Moleskine

CURRENTLY: avoiding writing college essays



I bought a Moleskine notebook yesterday! Part of me was wondering if it was really worth the money (when I could have bought a somewhat similar notebook for a fraction of the price), but it is quite a nice notebook and using it is a very nice experience. It's reporter style, with a pocket that I can use to store my deepest secrets.

A Clark Scholars Report

1. Future hairdressers turn boy from fab to even more fab

2. Asian food cravings lead to microwaving dumplings. When this fails, scholars attempt to pan-fry. Result may be burned, but at least it has a satisfying crisp.

3. Mashed chef takes on master potatoes

3. Male scholar pursues flawless skin

 4. Female scholars become swamp monsters on a quest to be beautiful

5. An exhausting day is given a cheery ending when a care package from a loved one arrives.

(contents: a thoughtful card, various candies, notecards, mason jars, various teas, thermos, LAO GAN MA CHILI SAUCE ♥♥♥, condensed milk, coconut milk, easter eggs, various types of chocolates, pocky, jars of matcha, jars of honey, and many warm and comforting wishes)

To the sender of this care package: Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your constant thoughtfulness and kindness reminds me how blessed I am and has kept me going despite the many struggles. 

...and I have a loss of words to describe how I am feeling right now 

(sorry for the low quality pictures)

Truly,

Lucy

Tip: Befriend adults and eat healthier breakfast

I spend roughly four hours a day working one-on-one with my mentor in his office.  Never have I ever had an adult (other than my parents) dedicate so much individual time to me before, and I'm wondering what I ever did to deserve such an amazing guy! Much of our time together is dedicated to learning fundamental techniques of design, but sometimes we stray into other topics.Our conversations are lighthearted, but beneath our jokes and laughs, we touch upon deeper topics. Discussions of various books, cultures, films, etc. have led me to realize how little I actually comprehend about this world. I am a romantic, but things won't always be as simple as they're made out to be. I thought I had myself pretty well figured out, but talking to my mentor gave me completely different perspective on who I am. 

Currently, we are doing some logo work for a local rape crisis center.  I am wringing my brain like a towel, trying to squeeze out the last drops of creativity in the hope that I will be able to produce something usable. Design usually comes naturally, but there's something about the gravity of the organization that makes me freeze. Still, I remain optimistic that things will work out. (Please, please work out.)

In other news, in an attempt to be healthier, my suitemates and I Purged our pantry. This involved a formal affair where we ceremoniously threw all our junk food (stale Flamin' Hot Cheetos and cookies) into the trash. This lasted for a few days, until unfortunately, our pantry magically refilled itself with ChocoHeim (delicious Korean nutella-like wafer snack), pancakes, and peanut butter ice cream. Nonetheless, during the short-lived days of the Purge, I discovered a somewhat healthy substitute for the sweets I so desperately craved. I've been eating it almost every day for breakfast, and it takes very little time to make. I cut up a banana and some strawberries and spoon a few dollops of Greek yogurt into the bowl. Then I top it off with a handful of blueberries, honey, and granola. Voila! Breakfast complete with calcium, potassium, protein, vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber--all for less than 300 calories!

Another quick note: I visited the Texas Tech library again and found some Better Homes and Garden's books from nearly 100 years ago! (1920s) 

I should probably be going to bed (whoops) so goodnight!

Truly,

Lucy

Tip: Bring kitchen implements to your summer program

Two days ago, all the restaurants were closed for the holidays, so I decided to make myself some chicken and rice soup for dinner. I recently read Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child from the Texas Tech library, so I was feeling pretty chef-like. Problem was, we didn't have any measuring cups/spoons, so I kind of had to wing it with all the food measurements. The recipe wasn't that hard (for an amateur cook such as myself), but I still screwed it up by putting in WAY TOO MUCH RICE. It ended up more like a chicken-y sort of porridge? I still thought it was quite delicious and it only took around a half an hour to make, so I'll leave the recipe below. I'm still not quite sure what my measurements were...

• (around 3/4 cup of) baby carrots
• (1/2 of an) onion
• (1-2 tbsp of) some sort of oil
• (around 3-4 cups) low sodium chicken broth
• (lots of) cooked chicken chunks (because I really like chicken!!)
• (less than 1 Chinese takeout container of) cooked rice (unless you want your soup to turn into porridge)
• (1/3 cup) milk
• salt and pepper to taste

1. chop up the baby carrots into small pieces
2. dice the onions
3. heat the oil up in a pot on high heat
4. throw your carrots and onions into the pot
5. worry because you may have thrown your vegetables in too early and it is not making the satisfying sizzling noise you see on food network
6. when the vegetables start sizzling, kind of toss them around with a wooden spoon until they are soft (turn the heat down to medium for this step so you do not burn some onions and have to fish them out. or maybe just throw your carrots in first and onions a little bit later?)
7. add your chicken broth and rice to your soft vegetables and wait for the pot's contents to boil
8. when it boils, turn your heat down to medium and cook for 10ish minutes, uncovered
9. add your chicken and milk and cook for another 5 minutes
10. ta da! chicken soup/porridge!!

If you ever end up going to the Clark Scholars program, I highly recommend bringing kitchen tools so that you won't starve when all the restaurants close ;-; By this I mean:

• pots + pans
• stirring utensils (wooden spoons)
• spatula (for pancakes)
• toaster oven (you can split a $25 oven from Wal-mart with your other Clarkies so that each person only has to pay around $2 each)
• oven mitts, if you get the toaster oven
• microwave safe bowls
• mugs
• spoons + forks
• cutting board
• kitchen sponges
• dishwashing detergent
• drying rack
• tin foil
• chopsticks!

Hope you are successful in all your food-related endeavors!

Truly,

Lucy

What makes you happy?

1. The amazing burger place in Lubbock called the Twisted Root.

The Big Tex Burger 

(guacamole, pepperjack cheese, crispy fried onion, lettuce, tomato)

2. Libraries (and books). The Texas Tech library has a great selection of books. Some of the books are incredibly old, and I felt I was travelling back in time as I looked through cookbooks and classics from many decades ago. Who doesn't love the feeling of curling up with a good book on the cozy couch after a long day of work? Especially when your suitemates are cooking delicious food and the air is filled with the aroma of roasted vegetables and hearty pasta. 

3. Grocery shopping with my friends...and making delicious food together afterwards. 

4. Working on my project! My mentor is fantastic. He is patient and kind even though I am a nub and I feel like I can talk to him about anything. 

(he also has great taste in donuts)

5. Exploring the great outdoors (Roaring springs?)

6. Fitness classes! Who cares if you are horribly unfit if you are with your friends?

7. Putting on sunscreen because if you are nice to your skin it will be nice to you.

Happy Independence Day, everybody! Hope if was filled with many things that make you happy :)

Truly, 

Lucy

Tip: Go for a morning run?

Hello!

I woke up this morning in a fright after the professor in my dreams told me I had failed all my exams. The impending stress of college applications is working its way into my subconscious! Unable to sleep again, I got up and ate some breakfast (Greek yogurt and a bowl of cereal), then went out for a run with a fellow Clarkie.

We ran a few times around Memorial Drive (I think that's what it's called). It was quite beautiful outside. The birds were singing, the sun was shining, and the temperature was not too hot or too cold. Running in the mornings is really quite refreshing, and I feel energized and ready for the rest of the day.

In other news, were visited by a few of the Welch Scholars, another group of summer program students. The Welchies are really outgoing and close knit with each other, and so I felt a little bit overwhelmed hahah. Afterwards, we watched Sherlock on one of the Clark Scholars' GIANT COMPUTER. Our group tends to be a bit more quiet, so we didn't say much throughout the movie, but it was nice to just be able to chill together.

Also, I recently purchased a pot and one of my suitemates purchased some instant ramen so we are going to feast soon! I might head over to the store and buy some spinach or scallions or eggs to put into it. Yum.

That's it for now! Ta ta

Truly,
Lucy