Chocolate Zucchini Bread

I haven't posted a recipe in awhile. So, here's a new one. Best thing ever!

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Beat 3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
2 tsp vanilla

Add:
2 cups grated zucchini
2 1/3 cup flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup cocoa (I used unsweetened cocoa powder)

*For extra chocolatey-ness, add a big handful of chocolate chips.

Preheat oven to 350. Pour batter into greased (or use nonstick cooking spray) and sugared loaf pans Sugaring is just like flouring a pan--but do it with sugar. It makes for a delightfully sweet and crispy crust. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes

Knick Knacks

So, it seems that it's been some time since I had an actual post.

Life is pretty bland these days. That's what you get when it's only you, I guess.

At work we are knee deep into Conference stuff and while I don't have anything to do--my co-workers are busy meaning that my work kind of comes to a stand still. I don't need to give them any extra work.

But I'm pretty proud of myself this summer. I actually went to New York and knocked some place off my to travel list. The ward my friend, Annie, attends is trying to go on a cruise in February to Mexico. I'm thinking about going. For one, I haven't been to Mexico very often. At least down south. And two? I need more adventures in my life. We'll see how it turns out with the whole grad school business.

I'm happy to report that I found a new place to live. It's about a mile from my current apartment and it remains in my ward boundaries. This is definitely a blessing. I'm sharing the apartment with another girl, Camille, but it's a townhouse more than an apartment. 3 stories and we each have our own bedroom and bathroom. It's right next to a high school so I can go running at the track instead of around my block (which is what I've been doing). Plus, I will be saving lots of money (which will go towards grad school). An e-mail will be sent out soon to the family and those who want it with my new address.

Well, it's 7:42 AM and I need to start getting ready for Church and review my lesson. Did I mention that I'm a Relief Society teacher? It's a lot of fun. Much easier than being a Sunday School teacher.

Tradition. Honor. Spirit.

It must be a weakness since I discovered Rudy, but I cry through the last bit of any sport movie where a team or a player overcomes the odds. And the coach always has a great speech.

So, I cried a little when I heard this:



My dream is to one day write a great historical book about BYU football. I don't care if it's ever made into a movie, but I think the story of BYU should be told. Enjoy.

To My Absentee Home Teachers

Dear Home Teachers Whom I've Never Met,

Hi. I'm Laurel. My name is probably the second one on your list because your list is in alphabetical order. I know we haven't met. I'll be honest--I'm really shy around boys. And I know that the ward directory is online and therefore really difficult to look at, plus my picture isn't all that, but I would really like to meet you.

I live alone. In an apartment. I have plenty of friends, but I do live kind of far from my family. One of my brothers lives thirty minutes away, but I don't want to have to call him when I have problems. I would love a visit from you. Even if it's just right after Church.

Why?

Because I like having visitors. I like discussing the gospel. Yes, I do know what the First Presidency Message is about nine months in advance, but I still want someone to share their insights from the article.

I also like having boys as my friends. It reminds me of my childhood growing up with my brothers. I'm pretty self-reliant (thanks to them and my mom) and low-maintenance, but it would be nice just to have someone around.

If you come, I can make one promise: I do not expect a date to come out of it. In fact, I plead with you NOT to ask me out.¹

So, that's all. My number and e-mail address are both below my name. Please call me this month.

Sincerely,

Laurel

¹ It's not that I won't go on a date with you... I get freaked out by dates in general. It's nothing personal. Besides, I'm way less threatening now that you don't think I am in love with you or anything, right?

Accepted

It feels so good to write that.

San Jose State accepted me for their Distance Learning Masters program. It's 43 credits and I will have a masters of library science and it's completely online. I'm thrilled. So excited.

I'm still looking at Simmons College and their dual masters program. It will take longer and be more expensive and I won't have the luxury of not having to care where I go, but I feel compelled to continuing researching (plus the fact that I have to take 57 credits and NOT turn in a thesis or a portfolio for the degrees is sitting well with me). But I'm going to start with San Jose in January. My plan is to take one course and see how disciplined I am now. If it works, great--if not, I should be able to transfer the class over to Simmons.

But rejoice! Things are moving forward! Which is more than what's happened to me in the past two years.

Summer Nights

It's been awhile. Sorry.

After coming home from the reunion I had lots to catch up on. So, I've been busy. My kind family took pity on me and sent me home with a cooler (or two) full of leftovers. I gathered together my friends and we had one last BBQ before Meagan left for Virginia and Becky for Logan, UT.

Still no word from San Jose State. I'll keep you posted.