Washington DC

Well! It has been a long time hasn't it!! I am still in Washington DC, but no longer an intern! I work for the American Friends of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation! Who knew the German would one day get me a job!! All thanks to my 7th grade German teacher... Frau (Tourney that is!)

DC is.... well... interesting. Sometimes I love it! For example tonight I am off to the French Embassy for a waltz lesson and soiree...I know I run in fabulous circles! And other times I completely loose faith in the human race. Check out this amazing tumblr for a little picture of DC life!

I have not been taking many pictures... DC is not very inspiring but that hopefully will change =) Until then friendsies, you will have to make due with a new awesome song!

Music to Hear

Sorry for the picture on the vid ! lol

Axel sent me this one and I love it... so addicting!

Avec Duex S

I am learning French mostly so I can sing this in the street....and be hardcore... I could pull it off I think...

Jessica avec deux s....une reine sans couronne

Ready for Lift Off!

So... I leave for DC in 2 days! Wow ... yah so this is my image of how it will be in DC...

However think the reality will be quite different

I will be interning for Layalina Productions as a development intern. According to their mission statement this is what they do:

"Layalina helps bridge the divide between the Arab world and the United States by fostering cultural, educational, and professional dialogues through effective television programming and publications." (Layalina)

So basically I will be writing grants for them and working on fundraising... that is between getting the coffee and filing! Actually I'm sure it will be great! So I will be in Washington DC for the spring if anyone wants a visit to the east coast!!

I have also finished my Graduate school applications.... here is the official list:
-American University
-Tufts
-University College London
-Kings College London
-London School of Economics and Political Science / Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris
-The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva

Wish me luck ... I will need it!

This is why people study

So I just had a crazy realization...

I was listening to Schumann and studying Math hoping that I would magically become smarter... not working so well... fractions continue to elude me and reduce my self confidence back to 3rd grade levels... awesome...

So I decided to procrastinate and download some new Schumann pieces for my study/sleep/nostalgia playlist  and I stumbled upon this


Please tell me someone else recognizes the significance of this song.... and childhood dreams... and kittens... and adventure...

You guessed it!!

It was the kitten song from Milo and Otis!  My whole life just changed... I am so gratified in this new found information!  Probably no one else will thing this is cool ( mostly because you all suck and think classical music is boring ... loosers) or no one on earth watched Milo and Otis as much as Sara and I did... but I LOVE Schumann (thanks in part to a certain French pianist) and I LOVE Milo and Otis... and now my two loves are one... together forever...


I'm not sure why this small part of the movie stuck into my head as a child... and now as an adult I am part of a small population of 20 somethings who genuinely enjoys classical music (and not just to impress my friends!)  Skip to 2:12 and eat your heart out nerds!



I am now going to find my childhood blanket, watch this clip and wish I was 8 again... the good ole days...brb reality!

BEST LAMB EVER

So I made these lamb shanks a few weeks ago for my parents.  I cook them on the stove and then put it all in the slow cooker for a few hours and the result was amazing.... literally falling apart... so good.  It was possibly even better the next day as leftovers.  Its time to take the plunge y'all... there are too many sheepies on this planet and I plan to change that... one delicious lamb at a time!

Heads up muttons... your days are numbered!

Ultimate Lamb Shanks…..

Ingredients-

• Lamb shanks – 4
• Yogurt – ½ cup.
• Ginger – 1tsp paste.
• Garlic – 1tsp paste.
• Salt – 2Tbsp. or as per taste.
• Cinnamon – 1 stick
• Cardamom – 4 pods.
• Black peppercorns – 8-10
• Cloves – 6
• Bay leaves – 2
• Onion – 3-4 medium size finely sliced.
• Tomato paste – 1Tbsp.
• Coriander powder – 1Tbsp.
• Cayenne pepper – 1tsp.
• Fennel seeds ground – 1tsp.
• Tomato diced – 14oz can.
• Chicken broth/ water – 2 cups.
• Oil – 3 + 1 Tbsp.
• Lime juice – 2Tbsp.
• Lime, jalapeno and cilantro to serve along.
  

• Place lamb shanks in a non-reactive bowl. Add yogurt, ginger, garlic, lime juice, salt and 2Tbsp of oil. Mix well, making sure all the shanks are well coated with the marinade. Cover and marinate in refrigerator at least 4 and up to 24 hours.
• Heat oil in a large skillet; add cinnamon, cardamom, black peppercorns, cloves and bay leaves. Fry for a minute and add sliced onions. Fry the onions till they turn golden brown for about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to keep stirring them and not let them get darker in color.
• Once onions are golden add tomato paste, stir it well with onions. Now add coriander powder, cayenne pepper and ground fennel. Mix everything well and fry for another 1-2 minutes, keep stirring.
• Now add the marinated lamb shanks, stir it along with onion mixture. Cook for 5-6 minutes on high heat. Now add the canned tomatoes, mix everything together.
• Finally add the liquid, give a good mix. Cover the skillet and let the shanks cook on low heat for 2 – 2.30 hours. Keep checking to make sure there is enough liquid for them to braise properly. If needed add more liquid. NOTE- If you want you can cook the shanks in oven on 350 F for about the same time or you can cook them in slow cooker for 4-6 hours.
• Once the shanks are done, check for the seasoning. If the gravy is too thin, dry out some or add little more liquid if the gravy is too thick. It’s entirely up to you. Sprinkle with cilantro serve hot. Recipe Source.
   
  

Leaves.... in technicolor!

Hey everyone!  Here is my obligatory "I was in the East Coast in Fall" post.... I felt like such a tourist taking pictures of the leaves but hey... I was a tourist so there!!



Ohh... prettty.....reeedddd....orrgaanneee.....leaviessss!!  Ok I'm done now. sorry. here they are!