Happy Birthday Mom!

This past weekend my Dad and Mom came to visit Jordan and I in St. Louis for my mom's birthday.  It was a very quick trip, but we got a lot in. We did some shopping, ate, church, and ate some more.  I got to give my parents a tour of my new campus in Brentwood.

Thanks for coming to visit!  I love visitors.  Happy Birthday Mom!

It all started with a Jilly's cupcake.  This cupcake shop was on the Food Network cupcake wars and it was GREAT!

My New Campus

Coach Tote Bag

Dust Them Off and Lace Them Up

It's that time of year again when I'm tempted with the thought of running a half marathon.  My church supports Team Living Water which raises money and awareness for clean water around the world, so we run in the Go Half Marathon to help raise money.

If I don't have something I am running towards, I really don't just go run.  It's always been work for me, never just a lets go for run kind of sport.  I used the excuse of eating better to help keep my running shoes on the shelf for about 8/9 months now.  So, it's about time to dust off the shoes and put them to work again.  It always amazes me how quickly your body can remember it can run.  In just a few short weeks I'm already back up to 5 miles.

So, we are back into the swing of running and I have finally paid my admissions fee. It is official.

April 15th:  Go Half Marathon in St. Louis.  Anyone crazy enough to join me?

I Can't Take Credit For This

Doesn't this look delicious?  Minestrone Soup

I was pretty proud because this was my first vegan soup that I ever attempted to make, but of course I didn't really do much.  Keith went to the store and bought all the supplies to make the soup and gave me the task of the spices.  Really I can't take ANY credit for the soup. 

I guess I could of been offended when Keith asked, "Do you even have cooking supplies to make this soup?"  but honestly I guess it's a great question.  Somehow we made it work and split the soup up into 2 pans since they were a little small. 

I proudly proclaimed I'll make some asparagus because I know how to make that!  Good thing Jordan was here to help counsel me through the making of asparagus!

This was our first meal cooked together and I think it was successful!

Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles at Fox Theater

Friday, January 20 and Saturday, January 21st

I guess you could say this weekend was a trip down memory lane.

We have had some great weather, but of course on Friday at 5 PM it decided to start freezing rain.  Keith came and picked me up because Blake was having a team party.  We headed to St. Charles for a great vegetarian friendly meal.  Afterwards, we headed to the Westport area where Keith and I first met at a Happy hour.  It was so funny because we have never really talked about how we met, but I'm glad we did meet.  Keith said he asked his friend, Mark, for my email address and after 2 days of no response realized he did have it because we were on the same email chain.  I did forget about this...I forgot to email him back (talking like at least 4 days.).  I always save emails I need to respond to and somehow I didn't go back through until the following Monday morning.  I must of been playing hard to get!

Saturday, Keith and I went to the Fabulous Fox Theater to enjoy a Tribute to the Beatles.  I love being able to get dressed up to go to the theater and Keith just loves the Beatles.  We ate across the street at a Blue's Bistro before the show!  It was a great night all around and I even knew most of the songs!

Zack's Visit to St. Louis...Let's Go Blues!

Thursday, January 12th- Saturday, January 14th

Zack decided to head to St. Louis a few days before college started again.  Our family friends, the McCanns, have season tickets to the Blues games.  Every year they give me the chance to take some tickets to a game if they aren't able to make it.  It just so happened that the Blues were playing the Vancouver Canucks and we scored the McCanns tickets.  (Back in July we got to see the Canucks arena).  Thursday's weather wasn't cooperating with everyone, so Zack got to St. Louis a few minutes after 7.  On our way to the game we picked up Keith and scored an amazing front row parking spot.  Heading into the game during period 2, the Blue were already winning.  The only cheer they have is, "Let's go Blues!  and I cheered right along.  After about 30/45 minutes we were hungry so we headed to Sub Zero to enjoy burgers, hummus, and sushi.

The Blues ended up losing the game in overtime 2-3.  Last year, EVERY game I went to the Blues lost.  I'm pretty sure I'm not their lucky charm.

On Friday Zack, Jordan, and I went to Imo's pizza followed by mi ranchito that evening for the best Mexican in St. Louis.   It was a very low key Friday night.  Zack and I went to the Post to watch the MU/Texas game before he headed out of town.

It was great seeing Zack!  Good luck this semester at school!

It's All In One's Point of View

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Here are some people's point of view on the matter below.  Beautiful and Peaceful.

Here is my point of view.  Gross and disturbing.

This year the weather has been amazing.  Really only a few days ago it was still 60 degrees.  I guess we can't complain when this is the first snow fall of the year--but now it's snowed, I'm ready for spring.

The only time I like snow is when I'm skiing!  I get that opportunity in just a few more weeks.  Let's just hope that Montana is getting DUMPED on!

Fast Eddies

Sunday, January 8th, 2012

Lee Ann, Amanda, and I went across the river to Fast Eddies.  Amanda's parents live on the Illinois side and I have visited a few times Alton/Godfrey Illinois.  Everyone in St. Louis knows about Fast Eddies and I have always wondered why.  First, it's a bikers bar and man was it was HUGE.  I sat down at a table and here's how it went:

Waitress: "What drink would you like?"

Me:  "Water"

Waitress:  "That's not an option. There are signs posted everywhere that says you have to order a drink."

Me:  "I don't want a drink, can I not get water?"

Waitress:  Shakes head no

Me:  "Umm...I guess tea."

The waitress comes back with the Lipton tea in a bottle.

Me:  "Can I get a water now?"

Waitress:  Eyes Rolling  "That drink is $2.50"

Me:  "I'm going to order something to eat."

Needless to say, I didn't know anything about this place.  You pay for your drinks at the table, you get your own popcorn, and you go order at a counter.  You have to look for your number because you have to come pick it back up but the wait was 30 minutes.  I did finally get my water, but I did have to ask several times.  Lesson learned:  Don't ask for water at Fast Eddies and bring cash!

Because I can, I'm adding Alton/Godfrey Illinois as a city--it's a differnet state!

Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year!

Here's how I celebrated the new year!

1.  I got a head start on my workout goals.  On December 31st, I ran 2 miles and did a set of stadium stairs.

2.  I got to meet a lot of Keith's friends while enjoying dinner at Washbi (sushi).  My little sister also joined us for dinner so it was great to have her there.

3.  After dinner we headed to the Ritz-Carlton to enjoy great people watching!

On New Years Day, Keith and I went to play racquetball and ping pong.  I got killed in racquetball, but I will say I won 3-5 ping pong games!

What a way to ring in the New Year!