and afterwards a nice dinner at Udipi : ) 

dhai vada: 

one huge pimple of a bhatura and chhole:

my masala dosa:

paneer dosa : )

said goodbye to the toaster today. some plastic from the bagel bag got burnt onto the cover and in general it is old. goodbye old toaster. you served us well. thank you for all the wonderful tandoori chicken you made and for warming and toasting so many cold foods. I will miss you like the day we had to say goodbye to the old grey Oldsmobile. I said goodbye to it as a teenager and I feel like I felt that day as I handed over the toaster to my dad to dump in the garbage. I will always love you <3 (don't laugh at me lol)

and a van full of groceries from Walmart. we'll take them out in the morning. they'll stay cool outside lol

Zucchini Subjee

experimental subjee with zucchini and sun dried tomatoes soaked in oil:

next Rite Aid stop: Sally Hansen face wax strips, contacts solution and Robitussin 

So after a low, couple moody days for both me and my mom, I finally just brought in the Bounce sheets and DVD from the car (they fell on the floor). Mom was on the phone and gave a big thumbs up and a huge crazy Punjabiesque excited smile (she's crazy) when she saw the Bounce sheets. hilarious. onion/ajwan/masala pronthees for dinner.

So yesterday at the after school program, I was observed while I was teaching. I was really happy to get some feedback what a relief. I also learned about the three strikes rule for disciplinarian issues. I think the disciplinary issues have been getting to me a little bit and to the other adults at the program so I was happy to implement this. It works like this (Kindergarten through 6th grade):

Review the rules for class at the beginning every day. This serves as the warning.
If a kid breaks a rule, they get their first strike.
If the same kid breaks the same rule or another rule [a second time meaning they already have a strike], then they don't get any candy.
Three strikes and you're out [of the classroom].

what a relief! There was some order in class today.

However when I first got to the program today, as usual, it was mayhem. Even the pre-teens and teens were shouting and playing games and the little kids (who were working on their homework and were under control) couldn't pay attention to their work. I had had enough. I actually said something (actually I've tried to take control before). I asked if everyone knew my name. They said no. I said I am Miss Anjali. Everyone needs to grab a chair and sit down at the table. I said this a few times and the kids weren't still listening so I said you can follow the rules here or leave. I said all the adults here are frustrated (literally suffering. I feel bad especially with the older women there I mean they just look miserable) and we need everyone to cooperate. One girl was so hostile to me and said a bunch of rude things (whatever please just sit down). To my surprise, one of the young adult leaders got mad at me!!!!!! Cause I had referenced the other adults at the program and he got mad cause he felt he wasn't in on it and then left (oh man. I've been there as a young adult I did that all the time lol). Anyhoo, the noise actually subsided and I went into the conference room to prepare for my lesson. As I was working, the girl who was hostile to me came in with one of the adults because she wanted to apologize to me. I was amazed. This time I saw a serenity within her that I felt was within me. Basically I saw myself in her, I saw my hostility and my serenity in her. I thanked her for apologizing and asked her to step up to the plate and be a leader amongst her peers. It's ok that we mistakes, but she recognized it and now we can move forward. After I taught the class (we read Don't Rant and Rave on Wednesdays lol), I walked out into the main room and was shocked to hear how quiet it was. It was like a meditation room. Everyone was sitting down and reading something or being silent. score!!!!!! what a great learning experience. afterwards, some dance work and home. skipped my facial appt today cause I napped this afternoon instead.

#dinner time

#current herb - Sea of Qi formula

Khombu boots for winter = $41 with Mom's Macy's card and ten dollar certificate : )

So today I was having my 5th and 6th grade students finish a worksheet they were working on last week and I had to tell one of the girls to turn the music off on her iTablet? I have no idea what that is but it is a huge phone. She was playing a song on it and I had to ask her like five times to turn the music off. She finally turned it off and then they were working on their worksheets. I was looking at my teacher notes and then out of nowhere the girls asked me about the n word. They asked about its meaning and if it's ok to use that word or something else/like that I can't remember. Like what does the n word mean in this song when they say it like that. I just said nicely and firmly that I don't know exactly what it means but please don't use that word in front of me. And that was that. I got home and had a lot of intense emotions. One feels intense anxiety from time to time. My tendency is to close up and so I just lay in my room for a while. But then while on the bike, I was watching Tiny House Builders on HGTV with mom and she always gives me this look when she knows something is up or I'm feeling odd. So I just opened up and told her a couple things I was feeling stressed about in my life and I felt a lot better. I felt much less guilt. It's funny how some of the things you feel terribly about your parents just shoo it away or laugh it off. Amazing how the mind works. It can be a dark plunge into an endless hole of needless suffering. Just talk to someone. while you're exercising : ] #looking to the light 

no offense but this country is really white....

so last week I forgot to pick up coffee filters so this evening I stopped at Target and picked up the following (today was such a bad day internally for me I can't tell you):

1 reduced fat Ruffles chips: $3.79
1 Applegate swiss cheese (yay at Target and no hormones): $5.99
1 Archer farms maple syrup (my body can take high fructose corn syrup anymore): $7.19
1 Archer Farms mixed nuts: $13.39
1 2lb sugar in the raw: $3.49
1 Silk Almond milk: $3.04
1 Simply Balanced organic milk half gallon (yay also no hormones never tried this brand): $4.59
1 Melitta brown coffee filters: $1.99

subtotal: $43.37
tax: 14 cents
total: $43.61

I don't understand how bonus points are included in the final total. I got 3/4 bonus points and suddenly the total points for class went from 465 to 469. I don't understand that.

oh no that was Kuch Kuch Hota Hai : )

oh no I was sitting next to him in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun I think..

#laundry : (

ate my rajah chawal with bhindi for dinner : ) very accommodating of me..

hot mix from earlier:

I just learned that you're supposed to add the haldi to browned onions before you add crushed tomatoes and peas and other masalas for the matar paneer...

A couple days ago I got a facial done by this beautician I like. It has been like three years since I had a facial (unfortunately we're not in India where I could get one for like five dollars) and I had some minor breakouts (I have combination skin) this year so I figured I would get one also for upcoming pictures and stuff. Anyway, I went and the very warm-natured and expert beautician gave me a lovely facial. However she was not happy with my skin. She spent a lot of time scooping out the gunk from my pimples. It hurt but it also felt good. God I love that. Then she put on an amazing mask  and left me to myself and I of course fell asleep. I woke up a couple times cause I heard myself snoring. Anyhoo, she told me not to put on any moisturizer this week because she said that my skin has enough moisture in it. But today I felt that my forehead was dry so I just put a little Aveda moisturizer on my forehead.

We don't know if it's because of the lotions I'm using or because I haven't had a facial in so long that I was breaking out. She wanted me to come back next week to finish working on my skin so I'm going back [wondering if I'm actually gonna go back]. She wants me to bring my moisturizers so she can see what I'm using. I felt so much anxiety when she wasn't happy with my skin but then I told myself calm down, it's no big deal. we can fix it. yay. #splurging #first world problems #no more pimples

cochin masala chai finished so brought out the Lopchu box from the cabinet : )

and then I stopped at Target this evening because I forgot to get bread (today one of the first graders showed me he was pregnant by stuffing a football under his sweatshirt....LOL):

1 240 count Bounce sheets: $8.59
1 DVD: $13.00
1 Jimmy Dean turkey sausages: $4.49
1 Annie's shells and cheese: $3.29
1 Brownberry bread: $2.99
1 Thomas everything bagels: $2.99
1 Eggo waffles: $2.39
1 Archer Farms frozen pizza: $5.49
1 50 count Ziploc bags: $3.99

subtotal: $47.22
tax: $1.79

total: $49.01

paneer stuffed in green peppers today : )

Last night after teaching the kids and sending everyone home early because they were making us crazy, I drove to Walmart to get a few things to eat. Here is the list (I know you've been waiting for one of these for quite some time):

1 M&Ms: 98 cents
1 plain Chèvre (I think this is goat cheese. I'm assuming goats don't get injected with hormones): $4.98
1 laughing cow creamy swiss light wedges (this is a replacement for cream cheese on my bagel. unfortunately not organic. learned it from my psychologist sister in law : ): $2.50
another one: $2.50
1 100 count Stevia: $4.98
another one: $4.98
1 Natural Valley 10 pack of peanut butter chocolate bars: $5.68
1 Quaker Oats maple brown sugar oatmeal (for mom): $2.88
1 Quaker Oats apple and cinnamon oatmeal (for mom): $2.50
1 Schwebel's honey wheat bagels: $2.08
1 organic butter (let's give it a try): $5.98
1 Pepperidge Farm raisin swirl bread (for my french toast): $2.98 (minus a 50 cent coupon)
1 Progresso vegetable soup: $1.48 (minus a 35 cent coupon)
another one: $1.48 (minus a 25 cent coupon)
1 Honey Bunches of Oats (mom's favorite): $2.98
1 Peanut Butter (gonna have a little bit again now and then): $3.98
1 Pepper Jack cheese (dad can't live without this): $2.38
1 Fiber One lemon bars: $2.98
1 triple flavor of something: $4.48
1 apple juice: $2.18
1 3 liter of Deer Park water: $1.00
1 2 liter Canada Dry ginger ale: $1.00
1 Hillshire Farms ultra think turkey: $3.48
1 Vlasic pickles: $2.32
1 iceberg lettuce: $1.68
1 cauliflower: $3.28
3 bell peppers at 78 cents each: $2.34
five tomatoes at $2.38/lb: $4.71
1 EB 18pk eggs: $3.98 minus a 35 cent coupon
1 Ruffles chips: $2.98
1 12 count blank cards: $1.88
1 stationary (I think these are XMAS gift labels): 97 cents
1 Gift ENCL (or maybe these are the gift labels): $1.97
1 multicolored tissue paper: $3.97
1 small gift bag: 33 cents
another one: 33 cents
another one: 33 cents
1 'Merry Christmas' red gift bag: 97 cents
another one: 97 cents
another one: 97 cents
another one: 97 cents
another one: 97 cents
another one: 97 cents
another one: 97 cents
another one: 97 cents

subtotal: $107.82
tax: $1.12

total: $108.94

bloody ridiculous..

my new coffee maker came in the mail : ) I paid not $65 for it but $24.98 including tax and shipping and handling via Groupon!! I love that it's orange..totally nourishes my second chakra : )

carpet installation for living, dining, family room, stairs and hallway: $8000. lord. 

she got home ten minutes before I did and started the tharka : ) I got lots of compliments on my khichadi : ) 

beautiful khichadi : )

So I stopped at Starbucks for my somewhat usual stop for coffee but after ordering my coffee and pumpkin loaf, I reached into my wallet and saw my license and debit and credit cards were not in there!!!! I had put them in another purse and forgot to put them back in my wallet. But I had my Teavana card so I was hoping there was some balance on there. Anyway I pulled up to the window and the barista told me I only had a dollar something on my card. I apologized profusely and was ready to leave when she handed me my coffee and loaf. She said they would toss it out anyway so they were giving it to me for free. So nice!!!!!! Next time I see them I'm gonna give them a big tip. #must empty dishwasher and empty sink before mom gets home #tharka for khichadi #big headache 

epiphany!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and my vada sambar from Udipi : )

#JaneAustenBookClub

#Wanderlust : ) when you get to that part where the guy runs out naked towards the car, close your eyes!!!!

#got my period :]

Last month I missed making a credit card payment and got charged a late fee. This was the only time I was ever late with a payment on this credit card. But I asked for a refund and am getting my money back. Yay :] let's pay that thing off!!!!!!

Peaceful Sounds ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdIJ2x3nxzQ

simple food after traveling: pulao with peas and cashews (and salt, jeera powder and mirchi) w yogurt and mango achar

Pheviyaan

boil milk in pot:

then add sugar: 

then add pheni:

boil for some time.

 

the resulting mixture:

too bad all the jalebi is gone : /

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with family IST time :) 

#mohabbat zinda rehti hai....mohabbat mar nahi sakti....

People who make these kinds of comments to people who are fatigued are obviously idiotic and obviously don't have a vagina: http://survivingendometriosis.com/2014/11/25/seven-reasons-why-endo-fatigue-causes-so-much-trauma-to-its-sufferers-2/

somehow I will submit an assignment due tonight and my week off will finally start tomorrow..so sick, not enough tissues, my back hurts, can't think, just wanna go to bed ..this is the last semester I'm taking 9 credits so cranky right now..
#Paῂera

not to toot my own horn or anything but with a little addition of salt, my aloo matar was deemed almost gourmet level.. :)

Dhai/Yogurt

Scoop yogurt into bowl:

To thin out yogurt, add water or milk and whisk in a viral manner with fork:

add salt, red mirchi (spice) and roasted cumin seeds:

Bhindi (okra) also cooking: 

 add boondi (fried drops of chick peas..an Indian kid's favorite thing..can buy at Indian store):

 savory side dish to cool the palette:

beautiful presentation w chicken, aloo matar and bhindi: 

 my plate : )

Tandoori chicken II

I can't believe I've missed putting tandoori chicken on here. It's very simple.

Marinate cut pieces of chicken breast (after you've cleaned and cut chicken of course) in yogurt. The yogurt mixture is: plain yogurt, tandoori masala, salt and red mirchi. This group of breasts has been marinated for a couple hours:

then lay the pieces of chicken on tray covered with foil. spray foil with oil before you do this:

 then bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes:

 store leftover chicken and freeze:

after a while, water may gather. pour it out:

then turn over pieces of chicken and put back in toaster:

 

 no lemons in the fridge so I mixed lemon juice concentrate with churan:

Aloo Matar (Potatoes and Peas)

As usual, cut onion, garlic and ginger and brown in oil (no ginger in the fridge today):

 beautiful browning:

then add a couple karchis (big Indian spoon measurement) of crushed tomato (so it would be like say 1/4th to 1/2 cup worth of tomato), peas, salt, pepper, garam masala (coriander and cumin powders, haldi (turmeric) and mirchi (red spice):

add a lot of water and cook peas for a long time:

then add potatoes (I accidentally boiled the potatoes beforehand for a while. do not boil the potatoes. just cut and peel them and put them in mixture. obviously I don't cook aloo matar often):

 

 cover and cook: 

Welcome to Heaven

all for me!!!! : )

#homework and finals #homeoffice on the couch #Bollywood #cough and chest congestion #cinnamon black tea with honey

my Black Friday shopping list:

laptop
possibly a coffee machine (old one has been broken for a long time)
foundation (for the dark spots on my face..I lost my foundation at a gig)
urban decay eyeshadow primer (I lost this at the same gig)
possibly winter shoes (my mom wants to get me boots I have no idea why so she can get me them for Christmas)
socks
a couple pants/slacks

lord..

oats and veggies for lunch : )

This is why I don't work at a law firm: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6151272?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

One of my five year old kids said she never has trouble feeling happy (when I asked her if she does). She's always smiling and playing and coloring and eating candy. #kids are always teaching you things 

oh my god I might hand in a project more than a day in advance of the deadline!!!!!!!! great to work with a partner!!!!!!

finance? oh kee hoonda jee....menoo koi filance filoons da koi patha nae jee.....

#been following real estate in the Dominican Republic: http://www.westindies-realestate.com/property-list.cfm?page=1&shownewest=&ptype=&SESSION.psperpage=24&SESSION.pspricesort=desc
#sister got engaged....overjoyed....#another margarita please
#food, fun, family and friends <3

Last night (or early this morning) I had a dream that I was about to get married. This is like the third dream I've had where I agreed to marry someone I don't really know and at some ceremony where Im about to get engaged or married I start having an anxiety attack and try to call off the whole thing. This morning I woke up screaming and my mom rushed into my room to see if I was ok. Thankfully it was all a dream. Phew.

from one of my students : )

'I love Ms. J : )'

Here's my fuck you list:

Fuck this shit.

Fuck people who wake up at 5 am and think they're so responsible and hard working.

Fuck professional clothing.

Fuck American currency.

Fuck deadlines.

Fuck terrorism.

Fuck Dell.

Fuck chairs.

Fuck fat.

Fuck schedules based on time.

Fuck men who want to have sex. Fuck men who don't want to have sex.

Fuck racists.

Fuck this shit. 

#forgot my book back home :(
#rents quibbling over dinner
#chocolate cupcake and tea going in my tummy soon
#drugged up on Advil 

So this past weekend I visited my cousin brother and sister-in-law in Phoenix. We went to Sedona over the weekend and I had an awesome time there. I love Sedona <3 I feel like I'm home there. The red rocks are so soothing, calming and supporting and the air is clean and fresh. I got a massage done by someone who was able to accommodate me and my sister-in-law last minute and it was lovely. Going back home tomorrow and handing in my hw late tonight. #lots of traveling

#gotmyperiod

Oh bebe plane di poonch dekhi!!!! 

We just paid $7.50 to have wifi on the plane for one hour. What happened is I have this assignment due by 11pm EST and I didn't do it and I gotta get it done (I finished the two quizzes earlier today). I coulda just done it in the airport but I got airheaded and forgot. Looking forward to a nice weekend trip. Glad I'm not gonna miss 10 points like I've already done a couple times. #in the aire #chillin #I love watching orange sunsets in the air 

watch some guy from the past is gonna suddenly pop up out of nowhere and say 'anjaliiiiiiiiii ...how r uuuuuuuuuuuu let's do something!!' and for the first time in my life I'm not going to respond.

Even though I was fifteen minutes early for my acu appt today, it ran late and I missed 45 minutes of tutoring. There was lots of traffic and I was craving nachos. It was no biggie and we got the lessons in. I was secretly grateful for running late because as much as I love the kids I needed a break from disciplining them. #need to get a structural massage acupuncturist says - I'm out of alignment

Today the kids were so bad that I was trying not to laugh. I couldn't help it and I smiled wide and laughed a little and then the kids were lookin at me and laughin too. I don't  know how many times me (and the other adult in the room) said sit down, listen up, be quiet, stop that, don't drag the chairs.... #mall trip with mom afterwards #tea time can't sleep without caffeine in this house #I'm still laughin #tears in my eyes

services for fixing the leak, plastering the roof, finding new parts for the tub + new parts = $700. don't need to buy a new tub. and with a good scrubbing with Lysol power foam bathroom cleaner, tub looks great (thanks dad). #feel like Nicole Curtis

starting off my Vegan Day with my almond milk smoothie : ) almond milk + tablespoon of almond butter + half a tablespoon of cashew butter + one peeled apple + one scoop of Greens First. off to the Vegan Festival!