What I did this week...

well... the last 2+ weeks...

5. Exercise an average of 3 times per week (9/429) -ran in Central Park (14 March 2011)
-exercised 3 mornings (15 March 2011) -ran in Central Park (16 March 2011)
-exercised 3 mornings (18 March 2011)
-ran with Karen in Riverside Park (18 March 2011)
-ran with Rafa in Riverside Park (21 March 2011)
-ran up 17 flights of stairs 6 times with Rafa (24 March 2011)
-ran in Central Park (26 March 2011)
-ran in Central Park (27 March 2011)

Central Park's Reservoir

I forgot how much I love running...

9. Hang out with a friend once a week (3/143)
-Lacey at G-Bar for dinner (15 March 2011)

14. Attend/host a game night once a month (2/33)
-game night at Susie and Carl's (18 March 2011)
-hosted an impromptu game night with Carl, Rafa, Kelly, and Susie (25 March 2011)


We should really call them "Dominion Nights" - I mean, honestly, are we really playing anything else?

17. Put 10% of each paycheck into savings (1/66)
-3/24/2011 (yay for automatic transfers :)

20. Have a Portuguese-only hour at least once a week (1/143)
-with Rafa (22 March 2011)

46. Spend 20 minutes filing paperwork each week (1/33)
-at work (23 March 2011)

69. Contact a family member (not immediate family) each week (1/143)
-called Aunt Dawn (21 March 2011)

Dinner for 1 (with leftovers, of course...)

52. Try out one new recipe each month (1/33)
-Mexican Lasagna (27 March 2011)


I didn't quite follow a recipe, but instead, combined what I liked about a few different recipes I found online, used what I already had in the fridge, and completely guessed on amounts :)

Ingredients:
-frozen corn (~1/2 cup)
-frozen spinach (~1 cup)
-meatless ground beef/soy protein (~3/4 cup)
-1/2 can of black beans
-can of diced tomatoes
-portobello mushrooms, sliced (~5 medium-sized)
-1/2 yellow pepper, sliced
-onion powder
-garlic powder
-black pepper
-crushed red pepper
-taco sauce
-whole wheat tortillas (~4)
-shredded cheese, mexican blend

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Sauté frozen vegetables and ground soy protein over medium heat in an oiled pan until thawed
3. Add mushrooms and yellow pepper
4. Add black beans and diced tomatoes
5. Season to taste with onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and crushed red pepper
6. Add taco sauce and mix well


7. Cut tortillas in half to make half-moon pieces
8. Spread a small amount of sautéed vegetable mix onto bottom of 8x8" square casserole dish
9. Lay 4 halved tortillas on top, straight edge facing out toward the sides of the pan


10. Spread half of the sautéed vegetable mix on the tortillas and generously sprinkle shredded cheese
11. Repeat steps 9-10, using the rest of the sautéed vegetable mix


12. Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes, or until melted cheese is golden-brown
13. Remove from oven and serve hot! (I enjoyed mine with some fresh avocado :)

~4 servings

U! S! A!!! U! S! A!!!

28. Attend 6 different (professional) sports games (1/6)
-USA vs Argentina soccer game at the Meadowlands Stadium with Rafa (26 March 2011)

Final Score: USA 1; Argentina 1

Someone from Rafa's class at Columbia arranged the whole thing (a huge group of them even rented a cheese bus and got to the stadium hours early to tailgate)


It was a really fun game, especially getting to see one of the best players in the world, Lionel Messi on Argentina (with his bright orange shoes, it was hard to miss him - his ball handling and control was so smooth, it almost seemed like he was just taking it easy - every time he got the ball, you could almost feel the collective "oh, no..." from the US fans)

one of the many decked-out soccer-loving patriots
never have a I heard so many U! S! A! chants and cheers, even on the trains from Penn Station!

The only downside was during the bag/body check, the woman told me I couldn't bring in my reusable metal water bottle :( so I had to throw my awesome, green, tilted, dented, favorite, grenade-looking water bottle that I've had for 3+ years into a garbage can... I don't even really understand why... it was completely empty... I guess Meadowlands stadium isn't into being eco-friendly...

Even without my camera...

I'll still post my adventures from the past few weeks!

Working from the bottom up of my list...

95. Buy and do/complete a "Wreck This" Journal.

I've bought mine, and I started playing around with it. But it's challenging because I have such a hard time wrecking a book!! I'm trying to do everything so neatly and perfectly. It's designed to get messy and fun, to foster creativity. That's why I bought it. I need to let go!

My work in progress - progressing through the book, progressing to get messier.

81. Go to the beach in winter.

A mistake!! As my mom often says, "I thought I made a mistake once, but I was wrong." It turns out I was not at the beach in winter. It was the first day of spring!! Although a gorgeous day (which I will hopefully someday post the photos of), it does not count!

But, I spent a wonderful and silly day with my sister. It consisted of climbing rocks, sliding on rocks to step into the freezing ocean, and rescuing my sister from the statue that tried to eat her. I can't wait to put up the photos.

80. Visit all my family members.

• Meg: 3/18/11 - 3/20/11

What a wonderful trip! I had a blast with my sister. From running along Riverside Drive, playing Dominion at Suzy and Carl's, a drag show at Lucky Chengs, a sister night with Thai food, to a glorious day in Montauk. I want to go back, and spend more time with Miss Meg. Maybe 20 days?

66. Try a new restaurant an average of once a month. (6/33)

1. Tribes Alehouse - Mokena, IL; 3/5/11
2. Famous Dave's - Bolingbrook, IL; 3/8/11
3. Booeymongers - Washington D.C.; 3/15/11
4. Ghana Cafe - Washington D.C.; 3/16/11
5. Community Food & Juice - New York, NY; 3/18/11
6. Lucky Chengs - New York, NY; 3/18/11

I met a friend from high school at Booeymongers; it's a cute sandwich chain in the D.C. area. Yummy cheap sandwiches. I was happy!

Ghana Cafe was delicious! Vegetarian African food. I loved everything I ate! Highly recommended if you are in D.C.

I walked by Community Food & Juice all the time when I lived in NYC - easily twice a week. I finally ate brunch there by myself one day during my Manhattan visit. Organic, free range, local ingredients, and delicious food

Lucky Chengs is a drag show/restaurant that my sister will hopefully post about when she gets the photos off my camera. The food was ok, the show wasn't great, but our waitress and my company were wonderful.

So far, I'm learning I need to photograph more of these experiences. It makes everything more interesting and authentic!

Working backward...

25. See a movie in a movie theater once a month (1/33)
-saw Lincoln Lawyer with Rafa (21 March 2011)


thoughts:

• a little unexpected (it's not often that you find out the guilt/innocence of the accused in the first half hour)
• a little uneven (is Mick a swindler or someone to sympathize with?)
• some cop-out writing choices (being evil "just because" is not a reason)
• great acting moments/realistic-feeling relationships
  

What I did this week...

9. Hang out with a friend once a week (1/143)
-dinner with Susie and Carl at Il Buco to celebrate the end of Rafa's finals week (11 March 2011)

Incredible food, but way too expensive without the help of a giftcard (Thanks, Dreamyard!!)

9. Hang out with a friend once a week (2/143)
-impromptu neighborly hang out with Taro and family: buffet lunch at Indus Valley...


and playing in the remarkably kid-friendly Book Culture (13 March 2011)


27. Post a Go Make That Face! picture once a week (1/143)
-13 March 2011

Check it out!! http://gomakethatface.blogspot.com/

Wait...he can come to school tomorrow?

On Thursday, a new student joined my class. I wasn't quite expecting him, so I sat him in the nearest available seat, across from P. Immediately, the new kid started ragging on P, making fun of every shape he drew, laughing at him, nonstop harassing.

Now, P is the sort of kid that trouble follows; he gets called to the dean all the time, often gets into fights, and came to school high most of last semester (I have him 9th period, so I usually saw him sober). Yet, P was staying fairly calm. I mean, I saw the anger boiling in his brain, practically coming out his ears, but he wasn't saying anything back.

When the new kid asked to go the bathroom, I went to P - he immediately said, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" I said, "No, wait, listen. I really, really appreciate how mature and patient you are being. Keep it up for the rest of the period, and come talk to me then about if this seating arrangement is something you can handle or if it needs to change."

P kept it up, even at the end - I was talking to the girls about watching a documentary on pregnancy and birth. P said, "I couldn't watch that. I might throw up." Of course, the new kid started at him, "What? Man up! Are you telling me you never seen that before? Come on! Be a man!"

After the new kid left, I said, "It's not going to work is it, P?" P shook his head vehemently, "Naaaah, miss." I thanked P again and told him I would give him 4 merits for all his effort. Then I called his parents. His mom answered, and when I told her the story, you could hear her smiling through the phone: "P did that? Tell his father!" When his dad got on the phone, he was so excited: "Wait, he's not in trouble? He can come to school tomorrow?"

I didn't have P the next day for class (half-day), but when I saw him in the hallway, he didn't say anything, just engulfed me in a big hug and went on his way.


15. Make 1 positive phone call to a student's home each week (1/143)
-PS (10 March 2011), for maintaining a mature, patient, and calm demeanor in a stressful situation

Meg's 101 in 1001

What can I say? Karen inspires me...

Start Day: 10 March 2011
End Day: 5 December 2013

1. Go to a drag show
2. Visit 12 museums (0/12)
3. Write a poem once a week (0/143)
4. Go on a volunteer vacation
5. Exercise an average of 3 times per week (0/429)
6. Run a half-marathon
7. Apply for the NYCTF Teaching Award
8. Get another teaching certification (special ed HS, math, english)
9. Hang out with a friend once a week (0/143)
10. Finish the entire Rosetta Stone program for Portuguese
11. Take a Portuguese class (at least 6 weeks)
12. Go to a dance class once a month (0/33)
13. Try a black diamond ski slope
14. Attend/host a game night once a month (0/33)
15. Make 1 positive phone call to a student's home each week (0/143)
16. Figure out my Roth IRA investment plan
17. Put 10% of each paycheck into savings (0/66)
18. Try 3 new sports (i.e. snowboarding)
19. Brush my teeth 3 times a day for a month (0/30)
20. Have a Portuguese-only hour at least once a week (0/143)
21. Travel to at least 4 new countries (0/4)
22. Print pictures for picture frames
23. Hang art and other wall hangings
24. Attend at least 3 Mensa events (0/3)
25. See a movie in a movie theater once a month (0/33)
26. Watch 2 Netflix DVDs a month (0/66)
27. Post a Go Make That Face! picture once a week (0/143)
28. Attend 6 different (professional) sports games (0/6)
29. Go to 12 plays/shows/musicals (0/12)
30. Call on people's birthdays (0/50)
31. Write and send a handwritten letter once a month (0/33)
32. Learn to drive stick shift/manual
33. Go scuba diving
34. Go to Six Flags once a year (0/3)
35. Go on 2 road trips with Rafa (0/2)
36. Donate blood once every 10 weeks (0/14)
37. Donate platelets
38. Build a snowman with someone
39. Take a "virgin" to the Rocky Horror Picture Show
40. Write a book (with Lacey)
41. Write 5 short stories (0/5)
42. Hear live music once a month (0/33)
43. Pay for a stranger's "something" 10 times (0/10)
44. Host 3 couchsurfers (0/3)
45. Couchsurf 3 times (0/3)
46. Spend 20 minutes filing paperwork each week (0/33)
47. Send out my new address
48. Get London pictures developed
49. Visit 3 new Botanical Gardens (0/3)
50. Host/participate in a clothing swap
51. Use trapeze Groupon
52. Try out one new recipe each month (0/33)
53. Back up computer regularly, once every 2 months (0/17)
54. Buy new computer
55. Meditate for 20 minutes once a week (0/143)
56. Get in touch (contact more than 3 times) with 5 old friends (0/5)
57. Get, water, and learn to take care of 4 new plants (0/4)
58. Upload songs to my ipod
59. Listen to NPR once a month (0/33)
60. Go to 10 doctors' appointments (0/3 gynecologist, 0/3 dentist, 0/1 optometrist, 0/3 physician)
61. Get hair cut/trimmed once every 3 months (0/11)
62. Get a pet (dog???)
63. Do something with old computer
64. Use earring making kit
65. Carve 3 pumpkins
66. Host a pumpkin carving party
67. Go to a Farmer's Market 12 times (0/12)
68. Learn to knit more than a scarf
69. Contact a family member (not immediate family) each week (0/143)
70. Find out names of all the doormen
71. Create and fund a Donors Choose project
72. Learn to play a new instrument/practice 20 hours (0/20)
73. Bring Dad to an Our Time Gala
74. Take 20 yoga classes (0/20)
75. Spend a whole day just listening
76. Take photos in a photo booth with someone
77. Have 10 photo adventures (0/10)
78. Read 10 nonfiction books (0/10)
79. Put $10 in a jar every time I complete a goal
80. Buy superglue to fix headphones
81. Invite our time volunteers over
82. Take a bubble bath
83. Ride a motorcycle
84. Donate hair
85. Make another pair of pajama pants
86. Do something romantic once a month (0/33)
87. Find a pair of jeans that fit really well
88. Carry extra food (fruit) with me and give to someone in need (0/10)
89. Get a pedicure each month over the summer (0/7)
90. Go karaoke-ing
91. Plan all lessons for entire week in advance (0/10)
92. Renew driver's license before it expires
93. Go to a midnight movie screening (Harry Potter??)
94. Join the library
95. Give Rafa 1 kiss a hour on average (guess who decided that one :) (0/24,024)
96. Buy a new suit
97. No internet/e-mail for one whole day
98. Watch all 6 Star Wars films
99. Attend a Burning Man event
100. Bring students on a trip 4 times a year (0/10)
101. Schedule celebration of completed list with Karen

More meat than you can shake a stick at!

I never understood that phrase, and in fact, I still don't. You can shake a stick at anything, right?

But if there was one place that prevented stick-shaking, it would be Famous Dave's, a delicious barbecue chain restaurant that I tried for the first time Tuesday the 8th. Fat Tuesday might I add. And I sure ate enough to give it that name.

The waitress came with chips and five different kinds of barbecue sauce ranging from sweet to spicy! SH stayed on her side of the plate, while I dabbled in all five.

This clever and unique art display was hanging on the wall when we walked in. I want one for all the states I've lived in!

The work of the devil?

I've started numbers 6 and 66 on my list. If I believed in signs, I'd be mildly concerned. Lucky for me, I don't!

6. Watch an average of one movie a month at the theater. (1/33)

1. 127 Hours - 3/4/11

I saw 127 Hours at the $2 theater on Friday. One word to describe it - awesome. Not in the "Dude, that's awesome" sense, but in the can't-catch-your-breath, beautiful landscapes, amazing cinematography awesome. James Franco did a fantastic job, and although I have some minor complaints, overall, I was very pleased.

66. Try a new restaurant an average of once a month. (1/33)

1. Tribes; Mokena, IL - 3/5/11

Edit to add:

Actually, the numbers are 7 and 67. The list on the right hand side has two number 1s. Phew, now I can sleep at night. (Except I'll be awake trying to figure out how to get rid of that other number 1...)

101 in 1001

It's day two of my 1,001 days - a life goal project I first read about at Day Zero Project. I'm very excited. I came up with 101 things I want to complete in the next 1,001 days. The list is varied, disorganized, and so long. But it's definitely something I want to tackle. So now I'll post photos, completed list items, recipes, movies I saw, trips I went on, etc. Basically, I want to document these 1,001 days on top of completing all my 101 goals!

Coming up with 101 things to do should have been the first thing on the list. It was so difficult to get past 55. I know there are a lot of things I want to do, but putting 30 travel items in 1,001 days isn't very plausible. I'm trying to do things I can actually complete in the allotted time. And a lot of things are based on averages. Saying I'll post three photos a week is all well and good, but maybe I'll have camera issues and be short; maybe I'll go on a trip and have a ton of photos. Either way, the average covers all my basis.

Without further ado... my list.

First day: 3/4/2011.

Last day: 11/29/2013.

1. Hang doors in my bedroom.
2. Hang art work in my bedroom.
3. Clean up garage to park my car inside.
4. Read an average of a book a month. (0/33)
5. Finish reading/writing about Radical Acceptance.
6. Finish watching IMDB Top 250 list. (0/146)
7. Watch an average of one movie a month at the theater. (0/33)
8. Watch two Netflix films a month. (0/66)
9. Finish watching Star Wars film series (cheers from the crowd).
10. Finish watching Twilight films series (groans from the crowd).
11. Go to 12 museums. (0/12)
12. Attend both a Cubs and White Sox game (at each stadium).
13. Go to top of Willis Tower/Sears Tower.
14. Weight 150 lbs again.
15. Spend a weekend on Mackinac Island.
16. Go abroad twice.
17. Go skiing again.
18. Go horseback riding not on a trail again.
19. Complete P90X.
20. Go see 10 plays/musicals. (0/10)
21. Have high tea in Chicago.
22. Read a book in one day.
23. Write friend appreciation letters.
24. Ride in a convertible again.
25. Ride a motorcycle.
26. Make an average of one meal a week. (0/143)
27. Start an address book.
28. Send out Christmas cards.
29. Have a Spa Day.
30. Visit 5 national parks. (0/5)
31. Go camping 5 times. (0/5)
32. Kayak/Canoe 10 miles. (0/10)
33. Go caving.
34. Climb a rock wall.
35. Run a half marathon.
36. Run a marathon.
37. Visit a state I've never been to, discounting Drum Corps states.
38. Post an average of two photos a week.
39. Upload all my music to iTunes.
40. No television for an entire day an average of one day a month. (0/33)
41. Host a holiday party.
42. Finish photo cubes.
43. Swing dancing 10 times at Estebans. (0/10)
44. Watch all the Oscar films for the Oscars before the Oscars.
45. Bake bread.
46. Have a picnic with all homemade food.
47. Become bartending certified.
48. See the Northern Lights.
49. Eat vegetarian for one week.
50. Watch 10 foreign films. (0/10)
51. Learn 5 new boardgames. (0/5)
52. Find a place to consistently volunteer.
53. The ubiquitous skinny dip.
54. Attend a film festival.
55. Skydive again.
56. Do an average of 1 craft a month. (0/33)
57. Have a foreign pen pal (of the French speaking persuasion).
58. Begin meditating.
59. Get a fortune telling/palm reading.
60. Put $10 in a jar every time I finish a task.
61. Go a week with only email.
62. Use photography groupon.
63. Knit/crochet a blanket.
64. Do a charity walk.
65. Send a postcard from every destination I visit.
66. Whiten my teeth using whole whitening pack.
67. Try a new restaurant an average of once a month. (0/33)
68. Build a giant sandcastle.
69. Take a belly dancing class.
70. Take a cake decorating class.
71. Send 5 books to friends after I finish reading them. (0/5)
72. Donate blood every 10ish weeks. (0/14)
73. Write thank you notes for every gift I receive.
74. Take the Mensa test.
75. Grill entire dinner.
76. Get my furniture from apartment in NYC.
77. Do a Critical Mass bike ride.
78. No soda for a month. (0/31)
79. Send a care package to a soldier.
80. Buy a bra/underwear lingerie set just because.
81. Visit all my family members.
82. Go to the beach in winter.
83. Do a polar bear swim.
84. Pick apples and bake a pie with them.
85. Learn to drive stick shift.
86. Complete a Flickr photo project.
87. Host a self-written/planned Murder Mystery dinner.
88. Buy 2 new charms for bracelet.
89. Wake up at the first alarm, i.e. no snooze, for 28 days. (0/28)
90. Take a 4 week (or so) dance class.
91. Sell my car.
92. Sell the chair in the garage.
93. Make sushi at home.
94. Take a multivitamin everyday for a month. (0/31)
95. Buy a Flip camera.
96. Buy and do a "Wreck This" journal.
97. Get one paid party planning gig.
98. Visit my nephews (non-holiday) an average of once a month. (0/33)
99. Use kayak Groupon.
100. Be alone for 48 hours.
101. Celebrate finishing this list with a trip or party.