Letters from the Inside, Sarah Pender, #52

Kelly! I am so proud of you! That was huge for you to turn down meeting Amir's mother at Thanksgiving. I mean, that was one thing in your trifecta of requirements--meet family, meet friends, monogamy. But you stood firm and wanted it all. So I am dying to know what happened at your hours long public goodbye. I got to admit, if it had been me I would have taken the chance to meet the mom at Thanksgiving, then let him string me along for a few weeks to see what he could do for me for Christmas.

Can't wait for the next installment of Korangyville.

Thanksgiving sounded yummy. I am glad that you listed duck and turkey separately, as I have heard of those turducken things and figure that it was probably invented by a man. Who else would want 20lbs of solid fowl meat except a testosterone-fueled carnivore? [Insert Tim Taylor the Toolman's grunt here.] Your feast sounded so delicious-and pretty! Part of a food's appeal is its presentation. I read an article that sound is also a factor. This chef in London runs the Fat Duck restaurant and has a special dish---Sound of the Sea. It's shellfish, seaweed, foam and "sand" made of finely ground ice cream cone/eel/vegetable powder and the plate is served with a conch shell that hides inside of it a tiny iPod that plays sounds of the ocean. It has moved at least a dozen patrons to tears. This is based off of a psychology experiment with potato chips. The experiment: two bowls, exact same chips from exact same bag. Pesson puts on a pair of headphones in which their crunching sounds were amplified on one bowl, muted on the other. People reported fresher chips when louder, stale chips when softer. This may be part of marketing of KRUNCHER chips. (Fantastic chips! My favorite are jalapeno flavored.)

Our special meal was a slice of turkey loaf, ham loaf, on top of a scoop of jellied cranberry stuff, mashed potatoes, soggy stuffing, a half soggy roll, three pieces of lettuce w/ranch dressing and a pumpkin-filled something. I was very happy and thankful. It beats bologna. [That my the next meal.]

At home my favorite dish is the cornbread pudding my grandma Jane used to make and the Tex Mex dip Grandma Betty made. Both have passed and I wonder if I'll be able to reproduce those in the future.

I have successfully gained ten pounds of stress-related wieght. I'm stressed, so I chew my lip until it is raw. I buy sunflower seeds (high in fat) to nibble with my front teeth to save the flesh from my lips. Then, I had migraines, so I was on steroids for three months to get rid of the stubborn pain. Not helpful. And then I am lonely and depressed, a good reason to eat. And then its the holidays which either gives me a reason to eat in celebration or eat out of depression. So I have a plan. I've stocked up on seven packages of mackeral and sardines, am ordering 5 more, and plan to substitute one meal per day with a package of fish, which will 1) reduce my caloric intake 2) give me a psychological boost from omega 3 and 3) stick to condiments. No snacks, just condiments to make the food I do get taste better. And as much as i hate to, I'm going to have to start exercising in my room. Don't get me wrong, I like to walk and jog and will do the requisite crunches, push-ups, etc. but exercising in my room is difficult and depressing. More depressing than anything. I really thought they would have let me out by now, however, I grossly underestimated their position.

I am really suprised I haven't heard from you this week. I hope you are well and the Universe blessed you with something your heart desires.

Drink something festive for me this month. I love the December holiday season feelings in society. The closeness and social gatherings. Extra care and tenderness for strangers. A remberance of what is good in our lives. And food. And twinkle lights. And the freedom to read about baby Jesus or light a menorah or whatever people do for Kwanza. What will you do these next three weeks?

Take care,
Sarah