New York City!

Our weekend was amazing! I'm so tired. We did so much walking and saw so much. Friday we woke up earlyish and walked around until we found "real New York Jew bagels" that were up to Corey's standards. We passed like 10 bagel places until we found this one, and then we wound up going back to the same place Saturday and Sunday because they were so good. We were close to Times Square so we walked there to see it in the morning/day light, then took the subway up to the Upper West Side and walked through Central Park to the Met. We spent a few hours in the Met, then wandered around the Upper East Side. We got hot dogs at this famous hot dog place, Papaya King. Took the subway back down to Grand Central and walked around the market and the great hall there. Then walked to the Empire State building (didn’t go up b/c of time and money). Then we took the subway to the Brooklyn Bridge and walked across the bridge, which was pretty cool. The views from the middle of it were amazing. We walked around Brooklyn for a little bit, then took the subway to Ground Zero. I was kind of disappointed because the last time I was there we were able to walk right up to the edge of the "hole" and look down, but now you're not even allowed to cross the street to the hole. We went back and rested for a bit after that, and then walked to an Italian place that a coworker recommended for dinner, which was amazing, and then walked back through Times Square so Corey could see it at night. I woke up at like 4 am and wound up throwing up, but I don’t know why or what made me sick. I think I just ate too much. We really ate like pigs all weekend, but Friday was bad.

Saturday we went to the Guggenheim (I just wanted to see the outside because I had never been), walked around Upper East Side again. Then walked around the Highline and Chelsea Market. We were on our way to the Skinny Building and took a detour through the market at Union Station. Then got coffee near the building, and went to Eataly. Walked around there for a while, looked for Corey's special spaghetti, but no luck. We went up to the IBM building and went to Abika, the mozzarella bar that Corey went to in Rome. We wound up near the park again and went into FAO Schwartz. We were exhausted after that, so we got a free movie from the front desk, watched that, then walked around our neighborhood and got dinner from a street vendor- spicy Italian sausage gyro thing. It was yummy. I know we did more Saturday but I can't remember anything. Ha.

Yesterday we slept in a little more, got bagels, walked around Times Square, and then went down to South Street Seaport. We were going to take the ferry to the Empire State building but it was an hour plus wait, so we just walked up to the Sea Port. There's a really good market with people from all over New England selling fresh cheese, meat, wines, etc. Then we went up to Carnegie Deli and stuffed ourselves. Then got a cheesecake to go and sat and ate it on a big rock in Central Park. Then wandered down to Rockefeller Center, watched ice skating, went to the NBC store because we were out of things to do, then just sat outside for awhile because it was a beautiful day. By about 4 we were ready to go but our train wasn’t until 9. We went and got a beer at a brewery, then wanted to find pizza (well, I did. I can't leave NYC without eating street pizza, but Corey was still stuffed). Then got our bags from the hotel and went to the train station, where we got another beer and waited for the train. We didn’t get in until after midnight, didn’t get home until almost 1 after the sketchiest cab ride ever. He stuffed 5 people in the cab, told us it would be $20, and then when he dropped us off told us he said $25. We were like, um, no, you said $20, and walked away. He was so sketchy. All in all, it was a great weekend. I needed it. My legs/feet are tired and sore, but it was so worth it.

Almost a Year Soda Free!

I gave up diet soda sometime around this time last year. Since then, I've lost close to 20 pounds (which is a lot considering that I started around 125). Not to say that its too much, or unhealthy, because I'm only 4'-11" and I'm pretty thin framed. This just put me back to my high school weight, and I look and feel so much better.

Anyway, since I've quit and started losing the weight, I've always been convinced that it's because I also don't crave sweets mid-afternoon like I always used to. I had a routine- diet-coke with lunch, and then I'd crave chocolate or sweets by 2 or 3. When I stopped drinking the diet soda (soda at all actually, I hate the taste of regular soda), I stopped wanting an afternoon snack. The combination of non consuming soda and not consuming the few hundred extra calories mid-afternoon had made a WORLD of difference.

Just today, I saw the first article on it, that supports what I believed the reasons were:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39543011/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/

I own the custest dog ever.

This is Spek's typical position on the drive home from Corey's parents house or the dropzone. If someone is int he passenger seat, he'll either be on their lap, or in this same position in the back seat. He get so worked up when we're at either of those places that he just sleeps the entire drive home. And if he does wake up and starts moving around, its pretty much guaranteed that its because he has to pee. He's predictable like that.

This is his favorite position when I'm home at lunch trying to get him to pee. He sits or lays in the grass and wants me to pull him down the hill. Then he runs back up and makes me do it again. He does the same to Corey when he gets home in the afternoon. He's definitely an outdoor dog.

This was last Saturday at the dropzone. It was a busy day for both of us. I packed over 40 rigs, and Spek did A LOT of exploring. After the first night jump, we went in for a rest. I took this to send to Corey while he's away, and fell asleep a short time later. Spek slept just like that- on my chest/stomach- for a good 3 hours before moving. He's just like Dad ;)
I miss you Corey.

Conversations about Spek

August 5 - morning

Me: Carried him on his pillow into his cage and not a sound. He sat up for a second and then just laid right back down. I forgot to put his toys in so I had to open it again and he didn't even try to get out. Just laid there and watched me. Didn't make any noise at all when I left!

Corey: Yay Spek!

August 5 - lunch

Me: He just met ronald again and went crazy

Corey: ?

Me: Across the hall

Corey: Is that the dogs name?

Me: Yup.

Me 5 minutes later: He won't pee and I have to go back to work.

Corey: I drag him over to that corner and point at the ground and keep doing it. Eventually he will go.

Me: Ha, just took him out again and did that and he went in 30 seconds :)

Corey: Ha. He is a trickster!

Me: Bit noisy when I left but I think it was bc I took too long to leave.

August 9 - lunch

Me: Peed pretty quickly. The roofers are here so he was super distracted though. Brought him back inside and ill play with him for 15 minutes before I have to go back

Me 5 minutes later: Just left. He found his bark and is not afraid to use it :/ I tried to tire him out but he never got really excited about anything (except trying to bite my hands).

Today - lunch

Me: Was really good waiting for me in his cage without making noises. Went outside and peed for what seemed like forever, and then just laid in the sun chewing on a stick for a little while. Back inside playing now.

Corey: Yay. =)

Me: Just left. He was starting to get worked up and biting a lot. Tried to wait till he was calm before putting him in. I threw a treat in and he went for it, then sat down and I gave him another. He was quietly eating until he heard me open the door, then started barking :/

Corey: Bad barking, or just a few?

Me: Just one, then a few more. I left at 4 or 5. He didn't sound like it was going to continue, but I don't know.

Things Spek Learned Today

How to move Corey's pillow out of the way so he can lay where Corey does.

The handle to Corey's travel toiletry bag is super fun to chew!
Ms. Snakes cage is wood! And chewable!
The battery and wires to Corey's computer can be picked up and I can drag them around!
What's inside this big white bowl? Maybe I'll climb up and see.
If I claw at the bedroom door, maybe Erin will let me in.
The handle to Erin's purse is leather. And chewy!!I can jump on the papazon!
If I pretend I'm playing with the tennis ball Erin will leave me alone for a few minutes so I can find more stuff to chew.
If all else fails and she locks me in the bathroom with her, I'll just chew her feet!!

Puppy!

So..... C and I got a puppy. A 4 month old beagle, who we named Spek. His face is tan, his belly is white, and his back is mostly black with some grey and white. And he has a white spot on his back. We adopted him from Washington Animal Rescue League on Sunday, after going to look as some puppies on Thursday. We had known we wanted a beagle, and were pretty sure we wanted a male. But we were concerned about the noise problem that is so common in beagles. When we found out that Spek was pretty quiet (relatively!), we thought he'd be a great fit. We played with him for a little while, then filled out an application and went home to talk about. I think we were both a little afraid of making "the decision" because it is a big commitment. But I think we can do it. I think we'll be good parents to him.

This is him sleeping in Corey's arms on the way home from the shelter. He was already pretty pooped. He does a lot of sleeping, but he also loves playing- wrestling, playing with Lamb, his chew toys (which are sometimes our fingers), following us around the apartment, and ignoring his food.

The only real "problems" that we have with him right now are his lack of appetite and as a result, his lack of pooping (or 'eliminating' as all the doggie books call it). He won't eat his food (except for the time I hand fed it to him), he won't take treats after he potties, and he doesn't seem to be interested in snacks. Beagles are supposedly very food motivated, but I think we got a defective one, because he has no desire to eat!

I'll try to update frequently with his growth, progress, etc. He's a cutie and we're going to love him and love sharing him with you!

leftovers

I was on my own tonight, so I took advantage of our leftovers, which were left at my place. Rosemary bread, tomatoes, and I made some guacamole from the leftover avocado. (The PBR was thrown in for when I sent the pic to C, who was stuck at work.)

Healthy eating

We've had too much crap to eat recently (not to mention a week's worth of spinach pie- did I mention we made 2?), so we wanted to eat healthy a few nights ago. We cut up some tomatoes, cucumber, avacado, and bought some rosemary bread. Top it all with a little bit of sea salt and pepper, and its a quick and tasty (and healthy) dinner. Oh, I also made asparagus for C. Olive oil, garlic, s&P, and thyme tonight.

Creativity Night

C wanted to try something he's talked about a lot but we've never had time or willingness to try- Koshari. Its an Egyptian dish that includes rice, pasta, garbanzo beans, lentils, and a spicy tomato sauce. Ours was definitely an experiment. We were wandering through Wegman's trying to combine different recipes and C's memory of the Koshari he had in Egypt. I think we bought the wrong kind of lentils- red ones- because they basically disappeared and what the rice/lentil mixture wound up as was basically the consistency of oatmeal, and not very appetizing looking. However, once the 2 types of pastas and garbanzo beans and sauce were added, the taste was actually pretty appealing. We both agreed we'll try it again, but find a better recipe.

The other thing we wanted to make was spinach-feta triangles. We didn't take into account the lack of time to defrost phyllo dough, so we wound up making a spinach pie instead. So easy, pretty quick (once the spinach mixture cools), and very very tasty. Also easy to adapt to your liking.

Italian

C and I have an agreement- he makes all the Italian meals. Having spent a decent amount of time there, it's only appropriate (besides, no one else does it "right" anyway). And its a good excuse to just get dinner made for me. :) We don't do Italian too often since its not always the healthiest option, but its always quick, easy, and so tasty. Last night we did salad (butter lettuce, tomatoes, olive oil, croûtons), caprese salad (fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, olive oil, cracked pepper, sea salt), focaccia bread, and pasta. The pasta was "garlic and oil" with crushed red pepper. Soooo tasty. On the spicy side, but so tasty and simple. Fresh garlic, olive oil, crushed red pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Finished off with a bottle of wine :)

Tonight? Leftovers!

Afghan Dinner

Saturday was rainy so we couldn't skydive, so we stayed home. After spending nearly 2 HOURS in Wegman's trying to decide what we wanted to do for dinner, we went with Afghan kebabs and grilled tomatoes and peppers. (we didnt account for the rainy grilling, but it was a fun adventure) Along with some long grain rice and flat bread, it was a great meal. It looks a little like poop sticks, but you can't really help that- all kebabs do.

Dinner - May 18

C went out for drinks with friends the other night, so I was on my own. He always says I "revert to unhealthy" when I'm on my own. I just say that I like to revisit yummy foods. This really isnt all that unhealthy. Just a grilled ham and cheese with tomato sandwich. Its basically what I eat for lunch everyday (only substitute turkey for the ham), with a tad of butter for browning the bread. I have to put up with him every day, I think I deserve my gluttony once in a while!

New dinner!

C introduced me to Kasha this week. Its a grain that can be cooked and eaten in a variety of ways. We cooked it in low sodium chicken broth with onions, celery, red peppers, salt, pepper, carrots, and some other spices and veggies. Its very versatile and you can basically put whatever you please into it. Add veggies into broth right away if you want them "mushy" or towards the end of the kasha's cooking time if you like them "crispier" like we do. We served it with a side of asparagus "your way" as C calls it (I've won him over with something!!) and toasted baguette. Healthy, delicious, and oh so filling! Not even C had seconds!

Healthy!

One of the best things about C is that he's making me eat healthier. Well, not MAKING me, but he eats healthy, so I want to do the same, so I'm healthy. Since we've started dating, I've stopped drinking diet soda, I rarely eat red meat, I consume a lot more veggies, and my portion sizes are smaller (partly because when he's done with firsts he eats the rest and doesn't leave any for me ;) j/k). As a sample- here was my lunch a few days ago. That's right- a salad. I NEVER would have eaten a salad for lunch a few months ago. But it was easy and delicious and healthy. And the best part? It filled me up and I couldn't even finish it. :)

Dinner Recap

I just located some lost photos that I had forgotten I'd taken. I take all of these on my phone and send them to myself to use, so bare with the often lackluster quality.

C and I made Chorizo taco's for Cinco de Mayo. I made the leftovers into a quick, easy, tasty lunch the next day by throwing them into a pita pocket I had leftover from guacamole.

Ingredients: Chorizo, lettuce, guac, shredded monterey jack, slices of jalepeno cheese, green onion, and diced tomatoes.

Dinner

I got bad at this blogging thing. But Corey and I have been making good dinners lately, and I always say I want to take pictures of them, so I"m going to start. And post them on here, and say what they are, and thats it. If you want recipes, let me know.

Last night- 5/11/10 - was stuffed red peppers (brown rice with pesto and mozzarella), baked potatoes, and asparagus. Menu idea was all Corey.

My Review of DAKINE Cargo Pack - 3500cu in