My interest are well....interesting

So, I've been tagged! Thanks Jeema! So, I'm to give you 7 random facts of my life....let's get started!

1. I'm a Scorpio, I think that we are the best--not only in term of the zodiac, but also in terms of astronomy as well (which is a hidden passion of mine). I've studied Scorpios and their habits (which means that I do believe in astrology if you haven't picked that up yet), and I'm always left with wanting to know more about it.

2. I can speak a number of languages, but a lot of people don't know that. Other than my native tongue, which is English, my second language is French, my third is Spanish, my fourth is Arabic and my fifth is Portuguese. I don't get to use Arabic and Portuguese as much, so I'm kinda rusty when it comes to speaking the languages.

3. My last name is the same last name as Harry Potter, and I can't help but feel proud because of it! Yes, it was a struggle growing up because people are so unoriginal in their insults when it comes down to my last name, but I wouldn't have it any other way! I love it, and if and when I get married, I don't want to take my significant others name.....I want to keep the Potter line going.

4. I have 5 sisters and 1 brother. It's difficult, because they come from different fathers or the same father....let's see if you can follow. My mum had 4 daughters, my step father has 3 daughters (2 of the 4 of my mum's), my biological father has 3 daughters and 1 son (2 of the 4 of my mum's)...it all adds up...if you can follow my logic anyway.

5. I'm seriously thinking about becoming an expatriate of the US because I can't stand the way the government is corrupting people and the way the economy is heading. It's all for shite now, in my most humble opinion. I've been researching other countries political and economical shifts, and they are more appealing by the day.

6. When I'm going through something, my hair reflects my mood...always. When I'm having a bad day, I wash my hair. When I'm having a good day, my hair is away from my face and sitting in a bun, when I'm having conflicting emotions, my hair is down, and usually in my face. Oh, by the way, I have natural kinky hair....so....try to picture it in your mind.

7. I like to watch foreign films (Mostly French) and documents....honestly, they are some of my favourite films. Such as 'Life is Beautiful' ,'L'Esquive', 'Le Papillon' (Just to name a few).

So, there you have it....some of me in a very minuscule nutshell. Hope you like it!

So Sorry!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while! I've been busy looking for jobs, checking out campus and on-line schools, and over all, just trying to get my muse back!

I think, and I hope I am right, that the month of October is going to be good to me. The moon phases and the planets are telling me so, so I'm going to have to agree that it is true.

I hope all is well with you all, and I promise that I am going to update as much as possible!

Ta ta for now loves!

What's for Dinner?

Last night, I made some stewed chicken. I believe there are many variations of the dish (The Trinidadian version, which I love, or the version with stewed tomatoes and spinach with spices, which I love too, but had to omit because I was also feeding a very picky small child), so I did a new variation that sent praises my way!

The recipe is a bit complicated, but the meal is rather enjoyable!

What you will need:

1 medium sized onion, cut in half

1/3 clove garlic, minced

5 scallions, chopped finely

chicken thighs and wings, cut (the thighs can be boneless or with the bone, as long as you get them cut)

curry powder

garlic powder

cumin

seasoning salt

salt

pepper

maggi cubes

water (depends on the amount of chicken being made)

1 can tomato paste

flour

oil

margarine

Rice

Large stew pot

First and foremost, clean the chicken! Make sure there's not fat or skin or feathers on the chicken, and let it sit in lime juice and water to rinse off impurities, then chop the chicken up.

Next, add the curry and garlic powder, salt and pepper to the chicken, and rub them in. Set it aside whilst you start to chop up the vegetables.

After the vegetables are chopped, place the stew pot on the stove, turn the gas gauge up to 4 and add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the vegetables, curry powder and the garlic powder and let them fry for 2-3 minutes.

After the vegetables and seasonings are fried, add the chicken, stirring it around, letting it brown a bit. When it browns, crumble the maggi cube in your (clean) hand and sprinkle it on the chicken.

After the chicken is done browning, add water to the mixture. I added about 4 cups here. Let is simmer for 15 minutes before adding the next ingredients. (you see my spoon holder bunny back there? lol)

So, whilst the chicken is stewing, I made a roux to thicken the stew up. (A roux, which is a type of gravy, is a known staple down south, where I lived at for the past 5 years. It is usually made for Gumbos and etoufees and such). For the roux, I used oil and flour. I added a 250ml (1 cup) of oil to a couple of tablespoons flour, and whisked it until I received the desired thickness I was looking for. (If you know how to make gravy, I think this is the easiest step). You cannot use gravy from the stores, btw.....it will throw off the flavour of the stew. I let the roux cool down before I added it to the pot.

After I added the roux, I used a sauce pan and added margarine and the scoop of the tomato paste to it, and let it cook down for a bit, and I then added that to the stew pot as well.

I let that stew for another 10 minutes, then I add in the remaining tomato paste, seasoning salt, cumin powder and some more garlic and curry powder for taste.

I let that then stew for another 20 minutes, and while it is simmering, I put on a pot of rice. (Not Success Bag Rice...I can't stand that crap, but the kind of rice that needs a good stirring and salt)

After the 20 minutes, the rice will be done, as will the stew. And to go with the stewed chicken, I decided to enjoy a bottle of Bartenura Moscato.

Here are the final results:

Of Hurricanes and sleeping charms

So, seeing as how I am living on the bloody East Coast for the time being........we are getting sloshed with natural disasters.

In a few hours, a hurricane is supposed to make its way towards my neck of the woods and do whatever it pleases. I'm just happy that it's not going to be in the 3-5 category range, just within the 1-2 range.

Seeing as how I have also lived along the Gulf Coast, I think that I am mentally more prepared for said hurricane than others....which does give me a one up.

However, this state of paranoia that people are in, is vexing me so. The most we are going to get in my town will be heavy rains and wind, and the further up the hurricane travels, it will become a tropical storm, therefore, there really isn't need for worry, as we've had tropical storms before....but wait....this is the East Coast of America.....and sometimes, Americans panic about even the most mundane thing, so maybe, they are justified....maybe.

I, however, am just annoyed. My bloody birthgiver woke me up at 7 in the bleeding morning, talking about we have to man the grill, as in, move it under the patio. First off, I don't like people waking me up. If I don't come to naturally, my wrath is surely something people don't want to deal with. Second, we didn't even do what she planned, no, in all of her ratched glory, she had me wrap an extension cord around the grill and secure it so that the propane doesn't go to spoils.....instead of just putting it in the shed.

Then, she's like, well, since you 're up, clean the house......the fuck?! I wish she would just sod off right now, because not only am I completely knackered, I'm highly annoyed at her. In all of her paranoia, she forgot a lot of shit on her list of "to get for hurricane," and wants me to get it. That's a big not going to happen, not now, not ever. I kept having flashbacks to the time she made me go and get her some damn chicken and vodka (I swear, she can be so bloody ratched at times), and she knew a hail storm was coming, and I got trapped in that shit.....it lasted soooo long, and then she had the nerve to be mad because her food was cold....-__- So, like I stated....she wants something, she shall be getting it herself, because other than for meals, I shan't be leaving my room....

UGH....I JUST WANT TO SLEEP!!!!

Natural Disasters

So, the East Coast got hit with an Earthquake today.....shocking, I know.

It scared me a bit, because we are more than ill equipped for the likes of a fucking earthquake!

When I saw the table and myself shaking, I thought it was a divine spirit or some shit, but nope, when the china closet and the pots hanging above the sink started to shake, all hell broke out in my mind! I just knew it was an earthquake!

I walked outside, towel on my head, half of my locs braided and the other half in a sloppy ponytail, and others confirmed my suspicions......

Apparently, it started in Virginia, 5.8 to be exact. People from South Carolina-Massachusetts felt it, and as far west as Ohio felt it.

Scary, huh?

There are supposed to be after shocks too.......Let's see how I deal with all of that!

Languages! Oh Joy!

You see, I have quite an affinity when it comes to different languages......and I have quite an obsession when it comes to actually learning different languages.

I have already mastered English (well, it is my native tongue after all), French is my second language, Spanish is my third language, and Sign Language is kinda my fourth language (I only say that because I am still learning).

I think that everyone should have a firm grasp on at least one language other than their native, but that would just be wishful thinking, now wouldn't it?

Well, this post is really to plug learning a language. Learn one! If not with Rosetta Stone, then some other language tool (I have used Byki, which has helped me retain a lot of information with the various spoken languages), and for sign language, I use an on-line tool which has animations and pictures that make sure that you can assess the word as good as possible.

There are also language blogs out there to help as well!

Transparent language has great blogs with various languages (sans sign language), and they have great activities as well. http://www.transparent.com/french/

For sign language, I use http://www.lifeprint.com/ and it has been really, really helpful.

I suggest you get up and start learning! It can enhance your life greatly!

Phoenix Rising

It has been a while since I've posted.

Many life changes have been occurring.

My step-fathers funeral was this past Tuesday, closed casket, awaiting his cremation as I type.

The day of the funeral, I was there physically, but mentally, I wasn't. My mind wandered like there was no tomorrow on the horizon. I had long ago accepted his death, and I cried the day he died, but the days leading up to his funeral, I felt no sadness, no remorse, I literally felt nothing towards the man.

The day of his funeral, I was told that I was uncaring, like I didn't want to be there, as if I were bored, because I showed no emotions. I honestly don't care what people say about me, usually, but I can honestly say when I heard those assumptions, I was vexed! How dare someone judge me for my emotions?! I judge no one for there emotions, so the same should hold in my court, but then again, that would be asking for too much, wouldn't it?

Well, now that this is over and done with....I come to realise that it's not over and done with. I have been feeling cosy with the fact that my mum is finally getting rest, only to find out she wasn't, because with him being ill, a lot of the household responsibilities fell by the wayside.

It got to the point where......I may have to stay up here for and indefinite amount of time in order to get some-things straightened out with financial and familial issues. I am making myself feel like I won't regret it....because I can't regret it, since I've long ago coined the moniker "I have no regrets."

But, with all of this, I feel like I can become a new person, be a stronger me. I feel like I can rise from the ashes (hence, the title), and I can accomplish something totally wicked that I've not even thought of as of yet.....but it's looming on the horizon.

Maybe I'll stop feeling so knackered and finally start on the book that I've been itching to write.....or maybe I'll finally start my cookbook, or my own internet run crochet shop....maybe I'll use my major and keep pursuing a career with that.....just maybe.........

But for now, with all emotions played out, with people on my side, I am finally rising into something spectacular!