Still Chipping Away at the 25x25...

Never fear!

I have not abandoned my 25x25 list. Still have three more months and several more things to do!

One of my challenges "Try 25 different drinks (alcoholic/non-alcoholic)" have kept me busy.

Most recently, I have tried this... the Green Drink

Look appealing?

Yeah, I didn't think so... but surprisingly - this wickedly green drink tastes a lot like bananas... and not a lot like everything else that's in it. Want to drink something super healthy? This should be at the top of your list!

Shared by a friend... I think I am going to try to make this soon!
(Cross my fingers that it works out all right!!)

Need the recipe?

• 3 kale leaves
• 1 handful of baby spinach
• 1 handful of grapes..green or red
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 2 Cups water
• 1 Cup (or more if you want) of any frozen fruit (you can also use any fleshy fruit like an orange or peach..) If you use berries, it will turn it brown...just a warning.
• ¼ cup ground flaxseed
• 2 bananas
• Put it all in a blender and blend till smooth…. I usually add some ice cubes in the blender to make it really cold.  And then I keep it in the fridge for a day or 2

TaDa! Green Drink!

My NEW Best Friend and a Photography Challenge

I have been hanging out with my NEW best friend A LOT recently...

My brain is buzzing with thoughts about organelles, lymphocytes, immunity, genetics... lets hope I can remember all of it for Wednesday...

But in the mean time... one of the bloggys I follow -  "With Grace and Lace" is completing a Photography Challenge and I thought it was such a great idea, I think I am going to take the challenge as well!

So tomorrow I will embark on a 30 day photography challenge, and maybe just maybe I will come up with something good enough to submit for one of my 25X25 items - 22. Learn how to use my camera and photoshop… and submit one of my creations to a public competition.

 
Want to take the challenge? Come a long!

Tomorrow... a self portrait... eek!

Banana Pudding!

Another recipe down! (one of my 25x25 goals)

I made Banana Pudding! 

Ok, it wasn’t from scratch, scratch. (Only half scratch.) But hey, I didn’t buy it pre made from the grocery store! 

I didn’t realize I was a banana pudding fan until I had it at the Golden Corral. I know, I know, that restaurant is like a human trough… but it is one of the few places that has real mashed potatoes made the way I like it.  And they just installed hand sanitizers near the plates and silverware.. that makes it a little better, right? Whelp, one night for dessert at the Corral I just happened to try the mysterious pudding concoction… turned out to be banana pudding, and hey, I liked it!

First I want to commend Publix for the advertising of the pudding. As I was attempting to grab some fruits and veggies to be “healthy” this week, I felt like something was out of place. Pears, Apples, Bananas, and Vanilla Wafers. Trying to figure out how the wafers fit in the grown from the earth category, I investigated the box a little further. Strategically placed so the Banana Pudding Recipe caught my eye.

I read the ingrediants… 

3 Bananas

2 – 3.2oz Kraft Vanilla Pudding (which was ironically placed below the wafers)

1 - 8oz tub of Publix Sour Cream

1 – 8oz tub of Publix light Whipped Cream

1 – box of Publix Vanilla Wafers

Skim Milk (Forgot the exact measurement.)

13”x9” Pan

And – the pudding, sour cream and whipped cream came in those 8 oz measurements. How easy is that?!? SUPER easy! So it probably wasn’t too healthy, but it turned out delicious!! (Sorry I don't have a picture of the final outcome... didn't think of it until I had already had a piece!) 

Onward to practice cooking!!!

I survied the Harry Potter Movie Marathon...

(**Spoiler Alert: elements of part II of the Deathly Hallows will be discussed – including character deaths**)

I have survived the Harry Potter Movie Marathon.

Starting at 7am, two of my equally obsessed friends and I (we traveled to the HP park together last October together) began our journey of watching all of the Harry Potter movies back to back in order to prepare for the FINAL MOVIE, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II, that opens July 15, 2011 at 00:01. 

For those wondering how long all of the movies are together without watching the credits, I can now give you the final answer:

18 Hours

My only complaint? I got sore from lying around for so long! Haha!

Now, it requires some dedication (and perhaps some insanity) to watch a series of movies for 18 hours straight, but I feel that I am now in a proper mindset for the movie series to complete later this week.  By proper mindset I don’t particularly mean that I am ready for it to end… just more prepared. 

Some people looking in from the outside wonder how people can get so intertwined with a series of books. Well, for starters, there are 7 books out there with some of them reaching the 700-800 page mark. If you actually read the books, it is hard not to become enamored with the characters and the story. With the exemplary attention to detail and the ability to craft such an extensive story, you feel that you might have actually been part of the story itself. It’s that sense of ownership that almost forces you to see the series through - even after the books have ended. 

Although I am “excited” to see the final half of the book make it to the big screen, there is a sense of finality of watching something on the screen versus reading it – the idea that the ending will now have “really happened.” 

We will see Harry Potter make the decision that for Voldemort to become mortal and subsequently be killed, Harry must allow Voldemort kill him. The Weasley twins, who never parted each other’s sides, will now be separated by death. Teddy (the son of Tonks and Lupin) will become an orphan. And most importantly, the death of  Snape, a character who does not live to see his name truly vindicated and be known as the hero that he had deserved to be.

The Harry Potter series has been a part of my life for eight years and it will be hard to let it go. I’ve got four more days (from midnight tonight).

Taking a peek into the past... by simply looking to the skies

25x25 Challenge

- 17. Go stargazing with a star map and find 5 constellations (Complete!)

Vanderbilt owns a lot of neat things around the community. One of those “neat things” is the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory. Although the observatory offers a lot of public programs, on the second Friday of every month in the spring/summer/fall they present “Open Telescope Night.” Much like an open house, astronomers and astrophysicists are on hand to answer questions while you take a look at the stars and planets through one of their three large telescopes. It is free to the public, but reservations are required and book up several months in advance. 

One of the Telescopes!

Taking a peek at the moon... also got to see Saturn and a star on Orion's belt. (Why do I keep thinking of Men in Black when I hear that??)

We couldn’t have asked for a better night to take a gander at the sky. With minimal clouds, a light breeze, and temps in the 70’s - it was perfect weather to peruse the star library inside or traipse around on the rock covered roof to look at the constellations and wait in line for the telescopes. So I have to admit, I had forgotten my constellation book at home and was worried I wouldn’t actually complete my goal. Thanks to the Observatory, however, I was handed a “Sky Report” for the day which gave a planet guide (with times and locations), a list of spring constellations, a list of all the constellations including nicknames and time of year to find them, and a list of stars closest to our sun. So neat!!!

A constellation globe!

The Library - the room was actually filled with books

So for all of you wondering… the five constellations we found (with the help of one of Vanderbilt’s astronomy professors and his super duper, and probably illegal, green laser) were…

1. Orion and his belt (which also included the red star Betelgeuse on his “shoulder.”)
2. Big Dipper
3. Hydra
4. Perseus
5. Leo

 

Going to the Dyer Observatory was such a fascinating and eye opening experience. The volunteers (from Vandy) were very, VERY smart and informative… as well as patient – when I asked them a gazillion questions. (Hey – that’s what they are there for – right?!?) We met an astronomer, Jen, who is in graduate school at Vandy for astrophysics. During the half hour of talking with her one on one, I learned that her two pet peeves were asking if she was astrologer and if the world would end in 2012. I laughed with her as how silly a person has to be to get those two confused… and who would think the world was going to end. Goodness! (Yeah, thank goodness she didn’t know that it was about 50/50 when I choose to ask if she was an astronomer… AND that she brought up her pet peeves before I asked about 2012.)

I did ask her about whether she thought we have had visitors from beyond our planet. Jen said that although we would be ignorant to think that there isn’t life out there, she does not believe that they have visited. Quoting a famous astrophysicist (sorry, I can’t remember his name) she said that to travel thousands of light years on a chance you might run in to other life would simply be “a waste of space.” Interesting. She said that those unexplained occurrences that we think are aliens might actually be earthlings visiting us from the future. More of a chance of that. Very interesting.

Other fascinating things we discovered at the Observatory…

-          We got to see an air force prototype of a “space plane.” I would have thought it was a shooting star, but the astronomers said otherwise.

-          When we look at the sky, we are viewing the past. Light can only travel so fast, so some of what we see has occurred thousands of years ago... and those stars might not exist anymore.

-          The North Star is always in line with a side of the “pot” of the big dipper. It was so much easier to find after that!

-          Our galaxy can collide with another and it “probably” wouldn’t affect us. (Side note – “By the time that happens, the Sun would already be gone.”)

-          There is an application called “Star Walk” (that all of the staff had on their handy iphones) and uses GPS to tell you the constellations that are currently visible. From what I understand, you can hold up the phone to the sky and it will highlight the constellations from the stars that you are seeing. NEAT!!

If you live in the Nashville area… I would definitely recommend taking a trip!!

1/3 down...

April 2011. 

I wanted to let everyone know that I have not abandoned my 25x25 list. Simply, some of the items cannot be completed in the "one and done" fashion... (i.e. writing letters every week.)

But! I have made so much progress... AND have plans for many of these items. 

Take a look...

1. Go Facebook “silent” for 25 days… starting on my 25th birthday

2. Attend (and participate) in a Zumba Class

I just have to confess that this is one of my "goals" that makes me the most weary. Why? I have no clue. So to best ease my anxiety of attending a Zumba class, I have started practicing on Wii. Good thing I did, I look like a two year old watching Bananas in Pajamas and trying to mimic the Skinnamarink moves without the surge of energy and lengthy endurance. People tell me that I will be fine, and no one is perfect at it... I would just prefer that my performance not be "youtube worthy."


3. Finish my Harry Potter “fanfiction” story


I have had many heart to hearts with Keep Me in Your Memories. I am sad to report that if there are a few "goals" that don't get accomplished - this will be one. I have not given up writing, I just don't think I can come to terms with the ending that I have outlined in my head.

"Why don't you just change the ending?" You ask. Well, I the problem is, I can't think of it any other way. Ultimately it comes down to the fact that I am not ready to kill characters that I have grown to know and love. Maybe my mindset will change after the last Harry Potter film comes out, but I won't make any bets.



4. Watch all of the Harry Potter movies in a 24hr span



I am sooooo excited about watching all the movies back to back!!! The first half of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comes out April 15th on dvd. I already have a few willing participants that want to subject themselves to non stop Harry Potter (including the hubbie), we just have to set a date.


5. Go camping (including sleeping in a tent… and not in a yard)


We have some close friends that have promised to go camping with us. I followed up with them yesterday and they said in about a month they're game! Yay!


6. Take myself on a date (dinner … and movie)

Just have to find the right movie... and outfit and I'll be set. Not worried about this one.


7. Start writing a book and have a plan for getting finished… and published

Here's a funny story. I came up with an entire premise (including back story) for my potential novel. I call my dad to tell him about it and he stops me about half way through. "Jenny, you really need to see this show I've been watching. It sounds like you are describing the plot - almost word for word."

I have never heard or seen this show that he mentions ... in ... my ... life.

J and I watch all three seasons in the span of a month. It turns out my dad is right.

Another check mark in my book of "Odd Coincidences and Strange Happenings."

I do have a story though that I will write. Currently working on chapter one. Awesome.


8. Buy a whole fish, scale it and cook it

Pretty straight forward... just got to do it.


9. Go for a run/walk/dance in the rain (for at least 15 minutes) (without worrying about my hair)

I think this will work perfectly when A. It is above 70 degrees outside and B. There isn't a severe thunderstorm warning. We have yet to have a rain storm that met these two criteria.


10. Try 25 different drinks (alcoholic/non-alcoholic… cannot include fruit juices, milk or water)
- Smoothie: Part I
- Nicholas Patel - "Light Red" 2/10 at Tayst
- Fruit Tea - 2/18 Baja Burrito (Liked it!)
- Cocoa Cappachino - 3/25 Starbucks (Didn't like it!)
- Sangria - 4/1 PM (A little strong)


11. Do a sunrise-sunset-sunrise day

12. Eat fried-green tomatoes



Where can I get fried - green tomatoes?


13. Donate 25 things

14. Learn how to navigate with an old fashioned compass, use this compass during a hike and climb a tree that I come across and not fall out.

Still working on this one. Got word that my future B-in-L would teach me... now I just have to find a way to get to the desert.


15. Go on a road trip to a state I have never been.


16. Complete the “Couch to 5k” Program

I need some motivation. Ugh.




17. Go stargazing with a star map and find 5 constellations

J and I have reservations to go to Vanderbilt's Dyer Observatory for "Telescope Night" in April. Should be a lot of fun!!


18. Try 25 new restaurants (that I have never been to) without ordering chicken fingers, grilled cheese, or shrimp.

- Tayst 2/10 "Duck with beans" (Must be an acquired taste...)
- Baja Burrito 2/18 "Chicken Taco" (Good!)
- La Hacienda 3/25 "Fajita" (I know it seems silly I have never had one of these, but it really wasn't bad.)
- PM 4/1 "Philadelphia Roll" (Sushi - only able to get one down.)


19. Write a letter to someone each week that I am 25

It has been 9 weeks since I have turned 25... and have had 9 recipients of hand written letters!


20. Try (cook) 25 different recipes (that I have never cooked before)
- Croissant de Chicken


21. Play a round of golf

Still looking for takers to teach a willing student with zero skill.


22. Learn how to use my camera and photoshop… and submit one of my creations to a public competition.
- Doing a little Photoshopping...


23. Meet with a financial planner

How do you even chose a financial planner?


24. Take a hot air balloon ride
 
Waiting for nicer weather... but tickets have been purchased!


25. Grow a plant from seed and keep it alive longer than two months

(I've got it ready, now I just have to do it!)