Like a Fart In a Windstorm

About to bounce

emilygreen — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:49:00 GMT

Today is my last day with Common Ground Relief. It's a bit sureal to think of all of the people who I have watched come and go. Now that I'm the one going I can think of the place after I leave and everything going on without my presence - just as I saw with past others. I feel good about the time that I spent here. I learned a lot and made good friends. I will never look at grocery shopping the same way. I will never think of cooking in the same way and I feel very confident about cooking for large groups. I learned to take more initiative - to be self-directed instead of waiting around for instructions. I don't know how I'll feel if I find myself in a place with a lot of structure and authority! I think it would be a culture shock!

Mexico still feels like a very far off thought in my mind. I wonder how long it will take me to feel the realness of my direction. Perhaps when I'm crossing the border?! Perhaps when I'm laying on a beach somewhere? Maybe when I'm stumped for words and trying to communicate in a brand spankin new language? I suppose that I'll meet those realities when they come.

Well, enough of this clickity clackin. I need to get on with the day. Such a big To Do list and only one day left to cross a few off!

tata

Full Moon and a day of groceries

emilygreen — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:26:00 GMT

Grocery shopping for 30 people is kind of fun. We went to 4 different spots to do pricing. My main concern: eliminate, or at least minimize, Common Ground's reliance on Spraulmart (aka Walmart). A lot of folks just assume that they have the cheapest prices - perhaps because of the promotions and the atmosphere of discount. They say that they have the cheapest, and so them must, right? Well not always.

I love the challenge of the hunt for good, ethical, cheap deliciousness. We went to a wholesale produce distributor. It was a hole in the wall in the Marigny neighbourhood - I had sure never noticed it before. It was a big warehouse with pallettes covered in crates of fresh fruits and veggies. They gave us their price list and we placed our order. They then proceded to give us 5 crates of onions that were going off and let us help ourselves to the mass of tomatoes where a few had gone mouldy. It was incredible. We left with more onions or tomatoes then we could ever use in time. Oh, and we bought portabello mushrooms at a good price! I am gonna cook those babies up with some red wine. Mmmyummy.

Well, I've got to get onto making some lunch. I may make some gazpacho with the excess of tomatoes ... also tomatoe sauce to freeze.
Adios : D