Recipes and DDPs

So I gave up sweets for lent.  This is my third year of doing so.  (The first year I found myself eating candy the next day before I realized what I was doing... oops)  Last year, though, I successfully turned down cookies, cake, and candy until Easter.  So far, I have held strong!  It can be hard at my internship (patients really love to bake treats for their physical therapists).  Other than that I haven't had too much temptation.

I have, however, been bookmarking some great dessert recipes that I am definitely going to try mid-April.  A friend told me about foodgawker.com and I have been spending a little less time facebook stalking and a little more time staring at food.  It is a website that has multiple food blogs with sweet looking recipes.  Yum.

Another thing that has been keeping me satisfied has been Sonic.  Happy Hour is truly one of the great joys in life.  Half price bevs are right up there alongside the first warm days of spring and being front row at a KU basketball game.  My personal fave is the Diet. Dr. Pepper with Vanilla, or as I like to call it, the DVDP.  Yes, I'm drinking one right now.  Yes, I get one whenever I get done with my internship a few minutes early.  Yes, sometimes I switch it up.  Every once in awhile I will add some cherry for a DCVDP.  Once, I mistakenly got a DCDP.  Yes, it was still delicious.

And with that, I must go.  KU is down by almost 20 points right now and they need my entire focus to be on cheering.

Puzzles and Prom

For Christmas, my dad got me a "Days of Tips and Inspiration for College Students" calendar.  It has daily bits of advice such as "Make a new friend in class today" and "Save quarters when you receive change--you'll need them for laundry."  You know, information that is vitally important... when you are entering your freshman year.  (Sorry, dad... I still love it.)

Today's earth-shattering revelation said "No doubt about it--you're super busy.  But be sure to make time for yourself."  So true!  I look over at the two ginormous stacks of paper that are the reasons that I will be super busy over the next few months:  my new Sudoku and Hidato daily calendars.  730 mind-challenging puzzles.  What a challenge!  

Don't worry, though.  I will take breaks for myself.  You know, to do things like figure out where I'm living next year, who I'm living with, how I'm funding my education... little things like that.  I will keep you updated both on the status of my puzzles and the status of my future.

Almost as important as my Hidato success or failures is the prom.  Yes, t

hat's right.  I am that college girl going back to the prom.  Never thought it would happen, but what can you do when true love strikes?  Here is a picture of my date.  He's dreamy.

In other prom news, I went prom dress shopping with my sister today.  She has a real date.  Well, not technically a date, but a to-be date.  She's "on reserve."  Anyway, assuming that her "on reserve" date will actually ask her, we went dress hunting.  After hours of wandering around Kansas City, we found a winner.  It's a cute black and white dress with some lime green ribbon.  It was a great success!

Anywho, it is almost Olympic game time (remember who you are cheering for!) so I'm going to go make some festive treats.  And maybe do a Sudoku or two.  Here's another bit of advice until next time:  "Experience something new.  Participate in an activity you've always wanted to try."

Oh Canada!

I am very excited for the Winter Olympics.  Is there anything better than watching men wearing sparkly purple and pink spandex dance around on ice skates?  Men sweeping the floor in a bulls-eye-esqe game is pretty great too.  Not to mention the excitement of people racing down a mountain, track or slide at faster speeds than my car would even consider.  Opening ceremonies are Friday and we will be celebrating with Olympic Ring cupcakes and games.  You are all invited.

  At my internship we are having an Olympic competition.  Today was draft day.  I will officially be cheering for Canada, South Korea, and The Netherlands.  Plus one more.  That will be determined tomorrow morning.

In the spirit of the upcoming games, here are some fun facts about my countries... you should cheer for them too.

CANADA:  

1.  The baseball glove was invented in Canada (which will help tremendously in the winter Olympics)

2.  Santa Claus is from Canada

3.  Canada also claims to have invented basketball...

SOUTH KOREA:

1.  Has the world's highest estimated national IQ

2.  On the first night of each year, they hide their shoes so a ghost doesn't try them on and steal the pairs it likes - your shoes are stolen, you will have bad luck for the entire year

3.  Bulldog and live squid are popular delicacies

NETHERLANDS:

1.  Home of Heineken beer.

2.  Also home of the Red Light District

3.  There are twice as many bikes as cars

So there's my info. for the day.  I'll keep you updated on my 4th country and its fun facts!

I very strongly dislike winter.

I hate winter.  I hate the feeling being cold more than being sick, being picked last, and being short enough to be an armrest.  I am in more pain walking 10 steps to my car in January than I am at mile 25 of a marathon.  Not only is winter painful, but winter clothes are ugly, uncomfortable and more expensive.  Who would rather wear a winter coat than shorts and a t-shirt?  Flip flops vs snow boots?  Not even a question.

This is why I am pretty upset with Mr. Groundhog.  He has decided that winter gets to last another 6 weeks or something.  Today is February 6.  This means I have approximately 66 days until I feel safe from winter.  The latest I remember it snowing was on my friend's April 13 birthday one year.  So after that date, I consider spring to officially begin and I put away my winter scarves.

Anyway, tomorrow is Super Bowl Sunday and I'm still undecided about who to root for.  After asking almost everyone I know and meet who they are rooting for and why, I still really don't care.  So, if you have a convincing argument as to what colors I should wear tomorrow, let me know.  Until then, I will be officially cheering for funny commercials and good food.

47 things I've done since the last time I blogged

Soooo, I haven't blogged in a few days.  Apparently I can find things to do to entertain myself even when I don't have homework.  Who would have thought?  Anyway, here is a summary of what I have been up to the past few days...

1.  Watched KU dominate Mizzou.  Rock Chalk.

2.  Finished the 4th Twilight book.

3.  Wondered what to read next.

4.  Googled "addicting books"

5.  Went to the library

6.  Found out that the books I was looking for were in the "Young Adults" and "Childrens" sections.

7.  Checked the books out anyway.

8.  Accidentally got one of the books in large print.

9.  Read it anyway.

10.  Complained about the snow.

11.  Ran in the snow.

12.  Complained about running in the snow.

13.  Started up Bible Study for the semester - we are reading Sex God by Rob Bell

14.  Wondered if God would approve of my Harry Potter/Vampire book obsession.

15.  Wondered if God would approve of denying a kid the chance to read the books I checked out from the children's section.

16.  Taught some anatomy.

17.  Taught some more anatomy.

18.  Went out smelling like formaldehyde.

19.  Contemplated telling a stranger who looked like Harry Potter that he had an owl waiting outside.

20.  Chickened out.

21.  Got up early every day for my internship.

22.  Did the crossword at my internship.

23.  Did the jumble at my internship.

24.  Learned some stuff at my internship!

25.  Watched the Bachelor.

26.  Made fun of the Bachelor.

27.  Made fun of all of the women "in love" with the bachelor.

28.  Drove to Salina.

29.  And drove...

30.  ... and drove.

31.  Asked my sister if she could move her musical to 8:30 so I could watch the end of the K/K-State game.

32.  Got the evil eye from my sister.

33.  Watched the first half of the KU/K-State game.

34.  Watched my sister as a dancing spoon in Beauty and the Beast instead of watch the second half of the KU/K-State game.

35.  She was a pretty good dancing spoon.  I'd definitely rate her in the top 5 of all the dancing spoons I've ever seen.

36.  (Probably going to get the evil eye for that comment as well)

37.  Found out KU won!

38.  Didn't even call or text any of my k-state friends to taunt them.

39.  Spend some quality snuggling time with my dog, Mia.

40.  Got some new glasses.

41.  Headed back to Lawrence.

42.  Went to sleep.

43.  Started a new week at my internship bright and early.

44.  Did some puzzles.

45.  Learned some stuff.

46.  Went to my last Chi Omega chapter EVER!

47.  Swapped some stories with Kelly at Starbucks.

Annnd that's about it.  It would have been nice to have an even 50, but I have done nothing else at all, so I'd rather stop at 47 than make up lies.  I'll try to update more often so I don't have to go through so much of my incredibly interesting life in one sitting.

No Homework

I'm thoroughly enjoying my first Saturday of not having homework.  Basketball games all day?  Yes.  Nap?  Yes.  Twilight?  Double Yes.  Speaking of Twilight, if Robert Pattinson (who plays Edward in Twilight and Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter) had been a vampire in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, would he have survived the avada kedavra curse?  I've given this much thought and I believe that he would survive.  Why?  1)  He can run faster than the curse travels.  2)  He would probably take out Voldemort before the curse is even made and 3)  I'm pretty sure that curse couldn't penetrate vampire skin.  Here is what some others think on the topic.  http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090303125300AAK5AIE

Fact:  Smoking one cigarette takes 11 minutes off of your life.  Good thing I've never done it.  (Source:  TV commercial for "Final Smoke" so I'm sure it's very accurate)

Are You G?

Front row seats to KU basketball games are rarer than K-State beating Texas.  Surprisingly, I experienced both events this week.  I can't personally vouch for how it feels to claim a victory over the number one team in the nation, but what I can do is let you in on how it feels to be front and center.  Literally.  Center.  As KU took on the Baylor Bears, my seat was directly behind the basketball goal.  Which was awesome... until the ball travelled inside the three-point line.  Then I had to frantically figure out what the heck happened as I strained my neck to the side.  (Really, is it necessary for those posts to be so thick?)

Despite my struggles, the experience was still pretty dang awesome.  Best part?  Getting to pick the free throw distraction when the other team shoots.  I have always wondered who gets to make the big decision that is a vital factor in the outcome of the game.  Those front row people.  The distraction I picked when it came my turn was unsuccessful.  Mark another point down for Baylor.  Speaking of free throw distractions, the Bears' coach had the audacity to be yelling as KU shot free throws.  Am I wrong on this, or is that something that a coach should have the respect not to do?  I thought that being rude during free throws was something reserved for the immature mouths of college students (particularly those in the front row).  Either way, I thought he was a meanie.

Second best part:  old woman below us who kept yelling profanities at the referees.

Third best part:  Being able to pound on the front barrier during cheers.  It definitely beats the redundancy of clapping hands.

Fourth best part:  Gatorade's "Are You G?" campaign.  Seriously?  I can imagine how this idea came to be.  Some middle-aged men talking at a board meeting about the new slogan.  One man (I like to picture my dad) brings up what "kids these days" are saying.  Hence, "Are you G?" is created.  I understand.  HOWEVER, how in the world did this idea make it to the Fieldhouse?  Does Gatorade not employ anyone under the age of forty?  Did no one think to consider that this slogan is equivalent to talking about "that world wide web" or adults over-using text lingo?  After their failed attempt at being "hip," I have a new idea.  I expect this man to be featured next year...  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkeAzqhlkNk

As a conclusion (I feel like I am writing an essay for AP English), front row seats=awesome (now I feel like I am making a facebook post).  And I must admit, I looked up the KSU-TX record and it was actually not so atrocious.  Wildcats are winning the series 11-9 (don't worry, KU still leads K-State at 177-90).  My front row record is slightly less stellar.  I am 2/76 in my four years here.  

And... it's about my bedtime.  Just another reason why I'm

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