Just Listen
Recently, I sort of shot the wad with my listening skills. I found myself in a space where I should have remained silent and just listened, but for some reason I felt the need to have something to say. Lately, I noticed I have been talking more and listening less, and nothing good has come out of that. In this particular case, no one was hurt. I simply found reflection in my actions immediately after — maybe even during — the conversation I was having about what I was doing by speaking when I was supposed to be listening. While I was not told I was not being helpful, I knew that nothing I could’ve said in the moment would’ve made the situation any better. All that was required was for me to listen. I’m going to work on that.
Noxzema Pads
I recently purchased something that I used to keep in the house at all times. Lately, I’ve been having issues with my skin; mainly texture issues, adult acne, hyperpigmentation, and just overall malaise with the condition of my skin. My behavior is consistent with the way my skin looks. I haven’t been leading such a healthy lifestyle in the past several weeks, actually. But somehow, I feel like my skin should behave anyway.
Growing up, I had really bad acne. To make a long story short, the only thing that seem to work were Noxzema pads. I recently bought some of them and I’ve been using them every morning and every night — well, almost every morning and every night – and within one week, my skin looks transformed. The texture has improved, I haven’t had any random pimples pop up, and the Noxzema pads are doing exactly what they always have done. Why do we stop using things that we know work? I know a lot of that has to do with boredom, a short attention span, a fad here and there, the need to have brand new, shiny things, but salicylic acid actively works to prevent breakouts and I know that. I’m not sure what led me to go all the way back to basics, other than desperation with the condition of my skin, but I’m really glad I did. Survival instinct, eh? They’re not the ‘cleanest’ 🙄 most trendy thing in the beauty world right now, but you know what? They work.
Sidecar to Tangier
I frequent a restaurant that serves a drink called Sidecar to Tangier. For the past week, I have been thinking about having one of these drinks, but I have not been able to get over to the restaurant because I’ve been so busy with work. The drink is so appealing to me because it uses a unique ingredient that I don’t usually see in drinks. That ingredient is cardamom. Here’s the recipe:
Greek brandy, spice blend of rose petals, cardamom, cumin, honey, lemon.
It’s so smoky, elegant, and delicious. I recently bought some cardamom for a different recipe but I think I’m going to start experimenting with the spice in drinks.
A regular sidecar just has cognac, orange liqueur, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Never forget the sugar rim. It’s very delicious, but the Sidecar to Tangier is a whole other level of deliciousness. The drink is garnished with what looks like shredded rose petals, what a classy finish! I’ve never been to Tangier, but this drink certainly makes me fantasize. Until I perfect it, I guess I’ll just have to accept regular, delicious old sidecars.
