Cooking

MO

Let me just start by saying I don't mean to offend anyone from Missouri. It's just that once you get outside Missouri, let alone the midwest, people act weird. Outside of the midwest, people see it as a black hole between coasts.

When I went to college, we had signs on our doors with our names and hometowns. The majority of students were from the Chicago area; in fact, I think I learned where most neighborhoods and towns are in relation to each other even though I've only been there once! My sign didn't actually say St. Louis, because that wasn't really my mailing address, so I think there was at least one person who asked if I was from England. But I had more than one awestruck floormate ask why I left Montana. For the record, Missouri's state abbreviation is MO; Montana's is MT. And there isn't even a city called St. Louis in Montana.

A lot of people don't realize the difference between St. Louis and East St. Louis. That's understandable. Cities that are on state borders are a little confusing, even when you know where they are, because people expand in all directions. Honestly, all of New England is a mystery to me. That being said, I still can't hide my offense when people say St.
Louis is in Illinois. No, I am not from Illinois. Which I almost always follow up with an explanation why it's offensive.

The humor of Missouri sounding like "misery" is not lost on me. It's just not as funny after 8+ years.

There have been very few - less than you can count on one hand - that are surprised we're having the wedding in California rather than Missouri.

Yes, St. Louis was voted the most dangerous city. In 2007. Detroit has recovered that honor, thank you, and no, my family does not live in fear of their lives.

"Do you think you'll ever go back?" I can't tell you how many people have asked me this question. At first I was totally dumbfounded - I had just moved, why would I undo all that less than a year later? It's been almost 4 years now, but people still ask, I'm sure just to make conversation or be polite. Normally I just smile politely back and say "No." No attitude, no eye rolling, no joke. On occasion I'll throw in a little attitude, if I'm feeling especially pestered.

Good

I've been looking forward to today for a couple of weeks.

• I got my first pick rotation! I get to go to business systems in March. The new manager told me a little bit about the job, and it sounds a lot like my database class from last semester. Great stepping stone!
  
• I was really wedding-stressed lately. Then I decided, I'd rather put in some of my own money and have something I love and won't feel disappointed about later. This means a lot of money, but I haven't regretted any of my recent big purchases lately.
• Business law is going to be easy. We even got out early! (Shh...)
• USC has a free mixer on Thursdays with free beer & food.
  
• My classmate from last semester is in my law class, and is having a little girl! She also offered to help myself and another classmate with some of the work in my Spreadsheets class.
• I have a short list of non-stereotypical MBA student friends, and that is awesome.
  
• The school week is over!
  

Halfway

I'm halfway through the first week of the spring semester! This time next year, I'll be submitting my coursework for graduation approval (and winding down my final single days!). Another momentous occasion: I pulled my last 2" binder from the bookshelf. Why momentous? That means this is the last, three-class, full time student semester!

Globe: I'm a little overwhelmed by the combined 33 pages of syllabi for the two sections of this class. Ultimately, the work shouldn't be too bad, but 33 pages?? I don't know what company I'm studying, or who is in my work group. The first class was strategy, strategy, strategy.

Designing Spreadsheet-Based Business Models: Despite my professor's constant insisting that this is not an Excel class, we spent the full three hours on ... Excel. Easy, only because I know how to reference cells. Also, I spend a lot of my (all of my) time at work using subtotals, lookup, etc. I got the feeling I knew more about the lookup function than the professor did.

I still have Business Law to go tomorrow, but I get Wednesdays off. I got my books in the mail today so I'm ready to hit the semester.

In other news, I should find out what my new work assignment is tomorrow. Cross your fingers for Business Systems!

Rats

Like every other mom with a child obsessed with Ratatouille and searching for it on Yahoo! food, I finally got around to making some tonight. It's literally been the #4 most popular search almost since I started using the site!

I used my Betty Crocker recipe, since that seemed the easiest. And I cut out the bell peppers - I'm just not a fan of those. It's truly easy to make, but I can't imagine what kids think when they actually see what it looks like. Even I was not looking forward to trying it.

Andy and I sat down and each had a (rather small) bowl, and it ended up being pretty good! It's not our typical frozen vegetable mix, was tasty and warm, but would have been better as a side dish with fish or chicken. In fact, I might try making it with eggs and cheese like this recipe suggests - and bread.

Tasty, but not pretty.