Fish Stick Fenis Fun - Pancake Style

Wow...what a weekend. The weekend was so amazing that I don't even care that it is Monday. OK, I care that it is Monday...just not as much as normal.

Friday:

Friday after work I took Bryan out to eat in celebration of his new job. He picked North by Northwest. The food (and wine) was really good. It was the perfect end to a boring week of work, work, work.

Saturday:

Saturday was errands. So many errands. But it was awesome to get things off my to do list. And doing boring errands with Bryan made it much more enjoyable. :) We stopped by Half Priced Books to look for...you guessed it...books. Well, one in particular, but we didn't find it. I bought a book by Denise Austin called Shrink Your Female Fat Zones. Yeah....perhaps it will be good. I also got a workout DVD - something about female warrior. It looked like it was geared toward martial arts. Never know...thought it was worth a try. I'm always on the lookout for any new workouts that I can add in to my existing just to keep things interesting and fun. Lastly, I bought a book about darkroom printing. It's been awhile since I was in a darkroom. For a buck I thought it was worth the buy for future reference if it was ever needed.

Saturday night was the Pancake Theater (Episode 1 - Waterworld). This was so much FUN! I made so many chocolate chip pancakes. There were none left at the end of the party. And 3 people brought margaritas. Funny that 3 people would think that margaritas would go with pancakes. (I was one of the three ;) ). Ryon truly put us to shame with his, at least in his eyes. However, his blender actually did put us all to shame. That was one awesome blender. After stuffing ourselves on chocolate chip pancakes, we finally made it to the main attraction - bringing a little shame to the movie Waterworld. True to Alamo Drafthouse Pancake Theater, we started the movie off with a drinking game and trivia. Thanks to Bryan for coming up with our drinking game phrase ("murmaider"). And congrats to Elliot for winning (barely) the trivia. I really didn't realize just how shitty this movie is. The dialogue was horrid. However, the commentary provided by us was hilarious. I was laughing so hard throughout the entire movie. Bryan's word combining was the best (fenis and eargina)! But I'm going to have to give the best line to Ryon for his phrase about eggs and fish mating. I don't think I can actually write the phrase here, but trust me, it was hilarious. I ended the night with a lil Rock Band and said good night.

Here is a link to the pics from the Pancake Party - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009449&l=febc7&id=163200356

Sunday:

Slept in a little...no surprise there. Started the day off with lunch at Mandola's Italian Market. That was some awesome pizza. Yummy! We dropped by Barnes and Noble to hunt down some books (naturally). I didn't find what I came looking for but did locate a book that was just what I've been needing. It was book on lighting in photography. It's truly the most comprehensive book I've ever seen on lighting. I had to have it! However, I'm a cheapo! "I wonder if amazon.com has a used version for cheaper?" I asked. "Why don't you look on your iPhone now?" Bryan responds. Bryan, you are a GENIUS! And they did have a used copy for cheaper (even with shipping and handling). Yes, I bought a book off amazon.com while sitting in the floor of Barnes and Noble. Look out chains of the world....the iPhone will bring you crying to your knees. Some of us just can't help being naturally resourceful. Before you go feeling bad for Barnes and Noble...Bryan bought a book and I purchased the soundtrack to Juno. I loved this movie and also the song that the couple sings at the end of the film. I had to have it too! It's such a good CD. Very indie...but very good. I love it. I did good.

Moving on with the day... I'd been wanting to take Bryan to Mount Bonnell for several weeks now. Sunday seemed to finally be the perfect day. It was perfect. Mount Bonnell has such an amazing view. After staying there for awhile taking in the beautiful view Bryan suggested that we hit up Hula Hut for dinner. It was pretty good. I liked the atmosphere a lot. Then we walked over to Mozart's for coffee on the water. We stayed there for awhile...watched the sun set. We went home and Bryan did some interneting and I played Virtual Fighter 5 (PS3) that Bryan rented on Saturday.

See? The best weekend.

Here are some pics from Sunday afternoon

View from Mount Bonnell


Bryan showing off the beautiful scenery at Mount Bonnell

Some love flowers graffiti found at Mount Bonnell

Some signs at Covert Park/Mount Bonnell

Couple of shots of Bryan at Hula Hut

Bryan at Mozart's

Me at Mozart's

View at Mozart's

Finally Friday!

Yay! It's finally Friday! I haven't posted much this week because there hasn't been anything to post about.

This week has been the normal boring kind....mostly work. Getting back into exercising has been my biggest challenge this week. Ugh...why did I take over a week off? Oh yeah...now I remember! It was that stupid cold. I shouldn't have to pay for being sick twice. Wasn't missing work, sleepless nights, sneezing my head off, coughing my lungs up, and being in a constant head fog for a week enough punishment? I feel like I haven't worked out at all. Sometime last week I must have sneezed or coughed up my enthusiasm I had for working out. Enough of the pity party already....

I am so looking forward to this weekend. Hopefully, we can start the weekend off right tonight. I can't go to TKD class because they are having an awards ceremony for the testing they just completed. Instead I proposed to Bryan that he let me take him out for dinner in honor of his new job. I told him he could pick any place he wanted. I wonder what he will pick? Hmmm...I hope the food is yummy.

I am very excited about tomorrow night's party. Bryan and I are hosting our own Pancake Theater at Bryan's house. Yes we stole this from the Alamo Drafthouse. But ours is better - it's cheap and has pancakes! That's right...pancakes! Mmmmm...pancakes. After a heated debate that took up much of a party and many...and I mean many...emails, it was decided - we poke fun of Waterworld. I can not wait. This should be a lot of fun. If I know our little group, this will be hilarious. This could be the start of a great tradition...or it could crash and burn. Ah, either way, it should be fun to watch it unfold. :) But before we can party with pancakes, there are a lot of errands to do. I'm gonna go to class also. Saturday will be a very busy day.

I have no idea what Sunday will hold. No plans yet. If the weather is nice I would love to get outside and do something...anything. I am definitely loving this warm weather. I'm so happy we finally made it to the 80's. Another 10 degrees and we'll be talking my kinds of temperatures. I love summer...

Each day is a little closer to April 18th (the journey home). I'm soooo ready to go - NOW. I'm ready to see my family and home. Home is a great place. I have an ever growing list of things and people to introduce to Bryan. He will be so overwhelmed...hehe. I'm also happy I get to load down my car with yet another load of crap that I'm always complaining is in Mississippi. I know my granny will be happy to get a little more of her storage shed back.

Here are some of the things I'd like to focus on in April from the To Do List:
- killer body
- kayaking
- cooking (yet to get one recipe down- so 5 still to go)
- an art project

That should be enough if not too much to work on for one month.

Things getting on my nerves lately: kids who play in the street (do you have a death warrant??) Parents, do you know where your children are??? Really, do you?

Egg Heads

It's been way too long since I've posted. Sorry. I only just got back to my old self. I am finally well except for this awful cough that has been lingering. However, it didn't really act up today, but it has kept me up for the past 3 nights. I've been killing this Robitussin. Thanks to Ryon for teaching me what it means to be tussin'.

Tussin: (from urbandictionary.com)

when you take too much of the cough medicine robutussin and you begin to feel giddy and off balance; a mixture of drunk and highness

I was tussin last night.

I still haven't done anything physical, but I'm hoping to go run as soon as I wrap up this post. TKD was canceled today because of Easter...hmmm...still trying to figure that out how that adds up. I'm ready to get back into the swing of things. I can't believe I lost a whole week of exercise to this stupid cold. Oh well...no use getting hung up on that which is in the past. Moving forward...

The weekend was really awesome. Friday night we dyed the Easter eggs. I haven't done this since I was a child. It was a little dorky, but it really was fun. Sometimes you just gotta be a big kid. I think that all of our eggs came out very beautiful and Eastery. Saturday night we went out to eat with the Kung Fu gang....always fun. Sunday (Easter) was the best. Thank you so much Nik for inviting Bryan and I over to your grandmother's house for lunch. That might be the most fun I've had in awhile. His grandmother rocks! It was a really pleasant afternoon. Bryan and I enjoyed ourselves greatly. After we left there we went downtown to Bookpeople. We browsed for an hour. But the real reason for going was so I could attend this meeting for a photography group I found on meetup.com. I drug Bryan along for moral support. I didn't really know what to expect. I really liked the meeting. They mentioned some upcoming events that I'm definitely interested in participating. I really am only looking for networking but am open to whatever the group can give me. After we finally made it back to Bryan's, we piled up and watch a movie (Michael Clayton - eh).

I'm still working on my list...always, always. Hopefully, new updates on that soon.

Here are the pics from when we dyed Easter eggs:

Bryan showing off what we've done


All 9 of our Easter eggs (aren't they simply lovely?)


Bryan's very weird yet artistic egg (points to anyone who knows why it did this)



Things getting on my nerves lately: me! (I have PMS and my hormones are driving me crazy!!)

Blah...

I know I haven't blogged much this week. I haven't done much of anything this week. I worked from home Monday and Wednesday. I managed to pull myself to work Tuesday and today. I feel shitty, and I want to go home. Really contemplating working from home this afternoon. I haven't gone to any TKD classes this week. I haven't had the energy to do that or anything physical. I'm just kinda going through the motions. I get a brief energy spurt sometime around 4 PM...dunno why but it is welcomed. I am seriously hating that I'm not doing anything physical. But I just can't. I'm already coughing my head off (if you see a lung laying around it's mine). If I get hot I know I'm gonna really be coughing. No, I'm just gonna be blah for the rest of the week, try to recuperate, and get my strength back. Then when I finally feel better, I'll hit the pavement, TKD, and fluidity again. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

I am sooo looking forward to this weekend. I think I'll try to dye some Easter eggs Friday night if Bryan is game. We bought some dye. I haven't done that in forever. I just thought it would be nice to kinda get in the spirit of all the little holidays that come throughout the year. Dorky, yes...but fun. I'll be sure to take pictures of our awesome and/or very ugly eggs. Also hope to get in some movie and tv time this weekend. Bryan and I are about to start watching Arrested Development from the beginning. Love it! We also have a couple of movies that need viewing. I'm looking for a pretty lazy weekend unless I somehow recover before then. Here's to hoping!

Sitting Pretty In Pink

Yesterday I finally got that pretty pink kayak out on the water. Jason, Bryan, and I hauled her down to Town Lake. Well, actually...we just fastened her on the roof of the car and let the car do the hauling. They rented which is fine if you're into that sort of thing. ;) But seriously, it was kinda cool having my own. It's official - she floats! I thought that she was great. It was windy and a little chilly but overall a pretty nice day. We were only out there about an hour...a good amount for a first time. However, we covered some good ground...er water. And my shoulders are killing me! That was one serious upper body workout. I was glad that both Bryan and I made it out there given our current state of health. We also discovered that none of us, even with our powers combined, know anything about South Austin...lame. (10 points for getting that cartoon reference)

Speaking of...I worked from home today. I just felt BLAH! I'm skipping class tonight. I'm not sure sweating and jumping around are really the thing I need right now. However, I'm gonna watch my official ITA TKD video and try to get my form down for class whenever I do feel up to going back. I'm tired of being lost in class. It's time to step up my game. Hopefully, I won't have this thing too badly, and I'll be back on my workout schedule soon. I would really hate to lose even one more day to this stupid cold. I was really making some headway on that killer body. :)

Here are the pics from the kayak voyage:

It Makes a Statement, Sicko!

Well, I'm sick! Yep....got it from Bryan. So far not too bad, but its only been a day. I'm almost positive I'll be working from home on Monday. ;) This is bound to put a damper on my workouts. I've been doing really well too. Ok, I slacked off a little at the end of this week and weekend not knowing I'd be sick. I now regret my laziness. Live and learn, right? But overall, I have been doing great. I've been going to TKD class most everyday and adding a workout at home on top of that. And I feel great! I have more energy than I've ever had in my life. I am really noticing the changes to my body too. Killer body here I come!! Swim suit season won't catch me off guard this year (that's a first). Sick or not - I am going kayaking today at Town Lake. So far it's just Jason, Bryan, and myself, but all are welcome.

Speaking of kayaking - I bought a car rack for the kayak yesterday. It really makes a statement too! I feel like people look at my car and think things like - "Wow! That person must be very outdoorsy." or "You know a lazy person doesn't drive that car...I mean, look! it has a car rack." Maybe not...but a girl can dream. Well, I'm just glad that I can now transport my own kayak. Yep, no waiting around for men with trucks for me. I'm no damsel in distress. I can't wait to get my kayak out on the water today. How awesome will that be? Wait, don't answer that....I'll tell you in my next post. :)

Here's is a pic of the car rack:

It's Really Looking Up Now

I went back to the North Austin location of TKD Plus last night. If you've been keeping up with this little saga then you know that I was really nervous about returning to this school. However, I am pleased to report that it was the best class I've ever taken including the old days back in Chattanooga. I suppose that first class on Saturday was a fluke. Ah, these things sometimes happen. Anyway, the class was amazing. I learned a lot, and I enjoyed myself in the process. I thought the teacher was amazing. I loved his teaching style. I appreciated that he was able to be technical - really break down the movements. I also really like how he made the whole class do exercises but understood that the lower belts can't do the same thing as the black belts. I couldn't believe when the class was over - I was having such an awesome time. I bought a book and dvd from the school in an effort to catch up and practice on my own. I really like the ITA program, and I believe their materials are really going to boost me along in class. Practice makes perfect after all. I'm taking a night off from TKD tonight but will definitely be attending class on Thursday. However, I will be running tonight! No rest - my pursuit continues!!

On another note:

I'm going home to Mississippi in mid April. I'm so excited! Now that it's been decided, it's all that I can think about. Ugh...it's still over a month away!! I know I just went home for 2.5 weeks in December, but I miss it and my family already. I can not wait to see everyone. I can't wait to eat my Granny's cooking!! I'm actually going for a wedding. One of my childhood friends is getting married. I decided that this would be the perfect time to go ahead and let Bryan meet the crazy family I come from since I didn't want to be dateless to the wedding. I'm pretty nervous about him meeting the family. I know they'll like him...but...will he like them?? I'm from rural Mississippi - we are pretty much rednecks. I wonder if Bryan will think he's been transported to the Twilight Zone...hehe. No, my family is pretty cool, and I like em a lot. I'm almost positive he will too. It will be a lot to take in though. I have a lot of family! I'm pretty excited just to show him where I grew up. I grew up on the best 140 acres in the world!! I really miss sweet tea....sigh. It's the one thing Austin is missing.

Things getting on my nerves lately: my job!

Good News Everyone...

Because I know you were all biting your nails in anticipation of an update regarding my TaeKwonDo class...here it is!

The class was awesome!!! I loved the Leander location. I really liked the teacher and the other students. It was a small class, but there were 2 other yellow belts. I didn't feel dumb or pressured...it was great! The teacher was very patient. I loved his teaching style, and the other yellow belts really showed me a lot. Everyone was so nice - I think I may have found my home. I'm still going to attend some classes at the North location, and who knows, maybe that one class was a fluke. I'm sure I will love it there too. I'm going to give them another run tonight. I think I've decided to put off jiu-jitsu for a month or so. I think I might be a bit too ambitious! :)

I was so energized after class that I went for a run (best run to date)! I just love this nippy night air. It's invigorating! Just the right amount of cold. After weeks of running, I have finally gotten back that long, powerful stride. I love it! Let me point out that in reality I kinda suck at running. I can't do it for very long. However, I love it. I really do. It feels amazing pounding the ground with your feet as you fly along with a powerful stride. It makes me feel one with nature though I'm not sure I can elaborate on that. It gives me a feeling that no other exercise ever has. I'm getting better with every run but still so, so, so far away from that 5 mile run.

Looks like Sunday's kayak outing is going to take place at Brushy Creek according to my roommate. Just like to point out once again that all are welcome.

2 Down, 29 To Go

In my hissy fit on Saturday, I forgot to officially update the list, though I'm sure it was apparent to all. But...officially I have now checked 2 things off the list.

As an update - I called the Leander locale of TaeKwonDo Plus and verified that I could indeed take classes there also with no additional charge. With that information I have just about completed compiling my weekly schedule. I think for the most part I'm going to stick to the Leander location - mainly because they offer the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu which I'm very anxious to start and can tomorrow night! Tonight though I'll be trying TaeKwonDo again but at the Leander location. I'm hoping for a bit warmer of a reception...not the roll out the red carpet kind...but a few encouraging words would be nice. I should be able to get 2 TKD's and 2 Jiu-Jitsu's during the week with a break on Wednesday. Saturday is still up in the air. Leander offers a tactical short stick, but if it's like the North Austin's Korean Sword, I'm not eligible until I am a blue belt. Otherwise, I'll be taking TKD at the North location. Continuing to add other exercises on top of this will be tricky but not impossible. I'll try to work in running or fluidity on most days but definitely on Wednesdays and Sundays.

These are the belts that I am still in need of on the way to my black belt in TKD - Green, Sr. Green, Blue, Sr. Blue, Brown, Sr. Brown, Red, Sr. Red, and Black. I should be ready to test for that green on May 31st.

Yesterday was a month - best month of my life - Thank you!!

Idiocracy

Well, I finally started TaeKwonDo today. I pretty much felt like an idiot. It's been like 3 years since I was last in a class - what was I thinking!?! I attended the North Austin location on 620. I registered, got a uniform, paid, and all that jazz...I was excited. There was even a picture on the wall of my instructor back in Chattanooga, TN (where I originally trained). In fact everything was a lot like my old school. I was right about sticking with an ITA (International TaeKwonDo Alliance) school. This is where things start to turn sour. Class begins and there is practically no students. Topping that, I am the only yellow belt and also the lowest rank attending. A trainee instructor teaches class, and I might add that she has a lot of training left! I am used to the sink or swim mentality but c'mon, this is a school. Not to say she didn't instruct me...she did, but she didn't make me feel any better about my long lapse in training or this being my first day at a new school. Perhaps it was all in my head....everyone staring at me, judging me, already assuming I'm one of "those"...you know the kind - they keep advancing but you wonder how. They just seem to go through the movements, it never comes natural to them, and you just wonder why they even bother. I am NOT one of those. I am very detailed. I like to know that I'm doing everything right. I haven't made it to a rank of sparring yet, but you can believe my forms are exact. And I don't want to just get the movements right, I want there to be power in them. I want people watching to be a little worried about the day they do give me the chance to spar. I shouldn't be so quick to judge. It was just day one. And who knows what week night classes may be like. I do hope more students show up. I'm very tempted to try the Leander locale on Monday night. They said I could go to any location with my membership. The Leander offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu which I've never tried but would love to give it a shot. I'm definitely not giving up. I'm just a little taken aback....everything on my list was coming so easy. Do warriors cry? Because I felt kinda like crying when I got in my car, but I'm supposed to be training to be a warrior. No...I will learn this, and I will love it like I did back in the day. I just have to get into the swing of things. Prove to them that I do love TKD and that I'm here for the long haul - the lifelong haul. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't give up easily, and I don't back away from a challenge. You make me want it more! I crave this!!

On another note - I think I might be taking the kayak out on the water next weekend. Me and my roommate for sure - anyone interested in going? The more the merrier! I really plan on going once a month sooooo if you're really interested you might wanna make a lil club out of it or something. Either way I'll be out there! Drive over the river and look out for me! :)

Ok, I'm going for a run....something I know I know how to do! Still a looooong way from that 5 mile run on my list.

Things getting on my nerves lately - minivans and British accents - go figure!

It's All Falling Into Place!

Ever since I created the To Do List everything has been falling right into place - some without any effort on my part. One of the things on my list is to start a retirement plan. Within a week of compiling the list, I receive a 401K book from my employer. I didn't even know I was eligible! I'm working on getting that set up which will be nice. I hope to look into some other options sometime next year. On another part of my list was the whole Tae Kwon Do thing. I had already scoped out a school. Like I mentioned in my previous post - I took TKD a couple of years ago and earned my yellow belt. I really liked the school that I attended. It was a member of the International Tae Kwon Do Alliance. I wanted to find a school here that was a member the ITA also, mainly so I would feel that all of the teachings were the same. I decided on this school on 620 (Tae Kwon Do Plus - http://www.texasma.com/) because it's really close to where I live. I open up the ValuePak (you know what I'm talking about - that envelope full of mostly useless coupons we all get in our mailbox every 2 weeks or so) and there is a coupon for the school I had already picked out! $29.00 for enrollment and uniform! Very nice! To make sure I stick to this and also because it's the cheapest route, I'm going to pay that plus $74/month for 2 years of training. I can't believe that's all it is going to cost me. I am super excited (which has been a reoccurring theme throughout my postings)! First the kayak posting, then the 401K book, and now the TKD coupon - its all falling into place! Life is so good right now in so many aspects. I feel so extremely blessed. I'm sorta starting to wonder if the sky is about to fall out...hehe.

The Effort Continues

Working Out! Yeah, not always fun, but the results sure are nice. I wanted to focus on some of the things on my list that will take time to actually achieve. One of those being to obtain a killer body. Obviously, I'm not going to go on a few runs and get this one. I started working out shortly before compiling the list. Having been so lazy and inactive for so long (since I moved to Texas - almost 8 months ago!!!), I've really been easing into working out. I've been running for a couple of weeks now, and last night I started my fluidity (you'll have to Google this one - but it really does work). The fluidity workout is tough! For anyone who is skeptical, I dare you to just try it - mine if you need. What I love about fluidity is that when coupled with cardio, results can be seen in as little as two weeks! Before I moved to Texas, this was my workout - run and fluidity. I had a good body, but I'm after something a little more than "good." So, my goal now is to add to what I already know works well for me and that I can stick with. Now that I have bought the kayak, I can add that to my list of active activities. I also want to start Tae Kwon Do very shortly. I'm not sure if any of you know, but I actually took TKD for a summer and earned my yellow belt. I am really looking forward to starting it up again. It was so much fun and very rewarding. At some point, I also want to add archery. All of these activities put together sound good to me! But please feel free to invite me along to any activity you might be doing - running, biking, hop scotch, underwater basket weaving, whatever! - just get me off my ass!! And if you see me around ask me what kind of exercise I did today, yesterday, this week - and ride my ass about it! I'll thank you if I'm ever on the cover of Fitness magazine. ;)

1 Down, 30 To Go

I am sooooo excited! Ever since I created this To Do list I've been excited to start it, excited to finish it, and generally just excited to see what experiences come out of checking things off the list. So, I got a wild hair on Saturday and began to read the craigslist postings on the look out for a kayak. And what do you know - the second time I check someone has just posted one that is EXACTLY what I was looking to buy! Sometimes life just works out so well! :) It's perfect for learning, in great condition, and though it doesn't really matter, it's pink!! I can not wait to get her out on the water. Anybody wanna join me?? I feel so good - doing things I used to only dream of doing. It's just such an awesome feeling to stop being a dreamer and start being a doer. Ok, I'll always be a dreamer...but from now on I want to make more of them come true. Big thanks to my roomie Jason for hauling this huge kayak from South Austin...you're the best!

Here are some pics taken right after getting her home and into the garage - look at what a perfect fit it is for me: