When Summer Breaks Free

I think Kevin's enjoying his summer so far.  I found this and many other pictures on my Macbook.  Props to photobooth for the amount of fun he appears to have had when I am at work.  After spending one year living with a teacher, I can tell you that teachers (at least this one) work a years worth of hours into ten months and definitely deserve a summer break.

The Honda Fit, No Joke of a Car

I'm taking off from fun tonight and instead of going to hang with people, I decided to hang with myself. Not a bad deal because I happen to enjoy being myself at times.  I've been reading "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lammott and I'm so inspired to write more...if only I could write without being distracted by dirty dishes, dirty laundry and just mess.  I've realized lately that my anal neat freak side was not only characteristic of my college years...it is still alive in me and it's coming back!  And might I mention, it kills me at times.

The 2010 Honda Fit

As I promised I wanted to give a review of the Honda Fit. I, for one, think it is the best car ever and it has been faithful to our family for the past 6 months that we've had it.  Now if my recommendations aren't valid enough for you, check out the real critics and you'll find that the FIT is the right car for you. Listen, edmunds.com named it one of their "Top 10 Most Noteworthy Vehicles of the Decade" ...did I hear DECADE?? And Kelley Blue Book named it one of its "Top 10 Green Cars".  Honestly, you can't go wrong with being green.

While the car looks small on exterior, it is extremely spacious inside.  The storage space is AMAZING where you can fold seats up with literally one finger and fold the entire seats down in one second, so that you have an enormous amount of trunk space.  A demonstration will sell you.  We were able to move a file cabinet via the FIT so easily because the seats can fold down flush.  Moving it via my parent's van would be much more of a hassle. Why should you have to take your seats out to move things if you don't have to?

I was hesitant to get a hatchback initially because people have told that small cars aren't as safe.  The logic makes sense, but I figured that if the car has good safety ratings from big name critics, then I could be okay with a compact car.  Might I add that it was the most economical deal out there??  We were thinking of getting the CIVIC, but honestly, everyone and their mom has a civic and it reminds me a big frumpy animal and it's just too big and ugly.  It's also more expensive than the Honda Fit and it doesn't have as cool as name.  In 2001, the Civic was pretty attractive, but I'm turned away by the look of it now.

Other pluses of the FIT?  It has great turnaround capabilities so you can maneuver in tight spaces easily. There are great color choices...although dealers tend to be limited in color choice.  It has a hidden compartment under the back seat to hide your things.  You can adjust the steering wheel at different heights and most importantly, for short people like me, you can drive without having the steering wheel block your vision.  This car makes you feel tall.  Oh and I did mention great mileage?  On average in stop and go traffic, we get 36 MPG.  Let me tell you, you can't get cooler than this.

Yeah, Almost Sleeping

So I'm officially a blog addict. Some women think about men, some about what outfit they'll buy next, some about the weather.  I think about what I'm going to blog especially when I'm driving in the car.  It's almost 12am and I told Kevin I'd go to sleep soon, but what started off as a simple snack has become pineapple, expired easy mac, and chocolate covered pomegranates from Costco.  Add to that a late night blog session and this is definitely a guilty pleasure. I'm enjoying it though.

From a conversation with a friend last week, I've decided that from now on anytime I look fat in pictures or  a little chubbier (which may end up happening tomorrow after this late night snack), people are going to think I am pregnant.  That's flattering!  My friend said she saw a picture of me on vacation and I must have looked a little rounder because she honestly thought I might have a baby in my stomach.  Speaking of babies, my grandma told me for the 97th time to hurry up and have one because they are fun.  Babies are fun, they really are and cute, I agree, but nieces and nephews are pretty cute and fun too!  I can barely be responsible for myself, so I'm going to have to wait.  In all honesty, I'm hoping my grandma will live many more years because I do want her to see my children.  

MY next RAVE will have to be a personal review of the HONDA FIT 2010 and more.   Today was Kevin's last day teaching for the school year and tomorrow is his last day of the school year.  Praise the LORD. We're going to celebrate! Signing off...=)

Hot Hot Hot!

The heat is on!  Just came back from a 9-10 mile run in the trails! Beautiful out there and to add to that, my band (husband!) woke up early this morning and joined me on his bike the whole time as an act of love.  It's the first long run he's ever gone on with me and it was nice to have him serve as my First Aid, Security, and GPS.  Honestly, I wouldn't have been able to run in the trails without him because I don't run in the trails alone. If I hadn't run in the trails, I would have seriously melted or drowned from sweat by mile 3. So props to my man for being extra supportive.  

I really enjoyed raving about some of my favorite things last month, so I think I'll have to continue that in future blogs.  Before I do, there is something that I really got a kick out of last month. I was about to toss it out, but it was too funny not to share.  

Last month as I mentioned, I went to one of my good friend's bash, I mean wedding!  Anyways, when I got to the hotel, they apparently could not find my reservation.  Why? I guess the person I reserved my room with couldn't hear me. Not only did they mess up my address, but they totally screwed up my name!  "Tongue"?  At least they could have spelled it "Tung" considering that was the bride's name.  Gotta love homonyms right? The hotel was beautiful by the way!

Saturday Raves!

Now that it's Saturday, you have some more time to pay attention to the neat things I write about on this blog.  I have a number of things to rave about, but here's just one for now.  

1. Forgotten God by Francis Chan - I've only finished Chapter 2, but thus far I've found this book to be very intriguing, challenging, and full of truth.  In all my days in the Christian community, I feel like I've never really learned much about the Holy Spirit.  If the HS is part of the trinity, I figure he must be pretty important, but I always assumed the HS was simply a synonym for "God" and "Jesus". Isn't it?  This book begs to differ and is really challenging me to see that the reality of God on earth is really seen through the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is literally with us and in us helping to guide me, counsel me and walk with me each step of my day.  He nudges me and if I listen, He surely can bear the fruit in our lives that we need to see more in Christians. 

A Few of My Favorite Things

If Oprah gets to choose what her favorite things are, I decided I should be allowed to too.   Here are some reviews of my favorite things.

1. The Baskin Robbins Birthday Club - It really means it's your birthday when you receive a coupon for a free scoop of ice cream from Baskin Robbins. Do you have any idea how much a free scoop usually costs??   I definitely went in for my free scoop of ice cream two weeks ago and while the lady there kind of gave me a dirty look because all I did was get my free scoop, I loved every minute of it.  I've been a member of this club since I was a kid. What's better than free stuff?? Of course! Free ice cream!   I'm also a member of the Coldstone Birthday Club, but unfortunately did not get to redeem my coupon this year. I'll rave about it next year.

2.  The Aerosole Soul Mate - On my search to find shoes for my wedding day, I came across these and was ecstatic and sure that it was through divine intervention that I found my "soulmate" during my pre-wedding season.  If you know me, I am picky about shoes and will not sacrifice my comfort for vanity.   Unfortunately, I didn't ended up wearing these for the wedding because I was told I needed taller shoes, however, I've been wearing these for almost a year.  If you're like me and can't wear heels gracefully, you have got to get a pair of these shoes.  They match with about everything...which might be why I find myself wearing them everywhere, to church, to work, on errands...and believe me they're comfortable!

3. Old Tomatoes Recipe - Too weak to throw my old tomatoes away and fascinated by this simple recipe, I tried it out and boy it was a winner.  Way to revive wrinkled tomatoes right? You will do more than revive them!  This recipe which I randomly found on someone's blog tastes like bruschetta and is super easy to make.   Teamed with a fresh baguette, it can be quite a treat. Don't forget to use the mini Cuisinart, which makes things easier.  The mini Cuisinart is probably the most used kitchen appliance in our household. If you're planning to get married soon, add this one to your registry. There's really no need for a juicemaker, a George Foreman Grill, or a waffle maker.  A Cuisinart, however, you need that
http://figsandwigs.wordpress.com/2008/11/24/what-to-do-with-old-tomatoes/

The Most Unique and Best Bday Gifts

I believe that a birthday can often seem like an ordinary day with some glitter or sprinkles added to it.    How true I've found this to be today and this past weekend. Here I am documenting my 27th big day.  It's an ordinary week, a typical Tuesday, yet I don't want to forget the glitter and sprinkles that I've seen so far.  I've gotten some pretty darn good birthday gifts this week.  Let's start the list... (pictures are included)


1. This weekend I missed my sweet husband for about a day and flew to Boston to party and celebrate a good friend's wedding.  It was a blast, and although I was planning on doing a lot of work, I ended up doing only an hour of it the entire weekend. PRAISE THE LORD.  No wonder why it was so much fun.=)

2. A good out fit. I recycled a hand-me down spring dress (which by the way, someone said looked like a kid's dress) and then spiced it up with the Michelle Obama signature move - a belt.  I'd say good outfits made out of hand me downs should be considered one of Oprah's favorite things. It sure is one of mine!(left)
3. While in Boston for the wedding, I lived the luxurious life by getting to sleep in Marriott's beds. The pillows and bed were really comfy.
4. My Canon PowerShot A520 (which I got as a gift 5 years ago) took some fantastic pictures this weekend (should I go into business?)
5. My professor emailed me my grade for my Epi class yesterday and commented that "You totally rocked the exam!".  Those were her words EXACTLY.  Considering my A from this exam was worth a whopping 30% of my grade, I was pretty ecstatic.
6. I was wished a happy birthday one second after I opened my eyes this morning. My first bday being married=).
7. Got a LOOOONG distance birthday wish from my sista in Singapore!
8. After meeting with my advisor this morning about a proposal I thought would have to be over 20 pages longer, she told me everything was fine and that what I did not have to write 20 more pages in two days. Relief!
9.  Got a parking ticket for parking illegally at UMCP this morning.  Of course=).  When I opened it up, it said, "Warning only" and charged me $0. On it, it wrote that it was a "friendly ticket". I love friendly tickets. 
10. I enjoyed a birthday lunch with my three super fun and funny niece and nephews, my sister, my grandparents, and my momma.  Cupcakes, ice cream, dimsum, and family.  What a good combination.  At the wedding this weekend, the pastor said that he has observed that those that seem to live the happiest lives are those who have a lot of family (at least that's what I heard). How true this is and how blessed and happy I am.  Below is a picture of me, my newest nephew, and my grandma who loves the smell of babies, especially her great grand.

 

Yahoo!

Yahoo!! I am done with my last course and exam of my MPH program.  Everyone, please cheer with me!  Of course, I have so much more to complete in the next day, in the next week, and this month, and of course I have one more semester left, but little victories people, we're celebrating the little things.  And here we go...

1. Epi exam today, was worried for myself, but NOW OVER. Interestingly, I woke up thinking about nondifferential misclassification and bias and all these epi terms. Studying the night before DOES help!

2. My professor brought some quality candy to get us through our 3 hour exam... I mean 2 hours and 30 mins.  

3. I let go of exercising this week and today am not running.  No guilt.

4. My neighborhood friend came over to chill the other day.Nice break from the studying.

5. I yelled in my car today because I was so happy my exam was OVER.  It can feel a little weird, but quite freeing. =)Empty the mind.

6. Tax refunds. Right for our new corvette.

7. Received my free scoop coupon from the baskin robbins birthday club....been a member for how many years?? They should crown me.

Wish me luck over the next week.  Growing up is tough!