it's all greek to me

Tonight for Thursday Supper Club, we decided to have Greek night. I LOVE Greek food and everything about Greece in general. It is one of my life goals to spend time in that country. Anyway, I was super pumped about cooking a Greek-ish meal. Too bad it was an EPIC FAIL. So bad, I can't even post a picture of it. The pasta didn't have enough olive oil, the salad was just funky, and the only decent part was the pita chips that were half-burnt, half-chewy. I think I'll let the REAL greeks create the most perfect meals, and I'll just stick to being a very appreciative, well-fed customer.

may i have the definition, please?

Today I went to see my AOII sister in a production of "The Spelling Bee." I had heard of the musical, but never seen it, so I knew I was in for a treat. It was one of the most entertaining things I've seen, and I see some pretty entertaining things. Carrie did such a fantastic job as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierr and we were all so proud of her!

"Leaf Coneybear has cats!"

just call me "martha"

Last night Abby and I made dinner for our fearless leader, Becky. After making the most insane nachos we've ever consumed in Abby's little dorm kitchen, we decided to upgrade to a REAL kitchen, Becky's kitchen. Personally, I am a HUGE fan of Kraft recipes. They're usually so simple and are always scrumptious. We decided to make Brushetta and Chesse Stuffed Chicken with asparagus and French bread. It was heavenly. We had some extra stuffing mix, so we just covered our chicken in it, hoping that was the wisest decision. It was. The stuffing was probably the best part, right after forcing Abby to handle the raw chicken. Abby sauteed some asparagus with butter, salt, and pepper, and it was the perfect vegetable to accompany our meal. Becky had never eaten asparagus, so it was an adventurous night for us all. Since our first complete meal made at college was a success, we've decided to cook dinner EVERY Thursday night.

(Abby on the phone with her mom): I just feel like I've really accomplished something by cooking a meal.
*pause*
Abby: Yes, mom, it IS about time.

god bless america

Today is day four of the 2010 Winter Olympics. I LOVE the Olympics. I love any opportunity to be blatantly patriotic, and this chance rolls around every two years. Like most girls, my favorite event is figure skating, specifically, pairs skating. And, like most Americans, I follow Apolo Ohno in every race he's a part of. But I'm also a fan of every speed skating event in general. And who can forget curling? (Better yet, who even knows what curling is?) Basically, I just love the Olympics.

snowfall

classes are cancelled. everyone is outside playing. college kids are building snowmen and starting snowball fights. hot chocolate and s'mores are nearby. slow jazz is playing. murder she wrote is on. snow days are the besttttt.

station wagon of life

I saw John Mayer in Birmingham last night. He was pretty fantastic, but not the best concert I've attended. I mean, he IS John Mayer and he plays the guitar like nobody's business, but it was more of a "pretend you're in my living room just sitting with me" rather than a show. Personally, I'm a fan of his older albums, but "Perfectly Lonely" (opening line for the song: "Is anybody out there perfectly lonely?" *insert thousands of screams*) was probably my favorite. He brought Michael Franti up at the end to sing "Waiting on the World to Change" which was different, but still fun. Overall, it was a great experience and a nice opportunity to spend some time in the 'Ham.


He DID share the most precious moment with a little girl in the front row. He flat out called this girl out as "the sweetest thing just belting out all the words" and insisted they put her up on the screen. He then proceeds to explain to the crowd that she was "melting his heart of stone and breaking down his wall of cynicism." Whoa. For John Mayer (of all people) to say that.... Later he tells her "I can't swear in front of you, cutie." What? I think every girl there was thinking the exact same thing: I want John to call ME cutie.
This is her:

let's go to the movies

Last night I saw "Dear John" with a few sorority sisters. As an English major I have this somewhat annoying habit of typically, if not always, reading books before I go see the movie. (Now, one of my biggest guilty pleasures is reading Nicholas Sparks novels. I've read them all, and I run to my local independently operated bookstore each time a new one is released.) I always have to keep in mind that movies just can't capture every detail written in books, and I can usually accept that. Last night was the exception. I hated "Dear John." I mean flat-out did not like it one bit. Nicholas Sparks almost writes his books to be turned into movies. There's a basic plot including one tragic event, a cheesy romance, and a predictable ending. Done. End of story. How difficult is it to turn that into a movie? "Dear John" left out so many important and sweet parts, and substituted those with rubbish.

However, I saw "When In Rome" today with some of my bible study girls, and I thought it was sweet. Predictable (see a pattern?), but sweet. It was quite comedic and had a nice soundtrack, too. "When In Rome" was definitely not a disappointment, especially opening up with Jason Mraz's "Kickin' With You." Listen to it here.

my funny valentine

I like obscure holidays. When I mean obscure, I'm not talking Arbor Day, Groundhog Day, or even Lady Gaga Day, but holidays that we know are coming, but we still overlook a little bit. I mean, really, how can the Fourth of July compete with Christmas? The birth of a Savior just isn't something any other holiday can compete with... except maybe Easter. But I love to give special attention to Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Valentine's Day. Sure, they're all man-made holidays, and not entirely obscure, but they're a little under the radar. This year, I decided to hand-make all of my Valentine's Day cards, and I couldn't have had more fun. I spent a decent amount of time milling around Hobby Lobby trying to find the perfect items that would really be the finishing touch to each card. Anyway, I have to say, I'm quite pleased with how they each turned out, but I'm already getting ideas for next year.

Inspiration for this craft: Martha Stewart Living and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

namesake

in time of daffodils(who know
the goal of living is to grow)
forgetting why,remember how

in time of lilacs who proclaim
the aim of waking is to dream,
remember so(forgetting seem)

in time of roses(who amaze
our now and here with paradise)
forgetting if,remember yes

in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek(forgetting find)

and in a mystery to be
(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me,remember me

--e.e. cummings