Food, How I Love Thee!

     I just made the MOST amazing Sammich. Oh buddy. I felt like I was ....in Italy. I bought a panini press before I moved. I don't use it too much, but I really should more. It's epic! Mine's Breville, and you can change one of the plates to make it more of a flat pan kind of surface.
     I don't exactly remember where I came about the idea, and I've made them before, but I got a hankering for sammiches, so you're about to see some really good ones. Trial and error though. I wasn't shy with my ingredients; I used ciabatta, and fresh tomatoes, and fresh basil, and fresh mozz... ok it was ALL fresh!

Recipe?!

3.5 oz Ciabatta cut in half
2 Large Tomato Slices
3Tbs Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce
1 oz Mozz
3 Basil Leaves
2tsp Butter

Butter your bread, put sauce, then tomato, then cheese, then basil.
Press er! I could've gone longer to melt the cheese more, but I needed to turn my heat down if I was to do so.

Be ready to die while you chew :-)

Ab Roll Out Madness ;-)

So here are my ab roll outs :-) OUCH!

Every Trip Leaves You With Something.

     I feel as though I always learn new things on my vacations. Life lessons, fun facts, whatever.
On this one? Well.. Marionberries are exclusively grown in OR. Oregon is a lot like CO. I can in fact get tired of a lack of savory food. You can't buy weed, you must "donate" to get it. A simple gesture from someone can make you feel worth it. 24 hour fitness is very over priced. Trying to eat with multiple dietary restrictions is quite challenging, but fun. I can manifest my fear as doubt. I like Florence + The Machine more than I thought.
     The people here are just as, if not more friendly than they are in Nashvegas. The man at starbucks about a mile walk from where I'm staying (which I walk to a lot), asked me today if I was home sick. Really? The people in Hermitage don't even remember where I am right now, and he knows I'm from Nashville? Thank you. How about the people on the bus?! They love to talk, and I feel like I've made so many friends, more than I've ever made in hermitage, and I only have been here 8 days.
     I ran out of yogurt this morning, well, I think SOMEONE ate it, but, I'll never know. Therefore, I asked for a cup with a pump of SF hazelnut syrup, and got a single serve yogurt, put in my protein, and mixed it up. Yep, the things one does for protein! ....Then I ate a giant Chocolate Chunk Cookie :-) I've had about 4 this week. It's delightful. This vacation, as solitudal as it's been, has been amazing. The people, Travis, Josh/Jake, the Starbucks cashier, the man at starbucks I go to the gym here with (Who just offered me a ride to the airport), the man at starbucks who wants to hear my story, the man on the bus from Hawaii... They've created an experience. The sights; the beautiful river, the city lights, the mall, the Santas, the bridges, the store fronts, they've imprinted in my mind. The way the city is laid back (...pot capital of the nation...) is so nice. I live my life rushing from place to place, and it's been so perfect to not have to speed to get somewhere on time, or not worry when someone isn't on time to meet me, or have to wonder if I'll make it there on time by bus. I just do what I want, all day, and have no where I HAVE to be. Walking... I've spent the trip walking miles a day. Through the city, to the store, to the bus stop, to starbucks, everywhere, I just walk. On my way here this morning, I thought... this isn't much different than where I am. I could walk to places too. I might just try it :-)
This is one trip that won't ever leave my mind.

How's the Vacation?!

     It's great. Some things aren't as I had expected them to be, but others are much better. Portland downtown is magical. I saw things I've never before; Snow in a mall, food trucks, a city Xmas tree.
     I'm making friends everywhere. I had a guy give me a ride from the gym, and another man ask me to e-mail him the life story I've been writing for 8 years. Yes..... I've written 5 books, front and back pages for 8 years this coming February. He gave me some interesting ideas, and really wanted to read it. he said... not many people write their story. And write it for that long. I'm not done; when I'm having a rough day or I need someone to talk to I write to myself to let it out. Or when it's something I don't want someone else to know. Which makes sharing it with him harder, but I can alter things accordingly.
     Yesterday and today are kind of rough days for me. There's been great and there's been sad. I'm eating what I want and I'm enjoying myself, and I don't feel like a whale as I did over thanksgiving. I've had pizza, mexican, ice cream, vietnamese, and what ever else I've wanted. And I'm happy. However, as we've all seen, I met a guy when I came out here. That's half the reason I came to begin with. And now it's bye for a long while. Let's just say... bad day to wear make up right? But I'll be okay. Because I have no other choice.
     I found a gym and I'm training, eating, riding the bus, hitting the city, starbucks, shops, just spending time with myself. Which, at some moments is very dangerous, and at other, very great. I've got a huge list of things to do when I get home, and back to work. Forget Christmas, I haven't even thought about it. And it's barely a week away. Yikes. Honestly, I have no desire to go back to TN, which I knew was coming. But life can't always be how you want it to be. So go back I shall. Smiling or not.
     I'm loving eating what sounds good, and waking up feeling just as great as when I left. I know if I did this as my life, I'd go broke, and feel like crap, but a week is a nice break from my obsessive nutrition habits :-)

Vacation's Coming Just In Time!

     Good News: I got all of my exams rescheduled for Friday! Start at 8:30, and go till I'm done. I don't feel like I'm under prepared for any of them, so I'm fit and happy.
     I'm exhausted. As in could've fallen asleep driving today kind of exhausted. I don't have a moment off until I step on that plane, and I don't feel like my trip is going to be relaxing. Not that I would want it to be anyways!
     DiO got cancelled tonight, so I'm catching it in the morning. I then have a chiropractic appt as my shoulder isn't too happy with me for some reason. In between that I need to go to my parents to pick up a world music DVD for a concert report due Wed. then I need to train, study for music, and work. Wednesday, classes all day, studying, training. Thursday, working twice, training, studying, packing, baking. Friday, all of my exams, packing, baking, training, working. Saturday I fly. I also have to pack anything I want to eat from 5 Am- 1pm. Still waiting to hear if my brother can pick me up or if he's working. My life is sort of in the air at this moment, but hey, it's ok! When I get on that plane, I'm going to be very very ready to take a seat and relax a moment!
     I found out yesterday, Portland has great bus system, and a subway system, so I can go anywhere and everywhere at my leasure. Yes! It's going to be great fun! I just have to remember not to spend much except for food :-)

Split Squats!

For My Log :-)

15x115!

One Down, One To Go. And Missed Exams!

     It's been a bit! I've gotten busy though, which I love because I'm not bored sitting around wondering what I can do. I'm on the run, sometimes too much. My first trip that was to Baltimore is over. I got sick the day after Thanksgiving and I'm still working on getting rid of it. I enjoyed it, generally, but Thanksgiving for me, is like placing an alcoholic in a bar. I love the family, and I met members that have joined in the last 3 years, or that just never come to gatherings. When I first walked in the door, everyone was beyond shocked at my transformation, which made it even more worth it. I did okay I suppose on my eating, well, I wouldn't say okay, but I did better than in the past. The following day I wanted to go straight home. I was completely miserable. I got to keep my regular gym schedule simply modifying the exercises to accommodate the equipment available, and my uncle took me to his gym once. I was extremely proud of my control on the 13.5 hour drive back. Usually all I do is eat. Not this time. This time I actually kept it less than my normal days, which is fair seeing as I was sitting in a car all day.
     My second trip is a week from today! I'm quite excited. I've never been on a trip as an adult, just me, so it's going to be fun. I'm staying with my brother, and who knows what we'll get into. He said they go to the gym, which is good for me, because I will literally go insane if I go 8 days without eating my food and working out. It's SO uncomfortable for me. At the least the gym--the food I generally can do okay with when it's not national feasting holiday!
     We've gotten completely new management at work, and it's quite an adjustment. They're much stricter, and they want us to do a LOT of extra work (like cleaning). We did some before, but not like this. It's not that bad, as they're having us start working as a team, but I'm having to lie about some of my work being done, which isn't me at all. Nothing intense, I said I cleaned the lamp shades when I hadn't, but a lie is a lie. When I've worked serving for 3 hours, rolled 50 silverware, done side work, etc, the last thing I desire to do is wipe the walls down in my section. However I believe the service will improve and busy nights will run smoother.
     My exams...... are 4 days after I fly out of the state. Yes. No bueno. I only have 4 classes, one of which doesn't have an exam, one of which I did manage to get rescheduled, one of which I find out Monday if I can take early, and the other isn't looking too promising. Completely my mistake, but it happens.