How To Turn That Frown Upside + A Year Of Fun Bright Idea

Yesterday was a pretty crumby day.  Nothing seemed to be going right at work & I was feeling defeated by the day.  Right after work I went to the gym to, as I texted Erik, "blow off some steam from this terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day." (Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day is a book & it's great!)  What it talks about is not letting a couple things going wrong ruin your entire day.  Not to mention, one of my favorite songs, Good Day clearly tells me, "Instead of waiting around through ups and downs...I just say we're gonna have a good day."

So, it was me, not the day, that was the problem.  It didn't hurt either that after telling Erik about this terrible horrible day, he took me out for pho. 

Pho cures all.

While at dinner, we started talking our "Year of Fun" (our first 2 weeks are here & here).  Erik suggested we do "Meatless Mondays" (I think hell froze over when he said that) and have a movie night every Wednesday.  I suggested each Wednesday we trade off who gets to pick what movie we watch and the other person can't complain! He agreed.  So instead of posting every single day on our Year of Fun updates, I'm going to share our Meatless Monday recipe & a review of the movie we watched on Thursdays. 

I've been jamming to Good Day all morning & thinking about what lil Alexander taught me, because heck yes TODAY IS GONNA BE A GOOD DAY!

TGIF!

Sweet Seattle

Ohmigod, hi end of January!!! It's about damn time I finally finish my Christmas Vacation recap! In case you forgot (& probably did) our first stop was visiting my family in Scottsdale, then it was off to Montana to see Erik's mom & stepdad. And our last & final stop was to visit Erik's dad & stepmom and celebrate New Years in Seattle!  

Seattle holds a special place in my heart.  I met Erik while we were both on vacation in San Diego (you can read the whole story here), but he was living in Seattle (where he was born & raised) and I was living and going to school in Tempe, AZ.  So after departing San Diego, we kept in touch and Erik asked me to come visit him in Seattle.  Of course I said yes! Which in all honesty, was a little sketch considering I had only hung out with the man for a few days in Cali, but from the beginning, something felt so right about him & I thank sweet baby Jesus everyday I'm a little crazy & spontaneous because now I can call this amazing guy my boyfriend.  ANYWAYS. Back to the point (Seattle holding a special place in my heart, in case I lost you)... when I went to visit Erik, that was the first time I had ever been to Seattle, so ever single time I go back now, I can still imagine how I felt that first time.  All the fun Erik & I had, the places we went, and how I knew he might just be the one (maybe this is a little crazy of me to admit, but I had a clear image of Erik & I being together forever while we were frolicking around Seattle Center.)  Needless to say, I love visiting Seattle and this trip did not disappoint!

One of the first things I wanted needed when we got to Washington was oyster shooters!  And after a couple failed attempts at getting any, I finally did! I was a woman on a mission!!

Pretty views from after dinner that night... 

On New Year's Eve, we headed to downtown Seattle with some friends, where I had every intention of taking a plethora of pictures. 

But there they are.  The only three, yes THREE, I took.  Actually that's a lie, I have like 38743982842908428430498 different versions of the last two, but I'll spare you.  Despite the lack of pictures, New Years was a total blast & I loved every second of it!

It was gorgeous outside the day before we left, so Erik & I spent some time walking around Gig Harbor (& getting more oyster shooters).

So there you have it, my friends! My Christmas Vacation recap is finally complete, cheers to that!

xo

A Year of Fun: Week 2

Last week I posted about how one of my goals for 2014 was to do more fun things during the work week; because in all reality that's the majority of our existence, so if we're not having a little bit of fun, we're wasting a whole lot of time! These fun things I've been trying to do aren't anything super extravagant or spectacular, but making a concentrated effort to do something just a little bit fun really adds up. I want to inspire people to do the same, so I will (try!) and post what we've been up to each week.  So here it is, Week Two!

Monday.  I decided to try a new recipe for dinner (always exciting) and this one was a winner, winner chicken dinner... pun very much intended, as this fantastic new recipe was Chicken Curry.  It was no where near as pretty as it was delicious, so there is no photo evidence that this dish even existed, but my tastebuds & I can swear to you that it did! You can find the recipe here.

Tuesday.  Almost every Tuesday, my boyfriend and one of his besties head to the driving range after work, and this Tuesday I decided to venture along with them.  I am no golfer, but I quickly discovered you could drink beer at this driving range, ummm heck yes golf is my favorite sport!  And after all that golfing, Erik & I had worked up an appetite and decided to use the giftcard my parents got us for Christmas at our favorite pho place.

Wednesday. Same as last Wednesday, gym and Subway. I can definitely get enough gym, but can never get enough Subway!

Thursday.  I convinced Erik to BBQ, and he agreed under one circumstance, we also rent a movie.  So he headed to the grocery store & to pick up a Redbox, and nearly an hour later (the grocery store is not his forte) he came home with steaks, mussels & potatoes.  Oh and the best movie EVER (insert sarcasm here) The Family. My apologies if that's like really your favorite movie ever.

He may have questionable taste in movies, but the man can cook!

On Thursday night, Erik also asked me if I thought I would be able to get February 13-14 off work.  Why, you ask... because he wants to plan a long weekend in Vegas! That little tidbit was the cherry on top of my Thursday night, and we will indeed be heading to Vegas come February!

Friday.  The weekend is finally upon us!!!! And what better way to kickstart the weekend than with a marg, fresh salsa, and great friends?! 

Friday night my BFF, Sarah also came down to spend the weekend with us in Tucson. We wine tasted on Saturday, hit the casino, watched the Seahawks land a spot in the Superbowl, and didn't stop laughing the entire weekend.  I blame all the fun we were having on my absolute lack of pictures taken.  That's a lie, I do have quite the embarrassing fabulous picture of Sarah, but since she's my BFF, I would never share it on my blog, just mention its existence ;)

Happy Monday, here's to another fun week ahead! 

Montana

Well well well, here I am back to reminisce about our Christmas vacation.  After we spent Christmas with my family in Scottsdale, we hopped on a plane the next day and headed to Montana.  Erik's mom & stepdad live in Billings, a place I had visited before and a place I knew would be very, very cold.  Although I was so excited to visit, I was also quite nervous my warmest clothes (I live in Tucson where the coldest it gets is like 50-60 degrees) wouldn't cut it in 20 degree weather.  So I packed every sweater I owned and hoped for the best, thinking it's nothing a little wine couldn't fix!

We arrived late that night, drank some wine, ate some chili, went to bed and woke up to these beautiful views...

That day we also left for Yellowstone.  Luckily Erik's saint of a mother bought us long underwear & earmuffs to help us brave the cold.  (I'm such a wuss, I know!!) We would be touring the park on a snow coach and I had no idea what a fun day it would be.  

But hello, when this thing rolls up to pick you up, you know it's gonna be a good day.

We spent about six hours on this thing, making stops to get a closer look at the beautiful wildlife, eat lunch, and play in the snow (or was that just me?)  And for your viewing pleasure, I present you with Yellowstone through the eyes of my iPhone...

Trumpeter swans

Bison bison bison 

Oh hey, Moose!

Hot springs

Mud pots

Geysers! (I'm FREEZING, but having the best time, can you tell?!)

This was one of the most amazing days of my life.  I saw spectacular things that I've never seen or have even imagined seeing before.  But one of my favorite parts of this day was challenging Erik's 12 year old nephew to a race in the snow.  The distance we decided to run didn't look too far but holy shit running in the snow is no easy task.  He had the lead for quite a while until finally I passed him, then fell about a foot from the finish line.  I crawled in the snow (terrible idea, in retrospect) those last 12 inches, I wasn't about to let this kid beat me. But alas, he did, only by millimeters I tell you!! He later told me he ran in my footprints. (Smart kid!)

Happy Thursday! Don't stay too thirsty xoxo  

Am I A Grown Up?

While we were at dinner in Seattle one night over Christmas Break, Erik's 7 year old niece kept asking if I was a grown up and I kept asking her, "Well do YOU think I'm a grown up?!"  She couldn't come up with an answer and neither could I, so finally I just sighed and said, "Ya, I guess." 

At this same dinner outing with Erik's niece, nephew (he's 9) & Erik's dad & stepmom, a couple who had been sitting at a table near us, approached our table as they were leaving, and looked right at Erik & me, and the woman said, "I just wanted to come by and compliment how well-behaved your children are."  Erik & I stared at her in shock for a couple seconds, until one of us (me) pulled themselves together.  I mustered up a smile and thanked her.  We all laughed after the couple left, but inside I kept thinking, "I DO NOT LOOK OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE A 9 YEAR OLD!!!"  

After that dinner, it was solidified, I am a grown up.

And although deep down I know, and accept that I'm a grown up, here's a list of reasons that might just be a whole bunch of rubbish.

1.  I wear a leopard onesie to bed.  Yes, feeties and all.  The only thing this bad boy is lacking is one of those buttflaps for making midnight bathroom-going a tad bit easier.

I'm sad because I have to put on work clothes. 

2. Speaking of bed, my bedtime is 8:30.  I kid you not, I am in bed by 8:30 Monday-Thursday.  Although I may not fall asleep until 9:00-9:30 8:35, I've got my teeth brushed, jammies on, & head on my (not so) fluffy pillow by 8:30 sharp each night.

3. I don't own a punch bowl.  When I was planning my 25th Bday Bash, one of the things I knew I had to have was spiked punch.  But OH EM GEE I don't even own a punch bowl!!! Luckily, I was having said soiree at my parents' house, so I didn't have to worry about owning a punch bowl, until next year, when I'm a grown up. 

4. This is my favorite food.

5. Our Christmas tree is still up.  What self respecting adult still has their Christmas tree up on January 14?! Anyone....anyone......??

There she is in all her New Year glory.

Happy Tuesday, my friends! Being an adult is sooooo overrated anyway.

Post-Vacation Life

Well friends, Erik & I survived our first week back at work after 2 glorious weeks of vacation.  And you know what?  It wasn't half bad.  

On New Year's Day, I got a little depressed thinking about how soon our vacation would be coming to an end.  I knew New Year's Eve was the last "big hurrah" of our trip and what a FUN hurrah it was.  (I promise to post the rest of our Montana & Seattle vacation soon!!)  So I was quite sad to see it all coming to an end.  But when Erik & I were in the airport January 4, we talked about how we actually liked our jobs and weren't completely dreading going back to work.  (But I mean, who doesn't want to stay on vacation forever?!)  We also couldn't wait to sleep in our own bed again, finally!  

We got back to Phoenix late Saturday night, and drove back to Tucson early Sunday morning.  We I unpacked and started laundry in record time and OH. MY. GOD. it felt soo good to be sitting on our own couch catching up on all the TV shows we missed.  We also decided to have some of our friends over that night for an early BBQ and were in bed by 8 o'clock.  So far, post-vacation life wasn't shaping up to be as bad as I thought!  And when Thursday hit, I really started thinking, "Wow, this has been one of the best weeks ever!"  A thought I don't think I've ever had post-vacay.  Erik & I tried to do something semi-fun each night, to help ease our vacation ending woes, and I think we're going to carry this "doing fun things durning the week" goal out for the rest of 2014.  So here's how Week One went:

Monday.  We brought back some Steelhead Salmon from Seattle & Erik grilled it up Monday night.  He topped it with a light brushing of mayo (a trick he learned from his Mama), lemons and rosemary.  I was on side dish (and wine drinking) duty and made some garlic green beans & rice pilaf.  The salmon was perfection & oh so delicious. 

Tuesday. UGH. Alright story time... Every year my Aunt & Uncle host a football pool for the college bowl games.  I don't think I've entered it since I was in college but this year I was feeling frisky and did.  There were only a couple teams I picked with intention (Arizona State & University of Arizona), the rest I picked based on their team colors or whether I'd want to visit the place they're from.  ANYWHO.  There's like close to 30 games, cut to the last few and I realize I'm tied for first.  TIED FOR FIRST!!! I became obsessed with watching these last few games and winning.  I am so competitive, I can't help it!  The last game (Auburn/Florida) was played on Tuesday.  I had chosen Auburn to take the cake & the 2 guys tied for first with me picked Florida.  I could smell victory!! In case you didn't see the game, it was cray.  Auburn had the lead for 4 quarters.  Then some bad bad bad things happened and victory slipped right through my their fingers.  Although a football pool victory was no longer in my future, Erik & I still had a fun night of cheering like maniacs for Auburn.

Victory was not mine.

Wednesday.  Erik & I finally made our first trip to the gym in 2014. Wooooo! The gym isn't necessarily my favorite place but I always feel better after I leave.  And bonus! Subway is conveniently located between our gym and our apartment complex, so sometimes we decide to stop their on our way home to grab some dinner.  I love Subway nights for many reasons, but my favorite being that it means I'm gonna have a bomb lunch the next day! And going to work is so much better when you know you have a tasty lunch waiting for you. 

Thursday.  One of my friends got me a movie gift card for Christmas, so Thursday night Erik & I decided to use it to see Wolf of Wall Street.  Who doesn't love a movie mid-week?! Especially one starring Leonardo DiCaprio. And what a fantastic movie it was! I would highly recommend it if you're thinking about venturing to the theater this weekend.  It is on the long side (THREE hours) but who doesn't want to spend 3 hours with Leo?!

Friday. Girls Night!! Two of my coworker besties & I had a pho date.  After our first week back to work, some pho and boba drinks (infused with alcohol!) were just what we needed. 

What a perfect start to the weekend!

Babies, Engagements, & New Years Resolutions

Monday in class we were talking about New Years, when all of a sudden one of my little darlings had an “ahhhh-ha!” moment & blurts out, “I know why it’s called New Years!!!!!! Because it’s a NEW year!!!!” Oh, tiny humans.

SO. Babies and engagements. No, I am neither pregnant nor engaged. But everyone else seems to be. Yes. EVERYONE.  Have you ever been in a room and announced, “I hate everyone.” And everyone in the room is shocked shocked that you hate them. No you buffoons, I’m not talking about you, obviously.  My point being, I use the term "everyone" quite loosely, and the word "hate" for that matter too, because I really don't hate anyone.  Swear.  It just seems like when you know more than just one person who something is happening to (ie. preggers or engaged) it seems like it's really happening to everyone & their mother.

Now, would I like to be engaged or pregnant?  I sure wouldn't mind rocking some new bling (Okay, I really love my boyfriend too.  Like sometimes it grosses me out how in love with him I am.  Ewwww cooties).  And as for the bambino?  I have to admit the thought of a mini Erik running around (not to mention how good Erik is with kids) makes my heart melt.  But then there's the lightening bolt of a reality check when I think about how unconducive our lifestyle is to having a kid right now.  Wine is just something I am not ready to give up for longer than a week day.  

I just love him so much!!!!

But it seems as though sometimes my mind is taken up by thoughts of getting married and having kids (where my life should be when I'm 25, right?! lolz silly brain, why do you think like that?!!) And that is why one (of my many) New Years Resolutions is to BE PATIENT.  I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo impatient.  When I get an idea in my head, it has to happen NOW.  Which is not always a bad thing.  But for stuff that I know will eventually happen, it is no bueno.  I am certain Erik & I will get married and have kids when the time is right (oh how cliche) and for now, just calm the eff down.  

Namaste, my friends! 

I'm Baaaaaaaaack

I'll start this post by saying one of my New Year's resolutions is to blog more.  Like 3 times a week.  At least.  Kinda sad my last post was December 19, but I have a kinda good excuse.  I've been on vacation!

If you don't know, I'm a kindergarten teacher, so I've had the past two weeks off (and I'm not ready to go back to work tomorrow: cue temper tantrum), and Erik was able to take that time off work too, so we were able to visit our families in 3 different states.  I was going through my pictures today, and there's quite a lot, and I don't want to bombard bore you, so I'll start with our time spent in Arizona with my family.

We left for Scottsdale the day before Christmas Eve, and hosted an Ugly Sweater gift exchange at my parent's house.  After my 25th birthday and discovering my friends are just as into theme parties as me, I've been scouring my brain for any & all times I can throw one.

But before we left for Scottsdale, Erik & I had a gingerbread house making contest.  I was convinced I could beat him, but he kept telling me otherwise.  My house is on the left.  Joke's on me I guess.

Now back to the Ugly Sweater Party...

My best friend, Sarah was in Paris & couldn't attend, but she was there in spirit thanks to my dad.

Kobe & his cousin, Albie also dressed up.

Christmas Eve we did it up Italian style with a Feast of 7 Fishes

My dad makes the best seafood salad. I swear it gets better every year.

Of course there were festive drinks...

...and family

But the highlight had to be playing Cards Against Humanity with Grandma.  If you don't know Cards Against Humanity, you must get to know it. Think of it as a dirty version of Apples to Apples.

Grandma is not amused.

Hope you all had the best holiday season!!