Life – Page 7

Currently March 2020

March 18, 2020 by Alicia 1 Comment

Let’s talk currently here. I am doing a little bit of a different style post for currently, just thoughts going through my mind right now.

Currently, I am reporting to work as normal and working as normal, amid some distractions as we all discuss coronavirus and uncertainties.

Currently, at work we are not allowed to eat in the cafeteria, so I feel “grounded” because we have to eat at our desks.

Currently, my gym is closed, my yoga studio is closed so I need to find some at home workouts because the gym helps my sanity.

Currently, I am sad because the gym helps my sanity and I was just getting back into routine after being sick the first week of March.

Currently, I am sad because I just decided to cancel all my birthday travel plans to Chicago so that I hopefully don’t lose any deposits made and there is just too much uncertainty with the travel.

Currently, I am grateful that I do not have children and feel for the parents who have to figure out childcare right now while also trying to work whether from home or the office.

Currently, I am grateful that our wedding was last year and that the only major event I had to cancel was my birthday celebrations which aren’t big in the long run, but are big for my big 3-0.

Currently, I am grateful that I do have a job and a paycheck right now.

Currently, I am grateful my MBA was already 100% online and nothing changing with that.

Currently, I am grateful that I have been working ahead on my school work so that I can take some nights to reflect on these thoughts.

Currently, I am grateful I was still able to get my massage this week because it was much needed in this stressful time.

Currently, I am doing a lot of reflecting because I need to write a short paper on my emotional intelligence.

Currently, this exercise is helping me practice self awareness (the first facet in emotional intelligence)

Currently, I am trying to take it day by day just like everyone else and have hope that we have some answers soon on how long this quarantine is going to last.

Sickness, Soup Diet and Beautiful Weather

March 9, 2020 by Alicia Leave a Comment

The title of this post is kinda a hodgepodge of the first week of March. After last weekend’s fun adventures on Saturday, I started to feel a sore throat and that turned into a full blown cold of a stuffy nose and also issues with my stomach. I didn’t have a fever and still made it through the work week for month end duties. It was a LONG week though. Also it was the weirdest thing how my body just didn’t want anything to do with meat. I didn’t have much of an appetite but still was able to eat. After having chicken on my salad on Monday for lunch though, my stomach felt awful. I basically lived on carbs in the week. When I ate toast, oatmeal and even almond butter pancakes in the morning, I was fine. It was always a couple hours after lunch, my stomach would start to feel crampy and I even switched things up with salad, pasta and veggies. So I basically went vegetarian for about 5 full days, finally eating meat again on Saturday afternoon. I lived on minestrone soup, crackers, chickpea pasta and a stir fry cauliflower rice with veggies. It seemed that cooked veggies actually settled better with my stomach.

By Friday I was feeling the best I had all week and finally had energy after work too. Thank goodness I have been ahead on my school work and didn’t have too much to worry about last week so Brian and I started a Harry Potter marathon. We got through 2 movies last week and started the third yesterday.

Saturday morning I couldn’t sleep in. I was up at 5am with a very stuffy nose and needing water for my throat. Also if you haven’t tried a sinus rinse when having a cold, it’s a love/hate kinda thing, but I really believe it has helped my ears drain as well. I have been doing it 1-2 times a day and it saves from using many tissues.

With being up so early on Saturday, I made a spinach-banana-avocado smoothie for breakfast and then got right to doing some homework because it was on my mind and I finally felt productive.

I have now finished my one class’s assignments through March except for a group project I am working on. It feels so amazing to be so ahead and be able to relax and do other things. Shortly after Brian got up we went to the gym. I took a week off from the gym so I decided to ease back and just “play” around doing hip thrusts and pull ups with the band and tons of stretching. It felt good to be back and just to be able to breathe again through my nose.

After the gym I headed right to Wegmans, came home and made the most beautiful sandwich. I was craving a ham and provolone sandwich (I don’t eat cheese often, but when I crave it, I don’t deny it) and I even toasted up the bread in a pan. It really hit the spot! Also first meat in 5 days and my stomach was finally accepting of it.

In the afternoon, I got some sad news that my cat, Tom, with my parents was being put down. He hadn’t been doing well and wasn’t eating and maybe had a heart condition. He was around 16-17 years old as we got him from a shelter and he was about a year when we got him I believe. He had a good life but will be missed for sure.

Tom cat — One of my favorite photos with Tom, thankful for self timer and forcing him in photos when he was camera shy lol

Tom 2 — always sitting with crossed paws

Saturday afternoon was super sunny and I enjoyed relaxing on the couch with Brian. I did some more homework (to get ahead) and then Brian cooked pork tenderloins I picked up at the store for dinner. Shortly after dinner, we headed to the movies to see Emma. Honestly the ads win on this one because I didn’t know about the movie until I kept seeing ads for it on websites I was on. It’s based on a Jane Austen book and I remember enjoying some of her books in school and we had gift cards to use from Christmas for the movie theater. It was pretty good, but I can definitely agree with Brian that I got a little lost on who was who at some points. I am kinda curious on reading the book now.

As soon as we arrived home from the movies, it was 9pm and I was up early so I headed right to bed. Plus we would lose an hour on Sunday anyway.

Sunday morning I really slept in until a bit after 8am (well the new 8am). I made delicious French toast for breakfast since I had bread from making a sandwich. The kiwis at the store have also been looking great and I know they are high in vitamin C so I had one with breakfast.

In the morning I worked on my school project and then around lunch time Brian and I got spiedie salads for lunch and then went for a long walk at the nearby start park. We walked just over 3 miles around the park and it was nice to be out in nature when it was sunny and about 50 degrees. I can’t wait for the other trails to open and hope we can do more hiking this summer.

I decided to make some cookies for Sunday dinner and had them fresh out of the oven just before leaving. After dinner, Brian and I came home and watched Harry Potter and relaxed for the rest of the evening before the work week starts again. It was nice to have the daylight last into the evening even if the mornings will be dark again for a bit.

Overall it was a nice productive and relaxing weekend. This week is spring break for classes so I don’t have anything due, but want to continue to get ahead where I can because I know April will be busy with my birthday travels and a few big projects due back to back.

Leap Day: First Engage-aversary

March 2, 2020 by Alicia 1 Comment

Hey there and Happy March!! February flew by and we ended the month with Leap Day celebrations. Leap day is now a day to celebrate since Brian and I got engaged on Leap Day in 2016. I know that men are not as big into celebrating things, but since our engage-aversary is only every 4 years, it’s a good compromise that we only have to celebrate it every 4 years lol.

It worked out well that I was ahead on school work and could spend the day out of the house for once on a Saturday. It was a busy day. We did start with a nice laid back morning. Usually on Saturday, I sleep until about 7am, have breakfast and am quickly out the door to shop at Wegmans. Well it was snowing a bit this Saturday morning so I decided to have a chill morning and took my time enjoying some tea, spending time with Brian and watching A Million Little Things.

I finally headed to Wegmans at about 9am and got my main weekly essentials. Around 11, Brian and I decided to head to Aiello’s for some lunch. I always hear my co workers talk about this place so finally after living here nearly 3 years, we made it there. Of course, besides our bruschetta appetizer, Brian and I didn’t order anything Italian. I had a spedie panini and Brian had a hamburger. It was a nice filling lunch though.

We then stopped at some family friend’s house and chatted for a couple hours. They also had some brownies in the oven so it was perfect to have some dessert. At about 2pm, we headed to Syracuse to go axe throwing. The place opened at 3 so it was perfect timing once we arrived. I feel like this activity became more popular after it was shown on the show Workin’ Moms. The place in Syracuse has been opened for a year apparently. The person who taught us seemed really knowledgeable. I definitely need some more practice and if the place was closer to our house, I could see it as a fun activity to do for an hour on a weeknight even. I slowly got the hang of it, but I felt it was all about coordinating my front step and the chop throw at the right time.

Brian had tons of fun with it and it was nice to do something different. Towards the end of the axe throwing though, my throat was really bugging me which was annoying. We headed to the Syracuse mall and decided since it was already 4:30, to grab a bite to eat. We usually go to the Mexican place, but this time we went to PF Changs. I honestly don’t think I have even been to a PF Changs before. I have only had their frozen food from the grocery store. They had some Ramen on the menu which sounded good for my throat. I also got a pomegranate lemonade. Since we don’t go out often, it’s a nice treat when we do.

After that we walked around the mall. Our mission was to search for a new frying pan (I know so exciting right?!). About 6 years ago, I had bought a great pan/wok at Macy’s on a doorbuster deal. Of course, the pan has recently been discontinued so we were trying to search for something similar. It’s amazing how much pans can cost. At some point, I should probably get a set, but I just don’t have the storage for one and this one frying pan works for everything. After looking at Williams Sonoma and not really finding anything similar or affordable, we headed to Macy’s. Eventually we settled on the Anolon 12 inch pan. The depth is a little smaller, but it is the same width of 12 inches. Hopefully it will last for years to come. I also love a frying pan with a clear lid.

Once we decided on that, it was getting late and we still had to stop at Trader Joes before heading home. I really wasn’t in the mood to try on clothes and shop at this hour. We didn’t take too long in Trader Joes and got a lot of good cauliflower goods and chocolate. I basically bought 2 of a bunch of items since we hadn’t been to Trader Joes since mid December and I figured I would stock up.

I got a couple new spices and some 100% cocoa chocolate bars I haven’t had before.

Once we got home, it was time for bed and my throat didn’t feel well so really all I wanted to do was sleep anyway. Sunday was a laid back day at home to recover. I started with some lemon water and honey to soothe my throat, followed by some tea and breakfast.

Brian headed to the gym and I did a little bit of stretching and yoga at home. Then it was time to read some school stuff. It was finally a sunny day so I enjoyed reading on the couch and soaking up all the sunshine. A very low key Sunday which was just what I needed.

This is the week before “spring break” with school. I put that in quotes since I will still be working full time that week but at least I won’t have any assignments due. It’s the perfect week to continue to work ahead as we are also midway through the semester and working ahead keeps me less stressed. I can’t wait for spring and warmer weather soon to hopefully get outside more and maybe work on running again.

Currently February 2020

February 17, 2020 by Alicia 3 Comments

Oh hey it’s mid February…my how the time flies by. Most of my weekends are filled with homework assignments these days. Brian and I are also trying really hard to save money so we are pretty much home bodies at the moment. I think this works quite well for winter time as it’s cold, icy, snowy and dark so early. Honestly, so far, I would say it has been a mild winter. We got about 6 inches of snow a week ago Friday and Brian drove me home from work a bit early (perks of working at the same place) and then I just picked up my car on Saturday morning. I shoveled the whole driveway and was working on the hardest snow pile from the plow and then my neighbor came down the street with his snow blower.

Valentine’s Day was last Friday and we don’t really do anything for the holiday. Last year I asked Brian for chocolate covered strawberries and he said they were so expensive so instead we made our own. This year we had to continue the tradition and make our own strawberries again. It’s fun because we get to melt the chocolate and work together and then get a nice treat. Brian also cooked up some steaks for dinner and then we rented the movie Hustlers (after seeing that Superbowl halftime with Jennifer Lopez, I had to see the movie). I think we both really enjoyed the movie and it was a nice break from homework for the night.

I’ve had many group meetings at 9pm and that’s usually when I go to bed so I have been tired from staying up for those. Overall though, the semester hasn’t really been too bad and lighter on the workload compared to the last couple semesters which has been nice. I have been reading ahead whenever I get the chance and that helps for doing the assignments mostly on the weekends. So now that we have caught up a bit, I did want to share a few currently items.

Current Book: Scythe By Neal Shusterman. I heard about this book from The Lazy Genius podcast with her recent winter book episode and her summary had my intrigued so I immediately bought the book. Also, sidenote, this book is a trilogy and in doing the math, it’s cheaper to buy each book in paperback individually than to buy the boxed set…like why? Book prices literally do not make sense anymore like when it is cheaper to buy the physical copy than the Kindle version. I just don’t understand. Also I started reading this book aloud to Brian when we got into bed one night and it’s such a fun book to read to someone that it’s kind of become our nice bonding thing to read it together.

Current Podcast: I just discovered The Kelly O Show as Kasey Brown (a blogger I follow) was on the show recently and I listened to her episodes and curious to check out more of her podcast episodes.

Current Purchase: I finally got myself another Columbia jacket. I got my black one about 2.5 years ago and it is what I live in at home so it has gotten its use for sure. I’m still keeping the black one but the new mint green one is so comfy and I love having a color other than black as mint green is my favorite color lately.

Current Essential Oil: I have been diffusing orange essential oil in my office when I am working and love the refreshing citrus smell.

Current TV show: I randomly came across Locke and Key on Netflix last weekend and I was hooked. I somehow managed to watch 4 episodes in one weekend and then finally stopped for a bit. I do not typically watch anything scary, like even people popping out suddenly. This show is a little creepy but so mysterious. I can only watch it during the day or in the morning time for this reason so it’s more of a weekend show to enjoy, but it’s so addicting with all the mystery.

Current Food: I finally made a salad recipe from The Heathnut Cookbook, the beauty glow salad. I didn’t get all of the ingredients, but had most of them and the lemon ginger dressing was also sooo delicious. If we ever have some people over for a meal, the recipe makes a nice big salad. I cut the salad recipe in half and enjoyed some for lunch Saturday and Sunday.

Current Snack: Flex BBQ flavor protein chips. So my co worker has been getting everyone hooked on these chips as she found them at Sam’s Club I think. They are great macros and apparently great on Weight Watcher points as they are high in protein. I also love that they are classified as vegan so no dairy for me and they are keto friendly which works well for Brian. I recently discovered they sell them on Amazon (I mean of course) and so I got the Buffalo and BBQ variety pack. The buffalo flavor is definitely a bit on the spicy side for me, so those will be for Brian and I will eat the BBQ. I think next time I order them, I will just get the BBQ pack. The chips worked out to less than $1 a pack and that’s not bad at all considering I often buy protein bars for $1 or more individually.

Current countdown: Having a countdown to something keeps me excited and it’s currently 52 days until my 30^th birthday. Being that it’s the big 3-0, I am planning a short trip to Chicago with my sister and a couple friends. It should be a fun time. We will see if the weather cooperates because it could be anything from snowing to raining to sunshine and beautiful in April if you know Chicago.

Do you do anything to celebrate Valentine’s Day?

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