Nostalgia

Friday, July 20 2007.  The date of my first John Mayer concert.  I went with my new(ish) work friend, Just.  She and I had recently become close at the office and we bonded over similar taste in music, a shared astrological sign and a propensity for overanalyzing things.  Namely, our feelings.

Just had recently broken up with the one.  This was also a catalyst for our closeness.  Being firm believers that people are placed into your life for a reason, we knew it was all part of the big plan that - although we'd worked in the same, small office for close to a year - it was only now that we started doing lunches, manicures, and the occasional happy hour.

The concert was amazing.  We had lawn seats at the venue and sat on a big blankets with beers and hot dogs.  This was also the first night I ever met H.  As the date for the concert approached, I reconnected with a high school friend who was also planning on going.  We decided to meet up at the concert and say hi.  Once Just and I arrived and found our perfect lawn seats, I got a call from said friend who was on her way to the show.  A question: Would I mind if her boyfriend's brother sat with us? He bought a last minute lawn seat (to see the opening act - Ben Folds) and she'd introduce us.

"He's a nice guy, not a weirdo or anything."

And so, Ben played and John played (Just and I swooned) and I made a new friend. He was a bit quiet, cordial, I think he bought us a beer. He was kind. He drove all of us home and asked for my number.  I saw him a few times after that, but we never really dated until - well, until now!  Until May of 2009 when we saw each other again (at his brother's and my friend's wedding) and we've been together ever since.

Tonight, I am once again going to see John Mayer at the same exact venue as '07, on this - a Friday night in July.  I am going with Just.  We haven't worked together in over a year since her departure from the company.  I miss that.  I miss sharing an office with her.  I miss sharing every. single. thing.  Every feeling and every emotion.  It was almost like something didn't really happen to me until I shared it with Just.  We now have a slightly different relationship, but still remain very close.

So many of the circumstances are the same and just as many are different.  We've been to two more JM shows together since.  I am finding myself feeling very nostalgic and reflective about going to the concert tonight, singing and dancing, reconnecting and catching up, and reliving that night in July.

"...I know a girl ... she puts the color inside of my world..."

{circa 2007}

Lamebook Wins

Funny Schtuff.  Click to enlarge.

O, O, O, Oprah

Who doesn't love O for her positivity and inspiration?

I finally realized that being grateful to my body was key to giving more love to myself.

Oprah Winfrey (1954 - ), O Magazine

 

{photo via i can read}

Music for your Mond....er, Tuesday

Last Sunday was the laziest. Sunday. Ever.  And it was great.  We got up around 11 and ate blueberry pancakes and then went back to sleep all day.  Did nothing.

In honor, and a whole week plus later, here are my favorite lazy songs. 





Yes, let's go back to sleep.

Kickball in College

I'd give anything to go back.

Dinner Last Night

In an effort to satisfy a serious pasta craving without blowing my daily calorie count completely out of the water, I wanted to try to make this recipe.  I stalk the Eat Like Me Blog on Self.com and love getting the insight into what a nutritionist really eats!

Quite pleased with the results, I must say.  It was fresh and filling, loaded with veggies and very flavorful.  It was almost like a summer version of a Chicken Scallopini.

The only changes I made was adding some red onion while sauteing the garlic and I also added two boneless chicken thighs that I threw on the grill with some salt and pepper.

Highly recommended!

{the almost finished product, without the pasta or the fresh mozz; photo taken by camera phone}

{photo via Mary Ruffle}

Music for your Monday

Top Ten Feel Good Summer Songs

Uncle Kracker - Smile
"I'm lucky just to linger in your light..."


Kid Rock - All Summer Long
Yes, it's cheap knock-off of a classic (H despises this song!), but it's catchy...


Kenny Chesney - Summertime
Quintessential.


Zac Brown Band - Chicken Fried
Guilty Pleasure.


Zac Brown Band - Toes
I am cheating and giving you two ZBB songs.  But come on.  If this doesn't say summer, what does?


Michael Franti & Spearhead - Say Hey (I Love You)
Ok, I saw this song performed live a few months ago when they opened for John Mayer.  Incred. 


Kris Allen - Live Like We're Dying
I dig Idol. 


Adam Lambert - Whataya Want From Me
I dig Idol.  A lot.


TLC - Waterfalls
Crazy. Sexy. Cool.


Heavy D & The Boyz - Now That We Found
Bringing it back to '95.


I''ll be listening to these all week.  You should join me.

Oh and a bonus...because I love this song.

YHL Love.

Oh you, Youngsters...how you woo me with your ideas.  I cannot get enough of you!

You better believe I will be trying this or that when we go away this weekend - and hoping to continue the tradition!

You kids never cease to amaze me.

Check them out - now!

Upcoming Vacation!

This weekend, H and I will be eating and sightseeing our way through Memphis TN!  His Mom's family lives down there, and we'll be visiting them, meeting up with some cousins, and experiencing the city!  I've been there once, with my Mom, but we only saw Graceland, and it was just one night.  This trip will be different!  I cannot wait!

Stuff No One Told Me

Love these.

{Find them here.}

Dinner Last Night

Last night, I set out to make this delicious-looking and healthy recipe from Real Simple.  I adore my daily Real Simple e-mails that send me quotes, recipes and ideas.  Let's begin with the beautiful, magazine photo, shall we?

That looks awesome.  And now, for my version.

First, the veggies - purchased from my favorite produce stand in Center City.  And cheap. Spinach (which will also be used for another recipe tonight! More on that later...), Roma tomatoes, zucchini and a large red onion.

Making my first vinaigrette (!), which I marinated the chicken in and reserved half for dressing the salad.

I grilled everything up.  Beautiful weather for grilling last night, I might add. 

And look at those equally beautiful grill marks! 

(The red onions did not turn out as well. As I chopped them, they started to fall apart, so I placed them - along with the rest of the zuchinni, into a foil pouch and stuck them up on the top shelf-thingie of the grill. I'll have them as leftovers at some point!)

The finished product.  And, once again, I surprise myself with the fact that I actually can cook (sometimes.)

I rewarded my hard work and low-calorie dinner with dessert - of course.