Best Feelings

In life it is very easy to get overwhelm with responsibilities and decisions; therefore, sometimes in life we need to enjoy the little things that life presents us and not take them for granted.... here is a list of the small things in life complied by myself and some classmates (Anna, Dana, KeOnna) that can give a  person the pick-me-up that is really needed:

• Putting on clothes straight out of the dryer
• When you finish an assignment after procrastinating and it was looming over your head for so long.
• A TV series finale gives you closure (i.e. F.R.I.E.N.D.S)
• When a book gives you closure
• When you open your credit card statement and there is a $0.00 balance
• When you are doing laundry or cleaning your apartment and you found money in an unexpected place
• Fitting into your skinny jeans
• Getting a close parking spot at your gym (ironic, yes?)
• Eating spaghetti with red sauce while wearing a white shirt and you didn't get any on yourself
• Having a snow day when you didn't study enough for a test
• Going to the dentist and having zero cavities
• When you miss a class (overslept) and friends are so worried that they text to make sure you are still alive
• Friends that will listen to your choices and feelings and won't judge
• Your airplane flight has zero delays
• Getting your mail and you have zero junk mail
• You make a recipe and it tastes as good it looked in the picture
• You go to a restaurant and there are no kids there
• You arrive at a event with friends and everyone is on time, so no one is fashionable late
• A person in front of you buying you coffee
• Getting coupons that you would actually use
• Accomplishing something on your bucket list
• Going to a vending machine and there is food already at the bottom
• Snow being in the forecast and mother nature not following through and there is sunshine instead
• Someone already scraped your car of ice and snow
• When you step on the scale and you have lost weight and you didn't intend to
• When you are in public restroom and you have just enough toilet paper
• Free dessert at a restaurant for you birthday
• When you are speeding and the officer just gives you a warning so you do not get a ticket
• Getting compliments for a new hairstyle
• You let someone have the right away and they wave/nod as a thank you
• Someone holds the door for you into a building (automatic doors do not count)
• You can't decided between fries or onion rings, but decide on fries and when you get your order there is one onion ring in with the fries...SCORE!
• You go to the library and the book you want is in stock and there isn't a waiting list
• You are in your car and listening to the radio and your favorite song comes on
• Having a shopping list and all items can be bought at one store
• Ordering pizza for delivery and it arrives in 30 minutes or less
• You take school/family picture and there is no need for retakes
• Flying Southwest Airlines and getting a seating assignment in the "A" section

Recipe: Chicken Souvlaki

Chicken on a pita with fresh spinach and dressing. Chicken and dressing recipes are below.

One of my favorite restaurants in Omaha serves a dish, Chicken Souvlaki. I have tried to duplicate it and I have failed every time. Therefore, I was grateful to find a recipe that is different but produces yumminess in every bite. Here is the recipe I followed:

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts cut into inch slices
Pita bread

Marinade
Mint, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 lemon, grated zest and juice
1 jalepeno pepper, deseeded and finely chopped
1 Tbs. coriander seeds, ground
1 tsp turmeric
1 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup EVOO
salt and pepper

Dressing
1 large bunch of cilantro
1 cup plain yogurt
1 lemon, grated zest and juiced
2 Tbs. EVOO

Directions:
-Mix all the marinade ingredients in one bowl. Add the chicken cubes, cover and chill at least one night, I ended up doing about 48 hours.
-Place chicken in a skillet and cook. Takes about 15 minutes.
-While chicken is cooking, prepare dressing by putting all ingredients into a food processor until it is smooth, green sauce. I ended up just putting the dressing ingredients in a bowl and mixing with a fork.
-Serve on pita bread.

Hibernation

When a person thinks of the word "hibernation", what commonly comes to their mind? They most likely associate hibernation with bears. Hibernation essentially means inactivity, and there's a whole slew of metabolic changes that occur but why bore you with the details. However, in the world of Shaida, hibernation is a way of survival and a way to remain sane. I have coined the phrase "No I can't do that because I am going to hibernate" while in college, and I have noticed over the years that my friends use it as well. For me, hibernation can occur year-round, but it does occur more often in the winter time.

For many of you this is a novel word describing a human, and I checked urbandictionary and they do not have the appropriate definition for the word. Therefore, I thought I would let you know the rules and details of TRUE hibernation. This is considered a sacred day to me; therefore, all rules must be followed in order to consider it to be a true hibernation day.

• You must wear the most comfortable clothes you own all day long. How do you determine what clothing is the most comfortable? 
• Personally, I tend to wear my PJs all day long.
• If anyone snapped a picture of you in the outfit and posted it on facebook you would insist that it be taken down.
• The more you look like a hobo the better.
• You would never, ever be seen in public with the clothes.
• You wouldn't want your friends (even your bestest friends) to see you in your clothes.
• You must not breathe in fresh air. 
• This means no opening of windows.
• This also means you cannot open your door to receive delivery food; therefore, plan ahead.
• You must remain inside your home all day long.
• No excuses of cabin fever or claustrophobia are tolerated or acceptable.
• Curtains and blinds must remain closed. The more your home resembles a cave the better.
• No homework can be done.
• It's a whole day dedicated to procrastination.
• No chores may be accomplished.
• Like you really wanted to wash those dishes or vacuum. 
• Social contact is limited to virtual (skype, facebook, email or telephone).
• Therefore, nothing anyone says can upset you or disturb the sacredness of hibernation because you can end the call or mute them.
• Plans for the future may not be made on hibernation day. Think of it as a national holiday, nothing is open.
• No makeup can be put on. Additionally you cannot comb your hair either.
• I tend to wear my hair in a scrunchie when I am at home. For those of you thinking scrunchies are so 1990's, I never, ever leave my house with a scrunchie in my hair. So no need to contact TLC's What Not to Wear.
• At least one nap must be taken during the day.
• Only simple meal prep is allowed.
• Only appliances allowed to make/cook food are toasters and microwaves.
• No coffee drinking is allowed.
• The whole point of hibernation is to slow down your metabolic system. Coffee has caffeine which means it speeds up your metabolic system.
• You must fill your day with only things you enjoy (that still adhere to the rules of hibernation).
• Reading, watching television, movies, listening to music, surfing the internet, pinning things on pinterest, watching youtube videos, drawing, editing pictures..etc.

Staycation

This was my last spring break vacation as a college student and I opted for a staycation. A staycation is when a person remains at home and maybe ventures out to discover attractions in the area. My staycation entailed me relaxing at home and packing. I was a little bummed that this was the first spring break I didn't travel someplace; however, I am sure I will be grateful when I am not stressed about the "million" things to get done before I move to Seattle. Here are some of the things I did during my staycation:

• Complained about losing an hour of sleep because of Daylight Savings Time
• While packing my apartment I found a Barnes and Nobel gift card and then spent time finding new ebooks to purchase
• Purchased and read Tucker Max's new book, Hilarity Ensues. 
• Got addicted to Mad Men (TV show)
• Tried three new recipes from pinterest
• Cleaned out my closets and sold things to Plato's Closet and donated excess to homeless shelter
• Hung out with friends and played Apples to Apples for the first time
• Was disappointed by Hangover II
• Packed apartment

Maybe there isn't anything super memorable about this list for others; however, for me, it means I will be well rested for Monday classes, I have more money in my bank from not traveling, and I was actually productive and there is tangible proof.

Urban dictionary had a couple of interesting definitions for a staycation:

• The equivalent of being unemployed for a week.
• A chance to sit around and look at all the reasons you wanted to get away for a week in the first place.

Things I Learned About Packing

It is my spring break and I spent it packing my apartment. I plan on moving my furniture and boxes out of my apartment by the end of March. Therefore I am going to have the pleasure of sleeping on an air mattress for about a month before I move to Seattle. However, crossing off packing on my moving list was cathartic. Below are the amusing lessons I learned about packing.

• When packing, the apartment gets messier before it gets more organized. I found it easier to limit the chaos to one room; however, I should have picked a different room than my living room. My living room is the first room in my apartment; therefore, if there was a fire I would have been screwed because the boxes and everything had my front door blocked.
• During my graduate school duration I have definitely accumulated a lot of stuff, and I didn't realized I owned half of it. My new years resolution should have been to be less materialistic. 
• I really hate(d) dusting. Thankfully, not having a lot of figurines and clutter makes this less obvious. I remember I dusted sometime in 2011, but I have yet pick up a duster in 2012 and I am in no rush to ruin that streak.
• Packing allows person to rehash a lot of memories by the items that you go through. These memories can go back to spending time with high school and college friends to making you realize the crap-load of money you have wasted on items that have been just collecting dust.
• If it has collected a layer of dust, you should get rid of it (trash or donate); do not try to internalize that I "may" need it one day for some outlandish emergency.
• One can never have too much bubble wrap, newspapers, or tape.
• The quest to find the perfect box is impossible. Give up the battle now. Use two or three boxes for items, and always remember to not make the boxes too heavy. You or someone else will have to move the box. 
• Keep track of the tape at all times, because you never know when you will become over zealous and pack it in a box. How is that possible you may ask? How can you tape a box if the tape is inside? I don't know, but I think is the true foundation for the term and movie franchise "Mission Impossible".
• I decided to save money on boxes; therefore, I didn't purchase any; instead I went to Wal-Mart and asked different departments (specifically the meat department) for boxes. More than once I would "borrow" broken down boxes in the aisles. Feeling elated and very accomplished when I would leave with a full shopping cart of boxes, I forgot one thing. Empty boxes are very light and the wind can be very strong; therefore, entertainment for Wal-Mart shoppers in the parking lot ensued. I swear I saw one kid eating his popcorn and laughing and pointing at me.
• I found electronic chargers and cords that I have no idea what they go to, but terrified to throw them away; thinking there will be severe consequences.
• Found my first iPod and three old cell phones. It is amazing holding technology advancement and progress in ones hands and remember how far the world has come. But somehow, no one has figured out to make Nature Valley granola bars to leave less freakin' crumbs. Hansel and Gretel should have been using these granola bars when leaving a trail home.

Moroccan Flank Steak

It's spring break for me. Currently I am packing up my apartment and the anticipation of moving to Seattle is growing each day. Moving sure does strum up an appetite; therefore, I am definitely going to be experimenting with some cooking. Two of my favorite restaurants in Omaha are Moroccan restaurants; therefore, I am desperately trying to replicate the deliciousness that these restaurants possess. Although I haven't found the right combination of ingredients and spices for replication, I take it with a grain of salt and keep trying. This is a delicious entree that takes little prep time and is versatile. It can be added to salads or served alongside rice and vegetables.

Moroccan Flank Steak fresh from the grill (skillet on stove)

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoon of white wine (it called for sherry, dry but I didn't have any)
• Juice from one lemon (called for 2 tablespoon)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• pinch of salt (called for 1/2 teaspoon)
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons of minced garlic (called for 2 cloves of garlic minced)
• 1 tablespoon of ground ginger (called for 2 tablespoon minced fresh ginger)
• 1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
• 3/4 pound flank steak

Combine all ingredients except steak in a bowl and mix throughly. Place meat in a large plastic Ziploc bag. Pour marinade over the steak. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1.5- 3 hours (I did it over night). Grill the steak to your preferred doneness. I prefer my steak to not be mooing at me when I eat it so I did it medium-well. Recipe called for medium rare which is a total time of cooking for 10 minutes.

*It was good but I could really taste the wine; therefore, I wonder what it would have tasted like if I had put the sherry in it. If I was to make it again I would double the spices (cumin, chili powder, oregano, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, cayenne pepper, parsley); I feel like it could have been more powerful in spices.*

This recipe was modified from http://www.blue-kitchen.com/2011/06/01/celebrating-an-american-holiday-with-grilled-moroccan-flank-steak/

Screw-It List

Everything in the world has an opposite. Girl-Boy. On-Off. Wet-Dry. Groom-Bride. So what is the word for the opposite of a bucket list? The answer is a Screw-It List. Most people have a list written down or a mental list of things they want to do. But then people also have a list of things they won't do for anyone or any amount of money; those things qualify as things for a Screw-It List. This is my Screw-It List:

1. Wrestle an alligator- I already know how this would end. Me dead.

2. Swim with Sharks- The only way I would do this is if all the sharks were toothless.

3. Backpack through Europe- I do not like to tote things on my back; after all, I'm not a camel.

4. Work in a pediatric unit- Kids and me are like oil and vinegar; we just do not mix, and shouldn't.

5. Testify in court about a crime so I can go into the witness protection program- I am horrible at keeping secrets, plus I would probably end up with a new job as a preschool teacher (See #4 rationale)

6. Get a tattoo- I don't want a stupid doodle on my backside for the rest of my life; plus I am so indecisive I would probably change my mind on my tattoo midway through getting inked.

7. Read War and Peace- No way. Too long. Have started it like 10 different times, and was bored every single times.

8. Have dentist work done without numbing- I get violent when people mess with my teeth. My orthodontist of 4 years can testify to my violent ways.

9. Have a child without an epidural-The next 18 years are going to be painful and full of sacrifices, I would like one more day of happiness. There should be epidural flavored ice cream.

10. Climb Mt. Everest- Super expensive and my likelihood of dying would be 99.99999%. Who am I kidding; my likelihood of dying is 100%.

11. Go to the North Pole- I don't need to confirm if Santa Claus is for real.

12. Buy a pedigree dog that is known for being aggressive-I am aggressive enough for the both of us.

13. To give up coffee permanently- It is for the benefit for all people that I remain caffeinated.

14. Trace my family tree- I have this inkling that I am related to someone I rather NOT know about.

15. Visit a Nude Beach- I've had cadaver labs, that's enough naked bodies of strangers for me for a lifetime

16. Try really exotic food (dog, cat, snake)- Sometimes animals are just meant to be pets and not an entree accompanied by two side dishes and a dessert.

17. Join the arm forces- No one should ever give me a gun. 

18. Go hunting- I don't want to meet my food before I eat it. Plus I would totally pull a "Dick Cheney" hunting accident.

19. Go Ice fishing- I don't have the patience or the tolerance for cold to accomplish this. Plus I would totally cheat and just go to the store and buy some fish on ice.

20. Vote for a person with the last name Bush for President- This is the exception to the rule "third times the charm."

21. Go blonde-I don't care if they do have more fun; just not for me.

22. Be vegan- I know there is a reason I learned in school that humans were classified as omnivores and I would hate to make my third grade teacher a liar.

23. Work at a greenhouse-  Hi my name is Shaida and I kill air plants.

24. Join a circus- Unless my talent can be reading a book or most sarcastic comments in a single hour than I have no marketable skill or talent for the circus.

25. Invest in the stock market- I am a low risk kind of girl when it comes to money. I like to see my investment....hanging in my closet.