Beginning of my Vacay

Happy Tuesday, all. I hope that your week has started off nicely. I, myself, am on my 2-week break from work and BOY can I say that I am enjoying being lazy. It's just nice to be able to wake up without an alarm (altho I did this morning bc I stayed over at MG's place and he has to work), catch up on DVR shows during the day, stop by the bank, get my car serviced. All of the crap that I never really feel like I have enough time to do during the work week.
It's the little things in life, I tell you.

So, this weekend I was finally able to get away from day-to-day life, get out of town, and visit my old roomie/bestie, Genna over the weekend. It's been a few months since she moved out (and subsequently since I have seen her) and it was JUST like old times...something I think is a true sign of friendship. No matter how long you are apart, as soon as you see one another, it's like you were always together. Love it!

Since this weekend was Yom Kippur, and Genna is Jewish, I celebrated and broke fast with the family (even tho I hadnt been fasting). It was awesome to see Genna and her family, and spend some time with them, also seeing the traditions that they have as a family. I found irony in the fact that I'm no longer dating a Jewish guy anymore, and yet still found myself celebrating the holidays :) That night we went out and had some drinks (how many? I'm not sure lol) with her bf, bro and sis-in-law which was a ton of fun. Sadly there were only two pictures taken this weekend and one of them was this one:

This should be a sign of how the evening went lol

Sunday was spent lounging/relaxing for the most part, gossiping and girl-talking, eating some yummy food from a cute place in VA Beach called Taste Unlimited (so delish!) and watching our reality tv shows. And we did so in the same couch-position that we did when we lived together. Some things never change :)

Monday I drove back home and picked MG up at the airport after being gone in Minnesota visiting friends (his friend works for the Minnesota Vikings, so they got to go "behind the scenes," watch the game with the players' families, see the players and coaches, and basically have a kick A time. Didn't hurt that the Vikings actually pulled out a W (which is more than I can say for MG's Eagles HAH!). The weather here yesterday was phenomenal so we went to Roosevelt Island, did a nice walk/jog around the island and then along the Potomac and had a relaxing night in with a dinner of wraps and smoothies. Can't beat it!

I have no funny kid stories and no gripes about how much I hate work. Right now Im just enjoying the time off, getting caught up on things, and preparing for our trip to the Dominican that we leave for bright and early on Friday morning. And BOY do I mean early. (Our flight leaves at 6am!)

I hope your weeks are going well. I'm off to get some laundry done and watch some more tv, read, and pretty much, whatever the heck else that I want. Wooohooo for breaks from work!

Metro Musings

Traveling via public transportation is always an interesting experience. Some days more than others. Delays, traffic, etc are normal occurrences but the things that make commutes long and awkward/uncomfortable are numerous.

First, you have the awkward starer: a person who you can tell is staring at you throughout the entire ride. You glance at them to let them know "Hey, I know you're looking at me. So cut it out" and they look away quickly. Then a minute or so later you feel their eyes on you again. Gah. What makes this worse? When you transfer to another train/mode of transportation, sighing in relief that you have escaped....only to turn around and see them on there with you. Again. For more awkward staring. (This entire situation happened to me on Thursday which totally prompted this post.)

Second, you have the annoying teenagers. They seem to have the loudest volume known to man (do not seem to own headphones, so we all get to listen to whatever they are listening to), have no cares that their cussing/discussion/stupid conversation is being overheard by everyone in the vicinity. Blasting  music, making out....there are a ton of options. None of which are fun to be around.



Third, you have the people who take up more than their fair share of the seat either with their bodies, or with all of their crap.  Like these:

Really? You're in a suit. Put your feet on the floor.

Yeah, you definitely look like you need BOTH of those seats...

Move your stupid bag!!!!

Uhhh, put your shoes on. No one wants to see your feet, smell them, or sit in a chair where your feet have been. Gross.

Fourth, the people who are panhandling for money on the metro/subway car. I give them credit--it's at least a decent idea when you have people who are stuck with you inside of a moving train who can't escape, to ask them for money. This makes it nearly impossible to walk away from or pretend you didn't hear like you can on the streets.   Making it that much more insanely uncomfortable and awkward. To top it off, even if I WAS in a giving mood, I'm not one who enjoys busting my wallet out on the train. Especially on the lines that I ride on (for you DC peeps, the yellow and green...enough said).  Personally I had never seen pan-handling on the subway until I started commuting into DC for work last year.

And, a funny story from my own personal experience:
When I was commuting into DC for grad school, I used to take an early early train to get to my 8am class. Most mornings you encounter some of the same people who take the same trains, etc. Well, I encountered this guy who had Down Syndrome and always wore a Redskins starter jacket (yes, I said starter jacket). One day he sat down next to me, in this DEAD SILENT metro car (everyone is sleepy and quiet in the mornings), and starts chatting me up. I kind of converse with him (in a whisper) and then get off at my stop.
A few days later I see him get on the train and sit down. Then he sees me, gets up and comes over to sit down next to me. He starts talking to me about how he broke up with his gf because her mom got mad that he would call the house all the time (and at this point we are pulling into a stop, the doors are opening, and people are starting to get on the train). And he goes (really loudly): "She picked up the phone and goes "STOP CALLING ME!!!"  ..................insert a bunch of people looking at me awkwardly.  My friends dubbed him my "metro boyfriend."
Then the next time I see him, a few weeks later, he sits down next to me and tells me how he is going to get his gf back. He says 'I'm going to sing her a song I wrote and it goes like this: 'I miss you, Amanda....I miss you.'" I sit there awkwardly waiting for the rest of the song. Nope, that was it.
The NEXT time I see him get on the train, I put the newspaper up, he sits down next to me, and I see him peering behind the paper, trying to get my attention. I ignore. And that was the last of Redskins starter jacket guy. Thankfully.
I know that he was an individual with special needs, and in general, I did not have a problem with him. But, it just made my morning commute to grad school more stressful (and believe me, I was stressed enough as it was).


There are a plethora of other douchey and annoying things to encounter on the metro/subways/public transportation, but this post can only be so long. Have you encountered any interesting people on the subway?

Luckily, today, I am public transportation free, and will be for the next two weeks. Woohoo vacation!!!!

Friday's Fancies: Blazers

Happy Friday, bloggie friends! TGIF for real! It's been a little while since I've had the time to create an outfit for a Friday's Fancies post, but this week I made sure to make it happen. So, I'm linking up with {av} at {long distance loving} for an outfit post centered around blazers.

I came up with this look based on an outfit that I pulled together last weekend when I went on my double date with my buddy Trish and our bf's. This is what I chose:

Friday's Fancies: Blazers by jamiffer featuring skinny fit jeans

Juicy Couture slimming tank top
€49 - jades24.com

Orange jacket
£4.99 - dressrail.com

Current/Elliott skinny fit jeans
$200 - net-a-porter.com

Christian Louboutin leather pumps
£495 - brownsfashion.com

Leather tote handbag
$360 - net-a-porter.com

Jennifer Meyer diamond post earrings
$675 - barneys.com

Kenneth Jay Lane retro necklace
$275 - maxandchloe.com

Forever21 floral jewelry
$6.80 - forever21.com

What do you think? What are you fancying this weekend? Go over and link up! Happy Friday fashionistas!

It's Ok....

It's Thursday, folks and that means that today is the last day for TWO weeks that I will see kiddos. One more day with parents tomorrow and I am off on vacay. Too bad my brain is already there.

I'm really excited for one of my favorite link-ups of the week, It's OK Thursday with Neely at A Complete Waste of Makeup!




So, let's just get right to it!
It's OK....
....to want to punch give a high-five in the face the following people:

{via}

1) my b*tchy coworker who I described here. I've now seen her more times this week than I probably have all year. And each time, I now ignore her.2) People on the metro who take up their seat and a fair part of mine (and I'm not talking about people who can't help it). Ummm, I'm small and if I'm pressed against the armrest and you are STILL rubbing against me, you need to move your ish over!3) People who speak the following "I told her Imma burn her @ss"....in front of a five year old they are walking to school. Great example, really.
....to be not the least bit sad to be away from work or the kids/people here for two weeks. I will RELISH it. No sadness here.
...to be super excited that I FINALLY saw Dolphin Tale. No, I am not a kid. Yes I am closer to 30 than I am to 20. No shame in my game!
....to want to switch career fields from a speech pathologist to a dolphin trainer/care-taker/researcher again after seeing Dolphin Tale. After all, I DID read this book  (on the left) back in grad school where a Speechie, just like me, did JUST that!
....to wear flip flops to work even tho it's 50 something degrees out. It's supposed to be in the 70's later and I don't know how to handle this "dress for winter and summer" deal!
...to be a little concerned that the weather forecast for the Dominican says Scattered Thunderstorms or Scattered showers every day for the next 10 days, which will include when I'm there. I'm hoping this is just the "tropical" shower in the afternoon that happens for a few minutes and disappears. But I'm nervous. We JUST got done with a month of rain and clouds here in DC. I dont wanna go find it again!
....to be craving a fancy Fall coffee (Pumpkin Spiced Latte, perhaps?) but be stuck with office coffee. At least it's coffee!! :)
...To be super glad to have all of you as my followers! So close to 110 followers and Im uber happy to have you all stopping by!

WILW and Oh, How Pinteresting!

Happy Hump Day, friends! I'm SUPER excited that it's already Wednesday, which means we are THAT much closer to the weekend. And, BOY, do I have some things that I am looking forward to, so let's hop into What I'm Loving Wednesday (linking up with Jamie at this kind of love):

I'm loving that there are only two more (three full if you count today since it hasn't started) days of work this week--two with kids, one for parent conferences. And then, I get TWO GLORIOUS weeks off of work. THIS is the time of year that I LOVE working at a year round school!

I'm loving that the countdown to my Dominican Republic trip with MG is now in the single digits--9 days!!! Then we will be here:

I'm loving that I am gonna get to see my bestie Genna in VA Beach this weekend to kick off my two weeks of break-time!

I'm loving that the last two days have been SUNNY. My eyes are finally remembering what it's like to have sunshine outside instead of rain, clouds, and gray/black skies!

I'm loving that I have these to look forward to gracing my closet in a few days:

cute new Fall boots 

a dress for my trip to DR

Cute Fall sweater/shirt

just plain cute shirt

I'm loving that my sweet pup, Cooper, turned 3 yesterday. He got doggie cookies and a new dog toy. As you can see here, he forgot all about the cookies when I gave him the toy and proceeded to run around squeaking the heck out of this teddy bear:

I'm loving that it's time for Oh, How Pinteresting with Michelle at the Vintage Apple

Here's what I've been finding "pinteresting":

CrockPot Baked Apples  Does this scream Fall or what?

I heart this outfit and want to steal it from her immediately!

And this outfit is also on the top of my "I want to steal it from her" list haha

The "classy" version of Teach Me How to Dougie...

Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken with only 4 ingredients!

True story....

What are YOU finding Pinteresting this week? Link up and share!!!

Tasty Tuesday

Hey all! I'm here to report that: there is SUN in the sky this morning! No rain in the forecast, and  only a few clouds in the sky. Could it be, DC??? Have we finally escaped the month of doom and gloom, rainy depression??? (I probably just jinxed us....sorry).  It's supposed to be mid 60's today and mid 70's tomorrow. It's about time!

Today I am bringing you one of my favorite crock pot recipes. And seriously, it is SO simple you have no excuse not to make it. Again, it is courtesy of the Crockpot Lady (or as I like to call her, the Crockpot Goddess) over at A Year of Slow Cooking.
Do you like fish? It's ok if you don't really LOVE it. This recipe is so good I think even non-fish fans will enjoy it (and the Crockpot Lady says so, too. ALWAYS listen to the Crockpot Lady).

Today's recipe is Foil Packet Tilapia


What you need:
3-4 Tilapia filets (I get mine frozen at Target for like 7 bucks and it comes in a bag of 6). I try and use 4 filets.
1/4 cup Mayo (I used low fat, still tastes good--I also use a little bit more than 1/4 Cup if I'm making 4 filets)
1/2 Cup shredded Parmesan cheese (again, I use a bit more if I'm making 4, and cuz I love cheese)
Juice from 2 lemons (this is about right for 4 filets. If you're doing three, I'd only use about 1 lemon)
4 chopped garlic cloves (or, for me, I used a good amount--maybe 2 teaspoons--of a pre-minced jar of garlic cuz Im lazy. I usually just eyeball what I think about 4 cloves of garlic would produce).
pinch of salt and pepper (I've never added this, and dont think it needs it, but feel free if you want)

Directions:
-leave the fish out to thaw for a bit (I let mine sit for about an hour before I made it). It doesn't have to be completely thawed. It just makes it faster to cook, and easier to get out of the packets it comes in.
-pull off 3-4 piece of tin foil (each one big enough to make a packet around your filets) You dont wanna be touching the foil thingy after you've been handling the fish
-mix all of the ingredients except for the fish
-Cover each side of the fish and then close up the packet
-Put the packets into the crock pot (I used a 4 qt. crock pot for this one)

**if you want some veggies to go with it, I have used frozen veggies, put them at the bottom of the crock pot, added a tiny bit of water (maybe a couple of tablespoons), and THEN added the foil packets on top.

Cook the fish (and veggies if you choose) for 2-4 hours on LOW. Mine usually cook at about 3 hours. Pull it out and check it around then. The fish should flake easily. And, BE CAREFUL when you pull out the packets--they'll probably be hot and I don't want you to be burning your pretty little fingers and hands!

I make my meal with a side of brown/wild rice (Uncle Ben's 90 second rice). This is what it looked like:

(the fish looked a little more appetizing in person than it does with the camera phone flash, and tasted really yummy)
Also, pardon the look in the middle of the fish....I poked it with my fork to make sure it was done

It's seriously delish, and not really bad for you. I had it for leftovers for lunch and it's still good!

~~~~~~

On a side note, my little doggy Coop is 3 today. I will be taking pictures of his new toy and his "gourmet" Doggie cookies tonight when I get home. Can't believe my pup is all grown up and of legal drinking age (jk). This is him on his birthday last year:

Hope you all have great Tuesdays! Let me know if you try out the recipe and how you like it. I give Crockpot Lady all of the credit!

Awkward Story for Monday Laughter

Happy Monday, lovies! I hope it's a little warmer where you are this morning than it is here--I had to bust out a coat to go to work today--Brrrrr! I hope you all had fab weekends! Mine was jam-packed with fun, and I'm wishing I had one more day to recoop. BUT, this is my last week of work before I get 2 weeks off, so I am ready to power through and get to that vacay time! This weekend was not only fun, but it had a pretty funny/awkward moment. Keep reading....

Here goes my recap of my supremely fun weekend: Friday night MG and I met up with one of my besties Trish (from Tales from Trish) and her bf for dinner at Matchbox. It's a deeeeeelish pizza place in the DC area, and it totally lived up to our mouth-watering expectations. We stuffed our faces with pizza and it was amazing! MG and I headed back home after dinner, watched some tv (I passed out on the couch) and then we went to bed. A low key night was good because we had his friend's 30th birthday to go to the next night.

So, saturday was rainy (are you surprised??? I seriously dont know what sun looks like anymore) and MG's friend's party started at 6:30 (yes....lame, no it did not involve dinner. More lame.). His friend's gf arranged the party and apparently had no idea that 630 is not the ideal time for a party. So we got there around 8 and had some drinks, hung out and chatted it up with people, ate some appetizers. Here's one of the pics from the night:

~happy happy~
(this is my new fav pic of us)

Throughout the night I got introduced to a few of MG's friends who I hadnt met yet, and here comes the awkward/funny part:

I'm standing by the door that goes outside to the patio, and this guy comes in and knows MG so they are saying their hi's. I look at him and think to myself "he looks kind of familiar....." and MG goes "this is my gf" and the guy looks at me and goes "We've met before, haven't we?" and I say "No.....I don't think so...." (and now I'm thinking Yeah....I think I know where he is from now....let's wait for his name), and he goes "Oh. Well, I'm Craig" ("oh shit" I say in my head) and I say my name. He walks off a second or so later and I turn to MG and go "sooooo I need to tell you something" and he goes "uh-oh". This is why it's funny/awkward:

While talking to MG on Match, there was another guy who I had been emailing back and forth with. Craig. Yes, that guy. We never actually met up because he wasn't timely with emailing and around the time he finally called me, MG and I were getting serious and I emailed and told him that I was seeing someone, and therefore wasn't going to be able to meet him. He wrote back thanking me for telling him, etc.

So, what are the freaking chances that I : A) run into this guy ever?  B) that I run into him with MG and C) that MG knows him?? These are the type of things that happen to me. (It's not over yet....)

After telling MG he goes "Oh god, THAT guy? He's such a douche!" (so, lucky for me I never met him--and, honestly, after seeing the guy, he didn't look like his pictures either. So, all in all, I think I got the good end of the deal on that one :)

Later on MG and I go to dance and on this crowded dance floor, where do we end up? Next to Craig. I try and ignore and pretend like I don't notice. And then he taps my shoulder. And leans in. And says something like "You know where I know you from, don't you?" and I said "Yeah, I figured it out when you said your name. Totally random" and he laughed and I think I turned away at that point. MG was rolling his eyes but laughing.  And then Craig disappeared, and MG and I danced the night away.

How's that for awkward/random/funny?

The rest of the weekend involved a trip to Target (where I somehow spent $88 and got nothing fun), Petsmart to get Cooper a toy and some doggie cookies for his THIRD birthday (tomorrow), and watching my Skins put another tally in the win column! Wooohoooo!

What'd you all get into this weekend? I hope it was uber fun!!