Saturday, June 16, 2007
What a mixed week. Full of grey hairs, weight loss, meetings, nibbles and rugby
Work
This week was Dilip's farewell. Which went off wonderfully, and I did not get in trouble for having a 2hr lunch break because while I was out I picked up his farewell card and got everything sorted. But my plasmid prep from last week failed miserably so I have to retransform the bacteria. - Stink :/ But I finally crossed the gene array list work off, which means I have a whole pile of real time to do soon. Dilip's replacement will be a molecular biologist and my line manger, so will be interesting to see who they employ. But the good news for me last week was my QMB trip got signed off. A week in Queenstown talking to molecular biologists while Nick spends the day snow boarding.
Social
Last Sunday I went to Neelams surprise birthday party. Which was good, and I did really well at saying away from her birthday cake. But she has yet to spend her birthday present, mainly because she has been doing exams. We got her a M.A.C makeover. http://www.maccosmetics.com/home.tmpl?ngextredir=1. They are awesome at that kind of thing. Tuesday night I went to Quizz night at the Kingslander which was a bit of fun, particular when our entire team started singing Blister in the Sun. This quizz seemed to be aimed at our age group rather than the one above it. We came 4th, which wasn't to bad. Thursday was Dilip's farewell and that involved me drinking more than I should and a gossip session. It was interesting to hear what he had to say, he certainly seemed pleased to be out of there and was not impressed about having a female boss. What is it with men like that who are still living in the 13th centry and seem to think that woman are only good for raising children. Friday I skipped drinks having had enough alcohol for the week, and picked up some canvas for Nick and a sushi book for myself. I also made the mistake of going into a Made in Nippon store, and brought a bottle of Yum Yum sauce. If you have ever been to a Japanese restaurant and had shrimp you will know the stuff. I am going to make some sushi with it. Little sushi rolls so if I break down and scoff the lot it won't matter. Yesterday I went to Andrew's 30th and watched the NZ v's Canada game.
Well if the game had lasted the first quarter NZ would have been in trouble. But Go Canada and Miky Pyke scored a beautiful try for Canada.Games
I haven't had time to play much this week, a tiny bit of WoW, a little bit of TD and some Orcs and Elves. But I hate Connect 4. HATE HATE. I am sure the phone is cheating.
Wellbeing
This would be going a whole lot better if people didn't keep throwing parties for me to attend. For at said parties my new nemesis is found lurking in corners. Chippies, of every kind - all tempting and ready to pull me down. I can now say no to cake and chocolates, but the call of the chippie is so much harder. I have to keep telling myself , Thin feels better than you taste. The problem is the only way to find out is to taste. Oh chippies, I don't want to be a stay at home prude. Why must you taunt me. But I did find this great recipe with very low calories that tastes great. I really need to redye my hair and get a hair cut. Also I haven't chewed a finger nail all week, buying a nail file has helped. Nick tells me off now if I look like I will nibble.
Stir-fried Calamari with Chilli and Mint
Ingredients
2 tbs each; brown sugar, fish sauce, lime juice600g bok choy1 tbs vegetable oil1 tbs chilli flakes1 red capsicum1 small onion2 tsp ginger340g calamari2 tbs each; chopped coriander and mint
Instructions
Combine the brown sugar, fish sauce and lime juice in a small bowl. Set aside.
Cook the bok choy and keep warm
Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan or a wok and stir-fry the capsicum, onion and ginger for 30sec. Add the chilli flakes and stir-fry for a further 30sec.Add the frozen calamari and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Stir in the fish sauce mixture, coriander and mint.
Serve the calamari with the bok choy and rice.
2 tbs each; brown sugar, fish sauce, lime juice600g bok choy1 tbs vegetable oil1 tbs chilli flakes1 red capsicum1 small onion2 tsp ginger340g calamari2 tbs each; chopped coriander and mint
Instructions
Combine the brown sugar, fish sauce and lime juice in a small bowl. Set aside.
Cook the bok choy and keep warm
Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan or a wok and stir-fry the capsicum, onion and ginger for 30sec. Add the chilli flakes and stir-fry for a further 30sec.Add the frozen calamari and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Stir in the fish sauce mixture, coriander and mint.
Serve the calamari with the bok choy and rice.
Books and stuff
Still reading Going Solo
But read The Kingdom 
which is the sequel to Kingdom Come. Although the story was lacking I felt it built the characters better. In Kingdom Come you only felt in touch with the main three, but partly because you know them so well from all their previous history/comics. The Kingdom, gave the new guys that history and did it well.
which is the sequel to Kingdom Come. Although the story was lacking I felt it built the characters better. In Kingdom Come you only felt in touch with the main three, but partly because you know them so well from all their previous history/comics. The Kingdom, gave the new guys that history and did it well. But saw two movies this week. Wrong Man, 
which was really good. Had a little bit of everything and the acting was really good. Out on DVD now. More a guys film than girls.
which was really good. Had a little bit of everything and the acting was really good. Out on DVD now. More a guys film than girls. Nacho Libre
Was....... Jack Black at his....... self. I liked it. But then I was in the mood for pie in the face gags. Never have corn chips been so sexy, if what some what frustrated.
Projects
Ummm. The guilt is climbing again.
But my life is good! Really good! I get to wake up every morning, at 5AM, and make some soup! It's the best. I love it. I get to lay in a single bed, all by myself, all of my life! That's fantastic!