On Friday, I met up with my partner for our group project – she overslept and left early. I ended up making the entire powerpoint including cutting the clips for the different films. Then on presentation day the professor said our focus was not what he wanted (even though he never said what he wanted). Thank goodness I did my research though, so it wasn’t a big deal. However, my partner I guess didn’t inform herself of the subject she was going to present and she actually said, “excuse me Professor, but honestly we don’t have anything to say. So can we go next week?” Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? I ended up doing most of the talking, then I paused and asked her if she wanted to say anything, then she says into the mic, “yeah, I was going to say… when are you gonna let me say something?” – with the biggest attitude. I couldn’t believe her. But I’m glad that’s over with! So I didn’t get to really go to the First Friday Artwalk like I wanted to because I had to work on the powerpoint, but I did have to take Matilda on a walk. To my pleasure, the artwalk was still going on and Matilda got some free Texan smoked ribs. There was also farmer’s market out of a bus! What an awesome way to support local farms – too bad i left my wallet and camera at home.
Breakfast to give me brain power before my presentation!
I tried the plain Chobani flavor that morning. I am still loving the consistency of this yogurt! Can’t say much about the taste though, plain is plain. I had it with Zoe’s Granola, almonds, and mango chunks bits.
Anywho, after my Saturday class presentation ship sunk, I vented to my mom a bit and she made me feel better. I decided to take some “me” time to do whatever the heck I wanted to. I met up with a friend on an avenue with lots of monuments and a huge grass median. Then we went on a long leisurely bike ride and learned more about each other. She’s gone through a lot of the unusual college circumstances I’ve gone through, so it’s nice to have someone that can relate.
My bike is back in business and better than ever!
Windblown and wise?
That’s the “kangaroo pouch” I carry her in when we go on bike rides. She rides in style and she looks like a G with one paw out and bobbing her head.
After dinner, I ended up taking a nap (this is rare for me) to replenish myself before I went out to meet up with some of my favorite ladies.
I had a little snack before I left - Pomegranate Chobani!
I enjoyed this flavor Chobani as well. So far so good. Can I remind you all that Greek yogurt has a lot of protein! Just what I need. The consistency of this is creamier rather than whipped. Oh and I love pomegranate seeds, so biting into them wasn’t weird for me at all. My mom actually makes stir-fries with the seeds and it adds a tiny burst of flavor when you bite into one.
Before I headed out I spritzed some of my "ladylike" perfume on.
I have different perfumes for different moods. I use Prada Tendre when I want to embody the feeling of… “I am WOMAN!”
We went to Capital Ale House thinking they had some Oktoberfest celebration going on...
So we went to another bar... a sports bar?
Sports bars are not really my “scene”, but I really didn’t care because I was just happy to be with my friends.
- Cocktails all around!
The next morning I got up when my body was ready – 9 am. I usually wake up before that, so when I saw what time it was I literally jumped out of bed!
Boo-berry!
Heyy it’s October, I can make those jokes if I want to.
BlueBran VitaTop, sliced banana, Blueberry Chobani, and the rest of my Artisana Pecan Butter jar.
At first I thought I would include some frozen berries, but then I thought… overkill? So I opted for a banana instead. Okay so, the Blueberry Chobani was also a winner! I just love yogurt – can you believe I hated it before? The consistency used to freaked me out. But then I tried Greek yogurt, and overtime I just got comfortable with other kinds too. The VitaTop was “meh”. It’s surprising that I’m not really digging the “Bran” VitaTops. And the Artisana Pecan Butter? Diiiivine! I really wish they had it in stores though! You hear that Artisana? I’m pretty sure if you guys put your nut butters on store shelves they would be best-sellers! I would spread the word – they’d think I’m a crazy fan. Well, I am!
Let’s see… now on to some snacks!
I'm not use to this kind of snack!
Okay, so my twelve year-old mind is giggling at this. This is the Kielbasa Tofurky sausage, I posted about it before. This time I squirted on some ketchup, Trader Joe’s organic sweet relish, their horseradish hummus, and some red onions. Yum! I wanted to get a better taste of the product itself. And I must say that I approve. Like I said before, I had really only tried veggiedogs before, but never any of the hefty sausages. I think I will buy these kinds from now on because whenever I have the veggiedogs I always need 2 or 3 at a time to feel satisfied. And with these, I’m fine with just one.
I had to laugh at this!
I tried the Chai Spice Kardea bar flavor. It looks like a mound of something because I over-heated it in the microwave. My bad! Nonetheless, it didn’t lose any of its delicious flavor. Yup, that’s right, Kardea did it again. It tasted like I was chewing a cup of chai tea. That sounds weird, but that’s the only way I can describe it. I swear, I have one more bar to try, and I’m looking forward to it. They haven’t let my tastebuds down thus far.
CranBran VitaTop
I’m just not a fan of the “Bran” variation. Well, I haven’t tried them all, so I can’t say that really. But yeah, I wasn’t too keen on this one either. I smeared some coconut oil on it hoping to make it taste better, and it worked. But the VitaTop itself? No bueno. Maybe it’s because I got use to the sweetness of their chocolate flavors, that I was expecting the same for these… just a more natural tasting sweetness.
Earlier today I wanted to go to the state fair, but then I realized how far it was! I looked at Matilda and she gave me that “look”. The one that makes me feel bad if I leave her alone. Hmm… what could we do?
Matilda and I went to the neighborhood I lived in 7 years ago.
They have lots of trails, and there are tons of trees. I didn’t encounter another person on the trails so it felt like a beautiful hideaway. While we were walking we did encounter some other four-legged friends though!
Why hello there!
- Two superbly groomed poodles
This hyper dog was so hilarious to watch! He's jumping if you didn't notice.
Then I was in search of my favorite house in my old neighborhood. Matilda and I kept walking, and I wasn’t sure I would even remember where it was.
Snack break!
Uh... hello?
Okay, now I've got your attention.
Yummy!
High-five!
Here you go!
Pretending to have manners.
Puppy paws!!!!
Okay I've crossed overload territory... just a few more I promise!
Hehe she looks funny here.
-sniff sniff-
I think we're close!
There was a house on a hill...
... with a beautiful view.
I love it! I looked around to make sure no one saw me - maybe they'd think I was a private eye?
The front of the house has a neat design because you can see all the way through to the back.
Mission accomplished! I headed back and picked up a couple things from the store:
"Say hell-oh to my leetle friends."
Then I came home and made myself a silly dinner
Meet Barbarella.
She’s made of delicious Virginia grown gala apple slices, sultry appleseed eyes, onion-breath smile, sprouted hair that she accessorizes with pine nuts and parmesan. I’d say she has a tomato aura! Her prized possession is her Ak-mak fan that her boyfriend, Hommus, got from Armenia. Right before she rushed out of the house for her dinner plans, she remembered to put on some Honey Mustard dressing.
This may seem random, but I’d like to set aside some space to let you all know how incredible you are. When I first started reading blogs I was just a silent reader. Then one day I decided to make my own! I started out by just posting recipes I had done, but I felt like I wasn’t making any connections with people. One day I just decided to make my posts more inviting by actually putting my personality into them. From that point, I started to make new friends. I wanted to let you all know that you really mean a lot to me. I feel like I’m going to get all sappy here, but I really care about you all. Even if someone is MIA for a while I start to get worried, and then some days later they make a post and my worries are put to rest. When I read what you guys have to say I feel like I’m having a conversation. Sometimes I read about the days when one of you is feeling down and just plain not up for anything. It makes me sad to read those posts and I wish I could give that person a hug. But I know we all have those days, and it’s totally natural. And some of you put up honest and very personal posts, and those remind me that we’re all human – that’s a good thing! No one is perfect; perfection is a moving target. Then I read people’s responses and it warms my heart to see the compassion and care we all possess. It’s refreshing because in a world where people avoid making eye contact or even say hello, I don’t want to lose faith. I don’t really know where I’m going with this, but I just want to let you all know that you are all amazing; I often think to myself, “wow, these are people I admire, and they’re my friends.” So… this is going to be SUPER cheesy, but… you’ve got a friend in me!
Enjoy your week!
