Ash's Goings Ons: September 2009

Le Weekend

Lookin' good in the great Vermont outdoors

Really cool stream/river we happened across. I was stoked about the rock that looks like a fish (bottom right).

Mama at the orchard :)

No apple pies!!?!

Ben and Jerry's factory tour

Still in Love With Google

Fun with Google auto fill-in! I typed in "How to make..." and got

How to make:

A website
Out
Your hair grow faster
French toast
Jello shots
Friendship bracelets
Money
A résumé
A paper airplane
A diaper cake

And in case that got you, like it did me, to wondering...

1. What is a Diaper Cake anyway?
A diaper cake is a wonderfully creative gift for an expectant mother. It is a collection of diapers (either disposable or cloth) rolled and stacked together to resemble a traditional tiered cake. There can be 1, 2, 3 or more tiers. The tiers of diaper cakes are also garnished with baby care items such as bibs, pacifiers, baby socks, bottles, toys, and more. (From this website)

Vermont

The leaves are turning already!

Out of It

I guess I am a little bit out of it. I just realized that for the past 3 weeks (!), I have been using the planner pages for the previous month... Wow. The date of the upcoming fencing tournament makes more sense now.

Homemade bread. Local McIntoshes.

Radish sprouts

Sprouties!

Unbelievably cute.

Week Two

This has been week two of grad school, a nice litter four day affair. It brought the start of fencing practice and the start of a scary workload. Unfortunately, it did not bring an auto-unpacking device or a self-cleaning apartment. Hrmm....

I did grow some sprouts, though, and they are all cute looking now. I will take a pic when I have the chance.

Weekend Food

I spent a lot of time cooking this weekend, with yummy results!

I made pesto

and yogurt

and pita bread... and baba ganoush

and the cats helped organize the kitchen

Settling into Burlington

The cats and I are settling in to Burlington pretty well. I finally got my bed, and that is really helping the process along! I have had my first week of classes, and I think that they are going to be a good set to kick things off. I am taking micro, ecological econ, a computer modeling course and a seminar focused on transportation issues. Two requirements for the masters and two for the eco econ certificate. I have gotten a good first impression of all of the professors, and I think that I chose well, even in the absence of an advisor *phew*.

My apartment is pretty good, nice and small, easy to clean! The only troubles are that it's next to a busy road (loud and hard to bike) and that the kitchen is really small. I think there are about six sq feet of counter space. As far as the town of Burlington goes, I have found a yummy little burrito place, attended the farmers' market (hoppin' but so expensive), shopped at two different natural food stores, remembered what it's like to have allergies :( , tested and approved the local cheese (in both mac & cheese and grilled cheese), found a decent local yarn store, attended a party with fun guests, and eaten one of the many available local ice creams. So far, so good.

This sign/survey seen at a stand at the farmers' market... I think it sums of the spirit of Vermont pretty well, from what I have gathered so far. Most of the suggestions were Lt. Governor followed by Governor and Senator.