Oh, and I thought I was busy before...

This week was brutal, absolutely brutal... I had to (1) write a research paper, with only minimum preps done prior to this week; (2) finish creating an instructional module, conduct formative evaluation, and then write a report; (3) write a term paper; and (4) of course, keep teaching, attending a myriad of meetings, answering tons end-of-semester emails, etc.

Surprise, surprise -- I am also sick this week; usual stuff -- runny nose, stuffed sinuses, sneezing, a slight fever... Doing pretty good, though -- finishing up my last assignment, the term paper. Then lots and lots of grading... and another research proposal... and consulting project... and getting ready for the next semester... and taking three classes in May... and -- ah, better stop complaining! :)

Anyway, I will finish the paper in another hour or so and then will enjoy my dinner. Haven't cooked lately so tonight no frozen dinners for me!

Cranberry-Pine Nuts Meatballs
Yeah, sounds weird -- but this recipe is yummy... ;)



Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground lamb (or ground beef if you don't like lamb)


• salt, black pepper, and any other spices of your choice


• 1 small onion, finely chopped


• frozen cranberry


• pine nuts


• chicken or beef stock


• butter or olive oil


• 5 small tomatoes


• peppercorns, bay leaves

Slightly roast pine nuts on a dry skillet. Set aside. Saute chopped onion in a little bit of butter or olive oil until golden brown. Add spices of your choice to the ground meat and mix well until it sticks well together.

Divide seasoned meat into 10 parts, roll into a ball, then flatten. Place some sauteed onions, cranberries, and pine nuts in the middle; you can also add some butter for added juiceness if you like; form into a meatball.
Boil chicken or beef stock in a large pot. Add some peppercorns and bay leaves. Add meatballs and cook until meatballs surface; approximately 15 minutes. Remove meatballs.

Preheat oven to 400 F. Cut each tomato in half. Place meatballs and tomato halves into the baking dish, mixing them up. Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes or until both meatballs and tomatoes are slightly browned.

Enjoy!

Cool!

I created an instructional module for one of my courses and tested it with two of my classes so far. To my surprise, students loved the module so much, about half of them wanted a blank copy for their personal use. It felt like kids requesting more veggies! :0

Yeah, I know -- I am crazy! ;)

Insanely busy...

I have so much to do it's scary...

Swimming Lessons

I am taking swimming lessons this summer and looks like I can test my skills later... Click on the link below and scroll to Step 23 to find out why... :)

Swimming Practice

What was I thinking???

The past several weeks have been absolutely insane, mainly because I am juggling way too many projects. There is a research paper that should have been completed, like, two weeks ago? Another project is due next week but really need to work on it this week just in case something unpredictable comes up. Meanwhile, I am working on a design project because (1) they pay me well, (2) if I break this contract, I probably won't get additional opportunities from this editor again, and (3) it happens to be fun. Am I crazy???

Oh, I should also mention teaching seven classes (yes, 7) and doing minor projects for two classes. Somehow I managed to sneak some personal-professional (don't ask -- too complicated) time with a friend, too? ;) Yep, I should be committed!

I am curious -- if I survive the next two years and finish my doctorate, what will I do with all that free time? Hee-hee -- what free time? I am sure something else will occupy the vacuum.

Brrrrrrr....

It's too cold for April! Yesterday, we even had freezing rain for 30 mins or so, even though it was ridiculously hot (and I mean -- hot) earlier in the week. Today, it's still chilly. I shouldn't complain, though -- summers here are extremely hot and humid so we will get plenty of hot days. Actually, I am enjoying the cool weather -- bundled up in a sweatshirt and enjoying a cup of coffee. ;)

Talking about coffee, I better not make another cup -- trying to stay awake since I have so much to do but I am already jittery from too much caffeine. But this French Vanilla coffee is so good...

Ugh, what a visitor!

One of my advisees stopped by today to chat about classes s/he needs to take... and proceeded to devour candy on my desk. I keep a basket of Life Savers and just refilled it recently so it was almost full. When the person left, I discovered that s/he must have eaten at least 20 pieces!!! No, I am not complaining about candy -- it's for students anyway, I stay away from that basket. But I am concerned about that person -- it's not healthy to go through 20 Life Savers in 5-10 minutes.

Only three weeks left???

According to the calendar, we only have three weeks of classes (and then finals) left. It's exciting and scary at the same time. This semester has been a whirlwind of personal and professional events and I haven't been able to catch my breath, always moving from one thing to another. So, yes, I am ready for a short break (very short -- like two days) but also anxious about several major projects that have to be completed, three by the end of April and one by the end of May. I don't even want to think about grades at this point.

However, I know I will be fine. Many things have happened this semester that have changed me as a person, both personally and professionally; in a good way, I think. The future is uncertain, as always (who knows what will happen the next moment?) but full of potential so I choose to be happy and upbeat, ready to conquer those projects and enjoy my break as much as I can.

It's been one year!

I created this blog on April 1, 2006. Looking back, I realize I haven't written much but there were days when sharing with blogosphere helped me to reflect on whatever was going on, lift my chin, and march on. Many thanks to all of you who stop by and read my ramblings!