Busy Busy Busy

Its been quite busy around these parts lately, hence the lack of posts for weeks, but once the finals are over, I will catch up!

I do have a few updates though and most of these do have photos, but they will have to wait until I can upload and sort through them.

1) J and his band played an awesome show in Boone earlier this month. J and I made a little mini trip out of it and also explored a vineyard around Boone. Photos and a full update coming soon

2) J found out that he should be able to graduate sooner than expected, so we should have some big life changes ahead in less than a year!!!

3) Finals are kicking my butt and I’m miserable and stressed at the moment but hopefuly by the end of the week, all will be well

4) I’m going to SLC, UT for my KD’s graduation! I’m so excited for her and I can’t wait to be a part of her special day! (Also, I might buy a new dress for the occasion…hmmm). I’m also really excited to see good friends and catch up with everyone

5) I’ve gone from straddling the Clinton camp and Obama camp into officially being a Obama supporter. I do feel slightly guilty ,but I do think Obama is the better candidate.

6) I’m terrified and excited for life as an adult! It seems its going to be sooner rather than later!

More coming soon!

Sim-O-Phile

I can’t believe that here I am doing a blog post about Sims2 . I was a huge fan of Sims 1 and played it actively for a year or so and then since I didn’t own a copy of the game, my simming fell to the way side.  Earlier last month, I was reliving my geeky days of Sims absorption and J suggested I get a copy of the game. Sims has come a long way from what it was in the 90s. The basic game is now Sims 2 with Sims 3 being released in 2009 and of course tons of exapansion and stuff packs. Anyway Sims 2 is a fairly old game and i found a cheap copy of it at Toys R Us and of course just like last time, I’m hooked!! However Sims 2 is definitely more addictive because you the game has loads of new features. Sims 2 sims age, go through an entire life cycle, have individual aspirations and wants, and most importantly can pass on genes and traits to their off spring. Of course there is fun building tools as well which include, modern and historic styles. Sims can now also go through adolscence, childhood, and toddler hood, they can have weddings, go to community centers, dates, drive and loads of other stuff. My favorite aspect of Sims 2 is that you can create entire neighborhoods and characters from different time periods and have their kids and grand kids and descendants in more modern times. So you can play an entire family through generations!

This weekend, instead of playing my usual game,  I was wasting time browsing for user created objects and found some blogs of Sims 2 players who blog the adventures of their Sim Families and often play challenges like legacies and create really neat neighborhoods from using Sim City templates. I have been inspired and I’ve been pondering creating a Sims 2 page/blog, but it probably won’t be for a while. I also can’t wait to get my hands on some of the expansion packs especially University Life.

I guess thats enough Sim talk from me!

Limoncello Cocktail

I guess I have been all about the citrus lately! Another liquor that I adore at the moment is Limoncello. It is an italian liquor made from the rind and zest of lemon. It is really sweet and really alcoholic- almost as high as vodka or rum. Although, this is a traditionally drank either on ice or plain as an apertif or as a dessert drink, I prefer mine with champagne.

It is essentially one part Limoncello with three parts champagne. Its bubbly, sweet, citrussy and boy will it give you a little rush! Its also especially delicious with some raspberries and blueberries thrown in.

The other thing about Limoncello is that it can be quite easy to make at home so J and I are going to attempt to make our own one of these weekends. Will post more on that later!

***photo: google images***

Fresh Lime Soda

One of my favorite drinks in the hot muggy weather of Kolkata is Fresh Lime Soda. It is a universal drink, made from soda (club or any other fizzy ale) fresh limes , salt or sugar depending on your preference. This drink is widely available , from roadside stalls to fancy five star restaurants and is liked by most people. When we were in Kolkata last December, J got a taste of it and now its his favorite drink too! Anyway, ever since we’ve been back we’ve been having our American version of this drink frequently, and now that the weather has started getting warmer, we have it at least every other night. Also, on the weekends we’ve started making them alcoholic as well, and it works really well as a cocktail!

Our recipe is suited to our extra salty palette, but it can be adjusted easily by adding some sugar instead , however using sprite or any other citrus soda, doesn’t really work that well. It needs the bitterness of seltzer or club soda.

Fresh Lime Soda w/ Gin :

2 limes ( or 1 lime and 1 lemon)

Seltzer Water ( Club soda is second, tonic water – a distant third)

heaps of salt (or sugar, or a mix of both, if you don’t like salty drinks)

a pinch of black pepper to make it interesting

Gin

Lemon wedge for garnish

Its best to make the lime soda first and combine one parts gin with 3 parts of the soda.  Howevr, with the sweeter version light colored rum works better than the gin.

***photo: google images ***