Things I Love Thursday

New TV Shows - New Hell's Kitchen, The Voice, Doctor Who, AND Game of Thrones. Seriously why do I not have cable right now?

Spring Break - It is such a relief not to have any reading to do, any papers to write, or any pressing activities in the evenings even if it's only for a week. (I swear I'll stop catching up on housework and sleep and get to the gym this weekend)

Good Grades - Yes last quarter I had a 3.85 and I was on the Dean's list for the first time ever and yes I would love to do that every quarter. But this quarter was hard, it kicked my ass, I was emotionally and physically exhausted, and I still managed to come out with a 3.0. I'll take it and maybe I'll get back on the Dean's list next quarter.

Easter Candy - I rank all holidays in the order of how much I like their candy which is why Easter is my favorite holiday of all time. Marshmallow eggs, Cadbury creme eggs, jelly beans, adorable pastel colored Nerds, and whoppers that come shaped like eggs. It pretty much makes my inner sugar monster jump up and down with joy.

A Night Out - I haven't had a lot of time for socializing this quarter and everyone tends to hermit up during the cold months so it was really amazing to get out of the house, put on a pretty dress, do my makeup, and spend an evening with my dearest friends. Stephanie kept telling me how relaxed I looked and it was NOT just the wine.

A Night Off - Monday night's judo lesson was canceled and, even though I love that class more every week, it was so nice to order fatty food and lay on the couch with my dog.

Warmer Weather - Spring is coming y'all. I can smell it in the air and Saturday is supposed to be our first 50 degree day this month. It is so much easier to stay positive with the sun on your face.

Food Coma - My mama came to town last weekend and, within the 24 hours she was here, we had dumplings and mushu chicken at Yen's, breakfast at Bakin' & Eggs, eclairs and croissants at the new boulangerie in my neighborhood, fatty Starbucks drinks, and Chipotle. No wonder we needed an afternoon nap before she dropped me off at my party.

Art Institute Cooking Demonstrations - Carolyn's aunt couldn't go so I got to go to the amazing Picasso-themed cooking demonstration/dinner/wine tasting at the Art Institute on Sunday. We had tortilla espanola with romesco sauce, poached cod and steamed manila clams in a shellfish brolo with toasted bread with parsley-garlic puree, duck pinchos with saffron pilaf rice, and creme catalan. Along with a glass of sparkling wine, two different glasses of white wine, a glass of red wine, and a glass of sherry. It was ridiculously tasty, super decadent, and put me in my second food coma of the weekend.

Me Time - So far this week I have done nothing other than go to work and go home. I've worked on housework and projects I've been putting off for a later date and spent large amounts of time watching movies on the couch with my girls and actually cooking real food. The anti-social thing has been refreshing and I apologize to anyone I've been blowing off this week. I promise I'll get back to my regular social butterfly of a self soon.