Waiting For the Chili

Alex had to leave for a meeting, and so I told him I'd lock up by the knob lock and then depart after finishing up his chili. I usually make something on Sunday for him that he can munch on while I'm gone. I guess we just like to take care of each other, and this is my way of taking care of him. His is usually to do things like...well, like on Friday night when I arrived, there was a trail of rosepetals when I walked in that led to the bedroom. They led up and over the bed, to a vase of flowers (roses, carnations, baby's breath, etc). He's just too sweet.

I hate Sunday nights. I know one day the wait will be over and we'll get to spend the rest of our lives together, but it's a rough wait. I'm sure that A* and WordWhiz at a minimum understand what I mean. I am looking forward to the summer because I'll get to see him so much more. Being broke sucks; having the summer free, however, rocks. There's some good to teaching.

Speaking of money, I sure as heck wish I had some health insurance. My sore throat came back in force, almost swelling closed. Fearing strep throat, I went to the doctor's on Saturday. $215 later, I now have an antibiotic. Sigh. I still have to do my mammogram, too, which will be expensive. My doc wanted me to have one no matter what, insurance or not, since my aunt has breast cancer. She says it's important to have my first mammogram NOW as a result. She said that last year, but last year I didn't have the money. I still don't, really, but she insisted I do it anyway. Bleh. I need health insurance. Sometimes I remind myself that I do this to myself on purpose. After all, I COULD have a job outside of my field that pays better and has health insurance right now if I wanted to. However, this job allows me to not have to worry about so many daycare or after school care expenses. I don't have to dish out any money for them over summertime, too. Plus, I love it. I am waiting for a full-time position to open up. It did. I'm applying. I just found out the number of people from the department who will apply, and I'm crushed. There's no way I'm getting the job. For the record, the only way I won't be bitter about not getting the job is if a) it's Chuck who gets it or b) if somebody like Chinua Achebe decides to apply for it. I've put in my time. I've gone above and beyond the call of duty. And now, please, I would like some health insurance for my efforts, thank you. We'll see, but I'd say that my chances of getting the job are fairly minimal at this point. I try not to think about it too much because it depresses me. Chuck and I made a deal that if either of us got the job, we'd share the office with the other. You know what's cool? What's cool is having such a good friend at the job. That's what's cool. I can't imagine how boring that place would be without Chuck. When Amanda left, I really panicked. Chuck was the most amazingly fun surprise ever. I can bitch at him, talk dirty to him, joke with him, and discuss religion/politics/life with him. He's smart, funny, caring, and an all around wonderful guy. How did two amazing people end up being stuck being so stupidly paid and all at such a job? Good question. I have no idea.

So, the last musing of the day deals with what I consider "essentials" in the kitchen. See, I cook at Alex's on the weekends, so I had decided I needed to stock the place up with a few essentials in order to make food. I am betting that my spice list essentials are not the same as other people's lists. At my house, I have more spices than a professional cook. If you do not believe me, ask Joe. He was pretty damn impressed with my collection...haha! It's just that I like to cook all sorts of ethnic foods, and each country has its own range of spices that are preferred for its dishes. Anyway, I found my "bare basics" list of spices is this: oregano, rosemary, cumin, corriander, chili powder, thyme, hungarian paprika (sweet), bay leaves, herbs de province, salt, and black ground peppper. I also always make sure to have flour, sugar, eggs, heavy cream, butter, onions, garlic, at least 6 different types of cheeses, pasta, rice, olive oil, seasoned rice vinegar, white wine vinegar, tomato sauce/paste, diced tomatoes, and homemade chicken broth in the freezer. I don't have my fun knives, my all-clad, my cuisinart, my kitchen aid stand mixer, nor any of my other little kitchen gadgets here, so I just make do with the old fashioned way. So far, it's worked out fine and made me wonder if I really need the 5,485,282 items extra I have at home. I need a bigger kitchen....

Ok, chili is now done. I suppose I'll put it up in the freezer now and head out. I don't want to go. I really don't. Oh well. Suck it up, kid...