10 Day You Challenge: 2 Songs

Day 9: Two Songs

These are the two songs that are getting the most rotation on my ipod right now. 

 Moves Like Jaggar by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera

This song is super infectious and peppy. It puts me in a good mood and makes me want to wiggle my butt. Adam Levine being shirtless in the video doesn't hurt either :)

Leaves that are Green by Simon and Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel are one of my favorite bands (duos?). It's no secret that I hate winter. Every fall I listen to this song on repeat.  It's a kind of depressing song, about change and loss but I love it.

10 Day You Challenge: 5 Foods

Day 6: Five Foods

Crabcakes from Stoney's  in Solomons Island, MD

I won't go into too much detail on this one as I've already discussed my love of crab cakes. My favorite crabcakes are from Stoney's Kingfishers or the Stoney's Pier, both on Solomons Island Maryland. 

 

Breakfast Tacos

 I like my breakfast with a Tex-Mex twist. Most people have had a breakfast burrito, or heuvos rancheros, or at least tried some salsa on their eggs, but my favorite Tex-Mex breakfast is the breakfast taco. They are a cheap and delicious staple in central and south Texas. A breakfast taco consists of some combination of meat, potato, eggs, beans, and/or cheese in a hand made flour tortilla with fresh pico de gaillo, salsa, or salsa verde. (my favorites are refried bean and potato or bacon, egg and cheese) The ones pictured above are from the Maria's Taco Express.

Pad Thai

I love all thai food, but sometimes I just crave the peanutty goodness of a warm plate of pad thai. 

Edy's Slow Churned Pumpkin Ice Cream

I wait anxiously for October every year so I can buy a few cartons of my favorite pumkin ice cream!

Bacon

I have seriously considered going pescatarian (no meat except seafood) dozens of times, but I just can't. Bacon is my one major hang up. And I don't care what my veggie/ vegan friends say, veggie bacon is not delicious.

I do not take credit for these pictures. All Images are from my pinterest page.

10 Day You Challenge: 6 Places

Day 5: Six Places

The Padre Island National Seashore

Growing up in South Texas meant most of my weekends were spent at the beach. My favorite beach was the beach at the Padre Island National Seashore. It has beautiful dunes, soft sand and warm water. 

The Boston Common

The Boston Common is a large park right in the middle of Boston.  I worked downtown the 18 months I lived here and would frequently go eat my lunch or take a walk in the Common to break up my work day. 

Seabrooke Island, SC

My family has never been the type to take a vacation, but in high school my mom, sister and I were able to piggy-back on my Aunt's annual family vacation to Seabrook Island, South Carolina. An island off the coast of Charleston, you may know Seabrook as the setting of the Notebook. It was awesome to spend a week  in August eating barbecue and going to the beach with my family. I haven't been since 2004, but I hope to go back someday. 

South Congress, Austin, TX

South Congress or SoCo is the main street of South Austin. It's home to lots of local shops, restaurants and food trucks. 

Saint Mary's College of Maryland

I went to a public, liberal arts college on the St. Mary's River in Southern Maryland. It is a really great school academically , with awesome traditions and a penchant for being a little wacky. More importantly it has a beautiful campus. 

10 Day You Challenge: 9 Loves

Day 2: Nine Loves

 (In no particular order...)

1. Texas. Specifically central and South Texas. I lived in the Corpus Christi area from ages 7-14, and then I moved to Austin for 6 months following my college graduation. I consider myself an honorary Texan. I get really offended when people stereotype Texas, especially when they assume everyone in Texas is a conservative, white christian like George W. Bush or Rick Perry. Texas is a huge state and is very diverse! I love the food, the friendly people, and the relaxed attitude. 

2. Traveling. I love seeing new places and having new experiences. All of my travel thus far as been within the Eastern and Southern US, but I am planning to have a West Coast adventure in the Spring. I also hope do some international travel someday.

3. Going out to Eat. The only thing more fun than trying new foods, is trying them in the company of the people you love. I usually work one or two dinners out a week into my budget. 

4. Thermal Curtains. A few weeks ago I invested in a really nice pair of thermal curtains for my bedroom. They're super thick and they block out sunlight and drafts. I've nicknamed my bedroom my "cave of awesome". With my curtains closed and the heat on, I could stay in bed all day. 

5. Not owning a car. My favorite part of living in Boston is the fact that I have absolutely no need for a car. I can get to just about anything I could possibly need by walking or taking public transit. As someone paid a car payment and insurance every month for almost 5 years, not having a car is so freeing. I just pay $59 a month for my monthly T/Bus pass.

6. Fresh Seafood. One of the perks of growing up a military brat is that from the age of 7 onward I've almost always lived near the water and had access to delicious fresh seafood.

7. The Gulf of Mexico Coast.  As stated above, the bulk of my childhood was spent near Corpus Christi, Texas so I grew up going to Gulf beaches (and Gulf seafood). To this day nothing beats the warm water and salty breezes of a Gulf beach in my book.  As an adult I've fallen in love with New Orleans as well. I love the food, the music, the laid back attitude and the warm and inviting people.

8.Cardigans. Hands down my favorite item of clothing.

9. My Family. My family is small, and I don't get to see them as often as I'd like, but I love them just the same.

10 Day You Challenge: 10 Secrets

I've decided the best way to jump start my blogging after a long hiatus is to do a Blogger Challenge. Rebecca at iridescent indigo is doing the 10 Day You Challenge, so I thought I'd join her!

Day 1 Ten Secrets:

1. I feel an intense pressure to be a role model for my 16 year old sister and 17 year old little cousin. I am the first person in my family to go to college and the first woman not to have a child before age 23, so I think I am doing ok for now.

2. I am overwhelmed by my debt. Taking a job that payed $24k a year before taxes ruined my credit in the first year after college. Most of my debt is Student Loan debt, but I also made the mistake of getting 3 credit cards in college. I never had good money management skills modeled for me as a kid/ teenager, so I'm learning them as I go.

3. One of the things I miss most about college is going skinny dipping!

4. I don't have a passport and I've never been off the continent. However, I can't say I've never been out of the country because my family used to go on shopping trips to Mexico when we lived in South Texas. (before the drug cartels made it unsafe)

5. I am a firm believer in retail therapy. I go shopping when I'm feeling sad or lonely, and I feel a little high when I get a good sale or find something cool. (can you see how this is related to #2?)

6. I didn't meet my best friend until I was 22 and we only lived in the same city for 6 months. Even still, I talk to her almost every day.

7. Whenever I feel overwhelmed I remind myself that when my mom was my age, I was 6, and I feel instantaneously better for not having a 6 year old to look after. 

8. I'm writing this at work.

9. Despite lots of yo-yoing in my weight, I've worn the same bra size since 8th grade.

10. I am a feminist and I watch porn.