(2.7.12) It's not often I make the investment to purchase music. I usually rely heavily on Pandora, but it just hasn't been cutting it lately. I decided it was time to cash in my iTunes gift card. I'm totally in love with Turn Me On by David Guetta ft Nicki Minaj. I listened to several of his songs and ended up buying his whole album Nothing but the Beat. It'll be great to dance to in the car or listen to while running mile after boring mile on the treadmill.
(2.6.12) Four days after my niece was born, she and my sister got to leave the hospital. This meant they needed a car seat. My brother-in-law and I spent 20 minutes trying to get the car seat perfectly level in their Jeep. Unfortunately, I think those seats are at a greater-than-normal incline, forcing us to throw a towel under the car seat to make it a bit more level. It was my first time installing a car seat and strapping a baby into a car seat. I felt so grateful to help my sister and the baby leave the hospital. It was such a long, hard four days for them. They were all excited to get home. Needless to say, the little polar bear made it home safely.
(2.5.12) I changed the bulb in my brake light. As always, I took my car, Hanz, to the shop to get an oil change, and they came out with a laundry list of things I need to have done. Included on that list was $15 to replace my burnt out brake light. I said no thanks. I already had an extra bulb from when my dad changed another light a few months ago. So I switched it out myself for free. I feel oh so handy now. (Full disclosure: my dad did supervise.)
I also tried an Argentinian Malbec at my favorite local restaurant in my hometown. Eh, it was alright. It was drier than I like and no real burst of flavor. Very mild.
UPATE: I am now able to post a picture. Here she is at 1 day old. She's adorable!
Today was the first time I got to see my niece Gianna. Oh my, she is perfect! Although I would never admit this out loud, I almost shed a tear when I saw her. She was laying there so perfectly. I'm not a sappy or overly-emotional person, but seeing her made me realize how blessed I am and truly amazing the gift of life is. She has this wonderful round head, the classic chubby cheeks, the most perfect little nose, and itty bitty lips that almost disappear when she's nestled into your arms. As for her eyes, I've only gotten a couple glimpses. She opens her right one slightly and peers around. She closes it and opens both eve more briefly. You can tell she's trying to take everything in. What I can tell, they are dark blue, which is no surprise because almost every baby is born with blue eyes. I'm glad I've been working out because my strong arms were able to hold you without getting too tired. She just got passed back and forth, back and forth. For the most part, she didn't mind it. I can't wait to get a picture of her and I on my fridge so I can always remember my first time meeting her.
(2.3.12) My first niece (or nephew for that matter) was born at 9:28 a.m. on Friday, February 3, 2012. For those who give me a tough time about what should and should not count as part of this challenge, I am counting becoming an auntie. I understand I didn't physically do anything to make this happen, but if you notice in the sidebar to the right, my challenge is to "experience something new every day." Well, I'd never felt what I felt when I saw the first picture of my niece, Gianna, 45 minutes after she was born. I couldn't be in Chicago for her birth, so getting a picture texted to me was the best I could do. The joy and blessings I felt that she was born healthy was overwhelming. My sister and brother-in-law will be amazing parents, and I am even more excited for them than for myself.
P.S. I wish I could post a picture of her, but my sister is not ready to introduce her to the world wide web yet.
So, this blog is somewhat personal. On a scale of 1-10, I'd say it's about an 8. You can learn a lot about me if you actually take the time to read all of my posts. Well, this one is a bit more personal than all the new foods I try and even more so than me in my swim suit. I went on my first date with someone tonight. (I'll be polite and withhold his name.) It was a really great 45 minutes at maybe the most romantic place in town, drum roll please... Jimmy John's. Wow, I just made that sound like the lamest date known to man. It's a good idea I'm protecting his identity. Seriously though, we were supposed to go out this Saturday, but I have to go out of town because I'm going to be an auntie! So we had to squeeze it in tonight on my dinner break - something fast and close to my work. I figure date #2 can only go up from here.
Apparently Waveland Cafe has the best hash browns in the universe. How did they get that title? I decided to skip food (because I already ate) and just get some coffee. The diner was like a step back in time and into rural Iowa. I did not feel like I was in Des Moines in 2012. That's probably the vibe they are going for. If that's the vibe you're seeking, I totally recommend this place. I do plan to make it back and actually eat there.
I love old houses. One of my dreams is to buy a dilapidated, turn-of-the-century house and reburbish it to its original grandeur. I live off Grand Ave and drive by some very lovely homes quite often. Polk Blvd south of I-235 is one of my favorite streets in town. The homes are so beautiful, unique and charming... if walls could talk! I bet they've seen some exciting things over the years. Anyway, I've yet to explore all the streets in that area. So I went south of Grand on 51st into the Westwood neighborhood and drove around several beautiful blocks of homes. Some were big Beaverdale bricks, some were very modern, some were just straight up impressive. The house in the picture has a fountain out front and a knight, yes a knight, on its front step. I wonder if anyone's ever tried to steal it...