for 23 of a $40 product instead of the only 2 I actually purchased. Do the math!  Took me two weeks to get my money back.  What a nightmare that was.

Anyway, I miss you.  Very much.

So I'm on a diet.  I'm eating smaller portions, no fast food, less junk, more healthy - and am exercising more.  Meanwhile I'm gathering recipes of filipino dishes since I'll be deprived of that food in CT.  Here's one from Jonas' friend's mom...

Filipino-Stlye Spaghetti - AKA Tita Kris' Spaghetti Delight -- she just told me this the other night and this is my way of writing it down.

Boil some ground pork and ground beef together in a small amount of water - then sautee until brown.  Set Aside.

Brown some garlic with diced onions and red bell peppers.  Mix with meat.

Add Heinz traditional tomato sauce and Ragu sauce.  Add soy sauce and brown sugar to get the perfect blend of salty and sweet.  Add some shredded cheese.

Boil spaghetti noodles with water and a little oil.  Drain.

After drained - add a little I Can't Believe It's Not Butter to noodles.

Layer noodles on bottom of a deep tray. 

Spread some Nestle cream on the noodles. 

Pour over meat sauce.

Layer noodles again.

Cream again.

Sauce again.

Top off with shredded cheese.

So much for being on a diet...