A number of my friends have gotten married this year, and many more will be having their weddings in the next few months to come. Then there are some of my friends who are still searching for love, and there are some who wonder what is it that they not doing "quite right."
Regardless, I thought this is invaluable - a reminder for those who found love, and a beacon of light for those who are searching the answer to love.

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude.
Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoice in the right.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

So, I haven't been writing much about my kitchen experiments this summer.  Life has been quite different -- with many rather life-changing events. 

But in brief,  I have been experimenting.  Of the more memorable ones, I roasted a duck. It was quite interesting. I didn't care too much for duck meat.  I used to love duck meat, but now, I just don't really like it that much.  Then, I shredded the duck meat and made some duck gumbo out of it. Much better. Anything with lots of spice, lots of onions, lots of celery, lots of thick soupy gravy on top of rice is great! 

Keith experimented with bread making. He is definitely much better at making bread than I am.  We had a sage loaf, a Spanish paprika and cracked black pepper loaf, some a somewhat sourdough-like loaf.  His bread were delicious and added that extra perfect touch to our dinners! 

I made a regular sheet cake -- omitting oil and used apple sauce instead.  On top, I used a lemon glazed-like icing.  It was yummy! The glaze hardens and forms a nice shell-like covering on top of the cake. 

And today, I experimented with cream puffs. Choux pastry weren't really intimidating. :) It was fun and different.  It was good. It didn't deflate, and it wasn't too eggy or too "styrofoamy" -- the words of Keith.  I made two different fillings for it -- French vanilla and lemon.  It was great. I can definitely work on making the filling sinfully creamier and a little less lumpy. 

Here is a picture!
 

... has been dull.  I miss slaving over assignments, checking tasks off my To-Do lists, juggling deadlines, and always having something productive to do.

 Job searching has been good -- I haven't really gone all the way out yet, but I am getting my feet warm.  It looks like I will most likely have the job with the schools, giving speech and language therapy to the little bitty kids - which is the age group I am interested and comfortable with.  We'll see.  I do hope to hear from some of the hospitals too, so I can make the wisest decisions. 

 

Other than that, life has been regular. Nothing exciting, nothing out of the ordinary. I am just going through each day like that.  It is rather depressing to think that my days aren't bright and cheery.  I guess, there are a lot of things on my mind.  A heavy burden that is sinking my heart.  I am aware that life is what I make of it -- that if I tackle it with guts and guile, it isn't going to be quite as bad.  Maybe it will get better soon.  Maybe the knot in my heart will be untangle soon. 

 

Have a wonderful day, and a wonderful week ahead. 

Graduation came and went.
I had a pretty good day, especially since I get to visit with Keith's family. 
It was really the highlight to see the them -- much more than getting the diploma itself. 

Celebration isn't one without having people you love around.  :)

 

Excitment is slowly building up.  It has just one week to graduation. 

After that, I will be officially a M.A. SLP-CF.  Yeap, worked two hard years in school for that string of letters after my name. 

Maybe eventually, it will be a Ph.D. SLP-CCC ????

It is going to be a 'quiet' graduation.  My folks arent going to be here, which kinda stinks coz I pursued this partly for them.  They didn't make it to my first graduation, and now, they are missing this second one.  I think this is quite a  big event of my life.  Heck, I may never get married or have kids, and it seems like graduation is the biggest achievements I can whip up for myself.  It is different.  I am pretty independent for the most part, and somehow, these days, I kinda just want family to be around.  I miss having a family.  Oh well, maybe this will be inspiration to get that Ph.D. down the road ?

 

Anyways, I will walk down that stage, knowing I have done myself proud.  I am the first person to graduate with a bachelors degree in my family, and also the first one to graduate with a masters degree!

I like being the first. :)

 

Ten days to graduation. This is getting a little exciting.
Now, I am just chilling at home, looking for a job, and getting a little kooky from not being busy.

I miss seeing my patients and working with them.

 

 

We finally have rain after weeks of dry weather.  It has been stifling hot in Louisiana.
August in Louisiana  has always been like this -- hot and humid. 
Yes, I see steam off the asphalt road as the rain pours down. 

Rain. Water. 

Perhaps it will sprout some growth, cleanse away some fears.
Perhaps the pitter-patter will soothe the soul and calm the nerves.

 

As I approach the end of a dark tunnel, it appears that I am entering into another one. 

No beginning, no end.  It is all a blur. 

I don't think I am lost because there seemed to be no where else to go, but forward. 

Forward to combat the fears, the uncertainties.

Forward to cross the hurdles, undertake the challenges. 

Forward to battle the heartaches and the pain. 

 

Sometimes I feel weary.  Sometimes I want a little break. 
Who am I?

What have I become?
What will I be?

What am I searching for?
When will my search be over?

May the sunflowers kiss again.
May the sunflowers smile again.

May the sunflowers bring joy to others again.