Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What are you proud of?
The close-knit friendships that I've been able to maintain.

Soup
What is the best thing you’ve ever won as a prize?
I once won a brand-new washing machine and I'm still using it.

Salad
Name something you do that is a waste of time.
Surf the internet

Main Course
In what year of your life did you change the most?
Probably when I was 27

Dessert
Where is a place you consider to be very tranquil?
The ocean.

Big Buck Hunter

My neighbors and I decided to do something different on Saturday night. We went to a local establishment to play games. You name it, we played it. Air hockey, skee ball, basketball, bowling. The biggest surprise of the evening? Although her face has been concealed as to not give away her identity, someone found out how great she is at hunting.

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Thirty Six

Appetizer
Who is your favorite news anchor/reporter? Why?
I have become very bad at watching the nightly news in recent years but I like Brian Williams. Peter Jennings was my favorite before he died.

Soup
Name 3 foods that are currently in your freezer.
Tilapia, Lean Cuisine, frozen green beans

Salad
If you were to have the opportunity to name a new town or city, what would you call it?
Amyville sounds too much like Amityville so I'm not sure.

Main Course
What will most likely be the next book you read?
Joe gave me "Special Topics in Calamity Physics" so I need to crack it open.

Dessert
What's the first thing you notice about the opposite gender?
Usually a smile.

Why life isn't fair

One will burn more calories just from eating celery than what is actually in celery. Why can't this be the same for cheesecake?

A new look

I've been wanting a new look for awhile now so I took advantage of my mom's visit yesterday for a new haircut. I absolutely love it. The best part was how quickly my hair dried and how remarkably tangle free it is now. Haircute for sure!

A dream come true

Maya Angelou has long been one of my most favorite poets. Her books get regular use at my house and I could read Phenomenal Woman a thousand times and never grow tired of it. She is so amazing that I obviously jumped at the opportunity to see her in person. Saturday night she spoke to a sold-out crowd and her words sent chills up my body and left me feeling inspired and motivated. It was a dream come true.

A new career?

Monica and I had quite the restaurant adventure on Saturday night when we decided to try something new. The restaurant made us ask ourselves if we should become restaurant critics. We couldn't decide if it was a nice sit-down restaurant, a sushi bar, a juice bar or a coffee shop. Literally one of the most unique and weird dining experiences I've ever had. In fact, I'm not even writing anymore because words can't describe the adventure.

The 5K Mosey

Kim, Meagan and I set out on an adventure Saturday morning for the annual St. Patrick's Day 5K Run (nicknamed by Kim as the St. Patrick's 5K Mosey). When I heard the weather reports were calling for snow I stated that if it were to snow I would, indeed, not be there and instead would be curled up under the covers at home. Well technically it wasn't snowing when I left the house that morning so I was at the starting line along with Kim and Meagan. Throughout the race the snow just became heavier and heavier until my black fleece was white and my hair was soaking wet. Crazy. The girls were extremely patient with me being so out of shape. Even though I generally lagged behind we all stayed together. And the best reward for exercise that morning? Breakfast. Nope, none of us opted for the Monster Biscuit but I'm not sure what we had was any better.

Celebrating Monica

Friday night the gang headed out to celebrate Monica's 28th birthday. We had a blast and it must have been successful because Monica claimed it was one of the most fun birthdays she'd ever celebrated. So far, I think it's true that we do really get better with age.

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Thirty Five

Appetizer
Name two things that made you smile this week.
1. Tia seeing me for the first time in a month and running towards me at Shakespeares. Her eyes lit up and she had this look on her face that melted my heart.
2. Going on a walk with my girlfriends Tuesday night. They always make me smile.

Soup
Fill in the blank: Don't you hate it when you have cute clothes you can't wear because they no longer fit?

Salad
When you can't go to sleep, what is your personal remedy to help yourself drift into Lullabyland?
I usually get up if I've laid there long enough and start watching television. Eventually I feel tired again.

Main Course
What is something about which you've always wondered but have not yet found a good answer?
I've always wondered why I do such a horrible job at picking up after myself.

Dessert
What is your favorite pasta dish?
Lasagna! It's my favorite meal.

I've got fever

I've had this conversation over and over again with several different friends. It probably started at least five years ago and goes something like this, "I can't stop watching (insert favorite MTV show here). When am I going to be too old for MTV?" The truth is that I already know that I'm much too old and ashamed but continue to watch anyway. Now I'm pushing 30 and I still can't stop watching. The worst part is that most of it is just plain trash. Next, Super Sweet Sixteen, The Challenge/Duel/Inferno, etc., (old school) Laguna Beach...the list goes on. I recently saw previews for Maui Fever and swore I wouldn't watch it. Plus, I genuinely thought it looked stupid. So last night I came home from work and turned on the television. It was already tuned to MTV and Maui Fever was on. I went about my business doing something else and within two minutes I was totally hooked. For the next couple of hours, like a zombie, I sat and watched. I couldn't pull away from it and even when I had to go to the store I decided to record the last of it so I didn't miss the ending. What is wrong with me? And why do I continue to watch television shows about spoiled rotten children who try to top each other with lavish birthday parties where they boss around their parents? Most of the time I sit watching and thinking, "No she didn't!" Meanwhile, I'm just waiting for my fever to break.

Aunt Amy

As you can tell from my blog, most of my friends have kids and I often play the surrogate aunt. I love my friends' kids and still I have always wanted to be a real aunt. It looks as though I finally get that opportunity. My sister is expecting. I am thrilled to officially be, Aunt Amy. Yesterday was her first doctor's appointment and, although she is only 10 weeks along, I can't wait. Mostly, I can't wait until she finds out the sex of the baby so I can shop, shop, shop. I already have several things in mind and plan on spoiling the baby rotten.

My new favorite game

I am a horrible bowler and I haven't been in years. When I went with Meagan, Josh and Jason on Saturday night I warned them all about how horrible I was and then I proceeded to bowl the two best games of my life. My top score was a 101 and unheard of for me, the world's worst bowler. I think this is my new favorite game.

Friends

I had dinner at Bryndyn and Taina's house on Saturday night. Caelleb was hilarious in his Power Ranger uniform and Jamie was his usual content-self. Bryndyn cooked steaks and then Taina and I snuck out to The Artisan. I love my friends.

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred and Thirty Four

Appetizer
What is your usual bedtime? Do you like that, or would you rather it be different?
For the most part, I'm in bed around 11 pm. I usually watch Showbiz Tonight in bed from 10-11 pm. Sometimes I wish I were in bed earlier. Usually it's when my alarm's going off and I'm still tired.

Soup
When it comes to advice, do you give more or receive more?
I think lately I've probably received more advice than I've given.

Salad
Describe a memorable meal you've had.
My memory is really bad so I'll explain the most recent memorable meal that I have had. Wednesdsay night, Meagan came over for dinner and we had bacon meatloaf and cheesy potatoes from Super Suppers. It was awesome. I actually cleaned off my table and lit some candles so that we could have an enjoyable meal.

Main Course
Name a work of fiction that affected the way you think about something.
"I Know This Much Is True" by Wally Lamb really stayed with me. The book is about two twin brothers and one is mentally ill.

Dessert
What is your favorite type of fruit juice?
Orange juice

True/False

I had a blast at True/False. I am, however, worn out. I don't think I could have seen one more movie but I'd love to do it all over again. Below are the movies I saw:

1. War Dance This movie was extremely emotional (I cried) and so well done. It will stay with me for a long time.


2. The Armstrongs If you like The Office, you'll love The Armstrongs. You'll think these people are actors but, no, it's for real.


3. Souvenirs Probably one of my favorite movies from the weekend.


4. The Monastery Touching.


5. Manda Bala (Send a Bullet) About the world of crime in Brazil. CRAZY. Also, the Grand Jury Prize Winner at Sundance.


6. Kurt Cobain About a Son Amazing; I want to see this again.


7. Miss Navajo Sheep butchering is part of this beauty pageant. (Breanne and I had to turn our heads away during this scene.)


8. American Shopper Filmed in Columbia, I laughed the most during this movie. It was awesome to see familiar people and places but even more impressive that it was so well done. Highly recommended. View the trailer.

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Thirty Three

Appetizer
What does the color pink make you think of?
Ballerinas

Soup
Name something you thought you had lost, but later found.
I recently thought I'd lost an earring but ended up finding the missing one in my purse. Thankfully, it had fallen out of my ear and into safety.

Salad
In 3 words, describe this past week.
Busy, stressful, exhausting

Main Course
What are you obsessed with?
Movies and shoes

Dessert
What kind of perfume or cologne do you like to wear?
Eternity and Clinique Happy to Be

True/False

This weekend I'll be attending the True/False Film Festival. So far I have tickets for 8 movies in a 48 hour period. Wow! I'm exhausted just thinking about it. There are a couple of movies that I wanted to see that sold out before I got my pass so I may try to stand in line for some, too. I am especially looking forward to The Armstrongs.

Move over Rachel Ray

Cristin and I went to Super Suppers last night. I wish I could tell you that we actually made the meals ourselves but when given the choice of putting everything together or picking up some of the meals already frozen and ready to go, we opted for those already prepared. I now have a freezer of meals waiting for me in easy-to-bake containers. Dinner party, anyone?

Two things to smile about today

1. John Mayer in Kansas City on June 19
2. John Mayer in St. Louis on June 20