I am a planner.

I like to plan things. Micro-managing my life makes me feel complete. But I've come to find that I need to schedule activities that I find valuable. I want to do things that are for a purpose, that produce an outcome worthy of my time. Working two separate jobs part-time has not been beneficial in the slightest, as I am barely making enough money to pay for my gas tank or dinner out with my boyfriend. I am trying to stay upbeat, but it's so difficult...

Maple glazed pork chops

Yesterday I made maple glazed pork chops with apple wood smoked bacon and onions. Come on, you know this looks delicious! First I started off by chopping the bacon and cooking it until it started to crisp up, then I added the onions and sauteed them until they were just about soft. After letting the pork chops soak in a brine of salt, granulated sugar, light brown sugar and cold water for over an hour, I sprinkled some salt and pepper over them and seared them in a pan (using some of the bacon fat for flavor), letting them get golden brown and crispy on the outside, then let them finish cooking in a 350 degree over for about 10 minutes. While the chops were roasting, I made the maple glaze (deglazed the searing pan with chicken stock to pick up all the flavor), added the bacon bits and onion, and poured it over the entire dish and let them soak up the maple goodness for a few more minutes while they were still in the oven. To finish off the dish I added a bit of rosemary and parsley for garnish. Here's my ingredient list:

Six pork chops
Maple syrup
3 slices of bacon
Half a small onion
Rosemary and parsley
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup chicken stock
Salt and pepper

It was a great dish-- sweet, salty and flavorful. The chops were cooked just right too. I hate when people over cook anything. That dry texture completely ruins my eating experience. Haha, I'm not a food snob... much. Also, this resized picture doesn't do my dish justice. Click on it to see the full size image and let the drooling begin.

Realizing a dream...

Thanks to the support and encouragement of my boyfriend, I have started to plan the creation of my own photography service. I think I want to call it "LK Photography" (if you have any other suggestions, let me know-- maybe I'll hold a poll at some point to see what you all think) and buy some domain space to make a website. At this point I'm too poor to do so, but I already have a gig scheduled to gain some experience photographing events-- in November, I am going to cover Jason's grandparent's 50th anniversary party, so that should be fun. I'm just so ready to pursue something worthwhile-- living at home and working retail just fosters my paranoid notion that I am going to become mediocre, and that is my greatest fear of all.


This picture was taken a few summers ago when I went to visit friends in New York City. I realize that I have a lot of artistic and architectural shots, but I really need some portraits and event photos. So I'm trying to realize one of my dreams and it's kind of exciting. If only my dream of getting a real job would come to fruition...

Catching up

I know it has been a while, but since I got home from Pennsylvania on Monday afternoon I've been trying to get used to having a second part-time job. I noticed something while folding clothes on Monday night-- nothing makes you more aware of yourself than working retail. The key holder who was on duty during my shift is three years younger than me-- actually, most of the staff there is twenty or younger (besides the store manager and assistant manager), which makes me feel so old. Granted, twenty and twenty-two is not a vast age difference, but I suppose being an unemployed college graduate makes me look at the world is another way. These kids just don't get it.

The job search has been a bust the past week or so. Mostly getting rejections or nothing at all. If anyone can give me advice on how to keep my spirits up, I would appreciate it because this is becoming depressing.

When it rains, it pours.

It seems that Gettysburg College has postponed sorority and fraternity rush until further notice and apparently the entire Greek community is up in arms fighting this decision. Never in my life have I seen such outrage-- I mean, guys were genuinely mad about the college getting rid of ESPN and I'm sure the loss of Crabfest on campus is something that has caused a slight stir, but the reaction to this event is full on chaos. Sorority girls are running around in their letters signing petitions, threatening to send nasty emails, shouting angry things across the commons... Insanity, I tell you! Now, I must admit, this is all very funny, but also somewhat disconcerting because it doesn't seem like anyone running this school has looked at a calendar in the last six months-- they have already postponed rush once and was due to commence tomorrow (based on its new scheduled date). So the outrage is warranted. Anyway, long story made short, I enjoy being back on campus-- yet I wasn't at all prepared for the complete meltdown of over 60% of the student body.

College life is funny. I think if I was still a student there I would be more concerned-- probably having anxiety attacks and crying in the fetal position-- however, as an alumna, it doesn't phase me as much. Although, I feel empathy for all those that have worked hard to prepare for this weekend-- and I know the kind of time and effort it takes to arrange an event of this magnitude-- it's not my sorority anymore. And I'm okay with that.

Leaving on a jet plane.

Okay, maybe not, but I am leaving today for Pennsylvania. The plan is to go visit J for a few days and (pending my work schedule) then head down to Gettysburg for rush. At this point it isn't a definite if I will make it there for the weekend, but I am crossing my fingers. See you all later.

Roasted chicken and potatoes

Went with comfort food this evening for dinner. While I was out grocery shopping, I picked up a nice 6.5 lb. chicken and decided to roast it for a delicious homemade meal. I preheated the oven to 350 degrees and completely covered the chicken in a simple herb butter (thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, salt, pepper), making sure I got under the skin and between the wings and drumsticks. Then, I filled the cavity with more of the butter and some roughly chopped onion, garlic, and lemon. After about 2.5 hours in the oven, it was moist and succulent.

The potatoes, on the other hand, were chopped and drizzled in olive oil. I then added some salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, parsley, paprika and chili powder. Those were also roasted in the oven with the bird.

Lastly, after the chicken was finished, I made a black pepper gravy from the drippings-- adding a little salt and a hearty amount of pepper, flour, and milk to thicken it up. It was simple, but effective. Honestly, this was the best chicken dinner I have ever made. And tomorrow, I am planning on using the leftovers for chicken noodle soup. I know you're jealous.

I want to go to there.

Had to do some online window shopping tonight:

• This pearl and starfish necklace combines everything I love about the sea. Maybe it's a little cliche, but I can't help it.
  
• Would absolutely love a black Kate Spade handbag just like this. Actually, I would probably kill for it. Yeah.
  
• I'm going to need new tan loafers or brown moccs considering I completely destroyed my old ones last winter by wearing them every single day. They were amazing.
  
• If only I was a trust fund baby, then I could afford shiny gold shirt from Martin & Osa.
  
• I told Jason that I would become a fan just to wear this Phillies hoodie or tee despite my love of the Yankees. Oh, and they are both on sale too! (Hint.)
  
• These argyle wellies are totally necessary for the fall. Seriously. I can't wear all my shoes in the rain, they will get ruined!
  

Alright, I guess I'll stop now before I torture myself into the fetal position... Sigh. One day I will have enough money to afford at least one of these things on my list. One day.

New furniture, old feelings.

On the upside, I finally got my couch yesterday. It's a hand-me-down from a friend, but with a slip cover and a few throw pillows, it looks nice. Considering I got it for free I'm not really complaining. As a broke and unemployed college graduate, you need to take advantage of any money saving opportunity you can find. As you can see from the picture, I also have an old coffee table from upstairs that is incredibly worn, but surprisingly still functional. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the new additions to my "studio apartment." I use that term loosely since I don't have a kitchen, haha.

Also, I started watching Glee this morning and I am already hooked. It's kind of a cheesy story about a group of misfit high schoolers joining glee club and trying to make something of themselves, but I love it anyway. Also, Grey's Anatomy and Castle start up their new seasons in two weeks and I'm expecting good things from both of them... hopefully. Oh, television.

On the downside, I never got a response from the school I interviewed with last week. Guess they didn't want to offer me a second interview... I suppose that's the worst part about the job search: waiting around for an answer that never comes. I wouldn't even mind someone emailing me and saying that I wasn't good enough for the position because then at least I would know. It makes me feel trapped-- I want to get out, I've been trying to get out, but whatever I do isn't enough. Life is tough sometimes.

Grilled corn and black bean salsa

For dinner this evening, I went with hot dogs and made a simple cold salad on the side. This grilled corn and black bean salsa was the perfect for a night of grilling. Although I altered the recipe a bit to accommodate what was in the pantry (I would have liked to use some fresh cilantro, but I didn't have any), it was still fresh and delicious. Here's what I used:

Approx. two cups of corn
Some canola oil
Salt and pepper
1 half of a red onion
1 small jalapeno
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
Juice of half a lime
A bit of cumin, chili powder and parsley

After grilling the corn and chopping the other veggies, I just mixed everything together and tasted it for seasoning purposes. Big success! Anyway, that's about all for now.

(Photo courtesy of Food Network.)

The last days of summer

Now that the sun is setting earlier and the weather is now more mild, I am coming to terms with the fact that the summer is pretty much over. Although each day in itself felt like an eternity, the past three months flew by. After graduating and coming back to live at home, I wondered where I would be in September. Little did I know that I would still be here-- stuck in a rut, unemployed, angry, and scared. I am still waiting for things to turn around, but as the last days of summer come to an end, it is becoming harder and harder to remain patient and positive.

What seems to get me through the week though are the people that have been constant in my life-- those that take the time to talk me through my frustrations or share their own (most are recent college graduates trying to find their own way in the world). It helps to know that someone out there knows what I'm going through.

Anyway, I spent a lovely Labor Day weekend with Jason. We played tennis, went out for drinks with my friend Jenn and her boyfriend, went to an airshow, and made a delicious chicken dinner together. It was so relaxing and so perfect. While at the airshow, I took over fifty pictures (surprise, surprise) of all these different types of airplanes. I couldn't possibly begin to name any of them, but I'm sure J recognized all of them. I told him how I like that we do all sorts of different things together-- we have such varied interests, haha. Here's a few of my favorites.




I am still waiting to hear back from the people I interviewed with last Thursday, so hopefully I will get a call or email tomorrow. That would be a perfect way to end the summer-- with a second interview. Or a job, haha.

I love Fridays

Since I only work part time, I spend a lot of my time at home surfing the internet, doing research, etc. and this afternoon, I discovered something I would absolutely love to have as an amateur photographer: a Fujifilm Instax Instant Camera. It's pretty much like a Polaroid camera, but instead it spits out little pictures the size of credit cards. How adorable! I love mini things. Anyway, that's what I'm digging right now, so let's work on getting me one. Okay? Okay.

Jason is coming to New York for the weekend and I have secretly planned what we're doing each day! Alright, that probably isn't much of a secret-- I do have a tendency to micro-manage every aspect of my life. Too bad there isn't much to manage these days. I miss being busy. Le sigh. Regardless, it will be a nice, long Labor Day weekend. Enjoy everyone!

My dream job

I have decided that my dream job would be becoming a wedding photographer. There is just so much fairytale-like beauty in marriage that capturing it would be an absolute honor and priviledge. What I also love about weddings is how each one can be completely different from the next in terms of location, colors, mood, flowers, theme-- it's amazing how creative some people are. And I think I would give up one of my kidneys for a Canon EOS Digital camera. You know, just an FYI. Here are some of the wedding photography sites I have been digging:

This blog has some of the most inspiring wedding photos I've ever seen.

I love this site for its DIY wedding ideas.

More thrilled than necessary?

I think not! Although I feel like only a few people will appreciate my excitement (Trish and Maddie, cough), I thought I would share that Widener University has a Sigma chapter! I think it's fate that I am interviewing for a position there. Fate, I tell you!

It smells like fall...

This fall like weather makes me think of all the things I love about autumn: apple picking, football, warm sweaters, hot chocolate, brand new notebooks... I know, I'm a nerd. But I can't help it. I love that sense of newness that the fall season brings because it's always the start of cooler weather, the academic year, when the leaves begin to change. And let me tell you, autumn in upstate New York is probably one of the most wonderful things I can think of. There's nothing like a drive on a winding mountain road with bursts of color on the hilltops surrounding you.


This picture is from the last time I went apple picking (which was a while ago). Went even further north than I am now in search of the perfect apple. Hopefully I'll be able to go sometime soon-- either in New York or Pennsylvania.