The Blog Slog

I don't blog. Er, I haven't blogged regularly, I should say. The idea seems easy enough - write your thoughts, jokes, recipes, life, work etc. -- a record of some aspect of your life. I tried to write about food because I'm... well, let's just say I plan trips around food. Alas, it's not that easy. It's a slog, even for the person who got her B.A. in English/Creative Writing. I find my days are filled with work, reading for work (I work at a library) or school (I am in grad school to be a librarian), doing homework, cooking, spending time with my husband and then unwinding in order to do it all over again the next day. I don't want to sit at a computer and write. I want to be reading or eating or snuggling (don't cringe!) or playing a board game and yes, the instant gratification of tweeting and texting. Despite this, I volunteered myself to blog for PLA, the Public Library Association, at ALA11. I figured, hey, I won't be cooking or working, and it might be good exposure. But, I'm nervous -- I'm a grad student, not a full blown librarian -- will my musings on workshops and social events at the conference be up to par (read: insightful and/or interesting)? Any tips?

P.S. See what I said below? You know, about cooking my way across America or some other b.s.? Not happening. Surprised? I didn't think so. Maybe I'll be able to stick to talking about work and other library related subjects. Check back often... um, once in a while.

Hello, World!

I've been so busy working, finishing graduate school, being a wife and friend, and well, procrastinating on all of the above at one time or another. That's me, the big procrastinator with big ideas. So here is my idea for this blog: I want to cook my way across America, or more specifically, One Big Table by Molly O'Neill. Yes, I know, it was done in Julie and Julia, but I can't help it if I love cooking, eating and discussing food! But it just won't be about food, the book will a jumping off point into marriage, friendship, remodeling a 1970's house, illness, life after college and whatever else tickles my fancy.

About me:

So, to begin, I'm Kristine. Hi. Nice to meet you. I'm 29. I have a Bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Women's Studies. I graduated, went out into the world two years ago, and promptly decided that there wasn't much to do with my creative writing and reading skills that would get me health insurance, so I decided to go back to school. This time, I'm working on my Master's in Library and Information Science. I work in a public library in South Florida and I love it. I feel a bit overqualified for my position, but I am thankful to have a job. I really want to work with urban youth or old books, vastly different, but both very rewarding.

There is much more to tell, but I think I will let it come out in time.

Supper:

Last night, I went to the supermarket and saw fresh, whole mackerel. I had never had it, but I wanted to experiment. I found a Mark Bittman recipe for mackerel poached in soy and vinegar on the stovetop. McLove used to work in a seafood kitchen and immediately nixed the stovetop idea because it would stink up the house for days, so we poached it on the grill.

Boy, was it good. It's an oily fish and definitely tastes like the sea, but it is high in Omega-3's. I also made haddock, just in case the mackerel was terrible. It was much better than the haddock.

What did you make for dinner last night?