Just a little shopping

So I found this list that Pancho got during freshman orientation of 51 Things to Do in Baltimore. (Seriously, aren't all good things contained on a list?) We've done some of them on previous trips--Fort McHenry, Baltimore Museum of Art, eat in Little Italy, Hopkins Lacrosse game, take the MARC to DC, wander Inner Harbor, lounge on the school's Beach. But the rest of the things will give us some ideas for the next few months. One of them said "Discover the Berger Cookie." Naturally, I'm intrigued. I googled it, and the bakery website pops up. The cookie looks yummy and seems inexpensive, but there are no store hours or anything to actually go there. I look at the other google hits, and found a really great blog, Cakespy. All about sweets and baked goods (yay!) and there was a post about the Berger cookie. Fantastic description--

For those who may not be familiar with these treats, the Berger Cookie is possibly Baltimore's crowning culinary achievement: a buttery, cakey cookie with a soft, sweet, fudgy chocolate topping.

I was hooked. All these people were raving about this cookie, but I couldn't figure out where to actually buy it. But lo and behold, the local grocery stores carry it! Picked up 2 boxes yesterday. One for us, one to mail to my parents. Sort of like a black and white cookie, but different (and still delicious!) Very thick/rich. Definitely need some milk with it.

We went to the Towson Mall to get me better equipped for the winter weather. Did extremely well, and the sales were fantastic! New blue gloves that seem like they will actually keep my hands warm, and really cute pink/raspberry colored Sperry Top-Sider wellies. Not normally a paisley sort, but these boots were just the perfect fit. Pancho also gave me a pair of regular boots that he never wears and which are perfect for when I'm out and the sidewalks are questionable. (As they were yesterday and I almost killed myself trying to walk in sneakers. Not enough weight/traction) Feel like I'm ready now for the outside, don't have to worry about slipping and sliding all over the place.

Heading down to the kitchen to make brownies. I'm Pancho's Design Team's "team mom" now. :)

Wintry Mix

It was snowing when I woke up this morning! My car is covered. It is supposed to snow through the night tonight. Tomorrow is supposed to be a "wintry mix" of freezing rain and snow. fun. lol

Went to Bertha's last night for dinner for their famous mussels. The restaurant is downtown in the Fell's Point area which is a revitalized, eclectic mix of bars and funky stores. When you eat there, you get their bumper sticker "Eat Bertha's Mussels." Mussels were delicious. Pancho, Eduardo, and I got 2 servings with a sampler of dipping sauces. The anchovy one was surprisingly yummy, but the spinach and basil was still my favorite.

Finished applying to graduate schools today. Now I'm just making sure they received everything I've sent during the last 3 months. Should know what I'm doing within the next 2 months... yikes

Inauguration! Change! Hope!

Went to DC for 4 days for the Inauguration. It was just incredible. Had a great time. There were so many people there. Got to the foot of the Washington Monument at 6am. With the windchill, it was 7 degrees! Completely bundled up: 2 pairs of socks, ski leggings, jeans, Under Armor compression turtleneck, long sleeve shirt, hoodie, jacket, 2 pairs of gloves, hat, scarf, face scarf and then hand warmers in my gloves and shoes. Still cold.



Spent most of the time before the ceremony began trying to just keep circulation going. Stood outside for almost 8 hours. Once things got under way it was just crazy. Difficult to grasp how many people were there. As far as your eye could see, just masses. Obama was amazing. Got the swearing in on video (I've passed my Blooger limit apparently). Realized something was amiss with the Roberts goof up. Saw real snipers up on the roofs of the museums. It was surreal being there, and now every time I see something on tv and they pan out over the crowd, I think, I'm one of those little pixels down there!

We didn't have tickets to a Ball, but Robbie snagged us free tickets (worth $55 a pop!) to a concert. Was in a rented ballroom (v. fancy) with an open bar! Which was obviously fantastic. We were so tired though that we only stayed for like 3/4 of the first act.

Took the Metro back out to Rockville to get my car. It had snowed so we got to put to use my brand-new ice scraper. Basically, my car won't be clean until summer. There is no way around it. Also, got a commorative Metro ticket for the Inauguration. I had been looking for soemthing to keep besides the newspaper (Which I did get) but never found anything that wasn't totally cheesy.

On the drive back to Baltimore, Pancho, Eduardo, and I went to Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles. Well, apparently this was a favorite last summer and Pancho and I had never tried it so we figured why not. The "Midnight Train" consists of a waffle, 4 large fried chicken wings/thighs, all smothered in maple syrup. It was actually, surprisingly, delicious. And much to everyone's surprise, I was the only one who ate the entire plate. I do love some truly southern food.

Otherwise, just trying to hang in and get settled. Big trips to WalMart and the grocery store to get stocked up. Managed to parallel park the other day out front. Snow flurries this morning! Sort of getting used to the cold. Since it was absolutely bitter cold when we got up here, if its above 35, I consider it a warm day. Moisturizing my skin though like you can't believe in attempts to halt the worst. Been doing a fair job of it, mostly just dry not too peely.

Made brownies for the house yesterday. Trying to get back into a routine. Making that "Mediterranean" chicken dish tonight. Think we might be going out to see some of Pancho's friends. PJ's is the local dive spot. As much as I looked forward to moving from Gainesville (too small towny for me), it did have a respectable and enviable number of clubs and bars. A lemon drop martini is not going to happen at PJ's... Although I did start stocking up today, got triple sec and the largest bottle of vodka I've ever bought (1.3 liters = big) to get me going until I look up some recipes to get started on my bartending skills.

Pancho and I made the drive just fine, by the way. Lots of sing alongs and playing with Freddie. (the GPS is a Magellan, Ferdinand Magellan, Freddie. See the progression?). Patience has been worn thin by the unpacking, city driving, my fear of the mice, and the Playstation. One week in? Jury is still out. :)

Moving In

So as soon as we pull up to Pancho's rowhouse, we notice the foot-wide layer of ice where we have to park. I cringe as my poor little car crunches and squeaks over it. Literally, as we walk up to the house I notice a FROZEN, DEAD RAT at the foot of the steps. nice. I try to avoid looking at it as we make multiple trips back and forth to the car. The next day, it was still there in the morning but was gone in the afternoon...
In the space of the last week, 6 mice have been caught in the kitchen. I finally saw one of them (never had on any of my previous visits to Baltimore). I slowly peek into the kitchen first before I do anything now.

We unpacked the car, it was truly amazing how much fit. Really didn't even leave anything that I wanted. They should have done a commercial. "Moving?" (pan to image of all my stuff piled up) "The Camry has amazing storage capabilities" (and then show in fast forward time us loading up the car). I've spent the last week unpacking and organizing. Its been interesting....

Snagged a bargain at Goodwill yesterday. $15 dark "wood" tv stand with 2 drawers that was originally from Target. For some reason the people who donated it felt the need to disassemble the whole thing, pack it back in the box with the directions. Took Pancho and Eduardo 2 hours to put it together. I directed. :)

I'm slowly prettying up the house. The bathroom now has a shower curtain, hand soap, and a framed picture of flowers. The dining room got the world map, and Pancho's room has the Seurat poster and my corkboard and picture boards. Along with a bookshelf, framed pictures, and some throw pillows. The boys literally have not stopped playing Playstation so I'm not sure how much has gotten noticed...

FL > MD

Worst blogger ever? Quite possibly, for waiting over a week to update. Lots of new developments. Pancho and I drove 1100 miles from Boca to Baltimore last week. Included some of the funny little videos we made along the drive:

January 14, 2009 6:30am Leaving Boca Raton



7:30am Passing Hobe Sound, FL




9:30am Getting Breakfast #2 Port Orange, FL

I slept for an hour around Jacksonville.

There are NO Starbucks anywhere in southern Georgia.


1pm Looking for lunch, Savannah, GA



Entering South Carolina (Wooo!)

Along the drive it suddenly dropped to the 20s outside. Time to pull out the coats...
About 13 hours on Day 1 which was only about 12 hours driving time.
Spent the night in Durham, NC with Karin.
Dunkin Donuts for breakfast so that put us in really good moods.


January 15, 2009 Richmond, Virginia
Another 5.5 hours on Day Two brought us to:

Baltimore!

Why B-less when you can B-more?

Baltimore here I come! Easily the most exhausting day since I've been home. Ran, submitted 2 applications, the bank, gas, Office Max, packed and packed and packed, sushi for dinner with the fam. (Incidentally, Pancho and his parents also went there for dinner. Naturally, they showed up as we were finishing. typical Spanish late-eating.).

But the car is about 93% packed. Unbelievably, I'm not leaving anything behind that I really want to bring. And there were only a few moments of tension. Really, can I be blamed for a) wanting to bring my supercute things? That Ona pitcher was coming no matter what had to be left instead and b) I can't help it for having accumulated a truly ridiculous amount of clothing since I never really outgrow anything. Shirt from 4th grade? check. But, yes, the impossible has been accomplished. I am packed and ready to go. Well, let's see how the morning goes with the last minute addition of toiletries and the overnight bag. :)

The drive to Durham is about 12 hours. Leaving at 6am. There is discussion about doing time lapse photos every half hour, to see the progression of our descent into insanity I guess. I'm hoping for some good stories from the trip. You know, like how I just had to make that stop for the picture with the giant peach on the side of the road in Georgia. etc etc.

Set up my mom's iPod shuffle that I got her for Christmas. Originally, she asked me for a "cd player to use at the gym." -You mean a Walkman? I'm not sure they make those anymore, Mom.
So I got her a shuffle. Walked her through downloading iTunes and importing cds ("can I listen to my cds on it?") and buying songs. I'm confident she can do it. Unfortunately, ran out of time to set up her digital camera. Probably going to require a long phone call from Baltimore to walk her through that ordeal. Just trying to get her a little more caught up on technology here.

Then we watched The Duchess. ehh. I like Keira Knightly (obviously) and history period movies (double obviously) but it really wasn't that great. Didn't quite capture and draw you into it. The male characters weren't fleshed out enough.

Monday Madness

Snapfish pictures of graduation came today! Most of them look really really good. Now I have to figure out who is getting what and how many more to re-order. And I still have to put more on Facebook. Fairly low on the to-do list this week, though. You know, moving several states away and all of that.

Thank you US Postal Service for being slow and causing me anxiety in this already-tense application process. Mailed Boston University a writing sample last Monday by certified mail. Online it says nothing other than that it was accepted here in Boca (well, yes, I was there when I dropped it off). Called Boston post office, they dont have it. Resort to calling BU even though I really hate annoying them by asking if they have my stuff. Fairly disgruntled guy tells me "Well, I'll look through this big pile here. Because you know, you haven't submitted an application yet." Long story short- They had it. Yet the Post Office hasnt updated the online thing telling me it was delivered. And I'm working on finishing the BU app as I write (deadline Thursday. No problem). arrrrrghhh.

So yesterday my mom and I made a pumpkin creme brulee mix from Crate&Barrel. Really easy to make and we have the cute little ramekins they are supposed to go in. But we don't have a culinary torch, so I tried broiling the caramelized sugar. Sorta worked but not really. Did form a layer on the top but it started to heat up the actual creme. Totally delicious though. Just need to figure out a different method besides a torch.

Making that pasta, pepper, onion, and chile dish tonight. Second-to-last box from that massive case of 8 pastas. Feeling a sense of accomplishment about it. Then! So much tv tonight. Gossip Girl (I really hope Nate is on), Secret Life, and 24. Oh, that Jack Bauer. I told Pancho last night that I wasnt sure if I am mentally prepared for another season. Its very suspenseful and then I start imagining snipers are hiding around bushes and I freak out driving at night. Nevertheless, last night's premiere was great.

Current obsession : Taylor Swift, though not a fan of her recent performance on SNL. My 14-year-old cousin loves her, so does that make it acceptable to like her at my age? The songs DO have a certain teenage-y lyric appeal, I suppose. Although its probably why I like them in the first place... Whatever. She makes having wavy hair look good.

In Tebow We Trust

What a fun game to watch. There were some awesome plays, especially enjoyed Black's pick basically from the hands of the Oklahoma receiver. Tebow's jump pass. Major Wright's amazing tackle, more like destruction, in the first play of the game. Really funny listening to the announcer's talk about Tebow. Its as if he can do no wrong. (Except for that chomping that got him an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. To which the announcer said This is probably the worst that he's ever done. Uh oh, going on his permanent record. lol) Saw so many Gator fans all over this past week. I just want to chomp every time I see someone. And my mom surprised me today with an "Alumni - University of Florida" license plate cover today. Very timely. Think I'll wait to find a shirt, want something about 4 times in 4 years. Then in marker I can add "While I was at school there."

SO EXCITED that Walfies and Ali are planning to visit! (Any time is fine. Those days in March would absolutely work.) Going to put together an awesome little itinerary. Inner Harbor, Baltimore Museum of Art, Hopkins, maybe a day into DC perhaps? !!!

Didn't do much yet today. Completely cleaned my car, inside and out. All ready for the big road trip. Well, the car is ready. Not so sure if I am...

Going for a "nice" dinner with Pancho, and then out with his friends to Hard Rock tonight. I suppose its time I try working on my other resolution to have fun this year. lol

Living in VacationLand

Only here can you go to the beach on January 7th. I swear... Although, I'll admit that part of the motivation to go at all today was to capitalize on the fact that I can go to the beach in the middle of "winter" before I head to the big cold frozen tundra of the Mid-Atlantic. lol. I've wanted to move "Up North" since the womb but something tells me I'll be clamoring to come home for a visit fairly soon into my little sabbatical. But I've got most of the gear and appropriate clothing and thats half the battle, right? Many many cute pictures of me dressed up like a 5-year-old to come, I'm sure. So many layers on that I can't put my arms down, just my eyes peeping out from bundles of scarves. Slightly distressed about fitting in with what the cool girls are wearing. I can do Florida-cold, but Real cold weather outfits? ehhh. iffy. Pancho thinks I need wellies. I put my foot down against Uggs (pun intended). But certainly some sort of boot/shoe that resists slush and wet. I would break my neck wearing the boots I have now with the heel. And some cute tights to wear with wool skirts and dresses that I also have yet to buy. Waiting until I get there. I'm sure I'm overestimating the situation and probably have things that fit in, but it is always nice to have an excuse for new stuff. :)

I'm going to get seasonal depression though. Already foresee it. At least in Florida its always green out, even when its cold. Months of gray and cloudiness isnt exactly going to make the adjustment any easier. Sigh. Nonetheless, I'm excited to go. Big plans for weekend trips. Totally feasible to drive to other states in less time than it takes to get from Boca to Orlando. I think Philly, Annapolis, DC, Albany, and Virginia are on the list. Other destinations will be added depending on where I get accepted ::cross fingers:: I also suppose I'm excited about seeing Pancho on a daily basis. :) But I'm sure we could start a pool on how long until one or both of us runs screaming out of the house (me from the mere reality of living with 4 guys and him from my constant and doting attention. LOL). I'll go 4 weeks on that one. Should have had Walf and Ali write the boys a memo on what to expect. Mostly stressing that its usually easier just to accept my "eccentricities" about cleaning.

Let's see... practiced parallel parking today in Pancho's driveway and at Spanish River beach. I think I'll be okay with some more practice. Probably going to get freaked out and harried when I'm actually doing it and other cars are waiting behind me though. Its also unnerving to keep thinking I'm going to hit either or both cars in front and behind. Could you imagine?

Also went to Rita's after the beach. Obsessed with the flavor ice. Too bad they are closed right now in Maryland because of the season. So yummy and way better for you than ice cream. Realized also that probably am going to be having more hot cocoa and coffee drinks than anything iced for awhile. Dangerous that Starbucks will now be within walking distance....

Got a GPS for the car. Should be a fun toy driving up next week. Only 6 or 7 days to go. Really need to concentrate a little more on the packing situation. Completely unrealistic that I'll get to take everything I want. I take things out of the pile only to discover other things in my room that I "need" to take. Oy vey

Secret Life

So today might have been my first real day of seeing what its going to be like with nothing to do. Haven't gotten dressed, still in my pajamas, spent the day watching a marathon of the entire first season of The Secret Life of the American Teenager. So good. It's weird seeing an adult Molly Ringwald, though. But I cant stop watching it. Suffered through commercials for the first 8 hours until I realized its online, so now I can finish the last 3 episodes a little quicker. The "bad guy" is hot and the sweet boyfriend, is well, sweet and the dialogue is classic teenager angsty/idealistic/romantic. Only bad thing is the new season starts tomorrow at 8... when Gossip Girl is on! oh dilemmas.... lol

2009!

Watched Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve on tv. <3 when the Jonas Brothers and Jesse McCartney played. lol. Sometimes I'm like a teenage girl. Enjoyed a quiet night at home. Did the usual shrimp and lobster bisque for dinner. And like 50% of Americans, I watched the ball drop in my pjs.

Made 2 resolutions: To have more fun!! & To work out 4 times a week. Seriously committed to both. (Went running today so already on my way. Guilt over incessant holiday eating. ehh. but the sugar cookies were totally worth it)

Been working on applications today. Awful. It's tedious and I feel like I've done so much at this point, actually filling out the applications is beyond my energy level. Plus, its becoming very costly now since I'm actually sending them all in. :(

Plans for lunch with the girls tomorrow! V. excited. Except for my little high school reunion get-together, I have only hung out with family since I've been home.

Obsessed with having Bravo to watch. Caught up on the Desperate Housewives of Orange County. A guilty pleasure indeed. No other plans for the weekend. Catching up on things.