School Daze...

Well, it's official...last week I started my adventure of being a student again. Wow, talk about not really being that busy to jumping into 5 classes and struggling to find some free time. Although, you will notice that somehow I found time to write this blog...hmmmm. ;)

For those of you who don't already know, I made the decision this past June to go back to school to get my Masters and possibly my Medical Doctorate (we will see if I'm up for that challenge) in Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture. VERY exciting for me! I actually enjoy challenges and hard work when it comes down to it, so I think it will be all-good (with a few "what the hell was I thinking(s)" thrown in on those "special" hectic days I'm sure). Overall though, very exciting.

So, wish me luck...I will be at it for a few years. I have some of those fun Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses to get out of the way this first year and then it transitions into all of the TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) courses along with some of those also oh-so-fun Anatomy & Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Organic Physics courses mixed in. Woo Hoo. Actually, the nerd that I am is quite excited about it...so, my fine layered friends (you had to have read my very first post to get that one) I bid you adieu and I'll see you in three or four years.

Just kidding, you're stuck with me through the entire adventure...

(evil laugh to follow...mwahahahaha!!!)

Ant Farm...

"Hey. Could we do that again? I know we haven't met, but I don't want to be an ant. You know? I mean, it's like we go through life with our antennas bouncing off one another, continously on ant autopilot, with nothing really human required of us. Stop. Go. Walk here. Drive there. All action basically for survival. All communication simply to keep this ant colony buzzing along in an efficient, polite manner. "Here's your change." "Paper or plastic?' "Credit or debit?" "You want ketchup with that?" I don't want a straw."

"I want real human moments. I want to see you. I want you to see me. I don't want to give that up. I don't want to be ant, you know?"

- Waking Life (2001)

Oui Oui...

Les Papilles...The Taste Buds. Apparently, the French know what they're doing. So, for the last 24 hours I have been cooking up a very French inspired cuisine for the hubby and myself. Maybe it's all the champagne but we have been quite happy about it. ;)

For dinner last night I prepared Sole Meuniere...which is very easy by the way. Cod/Sole fillets that are lightly dipped in flour and sautéed in brown butter, fresh lemon juice and white wine. Pour the brown butter and white wine lemon sauce over the top, sprinkle with a little lemon zest, chopped parsley, salt and pepper and "Voila"...you're done! Serve with a french baguette and butter, side of asparagus, butternut squash or any other veggie of your choice, and of course a glass of Champagne...DELISH!

Dessert consisted of dark chocolate hazelnut truffles and of course another glass of Champagne...ooh la la!

For breakfast this morning I made Smoked Salmon and Spinach Crepes with a light cream sauce (which was very quick and easy thanks to Trader Joe's) and once again, another glass of the ole' bubbly! So, if you are ever so inspired I highly suggest 24 hours (or more) of delectable French Cuisine...and now on to the next country.

Bon Appétit Mon Fréres!!!

Lost in Translation...

Do you ever feel like everything you say, think or do...no one really understands it. Like you're speaking a foreign language at times. You wonder how one simple idea, word, thought or action can get so "lost" in translation. Maybe it's because we're not the best communicators, maybe it's because (we/I) expect too much, or maybe it's simply because people choose to hear what they want to hear, see what they want to see and believe what they want to believe...so the real message never really makes it through to them. It's like every human has a built-in filter made up from their own pain, happiness and life experiences. So, can anyone ever truly understand where we are coming from or are we ever really heard? I guess the game of "telephone" we played as kids was actually prepping us for real life. ;)

"there's what people want to hear, then there's what people want to believe, then there's everything else, then there's truth." -the international

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World...

"the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars..."

-jack kerouac

:) ...

Ok, after the last post I thought I should turn that frown upside down...yeah, yeah, corny I know. Anyway, moral of the story...I am very grateful for my life and actually have quite a bit to smile about! So, even if you're having a rough day, try to find the one thing that makes you smile inside and give yourself permission to bust out into a smile outside, big or small. (Go ahead...you know you want to...no one's looking)

:( ...

Feeling a little lost tonight...it's sad when family members are so wrapped up in their own selfishness that they fail in knowing how to love.

A Blog's Blog...

It was time for a change. Yes, I am aware that I just started blogging a little over a month ago, but it was already time to change my blog design. I think the first one just never sat very well with me...it was a bit too "feminine" for my taste (now don't get me wrong...I'm all about being feminine in the ways that count, but in this case it just wasn't right [ie: pinkish color and big flowers]) and I wanted to lean towards something more professional. So, in typical "Rachel...aka Nolia" fashion I went the complete opposite direction. Similar to the duality topic in my last post I went from warm to cooler in feel, yet a little more polished and a bit more of "me" I think.

Good, bad or indifferent...it was time for a change.

Fire and Water...

Ah, it doesn't get much better than this...waking up on a chilly Sunday morning to the melody of raindrops and the crackle of a fireplace. Fire and Rain...two of my favorite things. There is something so magical about the combination of a chilly rainfall and a warm crackling fire. Two elements so different but both able to soothe the soul and breathe a life of its own.

Maybe it's so comforting because it's not a far cry from ourselves. The warm sultry passion of a fire and the cool quiet touch of a raindrop. Light but dark, strong yet gentle, blazing and brisk, devours only to replenish, suffocates eventually having to take a breath of fresh air...somehow duality always makes its way back home to create the most perfect, beautiful combination.

Appreciate both sides of yourself today.

What's your moment?...

Maybe we really aren't all that different...I saw this on another blog and felt the need to share. Isn't it funny how we all lead such drastically different lives but experience some of the very same moments. I took a moment and let myself just feel this video...maybe you can do the same and once again we will share another similar moment in time.