Mustard Yellow cardigan: Merona
White Blouse: Forever 21
Gray skirt: Old Navy
Black tights: Target
Black Boots: No idea
Skeleton key necklace: Etsy
George Washington pin:
Etsy
Black Cardigan: Mossimo
Gray pinstripe skirt: Express
Teal tights: Target
Brown Belt: F21
Blue stripe scarf: Gift from friend (from Ecuador?)
Brown Boots: Famous Footwear
It's been a bit crazy around here. When I got ready to write this post I realized I basically haven't posted for a week. Wowzah. But it was worth it. I have been a bit behind in my school work because I have been spending extra time at work helping with this cataloging project (which is fun but time consuming) so I have been staying late at the library to read articles, hunched over the G.A. desk in the back. At least I work in a place that is conducive to studying. Then a friend visited for the whole weekend. It was a much needed break- we drank hard cider, ate salt and vinegar chips, and watched this amazing Dawn French show,
Murder Most Horrid (if you love comedy, mystery, and England, it's a must watch). It was fun but didn't really help get me caught up. Plus I spent all of Thursday cleaning, doing laundry, and baking banana bread that turned out salty because I should clearly not drink and bake because then I do things like add a teaspoon of salt instead of 1/4 teaspoon.
This week (note: just Monday and today!) was also crazy busy with extra meetings, a presentation, and training (we are going to implement the
READ scale, in our reference stats so I had to attend a 4 hour session before my class. Urg.).
As a result of this craziness, I decided I needed some pre-planned fun outfits with lots of color (and a presidential pin), a clean apartment, good food, and a random shopping trip. I basically took a mental health day after my class ended today. I went to the mall and window shopped (because I totally shop like a librarian- I need to do research and assess what I already have here before I actually buy something) and then cleaned my kitchen. Look at those dishes:
Then I made my tried and true chicken stir fry:
Basically, you marinate 3 chicken breasts for 30 minutes in soy sauce, garlic powder, and grated ginger. Then you chop 2 cloves of garlic, a few green onions, and grate more ginger. To a pan add a bit of canola oil and a drop of sesame oil. While this is happening, chop the marinated raw chicken into bite size chunks. When the pan starts to smoke add garlic, onions, and ginger. Let simmer for a moment and add chicken. Let cook until chicken isn't pink any more. While chicken is cooking chop up some bell peppers. Once chicken is cooked add chopped bell peppers, a half a cup of thawed cut broccoli, a good handful of snow peas, and about a half a cup of chicken broth Add some red pepper flakes for spice, if you wish. Let simmer for 4-5 minutes until the veggies are tender. While this happens, wisk together a tablespoon each of soy sauce, sugar (white or brown), and cornstarch, and about 1/4 a cup of chicken broth. Add this soy sauce mixture to the pan and cook for a few more minutes (sauce will become thick and bubbly). Turn off stove top and let cool for a few minutes. Spoon over brown rice.
I actually have to do an online reference shift shortly, but I am feeling much more relaxed (thanks wine!) and ready for an easier week and a weekend full of me time. Nothing sets me right like helping a student in pursuit of a truth for a question.
And, to quote good old George Washington, "Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light." Isn't that what being a librarian means, after all?
