The Day of Three Desserts

Ten on Tuesday didn't happen.  I had semi-started the post Monday night (meaning I copied the questions), but stalled and put it off for the next day.

But Tuesday got crazy on me.

My dad and I got a Christmas tree. We trimmed it and put it up.  I worked on organizing my life a little.  Ran some errands.  Met a friend for a warm beverage and the most beautiful walk by the bay and through a little section of town I love (that might have involved a gingerbread cream cheese frosting cupcake).

Then it was time to meet another friend for dessert (can you see a trend here?).  I had chocolate peanut butter cake with a local amber ale.  We decided it might be good to have real food too, and stopped by the oyster bar for some eats.  Our snack ended with dessert on the house.  Because that's what I really needed.  But man, the peppermint panna cotta with lemon honey gel was really delicious.

My dad picked me up downtown and we headed to watch a high school basketball game.  When we stopped for milk afterwards, we decided to pick up the movie The Help too.  I finished knitting a cowl while watching the movie.

Then it was Wednesday.  Ack!

I have more errands and catching up with friends to do tomorrow.  And I still haven't hung any of my ornaments on the tree yet either.  And I have presents to make.  Oh well, there's plenty of time.  Right?

P.S. Happy Hanukkah to everyone who started their celebrations this week!

Candy Cane Lane

This evening, after having dinner with friends, I suggested a visit to Candy Cane Lane.  It's a place I've visited throughout my life and I pretty much equate it with the Christmas season.

(Note to my readers, if you don't like Christmas, Christmas lights, or the Christmas spirit. you should probably just stop reading.)

There was a huge line up to enter Candy Cane Lane.  After waiting in the car for a block (which probably took 15 minutes), we decided to park and walk.  The weather was unseasonably warm (46 degrees!) and we had an unobstructed view!

Here's what we enjoyed:

 Headed into Candy Cane Lane

 This house was so adorable. But we wondered, can you buy strands of alternating red and white lights or did they sort them by hand?

 Each yard had the word peace in different languages, including Serbian, Tagalong, Chinese, and more.

 It's hard to see but this yard is a polar wonderland, complete with polar bears, penguins, and ice.

 Really pretty all-white decorations.

 A view back down the street.

 A blurry but beautiful tree.

This awesoeme structure actually was suspended from the power polls and circles the hedge in the middle.  Pretty intense.

Are there any neighborhoods where you live known for their decorations?

Awkward and Awesome: Freedom

Guys, I'm still alive.  I'm free.  I'm happy.  I'm glue to the TV.  For more information, just read the following...

Awkward:
- My attempt at freehand drawing snowflakes. Let's just say it didn't turn out well and leave it at that.  They'd be fine, if I were 5.
- A fan deciding to throw his beer across 20+ rows of chairs in the upper deck when it's literally freezing out.
- My electric bill still hasn't come.  It's on a 60 day billing cycle (which I didn't choose and find weird), but I was last billed for service more than two months ago.  I've been obsessively checking my account balance but nothing is happening. I even called and the automated service couldn't give me more information.  I'm still concerned.
- The hours of TV I've watched today.  Let's just say I've put in a full day's work.  And it takes commitment to accomplish that.

Awesome:
- Attending my first NFL game, on MNF, and it was a win for my team!  Also, I got a cute, warm hat.  And had delicious happy hour beforehand with friends.
- School's out for...two weeks.  But still.  I've finished one quarter of grad school.  It's exciting!
- I am completely and totally addicted to Just Dance.  My roommate got it on Black Friday and I've been a dancing fool.  (The awkward part of the story is that want to use the moves anytime one of the songs comes on.)  It's pretty much like aerobics and I'm learning some sweet moves.
- National Cupcake Day. I celebrated. That's all I'm going to say.
- My plans for the weekend: happy hour, cohort party, brunch, brunch.  I'm sure more will come up with more as I go.  I love winter break!
- Soup weather. I love soup and we've had some good stuff recently: african peanut soup, cauliflower soup, potato and ham soup, thai curry soup.  Yum!

Ten on Tuesday: FINALS, take 1

I'm typing this Monday night, after a successful venture downtown for my first MNF and live NFL experience.  We won and I had a blast with the roomie.  Plus, we got lots of walking in, so we felt justified in partaking in some deliciously fattening stadium food.

Although I couldn't really look at my BBQ meat nachos the same after reading this story in the Huffington Post earlier today.  I managed to choke them down anyways though.  I'm a champ like that.

I'm in the final stretch of school for the quarter.  As in, I'll be done in about 24-ish hours.  A presentation and a project and I'm free!!

To fill this rather large gap in posting, I thought I'd rejoin in on Ten on Tuesday for the first time in a few weeks.  Feel free to join in on the fun.

Also, if you want a Christmas card and haven't had a chance yet, go fill out my contact form.  Don't worry, I'm the only person who will see your info.

Now, on to the main event.

1. How do you eat your eggs? 
I like mine scrambled with lots of yummies mixed in (onion, pepper, potatoes, cheese, and salsa to name a few).  I also like them in eggs benedict.

2. Do you volunteer? 
The past couple years I've worked with an awesome 5k fundraiser doing some social media work.  I'd like to get more involved down here, but haven't had the time in my schedule to make it happen yet.

3. What’s your favorite brand of jeans? 
I wear Gap fairly frequently, because I know what fits and it's not ridiculously expensive.

4. What was your child’s first word? Or what was your first word? 
I don't have a child and I don't remember.

5. Can you french braid? 
Mostly my own hair, because that's how I learned.  I just can't get other people's hair as tight.

6. Do you prefer wide rule, college rule, or blank paper? 
College rule, I think.

7. Is there a specific treat do you always make during the holidays? 
Cookies, oh, and homemade hot buttered rum.  Love that stuff.

8. Do you have a KitchenAid mixer? Do you want one? 
Best invention ever.  I love my bright red mixer.

9. What kind of computer do you use? 
Mac, all the way.

10. Favorite Christmas movie?
I love Elf.  So funny.  That said, I'm not a huge Christmas movie person.  I don't know what it is.

Running Behind

You've probably noticed my absence here.  It's likely to continue intermittently until next Wednesday when I am freed from the confines of the end of the quarter.

While I'm waiting for that day (but not too antsy because I have quite a bit to get done), I thought I'd share this little post, that my roommate (CC) did just yesterday.  I liked it!

watching: A few shows from earlier this week.  I got partially caught up with New Girl, Glee, Modern Family, Bones, and The Big Bang Thory.

eating: I made delicious Thai curry tonight.  I actually ended up eating mine like a soup.

drinking: I'm drinkless at this moment, but still addicted to egg nog lattes.

wearing: New ponte knit stretch pants from banana republic.  I could live in these babies.

avoiding: Any school work today.  My mom came down for a visit, so I was busy cleaning.  That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

feeling: A little stressed and tired, excited for the break and plans with friends.

missing: Cuddling with my parents' dogs.  See ya soon Maica and Jackson.  Also, I haven't seen my cousin's baby yet and it's killing me.

thankful: a father who baked bread for my sister and I, and sent down taco seasoning with my mom.

weather: Chilly.  I love brisk winter weather.

praying: Motivation, creativity, and energy.
needing: A cup of something warm.  Winter evenings just call for it.

thinking: About future employment (as in next quarter).

loving: Quality time with my mom and roommates.  It's been lovely to be in one place for a few weeks.

Finals (Something I thought I was done with 3.5 years ago)

I've been doing quite a bit of writing recently.  Not here, obviously, but for school.  And while I've had to write some all quarter, this was the first "big" assignment.  And in terms of grad school it's really not that  big.  In fact, I won't even tell you the number of pages required.

But it's been a bit of a struggle, to take a subject I've written a couple pages here or there and turn it into a paper.  But I have citations and almost enough pages.  And I really should be working on other things.  Because one paper does not the end of the quarter make.  (That totally didn't make sense at all. I know.)

Instead, I'm making pizza dough, writing a post for this poor neglected blog, and trying to figure out how I'm going to get my sleep cycle back on track.  It was 11am this morning when my eyes opened.

It's okay if you hate me.

Also, I really should type a few videos, because bills at the end of the month won't pay themselves.  Also, have I mentioned I don't officially have a job for next quarter.

On the plus side, my roommate is making me a dirty chai right now.  I'm helping her prepare for her return to Starbucks employment.  The sacrafices I'm willing to make....

Now excuse me while I go create a website.  It should be fun.

Christmas Cards and my Address Book

A few of my favorite bloggers have given their readers a chance to receive a Christmas card. It seemed like fun and will actually motivate me to get something done. I'm ordering a limited number because I don't have billions of spare dollars, or even hundreds, so turn your info quick!