I also had an excellent sprint Tri practice round. I got through all three events which I did not during my first attempt last week. I get one more full run-through this Friday with the real deal on Saturday.
My First Time |
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(2.17.12) It was my first time hearing of/eating/drinking at Green Grounds Cafe in Valley Junction. It's a cute shop that has coffee, light fare, and random merchandise. My mocha was pretty much hot chocolate, which is fine in my book. They touted their whipped cream as the best in the world. As a non-whipped cream fan, I figured I could try it if it's really that amazing. I liked it, but I don't have much to compare it to. The panini club was also very tastey. The shop serves as much as they can that's locally grown and/or organic. I can appreciate that. Kind of random, but the back room is set up for karaoke. So much more than a cafe.
I also had an excellent sprint Tri practice round. I got through all three events which I did not during my first attempt last week. I get one more full run-through this Friday with the real deal on Saturday.
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(2.16.12) I drive by this store, Changing Places, every day I teach gymnastics. It's located on 100th Street in Urbandale by the post office. It's caught my eye several times so I decided to finally check it off my to do list. For whatever reason, when I see "consignment" I think of clothing. To my disbelief when I walked in, it was furniture and art. This would be a bad thing if I didn't have the will power I do. I am not a compulsive buyer, although there was some cool, affordable art work that was staring me down. I resisted.
So, I have nothing terribly exciting to report today. I have done several smaller things for the first time, like working out with kettlebells, starting CSI: Miami season 8 and drinking China Green Tea.
The kettlebells might grow on me. I had to stand with my legs shoulder-width apart, hold on to one kettlebell, swing it between my legs and up over my head. My trainer gave me a really heavy one, too heavy. He so kindly let me move down to a smaller weight but increased my reps. I'm just not used to that type of work out, but they are the new trend so they must work somewhat. I heart CSI: Miami. I've been going through withdrawls the last two to three weeks without watching it. See, I finished season 7, but season 8 was checked out from the library. I'm glad I can get my life back on track now. I had to go to Gong Fu Tea in the East Village for a story today. Now, part of this challenge is that I cannot count new things I do for work. However, in this case, I did not have to drink the China Green Tea. The store offered me a sample, and I said yes. I'm not a huge tea drinker, but I have been to Gong Fu Tea once before. I really liked the China Green; it's clean, refreshing and even a bit sweet. It's being served tonight at the welcome dinner for Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping. (2.14.12) What a way to celebrate Valentine's Day: Temptation zinfandel and Darth Vader chocolates. Both were a first for me. I picked the wine based on my usual method of an eye-catching label or name. "Temptation" seemed fitting on this particular day. It was delicious. I really enjoyed my last bottle of zinfandel over Christmas and thought it would be a great choice for a late night glass. Seeing it's a little pricey than I usually get, I'm glad the taste was worth it.
Obviously I didn't choose the chocolates. I actually think I saw this exact box on a list of worst Valentine's Day gifts. It's the thought that counts, right...? Maybe one day I'll decide to sit through a whole Star Wars movie. Don't hold your breath on it. (2.13.12) I love learning. There are so many things out there I know little to nothing about. One of those that come up in conversation recently is Jackie O. I know she was married to JFK and was an excellent dresser. Beyond that, I got nothing. I started reading a biography about her titled Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: A Life. It's a very original title, I agree. I honestly didn't make it very far. So at this time, I've only learned about her lineage and how her family came into money. Not terribly exciting or revealing yet. I'll keep ya posted.
This morning I had an excellent homemade breakfast: potato hash and scabbled eggs with mushrooms, candadian bacon and cheese. I totally forgot to take a picture of it. Honestly, it probably wouldn't have looked very appetizing in a photo, but my tummy sure loved it.
I'm the thug on the right. (2.11.12) In case you were lucky enough to be somewhere warm this Saturday, I want to tell you how jealous I am. I decided to do the YMCA's 5 mile Red Flannel Run. It was 9 degrees for the run. Let me repeat, 9 degrees. It was frickin freezin. Yet somehow, a thousand or so people decided it was still a swell idea to run around downtown Des Moines decked in red flannel. I ran the whole 5 miles which is amazing considering the weather and not being on a treadmill. Super proud of myself. I even beat one of my friends who I'm doing the Tough Mudder with. It may have only been by a minute, but I still beat him! That night (when it was still freezing) things sure got warmed up at the Funny Bone. It was my first time there, and I really enjoyed the food and the comedians. There were three guy comedians. I'll give you one guess what they talked about. I did walk away with one new pick up line. If I could rearrange the alphabet, I'd put "I" inside "U."
(2.10.12) I attempted all three events in one work out for the first time. My hamstrings were so sore from lifting two days prior. I made it through the swimming and biking, but only ran one of the 3.2 miles needed for the triathlon. Good thing I still have two weeks to go!
(2.8.12) We all know how much I love going to the library, but today's post is about The Library in the Drake Neighborhood. The first time I heard of this place was from a friend who said she worked at The Library a few days a week. I thought that was a lame place to work part time for a 24-year-old. Then she said how a guy asked her out on a date there after a few drinks. That's when I inquired more about what this place was. Well, it's a popular bar/restaurant that almost a year later I ate at for the first time. It recently re-opened under new management. I thoroughly enjoyed my roast beef sandwich. I was very pleasantly surprised by how flavorful the meat was. We also ordered the nachos. My date had eaten there before under the old ownership. She says the nachos aren't quite the same, but still pretty good. For $10, I think it's well worth going back for a nice lunch, or maybe I'll go there to party like the college kids...
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