In college I was a history major which meant I wrote tons of freakin papers. Five page papers, two pages, 30 pages, you name it I've done it! The introduction was always easy. Wrote a simple explanation of what my paper was about and what I was trying to prove or support then onto the meat of the paper, again easy! The hardest part for me was always the conclusion. Summarizing everything and then restating the validity of it all. I hated writing conclusions!
I would say this is how I feel about Chicago summers. The beginning and middle of the summers are easy and enjoyable then of course the end draws near and bam the cold is back and I'm stuck reviewing everything I did the past two months and wondering what it all meant to me. I hate the end of Chicago summers!
This year will most definitely be different! Because of a strange turn of events at the office I have grasped the opportunity to live the best conclusion of summer EVER! Though strangely enough, I won't be spending it in Chicago!
Bon Voyage, adios, farewell folks, I'm headed on 24 day tour though Singapore, Malaysia and for over half of the trip Thailand! The cities I will be visiting in order are Singapore, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ko Samui, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Lampang and Sukhothai (say those three times fast). I'm going alone but I won't be alone. I am meeting 5 to 6 other individuals that I do not know in Singapore. Together me and my future friends will experience this trip with a tour guide from Intrepid Travels, trains, bikes, buses, elephants and other forms of local transportation. We will be staying in 2 to 3 star hotels and two homes of the locals. I won't be roughing it completely but the itinerary did say something about not being surprised if we have a run in with a squat toilet. Good thing I've been working on my squats all summer, RIGHT!!
I cannot express how excited and nervous I am about this trip! I think it will be the best conclusion to any of my summers to date. And in case you were wondering, hell yeah, I can't wait to be surrounded by Asian men...I mean Asian culture, ha!
My Chicago Life
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Do vegetables make you incompetent?
Yes, I am a vegetarian! For approximately six years I have been experimenting with some sort of vegetarian diet and am more so a vegetarian now than ever, only eating fish when absolutely necessary! I love my eating habits. Veggies are wonderfully filling, tofu can be delicious and protein bars are a great snack for those lacking any interest in the so called "meat sweats". In regards to the people in my life, I only have four friends and one cousin that follow the same dietary habits as myself. That's five people! The rest of my family, friends and potential date-ees are non-discriminatory meat eaters. Burgers, chicken, sausage, they cook and eat it all! Now this is not an issue for me! If I spent my time only hanging with veggie eating folks I'd have hardly any friends and would never go on dates unless I joined some sort of veggie eaters match.com, which, I won't.....yet!
Yes, I wrote "yet"! It seems possible that my eating habits are making the men I date, who claim to be good cooks, very bad cooks. Recently, I've had two similar situations with two different guys. In both situations, I'm invited over to his place for a vegetarian meal that he cannot wait to cook for me. You know the phrase "cooking is the way to a man's heart"? Well, replace "a man's" with "Sarah's" and you've got the phrase I live by! Both times, the guy assures me he loves to cook AND is good AND he's got the perfect dish. I'm practically drooling at this point. Not sure if I actually like the guy (typical me) but willing to give him a chance because any guy who will cook for me is potentially the man of my dreams. So here's how it went, only slightly fabricated.
Scenario 1:
Sarah: Wow, frozen pasta!
Boy 1: Yeah, I think it needs to be thawed, would you mind doing that your way?
Sarah: Wow, frozen peas!
Boy 1: Yeah, they need to be thawed too, would you mind doing that your way?
Sarah: Wow, a whole onion!
Boy 1: Yeah, would you mind cutting that, your way?
Sarah: Wow, whole garlic
Boy 1: Yeah, would you mind finding the perfect clove, and mincing it with your own bare hands because I don't have a mincer, nor do I know what a mincer is and on top of that, I don't own a tablespoon or measuring cup or even a sauce pan. Basically, I only know how to cook meat so I've been completely uncreative here and hoped that since you are the, should I say "vegetarian" you could just cook the whole dinner for us. (slightly fabricated part but based on actual events).
Scenario 2:
Sarah: Oh, you made pasta!?
Boy 2: Yeah, could you add water, it's over cooked and a bit sticky.
Sarah: Do you have any sauce?
Boy 2: No, huh, you eat sauce?
Sarah: Yeah, marinara pasta sauce is usually made out of meatless tomatoes.
Boy 2: I bought some tofu for you!
Sarah: Ahh, great! Should we drain it and saute it?
Boy 2: Darn, I don't have a strainer or any oil or any seasoning whatsoever except for salt! You can't just throw it onto the pasta?
Sarah: Not sure sauce-less pasta with flavorless tofu will be very good?
Boy 2: Oh, I thought that's what you vegetarians did.
The truth is, it seems very questionable if either of these two men have actually ever cooked to begin with! I honestly think they have but got so mixed up about what was vegetarian acceptable that they depended on me to bring the ideas and or do the cooking. Problem here, I was invited! I went into the situation thinking it was going to be a nice evening of non-Sarah cooked food, wine and entertainment. Bottom line, regardless of my dietary specifications, these guys were completely unprepared to cook anything out of their ordinary! It's not cute or funny, just a total turn off! So no, to answer my question, I don't think vegetables make you incompetent if you are a carnivorous cooker but just a little word of advise to all (men or women) who like to invite dates over for a home cooked meal. Be prepared or YOU may come off as being worse than anything...relationship incompetent!
Yes, I wrote "yet"! It seems possible that my eating habits are making the men I date, who claim to be good cooks, very bad cooks. Recently, I've had two similar situations with two different guys. In both situations, I'm invited over to his place for a vegetarian meal that he cannot wait to cook for me. You know the phrase "cooking is the way to a man's heart"? Well, replace "a man's" with "Sarah's" and you've got the phrase I live by! Both times, the guy assures me he loves to cook AND is good AND he's got the perfect dish. I'm practically drooling at this point. Not sure if I actually like the guy (typical me) but willing to give him a chance because any guy who will cook for me is potentially the man of my dreams. So here's how it went, only slightly fabricated.
Scenario 1:
Sarah: Wow, frozen pasta!
Boy 1: Yeah, I think it needs to be thawed, would you mind doing that your way?
Sarah: Wow, frozen peas!
Boy 1: Yeah, they need to be thawed too, would you mind doing that your way?
Sarah: Wow, a whole onion!
Boy 1: Yeah, would you mind cutting that, your way?
Sarah: Wow, whole garlic
Boy 1: Yeah, would you mind finding the perfect clove, and mincing it with your own bare hands because I don't have a mincer, nor do I know what a mincer is and on top of that, I don't own a tablespoon or measuring cup or even a sauce pan. Basically, I only know how to cook meat so I've been completely uncreative here and hoped that since you are the, should I say "vegetarian" you could just cook the whole dinner for us. (slightly fabricated part but based on actual events).
Scenario 2:
Sarah: Oh, you made pasta!?
Boy 2: Yeah, could you add water, it's over cooked and a bit sticky.
Sarah: Do you have any sauce?
Boy 2: No, huh, you eat sauce?
Sarah: Yeah, marinara pasta sauce is usually made out of meatless tomatoes.
Boy 2: I bought some tofu for you!
Sarah: Ahh, great! Should we drain it and saute it?
Boy 2: Darn, I don't have a strainer or any oil or any seasoning whatsoever except for salt! You can't just throw it onto the pasta?
Sarah: Not sure sauce-less pasta with flavorless tofu will be very good?
Boy 2: Oh, I thought that's what you vegetarians did.
The truth is, it seems very questionable if either of these two men have actually ever cooked to begin with! I honestly think they have but got so mixed up about what was vegetarian acceptable that they depended on me to bring the ideas and or do the cooking. Problem here, I was invited! I went into the situation thinking it was going to be a nice evening of non-Sarah cooked food, wine and entertainment. Bottom line, regardless of my dietary specifications, these guys were completely unprepared to cook anything out of their ordinary! It's not cute or funny, just a total turn off! So no, to answer my question, I don't think vegetables make you incompetent if you are a carnivorous cooker but just a little word of advise to all (men or women) who like to invite dates over for a home cooked meal. Be prepared or YOU may come off as being worse than anything...relationship incompetent!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
DO's and DON'Ts
I am no expert when it comes to the rules of dating. My opinion on this subject are based solely on my own experiences and of course may not be the universal thoughts of "all the single ladies" (shout out to Beyonce). HOWEVER, in the past three years, I have gone on more first dates than I'd like to admit and though these experiences I have come up with a short DO'S and DON'Ts list. This is a DO'S and DON'Ts list for all the single men (maybe Jay-Z can write a song for these guy, right?). Please while you are reading, remember I'm no dating PH.d, though I play one in my day dreams!
1. On the first date (maybe even the second) men should pay the bill. If he doesn't, he's not that into you or he's super cheap and honey you don't want to deal with that in the long run anyway. If he pays with a gift card, leave right away!
2. On any date specifically at a sports bar with huge televisions, men (who love sports) should respectfully set with their backs to the screens. We know they want to watch and when they make an effort not to it's very sweet. By the way, if a guy chooses to set facing the TV and never ever looks at you well sister, it's only going to be worse when he actually knows you and face it, he has eye contact issues.
3. First impressions are incredibly important especially with online daters. For this reason, a guy should smile or at least look pleasant throughout the duration of the date. If they don't truth is, he either thinks you aren't attractive or are boring (that's harsh but true) or he's super nervous. Hopefully, it's the nervous thing but seriously, do you really want a guy whose response to nervousness is to be Mr. Grumpy Pants?
4. Texting is not an option for setting up a date EVER! It's acceptable for a man to text after a date to say they had a good time or just to wish someone a nice day but NEVER EVER should texting be used to set up a date or to have a conversation. This is a sure sign that he has communication problems. He needs to man up those fingers of his and use them to dial your number not a message.
5. Men should never wear their invisiline retainer to a first date. If they do wear the retainer to the date and you are having loads of trouble understanding their mumbled almost slobbery words, please feel free to let them know kindly that they are hard to understand. Now, at this point hopefully, they will politely excuse themselves and remove it in the bathroom. If that's not the case and they make a first attempt to remove the item from their mouth at the table, please stay calm, maybe give them a concerned look and nod towards the men's room. Hopefully, they will pick up on this signal. If they don't, I'm not sure what to tell ya!
So here is a short Sarah Exclusive DO'S and DON'Ts list for men! I believe all women should have their own list as a guide to what they think is acceptable when dating.
PS: To follow up on number 5. He did decide to excuse himself and take the retainer out in the bathroom. Sadly, there will not be a second date!
Thanks for reading!
1. On the first date (maybe even the second) men should pay the bill. If he doesn't, he's not that into you or he's super cheap and honey you don't want to deal with that in the long run anyway. If he pays with a gift card, leave right away!
2. On any date specifically at a sports bar with huge televisions, men (who love sports) should respectfully set with their backs to the screens. We know they want to watch and when they make an effort not to it's very sweet. By the way, if a guy chooses to set facing the TV and never ever looks at you well sister, it's only going to be worse when he actually knows you and face it, he has eye contact issues.
3. First impressions are incredibly important especially with online daters. For this reason, a guy should smile or at least look pleasant throughout the duration of the date. If they don't truth is, he either thinks you aren't attractive or are boring (that's harsh but true) or he's super nervous. Hopefully, it's the nervous thing but seriously, do you really want a guy whose response to nervousness is to be Mr. Grumpy Pants?
4. Texting is not an option for setting up a date EVER! It's acceptable for a man to text after a date to say they had a good time or just to wish someone a nice day but NEVER EVER should texting be used to set up a date or to have a conversation. This is a sure sign that he has communication problems. He needs to man up those fingers of his and use them to dial your number not a message.
5. Men should never wear their invisiline retainer to a first date. If they do wear the retainer to the date and you are having loads of trouble understanding their mumbled almost slobbery words, please feel free to let them know kindly that they are hard to understand. Now, at this point hopefully, they will politely excuse themselves and remove it in the bathroom. If that's not the case and they make a first attempt to remove the item from their mouth at the table, please stay calm, maybe give them a concerned look and nod towards the men's room. Hopefully, they will pick up on this signal. If they don't, I'm not sure what to tell ya!
So here is a short Sarah Exclusive DO'S and DON'Ts list for men! I believe all women should have their own list as a guide to what they think is acceptable when dating.
PS: To follow up on number 5. He did decide to excuse himself and take the retainer out in the bathroom. Sadly, there will not be a second date!
Thanks for reading!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Annual Day of Love
Another Valentine's Day! I'm pretty content with my life right now that this annual day of love hasn't phased me one bit. Of course I'd like to have that one special person to celebrate with and of course that will happen one of these days BUT tonight, I celebrate with at least five special persons...yep, some of my girls! A few of us are headed dancing and obviously we are going to look beautiful!
Now, not all of the wonderful women in my life will be dancing tonight. Over my 28 years, I have been incredibly lucky. I have met so many wonderful women that it's no wonder I'm so content. I've got a rock solid support system that never fails me. So on this Valentine's Day I want to think about them and how grateful I am to have them in my life.
To the women I've known every second of my life. Happy Valentine's Day!
Mom, you love me unconditionally no matter what type of mood or situation I'm dealing with. I can't remember a moment when you weren't there for me, not one moment! I don't think many people can say that about one particular person. You are my ultimate Best Friend.
Sister, I'm a strong independent person because you showed me the way. Though you may not believe this but I was always watching you. I saw you achieving your goals and making life happen for you. As a kid, I wasn't quite prepared to follow in your footsteps (just yet), but you kept on me. You opened doors for me and now I'm opening doors for myself.
To the woman I consider my best friend forever. Happy Valentine's Day!
I've known you well for the last 13 years of my life, all of which you've never stopped making me laugh. We will be friends forever and I know this in my heart. We don't have to talk all the time or see each other but when we do, it's like we've never been apart. You will always be my favorite person to dance with.
To the women at work. Happy Valentine's Day!
You ladies make my day shine! You are my sisters, my aunts and my cousins. I laugh with you (and at you), I cry with you, I share my secrets with you and I adore each of you. Even when working long hard hours, you make my days go by so fast. You are my Chicago family.
To my Chicago women. Happy Valentine's Day!
We dance, we run, we improvise, we kayak, we climb, we sing, we drink, we eat, we play volleyball, we talk about boys non-stop, we spend countless hours shopping, we laugh, we do it all. You gals are so special to me and I'm so happy I've met each and every one of you.
THE END! Happy Valentine's Day!
Now, not all of the wonderful women in my life will be dancing tonight. Over my 28 years, I have been incredibly lucky. I have met so many wonderful women that it's no wonder I'm so content. I've got a rock solid support system that never fails me. So on this Valentine's Day I want to think about them and how grateful I am to have them in my life.
To the women I've known every second of my life. Happy Valentine's Day!
Mom, you love me unconditionally no matter what type of mood or situation I'm dealing with. I can't remember a moment when you weren't there for me, not one moment! I don't think many people can say that about one particular person. You are my ultimate Best Friend.
Sister, I'm a strong independent person because you showed me the way. Though you may not believe this but I was always watching you. I saw you achieving your goals and making life happen for you. As a kid, I wasn't quite prepared to follow in your footsteps (just yet), but you kept on me. You opened doors for me and now I'm opening doors for myself.
To the woman I consider my best friend forever. Happy Valentine's Day!
I've known you well for the last 13 years of my life, all of which you've never stopped making me laugh. We will be friends forever and I know this in my heart. We don't have to talk all the time or see each other but when we do, it's like we've never been apart. You will always be my favorite person to dance with.
To the women at work. Happy Valentine's Day!
You ladies make my day shine! You are my sisters, my aunts and my cousins. I laugh with you (and at you), I cry with you, I share my secrets with you and I adore each of you. Even when working long hard hours, you make my days go by so fast. You are my Chicago family.
To my Chicago women. Happy Valentine's Day!
We dance, we run, we improvise, we kayak, we climb, we sing, we drink, we eat, we play volleyball, we talk about boys non-stop, we spend countless hours shopping, we laugh, we do it all. You gals are so special to me and I'm so happy I've met each and every one of you.
THE END! Happy Valentine's Day!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Hey Single Ladies, this is what I believe!
I can't stop singing "oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...etc", followed by "if you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it". I love the beat of this song. It's catchy, it's exciting, it's a club hopping, tenny bobbing, young girls answer to fun and easy hip hop dancing. However, my gut reaction was, and I quote my thoughts "Beyonce, REALLY? There must have been warning signs that this guy didn't treat you right. Ending my thoughts with, "He seems like a jerk!" and "Why are young women so obsessed with marriage anyway?"
Okay, so yeah, this is a little too much analyzing for a Beyonce song! However, strangely, this tune triggered my thoughts on relationships and marriage. Here goes:
-I believe some women are so focused on getting married and having children before a certain age that they end up overlooking their happiness and what is important to them as an individual within a relationship.
-I believe the most important parts of a relationship are kindness, communication and respect.
-I believe I should wait for these important parts even if it exceeds my personal goals and time tables.
-I believe if I don't wait, I risk not getting the fullest out of life and love.
-I believe I would rather nurse a million broken hearts than spend time with a man that didn't treat me the way I wanted to be treated.
-I believe I will find love and I'm not scared to wait.
-I believe I am happy single and this will allow me to be happy in a relationship.
-I believe my gut instincts are always correct.
-I believe these are my thoughts and feelings and are right for me and the person I am.
So to all the single ladies, this is what I believe. Take from it what you will!
AND to end this lovely blog entry. I've added a few pictures of my friends and I pole dancing at Flirty Girl Fitness for Jen's "Still Hardcore at 34" birthday party. Don't judge me, it was a blast!
The single lady crew!
I might just be single forever, ha!
(I don't actually believe that) :)
Okay, so yeah, this is a little too much analyzing for a Beyonce song! However, strangely, this tune triggered my thoughts on relationships and marriage. Here goes:
-I believe some women are so focused on getting married and having children before a certain age that they end up overlooking their happiness and what is important to them as an individual within a relationship.
-I believe the most important parts of a relationship are kindness, communication and respect.
-I believe I should wait for these important parts even if it exceeds my personal goals and time tables.
-I believe if I don't wait, I risk not getting the fullest out of life and love.
-I believe I would rather nurse a million broken hearts than spend time with a man that didn't treat me the way I wanted to be treated.
-I believe I will find love and I'm not scared to wait.
-I believe I am happy single and this will allow me to be happy in a relationship.
-I believe my gut instincts are always correct.
-I believe these are my thoughts and feelings and are right for me and the person I am.
So to all the single ladies, this is what I believe. Take from it what you will!
AND to end this lovely blog entry. I've added a few pictures of my friends and I pole dancing at Flirty Girl Fitness for Jen's "Still Hardcore at 34" birthday party. Don't judge me, it was a blast!
The single lady crew!
I might just be single forever, ha!
(I don't actually believe that) :)
Friday, January 9, 2009
"My Year"
ABC's Good Morning America just ran a series called "The Year that Changed My Life". I haven't seen the series but it got me thinking, have I had that year? I pondered and pondered and then I freaked the "f" out!
What if my year was:
1. 2005, the the year I broke up with my boyfriend of 2.5 years and basically flooded the Chicago River with tears.
2. 2006, the year my organization exploded from the inside out. I never lost my job but for a while I lost my spirit.
3. 2007, the year I had a third and forth major knee surgery and attended countless hours of physical therapy.
4. 2008, the year that I dated more men than I'd like to admit AND STILL ended up kissing air at a toddler party on NYE.
So yes, Negative Nancy was in full force while commercial footage of the GMA anchors holding babies, winning awards, and getting married appeared on my TV screen (really, do you blame me?). I fearfully shut off the TV, raced to my bedside and prayed to God that "My Year" was still to come. And then...
A few days later I decided I don't want a "My Year". Nope, one year, is not enough! I selfishly want a series of gradual changes. I want the joyful with the sadness, the exhilarating with the boring, the funny with the serious. Most importantly, I want it to be speckled throughout my lifetime like stars in a clear evening sky.
I realize now, the happenings of 2005-2008 weren't bad changes. They were learning experiences that have, for the better, shaped me and made me strong.
Thankfully, out of this "My Year" debocal I've reached one very simple New Years resolution.
Resolution 2009: Find something positive in all situations and be thankful for each and every day that you are living and changing!
Cheers to a Happy New Year!
The NYE 08 party crew! Leroine, Shonya, Liz and I
What if my year was:
1. 2005, the the year I broke up with my boyfriend of 2.5 years and basically flooded the Chicago River with tears.
2. 2006, the year my organization exploded from the inside out. I never lost my job but for a while I lost my spirit.
3. 2007, the year I had a third and forth major knee surgery and attended countless hours of physical therapy.
4. 2008, the year that I dated more men than I'd like to admit AND STILL ended up kissing air at a toddler party on NYE.
So yes, Negative Nancy was in full force while commercial footage of the GMA anchors holding babies, winning awards, and getting married appeared on my TV screen (really, do you blame me?). I fearfully shut off the TV, raced to my bedside and prayed to God that "My Year" was still to come. And then...
A few days later I decided I don't want a "My Year". Nope, one year, is not enough! I selfishly want a series of gradual changes. I want the joyful with the sadness, the exhilarating with the boring, the funny with the serious. Most importantly, I want it to be speckled throughout my lifetime like stars in a clear evening sky.
I realize now, the happenings of 2005-2008 weren't bad changes. They were learning experiences that have, for the better, shaped me and made me strong.
Thankfully, out of this "My Year" debocal I've reached one very simple New Years resolution.
Resolution 2009: Find something positive in all situations and be thankful for each and every day that you are living and changing!
Cheers to a Happy New Year!
The NYE 08 party crew! Leroine, Shonya, Liz and I
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