almost relaxed

For the past week and a half I have been winding down from my crazy first year in business school!  I went to the beach with Jason, met my cousin's beautiful baby boy, went to one of my good friend's bachelorette party (complete with lap dance instruction), saw Bridesmaids (I might have to post a review about this movie)... and I can say that I am almost relaxed.  I thought that once school was over and all of my assignments were turned in, that I would be able to completely relax, but I can't.  Is it always going to be like this?  Will there always be something on my mind that keeps me from completely letting go and vegging out?

What is the culprit you ask?  Answer: my summer.  I move to NYC on Friday and start my internship next Tuesday.  I have so many emotions running through me.  I keep going back and forth between being excited and nervous about my NYC summer adventure.  I've always wanted to live in a city being that I grew up in the 'burbs and now I have the opportunity to do so in one of the most amazing cities in the world.  But change is good and nerves mean that you really care about whatever you are nervous about.

I am looking forward to having an income again (even though it will be short lived), being closer to Jason, hanging out with my friends, and exploring a new place.  So stay tuned for my summer adventures.  Between my internship and time in the city, I am sure that I will have some crazy stories!

almost a hoarder

I am so ashamed of myself.  I literally spent my entire Sunday sorting and cleaning tons and tons of clothing, shoes, purses, scarves... you get the picture.  I found stuff that I didn't know still existed and clearly haven't worn in years...years.  For instance, I counted 20+ t-shirts that have been in the same damn, plastic container I originally packed them in, to come to school.  Who the hell needs 20+ t-shirts?  Ridiculous.  Even better, I had shoes that were literally falling apart and I seriously tried to justify keeping them!  "These are so fly... no one will notice that the fabric is splitting".  Insanity.

What prompted this massive undertaking?  Three different reasons: 1) I have to pack to go home to VA for two weeks (yay -- I miss Jason, my family, and crazy friends), 2) I have to pack for my 3 month internship in NYC (wohoo summer in the city), and 3) I have to pack for my summer tenants (praise God I don't have to cover two rents this summer).  My family is right.  I am like a gypsy.  I am always on the move.  Oh and I have to do all of this before I leave Ithaca on Thursday.  FML.

Under normal circumstances (i.e. circumstances involving me not being in business school), this wouldn't be such a big deal.  But I have finally had a moment to breath and actual hours to myself.  Having this time to myself has now caused me to stress out and just starting thinking about how much I miss having a "normal life".  Yes I brought this on myself and yes, there is no way I could have turned down this opportunity to come to school on a full-ride, but I often find myself reflecting on all of this when I have time to just think.

Anyway, back to the hoarding.  I have 2 full, black, plastic bags for the Salvation Army (another one that is halfway full) and a pile of items I am trying to sell on eBay.  I figured, if I am going to give them away, might as well try to make a quick buck if I can.

So I am sitting here on my sofa, surrounded by bags of clothes, clean clothes folded in random piles on the floor, bras hanging from chairs, and all I can do is laugh.

Did I mention I need to scrub this apartment from top to bottom too?

almost a chef: blueberry pancakes

It's a beautiful day in Ithaca and what better way to start the morning than with blueberry pancakes?!?  Jason made the request last night and I gladly obliged especially since I miss being able to cook for someone, other than myself 

Since I have been on this no carb/low carb kick, I haven't made pancakes in at lesat 6 months.  With that said, I have never been a fan of pancake mixes especially since it is so easy to make them from scratch.  Instead of using my go-to pancake recipe, I remembered that Gwyneth Paltrow has a feature in this month's Self magazine, including recipes from her new cookbook.  I decided to give her dad's pancake recipe a try: Bruce Paltrow's World Famous Pancakes (best if the batter is made the night before).  I simply added blueberries to the below recipe.

The pancakes were super light and not too sweet.  The blueberries gave a nice tartness as well!

Next up:  Spaghetti squash -- satisfies my pasta cravings!

Bruce Paltrow's World-Famous Pancakes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs (preferably organic)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly, plus 1/2 tsp per batch to grease pan
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• About 1/2 cup whole milk
• Maple syrup (I used Agave Nectar -- very yummy)
• 
  
• PREPARATION
• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Whisk eggs, 3 tbsp butter and buttermilk in another bowl. Whisk wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined. (Small lumps are fine.) Cover batter and let rest overnight in the refrigerator. Heat a large greased griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add milk to batter until it reaches desired consistency; the more milk, the thinner and more delicate the pancakes. Working in batches of three pancakes, spoon batter onto griddle or skillet. Cook until surface of pancake is covered with bubbles, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Drizzle warmed maple syrup over pancakes; serve.
• 
  
• THE SKINNY
• 372 calories per 2 pancakes with 2 tbsp maple syrup, 11 g fat (6 g saturated), 60 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 9 g protein

almost lost it

Photo by mdanys

Do you ever have a moment when you say to yourself, "Did s/he really just say/write that?"  Well I found myself having that moment a few days ago.  I decided not to blog about it immediately, fearful of what I might have permanently put out in the blogosphere.

Am I too sensitive?  Am I too quick to bite my tongue?  Why are people so damn rude?  These are all questions that I asked myself after the encounter and continue to ask myself.

Respect.  I am firm believer that not everyone is meant to be friends and we will not all hold hands and sing Kumbaya with one another.  But there is the idea of mutual respect in the absence of "like".  As I get older and interact with different personalities, belief systems, cultures, values etc., I have really learned the meaning of "you don't have to like me, but you have to respect me."

Will I make someone respect me?  No. As I have gotten older and more mature, I have learned that my actions speak louder than my words.  I carry try myself a certain way and treat others how I would want to be treated; granted I am not perfect, but I am trying to be better every day.  What I won't do is make someone like me or respect me.  Gone are the days of trying to fit in.  What I will do is distance myself from these toxic people and keep it moving.  There are many people I respect on different levels, for different reasons, but I don't like them... and that's okay.

So back to my moment of "almost losing it".  In such a high stress environment, it is very easy to get caught up and stay/do things that are out of character.  I have truly learned to take the high road and let it go.  But in letting it go, I don't forget.

almost done with my 1st year!

Consortium OP 2010 with my
Johnson School Family

It just seems like yesterday that I uprooted my life, and the life of those close to me, to move to Ithaca to pursue my MBA at Cornell University.  January 2010 marked the start of a new chapter of my life, including acceptance to schools, scholarships, new friendships, moves, and most importantly a surprise proposal :)!

Going Away Party

Over the past 9 months, I have learned so much about myself and about being a leader.  I never knew that I could push myself so hard and actually learn and do well in subjects so foreign to me.  I've also learned a lot about myself personal leadership style and what it really means to be a leader.

My Honey

As I finish up my first year and get ready for the yet another transition (starting my internship and living in NYC for the summer)I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to experience all that I have.  I wouldn't have been able to quit my job and become a full-time student again if I didn't have the support from my family and friends and my continually strengthened faith in God.

Sorry for the sappy/deep post.  Just had to get this off my chest!  I have been so emotional over the past few days thinking about the last year and what my future potentially has in store for me.  I'm so happy, so grateful, so blessed, and so excited!

almost a chef: beef stew

I love too cook and I try to do so every Sunday.  Today, I decided to make stew since I'm not feeling well.  So I went to one of my faves, Ms. Paula Dean, for a yummy recipe.   


I made a few modifications to the below yummy recipe.  I added a 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes and cremini mushrooms (I didn't measure) because I wanted a heartier broth.  Per some of the comments on the Food Network site, I think that I'm going to use water and beef broth next time for a heartier broth.  My gut is telling me that this stew tastes even better after a few days.  I will definitely be making this again soon.  It was yummy and filling!

Old-Time Beef Stew by Paula Dean

Ingredients

• 2 pounds stew beef
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• 1 or 2 bay leaves
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Dash ground allspice or ground cloves
• 3 large carrots, sliced
• 3 ribs celery, chopped
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions

Brown meat in hot oil. Add water, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, bay leaves, onion, salt, sugar, pepper, paprika, and allspice. Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours. Remove bay leaves and garlic clove. Add carrots and celery. Cover and cook 30 to 40 minutes longer. To thicken gravy, remove 2 cups hot liquid. Using a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup water and cornstarch until smooth. Mix with a little hot liquid and return mixture to pot. Stir and cook until bubbly.

almost clicking "buy it now"...

I just tried the sample of ExfoliKATE that I got from Sephora.  I. Must. Have. It. Now!  This product is AMAZING and now I can see why it's so damn expensive.  

Maria, the skin specialist at the 42nd Street Sephora in NYC, told me that this product acts like an exfoliator and chemical peel in one.  At first I was skeptical, but as soon as I started to massage the product into my skin, I felt an intense, warm sensation.  I let the product stay on my face for about 2 minutes.  After I rinsed it off, my skin looked rejuvenated and had a healthy glow (I'm all about the glow.  I want to be able to leave the house in the morning and just radiate)!  I can only imagine how my skin would look with regular use.

Mission "find ExfoliKATE cheaper" is now on and popping!

almost sick of hotels

Day #4 of our Marketing trip and I am so sick of jumping from hotel to hotel.  Tonight, I am in Ft. Washington, PA.  Ever heard of it?  Nope.  Neither have I.  

Picture this.  A toll plaza.  A gas station.  A Holiday Inn down a dark road in the distance.  Then there is us at the Hilton Garden Inn next to the toll plaza.  We have no cars and are forced to eat room service or yucky delivery.  

Okay, I just realized that was a string of complaints.  There is plenty to be happy about.  We head back to Ithaca tomorrow (never thought I would be happy to head back to Ithaca) and I had a wonderful few days spending time with my linesisters and an impromptu international phone conversation with my one linesister in Honduras!

I guess I will go make myself happy and go "play" with my new skin care products!  Bonne nuit.

almost wrinkly

I am on a Marketing trip with my classmates in NYC.  As soon as I saw the black and white stripped façade, I knew that Sephora was a "must stop"!  With 45 minutes of free time, I planned on spending the entire time basking in the make up and skin care products at the store.  I honestly think that I could spend all day in a Sephora.

A little back story.  So I turned 30 in January.  I have to admit, I had a mini-freak out for a few weeks, but I have started to embrace my new mature status.  I heard that when you turn 30, you should start using anti-wrinkle and anti-aging creams, potions, and serums.  Ok well... maybe I read it in Glamour.  Anyways, I want to preserve my sexy.

Back to today.  I met the most wonderful skin specialist, Maria,  at the 42nd Street Sephora.  She was soooooo knowledgeable and recommended some great skin care products for me (sidenote - the Sephora employees are so much more knowledgeable and helpful in NYC.  Who knew?).  So let's talk about what I bought.

   

So Maria recommended products by Ole Henriksen, an all natural line, and Boscia, another fantastic line.  She also gave me a sample of ExfoliKate - an exfoliator and light chemical peel - that retails for $85.  I'm anxious to try this out to see if it's as great as she said it is; for $85, it better be!

Call me crazy if you like, but I don't want wrinkles!!!

almost bridezilla?

Photo by cherie6c

So the idea of a Bridezilla is crazy to me.  And I admit, I get sucked into the show on WE tv and wonder how women get to that point of obnoxiousness (granted some of it has to be staged, but still...).  I can't help but think, someone allowed these women to act this way and someone fed into this idea of "it's my wedding and I can act however I want".  So family and friends of these women, I blame you.  Yup I said it... I blame you.


My mom has been saying "I hope you don't turn into a Bridezilla".  I honestly don't see how it's possible.  Between my family, bridesmaids, friends, wedding planner, and most importantly, my fiancé, I will get checked with a quickness!


Our wedding isn't all about me.  It is about us, joining together as one and professing our commitment, love, and dedication to each other, in front of God, our family, and close friends.  As much as I love to be the center of attention at times, this is one day that I know and really believe that it isn't about me; our wedding is much bigger than me.


So yes, I am particular, want our day to be perfect, and want to create a moment that we will all remember.  But I refuse to act like a spoiled, bitchy, brat and damage relationships with the people close to me.  But if for some reason, I get out of line, I am counting on my inner circle to check me.  And if I morph into a Bridezilla, I will partially blame you :)!

almost

Some of you may be familiar with my hair blog, From Dyed and Fried to Happy and Nappy.  I have hit a writers block when it comes to my experiences with natural hair and am at a bit of standstill.  But my life has certainly been anything but boring.

I'm almost married.  I'm almost done with business school.  I'm almost starting my new career.  And the list goes on.

Life is about constant transitions, so why not blog about it?  This blog will be about... well, my life.  Hopefully you will find my experiences intriguing, funny, sad, and most importantly relatable.