All By Myself...Don't Want to Be...

All by myself...anymore.

School isn't even a month in and I'm spending my weekends all alone in the library.

Depressing.

I Hate Law Review

...and that pretty much sums it up.

2 cite checks in 2 weeks.

And a 30 page rough draft due in 2 weeks.

"2" is apparently not my lucky number.

TAG!

So there's a blogging game of tagging going around today and SURPRISE I was tagged.  I like reading and writing stuff like this, because you get to see a side of people that doesn't come out often.  The random side.  And that's my favorite side.

PART 1: 5 facts about me
1.  I don't like tv and never have.
2.  I want to restore an old house one day, preferably a tiny one that's in the south of France.  AndWhat run a bed and breakfast.

3. My hair is naturally curly.  I used to straighten the bejesus out of it, but one day decided that I had to live with it like it was.  I haven't combed/brushed/straightened or used regular shampoo since I was 18.

4. I was in a Pat Green music video when I was 18.  It was a pretty big deal for the small town I grew up in.

5. I have over a dozen random and unfinished craft projects all over my house.  For as many as I post, there are so many more that will only ever see the bottom of a trash can.

PART 2: Answer the questions from the other blogger
1. What is your favorite part of each day?
The time right before bedtime.  I love crawling into bed after long (and usually exhausting) day and snuggling with the boy and Dolce.  I usually do a little non-law school reading.  It's such a relaxing way to end my otherwise exhausting days.
2. If I were to bring you a drank right now, what would you want it to be?
Something with an umbrella and a beach to drink it by.
3. Do you ever want to get married? 
Yes.  Hopefully shortly after I finish this law school rigamarole.
4. What is your favorite article of clothing?
This ratty old sweatshirt that used to be Jason's.  It's big and soft and so nice to snuggle up in.  I also love swimsuits, but mainly because I usually wear them when I'm back home at the lake.
5. Who is your favorite family member (and why) – and none of that, “I can’t choose” nonsense?
My aunt and my sister.  My family used to joke that I accidentally got dropped off at the wrong house, because my aunt and I are so similar.  We ever look alike.  She's become one of my closest friends lately, and I've really enjoyed that.  And my sister.  Growing up, my sister and I were polar opposites.  We used to bitterly argue, and I didn't think we'd ever be close.  But now that we've grown up, she's always someone I can call whether I need something or just to chat.

PART 3: Tag 5 people to play

http://rebekaann.blogspot.com/ You didn't say no-tag backs either.  :)

http://melissaesplin.com/

http://abs-nottooshabby.blogspot.com/

http://cakes-of-art.blogspot.com/2011/01/sdfkjksdjfh.html

http://www.thenaturalvixen.com/2011/09/balmy.html

PART 4: My Questions to the Tagged People

1. What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten?

2. What are you most afraid of?

3. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

4. What's one skill you wish you knew or want to learn?

5. Do you believe in soul mates?

Weekday Meals: Spicy Thai Noodles

This is a super quick and easy recipe for those days when you're strapped for time.  It makes a pretty large batch of noodles, so you may want to half the recipe.  Or you can be like Jason and "make extra so we have leftovers for lunch." Another plus is that it's gluten free.  I can't remember where I saw the original recipe, so sorry about that.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vegetable or canola oil
• 1-3 Tbs red pepper flakes, depending on how spicy you want the meal
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/2 cup grated carrots
• 1/4 cup peanuts, roughly chopped
• 1 bunch green onions, diced
• 1 box rice noodles {You can find them in the Asian food section of any large grocery store.}
• Optional: 1 lb protein.  I usually use chicken.

Instructions:

• In a small skillet, heat the oil and the red pepper flakes on low heat.  The idea is to infuse the oil with the flavor and heat of the red pepper flakes without burning the flakes.  It should take around 10-15 minutes to completely infuse if your heat is low enough.  Strain the oil into a bowl and discard the flakes.  The infused oil will give the meal a spicy flavor that isn't overpowering.  It's more of a slow burn.

• Bring a large pot of water to boil.  Add the noodles and cook until al dente and drain.
• While the oil is heating prepare the vegetables.
• After the noodles are cooked, toss everything together.  Sprinkle the top with the chopped peanuts and sesame seeds, if desired.

And that's how you get dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.

And in addition to my yoga New Year's Resolution, I started the Bikram Yoga 30 Challenge today.  It's 30 classes of Bikram Yoga in 30 days.  I'm a little nervous about the challenge, but I'm very intrigued as to how it'll turn out.  I'll be sure to keep everyone informed of my journey along the way!

School and New Year's Resolutions and Yoga Mat Confessions

School started last Monday.  I somehow managed to not be prepared for any of my classes.  Nor did I buy any school supplies.  Needless to say I 100% did not want to be there.  I'm not sure why I was such a negative Nancy, but the concept of another semester in school makes me want to crawl under my bed and hide.  I'm slowly coming to turns with the reality, albeit a little reluctantly.

In other news, one of my New Year's Resolutions was to attend 4 days of Bikram yoga for an entire year.  My class attendance was pretty steady until last fall and then it basically took a nose dive.  I could give you a million reasons as to why, but the important part was that I stopped exercising completely.  And I could tell.  So in 2012 I set out to change that.  I figured I'd talk about it here, and will be posting a Yoga Mat Confession post weekly.  I'll sum up how my resolution is going and anything I may have figured out that week.

This week was difficult.  Finding time to exercise in between school, work, and life is difficult.  But it's not impossible.  In fact, I think the hardest part about exercise of any part is just getting into the car and driving to the gym/studio.  I needed to go to yoga last night.  I did not want to go.  I sat in my office and debated with myself for the entire hour between work and my yoga class.  I'd had a frustrating day.  I wanted to sit on the couch and mope and eat cheetos.  I don't even eat cheetos.  It was classic defeatist thinking.  At the end of the hour, I got in the car and drove to the yoga studio.  The closer I got to the studio the better I began to feel and the less stressed I became.  I pushed myself really hard through the entire 90 minutes.  I was exhausted afterwards.  But my head was clear and my heart was light.  Focused athletic energy has a way of doing that.

So even though I'm not thrilled about another semester; I'm ready to take it on.  It'll be spring before no time.

And sorry for the picture less post, I'm still trying to decide on what type of photos to use for these yoga mat confessions.  I can't exactly take pictures of myself during class and you certain don't want to see my afterwards.  If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a lovely weekend.

2011 in Review

I didn't have high hopes for 2011.  2010 had been one of the most difficult years of my life, and in January 2011, there were so many loose strings from 2010 still unresolved.  2011 has been a gradual climb from fairly terrible to fairly fantastic.  There have been many lows but just as many highs.  A year of growth, I suppose.

I am incredibly optimistic about this upcoming year.  2012 even sounds nice.

Maybe we'll all be as happy as a four year old on a bike.