Last week was, frankly, a tornado for me. My mind was whirring with so many anxieties and zeal and flurries that I felt as if I’d been caught in the middle of a tornado. By the end of the week, my body and mind were barely functioning. My head spun like the aftermath of a rollercoaster ride, my eyes were painfully dried up, and my fingers were literally trembling. On Sunday morning, I could barely get out of bed, and slept a full 11 hours straight.
A lot of times, I overestimate the capabilities and endurance of my physical body. I get the illusion that I’m almost invincible, and that delusion feeds me a certain amount of adrenaline that keeps me persisting…until my body can take no longer and crash.
No matter how strong, how intelligent, how talented one may be, you will always be restricted by the limits of your human body and mind. And that…is incredibly humbling. And in a strange way, also oddly relieving to realize that you are not almighty. You are not a Super; you are just human. You do the best you can do, and that is enough. Leave the rest to God, who is the only one truly unrestrained by this three-dimensional, flesh-and-blood body.
I experienced this the night before my two exams. I was frantically trying to finish all the reading that I’ve missed, but at one point, my brain was so overloaded that nothing was going in. My brain was like a machine that just sparked and fizzled from overheating. Meanwhile, my body was aching from hunching at the desk, and my fingers were cramped from hours of note-taking. Together, my mind and body screamed, “STOP!!”
So I did. Despite the fact that I had my two exams the next day, I put all notes and textbooks aside, and rested (i.e, watch Hulu and read blogs!).
The next day, I got up an hour before my first exam, and tried to continue on with my studies, but my mind was not cooperating. In despair, I cried out to God: “Okay, I know it’s all my fault that I didn’t prepare well and pay attention in class…I’ve learned my lesson. But now, please…just help me out a little. At least let me know that I’m not alone, that you are with me. I’m weak, and I need you.”
And with that earnest, desperate prayer, I re-read my notes. What happened then was definitely not from my own intelligence and power, but all of a sudden, everything became clear to me. It was like God lifted the murky fog from my mind, and I began to actually assimilate all the information—not just to learn it, but understand it, and even connect and view it with the entirety of the course. It was amazing.
The exam was still freaking hard. Obviously, God wasn’t gonna make it super easy for me when I clearly did not perform my duty as a student. But from that one experience, I regained my humility: I am but a creation, a human. I also have but this one body. It’s not all-powerful, but if I treat it and utilize it well, it will serve me well.
Thankfully, I did not get sick—though allergies have hit me bad this year, and a startling amount of fluids I’ve never knew I had inside me is running out of my nose constantly. Sorry, TMI? 
My poor roommate is not faring better. She’s gotten sick, and is suffering from congestion, too. Between the two of us, we must have used up 7 boxes of tissues within a week.
How appropriate, that Celestial Seasonings just sent me some samples of their “Natural Wellness” kit: 
I was so happy to receive this seasonal tea! I gave this one to my dear roommate: And I’m drinking lots of cups of this one: I’ve already drunk a few cups of this one: But I think my favorite, besides the Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride, is this one: Don’t be envious of my lovely tea stash…Celestial Seasonings is offering one of you a $60 worth “Natural Wellness” kit, which includes all those above tea (besides the Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride) plus: Sweet deal, yes? What are you waiting for? Enter! Here’s the ways you can enter, for each entry: That’s it, folks! And one lucky winner will have all the accessories to help chase the Spring flu, allergies, yadee yadee yadah away! But let me remind you…one more thing that is awesome for preventing sickness: chicken soup. Duh. I’m so proud of myself. I actually made some seriously kick-ass chicken porridge…from scratch! Thanks to the awesome slow-cooker I received from Christina, I was able to make my own chicken stock. It’s the easiest thing ever—just chop up a bunch of vegetables (doesn’t matter what and how much), throw it into a slow-cooker with a chicken carcass, pour plenty of water over, and slow-cook for about 12-18 hours. Then strain the carcass and vegetables away, collecting all the precious chicken-juice into a container, and put it in the fridge. The next day, skim off the fat. And there you go! Pure, homemade chicken stock! I used it to make my mom’s chicken rice porridge: Mom’s Chicken Rice Porridge (Slow-Cooker) Put everything except the cooked chicken into the slow-cooker. I didn’t add measurements because it’s really all up to your own taste preference. Cook at high for about 4 hours, and then low for about 6 more hours. Before serving, stir in the cooked shredded chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Wow. Is that not the best compliment one can have? Though, I hope her mom never reads this. So here’s the Question of the Day for you: Which dish holds a lot of sentiment for you? It can be any kind of emotions, and connected with any kind of events and people.
It’s one of my favorite teas, and I swear, it’s like drinking liquid sugar cookies. Without the sugar high and crash, of course. Always a plus. 
Hopefully it will help her with her cold. Get well soon, roomie! 
It didn’t exactly whisk away my allergies, but it sure tastes really good, with a subtle, creamy vanilla flavor. 
Because I overate on nuts and my tummy was hating on me. I loved the minty, refreshing fragrance. It definitely helped my aching tummy. 
Never thought of sweetening green tea…but the hint of honey flavor in it was really soothing and delightful.
When ready to serve, ladle desired amount into a bowl. Drizzle in sesame oil and soy sauce, and top with green onions and nori. Serve! 
The best comfort bowl ever. It’s actually been scientifically proven that chicken soup really does wonders for colds. Apparently it’s because of the combination of ginger, garlic, and chicken in there. 
But I’ll bet the biggest factor for cold remedy is because it reminds you of care and love…at least, that’s the way it is for me. When I first went into refeeding after my hospitalization from anorexia, my mom made this every single day for me. At the time, I pretended that I hated it, and complained bitterly. But in truth, I relished it, because I knew my mom made it with deep affection and love. 
Each spoonful and bite really tasted like it’s been infused with my mom’s love. I’m not trying to be disgustingly sentimental here…but I really felt teary and missed my mom a lot while I ate this. 
Amazing how something so simple and plain can be stuffed with so much meaning and emotions, isn’t it? I gave a bowl of this chicken rice porridge to a friend of mine, and this is what she said, word for word: “Oh wow. This is better than my mom’s!”
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I always love the thoughtfulness of your posts. I think sometimes just reflecting on things and being patient with yourself can bring a lot of clarity, as you’ve found. I would say that the dish for me is my grandmother’s beef stew. It’s an all day dish to make and it never tastes as good as when we make it at her house.
Ohhh, I’m jealous of your teas! Pumpkin pie is sentimental to me as my family still makes my grandmother’s recipe during the holidays.
“No matter how strong, how intelligent, how talented one may be, you will always be restricted by the limits of your human body and mind. And that…is incredibly humbling. And in a strange way, also oddly relieving to realize that you are not almighty. You are not a Super; you are just human. You do the best you can do, and that is enough. Leave the rest to God, who is the only one truly unrestrained by this three-dimensional, flesh-and-blood body. ”
THIS IS THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER READ ON YOUR BLOG. Money statement, girl, absolutely MONEY!!!!!
been wanting to try some teas but i get mixed reviews of the 2934652314 kinds of tea out there!
hmmmmmmmmmm… im going to have to go with a meal from 5 Guys. i know its not homemade by any stretch, but it was my favorite place to go with my other half. we loved it there! so any burger from there holds a special place in my heart.
but guess the only other meal would be shrimp scampi- made with sun dried tomatoes, spinach, and zuchs.. FRESH! : )
you are AWESOME!!!!!! love you!!!
My mother makes a spaghetti casserole with homemade sauce, ground beef, ziti, cottage cheese and american cheese! I know it may sound awful, but it is truly the most comforting meal I could ever imagine. Such a treat when I go home and visit. Thanks Sophia!
I love custard…my mum always made it when we had dessert in our house (a very special occassion!) so it reminds me of family and togetherness
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Slow cookers are happiness.
I think any home made dish enjoyed with a loved one is the most sentiment. There is something so satisfying and refreshing making all by yourself. Going out to a restaurant is not meaningful and I think that is one reason I enjoy eating at home more. Going out is just spending money which does not require effort and love!
My mom’s rice and dal (Indian). It’s a very simple dish, but so comforting. I’m glad you took a break from studying. Sometimes that’s all you really need to do.
How you described last week is how I’m feeling this week. It’s so exhausting!
Chili for me is a very emotional food. I get so homesick everytime…my mommy’s is the best, and always 100% from scratch!
hey soph! miss you and hope yo see you on sunday! well im sure you know what my favorite emo dish is…..mac and cheese! my granma, whom i call nama makes the best mac and cheese ever. when i went to college, she made a huge “bucket” of it for me. i didnt have my mini fridge yet, so i kept it on my air conditioner so it wouldnt spoil in the heat. it stayed fresh and oh so good and lasted for about a week! so now i out my own spin on mac and cheese, but with nama always in mind!
That porridge looks AHmazing. I’m trying to think of a food that holds a lot of sentiment with me and I’m going to go with Sausage Pie. Although I don’t eat Sausage anymore my Mom used to make this every Christmas. Eventually we started spending Christmas in Mexico and other hot destinations, so no more pie
I should really look into making a vegetarian version!
Man, I know the feeling of brain overload–especially this week since I had 3 exams, one after the other. Sometimes it feels like all you can do is pray!! Glad you pulled through it. And perfect timing to get some tea, it always works wonders.
Appreciated your coverage of this interesting idea. Bookmarked and will check back for more entertaining discourse. Cheers.
Hi Sophia,
well here I am, having a few days to myself, well almost, have been having cuddles with my little granddaughter! I love food that’s cooked for hours on end..just seems to be so much more satisfying, it’s probably because when we were growing up everything took much longer..no fast food, no microwaves, no pre prepared food in the shops…if I make a fruit cake or coconut cake it always reminds me of my Nana, and the smell in the kitchen takes me back to when I was 6 yrs old, helping her mix the ingredients in her kitchen on a Sunday morning, then we’d eat the cake for tea, except I’d already pigged out on the leftovers in the bowl & invariably felt a bit squiffy all day!
Fruit Cakes are quite addictive and my mom always bake them every month.:“
Fruit Cakes are the specialty of my grandmother, she bakes lots of fruit cakes.-;~
i love those german fruit cakes because they have more nuts in it ”
fruit cakes with lots of raisins is the thing that i often much, they are great and yummy,”
I haven’t had chicken pouridge since I was a wee one. My mom used to make it quite often, she’s from Poland. I haven’t found that Americans are big on pouridge unless it’s a family thing. Oh well. This recipe looks yum. Can’t wait to try it out.
-Sonny
ioLite
rawrrRrr
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There’s nothing like being lean. In today’s America, we mustworkout more often and throw off our bad diet habits. It’s not that hard. You only need to stick to a diet program and continue until you reach your goals.
Thank you very much for sharing this with your us.
I’ve got no time for many who eat like pigs after which try to find magic pills, diets and programs. If you eat a lot of, you’ll be fat no mater what. And i am not especially slim but I do run and feel healthy, without feeling hungry all the time. Get a grip folks!
this december, fruit cakes are becoming more common in our local supermarket. i love fruit cakes ~*.
All of that CS tea looks great! I LOVE tea, but never seem to make it right/ :’(
And the chicken soup?! *steals it*
well here I am, having a few days to myself, well almost, have been having cuddles with my little granddaughter! I love food that’s cooked for hours on end..just seems to be so much more satisfying, it’s probably because when we were growing up everything took much longer..no fast food, no microwaves, no pre prepared food in the shops…if I make a fruit cake or coconut cake it always reminds me of my Nana, and the smell in the kitchen takes me back to when I was 6 yrs old, helping her mix the ingredients in her kitchen on a Sunday morning, then we’d eat the cake for tea, except I’d already pigged out on the leftovers in the bowl & invariably felt a bit squiffy all day!
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What on earth did all these political figures assume might come about to the credit ranking when these people behave much like poker players with our current economic crisis? they have functioned just like spoiled young kids and ought to be grateful they’re not swinging from lightposts due to their disgraceful actions.
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