Wordless Wednesday - Weird Guilty Pleasure

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Day Off, Night On

Courtesy Caponata. This was very good, by the way.

Friday was my day off. Yes, we all need a break from time to time and I needed one. I was not able to focus on Thursday and I was staying up late and getting nothing done - a clear sign of saturation. So I went into town. The primary purpose was of course, as mentioned before, to get my beauty stuff from Boots. But I cannot see a clothing or shoe store and just walk past. C'mon. I laughed when I saw the flip flops were on the shelves of some of the shops, as I pulled my jacket closer to my body. Flip flops. Clearly to go to a resort somewhere. I eventually got my eyebrows threaded, raided the Boots beauty aisle, getting my Mudd mask in the process and after what was supposed to be a half hour retail adventure, I got on the bus home 3 hours later.

Friday was also date night. I have these "dates" ever so often and they do a great job in reminding me I am a human first, a robot last. After some toning (Boots' tea tree and witch hazel toner for £1.24 or whatever is really the answer! I tell you, go with the cheap stuff anyday!) and my Mudd mask, and some primping, I headed to dinner. In the end, by the way, I thought I looked pretty damn smashing, but I am biased.

Photo courtesy, Caponata. Great wine selection, as well.

Well, dinner was beyond lovely. We dined at Caponata, which offers a very Sicilian menu. I enjoyed my orders a lot. I am so glad that Sainsbury's 2 for £2.70 pasta meals have not ruined my palate. I'm not one of those people who go out to eat and whip out a camera to take photos of the food so I can post it on online. I have done it, but it's not a usual thing. Again, if someone wanted to pay me to do this (hint hint), I would. But take my word for it - it was pretty awesome. I had the almond crusted lamb which was so well done I almost cried. No ready meal here! And the service was stellar. Did not like the live band downstairs so much - they kinda ruined the ambiencefor those dining upstairs. My one small peeve about the place.

The weather though - junk. And I missed my train so had to take the dreaded night bus and again, almost missed my stop. Finally, when I felt my body giving in to the sleep..I am on the bus. lol.
I am 98% (fingers crossed) finished with this nightmare of an assignment and hopefully I can get some sleep and maybe some fresh air tomorrow. Oh...sorry. Today. It's 5.00 am. Joy.

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Out of Sorts

Last night, I opened up SPSS, despite feeling really tired. The plan - I would do some revision by way of exercises, for this exam I have tomorrow. Ten minutes later, I was in dreamland and the laptop went into sleep mode. Six hours later, I was awake again. Two hours after that, laptop was off, I was back in bed, having done nothing really. Exhausted. A bit distracted.

It's not been a fabulous week, not only because of stats invading my life, but life invading my life. I just feel a bit out of sorts. It's not anything I want to put out in the cybersphere but I just wish things were different.

Thanks to two ladies for being so sweet - Carol for scouring her local markets for good Caribbean stuff on my behalf, without me even asking. lol. And Happy Anniversary to her and her hilarious hubby.

Shala for offering and promising to bring me a piece of NZ cheddar from Trinidad. If only she could also bring the sun. It's pretty dismal today after nice sunny intervals yesterday and Tuesday.

I took another day off and I am at home. I need to focus on SPSS and I was just too tired to go. Not to mention, the class was a bit pointless over the past couple days so I just decided to spare myself the hassle. Not doing any chores today as I normally would when I am home either. No laundry, no vacuuming, no cooking. When I cooked on Sunday, it was soul food. Comfort food. It's also great therapy for when things are not going as they should. It also makes the folks back home feel better that I am not simply eating a meal out of a plastic box.

Mixed vegetable rice, red beans, stewed chicken, pasta salad and fresh salad.

The rice was really great because I used all fresh veggies, including broccoli and cauliflower, which I first steamed before stir frying them with the carrots, sweet peppers, onions, ginger and garlic, with a dash of parsley and black pepper, before adding the cooked long grain rice. And I really missed having red beans and stewed chicken. I did good.

Pity it's a ready meal kinda day today.

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I Hate People Day

I really hate people today. Really. I can go on and on about how insensitive, selfish, daft, etc etc etc some of the people I encounter can be, but then, who has that kinda time? Just brand the day and leave the rest alone. I hate people today.

But I love my soup.

Sainsbury's strikes again. Cooked chicken breast slices, some veggies - precut, and pre-washed. I love UK food shopping. Got a nice piece of pumpkin from the market and some onions and garlic, of course. And Knorr may not be Maggi, but it will just have to do.

Sautee that chicken with some seasoning and some garlic and a frustrated dash of white wine because...it's I Hate People Day and I drink when I cook and get angry and splash wine into my chicken. Makes a nice stock base.

Add my veggies and my Knorr.

Bubble bubble bubble. Stay outta my way or there will be trouble.

Comfort food - to take away all the hurt and vexation.

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