Fall has Fallen (and some recipes!)

Hello hello!!

Fall has fallen here in East Lansing, MI! I assume that's the autumn equivalent of Spring has Sprung? Anyway, cooler weather and changing colors make me happy as well as crave apple cider.

Things are going rather well here. Dr. Bugs has a cold right now, but otherwise we are content. The church here is fantastic--we had a couple, Doug and Crista, over as our first guests last night, and I learned to play hearts. Yes, I'm slow at life and didn't know how to play. We both really like our jobs--Dr. Bugs was frustrated at his GIS stuff for awhile, but I think he's got the hang of it now. My job is really great--a little stressful at times when I realize I don't have access to everything I need yet, or don't know how to use things once I DO get access, but everyone at the College of Ag and Natural Resources (CANR) is really helpful. I'm the only advisor in my department, so there really isn't anyone there to help me.

I've been riding,and really like the barn. I'd like to lease, but it's really expensive. I'm looking at leasing a private boarders horse (versus a barn-owned one), which is a little less expensive. I'm not sure if we will get along or not, but we'll see. The barn is CLOSE to, only 5 minutes away!

So otherwise, not much to report. I can't wait to go apple picking and for more leaves to change! And for the weather to stabilize out, even if it's cold--it was only in the 50s on Friday and Saturday, 60s today through Tuesday, but back into the 70s by Wednesday.

So as I mentioned earlier, we had company over last night, and since my recipe blog has fallen by the wayside, and instead of having 2 blogs (if you want back-entries, it's http://roubosrubies.blogspot.com), I'll put some of them here! Last night I roasted a chicken, and made homemade au gratin potatoes in the crockpot. Dessert was homemade chocolate cream tartlets (okay, so only the filling was homemade). So, here at the recipes!

Crockpot Au Gratin Potatoes

4-6 Russet Potatoes (washed, peeled or unpeeled)
1/2-1 sweet onion, chopped fine
3 Tbsp butter or margarine
3 Tbsp flour
2 cups milk
8oz shredded cheddar cheese

1. Slice the potatoes into 1/4inch slices.
2. Spray crockpot with cooking spray. Layer half the potato slices in the crockpot, top with onion, then add the rest of the potatoes.
3. Melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, stir for 1 minute.
4. Add some of the milk, whisk until combined with flour and butter. Add the rest of the milk.
5. Stir and heat over medium until thickened. (*If you used skim milk, it won't thicken much).
6. Add all the cheese at once, stir until melted. Pour over potatoes in crockpot.
7. Cook on low 6 hours, or high 3 hours.
*If the sauce is too thin, make a slurry of 2 Tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 Tbsp water, add and stir until thickened*

Chocolate Cream Pie (or tarts)
This is the recipe for the whole pie--I halved it except the chocolate, which I kept at 2oz. I poured it in pre-made individual tart/pie shells (Kelber, $1.50 at Meijer), and topped with CoolWhip. If you make your own crust, make sure to pre-bake!

4 egg yolks
1 1/2 c sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/3c cornstarch
3 cups milk (This will work with skim milk)
2oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped (I used Bakers, which comes in individually wrapped 1oz squares)
1 tsp vanilla

1. in a medium bowl, beat the egg yolks. Set aside.
2. Combine sugar, salt, and cornstarch in a saucepan. Gradually add milk, stirring to combine. Add chocolate.
3. Heat over medium, stirring constantly, until it thickens and boils. Boil 1 minute more.
4. Immediately pour at least half (but not all) the mixture into the beaten eggs, stir. (*This is called tempering the eggs, and will keep them from turning into scrambled eggs if you pour them into all of the hot liquid at once*)
5. Pour the egg mixture back into the pot, boil for 1 minute, stirring.
6. Remove from heat. Add vanilla and stir.
7. Pour into crusts. Place a layer of plastic wrap over the dessert, pressing it to the top of the filling so a tough skin doesn't form. Chill at least 2 hours. Top with whipped cream.

East Lansing vs Gainesville--a compare/contrast post

Hi all! Things are going well here in the E-L! I'll post more when I'm not on a crappy computer (my new one at work finally came in, hooray!) and tell you all about my job, our apt, our church, and RIDING! YES, I found a barn!!

But for now, a compare-contrast entry:

East Lansing, MI

Population: 48,579 (2010 census)
Established: 1847
Total area: 13.66 sq miles
Main Roads: Grand River, Saginaw, Harrison, Trowbridge, SR127/I96
Racial Makeup: 80.91% white, 7.4% African American, 8.2% Asian, .08% Pacific Islander
Average income: $29,885 household/$81941 family, with 34% being below the poverty line.

Michigan State Unviersty
Big Ten Conference
Mascot: Spartans (Sparty)
Est 1857, land grant university
First admitted women: 1870
5,200 acres, 556 buildings
9th Largest University in the USA, 47,800 students and 2954 faculty
Ranked 92nd in the world in collegiate institutions
Pioneered studies in packaging, hospitality business, telecommunciations,and music therapy
Largest study-abroad program of a single-campus university in the country (200 programs, 60 countries, all continents INCLUDING Antartica)
Top programs in journalism, nuclear physics, political science, business, education, and osteopathic medicine
Most successful sport: Cross Country
Stadium Seats: 75,005

Gainesville, FL

Population: 124,354
Established: 1853
Total Area: 49.1 sq miles
Main Roads: Archer, Univeristy Ave/Newberry Road, 441/13th Street, 34th Street, I75, Main Street, Williston/Waldo Rd.
Racial Makeup: 64.9% white, 23.0% african american, 10% hispanic/latino, 6.9% asian, 0.1% pacific islander.
Avergae Income: $28,164 household, $44,263 family (26.7% below poverty line)

University of Florida
Southeastern Conference
Mascot: Gators (Albert and Alberta)
Est 1853, but operated continuously from Gainesville since 1906, land grant university
First allowed women: 1924
6th largest campus in the USA--49,679 students
51st among world universities
Ranked 3rd in Top Research Universities in the USA
Ranked 2nd in Kiplinger's "Best Value in Universities"
Size: 2000 sq acres
Athletic  program ranked in top 5 the last 12 of 17 years
Stadium Seats: 90,000+--12th largest in the country

Okay that's all I have time for today...more comparisons as I see them! I will say: Swamp > Spartan Stadium (WAY louder, WAY more students and fans in general), but MSU Band > Pride of the Sunshine (sorry, but it's true).

The E-L

So, we made it. Sorry for the delay in posting--we don't have internet at the house, and my computer at work is slowwwwwwwwwww. It's older than dirt, I swear. I'm getting a new one soon.

The trip was eventful. Our stuff was supposed to be picked up on Tuesday, but didn't get picked up until Wednesday. They also lied about how quickly we'd get it. It appears we will finally get our belongings this Saturday/Sunday-ish. We hope.

We ended up getting rid of a TON of stuff. Selling it or, last minute, donating or throwing away. We only had so much room in the car, and the movers charged by the cubic foot! YIKES!

The trip to Ohio was okay. Good weather, no traffic, cats were pretty quiet. The trip to Michigan was fine until we hit Lansing--then we were stuck in a traffic back-up for an hour. SO close!!

Of course, we had no stuff---so we slept on the floor on Saturday night. It was sucktastic, let me tell you! Thank the Lord, mommy-in-law brought us an airmattress to sleep on. It's not our bed, but it's comfy enough.

We did buy a table/chairs and a dresser the second day we were here. They are really nice! I'm pleased with our purchase.

We both started work Monday. MSU was good about getting my paperwork through, so I'm all official/enrolled in benefits/etc. now. I have an ID and everything! Of course there are still some odds and ends that need to be dealt with departmentally--the computer thing, plus getting me access to all the systems I need access to in order to advise students, override classes, check degrees, etc. But everyone here is super nice and helpful! I think I will really enjoy my job here.

I drove for the first time here yesterday! It wasn't too bad. Some of the roads are crazy though, because they are major roads but only go in one direction--so it's like 5 lanes across. I'm grateful we got a GPS!

Craig seems to enjoy his new department too. His boss is super nice. They had a party for someone leaving yesterday, and it was at his house. They have a really cute cat named Delilah.

The weather has been pretty nice, though we are expecting severe storms later today--then the temps will only be in the low-70s for the next week or so! The first football game of the season is next Friday. I wanted to get season tickets, but they are $252, even with the faculty discount! YIKES, no thanks! I'll watch on TV or something!

Speaking of TV, we are getting U-Verse. But they can't install until Sept 26th. Boo. I guess that's okay, because we had to get rid of our TV (see the above about space)--actually, we didn't realize it had to be bubble wrapped and boxed, and we didn't have a box big enough. They would charge us $35 to pack it, and we only paid $25 for it, so...yeah. Bye bye TV! It was old and crappy anyway.

Overall, I like MI very much so far. I don't really miss Florida yet. I sort of miss my friends there, but I haven't been gone long enough to REALLY feel it--still been here less time than we have been when we came to visit for holidays, so it doesn't feel like a long time yet.

Until next time! Hopefully I'll get some pics up soon!

Missing You (pt 1)

So as the time draws closer to our exodus of the great state of Florida (17 days), I have decided to start this list I've been meaning to do for awhile. So, without further ado, and in no particular order, I give you:

THE GIGANTIC LIST OF THINGS I WILL MISS ABOUT FLORIDA/GAINESVILLE

1) Publix--God how I will miss Publix. Sorry Meijer, you just don't compare.

2) Setting your watch by the rain--every summer, you know it's true.

3) Salt water beaches--you can't drink it, you get sand everywhere, but there is something about the REAL ocean.

4) Number 15 Jerseys--Okay Gainesville, Timmy has been gone for a year now, so the 15 Jersey is kind of old...but it's still Gainesville-authentic. Which brings me to...

5) The Swamp aka Ben Hill Griffen Jr Stadium--sure, it's hot as the surface of a thousand suns during a noon game, and half the spectators are drunk. You still can't beat a game there.

6) Cool Restaurants--I know you can find these anywhere, but I will really miss the likes of Civilization, The Jones Eastside, Leo's By the Slice, Satchels, Maude's, and a few others I'm forgetting.

7) GCC Part Singing--LCC doesn't have part singers. I will miss hearing Sherwin sing "He Gave Her Water" and "I Hear God Singing to Me" most, I think.

8) Besty Summers Hugs--seriously, does this even need explaination? (I love you Betsy)

9) GCC Christmas Banquet

10) Troy Criss's animated preaching--you've gotta see it to believe it. See Also:

11) Frank Bogle's "being old" jokes.

12) My dad being within driving distance (this especially sucks).

13) Wearing shorts in December.

14) MY JOB. And my desk. With the dual-screen monitors. And the Starbucks around the corner.

15) Kelly Whittle visitng me at work. See also:

16) Getting "Dean's Office Coffee" with Alie. Which usually ends up being the latter part of #14.

17) Fresh veggies year-round. Local-grown.

18) Hurricane Days (I guess I'm trading them for snow-days)

19) Krishna Lunch

20) RTS--admit it, it's pretty reliable. I have no idea what CATA will be like in East Lansing. Plus, RTS has funny signs in the bus.

21) Ichetucknee Springs--and yes, I can spell it without Google.

22) Having any number of horse farms around (East Lansing has like, 2. Maybe.)

23) SUNSHINE IN WINTER.

24) The Independent Florida Alligator--the worst. news. reporting. EVER. But oh, the memories.

25) Alligators. They are so cool.

More to come, including the "Things I Will NOT Miss About Florida" list.

Job Interview #2 (also: Why Delta Sucks, v2.0)

So uhhh sorry for my silence guys. I just really haven't had much to share. I didn't get the MSU College of Education job I had the Skype interview for--they went with someone who had "many more years of relevant advising experience" despite my "compelling enthusiasum." Well, they can take that enthusiasum and SHOVE IT!

But, lo and behold, I did have another job interview, with MSU's School of Packaging (which is a lot more complex and cool than it sounds) as an advisor, which is a faculty position (same position I was turned down for in the COE). They offered to fly me up to Michigan, and I was like Hey, sounds like a plan! So on Thursday, July 21st, I was whisked by the WORST AIRLINE EVER IN EXISTANCE Delta (and it's parent company ASA sucks too) to East Lansing. But hey, I can't complain, because I didn't book the flight OR pay for it.

Despite being stuck on the airplane in ATL for 45 minutes (an O2 tank busted or something), I made it to Michigan with relatively little incident. The administrative assistant, Sherrie, picked me up in Flint, and we had a nice chat on the way to the hotel. She was super nice!

They put me up in a Marriot, and Sherrie told me if I ate at the hotel, I could charge it to my room and it would be taken care of.

....OMG. I felt so important! And so AWKWARD! I have never had someone pay for all my expenses before! But don't worry, I didn't take advantage--I got a chicken caesar salad and a diet coke for dinner, and then went for a walk around MSU. Despite the "heat wave" it was a nice evening--upper 70s or low 80s and breezy. I found the SoP where I'd be interviewing, and realized it's across the street from where Dr. Bugs would be working!

My interview was Friday, my birthday, and I believe it went well. I had an hour long interview with a committee of three faculty members plus the diversity office person, and then another hour long interview with the director of the department. I had a tour too, and got to see all the labs and learn about what they do. It was pretty high-tech stuff. Very cool.

I got to the airport on time, check in--OH LOOK my flight is DELAYED until 11pm in ATL. I was supposed to leave there at 8:55, to get into Jacksonville around 10pm. So I huff and puff and get irritated for awhile, try to get them to put me on a different flight, get me into Gainesville, throw out the "you know LAST time I flew Delta I was CANCELLED in ATL, this is unacceptable, blah blah..." but alas, nothing doing. So I got into ATL and waited. And waited. AND WAITED.

The plane gets in from Denver at 10:46pm. Great, yeah, NOT getting outta here by 11pm. Finally the crew gets on--and we sit some more. They annouce we'll board shortly, and a cheer goes up. And we sit some more. Then they say there is a mechanical problem. Greaaaaaaaaat. 20 minutes after that, the crew gets off the flight. In an exodus of Hebrews-fleeing-Egypt proportions, we all follow them to a different gate. Apparently our original plane had MULTIPLE mechanical and safety issues. I don't know how the heck that thing got to ATL from Denver. Don't you just feel SO SAFE flying now?!

I finally got on a plane at 1am, and we got to Jacksonvill e at 1:45am. The pilot was good, and he BOOKED it, turning a 1 hour 15 minute flight into 45 minutes. Good job, Captian. We finally arrived home at nearly 4am. UGH.

Of course, since I spent the majority of my birthday in Atlanta, my celebration on Saturday was much enjoyed. Some friends joined Dr. Bugs and I for dinner at Bistro1245, and dessert at a new cupcake place in town called Sarkara Sweets. He has now since left for a Florida Entomological Society conference in Ft. Meyers.

A little over one month left here in Gainesville. We finally settled on a moving company, but haven't set a specific date for them to pick up our stuff yet. I need to write my resignation letter this week. I hope I will find out about the advising job in Packaging this week too. I would really like to get it, it's a small department with a lot of interesting faculty members, and the new director is doing some very progressive things. The pay ain't half bad, either! :o)

Until next time!

The waiting game

So I had my Skype interview on Monday. I feel like it went decently well; they seemed to appreciate a lot of what I had to say and my career goals.

Now I have to wait until Tuesday, July 5th, to find out. At the EARLIEST. They originally said they would let me know at the end of the week, but sent me an email yesterday saying they wouldn't be able to finalize things until the 5th most likely.

I am struggglingggggg. I am not a patient person when it comes to the waiting game.

Please send positive thoughts my way. I REALLY want this job.

Everything else is quiet on the Michigan front.

Would you like some ketchup with your crow?

They CALLLLLEEEEEEEEDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!

*hyperventilation*

Pretty much right after I posted on my blog yesterday, the director of advising for the position called me to "chat" and then told me she was going to recommend me for formal interview to the search committee. I was so happy I about DIED. I think God was like "Really? REALLY you are going to panic? Right now? Whatev. I got this."

A very nice woman named MaryJo called this morning to set up the interview, via Skype, on Monday at 1pm.

*proceed to hyperventilate again*

I guess I can tell you a little about the position--it's an advising position in the College of Education, working with the Athletic Training and Kineseology programs. I really enjoyed talking with the director yesterday; she sounds just lovely. And she was kind when my cell phone CUT OUT AS SOON AS I ANSWERED IT and I proceeded to call her office 8938287392 times from my office line until I got hold of her. Grace, she has it. Fo'sho.

So excited. SO FLIPPING EXCITED I COULD JUST EXPLODE. Prayers appreciated!!