These guys watch over me at work. I made them for one of our students, for his birthday–left them on his desk in the Learning Support room with a note and a book. Then came in a couple weeks later to find them rearranged above my own desk.
A happy surprise.
I work every Saturday and complain almost as often about the fact that I only have three days off per month. Friends will comment covetously of my Tuesday and Thursday mornings spent baking, running errands, cleaning house, listening to music…and I’ll just as quickly ask them what it’s like to have TWO DAYS OFF IN A ROW EVERY SINGLE WEEK.
(Perry Says it’s like having a mini vacation. Huh.)
~OR~
The Longest Day of My Life
After my champion death race, I went out to breakfast. Had buttered toast, because sometimes that happens. Because I hate being a picky-pants diner and asking too much of my server. Dad ordered me coffee, and though I never drink more than a quarter cup, I sipped the whole thing down, steadily, as it was hot on my red, raw tonsils.
I’ve long wondered what would happen if I drank so much caffeine. I’d thought it would make me jittery, nervous, sweaty.
~OR~
Lately
I haven’t been sleeping enough. Not even close. I am running on the fumes of excitement, newness, closeness, and friendship.
Which means that I spend a lot, a lot, of time smiling. Blushing, giggling, doubled over with laughter. Riding my bike with the wind rushing past and my head in the clouds.
Catching up on friends’ blogs, like:
…which led me to:
TILDA STARDUST (“dedicated to the belief that Tilda and Bowie are one person”)
and ponytail (equal parts pleasing and disturbing to look at)
and of course My Parents Were Awesome (I already know exactly which photos I would submit to this)
* * *
Emily has another blog, which is equally worth perusing, though for different reasons. Mostly reasons involving WHY CAN’T I LIVE MY LIFE WITH A SENSE OF GRACE AND WONDER LIKE OTHERS?!?! -type stuff.
* * *
Do I love Way Ginger’s tumblr because she’s my friend, or is she my friend because she’s the type of gal to have such an awesome tumblr? It’s a Sunday conundrum, Friends. A sunundrum, if you will.
* * *
I also like this gal, and her spirit. And her craftiness. And her baked goods.
* * *
Also, if you’re my boss reading this, then I just want to say that I totally also work super hard, like, ALL the time and work, totally signing so many kids up for summer reading and handing out mad headphones great work ethic etc.
HAPPY SUNDAY!!! Tonight is the Mad Men season finale! I’m going to drink beer and eat french fries WOOT!
~OR~
Since I’ve Been Home
The above picture is from the Bon Iver concert at Red Butte, though it is also a great representation of what I’ve done since being home, which is: eat my body weight in hummus and veggies. And drink. That’s ginger-n-bulleit in the nalgene, Friends.
The concert was the night after I got back, and I almost didn’t go due to general crankiness and party poopery, but I’m glad I did, because of this:
Lady Friendships! Oh, how I am sustained by my frienships. I’ve been battling the blues and blahs since getting home (working every day for 3 weeks straight, anyone?), and even just the little chats here and there have really lifted my spirits.
* * *
I played a wedding! With Eric! From pianobike! Here’s what that looked like (from my POV):
* * *
…and then there was Pride, for which I baked the most failure cupcakes. Actually, they were for Nicole Friend, who loved and accepted them just as they were (you see what I did there?).
Cupcakes before:
Cupcakes after:
Yes, I used pre-fab frosting. Did I mention I’ve worked every day since coming home? The lesson I learned from this is that you can’t take one concept from a favorite blog, superimpose it onto a Bob’s Redmill recipe, make a bunch of vegan and high-altitude adjustments and expect any sort of coherence. That’s just asking too much.
Anyways, Pride:
and:
Rainbows aside, it was a touching, and then painful day. Touching because over 300 Mormons marched in the parade to show their support, reducing many an onlooker (myself included) to tears. Read more about that here.
Then painful because I day drank. OH MY GOSH, SARAH, NEVER DAY DRINK IT IS ALWAYS THE WORST ALLLWAAAAYS!
I really hope that’s a lesson learned. Learning lessons has been a big theme for me since coming home. I may or may not have considered getting “This is how we learn” tattooed somewhere on my body.
I may or may not still be considering that.
Welcome home, me.
~OR~
Slow It Down, Now
Remember how I had to get sick to realize that sometimes it’s okay to just do nothing? To amble, meander, even saunter? I was serious about that, Friends! I’ve been working on enjoying the journey, not just racing to the destination. So I walk more. Sometimes at night. Here’s what that looks like, from the library to my place.
~OR~
Busy, Busy, Busy!!!
Guess what, Friends?
I love chia! Who knew, right?
I could drink it probably forever; it is just that texturally pleasing.
Guess what else, Friends?!
I am working harder than ever! Blogging for my Garden City committee and for GNZAP and doing outreach at 7am with Bonnie (pictured above, sunny as always), Rachel (not pictured), and Dees (pictured NOW):
Guess what’s more, Friends?!?!
I’m going to South America on Friday. For 3 1/2 weeks.
Yup. Busy, busy, busy.
~OR~
Life These Days
Last night was: Bikram yoga, groceries (fresh fruit, chocolate chips, coconut water), liquor store, stuffed bell peppers, gin and tonics with a side of Mad Men.
Which means this morning is : chard sauteed in soy sauce with sesame seeds, and fresh squeezed orange-lime juice. Detox.
Plus: a fried egg. Hangover.
Very proud of the stuffed peppers, though, so here’s a (vague) recipe:
Stuffed Bell Peppers (for 2)
-2 bell peppers
-1 cup cooked rice or some other whole grain (quinoa, etc.)
-1/3 c fake cream cheese
-2 tbsp olive tapenade
-some chard, cut into small strips
-1 fake sausage link (I like Field Roast or Tofurky), cut into slices, then slices cut into fourths
-nutritional yeast
Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut the tops off of your bell peppers and scrape or cut out the white parts inside. Microwave the cream cheese until it’s soft, then mix together with rice, olive tapenade, chard and fake sausage. Dollop/scoop/whatever rice mixture into bell peppers, then top with nutritional yeast. Roast in the oven for 20-30 minutes, until peppers become wrinkly and soft. Enjoy!
…means books off the shelves!
I washed the window sills, Friends. And found 4 ladybugs in the process, which I added to my collection:
My apartment has a minor ladybug infestation. It charms me to no end.
* * *
Happy weekend!
little sarah Big World 