secret crushes

I have a new secret love for listening to Euro pop (or mainstream dance or what everyone else refers to as "electronic" music) on big headphones. The ones that screen out all other noise. Well, it's not really a secret love anymore. I don't know what about it makes me happy, but it does.

I also love reading food blogs. I have new food experiences through the blogs, since I can't very well go to all the places listed or cook every recipe (especially when I'm cooking just for me). I was just starting to wish that I could cook better, more like the people who keep these blogs when I remembered that when I moved out here, I could barely cook at all. I was competent, but had only ever cooked anything minorly good with help or other people around. I'm nowhere near the world's best cook, but I feel so much more confident now than I ever did before. And that's a good feeling. I now feel ok cooking for my family, something which still feels difficult, even though I do the same thing every day on my own. There's just something about being in the house with your parents, where they cook every night, and having to produce. I'll just stuff their mouths with red velvet cake so they won't be able to comment.

The full awareness that I'm leaving Eugene in a bit over two weeks has started to hit me. It hasn't felt real until very recently, and I'm sure it will just get more and more real as the days pass. I keep thinking of things I've wanted to do here and never have. But really, you can't do everything, and I've had a nice almost-two-years here. Wow, that went fast.

I think I'm still recovering from the fondue overdose last night. It takes a while to fully hit you. But still, so good. Everyone should eat fondue. Well, not all the time. But at least every once in a while.