Iceland

My trip to Iceland starts tomorrow. I will be posting pictures and some commentary at http://lotrr2010.wordpress.com and will probably post blog entries here when I return.

Also, I found an old journal I kept when I went to France in 2006. It was pretty interesting (even though I am biased since I wrote it). I will be posting those entries here when I return from Iceland too.

I guess I better start packing...

Still Looking

Have you ever felt like you are looking for something, but don't know what it is? And you know you will never find it. But you look anyway?

I think, while planning my trip to Iceland, I have become aware of this feeling. One where I know I am looking for something, an experience, a moment, a sight, a feeling. But I don't know what it is. And I don't know how to find it. And I know I won't find it. But it is ok. It will be alright. I will have fun. And I will create lasting memories and experiences. But I somehow feel like it will be less than I am looking for.

I have had the dream of visiting Iceland for the past five years or so. And it frightens me. Not the country, but being able to make a dream turn into a reality. I am scared that it will not be what I think. But then I remember that it is a new experience, one that most people will never have. And it will become a part of me. Just like every other trip has. It will help shape the rest of my life. But will realizing a dream make it less important to me? Or make me feel like I have no where to go? I don't think so. I think it will make me a better person. And I will find a new dream. And I will keep replacing those attained dreams with other dreams until I die or dream the unattainable.

I'm not sure where this all came from...

Iceland, here I come!

Ok, so it is finally time to get some plane tickets and start planning my trip to Iceland!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw this today and was very excited.

If anyone has any suggestions, other than "have a great time," please let me know!

Thai Green Curry

Well, I invited a couple of friends over last night for dinner. And I got many more than I expected. And I was happy to have them. I cooked up my Thai Green Curry, which is one of my favorites, along with Thai Red Curry and Thai Yellow Curry.

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
2 Chicken Things (bone-in) per person
1/3 Carrot, Sliced per person
1/4 Bell Pepper, 1-inch squares, per person
1/5 Yellow Onion per person
Coconut Milk (1 can per 5 persons)
Fish Sauce (just enough to hint at the taste)
Green Curry Paste (1 Tablespoon per 4 persons)
Salt and Pepper
Chicken Broth or Stock (about 4oz per person)
1/2 Lime per person
Handful of Cilantro

Method:
1. Sear the Chicken Thighs (salt and pepper each side) in a little olive oil, set aside.
2. Saute the veggies (with a little salt) in a little olive oil, set aside.
3. Cook the curry paste in a small amount of coconut milk until well dissolved, add the rest of the coconut milk and return all veggies and chicken to pot.
4. Add warm chicken stock, fish sauce, a little cilantro, and the juice of one lime (to taste).
5. Stew for 30-35 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve with jasmine rice.

White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies

DO NOT FOLLOW THE RECIPE ON THE BACK OF THE GHIRARDELLI BAG.

Instead, use 2.5 cups of flour (instead of the 3 listed), otherwise they get too dry. Enjoy!

Food

I think food is more interesting than politics. And way less disappointing. So, instead of writing about politics once in a blue moon (which apparently is coming up soon), I'm going to write about food instead.

The Informant!

I just saw the movie The Informant! It was interesting, if a little slow during parts. The story of Mark Whitacre is an interesting one, albeit a frustrating one for someone who prefers to tell the truth (as the film illustrates, it is much easier to tell the truth than to have to remember the lies).

The wikipedia article is here.