Easter Eve

I am so thankful that it's the weekend.

I had grand plans today, including a ten-mile run. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. However, I did get a lot of other stuff accomplished.

I woke up super early (7:00 or so) and headed to the grocery store to pick up some meat for tonight. I tried to grab it last night, but unfortunately the butcher had already left, and they didn't have any beef short ribs cut and ready to go. So, this morning started with a trip to Dahl's.

When I got home, I immediately started prepping the meat and the sauce to throw in the crock pot since it needed to cook for 9-11 hours. As soon as that started simmering away, I cooked breakfast and enjoyed it at the table with a special someone:

Who else would I be having breakfast with, y'all? The "special someone" was a little girl kitty. Don't get your hopes up.

While I was eating breakfast, Katie texted and asked if I wanted to run errands with her. Since I needed to pick up a few things for my trip (and since Old Navy was having a killer sale), I decided to postpone my planned run and head out west with her.

First, we stopped at Old Navy, and I picked up a strapless linen dress, a casual black dress, workout capris, a workout top, a cross-body purse (but in a red color), and a work shirt (that looks a lot cuter on me than it does in this picture). While I spent more money than the $0 I anticipated on spending, I did not buy anything too frivolous and am really pleased with my purchases.

Second, we stopped at Trader Joe's. I didn't need a whole lot of groceries since I'm heading out of town, but I did pick up some apples and almond butter to take with me to Atlanta, some blueberries and mango slices, and some coconut milk to have on reserve.

Finally, we stopped at Target where we farted around for far too long. I got a few necessities, such as deodorant and fuel for long runs (i.e. baby food pouches), but I also picked up some splurges: a pair of black flip-flops and a maxi dress (with the excuse of well, I have a plane ride this week, so I need the dress). It doesn't necessarily look like it online, but the dress is actually very flattering.

All of our shopping and wandering around had us quite famished, so we stopped at Star Bar for lunch prior to heading our separate ways.

When I got home, I worked on some blog entries for this week since I will not be in town to write. Get excited for those.

Around 5:00, it was time to start getting ready to head over to Katie's for Shaw's birthday dinner. I, of course, had to wear one of my brand-new outfits:

Dress: Old Navy; Shoes: DSW; Necklace: Hot Mama;
Earrings, Ring, and Bracelets: Express

I'm pretty pleased with how the look turned out. I do, however, need to get the top of the dress taken in just a smidge: it's a little big (surprisingly) in the boob-age area.

The party was super fun: it was me, Katie, Katie's special friend, Shaw and his two daughters (Kate and Natalie), Beth, and Tony (formerly known as The Boy). We ate some delicious food, watched silly YouTube videos, and then caught the season premiere of Orphan Black, a show that I am going to start watching from the beginning so that I can participate in discussions with my friends.

It was a good night with great people. I do have to say, however, that I am a bit down tonight. And what makes me even sadder is that my "being down" has to do with stupid boys. (Seriously, I embarrassed that I give men that "power" to make me feel crappy. I am a strong, independent woman. Ugh.)

• Boy 1: I'm annoyed that he said he wanted to be friends with me yet does not initiate contact with me, does not respond to questions regarding whether or not he is attending an event so that I know how much food to buy, and just acts differently when we hang out.
• Boy 2: I'm annoyed that he bailed on a commitment with very short notice, and I'm annoyed that he responded in an utterly disrespectful manner when I called him out on leaving six other people high and dry.
• Boy 3: I'm annoyed that in a text conversation last weekend he told me that he missed me and that he had been talking with his parents about me but then that he has not communicated with me (or responded to my two attempts at communication) since Wednesday.

I guess I'm just frustrated and upset with the male species as a whole.

It's about time I found a quality partner, someone who treats me well and who has my best interests at heart. If anyone has any idea where I can find someone who fits those characteristics (and is also single, smart, funny, motivated, and semi-attractive), please let me know.

It's about time for me to log off, though, as I have big plans for tomorrow and need a good night's sleep: ten miles are on the calendar, y'all (as is laundry, packing, and grading). Yikes.

Breakfast:

Today I had a carb-heavy breakfast because I thought I was going for a run. Oops. I mixed one sweet potato with a jalapeno, mushrooms, avocado, salsa, and two eggs. I made a small strawberry-blackberry salad for a side.

Lunch:

I had my most recent "usual" from Star Bar today: the sesame-crusted tuna salad. Honestly, I ordered this as a bit of a "test." This is the meal I ate right before having the most awful allergic reaction yet on Wednesday.

The test was a complete and utter failure, however, as I had absolutely no reaction whatsoever. (It's a scientific failure but a social success, as I did not have to take Benadryl and/or hydroxyzine in the middle of the day.)

Dinner:

Katie and I both made Korean Short Ribs (we needed two crock pots for the number of people that we had at the party). Katie also made a pear-celery slaw and some pickled cucumbers, radishes, and red onions. We then put everything together into tacos and/or lettuce wraps. I also made some spicy green beans for a side.

It was so good. We made nearly ten pounds of ribs for eight people -- and had zero leftovers.

Katie also made a cheesecake with a chocolate crust and raspberry sauce. I had a very small piece, and it was absolutely divine. It was so, so sweet -- ridiculously sweet after not having had sugar for quite a long time.


What did y'all do on this beautiful Easter Eve?

I Turned Old

Today is my 27th birthday.  I used to love birthdays: the parties, the gifts, being the center of attention, all of it.  But as I have gotten older, they don't really seem to phase me anymore.  Of course I love the girls' nights out and the thoughtful sentiments; I just don't like getting older, especially without achieving some of the goals that I had mapped out for myself.

But this year - my 27th - will be different.  I have decided to take matters into my own hands: I will set goals for myself that I will actually achieve.  And all of you, my dear friends (ok, my mom, probably the only person who will read this), are along for the ride: I suck at follow-through and really need some accountability.

So, if I mess this up and start slacking, get on me.

Here are my goals for 27:

• Eat good, healthy meals: When I was doing Farrell's hardcore, I really stuck to their diet.  Essentially, I drank nothing but water and ate six meals of 30 grams of carbs, 15 grams of protein, and one serving of vegetables every 2-3 hours.  I had one free day a week where none of this mattered, and I could eat whatever the heck I wanted.  With this diet and the amazing exercise program, I lost 13 inches in ten weeks.  And promptly gained it all back as soon as the contest ended and I started slacking.  Starting tomorrow (because hey, today is my birthday), I will be blogging my meals - which means I can't cheat.
• Lose 30 pounds: I have more than 30 pounds to lose, but I think that in 365 days, this is definitely an achievable goal.  However, I have never been one to look at weight as a number - more of a "my clothes still fit" kind of thing - so I am hoping this is not an unrealistic goal for me.
• Work out at least five days a week: I love riding my bike, I love yoga, and I just joined the YMCA, so this should be no problem for me - especially when school starts, and I'm back in a routine.
• Only drink once a week: Drinking is such a social activity in my circle of friends: trivia on Tuesday, volleyball on Wednesday, a glass of wine with dinner, bar hopping on weekends.  However, it is something that my body does not need more than once a week: I feel better when I don't drink, I have more energy when I don't drink, I get more done when I don't drink, etc.  I also suck when it comes to peer pressure.  But, I can do it.
• Drink more water: My goal is to drink 64 ounces (two Nalgene bottles) of water a day.  This should be a piece of cake.  In addition to water, I chug Kool-Aid like it's going out of style.
• Take a mulit-vitamin every day: I hate taking medicine, especially when it feels like I'm choking down a horse pill.  My parents used to buy me huge bottles of multi-vitamins that would sit in my closet for years after their expiration date because I refused to swallow them.  And then...I discovered these: they taste like gummy bears.  Goal: accomplished.
• Do yoga at least once a week: Yoga makes me feel strong and is so calming.  I have been doing yoga for about two months, and when I had to miss last week, I really felt it.  Now that I am a member at the Y, I have no excuses to miss yoga and can hopefully do it more than once a week.
• Ride RAGBRAI: I love my bike, and I love riding.  It makes me feel so young (wheeeee!) and so strong (these legs can pedal up some steep hills).  The current plan is to ride across Iowa with my mom, my aunt, and some of my amazing friends.  I have a lot of training to do first.
• Actually follow a budget: First, I am going to need a road bike in order to ride RAGBRAI, and since they are not cheap, I am going to need to save money.  Plus, I think a new car is in the works in the near future, so I need to be less frivolous with my earnings.
• Read one book a month for ME: Especially during the school year, I get so bogged down with texts I am teaching that I neglect reading for my own pleasure.  I have shelves full of books that I want to read, so I really hope I can stick with this goal!
• Become more spiritual: This does not mean that I will be going to church every Sunday; instead, it means more meditation and conscious gratitude for all of the good things in my life.  I understand this is a horrible goal because it is not measurable in the least, but I will know if I am accomplishing it.
• Blog once a day: Remember, I need accountability in order to be successful.
• Be happy: This one is going to be the easiest: I have a great life!

This is an e-card that one of my best friends sent me today.  Enjoy!