Aah…It never gets old, that pure exuberance of being a student again. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been denied an academic environment for three years. Or perhaps it’s just because I’m such a nerd. But I really, really relish the mere ability to be a student.
This thrill comes from such simple pleasures—walking across the campus in the early morning in long, hurried strides, sipping from a carry-mug of strong coffee, and dodging the cyclists zooming pass in all directions. Smiling and waving at familiar faces, taking notes during lectures, and listening to the clicks of pens and tapping of keyboards in the background while the professor drones on and on for two hours.
I can’t explain it. But it’s these small things that really makes me happy, and strangely proud of be a student. You know what I mean? It’s that sense of belonging. After practically being a hermit for several years, I have learned never to take that feeling of belonging for granted.
Remember my New Year prayer topic to find at least ONE reason to give thanks to God every night? Well, tonight, I give thanks to God for letting me belong. I thank God that I belong to this school. I thank God that I have a social group I belong to wherever I go. I thank God that I belong to my family, who will always love me for who I am. I thank God that I belong to Him, forever and ever.
Sounds like such a simple, obvious thing to give thanks for, isn’t it? But you see, sometimes I get this pressure, this sense of need to stand out. There seems to be a natural tendency in every human being to want to be special. And because of that…we sometimes…do weird things in order to feel special.
But you know what? It’s not about doing something extraordinary that makes you special. It’s not about doing something great that makes you outstanding. Because to be special is just to…well, be. We all already are special. We have our own special appearance, our own unique backgrounds, stories, circumstances, characters, talents, and problems. No need to go out of our way to do something brilliant; you just end up looking specially…idiotic.
During the New Years sermon, my dad (the pastor) said something that really touched me: “Don’t strive to do something great. Strive to do something important.”
You don’t have to do something grandiose and striking to do something important. You can do something important by just being within that community to which you belong: Just enjoying whatever you’re doing, with a joyful and peaceful heart, is important. Just smiling at your neighbor, or kissing your mom on the cheek, is important.
A person, who smiles and is happy and delightful to everyone in her own “mediocre” life? Well, that to me is a truly special someone, don’t you think? 
And of course, you know I’m gonna tie this somehow to food. You know what belongs to each other? Eggs and potatoes. The classic American breakfast, isn’t it? I’ll bet you can find scrambled eggs and hash potatoes in every breakfast menu. So what makes one dish special from the same dish at another restaurant?
The way they are prepared, of course. Eggs and potatoes may be the same primary ingredients, but there are so many other factors that inputs its unique flavor into the dish: the seasonings. The quality of the ingredients. The technique. The love and care of the cook. They’re all small, subtle factors, but they all add up to impart a greater, more important purpose: to delight and feed the eater. Simple ingredients, but performs an important job, don’t they?
Anyway, here’s my take on the classic egg and potatoes:
Green eggs on Mini Potato-Gratin
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon pesto
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- oil
- 2 potatoes, sliced thinly
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/4 cup vintage white cheddar Cabot Cheese
- 2 slices of tomatoes
- chopped basil
Beat the eggs together with the pesto and heavy cream. On a pan under low-heat, pour in a bit of oil. Then pour in the pesto-eggs, and stir under low-heat gently, scrambling until cooked but creamy.
Meanwhile, layer the potatoes over a skillet. Cover and cook the skillet under medium heat for a few minutes until the potatoes are half-way cooked through: 
Sprinkle on the cheese: 
And then pour in 2 tablespoons heavy cream: 
Put the skillet in a 375 degree oven and roast until the potatoes are cooked through and the cheese is nicely toasted: 
Gently slide the mini potato gratin onto a serving dish. Top with the tomato, then the scrambled green eggs and then sprinkle with basil. 
Heh. I think it looked grand. The eggs didn’t turn out as green as I hoped, but I was overall satisfied with the results. The taste is all that matters anyway! 
It was delicious. Loved the creaminess of the scrambled eggs and the pesto really jazzed it up. 
I used this pesto, which I procured from the Foodbuzz Festival swag bag: 
The star of the dish was definitely the potatoes, though. Crisp, cheesy, creamy…Soooo good! 
Next time, I’ll try it with a runny egg on top. Mmm….
Question of the day: Do you feel like you belong? In what ways do you think you are special within your own community?
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This is such an uplifting post, I’m really glad you shared it…and I love that quote by your dad!
Oooh, crispy/cheesy potatoes with eggs…it doesn’t get any better than this!
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favorite part of this whole post?
“Next time, I’ll try it with a runny egg on top. Mmm…. ”
YOU sophia, are my fellow runny egg loving friend.
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If you want to make the eggs green, maybe you could poach them in boiling water with some pesto? maybe that would add the color? Because I saw on a show once they poached the eggs in red wine I believe and they came out purple!!
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i really miss being a student, i remember feeling the same way when i went to class. those eggs, my gosh those eggs! they look amazing!
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WOW! I want that NOW for dinner (or for breakfast or for lunch)! Potatoes and eggs are the best together and especially if you top them with cheese
Have you ever eaten a potato and egg sub? People think they are weird but I think they’re the best! Your recipe is incredible and looks beautiful. I love the torn basil on top!
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I have the same feelings about loving being a student! I love walking the walls of the university with my coffee, and attending class – although I HATE homework
I am glad to have my first semester off, but I feel the itch a little bit to get back … it’s sick!
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Fabulous, uplifting post….people definitely need to feel as though they belong to a particular group.
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You always write the most thought-provoking posts.
As usual, good work!
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Your dad is a smart man! Beautiful words.
That dinner looks so similar to my Breakfast Bowls that I make! And I never knew that green eggs were made with pesto. I put pesto in my eggs all the time and I didn’t even know I was channeling my inner Dr. Seuess.
Much love to you always my dear.
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Your words are always so uplifting and positive. I am so happy to be back to my computer so I can read your wonderful blog, Sophia. I am saying this genuinely, too.
You are such a role model to me!
I must say that I LOVE the new look of your blog and the pictures in this post look extra colorful!
And I do not feel like I belong in my community actually. Despite this, I try to play my part and that includes smiling at people when I can, helping someone with their bags… those little ways to bring everyone together.
The people where I live are just not very friendly or giving. its a tad sad.
Anywho, take care!
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looks SO good what a crazy combo of flavors!! I do love the community in which I live and you ar etoatlly right that you can stand out and be something SPECIAL even if it the smallest thing!
now back to the potatoes…do you have leftovers
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What a beautifully written post! I really like what your pastor said about doing something important. That really made me think!!
Great dish! Those potatoes look amazing!
<3 jess
xoxo
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Great post, Sophia! I completely agree about sometimes feeling a “need” to stick out. When I was younger I felt really bad because I was never “the best” violinist and I felt like I wasn’t really good at anything. Now that I’m older, and at a much healthier point mentally (and physically!) I have come to appreciate that I am making a difference in my students’ lives; even though I’m still not “the best” violinist out there, I know that this is what I want to be doing. Same thing as far as my friends are concerned: I want to be the best, most caring, genuine and sincere friend, and not just the most popular.
By the way, your creation looks delicious!
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Awww, your papa bear!! I loved this post and can relate in many ways : )
…and it does look grand, Sophia : )
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I’m definitely a learning nerd, too.
As much as I don’t enjoy taking tests, etc, I do love the learning process.
I think it’s hard for me to say I definitely belong within the dietetic internship community or even the nutrition community. I’m always thinking outside the box and doing things a bit differently.
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mmmm those potatoes look perfect
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Love the recipe, but love the story even more! Glad you’re having so much fun being back in school!
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Lovely post. And your dish is making my mouth water with all those gorgeous potato slices! Wish I had it for breakfast tomorrow – yum!
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Now that darling is a motto I can live by!!!!
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Your post really got me chomping at the bit to go back to school. I need the challenge so desperately, and Fall 2010 cannot get here soon enough! Thank you for the added inspiration.
Also, thank you for the delicious pesto-potato recipe! Thank looks wonderful!
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I love being back in school again! That feeling of belonging is huge. I don’t think we are thankful enough for that feeling until we no longer have it, so its really nice that you are giving thanks for something that is so simple, yet so essential for each one of us.
I love your eggs and potatoes too
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Girl, you have so much wisdom to share.
I’m looking forward to starting school next week too. There’s something about getting back into the routine of homework, studying, and lectures. Sometimes I complain about it, but I love it all at the same time.
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You have a lot of strength. Not sure how. But it is amazing to read…to “see”.
I hear you on the “belonging”…I think that is the difficulty of my life stage (lengthy) right now. I used to identify as a runner…and for the last year more it is not possible. I cannot identify as a workingprofesional, anything. Nothing. I keep reminding myself that I must first conquer the beginning steps before I can “do” what I want to.
You seem to be doing well. I am glad fo you.
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I loved this post Sof! Its so heartfelt and beautiful! I know the feeling when you just wake up and feel so blessed in every aspect of your life. Like something as simple as going to school to give you that pep and appreciate where your life has taken you.
I say enjoy every minute of it because life is short. I am sitting at my desk in my office feeling content with where i have been… and i hope you continue to feel blessed.
I thank god for the soreness in my body because I can MOVE my body!
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Love potato gratin. Yours look wonderful Sophia!
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Ok – anything with potatoes is yummy in my book – green eggs or no. Love the lead-in “story” as well. Such a grateful, loving comment.
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Love that quote of your Dad’s! I miss college, so reading your words makes me wanna go back, at least for a class or two.
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I NEVER cooked that well when I was a student and I’m regretting it now! Your creation today looks fantastic
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That looks drool-worthy…
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Every things better with pesto. A delicious looking recipe. Happy Wednesday!
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Very inspiring and very true post! You have a gift for uplifting peole.
The potaotes look so perfectly cooked!
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Wow.. what a great post! I definitely feel like a sense of belonging is super important wherever you are- especially at a school. Feeling like you belong (like you said) can so easily be taken for granted but is so essential… I love your New Years goal to thank God every day- another thing we take for granted- all the great things we have that God has given us
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Speaking of not necessarily grand but always special in how simply good they are together, eggs and potatoes! Perfect pairing. The eggs with pesto look fantastic!
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D’lish green eggs and au gratin potatoes.
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You sound like such a happy student. Only you Sophia, can take a simple dish like eggs and potatoes and make it spectacular. I think you have really learned to appreciate the simple pleasures of life. Now give me a bite plezzzzzzzzzzzze
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wow those potatoes look great!
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Wow, you really are a cook. In my daily life, I can’t handle making anything that requires more than a few steps – and most preferably, no quantities please. =D (Lazy, slothful food-lover that I am…)
It’s always so inspiring to read how you are journeying into this scary world of finding out who you are. And yes, there really is just something unique about being at peace and feeling at home with a group of people. For me personally, I feel most at home when I am with my fellows brothers and sisters in Christ.
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what an uplifting post. and your pictures are beautiful. You make me miss being at college! Although i can honestly say that I feel like I belong in the phase of life I’m in right now…and you reminded me to thank God for it.
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I think it would have been freaky if your eggs were seriously green anyway! I’m having visions of Dr. Seuss…and a wocket in my pocket or some such nonsense!
You’re a really great writer, ma’am.
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Thanks for your encouraging comment!
I love this part of your post: “Because to be special is just to…well, be. We all already are special. We have our own special appearance, our own unique backgrounds, stories, circumstances, characters, talents, and problems. No need to go out of our way to do something brilliant; you just end up looking specially…idiotic.”
This is something I definitely need to remember. I like your dad’s quote, too.
Your photos of food look amazing, too, by the way!
-Kylee
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I agree with belonging to a school. I also love the feeling of being in a classroom and on a campus, but maybe its the nerd in me too! Is it weird I’m excited for my last semester in grad school to start? hahaha
Love your potatoes and eggs! The only time I eat them together is usually at a diner in the form of an omelette and homefries. I bet the cheese really puts it over the top though!
P.S. I think I fixed the comments issue on my blog… I changed the settings to allow anyone to post comments, so you should be able to post with your domain name now. Let me know if it still doesn’t work!
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Hi Sophia,
I used to read your posts via Google reader but today there is an error message when I click to read the details, it reads
‘There has been an error of some kind. Ack!’
Enjoyed reading your post as usual.
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I feel like college is really one of the best places to really feel like you belong and are a part of something. You are surrounded by people your own age who share your exact interests. Until you end up in a retirement community, I don’t think this happens at any other point in life!
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My dear, this is such a beautiful, meaningful post. Confidence and self-acceptance is so critical to truly belonging and contributing to a community. I think a huge part of growing up is feeling comfortable in one’s own skin and judging others less.
I feel like I belong with my co-workers and a community service organization, but not so much with my husband’s co-workers and that’s ok. Some people aren’t meant to click, but that doesn’t mean I have to dislike them, as I would’ve in my younger days. We are all together in this human experience and making the best of it the best we know how
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I feel that anxiety whenever I start something new. It takes awhile for me to find my footing.
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Oh, those look so good! Nothing beats a good potato dish, especially a warm and comforting one in the middle of winter.
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I think that is a fabulous quote: “Don’t strive to do something great. Strive to do something important.” Thanks for sharing it.
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This is a nice design. Where did you get the theme from? I’m looking for a similar design for my blog.
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