Theme of the Day...

Naps. I've been taking naps on and off pretty much all day. It's been nice. I've noticed that I've been talking in my sleep. I'm not sure why...I just find myself half sleepy half awake saying weird stuff.

Tonight we grilled salmon and some zucchini and for dessert, we had grilled peaches with brown sugar & whipped cream. It was good.

My lazy weekend is quickly coming to an end and in a few hours, it'll be back to being busy. Oh joy. Well, I'm going to watch The Simpsons. More later...

Mmm Snot.

Let me be the first to tell you how great snot tastes in the morning, draining down your throat. MmMmm good.

Yesterday I didn't do anything except go to the grocery store. Last night we went to the Hill for some sangria, tapas & pizza at Guido's. After that, we came home and watched TV. It was a great Saturday! This afternoon, I'm going to head out to Target to pick up a few things. Other than that, I'm going to veg out on the couch and watch more TV...probably some movies.

This next week I don't have class (yay). We are having a happy hour though, instead of class. Then, on Saturday we're going on a float trip. It will be fun. Wheeeeee

So, I'm lying on the couch watching The Surreal Life. The one thing that sticks out in my mind is how crazy some of these people are. Omarosa & Janice Dickerson. Holy shit. Are you kidding me? These women are nuts! Part of me doesn't want to believe that they are really as crazy as they appear, but why would you act they way they do, just for the sake of acting? People are just nuts.

I bought a bunch of fruit at the grocery store yesterday, so I'm thinking maybe I'll make a big fruit tray for lunch. Some watermelon, strawberries, pineapple, peaches and an apple. Yum! Tonight I think we'll grill out.

For now, I will just keep being lazy on the couch.

Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang

The above title is what I hear on TV right now. Battlestar Galactica is on and people are shooting. Bang Bang Bang.

I've decided that I'm not a very good blogger. In fact, I would venture to say I'm a horrible blogger. My blogging abilities have been severely hampered by the fact that I went back to school and now have no time for anything. Really. I barely have any time to take a poop. Really. So, this weekend I will try to make up for my lack of filling you in on my wonderfully exciting life.

Last night I completed my first class on the journey to my MBA or what I will now refer to as CEO Membership Card. I feel really good about completing that class. Last night my 'study group' did a presentation on the paper that I wrote and my team did not. My professor said I rocked the house with my fly-ass presentation skills. Well, she didn't use the terms rocked house or fly-ass, but I can read between the lines. She pointed out to the class my stance, facial expressions, smooth use of transitions and involving the audience in my talk. I was pretty proud of myself. I think it was the fact that I wore my awesome brown suit on Thursday. I've decided that will be my presentation outfit from now on.

This coming week is my off week and then I start my next class on August 11th. Woo.

This weekend is my weekend of absofuckinglutely nothing. I've told everyone that I'm not doing anything this weekend. Nada. Zero. Zip. No laundry, no dishes, no dishwasher, nothing other than things I enjoy and loads of TV watching. However, there is an exception. Tomorrow we are going to see Fighter Pilot on the IMAX screen at the Science Center.

Next weekend we're doing a day float trip with some folks. It should be fun. Chris's mom is going and she was saying there is a really yummy rib place in Cuba, MO that we have to eat at. So, I guess we'll check it out. My hopes aren't high though. In my mind, it's hard to measure up to Dexter's Ribs.

Well, I think I'll stop writing now. If I keep going, I will have nothing to write about tomorrow.

My Birthday Weekend

Overall, I had a great weekend! Friday night, we went to the Melting Pot. Everyone had a great time and the food was great! I had a wonderful time after a few Lemon Drop Martini's! We didn't get out of there until waaaay late.

Saturday, my sister came to visit. We went to Ramono's Macaroni Grill (not to be confused with Richard's Macaroni Grill). After that, we came back home and watched a movie. It was a good night.

I got lots of good stuff for my birthday. Gift certificates to World Market, Banana Republic and Gap. Wine, a rocking chair, earrings, a bracelet and a CD. I also got tons of cards. I love getting cards. Anyway, I made out pretty well.

Tonight we're going out with Jason & Nicole to see a movie and have dinner. I think we're going to Bellacino's. I have eaten at least 1 meal out every day this weekend. Honestly, I'm getting tired of eating out. This weekend we came up with a budget. I'm totally not a budget person. I'm a spender and a brand snob. However, in order to get new siding, we need to save some extra cashola. So, we're going to try and stick to a budget for the next 3 months. We'll see how it goes. Are any of you on a budget? If so, what works for you and what doesn't?

Well, that's it. This week should be okay. I have a paper to finish and a presentation to get ready for before Thursday. I don't think there is anything going on for next weekend. That's a good thing. I just want to hang out at home and relax. This Thursday is my last class of my first class (if that makes sense.) Or, the end of my first class. So, I get an off week and then start again the 2nd Thursday of August. It's kinda cool that the classes go by so fast. I'll have my MBA before I know it!

Happy Birthday to ME!

In a few short years, I'll be 30. In another 25, I'll be 50. I'm scared and I still wish I was 24.

Chris got me the new Coldplay CD, a pair of earrings & a bracelet, plus the rocking chair I wanted. He rocks.

People.

I hate people. Everytime I start to like you, you find a way to piss me off. That just confirms my distaste for people.

I have a lot to say, but I just don't want to type it out. I have a paper I need to write. I just feel like doing nothing. Nothing. This is the last week I will ever be able to do nothing while being 24. I'm going to try and make the best of it.

Friday is dinner at the Melting Pot for my birthday. There are about 18 of us now. Do you think it's 'rude' that I'm not paying for everyone's meal?? It's not like it's a "party". It's just dinner with friends for my birthday.

I hate people.

Weekend Details

Well, this past weekend was the big family reunion. It was a good weekend amazingly! Most importantly, the reunion will be held at Kentucky Lake next year AND I am no longer in charge! Woooo. I drank, ate, visited and rested. It was nice.

Sunday when we got back, we went over to the in-laws for dinner. It was so yummy! Chris's mom had gone to the market on the Hill and gotten a shit load of Italian staples. We had a huge antipasto platter, grilled eggplant & zucchini and salad. After that, we went to see Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. It was a great movie! I loved Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka.

Today was a crappy day. I stepped in a mud puddle on my way into work and the day just kinda went downhill from there. Tomorrow I have study group. I so don't want to go. I'd rather just come home and veg out in front of the TV. I think this is going to be a lazy week.

This is the last week I'll ever have at being 24. Come Friday, I'll be 25. I feel sad that I'll never be 24 again. In 5 years, I'll be 30. I remember when I though 30 was ancient and I'd need a diaper. Time goes by so quick. So far, Friday is shaping up to be a good night. We're up to 18 for dinner at the Melting Pot. It's going to be a blast!

That's all I have to say. I'm out.

Open Letter

Dear My Chef @ Shogun,

I just wanted to take a minute and write you a letter. My husband suggested I do this, and read it back to myself to realize how stupid I sound. However, I think you will find what I am about to say helpful. After leaving your Japanese steak house this evening, I found myself overcome with anxiety. I often feel anxiety, but you really set me off tonight. First of all, why must you use so many fucking sesame seeds? I mean, COME ON. Not just 1 or 2 teaspoons, 5-6 heaping spoonfuls. It was like a never ending stream of sesame seeds. Not just on my rice, but on my vegetables and on my teriyaki chicken. WTF is the deal? I used to like sesame seeds..until you poisoned me with them. Also, I did not really like the way you cut the veggies with such careless abandon. I feel it was bullshit that you didn't slice the onions correctly. Every good Japanese chef knows how to slice an onion. Instead of cutting it into bite sized pieces, you left big uneven strips. It took every ounce of strength I had to resist taking that knife away from you and cutting them myself. Also, next time you cook make sure you cut the vegetables correctly. As in, 3 pieces per veggie slice. Moving on, I guess I should mention that I didn't like the way you cleaned the grill. It was grossly disorganized and you did not at any point have a clean work space. It made me sick and angry at the same time. You also failed to get all the black stuff that was stuck to the grill, off. You also left a few little pieces of rice on the grill, after you had 'scraped' it to make it clean. Because of these above reasons, I could not wait to get out of there. Now, because of this incident, I am extremely stressed out. I would appreciate it if you could work on improving these things. If you would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact me.

XOXO,

Dana

Savor!

Wednesday, 12 of us gathered at Savor on Lindell. The building Savor resides in is an old funeral home. Before I had got there, I was a little freaked out by that fact. Once we arrived and checked the place out, it wasn’t so bad. I really liked the décor of the place. Upon arriving, we sat at the bar waiting for the rest of our party to arrive. The bar is very nice. Comfortable bar stools and a nice TV on the wall with sports playing. The bartender was very nice and attentive. I will add that Savor makes the best mojito that I’ve had outside of the Caribbean (including Miami).

When the rest of our party had arrived, we were seated in the upstairs portion of the restaurant. (Where the Flim Flam theatre is located.) Our waiter was great! He was very friendly, and explained the menu well. The only problem we found with being upstairs was the fact that getting drinks from the bar took a wee bit long. (Since the bar is downstairs.)

The food was excellent! I had the mushroom farrotto and the Tenderloin with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Everything tasted perfect. The asparagus was cooked just right. I love asparagus and often times places overcook it. This was right on. For dessert I had the chocolate beggar’s purse with homemade lemongrass ice cream. WOW. The ice cream was fabulous! The chocolate in the beggar’s purse was delicious, but I thought the pastry was cooked a bit too much. Chris had the saag paneer flatbread and the lamb & olive tajine. For dessert he had the blueberry tartlet. VERY good. When I go back, I’ll definitely get that next.

One thing I think that is definitely worth mentioning is the bathroom. The bathrooms have the “wow” factor. I’m not going to go into explanation; I’ll just say go there, eat, and go to the bathroom. You’ll never want to leave.

Overall, the comments I heard from everyone were great. Everyone loved their dishes. Some ate every last bite. The service was excellent, the food was excellent and the overall atmosphere was excellent. If you haven’t been to Savor, go. It’s well worth it. The menu changes (slightly) every few weeks, so check it out. You won’t regret it. Check them out at www.savor-stl.com. Overall grade A

Coming up for air.

Geez. I've been going non-stop since my last post. If work isn't consuming me, school is. With what time I have left, I try and have a decent personal life. Then, add travel in there and I barely have time for sleep.

First, I'll tell you about school. So far, it's cool. Getting back into the groove of school after being out for so long is kinda weird, but in a good way. I finished a paper (my first bigger one) and I'm actually pretty proud of myself for it. It rocks! I think it's because it was on a topic that I was interested in. (The Abilene Paradox). Anyway, this Thursday will be my 3rd class, with only 2 more classes left after that until I'm done with my first 'class'.

I also have a study group who I have to meet with once a week. There are only 3 of us, and I think we're a pretty good mix.

Thursday we're leaving for my family reunion. We're supposed to float the Current River this Friday, but I'm not sure if we'll be able to or not, since it's been raining so much. I'll have to check the river conditions before we leave. Hopefully it will be okay though.

Tomorrow night my dining out group is heading to Savor to check it out. I'll be sure and post a review. It should be fun. I've heard good things about the place.

I finally picked a spot for my 25th. We're going to the Melting Pot, then we'll probably head over to Blueberry Hill, then hit the Landing. It should be fun. I've gone to the Melting Pot for the last 3 birthdays, but I love the place. I *heart* fondue. Anyway, that is the plan, Stan.

Sunday we went over to Chris's dad's new house. It has a sweet ass in-ground pool with a slide. So, we swam and some of us (CHRIS), consumed large amounts of wine. It was fun. Nothing beats an in-ground pool. I told him when we buy our next house, it's going to have one too.

Well, tomorrow will be a busy day. Lots of stuff to do to get ready for the reunion. Sorry for my lack of posts. I've been a bad bad girl and should be punished.

It's Been A Blur..

I've been really really busy lately. Thus, the lack of posts. Besides the drama with the siding contractor, I've been busy with school stuff, 4th of July parties, work, and just regular stuff. We had a party on Sunday, and then went to a pool party & bbq on Monday. It was a nice weekend. Did some homework, saw my friend from Springfield, went shopping, saw Chris's sister, had dinner with the in-laws, and watched Hitch & Mean Girls (for the 2nd time.)

Most everything has been a blur. I need a weekend of rest. I was thinking about doing it this weekend, but I need to run some errands to get ready for the family reunion, and I was kinda wanting to go to the spa this weekend, but we'll see how it turns out.

Since I started school, everything feels so jam packed. Between school, work, and social activities, I have little time for rest or sleep. Whaaaa cry me a river. I'm such a big baby.

Well, that's all I got for now. I'm actually done with homework and I feel like I can sit in my chair and do nothing. So that's what I'm going to do until I go to bed.