Birthmas 2011

Okay finally. Here it is in all it's anti-climatic glory....because someone (me) left their memory card in their laptop and therefore could not take pictures with their camera. EPIC FAIL. However I managed to document a few things with the old Blackberry. And here they are.

Friday night we went out with Drew's brother and his wife to The Melting Pot. I have never experienced fondu before, but as Drew said "it's fonnnn to du it!" so I knew all would be well. It was so delicious I ate so much bread and broccoli covered in cheese. Then there was dessert. Ohhhh the glorious pot of chocolate and all the amazing things you could dip in it. I need a fondu set. Going on the Birthmas list for next year.

Christmas eve day was spent at Target because I forgot how to pack and left some necessities at home, and at Cub Foods to buy groceries for the weekend. We made black bean soup and grilled cheese sandwiches and listened to Christmas music to get in the festive mood before heading to family Christmas. Drew even wanted to wear this sweater.

While I appreciated his holiday spirit...I just could be seen with him like that.

 Now, I've been used to pretty small Christmas gatherings since 2005. Maybe 8 people tops. Prior to that my Christmases consisted of family gatherings at my grandparents house where there were maybe 25 people 30 at most. Drew has 21 first cousins. TWENTY ONE. Add him and his brothers that makes 25 grandchildren. It was overwhelming at first but after the second drink I was a-ok. 

Now on to the gifts!

First up, something I've been pining over at REI for I don't even know how long. And now, they're mine!

No, I have never gone snowshoeing before. However, I love hiking and snow hiking seems like fun. Now we just need some GD snow so I can use these and also use my other gift....

Patagonia snowpants! Despite it being 40 something degrees Christmas Day, I wore these home to Minneapolis. I cant wait to actually use them. 

I also got a Columbia fleece jacket, a North Face half zip fleece, annnndddd....

A flying lesson! Thats right in spring I will get a crash course in flying and actually get to sit in the cockpit and wear my aviators and bomber jacket and only answer to Maverick. 

Christmas evening Drew took me out to dinner to our favorite Indian restaurant (and I do mean favorite) Gandhi Mahal. I ate so much palak paneer I actually thought I was going to puke on the sidewalk. No joke. It really was touch and go there for a while. 

So there you have it. Birthmas 2011! I could not have planned it better myself. Full of food, family and friends and love :)

Cheers!

Marisa

25 Days of Birthmas Day 21: Only 4 Days Left...

Wow, I can't believe it's almost here! 4 Days. FOUR!!!!!! This week has been hell as Tuesday was a 13+ hour day and today is a 15+ hour day. However when talking to my best boy he had this to say: "You can do it. Then you can come kick it and let me take care of you." I died. That right there was the best Birthmas present ever. I'm looking forward to pancakes and birthday cake and potato pancakes (Happy Hanukkah!) and whatever other cakes come with Birthmas. I'll take them all please! Eff the gym this week, you only turn 27 once right? And then come January....Ass kicking Pikes Peak Ascent training. Better enjoy being a fatty while I can. And on that note, I would like this cake for Birthmas please

Pink: Check. Crown: Check. Sparkles: Check. Yup this is my Birthmas cake!!!

Happy Holidays to you all and your lovely families! I hope everyone gets everything they wanted and more. I'm going to take a little Birthmas hiatus and will be back Monday to tell you all about it! Hugs to each and every one of you!!!

Cheers!

Marisa

P.S. Check it out, I suck at money and so does my friend so we started a blog about our quest to not suck at it anymore. Read about it here.

I'm Here, I Swears

Hey loves. I'm alive, for reals. Just supppppeeerr busy weekend and so much going on right now. Black Friday was good, not as crazy as I was prepared for and I drank FOUR Red Bulls in less than 24 hours. Also I ate about 25,000 calories. That shouldn't really be a surprise. I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend and has recovered from the food comas! Can't wait to catch up with everyone. 

Cheers!

Marisa

BDE With The BBE

I am all about the acronyms lately. Haha. So It's Monday and that means recapping the Best Day Ever with the Best Boy Ever!!!!!!!  I don't really have any pictures as I forgot my camera at home which I think was for the best so then I wasn't constantly interrupting the day trying to get the right shot. Just got to enjoy all my time with Drew and boy did we do a ton of stuff! I'll recap it in list form.

8:00am: Breakfast. French Toast made by me. I concede that I am not as awesome at breakfast as Drew. I may not be as awesome at cooking as Drew. Ah well. 

10:15am: Head down to the East Village/Capitol. Perused the grounds while waiting for the shops to open up.

11:00am: Hit various shops in the East Village. Drew got some cool spices at All Spice and I got some more Caldrea dish soap at my all time favorite Eden . Drew being the best boy ever was a good sport and smelled a bunch of candles and voted for our favorite Votivo scent. And by our I mean we totally voted for two different candles. Whatever.

Noonish: Lunch at Noodle Zoo!!!!! It was so amazing. Seriously I have yet to take someone there that didn't think it was super amazing delicious. After an amazing lunch, Drew 100% proved himself worthy of the title of best boy ever.

1:00pm:

Harry Potter at the IMAX!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG it was so amazing! Beyond words! I want to see it 500 MORE TIMES!!!!!! 

After the movie we also spent time at the Science Center where Liam Neeson taught us about black holes, we built a rocket, race cars, and Drew helped a dad and his son build the Gateway Arch. 

Think the day is done? Oh no far from it!

4:30pm: Italian American Heritage Festival. We listened to some guy play some traditional Italian folk music with instruments made out of goat skin (ew), drank some delish sangria and learned about the different states in Italy.

6:00pm: Dinner at Cuatro with some happy hour margaritas. Good and much needed after the long day we'd already had. Once we were refueled it was off to the horse races!

7:00pm: Prairie Meadows race track and casino. Mostly did people watching. But occasionally watched the horses. It was such a perfect night out, I could've just sat there all night. But! After watching some craps and Drew deciding he didn't want to become a poor hobo, we met the bestie and her bf downtown for drinks

9:00pm: Royal Mile. We started here sitting on the patio, drinking some beers and enjoying the nice weather finally in Des Moines. ( It didn't last however. It's hot as hell right now.) The bestie however, enjoyed an entire butt.

After Royal Mile we went to another bar, more drinks were had and then we called it a night. It was midnight and we'd been out and about since 10am. Whew! Talk about a long day, but the BEST day!!!!!

Are you still with me? You're all such good friends :) So there you have it. The Best Day Ever. I have not had so much fun in a long time. Not since I was in Minnesota last :) I can't wait to do it again and very very very soon. How was everyone else's weekend? Hopefully just as amazing!

Cheers!

Marisa

From bad to good

Thats how my day went. See this morning started out with some sad tears as little car was in need of some repairs that were well....quite pricey. So I basically spent the entire day crunching numbers, panicking, trying not to cry at work and figuring out every single worst case scenario I could come up with in my head. Needless to say by this afternoon I was a nervous wreck, sick and frustrated. However as I have done everyday since my 18th birthday and being on my own, I reminded myself that I would get nothing solved if I didn't keep a level head and remain calm. So I weighed my options, made some calls and when I walked out the door at 5 I had everything taken care of and my car will be all fixed tomorrow. No thanks to my mom. But that's a story for another day. Or week....maybe month.

Anyways, so as I'm on cloud 9 driving home thinking that this day couldn't possibly get any better I get home and grab the mail and what do I see??? A little package for me from Minnesota.

(Larabars and iPod car converter)

Drew sent me some good snacks and the capabilities for good music for my next road trip, since I complained that the only radio options in Minnesota are Jesus or country. After the terrible stressful day that I had then the relief of getting everything figured out, coming home to this was icing on the cake. Lucky for me my day ended with happy tears :)

Whew, that is all I have the energy for today folks. It has been a roller coaster of a day and I am spent. Hope everyone's hump day was far easier!

Cheers!

Marisa

TGUK, Minneapolis, and Real Maple Syrup

As you've probably gathered from the title I was in Minneapolis this weekend to see The Get Up Kids and stayed with one of my very best friends from college, Drew. Who made homemade maple syrup and gave me a bottle. Hence the real maple syrup. Now that that is cleared up, lets move on. 

Minneapolis houses a few pretty awesome things. The Mall of America, Ikea...okay two awesome things. 3 if you count Drew. The Get Up Kids were playing in Iowa City but I decided to just kill a bird with a stone and see a band and a friend and get out of Des Moines for the weekend. So my hungover self  (Happy Birthday Seth!!!) made the ever exciting drive to the Twin Cities. No I don't have any pictures from the drive. Have you ever driven from Des Moines to Minneapolis? Anyways, I was pretty much recovered by the time I arrived and actually felt that solid food was a good idea. So after being hungover all day resisting the urge to vom along Interstate 35, what is better than raw fish, eel and warm rice wine? Drew took me to Wakame by Lake Calhoun in the super hipster Uptown. It was absolutely amazing and know what was even better? Ben and Jerry's being next door. So naturally after dinner we hit it and I got my most favorite ice cream ON A CONE!!!!!!

(Late Night Snack!!!!)

Drew got his Late Night Snack in a dish and then was sad about it. Lucky for him I like him so I shared my cone.

After dinner and dessert, we did what anyone would naturally do next. Hit up the liquor store for some wine. 2 bottles of wine, Charlie the Unicorn, Kittens Inspired By Kittens later, I was well on my way to a repeat of the previous morning. However Sunday morning was 1 million times more awesome because it involved eggs, peanut butter and banana toast and french pressed coffee. And no not at a restaurant. I know be jealous. 

Sunday involved an Ikea excursion, and a viewing of Horrible Bosses which I thought was hilarious. Then it was time to get ready for The Get Up Kids!!!!!!!!

(Waiting for the bus taking pictures. Blue Moon Cafe.)

 

From the bus we took the "light rail". Which is basically Minneapolis speak for train.

Finally we arrived at our destination: the Triple Rock Social Club. I wish I had more pictures/ better pictures, but I think my camera has finally bit the dust. It's had a good life. RIP camera :(

 

So far I've seen Saves The Day, now The Get Up Kids. All thats left is Something Corporate and The Ataris and it will complete my high school band nostalgia tour. I don't know if it will happen, but I'll keep trying.

So! Kick ass, super awesome weekend of awesomeness. Which included a Monday breakfast of buttermilk and honey pancakes with blackberries and real maple syrup. Then I had to drive back to Des Moines. And this morning I had to make my own breakfast :( Booooooo.

Cheers!

Marisa

Thankful Tuesday

Wow I can't believe I'm already doing my second Thankful Tuesday. Well I guess I can't believe I remembered to do my second Thankful Tuesday. Sometimes I swear I have adult ADD. So here you go 5 things I'm thankful for this week.

1.) My health. Sometimes it takes something bad happening to someone close to you to make you really appreciate your good health. It shouldn't be that way.

2.) My car. I have had that thing since I was 18 years old and it's never given me one serious problem. (Knock on wood) And since I'm currently a poor person I'm super thankful for that!

3.) Sunday Brunch with the roomie and friends. Seriously, what better way to start your week than cocktails good food and plenty of weekend gossip catch up?

4.) Clif Bars. A silly one, but really this is like a food group for me. Like the big one at the bottom of the food pyramid. Without them, I would be lost. 

5.) The Royal Wedding!!!!!! Sorry I had to throw that in. I've been waiting and waiting for months! You better believe my ass will be up at 2:30am to prepare and my nails will be done with my No More Waity, Katie Butter London polish!

What are you thankful for this week?

Cheers!

Marisa

p.s. If you haven't tried Clif Bars yet DO IT!!!!!!!!! It will change your life.

The Purpose Of Our Lives Is To Be Happy.

Hello friends! I'm back and better than ever. I was soooooo productive this weekend and took care of so many things that were stressing me out, I feel 100lbs lighter! I got my room all organized closet cleaned out and boy let me tell you does it feel good. It made me remember why I fell in love with minimalism; to not feel defined by my possessions but rather to define my life by my actions and relationships with all the great people in my life.

Saturday I headed to Ames to celebrate my friends quarter century bday with some of our favorite movies (Easy A, Clueless, Mean Girls...) and sooooooo much food. 

I'd tell you what we had...but you'd probably never believe that we could eat it all. Lets just say cake and ice cream were only a small portion of the celebratory foods. I couldn't bring myself to eat a thing until about noon today. I was that full from Saturday night. None the less, it was a most excellent time and I look forward to the next quarter century :)

How was everyone elses weekend? Hopefully full of fun and food! Haha. We're at less than 5 weeks till vacation and less than two until my weekend of bad decisions and debauchery with my Will. Oohhh the fun times that are ahead!

Cheers!

Marisa

Title quote: His Holiness, The Dalai Lama 

A Nice Little Weekend

Holy awesome weather in Des Moines! Saturday and Sunday we say 80 degrees and sunshine. Sorry for being away, but I couldn't pass that up. Friday night was a friends bday partayyyy. Which I paid for on Saturday...and I had to work. Suck. But! Saturday morning I got to enjoy a lovely brunch with the roomie and friends where we recapped the night and discussed who was winning! and...who was not winning. Pretty sure I ended up being the winner. I did not cry and my guy was hot. Score! Saturday evening I got to see an old college friend who was in town and we grabbed dinner on a patio and enjoyed a nice refreshing beer in the (did I mention?) beautiful warm sunny weather. Please don't think less of me for admitting this but....I totally crashed after dinner. Which was 9:30. I know. I'm old balls, I just can't party like I used to. Ah well, I got plenty of sleep and then had an old person Sunday. It involved, a mid morning run, grocery shopping, cleaning and laundry and then a movie. Which may or may not have been The Young Victoria...again. I have a problem.

But really who wouldn't want to watch their love story? They're both so pretty. 

One last thing that made my Sunday super awesome. I finally found it.

Yeah I ate the whole thing. What of it?

Only 5.5 weeks left till vacation!!!!!!!!!

Cheers!

Marisa

Sunday Funday!!!!!!

Well I must say I had a pretty awesome weekend, despite it's terrible start. Why such a terrible start you ask? Well let me tell you.

I'm a huge music fan. HUGE. I love concerts and I also love love love going to local shows and supporting local bands and venues. Des Moines had a new venue open up which is always exciting when the local music scene expands just a little further. My friends and I had planned on checking out 504 Club a few weeks ago but that "spring" snow storm made the group decide to postpone heading downtown much to the disappointment of our friend John. Sorry kiddo, majority rules. Anyway Friday night we decided we were really going to do it and scope it out. We hit up Shorty's on Court Ave first where I spilled my beer fumbling with my cash. This is why I never use it. It only leads to paying $3.50 for 5/8 of a Miller Lite. Still fun times were had and then we moved on to the East Village where I finally go to experience Quinton's and I must say I enjoyed it. $4 giant margaritas always gets a thumbs up from me. That brings us to the 504 Club and the downfall of the night. We walk in and there is a guy sitting there presumably to check id's/ take cover. The bestie and her boyfriend walked in followed by me and then John. Nobody could hear and we just kept walking and he didn't stop us so we were just like alright whatevs. Fast forward a half hour later 1 beer in and the door guy comes up to our whole group to get cover. From me and John. Just us. Not the two others he clearly saw come in with us. Just us. Needless to say I was beyond pissed and I don't foresee myself going back to 504 Club until they get their shit together. Not cool 504 Club. Not cool at all.

Saturday night we had a fun time at a wine tasting party hosted by my friend in the old college town and ate too much glorious food and drank some delicious fancy wine. Also I got to watch her wedding dvd where I was a bridesmaid. A very drunk bridesmaid. But at least a fun one right?????

That brings us to Sunday Funday!!!!!!!!!!! Even the city light posts wanted me to have a happy day!

It was a extremely nice day in Des Moines Sunday so the bestie and I ventured out to Flanagans for some tasty brunch. After inhaling our french toast and pancakes, we sipped our coffee wondering what to do the rest of the day. We decided since we both needed new reading material to head to the library since it wasn't to far away. Got there to realize it wasn't open until 1. So we kept on walking and found ourselves in the East Village where we passed this.

I don't care if I looked like a crazy on the street telling a building that I hate it. I do. It made me feel better. 

On a cooler block we were verry pleased to find that your favorite East Village shop was open. Eden!

We could spend houuuurs in this store. Sometimes we do. Eden carries Kiehl's, Molton Brown, Caldrea, L'Occitane and many other fabulous products. The bestie got a new perfume. I got some Caldrea counter top cleaner refill and an Iowa present for my Colorado friend.

Back to the library we went where I picked up some books on mountain hiking and mountain hiking disasters 

After all that walking (6 miles so far!) my stomach was telling me it was time for lunch. We headed out of downtown and back to our hood and stopped for a late lunch at Red China Bistro where I had the best Miso ever!

(my red curry vegetable turnover....soooooo good)

(the besties spring roll salad)

All in all we walked almost 8 miles, shopped around Des Moines, ate some amazing food and had the best impromptu Sunday Funday ever!!!!!!

How was everyone's weekend? Hopefully just as fun filled! 

Cheers!

Marisa

P.S. I leave you with this terrible pic of a whirlpool I saw in the Des Moines River

You Are What You Eat

My friend and and Maegan over at love Maegan brought on the inspiration for this post. I probably should have put this in my six confessions but I am a vegetarian. Have been for a few years now. Which obviously means I'm super healthy right? Well....almost. My Dad was a diabetic so we grew up with very very very little sugar in our diet, which explains why it's something I never crave. My Mom is also just a healthy person in general so we never ate anything like Hamburger Helper or frozen pizzas or Hot Pockets. (I lived for going to my friends houses for these.) Every meal was homemade no sugar added, no salt added and had to be eaten at the dinner table. (TV was not an option.) So I guess I have my parents to thank for preventing me from getting used to quick out of a box meals and sugary snacks. I also have been blessed with "good genes". Meaning my metabolism, apparently, is just naturally faster than most people. Obviously I've noticed it starting to slow in my old age ;) However, "diet" is not a word that has ever come into my life. I love being organized and planning everything to a fault but I've never been this way with food. I've tried a couple times keeping track of what I ate, but it became to tedious and at the end of the day I didn't really care. I don't set calorie goals because I don't like going "over" them and then feeling bad because I ate too much broccoli that day. That is ridiculous. I make healthy decisions and food is merely fuel for my body to do all the fun things in life I want to do, whether that is going for a long run or partying to the wee hours of the morning with my friends. 

As far as exercise goes I live for running. I always thought everyone was the same, and they experienced the amazing endorphin rush I get when I run, but apparently that is not so. If you're one of those people that is like wtf is this girl talking about? Let me explain. When I run after about the first mile, I get a rush of endorphins and it feels amazing: the runners high. Nothing hurts, nothing can stop me and most importantly nothing can bother me. For however long I am running I am completely free of everything that is bothering me or nagging me. I suppose once again I'm lucky; the one thing that brings me inner peace is also great exercise. Also runners get to eat a lot of carbs, and boy do I looooooveeeee carbs. 

So there you have it folks, my philosophy on diet and exercise. Which isn't much of a philosophy, more just do what works for you. I'll never be the girl who constantly denies herself foods that she wants; if I want to eat a bag of chips, you bet I'm eating a bag of chips. Even though I love running and would run everyday, I will also never be the girl to pass up spending time making memories with my friends for a workout. If I did where would you read about ridiculous antics of Midwestern girls?

Healthy Happy Cheers,

Marisa

Free Sushi Is The Best Sushi

Sometimes I go out with the intention of a nice quiet evening. However it rarely happens as things escalate and my nice quiet evening turns into dinner with the bestie, 5 random guys and a lot of drinks. So, the bestie and I had a dinner date Friday night at Sakari because we were both craving some sushi. The place was paaaccckkeed when we got there but we were not discouraged as we really wanted some GD sushi. 25 minutes later however extreme hunger was setting in (and extreme thirst) and we were just about to walk out when this table of guys asked if we'd like to join them. As we love making new friends, and were extremely hungry, we took them up on their kind offer. It was fun, one of the guys looked like Jason Statham, and many saki bombs and saki shots were had. How was the sushi free you ask? Well those nice guys paid for our dinner and drinks. Isn't Des Moines fabulous? 

I knew after dinner that my quiet night was over and figured might as well go all out. So we met up with some friends of ours downtown, more drinking and shots were had, I believe some dancing, and all around fun. Then I had to work on Saturday. Booooo.

While my Friday night was not quiet like I planned, Saturday was even though I had planned on it not being. I got my craft on and worked on some projects I've had in mind for a while.  (Please bear with my blackberry pictures...my camera is missing. If you find it or would like to donate a new one to me, email me.)

So, this is what my wall behind my bed looked like before. I had some wall art up there but it was just so bleh. So with the help of these supplies.

(Canvas, brushes and acrylic paints)

I was able to create this.

Not sure how I feel about the smaller canvases, but I'll deal with it for now. I bought those on a whim without any real worked out plans for them.

How was everyone elses weekend? I can't believe January is over, and we're on to February. Which means spring is just around the corner. So excited for spring shopping, and not having to wear tights with skirts and dresses. Oh and and open toed shoes. Verrry excited for open toed shoes. Have a good Monday everyone!

Cheers,

Marisa

Don't Stop Me Now

Greatings and salutations friends! So last time I posted (forever ago) I said I wasn't going to be a once a month blog poster. It is now November 11th ( Happy Veterans Day!) and this is my first post. Not off to a great start. SO! Update time. I have been on a health kick lately and I must say I feel great! While I am no means a Top Chef, I've made some pretty bomb ass dinners I'd like to share with you. First up:

A homeade whole wheat crust pizza. Toppings include: spinach, red onion, mushrooms, and black olives with pesto instead of marinara sauce. Sooooooooo good, and so easy to make! Next up:

Veggie and egg white frittata. Again, sooo easy and sooo good.

Alright enough about my awesome culinary skills. In other awesome news (and this is so so so so late) but the bestie and I were finalists in Des Moines Metromix's Halloween Costume Contest! I was pretty proud as I never expected to make the finals, but here we are in all our glory.

MY LITTLE PONIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't act like you're not jealous. We were bascially Britney Spears all night because everyone wanted a piece of us.....or maybe just pictures with us. Either way we were VIP all night. And while we didn't win I have to give it up to the winners. Their costumes were super cute, and original.

Whew that was a lot of randomness in one post. It's crazy times what with the Holidays coming up. I'm going to be working like mad the next two months and still need to make time to study for the GMAT. Which I haven't really been doing. BUT! Tommorrow is another day and I will be hitting the books because I WILL be going to grad school next fall. Not going is simply not an option. So internets it's up to you to hold me accountable and make sure my lazy bum stays on top of things.

Okay, time to run. Wooo health kick!

My Little Ponies 4 eva,

Marisa

Excuse me just a minute...

I've been avoiding doing a post completely about A & I for fear of driving everyone away with my giddy little girl antics but you know what? It's my blog and I'll do what I want. So everyone, meet A.

(Please disregard my serious need for a haircut)

I know it's only been a short while but the state of being that I'm in is a complete 180 from a month ago. A month ago I was convinced that I'd never find anyone ever again, that would make me feel special, important and pretty and all that other good stuff. I was so wrong. Okay and I know I said I was done with musicians after my last little mix up but I am telling myself that since A is a jazz musician and not the typical rock and roller I go for, it's a-okay. (No pun intended, haha) I'm having a hard time figuring out what to write, I'm not sure how to put it in words, but it just feels right. Sounds crazy I know, told you crazy girl antics but whatever. He's a nice, smart, caring talented guy and I'm a lucky girl. Plus the Art Center was our first date, and I flipping love the Art Center. So, he wins extra super rainbow glitter points for that. Now all I have to do is take him to Noodle Zoo because he's never been and no one who lives in the DSM should be deprived of Noodle Zoo.

Alright well if you made it all the way through, you're a good friend. And if you're in Des Moines, go to Noodle Zoo. Like now.

What The Shit Is This!

Thats what I'm going to say when I go to the Hyundai dealer with my spark plug cover that is now in pieces. Tonight D replaced my spark plugs on my car as I watched on and learned valuable lessons. Like spark plug covers aren't necessary and can be busted when the one bolt doesn't want to come out. Anyway, big thanks to D for replacing my spark plugs. Now my car is running better and hopefully the check engine light doesn't come back on.

Oh yeah. I forgot to mention, last Thursday my check engine light came on as I was leaving Target. I came back to work and was all like OMG MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON!!!!!!!!!!!! My boss looked at me and was like, "Did you remember to get pickles?", and I was all DID YOU NOT HEAR ME CHECK. ENGINE. LIGHT. Needless to say no one else shared my concern. Apparently those little buggers come on mostly for lame reasons. So here I am freaking out that my car is going explode Michael Bay style while driving down 235 and everyone else is like, you probably didn't put your gas cap on right. Excuse me? I've ahd this car 7 years and that mother effing light has NEVER come on. Luckily my boss was my hero and brought his diagnostic reader thing to work and turns out my O2 sensor was faulty. Okay fine everyone you were right. Michael Bay is going to be so disappointed.

So that brings us up to the spark plug incident. Today I noticed my car idling really low and pretty rough, and I was like great, you win this time Bay. So when I got home safely I googled my problem and who would've thought, there's a forum for Hyundai Accents, and low and behold other people have encountered my exact problem check engine light and all. The fix? Spark Plugs. So wooooo!!!!!!!!!!! Car problem solved.

That was a lot about my car. Sorry. I'm just excited.

To end this is what I made for dinner tonight.

(image via eating well.com )

I recommend you click on that link and make some yourself.

Hope your Monday's were just as exciting. Look for what will hopefully be another awesome car post next Monday as this weekend I will be visiting a junk yard in search of a new spark plug cover.

No I'm Not Watching The Superbowl

I don't really care for football. Nor do I care about commercials that much. Anyway this weekend was a ton of fun. Friday night we hung out at the besties house and watched one of my fav Angelina Jolie movies.

(Crash Override & Acid Burn)

That and Clueless are the best movies from 1995. Anyway, following morning went out to D's lil bro's new place of biznazzz for breakfast since it was his first day and all. Except that it really wasn't his first day because the restaurant isn't open yet. However since we're friends and family known around this town they let us come in while they were having their employee meeting and the lil bro got some cooking experience in his new job by cooking us a delicious breakfast. Oh and it was free. We will definitely be going back.....but when they're open for reals.

After the delish breakfast the bestie and I FINALLY went to the art center. We only live 1 mile away and we've never gone. It was fun and there are some really great works of art there. I recommend if you haven't been there yet. Don't be like me and wait 3 years to go. It's free and a great way to spend an afternoon. Plus their restaurant looked like it had some glorious food. If only we hadn't been stuffed from breakfast...sigh.

That night we went to the bestie's bf's show at House of Bricks in the East Village and enjoyed a fun evening out on the town. Needless to say I've spent most of the day today lounging around the house lacking motivation to do anything. All in all a great weekend.

So a recap of fun things to do: Watch Hackers, Cozy Cafe Breakfast (Located in Waukee), The Des Moines Art Center, and going out and supporting your local Des Moines bands!

And as always remember: Mess with the best, die like the rest!!!!!!!!!!

Apparently turning 25 means.....

Your life goes to hell. Ughhh just thought I'd stop by quickly to tell you all that life is sucking right now to the maxxxxx. Almost a new year, I just keep telling myself that. So far 25 you are not impressing me. Ah well trying to channel my inner Scarlet O'Hara and tell myself that tomorrow is another day. Until then this is how I'm dealing.

(image via google)

I shall only post happy things tomorrow. Promise.