I'm with Spencer, Get Me Out of Here!

In other Speidi news today, the pair will be joining the new cast of "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here"....a reality TV show that drops 10 celebrities into the heart of the Costa Rican jungle to face challenges testing their survival skills. Rod Blagojevich, former governor of Illinois, was planning to be on the show, but a judge squashed his dreams and ruled that he could not leave the country because this was a flight-risk. The shows airs June 1st on NBC....and you can be sure I will be tuning in to see who can survive being in a jungle with Spencer...

Speidi Wedding This Weekend

The Heidi and Spencer wedding will officially, legally take place this weekend! I can't wait to see it soon on the Hills...yay! Even though I highly dislike Spencer, I think that Heidi and Spencer might just be made for each other... or maybe they'll be divorced in like 2 years...who knows!

10 Sushi Dining Tips

I was reading an article the other day that listed "10 Sushi Dining Tips" and since I love sushi I thought I might share them with ya'll! So enjoy :)

1. Sit at the bar—this is traditional, and lets you watch the preparation, which is part of the overall experience. It also enables you to interact with your chef.

2. Order omakase (literally “I leave it up to you”)—you can expect a unique experience, but also a higher bill (it’s OK to suggest a budget).

3. Don’t mix wasabi and soy sauce for dipping—the chef should have already seasoned the sushi for you. Dipping in a little soy is OK, and if you particularly like wasabi, you can ask the chef to use more.

4. Eat nigiri (the rice rectangles topped with fish) with your fingers: it’s customary, and lets the chef pack the rice more loosely—which is correct—instead of packing it to accommodate chopsticks.

5. Turn nigiri fish-side down in your hand to help prevent it from falling apart (especially important if you choose to dip).

6. Eat ginger only between courses, as a palate cleanser.

7. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Many people stick with firm, smooth-textured fish, and thereby miss out on other interesting flavors and textures.

8. Sushi rolls are an American invention that, ironically, has made its way back to Japan. Avoid rolls that contain nontraditional (and unhealthful) ingredients like mayonnaise and sweetened sauces.

9. Avoid fish that is unsustainable or improperly farmed.

10. It’s traditional to order miso soup at the end of the meal—it aids digestion.

Where I'd Rather Be Wednesday

This week I would rather be.... at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort!

This new resort is about 15 minutes outside of Austin...and it looks perfect! They have a spa, golf course, pools, dining on-site, and did I mention a spa?! Additionally, if you are craving some city-life, then Austin is a close drive away.

*If the BF is reading, this is a major hint-hint at a vacay I would love to take!

Isn't this view just gorgeous?!

And I love horseback riding!!

And we could get a couple's massage!

When I grow up I want to be Blair...

I missed this week's episode of Gossip Girl...so no recap, but I stumbled up on this great picture... And I decided I would like to be Miss Blair when I grow up. Love her hat, her dress, her attitude, her man, the cute atmosphere....just place me in this scene and I would be overjoyed! Oh the great world of Gossip Girl!!

Happy Earth Day!

I hope everyone remembers that it is Earth Day and takes some time out of their day to try and be more green! Here are a few tips that everyone can do to help the Earth:

1. Turn off those lights when you leave a room
2. Switch to florescent light bulbs

3. Clean your lint filter in your dryer after every use

4. Unplug your cell phone charger when you are not using it

5. Turn off your computer when you leave work every night

6. Buy rechargeable batteries

7. Ditch plastic bags

8. Print double-sided

9. Cancel the catalogs that you receive but never read

10. Carpool

11. RECYCLE!

Everyone can make a difference by doing their part. So start small...and the difference we can all make together might just change our planet :)

Nobody Pats Anymore

Justin Bobby is finally back...yay!! I love his character, wait no I love his writers... His line when Audrina hugged him and patted him on the back pretty much made the episode for me: "Don't pat me. Who pats anymore? That's like a burp. You want me to burp you?"

Um wow, apparently I never got the memo that patting was out...

Additionally, there was a new character on the show last night...Sleazy T. I don't know whether to be annoyed that he's very white and on the Hills and he has a rapper nickname....or be jealous that he got the nickname first and I can't have it....

Favorite Things About This Weekend

This weekend I was finally able to just relax and enjoy some time off! And it was wonderful!! Here are my top 5 fav things about this past weekend:

1. New Headbands from J.Crew

I finally decided I needed to splurge and "invest" in some nice headbands since I strongly dislike my bangs! So it looks like I will be wearing these bad boys for a good six-eight months. In addition to some new brown and black ones, I decided to go for a hot pink one and a turquoise one... But this morning as I was getting dressed for work, I could not find any outfit to go with either of those two brightly colored headbands...figures!

2. Yoga Class

I haven't taken a yoga class in like at least three-years and I have been feeling the need to get back into it. (Esp. with swimsuit season upon us!!) So Sunstone Yoga had a special for 10 days for $10, so I decided to try out HOT yoga. And I liked it!! I'm even considering going again tonight...well maybe...

3. Massage

The BF's Christmas present to me was a massage from the Spa at Whole Foods...and I was finally able to book this massage! It was wonderful....words cannot even describe. I must go back soon!

4. AMP Got a Promotion!!!

Wahooooooooo!!!!!!! My bestie down in Houston received a wonderful promotion (and raise!)!! She defiantly deserved it. AMP puts in sooo many long hours for her company, but you know what? It's paid off...the PRESIDENT of the Company recognized AMP's great efforts and her local boss decided they needed to reward her wonderful efforts :) So congrats bestie....I am truly proud!

5. Dinner with the Parentals to Celebrate the BF's Birthday

At the end of a great weekend, the BF and I headed over to my parents house to celebrate his birthday. It was nice to have a home cooked meal and hang out with the fam :)

I hope everyone else's weekend was great!!

Happy Birthday to the BF!

24 years ago today the love of my life was born :) That very fact makes me very happy!! I am so glad to have the BF in my life and celebrate his 24 years of life.

While the big 2-4 does not celebrate any big milestone like 18 or 21 or 25...it's nice to have those little celebrations. We have no big plans, but I am cooking the BF a nice, homemade dinner and hopefully we will be able to finally RELAX this weekend!

I love you babe....

Where I'd Rather Be Wednesday

This Wednesday I'd rather be in..... Istanbul!! (This city formerly known as Constantinople.)
Istanbul is a captivating Turkish city which has a rich historical past during which it was the epicenter of three great empires, namely the Roman, the Christian Byzantine and Islamic Ottoman. The influences of this rich cultural heritage continue to have a bearing on Istanbul until today.

Istanbul is that it is the only city in world that has a foot in two continents. Its old city is situated in Europe, while it’s more modern sections are located within Asia. These two very distinct parts of Istanbul are separated by the strait of Bosphorus. Due to its strategic location, Istanbul also served as an important center of trade through the ages and the city continues to be an important center for finance and culture in Turkey.

I first remember learning about Istanbul in History class...it sounded like an amazing city to me! After doing some research I have decided to list some tops things that I would like to see in Istanbul. Who knows maybe one day I will use this as my travel guide :)

Hagia Sofia

The Church of the Holy Wisdom, known as Hagia Sophia, is a former Byzantine church and former Ottoman mosque in Istanbul. Now a museum, Hagia Sophia is universally acknowledged as one of the great buildings of the world. It was built in the fourth century by Constantine the Great. Constantine was the first Christian emperor and the founder of the city of Constantinople, which he called "the New Rome." The Hagia Sophia was one of several great churches he built in important cities throughout his empire. The Hagia Sofia is the first thing I think of when I think of Istanbul.

Blue Mosque

The cascading domes and six slender minarets of the Sultanahmet Mosque (better known as the "Blue Mosque") dominate the skyline of Istanbul. In the 17th century, Sultan Ahmet I wished to build an Islamic place of worship to rival the Hagia Sophia, and the mosque named for him is the impressive result. The two great architectural achievements stand next to each other in Istanbul's main square, and it is up to visitors to decide which is more impressive.
The Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest covered markets in the world with more than 58 streets, over 1,200 shops, and has between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops. Many of the stalls in the bazaar are grouped by type of goods, with special areas for leather coats, gold jewelry and the like. It is famed, many-storied, and glorious. If you are in Turkey, you should certainly see it. The history alone is reason enough, not to mention the unbelievable concentration of touristic goods into one immense covered market. Every shopkeeper speaks three or four languages (at least!) and you can buy every bright trinket that no native Istanbul citizen has used for a hundred years or more.

The Egyptian Spice Bazaar

The Spice Bazaar is a mini Grand Bazaar, but known to be infinitely better. The prices can be more competitive than in the Grand Bazaar, and while many things are the same price, you can also grab some delectable samples of local sweets, meets and cheeses. You can ask the shopkeepers to get a portion of spice from any of the colorful, heaping mounds. There are housewares galore, assorted olives, cheeses, spices, nuts, and excellent freshly ground Turkish coffee.

The Galata Bridge

Stretching over the Golden Horn, the Galata Bridge is one of the most sensory sights in Istanbul. Standing on top of it you can see all of Eminonu from the Yeni Mosque to Topkapi Palace. Mosques dot the horizon, and dozens of minarets jut like daggers from the seven hills (Constantinople, the City on Seven Hills) that Constantine distinguished to emulate the seven hills of Rome. Local fisherman are thick along the bridge's ballustrade, pulling up fish which they sell to Galata Bridge restaurants and other fish vendors in the area. Beneath the Galata Bridge there are restaurants which are renowned for fish. Although You can't beat a view of the Golden Horn with ferries and boats coming and going, fishermen fishing, and tourists being heckled as they walk by the restaurants.

Çamlica Hill

Çamlica Hill overlooks the city and offers you wide vistas and open space to breathe and relax. The 360 degree panoramic view is calming and beautiful at the same time, and one of the highlights of any city break to Istanbul. It is quite an attraction, but can get slightly crowded. This means that while it is very calming and relaxed, it's not always that serene or secluded.
Prince's Islands

Seemingly built around the idea of relaxation, the Prince's Islands are the perfect place to explore as a part of a relaxing few days away from the main city. The islands are in the Sea of Marmara, reachable on a day trip by boat from Istanbul. City breaks can feel crowded and claustrophobic because of the amount of traffic and fumes around in the city, which is another reason to visit the islands; there are no cars, and transport is by horse and cart only. All of the islands have a serene, gentle feel about them, and just taking a stroll about one of them has an incredibly calming effect. They are well worth a visit on any city break to Istanbul, even if it's just to help you appreciate the hustle and bustle of the main city even more.

How come no one wanted to taste Bethenny's cookies?!

Tuesday nights are my favorite nights...because Tuesday night is the new episode of the Real Housewives! (This season is New York.) I won't give a recap, but there were a few things that irked me that I feel the need to blog about :)

The biggest thing is...how come no one wanted to sample Bethenny's cookies and cupcakes? She was in an A&P grocery store in Greenwich, CT giving away free product samples and literally NO ONE took a sample! I mean she's a cute girl offering FREE food...I didn't get it...

Additionally, did anyone else think it was absolutely absurd for Kelly to be running in the middle of NYC traffic?!?! That was redic...redic! She was jogging in front of cabs.. Being in NYC last weekend, I saw first hand just how hard it is to even drive in that city. Have you heard of side walks, Kelly? And Central Park? She must have been on a coke-induced high in order to get the courage to dart in the middle of NYC traffic....

Happy Easter! Happy Passover! Spring is in the air!!!

However, I am pulling out all my winter clothes because I am traveling to NJ/NYC for the Easter holiday weekend. So sorry, but no blogs until Monday!!

*And expect an extra-long 'Where I Would Rather Be..' next Wednesday because I got super busy this Wednesday at work and was not able to blog :( But I have been doing my research on this place because I have never been...get excited!

A loyal blog reader (hehe) sent me this article and thought this might be a good idea to blog about. I don't know if ya'll can read it (this is the largest it would show up on here!!)...but it is about how to be a good wife in the 1950's. At first read, I was very much appalled...the article tells you that you need to look nice and put together for your husband when he returns from work, make his evening relaxing, and think of him first. Hello, this article just screams the need for feminine rights and the reason hippie women burned their bra's in the 70's!! But I decided to sit on the idea for the blog for a while....

And you know what? I kind of think they are right! (Ok don't freak out...keep on reading...I explain myself!) I think that we should all (men & women) should try to make life more comfortable for our family, friends, significant other. We should all try to think of others first. I know from personal experience, when the BF sees that the trash is full and he takes it out without me asking...it practically makes my day! And if it makes the BF happy then why should I not cook dinner for him. If we all took more time to think of what others needed to be more comfortable and happy in life, then we would all be happier people. It's kind of like that Liberty Insurance commercial where one good deed a person does leads to another people doing a good dead. So, no I do not think that only a woman should pamper her husband, but that we should all pamper each other. We should all try to look our best and clean our houses.... So in your own way follow the advice of the article, think of others and how to make them feel more comfortable in thier life...think not of what others can do for you, but of what you can do for others! (Yes, a total play on Kennedy's great speech!!)

The Hills is Back!!!

I don't exactly know why but I love the Hills. Maybe because there is sooo much rediculous drama...and maybe it is the fact that these people remind me of the old college drama that I kind of miss but am totally glad that I am not still in. But those 30 mins are riveting! So tonight is the season 5 premiere and you can be darn sure that I will be watching!

What will Heidi & Spencer do this year? Will Justin-Bobby ever fully commit to Audrina? And LC...we know she's dating Kyle Howard, but she's apparently keeps her romance off the show (I know, how rude!). Will LC & Heidi become besties again? I can't wait to find out :)

*On a side note to RND & AMP- Does Lc's black dress not look really close to the toga ya'll made for me?!!

Where's Waldo?

Last night, on April 2nd, 2009, the Rutgers University Programming Association (RUPA) and Rutgers Student Life broke the Guinness World Record for The World’s Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Waldo from the iconic picture book series, Where’s Waldo?. 1,052 Rutgers students, staff and community members were spotted “showing their stripes” at the historic State Theatre located in downtown New Brunswick, New Jersey. Rutgers smashed the previous record, set by 577 Acuity Insurance Employees in Sheboygan, Wisconsin at the Acuity Insurance headquarters.

Um wow... I don't know what else to say...other than why didn't we ever think of this at Baylor during Chapel?!

MObama & The Queen

So the President & the First Lady (the great MObama) are in the UK this week for the G20 Economic Summit. This is there first meeting with the Queen. This is really exciting for me....two of my favorite people, MObama & The Queen, are meeting!!

I think Michelle has quite possibly the best style ever... ever! She mixes high-end and low-end, new designers and old, in a wonderful way. Oh and did I mention that she does not have a personal stylist. And she has a great figure. If I look like her when I'm in my 40s then I will be very happy. Honestly, I don't think I have ever read anything she has said or anything that she has done that I disagree with or do not like. She seems like a great mother and wife, and I adore her!

And the Queen...how can you not want to be the Queen? She has class, she has impeccable manners, people bow to her, she gets to wear a crown and not look redic, she gets to have people call her "Your Majesty" and no one thinks anything of it...she is great and so is her life. (She gets to live in a palace and have castles!!!) I would love to be the Queen. That is my dream job :)

So wow...can you imagine being in the same room as MObama & the Queen? If I could be a fly on that palace wall....

Wednesday- Where I would rather be....

For those of you that don't know me- I LOVE to travel. Like love, love, love to travel. Traveling is my #1 passion, hobby, interest, etc. So I have decided that every Wednesday I am going to do a post about where I would rather be traveling to than be stuck in my cubicle in the middle of the week :)

This Wednesday, I would rather be in..... CABO SAN LUCAS!

Last Spring Break (pre-recession 2008 era), my wonderful BF's family took a trip down to Cabo....and I fell in love (with Cabo of course, I've loved the BF for much longer!). Cabo is like a little slice of heaven on Earth. The weather was the perfect temperature....warm enough to want to be in a swimsuit and go in the water, but not too warm where you are sweating off your make-up. We stayed at the Villa La Estancia resort and it was fab. The scent in the lobby was sooo lovely that I seriously wanted to ask the front desk manager if they sold the scent :) The resort had wonderful comfy chairs by the pool- which is where I sat my butt the whole time and read like 3 Danielle Steele books. The beach was just steps away from the pool....which is really my fav because you can sit next to the pool, while looking at the ocean, but not have to get sandy!! The only bad thing about the trip was that our flight got cancelled and we had to stay an extra night. Can you believe that- we were actually forced to stay on our vacay for an extra day....it was the best worst piece of news I have ever received!

So yes, I would much rather be in Cabo relaxing my the pool than busy, busy at work!! Hope everyone has a great hump day :)