Pasta Salad

I've decided that I am going to make pasta salad for my contribution to the family Easter lunch. I don't normally like pasta salad, I find it's usually drowned in mayonnaise. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with mayo.... in the right proportions and on the right foods. Call me picky but I don't particularly want it on my pasta salad. Neither do I want a whole bottle of italian dressing dumped on there as well.

I've found about 4 or 5 recipes that I need to choose from all of which are mayo-free. My pasta salad is going to be mayo-free. This works out pretty well since I've been assigned to bring the pasta salad to our pot-luck at work next week. So I can do a trial run of the pasta salad. Cool.

I think I might adapt something from Michael Chiarello's recipe that I found on the Food Network's website.
Tortellini Salad with Fresh Herb and Tomato Vinaigrette
Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello
Ingredients

• 2 pounds packaged tortellini
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1 1/4 cups
• 4 cups freshly diced tomato
• 4 tablespoons chopped tarragon leaves
• 4 tablespoons chiffonade basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons minced parsley leaves
• 2 minced shallots
• 6 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 1/2 pounds fresh mozzarella, sliced 1/4-inch thick into approximately 30 slices
• 4 cups fresh arugula
• Gray salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. When fully cooked, drain and toss with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and allow to cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, in a nonreactive mixing bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, herbs, shallots, lemon juice, and remaining 1 1/4 cups olive oil. Mix to combine and season with gray salt and pepper to combine. When the tortellini have cooled to room temperature toss with the vinaigrette.
To serve, line the perimeter of a large serving platter with overlapping slices of the mozzarella. Spoon the tortellini salad in the center and scatter the arugula leaves over the top.

I did find another recipe that looks pretty good. It's an orzo salad from the Food Network (where else).

Orzo Salad

Recipe courtesy Mary Nolan

Serves: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole-wheat orzo pasta
• 3 ears corn, shucked and kernels removed from cob (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley

Directions

Bring a pot of generously salted water to a rapid boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package directions, adding the corn in the last minute of cooking, until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a medium bowl. Set aside.
Pour the lime juice over the avocado and coat evenly (this will minimize discoloration). Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, sugar, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Drizzle over the orzo and add the avocado with lime juice, tomatoes, and parsley. Mix until combined and serve warm or at room temperature

Eitherway, I'll post pictures of the one I choose and we'll see how it turns out. For now I have to go find lunch..... and darn it all I want pasta salad!

A Basic Human Right

"Three-quarters of Americans agree that housing is a basic human right, and the Obama Administration says it supports the reduction of homelessness as a human rights obligation," said Eric Tars, Human Rights Program Director at the Law Center.
Read the article here: http://www.nlchp.org/news.cfm?id=154

A worthwhile cause....

I posted yesterday about a guy I heard about through NPR's the story. And while I can do nothing to help him but pray I have decided to focus my efforts a little closer to home. I have found a local homeless shelter for children called City House. I am going to become a supporting member of City House and I urge you to do the same. If not at City House then some other homeless charity.
Homeless prevention is something we can all support. In a country a great as ours it is sad to think that there are over 600,000 homeless people in the United States.  Homeless people are not all junkies, drug addicts, or mentally challenged.  A lot of times they are people who are just down on their luck and need a helping hand. The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a national organization (duh) that is dedicated to ending homelessness. Their website has a lot of information and ways that we can help. Check it out.

Crisis of conscience

I'm having a crisis of conscience and I'm not sure what I can do if anything.
I heard about this guy Chris and his blog on NPR's The Story. He is homeless. His story is from 09/21/10.
He started a blog to chronicle his experience with homelessness. Here's a link to the podcast/story:

Social Media and the Search for Home

and the blog:
CommonSenseOpinions
Here's my problem, I feel like I should do something. But what? I'm in Texas, he 's in Minnesota. Can't really take the guy to lunch. I'm strapped financially and can't really afford monetary support. I don't have a big online presence or impact.
What to do? What to do? What to do?

Logicalize

I made up a new word today while talking to someone on the phone - logicalize.  Actually I said "logicalizing" but what the hey.
At least I thought I made up a new word. According to the Urban Dictionary it means:

To think logically; to use reasoning, usually in a desperate situation

Here I am feeling all special and Urban Dictionary busts my bubble.  Does the Urban Dictionary count as an official dictionary? I guess that's like asking does Wikipedia count as an encyclopedia.

Coffee and a Miracle: ideology - not a sincere desire to cut spending - ...

Coffee and a Miracle: ideology - not a sincere desire to cut spending - ...: "I can't remember being this upset and disillusioned with Washington in a long time. Republicans called for a certain amount of cuts to the ..."

Thoughts of a Technocrat: Mobile Apps Invading Your Privacy

Thoughts of a Technocrat: Mobile Apps Invading Your Privacy

Stop.Think.Connect

Little known fact.... I am working on my MS in Information Assurance (Cybersecurity). I just defended my thesis about employee awareness of information security policies in the workplace.  So information security is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. That being said I would like to make known a campaign created by the DHS - Stop.Think.Connect.
Stop.Think.Connect. is a national campaign aimed at informing people about security online.

Stop. Think. Connect. is a national public awareness effort to guide the nation to a higher level of Internet safety by challenging the American public to be more vigilant about practicing good “cyber hygiene.” It will persuade Americans to see Internet safety as a shared responsibility—at home, in the workplace, and in our communities—and demonstrate that shared responsibility by bringing together a coalition of federal, state and local government, as well as private sector partners.

Protecting yourself online is so so so important! Information security affects everyone.... including you.  Yeah.... you! So please stop in and check out the website for Stop.Think.Connect.  You will learn about safety online and what you can do to help pass the word on!
I am attending a forum  on April 12th at my university and there will be a guest speaker from the STC campaign. I am looking forward to it. Let you know how it goes.

Idealistic Introspection

Every now and then I go through a period where I need some self-discovery. I usually embark on this endevour by re-taking the Myers Briggs Personality Assessment.

I find that by taking a look at my personality helps to ground my thoughts and help me find a little direction.  The last time I took the assessment I was an INFP. That surprised me because ever since highschool I’ve been an INTP. There are 16 different personality types according to Jung’s theory.

They are: ISTJ, ISTP, ISFJ, ISFP, INFJ, INFP, INTJ, INTP, ESTP, ESFP, ESFJ, ENFP, ENFJ, ENTP, ENTJ

Here’s a brief summary of an INFP (see below for the full description if you really want to): Quiet, reflective, and idealistic. Interested in serving humanity. Well-developed value system, which they strive to live in accordance with. Extremely loyal. Adaptable and laid-back unless a strongly-held value is threatened. Usually talented writers. Mentally quick, and able to see possibilities. Interested in understanding and helping people.

Now I don’t really consider myself to be a talented writer I am quiet, reflective and idealistic. Reading about this helps me find a little clarity.  Maybe it just reaffirms that I do know who am I and that I haven’t lost sight of myself. It validates me. Idk. Whatever it is, it helps.

At the moment I find myself in the difficult situation of needing to find a new job. It’s not immediate but in the next several months I will find myself out of the job. I’ve been looking into what career paths are a good fit for my personality type. Unfortunately all the possible career paths suggested for me (writer, counselor, teacher psychologist, psychiatrist, musician, clergy) are pretty much outside of my skill set. I have an undergrad in Finance, am about to have a MS in Information Assurance (cyber security) and I have experience as an underwriter.  

So instead of looking at possible career paths I’ve decided to write out a list of ideal traits for a job for me. I’ve come up with a few so far:

• Good benefits
• Flexible work schedule
• Able to telecommute occasionally
• Does not require me to talk to people all day everyday
• NOT customer service
• Growth opportunities
• Good work/life balance
• Company values the employees
• Good management
• Accountability

That’s about it so far. I don’t think that is something that is too hard to find. But does a potential employer really want to hear about how I don’t really like talking to people on the phone? Probably not. I take upwards of 20-30 calls a day and I cringe when I hear the phone ring I hate being interrupted while I’m trying to work.

Of course this could also be be due to the fact that the people on the other end are usually combative, rude, and treat me as if I’m less than a person. That’s what you get for customer service I supposed. I reckon I’m just tired of the abuse, I’ve been doing this same type of job for 10 years now. Has it really been that long? Yikes.

I imagine in the right circumstances being on the phone would not be bad, I’m just worn out from this job. So my company closing my office is sort of a good thing for me, it has given me the push I need to really start looking for a new job. Instead of passively looking like I have been.

I know there is a job out there for me. I know it is a good one, one that I will find challenging and fulfilling. I just have to find it.

The Idealist

As an INFP, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your personal value system. Your secondary mode is external, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.

INFPs, more than other iNtuitive Feeling types, are focused on making the world a better place for people. Their primary goal is to find out their meaning in life. What is their purpose? How can they best serve humanity in their lives? They are idealists and perfectionists, who drive themselves hard in their quest for achieving the goals they have identified for themselves

INFPs are highly intuitive about people. They rely heavily on their intuitions to guide them, and use their discoveries to constantly search for value in life. They are on a continuous mission to find the truth and meaning underlying things. Every encounter and every piece of knowledge gained gets sifted through the INFP's value system, and is evaluated to see if it has any potential to help the INFP define or refine their own path in life. The goal at the end of the path is always the same - the INFP is driven to help people and make the world a better place.

Generally thoughtful and considerate, INFPs are good listeners and put people at ease. Although they may be reserved in expressing emotion, they have a very deep well of caring and are genuinely interested in understanding people. This sincerity is sensed by others, making the INFP a valued friend and confidante. An INFP can be quite warm with people he or she knows well.

INFPs do not like conflict, and go to great lengths to avoid it. If they must face it, they will always approach it from the perspective of their feelings. In conflict situations, INFPs place little importance on who is right and who is wrong. They focus on the way that the conflict makes them feel, and indeed don't really care whether or not they're right. They don't want to feel badly. This trait sometimes makes them appear irrational and illogical in conflict situations. On the other hand, INFPs make very good mediators, and are typically good at solving other people's conflicts, because they intuitively understand people's perspectives and feelings, and genuinely want to help them.

INFPs are flexible and laid-back, until one of their values is violated. In the face of their value system being threatened, INFPs can become aggressive defenders, fighting passionately for their cause. When an INFP has adopted a project or job which they're interested in, it usually becomes a "cause" for them. Although they are not detail-oriented individuals, they will cover every possible detail with determination and vigor when working for their "cause".

When it comes to the mundane details of life maintenance, INFPs are typically completely unaware of such things. They might go for long periods without noticing a stain on the carpet, but carefully and meticulously brush a speck of dust off of their project booklet.

INFPs do not like to deal with hard facts and logic. Their focus on their feelings and the Human Condition makes it difficult for them to deal with impersonal judgment. They don't understand or believe in the validity of impersonal judgment, which makes them naturally rather ineffective at using it. Most INFPs will avoid impersonal analysis, although some have developed this ability and are able to be quite logical. Under stress, it's not uncommon for INFPs to mis-use hard logic in the heat of anger, throwing out fact after (often inaccurate) fact in an emotional outburst.

INFPs have very high standards and are perfectionists. Consequently, they are usually hard on themselves, and don't give themselves enough credit. INFPs may have problems working on a project in a group, because their standards are likely to be higher than other members' of the group. In group situations, they may have a "control" problem. The INFP needs to work on balancing their high ideals with the requirements of every day living. Without resolving this conflict, they will never be happy with themselves, and they may become confused and paralyzed about what to do with their lives.

INFPs are usually talented writers. They may be awkard and uncomfortable with expressing themselves verbally, but have a wonderful ability to define and express what they're feeling on paper. INFPs also appear frequently in social service professions, such as counselling or teaching. They are at their best in situations where they're working towards the public good, and in which they don't need to use hard logic.

INFPs who function in their well-developed sides can accomplish great and wonderful things, which they will rarely give themselves credit for. Some of the great, humanistic catalysts in the world have been INFPs.

Me in a nutshell.... This is pretty accurate I think. Others who know me may disagree, idk.

Bueller...... Bueller......Nichole......Nichole......

Yes, I've not posted for awhile. Mostly I've just been really, really busy. Classes, dog cancer stuff, maintaining my household, busy stuff.
I'm sorry.
I really am.
I have felt so guilty about not posting I haven't even logged on to look at my blog. For shame!
But the need has arisen, I want to make some more Asian inspired pork and the Butt Number recipe is on the blog....
So Here goes.....Updates....
Classes are very nearly finished for this semester. I am set to graduate in August. Yes! That being said I am defending my thesis on 03/26 and I'm mildly stressed as the paper is not finished yet. I also have a research paper due for by Business Ethics course that I haven't started yet.
Dog cancer stuff - the dog has or had cancer. They aren't sure what kind they are thinking mast cell. They removed said cancer and they said he has a good chance of it NOT spreading and NOT coming back. So the pooch has been stuck in a cone for the last 3 weeks driving everyone crazy. But at least it was a good prognosis. So that's good.
B/f has got a child custody thing going that is just a hot mess. I'm not going to get into details but cross your fingers that things go our way on 03/31.
I can't really think of anything else at the moment. Hmmm seems like a lot has happened but now that I type it out it doesn't really seem to be that much.

Here's a giggle for you. I love Get Fuzzy....