Wednesday August 17, 2011 8:00 PM

Food day! Well, this is two days actually, but it's one post. So it's not a regular update, but I don't really have regular updates, do I?

I made homemade bruschetta, bought some hummus and a crusty loaf and called it dinner! In the bruschetta, I put in diced tomatoes, chopped onions, finely chopped garlic, dried basil, and tons of olive oil. Taste and see if it needs more of anything, then add extra oil just to make sure.



And then I made a huge batch of Dubu Chigae - a Korean stew/soup with silken tofu, veggies, and meat or seafood! (I just used tofu and veggies.)


Unfortunately, I don't measure anything when I cook, and I didn't take pictures of the cooking process or anything because I was cutting out parts of the ingredients that looked inedible. And it was not attractive. On the bright side, making it into soup fixes everything!

I'm gonna go eat vegan ice cream and lie around like a fool. I suggest you do the same - it's been a tough week!

Sunday August 14, 2011 12:04 PM

OK, so remember how I gave those washer scent things an incomplete? Well, I saw them in Target on Friday for $5 a bottle.

So I decided to give them another shot - I had 4 loads of laundry to do anyways because I still hadn't washed the sheets, towel, and comforter my mom used when she was here.

And I noticed something: when it says to partially fill the cap, which cap is it talking about? There is a cap that flips open like a ketchup top (which I had used the first time) and then there's a cap on top of that.

So I decided maybe they meant the top cap.

4 loads later....

Still no change in scent. Sorry, guys, this product is not worth your time.

I will, however, keep using it until it's all used up because a) it's free and b) I feel super awesome standing in the laundromat pouring soap in and then this weird stuff like my clothes are more important than everyone else's. That's right, I have to use two detergent thingys because my clothes are more special than yours!

:D Oh, and don't forget to bring a towel!

Tuesday August 9, 2011 8:15 PM

Dear Myself,

When you go to the grocery store to buy fresh fruit, please don't spend fifteen dollars on sushi, chocolate, and dates. And don't leave the store without buying the fruit you came here for.

Also, find someone you can feed cake to because it's depressing to think about baking a cake and then wondering what I'm going to do with it. Cake doesn't ship very well, so you can't just mail it across the country.

And save that chocolate for a snack at work tomorrow. They're starting to wonder if you even eat things other than salad.

Molly V

Saturday August 6, 2011 1:30 PM

Good afternoon!

Remember how I said I had gotten a free sample of bath crystals or something to review on my blog? Well, actually it's an "In-Wash Scent Booster" for laundry. But yeah, I'm finally giving it a review!

Tada!

So, it's lying on my bed right now - which I just washed with this stuff and regular detergent.

It came with a pair of free socks for me to toss into the first load (which I didn't - why wash clean socks?).

Downy UNSTOPABLES In-Wash Scent Booster goes into the washer before you start the wash. So take anywhere from half a cap-full or a cap-full and dump it into the drum. Then you can add your regular detergent and clothes. If you're using a washer where the detergent goes into a separate compartment, don't put this in there. It goes with your clothes.

Let's see... (typing stuff from information packet) The scent infuses your clothes, sheets, and towels, and the freshness lasts for more than 30 days (theoretically). It's safe for all colors, fabrics, and loads. Also great for active wear (hence, the socks) and towels. Safe to use with or without fabric softener (which I didn't use).

"Now the closet can be the freshest place in the house."

Oh, and keep out of reach of children.

*** ACTUAL REVIEW ***

So I did two loads with this stuff - my work clothes (permanent press) and my sheets (regular wash). I'd show you pictures of both, but that doesn't mean anything since this is supposed to add scent, not pretty colors or cleaner clothes. So you can just imagine my clothes.

My clothes did not change colors, fade, have weird reactions, etc with this product. That is a great place to start. They did not wrinkle excessively either (and if they did, it's because I let it sit for a while before actually putting my clothes away).

The bottle smells like laundry detergent but without that acrid smell that makes me sneeze. The label uses the words "fresh", "clean", "airy", and "crisp". I guess I can agree with all of that for the way the bottle smells.

My clothes smell the same as the other clean clothes in my closet. In fact, when I closed my eyes, mixed up clean clothes that used the product and clean clothes that didn't use the product, I couldn't tell the difference.

But, to be honest, I didn't put a full cap of Downy UNSTOPABLES into the wash - I only put in half a cap.

So I'm going to have to try this again with another load and more product. But right now, I'd advise against running out to the store and buying some because it really didn't do anything (though the bottle smells great!).

Oh, and they also have another scent called "Lush" that is supposed to be "luxuries", "relaxing", and "romantic" - comes in a purple and black bottle.

Final rating: INCOMPLETE

Thursday August 4, 2011 8:06 PM

It's been too long!

I moved!

I got a used car!

I got a new phone!

And finally I am back online!

Slowly and surely, things in my new apartment are starting to look like someone lives here. Today I went out and got three plants, and thanks to the guys, they have names now!

This is Clarence. He is "Virtually Care-free".

The one on the left is Herb (thanks, Mike, for the name!), and the one on the right is Mark (thanks, Kyle!).

The picture in the corner is a painting of a lemon tree. I wanted to name it, but the painting is labeled "Lemon Tree". I guess it already has a name...

When I signed the lease for my new apartment, I didn't know that it is just blocks away from the only Korean supermarket for 30 miles. So I got super lucky and now I'm super happy! Maybe I should eat things other than rice and bok choy....

Work starts on Monday, which is something I'm nervous about and excited for. My boss says she'll work me hard, plus I'm taking additional classes, so I'm looking forward to being busy. On the other hand, I'm nervous because I don't know what they expect of me. I'm sure I'll be fine, but there's always that sinking feeling.... especially since moving across the country was super expensive...

On the bright side, I am within an hour of Legoland (opening in October), Dinosaur Land, Universal studios, Disney, Tampa, and Orlando - not to mention the Yuengling factory (that gives free tours) and a whole lot more! So if you come and visit, you can have tons of fun! (wink wink, nudge nudge)

I haven't met any of my upstairs neighbors yet, but I met one woman who's been living here for 25 years! As in, this apartment complex! She even used to be the manager! So I guess it's an OK place to live if she can stand it here for that long. Or else she's stuck in a contract or something...

I met a vegetarian last night - my waiter! He's not as fun as the Korean waiter, Jeff, but Seff (that really is his name btw) was very eager to keep an eye out for me and make sure all of my food was tasty and vegan even though we were eating at a bar that mainly served wings.

In my free time, I plan on doing some volunteer work. I'll be looking for places tomorrow, and maybe that will give me something to do on Saturday and Sunday so I don't tear my hair out or buy out the local health food store.

I'm seriously running out of things to say here! Why?!?!?!?!?!!!

I'm beginning to turn into a bit of a shopaholic - and not just food. I went shopping for three hours today and bought two shirts and 6 pairs of socks. And I also spent over an hour buying a smart phone!!!! I really need to curb my spending, especially since I spent all my money on my move!! Maybe I should hide my shopping list and try to decorate my apartment with things that don't cost money... like pictures!!!!

I printed out a bunch of great pictures from college, and I'm starting to find places to put them up around the apartment. Part of me says, "Oh no, I shouldn't hang that there because if my boss comes over, I don't look professional!", but the other part of me says, "This is my place, I can put pictures where I want!"

I think the pictures are going out, and if I have company over, they can appreciate my mohawk in all its glory.

Mmm... maybe I should bake for my neighbors. But I don't have any sugar, and if I go to the store, I won't leave until my cart is full and my card is maxed out.... Bad idea...

And I'm not hungry because I just had soup. And soup is good and fills me up. Because there was a ton of soup. Like, over a quart of soup for just me.

OK, I am leaving my wallet at home, grabbing my keys, and going for a walk around my new neighborhood!

Don't let strangers into your home, especially if you live alone!