Tuesday Book Club: Portlandia Activity Book

Does anyone here watch “Portlandia” on IFC? I haven’t watched it recently simply because we don’t have reliable access to it anymore but it was secretly one of my favorite quirky shows. Every time I watched it I got that itchy second-hand embarrassment from how outrageous the sketches were, but the ridiculously funny characters and one-liners make all the sweaty pits worth it.

McSweeney’s recently published The Portlandia Activity Book, which promises to “expand your mind through participation, dehydrate you to a state of emotional rawness, then linger in the corners your bare soul.” Sounds thrilling!

The conversation starters and stoppers that are included in the book look like they would be most helpful at upcoming outdoor barbecues and summer weddings. Which ones are your favorites?

 

Given my recent forays into indoor plant life and outdoor gardening I think the geranium question would be a pretty smooth transition piece for me. I honestly don’t know what I would say if someone asked me what hummus was like. Delicious? Flesh colored?

Do you ever buy kitschy coffee table books like this? I have a couple that I’ve received as gifts over the years, and while I don’t open them often whenever I do it’s usually a hoot. They make great White Elephant gifts and “just because” gifts if you’re ever in a pickle on what to get.

Oh, and you can wear this t-shirt while you read the book : )

Green House(plants)

One of the first ways I wanted to improve our apartment was through the addition of houseplants. They add softness and warmth to a space and can also help purify air, creating a more enriching environment. I was, however, at a loss as to where to begin and what to buy.

I did a lot of internet searching, mostly sticking to queries such as, “common houseplants” and “easy plants to keep alive indoors.” I don’t necessarily have a black thumb, but I don’t have the most promising track record either. I wanted to start slow and take it easy; I initially thought I would buy a snake plant, which is well known as the easiest plant to keep alive.

Well, as of today we have 12 houseplants, including a cactus who is biding its final adieus to us as we speak, and I have only killed four plants since we moved in.  In eight months? Not bad!

Or is it? I really have no idea. Two were grocery store plants that just didn’t get enough light on the kitchen table, one got a moldy virus that completely dried it out and turned it a charming gray color, and the last one was woefully overwatered and was living in a swamp by the time I figured out what had happened. When I went to take the last one out of its pot it literally disintegrated in my fingers.

I thought that since I’ve found blogs and forums to be founts of growing tips and recommendations I would share a few plants that are working well around here. To note, we have eastern and western facing windows only. We’d be making a killing selling oxygen if we had one of the elusive south-facing apartments in our building, but with the particular sunshine we do get our plants seem to fair well. Of course, adjust accordingly to suit your optimal growing conditions.

Before I share all the plants I must confess that a lot of these plants were purchased before I read extensively about their care and maintenance regimen (i.e., you’ll see a lot of tropical plants). I was wooed by their beauty and couldn’t resist buying them. So you might find that they don’t really make sense here, but alas they are mine and until they die I’m going to try mightily to take care of them.

 

 

UMBRELLA TREE:

Sunlight: Bright, indirect

Water: Once every week during the growing season, about half that during dormant periods

Temperature: They like it warm and humid, do not allow temperatures to go below 60 degrees F

This umbrella tree is pretty happy here in our dining room. With the curtain pulled back it receives indirect sunlight nearly all day long thanks to generous reflections from the apartment across the lawn. I moved it from its initial spot in the family room because it was dropping leaves like mad (literally 5-10 every day) and it is faring far better in this brighter room.I haven’t done it yet, but it’s been recommended to put this guy in the shower and give it a healthy rinse. It helps mimic the tropical climate in which the plant thrives.

CHINESE EVERGREEN

Sunlight: Low to medium light

Water: Once a week, or every two weeks if the plant begins to droop

Temperature: 60-75 degrees

This is the Mall Plant. It is in every mall you’ve ever been to and it’s living its best life there. This plant is easy going and low-maintenance, making it a great first attempt. It sits in the window of our living room because it was really sad next to the record player where it used to live. I found that it needed more light than was initially recommended and since it’s been getting extra vitamin D it’s been thriving. Pretty regular misting also helps. Every other week I take it outside and mist it with a spray bottle and that seems to do the trick. NOTE: This plant is highly toxic and can cause irritation to lips, mouth, and throat if chewed or swallowed by both humans and pets.

 

 

CROTON

Light: Bright

Water: Heavy watering necessary; keep soil moist and mist 1-2 times per week

Temperature: Warm, up to 80 degrees

This plant is high maintenance in terms of its need for regular watering. I find I water two or three times a week and mist it as much. You can read its needs by the leaves, which droop when it’s been too long between waterings. I love the bright colors and stiff leaves in contrast to the other greenery on the plant stand. NOTE: this plant is also poisonous and harmful if chewed or eaten by humans and pets.

 

 

 

MISTLETOE CACTUS

Light: Low, indirect

Water: Check the soil, let it dry out on top, but ensure the bottom soil is still moist; do not let sit in water; mist regularly

Temperature: 70-85 degrees

This is one of those plants that I probably shouldn’t have but do. It loves the tropics and should really live in a greenhouse, but I just think it’s so cool looking! I think it will be alright in its small container for a while, but it might need to be repotted semi-soon. This plant gets a misting once a week, though it could use it more often. If you do repot it, add in bark or wood chips to promote drainage. Orchid compost mix works well here also.

CREEPING FIG–WHITE SUNNY

Light: Bright, indirect; will tolerate low light, but not direct sun

Water: Water thoroughly when potting soil is dry 1-inch down

Temperature: 55-85 degrees

I’m not a huge ivy fan but I like a little creep in my life. This guy would do well in a basket and I’m tempted to move him outside under the shade of the above balcony. It would also be cool if I trained him to climb down the plant stand, so we’ll see. This might be the easiest of all the plants…

BOSTON FERN

Light: Medium, Indirect or dappled shade

Water: Water regularly and keep soil moist; mist 1-2 times per week; can keep in a tray of pebble with water if environment is especially dry

Temperature: 60-75 degrees

The Boston Fern loves humidity. I should probably just take it to Bali when we go there this fall because it will most likely not be satisfied here. I’ve had it for a month and so far it’s stayed alive, but I’m not sure it’s in the right spot. A few pictures up you can see that it’s not even in the right size pot but, to be quite frank, I’ve been too lazy to do something about it, presumably figuring that it’s about to implode. Give this guy plenty of water and do not let it dry out. While it looks most at home in a country or cottage style abode, I think it looks smart when kept to a smaller size.

^^Hey, Toby!

 

DRACAENA MARGINATA (sometimes DRAGON TREE)

Light: Bright

Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings, though not completely; do not let it sit in water

Temperature:65-80 degrees

I bought this plant the second week we lived in the apartment and it hasn’t changed AT ALL in the last 8 months. Literally, hasn’t grown an inch. But, it hasn’t died either so I’m counting it a win. It’s incredibly easy to take care of, very hardy and drought resistant. I like the spiky leaves and think it makes a good accessory in the bedroom corner.  Unfortunately I planted this in a pot without any drainage holes, which may end up being an issue. There are rocks at the bottom that can trap water, but since this plant is highly susceptible to root-rot it would be better to plant it in a pot with drainage holes.

 

^^there’s a dresser in here now…

 

 

 

FIDDLE LEAF FIG

Light: Bright, filtered (can take full sun if in an eastern-facing window)

Water: Keep steadily moist but do not let it sit in water; wait until soil is dry about 1-inch down

Temperature: Warm, 70-85 degrees

Ah, the design world darling. Everyone wants a fiddle leaf and it’s no wonder since they are such beauties to look at! If only they weren’t so temperamental. Some people consider these low-maintenance plants, but I think they require some work. The watering is the most important and precarious aspect. It might take you a few weeks to figure out how much water and how frequently, but be mindful that overwatering is the number one way to kill this guy. Brown spots on the leaves indicate that you are drowning the poor thing. Since the leaves are so large they catch quite a bit of dust. Wipe down leaves every week with a damp cloth so their pores remain unobstructed (see, picky). Rotate the plant once a week as they will grow aggressively toward the light and you will soon have a sexily leaning plant in the corner of your room if you don’t keep ahead of its movements. Once you find a spot for the plant keep it in place. It does not like relocation and will suggest as much by promptly dropping all its leaves. As I mentioned, there are a number of factors at play when attempting to keep this plant alive but it adds great drama and interest to a room and I think we could all use a little more glamour at home.

^^that’s a real life working desk, my friends

 

 

SNAKE PLANT (sometimes MOTHER-IN-LAW’S TONGUE)

Light: Bright, with some sun; although, this plant is very forgiving and can tolerate low light conditions

Water: Let soil dry between waterings; monthly water should suffice; water only around the edges of the pot

Temperature: Anything above 50 degrees, though they prefer the warmth

Contrary to the fiddle leaf, the snake plant could survive in a closet if need be. This is the toughest of all house plants and perfect for anyone just getting started with flora and fauna. The stiff, upright leaves are just as dramatic as the oversized fiddle leaves but, again, much easier to care for. You can easily split one plant up into several groupings around your house, but I like the impact of a big plant. It wants a lot of light, and will even flower if it gets enough, but as stated above it can tolerate low light. Just be prepared for it to stay pretty stagnant, much like the dracaena. I think it looks best in a minimal basket or pot.

 

 

 

RUBBER TREE

Light: Bright, filtered; can tolerate morning sun

Water: Keep steadily moist; mist weekly or bi-weekly

Temperature: Warm

I’m really excited about this tree, but it’s not so happy here. Right now it lives in the guest room but it doesn’t get enough sun, which is causing the leaves to turn slightly yellow and droop. I’ve been playing around with it in the living room (eastern-facing) and I think it will do better in there. I love the big, glossy leaves and bright red vein that goes down the back. Like the fiddle leaf, this tree can grow to be 40-50 feet in nature so it’s really more like a topiary when grown indoors. Find a nice bright spot for this guy because it’s supposed to be a fast grower, rewarding you with hearty leaves and a gorgeous fullness.

 

Not plants, of course, by foliage nonetheless. I have really enjoyed having both permanent houseplants and fresh flowers around the apartment. They lift my mood and add dimension and warmth to our home. The trick is to find the right plants for your space and lifestyle, a trick that I am obviously still learning.

To note, I didn’t share all the plants we have going on over here. There’s the aforementioned cactus that could die at any moment and a zee zee plants that’s quietly ticking away by the sofa. It’s a good little plant that barely does anything, but a bigger size promises more action and style. Note that this plant is also toxic and poisonous if consumed.

So, what kinds of plants do you have? Live? Silk? Imaginary? I would really love any tips or suggestions because I’m always looking for ways to create a more homey, rich environment. Happy gardening!

 

 

 

Happy Meetiversary, Adam!

Memory Lane is a well worn, rutted and muddy path I traverse often. It’s muddy because of all the crying I do, creating puddles of emotion as I remember the best of times and the roughest of times. I’m extremely emotional. Just wait until we start talking about choosing songs for our wedding, which I’ll dive into next week.

Until then, let’s happily skip along the Lane and celebrate today–our meetiversary! Do you remember the day you met your significant other? Adam and I never officially started dating, like made a big pronouncement or anything, so we’ve always used our meetiversary as our anniversary. Now, of course, we have a wedding anniversary in June and will have another one in August. Lucky lady!

Above is the restaurant where we had our first date four years ago. Naturally I was very giddy and excited and had spent the afternoon watching American football in Zurich with a couple of my closest buds before grabbing a pre-date glass of Champagne to help calm my nervous jitters. Adam and I walked along the lake and then ducked into this Italian restaurant where I regaled him with stories about how I was an adored au pair who was very well taken care of by her employers. Actually I think I might have told him that I was pretty sure I was being watched by a nanny-cam (which I was) and that I was positive the middle child hated me (which he did). He had just been to Amsterdam and Berlin and had lots of good stories about the vibrant cities and his recent travels. It was a very successful first date.

Obviously!

Being with Adam has been one of the biggest joys of my life and I’m eternally grateful for his positivity, encouragement and endless love and support. Don’t worry, I’ll save all the really moony stuff for him on our dinner date tonight.

I love the picture below so much. This was taken exactly one year ago today at our favorite bar in Charleston, The Belmont. We were both drinking bourbon and waxing on our relationship, of course oblivious to how much it would change over the next year. It’s really nice to catch him looking at me like this:

 

Then, too, sometimes it looks like this, but I still love that crazy guy anyway:

(We don’t even have a remote! But, we did have a Walmart in Emporia when we visited his parents last summer and we came home with the city’s greatest spoils.)

Two Kansans out on a date in Zurich; what are the odds? We’ll be toasting to our relationship this weekend, but what are you up to? Hopefully it’s warming up wherever you are and you have a chance to enjoy some sweet weather.

 

Friday wouldn’t be complete without a few links so here’s what caught my eye as of late:

Majestic dog photos.

Is the lime an endangered species? Who knew they were the crux of the Mexican drug cartel?! (Thanks, Courtney!)

Anthropologie for the win: Bali essentials.

LSU gymnast scores a perfect 10 with her groovy hip-hop routine.

A teacher responds brilliantly to a student’s profane letter.

Pretty maxi dress.

Cool art deco tee. 

Easy pasta to make with grilled chicken. Looks like dinner this weekend!

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are making a movie!

Can you recruit lesbians? Some South Carolina conservatives say Yes. (sometimes I just have to shake my head at the backwardness of politics)

A gin cocktail I am 100% on board with. (psst, buy Death’s Door gin!)

Things I Would Wish on My Worst Enemy.

 

 

Green Vegetables

 

Do you get aggressively excited about spring produce? I really love seeing all the bright colors and enjoy walking around the outdoor market in more friendly temperatures, but to be honest I also mourn a little because I know that the hearty dishes I so love to make and eat must be shelved for a few months. I embrace shopping seasonally and locally so this past week I picked up what everyone else was picking up.

To be fair we are almost out of fennel season so this recipe is a little late in making its table debut. Nonetheless it’s still appropriate and delicious! Last night I made a caramelized fennel risotto that nearly knocked my socks off. I’m committed to a new expedited method of cooking risotto and this particular recipe throws that out the window in that one must cook the shallots and fennel for 30-40 minutes to reach optimal caramelization. But, that’s really the best way to enjoy fennel (personally) because the long cooking time takes away the sharp anise flavor and leaves you with a light sweetness and unbelievable added creaminess. In short, it’s not a quick dinner or one to make at the last minute, but if you’re looking to fill the Sunday dinner slot, this is your guy.

I omitted the peas because I really don’t like them, but it certainly makes the dish more spring-y. Also, I stirred in hunks of rotisserie chicken to add protein. This is an inexpensive and easy way to add more oomph to a dish, not to mention great depth of flavor. I also do this with soups and salads. Just add in the chicken when you add in the last cup of stock so it heats throughout. I had this with a white Bordeaux and it was magnifique.

 

And what can we say for asparagus? Only that I love it. Oh my, yes I do. I love it so, so much and eat it every week while it’s in season. One thing I like so much about the grocery stores and markets here is that, for the most part, they really stick to what’s in season. Sure, you can buy watery tomatoes year-round, but asparagus only comes in the spring and when it does it’s glorious. Ditto pumpkins and squash, peaches, berries, bok choy, blood oranges and other fun favorites. It’s a good rule of thumb to stick with: if it’s not in season, it’s probably not going to be that good. (And who really, really needs a pound of asparagus that traveled 6,300 miles? I’m looking at you, Peru…)

This week the temperatures dropped just a wee bit and it rained enough for me to want soup again so spargel creme soup it was! I loosely followed this recipe, but will go ahead and rewrite it below because I did make a few modifications. Bon appetit!

 

Asparagus Cream Soup

Servings: 6-8

Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4-2 pounds asparagus, woody ends removed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 medium yellow onions, roughly chopped
• 2 sticks celery, trimmed and roughly chopped
• 2 leeks, white and light green parts only, sliced into half moons
• 6 cups chicken stock (you can use up to 8 cups if you want it a bit thinner)
• 1 russet baking potato, diced*
• 1/3-1/2 cup heavy cream
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• parsley, to garnish
• lemon, to garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Trim tips off asparagus and set them aside for later.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook onions, celery and leeks until they are soft and tender, but not colored, about 10 minutes.
3. Add the chopped asparagus stalks, potato and stock and simmer for 20 minutes with a lid on.
4. Remove from heat and blend with an immersion blender or carefully transfer to blender in small batches and puree. Note: either way, let the soup sit for five minutes before blending to allow it to cool. If using a blender, keep one corner of the lid up to release heat and prevent an explosion. Also, use a dish towel to cover the top.
5. Add cream and stir to incorporate. Adjust level of cream to desired thickness.
6. Add salt and pepper to season to your liking. I’m not crazy about a lot of salt, but pepper is really nice here to balance the sweetness of the leeks and cooked veggies.
7. Add asparagus tips, bring back to a boil, then lower to a simmer until the tips have softened.
8. Serve with chopped parsley and a light drizzle of lemon if you like.

* I only had a leftover potato that had already been baked and it worked perfectly. I added it in just before I blended the soup together so it would warm through and it worked as an excellent thickening agent.

We ate this with grilled cheese sandwiches, but Jamie Oliver recommends buttered toast and poached eggs. I tried poaching an egg the other day and the result was disgusting. I make a mean soft-boiled egg, however, and will enjoy that with my leftover soup for lunch today.

 UPDATE: The poached/soft-boiled egg is a go! Adds incredible richness. 

 

Do you like asparagus? What’s your favorite way to eat it? Besides soup I also love it grilled with olive oil, salt and pepper (keep it simple!). This recipe looks super simple and delightful. MethinksI know what we’ll be having next week…

 

A Few Tunes

What are you listening to? I’ve had these songs on a major loop this week.

For when you’re feeling a little sassy and maybe you’re also cleaning the apartment:

 

For when you need to sing along to something:

 

For when you want to dance like a puppet (Thom Yorke-style)

 

For when you need some background music, and a little singalong at the end:

 

For when you’re feeling a little moody and broody:

 

 

 

Tuesday Book Club: The Fault in Our Stars

Have you read this book yet? If you’re not 15 or especially emotional then you may not have, but even if you fall well outside the frustratingly large canyon of teenage emotional capacity you will like this book.

I read it for my Young Adult Lit class in graduate school, which unfortunately was a terrible, terrible class. There was no direction or curriculum and the class lacked any insightful or meaningful dialogue on the place of children and adolescent literature in both the classroom and the home. Instead, we talked endlessly about the struggle to acquiesce to both student interest and ever-restricting state standards, all while our teacher begrudgingly admitted that the chances of us using these illuminating and engaging novels in the classroom were about as slim as the nerdy pocket protector he wore. It was a very disappointing semester.

In undergrad, however, I took two fascinating classes on children’s lit, both taught by the same teacher, and learned a great deal about the evolution of children’s literature, from the Grimm’s fairy tales to the Harry Potter series. Most insightful was how literature is changing to compete with technology, social media, and the Internet, not to mention waning attention spans and an over-saturation of (bad) books. Our conversations made me take adolescent and young adult literature more seriously, that is, when it is well done with mature themes, engaging and believable characters and a social wherewithal to warrant it worth our time, not only to read it but to encourage others to as well.

Right now the trend is toward dystopian novels and fantasy (see Hunger Games, Divergent, etc.) and that’s a great genre because it helps develop conversations about social conformity and responsible, productive revolutions and so on. But The Fault in Our Stars falls more neatly into a tragicomedy genre, one that is beloved by me and teenage girls the world over. If I can cry and laugh in the same book, at the same time, bring it.

My final project for the graduate class I took on YA was a unit on The Fault in Our Stars. The novel would be a great introduction to Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar because of their similar themes of persuasion and conflict, as well as a heavy smattering of figurative language and rhetoric. (In fact, that was another over-arching motif of my YA class, basically the only one that proved useful: should you find yourself in a position to teach generally uninterested high schoolers tough and worldly literature, start off with something easier and more fun like YA lit!)

Anyway, I’m finally getting a chance to use elements of the unit I designed for the independent tutoring I’m doing now. I am working with a high-school-aged girl who will be moving to the States this summer and would like both a language and literature boost before she moves. So, we will start with The Fault in Our Stars and talk about writing summaries, deconstructing plot and characters, finding and expounding on themes, and the ever-important intertextuality. The novel is so, so funny and smart and witty and the best part is it treats the reader like an active participant/adult and doesn’t dumb anything down. Bravo, John Green! I’m honestly really excited to reread this book and I really hope my new teenage friend likes it as much as I do. Otherwise I fear I’m in for a load of embarrassment.

Have you read the book? Do you ever read YA lit? Seriously, one or two of you must have read The Hunger Games!

p.s. The book is now a movie that’s scheduled to come out in June, at least in the States. Here’s the trailer if you need a little encouragement to at least pick up the book before you see the movie : )  (to note, I read the book in two and a half days. it’s a quick one!)

 

Sunday Snaps

This morning I went to the equivalent of the DMV with sweaty palms and general teenage angst. Not only does the DMV carry such negative connotations, but going there to apply for a foreign driver’s license in (broken) German inspires a brand of anxiety that is both unusual to me and unwelcome.

Though I was reassured it was a relatively painless process I was still nervous: Why would they give a license to a person who can barely understand the language? Isn’t that just bad practice? And dangerous? Would they return my original license like some people told me they wouldn’t, and then would I have a problem driving or showing ID in the States? Would I wait in line for four hours, bored out of my skull? Would the workers be brusk and mean like they are back home? Would I then cry because of that? Just your run of the mill anxiety, folks.

What really happened was I rode my bike to the office, walked upstairs, went to the wrong window (because I can’t read good), went to the right window, gave her my application and sputtered something about being a good driver and if you would only just give me the license then that would be super great, the woman told me the application was perfect and they would send my new license, a bill (for about $250), and my old license back to me by post within two to three weeks. All said with a friendly smile and in the span of about 5.5 seconds. It took me longer to brush my teeth this morning.

It’s a good reminder, one I need often while working through bureaucratic and administrative tasks, that these things are never as bad as I imagine. I tend to fixate on an idea and then worry to the point of no mercy, exhausting myself and becoming irrationally discouraged. Rather, I’d like to spend a little more time going with the flow and trusting myself that I know what I’m doing and that whenever I show up at the offices of whoever and whatever no one will yell at me for being American or roll their eyes at my foreign-ness. Upward and onward!

Otherwise, how was your weekend? Ours was immensely relaxing and simultaneously very productive. We bought our tickets to Greece, tickets to Bali, booked one hotel in Greece and did some good research on both locales. We also checked out a new bar that’s a couple blocks away and indulged in a few delicious pale ales.

Yesterday afternoon Adam and I grabbed a couple coffees at an outdoor cafe and I shuttled off to book club while Adam bummed around and took a few pictures (finally getting to the title of this post). I thought I’d share a few glimpses of what Bern looks like to Adam on a sunny afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(see what I mean about Adam finding and framing the shot so nicely?)

Make New Friends but Keep the Old, Friday

 

 

 

 

A few snaps of bright spots around the apartment: bringing the outdoors in; new photos in the kitchen; swapping out pillows on the sofa; a bouquet that won’t quit (10 days now!).

How was your week? Yesterday morning I closed our guest room door too hard and caused a framed picture to fall off the dresser and break into a million pieces. The broken edge of the frame scratched four different marks into the one-of-a-kind watercolor and I have to say I’m pretty bummed. The corners of the frame also dug a few gouges into the (parquet) floor and I’m kicking myself for being so reckless.

But, I spent the whole afternoon with my friend and her three stellar daughters and I completely forgot about my disappointment and had a really great day. Aren’t friends so important? I talk endless about missing friends from home or about my desire to make new ones, but I’m so grateful for the special ones I have here.

Maybe take a minute to reach out to your buddies and let them know how much they mean to you: an extra hug or a virtual high-five to let your pal know how valued they are.

 

And now for the links!

I listened to this song three times this morning.

Farro salad for this weekend. Yum!

Madewell is killing it with their new spring pieces: a sweet dress, a tank for everyday wear (and perfect for Greece), a cool-girl athletic sweater, a chambray romper (gimme!), and the best Vans.

We just bought a waterproof picnic blanket from eBay for summer days at the park and by the river, but here’s a great US option if you’re in the market.

Capybaras are the chillest bro homies.

How Well-Read Are You? I got 37, let me know your score in the comments! (Thanks, Erin!)

Finishing a pretty bad book right now, but looking forward to starting this one next.

Does anyone watch “The Colbert Report”? I think he’s hilarious and last week he stirred up some controversy based on a racially insensitive joke (um, what’s new, amiright?). The Atlantic breaks down in a genius way why Colbert was in the right and his critics were in the wrong.

My absolute favorite blush (Orgasm shade).

Facts that sound like huge lies. The graphics (and commentary) made me laugh out loud.

Daily cartoon.

Hip Hop Academy at Harvard.

 

I hope you have a marvelous weekend full of fun, friends, and good times.

Chop! (Someday…)

 

 

 

 

I could not be more bored with my hair. It’s long, sometimes it’s straight, sometimes it’s curly, sometimes it’s a sketchy hybrid of the two, and most elusively, sometimes it’s a casually cool blend of the two.

I started growing it out four years ago and it has taken f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get where it is. My hair does not grow quickly, but I also suffered through a few chops that took off way more than I anticipated, moves that took me about 5 months from which to recover length-wise. I do love the ease of long hair and the ability to throw it up into a bun and get it off my neck and out of my face. I’m guilty of this move nearly every day. But when my parents were here two weeks ago I sneezed once while we were outside, sneezed again immediately afterward and while on the intake of breath actually swallowed some of my own hair and choked on it. It feels like this relationship has reached its end, especially when my life is on the line.

BUT, I won’t make any drastic moves until after our wedding in August. I hate to be this obvious but I’m going to do it anyway. I know with it being a late-August wedding I will be putting it up (and skipping the part where I wear it down, full of hope) and I need as much hair as I can get to accomplish that. But, come September, or really October because we’re going to be in Bali for a big chunk of September, I’ll be saying ciao ciao and chop chop to the locks.

I did this about seven years ago and donated my hair to Beautiful Lengths, the Pantene Pro-V program that provides real-hair wigs for women with cancer. You only need eight inches of hair that hasn’t been dyed or bleached, but we forgot a ruler and ended up sending in 11. It was a dramatic day for me.

Evidence:

^^ This picture was taken on March 1, 2008, a couple days before I cut my hair. Oh, and I used to have bangs! Like everyone I had a serious love/hate relationship with them and would love to have them back except I know five minutes later I would hate them and curse my stupid cowlick for ruining my life.

^^One week later, post-chop. The bangs! The exposed neck! It was awesome. I really loved having short hair and kept it for a long time. Funny story: I applied for a job last week and knew I needed to update my LinkedIn page and this was still my profile picture!! Six years old! Thankfully, it’s been changed : )

I’m thinking about a shoulder-length, long bob situation. Something that can work with my naturally curly texture and won’t go all triangle-y on me when it gets super hot out. This would have never worked in Charleston with the crushing humidity, but might work nicely here in Bern.

This is all to say a major adjustment is coming, but really it’s only moving full circle. Don’t women grow out their hair just for one such dramatic moment? I know I do to some degree. What’s next for you in the hair department? Anyone thinking about changing it up? Oh, and I’ve never dyed or colored my hair in any way and probably won’t for a while, but it would be fun to mix it up someday…

Image credits for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Last two my own : )

A Fitness Tip: Plyometrics

 

 

 

 

How do you fitness? On my walk this morning I was thinking about grateful I am for a strong and able body and each day while I say my prayers at lunch I give thanks for my health and physical fitness. I’m not exactly sure what I would do without it.

I’ve gone through various phases of fitness wherein I focus intently on certain exercise or routines. Above you can see me trying to touch a branch that Adam can reach flat footed. This isn’t so much exercise as me trying to work out my height complex. As of late, though, I’ve been all about plyometrics, which have totally changed my metabolism. And by changed I mean FIRED UP. Plyo exercises are designed to exert maximum muscle force in a short period of time. You will eventually increase in both speed and power and improve muscle response, not only in your plyometric exercises but in fitness across the board.

Last fall I found these six plyometric exercises in my Real Simple magazine and have been doing them about twice a week for nearly four months. There are six exercises that take 45 seconds and you pause for 15 seconds in between each one. You then repeat the whole routine once. I do make a few modifications to the routine, however. For example, I replace the second exercise with standard push-ups. I try to do the first half (20 seconds or so) in a high plank and the second half on my knees (~25 seconds). Also, I usually add my own cardio to start and do about 5-10 minutes of cardio between sets. This is not pretty. It’s usually a mix of TurboKick moves I remember from college, an interesting and offensive blend of martial arts “punches” and kicks, jumping jacks, jogging in place and other heart rate boosters. Now that it’s warming up outside I suppose I could go run around the block a few times and save myself from private humiliation. But, let me tell you, some of the mind-bending moves I’ve come up with make me SWEAT.

The whole routine should take you about 15 minutes if you’re following the program. In those minutes you’ll burn about 150 calories, plus more throughout the day. I’ve convinced Adam to try it and he found the whole thing punishing at first but I think he’s starting to understand the rewards. I recently sent it to my aunt to try out and I thought, why not share it with you fine people?

The best part about the routine, and what makes it worth sharing, is that it really ramped up my metabolism and I found I had lost a few pounds without even trying. I think it’s always good to mix up your routine and incorporating this with my regular yoga and running program has kept my body guessing and transforming. If you’re looking for a way to energize a new season of exercise or are just getting bored with what you’ve got going on the plyometric option is a worth looking into.

Obviously there are a lot of plyometric routines out there this is just the one I’ve stumbled across that has worked for me. I’d love to hear from you! Do you work out? What are you favorite types of fitness? Equally as important, what music do you listen to while you fitness? I’ve got some tried and true tunes but they are nearly as embarrassing as my cardio moves…

 

THIS IS SUPER IMPORTANT: I am not a fitness expert and I make no claims to be one. Exercise is a hobby and big interest of mine. I have never been certified as a personal trainer and only have certifications for yoga through YogaFit. Please consult a trained professional before beginning a new fitness program. Thank you!