So...I'm fighting a really scratchy/sore throat since yesterday.  I'm sure I'll kick it before Tuesday, as long as it doesn't evolve into anything worse.  So my weekend looks like it'll consist of honey & lemon and salt water gargle treatments in between review.

Admittedly, it's probably for the best.  This way I'm forced to stay low key and rest up for the main event.

Have good weekends everyone!

P.S. If you don't hear from me until the other side of next week, you know why.

My goal for the week is this: I may not by any means look at job ads (in the paper, on the internet, or otherwise).

It's been a distraction in the past.

A fellow Xangan (and exam-taker) clear across the country summed it up well: I will eventually get this.

This morning I was pondering that perhaps it will take me being in a different place in my life to actually surmount this hurdle. I think that a little personal success unrelated to this endeavor would be helpful, as well as getting the H out of my parents' house. All of which are related to self-esteem and self-worth.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still trucking along for next week. But I always hope for the best and expect the worst.

Finally my dad has installed the Turbo Tax on his computer. It's time to take a break to do my taxes (and watch Martha).

*****Edit*****
Taxes are done, just need to be mailed.  I contemplated the e-file option, but at $16.95 vs. Postage (whatever the going rate for a stamp is these days), the postage stamps won.

I went and got my ashes today and stopped off to pick up lunch on my way home.  While I waited for my order, I skipped over to my hair salon to make an appointment for some LONG overdue post-exam hairapy.  Unfortunately, I could only get in for a haircut (although I need some color, too).  Anyway, the girl at the counter almost praised me for getting my ashes already and engaged me in a conversation about Lent, which ended in asking me what I'm giving up for Lent.  I thought that was a little odd, mostly because I don't know her from Eve.  And really, it's a rather personal act of penance and personal renewal, not necessary to share with a complete stranger.  So I didn't.  But I'll give you all a hint: it leans more towards the personal renewal aspect.

Or as Fella dubbed my day, Happy Hen Party Day.  Cluck, cluck.

Dang, I just realized that my nails are hella long.  It's a little annoying on the keyboard.  I'll have to take care of that in the next week.

Back to the hen party.  As I mentioned last week, my girlfriends and I went and had a spa treatment and then lunch for our annual belated holiday get together.  I had my first facial ever, in fact it was my first trip to a day spa ever.  It was great, only my mind refused to slow down enough to thoroughly relax and enjoy.

So the forecast on the WIP is more of the same: the last leg of my study marathon.  Or The Final Countdown: The Saga Continues.

I also reminded Fella NOT to make any plans this weekend that exclude me.  We've had some issues before past attempts that involve nerves-induced freak outs and Fella not being available to pick up the pieces.  The funniest thing--Fella didn't even realize that this is the final countdown.  And that makes me glad I told him not to make plans.

In other business, I'll finally be taking a step to acheive one of those things I resolved to do this year: I'm heading back to church Wednesday.

Everything was just perfect last night! 

First (and arguably best) of all, I donned a skirt from the dark corners of my closet that didn't have a fighting chance at fitting a month ago.

The butcher cut my beef filets fresh because I wanted slightly smaller pieces than they had in the counter.  Fella, who has slowly been trying to develop kitchen helping skills, did a great job manning the risotto process, which was delicious (although Fella might tell you it was a little too parmesean-y for his liking).  The filets and scallops were cooked perfectly (it was my first time cooking scallops, so I was glad when I stumbled across Alton Brown to edumacate me via Good Eats a few nights ago).  I also made a red wine sauce for the steaks, which was rather tasty.  I took pictures, but I have no clue how to get them from my phone to my computer, so...there.

Afterwards, we decided to visit one of our favorite bartenders who, a few Fridays ago, had been talking up the special "love potions" they'd be making for the occassion.  We took a gamble that they would be serving dessert in The Bistro.  (They were!)  Bartender was very happy to see us, it had been pretty busy all night and there was a very interesting character who we were forced to sit by at the bar for a short time.  We each had a love potion, and shared the cardomom coffee creme brulee (also interesting).  Bartender definitely gave us a good warm-up for Saturday night by (1) never letting out glasses sit empty for too long; and (2) a few under-the-table shots. 

Fella and I agreed that the whole night was very us.

But as a result of the dessert portion of the program, I am dying for a cheesburger meal from In-N-Out for lunch.

It's been an interesting week so far. 

Mother Zest came home from work early Monday.  She is sick.   It almost rivals how sick I was at Thanksgiving ot-five.  She's still bedridden today, but I think she's on the road to recovery.  It sounds like she may have had a fever and that it may have broken over night.  We know for sure that she doesn't have a fever right now. 

So I've been in charge of the mess hall this week.  Thankfully there were some leftovers to eat Monday and last night I tried to recreate the chicken and rice bake that my law school roommate's mom used to put together for her/us.  It worked pretty well, but there were still little adjustments I would make to get it closer to the original.

Tonight, Fella and I are staying in for dinner.  As I may have mentioned, I decided a few weeks ago that I wanted to avoid the hassle of going out for Valentine's Day, preferring cook a nice meal for us at home.  So that's what we're doing.  On the menu: filet of beef, seared scallops, and asparagus risotto.  And Fella is on the hunt for a place to then go out for dessert afterwards.  Although as of last night, he was sounding a little discouraged about the search.  But I have no doubt whatever we do will be just fine.

As for the rest of the week, it's the same-old.  Except this weekend my friends are coming in from Sacramento and we are going to paint the town RED on Saturday night!  Takin' it back to the old school, we're hitting up an old haunt to see some old friends' band rock to the break of dawn.  Should be a crazy good time!  I think Fella is a bit apprehensive that it  may not be the best planned time to throw caution to the wind and party with wild abandon, but I think it'll be good to party away my pre-exam stress and nerves before the final push.

Besides, all my girlfriends and I are having a Presidents' Day = Pamper Day on Monday.  Three of us are having facials, the other three massages and we'll follow it up with a great lunch.  I guess this is more of a Pre-WIP report, but since it's a long weekend, Monday isn't really Monday, it's a delayed Sunday.

I hope everyone has a great day and mad love to all you fearless readers!

You guessed it folks, my car's semi-annual breakdown occurred this weekend.  I've been having some problems for a few months now, but it always seemed to push through.  Finally she could push no longer and is getting a new starter right now.  At least she lasted 6+ months since the last problem.  Hopefully in another 6-ish months when the next problem comes up, I'll be ready to finally put her to her rest.

Have I mentioned...?  I am so excited that Fella is coming to Chicago!!!  In fact, it's a little (OK a lot) distracting.  It's the small matter of planning our itinerary for the few days we will actually be downtown Chicago.  And coordinating with my brother, who will be with us for part of the time.  I convinced Fella to extend our stay for an extra day, although I would like to extend it for two, maybe three days.  Except that would put us leaving on St. Patty's Day and if I'm in Chicago on St. Patty's Day, well I wouldn't want to leave.

So that's the latest.  I've just got to book our hotel and leaving it at that for today.  I've got to get some studying in today.

It didn't take as much more convincing as I thought it would.  Fella just has to check on getting the time off from work and we're in business.  He kinda confessed to me last night that he really did want to go all along.  Apparently me just inviting him was not invite enough.  But when he got the nod directly from Da Dad! it was acceptable.  I think that because my dad has been planning this Dad's Windy City Tour, Fella felt that the only proper invite would be from my dad.  Which he got.

I gotta say, I'm really excited he's coming along. 

If nothing else, it'll give him a chance to work on his Superfans impression.

As you may know, my Gramma turns 90 in March and we're having a big bash in her honor.  This means that my whole family is going back to Chicago for the festivities.  We also get to go on Dad's Windy City tour, where he plans to take us to every place he ever lived (and some of Mom's, schedule permitting).

I've been trying to coerce Fella, being a history buff and having a good memory, to come along as an objective observer (and I think it would please Gramma immensely to meet my tall and thin! boyfriend).  Unfortunately, Fella has been obstanantly reluctant to come along, claiming that he did not want to intrude on family activities.

Last night, we got some unsettling news about my great uncle in Arizona, who suffered complications after breaking his hip about a week ago.  Over dinner I asked my dad if we had heard how he's doing and the outlook is terminal.  All I could say was, "I was really hoping that Fella would get the opportunity to meet him."  And at that, my dad turned the tables on Fella and his reluctance to head to Chicago.

I told my parents that I have been trying to get him to come along, with no success.  My dad explained that he had been thinking that we don't know when the next time is that my mom's family will be all together again after this birthday party for my gramma.  As such, he thought it would be best for Fella to come along to Chicago.

Of course when I explained this all to Fella last night, he was a little suspicious that I engineered the plot to abscond him to Chicago.  Although he quickly (and prudently) believed me when I insisted that it was not of my making.  Ultimately, Fella said, "I'll see what I can do."

I know he's got plenty of vacation time at work.  Now to up the ante, my folks have offered to spring for Fella's airfare (not that he's one to take any "charity," but it's all in the presentation, namely I tell him that my folks want him to have a free ticket of theirs which is really a half-truth because they used the free ticket on my airfare already).  

Any other ideas on how to sway the reluctant traveler?

Apparently alcohol is being cited as a contributing factor to Mayor Gavin Newsome's lapse in judgment which resulted in...well, you know.  And if not, read a couple posts below.