Taking it slow....life and marinating chicken

I started writing this earlier today, but here it is nearly 5pm and still not posted...

I did finally get that shower, and no, no epiphany!  Maybe this is my problem, or should I say opportunity...I have been doing things the same old way all these years, with the same outcome (we won't go into this right now, I have enough on my mind)....so, maybe it is time I do things differently and see what kind of result I get.  Isn't there some kind of test for insanity based on this principle?  Well, we all know I didn't Need a test....

So this being said, you are probably very confused by now and wondering what in the hell I am babbling about...Okay, I will dive into those waters just a bit.  I am passionate, imaginative, and impatient.  Mix these three things together and you get a girl with her heart on her sleeve, wearing blinders and roller skates.

To put it simply, I jump into relationships way too fast.  My heart skips a beat, and the next thing I am doing is firing on ahead, not noticing the warning sign "bumpy road ahead", until I land on my ass in  front of a loaded semi truck full of heartbreak.  I won't go into how many times this has happend, as you would maybe think I am stupid or something (besides insane).....

So this time I have promised myself to take it real  s- l- o- w.....

"So, how is that working"? you might ask...

Uhhhh....splendidly! I would reply....

Awww...in truth yes, and no.  It is splendid, I am taking time to learn about my love interest, he is easy to talk to, and he takes pleasure in spending time getting to know me too...but taking it slow means that I have to learn how to be patient...this is a whole lot of learning going on here.  My mind keeps jumping to "what ifs" I mean I am 46....and there are a lot of  "what ifs", but I can't let myself get all wound up.  Sigh...I just need to enjoy this beginning, to take time to really see him for who he is, and not project my wants, and hopes...but to let this relationship just evolve...and I am glad he feels the same way.  sigh..(a happy one)...

So what else is on my mind?  School.  With the economy being what it is, I can't imagine that any time too soon I will be back working as busily in the design field as I was a few years ago...so, I need to be proactive (really proactive, would have been two years ago), and work on gaining the knowledge to go into another field.  I have thought it over, and I keep coming back to Massage Therapy.  It is right up there with my on going fascination with Holistic medicine...something I could tie together at some point maybe in the future.  There are plenty of schools locally and certification takes anywhere from 250-500 hours depending on where you want to practice...

So, what is stopping me?  Finances....logistics....just figuring out whether I am putting the cart before the horse..... committing to school means I have to stay here for the duration of my classes....and unfortunately I don't know that I will be here.  I can't say with confidence that in a year I will still be living in Modesto....I may choose to live where my heart guides me, and yet it is too early for me to make that prediction either....

Ahhhhh....

I think I will take a break from all of this thinking, and go marinate some chicken for Thai chicken Satays with Peanut dipping sauce....it needs to marinate overnight, and well it's getting late--see, how impatient I am? 

Here is the recipe-- (you didn't think I would forget, did you?)


Chicken Satay-In the style of Thai

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup canned coconut milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons yellow curry powder
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 pounds skinless, boneless Chicken Thighs or chicken breast halves - cut into strips
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper flakes or red pepper
• juice of 1/2 lemon
  
• 24 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 15 minutes

Mix all ingredients together and marinate chicken for at least 6 hours...over night is best.  Now you don't have to grill the chicken on the skewers....it depends on if you are serving them with rice or noodles, or if these are going to be more of an appetizer.  I find not skewering them makes it easier to eat if you are serving them with rice or noodles, so you don't have to spend time removing them from the skewers...Once you decide get your grill prepped by placing a length of tinfoil sufficient enough to cover the amount of chicken being cooked.  Poke some air vents in it, and lightly spray with vegetable oil.  Center the chicken over the heat source, and cook about 4 minutes each side.

Serve with peanut sauce for dipping, or to accompany rice/noodles

Peanut sauce

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons peanut butter- crunchy or smooth
  
• 8 tablespoons hot water
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce or fish sauce
  
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 pod of garlic chopped fine
• 1 tsp ground ginger

Mix all ingredients together in a small pan, warm thoroughly  stirring constantly over med heat.  Serve with Chicken Satays....enjoy!!!