Luckiness

I decided to take Norton for a hike on Sunday because of the warm temperatures. However, the trail was muddier and icier than I thought it would be--and leaving the Watchung Reservation, my white and pink Saucony's were now muddy and pink. Not too pleased about that. I decided it was time to put some money into hiking sneakers, because after I wash these babies, I don't want them turning muddy again. After all, the Saucony's are only a month or so old!

But, guess what? Today was my lucky day. In the teachers room was a bag marked, "Up for grabs to whoever can use them--size 8 men's Merrell low hikers." So they're used. Who cares? They fit perfectly. I now don't have to buy a pair of hiking sneakers--I got a great pair for free! Thanks to my fellow co-worker!

One Word

I took part in an email forward in which you get emails from your friends describing you in one word. Here is what I've gotten so far: inspiring, fun-loving, quirky, caring and energetic. If I get some more responses, I'll post those too.

Buy Nothing Day

Everyone knows that tomorrow is Black Friday. I plan on staying as far from the mall as possible. Shopping on Black Friday is JUST not fun! A group called Adbusters is organising Buy Nothing Day tomorrow. Its exactly as the title suggests. Adbusters wants you to stay away from buying anything tomorrow to make a stand against this consumerist society we live in. They have lots of things you can do to get involved if you want to. My favorite is push a cart around WalMart, buy some items, and then return them. You can do this all day, they suggest. Check out the link and see if you want to get involved. Its pretty interesting.

Best Inventions Ever

I'm sorry I haven't posted in close to a week. Know why? I've been very busy enjoying my 2 new toys--very possibly the greatest inventions ever.

1. I purchased a pressure cooker from Bed, Bath and Beyond. Women my mother's age told me,"Don't do it!" They said, "They're not safe!" I'm glad I didn't listen. The new cookers are 100 percent safe and reduce cooking time by up to 70 %. It looks like a regular 6 quart pot with a lock-on lid. The food can, therefore, cook at high temperatures at high pressure. So far, I've cooked dry beans for an Indian soup called sambar in 10 minutes as oppose to an hour and half. I've steamed artichokes in 9 minutes as oppose to 45! This thing also is capable of cooking risotto in 7 minutes WITHOUT the constant stirring! Did I say Wow?

2. I purchased a heated blanket from Target . For $32, I got the twin-sized--its only for me and Norton. It plugs in and has 10 different heat settings. Its wonderful. I go to bed all warm and cozy--and Norton loves it too. Its even machine washable! By the way, if you click on the link, you'll see the blanket I'm talking about. However, the website states its more money and its out of stock. I bought it in the store for less last week.

Yum Yum

I must say I've managed to impress my taste buds with my cooking skills as of late. A few years ago, I did a lot of Indian cooking--but stopped because it was time-consuming and much work. Well, this weekend, I decided it was time to start preparing Indian food again. Sunday, I payed a visit to Patel's Cash and Carry in Iselin. I bought tons of food for really cheap! I enjoyed my shopping experience there--its really amazing for all of your senses!

Sunday afternoon, I prepared a raita-like salad. It was like yogurt with cucumbers, tomatoes and onions and spices! Yum! Also, fragrant basmati rice and a sambar with okra and cauliflower. Sambar is a thick soup of beans--spicy and yummy! With what I cooked on Sunday, I've had lunch so far every day this week!

Monday night, I decided it was time for some more cooking. This time it was a tomato stew with okra, cauliflower, chilis, spices and panir cheese (farmers cheese, cut into chunks)! Yum!

Last night, I had dinner with my friend, Subash. He cooked dosas (a tangy flatbread) with more sambar (mango!) and coconut chutneys! Iddlis too (steamed balls made similiar to dosas)! Tonight, I'm ordering in Indian with another friend! Anybody game for Indian? I'm happy to make it or eat it anytime!

Vermont-Dreamin'

I'm now home in New Jersey. Home from beautiful, chilly, snowy, windy, sunny Vermont. Only there for 2 days but depressed to not be there anymore. Is that a sign that my home is there and not here? This happens everytime I go there. I come home and get sad and depressed. Today its going to be 65 degrees in NJ. What is that about? Its almost winter! In Vermont, we ate good food, drank good drink, did some antiquing and shopping, drove up mountains and bundled up with hats and mittens and scarves. We met some nice people and learned that its still much cheaper to live in Vermont than NJ, even though prices ARE rising there too. I sorta made a new friend there too--which leads me to believe that if I moved, how hard could it be to make some friends? But do I want to leave my friends and family here? Of course not...I don't know what I'll do. Stay or leave, I don't know. I'm 27 and single with only a dog and cat to care for. This is is my chance for greatness and bravery and trying something I've always wanted to do...I'll keep you posted.

Two

Tag, you're it. Only I'm tagging myself. I am a sucka for these questionaires and found a new one on a blog I love reading. This is from Jesser's blog.

Two.

2 names you go by
1. Marisa
2. Mars

2 parts of your heritage
1. American
2. Jewish

2 things that scare you
1. Never finding my ONE
2. Never getting my life under control.


2 of your everyday essentials
1. Cell Phone
2. my Mac (appropriately named Candy Apple Red)

2 things you are wearing right now
1. fuzzy, cozy striped socks
2. ratty but warm zip-down sweater

2 of your favorite bands or musical artists (at the moment)
1. The Redwalls
2. Dave Matthews Band

2 favorite songs (at the moment)
1. Build a Bridge(by Redwalls)
2. Hurry up Sunrise (by North Mississippi Allstars and Lucinda Williams)

2 things you want in a relationship (other than real love)
1. Good kissing
2. Cuddling

2 truths
1. I am the most disorganized person in the world.
2. I have the attention span of a 2 yr old.

2 physical things that appeal to you (in the opposite sex)
1. eyes
2. smile

2 of your favorite hobbies
1. Travel
2. reading

2 things you want really badly
1. To find my ONE
2. To move out

2 places you want to go on vacation
1. Europe
2. India

2 things you want to do before you die
1. get married and have kids
2. travel the world

2 ways that you are stereotypically a dude/chick
1. I am sensitive.
2. I gossip and talk too much.

2 things you are thinking about now
1. Leaving for Vermont in the morning!
2. I miss my pupster, Mr. Norton!

2 stores you shop at
1. Target!!
2. Barnes and Noble

Friendship

If you have friends, you're the luckiest girl or guy on the planet. If you have great friends, thats even better! Someone asked me online tonight, if it bothers me to be single. Isn't it hard, this person, asked me. That irked me! First of all, this person is single too--and I am not going to settle just so I'm not single any longer! When I meet the right person, I'll know it. Do I get lonely sometimes? Don't we all?

I'm chilling to some James Taylor and just listened to a sweet song he sings called "Fourth of July," about the foundations of a new friendship. We forget how exciting it can be to make a new friend! Staying up talking and learning about one another! Friends are grand! Here's an excerpt from the song I gaily speak of...

Shall I tell it again how we started as friends
who would run into one another now and again.
At the Yippee Cai O or the Mesa Dupree, or a dozen different everyday places to be.
I was living alone, we were ever so brave on the telephone.
Would you care to come down for fireworks time,
we could each just reach, we step out of line.

Smile. :) Smile big!

Good Tunes

In my car, I am usually listening to one of the following--my Ipod through my crappy iTrip wireless transmitter, a cd in my six disc changer (usually Ben Folds Five, Dave Matthews, Jamie Cullum or the Velvet Underground), or WFUV. WFUV (90.7 in the NY area) is a public radio station and they actually play good music. You can go on their website as well and listen live or listen to archives of past performances of various artists. It's great. I am forever learning about new musicians--tonight discovered an awesome band called the Redwalls. Check them out. This week is their Fall Fundraising drive--they are totally member supported. I did my thing and became a member.