Bran likes cappuccino

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Lord in heaven, give us our daily bread, encouragement, and inspiration. Forgive our sins, as we also forgive. Save us, deliver us.




[I'd love to hear a prayer you've written and/or come to depend on]

Which American accent do you have? Neutral You're not Northern, Southern, or Western, you`re just plain -American-. Your national identity is more important than your local identity, because you don`t really have a local identity. You might be from the region in that map, which is defined by this kind of accent, but you could easily not be. Or maybe you just moved around a lot growing up.

Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

I met a guy and we are dating casually but already I see the relationship blossoming rapidly.

Subsequently I'm becoming newly obsessed with my body weight and wanting to look better for this guy. Spending a lot of money on clothes and makeup is unusual for me. I'm not the boy crazy type.

My credit card was stolen last week. I think I was pickpocketed in a crowded department store. The credit card company shut down the card and promised to take care of the unauthorized charges.
I'm not upset about it, things could have been far worse than losing some singles and one card. Could have been my whole wallet or somethin'. I just hope it does not cost me a credit score hit for this incident.

I've got visitors coming to NY and thus it begins. Every year, friends and family descend on this city. Landmarks. Restaurants. Shows. Tours. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but I get really drained by August.
Nate & Family are arriving on Tuesday from the UK. I'm doing a Easter dinner for them on Sunday. I want to serve turkey and thanksgiving food since it would be interesting for them, and these are the recipes I've perfected.
I'm drawing up plans with 3 others (parents, cousin from AZ, my BFF Lauren) about their upcoming trips here.

I haven't watched TV or videos since Feb 25, except for a few times when I needed to (strictly for work, or to help someone) or it could not be avoided (ie. being in a waiting room, spending time with relatives). My TV at home has been unplugged this whole time.

I'm keeping myself updated with the congressional hearings concerning my employer. We've been going though this for half a year now, so I am just grateful for how well things are thus far.

Always be positive.

There's a huge snow storm forecasted for tonight into tomorrow. This lady I work with, Jan, she called and left me voicemail saying that she's "absolutely not going to be coming to the city with the horrible weather" and asked if I'm going. Jan is a person that always talks about what a "struggle" life is and how "hard" she has it. As much as I want to, I can't understand people that are so sensitive to everything.

As for the work situation, I go by how it looks in the morning. If trains are suspended then I'll start to think about the options. There's a ton of ways to get over there, (bus to train, two buses, ferry) so most likely I would come in late rather than not come in at all. I'm not really looking for an excuse not to go. The work doesn't do itself!

So St. Valentine's day came and went. It was a normal day for me since I have no significant other. I did meet up some friends at a coffee shop, but this is a frequent occurrence. It's fun since we go to a different one each time, we've been to more than 10, and I always hear of new ones in Park Slope, Bay Ridge, Ft Hamilton (areas of South Brooklyn) that we haven't tried.

When we speak of Lent, we speak of preparation so that the life in us can be renewed. I've made my lenten promises focused on what I am "adding on" more than "giving up". I am giving a few things, such as all television/moving images. It's not difficult, but it's very quiet and I'm much more aware that I live alone.
I will put more time into Centering prayer [wiki] and I'll study more. I very much enjoy studying the Church's perspective about current events and issues, as much as people think the Church is outdated, Tradition and the application of doctrine truly withstand the test of time.

I barely have enough time for the internet at all. I got a fail whale on twitter, which reminded me to update this much-neglected lj.

The exercise promise is going fine, a half hour a day isn't too hard to do, but it's not balancing out what I'm eating. It's the most demanding time of the year at work. I eat lunch over my keyboard at work and then get home, crash and have some hot pockets and a large piece of pie. How am I eating 1/4 of a pie? I feel HUGE.

My company's stock fell below $1, never a good sign. The office was silent as we all read the memo noting the implications of being delisted from the NYSE if the stock continues to do poorly.
Whether the job will be there tomorrow, I will be here. I'm not going to make all these plans, these "what ifs" that make people worry themselves into a hole. If I lost my job, I'd have plenty of time to think of my next step.
I do love my job. I feel comfortable, knowledgeable, confident. I would have to be thrown out to leave it.

I'm trying to avoid shopping because it's just too easy to load up credit cards. I've seen a lot of movies lately. 4 in the last 3 weeks.
Been to a couple of new restaurants. The Sunburnt Cow is fun, it's an Australian cafe in the West Village. Being down in that area made me realize that I don't know the W. Village much at all. When summer comes I must explore it.

Follow me if you have a twitter account http://www.twitter.com/branille

Hey All,

Time for an update.
This was my December - I worked long hours, and did the christmas shopping after work, weekends were spent doing holiday volunteering.

I did find time to go to 7-11 and make the legendary half marshmallow-half hot chocolate drink. They keep those little dried marshmallows in containers that you pour on your hot chocolate so you can basically have as much of it as you want!

I didn't find time to take in the holiday landmarks of NYC this year, I briefly saw the big tree at Rock center only because I was doing errands in the area.

Christmas week I spent with my parents and relatives came to visit from different parts of the country. I got to spend some time at the electric shooting range, eat jerky and cobbler, go to the swimming pool and otherwise enjoy the 80° weather.

Got my dad a digital camera, 2gb memory and a case. It's a entry-level Canon with switches and dials for settings. I figured it would be easier than one with all on-screen menus. He was excited and left all the socks and under shirts in the dust :)
Mom got a cordless hand vacuum. This may seem like a lame gift unless you've met my mom :)
I got some PJs, and giftcards from almost everyone.

I've had people ask me this week: what the best of last year was, and what my new years resolutions are. I guess the highlight of last year was all the people who came to see me in the summer months, and all the new friends I've made. My resolution last year was to "open my heart", as the saying goes "you get the love that you allow"

This year the resolution is more of the same, but especially geared toward my family. My relationship with all them is strained, as it's been for years. I wish I could get them to understand that they can stop apologizing now.
And more exercise, at least 15 minutes a day
Cook more at home
Be less intimidated by meat recipes
Find good recipe for cobbler

Happy new year everyone. I wish you all the very best.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper and the fancy bows

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real tree at my parents house. I'm spending christmas there so not buying my own,

3. When do you put up the tree? Around second week of Dec.

4. When do you take the tree down? Mid January

5. Do you like eggnog? Not really.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Barbie something-or-other

7. Hardest person to buy for? My mom, she's picky about everything

8. Easiest person to buy for? My bff Kim

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. Email cards are just not the same!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't want to upset the person..!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Elf is cute

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Mid November I'll start seeing things and just get them

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yeah. Sometimes bc I wouldn't use it, sometimes I didn't have time to shop

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? I guess ham.

16. Lights on the tree? I prefer without, but my parents put on theirs.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Merry Little Christmas - James Taylor, Happy Christmas - John Lennon, lots of others...

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel, usually to my parents

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Let's see... Rudolph, comet, blitzen, dasher, dancer... not all.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? My parents do Eve

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Going broke from buying stuff

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? My ornaments are strictly blue, green, silver & white

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? The ham

25. What is your favorite holiday beverage? Dunno..

26. Do you decorate ALL floors of your home for Christmas? Yes

27. What do you want for Christmas this year? Um.. Pajamas, camera accessories, the books from my amazon list.

November was a busy and cold month. The weather got really crisp and wintry, although tonight is mild and raining.

Some birthdays this month - Sabrina, my dad, and me. My birthday was last sunday. I got together some people and we went to Red Lobster, a good ol' standby, it never disappoints.
I got some gifts too. I'll make a video about those tonight.

On the 2nd I did the Broadway walk, it was a really refreshing 13 miles. I didn't like that it takes place on the same day as the NYC marathon. Their thought is to get off your butt and do something instead of watch the marathon, but there's something extremely exciting in witnessing the big race. I don't know if I'd do it again with them if it continues to be on the same day. We did stop and watch some of the runners on Columbus Circle, but for only about 3 minutes. Well, nothing's stopping me from doing it on my own time and date.

I took a trip out to Wal-Mart a few weeks ago. It's not something I do all the time since it's more than an hour away. Got a friend to drive me and on the way we stopped at cheeburger cheeburger. I love that place so much. God bless their fresh fried onion rings, they are unlike anything you've ever tasted!

Showed a friend the wonders of a real NYC bagel. You can't compare the stiff corner deli ones to the epic productions of Murray's and Ess A Bagel.
I eat bagels about 3 times a week. If you have to get it from a deli, gotta ask for it "warmed" (not toasted, not the same thing) They throw it in the oven for a minute or two which warms it up and it regains the proper texture.

There is much talk of an upcoming transit fare increase. I'm not surprised or appalled by the proposal. People can see that our economy is down and everything is more expensive, everything's going to cost more, and all these improvements that we're seeing don't come from thin air. All aboard the self-entitlement train, whiny NYers.

The rumor among philatelic enthusiasts is that the cost of the first class postage stamp is set to go up 1¢ in the February 2009 USPS rates announcement.

This is getting long. sorry.

I had a humbling thanksgiving day. I spent a few hours in a soup kitchen scooping out meals for families in emergency housing. It feels really good to give time and lend an ear to the less fortunate. It's amazing how happy some people are with what little they have.
On the same day I went to spend some time with a kid that I'm mentoring and her family. No turkey. On the menu was chicken and tuna noodle casserole. We spoke about college, I was excited to see her and her mom both express interest, although the burning question to them is "how will we ever afford this." They knew about scholarships. I tried to explain about Federal Aid, loans, other ways to fill the gap. I admit I do have to do some research, things have changed even from just 3 years ago when I was at the University.

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Pistachio ice cream
19. Heirloom tomatoes
21. Fresh wild berries
22. Foie gras
23. Rice and beans
24. Brawn, or head cheese This is called Souse as well
25. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
26. Dulce de leche
27. Oysters
28. Baklava
29. Bagna cauda
30. Wasabi peas (overrated!)
31. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl Chowder is red in NY!
32. Salted lassi
33. Sauerkraut (not a big fan)
34. Root beer float  Prefer Coke Floats
35. Cognac
36. Clotted cream tea
37. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
38. Gumbo
39. Oxtail
40. Curried goat
41. Whole insects
42. Phaal I will not eat anything to cause me pain!
43. Goat’s milk
44. Single malt whisky from a bottle costing $300 or more
45. Fugu
46. Chicken tikka masala
47. Eel  thanks to sushi...
48. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
49. Sea urchin
50. Prickly pear
51. Umeboshi
52. Abalone
53. Paneer
54. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
55. Spaetzle
56. Dirty gin martini
57. Beer above 8% ABV
58. Poutine
59. Carob chips
60. S’mores
61. Sweetbreads
62. Kaolin
63. Currywurst
64. Durian   worst fruit ever!!!!!!!
65. Frogs’ legs
66. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
67. Haggis
68. Fried plantain
69. Chitterlings, or andouillette
70. Gazpacho
71. Caviar and blini
72. Louche absinthe
73. Gjetost, or brunost
74. Roadkill (oh come on!)
75. Baijiu
76. Hostess Fruit Pie
77. Snail  yeah, "escargot"
78. Lapsang souchong
79. Bellini    Best drink ever!
80. Tom yum
81. Eggs Benedict
82. Pocky
83. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant (yeah, I wish…)
84. Kobe beef
85. Hare
86. Goulash
87. Flowers
88. Horse
89. Criollo chocolate
90. Spam
91. Soft shell crab
92. Rose harissa
93. Catfish
94. Mole poblano
95. Bagel and lox
96. Lobster Thermidor
97. Polenta
98. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee (snore…I prefer Sumatra.)
99. Snake