Today is My Friday!

I Thought This Was Really Neat...

Through May 4, 2009, you can send a FREE 5x7 paper card from Hallmark.com for any occasion! While this promotion was specifically created for Mother's Day, you do not have to send a Mother's Day card.
Go http://www.hallmark.com/ and create a card up to $3.49 in value (excludes cards with sound and invitation/announcement cards). Personalize your card and add photos if you'd like. Then, when you go to check out enter the code CARD4MOM. You'll get the card for free plus shipping will be free as well.
If you don't have anyone you need to send a card to in the next few weeks, you can even order a card for a future date and have it scheduled to be sent then.

Around Town

The 2009 Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival

“I <3>

The Goonies

Friday May 1st

The festival returns to beautiful Gateway Park at Lee Highway near Key Bridge with an even larger screen every Friday night at dusk. People are encouraged to bring blankets and low chairs to picnic in the park before the show. Show up early for the pre-show 80s-themed games and prizes. The movies play rain or shine.

From the Foodie In Me

Cake

I always bought the simple mixes at the store. I figured, you just add some butter, eggs, milk/ water and you're done. Can't get simpler than that. Then I figured out, they are basically selling you flour in a box. Cake isn't that complicated to make from scratch, and if you have a few simple common ingredients on hand you can make delicious cake anytime you want.
I've included a few variations:

Ingredients:
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

For a Yellow Cake: Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in shortening until fine crumbs are formed. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Beat at low speed for 1 minute, then high for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl frequently.
Pour batter into greased and floured 9x13 inch pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes.

Variation for a White Cake: Prepare as for the basic cake except use 3 egg whites for the 2 whole eggs. Whites may be beaten separately and added for a lighter cake.

Variation for a Chocolate Cake: Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the basic cake mix prior to adding the milk.

Variation for a Spice Cake: Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice to the basic cake mix.

Variation for a Pineapple Upside Down Cake: Melt 1/2 cup butter in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Add 2/3 cup brown sugar, stirring into the butter. Arrange pineapple slices in the pan. Top with the basic (yellow cake) mix recipe. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, cool 5 minutes, and invert to serve.

Grinds My Gears (renmaed from My Pet Peeve)

Innapropriate dress in the work place. Tank tops, and summer dresses do NOT belong in the work place. Also, I know that women get away with a lot more at work than men do. And I appreciate being able to wear skirts and dresses. However, this new "dress shorts" idea... NO. Completely innapropriate for a professional office setting.

Disappointed in the Heroes Season Finale...

TV/ Movies/ Books

Yep, you heard it here first. The season finale of Heroes was WAY sub par. It's in question whether or not the show will return next season. I hope it does, and I hope it redeems itself, otherwise I might have to replace it.

Around Town/ From the Foodie in Me...

Tomorrow is National Wings Day

To celebrate, Hard Times Café will give you a FREE half order of chicken wings with any purchase.This offer is valid only when you dine in.

Packing for NOLA

Objective: Pack the lightest bag ever.
Contents
1 Red Dress
1 Pair of Gamma Phi Beta soffee shorts
3 t-shirts
1 green skirt
1 pair of flip flops
1 Cowboy hat

That's it (aside from unmentionables and a toothbrush).
This list is inclusive of what I plan to wear on the plane (shorts, flip flops, t shirt and my hat).
I'll wear the same shorts back with a different t shirt.
The dress for going out and jazzfest, and the skirt and t shirt for Friday shopping.

I tell you ladies, it can be done. And for all you gentlemen out there with ladies... tell them to pack light, refer to me as an example.

Pet Peeve

Overpacking (keeping with the theme here)

If you have kids, I get it. But if you don't you really need to plan out your wardrobe and take as little as possible. It's unnecessary to have tons of clothing for a 3 day trip.
Anecdote: Once I was packing for a trip to Boston. I was determined to fit everything I needed in an overnight bag. I kept packing, unpacking, repacking, until finally my boyfriend was like "WE ARE DRIVING! You have an entire trunk and backseat! You can take as much as you want!". Moral of the story: Don't pack in front of your significant other. It'll just tick them off. :)

Weird Personal Fact
I love folding towels.
When I go to Annie's house I refold her towels. I love it that much. True story.

Three Day Workweek! Woo!

The only thing getting me thru this week is the fact that it's a three day workweek!
I'm headed to Jazzfest this weekend, and I'm super excited about it.
I fly in on Thursday and back home on Sunday. It's going to be a great weekend!
I'm excited to see Bon Jovi, plus Cowboy Mouth is always good in concert. should be a great time all around.


Weekend Recap

Friday

So I was sitting at home bored on Friday night. I hadn't been out of the house in a few days and I was going stir crazy. I didn't want to drink or party either. It was one of those times that I wish I had a car. Well, as luck has it, Sarah has a car, and was also feeling up for some mild shenanigans. I started looking up things online, and we landed on something. Bingo. Literally, we went to go play Bingo.
It was phenomenal. Old ladies with their specially made bingo bags, and bingo setup, chain smoking their way into old age.
The place is an actual Bingo hall in Alexandria, near Landmark Mall. It's dingy, and it smells kinda funny, everything you want from a Bingo hall.
We paid 20 bucks each for about 15 games. The games were each worth $100, except for 2, which were worth $1000. We both agreed if we won the $1000 we would do something totally irresponsible with it.
Alas, luck was not on our side. We walked away not winning anything, but having gained a valuable life experience.

Saturday

I woke up early and decided to head over to Marshall's in search for a new suit. I found a great black Calvin Klein suit AND it was discounted to $70. Not bad for that quality and that brand.
Tamsin picked me up from the mall and we headed to target and sports authority. After our shopping we decided to eat a late lunch. We were about to head to Chili's when I remembered there is an Applebee's in Alexandria. Fernando and I went there one time randomly... like 2 years ago. So we went in search of the Applebee's. Turns out it was a lot further away than I initially thought. We found it though, and had a nice little Saturday.
Saturday night, I again was in search of plans. I decided to rent a zipcar and head to the grocery store for a few items. After my shopping, and my texting a few friends, Craig invited me to El Ranchero with some Elon peeps. I took him up on his offer and hung out for a bit. After dinner I went to Fernando's to hang out.

Sunday

I woke up much later than I normally do, but as Fernando was still sleeping, I showered and sat out on his deck reading Borges (more on that later). It was great. I had about 2 hours to myself just enjoying the nice weather. It made me really want a deck. Once the summer is over I am really going to look into moving into a house. When he awoke we headed to Tysons, grabbed lunch at Fridays and meandered about the mall for a bit.
I love malls. They are awesome.

Books/ TV/ Movies

Labyrinth- Borges
Borges is a fictional writer very much inspired by Kafka. Fernando is a big fan. I read up on his biography and realized I had actually read one of his short stories, "The Library of Babel", in 8th grade. I read a few more over the weekend (while sitting out on the deck). He's an excellent writer. Sort of a surrealist. I've really become entranced with the Spanish novelists. I am not sure if it's the translation of work, but I find that their writings are much richer than that of others. I highly recommend.

The Bourne Identity
Finally watched it. I was a fan, but when it ended I turned to Fernando and said "But aren't their 2 more?"

Around Town

BINGO
ABGC Auditorium Bingo
6200-D Little River Tnpk
Alexandria, VA 22312
Phone: (703) 642-9581
Hotline: (571) 237-5832
http://abgc.org
Playtime: Fri. & Sat. 6 PM-11:30 PM


Rosslyn Indoor Pre-80's Movie Tribute
Uncle Buck
Location: The Dome
1101 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington VA
Time: 6pm
703-522-6628
FREE!!!

From the Foodie in Me

Sopapillas (the Mexican Beignet - but better)

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons shortening
3/4 cup water
2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Mix together flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Using hands, mix in water to make a smooth dough. Knead lightly on a floured surface. Cut dough into 12 pieces, and shape into round balls. Cover, and set aside.
Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into thin circles. Cut each circle into triangles. Fry in hot oil, until golden brown, turning when dough puffs. Remove, and drain well on paper towels.
Top with either powdered sugar or honey (my fave).

My Pet Peeve
Cops/ Security cops on Segways
Seriously? RUN!!! This is why people make fun of cops eating donuts.

My Addiction To...

New Projects

I find myself bored if I'm not always in motion.
Don't get me wrong, I love a laid back day as much as the next person, but I love being on the go more. I love planning trips, and decorating, having new projects or taking up new crafts. I love being in go mode.

It's Going to be 80 Dregrees This Weekend!

Around Town

Tallulah/ Eat Bar
Sunday Cinema Series Presents: Office Space @ 8pm
Sun Apr 26
Complimentary concessions and truffle butter popcorn!

I like Tallulah, I have no idea why I don't make it there more often.

From the Foodie in Me

If you are looking for a good recipe site, I suggest allrecipes.com
It's a good website for every recipe you could every want. I highly suggest making a profile for yourself. I have lost many a recipe because I haven't had someplace to save them. This site lets you comment, score, save your favorite recipes, contribute recipes, and suggest alterations for recipes. I give two thumbs up!

Update

I'm feeling better.

TV/ Books/ Movies

Parks and Recreation- I love the head manager guy who is against the government. I don't know if this show is going to make it, but I am a huge fan of that guy... reminds me of some Ron Paul supporters I know...

My Pet Peeve

People who talk on their cell phones while using the bathroom.
It's GROSS!!! Is your conversation so important that you can't wait 10 seconds to pee? Seriously? Also, I've now heard texting coming from the stall next to mine. I know what the click click click of a blackberry sounds like, and it's unmistakable from a bathroom stall.
Seriously people, leave your work at your desk for a few minutes and take some "me" time while you use the potty.

This pet peeve is dedicated to Emily Clark Canizaro... she knows why.

My Addiction To...

Blue Bell Rocky Road Ice Cream

It's delicious. I don't know how many of you out there have had Blue Bell Ice Cream... but it's the best ice cream in the country. Hands down. No questions asked. The Texas State society flies it in every year for our congressional meet and greet. Now, they just fly in vanilla, which I am happy for BUT, I absolutely go nuts for the Rocky Road version. It has everything you could want in ice cream. Nuts, Marshmellow, Chocolate... mmmm...

Personal Weird Fact of the Day...

Rodents FREAK me the f out.
No joke. Once my dad bought a "mouse" (turns out it was fake) in the house by it's tail and waved it in front of me. I burst into tears. I was 24 at the time.
Another time I pushed Annie into oncoming traffic because a rat scurried by me while walking down the street in G-town. This was last year.
I don't like mice, gerbils, rats, squirrels, guinea pigs, nutria, and anything else rodent like.
The end.

My Day in the Emergency Room

So Sorry i havent blogged much this week, but in my defense, I spent a day in the ER/ Doctor's office...

Tuesday

8pm - I haven't felt good all day, and I start to really hurt in my entire abdomen area.

9pm- I call Annie for advice, she's been to the doctor/ ER lots of times. I'm not sure if I'm in enough pain to go to the ER.

10pm- Annie calls me back and advises me to pepto. I'm still in a lot of pain but I decide to wait till the morning to go to my doctor versus going to the ER.

10:30pm- I am in so much pain that I fill my tub with Hot Water and get in. I take my blackberry with me and call both my mom and Fernando. Both advise me to go to the ER, but I convince them that I can wait it out till the morning. The hot water alieviates a lot of the pain.

11:00pm- I hop in bed and finally go to sleep.

Wednesday

8am- I call a cab to take me to my doctor's office. My doctor is in farragut in DC.

8:45am- the cab still isnt there and I'm angry. Annie calls me and tells me to cancel the cab, she'll pick me up and take me.

9:45am- Arrive at my doctor's office. He tells me that he can do blood work, but he doesn't have a lab, so I should really go to the ER. He suspects either appendicitis, or some sort of food poisioning.

11am- Arrive at Virginia Hospital Center. I check in and they call my name fairly quickly. I think there was only one person ahead of me.

11:30- They take me to a room.

11:45am- The doctor walks in and starts pushing on my stomach. She thinks it's my gallbladder. She orders a blood test, a urine test, and an untrasound. I get morphine and some medicine for nausea. I do not like that I can feel the morphine running through my body. Also, it immediately makes me sleepy.

12:30pm - I let the doctor know I'm still in some pain, so she gives me more morphine. I go back for my ultrasound. You know how on TV, you usually see ultrasounds given to women who are pregnant. And they squirt this jelly stuff on their tummies, and they all "Ooo" and "Ahh" at the baby? Well, I'm here to tell you it's not like that at all. Obviously, I am not pregnant, but it's still the same concept of looking in my tummy. Only that stuff they squirt on you is sticky and gross. It's also hot. Then they press that wand thing into you and move it all around. They jam it up under your ribcage. It hurts and it's super uncomfortable. Not like TV at all.

2:00pm- The doctor comes in and tells me that all my test came back clean. They have no idea why my side is hurting but they can rule out anything that would require surgery. She sends me on my way with a perscription for vicodin (for the pain) and something for nausea.

2:30pm- Annie drops off my perscriptions at CVS

3:30pm- We go eat soup. All I have eaten in 2 days is a few pieces of watermelon.

4:00pm- Annie picks up my perscriptions and drops me off at home. I pop a few vicodin and head to bed.

5:00pm- Fernando comes over to check on me. He stays about an hour (?) then leaves to play volleyball

7:45pm- Fernando come back and brings me cold fruit for dinner.

10pm- I'm back in bed after popping another vicodin.

So that was my day. I'm still in some pain this morning, if it continues I'll go see the doctor they refered me too. Truth be told, it's not as bad as yesterday, so I guess I'm getting better from whatever it is that was wrong with me.

I do want to say that the entire expierience has left me feeling so very blessed. I am 1500 miles away from home, so my mom can't check in on me, other than a phone call. But I have numerous offers to drive me to the ER. People offered to run errands for me, pick up perscriptions and groceries. Annie spent the entire morning with me running me about, and Fernando checking in on me. I recieved numerous emails/ IMs/ and texts from friends, all well wishes. I feel so grateful to have built a family of friends here in DC. I want to say thank you to you all.

Rain Rain Go Away...

That's right, after a beautiful sunny weekend in our nation's capital it started pouring here late last night. I don't know about everyone else, but I am so tired of the back and forth crappy weather. I am ready for summer!

Weekend Recap

Saturday
I hung up the shelves in my bathroom.
I bought these shelves some time ago and Fernando kindly hung them up in my dining room. I then decided I didn't like them there, and have been hounding him for the past month to hang them up in my bathroom. He didn't, so I finally did. I think Imma have a blister

Sunday

Have you seen the ultimate cake challenge? It's on food network.
Amazing. Yesterday they made cakes that were "extreme cakes".
One of the glowed in the dark, the other had fireworks. The glow int he dark cake won, which is sad, I liked the people on the other team more.

From the Foodie in Me

Amazing Dip I Tried at a Becky's Birthday Party

Jar of Salsa
Blended Shredded Mexican Cheese Mix
Cream Cheese

Drain the salsa. Layer a casserole dish with salsa, cream cheese, and top with shredded cheese.
Bake in the oven at 350 degrees until the cheese bubbles.
Serve.

Around Town
The Washington Monument

I have never been to the top of the Washington Monument, not even when I came here in 8th grade. You need a ticket to go to the top, and they are handed out on a first come first serve basis... at like 7am.
I'm not getting up at 6am to go downtown to get a ticket. That's insane.
Fortunately, the park service realized this and has now made it easier to see the monument.
You can reserve your tickets ahead of time online for $1.50 a ticket.
I don't know about you but $1.50 is totally worth skipping a 6am wake up call.
http://www.recreation.gov/tourParkDetail.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=77811

My Addiction To...

Nostalgia

Seriously, I miss my childhood. I can't flip past sesame street on TV without stopping at watching for a bit.
When I babysit, I almost always have a tea party with the girls.
I own a Disney princess coloring book.
I own every Disney princess movie there is.
I go to the Smithsonian museum of American History to look at Dorothy's ruby slippers and Mr. Rodger's cardigan.
I think my generation grew up in a simpler time, where TV was safe to watch, and the Internet wasn't in every household. I'm in no way saying we should move backwards, but sometimes I do miss the simpleness of it all... plus, the only reality show was The Real World.

My Pet Peeve
Children

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE kids... except when they aren't well behaved.
Parents you know if your child is a terror in a store, don't act like you don't.
It's infuriating to try and do shopping of any kind with screaming kids all about.
For that matter, why aren't you disciplining your children? I understand that sometimes a babysitter isn't an option, sometimes you may not have the money, or you many not be able to find a sitter... I get that. But for goodness sake, don't raise your children to behave like savages.

Books/ TV/ Movies

I didn't read Mill on the Floss this weekend. I was such a bum.
I did catch up on about 4 hours of HGTV. It inspired me to rearrange my living room.
When I was done I realized that it looked better the way I had it before, so I moved it all back.

Personal Weird Fact of the Day

I'm allergic to something in stores. Target, Macy's, Giant... must be something in the packaging.
Sometimes when I'm shopping my hands will get really itchy and red. Just the palms of my hands though. It happened while shopping with Fernando this past weekend.
He made fun of me. He's such a great boyfriend.

Guess Who's Back... Back Again...

I want to apologize for my 2 day hiatus. Apparently my work actually wanted me to work. Not sure what that was all about, but thankfully the boss is in a meeting so I have a bit of time to catch you all up.
Seriously though, not much to tell. I've been so busy working that I haven't had a chance to do much else these past few days.

Around Town
GO OUTSIDE!
It's going to be a beautiful 78 degrees on Saturday, the warmest day we have seen so far this year. I highly recommend getting out of your house and spending the day outside.
Try Theodore Roosevelt Island if you haven't been . It's a secret gem of the metroplex. If you don't have a car, then the Jefferson Memorial is a great place to walk around. There are fewer tourists, but it's a great scenic view.

My Pet Peeve

People who say "oh" instead of "zero" when giving you a list of numbers. "O" is a letter. "Zero" is a number. Get it right people. It's an extra syllable. Don't be lazy.

From the Foodie in Me
There is this place that I escaped to yesterday. Elevation Burger. It's in Falls Church in the same shopping complex that the Harris Teeter is in off of Lee Hwy.
It's all organic food. I was impressed with the burger and I loved the fries, but the thing that will keep me coming back is the shakes. I had a vanilla ice cream shake with oreos and banana. OMG. Delicious. I have to give credit where credit is due. The concoction wasn't my idea, but Lydia's. Way to go Lydia. I won't forget that creation any time soon.

My Addiction To

Old Brunos

I miss it. What can I say. It was my favorite place to hang out in college. I remember the day I decided on it. As an freshman I couldn't even get into Bruno's. It was a 19 and up bar. Although I often convinced Greg to bend the rules for my sorority sisters. My sophomore year I started going to Madigans for Ladies night. I loved Madigans, the drinks were free and the owner/ bartender, Bill, called me cowgirl. Then things started to go wrong Junior Year. I got to the point where I could distinguish a good drink from a bad drink. I also wasn't drinking amaretto sours and sex on the beaches anymore (i cringe to think I ever did). The one day my junior year I was at Madigans for ladies night and I had an epiphany. I would rather pay for my drinks at brunos, than get them for free here.
I think that was the last time I went to madigans. Sure, I would still go to GB's (arguably the same bar) for Tuesday night food specials. But never again madigans for ladies night.
Bruno's became my bar. I would drink there daily after that. I actually have one of the doormen's phone number in my phone and he and I hang out when I go back to town (nothing scandalous, he's married). The point is, I made a lot of friends there. Anne, Britni and I would play pool till the wee hours of the morning. I remember once there was a three day stint where we didn't go. The staff accused us of finding a new bar. We tried to explain we actually were in school, and had papers due, and classes to go to, but they made us promise that we hadn't replaced them.
Another time a sorority sister of mine dropped my name at the front door, and they let her in, even though she was under age. Once, the president of the sorority called my cell and told me she was across the street with all the pledges and they wanted to come in. I got 12 girls in that night, all under 19.
The memories I made there will not soon be forgotten. However, Old Bruno's is now closed. The newest generation only has the new Brunos. I feel bad for them. It's a nice bar, but that's the problem. It's not divvy. There aren't 60 year old men there watching jeopardy at three in the afternoon.
I miss and love Old Brunos.

Books/ TV/ Movies
Slaughterhouse V

Hated it. If your more liberal leaning you might like this book, but I personally believe in war. I wasn't a fan.
Next up, Mill on the Floss, hoping to start and finish this weekend.

Personal Weird Fact of the Day
I don't like colored foods.
Food dye is one of God's mean tricks. It turns your tongue an unnatural color and it completely freaks me out. Blue and green things freak me out the worst.
I have a theory on my irrational fear though.
When I was a little kid, I hated to be sticky. Well my dad played in a baseball league and we would go watch the games. I would play with the other players kids and they were always eating fun dip and Popsicles that were blue and green, and their mouths would be blue and green and their hands and fingers would be blue and green and STICKY. I think I somewhere along the way started associating blue and green things with sticky things.
Yeah, It's crazy, but I'm a girl. I'm allowed a little bit of crazy.

Coming in May...

Jazzfest in New Orleans - super jacked
Crawfish Boil - with the local Loyola Alumni chapter
Outer Banks - for memorial day weekend? this is still a maybe, but i did it last year and would love to make it a tradition. Anyone interested?
Dallas- for my little sister's high school graduation. My mom actually opened a new restaurant location in a gated resort community. As the owner she has access to the vacation rentals... for free. Basically it boils down to me staying in a cabin on the lake for free. I'm excited to not have to sleep on an air mattress (my sister gutted my room of everything relating to me the second I left for college. It's all boxed up, and now I don't have a room when I go "home").