How lucky for you. Two posts in as many days!
Growing up, I was one of the pickiest eaters. I rarely liked to try anything new. And if I didn't like the look of something? Forget about it! Our closest neighbors were my aunt and uncle. When my mom tried to get me to eat something I didn't want to, I'm simply say that I'd had it before. Where? Aunt Judy's, of course. My mom didn't buy it. :)
I was pretty stubborn, too. I was told I couldn't leave the table until I'd finished what was on my plate. I would sit and sit and sit. Sometimes, I would sneak off to the bathroom to dispose of what I could down the toilet.
I've come a long way since then. I'm still not the most adventurous eater; I still judge food by the way it looks.
BUT compared to my husband, I am a regular [insert famous explorer of your choice].
We were eating dinner at the Persian restaurant in our hotel the last night of our stay in Costa Rica. I can't remember what was on my plate, but I asked Jeff if he'd like to try it.
"Are you kidding? I'm already pushing boundaries eating this salad."
He's kind of an "iceberg lettuce with ranch dressing" kind of salad-eating-guy. :)
Earlier in the trip, I saw Nutella on the shelf at the Mini-Super. Now you can't go camping (which is essentially what we were doing the 2nd have of our trip), without Nutella, as I learned at Girls Camp this past summer, so I bought some and some tortillas. Yum! They didn't have any bananas. Weird, I know, since Chiquita has a plantation in Costa Rica.
Jeff's response: "How is this not chocolate frosting?"
And that was about the extent of his dabbling with Nutella. Who doesn't ♥ Nutella?!
We also tried Tilapia (yum!), fried plantains with beans and rice for breakfast (double yum!), well, I guess that's about all I can think of right now.
Not in Costa Rica, but back here in St Paul, we recently tried a spearfish steak. My jury is still out a little on whether or not I actually liked it.
1.26.2011
1.25.2011
Neglect
My little corner of the world has been sadly neglected. I guess life just got in the way. I'm sure you all know how that goes.
Anyway, since it's already Jan 25th, I'm going to make some pretty loose goals for 2011 here at All Things Clarinda.
Here's a few updates or things that have been on my mind recently.
Why do I live in MN??? It is WAY too cold here, and the winters seem to really be dragging these past couple of years. What does this mean? Well our plans for moving to the Mediterranean after we're finished with school have really intensified. We're anxiously anticipating the milder weather. Jeff has been investigating moving there for quite a long time, but we're really beginning the countdown now. After this winter, only one. more. to go! Yay!!
******
My trip to Costa Rica was phenomenal! So much sun, so much fun! We don't do much for adventurous vacationing; it was mostly just relaxing in the hot tub or down at the beach or lounging in the hammocks. I even finished two books. It was lovely. Well, except that whole part about returning to MN just in time for temps not even breaking 0°F!
*****
I'm all registered for my class for the Spring term, which begins on Monday. Jeff took this course earlier in his St Thomas career, and I've been on a couple trips with the professor when Jeff was in the Geography department. I'm excited to learn more about Humans and the Environment and play in the GIS lab. Plus the class begins at 9:35am MWF, so I'll be able to sleep-in slightly before class. It's going to be great not having to leave my apt until 9:20 or so rather than by 7:10 (which I'll still have to do on TR. oh well.). I really think this new schedule will be good for me and that I'll enjoy it much more. I'll still be heading to work right after class.
*****
I just discovered that there is a Core Power Yoga only a few blocks from my work. I see lots more hot yoga in my future! I'm very excited about it. This studio will be so much more convenient than the two in St Paul that are relatively close to my apt but more difficult to get to during the winter.
*****
If you know me, you know I don't generally like fish or seafood, and I'm not the most daring or adventurous eater. I know that fish is much healthier for me (and the environment), so I'm trying to incorporate more into my diet. In Costa Rica, we tried some tilapia. It was so very tasty!! I do think I'll try to make some at home some time. Last night, I tried some spearfish at the restaurant in our building. It was good, but I wasn't too crazy about the texture. It was cooked med-rare, and looked more like an undercooked pork chop than a fish fillet. I know it's just my untrained eye, but it didn't look that appetizing to me. It was served with sticky rice, vegetables, and wasabi. I ate all the veggies and half of the fish. The waitress suggested eating the rest on top of a salad, so that's what we'll be dining on for dinner tonight. :)
*****
I think that's good for now. Hopefully I'll be back again soon. Perhaps this week. Definitely sometime in February. (I hope).
Anyway, since it's already Jan 25th, I'm going to make some pretty loose goals for 2011 here at All Things Clarinda.
- Post at least once each month! Lame post, funny post, serious post, re-post. I don't care. Just something, at least, to let you all know that I'm still here!
Here's a few updates or things that have been on my mind recently.
Why do I live in MN??? It is WAY too cold here, and the winters seem to really be dragging these past couple of years. What does this mean? Well our plans for moving to the Mediterranean after we're finished with school have really intensified. We're anxiously anticipating the milder weather. Jeff has been investigating moving there for quite a long time, but we're really beginning the countdown now. After this winter, only one. more. to go! Yay!!
******
My trip to Costa Rica was phenomenal! So much sun, so much fun! We don't do much for adventurous vacationing; it was mostly just relaxing in the hot tub or down at the beach or lounging in the hammocks. I even finished two books. It was lovely. Well, except that whole part about returning to MN just in time for temps not even breaking 0°F!
*****
I'm all registered for my class for the Spring term, which begins on Monday. Jeff took this course earlier in his St Thomas career, and I've been on a couple trips with the professor when Jeff was in the Geography department. I'm excited to learn more about Humans and the Environment and play in the GIS lab. Plus the class begins at 9:35am MWF, so I'll be able to sleep-in slightly before class. It's going to be great not having to leave my apt until 9:20 or so rather than by 7:10 (which I'll still have to do on TR. oh well.). I really think this new schedule will be good for me and that I'll enjoy it much more. I'll still be heading to work right after class.
*****
I just discovered that there is a Core Power Yoga only a few blocks from my work. I see lots more hot yoga in my future! I'm very excited about it. This studio will be so much more convenient than the two in St Paul that are relatively close to my apt but more difficult to get to during the winter.
*****
If you know me, you know I don't generally like fish or seafood, and I'm not the most daring or adventurous eater. I know that fish is much healthier for me (and the environment), so I'm trying to incorporate more into my diet. In Costa Rica, we tried some tilapia. It was so very tasty!! I do think I'll try to make some at home some time. Last night, I tried some spearfish at the restaurant in our building. It was good, but I wasn't too crazy about the texture. It was cooked med-rare, and looked more like an undercooked pork chop than a fish fillet. I know it's just my untrained eye, but it didn't look that appetizing to me. It was served with sticky rice, vegetables, and wasabi. I ate all the veggies and half of the fish. The waitress suggested eating the rest on top of a salad, so that's what we'll be dining on for dinner tonight. :)
*****
I think that's good for now. Hopefully I'll be back again soon. Perhaps this week. Definitely sometime in February. (I hope).
11.19.2010
An Awesome Playlist Can Make ALL the Difference
Yesterday I was so excited to go to the gym. Probably more excited than I have been in a very long time.
You see, I created a new playlist for my run. The songs make me so happy! They make me wanna dance \:D/...and run.
Here's my playlist:
You see, I created a new playlist for my run. The songs make me so happy! They make me wanna dance \:D/...and run.
Here's my playlist:
Add a playlist to your page using iLike
I probably looked a bit like a fool as I did my run on the treadmill. There was definitely a spring to my step and a bop to my head. I was having FUN! I didn't care if anyone was watching. I was just enjoying my music.
At the beginning of November, I made a goal to run at least 5 runs in a month at a pace faster than a 9 min/mile. This was a pretty aggressive goal for me - quite an improvement from my normal pace. I decided to stick to slightly shorter runs. I've refined this goal to maintain that pace for 20 minutes.
Yesterday was the FIRST run I've done that broke that 9'00" barrier. My average pace was 8'57" for slightly more than 20 min and a total of 2.29 min.
Yay, me!
Now, I just need to do this 4 more times by 12/2. Wish me luck. %%-
I probably looked a bit like a fool as I did my run on the treadmill. There was definitely a spring to my step and a bop to my head. I was having FUN! I didn't care if anyone was watching. I was just enjoying my music.
At the beginning of November, I made a goal to run at least 5 runs in a month at a pace faster than a 9 min/mile. This was a pretty aggressive goal for me - quite an improvement from my normal pace. I decided to stick to slightly shorter runs. I've refined this goal to maintain that pace for 20 minutes.
Yesterday was the FIRST run I've done that broke that 9'00" barrier. My average pace was 8'57" for slightly more than 20 min and a total of 2.29 min.
Yay, me!
Now, I just need to do this 4 more times by 12/2. Wish me luck. %%-
10.30.2010
Memories of Halloween
Halloween has always been one of my favorite times of the year. I used to love to dress up!
I've been challenged by the wonderful ladies over at The Secret is in the Sauce (SITS) to write a post about my favorite Halloween memory. I couldn't decide on just one.
First up, flashback to 1990, 8th grade. I dressed as a banshee.
Halloween was so fun that year!
My costume was great!
My make-up was scary.
(It would've been better if I'd been able to take a pic
with a more stoic expression. Oh well.)
It took a lot of time and effort to tease my hair just right. I vaguely remember my sister spending some time on the bus ride to school teasing and teasing and teasing it some more.
The best part of that Halloween, though, was trick-or-treating. You might say that 8th grade is too old to go out trick-or-treating, but it was absolutely fun! I went with a group of friends from school, and we walked around their neighborhood.
I remember a lot of laughter and fun!
I also remember how I refused to wear my glasses (I hadn't discovered the wonders of contacts yet) because they would've ruined my make-up. I don't know how I was able to do that, but I do recall a near run-in with a tree branch!
Next up: 1999.
My boyfriend at the time and I dressed up as Neo and Trinity from The Matrix.
I don't really recall any particularly exciting thing happen that year. I just love how great our costumes turned out.
Happy Halloween, everyone!
Hope it's safe and fabulous.
This post was written as an entry for a contest to win a Canon Rebel T2i camera. Hop on over to SITS for great blogging tips and more awesome Halloween memories.
10.27.2010
Come back, fall! I want to bask in your loveliness a little longer.
The weather this fall has been crazy warm! I'll have to check the actual stats later, but to my recollection, it's been one of the nicest, warmest falls.
Most days I've been able to enjoy going outside in T-shirts and flip flops. Jeans, too, of course. That would be terribly inappropriate to go out without them. Of course, many days campus was filled with girls sporting their short shorts. No shorts for me, though. I'd already packed them away for the season.
Anyway, I digress. Let's just leave it at it's been unusually warm. And beautiful.
The leaves paid no mind to the warmth and changed colors and fell to the ground all the same. Actually this added to the gloriousness (is that a word?) of this season.
All this came to an abrupt end a couple days ago.
The temps dropped.
The winds became fierce.
This morning, I awoke to falling snow.
I love the look of snow, and while it's not in the least bit unusual to have snow at the end of October, the fact it's been so unseasonably warm the past few months, makes today's weather unusual indeed.
Mostly I feel jipped of the gradual transition from summer to winter.
My hope for fall this year is gone. :-(
Today I dug out the winter coat and gloves.
******************************
Have you been experiencing unusual weather this fall? What are your predictions for the weather this winter?
Most days I've been able to enjoy going outside in T-shirts and flip flops. Jeans, too, of course. That would be terribly inappropriate to go out without them. Of course, many days campus was filled with girls sporting their short shorts. No shorts for me, though. I'd already packed them away for the season.
Anyway, I digress. Let's just leave it at it's been unusually warm. And beautiful.
The leaves paid no mind to the warmth and changed colors and fell to the ground all the same. Actually this added to the gloriousness (is that a word?) of this season.
All this came to an abrupt end a couple days ago.
The temps dropped.
The winds became fierce.
This morning, I awoke to falling snow.
I love the look of snow, and while it's not in the least bit unusual to have snow at the end of October, the fact it's been so unseasonably warm the past few months, makes today's weather unusual indeed.
Mostly I feel jipped of the gradual transition from summer to winter.
My hope for fall this year is gone. :-(
Today I dug out the winter coat and gloves.
******************************
Have you been experiencing unusual weather this fall? What are your predictions for the weather this winter?
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.3
10.06.2010
What was I thinking?!
Remember my inspirational woman post?
Well, I've bitten the bullet and decided to join her next summer for a women's only pedal and paddle weekend excursion. It's a Friday through Monday experience with a 45 mile bike ride one day and a long kayaking trip another.
I've mailed in my registration form; I'm all set.
Well, except for that fact that to date, I don't think I've ever ridden more than 7 miles at once.
I DEFINITELY have some training to do!
Wish me luck!
Well, I've bitten the bullet and decided to join her next summer for a women's only pedal and paddle weekend excursion. It's a Friday through Monday experience with a 45 mile bike ride one day and a long kayaking trip another.
I've mailed in my registration form; I'm all set.
Well, except for that fact that to date, I don't think I've ever ridden more than 7 miles at once.
I DEFINITELY have some training to do!
Wish me luck!
9.24.2010
Do you have the time?
I was walking home from work today when a passerby tapped his wrist to ask if I knew the time.
I was about to say No, because I knew I had no watch upon my wrist.
Then I remembered my cell phone was very easily accessible in the pocket of my hoodie!
I grabbed it and told him the time, but I was amazed at my reaction to this universally recognized symbol.
That tap to the wrist barely even registered as a valid question until AFTER I'd verbally heard the request as well.
With the ubiquity of the cell phone, has this simple gesture lost its meaning?
Or am I just old and losing my mind?
I was about to say No, because I knew I had no watch upon my wrist.
Then I remembered my cell phone was very easily accessible in the pocket of my hoodie!
I grabbed it and told him the time, but I was amazed at my reaction to this universally recognized symbol.
That tap to the wrist barely even registered as a valid question until AFTER I'd verbally heard the request as well.
With the ubiquity of the cell phone, has this simple gesture lost its meaning?
Or am I just old and losing my mind?
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.0
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
