rhymes with spoon

I've finally hit on it. Going to law school is like buying an old house. Some people tell you it's a good opportunity (they romanticize it) but most people will try to dissaude you (tell you you're making a big mistake). It's a big investment. A lot of surprises along the way. It can be a big burden, tying you down to one place and a sometimes rigid path, potentially for your entire life. It kills spontaneity...you can't just pick up and move just b/c you feel like it. It's stupidly expensive even with generous lending and historically low interest rates. And terms of repayment run into several years. Most of all, it can be a risky investment that may or may not pay off in the long run. Its benefits are dependant on the state of the markets...how much the market will bear, etc. And yes, it's all about the long run. (And damn it, I have no patience whatsoever).

Today was terrifically relaxing but now that I am back in the evil law building with lots of school related emails relating bad news (nothing tragic, just people telling me I have more work to do!) I feel b-l-a-h. All the things that made today a true Saturday (cooking, TV, phone calls from old friends, This American Life) leading up to this: spending another Saturday night in the Law Review office. As a friend told me today: "I used to think I was clinically depressed. Then I realized I'm in law school."

But not all hope is lost. I had a bit of a culinary breakthrough earlier today and found out that there is life after finding out you're lactose intolerant. I've been toying with the idea of making lasagna a little more friendly for the lactose intolerant. I've read about all sorts of versions that substitute various soy products for the cheeses but I was rather skeptical. Tofu substituting for ricotta? Could that be? The answer is a resounding yes! And as proof, I put together this little recipe for future reference:

Almost Vegan Lasagna (I swear you won’t miss the cheeses!)

1 package firm tofu
3 cloves garlic, pressed
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 large egg, beaten
1 package no-boil lasagna noodles
2 cups red sauce (of your choosing)
½ cup grated parmesan
½ cup grated pecorino romano
2 cups soy cheese
1 to 2 cups vegetables

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Drain tofu. (For best results, put tofu in a colander, top with inverted plate, and place can on top. Let tofu drain in refrigerator overnight). Crumble tofu and combine with garlic, Italian seasoning, and beaten egg. (This your faux ricotta mixture).

Spray a square glass baking dish (8x8 or 9x9) with non-stick cooking spray. Layer ingredients as follows: a little sauce on the bottom, a layer of pasta, about half of the ricotta mixture spread evenly, a layer of vegetables, a sprinkle of the three cheeses, then more sauce. Repeat using everything and end with a layer of pasta and sauce. (Reserve some cheeses to top lasagna later).

Cover with foil and bake for 55 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven, remove foil, and top with remaining cheeses. Turn oven up to 400 degrees. Return lasagna to oven for 10 more minutes until cheeses are bubbling. Remove from oven and let sit for 10-15 minutes before cutting.

Enjoy!

My first trial run with this recipe came out quite delicious. Very lasagna like but not nearly as rich. (I'm ok with this as I can eat this without the assistance of Lactaid and without getting a terrible tummy ache afterwards). Note that I did cheat a tiny bit. Mixing in a little parmesan and pecorino (in small amounts, cheeses that I can tolerate just fine) and one egg, was just enough to give the dish the right consistency and overall flavor. Today's version was made with zucchini, a 10 oz package of frozen spinach, and a roasted vegetable sauce that I made last week. (Pictures will be posted tomorrow!)

We could all learn a few lessons about the good life and relaxation from little Ms. Shirley.


I'm stuck in the law review office on a Friday night so at best, my brain is only thinking in lists.

Seven Things To Do Before I Die
1. Write a self-help book, convince Oprah to pitch it, and make millions.
2. Be completely debt free.
3. Rent a car and drive down the coast of Portugal.
4. Go to an early morning fish auction in Tokyo.
5. Run a marathon in four hours or less.
6. Roll around in a very large field of lavendar.
7. Learn to swim properly and then surf.

Seven Things I Cannot Do
1. Any winter sports (skating, skiing, snowboard, etc.)--a shame b/c I live in the Frozen North.
2. Take law school exams.
3. Play Chopin or Liszt. (My fingers aren't long enough).
4. Go more than a week without dark chocolate.
5. Go more than a month without coffee.
6. Wake up in the mornings without NPR.
7. Bake bread.

Seven Things I Say Most Often
1. "I'm tired."
2. "I hate school."
3. "Are you serious?"
4. "That is so stupid."
5. "So what I'm trying to say is..."
6. "Hmmmm...."
7. To Jeff--"Come over?"

Seven Books I Read Over and Over Again
1. Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
2. The Joy of Cooking
3. Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book
4. A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
5. The book of Proverbs
6. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
7. The Stranger by Albert Camus

Seven Movies/DVDs I Watch Over and Over Again
1. Various seasons of the Simpsons and the West Wing
2. Office Space
3. Lost in Translation
4. The Chapelle Show, Season 2
5. Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Season 1
6. Harvey Birdman, Season 1
7. Napoleon Dynamite

So I'm back at school now (horror of horrors) and am trying to work out a schedule that will keep me sane. (i.e. a minimum of bar courses this semester is an absolute must!) Since returning to Minnesota I've been busy with lots of things--mostly unrelated to school, but closely related to my sanity and happiness. Lots of time in the kitchen experimenting with new foods and new ideas. Like ginger brownies (inspired by the chocolate bar you see in the photo). This batch came out super fudgy and faintly gingery with a nice bite of ginger when you hit those little chunks of candied australian ginger. (Thank you Penzy's Spices...where would I be without you??) I think for the next round I'll shoot for something more cake-like and maybe with a little more black pepper. (Yes, you read that right, a smidge of black pepper brings out the taste of the ginger).






Speaking of dessert, this was a little a splurge the other day at Lunds. A delicious frog (white cake topped with maraschino cream and covered in chocolate). He was almost too cute to eat...no gruesome pictures here of the aftermath, but you can use your imagination.


Friday I purchased a lovely 4 qt stainless steel crockpot from Target, thus making me a full-fledged Midwesterner. Of course, I had to try it out immediately, so I invited Stacey and Dan over for pot roast on Saturday. It was delicious! (Sorry no pictures). We followed the meal up with the brownies (see above) and the Constant Gardener--an excellent movie. Afterwards I was left with a lot of dishes and even more leftover meat. I am one who tires of leftovers quickly so it's a bit of a game with me to find ways to reinvent my leftovers. Here is one iteration--meat empanadas. (I mixed in some potatoes and peas to make a lovely meat filling). I've also enjoyed the meat shredded in corn tortillas with a little roasted tomato salsa (another culinary experiment) and queso fresco. Mmmmmm...meat.

Last night I needed a break from my meat-intensive diet so I breaked for a little Thai inspired dinner, mixing up some coconut ginger soup mix with broccoli, red cabbage, and baked tofu. I had to fiddle with the seasoning a little but it turned out to be quite tastey in the end and lovely in presentation. (I'm finding that artful presentation is another way to keep me interested in my food).

Well, here am I back in the miserable Le Walter Mondale Hall...grades freshly checked, 2nd draft of article behind me, and about three hours of sleep after spending most of yesterday stranded in the city of brotherly love. But it's stupid sunny here and about to hit 40 so I can't complain.

Since I've been so remiss in posting, I thought I'd start with a nice little recap of '05...for myself and posterity and for those who may want the flanthrower update.

1) Was 2005 a good year for you?
Last year was certainly memorable. Part 1L and Part 2L. Certainly a year of transition as I complete the divorce b/t my current and former DC self and try to figure out what I really want to do with my life. I said a couple of goodbyes. Learned that I'll never make money with my legal career (still getting used to the idea but am more comfortable with this notion that before). Got better at coping with disappointment without adopting my mother's Buddhist/Pilgrim's Progress mentality that life is all suffering.

2) What was your favorite moment of the year?
Can I only have one? Rolling into DC this summer after two days of serious driving. A very memorable pre July 4th text message from Jeff and the night I quit my job at Sequoias! (I was never meant to work in the service industry). Learning how much cats like yarn and catnip.

3) What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Anytime I have to check grades I get all weird and miserable. Suffering through a semester of Federal Income Taxation was probably a true low point in my life (especially now that I know I pretty much bombed the class). Getting a large pile of rejection letters from potential employers. (When it rains, it POURS!) And then there are always those difficult quarterly conversations with Mom. She's my hero but we just don't always see eye to eye. Passing out at the Broken Social Scene show?

4) Where were you when 2005 began?
At church with the parents for a New Years Eve service. Eating duk gook. Mmmmmm.

5) Who were you with?
da family.

6) Where will you be when 2005 ends?
I was in Baltimore celebrating with Jeff very clueless about the passage of time.

7) Who will you be with when 2005 ends?
(See above re: beau.)

8) Did you keep your new year's resolution of 2005?
Probably not. I think (but can't remember exactly) that those resolutions were largely accomplishment oriented and well, in the realm of tangible things (i.e. do better in law school, get a damn job), I didn't fare too well. On the upside, I did squeeze in a bit more knitting than during my 1L...Jeff is now enjoying the fruits of my labor...let's just hope the boyfriend sweater curse doesn't kick in anytime soon.

9) Do you have a new year's resolution for 2006?
Stop making excuses. (It was a timely and uber profound suggestion from the beau).

10) Did you fall in love in 2005?
Eh. Being something of a committment-phobe, I hesitate to use the "L" word. Nonetheless, I'm super psyched about reconnecting with Jeff and hope that someday I'll get to use the "L" word on him. (I speak of it as if it's a weapon! It's not.) Suffice to say for now that Jeff makes me very happy and he's by far and away the bestest boyfriend I've ever had!

11) If yes, with who?
See 10.

12) If yes, do they know?
Id.

13) Are you still in love with them?
Id.

14) Do you regret it?
Nope. It was certainly the best text message I ever checked.

15) Did you break up with anyone in 2005?
Not exactly but I did close out a longstanding, quasi-romantic chapter of my life.

16) Did you make any new friends in 2005?
Yeah.

17) Who are your favorite new friends?
Hey, I didn't say any of those new friends were good. ;-) j/k...I think more than friends, I gained a new set of mentors this year. People who are insanely good at what they do and do good for others. (Old role models were more along the lines of people insanely good at what they do + insanely good at making money).

18) What was your favorite month of 2005?
November. Awesome birthday celebration + big Thanksgiving feast. (Kinda balances out the misery of a corporations final AND my blasted law review article).

19) Did you travel outside of the US in 2005?
Nope...been on a serious international travel drought since my crazy world tour 2000-2002.

20) How many different states did you travel to in 2005?
Six? Seven? Eight? I lose track everytime I do the insane subaru haul to DC.

21) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2005?
Yes, but he didn't die. See 15.

22) Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Of course.

23) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2005?
Any movie I got to see was pretty awesome....we law students don't get out much.

24) What was your favorite song from 2005?
Trouble--Ray LaMontaigne

25) What was your favorite record from 2005?
Sigur Ros--Takk

26) How many concerts did you see in 2005?
Ten? Twelve? I can't remember exactly.

27) Did you have a favorite concert in 2005?
Sigur Ros at the State Theater. By far and away the best show I've seen ever. At the risk of sounding cliche, it was almost a religious experience.

28) Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2005?
No. I've almost given up on alcohol. Not that I ever drank much, but I will still indulge in the occasional glass of wine or shot of bourbon. (Hey, I gotta live a little).

29) Did you do a lot of drugs in 2005?
Who needs to do drugs when you can see Sigur Ros live? But seriously, I made an unusual # of trips to the doctor this year, so in that sense, I was a pretty sick gal on a lot prescription meds.

30) Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Coming back to law school?

31) What was the worst lie someone told you in 2005?
I don't think I did too much lying in 2005...may explain why I still don't have a summer job. ;-P

32) Did you treat somebody badly in 2005?
Yeah, but he deserved it. ;-)

33) Did somebody treat you badly in 2005?
My professors--see my transcript for proof. ;-)

34) How much money did you spend in 2005?
It's all borrowed so I can’t even think about the answer to this without shuddering.

35) What was your proudest moment of 2005?
At the risk of sounding like a total dork/asshole, it was making Law Review. The announcement came when I was very much in need of validation.

36) What was your most embarrassing moment of 2005?
2004-05 have just generally been very humbling. I won't bore you with the details.

37) If you could go back in time to any moment of 2005 and change something, what would it be?
Coming back to law school. I'm a glutton for punishment. ;-)

38) What are your resolutions for 2006?
See 9