A Fun Find

Today as I was organizing old documents, I came across this poem from when Rob and I were first dating. I like to think back on those times, my head spinning off my shoulders, feeling giddy and excited about every week-end and the new conversations we would have, his new qualities I would discover. And the best part-- I'm still discovering new things about him.

He’s awkward 
mumbles unclearly
I can’t catch it. 
We walk to the car
hand in hand.
“I like you...a lot” 
He spits out nervously. 
I smile. 
“And?” I ask
Knowing, waiting. 
Happy heart. 

On a date in 2012 

Good Ice-Breakers

I love talking about random stuff with people. That's one of the reasons, I also love coming up with good ice breaker questions.  Ice breakers are important because they allow people to find commonalities with other people in the group. They also provide a safe and controlled environment for people to share more about themselves.

Here are some ideas for good ice breakers:

1. Share a happy childhood memory.

2. What is your favorite book?

3. Who is your role model?

4. Who is your hero?

5. What's your favorite food?

6. What's your favorite picnic item?

7. What's your least favorite food?

8. What is your favorite room in the house?

9. What is something most people don't know about you?

10. What's your favorite animal?

11. Which do you prefer? Countryside or city?

12. How do you unwind?

13. If you could visit any country, which country would you chose and why?

14. What's your favorite holiday?

15. Share your happiest birthday memory.

Rice Cooker

I have never cooked so much in all my life as I have these past 6 months since getting married. Before getting married, I survived on "snack" meals-- popcorn and apples, instant noodles, granola and yogurt, cereal, eggs -- "snack" meals. But now that there are two people to feed, (and one of them is a 5'10" male) "snack" meals don't really cut it.  I do not mind cooking, and Rob never puts the pressure on me to cook, but when I get home about two hours earlier than him, it just seems the task quite naturally becomes mine.

So, I have been donning my chef's hat and getting creative in the kitchen. I have also developed a new appreciation for our rice cooker (a wedding gift from family friends.) I would even go so far to say that I love our rice cooker. Yes, sometimes it does seem to take a long time just to cook some rice, but the result is never disappointing.  It's a little bit ironic too because I hardly ever used my rice cooker in China except to make soup, and now I use one more than ever. Some of our favorite meals to have with rice include stir-fry, chicken curry, and Campbell's slow cooker meals.

Here are some great things I love about rice:
1. It's healthy.
2. It's cheap.
3. You can put it in the rice cooker and forget about it until it's done.
4. It smells delicious.
5. It can be repurposed -- fried rice, rice pudding, rice bread.
6. You can eat it with chopsticks.

What are some things you like about rice?

Random Thoughts

1. The Midwest is too small. I feel as though I'm one person removed from everyone. Maybe some people consider this coziness a good thing, especially if they have never had one of the following: a blind date, some rough teaching experiences, or a rebellious teen-hood.

2. What is the message a guy wants to send when he wears a pink shirt? I'm merely curious.

3. I want a tattoo, preferably on my big toe.

4. Some of the ceiling paint in my bathroom fell down. The rest of it is bulging with what looks like pockets of water. Any advice? Anyone?