I’ve been trying different things for this. Last year, I worked at a mental health facility to see if I wanted to become a counselor. This year, I’m working as an ESL teacher in Japan, to see if I A.) like teaching, or B.) like living abroad. So far, I like both. :)
But I still don’t know if either of those are my passion, and I’m planning to move back to the states next year. I wonder what I should try next.
Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve been on this website, but I’m still trying to get better at cooking! Since I’m in Japan right now, I’ve been doing my best at learning how to make Japanese food! So far, I’ve made riceballs, sukiyaki, soba, and I’m trying to make decent okonomiyaki. I’ll have to think of the next thing I want to try to make.
As it so happens, I work in a crisis residential, aka a place where people stay for about a week. Thus, meals are needed 3 times a day.
Up until now, the meals have been pretty simple fare. But the menu’s been redone recently, by someone who adores cooking, so in order to make these new foods, I’m going to be learning a lot! I’ve already done tuna noodle casserole, and I’m looking forward to making sloppy joes and a variety of other foods. This is going to be awesome.
Baked some oatmeal raisin cookies, as well as some pear bread. The pear bread in particular was effing delicious; it got eaten surprisingly quickly.
Also made some baked taco salad, my first daal, and some chicken stew for the first time recently. I’ve also been modifying/remaking some things I’ve made before. It’s making me happy when I don’t need to consult recipes for some things, and others I have ideas on how I want to improve them.
It wasn’t much. Just put up some maps/posters/pictures on my wall. It’s certainly nicer than having them barren. :)
So many things I’ve made (or at least helped make) for the first time recently!
Rosemary Bread
Stuffed Peppers
Banana Bread
Cheese
Eggplant Parmesan Sandwiches
I’m pretty pleased to, because I’ve started being braver about cooking without recipes. Just tossing things together and making something good out of it. It looks like I’ve gotten the basics, at least.
While I was at work today, (I work in a mental health rehabilitation center) our clinician was talking to my co-worker about the possibility of doing music therapy, and my co-worker said, “Oh, Tylis plays guitar!”
Well, I don’t play very well, but the thought of being able to do some music therapy sounds SO appealing and fun to me! I’ve actually played piano and sang with people several times before, just for fun, and I always feel so happy when I see someone who’s initially really shy about singing join in. I’d love to bring something similar to the clients I serve, and since there’s no piano there, it would have to be with my guitar.
So bingo. Massive incentive for me to improve!
But only for a few moments. And despite realizing it, I wasn’t able to fly. I’m not always able to control my dreams, even once I realize I’m dreaming. Something to work on, I guess.
...finally time I learned some bar chords. My hands are really small – I’m not sure if I can. And I think it’ll hurt :(. But my chord range is so limited without them…
Meatballs were eh. Peanut sauce was DELISH. I ended up making more just so I could eat it with cucumbers. :)
Oh, and I can make minestrone now without consulting a recipe! Score!
I’m attempting to structure a novel right now, but all I’ve ever finished so far are short stories, and I’ve got an incredibly short attention span. I’m hoping that doing NaNoWriMo will give me the kick I need to actually finish something of decent length…
I’m actually off to a decent start on this one. :) Just yesterday I tried out a new chili recipe (that turned out well enough) and I’m working on making a good pesto from scratch. I’ve been planning out which new recipes I want to try beforehand, so when I go grocery shopping I can pick up the ingredients for them. My current goal is to try out one new recipe a week.
