Cape Cod - A Serenity Unmatched

Sunset on Crosby Beach

Last week I escaped from the tediousness of my life and traveled to Cape Cod for the first time in many years. (I'll just get it out of the way now and let you know that yes, it was before Hurricane Irene hit, and yes, I am fine. Thanks for your concern.) My boyfriend, his mom, his sister, and I stayed at a Tidewater Inn in South Yarmouth for only three nights, but they were the most pleasant three nights I have experienced in a while. I underestimated the effect of immersing my toes in the water and ass in the sand with not a worry in the world and a cold beer in my hand. (Credit to Zac Brown Band for those perfect words used in this song.)

On the first day -- after we convinced ourselves that the sheets in the room were clean despite the smudges on them and learned that the scent of deodorizer was so potent that we couldn't help but gag -- we coasted to a small beach on the bay side along the bicep of Massachusetts. The calm water felt like it was 80-90 degrees, and the cool breeze provided the perfect respite from the constant sun. The serenity I felt at that moment is indescribable. It was a peace achieved within myself that could never be attained around my loud -- but lovable -- family. Only the sounds of the waves washing on shore and a distant radio playing country music filled my head. Before I could fall asleep, I picked up my book of choice for the trip: George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones, the first book in his series A Song of Ice and Fire.

[Quick side note: If you haven't watched the first season of the HBO series "Game of Thrones," do yourself a favor and watch it right now. It has something for everyone -- love, war, sex, violence, foreign accents, and Peter Dinklage are included. I started the book after I watched the series, and the show follows almost exactly. I should rephrase my words; finish reading this blog post, and THEN go watch.]

Back to the Cape...
There's nothing I would rather be doing than reading an enthralling novel on the beach. There is something about that particular atmosphere that lends itself to living in the novel rather than just reading the words. That is, of course, unless you become distracted by the pesty seagull drawn to your sandwich. At one point, my boyfriend turned to me and asked if I was enjoying myself even though we were doing nothing. I laughed and told him I wouldn't rather be anywhere else.

The next day, we went "critter digging" -- as my boyfriend's family calls it -- which is nothing more than walking out with the tide and finding keepsakes living or dead in the pools of salt water. After a long walk, however, we realized we must have read a tide chart wrong because the water crept up almost to our waists on our journey back. We did manage to find some large hermit crabs, snails, and seashells, but nothing too exciting. That night, we visited the nearest Cape Cod Creamery. Talk about heaven in your mouth. The menu didn't boast the biggest selection of ice cream flavors I've ever seen, but this homemade ice cream knocks store-bought crap out of the park. I chose the black raspberry with gummy bears (always necessary). For more information and locations of this utopian creamery, click here.

After a somewhat un-restful night's sleep, we sat on the beach for a short time on Tuesday to soak up just enough sun but not enough to fry. We stopped for lunch at a local place that served delectable fried clams, which satisfied my overwhelming craving for them. Later in the day, I ended up on the trampolines with my boyfriend's sister. You know those blocks of around 15 trampolines situated in a closed off, rectangular area that are always filled with jumping children under ten years old? Well, I was there, too; and I'm mature enough to admit that I enjoyed every second of it. Oh, and after that, I rocked at mini golf...at least for the first nine holes.

After I had my childish fun, I treated us to dinner at the best Italian food place I have ever been -- excluding the restaurants I visited in Italy. The restaurant was called DiParma Italian Table, and anyone visiting this area of the Cape should seek it out. I highly recommend the garlic bread and the linguine with white clam sauce. The bread melted in your mouth in a bite of buttery, garlicky goodness, and the linguine was loaded with fresh clams. It wasn't the cheapest meal, but I would gladly indulge my taste buds here again. For an online menu and information, click here. Even though the beds at our inn were hard and uncomfortable, I slept through the night without disturbance from my ensuing food coma.

Pat and me on the beach

Alas, all good things must come to an end, and I can only wish that there will be more vacations like this one. Although it only lasted three nights, I could not have asked for a more relaxing and enjoyable experience with the people I care about. Sometimes doing nothing means everything. All I can do now is relish in the memories and hope for next year.

Listen to This: Chiddy Bang

My taste in music is all over the place: one day I'm digging Keith Urban, the next I'm chilling with Guster, and the next I'm jamming to Dropkick Murphys. As long as a song allows me to move with the music, then I'm happy. Maybe it's my inner dancer, but I'm constantly choreographing steps in my head to upbeat rhythms. I'm always on the lookout for songs that will make my hour-long commute to Boston more enjoyable.

My latest musical infatuation is with Chiddy Bang, the hip-hop duo best known for their single "Opposite of Adults," which is featured in the preview for the new movie "30 Seconds or Less." (I can't vouch for the quality of the movie, but the song is catchy.)

Chiddy Bang's latest mixtape, "Peanut Butter and Swelly," samples various artists' works, including Martha and the Vandellas, Matt & Kim, and The Knocks. The duo takes the songs and creates new verses while providing an upbeat rhythm that lacks from the original tune. The final product is a great summer mixtape that you can blast through the streets while singing at the top of your lungs. If you're talented enough to memorize the entire song AND pull it off without spitting like a fool, more power to you.

Despite my praise for their mixtapes, their newest single, "Mind Your Manners," foreshadows even greater things to come. It combines a catchy melody, a rhythm to dance to, and hey, lyrics that you can understand. If you haven't heard it, do yourself a favor:

Their debut album "Breakfast" is set to be released later this summer or early fall 2011. This first single off of their first official album promises a quality of hip-hop that stands out from the mainstream radio I-wanna-get-a-girl-in-bed-after-I-watch-her-shake-her-ass kind of music. (I'm not judging; I sometimes listen to that bad music, too.)

Even if you're not a huge hip-hop fan, Chiddy Bang samples such a variety of music that it can appeal to anyone. For free downloads and more in-depth info on the duo, click here.

Tuesday Dinners - Cashew Chicken and Rice

Cashew Chicken with Rice and Baguette

A few weeks ago, my mother finally forced my family to create a structured schedule of washing dishes after dinner. There have been a few lapses, but for the most part everyone sticks to their assigned day. Except me.

I abhor washing dishes. There is nothing worse than sticking your hands in soapy, scummy water and brushing up against unknown chunks of mush. It makes you wonder how clean the dishes really become.

I coaxed my mother into letting me make dinner once a week instead of doing the dishes. Much to my delight, she agreed. Not only do I escape the perils of dish washing, but I have an opportunity to cook dinner, which is one of the things I miss most about living on my own.

Now every Tuesday I attempt to construct a dinner that will satiate my parents and three picky siblings. It is not an easy task. Last week, my pulled pork sandwiches and coleslaw excited my 14-year-old Mexican-food-loving brother, but my mother and sister were less than enthused. This week, I chose a cashew chicken and rice recipe with a side of toasted bread and bruschetta. Hopefully it can please everyone.

2 lbs. chicken breast, cut into 1-inch chunks
2 cloves of garlic
2 tsps. grated ginger root
2 heads of broccoli
2 cups chicken broth (use reduced sodium for healthy version of recipe)
1 tsp red pepper flakes (I like it on the spicy side, so add less according to your tastes.)
2 16-oz. bags of frozen sugar snap peas (fresh work as well)
salt and pepper
6 tbsp soy sauce (reduced sodium for healthy version)
4 tsps. rice vinegar
2 tbsps corn starch (add more if the sauce is not thick enough for your taste)
2 tsps. sugar
1/2 a bunch of scallions
brown rice (check the container for correct portions)
1/2-3/4 cup of whole cashew and cashew pieces

Boil water and prepare brown rice as indicated on package. (You can use any kind of rice you would like, but I chose brown as a healthier option.)

Heat oil in skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken, ginger, and garlic once you feel the pan is hot. Occasionally stir the chicken until it is cooked through.

Add the chopped broccoli, half of the chicken broth, and the red pepper flakes. Cover and steam for three minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover; add the snap peas and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until the vegetables are slightly tender.

Mix the remaining broth, soy sauce, corn starch, sugar, and vinegar together. Add to the chicken and vegetables and stir. Add the chopped scallions and half the cashews. Turn the heat to medium-low and stir until the sauce thickens. Serve over rice and sprinkle the rest of the cashews on top.

Who knows, maybe this recipe will get you out of washing the dishes too!


For the original recipe from BettyCrocker.com, click here.

Ice Cream Cookie Cake

Ice Cream Cookie Cake

Every other week, I attempt to organize a game night with a few friends and use this recipe to convince them if they seem unsure at first. I discovered this recipe on BettyCrocker.com about a year ago, and it has never failed me. It's simple and doesn't take much time to prepare. It combines a chocolate chip cookie bottom with ice cream on top. What's not to love?

I've written out my slightly tweaked recipe below. I provided the link to the original recipe at the bottom of this post.

1 pouch Betty Crocker chocolate chip cookie mix (or you can make your own batter)
Chocolate shell syrup
Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream (or your preferred flavor that combines well with the cookie)

Mix the pouch of cookie mix with one stick (half a cup) of butter and one egg. (Or prepare your own cookie batter as usual.) Use a portion of the dough to roll into five small balls and place on a cookie sheet. Bake them for 10 minutes at 375º. Cool.

Press the remaining dough into a 13" x 9" baking pan. I usually line the pan with foil first for easier removal of individual pieces. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 375º. While this is cooling, leave out the ice cream to soften for 20-30 minutes.

When the ice cream is slightly melted, spoon it on top of the bottom cookie layer and spread evenly. Use your hands to crush the five cookies and sprinkle on top of the ice cream layer. Then squeeze some chocolate shell syrup on top to finish. Freeze for at least two hours until the ice cream has hardened again.

When cutting into individual pieces, make sure to use a sturdy knife. It can be a little difficult to cut through, so letting it thaw for a few minutes first makes it easier to divide (and eat). Serve and enjoy!

Side effects: Witnessing heaven in your mouth, being pestered every day to make it again, overeating.

For the original recipe, click here.

Introduction

As I sit at the front desk, I think about the potential of my life. Here I am, 23-years-old, a graduate from Boston University, and still unemployed full-time. I work at a bed & breakfast in Boston -- a great gig when I was a student and needed time to finish homework, but not so great now that I need to make a living. Part-time hours and no benefits won't get me to the top.

But to the top of what? All my life I've heard people talk about motivation, success, luxury, competition, and leadership. I don't want to be the CEO of some Fortune 500 company. I don't even want to be an accountant there. I want to live a simple life; a stable job, family, and laughter is all I need. Yet society says that is not enough.

Why is money so important? Why does it dictate the rules of life? The saying "money can't buy happiness" no longer stands as an exact truth in our society. It may be true that money isn't needed to find love and family and therefore happiness, but once those bills for the mortgage and electricity and heat and insurance and gas show up at the bottom of the mail pile on your counter, stress overcomes your ability to notice the good. At least you're worry-free if you're making a decent wage and investing in a certain amount of luxury.

I could argue that my job as a member of the front desk staff at an eight-bedroom bed & breakfast is the best position anyone could ask for. I talk to people and make sure they are satisfied with their stay in Boston; that's it. I could argue that I have the best family in the world despite the occasional conflicts. I could argue that I have the best boyfriend a girl could hope for even though we don't have the money to fly to Fiji and plan romantic dates. (Sorry -- just finished watching The Bachelorette.)

But the effects of sources of happiness end when worry begins. How will I get a job? How will I save up enough to move out of my parents house? When do I get my happily ever after?

When I was 13-years-old, I thought my dream job was to become a choreographer. Dance was my life. When I was 17-years-old, I wanted to own my own bakery. Baking was my life. Around my junior year of college, I thought my dream job was to be a sportswriter. Sports were my life. Now I'm not sure. I'm still answering the question: "What do I want to be when I grow up?" Society says that's wrong. Right out of college you need a job and your own house and to start a family and work, work, work until you collapse. Just to make money to pay the bills.

I want to be happy and comfortable. Having an amazing boyfriend and an equally amazing family should be enough. If not, it's Shark Week, the Red Sox are playing the Yankees, and I'm winning five out of six games of Words with Friends. But I'm sitting here, writing a blog post at the front desk with the television tuned to the game, speaking amicably to the guests passing by, and I'm told that it's not enough.

It's the little things that make you happy, and the little things should be enough. That is why I started up another blog -- maybe writing about the little things in life will remind myself and others about what can make us truly happy.