Actually, I've been active in YPC athletics for almost a year now and try to attend what other functions I can with my weird hours so I figured it was time to pay my dues. I also needed something new to do today, and this was fast and painless. Plus, if I don't feel my $20 was put to good use, I can go straight to the top to complain.
To make Mike Banasiak look like a good president.
Actually, I've been active in YPC athletics for almost a year now and try to attend what other functions I can with my weird hours so I figured it was time to pay my dues. I also needed something new to do today, and this was fast and painless. Plus, if I don't feel my $20 was put to good use, I can go straight to the top to complain.
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(2.26.12) I joined the masses with my family Sunday morning: church and lunch. That was my life for so many years growing up. I've gotten away from that, and it felt good to be a part of it again. I attended Shepherd of the Valley in West Des Moines for the first time. I really like the service and the pastors. It was contemporary too. I've gotten bored of the traditional Lutheran services. I just hate hearing everyone sound like zombies. I feel like people are more excited to express their faith in a contemporary service.
The second part of this included lunch at Bang Bang. I've eaten at Hu Hot before so I had an idea what to expect. To me, they seem pretty interchangeable with the exception of the ambiance. I liked the interior at Bang Bang better. It seemed cozier and a bit classier. It was also smaller and not jam-packed like Hu Hot's was the last time I was there. Service was good. (2.25.12) This was a BIIIIGG day for me. I participated in my first indoor triathlon in Urbandale. So now I'm a legit triathlete which I'm not going to lie, sounds pretty sweet. I did pretty well too. I got 3rd place out of 3. I think that sounds a lot better than saying I got last place out of 3. Don't you? I actually beat my goal by 9 minutes so I can't complain. The other two girls in my age bracket have done outdoor triathlons before. I was the clear front-runner for last place. My parents came to watch me which was fun actually. I felt like I was in high school gymnastics all over again. I'm proud I achieved such a feat. I'm one step closer to Tough Mudder. A few hours later, I was auctioned off in the Young Variety Des Moines Sweethearts Charity Date Auction. Since the money raised goes to help children in need, I put on my tightest, shortest dress hoping to entice bidders. It must have worked. I ended up going for $255. That's pretty darn good if you ask me. I'm totally worth it too.
Turns out the guy who "won" me is the guy who I went on a date with to Jimmy John's earlier this month (recall my 2.2.12 post). Even though we are still seeing each other, I didn't want to drop out of the auction at the last minute. I'd already committed to it as a single, eligible bachelorette and according to the IRS since I'm not married, that's still the case. $255 later though, we decided to become official. For the first time in a long time, I can say I have a boyfriend. Sorry fellas. (2.24.) So I've been to Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure once before over the summer. I ordered a mocha and did not like it. Well, I gave it another chance this past Friday. This time I ordered the cappuccino making it a first. Unfortunately, I still did not like it. I have several people who swear by its coffee. I can't put my finger on it; it's just not for me.
I also threw together some potatoes for dinner. I was trying to "carb up" for my triathlon. I don't even know if potatoes count, but they seemed like a better choice than a salad. I cut some up and tossed them in a skillet with some olive oil, paprika, garlic, salt and pepper. They turned out really good actually. I rarely ever just make something on the fly so I'm glad that turned out edible. Mental note for future. On the menu: Porkchops topped with mushrooms and onions in a wheat flour gravy, roasted potatoes, Junior Mints, and chocolate chip cookies. It was a delicious meal prepared by someone other than myself. Plus, I honestly can't say I've ever had a Junior Mint before. It was super good. What have I been thinking all these years for not trying one? It was my first experience with wheat flour. I don't think it made a difference in the gravy, but I will need to have it in another recipe to
(2.22.12) Doesn't that sound great? Lots and lots of Jessicas running around ruling the world? OK, maybe I'm a little biased, but it could be worse. There could be hundreds of Kim Kardashian running around. Oh gosh, that's such a scary notion. Moving on. The idea of cloning came up in conversation this week so I did what I usually do and headed to the library. I picked up two books on cloning and delved into this one A Clone of Your Own?. I couldn't believe Dolly the sheep was cloned back in 1997. I remember hearing about it, but the '90's seem so long ago, not to mention too archaic to perform such science.
I'm not much of a scientist myself, but how I understand it is that scientists can take a cell from a human and put it into a cleaned out egg from someone else. That egg still has its cytoplasm which somehow helps to re-program the egg with the new genetic information from the cell. I believe that means you can't clone yourself at your current age; the clone would start as a baby. Lame. (2.21.12) I ate at Monterrey Mexican Restaurant in Clive for the first time Tuesday night. I ordered the Hawaiian Fajitas: steak, bacon, chicken, shrimp, pineapple, green peppers, onions. Delicious! The more meat the better. The pineapple was a good addition too. They have another location in West Des Moines too, but to my understanding it's the exact same menu and service.
I also switched to new coffee today. I'm cheap (who knew!) and rarely treat myself to single serve coffee from a cafe. So I usually brew my own coffee most days Monday-Friday. I have been drinking Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla, but this time I got the Hazelnut. It's huge, I know. It's pretty good, but the French Vanilla is better. (2.20.12) I have mixed feelings about the flick The Last Kiss. I can't say it was amazing, but unlike a lot of movies I watch, I can actually relate to this one. I feel like the characters find themselves in situations many of us have been in ourselves or know someone who has. I definitely understand main character Michael's mix of emotions. He is at a turning point in his life and turns the wrong way. Infidelity is clearly wrong and awful, but is it unforgiveable? I think it's very easy for people on the outside of a relationship to answer that. However, each relationship is different and needs to be treated as such. Thoughts? (2.19.12) Lights. Cameras. Dresses. Snap. Snap. Cry. My photo shoot with my niece Gianna was an interesting experience. I was really excited about capturing her perfectness. I thought, how hard could it really be to take a couple adorable pictures of a sleeping baby? The key word there is "sleeping." Ms. Gianna did not get that memo. She was partly awake, partly fussy, and only a little sleepy. But between the three photgraphers - me, my mother and my brother-in-law - I know we got some great pictures. I still need to edit them though and will put some up soon.
I woke up expecting bacon and eggs. What I got was close: turkey bacon and a double yolk egg. Right away I was told it was good luck. I've never heard of a double yolker and don't know why it's supposed to be lucky. I'll keep you posted if I win the lottery. I also just wasted five minutes reading about egg oddities. If you decide to read it, I can't promise it's worth your time but at least you won't get any dumber. I also had vanilla chi tea for the first time. It was like sweet, flavored, creamy milk. I could handle a few sips, then it became overwhelmingly bad. Even though I wish I could love everything Chicago, I can't honestly say I love this beer. My dad picked it up, and as my only beer choice, what else am I supposed to drink? Water? Nope.
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