Political Soap Box

Ok, I've never gotten political on here... until this post. And really, this post isn't so much about getting political as it is getting educated.

Healthcare. Big topic in the news this week (Fox news doesn't count). Lots of people are happy about the bill, and others well.... not so much. But, no matter what side of the fence you're on, or if you're sitting on the fence, here's a little advice (not from one political party member to another, but simply from one American and Facebooker to another):

EDUCATE YOURSELVES!!!

Please, if you're going to argue a side (and you are), and plaster your opinion all over Facebook, do so with some tact, class, and good ole facts. As my mother would say "Use your words." And by that I mean, don't go copying some article you found on some web site bashing this or supporting that. Copying what one person wrote on a blog or web site does not count as a legitimate effort to persuade someone. THINK FOR YOURSELF! Form your own opinions.

I'm not going to have an educated "conversation" with you about your take on healthcare when all you can do is quote me the political rhetoric you're reading on some blog or other web site. If you really want to sit down and talk about healthcare, READ THE BILL and not a blog telling you what the bill says and why it's bad or good. Read the actual bill, and then think for yourself. It's not rocket science.

*WARNING, I said I wasn't going to get political but I do have one comment to make so if you're not interested in a political debate, stop reading...*

You never know what to expect in politics. It's an ever growing and ever changing beast. Politics will shock you every day if you take the time to find out what exactly is going on. And here's the reality of it all: nobody is ever going to be satisfied no matter what happens. But that doesn't mean we quit trying as a nation; it just means we cut some slack to those who are doing the best they know how.

So to all you Republicans out there who are bitching and moaning over the latest and greatest regarding health care... you'll get over it and there'll be something new to bitch about next week.Why am I so sure you'll get over it? Because the Democrats got over the fact that Bush got re-elected and they survived all eight years of his two (unfortunate) terms.

To take it one step further, Democrats can relate to your anger. As enraged as you are over this health care business and as much as you are crying "not fair", the Democrats were equally enraged and felt betrayed by the system when Bush took office the first time (after Gore actually won the election).

They survived and you will too (might I add WITH healthcare coverage this time, despite your pre-existing conditions). :)

Enjoy Life, Literally!

My inner geek is shining through this weekend because I'm totally stoked to watch the Discovery Channel's premier presentation of LIFE tomorrow night. If you don't have a clue what I'm talking about, you can check out all the fantastic details here.

I was stoked last year at this time to see EARTH which was pretty dang fantastic so I'm thinking tomorrow is going ot be excellent.

That's right, I'm a geek. But c'mon! Why shouldn't we all be geeks when it comes to learning about the planet upon which we live and the neighbors we are sharing it with? How fantastic is it that we have the opportunity to sit in our comfy homes and watch something so educational on TV about the world around us. Some of us may never get the opportunity to travel to Africa to watch a pack of cheetas hunt, but through amazing programs such as these, it's possible.

I know where I'll be tomorrow evening. It might not be Africa, but it's gonna be as close to it (and other wonderful places) as possible.

Enjoy LIFE! Literally :)

Deliciously Simple

I subscribe to Real Simple magazine and I love it! I found myself purchasing it every month at the grocery store. As I would wait for my turn at the register, I'd always get sucked in by the artistic cover, the texture of the paper, the cover page headlines, and I found myself purchasing this so often that I finally did myself a favor and just subscribed to it. It's my monthly treat to myself and I always look forward to it.

This month's issue arrived on Friday and as I read through each page, I found myself eager to try a new recipe found within the pages of this delicious read: Philadelphia Vanilla Mousse Cheesecake (pictured here).

The recipe seemed easy and manageable (even for those who have frequent kitchen mishaps). I decided to give it a go and was very pleased with how simplistic this was, not to mention quick and easy. I had the cake in the oven about 15 minutes after I started which isn't bad considering you're making the crust and the filling from scratch.

The recipe is as follows (courtesy of Real Simple):

• 40 Nilla Wafers, crushed (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 3 TBSP butter or margarine, melted
• 4 Pks (8 oz each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 TBSP plus 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip thawed

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Mix crushed wafer crumbs and melted butter; press to bottom of 9" Spring Form Baking Pan.
2. Beat 3 pkgs of cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar and 1 TBSP vanilla extract in mixer. Add eggs one at a time mixing at low speed after each just until blended. Pour mixture into pan over crust.
3. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake. Let cool completely.
4. Beat remaining cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Wisk in Cool Whip and add frosting to the top of the cake.
5. Refrigerate 4 hours before serving.

* I made the frosting and refrigerated it while the cheesecake was baking and cooling so that I could frost and serve immediately. This worked just fine.

Michael and I had some kiwi and blueberries in the fridge so we garnished the top with some fruit. Here's how mine turned out:

YUMMY!!! This frosting is so light and fluffy (not to mention mouth-watering) that I think I'll be making it for other cake recipes, topping cupcakes, and even using it as a fruit dip. I just love when I find a recipe that is as easy as it is delicious. Thanks Real Simple! If you choose to make this decadent delight, enjoy and happy baking!

Picking Up Where We Left Off

My wonderful friend Juston came to visit on Thursday. He was in town for his brother's wedding and stayed at my place. It was so great to catch up, laugh till our faces hurt, and just hang out like old times.

I am constantly reminded of what a lucky person I am through the relationships I keep. I have been so very blessed with wonderful friends who add so much color to my life. Where would we be without our friends? On Saturday night, Juston and I pulled out the old CHS yearbooks and laughed over old pictures of ourselves and friends. We read all the funny things people wrote in my yearbook and shared information with one another that we had on the whereabouts of old friends whom we've lost touch with.

Juston is one of my oldest friends. We're "decade" friends as we like to joke, although we've known each other for about 15 years. I met him when I was a sophomore and he was a junior in high school, and we have been close ever since. Our friendship has endured so many things that has made us the friends we are today. We've laughed together and cried together (but luckily have laughed more than cried) and traveled to New York to see our first Broadway show together, Washington D.C. to see our country's history together, and to Hawaii for the first time together. Juston met my mother when he was in 5th grade as she was doing her student teaching at his school and had him for a few subjects. He loved my mom and has called her on every Mother's Day since high school. Juston even escorted my mother down the isle at my wedding since my father would be walking me.

Juston and I have stayed in contact no matter the distance between us. I remember sitting at work one day on campus during my college years when my dorm roommate called me on the phone and said that someone from Brazil named Juston had just called looking for me and that he'd be calling back in ten minutes given that my roommate told him that's how much time I'd need to get back to my dorm.

I quickly told my boss that I needed to take about a 30 minute break and that I was expecting a call from Brazil. She let me run back to my dorm and sure enough, the phone rang and Juston was on the other line. He was currently serving his mission and although he wasn't supposed to actually make phone calls to friends and family, he had found this public phone in a little city and thought to himself "I wonder if I can dial the states?"

Well, it worked! FREE OF CHARGE. And thus began our weekly (sometimes more frequent than that) international phone calls on NOBODY's dime :) We still joke about that to this day.

I took Juston back to the airport on Monday and just as I was getting ready to exit onto the freeway my phone rang and Juston said "Can you come pick me up?" So I did. He decided to "miss his flight" and fly out the next day instead. He said he just wasn't ready to leave yet. It was free for him to "miss his flight" so he did and we were lucky enough to spend another day laughing and hanging out.

I took Juston back to the airport yesterday and bid him goodbye for real this time. No missing of the flights was to be had as Juston had to work today. Although I was sad to see him go home, I'm so thankful for the 5 days we did get to spend together. I don't know when I'll see him again, but I know that when I do, we'll pick up right where we left off. Because that's how we are. Because that's what "decade" and lifelong friends do. And I'm so lucky to have those type of friends in my life :)

And I Still Cringe

In my previous position, I worked with a total asshole who drove a black Infinity sedan. I hated this guy with a passion. He was the epitome of every quality I despise in a person, all wrapped up in a smug, self-indulgent package.

Well today, I was running some errands and as I turned into the post office to mail something off, I saw a similar black Infinity sedan parked in one of the stalls. And I cringed. And immediately I was disgusted. I haven't worked at this company for over a month and something as simple as a black car still stirs up the hatred in me for this sorry excuse of a man.

Isn't it funny how we associate objects with emotion and can assign them to people? A black Infinity sedan no more defines this asshole than a color, shape, or size or anything for that matter (although if I were to see a giant jack-ass walking around like a pompus idiot that doesn't know the difference between its head and its ass, I would venture to say that it too would remind me of this inept loser).

Needless to say, I will never purchase a black Infinity as long as I live. Nor will my husband. And if I ever do see the specific black Infinity that belongs to this asshole, I can guarantee I won't be able to stop myself from letting the air out of the tires.

Just sayin' is all :)

P.S. You will notice I didn't not put a picture of this car on this post. Specifically because it drums up too much hatred and I might have a hard time controlling myself. Know your limits people ;)