While Spring Break certainly does not mean what it used to, back in the good ol' days of undergrad, I am still extremely happy to report that I don't have to go to class for nine whole days. Woo!
If I were really dedicated, I would use this time to try to get ahead (or, er, caught up) on some school work so as to save myself some stress when class starts up again. But let's just say I'm not feeling really dedicated. *chuckle*
Rather, I am celebrating NOT having class on Monday by going out for sushi with some friends from work. Sushi is better than homework.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Des Moines restaurant recommendation
I usually go to Des Moines once a year for business. I like Des Moines, really...it's a nice, small Midwestern city, and over the past few years it has really shaped up after what I imagine has been a dedicated rehabilitation effort. There are still some areas that look a bit run down and sad, but the downtown area has some really nice hotels and GREAT restaurants. I have never had a bad meal in Des Moines. But I had the best meal ever on this latest trip at a restaurant called Azalea.
It's pricey, I'll give you that. But I liked that a lot of the items on the menu seemed to combine unusual flavors in an unexpectedly fabulous way (the bacon-wrapped sea scallops and pumpkin polenta appetizer was awesome), and the vodka tonic I had was huge. I had the wild salmon for my entree and it rocked. But the very, very best thing ever was my dessert: bleu cheese cheesecake with candied figs. I know it sounds completely weird, but it was seriously the best cheesecake I have ever had in my life. Of course, my favorite food in the world is cheese, and my favorite cheese is bleu cheese, so the fact that some brilliant chef decided to put bleu cheese in a dessert form is like a dream come true.
One of the few good things about business travel is that when you're wining and dining people, you get to try out some restaurants you probably wouldn't go to very often in your normal, everyday life. I think Azalea has become a "must-visit" place for me from now on when I travel to Des Moines.
It's pricey, I'll give you that. But I liked that a lot of the items on the menu seemed to combine unusual flavors in an unexpectedly fabulous way (the bacon-wrapped sea scallops and pumpkin polenta appetizer was awesome), and the vodka tonic I had was huge. I had the wild salmon for my entree and it rocked. But the very, very best thing ever was my dessert: bleu cheese cheesecake with candied figs. I know it sounds completely weird, but it was seriously the best cheesecake I have ever had in my life. Of course, my favorite food in the world is cheese, and my favorite cheese is bleu cheese, so the fact that some brilliant chef decided to put bleu cheese in a dessert form is like a dream come true.
One of the few good things about business travel is that when you're wining and dining people, you get to try out some restaurants you probably wouldn't go to very often in your normal, everyday life. I think Azalea has become a "must-visit" place for me from now on when I travel to Des Moines.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Having a Monday
This morning, after dropping Hannah off at day care, I hit myself in the face with my car door.
Yep, that's what happened.
Looking back on it, I still haven't figured out the logistics of how I managed to do this so spectacularly. I was in a hurry, and I wrenched open the door, and the next thing I knew was awful pain, disorientation and stars (you really do see stars when you get clocked in the face - who knew?). I didn't break my nose, and in the grand scheme of things I shouldn't really complain, but man - it HURT!
So I went back home, emailed people at work that I had to wait for the bleeding to stop before I could come in, cried a little and felt sorry for myself that a) my nose had a painful, bloody gash and b) I had to wear a Band-Aid on my nose like an 8-year-old.
I got over feeling sorry for myself but did spend the rest of the day feeling stupid. The good news is that the gash, under the powers of Neosporin and Band-Aids, seems to already look a bit better than it did this morning. It's still achy and is probably going to be bruised tomorrow. And I have a big presentation to do on Thursday that I imagine is going to be a bit awkward with a bandage on my nose. But whatever.
Then, when I got on my way to work, I decided I'd earned a Starbucks run. So I ordered my current favorite, a grande Cinnamon Dolce Latte (thanks, Vic - I used the gift card you sent me for Christmas!) and a blueberry muffin.
They were out of muffins. Whatever.
The whole day reminded me of the first bad day I ever remember having. I was in first grade. I was leaving school after what I imagine was a long and tedious day of learning my left from my right. It was raining, and I didn't have an umbrella. I dropped my yellow Cabbage Patch Kids lunchbox down the steps outside school, and it broke. When I got home, Mom asked me how my day was. And I said (I remember this vividly): "It's raining, and I didn't have my umbrella, and my lunchbox broke...and I have a headache!"
Yep, that's what happened.
Looking back on it, I still haven't figured out the logistics of how I managed to do this so spectacularly. I was in a hurry, and I wrenched open the door, and the next thing I knew was awful pain, disorientation and stars (you really do see stars when you get clocked in the face - who knew?). I didn't break my nose, and in the grand scheme of things I shouldn't really complain, but man - it HURT!
So I went back home, emailed people at work that I had to wait for the bleeding to stop before I could come in, cried a little and felt sorry for myself that a) my nose had a painful, bloody gash and b) I had to wear a Band-Aid on my nose like an 8-year-old.
I got over feeling sorry for myself but did spend the rest of the day feeling stupid. The good news is that the gash, under the powers of Neosporin and Band-Aids, seems to already look a bit better than it did this morning. It's still achy and is probably going to be bruised tomorrow. And I have a big presentation to do on Thursday that I imagine is going to be a bit awkward with a bandage on my nose. But whatever.
Then, when I got on my way to work, I decided I'd earned a Starbucks run. So I ordered my current favorite, a grande Cinnamon Dolce Latte (thanks, Vic - I used the gift card you sent me for Christmas!) and a blueberry muffin.
They were out of muffins. Whatever.
The whole day reminded me of the first bad day I ever remember having. I was in first grade. I was leaving school after what I imagine was a long and tedious day of learning my left from my right. It was raining, and I didn't have an umbrella. I dropped my yellow Cabbage Patch Kids lunchbox down the steps outside school, and it broke. When I got home, Mom asked me how my day was. And I said (I remember this vividly): "It's raining, and I didn't have my umbrella, and my lunchbox broke...and I have a headache!"
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