Day 5 of 366

Now that 2012 is here I've been feeling excited to get started on my resolutions; I only have 2 this year. First, I want to cook and bake more and become more proficient at it. Ideally I would like for Jeff and I to come to the point where what we cook at home is so delicious there is no need to go out to restaurants. I think I'd like to also add to that less fast food consumption. The second resolution is to blog more and so far I've been doing a pretty good job. I've started a new blog called Apartment 54 and I've had luck blogging on it every day.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to do much cooking or baking. We rely solely on financial aid and help from Jeff's parents (thank goodness for them) and so far have not received any financial aid. Jeff's first payment was supposed to be distributed on the 31st of December but because of the NYE holiday and the mail not operating until Tuesday, that payment has been delayed. Unfortunately that means we haven't been able to buy groceries. And on top of that I realized we haven't purchased groceries since a week before Christmas. It's been more than 15 days! We have gone through literally everything in the refrigerator and our pantry and have managed to pick up one or two things from the store thanks to finding a few bucks here and there.

One real saving grace was our Friends card from Fresh & Easy. We had accumulated enough points to convert them into money on our card - $14 in total. We used that last night to buy some ground turkey, a can of tuna, shredded cheese and tortillas. It was nice having meat last night for dinner but definitely left me wanting more.

I really hope his financial aid check arrives today. Thankfully all of our bills are paid up but they start over again on the 6th and I can't stand the thought of not being able to pay my cell phone or something else important. And quite frankly I don't think we can get by much longer without food. Our final saving grace be the big bag of recycling we have but that would only yield a couple dollars. Fingers crossed!

A Case of the Tuesdays

In one way I look forward to Tuesdays because it is the only day of the week I work a full day, which is great for my paycheck. When I'm not feeling well on a Tuesday, it's a problem. I made it to work and everything was fine. I was a bit grumpy this morning and may have been a touch short with a client (I will apologize to him when he comes in on Saturday). Then I had a bit of an upset stomach and a general feeling of uneasiness. And so, at noon when I would normally go to lunch, I went home for the day.

I stopped by Subway for takeout on the way home and was happily surprised when a little girl who was holding the door open for her companions also insisted she hold it open for me. Even my mother was impressed when I told her what happened. It's the kind of thing I was raised to do and sometimes fail to.

My sandwhich was terrific (footlong meatball marinara on Italian herb and cheese bread with mayo and olives). I'm also trying to keep hydrated (Deja Blue water is a personal favorite) and I find that the more water I drink the more thirsty I become. Strange, isn't it? Fatigue overtook me and what was meant to be a 1 and a half hour nap turned into nearly 3 hours. My grandma always says that if your body needs to sleep and keeps you asleep, it's a good thing. And yet I'm the one who is afraid it will mess up my sleep schedule. (That's why I don't allow myself to sleep in much, even on Sundays).

The rest of the week is going to be very different for me. Tomorrow before work I will pack, then after work I will make the lovely drive down to Valencia. If I time it correctly I could be driving along the 101 in Santa Barbara and northern Ventura as the sun is dipping into the ocean. I can already imagine opening the sun roof and listening to awesome music. Maybe I should make a playlist?

Thursday is Bakersfield. My interview is at 10 (still deciding what to wear) and then we're looking at apartments the rest of the day. This will be my first trip to Bakersfield and I'm curious to see what the city is all about. Friday I'll come back home and resume my weekly schedule. Although, it feels as if the rest of my life hinges upon this Thursday.

I try not to let the anxiety get to me and so far I think I'm doing an okay job. The anxiety isn't manifesting physically or emotionally just yet. Maybe that means I'm handling it better than I have in the past?

Anyway, I'm really excited by this job opportunity and I want to make the best impression possible. I have AMAZING letters of recommendation to bring with me and honestly, if I was hiring someone and I read these letters, I would hire them. Not to sound arrogant, because I am quite humbled by the things my long-time companions have said about me, but it does give me a boost of confidence to know I'm going into this job interview armed with as much as possible.

In the meantime it is still Tuesday, still rather early, and I'm just trying to relax and stay hydrated. And I'm trying to push the apprehension away and out of my mind.

Delicious No Cook Lunch

Jeff and I love to cook and we especially like trying new combinations. But sometimes I don't feel much like cleaning or even cooking. I solved that problem with a delicious tuna sandwhich bowl!

1 can of tuna (we prefer canned in olive oil)
1 whole tomato (sliced as desired)
2 tbsps mayonaise
Basil leaves (in seasoning form)
Onion and garlic seasoning
3 slices white bread
1 slice Laughing Cow cheese in French Onion

Combine ingredients in a bowl (I used a tupperware bowl. Seriously.) Eat and enjoy!

Next time I definitely have to add sliced celery.

Next great meal I'm thinking of preparing? Cous cous bowl with veggies (and possibly chicken or tuna).
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