I am in the process of getting my teaching certificate. The biggest box on this checklist was taking a test on the four main areas of elementary teaching: English language arts, math, social studies and science. Some of the content is common knowledge or intuitive enough to figure out easily. Some of it is must-memorize teacher jargon like onsets and phonemes and IDing the various stages of writing development. A big chunk of it had to be yanked out of the corners of my mind and thoroughly cleaned (what was the seven years war all about again?). So a hefty portion of the past month was spent cramming facts in for this exam, which in the end turned out just fine.
Another chunk of time and money was spent cramming (or at least enjoying) food. If there was any doubt, my birthday at the end of last month proved that I am indeed a foodie. I didn't have any physical gifts, instead we just enjoyed lots of good food.
My friend surprised me on my actual midweek birthday with a smorgasbord of nostalgic comfort food: chickfila nuggets and homemade mac and cheese.
That weekend, Isaac and I didn't have any set plans but we ended up having an entire day's worth of tasty treats picked by me.
First, donuts at a hip shop I've been wanting to try called Hi-Five Donuts. We got the coffee donut (with biscoff crumbles) and almond joy donut.
A walk around the riverside and we worked up an appetite for tacos at one of my local favorites, Taco Luchador. Generously stuffed steak, pork and cod.
After a relaxing afternoon at home, dinnertime at another local place which I think I've mentioned before. We've only been there once and my birthday seemed like the perfect excuse to go again. Hiko-a-mon is one of the best places for Japanese style food around here, or so we think from our own experiences and the high percentage of Japanese customers in the restaurant! The place has a dash of French influence as well, which manifests through delicate sauces and surprising and comfortable contrasts. But we've mostly just gotten sushi.
I made a few new Korean dishes for the first time this past month too.
Miyeokguk, seaweed soup which is traditionally eaten on birthdays.
Janchiguksu, "banquet noodles" of fresh veggies in a refreshing broth.
Gyeranjjim, a casserole-like steamed egg side dish. It was extra delicious because I used the leftover broth from the janchiguksu.
Sadly short, "studious and savory cramming" really does sufficiently summarize these past weeks. Now summer has officially begun both literally and figuratively. I look forward to trying more new things, maybe even a few not involving food.
