tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60742844000904643332024-02-19T08:52:03.142-08:00Drunk on OpportunityFinding my way in a world with too many optionsAubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-22716415345338561582012-06-25T11:52:00.000-07:002012-06-25T11:52:07.836-07:00Drunk on Opportunity has moved!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi All,<br />
I'm going to shut this version of the blog down soon, please find me at <a href="http://www.drunkonopportunity.com/">http://www.drunkonopportunity.com/</a> !</div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-62277250155703500322012-04-20T06:43:00.001-07:002012-04-20T06:49:34.325-07:00The Best Part of My Week<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I'm a pretty lucky person. I don't know a lot of things, but that's one thing I am absolutely, positively confident about. I lead a charmed life, filled with loving, wonderful, intelligent people. I've never had to go without something I needed. I've been given (and worked my toosh off for) an excellent education. I am healthy. I have everything.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I imagine most of the folks who read this blog (all 5 of your wonderful selves), like me, live in a world that is filled with opportunity. For a long time, I thought everyone saw the world this way: full of potential, available to everyone. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Boy was I wrong.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">For lots of people, opportunity doesn't exist. The world is harsh, full of predators, and it's going to chew you up and spit you out. Whether its because of the conditions of the environment, challenges at home, or an internal battle, not everyone lives in a world with potential. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This is heartbreaking.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I think everyone deserves to feel like tomorrow can be a better day. Everyone deserves to feel like they can change direction and believe that things can be better or different. That's why I am so lucky to be involved with <a href="http://www.backonmyfeet.org/">Back on My Feet</a>. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">BoMF is a "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">national nonprofit organization that is dedicated to creating independence and self-sufficiency within the homeless and other underserved populations by first engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem." </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">They let me run, three days a week, with an incredible team of runners. Some of my teammates are residents at a local shelter, some of my teammates are runners from the neighborhood. We get up at an ungodly hour, start our warmups before the sun is up, and it is the most awesome thing I've done in years. I look forward to waking up at 4:30am to run with this team. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">Some of the individuals I run with, didn't feel like the world held a lot of opportunity. BoMF literally gets folks back on their feet and into a supportive community of runners. There's a lot more to it, but the team running alone has already inspired me and some of my fellow runners into believing that one day at a time, with one foot in front of the other, we can move forward into a future full of opportunity for everyone. There are second, third and fourth chances for all of us. Even if you weren't lucky enough to be brought into the world in a perfect bubble like mine, you can have a bright future.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">I am so grateful to BoMF. They're not solving all the problems of the world. They're giving individuals an opportunity to see what's possible. They're empowering individuals to set goals and reach them. That's pretty powerful stuff. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">Thank you BoMF, and thank you to my fellow runners, for making the 5:30-6:30am hours the best of my week. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">To learn more about Back on My Feet (or to make a donation!), visit <a href="http://www.backonmyfeet.org/">http://www.backonmyfeet.org/</a>.</span></div>
</div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-25191315799792850662012-04-09T11:30:00.000-07:002012-04-09T11:30:21.345-07:00My Accidental PR<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">You know that race I thought I was unprepared for? I SET A NEW PR! A significant one for me, too. I've wanted to run a 10K in under 50 minutes for awhile now, but I wasn't sure if I could. Well check me out you guys, because apparently I got faster!<br />
<br />
<img src="webkit-fake-url://1892065C-7BFF-448D-9792-8F42092EC16A/application.pdf" /><br />
<br />
To be honest with you, this is the first race I ever let myself really push from start to finish. I tend to adopt a cautious pace until I'm mile from the finish, because I'm afraid I'll burn out. On Saturday, however, the weather was perfect, I had no expectations for myself, and I figured if I burnt out it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.<br />
<br />
I ran without a watch, didn't check the time clock when I crossed the start, and just went for it. I knew there were a handful of hills (Central Park can be a beast), so I made sure I wasn't wearing myself out right before each of them, but otherwise I just ran. I kept repeating the phrase "keep following your feet, keep following your feet." In a lot of ways this race was completely about me listening to my body and turning off my brain. It went like this,<br />
<br />
Brain: This is kind of hard. We should probably slow down a little bit. I'm afraid you're going to wear out.<br />
<br />
Body: I got this. Take an hour off and just follow the feet.<br />
<br />
Brain: .......<br />
<br />
It was actually pretty great. After the race I literally got a water, did a U-turn and got on the subway since I had to shower before my family came in to sight see for the day. I knew I had just run a great race, but I didn't think about my time; I was feeling good and I just went about my day. Imagine my thrill when I checked the race results yesterday and found that I shaved almost 3 minutes off my best time!<br />
<br />
The whole thing has me wondering what I can accomplish if I really go balls to wall. Could I run a sub-2 half? Can I shave 20 minutes off of my marathon time? Run an ultra (.....ummmm stop.)? Ok, so some goals might be more realistic than others, but it's cool to think that I'm improving as a runner, even though I'll probably never win a race.<br />
<br />
What are some of your fitness goals? Do you prefer to strive to do your best instead of setting benchmarks?<br />
<br />
</div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-78021035066816405172012-04-06T16:06:00.000-07:002012-04-06T16:06:53.075-07:00Motivation: Lost and Found<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Remember back in January when I was supposed to run the Manhattan Half but it sort of got snowed out/I was too lazy to run it if I didn't have to?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.fasterskier.com.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/oldsitearchive/upload/051127trackshot1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://images.fasterskier.com.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/oldsitearchive/upload/051127trackshot1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Well I was very much not ready to run that race. I took a bit of a break from running over the holidays and it took me all of January and February to get back on the horse. Now I am by NO means in training mode, but I've been getting in a consistent 15 or so miles every week, which, for my "off-season" is acceptable (not ideal, but life goes on).<br />
<br />
Anyhow, my first actual race (that I AM going to show up to) is tomorrow and I'm pretty excited! It's a 10K, so it's small beans and I'll be slow as molasses, but I'm psyched because... (Run on sentence much?) I'm using this race as the kick start to my half marathon training for the BROOKLYN HALF!<br />
<br />
This popular NYRR race, that I've been trying to run for the past three years is always sold out before I get the memo. This year, I stalked that registration site like a cat on a piece of twill and I got it! So on May 19th I will run from lovely prospect park down to the coney island boardwalk to devour a nathan's hotdog before 10am. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/images/11/2011/07/xlarge_myownhotdog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/images/11/2011/07/xlarge_myownhotdog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes all you need to motivate yourself is within you...other times, you need a reward. Do you give yourself rewards for consistent training and strong performances?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">What works? What doesn't?</div></div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-69378601469012932042012-03-20T20:13:00.000-07:002012-03-20T20:13:08.144-07:00I flew the coop<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Sometimes a girl's just got to pretend she doesn't have a blog, right?<br />
<br />
A few things happened that put me on a wild spiral into no man's land<br />
<br />
1) I finished my last full time gig and started freelancing ,<br />
2) My PC died and I upgraded to a MacBook (i'm still figuring things out).<br />
3) I went to New Orleans on my first vacation in three years.<br />
4) My graduate thesis is in the works. (blank stare)<br />
<br />
Sooo, as soon as I get myself together, I'm going to upload those pics from my trip and tell you all about the amazing food we ate.<br />
<br />
<3 aubrie</div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-58483803046406464872012-02-13T19:36:00.000-08:002012-02-13T19:36:42.862-08:00My Favorite Date Spot (in honor of Valentine's Day)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A few years ago, one of my favorite people introduced me to <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=wo+hop&fb=1&gl=us&hq=wo+hop&hnear=0x89c24fa5d33f083b:0xc80b8f06e177fe62,New+York,+NY&cid=0,0,1271446171240506981&ei=2dA5T4HfIKjk0QGSrPisCw&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&ved=0CBwQ_BI">Wo Hop</a> (17 Mott Street, downstairs, go NOW). Lucky for me, we still go there. It's a hole in the wall Chinese restaurant that's been a favorite of locals and tourists alike for more than 30 years. I know some awesome folks who've been going there since the 70s...and let's be real, lower Manhattan in the 70s was not such a great place to be, so it'd have to be reallllllly delicious to make that trek, no?<br />
<br />
Anyhow, Wo Hop is incredible, and it's SUCH a fun place to go on a date, be it your first or your thousandth. If you go on a Friday or Saturday, or really any day when it's decent out, expect a line coming out of the ground, but trust me, stay and wait! When you get seated, I need you to order the wonton soup. I promise you, it is the best wonton soup you will ever have.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 0px;"><a class="rapidnofollow" data-track="photo-click" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/75639638@N04/6873286545/in/photostream" id="yui_3_4_0_3_1329189317608_1171" style="background-color: transparent !important; color: white; display: inline-block; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="IMG_0120" border="0" class="pc_img" height="180" id="yui_3_4_0_3_1329189317608_1170" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7047/6873286545_c82ec52022_m.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="240" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The crunchy noodles are optional, but they're pretty good too. The wonton soup is NOT optional. SO GOOD. According to my favorite, Wo Hop is a "noodle place" so he always get's lo mein. It's pretty good, but I like to get a little bit of vegetables in my meal, so I often go with the chicken with broccoli. The broccoli is always fresh and just cooked enough.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 0px;"><a class="rapidnofollow" data-track="photo-click" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/75639638@N04/6873290835/in/photostream" id="yui_3_4_0_3_1329189317608_1155" style="background-color: transparent !important; color: white; display: inline-block; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="IMG_0121" border="0" class="pc_img" height="180" id="yui_3_4_0_3_1329189317608_1154" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6873290835_be05847b2b_m.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="240" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Luckily, the portions at Wo Hop are ginormous, so you can share dishes with YOUR favorite person. (Honestly, it's technically all family style...except for the wonton soup, DO NOT SHARE, get your own.) When all is said and done, I guarantee you'll be so full and happy, if you weren't love in the way in, you'll be in love on the way out ;)~</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 0px;"><a class="rapidnofollow" data-track="photo-click" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/75639638@N04/6873294207/in/photostream" id="yui_3_4_0_3_1329189317608_1185" style="background-color: transparent !important; color: white; display: inline-block; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="IMG_0122" border="0" class="pc_img" height="180" id="yui_3_4_0_3_1329189317608_1184" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/6873294207_638f5ec535_m.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="240" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">How could I not love a restaurant that sends me home with this message?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Valentine's Day!!</div></div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-37112686412359318642012-02-11T20:59:00.001-08:002012-02-11T21:00:29.835-08:00PitzaNom Nom Nom<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGiqAgHgbspfkgAJdHGGphP28ndtljAg56VcUCoO_ByGAAPHyuzNdMyafqnCdwxsVN37nlOQdYoPGdqGcPYMIxYGjrYa_w7SBxeImRQksr3LJaouyvThqTRhpPMRX1Wow8saC8BfU-bw/s640/blogger-image--1370094169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGiqAgHgbspfkgAJdHGGphP28ndtljAg56VcUCoO_ByGAAPHyuzNdMyafqnCdwxsVN37nlOQdYoPGdqGcPYMIxYGjrYa_w7SBxeImRQksr3LJaouyvThqTRhpPMRX1Wow8saC8BfU-bw/s640/blogger-image--1370094169.jpg" /></a></div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-88734733906022593582012-02-06T18:16:00.000-08:002012-02-06T18:16:22.382-08:00My Favorite Snack Right Now<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I don't know about you, but I go through phases with my tastes. Lately I have been digging ice cream, probably because I realized that vanilla ice cream is fantastic with warm fruit. Here's how it works.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/75639638@N04/6797478609/" title="Untitled by AubrieF, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="180" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6797478609_97077fd2d6_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
1) Pour some frozen berries in a bowl.<br />
2) Microwave it<br />
3) Add ice cream<br />
4) Enjoy the amazing deliciousness of summer in the middle of winter<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/75639638@N04/6797479441/" title="Untitled by AubrieF, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6797479441_ebc5bbf095_m.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />
YAY!<br />
<br />
</div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-5835356549101641932012-02-02T19:15:00.000-08:002012-02-02T19:15:43.399-08:00Newsflash: I Crave Structure<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Ok so.. for someone in the world, working part time from home is dream come true. Forgive me for sounding ungrateful, but I'm not that person. I like to busy, frantic even. I'm only working collectively, say 15-20 hours per week, and since I only have one class and my thesis is plugging along, well...I have too much time on my hands.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://c921913.r13.cf2.rackcdn.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/timeonmyhands.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #003366; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-9177" height="207" src="http://c921913.r13.cf2.rackcdn.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/timeonmyhands-300x207.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="timeonmyhands" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo borrowed from raywj.com </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div>Frankly, all this free time is making me feel a little listless.<br />
<div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="photo" height="448" id="imageChecker-13282385442360" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6801837733_cc81050588_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline-block; image-rendering: optimizequality; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="336" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frankenstein wishes he was busy too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So I've decided, if a job & school won't do it, I'm going to have to schedule myself within an inch of my life. Because let's be real, if I have four hours to write a blog post, go for a run, take a shower and write a press release it ain't gonna happen...buuut, if I have 30 mins to write a blog post, 1 hour to go for a run, 30 mins to get dressed and showered and an hour to write a press release, I'll also manage to write a chapter of my Master's thesis & knock out some strength training in those four hours. I just need to be structured.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"></span></div><div><br />
</div><div>This is totally normal, right?</div><div><br />
</div><div>So part one of this plan is to get up at the same time everyday and workout as if I were super busy. Morning runs and workouts are coming back folks. I'll let you know how it goes!</div></div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-59425180041076673882012-01-31T19:17:00.000-08:002012-01-31T19:17:13.524-08:00January NYC Bloggers Playdate<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This past weekend, Keelie of <a href="http://sweatequalssuccess.blogspot.com/">Sweat = Success</a> (it really does, she is living, breathing proof), organized another fabulous NYC Bloggers Playdate! I love getting to know other bloggers and fitness enthusiasts, the ladies who I've met at these get togethers are so awesome.<br />
<br />
This month, Dasha Libin of <a href="http://www.kettlebellkickboxing.com/">Kettlebell Kickboxing</a> hosted us for a class. I'm not going to lie, I took a kettle bell class recently (for the first time) and I was so sore afterwards that I walked down stairs sideways for four days (I wish I was kidding, ask my friends and family), so I was...intimidated. Unfortunately, I love a challenge and am physically incapable of saying no to a free workout (fact).<br />
<br />
<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/75639638@N04/6797468013/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Untitled by AubrieF, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6797468013_9268629e68_m.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kettlebells!</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
Dasha and her co-teachers were 1)fantastic and 2) hot. I don't know about you, but when I walk into a fitness class and the teacher looks amazing, I want to be doing what she's doing. They walked us through each of the exercises and corrected our form (SO important and SO often neglected in fitness classes). By the end, I was a sweaty mess who couldn't wait to come back for more.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpn5u8AvoqRZxBqoKSEhCt4_neAAK40bMqj6uf-SHJ3AN4qzQtzOmm0p4W4yZtH101Ojzr_Ga0QEsSwIJY5hGvCyrkPxQBCaWMV9_gL-djEbJPPcQs1Dpr7MmEVgId9O0BAHAkf-WC2js0/s1600/IMG_7005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #ff3f23; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpn5u8AvoqRZxBqoKSEhCt4_neAAK40bMqj6uf-SHJ3AN4qzQtzOmm0p4W4yZtH101Ojzr_Ga0QEsSwIJY5hGvCyrkPxQBCaWMV9_gL-djEbJPPcQs1Dpr7MmEVgId9O0BAHAkf-WC2js0/s400/IMG_7005.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(234, 234, 234); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(234, 234, 234); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(234, 234, 234); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(234, 234, 234); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole gang (photo from <a href="http://sweatequalssuccess.blogspot.com/">Sweat = Success</a>)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>If you know me, you would guess that I was very very hungry at this point, and you would be right. Luckily, part of the NYC Blogger Playdate always involves food (let's be real about why I go)! We headed deep into Chinatown to check out Buddha Bodai, a vegetarian dim sum restaurant. We didn't know when we started on our journey that we would end up in the midst of the Chinese New Year.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><img alt="photo" height="400" id="imageChecker-13280651065650" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6797470369_cf218f306f_z.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline-block; image-rendering: optimizequality;" width="300" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">FLAGS! (this one's for C-Lou)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/75639638@N04/6797469601/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Untitled by AubrieF, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6797469601_9654854950_m.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragons! (Also reminded me to be excited about <i>Game of Thrones</i> Season 2)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When we finally made it to the restaurant we were really hungry, but there were about a million and five delicious sounding options on the menu, so deciding was yet another adventure.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/75639638@N04/6797471023/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Untitled by AubrieF, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6797471023_c148bb7268_m.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">serious menus demand serious concentration</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>In the end I could't settle on one item (shocking, I know). I split some dumplings with my friend Colleen, rocked a wonton soup & spicy rice noodles with eggplant.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/75639638@N04/6797472601/" title="Untitled by AubrieF, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6797472601_08743053b3_m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/75639638@N04/6797473429/" title="Untitled by AubrieF, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6797473429_c6eb8b173e_m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><br />
All good things folks, all good things. Finally, full & exhausted, we took a picture (we are bloggers) and called it a day!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtZTmA4kAuway6IwkoaNe8EwGm_Q9CdzZB_kaX46ak2nOJ0MlFcmO7ZvmSiPW-9OywVCRYg1HSg5xJXjFsyMDJNygvwTYkWp-z5G7N9AF3LHskmDEz3dgyi0HNCEWErpxt_CmFXYMlihj/s1600/IMG_7071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #ff3f23; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtZTmA4kAuway6IwkoaNe8EwGm_Q9CdzZB_kaX46ak2nOJ0MlFcmO7ZvmSiPW-9OywVCRYg1HSg5xJXjFsyMDJNygvwTYkWp-z5G7N9AF3LHskmDEz3dgyi0HNCEWErpxt_CmFXYMlihj/s400/IMG_7071.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(234, 234, 234); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(234, 234, 234); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(234, 234, 234); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(234, 234, 234); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></span></div>From left to right: Keelie (<a href="http://sweatequalssuccess.blogspot.com/">Sweat = Success</a>), Toni (<a href="http://www.runninglovingliving.com/">Running, Loving, Living</a>), Ashley (<a href="http://frecklesandspice.com/">Freckles & Spice</a>), Me, my beautiful friend Colleen, Meredith (<a href="http://dareyouto.blogspot.com/">Dare You To</a>), and Erika (<a href="http://shoeshirtsandothersht.com/">Shoes Shirts & Other Sh!t</a>)<br />
<br />
There were lots more bloggers around for the workout, but alas I do not know them all! If you want to know about the next NYC Blogger Playdate/want to talk about blogging/plan a fun event everyone should go to, let me know!</div></div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-2987150427993501832012-01-29T19:42:00.000-08:002012-01-29T19:42:24.137-08:00Working from Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="mobile-photo">Last week I finished my internship and began life as a freelancer. Nowadays, I work from home for two companies on a project basis. It's been...an adjustment. I'm a little bit high strung, so being in the house all day can be a challenge. When I'm not doing work, I've found lots of ways to amuse myself. </div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">Up first, LOTS of running. The weather outside had been gorgeous and I've been taking advantage of it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4Njnar3Swc3Ny-xC4mlD2uZP2C62W9vofcDv6uIglrrlGrNBGbk3UImeYVvsrGzPMIStQR5QYfZeozlaqw8_kYHesA3eOxRQeytPJ4cKGSPEt4ECsePtfY9GvqV9E_5VBfVfPdzUF6E/s1600/prospectpark2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4Njnar3Swc3Ny-xC4mlD2uZP2C62W9vofcDv6uIglrrlGrNBGbk3UImeYVvsrGzPMIStQR5QYfZeozlaqw8_kYHesA3eOxRQeytPJ4cKGSPEt4ECsePtfY9GvqV9E_5VBfVfPdzUF6E/s320/prospectpark2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Sometimes a run will make you hungry. If you have a midtown meeting, you can meet your favorite person for lunch at a diner and order this amazing dish:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDzKbvZGdLb-ReAndJxytI2eVWc8hnyiuKR2ogqW2L7vZ1KOkXEM76ZdWpfDZG0n_YETmSA4mEb5_JkBWs-0mMMGyzEmnnGix7FxrdrfvT0e59UoUEeIHWt9pzoxN8DJBoZ3_mDyIXHA/s1600/photo-795574.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701654534431090546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDzKbvZGdLb-ReAndJxytI2eVWc8hnyiuKR2ogqW2L7vZ1KOkXEM76ZdWpfDZG0n_YETmSA4mEb5_JkBWs-0mMMGyzEmnnGix7FxrdrfvT0e59UoUEeIHWt9pzoxN8DJBoZ3_mDyIXHA/s320/photo-795574.JPG" /></a></div>This was by far the freshest most delicious gyro with greek salad I've ever gotten at a diner. It was incredible. Maybe if you walk past a Bikram Yoga place every day, you could pay $20 for the unlimited introductory week and learn the glory that is lying in your own sweat (overshare, sorry).<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Bitstream Vera Sans', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;"><img src="http://s3-media4.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/lbnwTxk-mC0lkETNyCkcwQ/l.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; height: 330px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 40px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 337px;" /></span></div><br />
I liked it, but at the regular price, I won't be able to afford to go week after week. Le sigh. <br />
<br />
Do you ever work from home? What do you fit into your day when you don't have to go into the office?</div><div class="mobile-photo"><span id="goog_1740301177"></span><span id="goog_1740301178"></span></div></div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-22682945212593029742012-01-24T16:36:00.000-08:002012-01-24T16:36:26.919-08:00Delicious Food Week & Healthy(er) Beef Stew<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
<br />
I am officially dubbing the fourth week of January 2012, Delicious Food Week. I have been eating so much amazing food it is ridiculous. It all started on Saturday when I headed out to Brighton Beach for Ukranian Food at Cafe Glechik.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZ-jWrh_AYhSif_66Srie9IIdQ0mcqKVtIE_j-xOvsMcy09Im4cAPvppwykbKi7GrdEgUJ1eVwM8sSdPSNRXhYAL_jdW2G2P6n2cy7E_vLIRSMWt3Kk3l7NFuR0SIIy03EwNVOIcixOc/s1600/Glechik+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZ-jWrh_AYhSif_66Srie9IIdQ0mcqKVtIE_j-xOvsMcy09Im4cAPvppwykbKi7GrdEgUJ1eVwM8sSdPSNRXhYAL_jdW2G2P6n2cy7E_vLIRSMWt3Kk3l7NFuR0SIIy03EwNVOIcixOc/s320/Glechik+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In all honesty, I could not tell you what any of those things were, but they were delicious. My grad school classmates (aka some pretty awesome women who I adore) and I had a slew of appetizers, split several entrees family style and got dessert! (Did you know pierogis came in a dessert variety?) I won't tell you just how affordable it was, but I HIGHLY recommend this place.<br />
<br />
On Sunday, the Giants were gunning for the NFC Championship so I naturally went to dinner at the home of my favorite Giants fans. I TOTALLY forgot to take pictures of the food, but we had a straight up delicious home cooked meal of chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, sauteed carrots and salad. You can imagine that, right?<br />
<br />
Since I indulged all weekend, I'm trying to integrate some delicious into my healthy weekdays. Toast with peanut butter, sliced apple and cinnamon? That makes the cut! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700171682183141906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46Gi3D6KgMGtRSbCVp1lgvXlORT7eu4GqcrsBZEHEeHRRGxOYvF7IGGMDtA0y2jo7HGwgFpT0vemZc8N1S0IYcNZhyphenhyphenMjPKPxTxV7Dssi-3fk-MGt1JFj_ALhDa1FH2ylxR4q6vyV_6vQ/s320/photo-741264.JPG" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Also on the list of delicious goodness: BEEF STEW! I know, I know, it doesn't sound very healthy, but here's why it is. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> 1) I used naturally lean beef from Trader Joe's</div><div style="text-align: left;">2) I used vegan vegetable stock with sea salt (the sodium on this stuff is WAY lower than typical stock & is chock full of delicious herbs</div><div style="text-align: left;">3) I folded in a tablespoon of flax seed meal for some extra omega 3s</div><div style="text-align: left;">4) I added collard greens and kale!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaprlx5hB_smqw8dDW9pfnobiagbXrVITVaJ3LywQeEgSMat0y9aABpl4_9kfNOEZAYsQPTtbkIZwm55IE0K8TBvwoJs6WsxbC2LAzjAgvhIS0y-2xycwVuB59P6QVnUrBANGNyyD884/s1600/Stew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaprlx5hB_smqw8dDW9pfnobiagbXrVITVaJ3LywQeEgSMat0y9aABpl4_9kfNOEZAYsQPTtbkIZwm55IE0K8TBvwoJs6WsxbC2LAzjAgvhIS0y-2xycwVuB59P6QVnUrBANGNyyD884/s320/Stew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Juiced up/Scaled Down Beef Stew (a made up recipe from yours truly)</div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ingredients</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1.5 lbs lean beef cubed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tbsp olive oil</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 white onion sliced or diced</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 cubes low sodium vegetable stock</div><div style="text-align: left;">4 cups of water</div><div style="text-align: left;">3 potatoes cubed to desired size (I cut em pretty big since you want them to stew a long time)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5 large carrots cubed to desired size</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 tbsp flaxseed meal</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 tbsp flour</div><div style="text-align: left;">3 cups of tough greens (any variety will do)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Brown meat in the pot with olive oil, once lightly browned on all sides add onion, simmer on LOW for 10 minutes. Add water and vegetable stock cubes (or 4 cups of low sodium vegetable stock), cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add potatoes and simmer for 1 hour on LOW. Add carrots and simmer on LOW for another hour. Mix flour with a little bit of water and add to pot, stir until it is completely dissolved. Stir in tough greens, cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">You don't have to follow my instructions exactly, basically if you put everything in a pot and cook it covered on the lowest possible heat for as long as you can wait, it will turn out delicious. It isn't exactly a salad in terms of nutrition/calories, but it's a pretty delicious way to get some things that are good for you!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy eating :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div></div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-56896938135263988492012-01-21T11:51:00.000-08:002012-01-21T11:51:54.372-08:00What do you do when your race is snowed out?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">So I was supposed to be running the Manhattan Half Marathon this morning, but because NYC got its first snow of the year, they made it a "non-competitive event" that you didn't have to run to get credit for. If I was a good runner, or lived near Central Park, I would've bundled up and gotten out there to run 13.1 miles in the snow for fun...but I'm not a good runner. I'm a bit on the lazy side, and getting that 9 + 1 credit for 2013 from the warmth of my own bed... well that's just awesome. So at 5:30, I went BACK to bed to the sound of plows pummeling down the street. </div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">At 9:30 I got up for real, made myself a delicious cup of coffee from the french press (this is my new favorite thing EVER), </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiy83hDW4t4_m444EfO2v_JaIB7LDUl91yx317qxW7EhrNQR_Ec3-C6dljUuXtqHyhdREOLBmuKFPDaczN0AQ91QHYqrLDQWRABnmvBOI3W-XyAaVzVlQ9_QtGQnvY9oz9PObaQYMzqCI/s1600/photo-760843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700171761172870738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiy83hDW4t4_m444EfO2v_JaIB7LDUl91yx317qxW7EhrNQR_Ec3-C6dljUuXtqHyhdREOLBmuKFPDaczN0AQ91QHYqrLDQWRABnmvBOI3W-XyAaVzVlQ9_QtGQnvY9oz9PObaQYMzqCI/s320/photo-760843.JPG" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"> made some toast with peanut butter, apple and cinnamon, and eased into the day.</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700171682183141906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46Gi3D6KgMGtRSbCVp1lgvXlORT7eu4GqcrsBZEHEeHRRGxOYvF7IGGMDtA0y2jo7HGwgFpT0vemZc8N1S0IYcNZhyphenhyphenMjPKPxTxV7Dssi-3fk-MGt1JFj_ALhDa1FH2ylxR4q6vyV_6vQ/s320/photo-741264.JPG" /> </div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">Since I played the snow day card on this morning's race I resolved to head to the gym. I knocked out an hour long vinyasa class, ran a mile on the track and did a 20 minute plyometric workout in which I sweat like a (insert expletive here). Yay sweat! </div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46Gi3D6KgMGtRSbCVp1lgvXlORT7eu4GqcrsBZEHEeHRRGxOYvF7IGGMDtA0y2jo7HGwgFpT0vemZc8N1S0IYcNZhyphenhyphenMjPKPxTxV7Dssi-3fk-MGt1JFj_ALhDa1FH2ylxR4q6vyV_6vQ/s1600/photo-741264.JPG"></a></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">This afternoon I'm headed to <a href="http://glechik.com/Welcome_to_Cafe_Glechik.html">Cafe Glechik</a>, a Ukrainian restaurant in Brighton Beach with my fabulous grad school classmates. I'm sure I'll have some fantastic food & friend photos for you later!</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46Gi3D6KgMGtRSbCVp1lgvXlORT7eu4GqcrsBZEHEeHRRGxOYvF7IGGMDtA0y2jo7HGwgFpT0vemZc8N1S0IYcNZhyphenhyphenMjPKPxTxV7Dssi-3fk-MGt1JFj_ALhDa1FH2ylxR4q6vyV_6vQ/s1600/photo-741264.JPG"></a></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">Do you still run outside when its snowing? How bad does it have to be for you to call it a snow day?</div></div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-56186188598061246822012-01-17T18:56:00.000-08:002012-01-17T18:56:07.374-08:00A Long Wintry Weekend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This weekend was COLD man. Luckily, I had some work to do inside so I didn't feel too guilty staying in, on the couch, with a mug of hot whatever. Hot whatever started with the first cup of coffee from my new French Press (a present to myself for nailing my third semester of straight A's. Grad school = 0, Aubrie = 4.0)!<br />
In case you were wondering, the coffee was delicious, but I was too excited to remember to take a picture.<br />
<br />
On Friday night I went to this KILLER kettlebell class that kicked. my. butt. No joke, folks, I was dripping sweat on the floor of the YMCA cardio room and my legs are stilllll sore (4 days later?!). Needless to say it was all kinds of awesome and I can't wait to go back! However, the sore made me even more of a couch potato and after an unsuccessful mile on Saturday morning, I retreated to netflix and a warm blanket.<br />
<br />
On Sunday my parents came up for the day, and my mom suggested going to Central Park...on that tepid 18 degree day. Really, mom? I talked her into the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian in Battery Park (inside) and a trip to the World Trade Center Memorial (less outside than Central Park?). We had a great day, and I have to say I was incredibly impressed with the WTC memorial.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOjOM5TvC1-8h-b-rAZiOu1nopiJUiBryDMCPjeyLpLJNsPcxC6Tbc4OKNyIb_rJeaTYtjZXRr9_viyY-V3ozJ3lfjdk34RQfbT9A_aLnQ_ELCGDRhVW82k1KDgE1qh186CtlY-vzY1I/s1600/photo-785803.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698798774974989474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOjOM5TvC1-8h-b-rAZiOu1nopiJUiBryDMCPjeyLpLJNsPcxC6Tbc4OKNyIb_rJeaTYtjZXRr9_viyY-V3ozJ3lfjdk34RQfbT9A_aLnQ_ELCGDRhVW82k1KDgE1qh186CtlY-vzY1I/s320/photo-785803.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Because the water cascades down two levels of darkness it gives you an incredible sense of loss and weight. You can't see the bottom, it's just this endless drop. It's powerful and beautiful and captures what an enormous loss that day was for our country.<br />
<br />
After the memorial it was time for the game! Now, I'm an Eagles fan through and through, but my dad grew up in New Jersey, so he has a soft spot for the Giants, and my boyfriend's a huge Giants fan, so we were cheering on the G-men this weekend. We watched the game at this awesome bbq/mexican place in Park Slope called <a href="http://rachelsgrill.com/media/rachels.html">Rachels</a>. They have $4 margaritas (yay!) and this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfp7kX-pJizNb_Z3Or09sF0ztx6dzAQ_TkPe51nY0-8HqO9y_S63GQSt-U15Wqiuy449kYl0hSxtlr1MSVWew6Za5S0u-W6HQQCkP06TCVho2ZE4FVqpCShS0uhXJZFxjRznbh-2CJa3E/s1600/burrito.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfp7kX-pJizNb_Z3Or09sF0ztx6dzAQ_TkPe51nY0-8HqO9y_S63GQSt-U15Wqiuy449kYl0hSxtlr1MSVWew6Za5S0u-W6HQQCkP06TCVho2ZE4FVqpCShS0uhXJZFxjRznbh-2CJa3E/s1600/burrito.jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOjOM5TvC1-8h-b-rAZiOu1nopiJUiBryDMCPjeyLpLJNsPcxC6Tbc4OKNyIb_rJeaTYtjZXRr9_viyY-V3ozJ3lfjdk34RQfbT9A_aLnQ_ELCGDRhVW82k1KDgE1qh186CtlY-vzY1I/s1600/photo-785803.JPG"><br />
</a><br />
Can you say HOLY GUACAMOLE? That was my dad's dinner. It was huge. For reference, that's an iPhone at the top right corner of the photo. The width of this burrito was longer than an iPhone! He ate about 2/3 of that thing, which I personally find very impressive (and potential inspired by the $4 margaritas). I had a taco/enchillada combo with black beans and rice that was just right. I will definitely be going back there soon.<br />
<br />
Now, where am I going to watch the games this weekend?<br />
<br />
</div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-42140834095061422112012-01-15T09:04:00.000-08:002012-01-15T09:04:04.793-08:00Bagel Friday!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWtfpUtg-r4uPSPgVSGXU-0A7vgcXq-pmd_mtDMxg4UaP02Ba7hCzBPHU3cNttiK0KzFvezHTQZCg8BBT6_oX3WYmMc1t-MB9-Pcp32DxMzRgwifZztnZaRZEbGln0PAMkK8yYBK9M0c/s1600/photo-776117.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697143451526123682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWtfpUtg-r4uPSPgVSGXU-0A7vgcXq-pmd_mtDMxg4UaP02Ba7hCzBPHU3cNttiK0KzFvezHTQZCg8BBT6_oX3WYmMc1t-MB9-Pcp32DxMzRgwifZztnZaRZEbGln0PAMkK8yYBK9M0c/s320/photo-776117.JPG" /> </a></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;">whole wheat bagel with strawberry cream cheese = awesome start to the weekend </div></div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-32848099702831465492012-01-12T20:41:00.000-08:002012-01-12T20:41:45.821-08:00Boring Dinners and a Late Start to 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">So the big event I've been planning at work FINALLY came and went and now I'm on the path to a regular life again. After the craziness of the past few months, I'm definitely looking forward to having some time to myself to refocus and relax. I hope to stop eating dinners that look like this:</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696588445982397378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8hO2PnebjzVV4-gowqPaq1WrMRD2u9YLtO4WpJ9ui3XUcPx20j9odjeKC3utzcylVdgsPGgvk26-2aQNJ4Ouo2nUpJAntu4WoYHQmxsTebl_nkVrOVEfzEuRcyjdff6lF2I2TqtPW3M/s320/photo-754078.JPG" /><br />
(morningstar farm "buffalo wings" and frozen veggies)</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">and start eating meals that look more like this:</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://herbivoracious.com/images/old/6a00e008d618bb88340120a5ef3354970b-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://herbivoracious.com/images/old/6a00e008d618bb88340120a5ef3354970b-800wi.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"> (homemade ministrone from <a href="http://herbivoracious.com/">herbivoracious.com</a>)</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">Basically, I want to slow down, enjoy life and take care of myself. I know I'm a little late for the resolution wagon, but I've set a couple of large life changes I want to make in 2012 and smaller goals that I want to accomplish towards them. </div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">1) 2012 is for feeling good.</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">I will take a vacation. I haven't actually taken a vacation in 3 years...unacceptable. One week of 2012 will be devoted to me going somewhere to enjoy myself.</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">I will take care of myself. I'm going to keep my nails done b/c it's something simple I can do to slow myself down and make sure I'm taking care of me. I'm also going to make sure I'm going to the doctor (and dentist) when I should. </div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">I'm running the 2012 NYC Marathon (my second marathon thankyouverymuch). I want to get stronger and faster before I begin training so that it's a more comfortable process this time around. </div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">2) 2012 is for building for the future</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;"> I will start actively saving again. Before I started school I had saved some money, but that got re-invested into my education so my savings are pretty measly right now. I'm going to start putting money away again, and I've already opened a <a href="http://mint.com/">mint.com</a> profile to help me out!</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">I graduate in May (provided I finish me thesis...), so the plan is to find a permanent job in the next few months. While this isn't completely within my control, I'm going to launch the most ambitious job search I can.</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">I will learn about building a business, investing, and owning property so I know what options are available to my inner <strike>hustler </strike>entrepreneur. I will also bring my shoddy knowledge of either Spanish, French or Russian to fluency. I'm bored of being mono-lingual.</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">3) 2012 is for being a responsible citizen</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">I will buy fair trade, organic, or local whenever possible. I will buy vintage, recycled and thrift when I can, make more at home and be more proactive about recycling, reducing the waste I create, and reusing what I can. I will grow herbs!</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">I will volunteer 100 hours in 2012. </div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">I will be more patient, considerate, and respectful of people in my life and strangers (even the ones walking SO SLOW 5 people wide on the sidewalk). Everybody's got it rough sometimes, everyone has somewhere to be, and let's be real, it's not like I'm late for an appointment to save the world.</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">So that's my plan for 2012; to feel good, to build for the future, and to be a responsible citizen. What are your goals and resolutions for 2012? </div></div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-34403986438007446542012-01-11T12:02:00.000-08:002012-01-11T12:02:29.998-08:00January 11, Hot Toddy Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxngcz62dC1qjf632o1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxngcz62dC1qjf632o1_400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
With a blog called Drunk on Opportunity, I have to let you know that today is <a href="http://www.punchbowl.com/holidays/2012/1/11/national-hot-toddy-day">National Hot Toddy Day</a>. In addition to being a delicious way to feel all warm and fuzzy inside, hot toddies are chock full of antioxidants from black tea and cinnamon. <br />
<br />
Celebrate!</div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-21575530982221964672012-01-05T09:40:00.000-08:002012-01-05T09:40:07.956-08:00It's official, I'm in!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="logincaptionBlack">Hey ya'll, I am SWAMPED since the event I've been working on since JUNE is this Monday, but I couldn't wait to tell you my news! </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="logincaptionBlack">NYC Marathon registration status:</span> <span class="logincaption" id="ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_Main_Main_Main_lblRegistrationStatus">Accepted</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://registration.ingnycmarathon.org/App_Themes/Marathon2012/Images/im-in-finish.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://registration.ingnycmarathon.org/App_Themes/Marathon2012/Images/im-in-finish.png" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="logincaption" id="ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_Main_Main_Main_lblRegistrationStatus">!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! </span></div></div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-33118435786224496542012-01-04T19:31:00.000-08:002012-01-04T19:31:42.049-08:002011 Redux<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Things that were great about 2011:<br />
I finished my first year of grad school with a 4.0<br />
I got to usher at the Royal Shakespeare Company's productions at the Park Avenue Armory and therefore see LOTS of amazing Shakespeare<br />
I got to teach a college course AND was asked to return to teach the class next year<br />
I learned A LOT about... A LOT actuallly<br />
I found out I'm a lot stronger than I thought I was<br />
I RAN MY FIRST MARATHON!!!<br />
I got to spend a time with some of my best and oldest friends<br />
<br />
Things that were awful about 2011<br />
It was overwhelmingly busy <br />
I got my heart broken<br />
I was extremely frustrated at my job<br />
There were roaches in my apartment<br />
I felt lower than I've ever felt<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm a very optimistic and usually every year around this time I think, "How could next year be any better than this!?", but not this year. I had thought that 2011 was a pretty rotten year, but looking back it seems like a victory. 2011 was a year full of growing pains. Things that I took for facts were challenged, the limits of my mind, body and sanity were tested, and I hardly had a moment to breathe for the last four months of the year. However, while the stable footing I'd been standing on for the past few years fell out from under me, I've learned that I can stand pretty well on uneven ground. I learned that I can tackle hills, find my balance in the dark, and when I really can't handle it on my own, that I have more amazing people in my life than I ever could have imagined. Yea, a lot of things about 2011 really sucked, but they put me in a great place to start 2012 and I couldn't be more grateful. <br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-44016170246700150892011-12-27T18:06:00.000-08:002011-12-27T18:08:26.587-08:00Christmas Recaps: The Feast of the Seven Fishes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Those of you who are Italian probably know about the "Feast of the Seven Fishes". Basically, it's a Christmas Eve tradition in which families eat seven different courses of delicious FISH! Now, I'm not Italian, but my mom's best friend married into an amazing Italian family and we were adopted into their Feast of Amazingness. Since everyone was obliging enough to let me take photos of EVERY dish, I'm going to share them with you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Course 1- Fish Stew</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuKI4jvt9-afprkLwkBxcrIxoXqogC7LR3EsEwFWttL088DLeZRxM7qIEcMwI7uq_uruiI4tUPYLS3EzXOy7pUrzYSfFLCUD2TRcVNIDMV3C4x9oeeWvsfblGyuCQNFK9zz6RQVfKBPs/s320/1-fish+stew.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Course 2- Tuna in Pasta</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbCCNXbNtEyHryOUTSWoKdHVbMqcwuUNbEESEisvuhnYJeqsE2FfHUvgLh4OD_E64DCjaKjCyGeKJifclhe-Tu24KyWj-_RNxRqtUpbUy7MXIXG-jgsDnmdzHEJu8vDpQoNBO3UG9GcM/s1600/2-+tuna+in+pasta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbCCNXbNtEyHryOUTSWoKdHVbMqcwuUNbEESEisvuhnYJeqsE2FfHUvgLh4OD_E64DCjaKjCyGeKJifclhe-Tu24KyWj-_RNxRqtUpbUy7MXIXG-jgsDnmdzHEJu8vDpQoNBO3UG9GcM/s320/2-+tuna+in+pasta.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Course 3- I forget what this one is (cod maybe?), but was fantastic</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWr2402rwdLuZ5n3cRRwf65A3xm9mVumgrTMvF-tG91iJsqWK_plLzX1fSpPoR6b4xWB8bEYEwebLSsmcjfol1DOGVhF_bf7APfouquNz0mTzWUZcNaUgSDiYFiherl3vqMacR3FN3dk/s1600/3-+fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWr2402rwdLuZ5n3cRRwf65A3xm9mVumgrTMvF-tG91iJsqWK_plLzX1fSpPoR6b4xWB8bEYEwebLSsmcjfol1DOGVhF_bf7APfouquNz0mTzWUZcNaUgSDiYFiherl3vqMacR3FN3dk/s320/3-+fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Course 4- Fried smelt (weirdly YUM)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXr-DyhZxgjatg4YxlNjXsW8iu5mjbxOb9cULxTxfQEUK4eQyzXDXJBbPrKVHTKL6Slg1WuB4dJVAAT3rowZMtFTn-8TBcpJb0Mw4-yFus1xnU09Tx2tIQ8EkqvqKkIhEfNxGA_JDCh_U/s1600/4-+fried+smelt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXr-DyhZxgjatg4YxlNjXsW8iu5mjbxOb9cULxTxfQEUK4eQyzXDXJBbPrKVHTKL6Slg1WuB4dJVAAT3rowZMtFTn-8TBcpJb0Mw4-yFus1xnU09Tx2tIQ8EkqvqKkIhEfNxGA_JDCh_U/s320/4-+fried+smelt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Course 5- Bluefish- this was SO GOOD (I won't give away the secret)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UEEbBbrgW35G_22Agsx1IHOdxUZW3xMDF6Cbp20Z8ouz6zYYLCZe0MMhZsAUGD-EWCAwckYbZJttIen0UQhB4ypej0P01HFBKMRHSvMq8Hj84pvXBlSG98-dJXUpPBD3dyRUbAZojHY/s1600/5-+bluefish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UEEbBbrgW35G_22Agsx1IHOdxUZW3xMDF6Cbp20Z8ouz6zYYLCZe0MMhZsAUGD-EWCAwckYbZJttIen0UQhB4ypej0P01HFBKMRHSvMq8Hj84pvXBlSG98-dJXUpPBD3dyRUbAZojHY/s320/5-+bluefish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Course 6- Scallops in Risotto </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynH_GsVL1KNurkd938WC-60qVgx4C2z9C5-rYQ1E9vr5ZuVRJlkXN24Q3YDWy4JRnFIfH0wrLZR_JWQSAGZMt-QPTrXcRpjzRM0qcS1RRo9wpAOPxHV0B-Nyz2GsNOCF_mtyvg5cV11s/s1600/6-+scallops+in+risotto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynH_GsVL1KNurkd938WC-60qVgx4C2z9C5-rYQ1E9vr5ZuVRJlkXN24Q3YDWy4JRnFIfH0wrLZR_JWQSAGZMt-QPTrXcRpjzRM0qcS1RRo9wpAOPxHV0B-Nyz2GsNOCF_mtyvg5cV11s/s320/6-+scallops+in+risotto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Course 7- Baccala</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYRuGUSPgk2aeB9YtsofuZC3GHdsTc1bw_r9Bmvx-7menkY5_YyRPIe6bohWPJn_RtnIaKGWet4UY2ymlQSTCFzBMcNNSkkAybWXHhGMetvRCPPeNMnjHx70KcWUA8fmFdR3w9Msv2_E/s1600/7-+Bakala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYRuGUSPgk2aeB9YtsofuZC3GHdsTc1bw_r9Bmvx-7menkY5_YyRPIe6bohWPJn_RtnIaKGWet4UY2ymlQSTCFzBMcNNSkkAybWXHhGMetvRCPPeNMnjHx70KcWUA8fmFdR3w9Msv2_E/s320/7-+Bakala.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After all that amazing (healthy) fish, we closed the evening with some killer TIRAMISU! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIQFb0bddQyIBK_OWoHitzrbAbulHGu9EGHjGkZPa2Xq5sEkedNOZ5uMQ3t_-FYal-88y9ixbB5V7XGXiPorc5TpnmNZuuH_tO67uj3_Wl4A2rJVWAeAYICbkH_KOsvpCaqDUiGG1BI0/s1600/8-+tiramisu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIQFb0bddQyIBK_OWoHitzrbAbulHGu9EGHjGkZPa2Xq5sEkedNOZ5uMQ3t_-FYal-88y9ixbB5V7XGXiPorc5TpnmNZuuH_tO67uj3_Wl4A2rJVWAeAYICbkH_KOsvpCaqDUiGG1BI0/s320/8-+tiramisu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">and finally, MY contribution to the evening, a bottle of my favorite, Veuve Cliquot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissskM9e02PDo5IjWhqDhIg_3BPv4aFd892kOipOzPXwgRuwKGapCgydMISGziNWVtroYQQPxWM8OMkromaNp586PG-O7rUFL017gHHXmqdz4F68pYlf7rlhGWwqLFNypbO6_QxbnI0C8/s1600/10-Veuve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissskM9e02PDo5IjWhqDhIg_3BPv4aFd892kOipOzPXwgRuwKGapCgydMISGziNWVtroYQQPxWM8OMkromaNp586PG-O7rUFL017gHHXmqdz4F68pYlf7rlhGWwqLFNypbO6_QxbnI0C8/s320/10-Veuve.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
My Aunt Beth (family by friendship, not blood) broke out these hilarious glasses because one of the couples at dinner surprised us by showing up engaged!! (This proves my theory that if you buy a bottle of great champagne, things will happen that are worth celebrating.) Cheers to the happy couple!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnMscUJO4Q5P4CKogpdVzUpfsLaf05PqFsOuvJWz_CVaQaV64NepvJ_vKDMjjmoobDAoXQYaQ4dM3SEItd9-kSJ40KsaKq5AKz0VqJyKYa9ppkIvkkqwhLR-bj5WKx0ZHUiXjW95FU6g/s1600/9-+the+crew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnMscUJO4Q5P4CKogpdVzUpfsLaf05PqFsOuvJWz_CVaQaV64NepvJ_vKDMjjmoobDAoXQYaQ4dM3SEItd9-kSJ40KsaKq5AKz0VqJyKYa9ppkIvkkqwhLR-bj5WKx0ZHUiXjW95FU6g/s320/9-+the+crew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Many many thanks to the 3 generations of gentlemen who brought all seven fishes to delicious fruition and to the whole family for including my Irish/German/Slovak/English/Extremely American family in this AWESOME tradition.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-3682404027250177562011-12-23T08:34:00.000-08:002011-12-23T08:34:05.912-08:00Holiday Favorites: Day 5- COCKTAIL (and a Secret Santa exchange)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Who likes eggnog? That's like asking who likes ice cream, right? But let's be real, 1 cup of eggnog has something like 400 calories in it, and with all of the wonderful things to be enjoyed over the holidays, I'd rather spend half of those calories on a cookie and drink something a little lighter. To get festive, my favorite cocktail is hot mulled apple cider with whiskey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMgsMKL1vY1ez4ajlEZn9BWrWoZBzPfiBOQ71YmtUVzkjn9yC_6spZTtwD5gDLuRzH3BrcdZpX_jJQXO23PMMDYNXMjAP4lv5fZi1F0dJH9Tb16VWb31wlJ4UUHjMany4VFHi2JhO1Kw/s1600/cider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMgsMKL1vY1ez4ajlEZn9BWrWoZBzPfiBOQ71YmtUVzkjn9yC_6spZTtwD5gDLuRzH3BrcdZpX_jJQXO23PMMDYNXMjAP4lv5fZi1F0dJH9Tb16VWb31wlJ4UUHjMany4VFHi2JhO1Kw/s320/cider.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To make, pour cider into a large pot, add whole allspice, whole cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves and heat, covered on LOW for as long as you'd like. The cider packs a little bit of Vitamin C, the spices (esp cinnamon) deliver antioxidants, and even with the whiskey, one drink clocks in at about 200 calories. And those 200 calories you saved by skipping the eggnog? How about a couple of dark chocolate covered pretzels?</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkg2FcN-LSNwVqdNw181LM4LmTqNGnlzuJjHsSKL_GGHWS3xZJAsJOzAGc0ENH4oMbNWxEYPI00M_kuKow-cWJz3DBNP-N2qLVEsp7zdiE0Qb1pej8-24S-F3q9UbOkh-hGjIkltsXHUo/s320/pretzels.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last night my amazing classmates (aka girls who run the world) and I held a Secret Santa exchange to celebrate the end of the semester and the holidays! I've often found Secret Santas fail miserably, but I guess we all know each other so well (we do spend EVERYDAY in class together) that this was a smashing success. There was cider and mulled wine (another fave), chocolate covered pretzels, pizza, and lots of festive decorations & heartfelt gifts. And maybe there was some lip syncing to Adele...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl0dGNkRiF3JN6pjSnuIMvrdSa1rbvO5UH8-NGMiF8G0u7Pkcc_Ns5QVy7RAJffd77xdR6uqcSnN4JIyPfV2is0SEY_I50muSFTp17xFDkhHN23_s1pXo7S8-aKQJjQYeGK71SPWhXcY/s1600/lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl0dGNkRiF3JN6pjSnuIMvrdSa1rbvO5UH8-NGMiF8G0u7Pkcc_Ns5QVy7RAJffd77xdR6uqcSnN4JIyPfV2is0SEY_I50muSFTp17xFDkhHN23_s1pXo7S8-aKQJjQYeGK71SPWhXcY/s320/lights.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSceGZLl7U_VEQKH4WiSAfaSTBi6NjXTZ5gDceRyanw6I3I_mWKGTzmgKn5ZiYlcDVm5FXDwf94NvF4EX7uAkx3JyHCmQs6aYZZWCnP7uLK1ZJyyu9VVrftjSHIf2H-Of1Q4wrk9g5x8/s1600/christmastree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNd3mPKtgcgI9elI-vtinIvMT7tH_iGraQ8SH26-WgZECV2kZ3o0Grvqjg6ezH5f4rUnLug4cB8tPnqv3j-lz2-2McFhbbg-QrsfjQ5pmodwliJa8UyNK-_ak-kY2S5r0HmeKeAtS98o/s1600/christmastree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNd3mPKtgcgI9elI-vtinIvMT7tH_iGraQ8SH26-WgZECV2kZ3o0Grvqjg6ezH5f4rUnLug4cB8tPnqv3j-lz2-2McFhbbg-QrsfjQ5pmodwliJa8UyNK-_ak-kY2S5r0HmeKeAtS98o/s320/christmastree.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Have you ever participated in a Secret Santa? How did it go?</div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-37751594717002612422011-12-22T09:15:00.000-08:002011-12-22T09:15:44.970-08:00Because everyone loves a cat in costume<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgOhdiVwjpx5Z_0Pps4QaY5AYhqSlmmGehJkJCQNW4aHl26BMSLni6EpinpaCbkO-WDzzJiZ32dp3h0J2FhyphenhyphenqKdPz4mN-cVipH1TDqHEtXD_X4vLGvlEajYzYlocy-RWUMS27BzbCgOA/s1600/frank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgOhdiVwjpx5Z_0Pps4QaY5AYhqSlmmGehJkJCQNW4aHl26BMSLni6EpinpaCbkO-WDzzJiZ32dp3h0J2FhyphenhyphenqKdPz4mN-cVipH1TDqHEtXD_X4vLGvlEajYzYlocy-RWUMS27BzbCgOA/s320/frank.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>This is Frankenstein. He lives in Brooklyn with me, but spends every Christmas at his country home with my parents. To cover his room and board, he moonlights as holiday entertainment.</div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-74472954674480098962011-12-22T08:58:00.000-08:002011-12-22T08:59:45.369-08:00Holiday Favorites: Day 4- PRESENTS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Everybody loves presents; getting them, giving them. Presents give joy to the gifter and the receiver, but THIS present brings joy even further.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.charitynavigator.org/_gfx_/partners/goodcard_2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.charitynavigator.org/_gfx_/partners/goodcard_2.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Charity Gift Cards!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The "good card" is from <a href="http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=699">Charity Navigator</a> but there are a number of reputable sources that sell these. I gave my mom one for her birthday and she thought it was the greatest thing ever. If you already know someone likes a certain charity, you can also make a donation in their name.<br />
<br />
I don't know about you, but I don't really <i>need </i>anything, so I love the idea that someone could me give a gift that helps someone in need.<br />
<br />
What's the best gift you've ever given/received?</div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-65817594913998316202011-12-21T09:12:00.000-08:002011-12-21T09:12:31.170-08:00Holiday Favorites: Day 3- TRADITIONS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">While some of our holiday traditions have changed over the years, this one has stood the test of time (mostly because its so low maintenance). I LOVE driving around with the family looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve. It doesn't matter if it's just on the way home from wherever we were, we're looking for them and there's something so amazingly peaceful about it. A close to the madness that is holiday preparation and before the insanity that is Christmas Day. (More on how Christmas Eve is my favorite holiday another time.) <br />
<br />
Check out some great Christmas lights in <a href="http://bit.ly/u90tj6">Dyker Heights</a>!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://brooklynbased.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/XmasLights201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://brooklynbased.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/XmasLights201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>photo & linked article from BrooklynBased.net<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Where are the best Christmas lights in your neighborhood?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you have a favorite holiday tradition?</div></div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074284400090464333.post-17739677280337812642011-12-20T08:25:00.000-08:002011-12-20T08:25:07.552-08:00Holiday Favorites: Day 2- MOVIES<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I'm cheating a little today. I have two. One is a classic, the other is a more recent fave.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uvMLfSQrHKE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>A Christmas Story <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cYCkFTyADJ0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Love Actually<br />
<br />
What are your favorite holiday films?</div>Aubriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854927545867034479noreply@blogger.com0