Things have been tough and just when I think I’ve rounded the corner, another obstacle appears.  It kind of pisses me off.  Not so much because a challenge has come into my way, but because I can’t seem to control the obstacles.  Like that scary brown spider that invaded my peaceful bedroom this week.

Oh, he thought he got away with scaring me, but I got the last laugh (or gag) last night.  I walked into the closet to ditch my work clothes when I saw him out of the corner of my eye.  Chocolate brown, with legs that came to a point.  I ran for the nearest thing — toilet paper.  Unrolled a good 30 or more sheets and wadded it up.  There’s no way I’m going to let him bite me through the paper while I try not to gag as he squishes!

He was wedged against the wall.  I snuck up on him quietly so he wouldn’t have a chance to go running for my clothes or my shoes.  Wham!  Gotcha.  I picked up the paper and … ack!  He was still very much in control of the situation.  So I wadded up the paper again and … Whop!  Once more.  What?!  He’s still able to run from me!  Well, that’s it mister … FWAP!  There you go.  All balled up, with pointy legs curled around you.  Away to the toilet you go!

And that, I suspect is not the end of the story.  Because now he’s pissed off and I’m going to have to lift the toilet seat each and every time just to make sure Mr. Spider didn’t wait until he’d grown even bigger and swim his way back up to wait for me.  Mmmm hmmm… the spider won.

I want a peaceful weekend because the weeks are so chaotic, but it’s rare I get a whole weekend to relax and while I thought I’d get a couple of days by myself, I am seeing a trip to the office this weekend, once again.

So, rather than scramble to get something photographed, written and posted on another Saturday morning, I’m writing this up on a Friday night.  Not the end of the world.

I made a whole lot of carbs last Sunday morning.  I had a craving for peanut noodles and there was a container of leftover basmati rice calling out for attention.

The bowls are pretty darn cute, don’t you think?  I’m going to have to figure out how to get them back to the US when it’s time to pack up and go home but for now I’ll just enjoy them

Neither of these carb-loaded dishes are difficult to make and they are perfect sides or can star as the main attraction.  I think I’m most fond of the rice though.  It’s easy to build up for a main course by adding shrimp or chicken or pork.  It takes a little bit of time because you need to chill the rice, but that’s where the beauty of the dish comes in.  Make a little extra rice one night and store the leftovers in the fridge or the freezer and you can have fried rice on the table in minutes.

So, give this a try and let me know what you think and while you’re bundled up and wishing the cold weather away, think about how you don’t have to worry about spiders and lizards and mosquitoes making their way into your bedroom for a few more months.  I look out the windows everyday and wonder what more scary creature I may find creeping around in my bedroom tomorrow.