Disappointment and discouragement

Today I received a rejection email from one of the grad schools I applied to. It was so very disheartening. I still have one chance. Honestly though I don't think I'll get in there either. I think they most likely get even more applicants. This means I really have to reconsider my life plan.
I could always reapply next year, but I would be turning 28 when I started if I got in next year. Starting a 4-5 year procedure at 28? I don't know. If I did all of that, I would want to work in the field for a few years before taking time off to have kids. Do I really want to do that?
I already feel like I've had my entire life on hold while going to college. The constant stress and worry about how I'll pay my bills, how I'll survive this month, constant exhaustion from school and work. I feel like I've just been working toward this goal of being finished and starting a real life. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever have that real life. What if I'm always working towards this "real life" that doesn't even exist?
Honestly I have to say I just feel completely discouraged. I don't really know what to do next.
I will most likely look for a real job following the bachelor degree that I should be receiving this summer. However, in this job market, is there really anything? I just want a solid salaried job, where I know how much I will be making every month, and it's enough. I'm tired of feeling like I am constantly scrambling and on the loosing end. I want to get to the point where we can consider the idea of kids. But how are you supposed to get there with overwhelming educational debt and little to no job prospects?
Maybe tomorrow will look different, but as of today I feel defeated.

Kung Pow Chicken

Today I made kung pow chicken (also known as gong bao ji ding in Chinese I believe) for dinner. Partially because I love to cook, and partially because I was avoiding reading my textbook. haha I thought I'd just share some pictures and the recipe.

So here is my recipe:

Marinade:

1 lb chicken 

2 T cornstarch 

2 T soysauce 

2 T wine (white)

1 eggwhite

Beat cornstarch into liquids, then add egg white, then meat

Marinate meat for 20 min before cooking

Heat oil to smoking

Throw in 15-20 deseeded red peppers (hot peppers)

Add marinated meat

2 ‘’ peeled and grated Ginger

2 – 4 Green onions

And ½ - 1 c almonds

Add sauce:

2 T wine (white)

2 T soy sauce

1 T rice vinegar

2 t sugar

2 t cornstarch

1 T sesame oil (toasted sesame oil)

Here's what your chicken will look like in the marinade:

Make sure you have rice ready! I prefer jasmine rice, and then I boil and cook it like pasta, instead of the cooking technique more common in the US. I tend to feel like the rice has a better texture my way. Otherwise it's often one big sticky glob.

Also make sure you have your ginger ready and on the side:

Have your sauce prepared and ready in a bowl too:

Don't you love my adorable rainbow whisk?

It really is best to cook the meat in a wok, otherwise it has a tendency to be greasy since you don't need nearly as much oil if cooking with a wok:

Serve next to the rice or on top of it, depending on your preference:

See how the rice is light and not all clumped together? 

You may also notice, that my dish does not have the green onions in it. That's because I am pretty allergic to onions and get really sick if I eat anything in that family.