Brie, Cranberry & Chicken Pizza

Oh snap!  How did it get to be the end of the month already?  Whose idea was it to try and cook a new recipe once a month?  Oh, that's right.  It was mine.  Okay then, what is easy and quick and simple?  Pizza!!  What to put on my pizza?  Once upon a time when I was working in London I would usually have lunch at the sandwich place in my building.  One of my favorite sandwiches was cranberry & brie (my other favorite was a chicken & hummus on a brown bap - I just love saying bap!).  So how about a brie, cranberry & chicken pizza?  Yum!  It turned out pretty good.  Start with pizza dough, cranberry sauce, throw on some chicken, a little bit of brie and some mozzarella.  Pop it in the oven and there you go!

ETA: Once again I rolled out my pizza dough using a glass.  Maybe I should add rolling pin to my birthday wish list??

Nothing Stays the Same

It has been a roller coaster of a week!!  There was a big announcement at work and I'm still processing.  Change is good, right?  Or maybe change is just change.  It really is too soon to tell.  This is going to be interesting to say the least.  And how have I dealt with it so far?  Denial.  Denial and a milkshake!  Okay so not the best decision food-wise.  And while the uncertainty (and with it stress) will continue for awhile, I'm hoping I won't resort to food to deal with it.  Been there, done that and I've just finally re-lost the weight I gained when we had a similar situation (although in reverse).  Stress eater?  Why yes I am.

But you know what will go a long way in relieving some of my stress?  A visit with Mickey & Jana!!  Tomorrow I am leaving to go see Mickey (in Disneyland) for the weekend!  This trip could not have come at a more perfect time.  It will be good to hang out with Jana as well as I missed her the last time I was in Houston.

But speaking of food choices - I cannot wait for some Mickey ice cream & corn dogs!  Vacation calories don't count, right?   

See ya real soon! 

Five Senses Friday

As much as I love it being light at 7PM I am hating daylight savings!!  I cannot seem to wake up in the morning.  In fact my plan for this weekend (besides doing taxes & watching lots of basketball) is sleeping in.  Yes, I am skipping hot yoga Saturday morning and hopefully going to church Saturday night so I can sleep in both Saturday and Sunday morning.

Tasting

• Oh so yummy carrot cake!!  It was Nilufer's birthday and her mom made carrot cake and she brought some in to share.  Seriously - this is the best carrot cake EVER!!

Seeing

• Lots of green.  I love that people will still wear green for St. Patrick's Day.

Smelling

• Transmission fluid/oil - I'm hoping it's leftover from my little transmission problem and not a new problem.

Hearing

• I had a good one for this but it's gone...

Feeling

• Slightly overwhelmed!  And oh so excited for March Madness!!  This is my favorite time of year!!  Well, favorite time, sports-wise!

33 Things: Twenties Girl

Another fluff book!!  Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella is the perfect beach book.  I loved the interaction between the two main characters.  Lara attends her great-aunt's funeral and meets her ghost (a flapper from the 1920's).  Hijinks ensue as Lara cannot get rid of Sadie (in ghost form) and Sadie is determined to find her missing necklace, with Lara's help.  I really enjoyed this book.  Complete fluff, but a fun read.

33 Things: Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

So yeah, I'm back from Hawaii.  It got a little exciting there at the end what with the tsunami and all.  I'm currently suffering from jet lag exacerbated by daylight savings.  Ugh.  So for now pictures & a trip report will have to wait.  Instead how about a book or two?

My original intention for No. 7 on my 33 Things list was for "real books" and I did bring "real books" to Hawaii, but instead I defaulted to fluff books.  After all, the beach is made for fluff books!  And since it is my list I'll count my fluff books!

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters (by Jane Austen & Ben H. Winters) is just what it sounds like.  Sense and Sensibility with a few sea monsters thrown in for fun.  A familiar story of Elinor & Edward, Marianne & Colonel Brandon plus octopus, sharks, and rampaging lobsters.  While not as good as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, it was still cute.  Plus it had a narwhal!!  

Dear Sun

Well after a full day at the beach and the pool, this round of Emily vs the Sun definitely went to the sun. Even after many applications of sunscreen and a shady spot by the pool, my back resembles a lobster. So today was spent away from the beach and pool and with lots of clothes on. This morning we climbed up Diamondhead and then had lunch at Cheeseburger in Paradise. And when the rest of the crew went to catch rays by the pool, I decided to chill on the balcony, or lanai, enjoy the view, write a few postcards, and listen to the water below. I think I might venture back to the pool at some point, but the very shady pool!

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Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Aloha from Waikiki!! We arrived much later than anticipated Friday night due to headwinds. But surprisingly the flight wasn't too bumpy! Saturday was mostly overcast and gray but Sunday dawned with rain then sun which means rainbow!! The rain seemed to have left so we went to the beach where I apparently lost the battle with the sun. Moral of the story, don't stay in the ocean too long without re-applying sunscreen! I've had worse, but I'll be much more careful from now on.

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Sent using BlackBerry

Five Senses Friday

Seeing

• Mandi and several other high school friends for a mini reunion

Tasting

• Girl Scout cookies!!  Yum!  Poor little girls were standing out in the hail.  I remember standing out in the rain trying to sell cookies.

Smelling

• New car smell - no I didn't get a new car.  I'm in a loaner car.  I started hearing this really bad noise and so I took in my car and found out I needed a new transmission.  Yuck!  Good thing it is still under warranty.

Hearing

• A compliment on my hair from a Starbucks barista.

Feeling

• Excited for pineapples, strawberry daiquiris, the ocean and more.  ALOHA!!

Well I'm packed for Hawaii - way over packed, but oh well.  You won't be seeing much of me around these parts as I'm off for some sun, sand & surf (all while being properly sunscreened, of course!).  I may check in once in awhile but no promises.

I'll leave you with a few pictures from my last trip to Hawaii (and my only one).



Tiki enjoying fruity drink o'clock - but he isn't coming this trip.




Ahh...




This one cracks me up!!  I have no idea what I was thinking.





Enjoying the luau



ABC's of Me

So as usual I'm late to the ABC party, but thought I would join in anyway.  Especially since I am procrastinating and really should be packing for Hawaii.  Even though I love to travel, I hate to pack.  I really hate to pack for "hot weather" vacations since you seem to need so much more clothes.  Why is that?  Anyway, without further adieu the ABC's of me!

A. Age: 33 - gasp!  When did that happen?  And I'm only 2 months away from 34.  Time to start dusting off the 34 Things list...

B. Bed size: Twin.  Long story and hopefully soon I will upgrade.

C. Chore you hate: So many chores to choose from.  I think anything to do with the bathroom I absolutely loathe.

D. Dogs: Eh, they are fine, much better than cats!  I love my parents' dog (Chloe, any dog pics on the blog are usually of her), and I don't mind my sister's dogs.  Or some of my friends' dogs.  But overall, I'm just not an animal person.

E. Essential start to your day: Breakfast of some sort.  I really can't skip breakfast.  And lately I've been trying to be good about taking my vitamins first thing.

F. Favorite color: It was blue for the longest time but then it became green.  I rebelled against pink when I was younger but now I have embraced pink.

G. Gold or silver: Silver

H. Height: 5’8” - I have finally accepted it.  I desperately wanted to be 5'9" but it just wasn't in the cards.

I. Instruments you play: I used to play flute once upon a time.

J. Job title: What do I want it to be?  Princess of the WORLD!  Ha, just kidding.  Tax Manager or something like that.  I feel uncomfortable with my title, but that's a post for another time.

K. Kids: Hmm, I would have answered this one definitely yes but as I am nearing 34 I'm starting to wonder if it is in the cards for me.  I have fantastic "nieces and nephews" and I've always thought about adopting.  So we'll see - you never know what God's plan is - although I'd really like to know!

L. Live: About 20 minutes from downtown Seattle

M. Mom’s name: Mum, Mummy, Mommy, Mom or Teresa

N. Nicknames: Em, Emmy, Yemmy - I don't really have a proper nickname.

O. Overnight hospital stays: Fourth grade for dehydration among other things

P. Pet peeve: Another one I can list several things but talking on your phone in the bathroom just gets me every time.  Or starting to write a check after the clerk gives you your total - I mean really?  Is the date changing or the store's name?  Or your name for that matter?

Q. Quote from a movie: From Anne of Green Gables:  "Twenty pounds of brown sugar" or "Anne Shirley, what in heck are you doing out here?  Fishing for lake trout."  From Pride & Prejudice: "Mr. Darcy!"  From The Rock: "Welcome to the Rock" or "How did you get out of your cell?"  From Indiana Jones: "If you are a Scottish Lord, I am Mickey Mouse!"  I like this game - I could go on and on! 

R. Right or left handed: Right.  And do I know my right from my left?  No.  I have to write in the air to figure out my right and make an L with my fingers to figure out my left.

S. Siblings:  1 Sister, 1 Brother (both younger)

T. Time you wake up:  I'd like to wake up at 6:15 on weekdays, but lately it has slipped to 6:30

U. Underwear: Hanes

V. Vegetables you dislike: Brussel Sprouts, Green Beans (I was never so happy when I figured out I was allergic to green beans)

W. What makes you run late:  I hate being late.  Traffic.  Random odds and ends that I think I have time for but I don't.

X. X-Rays you’ve had: Teeth, ankle, leg, knee

Y. Yummy food you make: I'm not a cook, although I can make a decent fajita/stir-fry concoction

Z. Zoo- favorite animal: Tigers, Bears & Elephants

Play along, if you'd like!

Sunday Morning Stroll

Congrats to all those Princesses who ran today!!  I'm so there next year!!  In honor of the race, I chose to listen to my Princess play list this morning.  I'm blessed that I live in an area with lots of different trails and this morning I decided to head back to what I think of as "my" original trail.  And this just seems like a good time to do a "what's going on in Emily's mind" post.

Okay, it is cold.  I guess I do need my jacket.  Probably need gloves and a hat too. 

Wow, that wind is biting.  I'm glad I got my jacket.

Ooh, I love this song!  I sing a lot more when I walk than when I run.  (Girls Aloud, Sexy!  No, No, No...)

Careful, that is a lot of snow. 

What about all of the things that you said?  (Brandy, What About Us?)

Hm, snow on pavement is way more slippery than snow on the trail.  But I can walk on the shoulder.  Much better, not as slippery.

Dude, really?  Out for your morning stroll smoking a cigarette?  Although I'm super jealous of your venti coffee that must be keeping your hands warm.  My fingers are icicles!!  So glad I wore my gloves!

What is this song?  Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about it!  (Alcazar, This Is the World We Live In)

Ooh, big dogs.  Dear Dogs, Please don't notice me.  I'm walking quickly by, you don't see me.

Morning.

Gimme, gimme more.  I love Britney!  (Britney Spears, Gimme More)

Okay, they have gone.  Anyone else around?  I'm going to walk backwards!

Oh hill.  What's better than a hill?  An iced over hill.  At least it's trail and not pavement.

Spoke too soon, an iced over hill on pavement.  Wow, that is slippery.  Okay, we'll be walking off to the side on the trail.

Morning.

I have not been on this trail for a long time.  When did they tear down the old school and start building the new school?

Corbin Bleu!  I love Corbin!  (Corbin Bleu, Speed of Light)

What's worse than walking uphill on an icy hill?  Walking downhill.  And no grass off to the side.  I'm going to walk on the shoulder of the road.  There haven't been any cars.

And there goes a car.  And another.  But the snow is gone, I can get back on the sidewalk. 

Oh Ashley Tisdale.  I'm going to see your straight to DVD Sharpay movie.  Sharpay was my fave.  (Ashley Tisdale, It's Alright, It's OK)

Morning.  There are a lot of people out this morning even with the cold and leftover snow.

Oh yeah, time to kick it old school!  (Backstreet Boys, Larger Than Life)

Dear Hill, remember last year when I finally was able to run up you without stopping? I will conquer you again, Hill!  Mark my words!

Sixteen, sixteen, sixteen more minutes.  Boy am I glad there aren't people around listening to me sing.  Or watch me attempt to dance as I walk.  (Now or Never, High School Musical 3)

I could really use some chap stick right now.  I think I need an emergency backup chap stick in my car. 

My fingers are warm.  Too warm.  I'm taking the gloves off.  I wish I could take my hat off.  But I think my ears would cry. 

Nobody has lapped me today.  Maybe they are all doing short routes due to the cold.

Spoke to soon.  Hi again.

Isn't it time to be back at the car?  I don't remember this trail being so long. 

Mark & Derek!  I love this song!  When does Dancing with the Stars start again?  More importantly, did I set my DVR for the Amazing Race?  (Ballas Hough Band, Devastated)

I'm really glad I have my jacket.  That wind is biting!

Morning.  Wow - he is fast!

Almost done.  Just the monster hill left.  I really need a good song to power me up.  Jonas Brothers - that'll do it.  I think this is the first Jo Bros song!  (Jonas Brothers, Paranoid)

Hm, think I can catch up to the people just ahead of me?  Yeah, no not with the ice on the hill.  Oh but maybe if I walk on the shoulder.  This shoulder is really wide.

I can see the stop sign, I can see the stop sign!  Almost there.  And then I can go home and take a hot shower.

C'mon Britney, get me up the rest of the hill.  (Britney Spears, Piece of Me)

Oh, just missed catching up with the people in front of me.  I would have had them if this hill was another block longer.  But thank goodness it isn't!!

Stupid baby hill.  Wasn't the monster hill enough?

Stairs or ramp?  Stairs.  Ouch.  Oh, knee.  You are doing good, you are almost done. 

I can almost see my car! 

I will be so glad when I can properly stretch out my left leg.  Dear Knee, I am very proud of your progress.  Keep it up.

And there you have it.  My slightly longer than 3 miles walk.  Even with the cold weather, it is nice to be walking outside.

Five Senses Friday

Whew!!  Another week done.  And a week from today I'll be boarding a plane to Hawaii!!  Granted, if I hadn't fallen off a cliff in Italy (it actually is a little bit fun to say that now) I would be in Orlando as we speak, getting ready to run the Princess Half Marathon.  Oh well - I'm so there next year!!  And good luck to all those Princesses racing this weekend!!

Hearing

• That I made Reese's list of people she loves.  (She is the one who just turned 2).  Seriously it made my day! :)

Seeing

• Lots and lots of snow

Smelling

• My new raspberry chap stick

Tasting

• I got some "all-natural" fruit strips and they were pretty good.  I brought them into work and they are my new afternoon snack.

Feeling

• Very, very cold!!  But also nice and warm with my new scarf I've been sporting.

Snow!

What the Hail?

All the dire predictions of the worst winter in years never materialized.  Our winter has been fairly mild - which isn't a bad thing.  Fairly mild until now that is.  I feel much better I got my new tires now.  Although it was a little suspect that this Winter Storm would happen.  All we heard yesterday was snow, snow, snow.  And snow in Seattle is a serious four letter word.  So last night before I left work, I packed up my laptop in anticipation of the potential snow day.  (We have gotten somewhat better the last couple of years, but with all the hills it is better safe than sorry.)  But I woke up this morning to barely a trace amount of snow on the ground.  What a gyp!  What happened to my snow day? 

Turns out the snow was just delayed.  We have had all sorts of weather today - one minute it is pouring down snow and the next the sun is out and all the snow is gone.  It started hailing earlier this evening.  I decided to leave work then and skip the gym.  Instead I got home and then the snow started.  Since I skipped the gym I popped in Leslie to get a quick mile in.  The treadmill it is not, but it is at least something.  Plus I was definitely feeling my knee today, not sure why.  The snow is still coming down now - almost 2 inches have accumulated so far.  Good thing I brought my laptop home again tonight!  Looks like I might get my snow day after all!

Black Bean & Pumpkin Burger

Happy President's Day!!  And happy day to sleep in, which I did quite happily.  Although I could have slept in a little more, except I decided to go to yoga.  Yoga at 9:30 is much better than 8:30! :)  As I signed in, the teacher (who is one of my faves) tells me that I am looking really good!  The old Emily would have felt really uncomfortable and undeserving of the compliment because I have so far to go on this weight loss journey.  But the new Emily accepted the compliment and said thank you very much.

And in honor President's Day I decided my February recipe would be a burger, because what's more American than a burger?  Oh wait, I think that's hot dogs.  Oh well.  And really I landed on this burger because when I looked at the recipe (discovered on fANNEtastic food and even better she spells her name with an "e").  I realized I had all the ingredients!  Yes!!  It was actually a quick, easy recipe and tasted pretty good.  I stuck mine on a bun with ketchup and a smidgen of mustard because a burger isn't a burger without ketchup.  Yummy!  I will be making this again.

On the Trail Again

Oh I just can't wait to get back to the trail again!  But first, let's do a weekend wrap!  Although the weekend isn't quite over since tomorrow is a holiday!  Yay!

If I haven't mentioned it by now, I am a creature of habit.  And what I mean by that is a massive creature of habit.  I like to park in the same parking spot, or at least in the same general area.  I have favorite parking spots at work, at Target, at the mall, or pretty much anywhere I go regularly.  I usually order the same dish at restaurants.  And I usually get the same smoothie (I probably stop for a smoothie for breakfast maybe once a week).  There are two smoothie places that know my order.  Which is usually good, because again I am a creature of habit.  But what if I wanted to mix it up?  It is way easier to just let them make my usual than say I want to try something different.  Anyway, Friday started off with my normal smoothie.

Friday evening Jessica, Nilufer & I went to a comedy show.  I'm usually a little leery of comedy shows, and the first two acts confirmed my leeriness.  Is leeriness a word?  If not, it is now! :)  But the headliner was actually really good!  I laughed and laughed.  Pretty good way to start the weekend!

My weekend of fun continued with a dinner Saturday night at John Howie Steak with Jessica & Nilufer followed by a movie (The Eagle - not great, but I liked it) and then dessert.

And here we are at Sunday.  After church I went back to the trail!  First time since pre-knee injury!  And I learned a few things:

• I felt like a fraud at first, dressed as a runner but only walking.  But I got over it rather quickly.
• I really missed the trail!  I was glad to be back.
• It was cold (but sunny!!) but I survived without a jacket!  I had quite a debate with myself whether or not to bring a jacket but in the end I was glad I didn't.
• My knee did pretty good - there was a slight nagging pain (which I've sort of gotten used to) but it held up well.
• I really wanted to run, but thought it might be too soon.  If I've learned anything, it has been to listen to my body and take it slow and easy.
• A High School Musical song will still put me in a fantastic mood and help me pick up the pace!!  Go Wildcats!
• I felt so good after it I signed up for the inaugural See Jane Run Seattle 5K!  Probably won't be running the whole thing by then, but as it isn't until July you never know.  Besides, a race with chocolate and champagne?  Heck yes!!

And that's that.  For now anyway.  I'm hoping for a very relaxing, low-key, chill Monday.  Happy Weekend!!

Five Sense Friday

I am soooo ready for Friday!!  And a Friday before a Three Day Weekend!  Even better. 

Seeing

• A beautiful full moon

Hearing

• This isn’t technically hearing, but we’ll go with it – that I won Running in Pink Project's Chocolate Calcium giveaway. Yay!!

Feeling

• Excited for the three day weekend! Thank you Presidents!

Tasting

• Wheat thins & blueberries – odd choice I know, but that was my dinner last night when I ended up staying later than anticipated at work.

Smelling

• Valentine’s Day goodies & flowers

If it's Wednesday

If it's Wednesday, it must raining in Seattle!  Okay, that isn't true.  It just seems like it with all the rain lately.  But in less than three weeks I will be in sunny (hopefully) Hawaii!!  Woohoo!!  Holy cow!  Where has the time gone?  Time to start the packing list.  And I *think* it is time to get a new camera.  An underwater camera.  I like cameras.  I like cameras a lot.  Almost as much as I like bags.  I've been debating about an underwater camera for awhile and this seems like the perfect time.  After all, if I don't get a camera, I'll spend lots of money on fake underwater cameras and developing the film.  So really, I need an underwater camera!  Ha!  I crack myself up!

On the packing list is my brand new bag from Hot Mama Handbags.  I'm super excited to use it.  Just like I love cameras, I love bags.  I do, I really do.  I don't know when that started.  But I now have quite a collection of bags.  And in the background of the picture you can sort of see my collection of medals.  I have a coat rack thing that I need to put up to display all my medals but I haven't done it yet.  So they are hanging on the corner of one of my bookcases.  What I'm not looking forward to is swim suit shopping.  Ugh. 

I didn't have the greatest hot yoga class last night (didn't drink enough water) but I was finally able to do the wind removing pose!  Which is just the funniest name, but the move is supposed to help with your colon.  I haven't been able to do that since pre-knee injury!  Yay!  My knee keeps improving in tiny, tiny steps.  I can bend it up a lot better, but I'm still having problems bending it back.  But soon, I will be able to!

I got an email telling me my bib number for the Princess Half (which is just a little over a week away).  And I let out a big sigh.  Next year.  I'm so there next year!  But with the improvement in my knee, I'm starting to think my entire race season may not be over.  I think I might be able to salvage a race here and there.  Not at my old speed (which wasn't that fast to begin with) but there is a glimmer of hope that I will soon be out on a race course.

There was a couple of other thoughts I had but they are gone.  So goodnight!

Houston Weekend

Well that was a quick weekend!  It was my "niece's" second birthday and what better excuse to fly down to Houston?  Especially since I hadn't been there in almost a year.  It was a fun weekend, seeing some of my besties and catching up, meeting baby Travis (who at almost a year is not that much of a baby anymore), eating chips & queso and some yummy birthday cake, and celebrating Reese's second birthday.  I also got my first exposure to Kinect.  Wow, that is fun!  I'm not a big video game person, but the dance game was super fun.  All in all, a fun, if quick, weekend.  And now, time for bed.  Plane flights tire me out...

Moment of Truth

Two months of hobbling around on my knee summed up in two days.  First up, time for my MRI.  Going into it, I wasn't sure what I wanted.  Obviously surgery was not high on my list, but if it fixed my knee and I was able to get back to "normal" (whatever that is), maybe it wasn't such a bad thing.  In either case (surgery or no surgery) from what I had heard it seemed like I was in for a year of recovery before I was back to my old self.

Tuesday afternoon I went in for the MRI.  I put on the lovely hospital pants and got up on the table.  As I was moved into the machine, the nurse kept saying "Remember to stay still" and of course as soon as I heard that I felt the need to move.  Staying still is a lot harder than it sounds!  First my toe felt like it had to move and then it started creeping up my leg.  And the harder I tried to resist, the harder it was to stay still.  Breathe.  Zone out.  Take a nap.  Finally I was done!  I changed and they handed me a CD with all my pictures on it.  Wow!!  That was fast.

This morning I went to see my orthopedic doctor.  She put the CD in and went through the pictures, explaining to me what we were looking at.  To quote my doctor my meniscus was gorgeous.  That's right, my meniscus is gorgeous!  No problems with it at all.  Absolutely none.  What the MRI did show was that my MCL is irritated.  As in still irritated.  And depending on who you talk to, I either have a Grade I or a Grade II MCL sprain.  The MRI peeps think Grade II, the doctor thinks Grade I.  Me?  All I know is that it hurts.  Well, okay it doesn't hurt all the time.  The pain has finally lessened to an annoying ache for the most part.  If I move to fast though, my knee will let me know.

Okay, a sprain.  A sprain that is taking its sweet time to heal.  Where do I go from here?  The doctor said to continue with physical therapy if it is helping (which I think it is), ice, topical ointments, and rest.  She also said I could run, as long as I could handle the pain.  Basically, I'm not restricted at the moment, except based on my pain levels.  But I won't be going back to kickboxing any time soon.  And to be perfectly honest, I don't know that I'll be running any time soon either. 

So this is good news, right?  It is, it really is.  But....  Don't you hate the word "but"?  But there is a itty bitty teeny tiny part of me that almost wishes it was the meniscus, because then we could do surgery and move on.  This whole just let it heal has me a little out of sorts.  Isn't this what I have been doing?  Apparently the other moral of the story (other than don't hike on closed hiking trails, and listen to your inner voice that says scoot across the washed out trail if you didn't pay attention to the closed hiking trail sign) is patience.  And listen to your body.

So good news.  No surgery!  Yay!  I am on the path to healing and full recovery!!

Five Senses Friday

Seeing

• Maryland & Missouri license plates - I don't know why that struck me as odd, but it did.
• Diane!!  We used to meet once a month but that fell apart but we are trying to start it back up again.

Hearing

• My physical therapist tell me it is time to get an MRI.  It is scheduled for Tuesday.  Hopefully I'll finally know what is wrong with my knee.

Tasting

• Donuts!!  I tried to resist.  I really, really, really did.  But they were calling my name.  Emily, eat me!  And so I did.  Oh well.  A donut every once in awhile isn't that bad, right?

Feeling

• Super excited I finally have some trips planned!!  Hawaii in early March and Disneyland in late March!  I really have been feeling the need for some magic so I'm super excited about Disneyland!  And yeah, I'm also excited about Hawaii. :)

Smelling

• Popcorn - seriously, I walked into the hall the other day and it could have passed for a movie theater the popcorn smell was so strong.

Happy Weekend!!

A Tale of Two Yogas

Isn't it funny how you can do the same thing and it can turn out so completely different?  Take my yoga class on Saturday.  I woke up bright and early, before my alarm even!  What, before my alarm?  I could have slept in longer.  But yes, woke up before my alarm, got up, got dressed, had some water and was off to yoga.  I was not able to get my most favorite spot in the world, but I was able to get a spot in the general vicinity.  I'm going in to class thinking this should be good.  And then class starts and I realize with the first posture that this is not going to be the class I wanted.  My shoulders are on fire.  The humidity is ridiculous (or at least I think so).  My back feels all tense.  I try to shake it off and loosen up but I just barely make it through the posture.  The rest of class is a struggle.  Me vs my mat, or really me vs myself.  I stick with it and gut it out until the end.  As soon as class ends, I am up and outside gulping fresh, cool air.  Not my best class by a long shot.  I'm reminded by what my sister (a yoga teacher) says - they call it yoga practice, not yoga perfect.  Because I was as far from perfect as you can get.

And then you take last night.  I was coming off a day at work where I was literally going from meeting to meeting most of the day.  I didn't drink nearly enough water (for me).  I left work, making it to class right before it started.  I didn't get my favorite spot this time either, but it was still in the area.  The teacher is one of my favorites though.  We go through the first posture and I realize this is going to be a completely different class.  I feel much more loose and ready to go.  Sure enough, I rock this class.  I don't do all the postures, but the only postures I skip out on are those that I still can't do with my knee.  The room is much less humid.  And at the end of class, I lay on the floor "soaking in the benefits" as the instructors will say, before leaving the class.

Two classes, two very different experiences.  Was the good and bad definition of class all in my head?  A lot of it definitely.  Although I am putting some of the blame on the humidity!

Sort of a random change of subject, but sort of not, we (as in me and my physical therapist) have decided it is time for me to get an MRI to see what's really going on with my knee.  While I have definitely been improving (I can even do little squats now!), I am by no means back to normal.  And the pain seems to be residing around the joint line, which indicates a meniscus tear.  The MRI should hopefully show what is wrong with my knee and then we can figure out what we need to do to get me back to normal.  I am much more at peace with the prospect of surgery.  Although I would be kidding if I said I wasn't scared.  So a non-update type of update.  No news really except stay tuned... 

Anne, with an E

There are many reasons why I love Anne of Green Gables but the two main reasons are probably the fact that she spells it Anne, with an e.  My middle name is Anne, with an e.  Yes I am Emily Anne and yes I get called Emily Anne and Emily Annie.  Funny thing is though the Anne is after my grandma.  Her middle name was also Ann but no e.  My mom was so convinced that of course my grandma would spell it with an e that she didn't check.  And thank goodness for that because I am convinced, like Anne, that it is so much more romantic spelled with an e.  The second reason is a little more obvious and that is we both have red hair.  But unlike Anne, I have always liked the color of my hair.  Probably the other reason I was such a fan of Anne was Gilbert.  Sigh, Gilbert.  My first book boyfriend.  In college, my roommate and I divvied up our book boyfriends and I'm pretty sure I ended up with Gilbert and she ended up with Mr. Knightley (of Emma) or was it Mr. Darcy?  I still would marry Gilbert if I could! :)

Why all the reminiscing?  Last night I went with Jessica & Nilufer to see Anne of Green Gables, the Musical.  The Musical?  Yes, they turned it into a musical.  We actually started off going to see the Harry Potter exhibit at the Pacific Science Center before trekking up to Everett.  We had dinner at The Magestic Cafe where I had Shepard's Pie (although the dish of the night was the Portobello Mushroom Lasagna, which both Nilufer and Jessica  had).  And then it was off to see the musical.  It was super cute.  The girl who played Anne did a really good job.  And now I really want to watch the movie again!  Time to dig it out...

Snobby Joes in the House

I'm usually on the lookout for a good recipe, especially since I came up with the goal of cooking once a month as part of my 33 Things list.  I first saw this recipe at Travel Eat Repeat and was intrigued and put it in my memory bank.  And as usual lately, I realized it was quickly coming up upon the end of the month so time to try another recipe.  I remembered this had caught my eye and did some searching to find an "actual" recipe.  Plus I just like the name Snobby Joes.  The lentils and I had a little bit of trouble coming to an understanding, but once I finally moved the pot to the bigger burner, we seemed to do much, much better.  And the result was delicious!!  This is one recipe I will make again (and again).    Only 3 more recipes to try!

Walk, walk, walk

It's now been 2 months since I hurt my knee and I'm finally feeling okay enough to start back into a more regular exercise program. 

Yesterday I went to the gym for the first time since before I went to Italy.  Hello Gym, we haven't spoken in awhile.  I don't know if you remember me or not.  I walked in and started on the stationary bike.  And that was when the voices in my head started talking.  Are they (the other people in the gym) wondering why I'm not going very fast?  Or very long?  I wish I had a big sign on my shirt that said I'm recovering from an injury.  When in truth, I'll bet they could have cared less what I was doing.  But those voices can be hard to shut up.

I finished up 15 minutes on the bike and moved to the treadmill.  My old friend.  I started off at a not super fast, but not slow pace and a tiny incline.  I did take a moment to realize I did come a long way last year in my running journey.  But then the voices started in again - you aren't even sweating.  You aren't working that hard.  So I ratcheted the speed up a little.  Not too long after that I started feeling some pain in my knee.  Was it from months of no activity, or was it something else?  I sided with months of no activity at first, but then it became clear it was that I was walking too fast.  Really, too fast?  Dear Emily, you need to take baby steps.  You'll get back to full strength.  But right now, baby steps.  Love, Your Knee  So the pace came down as did the incline.  But I finished a mile (pushing the voices to the side).

Back a long time ago, when I was still living in Houston and just starting to walk 5Ks, I did not belong to a gym.  I can't remember if my company had one or not at the time (they did, then it closed for awhile and if it reopened I probably didn't go sign up for it - it's all a bit hazy) and I'm thinking my apartment complex had a super ghetto gym.  In any case, no gym!  So what was a girl to do?  Especially a girl who was super out of shape, but wanted to start training to walk a 10K?  That was when I discovered Leslie Sansone and her Walk at Home program.  Walking in the comfort of your own home.  With no one looking at you.  For whatever reason Leslie popped back into my head the other day as a way for me to start walking again!  I looked for my DVD but could not find it anywhere.  So tonight on my way home, I stopped off at Target and bought her latest version.  Which meant tonight I could walk a mile in my own home and yes, I walked 1 mile.  (Alas, I figured out after I got home that she is on Comcast On Demand, but at least now I have my own copy.)

So for those counting at home, that is a mile a day for the past 2 days.  Not much of a start, but sometimes it is taking that first step.

Apparently since surgery is still on the table it is weighing on my mind as last night I dreamed I did have the surgery, with George Clooney as my doctor.  Oh yeah! :)

Lazy Sunday

Isn't it funny?  I caught What A Girl Wants on TV and even though I've watched this movie numerous times and own it even, I still watched it on regular TV, commercials and all.  What can I say?  I'm a sucker for all things British, Colin Firth, and cute stories. 

You know, when my church first started having Saturday night services I wasn't too sure.  But when it means I can sleep in on Sunday?  Maybe this isn't such a bad thing.  Except you know that it points out my lack of social life on Saturday night! :)  So anyway, I slept in today, which I rarely do. 

What else did I do on my lazy Sunday?  I did get an oil change.  But after that, I (finally) finished up the Rome portion of my Italy trip, caught up on Castle, backed up some of my pictures and started looking for a recipe for January.  All from the comfort of my chair, with my knee up on a pillow and an ice pack.

I'm not sure where January went, but here we are near the end and I haven't made a recipe for January.  This was definitely a "stretch" goal on my 33 Things list as Emily and kitchen do not necessarily go together.  I've been scouring different websites to see what exciting recipes are out there.  There are a lot out there.  Maybe something with squash or quinoa or eggplant?  I still have a few more days before picking the perfect January recipe to get me one step closer to fulfilling #1 on my 33 Things list.

Anyone got a favorite (but easy) recipe for me to make?

Yummy in my tummy

I think I talked a lot about food in my reminiscing about my Italy vacation.  So I thought I would post a mosaic of some of my favorite dishes.  Anyone else hungry now?

When the Moon Hits Your Eye

Remember that time I went to Italy? It does seem like such a long time ago! But finally I am getting back to writing about the last leg of our trip, Rome. If you need to catch up, we first went to Venice which was quite wet and cold and then to Florence where I saw my statue boyfriend and fell off a cliff.

When we started looking for hotels in Rome, our first couple of choices were booked and we had to expand our search. We ended up at Albergo del Senato, which is literally right outside the Pantheon. As in, you step outside and there it is! Now that is location! We took a taxi from the train station to our hotel. I never know which drivers are more crazy - Roman or Parisian. We survived and checked into the hotel. And then stepped outside and there was the the Pantheon! We were starving by this time so we consulted Rick and found a little restaurant around the corner (Osteria da Mario). After lunch we went back and explored the Pantheon, and unfortunately the front half of the building was covered in scaffolding. But the inside was not under construction and it takes my breath away every time I step inside. With all that marvelling at the Pantheon, we were hungry. What better afternoon snack than gelato! It was probably the most expensive gelato we ate, as we ate it at a cafe facing the Pantheon. It was freezing! But there was a heated lamp to help warm us up. Gelato flavors: white chocolate, tiramisu

The Pantheon is really an ideal location. After we finished up our gelato we strolled over to the Trevi Fountain to throw our coins in the fountain, which according to legend will ensure our return to Rome. I think I've thrown a coin in the Trevi every time I've been to Rome and I've continued to come back so of course I was throwing another coin in! There was a ton of people at the fountain so we had to scooch our way into a spot up front to throw our coin in. We continued our stroll over to the Spanish Steps. If half of Rome was at the Trevi Fountain, the other half was at the Spanish Steps. Another set of stairs to climb? You know it. I didn't write down how many steps, but I think it was around 130 some odd steps. We retraced our steps back to the Pantheon and had dinner at another Rick recommendation, Le Coppelle Taverna. I had Pizza Fungi. Gasp! Once again I pass up Pizza Margherita? I really grew on this trip! We were eyeing their tiramisu all night but when we asked for it we were told they had no more. Oh well. They did have really good cappuccino though. And it had a flower in it. And no tiramisu just meant we had to get gelato! Gelato flavors: pistachio, strawberry, Bailey's (the Bailey's was extremely strong)

Today was ancient Rome day. Breakfast was at the hotel. They had stewed apples. I can't tell you the last time I had stewed apples but they were good! We started off towards the Colosseum, but the closer we got to the Victor Emmanuel monument we realized something was going on as there were tons of police around. It was some sort of demonstration. For the most part people were sitting in the streets, it didn't seem too organized. I am thinking this is why Victor Emmanuel was closed. But it did mean the street leading up to the Colosseum was basically closed to traffic so we were able to walk down the middle of the street! We got in line and 40 minutes later we were inside the Colosseum, imagining gladiators and the like fighting on the stage below. From there we walked over to the Forum, which has changed from the last time I was there. The entrance moved, the exit moved. But the ruins were the same. Inside the Senate House was an exhibit of Terracotta warriors. I've now seen Terracotta warriors in Epcot, in a mall in Krakow and now in the Forum in Rome.

After our fill of ancient Rome, we took the metro back over to the Trevi Fountain to see it in the daytime. It was still super crowded. We were starving by this time so grabbed a quick bite in a pizza place not far from the Trevi Fountain before retracing our steps from the night before and walking over to the Spanish Steps. We missed daylight, but caught the Steps as the daylight was fading. We did some glove shopping before heading back to the hotel. We had decided to have a "fancy" night out and tonight was it. We dressed up and walked to the restaurant near our hotel. I had gnocchi, which was okay. After dinner we strolled over to what had become our favorite gelato place for dessert. Gelato flavors: hazelnut, pistachio, walnut I was obviously feeling a bit nutty! :)

Our last day! It was free day at the Vatican Museums, so we walked over. I tell you, while I normally stay near the Colosseum, and I love that location, you can't beat the Pantheon location. It is basically in the middle of everything. We got in line for the Vatican Museum and I had never seen it that long! It was almost to St. Peter's! We waited for awhile but when the line didn't appear to be moving, we jumped out of line and joined a tour to make sure we got in. I wasn't sure about the tour guide at first, but on the tour she was fine. We walked through the museums and ended in the Sistine Chapel. Which was amazing!! But the secret exit to St. Peter's was closed. So we walked back through the museum and back towards St. Peters. We stopped at a little cafe for a late lunch. On the tour we had met Tessie from Colorado. She was on her own and so she joined our group for the afternoon.

It was another horrific line to get into St. Peter's. It was raining by now and so waiting in line was a bit miserable. Finally we got into St. Peter's and went to get in line to climb up to the top of the dome. We took the elevator up to the base of the dome before continuing to climb the 323 steps to the top. I never think the climb up to the top of St. Peter's is bad. Maybe it's because it is usually crowded so no one can go very fast? Who knows? We made it to the top where it was rainy and windy. We made our way back down and into St. Peter's where Mass was just starting. It was nice standing and listening to the first little bit. After that we walked over to Castel Sant'Angelo. And then it was time to say goodbye to Tessie as we parted ways. We walked back through Campo di Fiori and Piazza Navona, which had a mini carnival. It was pouring so we ended up at Le Coppelle Taverna again. And this time I had the pizza margherita! And they had a piece of tiramisu left so we split it. And since it was our last night, we had to stop by our favorite gelato place as well. Gelato flavors: walnut, hazelnut

We waded through the puddles back to the hotel and began the packing process. Ugh. So little space, and so much stuff.

One last breakfast, one last cappuccino with a heart on it. And then it was time to leave. We took a taxi over to the train station and said goodbye. Jessica & I left to go to the airport and Nilufer took a train to Naples to continue her vacation.

And that's that! Arrivederchi!!

Winter Colors Week: Silver & Gold

We've come to the end of Winter Colors Week, hosted by Poppytalk.  But before we go, it's time for Silver & Gold Day!  Am I the only one who thinks of the narrator in Rudolph anytime I say Silver & Gold?  I think it was Rudolph...

Five Senses Friday

We interrupt Winter Colors Week for some Five Senses Friday!!

Seeing

• A big, ginormous moon

Hearing

• The soundtrack to Pocahontas (it was a toy store) and it made me want to go watch the movie!  Or at least dig out my copy of the soundtrack to finish listening.

Tasting

• Strawberries

Smelling

• I walked into a conference room and it smelled like pizza - turns out there were leftover pizza boxes still in there!

Feeling

• As if the torture rack wouldn't be a bad thing - I mean someone pulling on both your arms & feet, stretching you out doesn't sound like torture.  Of course I'd want them to stop and I guess that's where it would become torture.  But I feel compacted and a huge stretch would feel oh so good.

Want more five senses?  Check out Mandi's.

Winter Colors Week: Greens

It's not easy being green!  But check out all the greens as part of Poppytalk's Winter Colors Week.  And come back tomorrow for Silver and Gold.

Winter Colors Week: Blues

It's color week over at Poppytalk!  Come back tomorrow for It's Not Easy Being Green Thursday...

Winter Color Week: White

It's color week over at Poppytalk!  Tune in tomorrow for Blue, Blue, Blue, Wednesday!  I don't know if I should be happy or sad the snow pictures are all from a couple of years ago.  On the one hand, I'm glad we haven't had to deal with dire predictions of snow this year, but on the other, a snow day would have been nice! :)  I'm going to go with being glad we haven't had to deal with too much snow this year.

Winter Color Week: Red

Yay!!  I love Color Week!!  Poppytalk is hosting a Winter Color Week.

Jan. 17 - Monday – Reds (cerise, berry…)!
Jan. 18 – Tuesday – Whites (dove, whites, off whites, whatever shade of white you think)
Jan. 19 - Wednesday – Blues (Navy Blue, Turquoise…)
Jan. 20 – Thursday – Greens (Mint green, spruce…)
Jan. 21 – Friday – Silver and Gold!

Walking on Sunshine

Random thought for the day - the last couple times I've turned on the radio Walking on Sunshine has been playing (and on different stations even).  Not that I'm complaining - I like the song, it just seems weird that I've heard it three times in the past two days.

I have made it back to hot yoga!  I can't do all the postures, but it feels good to get back into a routine.  No dancer's pose, no fixed firm and I really shouldn't be doing camel, rabbit or half tortoise but I've been able to do plow and bridge as substitutes.  Next up, the treadmill & stationary bike.  My knee is still not happy, but I'm continuing with physical therapy for another two weeks and then we'll see.  With all the sitting at my desk the past few weeks, my progress has taken a step back or two which is why we're giving it another couple of weeks before deciding on whether or not to get an MRI.

I've seen several different people posting about 2011 races and it makes me realize this will be a different type of year.  I love the start of a race, all the excitement.  I love the feeling at the end of the race, knowing I finished.  I enjoy (and dread!) training for a race.  And right now, I'm in a different type of race.  That of rehabilitation.  A slow race.  One that is teaching me patience.  And reminding me it is okay to take it slow.  And to appreciate what I can do.  The reason I'm sidelined?  A silly fall on a hiking trail in Italy.  No glamorous injury.  Just a fall.

Speaking of things to do in 2011, I'm starting to think about where my big vacation will be this year.  I'm a planner.  On the one hand, Salzburg is calling my name.  The Sound of Music, a castle, and Mozart.  Hmm...  Or someplace else?  Sweden, Estonia or maybe Norway?  Then I could knock off another country.  Shockingly I have no Disney trips planned at the moment.  But I'm sure that will change! :)

Anyone else planning vacations for 2011?

Five Senses Friday

Well here we are again, with tomorrow turning into today.  I will be glad for this weekend and sleep, lots and lots of sleep.  I'm waiting for a report to run so let's get to this week's Five Senses!

Seeing

• Big, fat, fluffy snowflakes!!  It snowed and snowed and snowed and then it rained and the snow melted rather quickly.  And while it was pretty to watch the snow fall, I was very glad when it melted!!

Tasting

• What haven't I been tasting?  Currently on the snack table - chocolate, goldfish, teddy grahams, fruit snacks (both Tinkerbell & Toy Story 3).  Oh and almonds.  There were grapes earlier but we ate them.

Feeling

• Tired....but excited for the Seahawks game on Sunday!

Smelling

• Cinnamon gum - finally got gum to take away the urge to snack!

Hearing

• P!nk's "Raise Your Glass" - I don't really listen to the words all that much but the phrase that catches my attention (and who knows if it's even right, I may be making it up, I do tend to make up my own words to songs) is "Let's get dancy!"

Death in a Cup

Oh coffee
Not only do you perk me up
But you warm my insides on a snowy wet day
Your delicious aroma wafts through the air
Tickling my nose
I wish I had a cup of you right now

Speaking of coffee, my boss's coffee order is somewhat involved.  I was picking up coffee the other morning and the barista looks at my boss's order and asks me "This isn't your drink is it?  It looks a little too intense for you."  After I tell her it isn't mine she comments that it should be called Death in a Cup.  Ha!  I don't know that it is that bad, but I love the phrase "Death in a Cup". 

I must be tired if I'm rambling on about coffee...

Five Senses Friday

So it's that time again, time to close out last year.  Which means I'll be seeing a lot of my desk!

Seeing

• Frost to start the week, but now rain, rain and more rain.  But I'm not complaining.  Rain is definitely better than frost & snow!

Hearing

• You'll get what you get and you won't throw a fit.  Yes, there is a story behind this, but I really can't remember it right now...but it has become somewhat of a catch phrase! 

Smelling

• Pizza

Tasting

• Fig Newtons and I'm hoping to get some goldfish and princess snacks later. 

Feeling

• Definitely on the tired side.  Plus I can't seem to shake this cold!

Want more Five Senses?  Check out Mandi's!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

DRUMROLL.............  I'm happy to announce comment #1, RR, is the proud owner of a new calendar!  Guess all those positive thoughts helped! :) 

Email me at travelwithemily@gmail.com with your address and I'll ship your calendar to you!!