Irene Aftermath

Im writing this entry in a Starbucks near my place, the reason, Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Irene. Nope, I didn't lost power but I lost all my communication outside the world - well, not entirely all since I could still talk and text. But I had to drive here just to be able to connect to the Internet.

And I am not alone. I got to Starbucks and its a mad house. Here is the funny thing, no one lost their power during Irene's landfall. I didn't lose power not it even the lights flickered when the storm arrived on Saturday night till Sunday morning. The sun eventually came out by Sunday noontime that I even decided to go for a run around the neighborhood just to see the extent of the damage brought by Irene (which wasn't that bad). But the wind surely picked up in the afternoon, if I am not mistaken, gust of about 40-50 mph. I was literally running with my eyes looking both ways and ears perked up just to ensure that I wont be caught by a falling branch or even a tree. I got home safely but I could definitely here the winds pounding the trees.

So this morning, I woke up happily knowing that power was still on and there are no downed trees where I live. But then I found out that I lost my TV and Internet service. I was ok with it at first since I was going to work but I got to work and found out that we have to turn around since there is no power at work and they wont let anyone into the facilities. And thus, I ended up at Starbucks with my trusty laptop on hand to do some work.

Downed tree near my neighboorhood -
guess I wont be running on this street for awhile

Found out from a fellow seated beside me at the patio that he lost power since 6pm last night and that he only lives one street away from me. We scour online to check out our local power company and there is was, a message stating the at least 26,000 residence have lost power in our county and some wouldn't get their power back till Friday due to the extensive damage done by Irene. At least he had a good outlook for this, he was going home and drinking all the beers in his fridge before they get warmed. (LOL!!)

So I should not complain too much since at least I have power while most will not have it till Friday. And we all thought Irene didn't do damage - we all thought wrong.

Update: Here is a tree and lawn uprooted around my neighborhood.. woow!

Recipe: Tortellini with Spinach and Tomatoes

This is an easy to make recipe since I used store-brought frozen tortellini and pasta sauce while still incorporating   tomatoes, garlic and onions I got from a farmers market.

Ingredients:
10 oz frozen tortellini
24 oz Pasta Sauce (I used Mushroom with this recipe but you can use plain if you prefer)
1 large Yellow Onion
1 dozen Grape Tomatoes
6 fresh basil leaves
1 large bunch Spinach leaves, cleaned and drained
2 tsp oil

Preparations:
1. Prepare tortellini as instructed in package.
2. Meanwhile, diced onions, slice the grape tomatoes in half and chopped the basil.
3. Drain tortellini when its cooked
4. Heat oil in a pan. Saute onions, basil and tomatoes for 5 minutes.
5. Add in spinach leaves and saute for a one minute. Cover and cooked for two minutes or until the spinach leaves are wilted.
6. Add in the cooked tortellini and saute for a minute
7. Pour in pasta sauce. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
8. Sprinkle with some basil flakes

Tortellini with Spinach and Tomatoes

Variation: if you want to add meat, you can diced bacon or ham and saute it with onions and tomatoes.

Enjoy!

The Good..The Bad.. The last two months

The last three months have been a roller coaster ride for me. I let in someone to my life only to lose someone else.

In June, I met a girl almost out of coincidence. What happen was that there was a DJ playing at a club and it happened to be my special day. But I was planning a trip that following week so I was contemplating of skipping checking out the DJ days before the event. But the day of the event, somehow, I have a feeling that I should just go and enjoy the event. So I went and little did I know that I will be in a relationship with the girl I met that night. It seems like we were meant to meet that night since she followed a friend of mine to the club and I am glad she did.

Everything was going well until I received a phone call in July about my dad's deteriorating health. His health was up and down, one day he is alright, the next day he does not know anyone. And then the last week of July, my dad passes away - cancer being the culprit. That was a tough one.

Those two months were indeed a roller coaster ride..