After traveling in Asia for a month, I wasn't exactly looking forward to coming back to Minnesota. Don't get me wrong, I love Minnesota, and someday I plan to move back here for good, but life is just a lot more exciting when you live abroad. I'll put it this way; a few weeks ago I was climbing the Great Wall of China. Now I spend my days job hunting and hanging out with a bunch of screaming toddlers fighting over which Scooby Doo movie to watch. (My mom is a daycare provider)

But things are looking up: summer in Minnesota means outdoor concert season, and I have three on the agenda already.

Rock the Garden
Rock the Garden is sponsored by the best radio station in the entire world, 89.3 The Current. (Not even exaggerating) The lineup has yet to be announced, but there are rumors that MGMT will be on the bill, which would make my summer.



Jack Johnson
I found out today that Jack Johnson, my all-time favorite musician, is touring to promote his new album 'To the Sea.' I've seen him twice already at Floatrite Park in Somerset, and I'll be buying tickets for his July 25th concert as soon as they go on sale this Saturday.



Lollapalooza
And finally, there's Lollapalooza in the beginning of August in Chicago's Grant Park. I'm not going to lie, Lady Gaga on the lineup cinched it for me, but I'm also a big fan of the The Strokes and The Black Keys.

She's crazy, but I love her!

I also begin my foray into the world of substitute teaching tomorrow. Thankfully, because I'm really, really tired of Scooby Doo.

Look Mom, I cooked!

(Written March 18th, 2010)

I just had the most amazing four-course Lao meal; cooked by yours truly!

Okay, "cooked" is maybe a strong word. I took an evening cooking course here in Luang Prabang, and the instructor had already prepared all the ingredients, I mostly just chopped vegetables and meat and pushed it around in a wok until he said it was done.

If cooking was always like this, as in the ingredients magically appeared before me in pre-portioned little bowls and I was under careful supervision, I might do it more often. (I am complete dunce in the kitchen, see previous posts for evidence)

My favorite dish we made was the "Panaeng Gai," which is chicken and minced pork in coconut sauce and chili paste. Mmmmm.

I even ate the "Tom Chaeow Pha," which is white Mekong fish with eggplant and galangai, or oyster mushrooms. As someone who utterly despises fish/seafood, even after 18 months in Korea, this was a big deal for me.

I wish I would have taken a similar course in Korea, because even though I tried all sorts of Korean dishes, I haven't a clue how they were prepared.

Lao cuisine is actually very similar to Thai cuisine, only they eat "khao nioouw" or sticky rice, with every meal rather than steamed rice. I tried sticky rice with eggplant dip for lunch today, and it was surprisingly delicious. When the waiter brought it to my table, I wasn't sure how to eat it, but you just use your hands. This would never fly in the States where we are perhaps overly concerned about food sanitation, but it was really good.