What I want for Christmas....

Looking back over the year, and the start of this blog, I realize what is missing and why I started writing.  I miss a generation of my family, those who belong to what is now called  the greatest generation.  Those members in my family knew how to handle tough times.  Also, the understood family, faith and integrity.  Now that I look back on them, I see 4 pillars, my grandmother (Sweetiepie) my Aunt (Johnnie Mae), and my cousins (Cornelius and Coranza).  They kept our family together.  I never realized how much or how important they were, until they were all gone.  They were there for me since the beginning; my Cousin Cornelius carried me out of Hutzel Hospital when I was born.  They knew how to survive tough times, because they knew how to work together.  They loved and respected each other and they knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses.  For example, my grandmother and aunt were teachers, so when a child or later grand child needed help, they were their to tutor.   Or if one of them went shopping and found out about a good deal, they would call each other or buy enough for everyone and stop by with their savings.  They were always there for each other.   When I was a toddler, I was afraid to walk down the stairs, at home, because I had fallen.  It was my cousin Cornelius who taught me how to walk down the stairs backwards, so I would not fall.  Good times were celebrated and difficult times were worked through together.  Even though I know how they would handle the current economic situation, I wish they were here because I truly miss their positive spirit as well as their strength.  One thing that I noticed is that, once they decided what the right path was, they stayed on that path and they supported each other.  If I could have anything in the world for Christmas, I would want those people back, even if it was only for a short time.  But since I can’t have them back, I would like their strength, wisdom and conviction. 

#Christmas

#family

Comfort Food

Today was a cold day here in Maryland, so I decided to prepare a quick beef noodle soup with vegetables.  It hit the spot.  When I was a college student and funds were low, I used to fix Ramen Noodles for dinner.  Ramen Noodles made the best comfort food.  The noodles were easy to prepare in my little red hotpot at Michigan State.  Also, I could create other noodle dishes using the noodles only, or I could add vegetables, eggs and/or meat to create a more filling soup. Well, I am no longer 20 and I don't have the body of a 20 year old, so the Ramen Noodles had to go, but the craving for comfort food, did not go away.  I found an economical replacement in Shirataki noodles.  Usually when you hear someone mention these noodles, it is in reference to a carb replacement or as a low calorie food.   That is the original reason I discovered them.  Shirataki noodles are all fiber  and they have no calories.   Yea, I said it, no calories.  Also, the Shirataki noodles have no fat, Sodium, cholesterol and they are gluten free.  Just think of how many calories I would have saved in college, if I had known about theses noodles.  The Tofu Shirataki noodles have about 20 calories per serving and of course you get some protein with your fiber.   But now, I am looking at the price.  1 pkg of Shirataki is about $1.50, so it is higher than Ramen, but the noodles are more filling, economical and healthy.  Also, because they are all fiber, they can handle being cooked for a longer period of time.  So, I can be make longer cooking noodle creations.  It sounds almost too good to be true, but it is the truth.   The good news is that because of its health popularity, Shirataki can usually be purchased at Asian Markets or Health Food Stores.  They are also still available at some low carb internet sites, Amazon (www.amazon.com) and my favorite online Asian store, Asian Food Grocer (www.asianfoodgrocer.com).

Even the best laid plans, dont make things easy

I haven't been writing because I have been angry.  I have been angry with myself, my situation and life in general.  When I took my last technical writing job, I knew that it was a short term position.  I planned on saving.  I started paying down my credit cards and I started looking for another position early because I knew that it was better to interview while I was still employed.   I did all of those things, but things have still been difficult, and I have still been angry and depressed.   I started looking for a job and interviewing long before October, however, I did not get a job offer until the end of November, and I will not start until January.   That is great, but what am I supposed to do until then.  Being unemployed during the holidays sucks.   Also, it takes a few weeks before you get  your first check, and in this economy, it takes a few months before you can catch up.  Also, my health is fair not great, and until I start working, I will not have health insurance.   My job doesn't offer insurance, so I have to pick up COBRA.  I have been doing some things to save money, but not everything that I mentioned in my blog and that is partly how I know that I am angry.  I really do all of those things when times are tight. The fact that I am not, is a destructive sense of rebellion.   I also find myself angry, because I get sick of hearing people say, go out and get a job, quit complaining.  There are jobs out there.   There are some, but it is not that easy.   I would have been having a harder time finding a job if I had waited to look until my job ended.   No recruiter or employer wants to hear that you are unemployed waiting for them.  They would rather have an employee that they have stolen from another company.  It has even become more difficult in the DC area.   For example, the Asian Market that I suggested shopping at earlier this year because of their discounts, now has a cashier line dedicated to those who use food stamps (WIC).  I don't live in the wealthiest area, but I don't live in the poorest either.   This economy is hitting everyone hard, everywhere.  I have to develop a positive attitude to make it through this recession.  It is a struggle, but sometimes all you have is yourself.