My Perpetual Education

November 20, 2009

Hey there!  I can’t tell you all how much I appreciate your kind and supportive words about my little homecoming weekend!  Everyone experiences homesickness at some point, and it’s almost comforting to know that it doesn’t decrease, no matter your age, distance, or whatever.  I think it’s just the strength of relationships and comfort of being “at home” that makes going back so hard!  Even grown-ups miss their mom(z) ya know?? ;D

Now that I’m back in Beantown, I’m totally recovered and having a blast.  I have enough schoolwork and errands to catch up to keep me supremely busy, ugh!  My roommate and I got our hair cut and went grocery shopping together yesterday, and I’m so happy to be reunited with her!

She did a little decorating for the November-December transition, love it!

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I rarely eat salads for lunch- but I just went with it yesterday!  Topped with tomatoes, Morningstar veggie burger, hummus and carrots.

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My roomie and I were talking about salmon aallll day!!

Luckily TJ’s was stocked up and we made the best meal…

Salm, steamed brocc and brown rice.

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Dessert was coffee + vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles, a classic!

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I love eating out at restaurants, but it felt nice to make all my own meals yesterday!  I woke up this morning to rain, but it’s pretty mellow right now, almost sunny….dare I say??  Which is good, considering I’m not a ball of sunshine myself right now.

I went to a local university today to find out about their nursing program.  I have researched a ton of programs in the area, and I’m currently in the process of taking all my pre-requisites at a community college.  **For my new readers!: I went back to school after getting my bachelor’s in History, so I’m in the midst of finishing my science courses, FUN! ;D**  My problem (one of them), is that obviously every school has different pre-req’s for their programs, so for every school I look at, I either need one specific class or another, before I can even apply.  I’ll be done with the main ones next semester, by May, but most of the colleges take applications between now and next February.  This basically means that I can’t even apply until next Fall (2010), or Spring of 2011.  I guess I’m just frustrated because I don’t want to be in school forever, and I don’t know how long I will be in Boston.  I know that I’m young and life is just happening, ya know!?  But it’s hard because I am by nature, such a planner and organizer….(MUST.BE.IN.CONTROL!)  I am trying to just keep my head in the game, and finish my classes, A by A, in order to have the best possible chance to get in wherever I choose to attend.  I just get really discouraged when I meet with professors and advisors, and feel like I hit a dead-end at every turn.

END WHINE SESH!! Thanks for reading :D   I am really lucky to have a supportive network of people to “talk” to, who I know are going through struggles in their lives!  Everyone’s path is different, so I need to work through my pitfalls of discouragement, and lots of comparison to other people, and their path.

Shout-out to my fellow perpetual students!  Good to know we’re in it together :D

Have a great weekend friends!


Home Again, Home Again

November 17, 2009

Heyyy youu guyys!!!  I’m BACK, I swear!! :D  

I don’t even know…but I things and life just got crazy.  So I just took the time I needed away from my computer, and blog, to focus on me and school and fun stuff and…..going home!!

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Yayyyyy!!!!!

O man you guys, it was so awesome- I can’t even describe it!  I was sooo so excited to hang out with my momz, I actually didn’t really see any of my friends, but it’s all good.  It was a whirlwind trip- I got in Friday morning after some serious turbulence, and left Sunday night for the red-eye back to Boston.  I crossed off lots of fun things:

  • Long walk with momz
  • TV time (I actually have cable at home, woo!)
  • Going through old sweatshirts (to bring to Boston, obvi)
  • Church
  • Grilling!!  Omg delicious…
  • Driving (lol, I haven’t since August??)
  • Fro yo!!!!

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As part of my unofficial blogging break, I sadly neglected to take many pictures…but it’s cool because I had a great time, relaxed, and enjoyed my family and time at home.  I definitely cried several times, just because I missed home so much, even being there!  But after coming back to Boston, I’m totally happy again and everything’s cool :D   I think I just got overwhelmingly emotional because it was such a short span.  I flew back on the red-eye, which was surprisingly awesome, I slept like a babe, woke up just in time to get home, drop my stuff off before class, and enjoy a holiday joy!

Mmmmm…

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I am back though, fa sho!!  I’m excited to catch up on what all my bloggie pals are up to :)   I’m swamped with schoolwork (bleh), but I did register today and get all my classes for next spring, score!  I’m taking 3 classes, 12 units- which = full time student status, which = HEALTH INSURANCE!!  Haha holla at ya girl, I am stoked :D

I hope you guys are all doing great, thanks for all of your shout-outs and messages of love, absence made my heart grow so fond!!  I’m happy to be back in Boston, I know it’s definitely where I am supposed to be right now :)

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All Smiles

November 6, 2009

Hey there friends!  So, I feel like I’m finally catching up with everything I didn’t do last weekend when my wonderful family was here!  I had 2 midterms + 2 Stats exams this week, plus homework…so it was major crunch-time for CB!!  I made it through somehow, and now, I wait…so please send some “good grade” vibes my way :D

It’s so light when I get up now, crazy!  I usually drink coffee FIRST thing in the AM, so I never take a picture of it…lack of sleep this week definitely called for cup #2!!

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Lunch was uninspiring due to the STACK of Statistics homework you see there, EW…

Veggie burger, hummus sandwich + pear.

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Dinner was almost as gourmet as lunch! 

English muffin + 1/2 avocado, tomato + egg whites

I’m in an obsessive avocado phase, it’s so good on toasty bread!

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I could not wait to eat dessert!  Nothing new, I know…

Vanilla fro-yo + crumbled Nutter Butters!!

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Reasons to smile, you ask!??  I have a lot, but ONE was my wonderful giftie from a dear bloggie friend:

PBandJenny!!!  I was so excited when I saw the singular name- JENNY, on the return address :D

It is super fun to get little treats at my new apartment when I am all lonely and momz-less, so this just brightened my whole week!!  It was filled with delicious bars that I love, Luna, Clif, Lara…Crazy Richard’s PB that Jenny raves about, a sweet note, and lots o’ other munchies!!!

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Thank you soo much Jenny for brightening my week with a little box of joy :D

Thankfully I finished my homework at the laundromat last night (so college right!?)  So I have some fun plans for today and tonight. 

One more reason to smile: I go home in a week, yayy!!!  I hope you all have a great weekend with lots of reasons to :-D   Adios!


Playing Catch-up

November 3, 2009

Hey there!!  I am back from a total whirlwind weekend!  Kinda, really, sad that my momz is gone :-(   However, I will be going home for a 3-day weekend in TWO WEEKS, so yayya!

We had the best time out here- we were pretty busy the whole weekend, so we didn’t actually get much sightseeing or fine dining in, but it was really nice to just chill at my apartment, and have her and my step-dad help me do some housework-y type stuff!

BIG thanks to my step-dad for hanging our mirror/coat rack!!  It’s been sitting on our floor since we moved in:D

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On Sunday, momz and I went to Newbury to get a wash/blow-dry for $20- nice huh!?  The salon was kinda whack though, it was the day after Halloween (AKA hangover central!)  So there was miscommunication, people weren’t showing up, it was weird!

Before I left I made the best breakfast sandwich EVA!

Two eggs + jam + pumpkin cream cheese + Morningstar sausage!

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The star of the show!!! YUM

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Lunch: Tuna + ak-mak crackers + broccoli

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We had a super-long day, including a parental-sponsored Trader Joe’s run, woo hoo!!

I picked up this pack of mini-pizza’s, I’ll have to get a picture of the box- they are SOO good you guys!!!

My roomie and I each toasted one up in the broiler :)   Yummmmm….

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Dessert was ridic- I saved 1/2 of a chocolate chip cookie from a bakery by my house, actually I froze it, not sure if that would work!?  Turns out- it’s awesome!

I heated it for 25 seconds in the micro, and made my own pizookie!!

If you have a BJ’s pizza near you, you know what I’m talkin’ about!  It’s a melty, hot chocolate chip cookie in a pizza pan + vanilla ice cream, AKA heaven in a bowl.

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SO all in all it was a great weekend, with awesome weather + family!  I was definitely overwhelmed with school work and other stuff, and I think my two tests yesterday suffered a little bit.  Things just started picking up a lot for me here, schedule-wise, so I really need to work hard on budgeting my time.  I have another mid-term on Wednesday, so that will be the priority for now!  I appreciate all of your guys’ support and friendship :)   And all of you new bloggers/readers, please keep commenting, I will definitely get back to you (after my midterm :D !!)   Hope you guys are all having a good week, catch ya later!


My 1st Visitor!

October 31, 2009

Hiiiiii friends!!! OMG I am still MIA from bloggie-world, I KNOW, and it totally bums me out- BUT…I do have a good excuse, kind of!??

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My momz is here!  Woooo!

She’s been here since Wednesday, so it’s been a little whirlwind of fun times :D   My roommate’s mom is here too, and my step-dad just came in yesterday, so we’ve all been catching up, eating, etc.

Today, my mom, step-dad and I walked all over Boston (pretty standard if you are car-less!)  We went to Brookline, where I don’t head over very much, and walked and window shopped a bit.  We saw tons of trick-or-treater’s out and silly grown ups in costume, I love Halloween!

I forced my lovinggggg family to walk a billion blocks to a Pita Pit- ahhh I love it so much!  I’ve only been once, since the one in California is kind of far from me…so I was in Heaven.

WW pita with turkey, BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, hummus, avocado, sprouts and mustard.

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We headed over to Newbury Street later on to walk and shop, and stock me up on some TJ’s goodies.

Another billion blocks later….

Whole Foods!!

Salad bizzle…

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Aaaannnddd then…Fro Yo!!  (Specifically, BoYo :D )

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I got Dark Chocolate with rainbow sprinks….sadly, I was wayyyy NOT impressed.  This place is more of a “Pinkberry” or tart fro yo place, so their chocolate flavor was totally weird-tasting to me.  Momz described it perfectly when she said the flavor was, “confusing”….

WHA-??  That’s no good.  I mean, yea, I finished it…but that was just to make sure I didn’t like it ;D

Anyway, we are having a blasty over here, I’m soo so so happy they are both here with me!!!  I already started crying last night, because I don’t want her to leave!! :(   So I’m gonna go snuggle with her while she’s here and try to convince her to stay.

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Have a Happy Halloween my babies!!  Miss you and my momz says Hiiii to all of you :D


New Adventures

October 24, 2009

Hey guys!  Thanks so much for your hat love in my previous post :D   I think Momz is pleased she picked out such a good one! 

The roomie and I finally made it to TJ’s after an extended hiatus- it is a little bit of a trek for us so we usually plan out grocery trip in advance.  We never fail to find new goodies, so yesterday it was this gem!

Seasoned Beef Carne Asada

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It is sooo-super-easy I was in heaven!  You just throw it in a skillet with a few tbspn’s of H20 and heat it up basically…

We added the most ripe avocado and tomato ever, ahhh it was insta-Mexican food and I was soo happy!

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Roommate made a burrito…

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Our little meal for dos :D   Note: our fall festive pumpkins in the middle!

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Later that night, we got a lil’ hungry and went to downstairs to our doom, AKA CVS…

Now I’m sure we all know it’s not a stretch to say that CVS is not the Mecca of nutritional food options…

Amidst the Tostitos and Chips Ahoy, you can’t even get reduced fat Wheat Thins!!  (the regular ones are so salty right?!)  In light of this dilemma, I decided to just let loose and get a Lean Pocket!!

I think this a was big step for me, in that I eat really healthily 99.9% of the time, and am very particular and probably annoying about my food.  It is a challenge for me to just let go and eat “whatever”.  Everyone is different, and while for some people, it is a challenge and practice of willpower to watch what they eat and eat well, for me…it is a very freeing feeling to eat intuitively and what I think of as “normally”. 

Sure I could’ve eaten whole wheat toast with cheese, sauce and turkey pepperoni- but the Lean Pocket was way more fun!!

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The roomie and I went out for a bit after that, got back and crashed.

I woke up in the morning to evidence of a late night/early morning feast!

I wasn’t involved, I just ate a Lean Pocket mere hours before, okay!…it’s baby steps :D

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I tried another TJ’s find for breakfast- Crunchy PB Granola Bars!

They taste identical to the nature valley brand in my opinion, good stuff!

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I hope you are all having a great weekend!  It’s another semi-rainy one here in Boston, so I’m going to study all day, then go out for a friend’s birthday!  May have to go grab some more Lean Pockets….;D


Bonding with Boston

October 22, 2009

Good Morning friends!!  Long time no bloggie :D   I’ve been doing lots of homework, spending time with the roomie and doing other “future life plans” research, ahh!  But yesterday, I just the best day so I wanted to say whassup to all of you!

Breakfast is the ush (shoutout to my new readers, I do love the abbrev’s haha!)

I usually eat on this chair, or on the floor in front of the TV watching Today

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I usually bring a bar to class, this one is sooo good!

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After class yesterday- my OG plan was to go to the gym, then meet my roommate for lunch, and we would get our hair done together.  It was literally THE nicest day ever yesterday, and I could not stand the idea of being cooped inside the gym!  (Even though I love the gym :D )  SO instead…I decided to go for a long walk to the Goodwill Store, to see if they had any fall decor, or cheap dishware that I could snag.  I ended up walking from Copley Square to BU, which is about a solid 4-mile walk…woo!  It was so beautiful and sunny outside, not to mention I got totally lost, dazed and confused at Kenmore Square, which looks something like this…

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(source)

Ahh, the fork in the road totally got me!!  However, I made a few wrong turns but totally made it out alive and asked a few people for help.  I eventually made it to Goodwill and even bought a cute belt and a little wooden pumpkin :D   I feel like I had a bonding experience with Boston today, finding my way and everything! 

I took the T back to Copley (LOVE LOVE the T!) and met my roommate for lunch.

OMG- we found a cafe and I got the most delish bagel sandwich.

Veggie Blast: tomato, cucumber, red onion, avocado, sprouts and roasted red pepper on WW bagel.

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That bayg kept me full through my hair appointment (I did get a Starbucks :D )

We detoured for a little shopping but eventually made it home.

Salm, broccoli and Kailey’s Cheetah’s!! 

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I got a box this weekend from momz filled with goodies.  It made me sooo happy…

Look at this fun hat she got me!

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I can’t wait to bust that one out in the cold!  Hope everyone is having a good week, we’re almost done!  Ciao babes :D


It’s Howie!!

October 18, 2009

Hey friends!  How are you?  I’m doing great, just enjoying a long and eventful weekend, that is ending on a very rainy note!  I totally love, love the rain when I am in my bed all cozed up:D

Breakfast: gotta get thru the 12-pack of English Muffins from Costco…not a problem.

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My roommate found this tea at TJ’s:  It is SO good!!

You all know I am not a tea-drinker AT ALL and I am obsessed!

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It’s so weird too now that I am transitioning to colder weather, I usually never drink tea or eat soup or other comfort-type foods.  But once the rain/snow hits, a salad sounds SO cold and crunchy and unappetizing :(   Enter: Amy’s soups!! 

I had the Minestrone for dinner the other night…

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With Pita Chips!  Very filling and delicious…I can’t wait to try the Split Pea and Lentil flayvs.

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I went to Starbizzle to study the other day- and I really wanted a study beverage, but not a huge one.

Solution: a SHORT soy vanilla latte!  I’ve never ordered a short before, but here it is next to my iPod mini for comparison…such a little guy.

It’s great when you want like, half a Starbucks!  (ha I know my momz is going, “WHY on earth would a person only want half a Starbucks!??”

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Dinner: homemade SP fries, chicken sausage, salad (I was trying!)

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So on Friday night, some friends and I went to Gala event with Howie Mandel as the host.  It was honestly so hilarious…The event imitated a Deal or No Deal type show (which I love!), and Howie told all these inappropriate jokes and slightly ridiculed their version of the game show.  I was cracking up because I used to LOVE the cartoon, Bobby’s World, where Howie was the voice of little Bobby!  It was so weird to see him doing stand-up comedy in person..and joke about his germo- and claustrophobia!  Actually my friends and I really wanted a picture with him at the end of the event, but we couldn’t find him because he literally jetted out of there to avoid being in the crowd/touching people/shaking hands/etc…how funny is that!?

Haha such a weird night, but I mean I’m definitely not bored around here so I love it!  I watched college FB (my team won yes!) yesterday with some friends in town from home, took a test this morning (EW) and now I’m watching rain-snow fall outside my huge window :D   Not too shabby I think…I hope you are all enjoying your weekend and not dreading tomorrow too much!  See ya bloggies!


Tried and True,

October 15, 2009

Heyyoo!  I am FROZEN over here!!  It is currently a whopping 43 degrees F over here…keep in mind I’m from Southern California!!  I dressed in moderate layers for class, and proceeded to put on huge socks, another sweatshirt and down 2 mugs of hot tea the second I got home!  Good thing I’m so committed to blogging cuz my fingers are froze :D   Starting to seriously consider a snuggie purchase…

This morn I woke up starving, which I love!

I made a huge bowl of oat bran with H2O, stuck it in the fridge for a few minutes to cool down, and stirred in a container of Fage.

Sort of the same idea as overnight oats, minus the overnight part!

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Fage = sale 3/$4 at Whole Foods!!

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I was rushing around after class, running errands, (spray tanning) ;)

So I opted for a tried and true favorite- Quizno’s!

Turkey, swiss, tomato, lettuce, red onion and mustard.

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There are a milion + 1 great places all over this city, but sometimes it’s nice to stick with the good ol’ chain that you know and love!!  I love Subway and Quizno’s toasty subs with melty cheeze.

Last night I raided my freezer for TJ’s goodies!

Chipotle-Lime Chicken burger, SP fries and steamed broccoli.

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I bought my plane ticket for a November trip home- and then ate cereal!

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I had a total brain doze- and accidentally bought my plane ticket to leave Saturday morning instead of Friday morning!!  Duh! I was stressing, but I was able to call and actually talk to an agent who kindly refunded my ticket so I could just go back online and purchase my original flight at the price I wanted.  After that ordeal, I was able to settle in for some quality So You Think U Can Dance, and Glee time!!  I love Glee soo much!!  Do you watch it?

It reminds me of the show Popular that was on the WB a few years back..that show was soo good!!  Kind of dramatic but funny, with good ol’ high school drama in the mix.  Lucky for me it’s on basic cable ;D  Hope you all are cozy where you are, I think it’s time for more tea up in here!  Ciao!


Dressing Up the Kitchen

October 13, 2009

Hey there!!  Aww, and the three-day weekend is over :(   It was pretty random- I know a lot of readers/bloggers/friends did not get yesterday off…I wonder what’s up with that!?  My roommate and I got a lot done so we were really happy!  We rented a zip car, went to Target, Costco (GREAT sample day!!) and Old Navy.  I didn’t go as a crazy as I thought, thank goodness, and we got some steals at Costco!  While a lot of stuff there is too big or too much for me to actually realistically consume, I can find some goodies at great prices.

Example: We bought a HUGE piece of really good salmon for $14- we cut it into 2-person portions for four nights.

And had the first for dinner last night!

We also got a huge bag of broccoli, grapes, some soup, gloves (haha you get the idea…)

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On our walk home I was seriously craving a good Chocolate Chip Cookie.

I totally got one!!! MMMMmmm…

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We couldn’t resist the seasonal decor at Target!!

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We went to Old Navy to get fleece and other warm cozies- I ended up with a fleece top and PJ pants, I’m definitely wearing both right now :D

Today was cold!! It rained pretty much all day, but it was nothing a good hot shower, sweats and hot tea couldn’t fix…I’m pickin’ up tips from the Ice Diva here and there!  It’s only getting colder from here, but I think I can handle it ;D

Good night friends, hope you are enjoying nice weather!