#6 Today I learned...

1/30/12 - Today I learned that "ketchup is shunned in the hot dog world".

Not only was today a Monday, but it was an AWFUL day. I love being a teacher, but sometimes you just have bad days. Teaching, in my opinion, is much different from other professions in that it is incredibly personal. When attacked by a parent or criticized (even constructively) by a superior, if feels like you personally are being reprimanded. That day, all in the matter of the last hour of school, I had three separate things happen, all of which brought me down from my usual chipper self to tears. Parents can be brutal.

Though we usually get sushi on Monday nights, that morning my boyfriend and I had decided to make hot dogs. He is a great cook, and proclaimed that he made amazing dogs; I had been craving a good one for weeks, and so it was settled. I texted him after my breakdown, desperately imploring him to follow through on him promise. He did per usual, and was he true to his word! Great!

He is quite the hot dog connoisseur, and is full of useless knowledge about the food. Apparently, "Ketchup is shunned in the hot dog world"; in the really good hot dog stands, the won't put ketchup on your dog. Its fresh tomatoes, all the way.

#5 Today I learned...

1/29/12 - Today I learned about the Verichip.

http://epic.org/privacy/rfid/verichip.html

This implantable chip has been used for years in tracking certain soldiers in the army, as well as more recently in domesticated dogs, lest they wander off.

However, now it's being used in humans. Watch a fox news report on how it's being promoted for Alzheimer's patients. Scary Big Brother stuff!

#4 Today I learned...

1/28/12 - Today I learned that adding hot sauce to soup is a GREAT idea.

One of my favorite cooking  blogs of the moment is Closet Cooking. It's very creative and inspiring food-wise, and I have tried many of the recipes laid on on the site. I was a bit skeptical about adding hot sauce to my Buffalo Chicken Chowder,  but, as always, Kevin knows best!

The boyfriend came to join me for dinner, Waiting patiently while I finished the soup and popped a simple apple crisp in the oven for dessert. The soup is really delicious, and the bleu cheese really adds something to the spicy hot sauce. 

We cuddled on the couch afterwards, giggling at random comments, as two tired people do. As with most inside jokes, I don't know where this one came from, but suddenly we were thinking of as many words we could that rhymed with "down". Now, if someone says "You down with that", We don't respond with the typical, "I'm down." Exchanges go a little something like this:

"You down with that?"

"I'm down like a round brown clown with and upside down crown/"

"Wow. He's really down!"

Everybody is someone else's wierdo... and I am my one!

#3 Today I learned...

1/27/12 - Today I learned that killer whales were the largest member of the dolphin family.

It was one of the last days of the semester, and, with little reason to introduce new material to the 8th graders, I decided to introduce them to one of my favorite things: Pub Trivia. Minus the pub, of course.

We divided into teams, and each team received an answer sheet. We completes 5 rounds of trivia, each themed. Science, Culture, Spanish, even Geography: Students had to number the given countries on a map. Americans are known for their poor geography - I was shocked at how few people knew where Greece was!

I did my research on random facts for the activity, and came up with quite a few interesting things I didn't know, one being the above mentioned fact on killer "whales". One of the things I love most about teaching is the fact that it not only keeps the students' learning, but yourself as well!

#2 Today i learned...

1/26/12 - Today I learned how to make glace-iced cookies.

First, sugar cookies. I cut them in circles for a nice and easy first attempt. I had never made sugar cookies before, and this seemed an easy recipe to follow. It was, and they turned out delicious.

Next, followed the tutorial on Our Best Bites blog. I feel like the first time I make anything, it never turns out just right. It takes two, three attempts to really master the skill. This was true for glace icing as well - i misjudged the consistency of the icing so that it was too runny, resulting in drippy cookies all over the pan. Word to the wise - when icing cookies like this, make sure it is THICK!

I did manage one or two good looking cookies. Not that looks matter - they all were delicious!

#1 Today I learned...

I have had this idea for a book for a long time, but have sporadically made advances in bringing it to life. As one of my many New Years Resolutions (yes, I am one of those that has about 50 of them, and will only make it to the first 5), I will be blogging more, and being more conscientious in my efforts in writing. I do love to write, but it seems that in the constant buzz that is my daily life, I forget to find the time to sit quietly at a computer and indulge in my hobby.

I am passionate about learning, something that might have a bit to do with my career choice. I am always trying something new, and eager to learn more about anything. They say that you learn something new everyday, and everyday I find this is true. I plan to chronicle the things I learn everyday, while at the same time preserving the context in which I learned these things.

1/25/12 - Today I learned there are Canadian teams that plan in the USA's national Sports leagues.

I don't know how this came up, but it was during a normal routine conversation I was having with the boyfriend after school. I was seated at the island in the kitchen of his  home, while he cooked up a frozen pizza for us for dinner, taking care to add the extra cheese and red pepper flakes that we both loved. I had changed from my professional wear into giant sweatpants and a hoodie, my favorite afterwork attire.  He was still in work clothes, which just happened to be the same. Lucky.

It doesn't really make sense, does it? Canadian teams playing in the NATIONAL leagues of the US. The name should really be changed to International, but then that opens up a whole new can of worms. Wouldn't other countries want to join? What's so special about Canada that they can join but others can't? Nothing against Canada, but it doesn't seem very fair.

Anyhow, it's funny how one learned fact can bring back a whole sensory experience; the warmth of his clothes, the cold beer I was drinking, and the sense of relaxation I felt having good conversation there in the kitchen. An ordinary night, yes, but one I am glad to remember.

Chicken and Dumplings, with a Jalapeno twist.

As a first attempt at this comforting dish, I must say that I did pretty well. Chicken and Dumplings remind me of cold winter evenings around the kitchen table with my family, laughing at something ridiculous my Dad said, listening to Mom relate an interesting biblical antecdote learnt from her Master's study, or standing by as my sister burst into tears after discovered someone ate one of "her" pudding cups that my mother had purchased at the store for the family to enjoy. All good memories, all elicited by this dish!

Dumpling can be tricky, though, and mine did turn out a bit denser that I would have liked. I also couldn't resist adding one of my favorite ingredients, the jalapeno pepper. I sauteed them with the onions and added a few cumin seeds to up the flavor.

The base recipe can be found here. Add j-peppers, corn, peas, butter, and cumin for some added YUM.

French Onion Soup: The cure for the work-day blues.

After a long day at work, the boyfriend turned to me and said, "If I buy the stuff, will you make me french onion soup?" I sighed in feigned submission, secretly hiding the fact that I was thrilled with the idea. These moments can be used in successfully soliciting future favors; "Please won't you (insert undesirable task here)? But remember that time I made you french onion soup?"

French onion soup  is one of those soups that has all the ingredients that make you feel warm and good inside. The rich broth, the crunchy crostini, and the required overdose of cheese all meld together to leave you feeling satisfied. Even writing about it makes me want to whip up another batch!

This time, I added a little Worchestire sauce to the broth. A great addition, and a great evening followed!