♥ Making apple dumplings for the office.
♥ Trying mochi ice cream for the first time. Yum!
♥ Seeing my very first ballet.
♥ Realizing I'm too immature for the ballet.
♥ Getting my masquerade mask and shoes and new running shoes in the mail.
♥ Lots of fun thrifting finds.
♥ Passing my tech test with a 98! WOOO!
I'm so excited about passing that test! I was so terrified. I chatted with my old lead, Chris, to let him know that I passed, because he knew how nervous I was. And he let me know that I had a really good score. Yes! So I feel so much better about jumping into it next week. I get to take a little bit of time away from answering calls for the next 6 weeks to tackle tech tickets so I can get some practice and get more comfy. And I definitely need it!
I've been getting lots of help from some wonderful people at work. Anytime I get stumped, I just ask, and everyone's been so stinkin' helpful. I'm learning the signs of specific issues, how to find information about them, and what steps to take to troubleshoot. I feel like I have so much friendly support, so it makes me a little less nervous about going back to tickets for a bit. I'm not technical at all, so it just takes me quite a bit of time to figure out issues. So I'm hoping I can just speed it up a bit. Fingers crossed!
In not work-related news, I went to my first ballet! Katy, Autumn, Lauren, and I went out for yummy sushi beforehand, where I tried mango mochi ice cream. And I loved it!
Then we headed to the ballet. It was really pretty, but I just kept giggling at certain parts (see picture below), and then I fell asleep at one point. I wanted to appreciate it and love it so badly! But sadly, it does not seem to be for me. :( I just need constant action to keep my attention. So next time, we're doing the roller derby! I am so very refined, obviously.
When the curtain raised, this was waiting for us. This is just a picture from the pamphlet, and it seems innocent enough. But from far away and with the angle of his stance, how the item was placed was really, really silly. And he stood like that. Forever. Hence the giggling.
I got my new running shoes in the mail, and I'm so excited!
I've been trying to go walking at least 3 times a week for about 30 minutes or so. The biggest, most amazing cemetery is at the dead end by my house, and it's awesome for walking after work. It's seriously huge! And it's so lush and green and pretty. It's such a gorgeous atmosphere to just get lost in. Not to mention my obsession with graveyards and history, so it's perfect. And I joined the work gym, too, and I plan on going at least once or twice a week. So I'm super excited that these little babies were delivered!
Oh, and I also wanted to share my apple dumpling recipe! I know Rachel had asked, so here you go! :D
2 large Granny Smith apples
2 cans Pillsbury crescent rolls
1 cup butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle Mountain Dew
I try to use lighter options, so I use the following as substitutes:
Reduced fat Pillsbury crescent rolls
Land O Lakes light butter with canola oil (50% less fat and calories!)
Diet Mountain Dew
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Cut each apple into 8 wedges and set aside.
4. Separate the crescent roll dough into triangles. Roll each apple wedge in crescent roll dough starting at the smallest end. Pinch to seal and place in the baking dish.
5. Melt butter in a small saucepan and stir in the sugar and cinnamon.
6. Pour over the apple dumplings.
7. Pour Mountain Dew over the dumplings. (I only use about a cup. It can get really liquidy if the whole bottle is used.)
8. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown.
They're so yummy! Let me know if you try making these and how much you love 'em!
Congrats on passing your test! I never would've doubted your ability to punch it in the face, but I know it can be intimidating to prove your abilities and knowledge for a grade. What kind of work are you hoping to eventually do at this job? What does the company do? And what's your job title now?
ReplyDeleteI tried mochi once, but it was green tea flavored, which is totally NOT my favorite. I'm sure if I'd had mango or something else I'd have had a much more pleasant experience!
I LOVE ballet! I took classes for that (and tap) for eight years growing up. It definitely requires a lot of dedication, but ahh...yeah, some of those leotards and tights can look a little ridiculous on a man. What ballet did you see?? There's a really good, dark movie called The Red Shoes (1948) on Netflix about a ballerina dancing in a production of Swan Lake who must choose between the love of her life and her love of dancing. It served as inspiration for Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan.
Your new shoes are preciously pastel. I think that investing in things like exercise clothes/equipment are good motivators to get moving!
I'm THRILLED you've posted this recipe for apple dumplings! The photos you've posted on your FB look so yummy. I just tried a recipe for vanilla chip cherry sugar cookies that was divine (I just posted the recipe and photos!), but I'm always looking for something new to sate my sweet tooth! I'll try it soon and let you know how it goes.