And yet...

Yup. Charter member right here. Sometimes, being a Godly lady isn't easy. Lemme tell ya. 

Turkey Meatloaf Cups

So... I really love to cook. No, seriously. The other thing that I love? A great deal. And yesterday, both of those things collided. I was at Ralphs and saw Jennie-O brand ground turkey (extra lean!) on sale, buy one get one free. I froze one 1lb package for later and decided to experiment a little bit with the other one.

As a college student, I love quick and easy meals. My schedule is up and down, changing at any moment. And honestly, the majority of my time is spent in study. But it's always helpful to have something "ready" to eat, especially after I come home from the gym and am famished! So, I decided to try and add some lean meats to the equation. I never really bought ground meat of any kind before, especially because I had no idea what to do with it!

But like I said, I couldn't pass up a deal. So I stumbled upon this recipe today and decided to make some "meatloaf" cups for lunch, saving a few for dinners or breakfasts. And true to form, I substituted and omitted ingredients due to what I had in my pantry/fridge. I didn't add red pepper, couscous, or worcestershire sauce. Instead, I added about 1/2 cup of rolled oats, for texture and consistency. I also decided to make these "French" meatloaf cups by adding "Herbes de Provence" seasoning.

To serve, I'm planning on adding some dijon mustard to add the final kick of flavor! Here's the "real" recipe but don't feel afraid to mix it up and experiment. Maybe next time, I'll try making a Mexican version of this, with taco seasoning and cilantro. Yum! Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 cups coarsely chopped zucchini
• 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped onions
• 1 red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
• 1 pound extra lean ground turkey
• 1/2 cup uncooked couscous
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, or as needed

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray 20 muffin cups with cooking spray.
2. Place zucchini, onions, and red bell pepper into a food processor, and pulse several times until finely chopped but not liquefied. Place the vegetables into a bowl, and mix in ground turkey, couscous, egg, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard until thoroughly combined. Fill each prepared muffin cup about 3/4 full. Top each cup with about 1 teaspoon of barbecue sauce.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until juices run clear, about 25 minutes. Internal temperature of a muffin measured by an instant-read meat thermometer should be at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Spring Break Recap

Sooo... I've been a little MIA for a few days. Blame finals, spring break, whatever. But I'm back now. And I know that a few of you are curious as to how my time in sunny Florida went. The short story is that it was so great. The weather was a perfect 80ish degrees and we couldn't have asked for a better time. However, I somehow managed to get a head cold and sore throat. But that didn't stop me from fully enjoying my time in DISNEY. 

Okay, this isn't Disney... Hogwarts, actually...

My accomplice, the lovely Emily.

Returning to LA LA Land

So after a relaxing and beautiful week, I'm feeling slightly more ready to return back to UCLA. Spring quarter is going to be tough, no lies. It's the final push before graduation. ALSO, I find out about the French program some time in April, hopefully earlier rather than later. So I'll keep all of you guys posted! 

Grace Upon Grace

These lyrics have been my theme and my comfort in the past few days. 

The song is titled "Through The Precious Blood" by Sovereign Grace Music

and it pretty much describes my mental process at the moment.

Take a listen and enjoy! 

You have ordained every breath we take. 

  In pleasure or pain, there is no mistake. 

  Gladness and grief, both are in Your hand 

  And sufferings brief carry out Your plan. 

  And our fleeting sorrows 

  When some bright tomorrow 

  We’ll see You with our eyes, and 

   

Chorus:

 Grace upon grace flows down, flows down 

 Grace upon grace flows down, flows down 

  Through the precious blood of Christ   

Father of lights, Giver of all grace 

  Your mercies crown our lives all our days 

  River of Life, quench our thirsty souls 

  For no true delight does Your love withhold 

  And in every season 

  We are satisfied 

  For just one reason 

  Christ was crucified.

  

All good gifts, every good thing  

  Comes to us freely, so freely. 

  All good gifts, every good thing 

  Comes to us freely, so freely 

  Through the precious blood 

  Through the precious blood 

Tunes for Finals

Just some music for the nerds and those who are nerds at heart. Currently, it's the soundtrack to my 20th century British poetry class. Oh Joy.


Lucy Schwartz - "Gone Away"


Relient K - "The Lining is Silver"


Laura Veirs - "July Flame"

Nerds

...in the nerdery, with our calculators. Erm. Books. I definitely mean books. 

Unfortunately, this also means business. Okay. I probably should clarify what

I'm trying to say to you guys. As it turns out, I'll probably be reading a 

1,500 page biography for my thesis. 

Yes. I'll repeat that. One thousand and five hundred pages. Helloooo

spring break. The good news? I'll be in sunny Florida with my friend Emily,

away from school and chaos. So, hopefully I'll get some serious reading done and

perhaps work on a tan. 

Oh. You want to know what I'll be reading... 

This. James Boswell's Life of Johnson. And this isn't my first time reading it either. Well, I already read the abridged version for a class (taught by the professor overseeing my thesis now) but for the academic sake of my thesis, I really need to read the original. The unabridged version. The monster. Well... I can't say that I'm not a little bit excited. I mean, I'm doing serious academic work, the kind that I really enjoy and get all rah-rah about. 

And I've just about finished a paper for my 19th-20th century British Poetry class, so... that's a big relief. I've also got a pretty decent handle on my thesis abstract (a.k.a. what I'll be writing about). It's not set in stone or really established, but I'll share more on the blog as I write and discuss my topic more with my advisor. Suffice it to say, I'm pretty excited. Scratch that, I'm totally stoked. I feel that the Lord has put this opportunity in my life and I'm in the right place, with the right people. I'm milking my UCLA experience for all its got. At the end of my last quarter, I'll be exhausted and academically spent. But I really think that I need to grab ahold of all the gifts that I have and use them to the best of my ability. 

What can you guys do? Please be praying for me. Spring 2011 will be a really chaotic time for me, academically. This is my final push before graduation. And I firmly believe that if the Lord chooses to send me to grad school, this quarter will decide a lot of things for my academic future. But in any case, I'm just doing the best work that I can and trusting in the Lord the best way I know how. I do know that my time at UCLA is limited and that I need to soak it all up. No matter what happens to me next year, I know that I'll miss being a student and taking a bajillion English classes. For real you guys, that's what hurts the most about graduating. All the new English newbies will be taking amazing classes that the department hasn't offered before. No fair. 

And as an aside, I have something totally random and off-the-cuff to share with you guys. (But let's be honest... isn't that the whole point of a blog? Sorry. That's a topic for another post.) This will totally and forever peg me as a grammar/syntax nerd but I'm really enjoying the fact that I can write in passive voice on my blog. Too much formal writing, not enough fragments and dangling modifiers. 

Okay. I'm pretty much done with blogging for the evening. My brain is fried. I'm pretty sure that you guys can tell. Oops. 

Also, has anybody caught on to the fact that since I posted that I was in finals, I've been posting rather regularly...? I'll blame the stress. It drives a girl to blog and to make an excessive amount of fruit smoothies. Just sayin'. 

Funnel Mill

As many of you guys know, I'm in the last weeks of my Winter quarter. This obviously means that I'm writing paper upon paper. English majors don't really take too many "tests". In order for me to do work efficiently and effectively, I need to be in a quiet place, away from the comfort of my own home/bed. I used to really like the library, but it got pretty noisy with all the late night crammers.

So, I've resorted to scouting out the most serene coffee shops. Last quarter, I wrote my 18 page long behemoth of a paper at a Peet's Coffee in Brentwood, which had light classical music and NO students. That meant no distractions and I didn't have to fight for a table with an outlet nearby. However, Brentwood is a pretty swanky area. This means that many many celebrities come into that area for restaurants/shopping. Even Heidi Klum lives in the area. And the last time I was at Peet's... Halle Berry was at the restaurant next door, causing the place to be swarmed with paparazzi. Needless to say, it was an exciting atmosphere, but not a good one for getting serious work done.

My roomie, Anita, suggested Funnel Mill Coffee as an alternative place to study. From the way that she described it, it almost seemed too good to be true. Free parking, gourmet coffee, and even a NO CELL PHONE policy. So we decided to go and get some studying/writing done today. Let's just put it this way, it completely met and exceeded my expectations for a study spot.

First of all, let's begin with the COFFEE. I have never ever seen coffee brewed this way before. It was like watching a science lab. They brew the coffee through what is called a "Siphon". It's too complicated to describe so I'm posting a few pictures so that you have some sort of idea what I'm talking about.

Crazy, right? It's a Bunsen burner that forces the water through the grinds and filters it. Totally like a chemistry lab. While the way that they brew it is unique, the quality of coffee is off the charts good. Now, I'm not a big coffee buff in any way, shape, or form but I could definitely appreciate the unique flavor and quality of what I was tasting. I got the vanilla cream coffee, which came with vanilla infused creamer, as well as vanilla sugar. It was like 12-14 oz of coffee for around $3.75, which isn't too bad for the work that went into it and the obvious quality difference. What an experience! 

The second thing that I LOVED about this spot was how quiet it was. Like I mentioned before, they had a no cellphone policy. This place was meant for people to work in. And they set up their atmosphere to facilitate that. Soft classical music in the background, comfy chairs and tables... even outlets at every. single. seat. You had to search high and low for one spot in that place that didn't have access to electricity. It was awesome. Funnel Mill definitely caters to people just like me, who like quiet study spaces and coffee with attitude. 

Definitely check out their website and if you're in Santa Monica, stop over for an amazing experience! I'll definitely be going there again and again! 

My Sentiments Exactly

Lately, I've been feeling just. like. this.
Rhut-Roh...



Bjork - It's Oh So Quiet
Lyrics HERE

Aston

It's not a huge secret that I love a good cover. There's something about interpreting a song in your own way that's just super interesting to me. Lately, I've been really impressed by some classical covers of popular pop songs. I know, this sounds a little genre-bending. And it is.

But honestly, some melodic structures within some of these songs are actually strong and complex. And hearing them in a classical way puts this aspect right in front of you. Some people are off-put by all the hard hitting beats and slick electronic hooks. I get that, I really do. But sometimes, it takes a good cover to initiate appreciation for something that you wouldn't normally listen to.

Enter a group, named Aston. From Australia, this creative team has created a lucrative career out of "re-doing" pop music in a classical setting. It's really really well done and they are excellent musicians. For reals. We're talking talent.  To showcase what I consider their finer work, I've posted two covers. One is by Adele (who is by no means pop, but jazzy soul) and La Roux, who is by definition electronica pop. Enjoy and let me know which one you like the best!

This is the La Roux original, titled Bulletproof. Get a feel for the song first, then listen to the cover. See how different they are? The same song, but totally different sentiments!






And here's the original Adele song, titled Someone Like You. Both versions are so beautiful! That voice! I die.

Blast From The Past

So, my Dad just sent me an email with something that I wrote on the computer when I was about 8 years old. Apparently, it was for some sort of class assignment. I had to interview someone and I chose my Dad. But I couldn't resist sharing it with you guys. 

And to be honest, not much has changed. Well, except for the whole "I want to be an artist" and "I have Guinea Pigs" deal. Cute, huh? And I still love my dad just like this. He's great. And he recently celebrated a birthday. So this post is in honor of him. Dad, you're one of my most precious blessings.                                      
                                                                

My Father
My dad was born in Allentown Hospital. He was special, yes sirree! When he was one he fell down the stairs alot but he never got hurt. Once he call "Mommy!" then fell down the stairs. He was so dizzy!
He had three brothers, Lee, Ray and Jimmy. He was the third child. It was fun! He lived in the city. They played ball in the alley. He had to walk one mile to his bus stop. He loved his second grade teacher. He wanted to marry her!
He loved science and music. Science was his favorite subject. He did not like art. It didn't suit him. His favorite game was marbles. GI Joe was his favorite toy. He had chores to do, like brush his teeth, make his bed, set the table and mow the lawn. 
Once he visited Mount Rushmore and the Grand Canyon. He caught his first trout when he went fishing and once his dog at his friend's ice cream right off the cone!
When he was a teenager he moved around alot. It was scary moving to new schools. When he was in High School he was the photographer for the town newspaper. His first job was cleaning floors in a nursing home.
He met his wife (mommy) in church when he was praying for a good wife and the Lord did give him a good wife. She is from Easton, Pennsylvania. He has four children, Jessica, John, Ann and Rachel. They are very special to him. Jessica is eight and loves art and is a good speller. John is seven and loves sports and skateboards. Ann is five and likes the Magic School bus. Rachel is four and loves to talk. Daddy prays all of the children will love Jesus.
He now helps people put new computers in their companies. He likes to read his Bible, look at the stars and go fishing. His favorite Bible verse is Galatians 6:14. His favorite song is "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." His favorite color is blue. His favorite food is pork and sauerkraut. His favorite candy is Zero bars. His favorite pet is a German Shepherd dog.  His favorite sport is baseball. His favorite flower is a white carnation. 
He would give kids my age advice to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and your neighbor as yourself, ad to listen to your Mom and Dad. 
Daddy takes us to the park sometimes if it is not wet. Sometimes we go swimming in the summer. It is fun being with Daddy. Sometimes we go to the museum. We go to the beach and look for crabs with Dad and Mom. We love them very much.
My Daddy loves Jesus very much. I will never forget that. I love him so much and he loves me. My Daddy calls me Jess Lynn and the Sweet Bear.
We all live in a cozy blue house near woods and near adventures. Sometimes we go in the woods when we have the chance. Our Daddy loves the outdoors. He loves to look at the stars and moon. In fact, he loves the solar system.
You know why I love my Dad? Because he loves me and that is all that matters to me. He always will and I always will.

Jessica Lynn Haldeman was born August 18, 1987 in Abington, Pennsylvania. She is the oldest of three sisters and one brother in her family. Her hobbies are art and reading. She loves Jesus and she might want to be an artist when she grows up. She now lives in a light blue house in Sellersville, Pa. She is now the happy owner of an albino guinea pig who just delivered  two albino babies, named Snowball and Vanilla.

Privilege

The Privilege of Trust. This concept seems almost antithetical, paradoxical. Often, the notion of the believer's trust adheres to something negative. For example, "I'm trusting for God to provide me with a job" or "I'm trusting in the Lord through this trial". Basically, the concept of trust gets a bad rap.

But when you think about it, as I have been lately, the ability to put my hope and trust in the Lord is an absolute blessing. And the fact that my trust rests on an everlasting and reliable God draws my heart near with thanksgiving. Trust is a multifaceted thing. It acts as a way to weather the storms of life in a Godly and healthy way. It provides me with a way to find real, solid joy. Trust also manifests through the happier seasons in my life. This concept reminds me of some verses from the hymn "My Hope is Built":

My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.


His oath, his covenant, his blood
support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay. 


And I'm going to take this golden opportunity to be really transparent with you guys. It's really hard to trust in the Lord sometimes, especially in terms of providing a spouse/family/future. And it's something that I really really want. But it is a gift that only the Lord can give to me. Obviously none of my striving is going to do anything. I have to learn to be content and to be patient as the will of the Lord unfolds day by day.

Some people may think that age 23 is too young to be considering these things. Really? Frankly, I don't see why not. I'm at the age when this really is a question and something to be prayerfully considering. I'm just trying to honor my Savior with my live, just trying to do the best with what I've been given. And that's all we can really do, right?

So that's where the gift of trust comes in. As I move through life's inevitable seasons, some happier than others, I need to remember that my trust in the Lord doesn't act as an obstacle in the pursuit of "happiness" or "fulfillment". It isn't a temporary band-aid or spiritual trite-ism. Trust is real, tangible, and acts as a way to put the faith that I possess into action. And in this way, it's almost a miracle.