Well, I took the boards, then did a bunch of stuff. I promise to talk about the "bunch of stuff" sometime soon, maybe even later today, but I have errands to run!
As for the boards, I don't really remember much of them. I think it went okay. I was a little unhappy because they decided that there was a large chunk of concrete outside of the testing center (read: 7 feet from the wall of the testing center I was taking my exam on) that needed to be replaced. They were out there at 8:45am with a bobcat, concrete-splitter things, and a JACKHAMMER. Yes, folks, they were jackhammering outside my testing site. Not very pleasant but it was okay. There was also a girl taking her GRE who must have had tuberculosis and would NOT stop COUGHING. Ugh!
But despite the distractions I think I remained as focused as can be expected and (hopefully) did fine. *crosses fingers*
I've been playing ever since, and it's been great. I will write all about it soon. Promise.
Right now, I have to go return my library key so I don't get a fine. Oops!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
I love soup
This soup rocks - it is easy, cheap, fast, versatile, and nutritious. PERFECT! I use the frozen mixed vegetables that are "Italian style" and whatever else I can find in the pantry. I love that I can mix just about anything into it that I want!
Here's the recipe taken from the Kraft website. You can get a free "Kraft food and family" magazine with lots of recipe ideas (and lots of advertisements for Kraft, of course) if you sign up.
Anyway, you should try this soup. It's definitely a winner.
Here's the recipe taken from the Kraft website. You can get a free "Kraft food and family" magazine with lots of recipe ideas (and lots of advertisements for Kraft, of course) if you sign up.
Anyway, you should try this soup. It's definitely a winner.
Minestrone Soup 
Prep Time: 10 min Total Time: 40 min
Makes: 8 servings, 1 cup soup and five crackers each
2 cans (14-1/2 oz. each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 can (16 oz.) no-salt-added stewed tomatoes, undrained, coarsely chopped
2 cups cooked kidney beans (prepared without salt)
1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables
1/4 cup shell macaroni, uncooked
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
PREMIUM Unsalted Tops Saltine Crackers
COMBINE all ingredients except crackers in large saucepan. Bring to boil on medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low. SIMMER 20 min. or until macaroni is tender. SERVE with the crackers.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Another one bites the dust
I should really be studying right now seeing as I'm taking the biggest exam of my life in 36-ish hours... so I'll make this quick!
1) I've been researching places to go on vacation for about a week after boards. I need a vacation, and this is my last chance to do so for a very long time. Checking for last-minute deals gave me hopes of flying to the Caribbean and laying on a beach, but checking my bank account reminded me that maybe I should scale it back a bit. The tentative plan now is to road trip it down to Florida for some Clearwater beach action. Chris and I spent a 6-hour car trip together a few months ago and had a blast, so I figure 13 can't be that bad, plus we're a little familiar with the area and will be able to have a car to get around. I'm pretty excited. Heck, I'd be excited to go to Cincinnati for a day trip - just get me out of the house!
2) My friend Jessica got married yesterday. Everything was beautiful and perfect and I had a great time hanging out with old friends and pretending like I was a normal person for a few hours. Weddings/marriages used to scare the crap out of me (not as much the commitment-for-the-rest-of-your-life thing but the wedding/reception planning! Too many decisions), but I think I'm getting better at accepting it. I may even have one someday!
3) I've been making a list of things to do for the rest of the summer. Some of those things include:
Anyway, I'm going to go bake some brownies, then off to studying. Almost done!
1) I've been researching places to go on vacation for about a week after boards. I need a vacation, and this is my last chance to do so for a very long time. Checking for last-minute deals gave me hopes of flying to the Caribbean and laying on a beach, but checking my bank account reminded me that maybe I should scale it back a bit. The tentative plan now is to road trip it down to Florida for some Clearwater beach action. Chris and I spent a 6-hour car trip together a few months ago and had a blast, so I figure 13 can't be that bad, plus we're a little familiar with the area and will be able to have a car to get around. I'm pretty excited. Heck, I'd be excited to go to Cincinnati for a day trip - just get me out of the house!
2) My friend Jessica got married yesterday. Everything was beautiful and perfect and I had a great time hanging out with old friends and pretending like I was a normal person for a few hours. Weddings/marriages used to scare the crap out of me (not as much the commitment-for-the-rest-of-your-life thing but the wedding/reception planning! Too many decisions), but I think I'm getting better at accepting it. I may even have one someday!
3) I've been making a list of things to do for the rest of the summer. Some of those things include:
- Bodyworlds exhibit (I've been wanting to go since January!)
- Jazz in Ecton park
- Shakespeare in the Park (if they're doing it this year? I can't figure it out...)
- Woodford Reserve with the parents
- Hiking the Gorge
- Run the Bluegrass 10,000!
Anyway, I'm going to go bake some brownies, then off to studying. Almost done!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
looking forward!
I forgot to mention: Sabrina liked her birthday cupcakes, and Sab and Caitlin and I got to hang out for all of about 15 minutes so we could eat cupcakes and ice cream together. It was nice roommate bonding time - actually the only roommate bonding time we've had all year!
In preparation for the USMLE, or maybe I should say for after the USMLE, Chris and I went to Liquor Barn to get some post-exam celebratory fluids. My goal is to find a drink that Caitlin will drink and not spit it out and say it "tastes like cow pee."
Here's the lineup of girly drinks ... so far!
Mmmm!
In preparation for the USMLE, or maybe I should say for after the USMLE, Chris and I went to Liquor Barn to get some post-exam celebratory fluids. My goal is to find a drink that Caitlin will drink and not spit it out and say it "tastes like cow pee."
Here's the lineup of girly drinks ... so far!
Mmmm!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
practice makes perfect
Not much exciting fun things to talk about... been taking practice tests like crazy. I think I have enough confidence in myself that I will do okay. My biggest hurdle in taking tests is getting over my nerves and my (lack of) self-confidence. I have to feel ready. I am ready.
Which is why it's KILLING me that the test isn't until next Tuesday! Gah!
I've been making some delicious food which always makes me happy, unfortunately I've forgotten what most of it was and also I've been cooking at my house where there is no pretty Nikon camera to capture all my creations!
Anyway, back to Qbank.
Which is why it's KILLING me that the test isn't until next Tuesday! Gah!
I've been making some delicious food which always makes me happy, unfortunately I've forgotten what most of it was and also I've been cooking at my house where there is no pretty Nikon camera to capture all my creations!
Anyway, back to Qbank.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Happy Birthday, Sabby!
Tomorrow is my roomate Sabrina's 3rd-annual 21st birthday. We have been friends since the first week of UK Marching band early week - she was some crazy clarinet girl with wild curly hair who lived in the DOV with me and we would walk to practice together. We have been good friends since then (you know, the kind who talks about poop, boys, and what to do about dinner all in the same conversation) and we've lived together the past four years. FOUR YEARS! Some marriages don't last that long! But we've stuck it out through spiders, fire alarms, a couple band camps, as well as countless other things.
Consequently, I wanted to do something really special for her (3rd) 21st birthday. Since I'm over $50K in debt (and soon to be much, much more) and I also have an insatiable sweet tooth, I decided to make her homemade cupcakes. Chocolate cupcakes. Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Yea!
Anyway, while they were baking I was thinking of all the fun stuff we've done together in the past half-decade. I won't go into the countless days and nights we spend in each others' rooms gossiping and gabbing about everything under the sun, but I do have to say that Sabrina is one of the best listeners I have ever met. I can literally tell her anything and I know that she will listen--without interruption--for as long as I need her to. She only offers advice if I want it - and I have always valued her opinions (about everything from what my next hair color should be to whether I should end a long-term relationship).
We've had pizza-baking parties, "pudding night," and who would ever forget our peanut butter pie fights! We've spent marching band seasons together, we hung out at K-lair and Ovids, and done some really goofy things with our hair. We've had some really great times!
I could probably go on and on about how great Sabrina is - I could talk about how she just bubbles energy and enthusiasm and is going to be a great music teacher because of her compassion and love for both teaching and music, or I could mention how she is a great listener and friend and how nice it has been to have someone around who I can trust and confide in, or I could just talk about our silly antics, but it's time to go put the icing on the cupcakes. :)
I love you, Sabrina! Thanks for being such a great friend and roommate. Good luck starting a new chapter in your life, and I know that you will succeed in anything you do because you're such a kind and loving person. I will miss you next year!
-KT
Consequently, I wanted to do something really special for her (3rd) 21st birthday. Since I'm over $50K in debt (and soon to be much, much more) and I also have an insatiable sweet tooth, I decided to make her homemade cupcakes. Chocolate cupcakes. Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Yea!
Anyway, while they were baking I was thinking of all the fun stuff we've done together in the past half-decade. I won't go into the countless days and nights we spend in each others' rooms gossiping and gabbing about everything under the sun, but I do have to say that Sabrina is one of the best listeners I have ever met. I can literally tell her anything and I know that she will listen--without interruption--for as long as I need her to. She only offers advice if I want it - and I have always valued her opinions (about everything from what my next hair color should be to whether I should end a long-term relationship).
We've had pizza-baking parties, "pudding night," and who would ever forget our peanut butter pie fights! We've spent marching band seasons together, we hung out at K-lair and Ovids, and done some really goofy things with our hair. We've had some really great times!
I could probably go on and on about how great Sabrina is - I could talk about how she just bubbles energy and enthusiasm and is going to be a great music teacher because of her compassion and love for both teaching and music, or I could mention how she is a great listener and friend and how nice it has been to have someone around who I can trust and confide in, or I could just talk about our silly antics, but it's time to go put the icing on the cupcakes. :)
I love you, Sabrina! Thanks for being such a great friend and roommate. Good luck starting a new chapter in your life, and I know that you will succeed in anything you do because you're such a kind and loving person. I will miss you next year!
-KT
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Chocolate cupcakes
Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake
2 c. sugar
1-3/4 c. all purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 c. milk
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c boiling water
Heat oven to 350F. Grease and flour two 9-in round baking pans. Combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla; beat on med. speed 2 min. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour into pans.
Bake 30-35 min. or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 min; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. 10-12 servings.
Cupcakes: Line 2-1/2-in. muffin cups with paper bake cups. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake at 350F for 22-25 minutes. Cool; frost. About 30 cupcakes.
"Perfectly Chocolate" chocolate frosting
1 stick (1/2 c.) butter or margarine
2/3 c. cocoa
3 c. powdered sugar
1/3 c. milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating on med. speed to spreading consistency. Add more milk if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 c.
And a couple photos of my "official taste tester":
(He gave it two thumbs up.)
yum, yum, extra yum
I've been trying to cut back on baking for a while (especially given that it is 80 degrees inside and only 75 outside), but I've still managed to have some delicious dinners. One day lastI was feeling a little under the weather so I didn't want anything too spicy or sweet. I made a dish that Chris made originally - basically a tofu fried rice. The picture doesn't include the huge bowlful of rice that I added, and I scrambled an egg into the final product for a little extra protein.
Pretty easy - just fry up a little tofu, add a package of mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, green and lima beans, and corn), and season with soy sauce, pepper, and a little "all purpose seasoning." Serve mixed with brown rice and soy sauce. It's a great, easy, and filling supper low in fat and not too harsh on the stomach.
Next, I made a nutritious pasta dish that's one of my favorites. I always make a little extra dressing to add to it the next day (it seems to get absorbed into the pasta and needs a little more zing after sitting in the fridge). It's a food network recipe:
Whole-Wheat Pasta Salad with Walnuts and Feta Cheese
1/2 pound whole-wheat fusilli or other spiral shaped pasta
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup diced red onion
1 1/2 cups chopped baby spinach leaves
2 tablespoons walnut oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 clove of garlic, minced (about 1/2 teaspoon)
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground black pepperCook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain the pasta, rinse it under cold water, and put it in the refrigerator to chill.
Finally, I broke my "no baking" rule and made a low-sugar apple crisp with apples that were getting old in the fridge. It was my first apple crisp ever and I think it turned out pretty tasty. Sliced apples, mixed with a tablespoon or so each of flour, cinnamon, and sugar, topped with quick-cooking oatmeal, dabs of margarine, and some splenda/brown sugar. Bake until apples are soft and top is a little crispy, and top with ice cream or whipped cream (or both!).
Pretty easy - just fry up a little tofu, add a package of mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, green and lima beans, and corn), and season with soy sauce, pepper, and a little "all purpose seasoning." Serve mixed with brown rice and soy sauce. It's a great, easy, and filling supper low in fat and not too harsh on the stomach.
Next, I made a nutritious pasta dish that's one of my favorites. I always make a little extra dressing to add to it the next day (it seems to get absorbed into the pasta and needs a little more zing after sitting in the fridge). It's a food network recipe:
Whole-Wheat Pasta Salad with Walnuts and Feta Cheese
1/2 pound whole-wheat fusilli or other spiral shaped pasta
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup diced red onion
1 1/2 cups chopped baby spinach leaves
2 tablespoons walnut oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 clove of garlic, minced (about 1/2 teaspoon)
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground black pepperCook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain the pasta, rinse it under cold water, and put it in the refrigerator to chill.
In a dry saute pan toast the walnuts over a medium-high flame until they are fragrant, about 2 minutes. Set the walnuts aside to cool then chop them coarsely.
In a large bowl, toss together the chilled pasta, walnuts, feta cheese, onion, and spinach. In a small bowl whisk the oil, vinegar, garlic and mustard. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
| Nutrition Information | |
| Nutritional analysis per serving | Calories 420 |
| Total Fat 21.5 grams | Saturated Fat 4.5 grams |
| Cholesterol 16.5 mg | Sodium 245 mg |
| Carbohydrates 49 grams | Protein 13.5 grams |
| Fiber 9 grams | |
Finally, I broke my "no baking" rule and made a low-sugar apple crisp with apples that were getting old in the fridge. It was my first apple crisp ever and I think it turned out pretty tasty. Sliced apples, mixed with a tablespoon or so each of flour, cinnamon, and sugar, topped with quick-cooking oatmeal, dabs of margarine, and some splenda/brown sugar. Bake until apples are soft and top is a little crispy, and top with ice cream or whipped cream (or both!).
chocolate chip cookies
We had a friend over the other day. I had some cookie batter in the fridge so I decided to make a cookie as big as my head. It was awesome - we put a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of a slice of warm cookie...it makes me drool a little bit just thinking about it!
Original Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie(s)
2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12 oz) chocolate chips
2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12 oz) chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375.
Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy. Add eggs, then beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto a cookie sheet.
Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes, then cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen cookies
Pan Cookie variation: Grease a 15 x 10 inch jelly-roll pan. Prepare dough as above. Spread onto prepared pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 4 dozen bars.
Tidbits
As you can see, I haven't written anything lately. This is due to:
1) USMLE step one in less than two weeks
2) Christopher has some wonderful pictures that I want to upload but he is holding them hostage
3) I'm lazy.
I thought I would make this journal to chronicle funny little things that happened in everyday life, to remember the reasons why I laugh sometimes. I did NOT want to turn this into "here is what I studied today" journal, but I've been fighting the urge to write in here about what my life is like - which is study study study study all the time. So, I just haven't written.
But, Christopher just made a delicious icy-blended-french-vanilla-white-russian for us to share, and I was getting angry at my notes anyway (yeah, it's sad), so I figured I'd take a quick break and talk about a few fun things that have happened the past few days.
1) I cut my hair. Well, I went to the store where they cut hair (it sounds pretentious to call it a "salon" but I suppose that's what it is) and had it chopped off. Like, a LOT - we're talking almost 8 inches. I say "almost" because I have ALWAYS wanted to cut off 8+ inches so I could donate my hair, unfortunately, I didn't have enough (technically I had enough but I was not about to cut my hair that short). My hair has never been this short! But, I think it's pretty cute and summery and fun. Here's the before/after
2) I've become a lush. Well, not really but Chris and I went to Liquor Barn and found some good deals...and...we've been doing some "tastings" ever since. It really helps wind down after a long day of studying. We've had our fair share of pina coladas. Mmm...
3) This doesn't really fall into the "fun" category due to the injury that it has entailed, but I had slowed down on the running last week and just got back into it the past couple days. I still really want to run that 10K in July but I'm starting to worry that I just won't be in good enough shape - and the weather is getting so HOT and HUMID that I am having a harder time running! Apparently, my body was angry that I actually woke it up to run yesterday, because I was running (on a very bumpy sidewalk, mind you), and I totally did a faceplant on the concrete. Scraped up both knees pretty good, and got gravel in my palms. Thankfully, I don't think I really injured injured anything - just scratches. I got up, dusted off, and ran back home (I was about a mile away). I've been nursing my wounds (you use your knees and palms more than you realize!) and I'm hoping they're better tomorrow. I'm getting all squirmy sitting here because I didn't get out today.
4) I'm trying not to bake as many cakes/cookies/brownies as I have in the past month because I'm worried what it will do to my waistline, however, it's REALLY HARD to not take a "study break" and go make some delicious goodies! I have relied on baking and cooking as a stress reliever and now I'm trying not to do it - the stress is piling and piling! I had a mini meltdown today, actually, because my air conditioning, toilet, dryer, AND internet were not working - all at the same time. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?! Really, the internet was the biggest problem since that's the only way that I can study. No study = Lots of stress
And I'll leave you with the highlight of the day:
5) One of my friends randomly called me today to see how studying was going and to tell me a joke. Who calls people just to tell them jokes? I thought it was really sweet and it totally made my evening. Here's the joke:
Q: What did the Stop sign say to the Yield sign?
A: I don't know, I don't speak sign language!
Yea!
1) USMLE step one in less than two weeks
2) Christopher has some wonderful pictures that I want to upload but he is holding them hostage
3) I'm lazy.
I thought I would make this journal to chronicle funny little things that happened in everyday life, to remember the reasons why I laugh sometimes. I did NOT want to turn this into "here is what I studied today" journal, but I've been fighting the urge to write in here about what my life is like - which is study study study study all the time. So, I just haven't written.
But, Christopher just made a delicious icy-blended-french-vanilla-white-russian for us to share, and I was getting angry at my notes anyway (yeah, it's sad), so I figured I'd take a quick break and talk about a few fun things that have happened the past few days.
1) I cut my hair. Well, I went to the store where they cut hair (it sounds pretentious to call it a "salon" but I suppose that's what it is) and had it chopped off. Like, a LOT - we're talking almost 8 inches. I say "almost" because I have ALWAYS wanted to cut off 8+ inches so I could donate my hair, unfortunately, I didn't have enough (technically I had enough but I was not about to cut my hair that short). My hair has never been this short! But, I think it's pretty cute and summery and fun. Here's the before/after
2) I've become a lush. Well, not really but Chris and I went to Liquor Barn and found some good deals...and...we've been doing some "tastings" ever since. It really helps wind down after a long day of studying. We've had our fair share of pina coladas. Mmm...
3) This doesn't really fall into the "fun" category due to the injury that it has entailed, but I had slowed down on the running last week and just got back into it the past couple days. I still really want to run that 10K in July but I'm starting to worry that I just won't be in good enough shape - and the weather is getting so HOT and HUMID that I am having a harder time running! Apparently, my body was angry that I actually woke it up to run yesterday, because I was running (on a very bumpy sidewalk, mind you), and I totally did a faceplant on the concrete. Scraped up both knees pretty good, and got gravel in my palms. Thankfully, I don't think I really injured injured anything - just scratches. I got up, dusted off, and ran back home (I was about a mile away). I've been nursing my wounds (you use your knees and palms more than you realize!) and I'm hoping they're better tomorrow. I'm getting all squirmy sitting here because I didn't get out today.
4) I'm trying not to bake as many cakes/cookies/brownies as I have in the past month because I'm worried what it will do to my waistline, however, it's REALLY HARD to not take a "study break" and go make some delicious goodies! I have relied on baking and cooking as a stress reliever and now I'm trying not to do it - the stress is piling and piling! I had a mini meltdown today, actually, because my air conditioning, toilet, dryer, AND internet were not working - all at the same time. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?! Really, the internet was the biggest problem since that's the only way that I can study. No study = Lots of stress
And I'll leave you with the highlight of the day:
5) One of my friends randomly called me today to see how studying was going and to tell me a joke. Who calls people just to tell them jokes? I thought it was really sweet and it totally made my evening. Here's the joke:
Q: What did the Stop sign say to the Yield sign?
A: I don't know, I don't speak sign language!
Yea!
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