Gotta Keep Your Head Up

I'm always looking for a new song to rock out to, or in this case, bob my head to.

I stumbled across Andy Grammer like any good 21st century person, through a friend's posting on Facebook.

He only has this song released currently. and right now, you can make your own interactive video of the song on his website.  It's pretty fun.

To be honest, I've gone through it a few times trying out different options.  It kind of reminds me of those choose your adventure books I read as kids.  Know what I'm talking about?

Anyways, here's one of the versions I came up with:

Ten on Tuesday: Let's talk about food.

First of all, I wrote this last night pre-101 degree temperature and bouts of vomiting.  (Probably TMI...sorry!)

So that whole working 10 straight hours thing didn't happen.  I feel bad because we are stretched so thin at work right now, but there was no way I would be able to function.

I was actually going to try to go until a sip of water sent me back to bathroom.  Ugh.

On that lovely note, on a day when saltines and 7-Up are an accomplishment, here's what I have to say about food today.

Join today's Ten on Tuesday over at Roots and Rings!


1. What is a food that you never thought you would try, but then tried and liked?
Recently I've eaten raw oysters and seaweed salad, and loved them both.  I also renewed my love for sweet potatoes.

2. Do you subscribe to any foodie publications? If so, which ones? 
I don't at the moment, although I do read quite a few blogs.  I am not much of a magazine subscriber, but hope to change that some day.  I love all the pretty pictures.

3. What ingredient do you find yourself reaching for the most when you cook?
I pretty love to make anything that involved heavy cream or cheese, which is not so good for my arteries, but I can't seem to stop myself.  Alfredo sauce, mac n' cheese, pollo a la crema, cauliflower soup...the list goes on and on.

4. Are there any foods that you hated as a child, but then learned to like as an adult?
Not really.  As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate foods that I didn't even know about as a child.  But I've never been a picky eater.  There are just a few items that I stay away from (*cough* hot dogs *cough*).

5. What do you like to eat that others may consider weird?
Hmmm...I don't know if others consider my habits weird or not.  Let's see, I like to dip pepperoni pizza in ranch sauce and I love peanut butter or cheese with apples.  Those things don't really seem weird though.

6. What is the weirdest ingredient you've ever cooked with?
I don't think I've cooked with anything very weird.  I did just recently become fascinated with quinoa.  I don't think that counts as weird though.

7. Do you have any major food allergies?
No!  Which I am very thankful about.

8. Is there an ingredient that you would like to cook with, but are intimidated to try?
Oh gosh, there are many ingredients that are beyond my capabilities.  I've never really used meats beyond chicken and beef, plus a couple seafood items.  And I wish I knew more about spices so I could just randomly know exactly what to add to get the flavor I want.

9. Do you bake?
I love baking.  Cookies, cakes, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, bread, coffee cakes...in a word yes.

10. If you could go on any "foodie" show to compete, which one would it be, and why?
I'd rather pick a foodie show to go on and eat the food.  I don't consider myself skilled enough to actually compete.  That said, Iron Chef America fascinates me, but I'd rather do one where I'm teamed with an Iron Chef, rather than against.  I work better in teams (a.k.a. I'd get my butt kicked otherwise).

Back to Work after Sunday Funday

I ended my spring break with a bang.  Meaning with a lot of delicious wine and food.

I met up with Sarah (who has a great round up of the event on her blog) and her friend Fouzia Sunday to head south.  We wanted to get into the city before the big event, Taste Washington.

We ended up visiting the restaurant Le Pichet right by Pike's Place market.  It was a cute little French cafe where we sipped wine and stuffed our faces with cheese, quiche, fries, meats, olives, and lots of bread.  Not only was it delicious, but we made some great friends with our neighbors.

Our only regret was that we ate so much before our next stop.

After a quick stop by a store across the street (and a couple more treats from the owner), we caught a cab to Qwest event center for Taste Washington.

If you like wine, food, or both this is definitely an event you should attend.  There were 200 wineries, 60+ restaurants, and 3 hours to consume as much as possible.

I am not a wine connoisseur but I feel a little more knowledgable, or at least exposed, now.  I had (off the top of my head) sparkling red, sparkling brut, and cider, reds such as malbec, syrah, pinot noir, whites including chardonnay, pinot grigio, and much, much more.

Then there was the food: an entire oyster bar, multiple smoked salmon options, sliders, BBQ beef, halibut tacos, and cous cous to name a few.  There were also sweets including cupcakes (which we missed out on) and many different handmade chocolates.

Towards the end of the event, Sarah and I met up with Stevie, whose blog I have followed for a while but had never met in real life.  She was/is awesome and I can't wait to hang out with her again.

It was amazing!  I can't even tell you how much fun I had.  It was also the perfect ending to my break.

And my break is definitely over.  This quarter we have more students and fewer transcribers so our schedules are a little crazy.  Our boss actually had to remind us we couldn't work more than 40 hours a week, which has never really been an issue in the past.

The good news is that I'll be able to save up some good moolah for grad school.  I'll be working a lot and won't have a lot of free time.

I also realized that I have something to do every weekend between now and mid-May.  And I'm supposed to be mowing lawns with my dad.  This could get interesting.  I'm already feeling a bit overwhelmed.

I head back to work with a vengeance tomorrow.  I'll be typing in class from 10am to 8pm straight.  So excuse me while I put together a picnic basket.  I want to be prepared.

Awkward and Awesome: Sponsored by Spring Break

I'm keeping this one short and sweet, mostly because I'm running out of Thursday to actually complete it.  Thank goodness I live on the west coast.

Awkward:
- Not being sure of the last time I wore jeans.  It might've been Tuesday when I took the dog to the vet.  Maybe.
- Somehow pulling/over working the muscles in the middle of my back.  Weirdly, the pain started yesterday evening, a day I took off.  I'm hoping it's a short-term issue, obviously, since I lifted again today.
- The number of times UPS has been by our house recently.  I have a problem, which I already admitted.  (I'm so smart, S-M-R-T.)
- How much I sweat.  I'm not one of the sparkly, glistening, shimmery girls (or however that phrase goes).

Awesome:
- An updated hair do.  Mostly just the color.  I'm back to a vibrant auburn-red.  After this though, I think I'm headed back to brown.  The upkeep (a.k.a. cost) is a killer.
- The multiple trips I'm getting out of my last week at the gym.  And I feel in better shape already.  Now I just need to sustain this at home.
- My alma mater, the Cougs, making it to Madison Square Garden for the NIT semifinals.  I know it's the junior varsity tournament, but they are still playing in March and have the easier match up.  And only three of them have been charged for marijuana-related offenses.  Winning!
- The number of sweatshirts and sweatpants I have.  Even if I'm not really getting dressed every day, at least I'm not wearing the exact same thing.
- Getting my pay check and my tax return tomorrow.
- Sunshine.  Vitamin D does a body good.

A Few Weeks Off

I've been work free since Wednesday, March 9, except for a short stint last weekend at graduation.

And it's been lovely, except for the lack of income and all the free time spent browsing and buying online.

My sleep schedule has also been completely thrown out of whack.  Many mornings I'm not awake until after 10am.  This is all well and good now, but I have a feeling it will make for a rough first week back next week.

The past two weeks have been deliciously relaxing (read: lazy), though I have been working hard to get to the gym.  I only got a quarter-long membership so I only have until Sunday to get my fill in.

I don't plan on re-upping for spring quarter.  Between increased work hours and the start of the lawn mowing season, I don't think I'll have the time to get many work outs in.

I do hope, however, to continue running.  I have plans for a few races through the spring and summer, with the end goal being a 7 miler in July with my cousin.  And since I can't really run 7 miles right now, I probably need to prepare.

I have a few plans for my last few days of freedom, the most exciting being Taste Washington this weekend.  It's a wine/food tasting of local businesses and to make it even better, I'm meeting up with some blog friends for it.

Even for all my laziness, this break has been great.  I found out I will get a raise at work and some good friends are moving back to the area from North Carolina.  I was in their wedding 4 years ago and can't wait to see them more often.

Lastly, the weather the past few days has been amazing.  Today it was so nice, my mom and I sat outside and read.  Of course, it's supposed to rain off and on for the next week, but that's pretty much spring in this area for you.

For now, I'm getting back to some college basketball.  My alma mater is in a close game in the NIT.  A win will send them on to Madison Square Garden.  Go Cougs!

An Addiction (that won't stop)

After taking February off from shopping while participating in 30-for-30, I've hit the stores (mostly online) with a vengeance this month.

Shoes, as usual, have been calling my name.

First came these cowboy boots.  Ariat came up on Rue La La.  I showed my cousin, only serving to enable us both.  Now we're going to be boot twins.

Next, I was looking at a list of 10 "unknown" shoe brands and came across Chelsea Crew shoes at Lulu*s.

After some (unnecessary) encouragement from my mom, I selected these lovely pumps.  And to make myself feel a little less guilty, I am getting rid of my current red heels.  It's not about more, it's about more beautiful.

My brother's birthday was yesterday and I also got him shoes.  I had actually gone to the mall with an idea in mind.  Unfortunately his size-14 feet limited my options.

Then I signed up for Amazon Student (thanks, grad school), which included free 2-day shipping, and picked out these babies.  He loved them, I loved them, everybody wins.

Finally, (yes, I was out of control. thank you for noticing) I saw shoes on sale on Amazon from my favorite brand, Seychelles, and snatched them up.

I had stopped myself from buying a different pair from Nordstrom that was also on sale and still regret it even if my wallet doesn't.

Needless to say, it's probably time to take a break from shopping.  The only thing in my favor, besides really great taste in shoes (if I do say so myself) is the fact that I am actually getting rid of shoes as these come in.

That must count for something.

Also, some of the improvement in our economy can probably be attributed to my addiction.

Somebody got a haircut.

And it wasn't me.

Actually I did, though it was more of a trim.  But I don't have any pictures my before and after.

On the other hand I do have photographic proof of our springer spaniel, Jamaica.  She got an all-over buzz cut and looks very puppy like now.

She is also much less prone to carry in twigs from outside.

Before on the left; After on the right.

Notice her cute little shamrock neckerchief.  Maica was all dressed up for St. Patty's Day.