Bitter Over Lack of Travel

This morning I discovered my friend Jason's blog, which is being written while in London.  Yes, London.  He's doing a study abroad there, and although he's been there a short time so far, his blog is already filled with thrilling misadventures!  Oh, not to mention he's already got 13 people following him... Little Shit!

So while he's having the time of his life, exploring a foreign land and studying theater all the while, I'm here at home growing greener and greener with envy.  Imagine a slightly weak and pudgy Hulk, and you will get a pretty good picture of what I look like right now.  Just a bitter little green chihuahua chewing on his own feces...

And it seems like everyone is going somewhere exciting.  Our roommate Mesun is off to Korea in a month or so for a study abroad, leaving Brian and I alone to suffer without her.  Our friends Tori, Katie, and Darcy are all three going on Christian mission trips this summer in various parts of the world, I have a friend on his LDS mission in Argentina, and where am I going?  That's right.  Brian and I are spending a weekend in Colorado for my brother's graduation in May.  Yep.  Our friends will be in Korea and London having the time of their lives, and we will be in Colorado Springs, Colorado where the deer and the antelope play.

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Steve's Phone Call

Last night I received a phone call from my ex-stepdad (my mom's second husband) Steve.  Although he's technically not part of my family any more, I still consider him a very good friend.  He was part of my life for a good ten years, and I can't exactly act like he doesn't exist.

Although I did try that at one point.  Unfortunately, he was one of the many people that I did shut out after meeting Brian.  I ignored his phone calls, and was very vague and elusive with emails and things.  He finally found out I was gay through our long-time friends, the Mayhoffers.  He was shocked of course, and left me another voicemail saying that he knew and that he still wanted to be on good terms. 

I felt relieved and, I'll say it, touched that he still wanted to be a part of my life.  I called him back, and we've been on good terms ever since.  In fact, he happened to be in Utah a while back and we met up for breakfast at a Denny's near my apartment.  It was familiar and strange all at the same time, but I'm glad we had that breakfast.  It was also an opportunity for me to meet his new girlfriend, Amy, who has now become his fiancee.  They are set to marry June 9th, and my invitation is said to be on its way.

We had a good talk last night.  He Facebook stalks me occassionally, so he had some questions about New York for me.  He also knew I had interviewed for a second job, so I told him about that.  His parents, who were always very involved with us kids, had written me a letter back in February, to which I finally responded in April.  They were so happy to hear from me that they called him up and told him about it!  I hope I get another letter from them sometime soon.

My mom would rather I not talk to Steve or his family.  Her feelings were hurt by them years ago, and might have been part of the reason their marriage dissolved.  But in my opinion, their failed marriage isn't any different from the failed marriage of my mom to my actual father.  What I mean is, if I can still talk to my father, why can't I still talk to my once stepfather?  Both men have been important to me, and I'm glad that I can say both men are incredibly supportive of me to this day.

Thanks for the call, Steve, and I look forward to hearing from you again.

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Mom's Peanut Butter Cookies

Brian and I are enjoying a terrific day off as I speak.  The weather outside is bright and joyful, and so are our spirits.  We really needed a day together to unwind a bit.  Finding ourselves with more free time than usual and a kitchen stocked full of things we've been without for a while, we decided to bake some cookies.  Well, I decided to bake some cookies and Brian lovingly offered to help.  And I know he's only doing it out of love because he's not much of a cookie person.  To make it worse for him, the cookies were peanut butter, and he hates peanut butter.

For the record, I love peanut butter.  Funnily enough, when Brian's ex-boyfriend broke up with him, he said, "We're just so different.  I mean, I love peanut butter and you don't."  Brian was a little worried at first when he found out how I obsess over peanut butter, but I assured him I would never end our relationship for something so silly as that.  Actually, I'm glad he doesn't like it, because it leaves more peanut butter for me!

So I'd like to share the recipe that we made today.  It's the same recipe that my mom has used for as long as I can remember.  I've always loved her peanut butter cookies and I hope you do too!

Mom's Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients
3/4 cup margarine, melted (we use butter a lot, but the recipe says margarine, you decide)
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (we tried crunchy once, but it was weird)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups flour
Sprinkle of salt (that was never in the original recipe, but Brian insists that all cookies need a pinch of salt)

Directions
In a bowl, mix together the first three ingredients.

Then beat in the egg and lastly stir in the flour and a pinch of salt.

Shape dough into balls and place onto lightly greased cookie sheet.

Press with fork in criss-cross design (which apparently began as a way to alert people with peanut allergies, now it just looks pretty).

Bake them in a 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes (we actually do ours for about 7 minutes, but all ovens vary).

If you like to cook, Brian has a really awesome blog of his own, so check it out: http://keslerskitchen.blogspot.com/

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