Monday, May 25, 2009

San Antonio: Week One Recap

It’s official. Whit and I survived the drive south, and I’ve been a San Antonio resident for seven days. Despite its looks, the photo above is not my back yard. It was taken at a rest stop in Oklahoma.


Today is the first full day without Whitney. She was a huge blessing. It was awesome to have someone to come home to, someone to laugh with everytime we got lost, and someone to explore with—I bet we ate Mexican food at least once a day. Above is a lovely photo from Los Barrios.

One of the many stacks of boxes. The items in these boxes still needed a "place". My kitchen is tiny compared to my last one. All of the cabinets are full of dishes, pans, tubberware, and other kitchen stuff. I had to place a shelf to the right just to store food.

Things I love so far:
1. Texas pride. Check out one of the shopping bags from H-E-B—my new employer. It was so obnoxious that as a new Texas resident, I had to have one.

2. Texas sunshine. Even on days when it rains or storms, which has been most days because we’re in rain season, we still get four or five hours of sun. And it’s never poured: only what we Midwesterners call sprinkle.


Things I’m still getting used to:

1. Attention women get from guys. I’m used to the Midwest—where guys are too timid to approach girls. Here, guys will say whatever is on their mind. Whitney and I got a lot of comments walking around together. Whit even slammed the car door on a guy who gave her the “Hey, Momma.” Whit's reply, “I ain’t no one’s mama.”

2. Texas-sized critters. They’re so big and plentiful that you can’t even call them bugs. So far I’ve killed a critter or two a day. I saw the largest cockroach I’ve ever seen outside a zoo. Thankfully he was already dead and in the fitness center—and not my apartment. I might have had a heart attack. Still getting used to checking under the covers before I crawl into bed. I'm buying a fly swatter to kill, so that I don't have to ruin my shoes.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

YUM: Grilling Time

This weekend I used the grill for the first time this season. Still perfecting my steak cooking. Looks like the flames got the best of this guy, though the center was still pink. Loved the veggie kabobs: red potatoes, orange bell peppers, and baby portabellas.

Everyone should have a pair.

Jordan's parents placed these in my Easter basket. (Thank you!) I love them. They're soft and light: A great transition from my heavy slippers as we start to enjoy sunny spring weather.

I work with funny people.

Meredith recently revamped our vending machines to offer healthier choices. Someone was feeling fiesty on Friday, because they left this love note taped to the vending machine.

YUM: Chopped Greek Pita Salad

Greek salads are from heaven. This one is from Fitness magazine and boasts less than 400 calories. Low on cals but super filling.

Greek Chopped Pita Salad

Ingredients
2 cups romaine lettuce
2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
½ cup canned garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
½ cup cucumber, sliced
1 whole-wheat pita, chopped
2 tablespoons low-fat vinaigrette

Make it: Combine all salad ingredients in a bowl and toss thoroughly.

"I never knew flowers could make someone so happy." -Jordan

Jordan gave me flowers to congratulate me for my new job in San Antonio. I'm so proud. It's the first time he's ever bought flowers. I love them. Their glowing yellow happiness brightens my little apartment.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

You know you want to

Go ahead. Relieve some stress by banging on that keyboard. No need for clean up.

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