How We Met

Sobrina mentioned the other day that I haven't said much about who Jonty is and how we met. What better day than Valentines Day to tell our story :.)

In Fall 2008, I did a semester exchange program at Oxford Brookes University in Oxford, England. A couple of weeks after arriving, my university's Study Abroad coordinators came to Oxford, and I was asked to attend a meeting with them, the Brookes Study Abroad coordinator, and some Brookes students who were interested in studying at Sac State (my university). This is where Jonty and I first met, and I knew that day that I wanted to get to know him better. I gave the potential exchange students my contact info, in case they had any questions or needed any help with anything. We didn't get in contact right away, but a couple of weeks before heading back to America, we starting chatting often on Facebook. I spent quite a lot of time talking to him instead of writing essays that were due that week, but I just got along with him so well and couldn't get enough. We hung out a few times, first with the intention of meeting in Oxford before meeting in Sacramento, so he would have a friend before arriving. Later, it was obvious that we just enjoyed each other's company. The first time we hung out, we stayed up talking until 6am, and the second time until 2am. The last time I saw him before leaving is when I started to realize that he might share my feelings, since he came to meet my sister in Oxford (he lives about 30 minutes away) because he planned to do some Christmas shopping anyway, but he came and went without an attempt to shop. Before leaving for a trip around Europe with my sister, I text messaged him saying farewell for now and that I would see him in the New Year, and his response was that he was "looking forward to the new year now." We kept in contact in the meantime, and when he came to Sacramento we were instantly friends. I made every excuse to be around him, and eventually we told each other how we felt. That was over a year ago, and I'm thankful for every minute I've gotten to spend with him.

It's funny how life works sometimes, isn't it? I could have studied in a different city, or even a different country. I could have stayed at UC Santa Barbara and gone on a completely different exchange. I could have studied abroad a different semester. I could have overslept that day, or gotten lost in town and missed the meeting, or simply decided not to go. A billion things could have separated us, but somehow everything aligned.

How did you meet your loved one?

<3

Quite a Quote: Homer Simpson

"All right, brain, I don't like you & you don't like me - so let's just do this & I'll get back to killing you with beer." —Homer Simpson

I found this quote today, and for some reason I just love it! It completely captures my attitude at the moment.

Just editing my essay now. Will hand it in in the next half hour or so, and then I'll be free! After it's turned in, I'll head to a philosophy talk and then I'll walk down to Temple Meads Station to meet Denise! This weekend is sure to be full of good times.

<3

On My Mind

I have lots of things swirling around in my mind at the moment. I thought listing them out might help calm my brain waves down a bit.

1. I like the new Blogger post editor!
2. I plan to redecorate my blog soon. Getting pretty excited about it. So far my plans are: banner with simple lettering and an outline of a hot air balloon, background with a light design of some kind of shape or other.
3. My stepmom, or as she will henceforth be known The Stepmother, is evil. I was really angry earlier and have calmed down quite a bit, but am still tempted to write her an e-mail saying "If you talk to my sister like that again, so help me God you will regret it" or "Your attempts at being nice/'nice' don't negate the fact that you're a manipulative bitch" or "FYI, you will henceforth be known as The Stepmother" etc.
4. My sister handled the stupid e-mail my stepmom sent so very very well. I'm so proud of her, and a little bit envious of her patience and even-headedness. She's pretty much my hero.
5. I'm really trying to stay positive and motivated regarding the essay I'm writing... and I really hope I can stay that way all night long... since sleep definitely isn't in sight. It's nearing ten o'clock and I can slightly feel the pull of home and bed.... Thankfully, I'm working at the Grad Center so bed doesn't tempt me as much.
6. My friend Denise, who lives with her husband in Oxford, is coming to visit me this weekend. I'm super excited for our weekend which will be filled with lots of good stuff: sangria, painting toenails, The Office, light saber fight, 1920s birthday party, and showing her around Bristol. (I just have to finish this essay first.... argh.)
7. My baby sister turns 20 next week. Crazy.
8. I'm so proud of/excited for my mama. She starts a new job on Monday, and she got a part-time online professorship too.
9. I need to get a job, but I know I can't juggle school with many hours. If anyone in Southwest England needs a babysitter, let me know!!!!!
10. I'm tired. And I need to get back to writing. *Positive thoughts!!!!*

<3

Winter Veggies

My latest craze is eating seasonally. I've been attempting to eat only fruits and veggies that are in season, which has been a bit difficult at times (I love tomatoes & peppers) but mostly it's been a great learning experience! (If you're interested this, check out the Eat the Seasons website.) Root vegetables are of course the main item on my list at the moment, and last week this recipe was a big hit with Jonty & my housemates!

Pasta with Roasted Squash & Sweet Potato

[amended from this recipe]

1 of your 5 a day.

Vegetarian

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Serves: 2 to 3

half of a butternut squash, diced

1 large sweet potato, diced

1 large shallot, sliced

2tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 large sprig fresh rosemary, chopped

1 - 2 cloves garlic, chopped

50g Cornish Larder Mature English Goat's Cheese. diced

25g pine nuts, toasted (I didn't toast mine but will next time)

250g fresh orecchiette or penne pasta

Preheat the oven to 220°C, gas mark 7. Toss the butternut squash, sweet potato and shallot with the olive oil, rosemary, garlic and seasoning.

Place in a roasting tin in a single layer, then roast for 25 minutes, stirring once or twice, until tender and charred. Add in the goat’s cheese and pine nuts and toss to coat in the cooking juices.

Meanwhile, bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add the pasta and cook according to pack instructions until just tender. Drain, then toss with the roasted vegetables, check seasoning and serve with some grated goat’s cheese.

Voila! You have a delicious dinner that goes a long way and is made with winter produce. (I might add that it tastes 10x better than it looks!)

<3

Quite a Quote: Confidence

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained."

--Marie Curie

Tomorrow is deadline #1. I'm having trouble keeping my concentration, but if I can keep my Internet browser closed it will be finished soon. Marie Curie is giving me the confidence that I need to get this done!

<3

Where Did I Go?

Sometimes I feel like I've lost my mojo. Do you ever feel like that? I used to have so much energy and enthusiasm, and I'm feeling today like I've lost quite a bit of that. Maybe it's the rain and cold and cabin fever that are getting to me... Anyway, I've written a letter to my younger, livelier self:

Dear Sabrina (age 17),
Embrace the fire that's in you now, for someday it may begin to fade. Feed the flame; don't let it die completely. I know that the fire can go both ways: sometimes it's passion and sometimes it's sadness. But you've always known that it's better than numbness. So keep the flame going, and when you're halfway through your twenty-third year, write a letter to yourself reminding the younger you to tend the fire. And when you're at that point, rejuvenate yourself. Be the inspiration you wish you find.
Love and patience,
You (age 22)

<3

Quite a Quote: Motivation

"Then indecision brings its own delays, and days are lost lamenting over lost days. Are you in earnest? Seize this very minute; what you can do, or dream you can do, begin it; boldness has genious, power, and magic in it. Only engage, and then the mind grows heated. Begin it and the work will be completed." --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Isn't this quote incredibly motivating? A friend posted it as her Facebook status a few weeks ago, and now every time I'm having trouble getting started on something I read it. I even wrote it on a sheet of paper and stuck it on the wall in one of the Grad Center study rooms. A few of my friends have remarked on it, and yesterday I saw a girl I don't know copying it into a notebook.

It's almost 11am and I've yet to start working. I worked so hard last week and especially this past weekend, and yesterday I was pretty beat. But I found out that the deadline for one of my essays was extended, so last night I decided to walk home before dark (a big deal), make a proper meal, do some non-work things like clean and watch House, and get to bed early. I must admit I didn't get to bed as early as I hoped, but it was still really nice to have a stress-less evening. But now, despite the extension, I really need to get back to work so I can get these essays in. I'm insistent that I take as little of the extension as possible. So I've read and re-read the above quote, and hopefully now I'll start being productive!

<3