A Yellow Raft in Blue Water

While doing some research today for one of my classes, I came across this book. I was instantly catapulted in memory back to a hammock in Guatemala where I spent hours eating up the words in this book.

This is the synopsis: Michael Dorris has crafted a fierce saga of three generations of Indian women, beset by hardships and torn by angry secrets, yet inextricably joined by the bonds of kinship. Starting in the present day and moving backward, the novel is told in the voices of the three women: fifteen-year-old part-black Rayona; her American Indian mother, Christine, consumed by tenderness and resentment toward those she loves; and the fierce and mysterious Ida, mother and grandmother whose haunting secrets, betrayals, and dreams echo through the years, braiding together the strands of the shared past. A HIGHLY recommended read!!

Fall Bucket List

I was perusing Pinterest tonight while acting like a 90 year old and sitting home alone...I digress, I found some amazing fall crafts, outfits and images that have me THRILLED that my favorite season of all is fast approaching. A few summers ago I made a summer bucket list. With the help of some friends I quickly crossed some things off the list and had an amazing summer! I am feeling like it is definitely time to hop back on the bucket list train, this time, Fall themed!

Fall officially starts September 22nd. It just happens to coincide with my last week of work at ECI and my freedom into the real world again..which will be quickly limited by my full time masters student status but again, I digress.

*Go bowling and drink a fall ale at Arsenal
* go to a Steelers game
*make and hang a new fall wreath
*bake pumpkin pie from scratch
*go to a corn maze
*go to dave and busters on wed for half price game night
*go to the drive-in
*go to a pumpkin patch and pick out a pumpkin (trax farms?)
* go to the shooting range
*oct 20-21;nov 17/18 see a meteor shower


...list still in progress :) ideas welcomed!

Happy Waitresses Everywhere.

I always thought if I won a lot of money, I would love to leave huge tips for waiters/waitresses that were awesome...pay for someones groceries....pay someones medical bills...you know, randomly so it was a big surprise for someone who deserved it. Some bad ass guys dying wish was for his brother to do just that. And people are coming together to make that happen and I think it is the coolest thing ever! Check out the story: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/man-last-wish-big-tips-inspires-big-donations-195754349.html Before Aaron Collins passed away in July at the age of 29, he asked that his brother Seth "leave an awesome tip" for a waiter or waitress. "And I don't mean 25%," Aaron said. "I mean $500 on a ****ing pizza." The only problem, as NPR reports, was that Aaron didn't leave much money. His family began raising funds on the Web, so they could then pass it out to lucky waiters and waitresses. It's safe to say that the plan is working much better than they could have imagined. So far, the family has raised nearly $50,000. They've given out three generous tips of $500 each and have recorded the servers' reactions. Not surprisingly, the servers are quite pleased with the gratuity. On a site dedicated to his brother's wish, Seth writes: "Absolutely 100% of the donations we receive will be given to random waiters or waitresses. Our goal is to do this once a week, for as long as you give us the opportunity." With over $47,000 raised and only $1,500 spent, Seth and family have a lot of dining out ahead of them, and a lot of servers can look forward to more than just 15 percent.

Recipe Lady

I swore I'd never be the "recipe lady"and let my blog turn into a cook book...But apparently I lied. I guess now that I am cooking for myself every day and trying to be somewhat healthy about it, I find myself interested in recipes now. And you blog about what interests you. So, here we go..another DELICIOUS find": Peanut Butter-Banana protein waffles.

1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder 1/4 cup egg whites 1/2 mashed banana cinnamon 1-2 packets stevia Mix it all together and put it in the waffle machine. I melted chocolate chips and peanut butter and used that as the syrup and it was amazing. Nutrition per recipe: Calories: 210 Protein: 32g Carbs: 13g

Emeli Sandé

An addition to the "Songs I love" List :)

Healthy cake!?

I have an unhealthy obsession with cake. I cant hide that fact any longer. I would eat cake (almost any flavor) all day long if that didnt result in the need for emergency medical care for a severe case of sugar shock and a buffalo hump for an ass. With that said, I can let go of my fears and eat all the cake I want...now that I've discovered this gem of a meal!!

CAKE BATTER PROTEIN SHAKE

1/2 cup Low fat cottage cheese 1
1 Scoop vanilla protein powder 2
3-5 Drops butter or almond extract
1 tbs Vanilla sugar free instant pudding mix
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3-5 Stevia packets (or sweetener of choice to taste)
1/2 cup-1cup Water (Alter this according to desired consistency)
5-10 Ice Cubes (Depending on how thick you like it, use less for a thinner consistency)
Optional: Sprinkles for topping!

Put everything into a blender and blend until creamy consistency is reached! Top with sprinkles if desired, and Enjoy!


I hope you are as happy as I am with this discovery :)

The Red Tent

When I got the Doula job and fell in love with it, my roommate Lindsey recommended I read "The Red Tent". The description "set in biblical times" turned me off right away but something about it intrigued me. I happened to be at a thrift store digging through the books and found it for .99 cents. Of course I bought it. And loved it. And cried myself to sleep after I finished it.

Ignore the biblical part if youre not that into it. If i can, you can. I really suggest reading it. Incredible, powerful read.

Life is Good

Ive been MIA for a while now due to many changes! 2011 has been the year of new, and I am totally OK with it.

I find myself sitting here...cranky, because its a Sunday and I was up at 7am....but completely content with the point I'm at in my life. I have many things that make me happy right now and I plan to enjoy every second of it.

In October I started my new job. I am still settling in and getting used to the way things work. I struggle with my supervisor because I feel she is poorly trained for her position, but I am trying to be respectful of her position despite my deeper feelings. The paperwork is a Monster that I am still trying to wrangle, but that is the nature of Social Work related jobs. Every day I get a little better :)
The BEST part about my job is being a Doula. A doula is like a midwife but you don't do any of the medical stuff. I work with teenage mothers and prepare them for labor, delivery and motherhood. I even get to be in the delivery room and coach them through the process if they so desire. I did not see this coming, but I really enjoy it. I find myself reading up on the subject in my spare time. Because of that, I just decided to purchase the DONA packet to get officially certified as a Doula. It will take some time to complete the process but I am excited at the opportunities I might be creating for myself in the future.

Speaking of the future, I got into graduate school. I am going to start in the fall to get my MSW in social work and I am excited. Im nervous about the stress and the work...but I am excited about what that will mean as far as job potential once the degree is completed. Once im finished, I think it will be time for me to move on from Pittsburgh. Whether thats back home to Erie or on to Seattle or Boston, two cities I really like, I dont know.

When I move on i'll be taking the new addition with me: my puppy. Just a few weeks ago I finally made a long term commitment to something. Thats a BIG deal coming from the mother of all Gypsies (according to my mother). She is a beautiful chocolate lab purebred and Im completely obsessed.

I finally paid off my car which was another big step in my life. Now I just have to save up some money (so I can give it all to University of Pittsburgh, haha) and work diligently to set myself up for a fabulous career once I graduate.

Life is good.