Speck of the Minds Eye

I am set upon the masses

A direct quote from one of my instructors..."I see you have a grasp of the concepts learned thus far- keep up the great work- mid term grades to date will be submitted to the registrar tomorrow.- if I may make a suggestion, I feel you'd make an excellent instructor in this someday- I encourage you to pursue your graduate degree so you can do so- you have a knack for this material..I hope you don't take offense as I mean this in the most complimentary of ways-!"   Moulding future young minds you say?  Excellent. 

Tofurkey is not another white meat

Okay I get it.  I really do.  I use to be among the vegetarians.  I walked among them for years and then one day I had a complete breakdown.  Tired of being tired and sickly - I went back to the darkside.  I have to say I eat more red meat now then ever before.  I don't know if this is because while I was away, absense made the heart grow fonder or what but give me a rare steak anyday.  Back to the point I was trying to make.  If you don't eat meat, and are morally opposed to the treatment of animals, why would you make a food in the very image of all you stand against?  Why would you mold and shape a tofu turkey?  First why shape it?  Second why call it Tofu Turkey?  I certainly understand wanting a different meatless option at Thanksgiving, hey sometimes I like vegtables too, but I don't shape my corn to look like a steak.  I have never understood Torfurkey.  I doubt I ever will.  Hot dogs that aren't real hot dogs, I get.  First do we really know what is in hot dogs and can we call it meat even and second, they are just so fun to grill up with their oblong shape.  It fits nicely into a hot dog bun.  I passed my midterms with A's!  I am very happy about that!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone.   

The best spiderman ever

So I am back to blogging from my new phone - known as "Chocolate".  Part phone, part mp3 player tihs phone rocks!  Once you get over the touchpad sensitivity you are on a roll.  So many features to choose from and so little time.  I am in deep over my head in school right now just as work is starting to pick up.  I have two research papers - due at the end of the term and I am getting ready to go into midterm week.  It is all I can do to keep my head above water.  The last two days have been nuts and there is unfortunately no end in site until the week after Thanksgiving!  Who ever decided to plan midterms during Thanksgiving has a sick sense of humor.  I wish I could say that I had interesting subjects to write about but no luck.  One paper is on emergency planning for Pandemic Influenza - this one is actually not going to be that bad.  The other one is on the role of juveniles as witnesses in cases.  ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz wake me up when it's over.

Thinking about the motherland

I don't know what it is lately, but I have been very homesick for Heidelberg.  I miss the cobblestone streets, the public transportation - never having to drive anywhere, etc.  This time of year is the worst - because it is the time of year I loved the most about being in Germany.  The leaves changing colors - absoluately stunning in a valley if you have not seen one before.  The castle at night and of course who can forget Gluwein and Onion Cake!!!!  I know it does not sound appetizing but it really is good stuff.  I had a Heffeweizen the other day at some brew pub in D.C.  It really brought back memories of the place.  I did GoogleEarth today to see if I could find my little old house back on Konstanzer Strasse - and I found it!  Check it out.   

Google Earth may have had the house off alittle bit - but I found the street and could map the route I use to take my dog for a walk on.  All the houses and apartments of my friends that lived nearby, the American hospital, my old school bus stop.  Sometimes you feel these strings that are pulling you towards home.  I am very lucky to have grown up in such a spectacular place.

JT finally wins me over

Okay - am I crazy?  Most definately.  I have become a Justin Timberlake fan.  I am pretty sure I am not the demographic he is looking to sell to.  But his tunes are pretty catchy.  For example, "My Love".  Great song. 

How did we go from Halloween to Christmas?  What happened to Thanksgiving?  Commericalization of the holiday industry has gotten worse.  Christmas comes earlier every year.