Zoo Time

Thanks to my friend, Andy, I have a membership to the Dallas Zoo. He gave me the membership as a going away present. And because of this membership, I get membership perks...like after-hours events.

 

It was such an event that I took my 'goddaughter' her mom to a couple weeks ago. It was hot, and Jordan loved the misters that were set up all over the African section (only that section of the zoo was open for this event). I felt like I was back in cheerleading, because I was doing alot of Liberty lifts with the little one so she could get right up to the misters.

 

She got to see the penguins...who were swimming away because of the heat.



 

 

 

The picture below reminded me of the last time we went to the zoo with Jordan. Her first zoo visit in fact. Here's the post. 

Look how much she's grown in those two years!

Anyway, we fed a giraffe, which was awesome! He was right in our face and took lettuce from us. So awesome. Look how close we were to him!

After dinner, an experience with two lions (behind netting and glass), rides on the carousel and shopping in the zoo gift shop, we were sweaty and tired.

But even so, I'm excited to go back!

THANKS ANDY!

Change

I know, I know...it's been over two months since I last posted. But I've been busy.


In mid June I accepted a new job. This new position took me away from the city and job I had been in for 4 years. It was a huge switch for me, leaving the home that I had built, the friends I had made, the people who had become family.

It was one of the hardest decisions I had to make. So many things were changing in my life and with my family and I needed to do this for me. I still think about that decision today actually. I still get upset knowing what I left behind and while I'm happy that I am at my new job, it's hard being the 'newbie' and having to start over...again.

I feel like I've moved so much in my life already and to do it again, hurt actually. I was going home, I would going to be closer to my parents, which was important for me, but to physically uproot myself, even for a place that I was familiar with, was difficult.

People were upset with my decision. Some mad, even if for only a little while, they were still mad. Some sad, because me leaving hurt them. Some happy, for me and for my chance to go home. I was feeling the same emotions too, for similar reasons and different, all at the same time.


Anyway...change was hard. But change was needed. I've been back in Dallas for 5 weeks now and I am getting back into a routine. I've been able to reconnect with old friends, though not much. I live in a cool area of the city, though I haven't experienced much of it. It's kind of work and dog, dog and work. Now there is a kitten in the equation, though he is going to another home soon.

I miss my friends. I miss my family. I miss a job I used to have and a city I used to live in. I miss the routine I once had and the comfortable feeling of knowing what I was doing when I was doing it.


Starting over is difficult. But sometimes, starting over is necessary.


I don't really want to do it again though.

My First Half Marathon

That's right! I DID IT! Not as fast as I would have liked, but I finished nonetheless! :-)

Check out the post about the race here on my running blog!

Happy Reading!!

Dave Matthews Band

A week ago at Opening, Traci and I talked about going to the upcoming Dave Matthews Band concert. On Friday, I got the call from her saying Saturday was the day.

So yesterday, she, a friend of hers and myself headed out with the masses of drunk and high people to see Dave Matthews LIVE.

It started with an early dinner and then an adventure to get the tickets (we had to pick them up elsewhere) and parking, followed by a little tailgating before heading into the amphitheater for the show.

Once we got into the 'park' (we had to go through gates, show our tickets, etc...that I likened it to going to Six Flags) we we in search of drinks! We found neon green frozen margaritas not found in nature.

Come on...really? They are the color of slime! They were really tart too and mix-y (you know, like from a mix) so they didn't taste super fresh, but they were potent. And the guitar glasses were pretty cool!

Then we headed into the 'shell' for the concert. It was packed to the gills and the lawn was virtually overflowing. We were smelling smoke and pot and alcohol. We weren't the oldest bunch there, but we weren't the youngest...gotta love college kids. PS...I never did this when I was in college...

Anyway, the concert was good. I don't know a lot of songs that Dave Matthews does...and this was night number two of him performing, so he didn't perform the same songs both nights (way to get more money) so I may have known a few more, but that was neither here nor there. The music was good, the musicians were great and the atmosphere was CRAZY.

After the concert was over, we had the adventure of getting out of the parking lot and out of the city. Lord...people are crazy. I finally got home a little after 12:30am after leaving my apartment at 3:30pm that afternoon. I was exhausted. Technically, I still am...so maybe a nap is in order before the Memorial Day BBQ festivities today!

PS...I don't think I need to go back to the Comcast Theatre. It was hot and packed. Give me AC and an arena any day...I'll keep the XL Center and Mohegan. :-)

Saying Goodbye :-(

Well, Friday was Sara and Anna's last day at work. I had worked with Sara since I started 4 years ago and of course, Anna had been with me since Labor Day for her year-long apprenticeship.

I decided I would make them each cupcakes and I kind of gave them a say as to what kinds. Well, I gave Anna a say. She chose my Irish Carbomb cupcakes. You can check out that post here.

I decided for Sara that I would make her some Mickey Mouse Cupcakes. I had made her Mickey & Minnie Mouse Cookies for her birthday (here's that post) so I thought the cupcakes would be cute. Luckily she agreed. :-)



I was up to my elbows in different batters. I ended up making two dozen of EACH cupcake, so having to frost 48 cupcakes wasn't really a thrilling thought at 10pm at night (really midnight when it was all said and done).

Sara's Mickey cupcakes were easier to make, but time consuming to decorate. I made a chocolate cupcake with a simple whipped vanilla frosting that I tinted. Then I added yellow frosting buttons and mini-Oreos for ears.

Anna's was the chocolate-Guinness cupcake, with a chocolate-Jameson ganache and a Bailey's buttercream frosting. I used more Bailey's than powdered sugar in the frosting, so it was thinner than the last time I made it. It still tasted good.

I was happy how they came out and while I wanted happy that they were leaving, I was happy I could do this for them.

I'll miss you both!!!!!

Ten Penny Ale 5K

Ah...Ten Penny Ale time!

Today was the Shamrock Duathlon & 5K out in Glastonbury. Something that was just a fun run for Bryan and I, but something Arielle was training for.

A couple months ago, during my kick of getting people at work to sign up for training programs, I managed to convince Arielle to join this particular 5k training group. Bryan and I were already in our half marathon training program, and this group would meet at the same time. It was something I know she wanted to do, but I was hoping she would actually do it.

And guess what...she did.

So...Bryan and I decided that we would sign up for the 5k and run with her (see that post here). And run with her we did. We never left her, kept saying motivating things and giving her tips to get her through a little easier.

She was a trooper...even when Bryan physically pushed her forward at one point during the race (ok, it was just a nudge...but it was funny). We got her water when she needed it, let her take walk breaks when she needed and tried to keep her smiling.

I even recruited a cheering squad for her, consisting of her fiancee Andrea, Robyn, Stacie, Andy and Traci. Sure, they were there to see us too...but they were mainly there for Arielle.

She finished in 43:38 and I couldn't be prouder!

We celebrated with a Ten Penny Ale at the finish line and then the group of us went to breakfast...which was delicious by the way! I think one of the greatest things was that we did it as a team. It was one of my favorite experiences so far!

The half marathon is two weeks from today...this was my first run in 2 weeks because of my injury and I feel pretty good honestly. The foot is doing well...so I can only hope that, as long as I'm careful, I'll be ok for that big run. Keep those fingers crossed. :-)

See this post on my running blog.

Margarita Cupcakes

Hey Cinco De Mayo!

I decided that I would make some margarita cupcakes for the Friday before Cinco de Mayo (ie TODAY). I had browsed Pinterest for some ideas and low and behold, I found one.

I basically took the recipe from here: Annie's Eats  and then tweaked it slightly.


I would add tequila and orange liquor into the batter as well as brushing some on there after baking. I think its up to your taste, but I feel the full quarter cup combined (half and half) is a good amount both in the batter and on top.
The frosting was pretty buttery, but the lime was a really a good addition. I feel that it helped cut the richness of the butter. I would add more tequila to it it next time...so again, your call.
Hope you like it. I have more coming. Yum!