New plan

Mexican food. I can't stop dreaming about it.
Literally dreaming about it. Last night I was in this Mexican restaurant. Sat down at a booth, ordered poblano peppers ... I don't remember what they were but I got this pepper with a big pile of pinky refried beans ... oh, I'm salivating just writing about it. Definitely Mexican is my next cuisine. Embracing enchiladas, my all-time favourites. And definitely corn tortillas - organic corn. Oh yumminess.

My favourite Mexican restaurant is probably Mi Hogar in Norfolk, Virginia. Their chips are the best ever - crispy and hot and corny. With a great salsa and the most amazing white sauce (not queso, but something a bit spicy) which I've only ever had there. Oh for a plate of cheese and mushroom enchiladas from Mi Hogar!

Must ... stop ... writing!!

Cooking

I really need to learn to cook. One of my last dishes was distinctly lackluster: slightly curried lentils and broccoli. First, I made too much of it, so the leftovers (after an extra meal or two each) are still sitting in the fridge. Then, it smells of broccoli way too much, so I feel ill and icky and can't eat it. And well, it wasn't that amazing to start with.

The new plan: master Indian cuisine. Cook up simple yet sumptuous delights ALMOST EVERY NIGHT that we can enjoy eating and want to take to lunch the next day. I've begun the Indian streak two nights ago with a mustard seed & ginger cauliflower, and continued it tonight with a kind-of aloo ghobi. But I am determined: I will read actual recipes and follow them; I will master a whole fleet of dishes; and mealtime will become something, once again, to enjoy.

transportation confession:

I love driving to work. Really truly. I've tried to enjoy the bus, which I've been taking STEADFASTLY since September. And it's reliable and close to home and I can read while driving. Oh, and it's good for the environment. And, no parking fees.

But while we're staying at my parents I'm driving to work because there's no bus here, and it has been great. I don't have to run out the door frantically every morning to catch the bus. I can leave later (and thus sleep in more) because it takes a lot less time to get there. I have time to myself to listen to music, the radio or silence and can avoid all conversation if I want. I can stay just a little bit later at work if I need to without waiting a whole other hour to catch my bus ... or leave a bit early if I'm feeling not so great, and be home in 10 minutes. I LOVE it. And will miss it lots when we're back living downtown.