From the Foodie in Me
Cooking Class!
So I mentioned last week that I was going to interview for a position to teach a cooking class.
Well the interview went really well! I got the job with some homework stipulations. I need to write up a class summary and an outline for my classes. I'll be teaching 2 classes:
Southern Comfort Foods and Basic Mexican
My Southern Comfort Foods will focus on Chicken fried steak, some veggies, scalloped potatoes. I'm still working on which veggies I want to incorporate. The director and I sat down for a long time. He suggested greens. I hate greens. ick. I'm open to other ideas if you have them.
Tomorrow I'll let you know what's in store for my Mexican Cooking Class.
Around Town
Comedy Showcase at the DC Improv
My friend Anna is quite the character. She is taking a comedy class and the class is premiering their showcase this Thursday at the DC improv. Tickets are $10.
Come see future stars in the making!
Weird Personal Fact of the Day
I don't wear makeup. Have I said this one already? I can't remember. But I don't wear makeup, which is weird for a girl my age. In the morning I would rather sleep an extra 10 minutes than put on makeup. Plus, I don't like the way it feels on my face. After about 2 hours I feel like I'm wearing a thin layer of goop. Not a fan.
Diet in the Life of Tina
No breakfast
1/2 a can of Progresso fat free for lunch (120 calories)
Dinner: tbd
Books/TV/Movies
Ive been super slacking in the reading area lately. I moved and all Ive really read are chick lit books and reread the classics that I love.
In the mean time here is a list of my top 5 favorite books when I was a child.
The list is in no particular order as they are favorites from different ages.
1. The Gingerbread Man- when I was little (age 3) my parents didn't have a lot of money for things like books so I had a very limited selection. Still my mom read to me every night. Apparently I was very enamored with The Ginegerbread Man, my mom however grew to hate the book. So finally she went out and bought me a bunch of children's books. I was delighted. every night I choose a new book for her to read to me... right before she read me The Gingerbread Man.
2. Where the Wild Things Are - I think I liked this book when I was about 4. My favorite part was that I figured out at the end that it wasn't real. I remember being really proud of myself for knowing that Max just imagined the place where the wild things are. How did I know it was imaginary? When he came home his dinner was still hot.
3. Nora's Castle - Age 5. In this book a little girl, Nora, explores a castle on a hillside. I remember so wishing that I lived near a castle I could explore. This book is very short, and hardly any narration, but it lets the reader imagine themselves in a castle.
4. Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs - Age 5/6. I remember thinking this book was so sad. It introduces the idea of death. It's definitely a book for a kid who can handle mature topics, but it's an excellent way to explain things.
5. Beverly Cleary Books - Age 8. I cant pick just one. I loved all of them as a child. The Ramona books, especially. I can't imagine not having this series as a kid.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun...
The Cindi Lauper song is completely true. I had a lot of fun this weekend, old school style.FridayFrank was gone for the weekend. He was bachelor party-ing it up in Montreal so I went over to Annie's after work and basically stayed the whole weekend. We made apple pie:
On Saturday we did a little shopping. I needed a dress to wear to the Crosby/Dziok wedding. I found a KICKASS dress at Marshall's for $20! I think it will also be my dress for Christmas parties. I am poor right now so I have to abstain from buying new shoes, but nonetheless I'm really excited as I haven't had a new dress in forever.
After that Annie and I took a long walk with Hamilton and and when we got back I started preparing a dish for Sarah's pumpkin potluck. I'm in no way a pumpkin enthusiast. I don't even like pumpkin pie. I went in feeling a little trepidation, however, I ended up LOVING a lot of the stuff there. My favorite dish of the evening was Sarah's pumpkin soup. It was amazing. Super savory with tons of spices. Two thumbs up
When I got back to Annie's after the potluck we began a girls sleepover, middle school style...plus booze. We drank, watched TV and played games. It was a lot of fun. Annie also had the brilliant idea that we all clean out our closets and have a clothing swap! We made her office a store and had a blast. All the remaining clothing we donated to Goodwill. This is a great thing to do with your friends. It forces you to clean out your closet, you make a tax deductible donation and you walk away with a few new items of clothing that you didn't have to pay for!
Pics of our store that I lifted from Annie's blog:
On Sunday we made a trip to Dunkin donuts for breakfast. After that Annie and I headed to C-grill to watch football.
11.@FWebb your face isn't good
On Saturday we did a little shopping. I needed a dress to wear to the Crosby/Dziok wedding. I found a KICKASS dress at Marshall's for $20! I think it will also be my dress for Christmas parties. I am poor right now so I have to abstain from buying new shoes, but nonetheless I'm really excited as I haven't had a new dress in forever.
After that Annie and I took a long walk with Hamilton and and when we got back I started preparing a dish for Sarah's pumpkin potluck. I'm in no way a pumpkin enthusiast. I don't even like pumpkin pie. I went in feeling a little trepidation, however, I ended up LOVING a lot of the stuff there. My favorite dish of the evening was Sarah's pumpkin soup. It was amazing. Super savory with tons of spices. Two thumbs up
When I got back to Annie's after the potluck we began a girls sleepover, middle school style...plus booze. We drank, watched TV and played games. It was a lot of fun. Annie also had the brilliant idea that we all clean out our closets and have a clothing swap! We made her office a store and had a blast. All the remaining clothing we donated to Goodwill. This is a great thing to do with your friends. It forces you to clean out your closet, you make a tax deductible donation and you walk away with a few new items of clothing that you didn't have to pay for!
Pics of our store that I lifted from Annie's blog:
On Sunday we made a trip to Dunkin donuts for breakfast. After that Annie and I headed to C-grill to watch football.
All in all a great weekend!
Weird Personal Fact of the Day
Annie thinks I have too many weird quirks. I think her face has too many weird quirks.
Also, I hate when people don't pull their socks up all the way and there is extra sock material at their toes, then they put on their shoes... ** shudder** seriously, hate it.
From the Foodie in Me
My friend Sarah had a pumpkin themed potluck party on Saturday night. I think the best dish of the night, by far, was her pumpkin soup. (And I'm not just saying that cause she reads my blog, I'm the kind of friend who is brutally honest.)
She lifted the recipe from Food Network. In all it's glory, plus her added tips!
notes:i roasted pumpkin first, just cut in half. took lid off to make halfing easier) cut side down in cookiesheet with some water. scoop out seeds for roasting or trashing. i did three of the pie sized pumpkins for the double recipe as it was a vague measurement. i think 350 for 2 hours. but many places give times.. and some cooking will happen on stove.. really just makes scooping flesh easier.
also, i would pull out bay leaves and maybe twiggy herbs (but leave leaves from twigs) before immersian blending. (you can blend soup in a reg blender-- but from my experience only a little at a time, and leave air hole open.. lest you want soup on your walls.)
i obv used the high end of meat 2 lb and wine (gives a range) and did half mild sausage and half sweet chicken sausage.
and black pepper worked fine.
also, i would pull out bay leaves and maybe twiggy herbs (but leave leaves from twigs) before immersian blending. (you can blend soup in a reg blender-- but from my experience only a little at a time, and leave air hole open.. lest you want soup on your walls.)
i obv used the high end of meat 2 lb and wine (gives a range) and did half mild sausage and half sweet chicken sausage.
and black pepper worked fine.
Tweeting and Football
I am a huge twitter fan, but during the week I just don't have the time to send out many updates. I make up for this during the weekend watching football. I tweet like a madwoman, it's like being in the same room with me (according to a few friends).
This was from 2 weeks ago all mostly tweeted in the last 2 minutes of the game. Dallas, needless to say, lost to Denver. :
1. Home for the second half. We've always been a second half team. Go Dallas!
2. First down! Love the turnovers when they aren't made by Romo.
3. F-ing A. I jinxed it.
4. Son of a bitch.
5. F-ing... son of a... shit.
6. That's your fault romo. That should have made 10, not 17. Try not to throw picks and we won't have this problem.
7. Heart attack city.
8. Losing my shit
9. They are trying to kill me
10. Fuck
11. Pissed.
12. FWebb @tinacordova you practically simulate the live "watching-a-cowboys-loss-with-Tina" experience over Twitter. Nice.
13. CIRAME like I was there RT @FWebb: @tinacordova U practically simulate the live "watching-a-cowboys-loss-with-Tina" experience ovr twttr. Nice.
14. hollyjackson So true! RT @FWebb: @tinacordova you practically simulate the live "watching-a-cowboys-loss-with-Tina" experience over Twitter. Nice.
This was from yesterday. Dallas was losing and it was tied, ended up going into overtime with both teams having posession of the ball twice. Dallas ended up winning, but my phone actually died in the first quarter, otherwise there would have been many more tweets.
1. Watching the game live from c-grill. Come join me!
2. Enjoying the state of Texas on KC helmets. They used to be thr Dallas Texans. Woo throwback jerseys.
3. You've got to be fucking kidding me. Fumbling a punt? Be prepared for foul mouthed tina. She comes out when the cowboys are sucking.
4. Dallas is trying to kill me. they're succeeding.
5. Flozell I'd twisting the knife.
6. Kansas city isn't winning cause theryre good. Kc is winning cause dallas special teams can't get their shit together.
7.Sacks and defense. That's what I'm talking about.
8.Go for it!!!! Gaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!
9. On the board. Missing TO
10.FWebb @tinacordova classic! Love me some angry-cowboys-losing Tina Tweets. KC isn't good, but word is getting out: Dallas isn't either.
11.@FWebb your face isn't good
12. my phone died after my last tweet which is why the cowboys commentary stopped. Probably for the best as I was about to have a heart attack.
Basically what I'm saying is I really love my football. The Texan in me always makes me a bit nuts during football season. I blame my parents who are both more diehard than I am.
I'm also saying you should follow me on twitter!
@tinacordova !!!
Quest to Loose 10 Pounds
So in no way do I want to make this a weight loss blog, but let's just say I can stand to loose a few pounds. My immediate goal is 10 pounds by a November 6th wedding.
However if you are interested in a a weight loss blog you should read: www.losingweightinthecity.com
It's my friend Theo's quest to shed her weight. It's super inspiring and entertaining.
Today: banana breakfast, progresso lunch, grilled chicken dinner. Running after work.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Landlord Hell
I'm in landlord hell. I moved into a great house in Ballston about 2 months ago. It's a cute place, and I have great roommates. It's a bit of an older house, which I like. After living in New Orleans for 4 years I have come to realize that I like houses with a little more character than your standard mcmansion. This however is the first time I've ever had problems with a landlord. I consider myself extremely lucky. Right now our air conditioning/heating system has been broken for over a month. It desperately needs to be replaced but the owners aren't letting the management company replace it. I've been pestering them for the last month (especially after the 2 freezing cold days we had) to fix it. They still haven't. Next I threaten legal action.
From the Foodie in Me
A few months ago I applied for a teaching job as a cook at the Arlington Learning Center. No one ever called me back, so I figured nothing ever came of it. Yesterday I got a call and they want me to come in and interview tomorrow for a position. I'm really excited about this. First of all the extra cash would be nice, second of all I think teaching cooking would be a lot of fun. The classes I suggested are "Mexican Cooking" (duh) and "Southern Comfort Foods".
I think I'll take a few suggestions with me on some recipes I'd teach. Any suggestions from those of you who have tasted my food before? Please let me know!
Learning Code
I went to a crazy awesome high school. It was a private prep school. I swear I learned more useful skills there than I did in college. One of the classes I took was "Webmastering". I learned how to make my own website and write HTML. Unfortunately I didn't keep up with those skills in college and 10 years have passed since I took that class. As many of you know I'm not exactly thrilled with my current job so I'm always looking for ways for my resume to stand out in this tough job market. I think writing code is a great thing to put on there so I started taking this online DIY tutorial for writing code. I'm on like lesson 10 of 100 or something, but I'm still really excited. Not only can I add this to my resume but I'm also building a website where I can sell the items I've formerly been putting on ETSY. Stay tuned in for more about that later.
From the Foodie in Me, Again
I went apple picking with Bill and Lydia this weekend. I have a bag full of apples, aside from your basic pie, I'm looking for apple recipes. Let me know if you have a good one!
From the Foodie in Me
A few months ago I applied for a teaching job as a cook at the Arlington Learning Center. No one ever called me back, so I figured nothing ever came of it. Yesterday I got a call and they want me to come in and interview tomorrow for a position. I'm really excited about this. First of all the extra cash would be nice, second of all I think teaching cooking would be a lot of fun. The classes I suggested are "Mexican Cooking" (duh) and "Southern Comfort Foods".
I think I'll take a few suggestions with me on some recipes I'd teach. Any suggestions from those of you who have tasted my food before? Please let me know!
Learning Code
I went to a crazy awesome high school. It was a private prep school. I swear I learned more useful skills there than I did in college. One of the classes I took was "Webmastering". I learned how to make my own website and write HTML. Unfortunately I didn't keep up with those skills in college and 10 years have passed since I took that class. As many of you know I'm not exactly thrilled with my current job so I'm always looking for ways for my resume to stand out in this tough job market. I think writing code is a great thing to put on there so I started taking this online DIY tutorial for writing code. I'm on like lesson 10 of 100 or something, but I'm still really excited. Not only can I add this to my resume but I'm also building a website where I can sell the items I've formerly been putting on ETSY. Stay tuned in for more about that later.
From the Foodie in Me, Again
I went apple picking with Bill and Lydia this weekend. I have a bag full of apples, aside from your basic pie, I'm looking for apple recipes. Let me know if you have a good one!
Friday, October 2, 2009
5 Day Workweeks Suck
They just do. I have come to the realization that people were not meant to work five day workweeks. Think about the amount of work you do each week. Not the hours you spend at work, but the actual amount of work you do. How many of you could accomplish that work in 2-3 days work time? I know I could. Sure there are weeks when you're insanely busy, but then there are weeks when you sit around watching hulu all day long.
Yesterday a girl in my office and I were chatting about her lawyer friend. This friend puts in 100 hours a week at her law firm. She banks about 120K a year. If you divide this out hourly, this girl makes about $23 an hour. For a normal 40 hour work week $23 an hour comes to about 50K a year. Kinda makes you think.
I don't want anyone to say that I'm disparaging lawyers. I have my own lawyer friend who works insane hours, but I also have lawyer friends who don't have jobs. In this economy if you have a job you need to work the extra hours to prove you belong there, versus the other unemployed people who would love to have your job. However, I've come more and more to the conclusion that I don't want to work at something that I hate doing.
While I don't exactly hate my job (at least not the way I hated LI) I still don't think it's the job for me. I'm not the kind of person who can sit behind a desk for 8 hours a day. It's starting to make me very unhappy. I'm taking drastic steps to make my life exactly what I want it to be. I'm helping to plan more events here and there, and I'm looking into part time gigs where I can build a portfolio and make contacts. Okay, enough of my rambling for now.
Microsoft
How many of you know Microsoft suite? Like not just know how to open it and do the basic things, but how to really use it? Can you create formulas in Excel? Can you add media effects to a PowerPoint? Can you create a database in Access?
I can do all of these things. I never thought much of it till I went to college and others had no idea how to do these things. Then when I started work here I found people always calling my desk to ask me questions, Excel questions in particular. I learned these things in high school. I remember them being drilled into my head, we took a computer class entirely devoted to Microsoft. I never realized how cutting edge the high school was until I got out in the "real world". I just find it interesting.
Wheels
Sarah dropped off my car last night. I am super excited to have wheels again. I think I wanna name my new car. Any suggestions?
Movies/TV/Books
Anyone wanna see Whip It this weekend?
Yesterday a girl in my office and I were chatting about her lawyer friend. This friend puts in 100 hours a week at her law firm. She banks about 120K a year. If you divide this out hourly, this girl makes about $23 an hour. For a normal 40 hour work week $23 an hour comes to about 50K a year. Kinda makes you think.
I don't want anyone to say that I'm disparaging lawyers. I have my own lawyer friend who works insane hours, but I also have lawyer friends who don't have jobs. In this economy if you have a job you need to work the extra hours to prove you belong there, versus the other unemployed people who would love to have your job. However, I've come more and more to the conclusion that I don't want to work at something that I hate doing.
While I don't exactly hate my job (at least not the way I hated LI) I still don't think it's the job for me. I'm not the kind of person who can sit behind a desk for 8 hours a day. It's starting to make me very unhappy. I'm taking drastic steps to make my life exactly what I want it to be. I'm helping to plan more events here and there, and I'm looking into part time gigs where I can build a portfolio and make contacts. Okay, enough of my rambling for now.
Microsoft
How many of you know Microsoft suite? Like not just know how to open it and do the basic things, but how to really use it? Can you create formulas in Excel? Can you add media effects to a PowerPoint? Can you create a database in Access?
I can do all of these things. I never thought much of it till I went to college and others had no idea how to do these things. Then when I started work here I found people always calling my desk to ask me questions, Excel questions in particular. I learned these things in high school. I remember them being drilled into my head, we took a computer class entirely devoted to Microsoft. I never realized how cutting edge the high school was until I got out in the "real world". I just find it interesting.
Wheels
Sarah dropped off my car last night. I am super excited to have wheels again. I think I wanna name my new car. Any suggestions?
Movies/TV/Books
Anyone wanna see Whip It this weekend?
Thursday, October 1, 2009
If You Could be Friends With Anyone Famous...
Who would you pick?
I'd pick Drew Barrymore. She just seems so f-ing cool. She's down to earth, and has an "I don't give a fuck" attitude. I love that. I feel like I could hang out with her at Jay's and she'd be totally down with that.
Weird Personal Fact of the Day
I don't wear makeup. I hate it. It feels like there is goop all over my face. I'm secretly terrified of the day I have to start wearing makeup. Boo old age.
The DMV
I know that everyone has heard people rant about the DMV. I know it isnt news to hear how awful they are. But this is my blog, I'll rant if I like.
The DMV sucks.
I recently moved. I went online to change my address. In order to change my address online I need to request a PIN number. They send this pin number to you at your old address... wtf? How does that make any sense at all. It's the 21st century people. Use email! Saves everyone time and money.
Crafting
I know I haven't been keeping my craft blog up to date, but expect all new crafts starting next week. On the agenda are 1. a mask for a masquerade ball. 2. How to make a purse out of a place mat. 3. Decoupaged tables. Get excited.
I'd pick Drew Barrymore. She just seems so f-ing cool. She's down to earth, and has an "I don't give a fuck" attitude. I love that. I feel like I could hang out with her at Jay's and she'd be totally down with that.
Weird Personal Fact of the Day
I don't wear makeup. I hate it. It feels like there is goop all over my face. I'm secretly terrified of the day I have to start wearing makeup. Boo old age.
The DMV
I know that everyone has heard people rant about the DMV. I know it isnt news to hear how awful they are. But this is my blog, I'll rant if I like.
The DMV sucks.
I recently moved. I went online to change my address. In order to change my address online I need to request a PIN number. They send this pin number to you at your old address... wtf? How does that make any sense at all. It's the 21st century people. Use email! Saves everyone time and money.
Crafting
I know I haven't been keeping my craft blog up to date, but expect all new crafts starting next week. On the agenda are 1. a mask for a masquerade ball. 2. How to make a purse out of a place mat. 3. Decoupaged tables. Get excited.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Bitches is Crazy
Every once in awhile a guy will remark on how crazy girls are, or on the crazy things we do.
We are indeed crazy. We know this. We try and hide it as much as we can, but sometimes the cup of crazy runneth over, and this is what you get to see.
I can't count the number of times I have flown off the handle for no reason. Should I apologize to my significant other? Yes. Do I apologize? Almost never.
For all you men out there. Just accept the crazy, don't try to understand it, or rationalize it. Reason and logic don't belong in girl world.
Football
Dallas Cowboys won last night. I think everyone should know.
Weird Personal Fact of the Day
I don't like scented lotion. It's too much. I don't want to walk around all day smelling like green tea, vanilla, ginger, apple, cinnamon....
Weekend Shenanigans
I'm babysitting this weekend at a hotel. Sounds sketchy right? The people I normally babysit for have friends in town for a high school reunion. They are staying in VA, and have asked me to babysit for their kids. This will be interesting for a few reasons. First, there is the hotel aspect. Luckily the hotel has a pool, so the kids should be occupied for a good amount of time with that. I have no idea what I'll do when it's bed time though. Also, the kids are older. I normally babysit for kids who are 4 or younger. I think this is easier. You are an authority figure, so they have to listen to you. These kids are 9 and 7. It'll be fun, I'm sure, but completely different than what I'm used to.
Also going to Annapolis this weekend with the Popa. Should be fun.
Adoption
I babysit for a family who is adopting their second child this December. They are so excited for the opportunity to welcome another child into their home (they already have one little girl who is adopted). I couldn't be happier for them. I think adoption is one of the hardest best things you could ever do.
I can't even begin to pretend I know the heartache that comes with giving a child away. I can't imagine being faced with a harder decision. But I have witnessed first hand the joy and happiness that comes with bringing a child into your home. I know lots of people that are adopted, or have adopted children, their lives are completed by this process. They are given a family.
Okay, that's the end of my schpiel.
We are indeed crazy. We know this. We try and hide it as much as we can, but sometimes the cup of crazy runneth over, and this is what you get to see.
I can't count the number of times I have flown off the handle for no reason. Should I apologize to my significant other? Yes. Do I apologize? Almost never.
For all you men out there. Just accept the crazy, don't try to understand it, or rationalize it. Reason and logic don't belong in girl world.
Football
Dallas Cowboys won last night. I think everyone should know.
Weird Personal Fact of the Day
I don't like scented lotion. It's too much. I don't want to walk around all day smelling like green tea, vanilla, ginger, apple, cinnamon....
Weekend Shenanigans
I'm babysitting this weekend at a hotel. Sounds sketchy right? The people I normally babysit for have friends in town for a high school reunion. They are staying in VA, and have asked me to babysit for their kids. This will be interesting for a few reasons. First, there is the hotel aspect. Luckily the hotel has a pool, so the kids should be occupied for a good amount of time with that. I have no idea what I'll do when it's bed time though. Also, the kids are older. I normally babysit for kids who are 4 or younger. I think this is easier. You are an authority figure, so they have to listen to you. These kids are 9 and 7. It'll be fun, I'm sure, but completely different than what I'm used to.
Also going to Annapolis this weekend with the Popa. Should be fun.
Adoption
I babysit for a family who is adopting their second child this December. They are so excited for the opportunity to welcome another child into their home (they already have one little girl who is adopted). I couldn't be happier for them. I think adoption is one of the hardest best things you could ever do.
I can't even begin to pretend I know the heartache that comes with giving a child away. I can't imagine being faced with a harder decision. But I have witnessed first hand the joy and happiness that comes with bringing a child into your home. I know lots of people that are adopted, or have adopted children, their lives are completed by this process. They are given a family.
Okay, that's the end of my schpiel.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Random Weekend Antics
I drove into the city twice this weekend. I participated in a bridal shower and a bachelorette party. I had a lot of fun, and although I didnt drink a lot I did have one cigarette, and made it home about 3am. Reminds me of college.
From the Foodie in Me
Cafe Odeon
This place is in Dupont. It lots of Italian food. The food was decent and the prices were very reasonable but our service sucked. I am a huge service person, I feel that bad service will really impact your meal. While I realize that everyone sometimes gets "in the weeds" (service talk for "really busy"), I have no tolerance for lots of people standing around doing nothing. That's what I saw a lot of. With all the great places to eat, I don't know that I'd go back to this place.
Around Town
I think I mentioned that Lebowski Fest is in town. Tonight at the 9:30 Club.
The dude abides.
From the Foodie in Me
Cafe Odeon
This place is in Dupont. It lots of Italian food. The food was decent and the prices were very reasonable but our service sucked. I am a huge service person, I feel that bad service will really impact your meal. While I realize that everyone sometimes gets "in the weeds" (service talk for "really busy"), I have no tolerance for lots of people standing around doing nothing. That's what I saw a lot of. With all the great places to eat, I don't know that I'd go back to this place.
Around Town
I think I mentioned that Lebowski Fest is in town. Tonight at the 9:30 Club.
The dude abides.
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