My Vivid Imagination and Tomato-Feta Strata

Some days I imagine the neighbors across the street stare into our apartment (with large windows), glance at me while I’m at my computer or watch me walk to the kitchen and think what a loser. I am almost always in the apartment these days. It’s so bland and cold outside. I, if I see the neighbors, smile and wave hoping they will come over for some coffee, tea or whatever I happen to be making for the blog that day. Of course, the fantasy continues with flashes of Greg, myself and these two neighbors at a concert, traveling together, becoming godparents, whatever. Then I burst my own bubble and recognize that they are probably more likely telling me to stop waving and calling me a freak. Le sigh. I have a vivid imagination.

I am not making money (not enough to place in the category of “making money”). Granted, I have moved 3 times in two years, created and put to rest several business ideas and plans for my husband and I, plus attempted to showcase my skills/talents to the townsfolk who apparently want nothing to do with this blogger.

Let me put it this way: someone rejected me to pick up their dog’s dookie because I do not have insurance as a dog walker and yet, another jerk (might take the biggest asshole award in town) rejected me to work as a housekeeper at an inn 2 seconds away. After a very awkward questioning of my intentions, he, without looking at the resume/app I handed him, basically asked if I was a student and then, hinted that I was an illegal immigrant (?). When I came out and said that I wasn’t a student and told him why we moved here (and so on), he said that wasn’t his question. I guess his question was asking if I intended to work….which I thought was an understood ‘yes’ since I turned in an application, emailed him twice and crafted my resume to suit his needs (filled with truth) and stood through an uncomfortable mini-interview. He emailed me in the beginning that he was looking for someone to work at the front desk but when he saw me, assumed housekeeping (which I would’ve done-I do it every day). He never responded when I asked about the position a week later, no call back/ no emails and then, I saw the same job ad listed on craigslist a few weeks later…really?!

I need a moment of silence for my degree that took 5 years to obtain because almost half-way through, I decided to take the reigns of my life and transfer to a school that actually gave a rip. All of this was at a cost; one that I was willing to pay…until I realized the chances of me getting a worthwhile job with this degree were very low and unprofitable. (That is without adding another 2 or 3 years of school and $40,000 plus on an already huge IOU-not to mention that might assure me a salary of $30,000 a year once out, putting me around $120,000 in debt.)

Education is valuable, don’t take it lightly and grab at opportunities, grow claws and stab that opportunity so that it’s trapped. A bit too graphic? I’m serious. Seek out scholarships, save and have a plan about exactly what you want to do and even then, you will have to kiss ass (something I’m not good at) and put your pride aside. Find something you’re passionate about which honestly helps in all its cliché advice-ness.

Anyway, I get to the same part when it comes to business ideas and have to give up-money. I would love to spend my time growing and grooming a small restaurant or other business-pumping blood, sweat and tears into….that’s pretty gross in terms of food. You get the idea. Then, I begin thinking about the reality that is our financial situation and it’s not happening. If only I would’ve realized that it was going to be pretty damn expensive to not only receive a Bachelors in Psychology but basically be required to obtain a higher degree immediately following. There aren’t many, if any, options available to someone with this degree.

I spend some of my days thinking about how beneficial a career in therapy might be for me (and wondering if I would be any help) and some days, I wonder how therapy would benefit me as a client. I still harbor loving and fond memories for this field…it’s more likely that I will go another route than continue my Masters. I hear after about 10 years with a private therapy practice you lose your cool and mind. That only took me 3 years of hopeless longing and never-knowing about employment or where we’d be living to get me there so ha…the joke’s…on me. (Oh man!) I’m still hopeful.

I’ve bored you enough. Time for the strata: tomato and feta strata from thekitchensinkrecipes.com, originally from Food & Wine and finally changed by moi. This is such a simple meal to make: eggs, bread, and cheese in an oven-safe skillet.

Tomato and Feta Strata
Serves 4

Ingredients:
4 large eggs
½ cup plain yogurt
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 tbsp sage, chopped
1 tbsp tarragon, chopped
½ to 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
16 oz. canned diced tomatoes with juice
salt/pepper
3 to 4 cups of bread (of your choice), cut into 1-inch cubes
4 oz. feta, crumbled

Preheat the oven to 450. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and yogurt together. In an oven-safe skillet, heat the oil and add the onion, garlic, sage, tarragon and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook over medium heat, until onion has softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and their juice, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Stir in the bread and feta. Pour the egg mixture on top and bake for 20 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool and serve.