Moving on up!

Hello blog world!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been super busy because...

I'M MOVING JULY 1ST!

I've been living in the Boston area for just about 18 months. When I moved here I got really lucky and found affordable, convenient housing in Malden, a suburb just north of the city. Malden is great because it is on the orange line, so it's an easy subway ride into the city, but since it is suburban it is a lot cheaper than living in Boston or Cambridge. However, there isn't a lot to do in Malden, and it takes me an hour to commute to my new job, which is in the South End neighborhood of the city.

So, I'm moving to Jamaica Plain, one of my favorite Boston neighborhoods. I was originally planning to move to JP in the fall, but things just fell into place for July 1st. I'm taking the room of a friend who is moving to Nashville for graduate school and moving in to an awesome 3 bedroom right in the central part of JP. I already know one of the roommates (we did Vagina Monologues together, so you know she's cool) and the other room is opening up September 1st, so I'll get to help pick my 2nd roommate.
 
For the next few weeks I'll be really busy packing, moving, and getting settled in, so expect my posts to continue to be sparse.

I'm really excited to live in Boston, and to cut a half hour off my commute, but I'm especially excited to live in JP! JP reminds me a lot of South Austin, or the Takoma Park area of DC in that it's really diverse, LGBT friendly, and has a lot of local businesses. I'll be able to find every thing I need within a 10 minute walk f my apartment! What's your favorite neighborhood of your city?

First Day at my new Grown-up Job!

Today was my first day as an human resources generalist at a Boston nonprofit. I mostly filled out paper work, met a lot of people and got oriented to the office. I have my own huge office with a desk, computer, printer, book shelf, table and chairs, and all the office supplies I could ever hope for! The office is a really awesome space. There are bright colors everywhere, cool art, and there are lots of retro safe sex/ HIV prevention posters on the walls! I even got to leave early... at 4:15! I think I'm going to be very happy there:)
This is what I wore on my first day (minus the sunglasses). 

Dress- Target, Belt/ Blazer- Forever 21, Shoes- DSW,  jewelry from street vendors in Boston.

  I got the shoes on clearance for $30 (30% off+$5 birthday coupon)! They're so comfortable!

Feeling Crabby: Foodie Friday

When I moved from Austin to Boston the one thing I was most excited for was the seafood. Austin is pretty inland, and therefore doesn't have the best selection when it comes to fresh seafood. Growing up in Corpus Christi, TX on the Gulf of Mexico and in Southern Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay, I've been spoiled with right off the boat, delicious seafood for most of my life.

I lived in Maryland for about 8 years. Unfortunately it took me about 6 years to realize that I love crab. At first I couldn't get past the smell. I later realized that it wasn't the smell of the actual crab meat that was deterring me from enjoying the delicious crustacean, but the smell of the Old Bay Seasoning that Marylanders love to coat their crab in. Don't get me wrong, I like Old Bay, but I'm not the type to douse everything in Old Bay. To me a little Chesapeake bay seasoning goes a long way. Long story short, I love crab, specifically crab cakes and crab dip. I'm not so in to picking whole crabs- too much work.

Since Boston is a seafood town, I thought I'd easily be able to devour not only clam chowder, lobster rolls, and fish and chips, but a delicious crab cake or two. Crab cakes, it turns out, are really easy to fuck up. You see, a good crab cake doesn't have a lot of extras. It should be just lump crab meat, a little bit of breading and seasonings, and maybe an herb or two. It shouldn't taste like corn bread with a little crab mixed in.

I've tried crab cakes at at least 6 or 7 different places in the bean, and I've come to one conclusion: in Boston restaurants like to add all sorts of crazy things to their crab cakes- corn, peppers, celery.
Honestly, the best crab cake I've had here was at Legal Seafoods of all places. But it was expensive, and I don't like eating at over-priced chain restaurants.

The second best crab cake I've found is at @Union Cafe, my favorite brunch spot near my beau's house in the Allston neighborhood of Boston. The have a crab cake sandwich that is pretty good. It has a little bit of diced bell pepper in it, and a little more breading than I like... but the remoulade they drizzle on it is delicious and it is pretty darn close to having the right crab to breading ratio. Here are some pics of it:

 



Work-it! Wednesday 5/25/2011

Since this is my last Wednesday working at my current job, it only seems fit to explain how I came to the conclusion that it was definitely time to move on to a new job.

I mentioned in a previous post that one of my coworkers, Carin, died in the office. Prior to that event happening, I had been planning to find a new job in the summer or fall of 2011, but I wasn't totally sold on it. After Carin's death I felt like I should waste any more time working for a company that encourages a complete lack of work/ life balance. I found myself not wanting to get up and go to work in the morning at all, watching the clock all day waiting to go home.

However, when you're employed in an economy with unemployment rates around 9-10%, it is hard to take the plunge and look towards starting something new. It is especially hard if looking and applying for jobs if that means risking your job security by letting your supervisor know you're looking elsewhere. This was the conundrum I found myself in beginning in January. I was ready to leave then, but since I had made a commitment to my job through the end of the college recruitment season, I was afraid to start looking so far out from the summer.

Fortunately my boss gave me the push I needed. In early March I sent my boss an email requesting some time off for my birthday vacation. She responded with a simple question- "what is your last day on staff?". I was caught totally off guard. And when I told her that I wasn't sure yet, but was planning to leave some time this summer, she decided for me that my last day would be around 5/31. It felt like she couldn't wait to get rid of me. That is probably true, but now I see that that push was exactly what I needed to start an aggressive job search and make myself happy again.

I'm very happy that my boss lit that fire for me. To make a long story short, I've been increasingly displeased with this company and how they treat their employees. I'm so excited to start my new job next week!

Vegan Chili: Foodie Friday

I'm an omnivore, but mostly when I eat out. At home I tend to cook a lot of vegetarian and vegan meals.
It has been a rainy and chilly spring here in Boston, so I want to warm up with some of my delicious Vegan Chili.

Tashia's Vegan Chili (makes about 10 bowl size servings)

1 package Frieda's Soyrizo or Trader Joe's Brand Soy Chorizo
2tsp olive oil
1 green bell pepper- (diced)
1 red bell pepper (diced)
1 large yellow or white onion (diced)
2 gloves garlic, minced
1 large can crushed tomatoes
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 1/3 cups water
3 cans of assorted beans- I like to use one can black, one can kidney, and one can small red beans
seasoning:
1tsp crushed red pepper
2tsp chili powder
1tsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste
a couple shakes of hot sauce or some cayenne pepper to spice things up!

-Heat olive oil in the bottom of a deep pot, add veggies, garlic and crushed red pepper. Saute until onions and garlic are transulcent. Add soy chorizo and diced tomatoes, bring to a simmer.
-Add can of crushed tomatoes, water, beans and seasonings, bring to a boil.
-Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 20minutes.
-Serve with tortilla chips (nonvegans can also add shredded cheese and/or sour cream!)

I love soy chorizo and any dish made with it. I also love dishes that I can make in bulk and freeze.

* Image is from Frieda's website! http://www.friedas.com/

Work-it! Wednesday 5/18/11

To keep my posting frequent, I'd like to come up with some weekly features. The first one I've come up with is Work-it Wednesday!


I've been working as a recruiter for the past year and a half, and I will be starting a position in Human Resources at the end of this month, so why not work that into my blog? Work-it topics could include everything from office appropriate work-wear to resume and interview tips. This week I'm going with a fashion focus.


My current company has a pretty relaxed dress code. I only wear work-wear when I have in person interviews or career fairs, the rest of the time I can totally get away with jeans and flip flops. I'm expecting my new office to a bit more formal.


Work-wear can get expensive so for my first ever Work-it! Wednesday, I bring you a work look for less! this is a look for my first day, so it is a little more conservative than I usually dress. I want to make a professional and polished first impression!

Here's the more expensive look. I wanted to use jewel tones and a fun shoe. This Calvin Klein Dress is also available in plus sizes for the same price.

I actually like these two pairs of shoes better, strictly based on comfort. This dress is 1/5th the price of the Calvin Klein version! I think I'll be buying this look!

Vacation- All I ever wanted.

In the midst of my job searching/ interviewing madness, the beau and I planned and took our first vacation together. His birthday was May 3rd and mine was May 5th, so we wanted to celebrate and escape the cold New England spring for a few days.

Since he hit the 25 years old -able to rent a car without extra fees- milestone we decided to celebrate by renting a car and driving to the Baltimore/ DC area for a few days. The trip was a huge sucess! It was sunny and in the 70s every day we were there.  

 

On the morning of my birthday we picked up our rental car and made the 7 1/2 hour drive to Baltimore.

 

That night we went out in fells point with one of my best friends from college. We had delicious seafood and beers at Riptide by the bay followed by some rooftop margaritas.  





Friday morning we had delicious diner food (biscuits and gravy!)





Then we checked into a hotel (free with credit card points!) and went to the Museum of Natural History. That evening we took it easy and enjoyed some delicious small plates at Zaytinya, one of my favorite DC restaurants.


 

 On Saturday we went to the Smithsonian Zoo with another good friend, had sushi at Raku for dinner, and went to Madam's Organ for drinks 





On sunday we had delicious sea food on sunny Solomon's Island



I didn't want to go home!