Author: Lara

This author has written 820 articles

Bedridden

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Because I apparently have the immune system of a preemie, I’m sick…again. If you’re counting this is about the 5th cold I’ve had since late November. My question is, where is the damn cold vaccine!? Because I need it pronto. I’m thinking my poor health this year is NOT due to the insane number of kids I work with every day (because I worked with an insane number of kids every day in Texas) but rather to the Ohio allergens and Cincinnati-area strains of viruses my body has not accustomed or built up an immunity to yet and the rapid climate changes we’ve been experiencing all season. Either way, I’m over it. When you work four jobs – most of which are hourly and therefore you are paid for being present – and when you work in professional theatre and teach children and don’t have the option to bring in a substitute when you’re feeling under the weather, you don’t quite have time…at all…to be sick. I’ve spent the past three days in bed and I still feel awful. I have stocked up on multi-vitamins and Emergen-C packets to hopefully tide me through the rest of the school year until I can figure out a permanent fix to boost my shoddy immune system.

In other news, I made Hungarian chicken paprikash with spaetzel tonight for dinner. Several years ago my parents hosted some Hungarian friends at our house for a while. Georgie (not her Hungarian name, but her chosen American name) made the world’s most delicious homemade spaetzel (kind of like dumpling noodles, but she made them from scratch) with chicken paprika. I remember it being out of this world amazing. Later we took a two-week trip to visit them in Hungary and to visit my brother and his family in Germany. In Hungary Georgie cooked more delicious meals and they took us out to eat at a lakeside restaurant that served the most phenomenal Hungarian fish stew in individual cast iron kettles. It was divine. Lately I’ve been thinking about all of Georgie’s delicious cooking and really had a craving to savor some of those flavors again and introduce them to Ted. Because I’m sick and not skilled enough to make spaetzel from scratch, I bought the store bought stuff – which was a very poor substitute for Georgie’s authentic spaetzel, but it worked nonetheless. And though the chicken paprikash wasn’t exactly like Georgie’s, it will still pretty good and did it’s job to help ease my craving. My next cooking projects will be Rouladen and Hungarian Fish Stew.

In the meanwhile, I continue to recover as best I can…

What have you been up to lately?

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Goodbyes

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Late in the week we took a short road trip from Cincy to Chicago for my grandpa’s memorial service and burial. Though it wasn’t the most joyous of occasions, it was a beautiful service to celebrate his life and we got to catch up with many family members I haven’t seen since I was a little girl and who have never met Ted.

Our drive to Chicago was rainy but thankfully uneventful. We’re pretty good at keeping each other entertained on road trips. We arrived early afternoon and met my parents at my grandma’s new memory care residential home. Though grandma is understandably a little bit peeved about the move from her home to a residential home, it’s a very nice place with lots of activities, her own room, and the staff that cares for her is excellent. I haven’t seen her since my wedding shower back in September of 2010 and since she was unable to travel for our wedding, it was also her first time meeting Ted. It was really nice to see her again, and though her memory is definitely on the decline, I’m glad to see she hasn’t lost her spunk (she informed us that it was hotter than a b*tch in her room and that she doesn’t like being around all these old zombies).

After our visit with grandma we went to visit with my Aunt Penny and cousin Tammy. Tammy is in the late stages of lung cancer brought on by a disease she had back as a teenager. After many rounds of chemo, the tumor is blocking her airway and there’s not much more they can do for her. She is under in-home hospice care now, but fortunately she isn’t in too much pain. Ted and I enjoyed a really nice two-hour visit with them that I’m sure we’ll always cherish. It was a truly great visit.

After our visits we met my mom, dad, sister, and nephews in downtown Naperville for a wonderful dinner at one of Ted’s most favorite restaurants – Ted’s Montana Grill. Obviously. They’re a nice sit-down restaurant that serves gourmet bison burgers with ingredients like garlic aioli, jalapeños, cilantro, arugula, fried onion straws, pepper jack cheese, blackberry jam, fried egg, and of course a selection of less adventurous ingredients as well. Bison burgers are fantastic! And the pickled cucumbers, fresh lemonade, and fresh seasonable apple crisp is so delicious and so huge that three people can happily split a single serving. Again, great food and a great time with family.

We checked in at our hotel in Oakbrook with a glorious, luxurious king sized bed with a million pillows and like the party animals we are, we were asleep by 10 o’clock after a few episodes of Big Bang Theory.

In the morning we had grandpa’s memorial service at the Catholic church where he and grandma were married, raised and schooled their sons, and where grandma’s memorial service was in 2008. In fact the cross that hung above the alter in the church was donated by grandma and grandpa as a lasting gift to that church. It was a beautiful service to honor his life. A small handful of grandpa’s relatives and dearest friends were in attendance and a nice choir full of people who knew grandma and grandpa sang. My dad, my uncle and I did the readings and my sister lead the singers and sang some lovely solos including Ave Maria for the service. After the service we drove to the cemetery to bury grandpa next to grandma and to visit the graves of my grandma’s sisters and great grandparents. Then we all went out to eat at one of my grandpa’s favorite restaurants – Sawa’s Old Warsaw Polish Smorgasboard. We feasted on a buffet of Polish beer, whipped potatoes, stuffed cabbage rolls, pierogi, potato pancakes with sour cream, polish sausage, sauerkraut, apple blintzes, beer battered cod, kopytka, pickled beets, and barley and smoked pork cream soup. It was all unbelievably delicious and such a nice way to pay homage to our heritage and sit with family and remember all our good times with grandma and grandpa. I got to see some great aunts and uncles, my uncle, and a few of grandpa’s friends who haven’t seen me since I had blonde ringlets back in the late 80s and early 90s. It was just so nice to see the family again.

We drove back to Cincy through the Indiana windmill farms as the sun set. We are so thankful for such a beautiful couple of days and the opportunity to enjoy so much family.

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Something New

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So I’m teaching theatre classes and directing plays at another new school in Cincinnati for the next 8 weeks. If you’re counting I’m up to 9 different classes of kids a week at 3 different schools. FYI. This does not include my other three jobs. I look forward to bedtime more than most people I know.

This newest school is the Academy of World Languages (AWL). I know. It’s awesome. While I really enjoy all the kids I work with at my other two schools and am really lucky to have such well-behaved, hard-working kids this semester, the five classes we’re working with at AWL are just so interesting!! It’s a multi-national PreK-8th grade magnet school in Cincinnati where, in addition to the standard Ohio core curriculum, the students learn and strengthen their skills in Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, and Arabic. I have a feeling that German and Polish are not taught there because there are already German and Polish language schools for children in Cincinnati, and French and Spanish are taught at least to some extent in most area high schools. The kids come from hundreds of countries all over the world and English is the second language of approximately 40% of the students. Many are multi-lingual.

Most are completely fluent in English, with the exception of one little Nepalese boy in one of our classes who is new to the school and speaks very limited English. To make up for his lack of English comprehension and ability to express his thoughts in a language his peers and teacher can understand, he just smiles a whole lot, which is really sweet. Fortunately, one other girl in his class is Nepalese and can help translate for him. And another girl in the class, who is not Nepalese but is apparently fluent in several languages, can speak his language as well and she helps translate too. Another girl we work with is from a country where first and last names are reversed, so on the roll sheet instead of “last name, first name” her name appears as “first name, last name.” On the subject of names, I’m learning how to pronounce some very cool names from all around the world! They’re all so unique to me that pronouncing them correctly and keeping them straight among the five classes of students has been a wonderful challenge and learning experience. But they’re all very beautiful names. I’ll have to do a post soon of all the names I’ve learned since I started teaching in Ohio. Talk about diversity! I’ve taught students named with combinations of vowels and consonants I didn’t even know could be made into a sound when placed next to each other. I’m not saying it’s always easy to understand every word that everyone says, or that I get their names right even 50% of the time, but I’m really enjoying working with all of those sweet kids so far!

Many of the students wear scarves or turbans on their heads and a few wear gold nose rings, earrings, or other jewelry common in their culture. On every object around the school – doors, cabinets, bathrooms – a label for the English word appears, followed by the word written in Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic. Another cool thing I’ve noticed is how artistic and creative these kids are. The students’ artwork displayed in the hallways in absolutely phenomenal for their age. They learn all sorts of wonderful music and practice with musical instruments from countries all over the world. And the ideas they’ve given us for the plays they are writing are just so darn creative! I can’t wait to start rehearsals with them and to see how we can all interact onstage.

It’s just a very, very cool experience and I’m really loving being immersed in all the culture, creativity, and learning that goes on there. I’m so glad that Cincinnati has a school like this!

Do you have a part of your job that you’re particularly loving lately?

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A “Love”ly Surprise

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Ted and I aren’t big celebrators of Valentine’s Day.

I don’t expect flowers, chocolates, stuffed animals, an expensive dinner, or a card.

He doesn’t expect me to cook him a fancy meal or gift him a thoughtful present.

These are the kind of things we strive to do year-round for each other.

True, in our 3.5 years together he has never bought me a single bunch of flowers. But he has come home with a new pack of hairbands for me when he noticed I’d lost all mine. He has searched all of Michigan in late November for a new pumpkin for me to carve after a raccoon ate mine. He has surprised me the unexpected “just because” gift of something he knew I needed but wouldn’t buy for myself. He has unloaded the dishwasher, taken the trash out, folded the laundry, and threw in a pizza for dinner for us on nights when I’ve been swamped with work. And he does make me laugh every single morning with his weird voices and made-up songs while we get ready for work. I do all the same kinds of things for him – little surprises here and there, a dinner of all his favorite foods just because, running an errand for him when he’s busy, or making his lunch.

And it’s these little things that I love more than flowers and cards and all the Valentine’s treats in world.

But last night I got the best Valentine’s gift in the world – a night with my Valentine!

Ted was scheduled to work load-in until midnight, but he unexpectedly finagled his schedule to be home by 6:30 and surprise me with an evening together!

Of course, I ruined this surprise by taking advantage of his late work schedule to run some errands and not arriving home until 7…but the sentiment and our surprise evening together was the best gift I could have asked for.

We ordered in an extra large pizza to split. We drank wine and ate cupcakes. We watched TV and cuddled on the couch in our pajamas and played a board game.

It was perfect.

And isn’t that really what Valentine’s Day is all about? Spending time with the people you love and letting them know how much you cherish them? And you don’t need flowers or a fancy dress to do that.

Did you do anything special to celebrate with someone you love?

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Love Story

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Happy V Day!

In honor of mushy love, I’ve compiled a list of my top three lovey-dovey Romance movies of all time!

(P.S. – For an extra dip of saccharine you should probably read this list accompanied by the sweet melody of Taylor Swift’s song “Love Story.”)

(P.P.S. And if you gag easily you should probably just skip this post altogether…killjoy.)

1.

“The Notebook”

OF COURSE.

As unbelievably cliche and girly and mushy and sickening as this movie truly is…it’s also my favorite movie of. all. time.

Knowing me, most people would not peg me as this kind of girl.

But, alas.

I was obsessed with this movie and watched it at least once a week when it came out in 2004, and I still love it to this day.

Plus I want Rachel McAdam’s entire wardrobe.

I even walked down the aisle to “On the Lake” – you know, that gorgeous instrumental song composed for the scene when Allie & Noah are in the boat and it starts to pour and she starts laughing right before the big rainy “It’s still not over!” steamy kiss scene.

Yep. I staked wedding aisle walk claim on that sucker instantaneously.

 Best love story ever.

Ideal for Valentine’s dates with yourself, a box of tissues, and a carton of malted milk balls.

Because no dude wants to sit through that crap for two hours with you.

Moving on…

2.

“Under the Tuscan Sun”

This movie kind of just wants t0 make you move to Italy immediately.

It’s romantic and funny and life-affirming and, of course, delicious because it’s Italy.

I like this one because it’s got all kinds of love – romantic love, family love, friend love, love of self, love of beauty, love of life, etc.

Share the love, people. Share the travel and share the love.

And finally…

3.

“P.S. I Love You”

Talk about a sob fest.

It is impossible to make it through even the first 1/16 of this movie with a dry eye.

You can only hope your S.O. would be so romantic, even in death.

Again, what’s with the travel?

Maybe it’s the combination of romance and travel that makes these flicks so darn appealing.

In the Romantic-Comedy category the clear winner is

“The Proposal”

While it’s technically a love story and can verge on romantic every now and then, it’s big selling point with us is that it’s laugh out loud funny.

Ted and I both think it’s hilarious.

We’ve watched it an embarrassing number of times for a rom-com.

Brilliant one liners.

And how can you deny the genius that is Sandra Bullock?

If you haven’t seen it, you really should give it a chance.

And lastly, in the I Hate Love and Romance and Therefore I Hate Valentine’s Day category my vote goes to

“All I Wanna Do”

If you’re not having any of that obnoxious love stuff then I would highly suggest grabbing some pals and popcorn and ice cream and sleeping bags and settling in for a night of laughs with this group of mischievous 1960s boarding school girls.

I love the casting and it’s a total girl power movie.

This is a definite go to for the down with love crowd.

Happy V Day, however you choose to enjoy it.

I hope you take the time to celebrate all the important loves in your life – family, friends, pets, coworkers, yourself, S.O.’s, and otherwise!

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Marketing Fail

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Ted and I saw this on Friday night at a little candy shoppe next to the aquarium when we went for Tom & Chee in Newport.

A. That is not a penguin. It is a walrus. Wrong animal, friends.

B. This could only be funnier if that walrus figurine were a sea lion.

Because sea lions eat penguins and it would be joyfully ironic if the sea lion were wearing a Save-the-Penguins ribbon.

My fail-loving heart would have been extremely fond of that image.

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Your Good Deed For The Week

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Hey, you!

I’ve got a project for you.

I promise it won’t take much of your time or effort.

Just 4 minutes and 59 seconds, and the click of a mouse.

That’s it. No biggie.

But the payout is a pretty big deal for these kids.

These so-called “kids” that I refer to are not really kids at all.

They’re hard-working lighting students at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music.

And they went all out designing, producing, and filming this really clever video

– all while attending classes full-time and keeping up with a highly demanding production schedule –

for a contest to win their school a new ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls) lighting console.

Those suckers aren’t cheap. And they could really use a new one!

I think you’ll be very impressed, as I was, with the quality and professionalism of their work.

It’s clear these kids put forth the effort and really want to win this thing for their school.

Each video will be judged according to its “ETC-ness” – enthusiasm, talent, and creativity.

None of which they are lacking.

Their work speaks for itself and whoops the socks off of the competition.

They did a TON of work to make this happen.

Alas, in an unfortunate turn of events, these guys had a slew of well-deserved votes…

…until the vote counter was accidentally reset during a website glitch.

The company has promised to add those lost votes back onto their tally total at the end of the contest…

…but still.

It’s disheartening for them to see a lackluster counter-number.

(and who knows how many votes were really lost?)

Their video exemplified “ETC-ness” to a T and really went above and beyond.

So, what can YOU do to help?

I’m glad you asked!

You can go HERE,

Watch their rockin’ video (I promise it’s entertaining and really informative – you’ll like it!)

And, most importantly,

Click the “like” button below the video to vote for them!

Let’s get those boys back where they belong – at the top!

So be a good sport and click “like” to vote for College-Conservatory of Music.

Thank you!

Now don’t you feel better for getting that weekly good deed out of the way?

If you have a blog or a FaceBook, be a pal and pass this on!!

(P.S. The guy’s face that they Pixelmapped is Fred Foster – the founder of ETC. Those clever kids!)

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The Pho Experience

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So, last night I decided to make Pho.

Full disclosure: I’ve never actually had Pho. I didn’t even know exactly what it was until two days ago.

All I knew is that it was “like Vietnamese chicken noodle soup” and it looked delicious.

Clearly, my lack of knowledge didn’t deter me from trying to make it anyhow.

So I found, what I assumed to be, a respectable Pho recipe on a random blog.

(But really, what do I know about respectable Pho recipes considering I’ve never even had the stuff? This recipe could be a total sham for all I know.)

Anyhow, I gathered my ingredients.

For the broth – chicken and beef stock, seasame oil, soy sauce, lemongrass paste (per the absence of fresh lemongrass at my grocery store), and fresh ginger root.

Thai rice noodles

Pork

And veggies – bean sprouts, matchstick carrots, green onions, mushrooms, cilantro, raw jalapeno slices, and lime wedges.

Heat it up, throw it all together in a massive soup bowl, and you’ve got Pho!

I thought it was delicious!

Filling and comforting.

Ted was a brave sport and tried it.

He kind of hated it.

But he’s also not a fan of cilantro (he says it reminds him of the grass he used to eat as a child), jalapenos, bean sprouts, green onions, or lemongrass.

Yep, that’ll do it.

Loving husband that he is, he ate it anyway.

More Pho for me!

You should try it sometime.

:-)

Have you experimented with any exotic dishes lately?

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Party Animals

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This Was My Night

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(via)

A delicious mojito – my signature drink.

(via)

Turtle cheesecake – dinner of champions.

(via)

Window shopping for gorgeous frocks.

Mojito, cheesecake, window shopping, and girl talk date with sweet friend, Allyson.

(via)

Recliner + Me + Blankets + Baby Mama = Relaxed & Sleepy & Happy

P.S. If you EVER find that C. Luce color block dress pictured above in a size small, you must let me know immediately because I will rejoice, squeal a little, hug you profusely, and order it so fast your eyes will spin. Finding that dress in my size is my new mission in life. If you’ve got super savvy online sleuthing skills, put them to good use…join my crusade, please!!

P.P.S The husband comes home tonight! Even though I worked my tail off non-stop and got a ton accomplished these past two days, I sure have missed that weird guy and I’m happy he’s coming home!

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