in the kitchen.

I've never been a big fan of carrots. So when one of my sisters made them recently, I told her I was not interested in trying her portion of the potluck. She told me just to try them because she hadn't liked the little orange veggies until she started baking them in the oven. So I tried them.

And fell in love.

And now I blame her for my craving that I had today.

I forgot to bring a lunch this morning. This is pretty normal habit but usually something I can snack on. Well not today. So by the end of the day, I was STARVING. Out of all the things the food companies of America creates, do you know what I was craving???

Cream of Carrot Soup.

Do they even have recipes for cream of carrot soup!? I did not know. So I googled it. And they do.

CREAM OF CARROT-CHEDDAR SOUP

2 tbsp. butter 1/2 c. finely chopped onion 1 lb. carrots (8-10), shredded 1 lb. potatoes (3-5), shredded 6 c. broth, vegetables or chicken 1/2 tsp. thyme 1 bay leaf Salt & pepper to taste 1 1/2 c. milk (may use part cream) 1-2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded Saute onion in butter in large soup pot. Add all but milk and cheese and simmer until vegetables are tender. Add milk and cheese, stirring until cheese is melted. Discard bay leaf. Serve hot with parsley sprinkled over.

That sounded easy enough. So I gathered the ingredients that we had (I don't follow directions always) and then I realized something, it says shredded potatoes. In all my 23 years, I have never shredded a potato. In fact, I did not know how to shred a potato. Do you cook it and then shred it? So again, I googled it. And so I peeled raw potatoes and shredded them on a shredder (there is probably a name for this utensil I used, but I do not its name.) After shredding the carrots and getting the other ingredients ready to simmer in the pot, I went for it. I cooked as the directions directed and wahhh-laa.

It was the one of the most unappealing soups I've ever seen.

So decided that I should blend it, thinking that this would at least make it look a little more tasteful. ehhhh. It worked all right. Not anything that you would see on Martha Stewart.

I ate it and it wasn't too bad. Maybe it just takes practice. I do not know. Maybe I will never have another craving for cream of carrot soup, because really who craves CREAM OF CARROT SOUP?

learning to not worry about plan a... or plan b... etc.

So a few months ago when I saw a movie called (500) Days of Summer I realized something. I won't talk about how much I loved the movie (one of my favorites!) or how fun it was (so fun!) or how I think you should rent it when it comes out. I want to show and tell you about one of the most interesting scenes from a movie that I've ever scene. I think it made an impression on me because, well, it's exactly what I do all the time.

background on this scene: the boy and girl you will see at the beginning of the scene is who the movie is all about. they date. they break up. they don't see each other for awhile. she invites him to a party she's hosting. this happens. one side of the screen is what his expectations are of the night, the other - reality.

'500 Days of Summer' Expectations vs. Reality @ Yahoo! Video

You see, I am a planner. A little obsessive compulsive some people may say...

I like to know what is going to happen tomorrow or at least be somewhat prepared. Unfortunately as a human with no special powers (why God, WHY?), I do not ever know what's going to happen tomorrow - no matter how hard I try to plan something out.

So seeing this scene played out in a movie made me realize, maybe, I am not the only one who struggles with this sick disease; so rejoice, maybe I am normal! However, just because I have someone, or perhaps someones, to relate to in this gross, life-distracting disease does not mean I should keep doing it! So from now on, I will try to plan less. Maybe I will have to watch this scene every time I start to p.l.a.n. and remember that

1. things rarely turn out like I expect

2. it wastes time

3. I often don't enjoy things as much when I have expectations on them

4. it's dumb

5. no really, it's d-u-m-b.

So in order to go through with this new way of living, I will no longer plan on what time I will wake in the morning, so - no more alarm clock! I hope my boss can understand this new habit!

where to begin?

So the other day I thought I'd get "back to blogging". Well the following is what I wrote...

Exactly one month ago I wrote my last post. Truthfully, I've thought many times

about writing since then but it's hard to write when your head isn't clear.

and mine DEFINITELY has not been clear.

In the last month I have fallen down stairs at work (stop laughing), had a dear resident pass, bought a car, given up the employee of the month parking spot, had breakdowns/crying at work, had breakdowns/crying at home, dropped a&p, welcomed back Survivor, the Office, and Amazing Race into my weekly schedule, been called "anal retentive" by my dermatologist (?), thrown up, sent the wrong people emails... about them (awkward!), witnessed a Snuggie being worn in my house, and survived it all.

And then I fell asleep. No seriously, like woke up 3 hours later at 1 or 2 a.m. with a computer in my lap, fell asleep. So, I hope that didn't little blurb didn't make your eyes fall go hazy.

And for today...

Today I turn(ed) twenty-three. Twenty-three. Such a weird number. I like pretty, even numbers. Twenty-three is not one. It kind of hurts my ears... "eeeeeeee". I don't know.

But regardless of if I like this prime number or not, God has given me another year. I look forward to what will happen in this twenty-third year of my life. What lies ahead, I do not know. Who knows what lies ahead - My Jesus.

And that is ALL I need to know for now.