The Best of the West!

My all time favorite city is San Francisco! I just got back from vacation there and did not want to leave. It was awesome to see my relatives and so many of my friends who now live there. Not sure why I have such a love affair with it (by the photo you can see why)? I used to frequent the Bay area when my grandparents were alive, maybe what I love about the city are the memories. They bring me such warm and fuzzy feelings. I hope one day to find my way to the West Coast (hmm.. I wonder when the next Gold Rush will be?).

"You know what it is?

San Francisco is a golden handcuff

with the key thrown away."

- John Steinbeck

Eating Fruit = Two Piece Suit?

I love summer because it's the season that produces my favorite vegetables and fruits. Right now, I'm going through a nectarine phase. I really love fruit with a crunch to it. It takes so much energy to get through a nectarine that I easily start to feel full! Look at the ones in these photos! Can we say Miracle Growth? Whoa! At least this is a meal in itself! At this rate I'll be closer to getting another cupcake photo on my office wall (see last blog entry).

"Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie."

-Anonymous

My Diet is a Riot!

So you're probably wondering why I have pictures of two cupcakes taped to my office cabinets! I consider them as my weight loss milestones. Someone told me that she uses candles to represent her goals, I just extended that to something more yummy looking (sadly, cupcakes are my most favorite dessert)! Staring at these delectable photos may be torturous, but they visually remind me that once upon a time those used to be attached to my ass. I'm not saying I gave up on cupcakes, I just don't eat as many! I will keep you posted as my office wall fills with more cupcakes!

"A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand"

-unknown

(I almost wish I thought of that quote myself)

Merci Beaucoup rhymes with Thank You!!!

How exciting! I just won this photograph as part of a contest on Dongedy's blog!! She is an amazing French photographer who uses mini people with everyday items. I feel like I'm a part of the moment when I see a little plastic-made person chiseling away at a sugar cube or swimming in a martini glass (First of all, I'm not made of plastic, but maybe one day I may need to go that route and secondly, I do love sweets and drinks so her photographs definitely resonate with me)! I would love to shrink myself and drink my way out of a cosmopolitan any day! Actually, I wouldn't have to shrink myself by much. I'm quite petite, so I'm sure I could find my way into a martini glass without a problem! I sound like I need to go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings!

I love the photo of the two people climbing their way up a jar of Nutella! That would be so dreamy, of course if you're allergic to hazelnuts, this would not be good! Please take some time to check out her shop! I guarantee you'll find some favorite photos that will put a big smile on your face and hopefully end up on the walls of your home!

"I like photographers, you don't ask questions."

-Ronald Reagan

Ole Ole Ole Ole...Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

For the first time, I took hot yoga or as others would call Bikram. I was pretty excited about trying something new since I'm a very active individual. When my co-worker invited me to try hot yoga I was a little hesitant, but I figured what the heck! She told me exactly what I needed to bring for this new exercise activity (what a great excuse to buy an aquamarine mat and a matching headband at Lululemon).

I knew it was going to be a very warm room, but I was not mentally prepared for 1 & 1/2 hours of poses in 105 F degrees. I have to admit at the 45 minute mark I was exhausted and wet from swimming in my own perspiration! Thank goodness I was told not to wear shorts since some of the poses require holding yourself by your knees or calves. Talk about slippery skin (I felt like a salamander which are scaleless and aquatic. The word is also defined as a "mythical being, esp. a lizard or other reptile, thought to be able to live in fire").

At the office, before my co-worker and I headed to yoga, I kept telling her "I'm going to try to make you laugh while we're in there!" I'm quite the personality so I wasn't sure I could handle the quietness of such a disciplined practice. My devious "laughter" plan was foiled when I realized I needed to focus under the extreme heat!

During one of the poses where I laid face down on the mat, I was visited by a lovely dark eight legged creature making his or her way towards me! HOLY CRAP!!! I seriously had to take all the energy inside of me not to scream (in actuality, I needed to channel that energy to give my co-worker the evil eye)! I quickly calmed myself down, took in some air and used the power of my breath to blow that spider off my mat! By the sound of my breathing technique, I'm sure the others around me thought I was very deep into my stance or I was going into labor! When my "I'll-huff-and-I'll-puff-and-I'll-blow-your-house-in" method did not work, I had to figure out what else to do! It was in that moment where I would have preferred to switch out my "third eye" for a "third hand" because I had to quicly flick the spider instead (don't worry creature lovers, he lived). Later in the session, I noticed the guy in front of me flicking something of his towel (creature lovers, I have no idea if the spider lived, sorry)! When class was over I thought to myself, "I would rather have a yummy hoagie than be a yogi!"

"I tried yoga once but took off for the 

mall halfway through class, 

as I had a sudden craving for 

a soft pretzel and world peace."

- Terri Guillemets

Stay In Touch Thursdays!!

It’s quite embarrassing that I haven’t updated this blog in several months considering my love for the art of writing. I was inspired again to make more cards after spending some time in the sale section of Michaels craft store and JoAnn Fabrics (I went there on a mission for one thing and you know what happens when you see items with red sale price stickers? Hello Empty Wallet). I decided recently I’m going to start using one of my lovely handmade cards and personally write someone every week this year (Gee, I wonder if I actually know that many people?). It will be great way to reconnect with others than sending emails or constantly updating my status on Facebook. I will post my beautifully crafted card here only after I’ve sent it. I don’t want any of my recipients to get a sneak peek! Who knows maybe I’ll surprise one of my customers with a free handmade card along with a personal note from “Yours Truly!”

"Writing is a lonely job, unless you're a drinker,

in which case you always have a friend within reach."

-Emilio Estevez

Go STATE! You're Great!!

It's been awhile since I last wrote on my blog! I do apologize to all my followers. I was in the middle of moving during my last post and I'm still trying to get organized! I want to congratulate my alma mater in winning the basketball game against University of Connecticut! It's so awesome that a home team has made it this far to play at Ford Field in Michigan where the NCAA Final is being hosted!  This isn't just about basketball, it's about bringing people together in a state where the unemployment rate is one of highest in the United States. Michigan is known for having the largest Big 3 car companies (GM, Ford, Chrysler), which are not doing very well and it has really sucked the life out everyone who lives there. So I hope that MSU wins the whole NCAA basketball tournament, so that all the folks of the beautiful state where I grew up, will be able feel some joy again! Go Green! Go White! Go State!

"There are really only two plays: 

Romeo and Juliet, and put the darn ball in the basket."

-Abe Lemons