Post Office

Ventured to the post office the other day and got some goodies in the mail! Went to and forth Comcast with the roommate to get the cable/internet situation settled - went there twice in one day. And got the day off work. However, cable service from hell Comcast made me wait three and a half hours to set up the internet, so we went to IM West and worked out instead. Finally got the internet situated this morning, first thing. 

And last night I made dinner for my roommate Brittany and I - Shrimp & Avacado Rice Bowls.  They were so good that we ate it all and then had to go work out because we felt too full.. But they were only 300 calories each...

& then I found five dollars.

Extra-Coffee Caramel Frappuccino..

Mmm Starbucks was the answer to my needs today.. Especially on this fine gross-weather Hump Day. It turned out nice though with 25 60 mph winds. Needless to say I was pedaling forward on my bike nearest the Stadium on my way to work, but yet I was going the right way backwards. I guess mother nature was trying to tell me something.. "Meaghen, you do not need to go into work today" - Well at least that's what I got out of it. At least the sun decided to come out once I was in the comfort of the apartment and in dry clothes after being soaked from a monsoon outside.. But life is good.

And got to come home early from work, yet again and tried out Coconut-Curry Cashew Chicken. It was pretty delish.

Then got to go to Starbucks to listen to some live jazz music played by no one other than Mr. Royce and ordered a you guessed it, Extra-Coffee Caramel Frappuccino. I mean it was Happy Hour - so I just couldn't say no... And now I get to enjoy it while watching the Drake documentary. All-in-all it turned out to be a terrific Hump Day....

& then I found five dollars.

It's all about passion..

Passions really encompass who you are.  They are specific things that you live for, strive for, believe in, etc.  I strongly believe in passions, maybe it's just because I'm a passionate person, in general?  I feel like I'm just ranting now, but some of my strongest passions include: making a difference (who would've thought..), dancing, cooking, my younger brothers, Invisible Children, TWLOHA, Post Secret, my family, reading, being creative, including others.. And then I found five dollars

But why I bring up passions is because I have always loved to cook, this is probably going to make me sound like a big fat tubby. But the greatest part about all these recipes and making-of things, is that they're all organic and low calorie... Who would've guessed?

However, living on my own has allowed me to cook whatever I want. I have been experimenting lately with different recipes, trying out new things.

Today's latest special was: Greek Quinoa with Avocados - it's different but really good.

Yesterday consisted of making Organic Chocolate Chip Cookies, which are gone by the way. The roommates loved them. They were gone within five hours minutes, no joke. Cookie dough making chocolate chip cookies after getting off of work early, was desperately needed.

Sunday was sweets baking day.  Made cupcakes for my Dad in the morning, before heading back to the EL for work.  Then came home from work and decided to try out a new recipe.  Usually I don't like fish, only in sushi, but I really enjoyed Honey-soy Glazed Salmon with Asparagus. It was supposed to be with spinach and red bell peppers, but I improvised by slabbing some asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper and throwing it in the oven for a few minutes.  

And for the record -- I am not trying to copy Julie & Julia.  I just thought it'd be fun not only to share my embarassing moments.  But to share my cookings, as well. Can't think of anything embarrassing at the moment to share, so that just means that I probably will later this evening.

Who knows what tonight will bring..

& then I found five dollars

Every Girl Is Precious.

In contrast to my previous embarrassing entries, I recently finished reading the novel Push by Sapphire and watched its accompanying film, Precious.  The book and the movie both inspired made me think about my life and the lives of others and really value the life that I do lead, today.  It's heartbreaking to realize that there are people out there in the world who aren't loved.  And love is not defined by abuse, threatening remarks, and hatred.  It is caring, genuine support, always being there for one another, wanting to be around one another (friends or family), showing true affection, etc.  We all have our own definitions of love, and not to be cliché - but it really does make the world go around..

Anyways, both the movie and book are eyeopeners to what goes on in the world.  Especially if we're not used to being exposed to it in the first place.  This book (among other things) is one of the reasons why I want to take initiatives and be a leader and really make a difference in the world.  Everyone should have a chance at life - no matter their background or circumstances.  It just tears me apart that people really do experience this on a day-to-day basis, even though the book and movie were completely fictitious.

This is something that just has been on my mind lately... and this is precisely why my favorite quote of all times goes a little something like this, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." -Ghandi


......& then I found five dollars.

I don't mean to toot any horns, but

... you should all check out The Postman's blog he is one of my very best friends & he will never fail to make you laugh with all of his witty comments!  And I'm positively absolutely sure it'll be sweet saucy at the same time, with a hint of Morgan Freeman's wisdom all tied into one entertaining fabulous blog.


& then I found five dollars.

Someone should honestly take away my..

Honestly, someone should take away my license, well my bike - more like it.  On my way to work yesterday afternoon I may or may not have hit, gently bumped, alright fine I full on ran into a businessman with my bike nearest the bus stop on the busiest street downtown.  I swear it was a complete accident.  I can't help that there was a sea group of four people absolutely taking up the entire sidewalk and the business man just happened to step out in front of me - I mean hello, you clearly saw me coming.  Why on earth would you step out in front of me and stare at me like a deer in headlights?  Honestly.

But I am so very thankful that I was not the guy who got hit by a car on his way to class.  I was riding my bike, yet again, on my way back to the apartment from class and I witnessed watched this boy on his bike- thinking that he could outsmart the man driving the little town car and pass right in front of him, when in fact it was a green light.  I'm not entirely sure, but maybe he thought that since the light was green it meant that he could go too?  Needless to say, his entire front wheel was completely obliterated within a second by the little car - you couldn't even call it slightly round anymore.  I felt absolutely horrible for this poor little man, but at the same time thinking "thank god that wasn't me". And yes I did ask if he was okay or needed help, but I think he was too embarrassed to admit anything, he just looked at me and said flat out, no.

So I learned a few things within the last twenty-four hours..

1) When riding on a busy sidewalk, if someone poses an obstacle or blocks your right of passage yell either "excuse me" or if that doesn't work just shout "MOVE" and hopefully they'll get the picture, if not they'll have a hefty set of skid marks, as a reminder to move next time.

2) Never by any means believe that you can outsmart the traffic signals and/or oncoming cars - you'll never win (if you still think so, please see the blurb above & maybe you'll rethink your strategies)

....and then I found five dollars.

Ellipitical Machines & Busty Biceps

So with finals week being way behind, I stepped on the scale today and decided that I need to up my workout.  Went to the gym this morning after a hefty cup of joe - and hopped on an elliptical with VH1's Top 20 Countdown on in front of my face, of course.  I soon came to learn that you shouldn't position yourself facing the downstairs area of all of the boys working on sculpting their muscles, very distracting.  Hence why I turned on music videos.  But sometimes music videos aren't enough to keep me one, from staring.  Of course at this point in my workout the resistance decided to change from 10 to 5 - which I was unaware of since I was so distracted by all of the arm muscles below - and may or may not have lost my balance and proceeded hit my face on the machine before falling completely off.  Needless to say, I was mortified embarrassed, but was convinced that no one witnessed my fall until one of the guys working out beneath me came up to ask if I was okay and that I took quite the fall.  All-in-all I have learned my lesson to face the wall at all times while working out... And then I found five dollars.