Stones Under Rushing Water

Life has been a whirlwind this past 2 weeks! The great news is that I'm doing really well on the Game On Diet with my friends. My favorite thing is trash talking the competition—sooo fun!

Well here's a quick rundown on some things that have been going on lately:

Thanks to the Game On Diet, I've traded in my pizza for salads and smoothies.

I've also traded in my potato chips for these:

And boy are they tasty! No but really, I've always liked cucumbers and carrots and stuff like that, so it's not that big of a stretch* but the hard part is resisting the other things I love . . . like pizza . . . and chocolate . . . and cupcakes!

The seasons have changed in the city and I'm loving the fall here in the city. Even with the rain, it's been really nice. I've had to layer up a little more to stay warm at work, but they're working on fixing the heater in my office, so that's a plus!

One of my favorite parts of the Game On Diet is getting together each week to watch The Biggest Loser and Glee! I get to do my weigh-in and then watch as others work toward a better health as well. Then I get to forget about any pounds I may have gained ;) by watching Glee! Yesterday on Biggest Loser, we kept rewinding the DVR because at one point, Jillian grabbed one of the other girls by the butt and made the funniest faces. And THEN, Deb saw a cockroach crawl across the floor when they were at the table doing the elimination round! We still don't know HOW she saw it, but we rewound the DVR and sure enough, it was there!

This morning when I came in to work, I got a special treat in my mailbox: NEW MUSIC to listen to! This is an album from a local Seattle band, THE HEAD AND THE HEART. I spent some time this morning listening to it and I loved the mellow sound. I really appreciate that it incorporates so many different layers and instruments—ones that you don't typically hear on a mainstream candy-coated album.  It was a sweet treat for the indie folk parts of my heart. My favorite song off the album is Cats and Dogs.

In other great news: I have been whining and complaining (mostly to myself) about not getting to see the HBO mini-series BOARDWALK EMPIRE . . . which is a creation of Terence Winter, who made The Sopranos. But not only does it have great writing, it's backed by Scorcese, and it stars Steve Buscemi. Yes, that Steve Buscemi! And, as if that wasn't enough, the story takes place in one of my favorite eras—The Roaring 20s! Gangsters, flapper gowns, bright lights, drama to the max! But now . . .

I'm more than excited to start watching it—I don't even care if the season already started! The only thing is I have to wait until I'm done with the Game On Diet game, because it comes on at 10 and I have to be in bed asleep by 10 so I get my sleep points . . . and as much as I love TV, I'll turn it down for some butt-kickin' points!

Welp, that's pretty much it! My past few days in a nutshell. And oh what a refining process that nutshell is going through. ;)

In other news, I leave for Dallas next week for my Birthday Weekend!!! YAY!

* See what I did there? ;)

Banana Republics

Last night me and the housemates got together for Banana Time! What is banana time you ask (I didn't really know what it was either)?

Basically, you cut a banana open, insert chocolate, wrap it in foil, bake it for a bit, and then open it up and add whip cream and ENJOY!

We had so much fun making these and talking about random stuff. One of the funnier moments to note was talking about the canvas portrait that's hanging in our upstairs hallway. It came with the house that we all rent and it's a painting of a chick in her undies. We were talking about how funny it is that we only have 2 pictures hanging on our walls in the house—the chick in the undies painting, and a framed picture of a beach scene. As a joke, I kept saying that whoever gets married first, I'm going to give them that painting as a wedding present—just so they can keep a piece of the house with them! I'm not really going to, but it was fun to laugh at the thought.

Anyway . . . here are some pics from our Banana Time:






Also, another random fact I will share. 99.9% of the time, if whip cream is put in arm's reach of me, it will end up on my face. Here's a pic of me getting ready to shave my whip creamed face with a spoon:



Fun times never end! ;)

Party In The U.S.A.

Today was our company picnic! We went to Seward Park and had a giant potluck and had a great time. I was really brave and tried some new foods . . . I ate TOFU! So crazy! I never would have thought I would, but I did. I'm not really a fan. I had to follow it up with some watermelon and some frozen custard. I usually don't eat seafood, but the main dish was salmon, so I ate a little bit of it. It was kinda weird tasting, but not terrible. I also got to try some caramel goat cheese . . . crazy right??

I really enjoy all of my co-workers and all their fun personalities :D Some of my co-workers brought their kiddos and so we had a giant water gun fight and that was a lot of fun too! :D One of the kids that was there was commenting on some food that another co-worker brought and said, "She paid a lot of money for that. She bought it FOR SALE, not ON SALE." It was so cute :D

The view was BEAUTIFUL and we all talked about everything from the VMAs to the glory of Mi Tierra in San Antonio and the beauty of Chuy's and BBQ in Austin :D Overall it was a really relaxing fun day :D

Some photos from the day:

the Tofu i ate :D

Dance, Dance

While I was enjoying a nice Double Grande Latte and Raspberry Scone at Cafe Ladro this morning, I was looking through the paper and came across an interesting story. It's kinda long but posed an interesting thought process for me.

Apparently some High School kids participated in a planned, massive food fight. As a result, some students were expelled and their prom is being held ransom.

I found myself wondering if the punishment was a bit too harsh. I mean, on one hand...it's a food fight. It's a kid thing...a rite of passage, if you will...granted, these kids ARE in High School. The fun jokester in me thinks this is the most hilarious thing. The ever rising socially conscious person in me thinks, "Don't these kids know we're in a recession? That food COSTS MONEY!" The compassionate person in me thinks, "There are kids in Africa who could be EATING that food that they're just throwing around." The cynic in me thinks, "But even so...would kids in Africa actually WANT to eat cafeteria food?" (yes i know, they would LOVE it!). And the mentor in me thinks, "Geeze kids. Grow up." And the fun-loving young person in me says, "Expelled? Prom on hold? It's JUST FOOD!" So I have so many thoughts about it going on in my mind. What about you? What do you think?

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Prom put on hold, 14 students expelled over food fight at Mill Creek School

Fourteen Jackson High School students were expelled and the prom was suspended after a food fight broke out Thursday in the cafeteria of the Mill Creek school.

By Lynn Thompson

Seattle Times Snohomish County reporter


Andrew King got a text message in his third-period class: There's gonna be a food fight at lunch.

Other Jackson High School students heard the rumors in the halls. So when first lunch period began around 11 a.m. Thursday, students at the Mill Creek school say, tension filled the air, teenagers looked from one to another and wondered if the famous scene from National Lampoon's "Animal House" would be re-enacted in their own cafeteria.

Then a carton of milk flew through the air and splattered on the floor.

Fight on.

Before it was over, a package of Cup Noodles had been launched, along with fruit, chocolate milk, Tater Tots, sandwiches and coffee cake. One student emptied a condiment tray of relish over another student's head, according to one witness.

"Once food started flying, it was all over the ceiling and floor," said King, a junior, who estimated that more than 100 kids took part. "It was pretty great."

After the melee, 14 students, including King, were expelled. Administrators also suspended the May 23 senior prom.

Everett School District spokeswoman Mary Waggoner said that administrators had also gotten wind of the planned food fight and had called several students into the office before lunch to warn them not to participate.

"This was pure, defiant disobedience," Waggoner said. "They clearly understood this would not be tolerated."

The 14 students may return to school if they bring a parent and meet with school administrators, Waggoner said.

She also said the prom may still be held, but first administrators will draw up plans so that everyone attending understands expectations for proper behavior.

Not surprisingly, many students said the administration was overreacting and shouldn't punish seniors for an incident that, they say, involved students from all classes.

"We're kids. Let us have fun. Everybody wants to have a food fight," said senior Karley Espinoza.

Brandon Peltier, a junior, said once the initial milk carton flew, he grabbed a large bowl of whole fruit from the lunch line and started lobbing oranges, kiwi and apples. He was expelled along with the other students.

King said a flying tomato slice stuck to his face. He spotted a friend across the cafeteria and hurled a Tater Tot. It was a perfect strike. He was nabbed by a teacher when he raised his arms triumphantly.

Senior Sandy Crissinger said she and some other drama students watched the fight from the cafeteria stage. "Oh boy, it was quite a scene," she said.

She said teachers and administrators quickly closed the doors to the cafeteria and ordered students to start cleaning up the mess.

She said the expulsions blew the incident out of proportion.

"We wanted to have fun. We're over it," she said.
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Link to story + video ---> Click Here.

Pour Some Sugar On Me

For the past week and a half, I've been working on this massive mailout for work and one of our co-workers has this awesome niece, Cherie, who has been volunteering time every afternoon to help. So we've been able to spend some great quality time together. This week her aunt is in Africa at a conference and she's here all by her lonesome. Did I mention she's not from Seattle (like me!). She's from Atlanta, Georgia—ATL!! So we're spending some extra fun time together this week since we get along so well and have a lot in common—like our obsessive love for BBQ and Chick-Fil-A!

Today we went to this chocolate shop in Queen Anne called CHOCOLOPOLIS!


It should have been named HEAVEN or CHOCOTOPIA! Their chocolate was amazing! It was so exquisite! Some of the truffles looked like they were marbleized stones. Seriously!

We both got chocolate covered pretzels!

She got a strawberry truffle while I got a coconut truffle and a bag of strawberry vanilla marshmallows. They taste A M A Z I N G!!!!



Tomorrow after work we're going to dinner and then on Friday night we're gonna go see a movie together! I love hanging out with her! She's so fun to be around!

Apple and Cinnamon

So since nothing super duper uber exciting has happened since the wedding, I figured I would post something fun.  I want to keep in the habit of keeping this sucker updated and just keep in the habit of writing in general.  So today's topic is: FOOD!! I just wanted to share with you guys some of my favorite foods.
#1.  PIZZA... need i say more?

#2.  COFFEE... it counts as a food group, right?

#3.  RED ROBIN'S MUSHROOM SWISS BURGER... it's what Jesus would eat...eh?

#4. RUDY'S BBQ... but mostly the cream corn

#5. CHEDDAR'S SANTA FE SPINACH DIP... the best spinach dip I've tasted... my whole life

#6. CHICK FIL A CHICKEN SANDWICH... top it off with waffle fries and a sweet tea and you'll be in heaven!  Now all they need is to have some of these in Seattle!

#7. CHEESE ENCHILADAS... a family favorite... my dad's homemade ones are the best!

#8. DAN'S BREAKFAST TACOS... If you're ever in Austin and we hang out, you should ask for a breakfast date...cause we'll totally chow down on these suckers!

#9. VELVEETA SHELLS AND CHEESE... I do love good 'ol Mac N Cheese, but if I'm treating myself, it's def. the shells and cheese

#10.  HERSHEY BAR PIE...  I am a chocolate lover in general, but this is one of my faves... to make and to eat!

Can't Get Enough Of Your Love

Post #4: The evening of the Big Day

After the wedding, me, Joshua, Simo, and Devin Vitone all met up with some of our other Colorado friends:

Brian & Hannah Brooks

Sean & Heidi Mitchell

and Brent McNeely

We all met up for pizza at Il Vicino and then had ice cream at Josh & John's Naturally Homemade Ice Cream Shop!  We had GREAT conversations and got to catch up with everyone!  I wish I had taken more pics, but we were too deep in laughter and conversation.  :D

One cool thing is that at the ice cream shop, they had a giant black board and chalk out where you can doodle or write or whatever and "leave your mark"... and I totally did.  Check out my AMO signature on the board!  :D

Close Encounters Of The Weird Kind

I think I've told a few people this story, but definitely haven't told all you other awesome blog reading friends of mine. So, a few days before I left for Austin, I had the weirdest, most awkward conversation with a guy. Now, let's set some things straight- I am totally up for dating, and would love to be in a serious relationship...but let's get real...when the guy is like 40 and he's hitting on me...it's so not sexy. In fact, it's gross. And I ALWAYS get hit on by the guys who are like, old enough to be my dad! It's soooo entirely weird! I dunno. Just weird. Oh, and then I'll tell you about another one towards the end about this one guy who really...blew his shot...at lunch one day. So funny!

*** THE COPY GUY ***

I work in the University District (U-District) in Seattle and there's a ton of local shops that I get to stop in on from time to time. One of the main ones is a Copy and Print Shop that's about a block away from where I work. I've been in a few times, and this one guy is almost always there. And when his chick co-worker isn't there, he quickly turns into a creepo. Like, one time I went in and got pictures of myself printed so I could send them to friends. Well, after he printed them, he looked at them for like 4 minutes before telling me how much I owed him. But he was like.... gawking...at the photos. and he's like, "these...are... really nice." And after picking up on the vibe, I was like, "thank you so much." and then rushed outta there. And seriously... this guy is like...in his early 40s or something...and, I can dig older guys...but NOT THAT old.

So the time I went in before I left for Austin, I was getting some tickets printed up for our big Dec. 4th event. I got in early cause I had a lot to do before I left. And so I took my thumb drive with all my files on it and took it down there. And NO ONE was in the shop except for me and my "not-so-secret admirer." So then he sits at the computer next to me and just...watches me open up the file and starts up some conversation that goes like this:

Him > So, do you work at the University?
Me > No. I work in a small office nearby.
Him > Have I seen you somewhere before?
Me > Well, I've been here in the store a couple of times. So yeah, maybe.
Him > Didn't I see you at (names a random bar) ?
Me > (with a small laugh) uh. no. No i've never been there.
Him > Oh. Well then I must have seen you at (names another random bar) .
Me > Um. No. I'm pretty sure it wasn't me. Maybe it was my twin or something.
Him > Oh. Do you...uh...not drink?
Me > No. I don't. Sorry.
Him > Oh...yeah... neither do I. No. I don't drink. Why don't you drink?
Me > Well, I've just seen the way it's destroyed my brother's life and most of my family. Nothing good ever comes of it in my experience. And I don't want to live my life the way my brother does, so... I just don't.
Him > You have very pretty hair.
Me > (awkwardly) Uh. Thanks. My dad really likes it too. (laughing in my head)
Him > So, are you from ( random neighborhood in Seattle ) ?
Me > No. I'm from (I gave him the name of the neighborhood next to mine, cause I sure as heck ain't telling him where I live).
Him > So are you originally from India?
Me > Um. No. No I"m not from India. (He is) My mom is spanish and my dad is mexican american, which is why I guess I could seem foreign. A lot of people think I'm from Brazil.
Him > Oh. Yeah. Well you're very pretty.
Me > Thanks. I uh, gotta make a quick call before I forget... (I dash to the opposite side of the store and call my mom. She talks to me for like all of 8 minutes while the guy is working on printing my stuff, and then says she has to go...THANKS, MOM.)

So when I'm done, he's got my prints ready to go. So I ask him how much I owe him, and he charges me a less than the original price since I don't have exact change. Which, I think is nice, but seriously sir... that's no way to buy my affection.

So as I'm paying, he goes, "Well...I was really trying very hard to impress you. But I guess it didn't work." and he was soooo distraught. :(

So I lied. :(

I was like, "I am so sorry. I'm really just not interested in dating right now." Okay, so it wasn't a total lie. I mean, I wasn't interested in dating HIM. Anyway, I jetted out of the store... and got halfway down the block and called up Joy and I was so confused- it was completely awkward and hilarious all at the same time.

***THE FREE BIRD***

So another case in which I just don't have luck with the guys. So one day after church, I went to eat with a bunch of friends from our college ministry. We went to (one of my favorite places EVER in Austin) FREEBIRDS to eat. So while I was in line, there was this guy who had just started coming to our church and was really starting to get to know everyone. But he was kinda....socially awkward...you could say.

While we were at FREEBIRDS, me and this guy stood in line together and were just talking about what each of us did. He was a student at UT who had also gone to college in a small texas town for another graduate program. And he just moved to Austin that summer. I told him I was on staff with Master's and that I taught students Graphic Design, Web Design and Video Production, along with teaching them book studies and being a discipleship director. Anyway, we got to the end of the line and i realized I totally accidentally left my wallet in my office at the church. So he offered to pay for me! Which, I thought was ultimately sweet...cause he TOTALLY didn't have to! So as we were getting our drinks, I thanked him and told him how grateful I was for his kind gesture. His reply?

"Oh, that's okay. You're a poor minister and I can support that"

Gee. Thanks.

I'm sure he meant that differently than it came out, so I decided to just let it slide and give him another shot. So then we're sitting there, eating our AMAZINGLY YUMMY FREEBIRD BURRITOS (yum-O) and we keep talking. He's going on and on about all the classes he's taking and how many accolades he's achieved, and how smart he is and how great of a personality he has...blah...blah...blah. (It feels weird when the person congratulates them-self more than you ever could). So then he's like, "Oh yeah. I mean, i wake up every morning and look in the mirror and I'm just so ready to dive into like a philosophy book. I just love sitting down with people and talking about philosophy with everyone all day." And I just kept nodding and smiling, the whole time thinking...oh jeeze. I could handle a couple of philosophical discussions, but not all day. :(

Then came the kicker. He looks at me and asks, "So, when are you gonna like stop working for Master's and grow up and get a real job?"

I was speechless.

I was like, "Well I"m sure there's a million and one things I could be doing right now, but for the time being, I really feel like I'm doing what I love and it is actually a real job. I actually do stuff that constitutes a real job." Pretty sure I said some harsh and sarcastic things in my mind at the time.

and he's like, "Yeah, I guess."

Then I changed the subject to something else where I didn't think he'd put his foot in his mouth. Needless to say, he wasn't a keeper either.

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So tell me guys, have you ever had an embarrassing story along the lines of relationships with the opposite sex? Do Tell!! :D