Recipes I Stole from Tammy

Hey All,

So I'm going to compile all these crazy insane yummy recipes I've learned over the past six years from a great friend Tammy Brennan, into a fun recipe book. The title in the making is "Recipes I Stole from Tammy". I probably will start off by purchasing one of those cool journals from Barnes & Noble, and then later when I have quite a mouthful, I will try and make it into something more. Here is tonight's recipe I made, and forgive the mistakes (Tammy hasn't read over it yet).



Recipes for my Recipe Book:

The Recipes I Stole from Tammy

________________________________________
Chicken Gnocchi Soup:

Ingredients: Add as desired

olive oil
boneless chicken breasts (3x, but more or less to desired)
onion chopped (1 small)
garlic (2 cloves of garlic minced)
carrots (1 large carrot chopped)
celery (2 stalks)
-
2 chicken stocks Wolfgang Puck
salt + pepper+ red crushed pepper flakes
-
half + half
frozen peas
kale, spinach, or both
1 Gnocchi

-and I think that’s it, but call Tammy to make sure J

Directions:

1. Saute the first group of ingredients in a pot not in a frying pan (that way you only have to use one pot instead of two). Saute until the chicken is cooked.

2. Add the second group of ingredients and boil for roughly 30 minutes (this lets all the flavors soak in and make it delectable!)

3. After 30 minutes, add the third group of ingredients to a desired amount. You know the gnocchi is done when the float to the top.

4. If it needs thickening, add some cornstarch.

5. Taste it to see if you are missing something, like more red pepper flakes.

6. Serve pippin’ hot with crushed pepper on top.

7. When finished, you realize you want more, so why the heck not. We swam today, let’s have another bowl and ice cream for dessert.

Fall from October to Thankful in November

Today is Saturday, a crisp bright day in November. Alongside the wonderful colors of the leaves, the mornings and nights are becoming what feels like Fall... cold! The great outdoors are giving me goose-bumps already, but I guess it's true we are half-way through November. It's surely time for scarves, hats, boots and leggings...oh at hot brown drank (hot cocoa that is). This past week has been recently chilly, and snow is on the radar. I went to cheer my teammates on at the XC Regional Meet in Bellingham, WA and let me just say...I was not prepared for SNOW. Yes, ladies and gentleman, I was wearing converse and my toes froze. I think they still are a bit angry at me.

Anyways, the purpose of this blog entry was to remind myself of what it means to live and to love. Day in and day out I do not fully appreciate what life has to offer, particularly those who are my family and friends. Writing this is somewhat of a coping method.

My grandfather, Papa, passed away on Sunday October 10th, 2010. He had been sick for many years with a plethora of complications, from congestive heart failure to diabetes...and not to mention love sickness; my lovely Grandma Darlene passed away over ten years ago from breast cancer and an enlarged heart. Do we all put too much stress on ourselves, and each other, so much that our own heart muscle objects? Sadly, yes.

I went out for a Sunday long run, enjoying my day and loving the sunshine. Yet it is an interesting thing, for on my way home I thought about death and how people would react to my death or how I would react to others death. I brushed it off, asking myself why I was even thinking about that. Well when I got home, I looked at my phone and realized I had a dozen missed calls. Somewhat unusual, I called my Mom back right away, and my younger sister answered the phone crying telling me Papa died. Tears came to my eyes immediately, I hung up and ran upstairs. I couldn't believe it. My Papa I talked to a few weeks ago, telling him how much my roommate and I love his jam and that I made his special banana blueberry pies. My Papa who would try to go to every swim and track meet with Roger to cheer me on. My Papa who celebrated family more than anyone I know, and understood the truth in people. My Papa whose cologne I can still smell, for it always lingered after our hugs. My Papa who I loved so much. I called Roger next, and when he answered the tone and urgency of his voice made me cry even harder. All he said was "Kayla", and I already knew what he was going to say... I could barely get a word out. "I'm sorry". Roger loved Papa like Papa loved Roger, and it was so special. He was so special. Papa always had the wisdom and I truly looked up to him.

After Papa's death, it took me a while to refocus on school. I didn't realize how hard it would be to cope. I figured that I was fine, and it was not really bothering me. Yet I noticed it was difficult to focus on easy tasks and my running wasn't up to par. Sometimes things take time, and that is okay.

Three weeks later, it was Halloween. One of my great friends from childhood and I were celebrating together. We made breakfast and dressed accordingly, and just as we were ready to head out, she got a phone call. Her Mom was in critical condition and she had to leave. Her Aunts picked her up to drive to the hospital. I grew up knowing her Mom and love her so much. Our freshman year of college we all went to the U-village and went shopping, we had a great time, but I didn't realize that would be the last time I would see her. My friend had the opportunity to see her Mom one last time when she visited the hospital. I didn't realize, nor do I think anyone else did, that she would pass away so soon. She was diagnosed with acute leukemia and passed away the next day.

It is difficult to understand, and you have to be accepting in all meaning. Your heart aches in a way much different than any feeling you've ever felt. And now even though there is a person physically missing in your life, you have to remember to keep them in your heart forever. I've also learned that you grieve with other people, and you are not alone. There are people who reach out to you when you are the weak one, even if you try not to be. We have to be thankful for those people, for everyone in your life because each one is meaningful and beautiful.

Thanksgiving holiday is approaching in a few days, and my goal is to express gratitude to those I love and am thankful for in the best way; spending time with the love of my life, his family, my family, and our friends will fill my heart with joy and give me hope...as well as fill my hunger with amazing food.


To lives well lived,
Kayla

p.s. The photo above was taken last year with two
of the greatest guys (Roger, Papa, Me: Thanksgiving 2009)

Sprained Phalanges with 4K Left to Go

Hey there world,
Today is Sunday, a day when we all would love to be lazy and relax, but truly know it's a day for finishing up school work that is due for the coming week. I am here in Pikes Place Market, getting ready for a long day of school work. Don't get me wrong, I am not dreading it, but rather excited for it. Odd I know, but this quarter will be one full of enlightenment and fun topics to discuss.

In my last blog I mentioned our team had a race this weekend. We left Friday morning for Salem, and simply had a great time of fellowship and racing. A majority of the women raced well, minus one in particular...me. It was a 5k, and towards the beginning of the race a girl in an orange uniform came up from behind our pack, elbows swinging, at completely cut me off and tripped me. It was all too quick to process, but all I knew was my hands were really hurting and I was thrown off course. I realize you're supposed to let things go and keep your head in the race, but sometimes you get lost. I knew my fingers were either sprained or broken, but I was able to keep racing for I hadn't injured anything major (like a knee or ankle, thankfully). I was pissed. At the girl who rudely pushed me out, but also at myself because I didn't race well. I've let it go though, for there are more opportunities for me to do my best, especially later on when I am rested from workouts. The finish was on the track, roughly 300meters. Remembering back to my sprinting days, I passed at least five people. This finish gave me hope and made me smile and forget the race. After the race, I noticed my right quadriceps were aching with an intense pain when I applied pressure. I figure my right leg was the main helper in getting my body back up after my fall.

Today I am typing slow and with my left hand and only one finger from my right hand. It's tough stuff, but it could be worse. I am thankful it was only my hand. Yet I haven't gone on my long run yet, because I'm not sure if it would be better to rest or not. Oh and if you're wondering about the cool photo at the top, our team perfected that photo at our team retreat when we were at the campfire. Sweet. It was cool to see our team so excited about simple things, especially excited and having fun was our legendary coach and runner Doris Heritage.

Welp, time to get down to business with reading and schoolwork. Tully's will keep me occupied with a ginger peach tea and free wifi.

With a "slice of humble pie"

Kayla

First Week of Classes and Other Funtivities

Wow, senior year has come so quickly!!! (Well basically, I have two quarters of student teaching next fall and winter and then I'll be able to graduate then). So far, I have had three of four classes for the quarter.

I'm taking Applied Exercise Science, Topics in Secondary Education, Christian Scriptures, and then my senior capstone research class (which lasts all year). I am quite excited about Applied Ex. Sci. because we have a new professor this year!! The previous instructor simply lacked major aspects in his teaching and relationship to the students. Our new professor is from Ireland, is an ultra-marathoner with his wife, and is super excited about teaching our class and bettering the program. The entire class was super pumped, and wished that he was our professor for our entire college career, rather than only our last year.

Anyways, cross country has been going well too. My 6k time is already a minute faster than my best time last year! We're racing this weekend in Salem, OR. at the Willamette Invite, which will be very competitive and exciting!!

Roger and I had our 5 year anniversary last week, the 17th, and we had a blast!! I was able to score four tickets to the Mariners game (we were going to see if his Dad and brother could come, but it ended up being just the two of us). At the game, we were sitting right near home base and the dugout!! It was so much fun, and it was also Roger's first pro game! We also went to the movies, we saw Easy A. The movie ended up being a lot better than we thought, and we laughed a ton. :) I made him a scrapbook for his gifty, and I have to say it was pretty cool!!

Also, the chickens are doing well. We've been letting them hang out in the back yard, and they are loving the dirt baths. Fun little chicks.

Time to read and then yoga with the team!

Kayla

Chickens??!

Why yes indeed...we have chickens. My roommate Katja and our friend Phillip got this crazy idea about a week ago. They had some extra time last week and started building a coop, I mean a chicken castle, even before we knew for sure we were getting chickens. We are living in a new town home in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle, with a lovely yard and perfect back area for chickens. We sent a delightful email to our landlord, stating that we wanted to enhance our environmental consciousness and advocacy for green living...and what more could we want than chickens of course!? We waited a few days, playing phone tag, until we finally had the opportunity to speak with him. He was worried about the smell in general, but since he had 17 chickens and we only have three, we feel we can keep it clean and smell to a limit! He also asked about the neighbors, but we assured him that we just asked and they were dying for us to get zee chickens! And finally he sId the words we were waiting for, "Yes! But I reserve the right to say that we're going to have fried chicken tonight." haha, well lets hope that doesn't happen!

So the next day we put the newly designed and constructed chicken castle into the back patio, and it fits snuggly like it was meant to be! One day later we are buying chickens from a man on craigslist who lived in the middle of nowhere...Orting, Washington that is of course. :) As we were almost there, we turned off into a one lane road, which eventually became unpaved, and all we see is this massive logging truck coming our way! Boy was that a laugh! When we arrived to the farm, there were horses, cows, and chickens galore! We were invited into the chicken run, which by the way had some feces that did NOT belong to chickens, and picked out our favorite chickens. We decided on: black ostroloupe, rhode island red, and a cuckoo maran. They are beautiful, and I hope they love their new home!

Anyways, we have one older chicken who is already laying. We were unsure whether she would lay today because of the move, but viola! After i came home from work i found a lovely light brown egg waiting for me! It wasn't in the laying box, but rather it was sort of in the middle of the coop. Hopefully they will learn to lay in the box, that way the eggs to not get damaged. The egg today had a small puncture at the top, nothing major, i just think one of the chickens may have stepped on it. Either way, it is still exciting to get our first egg! We will post pictures soon!

Cuckoo,
Kayla
Katja
And Phil too

Last Day of School First Day of Summer

Today I celebrated becoming a senior with fellow friend Nicole. We rode my moped to Tutta Bella's for happy hour...which was amazing as ever, and putted around town for a bit. We found this cool store called Clover House, which had super cute gifties and fun kitchen and bathroom items. It was nice to get out and just relax after a hard year's work.

That's all I have right now. Lack of sleep from one night is dragging on, and the bed is calling my name.

With relief,

Kayla

Hormonal Seattle Weather and End of Year

Lately, the sun is wanting to come out and shine fully, but when it does the rain decides to take over. It's been wild weather here lately, with some winds too. I hope it's not going to last for much longer; it's almost June!! I'm ready for the summertime!!

So I've landed a job at Ivar's Acres of Clams on the Seattle Waterfront on the pier. I begin work tomorrow at 3pm! I'll be starting out as a hostess, which I don't mind because I love greeting people. I am praying that it all goes smoothly. I'm a little nervous about my schedule, and so I'm hoping that I can figure it out tomorrow. My wish for once classes are finished is that I will be able to work as much as I can with a few small breaks throughout the summer.

School, well school is not as exciting as getting a job unfortunately. I have two weeks left of classes and then finals to finish. It's not that my classes are difficult, it's just that I'm not a fan of them. It just seems like I've been doing busy work this entire time. I just registered for my classes for this fall, and it's looking very good. I'll be taking a first time 12 credits for my "senior" year!! It's also nice because I'll have more time for focusing on XC and work hopefully. At least I get to look forward to next year being my last year of classes!!

Well, I have nothing more for now.

In wildness,
Kayla

Prep's for GNAC Championship

It is Monday, but not just any Monday. This is the Monday before our final track competition of the year for most of us, (those who are competing at Nationals will continue on). My nerves are kicking in, and I'm excited to see the outcome of the race. I compete on Friday at 4:45, we are the first event. Steeplechase is most often the first event, which is quite nice considering I have the rest of the day to cheer on my teammates, and EAT!

I look back at my very first race in steeple in March and compare it the race this past weekend, I'm not even the same runner, even Doris Heritage agrees. It's very fulfilling for me to take compliments from such a great runner and coach. My favorite comment on Saturday was when she said that I "have such a strong backside", it was pretty funny but she was serious. My body is adjusting to this new running and my workouts are finally paying off in my races; I've become a stronger runner and begun to start understanding the race and how to push it. I started with a 13:15 and now I am at 12:01 for the 3k steeple, knowing that I can race under 12minutes this coming Friday at champs. I am currently ranked 8th, and there are some women close in my range I can and will take!

In the meantime, I will be preparing with my teammates and coaching for an awesome weekend. We finally get to race outdoor champs (last year it was canceled because of swine flu!). We leave on Thursday and begin racing on Friday at Monmouth, OR at Western Oregon University.

With excitement,
Kayla

May Day

May Day, May Day...over.

Five months into this new year, and I forget to realize the end is near, the end of another college year. I'm drowning in the possibilities of summertime, but still am ecstatic about the events to occur in the meantime.

Besides school that is, I have only two more weeks left of my track season; two weeks full of hard-pressing workouts and preparation. Time has been a fool to me, for I have been waiting patiently for it all to come together. Finally, today I dropped 15 seconds in my steeplechase....a sign that truly my practices are showing off. I have consistently been having great practices, yet there was a struggle during the races. I am excited about my next two races of the year and stoked about competing at our conference championships this year in Monmouth Or. (Last year it was canceled...after we arrived, due to the swine flu!!). After our championship meet, our distance team is volunteering for the Heroes Half Marathon on May 22nd. I'm very excited to help out for this race, proceeds go to St. Jude's Children Hospital. Since we are volunteering at two different stations in the race, we thought it would be fun to do a "heroes" theme and also compete against the guys on our team (of course, us women would have a much better station).

After track is finished, I will take about a week off with active rest (swimming, biking, etc) and then begin my training for cross country. I've been applying for jobs all around Seattle for the summer, but nothing so far. Hopefully I will be able to find a job that will supply enough for the upcoming year.


In patiently waiting,
Kayla

Spring Break 2010

Who would have thought that we'd have two whole weeks of Spring Break this year?! Well, luckily it came with wonderful weather and fun times. For the first part of break, I went back to Vancouver (WA!!) for a few days. It was nice seeing my family and also my brother Kevin and his family; they just came back from living in North Dakota. It was their youngest son's first birthday, so we captured many faces smothered in cake and cupcakes full of laughs.

I also hung out with Tammy, Cassidy and Chris a lot too. We went to see Alice in Wonderland 3D, which was quite the eye-full and exciting. On one of the days, Tammy and I went to the Woodburn outlets as well as a garden spot to purchase what looked like a huge "sled" that we mounted on her little Subaru; (it was really an arbor for her kiwi tree...it's okay that people were laughing at us on the highway). We also made an enormous pot of turkey chili for her family, neighbors, and me to take to college! I was impressed at how much we really made!

On the first Saturday of break, we had a race at the University of Oregon in Eugene, OR. It was an impressive day full of sunshine and 72 degree weather; perfect for a track meet. I raced the 2K steeplechase (usually it's a 3K), and was very satisfied with my race time: I was shooting for an 8:30 and I ended with an 8:07. It was exciting racing there, the intense atmosphere was full of adrenaline making it hard not to run too fast a first lap. Above are the name bib's for my great friend Natalie and I. At the Stanford meet, my teammates raced super well... I was excited for Lisa Anderberg doing her best time in the 800m, and also Jessica Pixler for racing an unbelievable 5K (which was a time that is currently 5th in the WORLD!!!!); talk about an inspiration. I am excited to see how the rest of the season unfolds for us all.

After I left Vancouver, I went to Boise, ID to see non other than my wonderful love Roger! It was great to see him again, and we had a fun relaxing time together. Riding his new road bike was great too! I didn't realize how much faster and smooth they are compared to regular bikes. This past Friday his roommate Dave road with us back to Seattle for the weekend. It was a long drive, but fun as well. Our weekend in Seattle was probably the best time in Seattle I've had in a long time. Being "tour guide" wiped me out! On Saturday, we walked roughly 13 miles throughout Seattle!! (I tried to measure it through Google maps). We were so exhausted by the end of the day! Saturday we walked around Queen Anne to the Seattle Center and then to Pike's Place Market, Public Library, and down to Pioneer Square and back! It was a lot of fun! On Sunday we rode bikes to Fremont district and walked around the market there, went to Theo's chocolate to taste samples. Then we went to visit the Troll and walk on Aurora Bridge! We also went to the top of the Space Needle (which was extremely windy!) and ate dinner at Peso's Mexican restaurant, which has the best steak tacos I've ever had. We ended the fun trip with a jump into the Puget Sound at Golden Gardens; talk about cold water!

Tomorrow is the first day of Spring Quarter 2010!!!! I'm taking 18 credits full of classes in the exercise science/P.E. department! Overall I have a good class time schedule that suits track practice well. I'll be taking: Methods of Teaching Health, Motor Learning and Development, Exercise Physiology, and Sport Injury Management. Wish me luck!!

In hope and opportunity,

~Kayla

EKG----CUPCAKES

As the end of the quarter is here, with only three days left, we have an anatomy review tomorrow in class. Included in this little "party", we all are bringing treats to celebrate! A great friend, Natalie from track, and I made delicious red velvet cupcakes. But they are not your average cupcakes...they are cupcakes of LIFE!! Well, they are cupcakes with EKG's on them! It is quite funny, for some of them have fibrillation's and upside down smiley faces!! Above is the photo I took. We accidentally bought JUMBO cupcake holders, so there aren't many, and some of them are teeny.

To all my nerdy Anatomy friends,
Good night and it's almost Friday,

Kayla Wilkins

"Dead Week" Finals

As we are approaching the end of Winter quarter 2010, the sun is mocking us; I just want to go out and play in the sun. As this week is coming to an end, it truly means that we only have one more week of classes, famously known as "dead week" among college students. So don't feel bad if it seems like we've dropped off the face of the earth. I find this phrase funny, but it really explains our situation very well. We are "dead" and dying with high stress and coffee levels, all which amount to lack of sleep (although I suggest to get some sleep!) It all comes down to the studying we do during this week to cram in the last bit of information for finals. What is truly maddening is when professors give you new material the week before finals!! The definition at Urbandictionary.com is : "The late night working and hardcore studying for finals gives the students a zombie like atmosphere, and causes an eerie silence and many blank, unseeing expressions." Haha, yes that is quite funny.


I am especially excited for this quarter to end because that means I will have finished two grueling quarters of Anatomy and Physiology!! It was a class that surely "bogged you down". I am also super ecstatic because the end of this quarter means 1: SPRING BREAK!! and 2: the beginning of OUTDOOR TRACK SEASON!
Well....I hope I make it out!

In the dawn of dead week,
Kayla Wilkins

Talk About Intense

As a long time runner and mainly 300m hurdler, I would say I'm always looking for a new challenge. This past fall I joined the Cross Country team, with no experience in running that included mile counting. However, I was up for the challenge and worked hard. I ended up doing quite well, and ending with a time of 25:29 for my 5k (from a 28min at the beginning).

My freshman year in college I ran the 400m hurdles. Not doing so hot, I put in the miles for cross country to gain a better endurance base. But now as I am approaching outdoor season, my coaches and I have decided on something new and exciting; I am switching my event....

Steeplechase! Talk about intense right?? It's 7laps (3k), full of barriers! 28 barriers and 7 water jumps in one race; bring it on, I'm pumped. In just two weeks I'll be competing for the first time at the University of Puget sound. I will base my goal time on the time I run next weekend.

In excitement,
~Kayla

TP!

That's right, Toilet Paper!! And why in the heck would I bring up the materials we use to wipe our bottoms? Well, today it randomly came up in a conversation I had with my athletic trainer here at school.

As I was sitting in a 48degree ice bath, we were discussing different types of ice bags. I have to say, we use cheap bags and leak quite easily. I told him about how UW, D1 of course, has thick bags which are seemingly impossible to put a leak in it. But we came to the decision that our bags "get the job done".

And then...we get onto the subject of what kind of toilet paper we use/like! At first, I didn't think it was too odd a conversation; I mean, there are plenty of TP commercials! We compared the differences between the cheaper sinlge-sheeted TP and the more expensive double-sheeted/softer TP. No matter the cost, it all comes down to comfort. Well, actually first should be whether or not it "gets the job done". After our short convo, he began to walk away so I thought our TP topic was over. Yet, stopped and decided his next sentence would be pertinent.

Wet wipes? Really? Okay, now that's understandable, but really? I just had to chuckle, mainly because he admitted that he liked those.

Anyways, what kind of TP do you use/like? As a suggestion....in order to save and save, get more bang for your buck and the environment by folding over and over and over the TP to reuse it. :) Also...imagine the TP of Chuck Norris!

Bottoms up,

Kayla

Competition

Competition, in anything, is "A test of skill or ability; a contest" according to Dictionary.com. I like this definition, for it does not include anything about being a winner or a loser. Yes it may imply it, but it gaining a prize or award is not the focus of the competition.

After running many races in many different places, I've realized one thing: the way the entire situation unfolds depends on ME, and my thoughts alone. I cannot control whether or not they have blocks. I cannot control whether or not the meet is running ahead or behind schedule. I cannot control whether or not it will be raining, thundering, or a day full of sunshine. But what I can control are my thoughts, my anxiety, and my readiness.

As the outdoor season is approaching, I am mentally and physically preparing for the 400m hurdles. In roughly three weeks our team will be competing OUTDOORS! Finally! It is important to always keep in mind my goals and what it takes to accomplish those goals.

While this may seem like an entirely different life in comparison to my school life, I need to stay focused and on-task in my schedule as winter quarter is wrapping up. It is already the 7th week of 10 weeks! Time is flying by, and truly I have more than one competition at hand.

Happy Presidents Day

~Kayla

Spring is Coming

As I walk around, I notice little colors of life sprouting throughout the gardens. I find it odd and a bit early, but either way lovely. In our own front yard we have flowers popping up in dirt we thought bare. I am so excited to see the flowers bloom, especially once the roses come up too!

Here is a picture of the first flower (daffodils!) of our yard! Super awesome, especially because we didn't plant anything; they all will be a surprise to us in these coming months.

In light of spring,
Kayla

The Bread Machine

My roommate Ashley and I have been using the bread machine like mad since Christmas time. It truly is a wonder! I have never had the opportunity to use one before, and I'm surprised at how easy it is! My first bread was of course my favorite, cinnamon and raisin!! I used a little bit of apple sauce instead of oil, and it turned out wonderful. I think next time I will add in some vanilla to give it more of a kick. I've been eating this vanilla raisin bread from Fred Myer, and I love it!

Right now I have cal zone dough in the machine, and I'm excited to see how this dinner will turn out. I don't have much ingredients for a "pizza", but I will use some spinach, mozzarella cheese and feta cheese, bell peppers, garlic, maybe a little onion, and whatever else I can find! :) I was surprised at how high the dough looked while in the bread machine, but once I took it out, it began to be "doughy". The above picture is the finished product baby! It took about 25 minutes to cook at 375.

Well....time to eat another helping of delicious cal zone!

~Kayla

These Rainy Seattle Days

I wake up this morning for a light run, welcoming the mist of Seattle. Our track is located right alongside a portion of the Burke Gilman Trail and the Ship Canal into Lake Union. It's a beautiful sight, especially during the fall. But the fall seems like a distant season, and this winter keeps dragging on; at least I see daffodils beginning to bloom.

As our team is running at the UW open this weekend, today was a pace and shake out day. I'll be running the 800 meters for the first time ever! It will be interesting to see the outcome, but I will try and push hard until past the finish. This weekend should also be a huge qualifying meet for our conference meet next weekend in Nampa, ID. If I do not make it this year, I am content, because I look forward to the 400m hurdles in the outdoor season.

I am sitting here listening to Brandi Carlile, relaxing after a day of good classes. I had Biomechanics this morning, and even though I was majorly dissed by our prof., I still enjoyed measuring our group's range of motion for various joints. In Anatomy Lab today we did three systems in one day: lymphatic, circulatory, and immune systems. It was frustrating that the models did not have the correct numbers to check your answers.

As it is almost Friday! There is a team dinner that I will be going to, and look forward to burritos. Compared to Cross Country in the fall, the track team doesn't get together as much. But that's okay, we all are pretty busy during this winter quarter.

I also finally cooked cajun shrimp and rice, (which will warm you up on any cold winter day). For all these years, my mother had always made this delicious dinner. Now that I am cooking for myself, I decided to try it out! Peeling the shells off of the shrimp was quite a task (I had to defrost them in running cold water, and I think the more defrosted ones were more difficult to peel off the shell). Maybe I just wasn't fast enough. But after I took off all the shells, I placed the shrimp in the skillet, mixed in the cajun seasoning, cut up onion, Worcestershire sauce and a little bit of butter. Now comes the easy part! All I had to do was saute the dish for roughly ten minutes, until they were nice and pink. I didn't stir much, and was making homemade salsa while waiting for the shrimp to finish. Here is my salsa recipe I learned from Roger's Mama! (amount varies):

tomatoes
onion
garlic
tomato paste
cilantro
crushed red pepper

-> easy as cake in a box! :)

In joy,
Kayla

New Blog

I wanted to start writing a blog, especially because I wanted to show up this cool 11 year old girl who is doing one. As a student at Seattle Pacific University, living off-campus, and running track, I figured I simply don't have enough time to write a blog! Yet, I realized while wasting time on facebook I'd rather write down my thoughts in paragraphs rather than in sentences.

A majority of this blog will be my random thoughts, and whatever new things I think are awesome. Also, I will probably share great recipes I've found while testing out this "cook for yourself" thing. Some say (or perhaps it's only me who believes it) that I am a food connoisseur, but who knows, maybe I just love food and know when it's quality. I've recently watched the movie Food Inc., which is quite similar to the book Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, and I have realized the importance of knowing where your food comes from! I suggest you try and watch this movie, it's quite an eye-opener.

Anyways, as I am trying to get a third night in a row of ten hours of sleep, I should hit the pillow case in search for starry nights and dreamy visions.

Peace
namaste
shanti
holla.