Pasta, Greens, & Beans

Had a pretty successful day.  Practiced (even though I hurt from yesterday), paid some bills, shopped (Dollar General, Target, Barnes & Noble for a new journal), MADE DINNER.  Nothing fancy - just Pasta, Greens, & Beans that Mama's friend Rhonda makes.  But it was good and I actually cooked!  - Miranda, October 2004

I often use my journal to make lists or track the day's events.  Here, I was living in Augusta, and I was having a kind of rough time.  I had only lived there 2 months, so I didn't have much of a social life.  Still, I was living on my own, paying my own way, and living like an adult!  Making dinner was a very big deal!

Pasta, Greens, & Beans always makes me think about my time in Augusta.  I was vegetarian at the time, and scraping by on a $17K salary (can you say 'starving artist'??)  This meal was cheap, comforting, and only used one pot - definitely a plus for my tiny kitchen!  Give it a try and let me know what you think! 

Pasta, Greens, & Beans - adapted from Rhonda's recipe

2 tsp olive oil

1/2 cup carrots, chopped

1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 tsp Italian seasoning (or combination of basil, oregano, parsley, etc)

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 box (16oz) vegetable broth

1 can Italian style diced tomatoes

1/2 cup whole wheat fusili pasta, uncooked (or any type/shape of pasta you have on hand)

1 15oz can chick peas, drained and rinsed

1 5oz bag spinach

Heat oil in a dutch oven or large pot.  Add carrots, garlic, & onion.  Sauté 5 min.

Add spices, broth, & tomato.  Bring to boil.  Cover.  Reduce heat.  Simmer 10 min.

Uncover.  Increase heat to Medium High.  Add pasta, beans, & spinach.  Cook 14 min.  Stir.

Trying Not To Think About It

My last night in Augusta.  It's a weird feeling.  I'm ready to leave here.  What a great experience to have, and so early in my career.  I'm so worried about money.  I'm trying not to think about it, but I'm deep-down paralyzed with fear that I won't have enough money.  It's terrifying.  Goodbye, Augusta.  - Miranda, June 2005

Just as I started my second year of grad school, I won a 'full-time' job as Principal Clarinetist with the Augusta Symphony.  I didn't hesitate - I leapt into the unknown!  Over the span of a week, I quit school, found an apartment, packed up my life, and moved to Augusta, GA.  It was a one year position with no guarantee of extension, but still I was excited!  Supporting myself as a professional clarinetist at the age of 23!  

The job, as it turns out, was not so exciting.  After the year was up, I was ready to move on.  I had saved up $1000 and decided to move to Atlanta to try freelancing.  Another leap - but this time, even more unknown.  No job.  No leads.  I knew a few people from my time in Augusta, but they were just contacts - nothing solid.  As someone who likes a plan, this lack of plan was 'deep-down' terrifying.  But also, deep down, I knew this was the next step.  I believed I would make it work.

When I was little, my mom used to sing me songs from The King and I.  Here I am - 30 years later - playing the same show.  When Anna and her son arrive in Siam, the little boy asks what his mother does when she is afraid.  She says she whistles a happy tune (cue my mother singing to me as we dance around the den).  It's usually the scary moments that teach us the most.  At the time, they can be deep-down terrifying.  But we stand up tall and keep going.  Leaping into the unknown with nothing to hold on to....except maybe a little whistle.