Hayley: Senior Year

Today I had the pleasure (?) of sitting in a classroom, looking around at all the people I know, and realizing that some of them are people I know…. intimately.

Ahhh.. CU. Always full of surprises.

There’s always going to be that guy from that party who also happens to be taking Animals, Philosophy, and Identity in a Multicultural Context from 1900-1950, or whatever other awkwardly titled class I’m in. That’s understandable, I believe, but it gets under my skin a little bit if the count is more than one.

So I haven’t taken a math class since high school. Doesn’t mean I can’t count.

Today was the first time this has happened in a classroom setting (parties and bars are a slightly different story). It’s not that I wish I had gone the chastity belt route, but I’m taking it as a confirmation that I am a college senior, I have “experienced” my college town, and it’s probably time to move to greener pastures come May.

(source)

Although I don’t need much additional support for my (tentative) California decision, this article offers some. West coast, west coast!

Rebecca: Dear San Francisco, I love you.

Earlier this month I spent the weekend visiting my sister and my man in the bay area.  I’m in love with San Francisco and hope to be living there by this time next year.

I strive to live among the other lost 20-somethings post graduation.  Surviving off farmers markets and fresh fish right out of the ocean.  Nothing sounds more perfect to me.

Hopefully, I will live on top of this street:

**Note:  My ass was sore for approximately 3 days after walking up the steepest streets I’ve ever seen in order to capture this photo.

But, alas, I will probably live in a small shack with Hayley and our kitty.

The trip consisted of meeting the man’s family (who are the best!) and spending time with my family (who are the best too!!).

Even though I was raised almost entirely in the rousing city of Littleton, Colorado, in a way moving to San Francisco will be a homecoming in itself.

Since I’ve gotten back I’ve been eating lots and lots of fresh garden vegetables.  This is thanks to my boss who grows his own garden and allows me to pick whatever I like.  This is almost like being a kid in a candy store, only I’m an adult in a vegetable, herb, and fruit garden.

Hense, I have made lots of salads and wraps like this one:

This wrap had mixed greens, grilled chicken, cucumbers, and pepper jack cheese.  I put on oil and vinegar for dressing.

Since coming back to Boulder, I’ve been very busy.

But it is all more then worth it, because, Monday marks my favorite day in the world.

It is finally time to go…

I’m already practically peeing my pants with joy.

Rebecca: Independent With Someone to Depend On

Throughout my entire life I have prided myself on my independence.  So much so that I often feel stifled by intimate relationships.  As I grow older, I think I am learning that there is still a way to be independent in the mist of having a person you depend upon.

With that said, I’m happy to report that I am still seeing the ex-man.  Is he still an ex?  That, I do not know, but I feel incredibly comfortable, happy, and content right where I am at this moment.   I am keeping my distance emotionally and making sure to honor and acknowledge how truly happy I am  being in a relationship with him.

Basically, this summer has consisted of fruit, vegetables, couscous, cookies, and men.

Blackberries

I’ve been really into berries this summer.  There is not one berry that I have not met and loved.

Also, there is nothing quite like asparagus in the summer:

Asparagus with CousCous

I found a type of couscous that consists of giant balls instead of little balls.  If you can find it, because I have only once, you will not regret it.

As for exercise,  I’ve been running (but not as much as I usually do!) and doing yoga (more than I usually do!).  During the heat of the summer I consistently find myself less motivated to run.  Although, I did just discover that my hot bartender friend works out at the SAME 24 hour fitness that I do, which makes me much more passionate about frequent cardio workouts.

Tonight Hayley and I are going to watch a band at our local coffee shop The Laughing Goat.  ”The Goat” is quickly becoming one of our favorites, especially since attractive yogis and crunchy men are abundant in this space.  Additionally, the last time I ordered a latte the barista made a heart on the surface of my coffee.  I’m telling you, this coffee spot is a winner.

Rebecca: Mixed Signs

Today, at The Cup, I learned that you can be more than one astrology sign.  Since I am on the cusp I am apparently Scorpio and Sagittarius.  I’ve never really thought about astrology until I meet the astrologer/nutritionist today.  We went on a coffee get together (I refuse to name it a date, because I don’t want it to be).

After he left, I took a picture of my coffee.

Organic Coffee with cream and cinnamon

I drank lots of it while we talked.  He won many points with me when he took out a bar of dark chocolate he brought to go with our coffees.  It was a chocolove bar.  I love chocolove, but I kept wondering if it was crazy some ploy to make me fall in (choco)love with him.

The astrologer/nutritionist was very interesting, funny, and nice.  I have no complaints, but I am feeling completely neutral about him.  Plus, his age is a mystery-he could be 30 for all I know.

Before I met with him I had a piece of toast with almond butter for breakfast.

Toast with Almond Butter

I also had tea and added this special honey they buy at my house sitting house.

Acai Mango Zinger Tea with Honey

Ichiban Honey

Yes, before you is a giant tub of honey.  This honey is local and comes from Longmont, Colorado.  There are five pounds of honey in this bad boy.  Literally, the best honey I’ve ever had.  I need to ask the homeowners where they buy it!

After my coffee outing I made a salad for lunch.

Mixed Greens with Tomato, Turkey, and Goat Cheese.

I topped it with rice vinegar for dressing.

Now, I am off to the gym for a run.  I really should run outside, but it is cold and I’ve been cold all day and I can’t seem to get warm.  I am super excited about this work out, because I downloaded new music onto my currently charging Ipod. Also, today has been a very lazy Sunday so I’m more than ready to run it out on the treadmill to my new tunes.

Rebecca: Long Walks on the Campus

Last night’s 2 am walk on campus turned into me sleeping in the ex Man’s bed. How does this happen you ask?  I do not know.

Anyways, I’m hopelessly addicted.  Not only to sex, but also to these.

Dried Figs

Does anything get better than dried figs?  I think not.

Summer means fruit and I’ve also been consuming lots and lots of fruit.  I love fruit, because it is an instant snack that needs no preparation.

Strawberries

Peach

Both of the above pictures turned out to be extremely satisfying.

If I could survive off fruit I probably would.  It is easy and delicious.  But, since I can’t, occasionally I force myself to create something for me to eat.  The other day my roommates came in and were surprised that the house smelled like food.  I told them yes, I had been cooking.  I made…A breakfast sandwich.  Really, it was more of a sandwich for breakfast rather than a breakfast sandwich.

The Breakfast Sandwich

I toasted the bread and then layered it with feta cheese, mixed greens, avocado, and dijon mustard.  There was nothing breakfast about it, except for the fact that this sandwich was my 12pm breakfast for the day.

I’ve never really been a morning person.

Rebecca: Up, Up, and Away

Currently, I am house sitting up in the mountains of Boulder.

Sunrise above the city of Boulder

Above is the view from the porch.  It is absolutely beautiful.  The picture doesn’t even do the view justice.  Even though the house is literally in the middle of the mountains I never feel isolated.  It is completely peaceful and I feel as if I am at home.

This week has been filled with ups and downs, but I’m getting through it.  The high point of my week was discovering that house sitting house had “I will survive” on their Ipod.  I played it on repeat while dancing around in my pajamas.  A personal therapy session is really what it ended up being.  Thank you Gloria Gaynor.

Since my last post, my week has also consisted of outings with the wonderful room mate.

Hayley and I at the bar

Our new trick is to drink one drink and then get club sodas with limes and not tell anyone that they are non-alcoholic.  It worked wonders on Thursday night, but we accidently made our one drink a tiny bit too strong Friday night.  Who knew that mixing gin with low-alcohol content type wine would be such a strong combo?

Believe me…it is.

This week I also had an important first…trying a blood orange!

Blood Orange

Not only was it gorgeous, but it tasted good too!  I approve.

I’m taking today off of any strenuous work out, because I am running the Bolder Boulder tomorrow!  My daddy and my second parents are going to be there racing as well so I am super excited.

I will leave you with my favorite treat…

Raisins

I eat these babies like candy.  I hated them as a child, but, now, I can’t stay away.

Finally, I thought I should update you.  I told my father I’m becoming a nun after this last end with a Man. Unfortunately, I’m not catholic, I already got kissed by a different man, and I’m picking up my nanny client from a CU football camp next week where the players will all be present.  I just may love men and sex far too much for this to become a reality.

Rebecca: Amiable Courageous Women

A little snippet of a feminist poem to start the post out right:

Amiable Courageous Women

Be proud, your presence here is testament to your tenacity

This misogynistic culture will not break or demean you

And fuck the proposed ivory tower of complacency

Your sexuality does not need taming

Women Make Your Stand

History cannot forget you

So stomp those feet and pump those fists

Celebrate your femininity and the love for your body

Our beautiful woman president

-Tito Torres

Today has been a roller coaster of emotions. I had to find my inner strong woman and tell a man that I won’t take the hurt anymore and I won’t be his woman friend.  Earlier today I was broken, but now that I’ve stood up for myself (something I needed to do a long time ago). I feel free and beautiful.  I know I will still have ups and downs, but I also know I did the right thing and I feel fabulous about it.  I feel finally, again, on top.

I have lacked in the blogging area recently with all the wealth of emotions I have dealt with in the past few days (make that the past month), so, let me begin by showing a random dinner I made quite a few days ago that I absolutely loved.

Rice Pilaf, Toasted Kale with Feta, and Sliced Tomatoes with Olive Oil and Garlic Salt

This meal was amazing.  I can’t get over toasted kale. I just place it in the toaster oven and then crunch away.

It is hard for me to eat when I feel strong emotions but my mommy bought me a sub sandwich from Safeway that I finally finished off by the end of the day.

Sub

It had chicken, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and lettuce.

I liked it, but not my fav. thing ever.

Tonight for dessert I finally had what I had been waiting for. My freezer experiment.

Frozen Greek Yogurt

My frozen treat proved to be difficult to eat, but once I got a crevasse going I was off and running.  Add a little maple agave nectar and I was basically eating ice cream but better.

The crevasse

I wanted to show you the hole I dug.  It took lots of hammering with that spoon.

I am feeling good now, but starting to fall again.  I remember the end with the last man. The emotions in ending relationships are indescribably intense.

Alas, I feel strong and ready to accept whatever may come and love my self and body along the way.

Hayley: A Family Affair

Tonight, after a lovely meal out, my mom beat me with a rolled up magazine.

She got jokingly mad at me after I waited until we were back at my house to tell her that one of my extremely good-looking professors who I may or may not have a huge crush on (What?? Don’t pretend it hasn’t happened to you!) had been dining in the same restaurant as us.

In true motherly fashion, I know that she would have made me talk to him, which I simply couldn’t handle. His wife and baby were there! As his future mistress, I didn’t think meeting them would be appropriate.

Where did we go?

Foolish Craig’s is a Boulder restaurant that’s most famous for their brunch. I had been there once for breakfast, but never for dinner.

The menu has lots of unique options, and it was tough to choose. I was eyeing the Tofu Steak (and hot professor) but eventually decided on the Mahi Mahi.

The sweet potatoes underneath the fish were creamy and wonderful, and look at the tiny brussels sprouts! So cute. I loved this meal, and the portion size was almost as perfect as hot professor’s hair. And face and body. I left only a few bites of fish and potatoes and had a happy full-but-not-too-full feeling.

My mom is camera-shy, but here is her food:

Almond-crusted Brie-stuffed salmon. Neither of us spotted any brie inside, but she said she loved her meal anyway. It came with the same sweet potatoes as my dish and lots of wilted spinach.

I wish I had taken more pictures of the inside of the restaurant, because it is has tons of local artists’ artwork displayed, which gives the place a funky vibe.

I guess I was just distracted.