Mushrooms

I have never liked mushrooms. Even now that I have grown out of my bland teenage tastes, I still don't like mushrooms. While I can usually handle eating a few, too many of those slimy, squishy objects do not make my mouth happy. However, a few weeks ago, I ate a fresh salad with mushrooms in it. They were fresh, white, and thinly sliced mushrooms, and guess what? I liked them! I'm not going to go nearly as far as saying they're my favorite food or start adding them to salad on my own, but this in itself is a victory for me. I ate a mushroom and liked it! Since then, I've eaten a pasta with fresh mushrooms, and a chicken carbonara sandwich from Quiznos with mushrooms. Each time, the mushrooms did not bother me (and maybe I even half enjoyed them). I've figured out the reason I've never liked them: the texture. All of the mushrooms I've eaten in the past have been slimy and squishy---a terrible texture. These fresh mushrooms have a much better texture. I think I prefer thinly sliced.

Also, I bought green and yellow peppers for the first time ever a couple of days ago. I've never liked those either, but I think I'm getting used to them. I had some fajitas last week, and I quite enjoyed them. I've discovered that after you cook the peppers, they actually have quite a nice flavor. Verdict: mushrooms should always be fresh, peppers should always be cooked. Tomorrow, I'm planning to make up my own recipe: pasta with ground turkey in a white grape juice garlic sauce with peppers, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes. Wish me luck that the combination isn't terrible.

Weekend Trip

I applied for one PhD program in Auburn, Alabama, so I took a trip last weekend to visit. It was a nice little town. They let me stay in the Auburn Hotel which was really nice, but not as nice as the engineering building.

As you walk in the entrance of the engineering building, you are greeted by marble walls, paintings, floor to ceiling windows complimented with luxurious curtains, tables decorated with flower arrangements, fancy rugs, and a grand staircase. Unfortunately, when I went back to take pictures, the building was locked, so I only took pictures of the outside, but even that is pretty nice to look at. I'm sure it's much nicer in spring and summer when the grass is green and the trees are full. Still, outside there are multiple courtyards, arched walkways, and seating areas. Just behind the two courtyards are two buildings under construction. I believe that these will also be a part of the engineering complex when completed.

I found this lake and building while on a bike ride around town. I liked the way the building reflected onto the pond, so I took a picture.









I was very impressed with how religiously minded people in this town were. I saw many churches while I was there, and the students and professors were very open about religion. I noticed that several shops were closed on Sunday, including Chic-fil-A.