today is the day after yesterday

updating this blog was on my to-do list today.
i think i forgot that i put that sweet potato and broccoli blog up to extend my opportunity to think of something worthy of reading. i'm sorry to say that i haven't really thought of anything that great.

i'm listening to music, and 'ziggy stardust' just came on. i have a mess in my room that needs cleaning. i haven't really dug into 'the golden compass' yet. though i read it last year, but i was hoping to re-read it before seeing the movie. i'm willing to accept that that is becoming less likely. it was 70-something degrees in austin today. more of the same the next couple of days.

i'm kind of in denial about christmas happening in a couple of days. i'm so not into it but now i feel this pressure to finish getting gifts together, etc. i realize that all i have slated to give my mom is a tongue scraper. she has all of the other things i was going to get her. dammit. maybe i could adopt a sheep or something in her honor. 'merry christmas mom! i hope you like this piece of paper with a lamb i drew on it. and this tongue scraper. yay oral hygiene!' that's just depressing. maybe i'll have to go with my brother's idea of going in on some spa-thing for her. seems like such a cop-out mom gift. maybe i'll have a brain breakthrough in the next day and a half.

i've gotten a lot of stuff done in the past couple of hours which is good because i wasn't sure if taking a nap at 630pm would be a good idea for setting me up for the rest of the evening. but i actually scratched a few things off the to-do list that have been there for about a week. so that feels good. still a few things to go, but i think i'm going to take a break once the clock hits 11pm CST. maybe time to do some simultaneous phone-chatting and room-cleaning.

sweet potato and broccoli

i love this lunch.
baked sweet potato + feta cheese + salt and pepper + something spicy and steamed broccoli on the side. superfoods = superaja!

and yes, i probably will cheat and post this on stem+leaf sometime in the near future.
what, you read both? lucky me.

a pretty sunset from the other day

from my balcony.

i'm e-famous!

the austinist interviewed me! read it!

the (family) ties that bind

is it beginning to happen already? so soon?
i have already found myself frustrated with my mom, who i'm living with.
maybe it's because we were both underfed and at cranky blood sugar lows, but i found myself holding back commentary and rude remarks as my mom set to rearrange everything i just (neatly) did while organizing the pantry. i was mentally accusing her of being a control freak, but then mentally shrugged when i remembered that i, too, have those tendencies.

thanksgiving however, went pretty well. i spent it in san antonio with my dad and my sister and it was mellow and casual and thankfully not a big deal. it was nice to spend a couple of days with those crazy geminis.

after coming back to austin, i found the house slightly more occupied than usual as my two younger stepsisters were staying for the night, but, after being in close and more socially intimate quarters in san antonio, being in this big house where everyone has their own tv and room to hang out in, i found walking around the house and still seeing no one kind of disconcerting. and it just made me feel lonelier than i already did.

then i received an email with an invite to a movie and a party, but due to lack of personal wheels, living way the f out, and the weather being poor for driving on the curvy hills by the house, i had to decline the invitations. but just the invitations made me feel better. though i still feel a little lonely. maybe it's the gloomy weather.

so i've set my sights on greener (however temporary) pastures. concentrating on my january travel plans which officially include a road trip out L.A. and a week long stay, semi-officially include a trip to thailand where i have a place to stay for a week, and unofficially include a subsequent jaunt to singapore, where i have an offer of a couch to sleep on. now if someone could just show me the money, that would be grand.

what's up austin, what's up.

I'm sure my avid readers have been dying for a new post to see how my newly transplanted self is doing.

well, i've decided not to work at whole foods, but only after having a frustration fit (tempered by some venting encouraged by jef) at my mom's seeming desire to keep me trapped in the house. (talks of dropping off and picking up entered the conversation surprisingly. they have 3 cars. it's two of them. and me. what?)

the decision to not get a job has only added a bit of anxiety to my financial situation. fortunately, i just received my deposit checks and a last paycheck in the mail, so that will help to cushion the fall, but i was hoping to make some money so i could travel in january. that and 2 classes (so far) canceled...make me anxious for money. thankfully i haven't had to spend much, and while that's great, that doesn't make my money grow.

speaking of thankful, i'm watching all these thanksgiving focused cooking shows on food network lately, and i realize the day is only a few days away and i haven't solidified any plans. my mom's not into thanksgiving, i am not really in the spirit, but i think my dad wants me to do something with him. so, we'll see. i like thanksgiving food, but only when it's well done and i don't have to spend all day helping someone else. last year was fun because i got to do whatever i wanted. fine, i'll say it. i'm a control freak.

i still am wanting to get my nose repierced, i have 2 recommendations but i haven't made it down to do such a thing.

the bed i sleep in is big and comfortable. almost overly inviting.

it's almost noon, and i woke up 30 minute ago. i am hungry and the day is warm. i'm going to go catch some.

it's texas, bitch.

so yes, i'm in texas, yee-haw! the land of cows and cacti.

am staying at my mom's house in austin, and have a pretty nice set up there. have just been trying to get settled in the past few days, have had an interview and a couple of meetings, and had to cancel one of my cooking classes because i was 2 people short of my minimum.

the interview went fine-- was for doing seasonal kitchen production at whole foods-- the job itself i'm not overly interested in, but they are supposed to call me soon, so we'll see what happens there. i still have a few more leads to follow, including a houston chef/cook-book author, program director at one of the local community colleges, and some women from a networking group i've been involved with.

i'd really like to make some money so i can afford to travel (LA and thailand) in january as well as not continue to deplete my savings. so let's hope the rest of my classes fill up, and i get some holiday work!

in other news, i've officially launched my healthy eating + greening blog - stem+leaf and my natural foods website has been redesigned and is lovely and ready to go! so those are the big things going on professionally.

that's really all that's going on i guess. i'll write something more witty soon.

"fizz it up!"

please enjoy the lyrics to my newest rap song.
the single is being produced. you'll be the first to know when it's released.
------
my bro jason's up in the hizzy
he likes his orange soda ca-razy fizzy
he's pretty tan (he's a pretty, tan man)
and he rocks a sandwich like no other man can

orange soda fo life!
i said, he'll get fizzy
wit yo wife!
orange soda fo life!
said, he'll get bizzy
wit yo wife!

dude's not a dork but he looks like he could be
he wears product and shops at abercrombie
should he?
another story for another day
'cause he's gonna bust up this blog
like he's gettin' paid
(but he ain't)
gettin' paid, but he ain't!

orange soda fo life!
i said, he'll get fizzy
wit yo wife!
orange soda fo life!
i said, he'll get bizzy
wit yo wife!

html and css
different kinds of letters that don't mean a piss
to me
could be
another language
computer speak for 'don't be misbehavin''
but we can't help bein' like we is
'cause we're bad muthafuckas, hey don't you get this?

orange soda fo life!
i said, we'll get fizzy
wit yo wife!
orange soda fo life!
said, we'll get bizzy
wit yo wife!

break it down! unh!
::dance break::

blog it up! (unh!)
blog it up! (unh!)
blog it up! whut! whut!, just blog it up!
::repeat, fade out::



--lyrics and music atm ca$h money copyright 2007

photos in the 'hood.

some photos around the neighborhood (stafford, ct).

(farm) workin' it.

'cause i like to get dirty.
---

new austin cooking classes

www.ajataharimarsh.com/food/cookingwithaja.htm


here's what's coming up...

a very special thanksgiving
saturday, november 10 - 4:00pm to 7:00pm

the very basics: getting comfortable in the kitchen
friday, november 16 - 7:00pm to 10:00pm

knife skills, and nothing but knife skills
thursday, november 29 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

the winter holidays: foods to celebrate with
saturday, december 8 - 4:00pm to 7:00pm

sweet treats: the new classics
sunday, december 16 - 3:00pm to 7:00pm


lecture: how to 'go green'
DATE TBA
if you are interested in this lecture, please let me know, and i will keep you informed when a date is decided.

introduction to healthy eating
january 2008 TBA

boom! boom!

it's nothing new, but i love love love it all the same.

a response to "a thought on marriage"

before i even begin, ryan was the one that suggested i make this a blog entry...

ryan posted a blog today titled 'a thought on marriage'. here's what he had to say:
There are lots of reasons why people get married:
- to have children (yes, it is a biological fact that you cannot do this if you are unmarried)
- society expects it of them
- to avoid dying alone (only works for one person)
- to disappoint your parents with your choice of mate

However, there's really only one good reason to get hitched - vacation.

Dinner alone or a movie alone is sad but at least it's quick. Vacation alone is pretty much unheard of and freakish. When you're a kid, there's no worry about going on vacation alone - that's what your family is for. As you become a young adult, you start going on vacation with friends.

But eventually, all those friends start to get married and settle down and start the cycle all over. If you're still single, you're relatively screwed, and all your vacation days go to absolute waste as you spend a week at home eating Cheez-Its and watching reruns of Family Feud.

For the select few George Clooney types in the world, this isn't a problem, because you can always find a lady eager to accompany you to Argentina or Corsica or whatever. For the rest of you, better find a suitable husband or wife while you can. Busch Gardens Williamsburg is totally worth it.

and then i made a comment on the matter...
i can think of one other good reason (would be my main impetus for taking the marriage plunge)... PRESENTS! it's perfect because you make lists of all of the random stuff you want, but can't afford, or the useless crap you really want, but can't bring yourself to buy, tell people you're getting married and here's where you're registered, and the presents start rolling in. and a tip... you will probably get better presents if you have a destination elopement and no one can come or even knew you got married, and thus feel guilty, and spend more money on your presents. ...professional grade espresso machine, you will one day be mine!

and then we continued the discussion via instant messenger
me: i commented on your blog.
ryan: see i think that's somewhat valid. but. for some people...they spend as much on the wedding as they would on presents. so the math doesnt work for everyone
me: that's true. but that's why you get married in secret and just make everyone feel guilty. if you do it right, you can make thousands.
ryan: hmmm... but do you risk making people mad and getting nothing?
me: i don't know. i think there's a way to get all the presents you want, and still not have to feed everyone.
ryan: hahaha
me: i mean, look at it this way... tell everyone you ever met you are getting or got married. tell them where you're registered. have a very small wedding or go to vegas or city hall. invite people to cici's, which you have reserved for the reception. people give you presents. it's perfect. ...but nowadays peple are much more open to giving gifts for occassions other than babies and weddings (holidays and birthdays not included).
ryan: plus i love cicis
me: exactly.
me: just make a big cake, have someone famous and/or naked pop out of it, and no one will even remember why they're there or that they spent $100 on a cabbage shaped soup tureen you're going to return anyway.
ryan: hahahaha...that is a good plan. this cannot fail. i think this now turned into your blog post ironically.
me: probably. i also will have to do a post about the minature donkeys since i can't stop talking about them.

new addictions.

no, no. new addictions.
not new edition the hit boy band from the 80's.

but while we're on the subject of new edition, let's break it down. maybe new edition is more famous for their spin-offs, at least in residual musical magic. (by the way, i do find it interesting that music group 'spin-offs' to solo or other group acts are generally more consistently successful than spin-offs of tv shows...i'm sure i don't need to mention 'joey', 'private practice', or anything by any of the actors from 'seinfeld')


candy girl.
LOVE that song. so poppy and makes you go 'hey! is that the jackson 5?' no silly, the jackson 5 is all grown up and old by now. what else did they do that was awesome? i'm not sure. maybe it's because they were slightly before my listening time.

bobby brown
always the bad boy, he was (by force/popular vote) the first to leave the group. he got way famous going solo, hooked up with whitney, and the rest is history and can probably be relived on every episode of 'i love the 80s/90s' on vh1.

bel biv devoe
well we all love a black butt and a smile don't we? these guys continue to rock our worlds with 'poison' and 'do me' with hot dance moves, and outfits that make you go 'hmmm' but yet they manage to pull off so well. but i don't think i could name another song they sang. i mean, come on, they're no tony! toni! toné!.

the new edition magic is still alive and kickin' though (apparently). they are still recording and touring together. their website says 'breaking the ground for [over] 20 years'. it's one of those things that, to me, makes me say 'is that cool, or is it just sad?' it was cute when they were 16. but now they're like 40. boy bands don't work past the cute stage. that's all i've gotta say.



oh and the new addiction? scrabulous. on facebook. think you got game? bring it!
thanks a lot, mirto.

al gore is my homeboy

It was awesome to wake up this morning to a NY Times e-news update with the headline "Al Gore Wins Nobel Peace Prize". Made my day a little brighter. I was just talking about ol' Al last night and thank goodness for him and his invention of the internet and devotion to all things climate change because otherwise, so many people would still be in the dark about the simple things they can do that can positively affect them, their future, and the lives of others and our earth. Some people want Al to run for president. I sure hope he doesn't-- I don't think he will. He can make more of a difference by staying out of the political rat race at this point. So long as we elect someone who agrees with his views and vows to introduce and enforce policies and increase environmental education, I think we might actually do alright.

Over 10 years ago, I did a report on global warming in my middle school reading class. I was very gung-ho about saving the environment and the rainforest and baby harp seals. I remember thinking it was weird that all of the books I could find on the subject were written in the 80s and couldn't find too much that was much more recent. Then the global warming issue went all quiet and no one attached the 'el niño' phenomenon to global warming or any other weather phenomenons. Until the Tsunami happened. And Katrina happened. And 'An Inconvenient Truth' happened (and I gave it to each of my family members for Christmas). And a tornado in Brooklyn happened. All of a sudden people talked about it like it was a new idea, or something they finally could put their finger on for the first time. We can't chalk up all of this crazy weather to terroist ridden conspiracy theory.

Come on people. Wake up and smell the compost heap. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Tweety Bird's been saying it for years. Walk or bike, don't drive. Use public transportation. Use biodegradeable and chemical free household and personal products. Eat locally and seasonally, or better yet, go vegan. Wear an extra sweater, don't turn up the heater. Use alternative means of power. Buy emissions credits. Remember that we as a human race have the conscious ability to care and be responsible for this planet that is homes to billions of life-forms. Let's make it a better place to live.

brooklyn to connecticut

i officially moved out of my apartment and am now relocated for the next few weeks in stafford, connecticut until i head down to austin. it hasn't totally sunk in that i have moved, but for now, i'm just glad to be able to get some sleep and stop moving for a minute.

my orange walls were painted over in white, all of my belongings found new homes, or were raised in value by being shipped halfway across the country, and i had to say goodbye to some good friends and places.

but it's not goodbye-- whatever winds up happening, i'll be back soon...sleeping on your couch.

um brasilero

today at work i engaged in mild flirtation with a brasilian model named diego.
he is charming and appealing in that common brasilian way that doesn't let you go.
and he winked at me. and i'm nothing if not a sucker for a wink from someone good looking.
he wasn't my ultimate hottie by any means, but he was of course, very attractive, and certaintly made my evening slightly more enjoyable.

i did a quick google search to see if could find him (using only his first name and 'brazilian').
i could not, but i found this brasilian model named 'diego' and he ain't half bad himself.

my room today

you're moving why?

yes. by now, you must have heard.
i am moving.
out of my apartment.
out of brooklyn/nyc.
i am moving.
sort of.

okay, for all intents and purposes, i am moving, that much is for sure. i am packing up my belongings and shipping them to my mom's house in austin. come october 11th, i will be out of my apartment and on my way to small-town connecticut to stay with shannon and steve for a couple of weeks in the country. then i fly out of hartford and go to austin.

yes, back to texas with me. why? well. many reasons. kathleen put it well yesterday at the picnic when she (who is also moving out of nyc) said, "i want a different kind of life." i've been saying i am in need of a 'change of pace' but i guess that sounds like some sort of generic cop-out reason. it's the easy description. and it is also true.

my basic idea is that i am going to austin for a few months (nov/dec/jan), and if money allows, travelling a bit in jan/feb for a month or so (thailand/hawaii/LA/mexico are the possibilities). after that, i'd like to try to go back and forth between new york and austin. i'm calling it my experiment in living. i haven't worked that all out yet, i'm just trying to do one thing at a time. but i have living situations handled in austin and new york, so that is a major help. be staying with mom/stepdad/grandma in austin, and with a close family friend in jersey city.

i'm looking for a best of both worlds scenario i suppose. a part of me is really trying to be out of nyc right now, but there's another part that feels the need to be here, so hence, the pending experiment. i think i can make it work. thank goodness i can do my job anywhere.


FAQs:

do you have a job lined up?
no. those of you who know me best know that i do not revolve my life around a job or a set of jobs. i live on feeling. and right now, what feels right is getting the heck out of dodge.

what are you going to do in austin?
who knows?! i'll continue to pursue similar things that i do in new york already-- personal cooking, private cooking lessons, catering and freelance catering. also i'm working on developing a healthy lifestyle coaching program, doing kitchen organizing and pantry stocking, doing mail-outs to food editors, and continuing with the cooking classes. and i might get a part-time job at whole foods. so there!

austin, huh? moving back home then?
technically no. i've actually never lived in austin (i grew up in san antonio). and i haven't officially lived with my mom since i was 10 years old. so this is all new to me. sure i've been to austin bunches, a lot of my (mom's) family lives there, and my dad and sister are the next major city away (only about 1 1/2 hours), so that is nice, and of course a major draw for being there.

but why are you moving?
because! lots of little things but a few of them are...
(1) i'm feeling squeezed. like an orange, and i am running out of juice and i have a massive headache. or like a vise or something. so much confinement of space-- personal space in the public sphere, personal space in the private sphere, and just feeling like if i let it keep coming i'll implode or something.
(2) i'm tired of being around so many people all the time, but yet being around no one. not getting the love of being around people. i want more love and hugs in my daily life.
(3) i'm at a point where i feel like wiping the slate clean and doing something different. learning a new city. becoming a proficient driver. spending more time with my family who i am really just finally getting to know in a real way.
(4) i crave more quiet. and more outdoor space. more nature.

the coolest outfit of the day

i was facing the opening doors of the brooklyn bound 'L' train and in he walked, a 50-something, trim, bald-headed black man, wearing the best outfit of the day, or of recent times, as far as anything particularly intriguing or noteworthy goes.

it was the red satin kerchief tucked into the open space of his white polo shirt that caught my eye first. and then i continued to gaze...a matching red handkerchief tucked into the left breast pocket of his seersucker-esque (the pattern, not the texture) blazer. the deftly popped collar of the polo shirt. the spotless bright white, lightly creased jeans. and navy blue suede loafers.

he was impeccable. everything was neat, crisp, and i have to say...classy and cool. kind of like shaft, on his night off to go see his lady. he didn't miss a beat. he even wears his sunglasses at night. if he were in his late-20s, i'd picture him on a photoshoot as the gay hairstylist, but this guy in front of me, no. he was a lady's man, all the way.

we both got off at the graham stop and i assumed the intrigue would end there. but no, turns out, we were walking the same direction. so, a dozen steps behind him, i tried to see what more i could learn about him by his gait. he certaintly didn't have the relaxed pace of someone heading home, and while he was walking briskly, he was steady and casual, like he was excited, but it's not a new game. he knew exactly where he was going. he had a confident, but not arrogant stride, and walked with purpose. even though i'd done this walk hundreds of times before, from the subway to my front door, this time it felt like i was going a different way, because my task in this moment was now 'follow this man', not 'walk to my house.'

so where was he going? i don't know. to see his lady? off to a party? maybe he's a singer for some floosy jazz band. i'd like to say all that was missing was a bouqet of roses for his lady, but while that seems like something he might do, i also feel that maybe he has some other way of getting her attention.


oh and coolest outfit of yesterday?
a very bright, synthetic fabric orange women's business suit (shoulder-padded blazer, knee-length skirt). in snake-skin pattern. i didn't know the store rave also carried career clothing. the woman was also wearing sheer black pantyhose and black sneakers.

h. piddy in da hizzy!

'holy shit', is right.


look, i realize it's cheating to post videos that i didn't make as a blog entry, but DEAL WITH IT.
plus i'm too tired to come up with anything more interesting.

hipster olympics

i'm sure everyone's seen this already because i'm uncool and behind the times like that. (or shall we say 'unhip'? i'm okay with that). but, this is funny, and humorously emphasizes why, in some ways, i am happy to be leaving this neighborhood. salud!

what did you do last night?

i was at a billionaire's house.
okay fine, i was working, but how often do most people get to be in the home of a private billionaire?
not every day.

he has an ice rink somewhere (i didn't see it, but the generator and the zamboni were spotted).

but this jeff koons was in his front drive. (well, not this one. his was yellow).

it's all fun and games until they go 'outbreak' on your ass

or, my big day trip to the bronx zoo...

i've been wanting to hit up the bronx zoo for a long while now. i think my whole 'i'm moving soon' mentality is getting me off my ass and making me wake up early every day to go do things. so after packing my lunch, heading to times square, and buying a student rush ticket for 'spring awakening' when the box office opened at 10am (it was very good, by the by), off i was to the borough to the north. (it's actually not that long of a train ride, thanks to the express! about 45 minutes from union square. maybe less, i kind of dozed off.) anyway, i've always had the game plan in my head: hit up the zoo on a wednesday, when it's free ('pay-what-you-wish'), on a nice weather day when the kids are at school. get there when it opens. ...so let it be said that this perfect, sunny 75º day early in the school year was a perfect choice. i got there about an hour after opening and it was great, hardly anyone around, and even by the time i left, it was still very quiet. i had a very fun time. here are some of the things i found interesting during my tour of this large zoo.

i'm not the only one who thinks this is funny am i?

we all know how much grizzlies love a good picnic.

i think the real question is, what can't you do with it?

oh, snap!

they didn't have any other ethnicities that you could paint and play with. unfortunately.

i think this was a goodbye air kiss. better this than spit.

me and my ever changing mind

or maybe it's not so much that i change my mind often-- which has a sort of negative connotation that makes me think of 'fickle,' 'flighty,' and 'flaky', things i mostly feel do not apply to me. i think it's more that i keep my mind open to new ideas. maybe that's the 'bright side' way of looking at it, but so be it. i love the bright side.

but yes, my mind hasn't exactly changed, so much as better defined the month or two ahead.
i have been invited to stay the month of october with my friends shannon and steve at their wellness retreat center in stafford, connecticut. while i'm there i'll help around the place, assist with the cooking during retreats, and just enjoy and relax in the small, pretty town. i might even get to milk a goat, make some cheese, learn to farm, teach some cooking classes, and spin some yarn. it's like being amish! only, without all the silly bonnets and with a lot more trampoline and/or dance parties. and a hot tub.

so what this means is that this month, september, is my last month in new york city until further notice (likely sometime in early 2008 will mark a return). i may make it back for a couple of days during october if need be, but i'm not specifically making that plan. this also means that i am in a bit more of a rush to pack, get rid of stuff (let me know if you're in need of anything like fans, lamps, a bed, desk, etc.), ship stuff to texas, and eat all the food in my cupboard. not to mention spending some time with the friends who are still around! all of this will only be made more interesting by my relatively heavy workload the last two weeks of this month. and i have to try to help my roommate find someone to take my room.

i'm excited about the days ahead and about changing things up a bit. it's time.

life's greatest pain in the what-not, is more like it

i just finished watching life's greatest miracle, which apparently is nova's more recent (but still a bit outdated at this point) follow up to the miracle of life, and while for the first 2/3's of it i just felt like i was back in high school bio again, thankful we got to sit and watch a movie instead of doing any actual work, they showed this lady shoving a kid out her what-not and i was like "NO THANK YOU!". i mean, whatever about seeing all that specifically, i'm not modest, but imagining me doing that, quite frankly, freaks me the hell out. that and some of the other 'micro-inthebody-photography' kind of grossed me out. a four-week old embryo looks like a lizard-alien creature. and it's sucking out all of your life force! aaaak! watching that once or twice is surely birth control enough for many. put it on the big screen then see how much you feel like 'gettin' jiggy with it.'

maybe this wasn't the thing to watch shortly before going to sleep.
scary oregon trail child-birthing nightmares, here i come!

booberries

i spent a few days in scenic stafford, connecticut this past weekend with my dear, dear friend shannon. we picked blueberries! on a farm! i'd never done that before. it was fun.

there were sheep who just blankly stared at you. fat and furry bumblebees, svelte yellow jackets, thistly puple flowers, barn swallows, and a sheepdog named liz.

i picked 3 pounds of (organic) berries and only paid $3.75. wahoo!

i'm going halvesies!

the decision has been made...

starting in november/janurary, i will be 'going halvesies', living part-time in both new york and austin.

i'll be moving out of my current apartment at the end of october, living in austin from november to early/mid-january to work on moontower. then i will be living part-time in clinton hill with chelsea and part-time in west austin with my mom.

also, if anyone is interested in contributing to the 'send aja to thailand and hawaii in january' fund, please let me know.

let the adventures begin!

this is what i ate for dinner.

market fresh!
heirloom tomato (cherokee red), charred hungarian long pepper, lemon basil, extra virgin olive oil, and smoked sea salt.

i heart the greenmarket in the summertime.

went to the greenmarket today and went a little crazy, in a good way.
in the wake of my cleansing (thus, now being hungry) and trying to be all healthy and stuff, and knowing i have time this week to prepare good food, i scooped up a bunch of beautiful stuff at the farmer's market! everyone should be going to the market right now....everything is so freaking amazing and fresh and colorful and DELICIOUS. this will also supplement all the herbs and cucumbers i bought over the weekend.
(here's what i got:broccoli, various summer squash, avocado squash, nectarines, orange cherry tomatoes, plum tomatoes, cherokee red heirloom tomato, german green heirloom tomato, organic fennel, hungarian long pepper, purple, red/green, and yellow/green bell peppers).

incidentally, i am thinking about applying to volunteer at the greenmarket. giving tours to schoolkids. i think that'd be pretty fun!

oh, and i also picked up a few supplementary items from whole foods and trader joe's...

mind/body/soul/room cleanse

i'm trying to get clean!

but i'm not addicted to anything like smack, crack, or cocaine. heck, i don't even drink coffee.
just trying to get rid of the excess in my body, brain, and house.

so far i've made $250 selling clothes and books and the like, done a two-day mind/body cleanse with a holistic health counselor, and have been going to yoga a couple of times a week, and am eating mostly raw, vegan stuff. i'm feeling better already! and am pretty excited to continue...

i'm still getting rid of stuff, and am shipping some stuff down to my mom's house-- those sentimental things that have no real day to day purpose, but also can't be thrown out.

yay.

ben kweller made me feel old.

a month or two ago, i bought the 3-day pass to the ben kweller shows at southpaw on they day they went on sale. each night's set was a performance of one of his cd's. i was pumped! unfortunately, i didn't know any other people that into ben kweller to go with.

so finally opening night came around (july 30th) and the show was awesome. ben was way hyped and excited, so that was funny. i was smooshed, but had a pretty good view, but the room was hot as hell. but overall, great time. tim fite opened. this guy was crazy hilarlious, and wearing a seersucker suit, with suspenders! (also seersucker, of course).

second night, and i found myself a bit more tired, the show wasn't nearly as energetic, the a/c was working better though, and after the photog for spin and a videographer cleared out, i totally had a great view and was right in front of the stage. whoever the opener was failed to introduce himself (but i looked him up, adam green), forgot many of the lyrics to his own songs, but he too was wearing seersucker-- a blazer. and i enjoyed his voice. he sort of sounds like jonathan richman, and he also sings kind of silly lyrics, but most of them are to do with drugs and sex and being pissed. funny. would have been better if he remembered the words though.

third night, i spent the day being productive in an effort to get things done before i had to hop on the g train to the 'slope, yet again. but as the hour drew nearer and nearer i felt less and less like trekking down there to be in a smooshed, hot crowd made up of over enthusiastic 16-year old girls, boys who looked like girls, and other people who i found cause to be annoying. and after all that i'd still have to spend an hour trying to get home. i was tuckered out! and i hadn't even worked in two days, haven't been drinking or anything. so i stayed at home and did 'office work' instead.

i'm guess not as young as i used to be.

the hills are alive with harry potter.

i've pretty much been reading 'the deathly hallows' all day. stopping only to go to yoga, whole foods, and make things to eat. and the bathroom too. though i did resist from taking the tome with me on the subway during my travels (i'm also trying to finish 'galapagos' right now).

i started reading the book late on thursday night, but didn't really get into the 'can't put it down' phase until friday night.
i spent the rest of my weekend mostly in pajamas, reading (except for saturday afternoon when sarah and i went to catch 'order of the phoenix' at the imax! in 3D!)

it's a deliciously awesome adventure. can't wait to forget the shiny details and read it again a bit down the line!

'phew' is about all i can muster right now. phew.

the non-blog entry.

from an IM to JVL
phew i've written 6 blogs. i feel good about that for now. i have one more i'd like to do, but it's more gonna be like "i catered an event for target. i'm cool. it went well. forgot my camera. had to wear all white and spilled smoothie on me. the end." so in a way, don't know that i care.

the uncheeto.

i love these.
(the other day i was so hungry i ate half a bag of them like a ravenous beast).
in fact, i'm eating some right now.

speaking of mentos

shit!

p.s. did anyone else know about this coke and mentos phenomenon? like, there's all these videos and photos of mentos and coke geysers. sounds like something fun to do if you're in a no fire-works zone.

surprise! it's someone famous!

so i got hired last week to cater a surprise birthday party for the cousin of the guy who hired me.
he mentioned she was 'kind of high profile' but i didn't think too much of it. i was trying to figure out if it was someone i might know...i knew she was 26, vegetarian, and jewish.

wasn't until about 5 minutes before she was due to arrive at the party that i heard someone say 'natalie' and then i figured it out.

that's right. i catered natalie portman's low-key surprise birthday party. BOOYAH!
she ate my cupcakes and my summer rolls and enjoyed them both.

she did indeed appear to be surprised, and looked very casual in a loose sundress, flip flops, and shower-hair.

woohoo! one day we shall be friends. sigh.

(menu: summer rice paper rolls w/mint-tamarind dipping sauce; artisan cheese and fruit plate; crudite w/greek yogurt ranch and lemon-roasted garlic hummus; sweet cornbread with thyme-fig paste and goat cheese; crostini w/summer harvest corn salad)

eating well/new diet.

so i'm on this really sweet new diet.

basically, you just don't eat, or when you do, make sure it's something naughty like a cupcake, piece of pie, cookie, scone, or some other baked good. it's okay to have a little bit of savory food here and there, just for the sake of balance-- like half a bag of chips. the occasional piece of fruit is allowed. try to cover it in chocolate if you can. also, don't eat at regular intervals or times of the day. randomness is best. don't eat breakfast. in fact, don't eat your first bite until about 2 or 3 in the afternoon. and try not to get too much sleep either. the fewer the hours, the better! oh and definitely, do not go to the gym.

if you find that you are skinnier than you remember being, then you know it's working.
sure, you might feel like crap, but you're going to be skinny!

is this what college was like for most people?
or just grad school?

(it's been a stress and anxiety ridden past few days/week. can't wait until i get some real sleep and real food. i need a detox!)

no trains, walking.

it's always those days that your good intention to wake up early and be productive actually starts off properly that something goes awry to make you wish you'd slept in a bit longer. today was one of those.

woke up to do some shopping for another catering gig. i was out of the house by 9:30, and had a whirwind day planned.
i had to walk to lorimer to catch the L train, but no biggie. i went to make the transfer to the F at 6th avenue, and waited 10, then 15, then 20 minutes for a train that did not appear to be coming. i'd just missed the last train and the platform went from empty to 'wtf' crowded. needless to say, i was a bit pissed. so i left the platform and did my assorted errands on foot. ranging from 23rd @ 6th avenue to houston and 2nd avenue. and it was hot, i was carrying a bunch of shit, and i was in a hurry.

didn't get home until 2 hours after i hoped to be. but the shit got done, my whole foods delivery came before i had to leave again (yes! they deliver to the 'burg!!). frustration station.

mentos cab.

after an exhausting but successful catering event at target, i lug my heap stuff (duffels, a large bin, etc.) out to the street to catch a cab, figuring this would be a five to ten minute ordeal at most, being that i was on a well populate part of midtown. unfortunately, though there were no lack of cabs passing by, nary of them were available and i was in the middle of the block, so that also did not help, and i did not have the advantage of being able to move down to the corner with all of my stuff.

i made friends with the car driver who was waiting for his client, and he attempted to aid me with little success. forty minutes after my cab-catching attempts began, a pair of good-looking, well dressed middle aged business men hailed a cab not 20 feet up the block from me. at this point i am frustrated and tired and none of the car services i called had any availability for at least an hour and a half. i see one of the guys and sort of stare him down with a look that was a mix of "seriously?!," "don't you dare," and "help me, i'm a cute, sweet girl." it must have worked because he threw his hands up in a half shrug, half surrendering gesture, gestured the door as a cue for me to take the cab. i yelled and motioned for the cab to come down the block because i had too much stuff. i kept looking at the man and he made another shrug with a smile and a head shake that was sort of like saying 'how could i not give you the cab? you deserve it!'

it made me feel like i was in a mentos commercial. not quite as dramatic as if i had just enough stuff to awkwardly carry it around to the end of the block whilst simultaneously trying to hail a cab and somewhere in between there my bag strap breaks, i twist my ankle, and my sunglasses are on crooked...but, hey, we don't get these mento-esque moments every day, so i will take those moment as they come.

and i sure did. i took that cab to williamsburg and was as happy as could be.
end.

grapefruit shoe.

today was a lot of running around trying to price and buy things for a catering job in a couple of days. while at whole foods, i found myself a bit hungry but kind of too anxious and over-worked to actually eat. a few days before iwanted some of their fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, but they didn't have any in the small size, so today i bought one, only to realize after purchasing it that i didn't really want it. but there it was, tangy and sweet, and i had a few sips as i hopped a bus to 9th avenue. it was a rush and go kind of scenario, and i held onto the juice bottle while running into the post office. it's one of those bottles that has the pop-on/off top, not a screw on. which is why i didn't want to keep it in my bag, i was kind of afraid the top would pop off and then my bag would be all grapefruity. so when i get into the post office, i go to put the juice on the counter so i can grab the parcels out of my bag, only to have the (plastic) bottle come crashing down to the floor, spilling juice all over the floor, my leg, and into my canvas slip on, with which i was not wearing socks. after alerting the post office personnel to the spill, i popped into starbucks to wipe my leg down, but couldn't remove all of the grapefruit pulp. so for the better part of the day, i had a sticky grapefruit shoe, and a pulpy leg.

i guess a foot smelling of grapefruit isn't the worst thing one could wish for, but it still felt weird.

the returnith.

texas is pretty.

but i am now back in new york, have already seen 'harry potter' (though i will be going back so i can view it on the imax), have frolicked through the greenmarket, and watched 'so you think you can dance'. it's been a good day. more news to come.

texas, y'all.

that's where i am.
taking a few weeks off.
but then, i'm also doing these cooking classes. they're fun!

haven't been on the internet much, which is refreshing.
so call or email me on the gmail if you want to reach me.
love the blackberry.

in between all the rattlesnake wranglin' and cow tippin' i've had time to go check out 'dancing with the stars LIVE' featuring none other than joey "woah!" lawrence, joey "*n'sync" fatone, joey "nkotb" mcintyre, AND drew "nick's less famous and short brother" lachey. boy band heaven. and tomorrow night my brother will arrive in the state and together with the fam we will sojourn to the yearly spectacle/eyesore that is my sister's end of the year dance recital. she's good...but not everyone else is. then it's taking advantage of the love my parents to do the half-way meet and greet, and drive from san antonio to san marcos (the meeting point switchoff) to drive to austin. mom's dropping me off at jef-with-one-f's for a party he's having, and then i must not get too drunk, because i have to teach a cooking class at 2pm on sunday.

not missing new york right now. and it's been raining a lot so it hasn't been too hot. and i don't think i've gotten much of a tan.
i'll have next week with the girls to work on that.

good run today.

so instead of running a 10K or even 5K, chelsea and i met up for brunch in carroll gardens, followed by much browsing and enjoying the lovely day. during our talks, i was re-reminded of my favorite part of the 'learning to read' sesame street video i had when i was very little. and happily, i found the clip on youtube. please enjoy!

frustrated rumblings in my tummy.

i wrote these on 6/3/07, some nyc frustrations coming to a point. ballpoint, to be exact.

(in short):
i guess, if i were being honest with myself, i'd say right now i'm feeling a bit: confused, frustrated, annoyed, pissed off, lonely, aggravated, lost, found, on the bring of discovery.

struggling to make a connection.
thirsty for it.
quite.
p a r c h e d.
----

NY makes you care about things that don't matter, but makes you think you care about the things that do. because we make a difference when we drop loose change in a cup and we make an impression with our hot new shoes. we make a statement wearing our large sunglasses while we sip a fair trade coffe from our reusable mug. we fervently recycle, shop at the greenmarket, and buy from only the chicest (most exclusive) local designers. we support the theatre and are patrons of the non-profits. we buy organic sheets and visit foriegn lands. we have dinner parties, drink until we puke, and go back to bed. we bought our shit on sale. we throw it all away, when we move across the country, in search of a different kind of life.

-----

interesting-- to seem/feel (all of a sudden) lost, a stranger in your own life. perhaps not an entirely new or original way to feel, but nonetheless.

questions.

wanting to feel meaningful and purposeful-- making a difference is relevant. and sometimes in NYC, it is enough to get you stuck and be staisfied with stagnation and minor progress and setbacks. the currents feel strong, but the ebb and flow is weak, so it takes you moments to feel trapped in a vast ocean, but months, years, to actually feel as if you've moved from the shore at all.

i want to touch people with words, thoughts, and actions. with food, feeding, tasting, thoughtfulness. i want to speak in languages and find the spirit of my ancestors, and i want to be needed.

in this moment, i guess i'm wigging out because i feel trapped in a version of my life that isn't so bad, but at the same time, doesn't fulfill what i want out of my life. i hate that it comes down to money, to energy, to oil and coal, to food stamps, and presidents we never wanted, and deaths not worth the cost. why can't we fill our tanks with sunshine and be fulfilled enough with smiles, and warm glances, butterflies in our stomachs? why can't we pay the rent with love and kindness, and buy food with happiness? maybe then they, too, would become commodities, no longer special. we would find more emotional value in a frown, and life would be a different (yet again) shade of grey.

reposted from emails and posts.

hey y'all,

i'm teaching a few cooking classes out of my mom's house this month. i'm also doing one specifically for 20-somethings. i'm trying to get the word out on that one, as i don't know a ton of young people in austin, so if you do or your live in/near austin, please pass the info on to anyone you think might be interested. thanks so much!

it's going to be a ton of fun-- food, apron-wearing, beverages, and great people!

here's the info on the class, and the rest of the details are on the website:

basics and healthy cooking on a budget for 20-somethings
thursday, june 28 - 6:30pm to 9:30pm - $35 (register w/a friend and each pay only $30)
• looking to add a few extra recipes to your date-night or potluck repetoire?
• learn what basic ingredients and tools to keep around the kitchen-- and how to use them.
• learn some tips to stretch your dollars further.
• featured recipes include: minted watermelon gazpacho, baked tofu w/spicy peanut sauce,
moroccan spiced chicken, roasted potatoes w/rosemary, chocolate pudding, and more!
a meal and refreshments will be served. class limited to 12 students.

website: www.ajataharimarsh.com/food/cookingwithaja.htm

can't make this class? there are 3 other classes being offered throughout the month (this one is just the cheapest).


xo,
aja

chickpea salad

recipe to be posted very soon!
but in the meantime, kudos to me for being on the ball for (1) making/testing food so that i can provide people with coherent recipes and (2) taking photos for prosperity! i am proud of me.

late morning walk down skillman ave.

i wrote this on a walk down the street this morning. it was quiet and peaceful out and all of these beautiful things i saw in the span of 5-7 minutes. made my day.
----

finding a postman on the corner when i needed to mail a card and a postcard.
a young couple admiring a tree.
a father teaching his daughter to ride a bike.
a man walking my favorite breed of dog.
the manhattan special factory in action. clinking bottles.
a cool breeze that makes you forget the humidity.
the hug of the sunshine that says summer is here.
and i am alive.

photo of the day.

i took this last week in central park. it made me smile.

i'm a teacher!

i'm teaching some cooking classes in austin next month!
super excited, a bit nervous, but overall, jazzed.

if you know anyone in austin who might be interested, please pass the info on to them!
here's the website: www.ajataharimarsh.com/food/cookingwithaja.htm

check it out!

thriller...have it your way?

yes, more michael jackson folks. guess it's just an m.j. kinda time.

this one almost made me pee my pants.

do you think he has a sock down his pants?

and this one is pretty fun. click here if you want to see the full version.


these kids. rock.

office with a view.

stayed a bit later at work than i guess i was meant to, but i was able to witness this! such a lovely sunset.

this week.

A FEW THINGS THAT ARE ROCKING MY WORLD THIS WEEK!

'P.Y.T.'
oh michael, you created such a jam with this one.
i have to bust out in a dance break anytime this song comes on lately. will you be my 'tenderoni'?


burt's bees orange essence facial cleanser
i've been on the hunt for a face wash for weeks now. i try to get mostly all-natural stuff, and i wasn't too excited about the last face wash i'd just finished up. i considered returning to a tried and true product from the body shop, but of course, that's been discontinued, so back to the drawing board. i'd gotten samples of other things at the body shop and aveda, but felt i could do better. one post-work swing into ricky's and i impulse purchased this burt's bees product, and kind of love it. it's main ingredient is glycerin, so it has this sort of less greasy, thick vaseline-y kind of consistency, and you can massage it into your face without wetting it first, and i can definitely feel my face warming up with the nice increase in blood circulation-- which is very good for your skin, by the way. i'm pretty excited about it, i think my face is getting happier. i am a little concerned about how long it's going to last...the bottle isn't very big, it costs $10 and i feel like i need to use more than regular soap because it doesn't lather. i'll have to see.

netflix, as usual.
but i have two new friends on it now (liz and ev)!
and the o.c., season 4 comes out next week!
i also revisited 'welcome to the dollhouse' the other night. so funny. i hadn't seen it in forever.


amy winehouse and regina spektor.
miss spektor i've been meaning to download for sometime now, but keep forgetting to. i was reminded the other day, and i'm glad i was. here's 'the consequence of sound'.

and miss winehouse i keep seeing posters for, mentions about, and prince said something about liking her in an article i read online. so i had to see about the hype. and i have to say, i'm diggin' her! here's 'rehab'.


smoked tofu.
okay, this is a favorite i've had for a little while, but i don't often indulge. but this week my client 'purchased' some for me, and i have already enjoyed two delicious wraps. this is how tofu should be.

whole foods' smoky harissa hummus
an impulse purchase the other day. but wow, is this amazing. goes great with my smoked tofu on a wrap! it's pretty simple...i will be making my own rendition sometime in the nearish future.

sleeping in the park
it's not just for hobos anymore!
i napped in the park twice this week. i love sleeping when the weather is nice and the sun is gently warming me. mmm.