White Hot and Passionate - This is NOT an Excerpt from a Romance Novel

I had such high expectations for my upcoming week. I was going to be SO productive. Last night at work (since I couldn’t get into Jane Eyre) I made a list of things I needed from the store, lunches AND dinners for the week, and my “to-do” list from Sunday to Saturday. Let’s discuss what I have completed on my list. ZERO THINGS. Wait – I take that back. I worked out this morning and packed my lunch for today. But other than that – zero. Zilch. Nada. But I have a legit excuse. For real though – I have a good excuse!

First off – I had planned to go to the grocery store after work and pick up food for dinner and other things I was planning on making this week. Well that got pushed to the wayside because there was a tornado warning. Like a touchdown tornado about 20 miles from here. I decided I should probably just go home and make sure Toby was doing okay with the storm happening. After that I had planned on putting my laundry away (the same laundry I washed last week and still haven’t put away) and make chicken salad sandwiches. Instead – I came home, took off my pants, grabbed a bag (or three) of chips, and watched three episodes of 30 Rock. Not even close to the definition of “productive.” Woops. Well tonight I can’t go to the store – unless I hit up Hy Vee at 10:30 tonight, but I’d rather sleep – so I either have to go on my lunch tomorrow or right after work. Throws off my WHOLE WEEK. Stupid Iowa weather is messing with my organization and productivity! But it will all work out – it has to right? So maybe on my lunch I’ll hit up Hy Vee and grab the ingredients for my Tuesday Night Baking Excursion – yes I’m making that a thing – and that way I can go home right after work to start dinner. I’m excited to tell you how both of these turn out… I’m cooking something I’ve never cooked before (recipe and ingredients) and attempting another bakery item. I really need to get better at documenting my shenanigans. Noted. I’ll actually post pictures of my completions in my next entry. Watch for it!

I had an idea for a brief moment this weekend – it hurt my head with all that thinking, but I still had an idea. Start a cupcake business with my sister! I could bake and she could decorate – she’s basically a cupcake decorator extraordinaire. Then I realized that I’m not THAT good at baking. And then I thought about Two Broke Girls and realized that’s already been done. Plus – my boobs aren’t big enough to be the lead and I am not a once-rich girl to play the blonde. Nor am I blonde. So there’s that. But still – wouldn’t that be fun? Maybe after I practice some more I could at least make them for friends and family parties. That could be fun right? (But not for two years because SOMEONE had to sign a non-compete… FOR CUPCAKES OF ALL THINGS.) Anyway – fun thing to think about.

I tried out a couple new breweries in the past couple weeks. I have to say – brewery beer is SO MUCH BETTER than regular beer. Confluence Brewery and Exile Brewery were my stops – and I HIGHLY recommend both. I’m trying to broaden my horizons with food and drinks and activities… so both of these trips were new to me. Two thumbs up to Exile food as well – holy crap. When you go, if you go, be sure to get their “Dunk Dunk” sauce. It’s mayo and… something. I can’t quite pick up what it is… but oh em gee. Delish. So – go out and drink some more… it’s freakin good.

So my running… I’m sure you’ve all been patiently waiting to hear about how my training for D2D4 is going. Well – it’s not. Like at all. Like I hit my peak at 8 miles-ish and haven’t run since. HOWEVER I have been doing Kosama very regularly, and I have convinced myself that the cardio from that will make it so I don’t die during the race. I’m sure I’ll feel differently come 12 days from now. Barf. Also – there has been talk of a pact (signed in blood) for NEVER running this race again.

I feel as though in my last few posts I’ve gotten really wordy and rambling – so I’m cutting this one a little short. Not necessarily short, but I’m not just going to write to write. I’ve gotten out what I needed to, and now it’s quote time. As I write this, I’m debating which one of two I should use. They both made it to my “Happiness” board on Pinterest. And they’re both similar – yet different. One deals with regret and the other, enthusiasm. Today I choose enthusiasm – because I think enthusiasm, in this case – life enthusiasm – have a direct correlation with happiness. And who doesn’t want to be happy? I have a sign hanging directly next to my door that says “Do one thing each day that makes you happy” so I see it each time I leave for the day. It’s a nice reminder for me – and I’d much rather be happy than sad or angry. So back to it: life enthusiasm = happiness. Or is it: happiness = life enthusiasm? You be the judge.

“I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life… if you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be.”

From one of my favorite authors, Roald Dahl knows what’s up. Why go through life without some sort of a passion? Whether it be something as simple as reading a book or cooking a dinner; or as extravagant as living out of the country or going back to school to pursue your career, I think you should find what makes you happy and then do it. Forever. I have many things that make me happy but I have yet to find my true passion. My calling. But until I find it – I’m going to do what makes me happy. Cooking, reading, spending time with friends, working out, relaxing, watching crappy TV, drinking wine, trying new food, devouring any food, laughing till I want to pee my pants, watching new movies, watching old movies and quoting them, people watching, writing, listening to thunderstorms, shopping, working. It’s what makes me happy, and what makes me – me.

So – if you haven’t found your passion yet, I urge you to find it. Until then – be happy being you.

Sincerely yours – life enthusiast

S

Remember Me? Weekly Recap

Remember me? I know, I know… big disappointment. Yeah – I’ve been slacking… big time. SO sorry. So let’s get back on this gravy train and catch up on my oh-so exciting life. Let’s see… it’s been exactly two weeks since I’ve written. How lame. And the majority of what I’ve been doing since then – working. But no one wants to hear about that… because then I’d be whining and I had a whiny post prior to this one… so I won’t do that. This one will be happy, funny (hopefully), intriguing, all that fun stuff. Mk? Mk then let’s get at it.

The weekend following my cry-baby post (real sorry about that – but I had a bad day and I figured the best way to get rid of that bad day was to write about it) – I had tickets for the Jason Aldean concert in Omaha. Halfway through the week my date got sick so I needed a replacement, like asap. Pulled some strings and got it planned. The trip west was LAAAAAAAME… not much to see between Des Moines and Omaha. But we got to the hotel at a decent time (and it was awesome weather) so we had some time to waste before we headed out to the restaurant/bar by the venue for the pre-party. You’ve got that right – Jason Aldean pre-party. So many cowboys and cowgirls and people who weren’t sure what event they were going to. But it was lots of fun. Plenty of people watching happened – one of my favorite pastimes. We got to the show just in time to miss the opening act (Thomas Rhett) and time to get the lines for the bathrooms and beer. The seats were waaaaay up in the nosebleeds – but definitely worth it. Jake Owen (middle act? Second opening act?) was FANTASTIC. I forgot about all the songs he had out until I could sing along with each one. And then it’s time for Jason. I’ve seen him before at the state fair – and again, he sure didn’t disappoint. At this point in the night I was definitely a “woo-girl” (if you don’t know what it is, Netflix “How I Met Your Mother” and there’s nearly an entire episode dedicated to the “woo girl.”) I was singing along to all the songs, woo-ing at inappropriate times, and dancing like I was trying not to fall all the way down the seats. That actually made me a little nervous – as high up as we are I got scared each time I’d walk down to the bathroom or to refill my adult beverage that I’d end up face planting and making it on YouTube. And that ain’t how I want to get famous. Sure it may be a good start – but I’d rather be known for more. I’ll continue to work on that one. Back to the concert – it was a long night, but so fun. Plus – anytime I get to wear my cowgirl boots it’s a good time J Sunday was a day of relaxing, luggage shopping (a lot harder than you would think) and watching some movies. I was up early Monday morning to drop the world traveler off with another group and I spent some time reading at Caribou with a breakfast sandwich and a delicious latte. Not a terrible start to that Monday morning.

This past week was pretty insignificant… lots of work (again) and we had to reschedule book club. But I’m very excited for the make-up meeting this week! And to see what we’ll be reading next… very interested to see what’s next up on the docket. Speaking of books – I’m through 14 books for 2013. I got stuck a little on Jane Eyre and had to take a break for a bit… but I’m thinking after I finish up Bossypants (Tina Fey is hilarious – highly recommended) I can get back with good ol’ Charlotte and finish up with Jane. (That sounded slightly inappropriate lolz.) But like I said – the rest of the week wasn’t too exciting, had a minor hiccup and spent a couple days getting poked, prodded and shot up – but all’s well that ends well. And I’m good to go. Maybe it was just an expensive way for me to learn that I’m not as young as I thought I was and can’t get too crazy anymore. How lame. I spent Friday relaxing and after a short shift on Saturday I thought it was time for some sushi. That shit is good. You know what’s not as good? Sake bombs. I mean don’t get me wrong – they’re delicious. But they sneak up on you. Ouch. So after so AMAZING sushi and some even AMAZING-ER cheesecake, I was in a pretty good mood. A few more cocktails at the Hawkeye bar (gag) and a quick trip to Carl’s left us sprinting back to my house in the rain. It’s barely a block – but still. No one wants to get caught in the rain. Unless of course you’re doing a reenactment of The Notebook with a Ryan Gosling look alike… now that I’d be into. FO SHO. Okay I should probably get off that subject before I sprint home and pop in The Notebook and watch that part on repeat till daybreak. Not a terrible idea… but I’ve got things to do. Yesterday was also a lazy, awesome day. Yummy breakfast from Gateway Market (I love that I can walk there without breaking a sweat), a movie, pulled pork sandwiches for lunch, another lazy movie, and some meatloaf for dinner. I should have gone straight to bed after that awesome day, but instead I turned on the TV and watched at LEAST 4 episodes of It’s Always Sunny. So addicting.

Bright and early today – my alarm went off urging me to “get my ass up and out of bed” at 5 am so I could hit up Kosama Strong today. I made it in plenty of time for class at 6:10… but my workout buddy did not. Something about the alarm not having any noise settings… who knows. I think it’s bogus but whatevs J Tomorrow is another day – and I’ll be there bright and early. I know I said this before – but now I’m seriously getting serious about fitness again. For real this time. D2D4 is less than a month away and I’m hoping the strength and cardio I’ll be doing in class will help with my run… fingers crossed.

Ooh I forgot!! Yesterday I got to meet the newest little lady of my group of girls. Miss Koda is PERFECTION and I can’t wait to buy her little pink clothes and tell her all her mama’s secrets. Just kidding… maybe J

Also – a little random – but if you haven’t checked out the Juice from last week (I’m sure you could still find some lingering about) you should check it out. This issue is the “list” for what to do in Des Moines this summer. A list of 161 things. So I’ve been going through to make a list of each thing I want to do this summer. That will be coming up in posts to follow. Keep your eyes peeled!

Now it’s quote time. I didn’t have a real direction I wanted to go with – and my life is at a pretty okay place right now. I’m not settling, but I’m not soaring either. I just – am. So. This quote I’ve seen in a few different places lately and I just liked the way it sounded. So here goes. From an unknown source:

“Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress. Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt.”

I just liked the way this sounded. Just doing your own thing without thought of where you’ll be once you’re done. Be selfless, work with your whole heart. Find something you love and do it because you love it, not because you’ll “make it to the top” in a few years. Sure – that would be fantastic. But if you love what you’re doing, then just do it. Strive for perfect happiness.

So there’s my little soliloquy for the day. I’m off to write up my bucket list for Summer 2013. I hope you all have a wonderful Monday evening and enjoy this freaking awesome weather.

Mwah loves,

S