Salmon

This past Saturday I actually cooked for a change. I have been taking the month off from cooking..at least a little bit. 

I made some baked salmon from Whole Foods (amazing), garlic cous cous with chick peas (served cold), whole wheat dinner rolls, and a side salad (greens, pecans, cranberries, along with raspberry vinagrette dressing).  Delicious.  For dessert, I took a stroll Saturday and stopped at a bakery near my house.  They have the most beautiful creations.  Very old fashioned and traditional desserts.  I bought a piece of carrott cake for us to share.  Amazing!

I am thinking about having a dinner party, and buying little desserts from there.  Who wants to come over for dinner??

Weekend Update..

After working an insane amount of hours last week, and being completely exhausted, I was so happy to have the weekend off. 

Saturday I treated myself to a much needed mani/pedi, brunch with my friends at Wilde (looove that place)..and date night with the bf at Fado and then the Chicago Theater to see Celtic Woman.  I can imagine he was embarrassed to go, but all in all, he enjoyed it.

Sunday I cleaned the apartment, and then went to dinner and just relaxed with the bf.  Getting to see him two days in a row was a treat.  That never happens because our work schedules are so different!

Is it bad that I am already looking forward to our date set for next weekend?  But first..a day off just because this week with a friend.  Sometimes you just need a day off in the middle of the week for some baseball and beer.  Just saying:) 

Favorite Things Friday

This week my favorite thing is my new app for my smart phone, retro camera.  I have only taken a handful of photos with it, and I already love it. 

Bella sleeping...

I am looking forward to saving up some money to buy the Nikon I want, and to take the photography class.  Then I can start taking better pictures!

Observations..

Have you ever taken a day or even a moment to just notice what is going on around you?  Yesterday, whether I realized it at first or not, I saw a lot of good and bad human nature that left me thinking a lot.

I take the bus in the morning to get to my train, and I usually stop at DD to get some coffee, because it has been a bit chilly in the am.  I sat down, started to read the Red Eye, and I noticed a rude customer fighting with the lady behind the register.  I felt awful for the woman, especially since I see her almost every day when I get my Medium Black coffee with skim and 2 splenda.  He dropped a few cuss words, insulted her, etc.  I felt embarrassed for him, and for her. 

I drove home from work (I keep my car at the train station most days), and I saw unbelievable road rage.  Just nutty.  I don't know why everyone has to drive like an a$#hole all the damn time.  Tailgating people, cutting them off.  Hello people, the EDENs sucks all the damn time.  Be patient, or just leave earlier.  I can only imagine that 1% of those folks have some type of emergency going on, but not the 50% I see on cell phones, texting, etc.  I have realized lately how disengaged from actual driving these people are.  I mean, I passed one girl yesterday who was texting, on the Expressway.  Really?  The Edens at rush hour.  Probably a terrible idea.  Actually, a really terrible idea.  She was in my lane half the time, and then in her lane.  I kept trying to get away from her so she didn't hit me.

Part of the good human nature I saw was at the PFA (Navy semi annual PT test) this morning.  I was paired up with a Petty Officer I did not know, since we have over 1,000 people at my work.  We motivated each other every step of the way.  We both did really well, and it made me smile to know that even though we just met, we had a common goal that we could help each other meet. 

Last Friday I was in uniform going to a formal dinner, and I was walking outside of my building hailing a cab when a woman asked me "what uniform is that?" I responded that I was a LT in the Navy, and this was our formal dinner uniform.  She said that I looked beautiful in uniform, and thanked me for my service.  I don't know why this one woman stopped, and I was so taken aback by it, especially because of the impending budget crisis.  At that moment, I didn't know if I was going to get paid on the 15th.  Or if my Sailors were going to get paid.  Talk about a bit of stress, and just that one comment, made me smile, and forget about it at least for an hour until someone brought it up again.

I guess I am a bit disheartened to see the "bad" stuff like what I posted above every day.  I just hope I see more of the good now, and see people pay it forward.  Hold a door open for someone, say hello to someone, anything.  I hate seeing people who are only about them. Me me me.  I know I always remember that one time my neighbor brought me food when I was sick, or when my concierge asked me about work, etc.  Sometimes after a long day at work, all someone needs in passing is a kind hello.  You never know how much it helps.

April 28th in national Pay it Forward day.  I say not limit kindness to just one day...:)

This week..

Is nothing but meeting, after meeting, after meeting.  Wow.  I am looking forward to pampering myself Saturday, and going on a much needed date night with the bf. 
I just found out the tix we have for the concert this Saturday are awesome seats.  Like orchestra pit awesome.  He will either be enthralled or bored to tears.  Lets hope he enjoys it as much as I do!

But first things first.  Meetings..and dinner with one of my best friends.  I haven't seen her in a while because work gets in the way, but we get to catch up tonight!

Favorite things Friday

So I am trying to post from my phone for the first time.

Let's hope it works.

My favorite thing this week would be Bikram yoga. I tried it last Saturday. So tough and awesome. I can't wait to go to class tomorrow!

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Retail Reward..

I have lost 7..yes 7 pounds so far in my two week fitness freakshow ahem..adventure.  Pretty excited about it, so I rewarded myself with new workout shorts, bra, and this headband today.  I only spent about $50, because I got the under armour gear pretty cheap.  I just hope I can keep up some of this momentum with working out, and eating right.  My goal is about 13 more pounds. 

Can find the website to the headband here!

Leaving Chicago

So it hit me yesterday that I have about 4 months left in this wonderful city.  I need to make the most of it before I move away for at least 3 years. 

I have my bucket list, and it isn't really dwindling down as I would like it to.  Life happens. 

This month I am going to a concert, a Cubs game, and running a 5K.  I am pretty excited about all of it!  5K training has been going really well..and I am looking forward to the race.  I also started Bikram yoga, and spin classes.  Trying to get ready for the summer!

Via

I can't wait to run through Lincoln Park and along the lake.  Love this city!

Favorite Things Friday..

Baseball!!!

Woohoo for Opening Day for the Cubs.  I had tix I had to sell for next week, but not to fear, have 4-6 games for the rest of the season that I will be attending.  People can talk crap about my Cubs all they want...there is no place like Wrigleyville!

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