Category: in passing

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 35)

March 25th, 2011 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Giveaways, in passing, love, pursuit of happiness, silver screen 8 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

My Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway ended last night. I was feeling nice and added a few entries for those who did not follow the rules and make new comments per entry, which explains why the numbers from the comments are not perfectly aligned with the Excel cell numbers. I ran the drawing using the Excel cell numbers.

Funnily enough, Abby of Dirt on the Rocks would have won regardless of which numbering system I used. Abby, I will be emailing you shortly!


2.


On Monday, Alan and I paid a visit to our dear friends, Selina and Ryan and their brand new baby. On our way to her house a friendly dog came up to Alan and made friends.


3.


Austin Food Bloggers Alliance is having a launch party next Tuesday. I’m excited to finally meet the other food bloggers eating up my town. Some of these folks I’ve been tweeting at for a year now! We’re overdue for some meetings. If you’re just now tuning in, I also have a food blog here: http://girleatsworld.curious-notions.net.


4.


Last night I had the privilege to see a free screening of Meaning of Tea and also hear the director, Scott Chamberlin Hoyt, talk about his lyrical documentary. I wasn’t expecting to love a documentary about tea. Truth be told, I thought I might even find it boring! Wow was I wrong; I walked away loving it. Aptly named, the movie captures the essence of tea and celebrates not only tea but the ceremony and ritual of tea. I took Brandi as my date and she said she found herself moved to tears a few times! Lucky for you it’s available to buy on Amazon (affiliate link above.) I haven’t checked Netflix though.

I managed to find a small clip of the movie to share, uploaded by one of the musical composers for the film. The film’s soundtrack was beautiful!

Documentary website: http://www.themeaningoftea.com/


5.


I started a new journal yesterday. The new journal was a gift from my friend, Naz and it kind of matches my comforter.

Love the feel of a fresh new journal. The feeling is akin to the hopeful stirrings of new years, new school semesters, new homes, and birthdays. Can’t wait to fill these pretty pages up.


6.

Jumping off of No. 4., another reason why I loved going to that intimate documentary screening, was that the director was so very much in love with tea. The people there were so very much in love with tea. The people he interviewed in his film, were so very in love with tea. It is so inspiring to be surrounded by passionate people. Zen Habits said it best in this blog post. Read it. Also, a snippet to entice you:

The gathering itself was simple: six people, simple healthy food, a little wine, a little tea, nothing else. Except that we lost ourselves in conversation so deeply that before we knew it, it was 1:30 a.m. and I was shocked at how quickly the time had passed.

The secret is also simple: when you talk with people who are passionate about what they’re doing, passionate about life and the people they love, it is transformative.


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ laying down for “5 minutes” and waking up 2 hours later ♥ 2:30 am trips to diners on week nights ♥ eating Dairy Queen steak fingers in the car with Brandi before free movie screening ♥ being pleasantly surprised by a documentary about tea ♥ surprise cupcake ♥ private hugs and kisses in staircases


Question: Who is the most passionate person you know?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 32)

February 25th, 2011 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), in passing, lists, still-frames 9 comments - Tags: ,


1.

I have the day off today! My original day off was suppose to be on President’s Day but my boss traded me Monday for Friday. How am I spending it? I had a doctor’s appointment, followed by a dentist appointment, am now suppose to be packing and I have a lunch date at 12:30 with a girlfriend. After all that, I’ll be driving down to Houston for the weekend to see family and friends.


2.

Pictures from last night:


3.


Photo of a photo


Last weekend while out with friends, Alan spotted a photographer at the bar and paid him to take this black and white party pic. Since then, I’ve decided I prefer black and white photos.


4.


My former roommate and dear friend Brandi, who moved to Dallas last summer to pursue a career change recently found herself back in Austin permanently. My dear friend Thomas who lived in California moved to Houston recently. Though I’m saddened that their moves were not completely desired by them, I’m happy I’d get to see them more.


5.


Wednesday night, while watching the Lakers game, Alan found a commercial fail. Do you see it? This is one of the reasons I love going to movies and watching TV with him. He has a really good eye for these kind of things.

Good work, Alan, good work.


6.


This year is still whizzing past me. February is already coming to a close. March is NEXT week. Things I have to look forward to in March? The Sketchbook Project tour comes to Austin ♥ My Solemate (deliberate misspelling by the way) flies in ♥ Cindy comes to visit ♥ Alan and I have our three year anniversary.


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ Sleepovers and spooning with boyfriend ♥ Four Day Work Week! ♥ Couch cuddles while watching Jersey Shore ♥ 70 degree weather in Austin ♥ Weekday lunch date in just an hour! ♥ Red Velvet Cake


Question: Do you floss regularly?

Louis C.K.

November 21st, 2010 · · Austin, in passing, National Blog Posting Month '10, videos 2 comments - Tags: , ,

A few months ago, Alan excitedly told me he got us tickets to go watch Louis C.K. I’ve never seen Louis C.K.’s stand up and decided to not Youtube him and let him be a surprise. However, I did ask around to see if he’s well received and a few people have told me that he is one of their absolute favorites (Hi Carl!) so I was super curious and excited. We finally went last night to his sold out show and he lived up to his hype!

Here’s some older bits of his I found for you to enjoy. Cherry-picked for minimal cursing and for being least vulgar.

And last but not least, I saw this interview when it aired but didn’t really know his comedy. I loved him even then, for saying that everything is amazing and nobody’s happy. See the clip below for what I’m talking about. P.S. I love Conan.

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 26)

November 5th, 2010 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), holidays, in passing, letters, lists, National Blog Posting Month '10, pursuit of happiness, the not so single life 8 comments - Tags: , , , ,


1.


Today is day 5 of National Blog Posting Month. To participate, alls you gotta do is post a blog post everyday in November. I totally underestimated how challenging NaBloPoMo is going to be. I thought if I managed alright posting a video blog everyday in August for VEDA, I can manage blogging everyday in November. I totally forgot that VEDA came with an editorial calendar. It’s only the first week and I’m already struggling! No idea what I’m going to blog tomorrow!


2.


I sent 9 of these note cards out this week. I stumbled on these note cards at a dollar store a while back. I bought 3 packs of 8 and kind of wish I just emptied out the stock. I sent them all as thank you notes. Pink for the ladies and not pictured is the cream colored identical set for the dudes. I finally grew up and converted from expressing gratitude through phone calls and emails to paper note cards. My friend Hillary is my inspiration behind sending out paper thank yous. She’s amazingly diligent in sending out postal notes of gratitude and has been for years.


3.



I started Christmas shopping. This one is for my mom. Regarding the paper: I have a longstanding love affair with penguins and snow globes.


4.

I’m running/walking Race for the Cure with Brittany this Sunday. Still a little shy from my goal. Please consider helping fund research and supplies to breast cancer patients by donating as little as 5 dollars. You can do so by clicking on the link.


5.


Click for bigger image

I was walking on campus when I stumbled on this water bottle. The bottle had a message. I only had my cellphone on me, hence the crummy photo quality. The tag reads:

“66% of the world drinks this water. Go and help: http://adventures.org/reallife.”


6.

A stalker’s worst fear is being found out. I think I gave myself away yesterday morning. There is an old lady who works out at a gym on campus. I’ve come to look for her car at around 8 – 8:30am in the morning when I’m desperately circling for a parking spot. Yesterday, I saw her car is still there and I was still sans parking space. So I started my usual creepy routine of circling the lot with an eye out for her and the other on her car. It took a while and I had just driven past her car to see her coming out of the gym. I totally reversed, planted myself with turn signal on, and waited for her to reach her car. Could the stalking get more obvious?


7.


This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ Being able to lend a helping hand for once to my saint of a friend Dave. He’s usually the helper and not the helpee ♥ Walking hand in hand with Alan downtown in between noshing at a couple of restaurants. Something about strolling hand in hand during one of the first chilly nights of the season got me. Weird, but I’ll go with it. ♥ An email from Jessica. She used to be my neighbor for over 3 years and moved out of town just 3 months ago. I miss her dearly. ♥ Two long online chats with my Solemate, after months without. Click on the link. Her new blog (as with all her blogs) is a treat for the eyes and soul. See! We do know the difference between soul and sole.


Question: What were your moments of bliss this week?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 22)

October 8th, 2010 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), in passing, lists, new thing(s) of the week, the grind, the not so single life 7 comments - Tags: , ,


1.


One of my closest friends lost her brother this week. It has me aching for her and her family. She and I lived together for three years, went to high school and college together. Our families ask about each other every time we meet up. My parents think of her as a daughter. He used to visit us in college and take us out for Valentine’s Day. All my memories of him are fond and joyful. Last time I saw him was August 8 and like everyone in his family, he gives great hugs. I wish there was something I can do to alleviate the family’s pain.

Life is fleeting. Live and love hard.


2.

I’m feeling a little tore up. Here’s what my schedule looked like for the past week. It’ll explain why.

Last Friday: Worked 9am – 10pm. We hosted that conference. 5 hours of sleep.

Saturday: Worked/hosted a conference: 7am – 10pm. 4 hours of sleep.

Sunday: Worked /hosted a conference: 7am – 2pm. 5pm-7pm: shopped for Alan’s birthday.

Monday: Worked 9am-5pm.

Tuesday: Worked 9am-5pm. 6pm-8pm: Baked a pretty cake shaped like a big Oreo for birthday boy. 12am: Birthday breakfast/dinner. 5 hours of sleep.

Wednesday: Worked 9am-5pm. 7:30pm: Birthday dinner with Alan and his parents. 10pm: Out for birthday drinks with Alan & his roomies. 1 hour of sleep? If that?

Thursday: Worked 9am-5pm. 8pm: Group birthday dinner for Alan. 10pm-1am out for drinks again.

And here we are. I slept through my alarm but still made it on time for work. I’m feeling tore up.


3.

Some pictures from his birthday:

I must add, I’m so very happy he was born.


4.

Alan’s new place is really close to downtown so we’ve been extra good about taking cabs when we go out instead of recruiting a designated driver. The increase of cab use has widened my experience with cabbies. It used to be just a holiday experience. In the last two months I’ve come across two creepy cabbies. One was a leering creep and the other one was blatantly inappropriate. He went as far as mentioning how women should be so lucky and grateful to sexually service men. In hindsight, we should have grabbed his information but each time we just huffed and puffed (we meaning me and the other girl in both cases) and stormed out.

These newer experiences reminds me of the other pervy creeps running rampant on the dirty side of Sixth St. I don’t frequent the dirty side of Sixth St anymore as it’s a younger crowd and truly just dirty. However, I’ve frequented it often enough to know that when you go out with just girls or if you happen to be separate temporarily, it’s alarming how many gropers will sneak feels and flee.

I’ve newly resolved to throw more scenes and be more vocal and quick to act.


5.

Yesterday, a nice German man thought he could pick me up by telling me he likes Asia and that he knows someone from Bangkok. He was serious, too. And truly, he was a nice guy. Just misguidedly offensive.


6.

I had my first experience with absinthe this week. Tasted like black licorice. It was actually delicious for the first few sips but is too empowering a flavor for me to order regularly. Not that it’s a drink you see on the menu regularly anyhow.


7.

Have you heard about the It Gets Better Campaign? If you haven’t you’re missing out.

Here’s my favorite campaign video.


Question: How do you like to relax?

Notes on Joe Rogan’s Standup

September 15th, 2010 · · in passing, lists 8 comments - Tags: , ,

Yesterday I had date night with my dude which comprised of a nice one on one sushi feast downtown, then a triple date at the local comedy club to watch Joe Rogan. Outside Rogan hosting Fear Factor and now UFC fights, I don’t know much about this guy and have definitely no preconceived notions about his comedy. Alan’s seen him live before and all he’s told me was that he’s crass which is standard in comedy. I had a lot of fun and would like to share a few notes.

  • I’m thankful I do not have a nasal, painful laugh. Every now and again I may let out a cackle that my friends will be quick to tease me about, but if they could hear the girl we sat next to… Dang. Slow, drawn out, nasal, “neyahh, neyahh, neyaah.” We were thankful she didn’t find the show THAT funny.
  • Don’t be that guy who tries to film the whole thing to put on youtube. Don’t be that guy who the comedian has to ask to stop distracting him with your camera. Don’t be that guy who has to be asked twice.
  • I think Rogan turned off all the men against watching child birth. He may have used the word “explosion” to mentally paint a picture.
  • I was surprised how many UFC fighters I knew whenever he name dropped. Brock Lesnar. Robert Huerta. BJ Penn. Seriously, I felt a little proud. I guess I have Alan to thank for that. P.S. Brock Lesnar is the huge (even for MMA standards) dude with the penis shaped tattoo on his chest. I think it’s supposed to be a sword, but it looks extremely phallic.
  • I think the only sweet moment was when he relayed to us that he knew he loved his daughter (she’s 2) more than himself when he gave her the good banana. She loves bananas and there were two bananas up for grabs. The beautiful ripe one and the ugly brown one. He gave her the beautiful ripe banana. He cited her the only person in his life he’d do that for.

That’s about all I’m comfortable sharing. I think I laughed hysterically about 70 percent of the time and the other 30 I shook my head in disbelief. Worried that if I laughed, I’d go to hell. He is a great and generous comedian, entertaining us for about 2 solid hours. After the show, he remained accessible, friendly and hung out at the club afterward. Which made it possible for me to grabbed a picture with him!

Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan and me!

Joe Rogan
Dude & me

Pre Show: Joe Rogan
1/3 of our triple date


Question: Who are your favorite comedians?

Cherry on Top

July 30th, 2010 · · Birthdays, in passing 4 comments

Every Friday I post a 7 Quick Takes entry and was going to do the same this morning but realized I left my camera USB cord at home, making it impossible to share dance videos (not of me) and birthday pictures I was planning on sharing for 3 of the takes. Next week, it’s back on. I’m having a pretty happy birthday this year. Had a one on one birthday date with zee boyfriend at a DELICIOUS new restaurant in town. Last night was spent downtown after a night of comedy. Finally tonight, the last leg of celebrations include my birthday dinner with friends. I can’t wait to see them. Jon, my best dude friend is down for the weekend! He’s instructed me to put on my “fat” pants because he plans on eating Austin, Texas in 60 hours.

Being 27, isn’t that bad. I did have to do some reprogramming. I still feel young enough to think 28 is old. Must readjust my perspective. As my best friend’s mom said, we’re no longer spring chickens.

Summer chicken it is.

I was bummed this morning when I fished in my purse for my USB cord and couldn’t find it. What am I supposed to post now, I thought? I then logged on and saw that the lovely Suki @ Super Duper Fantastic gave me the Cherry on Top Award.

The award has three contingencies.

1) Answer this question that Tasha posed: “If you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?”

I think I would become a Computer Science major instead of minor. Instead of majoring in Biology and Philosophy with a minor in CS, I would have tried: Double majoring in Computer Science and Biology and no minor. I enjoyed the taste of programming I had and think it would have been easier to look for jobs. But mainly because I liked the act of programming. The sense of accomplishment that comes with finishing and debugging a program and having everything work well was addicting.

2) Pick six people to pass the award on to. Their blog should be truly deserving.
ME @ Knitting for Bears, Brenda @ Numbered Confessions, Neville @ Neville’s Financial Blog (even though he’s probably not going to do it), Cindy @ Dorkyme.curious-notions.net, Martin @ This Rugged Life, A.J. @ Read A.J.

3) Thank the person who gave you the award, in the form of a comment on this post.

Done!


Happy Friday everyone :) Tell me something good.

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 10)

July 2nd, 2010 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), in passing, lists 3 comments


1.

I was at Epoch, a coffee shop in Austin with a couple of girlfriends discussing our book club book of June (Red Tent), when Selina and I noticed one of Epoch’s patrons brought her iMac desktop. Someone brought an entire desktop to a coffee shop. I was so stunned, I snuck a picture. We’ve tried to come up with some possible stories for her. For example, maybe the iMac was a gift and she didn’t want to trade it in for a MacBook in case she would insult the gifter. Moreover, she then had to cut her Internet (along with the cable TV because Internet is one of the last things to go). So she is forced to go to a coffee shop for free Wifi. Therefore, she had no other option but to pack an entire desktop to a coffee shop! Yes? No?!


2.

I saw Anthony Bourdain on Monday. I already posted the two pictures I have with him on my food blog but I just wanted another excuse to gaze into his face and see mine inches away! Sighhhhh.


3.


I went to the movie theatre two times this week. Once for a bad movie. Once for a good movie! How’s that for balance?

Bad: Opening night of Eclipse. I stood in line /sat in line since 8:30 pm for the midnight showing. Haters, please understand we Twilight fans know it’s bad writing. We know vampires are not supposed to sparkle. We also know the movies are crap. Relax! We know. It’s a guilty pleasure! I will gloat a little and say Eclipse got better ratings than Airbender.


4.


Good: Toy Story 3. Aww :) Cute for all ages.


5.

It’s July. Time is sure passing quickly. This weekend, I will be celebrating the Fourth with Alan and his buddies. Next weekend, my parents are coming up for the first time in a couple of years. The weekend after, I’m planning on hosting a girl’s weekend for a couple of out of town girlfriends. And finally, I turn one year older (YUCK). All the weekends are already booked! I feel like I blinked and one moment it was March and now we’re already in July.


6.

Customer Service: Now I’ve never really had a job where my main responsibility is customer service, but I must say I do love the customer service aspects of the jobs I’ve had. In my previous job (clinical research coordinator), it was rare a patient would be beside themselves in anger as the girls I worked with were stellar in making our patients feel cared for. However, every now and then, miscommunication or just patients being grumpy will cause a confrontation to brew. I had so much fun diffusing these sitations and felt so accomplished when we were able to cool the tension and come to a solution or compromise. I loved it. What’s more, it made future interactions smoother. I get really upset when I come across customer service where it just appears that the service providers hate their customers. Austin Timewarner, I’m looking at you.


7.

That said, I also get really irritated when I see customers being arrogant assholes. The people who serve you, just because they’re serving you, does not make them less than. I was in line at a gas station when the cashier complimented a regular on how pretty she looked that day. The lady just blankly stared at the cashier, no doubt, pushing her to elaborate. “You look pretty every day, but you look especially well dressed today.” The lady coldly squinted at the fumbling cashier and said, “You should stop while you’re ahead.” She then cooly walked away. I saw the cashier blush and was visibly upset so I assured her that obviously, that lady had a stick up her ass and to not let it get to her. She composed herself and told me, “That’ll teach me to be nice to her again.”

It’s a cycle. So be nice. That’s a good cycle.

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 9)

June 18th, 2010 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), in passing, lists, scary thing(s) of the week 6 comments - Tags: , ,


1.



Shared with permission

I got this voice mail yesterday from my old college roommate and high school classmate. It reminded me of the scene in He’s Just Not that Into You, where Drew Barrymore’s character says, “I had this guy leave me a voice mail at work, so I called him at home, and then he emailed me to my BlackBerry, and so I texted to his cell, and now you just have to go around checking all these different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies.”

Edit: Note about the sound clip: She’s one of three people who call me “Deese” shortened from “Lindisimo.”

Edit: If you’re reading in a reader, the sound clip can be seen if you go to the original post.


2.

I babysat these boys that I’ve been babysitting since they were both born last night and this conversation absolutely tickled me.

3 year old:
Sonic the Hedgehog’s girlfriend is in this show.

6 year old:
Sonic the Hedgehog doesn’t have a girlfriend!

3 year old:
Yes he dooze!

I want to steal that verb tense for do. Yes I dooze.


3.

I saw Anthony Bourdain not too long ago. He’s my main food squeeze. I bought tickets to see him again! He’s coming back June 28th. This time, I shall try to get a book signed. I like getting author autographs. My collection thus far: Frank Warren (not a true that author really is he?), Jaden Hair, Chuck Palahniuk, and Amy Tan.


4.

This weekend is crunch time. Moving Sunday. I have tonight and tomorrow to get the hard bits of packing. Sunday is going to be hectic. The movers come and I also have tickets to my first ever baseball game! Going with my little to a Round Rock Express. I heard Will Farrell threw the first pitch at a Round Rock Express game not too long ago. I’m looking forward to eating a hot dog at a ball game :)


5.

My 27th birthday is looming. Do I have to turn 27? Dooze I?


6.

Brandi, my current roommate for another few days is moving to Dallas. Jessica, the other in our threesome is moving in August. It’s the end of an era and I’m feeling a bit sad. I told you before in 7 Quick Takes that I hate this part of growing up, the goodbyes. We’ve been thick as thieves since 2005. I always worry that friendships will frizzle once we physically move away from each other but right now most of my closest friends are long distance. My best friend in Boston. Kym, Jon, Will, and Thomas all are in New York, Dallas, and L freaking A. Kim, Cindy, Aishah in Houston. Nam floats around all over the US. So there is hope for Jessica, Brandi and me. :) We’re doing our goodbye outing Tuesday and kayaking at Town Lake. One of my irrational fears is kayaking. I’m afraid I’ll fall in the water and some little critter will crawl up my nose and then lay eggs in my brain and then I’ll find out three months later and then die. You think I’m joking.


Me, Brandi, Jessica


7.

Friendly reminder, Father’s Day is this Sunday. I’m not driving down to Houston to see daddy because I’m moving on Sunday. :(

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 8)

June 4th, 2010 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Birthdays, in passing, lists, on the nightstand, savory, silver screen, the not so single life 5 comments - Tags: , , , , , ,


1.

Last night had date night with zee dude. Alan was pretty sweet and accommodating to go watch a documentary on babies (aptly entitled Babies) with me. The documentary followed 4 babies from different corners of the world, San Francisco, Namibia, Mongolia, and Tokyo. It’s ALL babies, the documentary. No narration, hardly any other dialogue save the gurgles, baby coos, and baby teary outrages for an hour and 20 minutes. We laughed out loud a few times and I enjoyed it but it was a little slower than I was hoping. My rating is 3/5 stars. See trailer below.

When we got home, Alan reattached his manly bits by watching first game of NBA championship series. ;)


2.

Our fridge at work has pictures of current lab members. The photos have to be humorous and non-serious. I thought I could go unnoticed without a picture up but it has recently been threatened that if I don’t put a picture up, someone else will take one of me and post it. I value my autonomy so I cropped myself out of this photo taken from the weekend.

photo bomb
Photo courtesy of Jason’s facebook


3.

I finished listening to Julia Child’s My Life in France (Ten fricking CDs). It inspired me to buy her first Mastering French Cooking book. I think I’m going to make my 2nd quiche from that book this coming week. If you don’t know how to read or speak French or even sound out French words, I recommend getting the audio book to listen to instead of the actual book to read. It’s fun to repeat after the reader and laugh at yourself as you drive to and from work.


4.

I finished this book at the end of February and much to Martin‘s chagrin, I still haven’t done the book review. As much as I wanted to. I just didn’t quite understand the ending. But up to the ending it was a very humorous story about a Fup, duck (named for “Fucked up”), a grumpy but hilarious Grandfather, and his grandson, Tiny. Written in the early eighties, the story was outrageous and makes you want to own a pet duck with as much character as Fup. (She enjoys chick flicks and bullies the dogs and if memory serves, she also drinks alcohol religiously.) I’m afraid I can’t offer that much of a review, but lucky for you Martin wrote a thorough review on his blog.


5.


So last week’s 7 Quick Takes, I shared that I made my first lasagna and how excited I was. Lasagnas aren’t too terribly exciting but I’m not a skilled cook and the most mundane cooking skills (making lasagnas) are new and wondrous to me. Intimidating at first sight but fulfilling when accomplished. And I’m always surprised when things turn out well. I was surprised that the lasagna was edible and Alan’s even told me he could eat it again and wish he had more. This week’s mundane to others but intimidating kitchen skill I tackled was ZEE PINEAPPLE! I’ve always steered clear of buying a whole pineapple and cutting it myself. I’m a give it to mom to cut or buy it already precut kind of girl when it comes to this tropical fruit.

Emboldened by my conquering the lasagna (and recently the quiche), I finally conquered my silly fear of cutting a pineapple. It’s not very hard. You cut off the top and bottom, and shave off the skin. Then cut in desired pieces. All that fear for nothing. The pineapple recipe I chose was from my Steamy Kitchen cook book. Involved grilling the pineapple, drizzling coconut rum chocolate sauce on the top and sprinkling coconut flakes on the chocolate. The combination was a hit or miss with our Memorial Day pot luck crowd. Brother hated it, Brittany loved it.

cutting a pineapple isn't that hard!


6.


Recently, I’ve noticed I’ve taken an interest in nature and green surroundings. I credit this to working at a job that requires me to walk about 20-40 minutes from and to my car. The University has great landscaping. Also, I’ve never been the kind to take leisurely walks outside unless it’s an outlet mall but Brandi and I have been walking more in our neighborhood. 6 months ago, I wouldn’t ever think to myself, look at those leaves! Those leaves are different shape from the other leaves on the tree. Or lookit that flower! It’s practically the only flower on that tree!

But it’s happening. I like flowers and leaves that are not delivered to me in a vase (those won’t ever get old, just to be clear :p).

flowers!
cell phone picture from one of our walks


7.

I always run out of things to share by 7. 2 of my closest friends turned 27 and 26 yesterday and today. So happy birthday Will and Jen T. My brother got accepted into a PhD program in San Antonio. Congrats to him.

Happy Friday to everyone who reads my dribble. Thanks for that by the way. Reading. Say hi or something :).