#7 Plastic

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/22/health/22well.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin

Lately, I've been researching BPA, Bispehnol-A, which is used in making polycarbonate, which in turn is the hard, shatterproof plastic often used in making water bottles and containers. The most popular brand of these water bottles in Nalgene. Studies have shown that BPA is hazardous to our health (for a more in depth explanation, click on the link above). BPA is also used in many baby bottles and containers. It is also used in dental sealant. How do you know if your water bottle/container/baby bottle is made with BPA? Apparently, there are numbers assigned to plastics. Turn your bottle over..is there a 7 with a recycle symbol around it? If so, chances are, it was made with BPA.

Am I saying that we are all being poisoned slowly while we are drinking our water? No. A lot of studies show that these specific plastics, #7's, have to be exposed to high heat. Most of us don't boil water, put it into our water bottles and then drink out of it. However, some people heat up their baby bottles and leftovers. I obviously am NOT an expert here, I am just stating what has been said.

So what does that mean for me? It means I have traded in my Nalgene bottle for a friendlier Sigg bottle, which is made from aluminum. And no, my water does not taste like metal. I also have a Camelback bottle, which is BPA free. It is still made from plastic, but it does not use a BPA polymer. Check out their website: http://www.camelbak.com/betterbottle/

I obviously have a lot more research to do. I'll keep you posted. If you have any more information, let me know. I'd love to learn more.

It's official!

I can officially post that I am moving to Houston. Not that most of you didn't already know. I FINALLY got a hold of my supervisor. She was very nice about it and even offered my a job if I ever return.

The time I have left here in Tulsa is limited. I am planning on moving the 1st week of August. I have a lot of things to take care of before then. I am currently in my "clean house" phase, where I am trying to get rid of all the things I don't need. One thing about living in an apartment is it shows you what you can and can't live without. I am selling all of my furniture, decor, etc...I want a fresh start. Since I have decided to live with my mom and her husband for a few months to save some $$ (what am I thinking?), I decided when I finally find a place to live, I can start new. There is an IKEA and Crate and Barrel in Houston!

After my Target/biscuit incident, my life has been pretty boring. Today I have been hanging with Bella. She keeps having doggie nightmares. The picture I posted is of her today with all of her toys. I've read that dogs often hoard their toys and sleep with them when they are feeling maternal. Even though Bella has been spayed, I know she still has that mommy instinct in her.

I started reading a new book today. It is TWILIGHT by Stefanie Meyers. They are a series of pre-teen romance novels about a young woman who is in love with a vampire. I know it sounds cheesey, but they are written very well. Apparently, they are the next "Harry Potter-ish" books.

One more thing. I have a new recipe! I had this great "green sauce" at the Farmer's Market a few weeks ago. My cheap self decided that it would be easier to try to copy her recipe than continue to buy it (it is $7.00/jar). I altered the recipe to make it lighter as well, because once you start eating it, you won't be able to start.

Here it is:
Green Sauce (good with blue corn tortilla chips, carrots, on chicken or fish)
Also, I'm pretty bad a measuring things, so here is a base for the recipe. You can tweak it to your liking.

2 to 1 ratio of low fat mayo to low fat sour cream (I wouldn't use fat free), so let's say 2 cups mayo, 1 cup sour cream
1 bunch of cilantro
5 green onions
extra virgin olive oil-2 count
1 jalepeno, seeded unless you want your mouth on fire

Put everything into a blender and let it rip! I would taste it and add things as you wish. I like it with extra, extra cilantro! Let it sit in the fridge for at least 3o minutes.

If you can't laugh at yourself...

I have experienced two very different emotions in the past 24 hours. Yesterday, I was Sad Sack Sobbing Sally and today I can't stop laughing at myself.

It all started with a trip to Target. I am wearing (was wearing) a denim skirt that has a button on the back pocket. I got this great idea to wedge my car into this space that I knew would be impossible to get out of. I do it anyway and open my car door to get out. As I am trying to inch my way out of the car (the door is barely open at this point), I feel my skirt get stuck into something. It's the stupid button! Some how I have lodged the button into the door jamb and am now stuck with the door barely cracked open and me half-way standing up. If you need more details, I essentially looked like an old woman with osteoporosis.

Well, I'm officially stuck and can't get out of the bind. It is hot outside and I start to sweat like a pig. A few minutes pass (it feels like hours) and the owner of one of the cars I so gracefully wedged myself between comes around and asks me if I am ok. I am pretty much on the verge of tears due to embarrassment. Luckily this man was not really young or attractive. To end the story, he pulled my button out of the door jamb. I had to wait for him to move his car before I could get back into mine. I never even made it in to Target because my pocket had ripped and my personals were exposed.

After the button incident, I drive to the grocery store. I am checking out and some how my hand brushes the clerks hand (who is pretty attractive) and he says "are you trying to hold my hand?" I reply with something totally ridiculous, "I do it this all time." WTF? I grabbed my receipt and ran....WITHOUT my grocery cart. He had to call me back into the store to get my groceries!

If you think I am a complete idiot now, keep reading. While I was at the store, I bought some biscuits. I put all the groceries into the trunk and run a few more errands. Apparently it was hotter outside than I had suspected. When I got home, I opened the trunk and the biscuit can had exploded and the "jumbo" biscuits were stuck ALL OVER my trunk! I just spent the last 30 minutes peeling biscuits out of my trunk. I think my neighbors were secretly laughing!!!!

I can't wait to see what happens next!

Disappointment

Disappointment is the feeling of dissatisfaction that follows the failure of expectations to manifest. Similar to regret, it differs in that the individual feeling regret focuses primarily on personal choices contributing to a poor outcome, while the individual feeling disappointment focuses on outcome.^[1] It is a source of psychological stress.^[2] The study of disappointment—its causes, impact and the degree to which individual decisions are motivated by a desire to avoid it—is a focus in the field of decision analysis,^[1][3] as disappointment is one of two primary emotions involved in decision-making.

How is it that I allow myself to feel this emotion? You think at this point in the game, I have learned my lesson and have stopped giving second chances. Obviously I am not going into great detail about how I have come to this point. But, if you know me, you can probably guess who I have given a second chance to and why I feel disappointed. What a bummer. I thought I was smarter than this.

Steamy and Hot!

The weather that is:) I am in Houston, TX. Home to big Texas highways, buildings and air pollution. But, it is a nice change of scenery. Why am I here? I'll have to tell you later, when I get back to Tulsa....

In the meantime, I'll be thinking of all of my readers, which is probably one (Deana), while I make one of my favorite trips to IKEA and Crate and Barrel. Did I mention there is a great outlet mall a few minutes from my parents house?

Have a great weekend.

Updates

Good morning all:
Since my last post I have managed to take a vacation, graduate and get a job!

I took a vacation to Oregon. It was wonderful, especially the scenery. I do have to say that the people aren't as friendly and the weather drove me crazy! I really, really wanted to like OR and the Pacific Northwest so I could live closer to my sister but I just couldn't. Maybe if I was there longer I could learn to love it. I did enjoy Bend, OR. I thought it was really nice. It was also good to see my sister. She lives in Madras, OR. This was the longest vacation that I have ever taken in my entire life but very much needed!

I graduated on May 10, 2008! It was pretty anti-climatic! The guest speaker was a noble laureate and I wasn't sure what he was talking about. We didn't even get to throw our hats! It was a busy day. My entire family was here (which isn't that big but we are never all together). We ate a lot! We had Carrabba's for lunch, Viet Huong for dinner and then I had a late night Sonic snack:) The next morning, we had a breakfast buffet~which was SO filling!

I also took a job with Broken Arrow Public Schools. I am starting on June 2, 2008, which is good because that means I will have my full license that much faster. I decided to stay in Tulsa for my fellowship because I wanted to stay close to my Dad. My mom moved to Houston and I just felt like I would worry every day and end up flying back here all the time to check on him. Of course I am bummed about not being able to move close to the mountains, but this is the right decision for me. My decision was confirmed yesterday when I had to take Dad to the doctor. It was a good day and he is in pretty good health, considering all the factors. But, it was so nice to talk with him and hang out with him. Even though I don't see him everyday, I at least try to see him once a week. Sometimes life works out in a way that you would never believe.

Other than that, nothing else is going on. I am just going to hang out today and watch some shows that I have DVR'd. Also, I am going to start unpacking some of my things and decorating the apartment since I am going to be staying for awhile.

This is really random, but I wanted to share it with you. My lab Bella, who is the sweetest dog, is starting to be bad. I think it is due to boredom and not being able to have a big yard to play in. The other day, I had a roast chicken for dinner, caesar salad and a baked potato. When I woke up the next morning, Bella had gotten really sick right next to the door! That's because she went dumpster diving and ate the same dinner I did! I keep asking her if it was worth it and she says YES! I love that dog so much!

Talk to you all later!

Fresh start here I come!

I'm almost there....to a fresh start that is. I passed my keys to the house over to new buyer on Wed, March 12th. It might have been the happiest time in my life! Now I am just hanging out in my apartment, which is right across the street from LaFortune Park. It's a perfect place to be and a perfect time of year. I've got my dearest dog, Bella with me and I think she is loving being able to go on a walk everyday! I can't wait to take her to the mountains of CO where she can actually act like a dog and be outside running around a lot.

Besides the move, I'm still working on jobs. I have been offered a job with a contract co. in Denver for Denver Public Schools. I'm not super sure about it so I've just been holding on to it. You know when you get that feeling that something just isn't right? Well, that's the feeling I have with this co.--their offer and all that jazz sounds too good to be true. So, I'm holding out for a job fair in Denver in May. My friend Tallie and I are going to attend it and hopefully walk away with a job!

Nothing else to report on. I'm just relaxing this weekend. I'm currently reading Mercy, by Jodi Picoult. She is one of my favorite authors. Oh, I am also trying to create a recipe for the Cooking Light contest. The winner wins 10,000! Even if I don't win, I thought it would be something fun to do. I also really want to learn how to knit. Does anyone have any good pointers?

Have a good weekend!