Hello Sunday Afternoon. Its only appropriate on the day that at 3 in the afternoon I have only had two cups of coffee for anything nutrition worthy. I don’t normally not eat, I like food a lot, just haven’t been hungry up till this point. The caffeine has held me over thus far just fine. But, the reason is appropriate is that a friend of mine let me borrow the first two seasons of Gilmore Girls on DVD and the project of watching every since episode that Ive missed in the past has begun! If you are not familiar with the show, especially the pilot, Loralei has a coffee problem as its called. 5 cups or more in a day. So, see? I’m only obeying the natural laws of Gilmore universe.

Speaking of Girlmore Girls, when Luke and Loralei started dating, or as it was, their very first official date he said to her “I am all in”. I though that was cute but think much of it till recently. Also with my Gilmore Girl project, I read a lot and one of those books at the present time is “The Birth Order”. Its quiet interesting to me and I have been watching traits of my coworkers especially to see which they are. One of them being part of a triplet set, so he was a little harder. But I finally came to the conclusion he was the first born male, giving him first born traits. I ask if he was the first born male, he said yes he was but was the last to be born of the set (two sisters minutes older than him). I was still correct even if he didn’t understand. According to the book, the marriages that work out the best are those of individuals who aren’t of the same birth order. I think of the first good marriage that comes to mind, my parents. My mom is the second born, first born female. My dad, fifth born, second born male. My mom definitely has first born tenacities while my dad carried the baby of the family traits quite well. They work. I look at my current romantic relationship and think, oh, we both are first borns. That’s not good.

You know what else statistically isn’t good? Long distance relationships. They most often do not make it to the next step because of the distance putting a strain on it. Amen. Strain: been there done that. If we go for long periods of time without spending in person time with one another, we get frustrated. Frustration turns into crabbiness to one another, since really, its part of the relationship and Jason and I make up that relationship, thus the other person is the trouble and that must be fix. Ah, what a first born trait that is, having things one way, my way (or his way in his case). So really, from the start, we are gambling against two big odds that studies and studies have shown, its not gonna be a good end result. You know what, screw that!

When I enter a relationship I try to believe the outcome will be marriage, though, I don’t think “oh this is the one!” after the first butterfly flutter through my stomach. I hate that term actually “the one”. Mind you that sucks the romantic out of a lot of things, but I’m sorry, I just don’t buy it. I think its a great Christian marketing tool…and I step off that soap box. But I do like to think the end result is a good one, but don’t give my whole heart away at first bat of the eyelashes ether. I keep in safe with me, for the most part, everyone has their bad moments of letting it slip through when it shouldn’t, including me. This relationship though, is so great. What’s so great about it Ive slowly realized that I am comfortable, in a good way. I feel comfortable to be myself, whatever that happens to be at whatever given time (ask Jason, I can be quite moody). And that’s an amazing feeling to have with another person, it really is. Makes me smile just thinking about it really. Also makes me steal Luke’s line as the core of this relationship. “I am all in.” Meaning, I am willing to give this my best shot, bumpy roads and nice flowerily paths and all. So, with the Lord holding my hand (as He has to with most things in my life) I am all in. And no, this does not mean we are getting married. You can date and be all in. Lets hope a lot of people who date are all in, not just feeling the waters with their pinky toe. My feet are wet and Id like them to get pruney.

Not last night, but the night before, I was sitting on my bed talking to Jason while knitting when the electrically goes out. Then on again then back off. Then it stayed off for a very long time. I told Jason I was now in my room, which is very dark with my “remodel” I have begun on it and wondered what to do. Since being back, which I hate to admit has been almost two weeks, my room is a wreak. I keep putting off cleaning it up which is just mainly me being fully unpacked. I unpacked, but onto my floor, which I don’t think counts as really unpacking. So basically I was stuck on my bed, in the dark, which not a clear path for me to get through to the hall. I yell “Mom?” No answer, I knew she was down stairs watching TV, where is she? “Mom?!” I hear an answer “What do you want me to do?!” I have to laugh, as if I was blaming her for the power being out. This was no time for us women folks to be alone so I decided I needed to get downstairs. But wait, the messy room. I was doomed to fall, but lucky, I remembered the zig-zag path I had made earlier (I know its bad) and made my escape.

After almost an hour of sitting on the couch talking (I had let Jason go as to not have to hear every exciting moment of us finding candles, flashlights, etc) while she held the flashlight so I could knit we decided to make some calls. She found her old “princess” phone since none of ours ran without power and her cell phone was dead. My cell phone was dying but I thought to give my friend Mark a call who lives a few street over from me. He’s remodeling his house now for little over 6 months and everytime the power goes out, even for a second, I call and ask if he’s messing with the wires. He thought it was is house too till we he went on the sidewalk to see the rest of the street out. He wasn’t working on anything electrical so it couldn’t of been him but then he hears police serious from the busy street he lives above. His neighbor asks him if he wants to see what’s up so they drive down and find the police car smashed into a power pole and knocked down one before it. I almost don’t believe the story he’s telling me, but our neighbors went driving to see how far the power went out (is that people do? I mean, I light a bunch of candles and read and stay put) and stumbled across the scene. So, we all knew that meant the power wasn’t coming back on anytime soon. This is all began around 9pm and it was about time for bed anyhow, so we found batteries and my mom and I made our way upstairs. I set my cell phone alarm but also a battery power one too in case my cell phone died before morning.

In the middle of the night the power finally came back on. Why we didn’t think to turn everything off makes me laugh now, but it went on then off again. Then back on a few minutes later. After getting a few more hours of sleep I get up to all the clocks blinking at me or stuck at little past 9 pm. I get ready for work, worried that in the middle of blowing drying my hair the power would go off again. Funny how used we get to having our lives around electricity. No Gilmore Girls tapped (well 29 minutes of it) because that’s on the TV and TiVo. No more surfing the internet, even on a lap top because the router is on power. We have an electric stove (we all hate it with a passion too) so we couldn’t even cook anything. My mom and I thought of being like Joey and eating all the ice cream so it wouldn’t go bad. Still a little disappointed we didn’t. When I got to work I told my coworkers the power out story and one of my coworkers apparently has police connections (little worrisome) because as soon as I finished the story she told me the police offer was fine. I actually was wondering but I was wondering a little more how she knew that. Hmmmm. But yet, the wonders of living in a high-tech world does have its draw back sometimes. But hey, I got some knitting done and a good conversation with my mom, not all was lost.

Yesterday on the Oprah show, Oprah got her ears pierced on live television. Did you know Oprah has worn clip ons all these years? I had no idea. As my mom and I watched Oprah freak out over getting some holes in her ears my mom told me that’s how Id be if I did that now. I whole hearty agree, I am wuss when it comes to things like that. Oprah squeeze the hand of an audience member like she was having a baby. I have to say, it was quite entertaining.

My mom kinda resents not just giving me earring as a baby. As Oprah says “without their consent!” Amen Oprah. When I see babies crawling around with earrings I don’t think its cute. I think, that poor baby. You know it cried and cried for no reason other than their mothers can have a cutter baby. There are some ugly babies out there, but those are very few and far between.

I’m no tom-boy but I just don’t wear jewelry often. It doesn’t make me feel pretty, it makes me feel uncomfortable more so. I think if I would to pierce my ears now it would be weird. Not for Oprah since she’s actually worn earrings all her life, were I have not. If I walked around with some bling bling on, everyone would wonder what’s up with me. Silly Oprah, if I ever decided to pierce my ears, it would not be in front of a large group of people. But, the holding of the hand is very important, for more than just piercing ears.

Say goodbye to the old street that never cared much for you anyway. And the different colored doorways you thought would let you in one day . Goodbye to the old bus stop frozen and waiting
The weekend addition has this town over-rated

You walk across the baseball green, the grass has turned to straw. A flock of birds tries to fly away from where you are, Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye old friend I can’t make you stay. I can’t spend another ten years wishing you would anyway.

How the sky turns to fire
Against the telephone wire
And even I’m getting tired of useless desires

The other day at work on the mix of CDs that we play “Useless Desires” by Patty Griffin filled the store and I turned to my coworker and told him that Patty makes me happy. He asked who Patty was and I shook my head at his sad little music life. “Useless Desires” is one of my favorite songs on “Impossible Dream” but it wasn’t till my break that I played the song on my iPod that it made me cry. Why did it make me cry? Because I really let the words hit me, though I knew them well, it was the first effect they had.

Everday I take a bitter pill, it gets me on my way

Most everyone has their days when dealing with stuff. So its nice to know I’m not alone in the whole in that scene. But it really gets old, which makes me frustrated at myself. I don’t blame anyone at this point for my loneliness, I sit and wonder what I have done wrong and wha I can change. But then I through my hands up at it all because its just a cycle of things I find hard to brake. Is it really me who thinks the new car smell has worn off of me being around? Sure it has, I understand being busy, but that gets old too. I have a planner, I have no problem putting someone in to have coffee with two weeks from now. I do like days where I don’t know what I’m doing till the last second, I need those days time to time. But mostly, I like having things planned and knowing what’s going to happen before it actually does. (Maybe this is really the dirty monster behind my pet peeve of no one RSVPing to anything, ever, out here.) Somedays I really don’t even think about it, how lonely I actually am. I was doing well for a while until my birthday came and went and I felt like the avalanche of all I worked to dig myself out of came down again. I’ll admit, I wasn’t completely honest about my birthday . I held back what I was truly feeling sitting at that table at Cheesecake Factory. When the question was raise of “Where is everyone else?” I fought tears that had been with me days before at the thought wondering the same thing myself.

For the little aches and pains, the ones I have from day to day

I was hurt because I feel like if I just packed up and moved again that no one would really care. I went through my “hermit time” when I just went to work and came home and made excuse why not to call up a friend to see if they wanted to do anything. After that effecting the relationships that are active in my life, I realized I needed to do something for the sake of those and for myself. But more so for their sake than mine, so I told myself has hard as it was and much as it might hurt to not hear back, Id make the attempt to have relationships here. I don’t like doing things alone. Yes, I’m one of those girls who like having company with her to the bathroom growing up (I have now been fine since high school to go alone). I had friends who we used to call each other up to just our errands with each other. Its always nice to have the company to do things with. When shopping I usually always need a second option. But, since my time at home, I have learned to do a lot of things by myself. Maybe that’s why the thought at spending hours at the Green Bean was a nice idea. Ive gotten comfortable with the fact that I do things alone most of the time. But still the haunting feeling of just wanting some friends to call my own near me comes around again.

To help me think a little less about the things I miss, to help me not to wonder how I ended up like this

I know I cant think about the what ifs about moving back here. Its really hard to at times like these. No one wanted me to leave Alabama, even folks in the surrounding states. Id still have the same job I know and love with the people who like having me around. Id be closer to my closest friends and my boyfriend. When I was in North Carolina, I was so happy. I think the south just does that to me because it was one of the greater experiences in my life. I learned a lot and loved a lot and there was nothing ever quite like it anywhere else Ive lived. I guess I’m just echoing Patty’s words over and over again in my heart. Is it really worth it to have this desire of friendship here? Everytime my pastor speaks of fellowship or going through a trail, I feel almost guilty. It just pains me because I just don’t know what to do anymore. I’m getting tired of this useless desire.

I went to the library today to return a couple of books in exchanged for a couple of new ones. Before hitting the books (pun intended ;)) I stopped by the little used bookstore they have. I started by looking at the karts they have in front of the shop. I wasn’t aware of what time it was, but not even a minute after me peering over the titles when an elderly gentleman just wheeled the kart away from me. No, “sorry were closing” or “are you almost finish?” just took it away! I was like, okay that was kinda rude but I guess they wanted to close up.

Onward to the check out counter where they hold books I went. I had gone on-line searching for my books before taking a trip to the library so I wasn’t sure if they had pulled them for me or not yet. So I ask the lady behind the counter if my books are on hold with her or still on the shelf. She scans my card and says “No”. No? No what? I ask “I’m sorry? Where are they?” She says “No, we haven’t gotten them off the shelf yet.” I respond “Hm, okay thanks.” After finding the books I needed, on the shelf, I went to check out and return my books. I avoided the first girl in hopes the one next to her would be more pleasant. The girl who took care of my book exchange told me with a snap “You have a fifty cent fine!” Goodness, these two are something else. I hand her the change I owe her and put my books in my new book bag.

Walking out of the library thinking of how much that wasn’t the experience anyone should get when going to a library. Luckily, I know that those girls are not librarians. But, kids who go there, who don’t know better and if they had the same experience as mine, they may never want to come back. They could even be scared of librarians! *gasp*

This is not public service announce to librarians or anything. Kari, you are a very nice librarian. But, thinking about how I was treated (for lack of a better word) goes back to even myself at my job. Reason why I like to be nice, sometimes overly nice to customers is because, its part of the Starbucks experience. That was part of the reason I wanted to work there, because of the environment that Starbucks creates, not just the coffee. Funny how one little thing at someone’s little place (say coffee shop or library) can make it sour for them.

Written on Valentines Day, but was without internet access and lack of time, its not posted till now. Please forgive me and its lateness

There’s no doubt that it was warm on the inside of hearts despite the rain clouds that filled the sky. Valentines Day just does something to folks - single or part of a couple. Even the ones who dismiss it as a “Hallmark Holiday”. They still recognize the day by telling someone to enjoy this day of love. Whether to wear all black or to buy some conversation hearts.

I spent my Valentines afternoon at Friendly Center (an outdoor mall in Greensboro). I had a coupon to Bath and Body Works that I had been hanging onto for a month till it was good. I’m not to familiar with the Friendly Center, so I traveled along other stores first in search of Bath and Body Works. I wondered into GAP (what warm blooded girl wouldn’t?) with my new wet rat look and was tempted to buy a very cute $14 umbrella. (I don’t know if I own a umbrella. There’s a pile of black ones in the hall closes at home but I don’t know if any of them are mine. I know none of them are this cute. Ive always wanted a cute umbrella.) I walked a down a little to find Victoria Secret and Hallmark Cards store right next to each other. Wonder if they planned that for this very day. I peered into Victoria Secret seeing so many men, so lost. It made me giggle a little. The theme that was all over the windows was “Give me sexy”. Well good thing no one is expecting me to put on anything -wait- okay, nothing besides the best underwear in the world on from there. And only person who wanted those on me is well me. I’ll never go back to the other kind. Few more steps and I see the Valentines card isle full of people. Come on folks, they’ve had these up since they took down Christmas items. Are the crowds and picked over cards really worth all of this?

I press onward to find Bath and Body Works to redeem my coupon that’s clucked in my hand. Did I mention I was wearing my reef sandals? Yeah. Nevermind the weather man has been right every day since laying in North Carolina. It was raining and I wore sandals. With a coat. Yes, yet again, I was quite a sight. From a far I search over the parking lot to the other side and there in the distance I see it. There red and white checker overhang a pier through the rain and forward I go.

I put my face down from the rain and revel my eyes to the store full of makes customers. Where did I just step into? Is this Bath and Body Works, right? Oh yeah, Valentines day. I start looking around for my “with any purchase” as my coupon, which was not kinda damp, requires. The ales girls where working for their money. Most of the men had two different bottles in their hands looking back and forth at time. Body lotion or body cream? What’s the difference? Poor guys, they didn’t know what they were getting into when they stepped into the store. I hear the sales girls who are very knowledgeable explain what things are to the lost customers. Even thought it was very last minute of them, I give them credit. I did not see one of them just grab the first gift basket and walk out (not in a stealing way. But wouldn’t that be romantic? Stolen Valentines gift). They held a couple of things in their hands comparing them. I was half waiting for one of them to ask me “Which smell (they wouldn’t use scent) do you like better?”

I walked out with a treat to myself. I guess I hadn’t been out shopping on Valentines day in the past, but there are many folks, males mainly, out in search of that perfect way to say how they are feeling (the difference between the men in Victoria Secret and say Barns and Noble) Number two holiday that brings in the most money from the retail stand point? No doubt (Christmas being the first). So for you men out there who made an effort, especially the ones in Bath and Body Works. Thank you for giving me some humor in the rain I found wearing sandals in. I don’t look at Valentines Day as a day where there’s more love floating around (despite the number of couples who get engaged on Valentines Day…sorry, but I find that such a cliché). Nor do I see it as a reason to be bitter when I was single. The pressure is off when your single in a way. Really it is. Making plans with friends for a dinner of heart shape pasta is much more rewarding then finding that perfect gift for someone special. If their special, then, I’m sure (or hope) they know they already. I think my new tradition on Valentines Day will be to watch men sweat because they step foot inside a store they normally wouldn’t be caught dead in. Its sweet and funny at the same time, which is how everyone should spend Valentines Day.

This morning something happened that has happened to everyone, the keys got locked inside of the house for the car. Well shoot dang, that’s not good Jace and I think. And its not that warm out ether. Jason trys to “brake” into the house while I put on my make up (I was running a little late this morning). When I was finish doing that I asked him if I could help. He said maybe in a moment. I assumed if he got a window open enough for me to crawl through. There is a benefit to having a little person around: if you get locked out, easy to go through a small opening. Well, all but one window was locked on the inside. And we couldn’t get it open, so, the window idea was out the window (ha ha).

Alisa: “Come here and hold me!”
Jason: “Im trying to find a way in.”
Alisa: “I want your body heat!”
Jason: “You’re just using me for my body heat.”
Alisa: “Yeah, so?”
Jason: “Use your own body heat”
Alisa: “Mine is all gone.”
Jason: “What are you saying?”

He did offer to give me his jacket which was sweet, being I had more on than he did. I didn’t let him since he only had a shirt if he gave me his jacket. Jason called his mom to come lets us in to get his keys. As we wait for her to come I try to keep myself warm by pacing up and down the road in the sun. That didn’t work as well as I wanted, so I started to run around in circles for a bit.

Jason: “What are you doing Alisa?”
Alisa: “Keeping warm!”
Jason: “Go in the car port, the wind isn’t as bad there”
Alisa: “But its shady and cold!”
Jason: “But less wind!”
Alisa: “No sun!”

My outfit today wasn’t the best to pick. The weather said sunny, so I didn’t think I need to layer up so much. I have a short sleeve shirt, my GAP coat, pink scarf and dark brown corduroys that I learned quickly aren’t thick. It just so happened to have grabbed my new ear warmer band so I put it on. My eyes started tearing up from the wind, so I put my sunglasses. I was quite a sight. I walked over to Jason who said I looked like a British spy or something. And the bangs over the ear band were the best fashion statement Ive made so far this year. Warm and stylish! I make shelter in the doorway of Jason’s house. We stand there for a bit waiting for his mom to come.

Alisa: “Huh, it should snow”
Jason: “SNOW?!”
Alisa: “Yeah”
Jason: “That wouldnt help any”
Alisa: “If Im out in the cold, I want snow!”
Jason: “Youd just be cold”
Alisa: “Im already cold”
Jason: “Colder and wet”
Alisa: “At least wed have something to do”

After spending the afternoon at Kari’s library, we went out to dinner. She suggest a place called Port City Java. Kari takes good care of me by taking us to a place where I can get a latte. Upon getting my latte I am surprised to have a message on the lid of my cup that reads:

“This is a cheap shot… but don’t you have the right to know that Port City Java Espresso drinks are made with one more shot than the other guys. Its a taste thing. You have been knowledgified.”

Me:” ‘The other guys?’ ”
Kari: “Thats you (Starbucks)”
Me: ” Well what if I didn’t want an extra shot? Thats not nice.”
Jason: “You have been knowledgified!”

I could climb up on a soap box about this, but I wont. Port City even knows they took a cheap shot at “the others guys”. I did save the lid. I still wish I had my “coffee condom” from Bongo Java in Nashville. Cute little things like these are why I go to local shops. Heck, I’m in a local coffee shop right now! Support for local coffee shops, wether thats Starbucks or not.

Hello from the Green Bean in towndown Greensboro.

I love technology at the moment. I’m have a lap top with wireless Internet and my iPod. Not have bad now is it? I’m tempted to go get another cup of coffee too. Just down there’s a knitting store I plan on visiting during my visit here. Hopefully they will have a nice lady who till teach me how to knit. Jason wants a sweater when I learn. I told him he gets a pot holder. Or wash cloth, however he wants to look at it. Also across the way from me is a used bookstore. Downtown Greensboro isn’t half bad if you ask me.

I’m starting to know my away around Greensboro a little. Cept, my frame of reference here isn’t the best. I happen to know where the, what I call the “whore house” is. Jason said if I said that to people they’d ask which one. He told me its official name but I have forgot, but its big and its across the street from Costco. But I can pretty much tell where that is if we are anywhere near it. I don’t know why, but I know where that is.

I also know where all the Starbucks around here. Of course though, I have a raider built into me or something. As we drove by the one thats closest to Jason’s house I said “thats the one with the drive thru isn’t it?” He said “Yeah, where you made friends with the barista who you thought was gay and thought your name was Juanita or something. And I don’t know why I remember details like that.” I said “Yeah I’m quite impressed you remember all that. Aw, we have a Starbucks memory together!” I know, I need help.

My whole mood has been so much happier since landing in the south. Even wit the fact Jason has had to work more than we planned, I just love being here. I’m about an 8 hour drive from Nashville or Tuscaloosa. About a 6 drive from Atlanta. 2 hour drive to Sarah and Brandon. 45 minutes to Susan. 45 minutes to Kari. Not to mention a boyfriend down the street from me. I mean, there’s love everywhere I turn! I can feel it and I just don’t know if I’m gonna get on that airplane on Tuesday!

Its colder in NC than it is in CA. But I dont mind, bring on the cold (read: snow). Plus, I get to wear my cute GAP coat that I get looks for wearing in Cali. Sure it maybe 70 there, but my coat is cute! I want to wear it so I will! Here, it works and I like it when things work.

This not a good post, Im sorry about that. Maybe tommorow.

There’s nothing like a little glass of sweet wine in a very tiny cup that’s just too cute you want to drink everything out of. I don’t normally drink wine, its not a taste I have queried as its said. But nothing like some yummy wine to make me sleepy. I do have an early flight tomorrow, so maybe it will help me sleep soundly as to have a good nights rest for the trip.

I am reading a delightful book that has me smiling or laughing at just about every page. The Know-It-All is nothing like I thought it would be, which makes me like it even more. In short, a man read the whole Britannica to, as the sub title reads “to become the smartest person in the world”. I just hit the Fs, but Id highly recommend this book (thanks Kari!).

A.J. Jacobs, author of The Know-It-All wrote about his thoughts on tipping or more so, over tipping. I personally think over tipping is a good idea. I never thought shorting someone anything less than 15% even if I didn’t appreciate their service, but I really learned when I lived with room mates who were waitresses. It came down to them sometimes ether being or not being able to make rent. These two girls are probably the sweetest you’ll met too, so I find it hard to believe they’d be so different at job that they wouldn’t get decent tips. But more often than not, they’d come home and Id ask how their night was and they’d always have a no or very low tip story. I always remembered this when going on, over tip, someone has probably gypped the server, I might as well at least make it even.

As a person who part of my living comes from tips I now strongly believe in my practice. But, A.J. says it much better than I:
In short, money means more to those who dont have it. I know this verges on common sense. But there’s something about seeing it in the Britannica, expressed as a rock-hard economic law, that makes it more powerful to me. So, for instance, today when I took a cab home in the snow even though the driver tested my nerves by spending the entire time telling me about his favorite Dunkin’ Donuts flavors (he’s partial to crullers), I gave him $6 instead of usual $5. I probably have more money than he does in my bank account, so the dollar will provide him greater happiness that it would me. A simple, logical conclusion.

So if nothing else, make someone’s day even if they haven’t made yours. With that, last minute packing and some sleep for me before my early flight in the morning. Look out Greensboro, here I come!

Every now and then I have the fear the rapture has happened and I’m still here. Like tonight, I pulled up to my house, cars in the drive way which means a full house. I walk in all lights are off and no one is home. Usually when my parents go out I know about it, so I’m always a little fearful. In fact, I don’t even know where my cats are. Did the Lord take them too?

I was listening to some Indigo Girls tonight. They are so under rated. Those girls can play some wonderful music. It also made me reminisce about my road trip with Carla a little over a year and half ago that was the start of our season as room mates. “Get Out the Map” was the song of that trip. I love music for the very reason it connects to so many memories for me.

Next week I’m going on a mini-vacation to North Carolina (and long over due visit with Jace). Since Jason has to work during the weekday I have to keep myself entertained. I plan on seeing a movie alone again for the second time ever. Mull around Friendly Center one day and downtown Greensboro the next. Jason said he saw a knitting store near his work. I just bought some needles and yard to learn, but the step to steps Ive found on the net just haven’t clicked for me, so maybe some nice lady there will teach me. If your in the Greensboro area this time next week, let me know so I wont be so lonely.

I’m turning healthy without knowing it. Actually, I don’t know if I can really consider myself healthy due to the fact I am no where near in shape (as my mom says “Skinny doesn’t mean fit.”). But I have started to eat better without the push of a diet or wanting to lose a few pounds (though the ones I have gained from working at the ‘Bucks I wouldn’t mind losing). A couple of “health” things that I have been consuming lately is solely because I actually like them, not because they are healthy.

I do causally blame Starbucks for the pastries they dangle in front of my face. I wont even tell you how many calories and such are in them (but did you know that the classic coffee cake has 570 calories 28 grams of fat ?!) Its no mystery that Starbucks can be fatting. There are regulars who come in and have what we like to call “why bothers” (decaf, non-fat lattes). Some add a little taste with sugar free vanilla or hazelnut (but really, those are gross). Then there’s the soy people. There is a couple that comes in and they always get a venti americano with 2 inches of cold soy (for him) and a soy misto (for her). After them talking up this soy milk and so many others making me steam this stuff I decided to try it. But what to try it with, I wondered. One of my coworkers said its the best with green tea. I’m always willing to try new things and see what the fuss is all about anyhow. Can I say I feel in love with soy right then and there? Yes, it took the whole cup for me to forget about the slight after taste, but its become my official night drink (refresh tea misto with soy). It is so yummy and soy is apparently healthy for you. Yay for that.

My second thing when it comes to being healthy is my sugar in take. I have a sweet tooth at times. Mostly in meals I kinda need my balance of sweet and salty, but always ending in sweet. Whether a piece of fruit or a sweet sauce. So when trying to cut sugar completely out of my coffee it became a bit of a challenge. I grew up drinking non-fat milk, so that’s not too much of a sacrifice when it comes to my coffee. Though, I do love the creamy taste of whole milk with espresso. The next step there is half and half steam. ew. ew. ew. But just a plain (no syrups) latte didn’t sit well with me. I like milk in my coffee, so sue me, I probably will never plunk down with a cup of black coffee (this doesn’t mean I’m not a serious coffee drinker). As I have said before, Mike and Kari were the ones to really shed light on Splenda. So I though, why not try it? I did and yummy was born, free of calories!

Huh, the only thing Ive really turned healthy in my diet is my coffee. But I gotta start somewhere now don’t I?