Monday, January 30, 2012

A Lazy Girl Gets Active

Saturday I went to the local YMCA and filled out almost all of my paperwork to enroll (I finished the rest tonight!).  My friend Katie and I went and did a quick cardio workout.  I did 15 minutes on the elliptical which equalled approximately 1.17 miles.  I took a very easy pace because we were headed to Zumba immediately afterwards!  We then did a 50 minute Zumba class that was packed and SUPER hot.  I was impressed with how I was able to do both the elliptical and the Zumba without dying.  

As I continue my quest for being a healthier person I am looking for ways to keep it fun and to challenge myself.  I'd like to find a race to run in the spring.  But until then, I'm tracking the miles that I do on ellipticals, treadmills, bikes etc and am mapping my progress starting on the east coast and heading towards California.  We'll see how far I can get in a year!


Monday, January 23, 2012

Checking In

So January is coming to a close and I think it's time to check in.  A couple of weeks ago I posted some goals for the new year and I thought I'd remind myself of what they are and see how I've been doing on them.  To refresh your memory here is the list:

Build stronger relationships- as a family member, friend, and romantic interest
Kick butt in my grad school classes
Expand my book blog to include other bloggers and buy my own domain
Read for pleasure as much as possible
Explore Cleveland
Exercise and be healthy
Focus on the positive
Complain less
Be open to change


I feel like I have definitely strengthened some friendships.  I've spent some quality time with my quality peeps and I am happy about that.  My family and I have also been spending time together and getting along which is great.  I can't comment too much on grad school yet- but I did complete my first week of reading and took notes so I think so far so good.  My professor seems great and while it's going to be a lot of work I think it's going to be really fulfilling as well.  


I have sucked at doing stuff with my book review blog, but I will remedy that soon.  Yet, I have been reading for pleasure a LOT, so far it's been one book each week of 2012, which keeps me on track for finally reaching 50 books in one year!


My friend Katie and I went to Zumba once and I filled out the paperwork to get a scholarship to the Y.  So this week I plan on finalizing my membership so I can be healthier.  I've also realized I haven't been eating enough- nor healthily enough so I'm trying to eat 2-3 meals a day and am including a lot more fruit and veggies.  


Focusing on the positive has been really tough for me.  I was in an extremely negative move last week especially in regards to my job.  I decided to try to perk up this year and am trying to focus on school and what my future might bring to keep me positive.  I have also sucked at complaining less.  I've complained a lot.  I'll keep working on that!  Being open to change.  Hmm, I think I am being open to change.  I think my life is in a state of change right now and I'm embracing it.  Let's see what it brings.




How is 2012 turning out for you?

Monday, January 2, 2012

Happy Hour Happenings: Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

Tonight my parents and I hit up the Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse for Happy Hour at Crocker Park in Westlake.  From 4:30 to 6:30 they offer great Happy Hour specials.  There was a list of $4 martinis and $6 martinis as well as $5 small plates.  My mom ordered a "white frost" martini that had a ginger liquer, white cranberry and some other stuff in it.  It was ok, too sweet for her taste, and too alcohol-y for mine.  I ordered a "blood orange" martini and it was AMAZING, sweet like juice and therefore potentially dangerous because it was very easy to drink.  My dad went with a straight vodka martini which he seemed to enjoy.

Since we were in the mood for seafood primarily we decided to split several of the seafood small plates that were available.  We ordered the fried calamari that was in a spicy Thai chili sauce and was delicious.  It was a great size for sharing and was more than enough for the three of us.  We also ordered the jump shrimp cocktail which, perfectly, came with three jumbo shrimp.  They were really large and tasty.  Our final seafood option was the blackened scallops that were served with a vinaigrette, blue cheese, and walnuts.  Do to my dairy and nut allergy we had the cheese and nuts on the side.  I was not really a fan of the scallop.  There were only 2 of them, they were not large, and the flavors were off.  My parents seemed to like them though.  I knew I'd still be hungry so I ordered the sliders minus the cheddar that is supposed to come on them.  The two sliders were juicy and flavorful and came with fries and really gave me just the right amount of food.

I'd definitely recommend the Hyde Park happy hour to anybody.  For just around $40 we had a great meal and great drinks for 3!  Can't get too much better than that!


Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse on Urbanspoon

Sunday, January 1, 2012

2012 in Cleveland

I've been thinking about this post for a few days now.  Resolutions seem like they are meant to be broken and I don't want to become another statistic.  So, dear readers, I'm going to tell you what I want out of 2012.  I want to be happier in, more content with, prouder of, and thankful for the life that I'm living.

I can see that this is a rather broad statement so what does it all mean?

In 2012 I want to do as many of the following things as possible:

Build stronger relationships- as a family member, friend, and romantic interest
Kick butt in my grad school classes
Expand my book blog to include other bloggers and buy my own domain
Read for pleasure as much as possible
Explore Cleveland
Exercise and be healthy
Focus on the positive
Complain less
Be open to change

I'm going into 2012 feeling good about where my life is headed.  What about you, are you optimistic for what the future holds?