Beauty in Today

If you’re not counting your calories, you’re not waking up early to get in that extra run, not measuring your food out, your calories out, not weighing yourself regularly, not eating fruits and veggies, not saying goodbye to the junk food, not working out until every muscle in your body screams, then you’re just not wanting this bad enough yet.

(via train-eat-sleep)

Ackventure

It’s shocking and exciting that the summer is coming to an end so soon. I have so many things to look forward to this fall, including living with Cassie/ on beacon hill, my internship, my hands on classes, and the amazing weekends I am going to have with all of my friends.  But let’s not get ahead of ourselves now! I’m still in Nantucket for another 2 weeks, so until I hit the Boston pavement, I need to concentrate on this moment.

Yesterday was such an eye opening day for me that I just have to share it. I worked my usual morning shift (7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.). It’s no understatement that with that early of a report time, I give Starbucks a run for its money. At the conclusion of my work shift, my coworker, John, asked me to grab lunch with him during a  game of casual tennis. Even though he is a bit younger than me (can you say 16!?!?) I happily agreed. And what the hell.. age ain’t nothin but a number, right?

He’s the kind of guy who is really genuine, and he takes some time to warm up to you. He always has my abs tight after a work shift with him because he constantly keeps me laughing. We biked to Easy Street Cantina. Unlike a lot of other places on this island, it’s cheap and delicious. Usually, if you get one, you’re paying for it with the other. 

I ordered the fish and chips, and John got this breakfast burrito that rivaled a tree log in size. We finished my “chips” together as he told me about a new guy that has turned his stomach into a butterfly nest.

As we digested, we ventured over to the beautiful Nantucket library, complete with large white pillars and a scenic reading patio). I took out a Jodi Picoult book (I am a diehard Picoult fan) and an easy fictional novel. The cover art says it all.. it’s a designer shoe with a engangment rings stacked on the heel. I think it’s safe to say Dostoyevsky didn’t write it. 

Post library, John and I made our way down to the Wharf, where we cooled off with some lemon sorbet. The combination of the shade, the breathtaking view of the water, and the cool ocean air was amazing, and totally needed after a day in the sun. 

The last little B.I.T: The beauty was not giving a f*** about what anyone thinks. I feel like so many people would have judged me for a) being a 21 year old and hanging with a 16 year old and b) being judged by my coworkers/ people who know John from school because he falls into the category of “uncool.” If you let other people dictate what you can and can’t do in life just because it merits coolness or not, you are no longer living life for you. There is absolute beauty in seeing things in people that others don’t. Take Jon for instance; he’s knowledgeable about cooking/glee, he’s a good listener, and he’s funny. But people who know him won’t give him the time of day because they think hanging out with him is uncool. I am happy that I gave Jon a chance, because if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have had such a fun afternoon.

On a side note, I feel really badly because my douche-bag coworker/ tennis pro said some mean stuff about Jon to me a few weeks ago because he didn’t think he was “cool”. I didn’t stand up for Jon because, let’s be honest, the tennis pro was hot and I wanted to impress him, and now I feel horrible. I knew the right thing to do at the time, but I just stood there and said nothing. There’s nothing like a good lesson to teach you what to do in the future. I will stand up for someone I like, even if a Brad Pitt look alike is putting him/her down. 

It’s been a while….

It’s a been a little while since I last updated, so it’s safe to say that there’s a whole lot of beauty that has been appearing in my life. 

I am still in Nantucket; working, interning, and conducting what I hope is a balanced and centered life. Staying with Stacey and her family is so carefree and effortless, and I know I am really going to miss them when I depart at the end of the summer to head back to Boston.

Stacey’s sister, Jill, her kids, and her mother, Sandra, are visiting from Texas this week. They bring so much energy and laughter into this house, proving everything is bigger in (or coming from in this case) Texas. Jill and Sandra knew me when I was a kid (between the ages of 2-5) so it must be nothing short of crazy to see me all grown up (and the same goes for them!)

The internship is going really well, and I love that I am being forced to immerse myself into the land that is Nantucket. I have checked out some really cool shops, restaurants, and beaches in pursuit of the perfect article.

While I don’t have a posse on the island, I am doing just fine. I thought I would be beside myself with not having some young people my age to go tear up the town with, but I have great people that I’m staying with. (Don’t get me wrong, I have made friends! I’m just doing me right now)

I never thought I’d see the day, but I’m taking up meditation. I’m finding that it’s calming me down, and making my thoughts a lot less anxious. Before this summer, I thought meditation was for crunchy people who sat around and hummed and opened up their chakras and all that new age hooey. Looks like I’m one of them now, and I’ve never been happier. 

I registered for a 5k that will be taking place in October. I feel like I have a purpose now to challenge my body, connect with it on a regular basis, and work for something that I believe in. 

The last little B.I.T: While the day started for me just 2 hours ago, I can already say that it’s off to a good start because I meditated this morning. While the family was all asleep upstairs, I sat in the TV room and centered myself. 

Internship, job, beach… oh my!

My summer has officially begun. While the past two weeks of becoming a mutant couch potato were pleasant, all good things must come to an end. I can report that I watched WAY too many episodes of Real Housewives of New Jersey, suffered through almost two weeks of straight rainstorms, and got to catch up with my amazing friends and family. 

To make a long story short, my lovely father drove me to Hyannis to catch the 12pm ferry. With each passing minute, the farther away I got from my boring Middleburian summer and the closer I got to the adventure awaiting me in Nantucket. 

I arrived to my amazing nanny, Stacey, and her family, who welcomed me with open arms. Later on in the evening, we made our way over to an over-the-top graduation party, complete with a raw bar, a brick oven making homemade pizza, and a spread of every Italian dish one can imagine. I dined on oysters on the half shell, fresh shrimp, and a salad, which went down very nicely with 2 glasses of red wine. Not too shabby for a first night :)

The last B.I.T: Beauty in people that care about you. I feel so blessed to have been able to bond with my dad on the way up, and be so welcomed by Stacey into her home. I saw my cousin, Sasha, in the later part of the evening as well, who I love dearly. 

The only thing you can count on it constant change.

I awoke to the soft cooing of Cassie asking me if I still wanted to go to Weight Watchers at 7:30 am. Did I want to go? No. Did I need to go? Yes. 

I rolled out and bed and felt the first symptoms of a food hangover. Yes, you read that correctly: a food hangover. Symptoms include headache, nausea, and the feeling of never wanting to eat again. My poison of choice the night before was a “you can make it through finals week!” gift box Christine’s mom sent her and the suite to enjoy. (Wish my parents were sweet enough to send me one of those!) The box was a mecca of processed foods: candy, chips, cookies, popcorn (the types of foods that will still be around after the entire world has perished)

I  hoped the magical metabolism fairy was going to sprinkle some fairy dust on me last night and make all of the calories from the foods I had consumed disappear forever. From what I saw on the scale this morning, the fairy took the night off. 

When I first saw the numbers, I was pissed. How could I have done this to myself! 6 pounds in 2 weeks?!?!? That’s a newborn baby. What’s more nauseating than a food hangover is knowing that the reason you’re feeling like shit is because it is something you did. No one was forcing that cupcake down my throat.No one was holding a gun to my head and telling me to eat french fries (but they were damn good!)

But then my frustration turned to hope. I felt like one of those cliche after school special where a steam of light hits you and you stare up into the sky because you know everything will be okay. With some serious words of wisdom by my sassy Cassie, I was able to leave WW without wanting to run into oncoming Boston traffic or go cry my sorrows into a Venti Starbucks frappachino with extra whipped cream. 

It’s little things like this that make me realize how much I’m growing as a person. Rewind a few months ago, I would have been a whirlwind  of emotions. Upset, angry, disappointed, unmotivated. I would have pulled out the inner boxing gloves and beaten myself up over a little weight gain. I have found in many cases that the inner bruises take the longest to heal, so that’s why I’m not doing that anymore. If this is where I am now, I can only imagine where I’ll be in a year, 5 years, a few decades. 

I love that life is about learning and change. Today was a perfect example of that. The weight on the scale changed, but so did my thinking and perspective about things. I learned more about myself at a silly Weight Watchers meeting than I would have thought, but it’s the element of surprise that keeps me on my toes everyday.

On a less philosophical note, I found the most AMAZING skirt at Anthroplogie while shopping with Rita. To avoid looking like I belong in Big Love, I plan on pairing it with a white tee, metallic shoes, and a metallic belt. 

The last little B.I.T.: Going to breakfast all by myself. I used to feel bad for people that sat in the window of places, eating their meals alone. I used to wonder “Why don’t they have anyone to eat with” or “They are so brave to go eat in public alone.” Today, I was one of those people. I ordered a whole wheat bagel with veggie cream cheese, tomato, and onion with a side of pure comfort in myself. I didn’t feel uncomfortable or judged, or even sad. It felt good to be at peace with myself where I could be my only company.  (Mind you: this isn’t the FIRST meal I’ve ever eaten alone. I do it quite often (well not quite often that I’m a hermit or anything.. but you get the gist)

I’m starting to get to know myself more, and I’m beginning to like who I am becoming. Stay tuned

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WONDERFUL FATHER, who turns 53 today! Wouldn’t be where I am today without him. <3 

Food, Glorious Food

Oliver Twist and his gang were on to something when they sang 

“Magical food, 

 Wonderful food,

Marvellous food,
Fabulous food.”

Little did they know, their musical number “Food Glorious Food” about the fantasy of a gluttonous feast would be a theme song to food lovers on all levels.  ( If my life were a movie, this song would definitely be on the soundtrack!) 

A few days ago, I signed up for a chef forum at Stir Boston, a local Boston business which teaches cooking classes (and is owned by renowned Boston chef Barbara Lynch.) For twenty dollars, I was paying to dedicate an hour of my precious time on Sunday to take part in a question and answer session with chefs who had done the whole cooking school route, and were working in different facets of the cooking industry. I was joined by my College Kitchen buddies, Gemma and Kati, who share a mind blowing amount of passion for food that I do. (Case in point: we had some time to kill after we got to the South End, so to buy us some time, the first thing we did was hit up a gourmet food store. We were gawking like pubescent boys at a titty bar at different kinds of cheeses and pastries and cuts of meat.) 

After our par-ooze at the grocery store, we went for coffee and pastries. I ordered an almond joy latte, which consists of expresso, milk, and almond, coconut, and chocolate syrups. Usually, I like my coffee like I like my men: hot and black. But today, I decided to mix it up and order something on the sweeter side. The mixture of bitter coffee and the sweetness of the syrups was something indescribable. It was like a religious experience. Some people go to church on Sundays to praise their higher power. For me, I go to hole in the wall coffee shops and worship anyone who knows how to make an almond joy latte. Hallelujah! 

 When my version of church was finished (aka my latte was finished) we headed off to Stir.

 I was expecting the event to be held in college-like lecture hall, with close to fifty people in attendance. What the actual forum was was completely different, but it was nonetheless a pleasant surprise. It was held in an instructional kitchen, complete with yummy noches for us to enjoy. Gemma, Kati, and I were in the company of six other people who were just as fascinated and inspired by food as we. From a neruoscientists to a sixteen year old boy, there were all different characters present. All of us interested newbies absorbed the culinary school knowledge like a french baguette dipped into olive oil. 

Chefs from all different skill levels reminisced about their experiences at Johnson and Wales, the CIA, and New England Culinary School, and their lives post graduation. One chef joked about the strict emphasis on having money upfront to pay for your education at CIA, nicknaming it “Cash In Advance.” A man who’s witty and is a killer in the kitchen? I’m in love. If it works out, we would have a fabulously catered reception, just sayin ;) 

I hung onto every word of the pastry chef. I couldn’t help but fantasizing mid forum about owning my very own coffee shop with outstanding pastries and sandwiches. Think the shop Meryl Streep’s character owns in It’s Complicated. (see below)

http://elizacoleman.blogspot.com/2010/05/back-to-its-compicated-for-minute.html

more pics of the amazing bakery can be seen at the URL. ahhhh obsessed!! 

 The last little B.I.T: What I got out of the question and answer forum with the chefs was absolutely priceless. Yes, it sounds quite cheesy and cliche, but I am feeling so empowered about my future and the important reoccurring role that food will have in it. Whether I will be writing about it, blogging about it, cooking it, or eating it, I am positive that on my plate of life, food will always have a spot. I also really enjoyed sharing my interest with the girls I work on the show with, and exchanging ideas about future projects that we can all work on together. 

I’m going to dinner with Rita now, and then we are going to a yoga tonight. It’s been a fantastic Sunday! 

With a little sweat comes a big reward…

I’m so high right now. High as a kite. Get your mind out of the gutter… I’m trippin’ on endorphins, not the devil’s lettuce. Sheesh!

In my opinion, there’s honestly nothing better than a sweaty gym session after a long day. If only all of the straight, available men (HAHA) at Emerson got my heart pumping like it does after a half hour on the elliptical. At this rate, I’m going into cardiac arrest any day now. 

With the endorphins surging through my veins, I can’t help but recall the positive things that happened today. I got an A on a paper that I wrote (last minute mind you but I really felt like I grasped the concept) and I was super psyched about that. I find that I do all my best work when I’m under a lot of stress. That can’t be healthy…. 

Also, I took the initiative to ask one of my professor’s about a possible internship position this summer, and she said she would be happy to pass my resume around. Nothing set in stone, but hey, it’s a start right?!

I have a feeling that this week is going to be on the more relaxing side (thank you Jesus). Watch, now that I say type this, I’m going to have so much homework, a bunch of papers, and someone in my family is going to die. 

On that note, I’m going to go shower and do some reading for class.

XOXO