Animal Tales & Birthdays

Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer in New England and thus is the last hurrah before school starts and work gets (more) serious again. My birthday typically falls during or near Labor Day, so I always treat it as an excuse to celebrate for three days instead of a measly one.

We kicked off the weekend at the freshly renovated Aquarium,

then took an inaugural ride on the new Greenway Carousel.

After adventures with our animal friends, we moved on to finding an appropriate birthday meal before the weekend is out.

Three Things...

I had written a lovely blog post yesterday afternoon only to have blogger dump it into the interwebs without a trace...these things made it better:

A new present for a very happy month:

Lobster stuffed scallops (!):

 

 
The best recent BBC discovery:

Friday Funday: Some bunny That I Used To Know

Now and then I think of when we were together  
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
I told myself that you were right for me 
But felt so lonely in your company  
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember
 
You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness  
Like resignation to the end, always the end  
So when we found that we could not make sense  
Well you said that we would still be friends  
But I'll admit that I was glad that it was over

 

 But you didn't have to cut me off  
Make it like it never happened and that we were nothing  
I don't even need your love, but you treat me like a stranger  
And that feels so rough
 
No, you didn't have to stoop so low 
Have your friends collect your records  
And then change your number  
Guess that I don't need that though  

Now you're just some bunny that I used to know
Now you're just some bunny that I used to know 

Now you're just some bunny that I used to know

 
Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over  
But had me believin it was always something that I'd done  

But I don't wanna live that way 
Reading into every word you say 
You said that you could let it go 
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know-oh-oh
 
But you didn't have cut me off 
Make it like it never happened and that we were nothing (oh) 
I don't even need your love, but you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough

No, you didn't have to stoop so low  
Have your friends collect you records 
And then change your number (oh) 
Guess that I don't need that though 
Now you're just some bunny that I used to know

Some bunny that I used to know Some bunny (now you're just some bunny that I used to know) That I used to know  

Some bunny that I used to know Some bunny (some bunny) (now you're just some bunny that I used to know) That I used to know
I used to know That I used to know I used to know  

Some BUNNY!

 

Emo Bun from Cuteoverload.com
Other bunnies from http://www.disapprovingrabbits.com/

and google image search.  No bunny theft intended!
Original song (C) Gotye

About how I feel right now...

Thrifty Thursdays Snackles: MUFFINS

I hate to waste food. I can invent meals with the best of them. It's like the Great Depression in our kitchen; I won't throw anything out and the Month stockpiles food like there's no tomorrow.

I have had Trader Joe's pumpkin pancake mix living in my pantry for an unpublishable amount of time. Since I didn't really want to eat three pounds of pancakes in the near future and it's essentially fall flavor season, I decided to do something with it. The power of google brings us to the solution:

Pancake Mix Muffins (adapted from a post found via Taste of Home)

3 cups pancake mix (I used Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pancake & Waffle Mix)

2 tsp brown sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 - 1 2/3 cups milk

 Chocolate chips, nuts, etc for topping / mixing in.

Mix till just moist. Add toppings as desired. Bake at 375 for 18 min. Makes 12 muffins.

 I customized each muffin with different toppings: chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, vanilla almond granola, and a combo of all of the above. These muffins puffed up gloriously and were taste tested approved.

*The phrase "Thrifty Thursdays" popped into my head an a delightful alternative of what used to be "Thirsty Thursdays"...why drink heavily when you can make muffins?

City Series Boston: Codzilla

Boston is city with something for everyone. We've got history and art, sports and more sports, shopping and fine dining, wine and beer, mountains and ocean...the list goes on. If you get bored here, it's your own fault.

Living here for over three years, we never run out of things to do or see but we save up the really special things to try with visitors. So for my 27th birthday, with parents and brother & girlfriend in tow, we braved 'Codzilla":

A high power speed boat that careens you across Boston harbor, Codzilla is a thrill ride worthy of a family outing.  You get the typical theatrics of an amusement ride combined with 40 mile a hour jet boating complete with J turns and complete and utter soaking. Gentle enough for sturdy children and exciting enough for the rest of us, Codzilla is one of those 'one of a kind' Boston attractions that is sure to impress visitors and locals alike.  

 High speed pleasure cruising is always a good way to ring in my late 20's!

Aftermath (we're wetter than we look)

Check out a video of Codzilla in action here .


***City Series - interesting attractions and entertaining things to do in the cities I love: Boston, Montreal, NYC, Amsterdam, etc.

27 Things I learned by 27

Today is my 27th birthday, I am officially in my late 20s. Since college graduation five light years ago, I've moved to Boston, got a M.A., got engaged, bought a condo, got married, and the list goes on and on. I am more settled in a lot of ways than my friends but I am still dreaming of other places, paths, and goals. And so...

27 Things I Learned in 27 Years

1. College may have been great or it may have been terrible, but it's over. Be grateful and move on.
2. You can no longer party like you could in college, no matter how hard you try.
3. Money (or lack thereof) dictates a lot. Live within your means, save something, think ahead.
4. Of course, don't let finances take you away from the things you love. Think outside the box.
5. Travel. Before you have kids and a dog or senior family members. It doesn't matter where, just go.
6. "I regret reading so many books" said no one ever. READ.
7. Keep learning. A class in beer brewing totally counts.
8.  Hydrate well, it can be the difference between feeling good and feeling terrible.
9. Please don't drink soda. Or at least try to drink less of it. It's not worth it. (Beer is an acceptable substitute).

10. Establish routines that are all your own. Revel in your independence. Enjoy being free.
11. Love comes to you when you least expect it. Cliche but true. Be open to the universe.
12. It's okay to be single now. It's okay to be married now. You are the master of your life, don't allow other people's definitions of relationships bring you down.
13. Wear sunscreen (Remember this?) You'll be glad you did.
14. People change and friendships with them. Try to keep in touch with the people that make you happy.
15. You may  hate your job / field / career path now, but try to make it work. And if it doesn't work, change.
16. You cannot make anyone happy. That's for them to do. Don't despair over what isn't your failing.
17. Inversely, no one can make you happy but yourself. Choose happiness everyday.
18. Pick your caffeine weapon of choice. You will need it more and more.

19. Buy things that are beautiful and useful. And sometimes that means they will be expensive.
20. Money matters but it's not everything. You can always make more.
21. It's easier to find a job when you have one.
22. Never underestimate the power of a good blazer. It's like my office armor.
23. Take more walks. It can be the start to a great adventure.
24. Challenge yourself, but not in the "power hour" type of challenge.
25.  Do something ridiculous and don't regret it. (Unless it gets you arrested).
26. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
27. Make all the years 'the best years of your life'
 

 

 Found via pinterest, http://observando.net/post/30931656500

A Typical Workday

9:00am: First one in the office, it's going to be a good day! Look at my quality programing / good practices / efficiency.

10:00am, Staff Meeting: Least favorite time of the week. Maybe it won't be too painful...

10:11am: 2 hour meeting? Great. Bring it on.

10:50am: I hate this. I hate my life. Is this real life? Why didn't I go into teaching / writing / prostitution?

11:18am: I desperately have to pee. 

11:37am: No, no go ahead my dear colleague, tell me more about yourself. We've only worked together three years, continue...

12:03pm: FREEEDOMMMMMMM. Annnnnnd there goes half my day. 

1:00pm: Oh sweet Jesus, lunch time. A whole hour to watch British tv shows on youtube and eat my body weight in chocolate. I guess this place could be worse...

2:00pm, Committee Meeting: Crashing hard. Why do we schedule meetings at 2pm? Or schedule meetings to discuss all the other meetings we need to have? Hello, my name is Maria and I work for the Department of Redundancy for Redundancy.

3:00pm: Two hours to closing time. Caffeine refill. Actually have time to do work whilst at work.

4:02pm: Scratch that. Facebook needs me!

4:24pm: Boss calls. Sure, I'll get right on that.

4:47pm: Day's over. Get ready to leave and then hide in the bathroom, playing games on my phone.

5:00pm: Peace, suckers. Maybe tomorrow will be better...or maybe I'll win the megamillions tonight.