Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts

Friday, November 11, 2011

mid-month thanks.

As I sit here wallowing in self pity over my slightly higher number on the scale this morning (yes, again. WTF), I come across countless posts in my Reader about what others are thankful for. It is, after all, the month of Thanksgiving (which you know unless you've been living under a rock), so it seems appropriate. So, I've decided to stop being a whiny brat and list the things I'm thankful for. I may not be at goal quite yet, and my hair looks something awful today, but that doesn't mean my life is over. So here are a few things I'm thankful for:

1. My parents. I moved out 3 weeks ago, and I'm pretty sure we're both pretending like it was some awesome decision while (not-so) secretly wishing we still saw each other every day and possibly still lived under one roof. My dad might try to deny this, but trust me - that email from him after not speaking for roughly 36 hours that says 'you never call anymore' would beg to differ. They've been so wonderful this past year (and really the past 26) while I've gotten back on my feet and into the adult world.

2. My boyfriend, who I yelled at this morning for not doing dishes even though there wasn't really time last night, thus projecting my frustrations about my weigh in onto the poor soul. I'm amazed he still loves me, but I'm oh-so-grateful.

3. My health. I know it may not be perfect, but all things considered it's pretty damn good. Sure I may be overweight, but I have normal blood pressure and cholesterol, no diseases or disorders (unless you count my compulsive need to have a dust-free screen on the radio in my car), and I rarely ever get sick. That's nothing to sneeze at (har har).

4. My LTE ladies. We're about to celebrate our two year (!!!) anniversary of the day we all came together as the most awesomely rad support system in the history of the WW message boards. I've met a few of these ladies in real life, and I have to say they're even cooler in person! It's so, so valuable having a support system of people who are going through/have been through the same struggles you're facing. It's equally valuable being able to help people who are where you were at one point, and helping them through based on your past experiences. 

5. My brother. He loves me so much he moved into an apartment in the same complex as me! Now I can continue to get my fix of talking for hours on end about the restaurant world. 

6. The doggies. For making me feel so happy and loves when I'm having even the crappiest of days. They're just bundles of love and fluff!

7. My travel opportunities. I feel like these (especially my year in London) have shaped my life in such a big way. I'm so thankful I've had the chances I have to travel all over the States and Europe (and a little Latin America), and been able to experience so many different cultures. 

8. My childhood. Ok, so maybe this could be lumped in with family, but whatever. My blog! I think how you grow up/are raised has a huge effect on who you turn out to be as an adult. I think my childhood has helped me become someone who appreciates the things they have, who spends (relatively) frugally even if there's money on the table, who has a very comfortable, relaxed relationship with their family but still has respect for them, and puts a high value on sticking to commitments (as much as I hated that one as a kid).

9. My job. Not something to be taken for granted.

10. My readers! Thanks for listening to my ramblings for the past year+ (wow, I'm old). You keep me from  having to talk to myself, and I'm ever so grateful for that.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

vacation is sexy, part 2b. london, in (far fewer) pictures.

fish and chips #1.


most.heavenly.coffee.ever. Standing in line for entry coffee (aka coffee #1 of borough trip)


my favorite pesto! too bad my favorite stall employee, Josie, wasn't there. She's traveling around Africa. Rough life.

little cup of heaven

food board for the best sandwiches ever. I go with the spiced lamb every single time. I dreamt about this sandwich for months. Literally.

grillin'!




lamb's close-up.

homemade sauces for the sandwiches. From left: harissa, salsa  verde, sweet chilli, and lemon garlic aioli. For the lamb we recommend the harissa and the salsa verde, if you like a kick (can you tell I eat here all the time?)
it may not look like much, but seriously. Go get yourself one of these.
Chillin' in the church garden behind the market, enjoying my sandwich. A common ritual at Borough.

walk *this* way.
tower o' carbs!

fruit and veg!

Brindisa, the Spanish market, aka where I get my fix of murcia al vino (drunken goat's cheese)
Did someone say "queso"?

spoils from the market.

view from the top.
skyping with your father always makes for a fun afternoon.


stopping to smell the fun-looking flowers in Oxford.

me and new mommy Lilach! I know, she totally doesn't look like she had a baby two months ago. Not fair.
Hampstead Heath

precious baby Ofek













me and Britt in Oxford!

I miss it already.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

vacation is sexy, part 2a. vienna, in pictures.

The perfect travel partners: iPad, chocolate and water.

The 5yr old in me made me do it
My first (and only) schnitzel experience. It's like a crispy chicken sandwich, but without the lettuce and tomato.
Down the hill from the hostel, about a 20 minute walk, is where the architecture picks up in beauty.



Do you know how hard it is to take a picture across the street from a statue when said street is a major road and you don't want any cars in the picture? Really hard.

Gardens at the Palace (aka the place where I needed to sit and rest my feet because I had been walking for hours in really cute sandals with absolutely no support. Sneakers be damned!)



The museum I spent hours on my poor feet looking for, which ended up not being what I was actually looking for in the first place. Did you know that Judenplatz (location of Holocaust memorial) and Judisches Museum are two completely different places? I had no idea. That's what I get for not stopping to ask for directions.

Lippizaner Stallions!




Apparently in German, "latte" translates to "shot of espresso with cream on the side"
One of the best croissants (and fried eggs, though you can't see those) ever. Seriously. Also, note the super awesome camera skills! Perspective makes me happy.
coolest.place.ever. This is an open house-type structure in the Museum Quarter with a whole bunch of hammocks open to the public. Pretty sure over half of the pictures I took in Vienna took place here.







I know what "schmuck" means in Yiddish, and Yiddish is part German. Does this really mean what I think it does?
Holocaust memorial. Powerful stuff.
Imagine this picture isn't sideways, because I'm too lazy to rotate it. Street noodles = delish.
Spaetzel! This, I get excited for. We had savory with cheese and onion, and sweet with cinnamon sugar and strawberry.
Fried donut things.