Oh how I love you, Polish doughnut ...

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Back in high school, for some sort of fundraiser, a few parents (aka Amie's mom) would sell paczki's on Fat Tuesday. What, you beg, is a paczki, besides impossible to spell? Well, a paczki (prounounced "poonch-key") is basically a jelly-filled doughnut. And it's delicious. Possibly so delicious because there's alcohol in the dough.

So, every Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras season, I start craving paczki's. And I can't ever find them. Not even in DC with my friend Ms. Kazimierczak's (born in Poland, life of the DC Polish community) help.

Thank heaven my friend Erinn found me a recipe online. If I'm brave enough, I just might try it!! She also said that paczkis are quite similar to German fastnacht, again, she provided the recipe. She was acute enough to point out "Fastnachts use mashed potatoes and paczkis use rum. Therefore, Polish cooking might be much cooler than German." And overall, because Erinn and I judge an entire country's cuisine by their doughnuts, I am in full agreement!

Oh, and Karl Rove, perhaps you should contact Dan and Amber to do some publicity for you. Check out this little ditty for Ron Paul... (thanks Joey for posting it)



HWotD:
ʻāina - land, earth, literally "the thing that nourishes, feeds" (ʻāi means food)
"aye (drawn out)-nah"

* As always, make sure you have all of the okinas(') and kahako's (-) they are very important!!

Blue skies on sunshine mountain...

First of all, thanks for the advice about the dress. I got it. Hopefully it looks cute on me :) Otherwise, I'll get to start this whole shebang all over again, and dh will not be thrilled about that.

In case you need a little help figuring out who to vote for in this election, you can check out this handy-dandy website to match you with your ideal candidate. My highest compatibility with any candidate was 48%. That does not bode well for me this election.

I grew up in the church, and I wouldn't trade that foundation for anything. There were a few things that I still can't figure out though. Namely, I can't come to a conclusion about what a few songs mean.

Exhibit 1:
CLIMB SUNSHINE MOUNTAIN

Climb, climb up sunshine mountain
Heavenly breezes blow
Climb, climb up sunshine mountain
Faces all aglow

Turn, turn from sin and sorrow
Look to God on high
Climb, climb up sunshine mountain
You and I

Exhibit 2:

BLUE SKIES AND RAINBOWS
  Blue skies and rainbows and sunbeams from heaven
  Are what I can see when my Lord is living in me

  I know that Jesus is well and alive today
  He makes His home in my heart
  Never more will I be all alone since He
  Promised me that we never would part

I just don't get it. I know that not every song needs to be steeped in theological gems, but these are just beyond me. I don't get them. And who thinks everything is going to be perfect once you become a Christian? And yet, my kids ask to sing them all of the time at preschool...

Afternoon wedding in California in late March.

Goodness, one of my worst nightmares is figuring out what to wear to weddings. I hate trying to find a dress, and I debate forever with myself about what is appropriate. Especially when it comes to dh and his family. I feel like they all are perfect and I'm not. Or, at the absolute least, I'm the only one who shows I'm not perfect.

Ok, so dh's brother is getting married in California. It's an afternoon wedding. It'll be late March. The bridesmaids are wearing this dress (shown below) in black. It's black, but it's short.
Dh will be a groomsman. What should I wear?

I'm ever the Dutch girl, and was looking through other JCrew dresses, namely from the sale sections... Any opinions about this one? It comes in black or brown in my size.
Or should I just go with something fun and colorful?

Someone, please answer me! Where do you go to get your special occasion dresses? Or should I just visit a therapist and not worry about it so much?

You had me at... the Thadmiral

I was planning not to watch the State of the Union (either with or without the game) but as I was sitting and eating my fabulous German Apple Pancake (orignially from my blogging soulmate, Swiss Ms.). I decided to turn on the tv and venture away from "Make Me a Supermodel." And who popped onto my screen, but Adm. Thad Allen, the Commandant of the Coast Guard. I knew I couldn't change the channel with the Thadmiral on the screen. After all, he did pose for a picture with me at GWU's graduation. He and the retired James M. Loy (how could I not after the Curse of Semper Paratus speech?) are my Coastie Heroes. And Adm. Allen has been a great Commandant who has had to deal with a ton of sticky issues and has come through amazingly.

I tuned in at the perfect time. Just the right amount of little sneaky, giddy, silly grins by the President. And just in time for the bit about "supporting military spouses" and something about helping them find jobs... I wish that I could have been there for the parts about international issues, but I think I'd rather read it.

Any comments on the SotU?

By the winding Wabash River... and the State of the Union

I loved going to Huntington College. I met the best friends ever, learned a lot, grew a ton, and had a great time. Being a United Brethren (which I am not) school, they had all students sign a "lifestyle contract" saying we wouldn't smoke, drink, fornicate, chew, or go with guys who do. Just kidding. We did sign a statement that we wouldn't do most of those things, but it really wasn't an issue for me.

Going for my grad degree at GWU was a different story. We had wine and cheese mixers, and it seemed that at every "networking" event, alcohol was a major player. It was at GW that I first found out about the State of the Union Address Drinking Game. As strange as it sounds, who cares about the State of the Union quite like those students studying in DC? I have never used the game, nor plan to do so, but I always found it interesting...

Surf's Up!

Good news - we went to a church we might like today. Again, we judged it based upon the music, the sermon, and not knowing more than 2 people there. I guess we know one, DH's friend from school who recommended it to us... but it still feels like we're judging something so big on so little knowledge. We'll try again next week and see how it goes :) Woohoo!

Also, does anyone have any ideas about cabins in the Gatlinburg area? We're thinking about going to the Smoky Mountains for Spring Break. Anyone want to join us? (We'll also check out the Armed Forces Vacation Club too). We'd love any advice about that area and what to do there.

Dh and I watched Surf's Up last night. Dude, that was so funny, but I'm not sure it was that funny for people who don't know surfing. There were tons of jokes I wouldn't have understood BD (Before dh). I love netflix - it keeps me busy while DH is studying and I catch up on all kinds of things. Anyone seen any good movies lately? I'll add them to my queue.

I'm super-excited about an opportunity that has come up. We're not sure if it will work out, so I'm not going to post too much about it yet... but if it works out, I'll be one super happy sheila!!

HWotD:
Hale - house, building
"hah-ley"

Porridge?

Because it's A. Norris here (all you HC people should get that joke - get it A Norris "Freezin"?), I decided to take a break from my lovely quilted Christmas tree skirt and make something I learned how to make in 7th grade Home Economics (thanks Mrs. Stanislaw!). I made a heating pad/pouch/bag/thing. Basically, you take a piece of fabric, fold it in half, sew three sides of it, pour rice inside, and heat it in the microwave. I currently think it's one of the best things I've ever made, particularly because it was in single digit temperatures here last night. It gets cold, this keeps me warm.

The first night I made it, I took it to bed, and DH was appalled by the smell. He couldn't figure out what it smelled like, and then said, "It smells like the stuff you eat for breakfast." I eat oatmeal for breakfast (warm oatmeal because it's a cold winter), and I suppose you could call it porridge. (Visions of the Three Bears and Goldilocks as well as Oliver Twist are what appear when I think of the word porridge. "Please sir, may I have some more?")

Anyway, for the last few nights, I've put what is now deemed "porridge" into the microwave for 3 minutes while I do my nightly ablutions. After it's done, I tuck it down into bed by my feet and occasionally feel dh's feet cozy up next to its warmth. I do wish I could do something about the smell though. It does smell like rice!!

Here's "porridge"


This is the quilted Christmas tree skirt I'm making (still making, and it's almost February. Gee, I'm early for next year...).


It's in the "ulu" pattern - breadfruit! There are 4 sets that look like this in a ring around the skirt. I think it looks like reindeer too.
And here's a new hula that I'm learning.

It's Only Thursday?

Quotes from today at school:

him - "Um, excuse me."
(For the past few months, this has been followed by "What's your name?" so I was dreading what would come next.)
me - "Yes, Zach?"
him - "I like your shoes."
Wow. That's the second shoe comment from male 4-year old students I've received this week. Perhaps they've now integrated fashion into the curriculum?


Nick - "It's tomato soup. I built it yesterday."



me - "Here Claire, have some pancakes. You'll need a fork and knife."
[handing her imaginary plate of food as well as fork and knife]
(After receiving my imaginary food from Nick's restaurant - This was the third time I was ordering, so I tried to get another student in on it.)
Claire - I'm not allowed to use knives. They could hurt me.
me - [take back imaginary knife]
She's so honest, she won't even use an imaginary knife.

me - "Can I have a salad?" (pretending to order at Nick's restaurant, round 4)
him - "Sure."
me - "Could I have dressing on it too, please? What kinds do you have?"
him - "Well, we have syrup left over from the pancakes." (round 3)
Great, that'll sure keep the imaginary calories down.



HWotD:
māluhiluhi - tired, weary, worn out
"maah-loo-hee-loo-hee"

Māluhiluhi 'au. I am tired.

The great vacation conundrum

This winter stuff is getting old. I know, I know, I grew up in Michigan and should be used to the cold and yuckiness for months on end. To the contrary, I argue. I grew up with it. I have tried it and discovered that I do not like it. I'm living in the south, in a completely landlocked state, which although "warmer", is more depressing because there's no hope of a beach to be found. We've been here for a whopping 6 months and already I'm itching to leave. That's where Spring Break comes in.

DH looked into his schedule and discovered he has nearly two weeks for Spring Break. Two weeks? Who could have dreamt it? The rub? We're graduate students. Graduate students = poor as church mice from having to buy books every 8 weeks. We have friends who live in Dublin and London that we'd love to see. We would love to venture down to Costa Rica and catch some waves. I want to go back to Hawaii, duh (to live, but I'd be content just to visit). It'd be fun to go somewhere exotic or warm - and we have the time!! Why why why???



ps - the duct tape is really working! It definitely was the right option!

Just another Tuesday...

Aloha Kumu. Pehea 'oe? I'm still learning. One of these days, we'll be able to have a complete conversation! :)

Today at school, one student woke up looking sad. I asked her what the problem was. She replied, "I'm not feeling myself." I told her I was sorry, and asked her if anyone had hurt her feelings. She said, "myself." She continued, "I was a little crazy and bumped into my feelings." I didn't know whether to make her apologize to herself or what... who says those kinds of things??

HWotD:
(in honor of Kumu Em)

li'ili'i - little, small
"lee-ee-lee-ee"

Keeeeep walking? (said in the French peas voice)

Hello to the reader in France.

Dh and I have been really blessed in finding churches. We loved the one he/we went to in Massachusetts. The pastor there did our premarital counseling. It really felt like our family. Then dh got restationed to Hawaii.

In Hawaii, we looked for a while and really enjoyed the Hilo Missionary Church, but wondered where the young people were. We liked it, and I joined a womens Bible study there, dh played basketball with some of the men. Then we found Elevate, HMC's church plant, and it all clicked! Dh loved the pastor and became friends with him. I loved the women of the church and became friends with them. I still listen to their sermons online.

Here, we have not found a church yet that we can agree on. We're in the middle of the stinking "Bible belt" and can't find one that seems like "home". There are churches on every block, but how do you choose one to go to? Once you do choose to visit a church/several churches, it's hard to figure out how to "judge" the church. How was the pastor's message? Did you connect? Did worship connect you with God? What was the overall "vibe" you got from it? Is it close/easy to get to? What time do they have services? Do they have programs/small groups to connect with other people?

It's strange trying to pick one. All of the churches we've been to have seemed like they're Biblically sound and trying to follow God. But where do you draw the line? What's non-negotiable? Knowing very few people in this area, we often make decisions about churches not knowing anyone there.

We really would like to find a church, and settle in/put down roots (for the rest of the year and a half or so we're here), but it's getting frustrating looking for a church. Do we keep searching for a "perfect church" or do we just choose one at random? What criteria do you use to choose a church? Does anyone have any advice?

Ugly?

I was tucking in the 4-year-olds for their naps the other afternoon, and J (a boy) sat up and asked me, "Miss Julie, why are you wearing those ugly cowboy boots again?"

I could have responded several ways:
a) They're not ugly. They're Uggs. Yes, they make my feet look huge, but they're fashionable.
b) Again? Yes, I've worn them for the past week. Who are you? The fashion police?
c) They're comfortable, J. Go to sleep.

I chose c.

If anyone isn't committed to life in the US, I'd consider moving to New Zealand, if I were you. Such a great country, it is, with more sheep than people. Plus they produce some crazy things like the movie The Price of Milk (which I own if you ever feel the need to watch) and Burt Munro (the real-life character who inspired the movie The World's Fastest Indian).

Also, these people apparently have too much time on their hands (ignore the title):


Daft Punk-2 Hot Girls Dancing - Watch more free videos

Miscellaneous Ramblings.

Story 1
I met yesterday with a friend from back north. Funny, because I didn't know her until we moved here. But anyway, we met and were discussing things about living in the south. One of the things that made me laugh the most is the way people can say whatever bad thing they want to about someone else or something else, and then if they add "God bless 'em" to the end of the statement, it's all ok. Examples:

"He has the ugliest nose, God bless him"

"She is a little brat, God bless her."

It's kind of crazy.

Story 2
I've been taking time off from working out due to a bad cold that has lingered. I think I'll go back soon because one of my three year olds came up to me today while we were sitting in the movie room and said, "Miss Julie, are you pregnant? Do you have a baby in your tummy?" Thank heaven her mom is pregnant and so they're just used to pregnant talk. I still will work on my pouch though!! No more slacking off for me!

Story 3
Kind of funny - just don't take it seriously.
This could be a grown-up version of my current life...

Fun around the world... improve your vocabulary and geography!

This game is really fun - How well do you know your world?

I can't pass level 7. Perhaps I'll have to study an atlas first...


Also, free rice is cool too - people get food, you get a better vocabulary. Totally win-win.

Is this cheating?

I've been playing with various recipes lately, I get a lot of ideas from the What's Cooking? discussion board on thenest.com (yes, I do realize that qualifies me as a dork). But anyway, I end up feeling remorse when I find a new recipe that I like that is in the same category as a "family recipe".

For example, my Mom made the same chocolate chip cookies for me throughout high school, bringing buckets of them (literally) to our cross-country meets. I feel great allegiance and loyalty to these cookies. Yet, I cheated on them. I tried the BBFCCC's and liked them. I felt the same way when I abandoned my grandmother's banana bread recipe for another allrecipes.com version. Like I had broken trust or been disloyal.

Anyway, if you need a new chocolate chip cookie recipe, and are willing to deal with the two-fold guilt of abandoning your ancestors and consuming calories after the new year, here is a great recipe.

I usually make a full batch of them, bake up a cookie sheet full, and then put the rest of the dough into a freezer bag and make small batches as I want. It's great to have on hand when DH invites people over 3 nights in a week... I'll tell that story later.

Best Big Fat Choc. Chip Cookies

(BBFCCCs)

from allrecipes.com

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
2. Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar until well blended. Beat in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk until light and creamy. Mix in the sifted ingredients until just blended. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand using a wooden spoon. (I usually put them in the fridge and wait at least an hour before baking. I find it works a lot better!) Drop cookie dough 1/4 cup at a time onto the prepared cookie sheets. Cookies should be about 3 inches apart.
4. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges are lightly toasted. Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Today's Hawaiian word is:
I mua - to progress, go forward
"ee moo-ah"

Holo i mua - Move forward.

Do what you are...

So, I've been trying to figure out what job would be good for me. Not just one that would make money, but one that would be fulfilling and help out with a little cash. Based on my Myers-Briggs results, this is what various people recommend.

List from PersonalityType.com
# Psychologist
# Human resources professional
# Physical therapist
# Researcher
# Translator/interpreter
# Legal mediator
# Employee development specialist
# Religious worker
# College professor: humanities
# Massage therapist
# Social worker
# Librarian
# Fashion designer
# Holistic health practitioner
# Editor/art director (web site)

Other list from this link

Actor

Artist

Architect

Church Worker

College Professor: Humanities/Art

Counselor

Editor

Educational Consultant

Employment Development Specialist

English Teacher

Fine Arts Teacher

Human Resources Development Specialist

Journalist

Librarian

Minister/Priest

Missionary

Musician

Psychiatry

Psychologist

Religious Educator

Researcher

Social Scientist

Social Worker

Speech Pathologist

Writer: poet/Novelist

So, I think that my choice to get an Educational Ministries degree and a Latin American Studies degree works. I have degrees, but no job. How do I transition from one to another?

Academy days

Dh went to the CG academy. And lived through it. He also loves basketball.

This video of freshmen (4/c) makes him happy.

Do they have PowerPoint?

At the preschool I work at, this week and next week the 4-year-olds are learning about "Community Helpers." They ask parents and grandparents to come in and share their experience about doing a certain job that helps the community. (Hence the term community helpers). So far they have a firefighter father, a veterinarian father, a dental hygienist mother, a seamstress mother and a few other people. I being the good slave, I mean, assistant teacher, asked if they needed a coastguardsman, which of course is logical, because the largest body of water in the area is Vanderbilt's pool (ok, that or the Cumberland River).

For some reason, the other teachers thought it was a good idea. Or perhaps they were just humoring me. Anyway, we slated DH to come and speak to the kids on Friday morning because DH doesn't have class on those mornings.

I go home and ask/tell DH that I've volunteered him for this wonderful task. He looked at me kind of confused, and the first question he asked was "Do they at least have PowerPoint?" Uh, no. I don't think the best medium for reaching 4-year-olds would be PowerPoint, honey. Thank heaven he was mainly referring to being able to show pictures. I told him I'd print some off for him.

In honor of that, today's word mildly relates to that story:

HWotD:

papa - class
"pa-pa"

I was in the papa makua in hula.

Go figure

The military pay increase proposed by the Democratic Congress passed, but was vetoed by our Republican President.

HWotD

Today's word is makua

makua - parent, someone of a parent's generation
"mah-kooh-ah"

Ka makua 'au. I am the parent (not really).

It's that time again...

I'm looking for another job. It's not that I don't like the preschool job, it just isn't working out for paying our bills. So, here I am trying to think of jobs to apply for...

- Cross cultural communication professor - the semester probably just started, but that could possibly be my dream job.
- Bank teller
- Pharmaceutical saleswoman - dh thinks I should do this, because it makes some good money. I don't think I could sell water in a desert.
- um... I don't know.

Basically, I think I need to read the book "What Color is Your Parachute?" or something because I seriously need some career counseling. It certainly doesn't help that I get the privilege of moving every few years to a completely new setting. At least the CG is paying for most of dh's school thus far.

Who's got grumpy pants on today? That'd be me.

Surfing, sharks, and other miscellaneous vacation happenings

DH's favorite town in Tennessee has got to be Murfreesboro. It's just so much fun to say.


Thank heaven for this sign outside Atlanta, GA.

Sunday dinner at the Sundy house with DH's family. Sister shown here.

DH and his sister trying to get the fish to nibble their fingers. The Sundy House has a bed and breakfast and a pool - you can swim with the fish.


Dh loves driving his parents' cars. We took his mom's convertible one evening to check out the waves. I think dh likes it.
Pretty lines. Dh told me that swells in Florida never last long, so he had to take advantage of good surf. I think he went surfing 3 times in the first 3 days we were there.

Dh checking out the surf.


Pretty moon.


More waves. Merry Christmas to Dh.

Dh's cousin, brother, and dh checking out waves like they have been for years.

They found an acceptable spot.


Surfing together. This was before they saw the 5-foot-long spinner shark jump out of the water, do a few 360's and dive back in. They left promptly after that.

I went with Kathryn to Blowing Rocks. Let's just say at low tide, it's less than spectacular. But we did rock our matching FL tees :)



BEFORE - Dh back in Hawaii when he had to report for duty. He's still in surfer clothes, but is clean-shaven, and with a military haircut.


NOW - look at this scruffy, long-haired student! Thank goodness that he doesn't have to report to anyone at school ;)

We went fishing with Dh's Uncle Roger and a few of his friends. I hadn't realized that I get seasick after a few hours of sitting in a rocking boat. Not cool. But we did have some fun out there before I got too green.

Austin reeled in our first catch of the day - a baby shark.



I reeled in our second catch of the day, another baby shark. We ended up catching another baby shark, and no fish. Sad to say, there are 3 more angry sharks out there in the water.

Neon Rainbow, Alan Jackson's boat. A little piece of country right there in South Florida.

Dh and his dad coming back from fishing.


One of the highlights of the trip was having dh's friend from school come down with his family to dh's parents' house. We went up to the top of the Jupiter Lighthouse and saw this beautiful view. Plus, look at the houses on the closest part of land - those are CG housing. Not bad a bad place to be stationed!


Dh and Wonyoung on the top of the Jupiter Lighthouse.

Wearing one of my favorite tshirts. Can you read what it says?


We went to the Oceanographic Institute? or something like that, and got to feed stingrays.


You hold the food like this... and then the rays come over your hand and suck it up. It's a weird feeling and took me a while to be brave enough to not move my hand away while feeding it.
Trying to sneak one of the snacks...

Dh and I on a manatee...

Another highlight was spending lots of time with our family - especially nephew Curren! He's at a fun age and is "talking" a lot.

I found them!

Just in case you were curious, these are the songs I was looking for -

Chevy by Baba B from the album Squeeze Me, Tease Me

Sweet Cherry Bomb by Nuff Sedd

Goodness, I miss Hawaiian music. If anyone wants to listen, KAPA radio streams online, and is from the Big Island.

Happy New Year!

Dh and I have spent the last week in Florida with his parents, so my internet access has been sporadic.

I want to wish you all a happy and healthy new year!

ps - does anyone know who sings the jawaiian songs "your body is built like a chevy" or "sweet cherry bomb"? DH's cousin liked them when she came to visit and I can't remember who sings them.