Hailey’s Blog

A couple of weeks ago I got an e-mail with a study abroad opportunity through A&M – to three countries in Asia!  I forwarded the e-mail to my mom, honestly not even thinking it would be a possibility of going…and she replied “you know, that might be a really good opportunity!”  So…the wheels started turning, I figured out vacation time (which, I still haven’t ran this by my boss, but I’ll have enough time by then, so it should be ok.)  Anyway, it is for 3 hours of credit – 17 days in The Philippines, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.  Below is a picture tour of our itinerary…I’ll see if the trip lives up to the pictures, which I’m sure it will! : )

Jan 1 – Leave Houston for Manila, Philippines (arrive Jan 3)

Jan 4 – Tour Manila

Jan 5 – Visit the Asian Development Bank

Jan 6 – Head to Los Banos, Philippines

Visit The University of the Philippines

And the International Rice Research Institute – the picture below is of Dr. Borlaug at IRRI

January 7 – Visit a Pump Storage Station in Los Banos

Jan 8 – Back to Manila

Jan 9 – Leave Manila for Singapore

Explore Singapore

Leave Singapore for Colombo, Sri Lanka

Jan 10 – Explore Colombo (I sure hope I get to see something like this!)

Jan 11 through 13 – Leave for Kandy

Visit University of Peradeniya 

the Royal Botanic Gardens

AND Sigiriya Rock

Jan 14 – leave for Ihala Milawa

Jan 14 – 16 Visit Nilmini Tea Plantation

And the Dellawa Forest Reserve (I couldn’t find any pictures of this

Jan 16 – head back to Colombo

Jan 17 – Fly back to Houston!

I’m super excited – now I just have to ask for the time off!

*Hugs*

On the way home from work I stopped by HEB to get the goods for a delicious soup (I’ll post that recipe on Friday)…then went home to begin dinner.  Normally, I let Tegan inside as soon as I come home, but since the weather was so nice yesterday afternoon, I decided to start dinner and THEN let her in.  Also normally, when she hears me come home, she starts crying to come inside.  Yesterday, she didn’t.  I thought that she was just enjoying the nice weather, so I didn’t think anything of it….  Until I went to let her in halfway through cooking the soup.  I opened the door and called her…and she didn’t come.  I searched EVERYWHERE outside (thinking that obvs there’s a hole in the fence or something, b/c the gate was shut)…no holes.  And then I looked at the gate.  So much for thinking.  Gate was open, and Tegan was nowhere to be found.  I drove the neighborhood until it was almost dark, then I walked the neighborhood.  I called my neighbors, who were also going for a walk and they looked for her.  No luck.  Posted ads on craigslist and our HOA website message board.  No calls.  I got up this morning, still sad and scared, because let’s face it – Tegan’s spoiled and she was gone ALL NIGHT!  So, I printed out fliers this morning to plaster the whole town with, and was on the phone with Urs when I realized that you can’t post signs on mailboxes…  So, I found a metal pole that had a Lost Dog sign on it…only when I got out to post my sign, it was a FOUND LOST DOG flier…with pictures of my TEGAN!    I called the guy immediately, and he said that she was in his garage and safe.  He found her when he got home early from work yesterday, shaking in the rain at the foot of his driveway.  This nice man took her in, fed her and gave her water, and I get to go pick up my baby after work today.

Needless to say, I will be double and triple checking the gate from now on…and Tegan will be getting a pretty new collar and microchip VERY soon!  Thanks everyone for sending good thoughts for her to be returned – I would have been completely devastated if something had happened to her!

My two babies, Tegan and Midge.  Had to put Midge down recently    so now it’s just me and Tegs.

*Hugs*

So, it’s been almost a month since I’ve updated!  Basically, my life now consists of working and grad school…with occasional fun thrown in one night a weekend.  So far, school is going well – just a lot of busy work!  I have my first (and only) midterm next week…I can’t believe the semester is halfway over!!!! In some ways I’m kicking myself for taking 9 hours this semester, plus working full time, but hey, it’s 9 hours closer to that Aggie Ring!    (not that I’m counting or anything….BUT….18 more to go!!!)

Right now I’m waiting to find out details about a study abroad trip to Singapore, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka from January 2-18.  I’m really hoping everything works out – money will be the biggest factor, so I’m hoping the budget looks right when they send it to us!    It’s a 16 day trip, but thanks to MLK day, only 10 days off work!  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let this work – it’s a great opportunity for my master’s degree and will def be a nice addition to my resume!

This week I’ve been house/dog sitting for my BFF Jason, and his wife Katie, while they are in Mexico on their honeymoon.  I just have to say that Pflugerville is SOOOOOOO much closer to work than my house…too bad I can’t sell and move there, I totally would! 

So, not too much exciting going on around here, just keeping my nose stuck in books (or rather, nose stuck in Blackboard).   One REALLY SUPER EXCITING thing that’s coming up very fast….Rena comes to the states in 8 days!!!  And, she’ll be here for 3 months almost!!!  YAY YAY YAY!  I can’t wait to see her and catch up and hear all about Bahrain

I’ll end today with a few pics of my occasional entertainment ventures – namely, Aggie Football and going to see Jake Hooker…and a night out with Kate, of course!   

Me and A at A&M vs UAB

Flying T with fun camera setting

Beautiful sunset!  A&M vs UAB

Me and Kate @ The Ranch on West 6th

Me and my parents in Navasota seeing Jake

Me and Jenn in Navasota

And last, but not least, Me and Sis at Jake

*Hugs*

In remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks 8 years ago today, I found the following poem by 7th grade student Hannah Schoechert.

We’re Still Standing
© Hannah Schoechert

Those twin towers
Standing tall with pride,
Fell with grieving hearts.
Stunned, America cried.

But we’re still standing.

Bin Laden tried
To crush our land,
But we stood our ground
With our flag in hand

And we’re still standing.

Red for the valor
And the blood that fell.
White for the purity
Our heroes tell.
Blue for the justice
That will be done,
Proving once more
These colors don’t run

And we’re still standing.

By: Hannah Schoechert
A 7th grade student

My mom always used to make “Chicken with Mixed Vegetables”…and to this day it is one of my all time favorite meals.  It’s super easy, and you can use  chicken OR beef – and for that matter, I’m sure turkey breast would work, too!  Once again, I don’t have a picture – I’m working on getting better at that  :)

Beef (Or Chicken) with Mixed Vegetables

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I used beef the last time – just sirloin cut for kebobs, and it turned out great)
1/2 large sweet onion, diced
1 head cauliflower (about 2 cups)
2 crowns of broccoli (about 2 cups)
1 can waterchestnuts (I L.O.V.E. waterchestnuts – so I use two cans)
1 cup carrots (I don’t really like cooked carrots, so it just depends on my mood if I put them in)
Soy Sauce
Corn Starch

Sautee onion in about 2 tablespoons of olive oil for 2-3 minutes, until soft.
Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Add chicken, and cook until all sides are browned.  (I always season at this step with a little bit of salt, and black pepper – don’t use too much salt, though, b/c the soy sauce is pretty salty.)
Add carrots and about 1 Cup of water, cook until carrots are about halfway done.
Add broccoli, cauliflower, and water chestnuts; cover.
Cook until vegetables are almost done.
Add sauce mixture (below)
Cook until vegetables are done.

For Sauce:
Mix together about 1 cup cold water, 1/2 Cup soy sauce, and 4 Tablespoons Corn Starch
Add this to Chicken/Vegetable mixture and bring to a boil.

Sauce will begin to thicken when it comes to a boil.  If you need the sauce to be thicker, just mix more water/soy sauce/cornstarch. (This has to be mixed before you pour it into the hot liquid b/c the corn starch will clump up if mixed with hot stuff)

Taste the sauce mixture after it thickens, and if you need more soy sauce, just add it directly to the mixture.

I serve this with brown rice.

Obvs, it’s not a very scientific procedure for the sauce – I just play with it each time until I get the consistency how I like it…and I’m sure it’s never the same twice  :)  BUT, with a little paitence, I’m sure you’ll be able to make it taste how you want, too.

*Hugs*

In an effort to save money and eat healthier, I am going toplan out meals/menus for at least two weeks at a time (I was brave and did 3 weeks this time…but I also have a week of training during the middle of that time period, so I don’t need leftovers for lunch)  :)  So…my list of meals for Aug 10-27 is below…if you want the recipe for any of them, just ask and I’ll be happy to post!

Spaghetti (with ground turkey instead of beef) with Salad

Turkey Burgers (minus the bun ) with Salad and green beans

Pasta with grilled chicken, capers, and artichokes

Taco salad (once again with ground turkey instead of beef)

Beef with Mixed Vegetables and brown rice

Chicken Tikka Masala

Fish Tacos (Using Sirena’s recipe for this one!)

Yes, I realize that there are only 7 meals planned for 15 week days…BUT I am only cooking for one person, so I ALWAYS have left-overs, which I bring to work for lunch…and the week of my training, I will be eating the same thing for dinner every night, I’m sure  :)

At least this should give me some material for “Food Fridays” since I’ve been slacking lately  ;)

*Hugs*

Yes, I know it’s not Friday…but I forgot to blog last Friday, so I’m doing it today.  :)
Last week I made an awesome crock pot meal.  I found a recipe for Mediterranean Pork Chops (ok, so the original recipe called for chicken, but I had pork chops) on the blog, A Year of Slow Cooking.

Ingredients:
-3-4 frozen chicken breast halves*
-bag of frozen artichoke hearts
-half jar of green olives (no juice)**
-large can of tomatoes (and juice)***
- one cup water

* As I said earlier, I didn’t have chicken breasts, so I used boneless pork chops (about 1/2″ thick)
** I used capers – about 4 table spoons, with juice
*** I used a can of diced tomatoes with Basil, Oregano, and Garlic

I also seasoned with a little salt/pepper/and a dash of cayenne.

The Directions:
Put everything in crockpot. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-6.   **My pork chops were frozen solid when I put them in the crock pot, and I cooked on high for 4 hours…they cooked perfectly!

I served this with brown rice.  About 3.5 hours into cooking, I drained off enough of the liquid in the crock pot and used it to cook my rice.  (The original recipe didn’t call for water, but I added it so that I would have enough liquid for the rice).  The rice turned out great, and the pork chop/artichokes didn’t have too much liquid left after I used it!  I’ll definitely make this one again!  …sorry, no picture  :)

So, I am going to do “Food Fridays”…but just not today.  I didn’t cook much this week; Don and Urs fed me ribs and green chile pork stew (which was DELICIOUS), and last night I just did fillets on the grill and saffron rice, so no real recipes there  :)  Next week though, I’ll post!
So, Michael came up on Wednesday afternoon and is putting the rails up on my deck…which I’ve been wanting done for FOREVER!!  They look awesome!!!  We’ve had to replace some of the deck boards b/c we dont’ think it was treated lumber that was used when the actual deck was built, but at least it’s all getting done.  The plan is to let the rails dry out for about two weeks and then HOPEFULLY the weekend of the 25th, I can water seal it all and stain it!  (Not sure if I can convince Mike to help on that project, lol.)  Yesterday didn’t start off too well with the deck building – he got stung 13 times by yellow jackets, so I think I might be pushing it if I try to talk him into anything else right now, ha!  I’ll post pics of the finished product later!

Tonight is Nicole’s wedding rehearsal in Taylor and then the rehearsal dinner is out at Coupland, so it should be fun.  Good food, hopefully good music, and then home at a reasonable time!  :)  Wedding is tomorrow, then Sunday is Michael’s grandma’s 80th B-Day party.  Busy weekend, but the next two should be pretty laid back.  Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

Oh, and I stole this from S, just a little something to pass the time  :)

ABC’s OF ME:
A-Age: 27
B-Birth date: March 14, 1982
C-Chore you hate: Folding Clothes
D-Dog’s name: Tegan
E-Enter or Exit: Exit
F-Favorite color: Purple
G-Gold or silver: Silver
H-Hair color: Red w/ blonde and dark red high/low-lights

I-Instrument: Fiddle or Pedal Steel Guitar
J-Job Title: Industrial Wastewater Permit Specialist
K-Kids: 0
L-Living arrangements: House w/ a new roomie starting this weekend!  :)
M-Monkey or Moose: Um…both?? 
N-Nicknames: Hai, Hailes, Boog (mom/dad)
O-Odd thing about you: I hate water in my face.  Not even in the shower!  I wash my face after I get out of the shower, using a bathcloth so that water is not splashing in my face.
P-Pet Peeve: Mean people
Q-Quote from a movie: “*gasp*  …you said Fuck!!!”  …you just gotta love the kid from Jerry Maguire!
R-Right/Left Handed: Right
S-Siblings: 0
T-Time you wake up? 6:45 is my wake-up call – alarm goes off at 7…then snooze for a while  :)
U-Underwear: yes
V-Veggie you dislike: Bell Peppers/Mushrooms
W-What makes you run late: Underestimating the time I need to get somewhere – me too, S!
X-X-Rays: teeth and chest
Y-Yummy food you make: Everything!  Lol, umm…turkey and artichoke shells – thanks Karen for that recipe!  :)
Z-Zoo Animal: Tiger

*Hugs*

So, my friend Sirena does a blog every Tuesday called Tasty Tuesdays…so, I decided to steal her idea and do Food Fridays.  I love reading her blog on Tuesdays and getting good recipe ideas!!  We are both trying to cook healthy, so anyone else who is doing the same, start a recipe blog and we can all swap ideas!  :)

I’m going to start out with a recipe I made earlier this week – it was just a trial and thankfully it turned out really good!  (I didn’t take a picture, but I’ll be sure to do so for next week’s recipe!)

Mexican-Style Turkey Meatloaf

Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground turkey breast
1 cup salsa of your choice plus additional salsa for topping(I used Julio’s b/c it’s my absolute fave, and it had the perfect seasonings in it for the meatloaf!)
2 tablespoons taco seasoning (I used the mild verson, but spicier would have been good, too)
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup breadcrumbs (I used the plain, unseasoned kind)
3/4 cup cheddar cheese
salt/pepper to taste
cumin (I used probably a teaspoon??)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl – be careful not to over mix b/c then the turkey will get tough.  Put mixture in a loaf pan sprayed with non-stick spray.  Top with additional salsa and bake at 375° for 50-55 minutes, or until meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°.

I had black beans with my meatloaf (just a can of black beans warmed up on the stove with a little garlic salt and cumin added for a little flavor).

Obvs, you could use ground beef as well, but like I said, I’m trying to be healthy  :)

*Hugs*

I stole this from Sirena’s blog…great way to pass the time  :)

8 Things I’m Looking Forward To…
Grad school starting!
Vacation…not sure where to yet, but somewhere!
Getting off work
Things getting taken care of and being able to move forward
Nicole’s Wedding
My new roomie moving in!
Getting a new puppy
George Strait in Houston!  :)

8 Things I Did Yesterday…
Made a blackberry cobbler…yumm!
Went to Target
Worked…as usual
Played on Facebook
Looked at vacation destinations / cruises
Caught up with Mo on events from the weekend
Played on ebay  :)

8 Things I Wish I Could Do…
Take off work for a month!  :)  …right now, a long weekend will make me happy, though!
Go to the gym during the middle of the day
Sell my house and make a chunk of money  :)
Make everyone happy (doubt that’ll happen, though, lol)
Float the river…hopefully in a couple of weeks!
Visit S in Bahrain
Get this stupid berry thorn out of my thumb!
Take a nap

8 Shows I Watch…
The Office
Sex and the City
So You Think You Can Dance
Grey’s Anatomy
Deadliest Catch
Little People, Big World
Brothers & Sisters
Hell’s Kitchen

8 People I Tag…
Whoever wants to do this