Tag Archives: about

Teddy Bear Tie Dye

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My last day as a 25-year-old has been a good one; though after yoga our morning got off to an ironic and frustrating start.  I heard a rumor about a Teddy Bear Picnic so I strapped my bears into the car and headed out.

Sidenote – I hate stuffed animals (always have) but I spotted this guy on sale my sophmore year in college and just had to buy him for Adam.  The husband (who also hates stuffed animals) named him Rutherford and fell in love.  Our obsession with bears has bloomed from there.

We did not develop an obsession with Old Falls Street today though, since after 20 fruitless minutes of searching we never located our picnic.  Instead we drove back to the city to cash in a Living Social deal at Tea Leaf Cafe.

I’m so glad we were forced here instead; adorable set-up, cheap prices, and delicious food.  We’ll be back soon.

Our deal was for two drinks and two small plates.  Adam went with an avocado milk tea.

He doesn’t know the joy that is boba.

I, on the other hand, am obsessed with all things tapioca and requested extra bubbles in my taro milk tea.

It can’t quite compare to China Town in Boston where they mash real strawberries into your tea, but this was the best boba I’ve had in recent years!  The tea wasn’t too sweet and the boba were the perfect texture.

Adam and I split the two side plates equally.

Chicken and fresh mushroom pan-seared dumplings.

Vegetarian shiitake spring rolls.

Again, the best version of these foods I’ve had since moving to Buffalo.  Locals – get thee to Tea Leaf Cafe!

Rutherford was stuffed,

but Adam and I decided to round out our meal with some fruits and veggies.

Roasted mushroom, squash, and the world’s bitterist eggplant that I ate only because it was healthy,

blueberries, pineapple, strawberries, and watermelon so juicy I’d eat it even if I was stuffed.

I dropped my boys at home and then headed out to partay.  My friend Mary-Kate actually had her birthday this week too and she hosted a tie dye fest.  It was tons of fun but I wasn’t sure how the guests I didn’t know would feel about their photos on the internet so I don’t have any pictures.  I will show you my shirt when it finishes drying tomorrow.  And I will also show you the amazing rainbow cake that Emily made –

Eeek!  I was seriously impressed.  I don’t actually like the taste of cake that much though (no matter how cute it is) so I ate half of this piece plus a glass of Blueberry Lemonade Stoli and called it a day.

Adam and I took a walk down Elmwood and ran a few errands, and before I knew it dinner time had arrived.  I can’t think of a more fitting way to end my 25th year than this –

See you from 26!

Treat Upon Treat

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Is it okay if I start every post this week with “phew?”  Having visitors is the best kind of exhausting fun.  Especially exhausting if those visitors are my parents and we aren’t just counting the hours until they leave!  My mom, dad, Adam and I always have the best time exploring.  Adam and I aren’t technically on vacation, but we sure ate like we were.

My eyes shut way past 1 am last night and picking my parents up this morning felt like a total feat.  Iced coffee (Wegman’s version of Jamaican Me Crazy, with skim milk) was necessary.

I also split a poppy seed bagel with cream cheese with my dad.

Wegman’s bakery never fails to impress; the bagels were the freshest of fresh and this was so chewy and good.

I made dinner at our apartment tonight and I took my parents on the tour de Wegmans while we picked up the necessary provisions.  When you live on St. Thomas, stateside grocery stores are seriously exciting.

I ate an apple en route to our main activity for the day,

the outlet mall!  Niagara has the best outlet mall ever, with deals from Coach and Juicy Couture to Banana Republic and J. Crew.  We stuck more with the 2nd two, since Adam and I were on a mission to get (affordable) professional clothing for this year.  We both will be working in the hospitals and we both need to step up our wardrobes from last year.  I’ll have to take pictures of my outfits on internship days this semester, apparently I’m making this the year of grey pants!

We stopped by the Lindt outlet and we all picked a piece of candy to try.

I went with this guy, who was stuffed with hazelnut cream and marzipan.

Around lunch-time I took a few bites of my parents’ Teriyaki chicken from the food court.

But I had my eye on another prize.

A Ben and Jerry’s location?!  With several “scoop shop only” flavors?!  Gah!  I got a kid’s cup with Coffee, Coffee, Buzz, Buzz and Coconut 7-Layer Bar.

Ah-mazing.  Our freezer makes everything that isn’t single-serve icy and crappy and it was so exciting to get ice-cream that was “fresh.”  I gleefully told Adam (several times) that it was like Ben and Jerry’s fresh off the vine!  Sidenote – when I say things like that sometimes I can see Adam grimace in physical pain over how fat and dorky I am.

Our next stop was to Hertel Ave to check out the Italian Festival.

So fun.  And a lot bigger than I was expecting; it felt like we just kept walking.  We saw several fun treats,

but headed home for food since dinner was already in the crock-pot.  I made my parents pulled chicken with my 1000 Island BBQ Sauce,

corn on the cob,

and tossed salad with romaine, walnuts, baby carrots, and sun-dried tomatoes.

Such a yummy summer meal.

These pulled chicken sandwiches (with homemade bbq sauce natch!) are my favorite thing we make.

I topped my side salad with Newman’s Own Lite Caesar dressing and wheat germ.

I grew up eating wheat germ on salad and I think I need to get back in the habit, it makes the best topper.

We were all stuffed after dinner so we took a walk before dessert.  I drank a Moroccan Mint iced tea from The Spot but I forgot my camera and my glass was sucked dry before we got home.  However, if you are at The Spot this summer definitely get the Moroccan Mint, just brewed and served over ice it actually tastes sweet.

Not as sweet as goodies from the Italian Festival though.

I ate the butt end of a delicious eclair.

What a way to end the day!

Adam has school tomorrow so my parents and I might have a more low-key day.  We’ll still have fun on our own of course, but maybe I can give my feet a rest.

Confessions Post VI

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Click here to see confessions I, II, III, IV, V.

Confession #1 – I’ve been neglecting the blog this week because I’ve got an unshakable malaise and I didn’t want to subject others to whiny posts about eating ice cream.  I also haven’t worked out since I got back from vacation and I’m feeling a little awkward about it.  The real confession is that I think part of the problem is that I’m thrown by turning 26 this month!

Confession #2 – I woke up at 6am this morning and made myself a grilled cheese sandwich.

Confession #3 – When I was 15 my parents let me pierce my belly button in exchange for attendance at a Saturday math skills camp.  The camp was cancelled the week after I got pierced.

Confession #4 – I have a Groupon for a month of hot yoga that kicked in on Monday but hasn’t been used yet.  I’m afraid I will be a huffy, sweaty walrus in a room of hot-hot yoga girls.  I’m making myself go tomorrow morning and I’m nervous.

Confession #5 – I couldn’t think of a final confession so instead I’m asking you guys to confess…

  1. How do you feel about getting older?
  2. What was the first thing you ate this morning?
  3. Is your belly button pierced?
  4. Yoga is supposed to be about yourself, not competition; how good are you at keeping your eyes on your own mat?
  5. Buffalo readers/bloggers – what nights are you available next week for a meet up???

Confessions V, Road Trip Edition

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Click here to read Confessions part I, II, III, and IV.

Confession # 1 – In St. Thomas we drive on the left side of the street (but in American-style cars, the steering wheel is still on the left).  My first six years living in the states, driving on the right felt uncomfortable and I would get slightly confused pulling out of parking lots.  Now driving on the right feels natural to me, and that makes me a little sad.

Confession # 2 – When I was a little kid my parents weren’t allowed to talk to me in the car.  That’s because I was in the back seat ‘telling stories.’  St. Thomas has no highways and most of the roads cut through mountains thick with underbrush, the perfect scenery for story telling.  Usually I was Caddie Woodlawn, running through the bush with my brothers.

Confession # 3 – I’m afraid of cars.  I’m a good, calm driver, but that doesn’t mean that cars aren’t giant killing machines.  I think driving should be a privilege, not a right.

Confession # 4 – When Adam and I moved from Brooklyn to Buffalo two years ago, I had to drive the Pontiac on my own and I was a little nervous.  I was following my brother-in-law in the moving van but it was pouring rain and there was lots of construction.  Plus it was the first time I’d driven in the states (on the right) in two years.  I spent the first 100 miles sobbing and eating an entire sleeve of Pringles.

Confession # 5 – When I’m driving by myself I have to skip through the following songs on my playlists because they make me cry –

  • “How to Save a Life,” The Fray
  • “Cat’s in the Cradle,” Harry Chapin
  • “In the Sun,” Joseph Arthur
  • “Good Life,” Francis Dunnery
  • “What a Wonderful World,” Isreal Kamakawiwo’ole   <– our wedding song!

My Abusive Relationship

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Get ready for the tabloid post guys, because I’m about to talk about my abusive relationship with running.

Running makes my lungs feel like they’re on fire and my legs feel like jello.  Running has me questioning my sanity.  Running can make me feel lazy and worthless.  But I can’t give it up.

Sometimes I stray.  I can’t resist the call of the warm, safe couch.  I get complacent and forget about running for a while.

But running is so exciting, it always pulls me back in.  I think “this time, things will be different.”  They never are.  Running always punishes me for my lack of loyalty.  It’s my fault; think if I was faithful, running would stop hurting me.

Even during the bad times, I still love running.  There are good times.  Running can be my rock during stressful periods.  Running doesn’t ask for much, just my sneakers and a bit of time. 

When I stick with it, running makes me feel like I can do anything.  Running helps me feel the breeze against my face.  Running helps me clear my head and think.  Running makes me feel strong. 

I ran 1 mile in 9:15 this morning.  It sucked.  And I can’t wait to do it again.

Confessions Post IV

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Click here to read Confessions part I, II, and III.

Confession #1 – This is what I wore to the mall yesterday:

In my mind, ruffled purse + pretty necklace = no one realizes I’m wearing my husband’s t-shirt.  That’s right, right?

Confession #2 – My family’s dog stopped a presidential motorcade once.  When President Clinton visited St. Thomas he ate at restaurant near our house so we stood at the top of our driveway to get a peek when he drove by.  We got more than the glimpse we’d planned for when our dachshund, Lilly, ran into the road and nearly got hit by a car full of secret servicemen!  Lilly was unharmed, but the motorcade did have to stop for a minute.

Confession #3 – I don’t have a single plain paperclip.  Adam needed one for his resume and all I could offer him was this:

He got mad.  Madder when I started to make a joke about how Frank carries his work papers to the office in his trunk.  Office ‘fonts are not amusing the night before your resume is due.

Confession #4 – I have a file on my computer that contains the rough outline for my memoir (about my years as a teacher).  I’d like to write it before I forget too many details, but when I think about my life as a teacher I get really, really angry.

Confession #5 – The TV couple Adam and I most resemble is Jordan and Dr. Cox from “Scrubs.”

Just The Tip

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I’ve worked in the food service industry since I was 17 years old.  I was an employee at Cold Stone Creamery during high school, I was a server at the on-campus bar at UMiami, and I was a server at a tourist restaurant/popular bar on my summers back home during college.  Just for funsies, here is my staff profile from Duffy’s –

I’m a big believer in karma so I always tip at least 20%.  My father (who is a 2nd grade teacher) worked as a waiter when I was a little kid so I grew up with parents who knew how to tip, and how to treat the wait staff with respect!  I realize that not everyone has worked in the service industry, or even knows someone who has, so I wanted to compile a quick post on an important part of the dining out process: tipping.

  • In most states, serves do not make minimum wage.  According to the US Department of Labor the minimum wage in New York is $7.25/hour.  The minimum wage for food service workers is $4.65/hour.  Restaurant owners are supposed to make up the difference if tips don’t bring workers up to minimum wage, but if that was actually happening restaurants would also have to raise their prices which affects you as a consumer.
  • The standard % for tipping on food and drinks is 18% (I typical get more than 20%).  I don’t believe that you should tip 15% unless your service is pretty bad.  10% is for service that is terrible. 
  • Servers do not control your entire dining experience – don’t stiff them because you are unhappy about things outside of their control.  Servers cannot control: how quickly your order comes, how strong your drink is, whether or not your food tastes good, if the restaurant is too cold, too hot, or too loud… 
  • …However, it is the server’s responsibility to be helpful if you are unhappy about any of those things.  Servers can control their attitudes.
  • If your server actually is awful, talk to the manager.  Managers and owners can only fix problems that they know about!
  • If you can’t afford the tip, you can’t afford the meal.
  • If you are using a gift certificate or Groupon you tip on the original amount before the credit.
  • Servers often tip out bus boys, the bar, etc based on their sales and not their actual tips; if you stiff a server in this situation then your meal may actually cost them money.
  • If you are in a party of 6 or larger, check the bill to make sure gratuity wasn’t added automatically.  If it was you can just pay the bill and leave, although it’s always nice to tip a little extra.
  • If you order drinks at the bar before you are seated it’s good practice to close out your tab with the bar before you move.  You drinks bill can be transferred to your server, but the bartender may end up not receiving a tip for serving you.

Have you ever worked in the food service industry?  Do you have anything to add to my list?

The Board Beard

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Adam is finished with his Step I Board Exam!!!  He won’t know his score for a while, but this means he has a free week to relax with absolutely nothing he should be studying.  This also means he’s finally going to shave.

That, my friends, is a “board beard.”  The husband has had a (normal, groomed) beard for several years now and I love it.  Much to my chagrin, he decided a month or so ago to grow a board beard.  Basically, he wasn’t going to shave again until after the exam.  I’ve been sharing a bed with Paul Bunyan, lovely.

But boards are done, so that thing’s got to go!

My day was a little more low-key than Adam’s obviously.  I did get up at 6am to make him a protein smoothie, but I’m the driver this evening so I crawled back into bed until 9:30 to make sure I was well rested.  Since I did the prep work last night, I awoke with breakfast waiting for me.

I dumped 1 sliced banana, 1/4 cup oats, and 3/4 Silk Light Vanilla Soy Milk into the 0% Plain Fage container with the last bits of yogurt.

This morning all I had to do was stir in some cinnamon sugar and move my overnight oats to my new mug.

I picked this kitchen addition up from Budala Pottery at the Allentown Art Festival and I’m loving it.  It has a nice round bottom (great for people who prefer to eat things out of their mugs than drink) and I love the look of the handle.

After breakfast I had planned to go to the gym but I’m starting to get nervous about driving all night (and moving all day!) so I decided to skip it.

Lunch.

One last serving of vegan pasta leftovers, deveganized with parmesan cheese.

It felt good to get some veggies into my system before I head on the vacation I’ve deemed “Frozen Yogurt Tour 2011!”

Plus the last of the soy milk with chocolate syrup.

If it looks frothy it’s because I shook the crap out of it.  I recently read in an issue of Cooking Light that if you aren’t shaking the sludge from the bottom of your soy milk you’re not getting the added calcium.

I spent the afternoon packing – both of our bags, car snacks – and as soon as Adam gets home and shaves we’ll be ready to hit the road.  We are reaching his parents’ house sometime in the middle of the night and spending all day Sunday helping them move.  There’s no internet at their house so I will see you guys on Monday!