Today tops my list of “Most Frustrating Things”. Like most college students, I have taken out a student loan. As a nursing student, it’s nearly impossible to work full-time, so student loans and grant monies help offset the financial constraints of not earning a decent paycheck. Well, my nursing program is an Associate degree program. We finish in 4 semesters, with Summers off. This means that our curriculum is divided into 3 semesters of 8 week short session (two 5 hour classes, split between one semester). I can see how this makes sense from our program director’s viewpoint; but not in the eyes of the student depending on financial aid. You see, our school, and the Federal Government view this type of class registration as 2 5 hour mini-mesters, and not as a 10 credit hour semester. Have I lost you? Well, the Fed says you have to be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per semester to receive financial aid! You follow me? So, even though on paper, my tuition receipt, says I have registered for 10 credit hours, I will not receive ANY of my financial aid until the second mini-mester begins! According to my math, I won’t receive any aid until the semester is nearly over!!!!! Arrrrgggghhh…unacceptable! The point of taking out a loan is to help pay for tuition, books, supplies- my scrubs have had it, and room & board. So while my student loan money is sitting in an account, not to mention that the school is collecting interest on it, my bills are piling up! I’m beyond pissed.
To keep me from stewing any longer on this, I decided to spruce up my porch. I mean it’s Fall, after all. My favorite time of the year! Today I transplanted some mums that I put in the ground this Spring. I also potted my tulip and hyacinth bulbs. This oughta give me something to look forward to. The only thing missing is the perfect pumpkin! Here’s an inspiration photo:
Speaking of stewing. Since I didn’t focus much on today’s lecture…distracted by my lack of money, I needed to do a TON of self-study. Instead of slaving over dinner, I threw together a simple pot roast. Totally appropriate for the lovely Fall weather we’re having, and totally appropriate for today’s level of frustration.
Stewin’ Pot Roast:
1.5 lb. Beef Roast
2 tbsp. Tomato Paste
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 can Rotel Tomatoes
3 cups frozen peas
1.5 cups of Chicken Stock
Season beef with salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
Heat about 2 tbsp. of olive oil in a Dutch Oven.
Sear beef on both sides. Don’t over do it. Just make a nice brown crust. Remove from pan and set aside.
Sautee onions and garlic until softened. Add tomato paste and chicken stock. Be sure to scrape the drippings from seared beef and stir.
Add Rotel tomatoes and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Finally rest the beef on top of tomatoes. Spoon broth onto beef.
Cover pan and reduce heat to simmer, slowly for 3 hours.
Add peas 10 minutes before serving.
Enjoy!
THF
