I have started both of my first term summer classes. I was really excited for the both of them. Not so much anymore. I’m still greatly enjoying my science fiction literature class. I was not a fan of reading science fiction before this class. However, I knew I was missing out on a lot of good reads by doing this. So, before I delved into a genre that I knew absolutely nothing about, I decided to take a class in order to really get the most out of all my readings. Now, if my undergrad program could a paranormal romance and YA literature class — I would be happier than a pig in crap.

My horror films class…well, that is a whole different animal. I expect a lot of work over the summer class. My science fiction one was spaced out BEAUTIFULLY. I don’t feel overwhelmed and I am even able to take it to the next level and truly experience the class as a whole. I’ve already had to email the professor with a complaint (a valid one and not me just whining like a wee babe) over this class.

Basically, let me break it down for you:

Every day we have to do at least 4 posts in response to questions presented by no later than midnight(not an issue)

Then we have to respond to at least one other posters response by no later than midnight(here is an issue)

We also get 2-3 weekly written assignments on top of that.

We’re watching a film every single day and reading every single day.

You’d think this is easy, right? Well, in theory it totally is. Except for the fact that these–as I’ve dubbed them, little bastards–don’t post until excruciatingly late! I wake up generally at 5am every day. So, when these people post at  (true reference) 11:58pm and I go to bed at 9am…it becomes completely unfair to those of us who work and live normal hours. So, I  emailed the professor. I made sure I stated I’m not whining or trying to be a petulant child, but I’ve been forced to to glue myself to my computer and check the boards constantly for over four hours one day. I had my very last first post done by 6pm. I had to wait until 10:30pm before the first person responded in one of the sections. I think the fact that there is no mandatory time frame of the first set of postings you have to make is outrageous. I work seven days a week. I need to sleep or else I’ll go insane. So, this class is just going to be the longest class of my life.

Plus, I’ve got that one person who comes off like a pretentious douchebag in his comments. I just love it.

I originally set out to make a reduction sauce but then realized I didn’t want to do all of that effort. So, I thought to myself: How can I make some delicious sauce to work with my Lingonberry Pork Loin… but not go crazy in the kitchen? Well, the answer was simple. A BBQ sauce! So, for me this is where traditional Swedish cooking meets America.

The recipe was super simple:

1 cup Lingonberry preserves

1/2 cup chili sauce

1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 tablespoon of butter

1/2 teaspoon lingonberry drink concentrate

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan over a low heat and cover let sit until it forms a sauce. Stir occasionally. Once everything has mixed remove from the heat and let it sit a little while. After it has cooled it will thicken up. I prefer mine to be thicker and get the warmth from the meat, so I made mine much earlier. However, it is of course your preference. The thicker just also looks nicer in pictures

The concentrate drink can be optional. I prefer to add it because the chili sauce will overpower the lingonberry flavor and thus ruin the entire point of the sauce. I wanted to have a lingonberry feast and celebrate my Scandinavian roots. So, that half teaspoon was the perfect addition.

So, I have managed to get all A’s. I am so very excited. I can’t actually tell you how I managed that. One of my papers I wrote two hours before it was due and it was ten pages long. I don’t even know if I actually had a thesis or if I just rambled on. However, I got an A on it so I’m not about to argue it.

I’ve launched a new website Slave to Books I’m really excited about it. I’ll have to friends contributing to the book reviews. I’ve joined NetGalley and have been getting approved for some amazing books. I’m super happy. I’ve been editing up a storm today too. So, I am trying to play catch up on everything.

My family has been on vacation in South Carolina for a week now. So, my entire schedule has been blown to pieces due to having to watch my very annoyingly attached dog. He is also a cranky bastard. However, their trip has been fruitful. They found a nice chunk of land (several acres) to make an offer on. They want to move out of  New York and I do not blame them. The cold can be brutal. Not as bad as when I lived in Rochester, NY or in Michigan. But, Long Island can have some crappy winters. Our winters start late and end pretty late too.

My stepfather works all day on his feet and has arthritis, so getting out of the winter seasons that we have in the northern states is definitely a plus for them.

I am excited for them. They plan on building a custom house. So, after I come back from my MFA program (I’m hoping to go to the UK) I will be getting my own apartment attached to their house until I figure out my next step.

Well…I start my Science Fiction Literature and my Horror Films: Criticism class next week!

TTFN

XOXO