I've been meaning to blog what I typically eat each week, so don't read on if you don't care. here goes...

For breakfast:

non-fat Greek yogurt with fruit from the farmers market, plus one slice of brown rice bread with nut butter if I'm extra hungry.

For lunch on the weekdays:

tuna salad. Dressing made with reduced fat mayo, mustard & pickle juice. Salad part made with Broccoli, carrots, green and red cabbage, jicama, bell pepper, radish, celery & onion.

Lunch on weekends:

Two egg omelet with whatever veggies are left in the house.

Dinners:

Thai shrimp salad with edamame, peanuts, broccoli & carrot slaw, spicy peanut dressing, cilantro and green onions.

Spaghetti & Turkey Meatballs with zucchini, squash, onions and spinach.

Chicken corn tortilla tacos with refried and black beans, onions, avocado, left over squash, peppers, and salsa.

Chicken salad with spinach, carrots, peppers, avocado, onions, and cilantro dressing.

Dessert: fruit peach freezes.

Sucesses

I've lost about 16 pounds in 7 weeks and am feeling really good. Here are some of the things I'm doing to continue to succeed each week:

1. Really treating this as a lifestyle change and not as a diet. A lifestyle change means permanence and taking the time to think about what I choose to put into my body at every meal.

2. Setting small, manageable goals for myself. This means celebrating as the amount lost goes up, but also celebrating when the number go down on the scale. It feels like I'm meeting goals much faster because of this.

3. Instead of purchasing different produce for each meal (so only planning to use it once) I plan all my meals for the week by what produce is in the fridge. This means I'm consistently using everything in my fridge and I'm also getting in 5-9 servings of fruits and veggies per day.

4. Tracking everything I eat. It's simple, but I am making much smarter choices because of this.

5. Tracking all of my exercise and participating in 30/30 and now the 45/30 challenge. I have exercised almost every day since June and it is starting to become routine.

It feels good that this is going so well and I am happy I've found something that works before school starts up. I have long term dates/goals in mind to help me move forward, but I'm trying mainly use my small goals as motivation.

Procrastination

This is my first procrastination blog of the summer. I feel like I've "made it." I'm really a student again! :)

Another really excellent Chicago weekend. Dan took me to see Horrible Bosses on Friday. It was a pretty decent flick, especially if you are a Charlie Day fan. There were a few too many female rape jokes for my taste, but I guess I already knew it was a part of the premise so what can you do.

Saturday we raced around our neighborhood in an attempt to do everything this city could make available to us. We started with lunch at the Folk and Root Festival while listening to this killer Latin band (unfortunately I didn't catch their name). It was hot as hell so we sat in the shade and watched all the early drunks dance in the sun. From there we walked back down to our hood for the North Center Carnival. It was in an area of North Center we'd never visited before and it quite seriously felt like stepping into another dimension. There was no one on the street (not even any cars) and all of the houses had this same creepy shape. It got really quiet too, especially for Chicago. Anyway, so as we are walking in "other Chicago" we start to see this giant Ferris Wheel up over the trees. The Carnival was giant - probably the largest one I've ever been to (including the mammoth carnivals I attended in Minnesota). It kept getting more surreal though - we got there right when it opened so we were the first people to wander through. All the rides were going and creepy music... it was amazingly intense.

After one too many rides, we headed home for a brief siesta. Then I jumped on my bike and pedaled back up to Folk & Root to meet Lydia for a Mambo lesson in the dance tent followed by an evening of Rockabilly music by Rosie Flores. Lydia bought me a couple sangrias and by the end of the night I was floating around the park.

Sunday was equally awesome. We decided to walk to the Neo-Futurists despite the blazing heat (not the smartest choice I'll admit). By the time we got to Ashland and Foster we were covered in sweat, so we ducked into Konak for some cold alcoholic beverages. I can't drink beer so I asked for a "goes down like a cold beer substitute" and was given Makers Mark with ginger ale. Best. Drink. Ever. We then stumbled over to the Neo-Futurists for TMLMTBGB with our friends Joe and Renee. They asked us how many times we've been to the show and honestly at this point I've lost count. Anyway, they gave us our name tags (I was Jesus!) and we grabbed my favorite seats in the house for the show. The scripts were largely excellent. I always think that one of the scripts was the "funniest I've ever seen," but last night took the cake with a script called "Deja Shit Fit." There was a new cast member (second time we've been there for a new cast member's first performance) and although she stumbled a bit, she was pretty damn good.

This week I started my kids on shadow puppetry and it was a huge hit. We spent probably 30 minutes of each class with the lights off, flashlights in hand, doing shadow puppet ceiling dancing to the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack on Monday. The puppet show is going to be to the song All is Love and when I asked them to describe what they saw in their heads while listening to the song, one of the students said, "It makes me feel all of the love in my heart." Awesome teaching moment. Wednesday we started building shadow puppets for the song and they are incredible. I'm hoping to record the performance because I have a feeling the video might cement any future teaching job down the road. I mean, these kids are K-3 and they have clouds on wires soaring across the shadow puppet stage. It was also one of my student's birthdays and he LOVES vampires, so I brought in the Juno soundtrack and had them do a shadow puppet ceiling show to the song Vampire. They kept saying, "this song is too happy to be about vampires Miss Danielle." And then they would chase after me while making scary noises.

Other things: this weekend Dan and I were talking about all the travelling we've been lucky enough to do over our first five years as a couple. We've been to Disney, OBX, Emerald Islad, Amelia Island, Wisconsin Dells (multiple times), Spring Green (multiple times), Minneapolis, Michigan, London (just me) and Ohio. Anyway, I was sort of lamenting to Dan that after going to London I realized that my image of foreign travel had changed a lot. I was happiest when I was on my own walking around Annie's neighborhood and completely unenthused by any of the "sites" that we visited. I also started talking about feeling a little sad that travel for us is going to become very strictly Minnesota, Ohio and OBX until I finish school. Then I sort of flashed back to the "the trip," the backpacking dreams I had for senior year of undergrad and how they never came to fruition. So I was talking about that... for a long time. And telling Dan how I still want to do it, but once we have kids it's definitely out of the picture. And he just looked at me and said, "Would you want to do this on your own?" And I said, "Yeah, to do it the way I'm imagining and to avoid European tourist trappings I think I'd have to." And he said, "Ok. I know you have the savings for it, so why don't you go over your school's spring break?" And that was that. I looked at Columbia's spring schedule and I would have nine full days of travel (plus two for the flights back and forth). I don't think that's enough to do a huge backpacking trip, but luckily eventually Dan would like to see Italy, Greece, Ireland and Scotland with me (so I can save those for another day). So right now I am planning a trip that would look like this: Fly into Paris (I've already been to London and it's the most centralized for the trip I'm planning), then 2 days in Bruges, 3 days in Amsterdam, 2 days in Luxembourg, and end back in Paris. I might swap out a day in Amerstam and a day in Paris to visit Ali's aunt and uncle on the southern shore of England... I just have to make sure it works with their schedule and that it will be an easy jaunt to add to the trip. Things also might change - I might decide to fly into Spain instead and then fly up to Amsterdam, then to Bruges, then to Luxembourg, then fly home from Paris. I know flights around Europe are cheap, but what I'm really worried about is doing a one way flight to Spain and a one way flight home from Paris. Many of the deal sites online are typically roundtrip excursions. So that's sort of a dream addition and will purely depend on what types of flight deals I find.

Anyway. It's been fun to think about. Recently Dan's office has been tossing the "furlough" word around though... so if he is given a bunch of forced days off I would likely put this trip aside for 2013 and take him on our dream American trip instead (rent a convertible, drive from San Francisco to San Diego along US Highway 1).

Okay... HAVE to finish studying for this exam and HAVE to start writing these two essays. Yikes.

De-Lerious

It's been a while, blog.

Things have been extraordinarily excellent pretty much from the moment I quit NMH. Which was just two and a half months ago, but might as well be another lifetime.

My brother was married in June. The wedding was beautiful and I felt so astounded by how much he's grown and he amount of love he has in his life. It's a nice feeling. I also spent a week in Ohio with my family the week before the wedding (the longest I've been there in 5 years). It was good to just spend time together without feeling rushed.

I've been spending my summer bicycling around the city, studying for my prereq classes in coffee shops, and wandering around farmers markets. I feel very free and also serene for the first time in quite a long time. I hope it lasts. I've been eating healthier, exercising more frequently, and have been able to take real time for myself. All this well being has also led to a weight loss of 11 pounds in a little over a month.

Other things... We spent more time in ohio this weekend to see Dan's family. It was very relaxing and full of lots of long talks on the porch until well after midnight, visits from Xander and Cole, dog hugs, and swimming. A great way to spend the 4th. And always reassuring to spend so much time with my in-laws and to come back to Chicago wishing for a little more time.

I'm teaching puppetry this summer. Two weeks in (after two years away) and it immediately feels like being home again. The kids are very focused and are turning out very interesting work. It's getting me excited for classes this fall.

Tonight we sat on the porch at Ryan and Yo's place until well after dark. There was a great breeze, I drank ice tea and ate cold watermelon. We talked about life and family and the babies. And eventually Melissa and Bea showed up and I was sort of struck by how lovely all of their friends are and how deeply we've become a family of choice in the last year. It's neat. And Bea is a delight. She made a lot of memorable two and a half year old declarations.

Anyway. Life is good. I am in a really healthy place physically, mentally, and emotionally. I hope I can maintain this, because it is a great place to be.

Tiny Happy.

6 full work days to go!!!

I had my big pink bicycle tuned up this weekend. I only go to my neighborhood's bicycle shop once per season, but the kindly old Russian owner remembered me and my bicycle. "How could I forget?" were his exact words. I asked him if I could see baskets, as I will be commuting to work each day and will be carrying my lunch (and in the future my homework). He pulled out this amazing basket that quickly detaches for carrying with you while shopping. It was love at first sight. Even Dan had to agree that the basket contained magical powers.

It was nice to go home this weekend. To hug my dad and Jan and to be treated like an honored guest from a far away place. "This is Mitch's brother, from Chicago," they all said. It made me feel much fancier than I am. It was also fun to talk with my dad about grad school and our future plans. I told him all about our extensive budget plan. He was pretty impressed with the amount we've thought about it. To be honest, I'm impressed with the amount of time I've put into planning out every detail of it too. But I really want this. I want to work part time and be a graduate student. And when you want something... you figure it out.

On Sunday Dan made his famous (famous in our house, anyway) toasted gluten free sandwiches and then we took the dogs on a long walk all around Lincoln Square and Ravenswood. It was fun to see all the kids and families in Welles Park. It was a perfect Chicago type day. We got home after our longest jaunt this year and sat down and I looked at Dan and said, "Want to go to the movies?" and he said, "Duh!" and we got back up and walked to the Music Box to see Super. The organ player was there, regaling us with selections from South Pacific. The movie was great and as we walked home the sun set. It was a really excellent day.

Last night I figured out all the loan stuff. Even with the fellowship, we still feel like it's in our best interest to take out a small loan to cover extras. Thankfully I was awarded a federal subsidized loan, so the government will pay the interest while I'm in school. That was very nice of you, government.

This week is going to be Busy (with a capital B). We've got bookish nerd plans for tonight and Wednesday. Friday night is my friend Liz's birthday party. On Saturday we're taking Renee out for a pre wedding celebration. And on Sunday we're hanging out with Lydia. And next week... well, next week we've got a play on Wednesday, a concert on Thursday (and a friend in town), and then Brian and Clinton land in Chicago on Easter. I already feel tired.

Next week I'll also be registering for summer classes and training with Yolanda for Poppinsing. And I'm being interviewed by Columbia College as a Spotlight for their newsletter.

April has been crazy. But I like it. And sense only good things to come.

Nerds.

So everyday Columbia College sends me an email about different activities that I can be involved in if I like... like being a guest reader at the Printer Row Book Festival, or submitting work for an art show, or volunteering at a performance art venue, or spending my summer in Florence... it is so nerdy, but I am so happy that I am going to an art school. The next two years are going to amazing and I can't wait to get started. Cheers for art integration!!!

I'll be 29 when I finish my Masters. We imagine that if Dan is happy in his career around that time, that we'll likely start trying for a wee one. Eek! A plan! How brash of us!

Last night we hosted another "Sip & See." The babies met Emily, Holly and Janet. It's so fun to watch them be introduced to new people. I also practiced feeding Pippa and it went pretty well.

Nine work days left. To be truthful, it can't go quickly enough.

Snapshots

Sitting here awaiting my cousin Kryn who I will be taking out to lunch and to all the best Chicago shops. At work all week I've been getting a lot of congratulatory pats on the back for not only getting into graduate school, but getting the fellowship too. It feels good. It feels like a new chapter has begun in my life. One that I've been waiting for but didn't know exactly how it would pan out. Someone asked me what I'd do with my Masters when I'm done, and I truly felt excited to answer, "Not exactly sure yet. Teach, probably. What, who knows? I'll be able to teach a lot of different things. And my work as a Teaching Artist may afford me a neat job that I don't even know exists yet."

I can't explain really how much I knew while I was working 9-5 in an office in a non-arts capacity how much I felt like what I was doing was absolutely wrong for who I am. For what makes me- me. But I am meant to dig in the dirt with children and to help them shape a beautiful vision of their world and the future. And to help them craft crazy stories and direct little projects and to take work home with me and figure out how to map out the impossible (like having all 50 states on the floor of the classroom). I don't know exactly how I am meant to do this, I just know that I am not meant to be a professional. It feels too much like work to me and not enough like living/creating. We expect the next two years to be rough, even with part time jobs already lined up, fellowships secured, and a pretty decent federal loan I just found out I have been awarded. I got our rent lowered and we are cancelling our dog walking, which will save us some cash. And we are lucky in that we have a solid group of friends who live near us and like to spend their evenings at each other's houses making dinner/watching movies/enjoying company. We recently started a North Center bar hopping club. Not actual bar hopping - more of a "let's meet at a different bar in North Center each week until we find the one that belongs to us," sort of club. I can't wait to start nannying. It'll be hard, but rewarding. And I'll be helping out my friends and will be directly involved with the health/happiness of my godchildren. How cool is that?

I will say that I don't think I've ever felt such pride over a role given to me, but the role of GodParent makes me feel perpetually and unequivocally proud of myself. I feel like we've been really helpful and every time I see the babies I feel like each time they know me a little more. As in... well, not that they recognize me or say, "Oh, hello Aunt Danielle," but more that I am an okay person for them to be held by.

n epic nerdiness, and because I LOVE lists, here are all the things I'm excited for this summer:

1. Riding my bicycle to work. 2. Walking with Dan and the dogs around North Center as the sun sets. 3. The NorthCenter and Lincoln Square Farmer's Market. 4. Taking the babies for long walks around Welles Park in the afternoon. 5. Wearing whatever I want to work (hello sneakers & threadless t-shirts). 6. Hell, the possibility of getting my nose pierced or dying my hair, like a true young adult. :) 7. Teaching kids how to be puppeteers this summer!!! 8. North Center Bar Night with the ladies and Dan. 9. Being in a community of artists again. 10. Volunteering more at Open Books and starting to volunteer at 826 CHI. 11. Working significantly less hours per week. 12. Thrifting with Lydia. 13. MY BROTHER'S WEDDING! 14. 4th of July trip to Ohio. 15. Potential camping trip over Memorial Day Weekend. 16. The impending arrival of our new Tempurpedic Bed. 17. Free movies and music in the park. 18. Going to the library in Lincoln Square after work. 19. Did I mention babies?!?!?! 20. Picnics with the family.

Notice I didn't mention art fairs/street festivals. I'm sure I'll probably still go, but I feel sort of... I don't know... ambivalent right now. The street festivals always end up being tons of drunk people and crappy stuff that I could find on Etsy. The art fairs... well I love the Bucktown show and I'm sure I'll go to Renegade... but after 5 years (DAMN, WE'VE LIVED HERE FOR FIVE YEARS!) of attending the same fests every summer, it's a little bit of a "been there, done that." It's always the same artists hawking the same stuff that again, I know I can find on etsy. I'll go to Renegade likely to support all my artist friends, but I dunno, it seems more of an adventure to me to hit the flea markets in the suburbs and to scavenge the streets of Chicago for Garage Sales and Church Sales. I want to be surprised again. The art fairs used to surprise me. I sound like I'm talking about a bad marriage. :) Speaking of marriages... we are close to our 2 year anniversary and feeling more in love than ever. Awww, vomit. I recently redid his office space for $80 and he was so damn happy about it. And it looks really nice and now I think I have a good idea of how to approach the room if I want to continue to jazz it up for him. Love does silly things.