The Best Food in the World

     Why hello hello! It's been so long, I know, but life often gets in the way of writing and there isn't a whole lot of profound stuff to say about finishing up grad school. However, I'm beginning embrace the joys of limbo. The long term un-knowns (in six short weeks I'll be homeless and jobless) can be stressful, but I'm not too busy with work as I'm only taking one class and I've had some time to work on some side projects. Speaking of which, I'll be launching my new blog later this week...yay!

    Enough about my recent shenanigans, in lieu of musing about my next great adventure back to SE Asia I figured this is one overdue post on why Asian food is the best food in the world.

     Why hello hello! It's been so long, I know, but life often gets in the way of writing and there isn't a whole lot of profound stuff to say about finishing up grad school. However, I'm beginning embrace the joys of limbo. The long term un-knowns (in six short weeks I'll be homeless and jobless) can be stressful, but I'm not too busy with work as I'm only taking one class and I've had some time to work on some side projects. Speaking of which, I'll be launching my new blog later this week...yay!

    Enough about my recent shenanigans, in lieu of musing about my next great adventure back to SE Asia I figured this is one overdue post on why Asian food is the best food in the world.

     Why hello hello! It's been so long, I know, but life often gets in the way of writing and there isn't a whole lot of profound stuff to say about finishing up grad school. However, I'm beginning embrace the joys of limbo. The long term un-knowns (in six short weeks I'll be homeless and jobless) can be stressful, but I'm not too busy with work as I'm only taking one class and I've had some time to work on some side projects. Speaking of which, I'll be launching my new blog later this week...yay!

    Enough about my recent shenanigans, in lieu of musing about my next great adventure back to SE Asia I figured this is one overdue post on why Asian food is the best food in the world.

     Why hello hello! It's been so long, I know, but life often gets in the way of writing and there isn't a whole lot of profound stuff to say about finishing up grad school. However, I'm beginning embrace the joys of limbo. The long term un-knowns (in six short weeks I'll be homeless and jobless) can be stressful, but I'm not too busy with work as I'm only taking one class and I've had some time to work on some side projects. Speaking of which, I'll be launching my new blog later this week...yay!

    Enough about my recent shenanigans, in lieu of musing about my next great adventure back to SE Asia I figured this is one overdue post on why Asian food is the best food in the world.

Attention: Foreign Travelers to America

     In an effort not to bore you to death with the mundane, controlled crash that is finals time, I am instead offering some advice. Yes, you read right, advice. Recently, I have found out that quite a few of my overseas friends are coming to America. One in particular, my summer roommate C, is coming all the way from South Africa to Kansas to get her PhD. Since I am such a wonderful friend, I have decided to dedicate this post to her and all of my other friends who are traveling from afar to the great US of A in the coming months.

The usual rules of general offensiveness, read at your own risk, etc., etc., apply. Don't get me wrong with this post, I love my country. It holds some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth. Despite our tendency to be completely ignorant to the rest of the world, we are a nice and (for the most part) welcoming people. For better or worse, America is my homeland and it isn't all that bad of a place to be.

The list is after the break.

     In an effort not to bore you to death with the mundane, controlled crash that is finals time, I am instead offering some advice. Yes, you read right, advice. Recently, I have found out that quite a few of my overseas friends are coming to America. One in particular, my summer roommate C, is coming all the way from South Africa to Kansas to get her PhD. Since I am such a wonderful friend, I have decided to dedicate this post to her and all of my other friends who are traveling from afar to the great US of A in the coming months.

The usual rules of general offensiveness, read at your own risk, etc., etc., apply. Don't get me wrong with this post, I love my country. It holds some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth. Despite our tendency to be completely ignorant to the rest of the world, we are a nice and (for the most part) welcoming people. For better or worse, America is my homeland and it isn't all that bad of a place to be.

The list is after the break.

     In an effort not to bore you to death with the mundane, controlled crash that is finals time, I am instead offering some advice. Yes, you read right, advice. Recently, I have found out that quite a few of my overseas friends are coming to America. One in particular, my summer roommate C, is coming all the way from South Africa to Kansas to get her PhD. Since I am such a wonderful friend, I have decided to dedicate this post to her and all of my other friends who are traveling from afar to the great US of A in the coming months.

The usual rules of general offensiveness, read at your own risk, etc., etc., apply. Don't get me wrong with this post, I love my country. It holds some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth. Despite our tendency to be completely ignorant to the rest of the world, we are a nice and (for the most part) welcoming people. For better or worse, America is my homeland and it isn't all that bad of a place to be.

The list is after the break.

     In an effort not to bore you to death with the mundane, controlled crash that is finals time, I am instead offering some advice. Yes, you read right, advice. Recently, I have found out that quite a few of my overseas friends are coming to America. One in particular, my summer roommate C, is coming all the way from South Africa to Kansas to get her PhD. Since I am such a wonderful friend, I have decided to dedicate this post to her and all of my other friends who are traveling from afar to the great US of A in the coming months.

The usual rules of general offensiveness, read at your own risk, etc., etc., apply. Don't get me wrong with this post, I love my country. It holds some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth. Despite our tendency to be completely ignorant to the rest of the world, we are a nice and (for the most part) welcoming people. For better or worse, America is my homeland and it isn't all that bad of a place to be.

The list is after the break.

Travel, travel, travel

     Oh my how long it's been. My apologies to anyone who has missed my ramblings and musings over the past year. However, in my defense things have been crazy here as my last full semester of school comes to a close. I've been chasing any and every job that remotely interests me; not to mention the several side projects I have going on. With all of that being said all of my ass-kickingly hard work is slowly starting to pay off. I'm not going to go into too much detail, but it has kept me from updating my personal blog. Although I must admit, it lacks a certain flair without me reporting on my travels.

     Fear not, I will be embarking on a 6 week trip back to my current obsession: South East Asia. Tickets are booked, my passport has been sent out (I ran out of pages plus it's due to expire soon), and I've started getting my research on in my free time. The pre-planned (and likely to change) route after the break.

     Oh my how long it's been. My apologies to anyone who has missed my ramblings and musings over the past year. However, in my defense things have been crazy here as my last full semester of school comes to a close. I've been chasing any and every job that remotely interests me; not to mention the several side projects I have going on. With all of that being said all of my ass-kickingly hard work is slowly starting to pay off. I'm not going to go into too much detail, but it has kept me from updating my personal blog. Although I must admit, it lacks a certain flair without me reporting on my travels.

     Fear not, I will be embarking on a 6 week trip back to my current obsession: South East Asia. Tickets are booked, my passport has been sent out (I ran out of pages plus it's due to expire soon), and I've started getting my research on in my free time. The pre-planned (and likely to change) route after the break.

     Oh my how long it's been. My apologies to anyone who has missed my ramblings and musings over the past year. However, in my defense things have been crazy here as my last full semester of school comes to a close. I've been chasing any and every job that remotely interests me; not to mention the several side projects I have going on. With all of that being said all of my ass-kickingly hard work is slowly starting to pay off. I'm not going to go into too much detail, but it has kept me from updating my personal blog. Although I must admit, it lacks a certain flair without me reporting on my travels.

     Fear not, I will be embarking on a 6 week trip back to my current obsession: South East Asia. Tickets are booked, my passport has been sent out (I ran out of pages plus it's due to expire soon), and I've started getting my research on in my free time. The pre-planned (and likely to change) route after the break.

     Oh my how long it's been. My apologies to anyone who has missed my ramblings and musings over the past year. However, in my defense things have been crazy here as my last full semester of school comes to a close. I've been chasing any and every job that remotely interests me; not to mention the several side projects I have going on. With all of that being said all of my ass-kickingly hard work is slowly starting to pay off. I'm not going to go into too much detail, but it has kept me from updating my personal blog. Although I must admit, it lacks a certain flair without me reporting on my travels.

     Fear not, I will be embarking on a 6 week trip back to my current obsession: South East Asia. Tickets are booked, my passport has been sent out (I ran out of pages plus it's due to expire soon), and I've started getting my research on in my free time. The pre-planned (and likely to change) route after the break.

M's Other Side of the Tracks Urban Dictionary (part I)

     Lately life has been too serious. Too much thinking about jobs or lack there of ('Are you staying in CO after you graduate?' 'What do you want to do with your degree...or life?'). I've been serious with my research, serious in my thinking, serious about learning Spanish, serious in my work, all in all, the atmosphere is too serious right now. Fear not, I'm not going to quote the over-quoted Batman movie. I don't want to think about it anymore and I certainly don't want to be writing about it. Not to mention all the first world whining gets a bit old after a while.

     I, like the Germans, like to invent words. Today I've decided to share a few of these terms with you. Obviously I didn't invent all of these little gems, but they permeate my vocabulary at appropriate times. It should go without saying at this point, but you read at your own risk. This post isn't Disney approved and un-PC is the new PC so don't say I didn't warn you. We are all a bit weird and crazy; relax and get over it.

     Lately life has been too serious. Too much thinking about jobs or lack there of ('Are you staying in CO after you graduate?' 'What do you want to do with your degree...or life?'). I've been serious with my research, serious in my thinking, serious about learning Spanish, serious in my work, all in all, the atmosphere is too serious right now. Fear not, I'm not going to quote the over-quoted Batman movie. I don't want to think about it anymore and I certainly don't want to be writing about it. Not to mention all the first world whining gets a bit old after a while.

     I, like the Germans, like to invent words. Today I've decided to share a few of these terms with you. Obviously I didn't invent all of these little gems, but they permeate my vocabulary at appropriate times. It should go without saying at this point, but you read at your own risk. This post isn't Disney approved and un-PC is the new PC so don't say I didn't warn you. We are all a bit weird and crazy; relax and get over it.

     Lately life has been too serious. Too much thinking about jobs or lack there of ('Are you staying in CO after you graduate?' 'What do you want to do with your degree...or life?'). I've been serious with my research, serious in my thinking, serious about learning Spanish, serious in my work, all in all, the atmosphere is too serious right now. Fear not, I'm not going to quote the over-quoted Batman movie. I don't want to think about it anymore and I certainly don't want to be writing about it. Not to mention all the first world whining gets a bit old after a while.

     I, like the Germans, like to invent words. Today I've decided to share a few of these terms with you. Obviously I didn't invent all of these little gems, but they permeate my vocabulary at appropriate times. It should go without saying at this point, but you read at your own risk. This post isn't Disney approved and un-PC is the new PC so don't say I didn't warn you. We are all a bit weird and crazy; relax and get over it.

     Lately life has been too serious. Too much thinking about jobs or lack there of ('Are you staying in CO after you graduate?' 'What do you want to do with your degree...or life?'). I've been serious with my research, serious in my thinking, serious about learning Spanish, serious in my work, all in all, the atmosphere is too serious right now. Fear not, I'm not going to quote the over-quoted Batman movie. I don't want to think about it anymore and I certainly don't want to be writing about it. Not to mention all the first world whining gets a bit old after a while.

     I, like the Germans, like to invent words. Today I've decided to share a few of these terms with you. Obviously I didn't invent all of these little gems, but they permeate my vocabulary at appropriate times. It should go without saying at this point, but you read at your own risk. This post isn't Disney approved and un-PC is the new PC so don't say I didn't warn you. We are all a bit weird and crazy; relax and get over it.

How to Score a Ten-point Buck

I had all of the greatest intents on going out tonight. I though to myself; 'after a long 16 hour car journey and an even longer semester I owe it to myself to get out and let loose a bit.' Then the ride home happened...

It was an odd sight to drive through the states of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado and see very little snow. However, I wasn't complaining, this meant the roads were clear. MB and I decide to take the all-16hrs-in-one-day approach. Things were going smoothly until around 1am. Somewhere between Beaver Creek and Vail (read: three lane highway in the middle of the Rockies) things went...well...wrong.

The speed limit is 75mph on that stretch of road so we were barreling down the highway as any normal driver would have been. All of the sudden (all deer encounters on the road seem to start this way) out of no where one of the largest bucks I've ever seen comes into the view of high beams.

Before any of us had time to brace ourselves MB was forced to swerve the car to the left (mind you, we drive on the left here) and attempt to avoid the deer. I saw the animal, made eye contact, and screemed as its head swung low at the last moment. TTTTHHHWWWAAAPP! As soon as I flinched and braced for what could have easily been a set of antlers and a windshield to face the deer amd MB had managed to dance around one another just enough to cause nothing other than a missing side view mirror.

The three of us (my dog was sitting behind me) were incredibly lucky. Most people who hit a deer come close or completely total their car...at least. The way in which the deer was standing, if it didn't duck, it would have most certianly slammed its head and enormous set of antlers into the passenger side windshield. I hope that the deer didn't see his end and is just missing a set of his finest head gear (the lady deer love that stuff). He wasn't the largest buck I've seen, but a close second.

The thrill of last night, the lack of sleep, the absurd cost ($400 and of course insurance doesn't cover it), and the general shock of the whole affair has left MB and I exhausted. So we resigned to collecting a few growlers at the Denver Beer Company and staying in.

Sometimes it just feels good to be home.

-M

I had all of the greatest intents on going out tonight. I though to myself; 'after a long 16 hour car journey and an even longer semester I owe it to myself to get out and let loose a bit.' Then the ride home happened...

It was an odd sight to drive through the states of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado and see very little snow. However, I wasn't complaining, this meant the roads were clear. MB and I decide to take the all-16hrs-in-one-day approach. Things were going smoothly until around 1am. Somewhere between Beaver Creek and Vail (read: three lane highway in the middle of the Rockies) things went...well...wrong.

The speed limit is 75mph on that stretch of road so we were barreling down the highway as any normal driver would have been. All of the sudden (all deer encounters on the road seem to start this way) out of no where one of the largest bucks I've ever seen comes into the view of high beams.

Before any of us had time to brace ourselves MB was forced to swerve the car to the left (mind you, we drive on the left here) and attempt to avoid the deer. I saw the animal, made eye contact, and screemed as its head swung low at the last moment. TTTTHHHWWWAAAPP! As soon as I flinched and braced for what could have easily been a set of antlers and a windshield to face the deer amd MB had managed to dance around one another just enough to cause nothing other than a missing side view mirror.

The three of us (my dog was sitting behind me) were incredibly lucky. Most people who hit a deer come close or completely total their car...at least. The way in which the deer was standing, if it didn't duck, it would have most certianly slammed its head and enormous set of antlers into the passenger side windshield. I hope that the deer didn't see his end and is just missing a set of his finest head gear (the lady deer love that stuff). He wasn't the largest buck I've seen, but a close second.

The thrill of last night, the lack of sleep, the absurd cost ($400 and of course insurance doesn't cover it), and the general shock of the whole affair has left MB and I exhausted. So we resigned to collecting a few growlers at the Denver Beer Company and staying in.

Sometimes it just feels good to be home.

-M

I had all of the greatest intents on going out tonight. I though to myself; 'after a long 16 hour car journey and an even longer semester I owe it to myself to get out and let loose a bit.' Then the ride home happened...

It was an odd sight to drive through the states of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado and see very little snow. However, I wasn't complaining, this meant the roads were clear. MB and I decide to take the all-16hrs-in-one-day approach. Things were going smoothly until around 1am. Somewhere between Beaver Creek and Vail (read: three lane highway in the middle of the Rockies) things went...well...wrong.

The speed limit is 75mph on that stretch of road so we were barreling down the highway as any normal driver would have been. All of the sudden (all deer encounters on the road seem to start this way) out of no where one of the largest bucks I've ever seen comes into the view of high beams.

Before any of us had time to brace ourselves MB was forced to swerve the car to the left (mind you, we drive on the left here) and attempt to avoid the deer. I saw the animal, made eye contact, and screemed as its head swung low at the last moment. TTTTHHHWWWAAAPP! As soon as I flinched and braced for what could have easily been a set of antlers and a windshield to face the deer amd MB had managed to dance around one another just enough to cause nothing other than a missing side view mirror.

The three of us (my dog was sitting behind me) were incredibly lucky. Most people who hit a deer come close or completely total their car...at least. The way in which the deer was standing, if it didn't duck, it would have most certianly slammed its head and enormous set of antlers into the passenger side windshield. I hope that the deer didn't see his end and is just missing a set of his finest head gear (the lady deer love that stuff). He wasn't the largest buck I've seen, but a close second.

The thrill of last night, the lack of sleep, the absurd cost ($400 and of course insurance doesn't cover it), and the general shock of the whole affair has left MB and I exhausted. So we resigned to collecting a few growlers at the Denver Beer Company and staying in.

Sometimes it just feels good to be home.

-M

I had all of the greatest intents on going out tonight. I though to myself; 'after a long 16 hour car journey and an even longer semester I owe it to myself to get out and let loose a bit.' Then the ride home happened...

It was an odd sight to drive through the states of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado and see very little snow. However, I wasn't complaining, this meant the roads were clear. MB and I decide to take the all-16hrs-in-one-day approach. Things were going smoothly until around 1am. Somewhere between Beaver Creek and Vail (read: three lane highway in the middle of the Rockies) things went...well...wrong.

The speed limit is 75mph on that stretch of road so we were barreling down the highway as any normal driver would have been. All of the sudden (all deer encounters on the road seem to start this way) out of no where one of the largest bucks I've ever seen comes into the view of high beams.

Before any of us had time to brace ourselves MB was forced to swerve the car to the left (mind you, we drive on the left here) and attempt to avoid the deer. I saw the animal, made eye contact, and screemed as its head swung low at the last moment. TTTTHHHWWWAAAPP! As soon as I flinched and braced for what could have easily been a set of antlers and a windshield to face the deer amd MB had managed to dance around one another just enough to cause nothing other than a missing side view mirror.

The three of us (my dog was sitting behind me) were incredibly lucky. Most people who hit a deer come close or completely total their car...at least. The way in which the deer was standing, if it didn't duck, it would have most certianly slammed its head and enormous set of antlers into the passenger side windshield. I hope that the deer didn't see his end and is just missing a set of his finest head gear (the lady deer love that stuff). He wasn't the largest buck I've seen, but a close second.

The thrill of last night, the lack of sleep, the absurd cost ($400 and of course insurance doesn't cover it), and the general shock of the whole affair has left MB and I exhausted. So we resigned to collecting a few growlers at the Denver Beer Company and staying in.

Sometimes it just feels good to be home.

-M

Loud speakers sound like disco lights

     I've tried several times to sum up 2011 without sounding cliche but I've concluded that I don't think it's possible. It was quite the year. It started off with MB having a broken stanky leg cancer scare and not being able to ski Tahoe or go to San Fran. It's looking like it's ending with Mike's new leg holding up quite nicely, but the snow here in Tahoe is an epic fail. We will make it to the Bay Area, but MB has yet to enjoy the slopes of Tahoe.

   In between you ask? Well there were countless job rejections, followed by a win in Malaysia. There were challenges, laughs, tears, adventure, loss, scars, raised glasses, a broken nose, and lifelong friendships made. I truly miss those who I grew close with over those dog days of summer. I'm thankful for the friendships that have grown back in Denver.

     I have never worked harder than I did in 2011. 2012 holds rewards; in whatever form it decides to present itself. I will finally graduate with my final degree (oh please no more school). I will be able to return to those who I miss dearly a world away, and I will be able to embark on the next adventure with those who I've grown closer to at home.

     Tomorrow I'll be ringing in the 2012 with a great group of people I haven't spent time with since I drifted far from Southern California. In an odd sort of way, this oval has come full circle.

     No one knows what the future holds and that is fact.

     So with nothing else to say, I raise my glass and clink it to you world...never cease to amaze and never fear the discovery.

-M

     I've tried several times to sum up 2011 without sounding cliche but I've concluded that I don't think it's possible. It was quite the year. It started off with MB having a broken stanky leg cancer scare and not being able to ski Tahoe or go to San Fran. It's looking like it's ending with Mike's new leg holding up quite nicely, but the snow here in Tahoe is an epic fail. We will make it to the Bay Area, but MB has yet to enjoy the slopes of Tahoe.

   In between you ask? Well there were countless job rejections, followed by a win in Malaysia. There were challenges, laughs, tears, adventure, loss, scars, raised glasses, a broken nose, and lifelong friendships made. I truly miss those who I grew close with over those dog days of summer. I'm thankful for the friendships that have grown back in Denver.

     I have never worked harder than I did in 2011. 2012 holds rewards; in whatever form it decides to present itself. I will finally graduate with my final degree (oh please no more school). I will be able to return to those who I miss dearly a world away, and I will be able to embark on the next adventure with those who I've grown closer to at home.

     Tomorrow I'll be ringing in the 2012 with a great group of people I haven't spent time with since I drifted far from Southern California. In an odd sort of way, this oval has come full circle.

     No one knows what the future holds and that is fact.

     So with nothing else to say, I raise my glass and clink it to you world...never cease to amaze and never fear the discovery.

-M

     I've tried several times to sum up 2011 without sounding cliche but I've concluded that I don't think it's possible. It was quite the year. It started off with MB having a broken stanky leg cancer scare and not being able to ski Tahoe or go to San Fran. It's looking like it's ending with Mike's new leg holding up quite nicely, but the snow here in Tahoe is an epic fail. We will make it to the Bay Area, but MB has yet to enjoy the slopes of Tahoe.

   In between you ask? Well there were countless job rejections, followed by a win in Malaysia. There were challenges, laughs, tears, adventure, loss, scars, raised glasses, a broken nose, and lifelong friendships made. I truly miss those who I grew close with over those dog days of summer. I'm thankful for the friendships that have grown back in Denver.

     I have never worked harder than I did in 2011. 2012 holds rewards; in whatever form it decides to present itself. I will finally graduate with my final degree (oh please no more school). I will be able to return to those who I miss dearly a world away, and I will be able to embark on the next adventure with those who I've grown closer to at home.

     Tomorrow I'll be ringing in the 2012 with a great group of people I haven't spent time with since I drifted far from Southern California. In an odd sort of way, this oval has come full circle.

     No one knows what the future holds and that is fact.

     So with nothing else to say, I raise my glass and clink it to you world...never cease to amaze and never fear the discovery.

-M

     I've tried several times to sum up 2011 without sounding cliche but I've concluded that I don't think it's possible. It was quite the year. It started off with MB having a broken stanky leg cancer scare and not being able to ski Tahoe or go to San Fran. It's looking like it's ending with Mike's new leg holding up quite nicely, but the snow here in Tahoe is an epic fail. We will make it to the Bay Area, but MB has yet to enjoy the slopes of Tahoe.

   In between you ask? Well there were countless job rejections, followed by a win in Malaysia. There were challenges, laughs, tears, adventure, loss, scars, raised glasses, a broken nose, and lifelong friendships made. I truly miss those who I grew close with over those dog days of summer. I'm thankful for the friendships that have grown back in Denver.

     I have never worked harder than I did in 2011. 2012 holds rewards; in whatever form it decides to present itself. I will finally graduate with my final degree (oh please no more school). I will be able to return to those who I miss dearly a world away, and I will be able to embark on the next adventure with those who I've grown closer to at home.

     Tomorrow I'll be ringing in the 2012 with a great group of people I haven't spent time with since I drifted far from Southern California. In an odd sort of way, this oval has come full circle.

     No one knows what the future holds and that is fact.

     So with nothing else to say, I raise my glass and clink it to you world...never cease to amaze and never fear the discovery.

-M

Coming to a Computer Screen Near You from Salt Lake City, UT

     If you want to see America, drive it (I’ll accept train, although I don’t know if I’d recommend that). Welcome to Meg on the Road…

     If you want to see America, drive it (I’ll accept train, although I don’t know if I’d recommend that). Welcome to Meg on the Road…

     If you want to see America, drive it (I’ll accept train, although I don’t know if I’d recommend that). Welcome to Meg on the Road…

     If you want to see America, drive it (I’ll accept train, although I don’t know if I’d recommend that). Welcome to Meg on the Road…