I'm Not As Young or Dumb As You Think

I am pushing forward into my late twenties and I am starting to get frustrated on why complete strangers believe I am younger and dumber than what I actually am. Yes, I got the chubby checks of a 16-year old female, act goofy, and generally find it difficult to carry on a conversation with non-academics. Perhaps this comes off as me being younger and dumber than what I am but this is no reason for people to assume anything about me. I generally find it a good rule of thumb not to assume anything about someone until they open their mouth long enough to gauge their personality.

Within one week of passing my oral exams (a major milestone towards completing my degree), four strangers commented that I looked like a teenager. I have never felt so frustrated before in my life. With only one of these strangers did I have a conversation long enough to devolve into how I am a Ph.D. candidate and will be teaching a class this upcoming summer. This person looked shocked. Not only did I look super young but apparently I was also smart enough to teach a college course at a 4-year institution. This isn't the first time and probably isn't the last that someone has assume that I was too young to know anything.

This past weekend I went new car shopping with someone only for the salesman to act like a complete jerk. I hate to school the old man but the younger generation (for the most part) does research before making such large and expensive purchases. We will always know more about the technical specs AND I will know how low the dealer is willing to go on the price. Furthermore, I will always understand why the law dictates certain technologies in vehicles, limits emissions, etc. Because of all this Mr. Salesman, it is completely unacceptable to throw your hands in the air, pop off "been a nice day", and walk away from potential customers just because you found out we don't pay sticker and know more about the product we are buying than you do.

While I get that looking young now may be beneficial as I get older (because who doesn't want to look twenty-something while in their forties), it is a major pain when trying to advance into the world as an adult.

It's Not Cute to Have Bat Wings

In the past year I have been on a quest to get healthier and get my body into super awesome shape. This is not because I feel like I have to conform to some societal expectation of beauty but because I know deep down inside that I am a badass. Yep, a true badass. I know I will never be taller than 5'4, thin, or have a natural tan. Instead, I have a athletic hourglass shape, super pale skin (we're talking translucent here), and have freckles dotting my face. Yet, while I may be a size 2-6 (depending on the brand), I still get SUPER frustrated clothes shopping. This is especially true now that I am trying to update my wardrobe with more mature and better fitting clothes. Here is a list of my dilemmas when shopping:

1) Why do designers think it is appropriate to give me wings? I am truly questioning how Dolman sweaters and the like became so popular. When I first tried on a Dolman top I thought I could turn into Rocky the flying squirrel. It also took away my amazing shape and made me look huge. I'm sure this may work on some people, but it is a no-go for me.

2) Related to above, why do most dresses and shirts look like burlap sacks with holes cut out for the head and the arms? I know that I could cinch some of these dresses with a belt, but, again, this still makes me look huge.

3) Related to point 1 and 2, why are designers trying to entice strangers to ask me if I am pregnant? This problem has been going on for awhile now and it usually seems to happen to girls that are not wafish but have some meat on their bones. Do I really need so much surplus fabric around my midsection to beg that old man in Walmart to ask me how far along I am? I didn't think so. This is similar a point that Leigh Newman points out (http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/19/living/oprah-rules-after-35/index.html?iref=obnetwork). Rule number 25 states: "There is only one clothing size. Yours. Baggy stuff makes your feel thin but look fat. Tight stuff is just plain painful." I agree. No baggy stuff. But the tight stuff is more problematic when you have big boobs. Which leads to another point...

4) Some girls naturally have big boobs, and unlike our man-made big boob counterparts, we do face a totally different set of dilemmas. For example, our boobs have spent years trying to sag to the floor, and we know that our boobs will only get bigger if we have kids. So, designers please take note because not only do I need more than a spaghetti strap to hide my bra strap, I also need more fabric/cup size in the bust. It is frustrating to find things off the rack that can accommodate a big bust and small waist. (On a side note, I am super happy to see a larger variety of bras for the D+ cup women. I finally can get colors.)

5) Knee-high boots need to have more than a 14-inch circumference. I'm athletic and short. My calves are freaking amazing but will never be smaller than 14.5 inches in circumference as the widest point. I don't dig short boots that make me look stumpy. I want tall boots with enough room for my leg not to look a sausage getting stuffed into a casing.

6) Some clothes need liners. I would like to see designers either include liners or have stores start selling a variety of liners for skirts and dresses. Modesty is always in. I don't need to flash my hot bod to just anyone.

Presidential Election Years Stink

In case you didn't know, I study politics. While I do not consider myself to be a full-fledge political scientist with a specialization in American politics, I do know a great deal more than the average American about politics and elections. I also know that election years tend to bring out the worst in people. As I have reflected back on the past 12 months leading up to this election year I have decided to compile a list of things I find REALLY annoying. I don't care if you agree with them or not because you don't write or have to read this blog.

1) Democrats and Republicans are equally dumb parties. With only a two-party system there is limited choice in spectrum of economic v. social values that can be represented. This means that every candidate, including even the more moderate varieties in each party, stinks. Polarization, whether electorate or parties, only compounds this problem.

2) Being an unaffiliated/independent registered voter in a swing state is not as glamorous as you think. While nationally my vote may matter more, there are host of plagues associated with this privilege. I get between 4-10 phone calls a day from political pollsters, campaign offices, and interest groups. These calls come as early a 9 am and as late at 9 pm. So far, only the RNC and Planned Parenthood have left messages. Planned Parenthood, however, invited me to listen in during a phone forum. I also get a crap ton of visitors to my door and mailers. Some of my favorite mailers use generic language to play on my emotions. Such language includes hurts the middle class, small businesses, etc. In addition to the above, I also get to view 15-20 political commercials during a 30 minute broadcast and have traffic snarled because of Presidential visits. Almost 90% of these commercials are negative.

3) Everyone is suddenly a political expert and believe their 2-cents matters during presidential election years.

4) Related to point 3, when said experts find out you study political science, they want to hold a debate or have a long conversation with you. I try to avoid such conversations by saying that elections is not my area and walking away.

5) Also related to point 3, Facebook is not the place to air your political grievances or act like an ass. I always find it amusing to find Facebook friends (many who I have not seen or heard from in years) that celebrate getting rid of a friend because he (or she) posted some hateful comment on Democrats (or Republicans). What makes this even more amusing is when these political friend deleters later claim to have an open mind. Really? Don't be such an idiot.

6) I get irked that mid-year elections never get this much attention or turn-out.

7) I find political commentators and experts on news programs annoying and dumb. Where did these people come from? I'm not talking about the regulars here. I'm talking about the C-list individuals that suddenly pop up on both national and local stations. Most of the time I never hear any credentials as to why I should listen to anything they have to say. I only further get irked when they smirk after they think they've made some profound insight. Ugh....just go away and let me make up my own mind.

Changes and a Jedi Dog

So, it's been awhile since I've posted anything. A few things got in the way. Primarily, I had to prepare for my comprehensive exams. After six months of preparation (with three months of full-time dedication), I have somehow managed to pass both my written and oral comprehensive exams. For those of you familiar with the hazing experience of Ph.D. comps, I can now report that I am really burned out, have yet to recover any academic confidence, and am struggling to move forward on my dissertation proposal. Le sigh...

Now that I have returned from the depths of reading for 12 hours a day, I decided to adjust my blog to consider more than just cooking and food. While I do enjoy cooking and catching random appliances on fire, I am also super into other things like Game of Thrones, exercising, pirates, penguins, funny dog videos, and trying to step my game up on how I dress (because I can't look like a young grad student forever). That said I would like to share with you an amazing jedi fighting dog. Why do I find this funny? Because deep down inside I kinda wish I could battle my own pooch with a light saber.  ----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VyEBwAaEDpI

Hardee's (or rather Carl's Jr.) Yummy Turkey Burger

I want to sing the high praise for Hardee's turkey burger. That thing was delicious and here's why...when you are a small individual like myself that means that some menu items are simply not within the boundaries of a healthy diet even if I was to share it with someone else let alone eating by myself (which is the case during lunch hour). So, when I forget to bring my lunch to work there a limited dining options within close proximity to my office on campus. This means I have to settle for whatever is at the student center. And what exactly are my choices - Carl's Jr., some panini and wrap offering, smoothies, coffee and cupcakes, Taco Bell, Spoons, bagel, Panda Express (gross and overpriced), subway, a pizza place, or the campus bar. These places can be broken down into 3 categories - cheap with some flavor/questionable healthiness; expensive and tasty/not healthy; or expensive with limited taste/healthy.

The turkey burger, however, seems to balance taste, healthiness, and cost. Yay! I was really expecting a fluffy and tasteless wad of meat. Instead I got a dense, char-coaled flavored deliciousness. It was even better than the beef burgers I have had in the past.

Questioning Organic

Among the many things that I read, the most exciting subject I like to read and discuss is food policy. I love everything from discussions of the global food market to whether or not the snack tax is a feasible or even good idea. To be honest, I am surprised that I am even able to eat anything considering what knowledge I have accumulated about food production, manufacturing and handling. The sheer fact that most Americans never get food poisoning is amazing. (Of course, the jury still seems to be out about other health consequences associated with the modern food system including ties to obesity, autism, ADD, and reproductive and immunity complications.)

So, what inspired this particular post? Well, due to a 4th grade science project I found out that organic labeling does not guarantee lack of pesticides. While I have yet to obtain permission to share the e-mail from Driscoll, I will share the details of the science project and summarize the response this 4th grader received from Driscoll when their organic strawberries tested positive for pesticides. When and if I do get permission, I will publish the contents of the e-mail at a later date.

The 4th grade project --
To see how strong a variety of organic and traditionally-grown strawberries tested for pesticide residues. Apparently there is a kit at Lowe's and Home Depot that you can use to test your produce for pesticides.

After testing a variety of traditionally-grown and organic strawberries from such stores as King Soopers, Albertsons, and Whole Foods, all strawberries tested positive for pesticide residue INCLUDING THE ORGANIC VARIETY CERTIFIED AS USDA ORGANIC.

The project coordinator (i.e. the 4th grader's parent) sent an e-mail to Driscoll asking why their organic strawberries tested positive for pesticides. The response was along the line that sometimes it is necessary during the production for an application of pesticides.

So, what does this mean? Well it means that organic isn't necessarily organic. It means that it is healthy to consider if the value-added product (in this case organic certified produce) really lives up to your standards.

Bourbon Chicken

I really love brown sauce used in most Chinese and Japanese restaurants. I adapted this recipe and made it a bit thinner than what others call for. However, next time I plan on adding a tbsp of cornstarch to try a thicker bourbon sauce. This recipe feeds 2-3 people.

Ingredients:
.75 lb chicken pieces
1 chopped green onion
Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder
3-4 cups of vegetables (we used broccoli, carrots, and yellow onion)
1 tbsp of soy sauce

1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 cup apple juice
2 tbsp natural ketchup
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup water (or less if you don't want it thin)
1/3 cup soy sauce (use the low sodium version if you don't want it to be very salty)

 1) Place chicken and green onion in a large greased skillet. Spice, cover, and cook over medium-high heat.
2) While chicken is cooking, mix brown sugar, garlic, crushed red, ginger, onion powder, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, water, ketchup, and soy sauce in small bowl. Set aside.
3) Once chicken has cooked push to one side and add vegetables. Cover.
4) In about 5 minutes, test the tenderness of the vegetables with a fork. If tender remove lid for a minute to evaporate any additional water from the pan. Turn the heat up and sprinkle 1 tbsp soy say sauce and stir for about 3 minutes.
5) Turn down heat and pour in sauce mix. Bring sauce to a boil for 5 minutes then reduce heat. Continue to simmer for 20 minutes.
6) Served best with jasmine or fried rice.