currently : may edition

listening to The Lively Show podcast

attempting to walk a mile-a-day with Fifa, two in one day if I skip one

eating oatmeal with peaches and strawberries, thank you Ann-Marie

watching random movies on TV because all of my shows ended

anxiously awaiting the Game of Thrones episode since it didn't play this week

enjoying the sun and beach from this past Memorial Day

drinking iced coffee again from Starbucks♥

thinking about how much I don't want to start my summer class

wondering if B is going to come visit in July

loving maxi dresses this summer

happy about my parents coming back home this weekend

saving money for bills and vacations #sammyvaca

missing spending time with B

instagramming my 100 Happy Days with only 8 days left #100happydoods

reading Bossypants by Tina Fey, it's taken me a while to get through it

looking forward to beach days and happy hours outside

confusing thoughts about my roller coaster love life of indecisiveness

hoping my basil plants stay alive this time



Enjoy your weekend everyone!
xoxo

why i blog

While walking Fifa around the neighborhood last night, I was listening to episode 7 of Elise's podcast with Ann-Marie. These two are probably my top favorite bloggers and I can't even recall how I happened to stumble upon them (like most of the blogs I read), but I love reading them. After listening to it, I wondered why do I blog? What really is my incentive? And I realized..

None.

I have no hidden agenda to the reasoning of this blog, other then I really enjoy writing in it, for myself and to whomever chooses to follow along. When I was in high school I had a blog over at LiveJournal, it was the thing back then, but really it was for causing cat fights. Lame. I know. I never said I was a genius at 16.

When I began this blog, the reason for it was to document my Project Life pages for others to view, while allowing my parents, who live overseas for half the year, to be updated. My mom read it, I'm not sure if she still reads this but it has become my own little journal. My former boyfriend was also a reader and a full supporter in my journey to make this little space, as well as supporting all of my little side notes. Even after we broke up, he continued to read it, which probably was a terrible idea since I constantly vented about our break-up. Sorry about that.


But that's the thing, this is a space to vent, to share, to create something for myself.
It's what helped me through my break-up and right now, it's helping me figure out what to do in my current love life...

I share what I want to share, yet have not made a huge deal about having a blog to my friends in real life. I can't tell if it's because of embarrassment or just because I don't think they would have an interest. This space is for me and to find others who share the similar passion of just telling our stories. I'm not a mom, engaged, or have a real boyfriend, but I can relate to a lot of other people who blog. There are some blog posts that have gotten me through tough times and some that have helped my 'creativity' grow - and I enjoy it.


Blogging helps me.

It lets me write down how I'm feeling and what I'm thinking. I have a hard time getting my feelings out without sounding like a total ass. My mind goes crazy and I get anxiety from trying to think too much and say the correct thing. This helps me filter myself into what I truly want to say.

My blog pushes me to do more and it is one thing I love about it.
I love to cook and bake, I love to be crafty and although I can not do it on a consistent basis because, well life, I really like having it there when I need it. It has never crossed my mind to think hey, I want to do this professionally, it's just not my thing, but it works for me.

This little space of mine may never turn into a crazy lifestyle blog, but I will love it no matter what. I will always come back here to my little space on the Internet and click through the archives and see how much has changed over the years. I've been doing this for two years, two years! I can not believe I have been somewhat consistent over these last few years. It's wonderful in my eyes.


I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have.
For those of you who stop by and read - thank you, thank you, thank you. It does mean a lot to me and I love finding new blogs to read so, stop by, say hi and let's be friends :)

friday faves | 05

After finding Kelsey's blog [Kelsey, Especially], I have been non-stop reading random posts that I keep clicking on throughout the current post I am reading and loved her 5 Fandom Things post. So in honor of it being Friday and totally getting some inspiration from her, I will do one! Because May has been a month of cooking new recipes, I decided to do a food related topic.

01 //  If you've been reading for a little while now, you'll know I'm a vegetarian/vegan/pescetarian. More of a vegetarian, but on occasion I'll cheat with some shrimps and scallops. Why? Because I really like them and when I'm out, I have a craving for them. I eat how I want to and I don't stick to a completely strict diet of vegetarianism. I will not eat any chicken, pork, turkey, or beef. It's a decision I made nearly three years ago and have never looked back on it. 

02 //  Avocados? Yuck. I can't do it. No matter how many times I have tried to eat one and tried to enjoy it, the texture just makes me cringe and I won't take another bite. A vegetarian who doesn't like avocados? I know, so sue me.

03 //  Trader Joe's is my go-to grocery store. I love that place, especially the one near my place because the employees are super friendly too.

04 //  I drink coffee almost everyday. It's my one true addiction. 

05 //  Cooking wasn't a 'thing' for me until I became a vegetarian/vegan. Vegan baking is one of my favorite pastimes, watching other people enjoy them is more fun then eating them for me.

Now to start the long 3-day weekend (after I get off from work)!

the weekend recap

Yes, I am fully aware it is Wednesday and I am doing a recap of my weekend, which occurred almost towards the new weekend. Whatever, it's my space right?

Although my birthday was a few weeks ago, I went to Atlantic City to spend it with some friends. It has not been nearly as crazy as the past years when I have gone down there with tons of friends in tow and blaring music in the hotel room. It usually ends up with an old couple calling security on us because we are too loud at 10pm. C'mon, it's 10pm on a Saturday night - I'm ready to dance. This was a somewhat low key birthday. My friends bailed. Thanks. I was meeting some other friends down there who were celebrating a 30th birthday - kind of a big deal.

My best friend showed up with his girlfriend and we gambled for about two hours before they had to head home. Working and being an adult really does suck sometimes. I ventured off to find my other friends and the night was the kind of night you would want on your 30th birthday, as a guy. Strip clubs and alcohol. Thanks to yours truly, I am a bit of a sweet talker, I was able to get us into the strip club after we were turned down (who wears shorts when you're trying to go out dancing?). I was able to talk our way to a table, then to a table on the floor, where we picked out lap dances for the birthday boy.

Yes, this sounds sleazy and inappropriate, but it was all in good fun. It was celebrations.


But the weekend got me thinking, when is it time to grow up?
I am 27 years old, but I live in a college town, I work for a university so it's hard to seem grown up when my surroundings are the same. I guess the fact that I look like I'm still 18 doesn't exactly help my cause for grown up status. I still wear American Eagle because it's the only thing that really fits, I don't dress up for work -  I wear jeans and a t-shirt.

My friends are getting engaged, having babies, and I'm over here like hey, what bar are we going to this weekend? But I'm happy with it. I am nowhere near ready for children, I have no idea if I want children. Engaged? I can't even keep a boyfriend longer then a few months lately. Although, long distance has made it rather difficult to be with B, maybe it's because I need to get my head clear.


All I know is: I will figure this out one day and right now, my focus is on what makes me happy; not what will make others happy.

maple-glazed tofu and brussel sprouts

Hello to one of my new favorite recipe blogs: Cookie and Kate.
I don't recall how I stumble upon most of the foodie blogs I follow, but when I find a good one, I fall in love.

Being a vegetarian/vegan it is difficult to find recipes I use as my "go-to" types. I like to reuse and on occasion I make the weekly breakfast-lunch-dinner menu to make it easier on myself when I get home from a long work day. I wish my kitchen had more counter space, but that is a whole other story.

I am not a tofu fan. Why? Because I despise draining the water from it. I am terrible at it. I should just buy the tofu press but I have not indulged in it. For now, it is paper towels and heavy books. For this recipe you definitely have to get the water out because it doesn't soak up the flavor as much. This recipe was delicious, I mean it made my meat eating friends actually enjoy eating tofu and vegan! I love those types of recipes.

Notes for THIS recipe:
+ get the water out of the tofu (always the case in any recipe)
+ when coating with cornstarch, I would mix it in a bowl because a lot of it didn't coat my tofu, probably use more then 1 tablespoon
+ maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan version
+ 2 teaspoons of Thai sweet chili sauce, I like it so much more then sriracha
+ rice cookers make cooking rice easier


I highly, highly recommend this recipe. It will go into rotation for me!

the list

A few years ago I decided to create a list of things I wanted to accomplish in the year I turned twenty-five, last year I chose not to create one, but alas, I am back. As I sat at work, it felt like it wasn't my birthday, I kept forgetting my birthday was that week and it was just getting older. People say as you get older the birthday's seem less important, I did not want to accept that as an excuse and began my list. Sure, some of these things have been on there forever and probably will continue to be there but it is an attempt to make change. Make the effort to do more.

One of these will take place Wednesday night when I venture into NYC with some coworkers for an improv show. A friend of a friend is performing and well, it's only $5 for the show! Driving in with a bunch of friends and venturing into the city for food and entertainment? Win.


Lots on the list are random but it's what it makes it enjoyable. Attempting the small things that make my life a little special to who I am.

Do you guys ever make lists? I love checking things off.
Let's roll.

here we go!

And so begins 27.
My birthday happened to be fantastic. I have really great friends who bake delicious desserts, buy delicious desserts, and treat the birthday people to amazing Thai dinners. The past three days have been busy with tons of friends and I could not ask for a better way to spend 27.

On my birthday, tons of us went out to dinner and to the brewery across the street for drinks. It's hard to get a bunch of coworkers together, especially when one of them no longer works with us, but I was so thrilled to have everyone together. I work with some amazing people and my job would not be as good without them there. The next day at work felt like forever considering we were out so late the night before.

Friday was relaxing. Although it was a night of nothing, it was the perfect night of nothing. Do you ever find yourself enjoying those nights where you can watch TV with someone and not need there to be something going on? It felt good. I headed down to my parents house for the air show the next day and boy it was a loooooooong day. Watching the planes all day was awesome though, I have lived next to the Air Force base my entire life and this was the first year I have ever gone to the show.

Overall, my birthday was spent with some special people and I received some amazing flowers, which I love. I found that daisies are my second favorite flower now haha. Enjoying the beginnings of a new year. I hope you all are going to enjoy it with me.

welcoming twenty-seven

Last year before I turned 26 I gathered about 25 pictures throughout my 25th year and this year is no different. So many things have changed in the last year of my life. What do you ask? Well, I got new glasses this year, I know it was this year (and not last) because you can see from last years photos. I know, genius I am. There is more to add to this story..

Twenty-six was good to me. I traveled a lot. More then I normally do. Seattle (twice actually), Orlando, West Palm Beach, Adirondacks, weekend trip to Baltimore and Cape Cod, day trips to NYC, and so many other little trips. I have had a fantastic year and I am so so excited to bring in this new one.

During this year, I graduated with my Master's in Labor Studies and Employment relations, bought a new car, moved into my own apartment, met some fantastic new people, started dating again and learning more about myself, began my second Masters in Human Resources Management, got to be apart of a wedding for a college roommate, bought my very first real Christmas tree, booked a trip to a new country (August!!), found out two great friends are pregnant and another got engaged. I know there has been more but this is what comes to mind from the last 365 days.

A look into the past year.
I really do have wonderful people in my life. I am truly lucky to have friends who I can truly call family. I would have been a wreck without them.

Tonight, I will be enjoying delicious Thai food at my favorite restaurant with my birthday twin and a bunch of our coworkers. Probably visiting the brewery across the street for drinks and then snuggling into bed with my baby girl, Fifa.

a new month

It is no doubt that May is one of my favorite months out of the year. Why? Well, because it happens to be my birthday month and it always seems to be the true beginning of spring and summer weather. Yesterday's down pour of rain the entire day did not help the case but that was April showers, now for the May flowers!

A lot has changed since the beginning of April. I'm not sure if it's good or bad news, but it still continues into May. B and I ended our relationship for the time being. Long distance took its toll on us, probably me to be honest, and I couldn't honestly be dedicated to it when I was half-hearted. My feelings for him have not changed but at the moment, I need to focus on myself. With a full workload and school load coming in the next few months I need to figure out how to handle it. He is really wonderful in understanding the difficulties I am having and I am hoping in the next few months we can work something out together. Until then, I need my life to be my own, not wrapped around a partner. I've done that before and it's not what I want again.


So here is to May.
Sunshine, beaches, crafting, working, studying, tanning, and all things wonderful that the summertime brings. I need to manage my finances a little bit better, considering I am going to Germany in four months I need to SAVE. Says the girl who checked out with some new white converses and a cutlery set from Macy's this morning... oops.

Here's to May.
I will be carrying my camera around with me more often. The nice weather will bring more walks for Fifa and outdoors-y activities. It seems annoying to carry this big DSLR around but, honestly, I love photography and I need to get back into it. SP was so supportive of all of my adventures in hobbies and he pushed me to do more of it, I need to do that for myself now.

One week until my birthday.
Twenty-seven will be another good year for me. Twenty-six was tons of fun and full of new things. I can not wait for 27, it will be so exciting and full of travels. So so many travels. And lets cross our fingers on a new job and state to live in.


GOALS FOR MAY
+  learn how to use my sewing machine
+  work on Project Life
+  take more pictures with DSLR
+  make new recipes and/or bake something new