Book #1 - Size 12 Is Not Fat

Since I started my externship and must take a train every day to get there, I now have plenty of time to read!!! For my first book, I chose to read Meg Cabot's Size 12 Is Not Fat. It's the first of Cabot's mystery series, featuring a character named Heather Wells as the heroine. Meg Cabot, famous for writing The Princess Diaries, does not disappoint in creating a light-hearted and entertaining book.
I followed Heather, an ex-teen pop sensation that had been dumped by her fiance, let go by her recording label, and wiped out financially by her mother, as she attempted to rebuild her life by working at a college residence hall. All Heather wants is to pass her 6 months probation so that she can take classes and earn a degree, but instead she finds herself trying to get to the middle of what she believes is a murder mystery at her residence hall after two girls die unexpectedly under suspicious circumstances.
It wasn't the kind of book that I just couldn't put down, but it was good for what it was - a light read. I am looking for more books to add to my reading list: Suggestions are Welcome!!!

Cuban Dish #1 - CHICHAROS

Chicharos, also known as split pea soup, has always been one of my favorite Cuban dishes. It is probably one of the few meals I could eat over and over again. Typically, Cubans cook with a pressure cooker, but to be honest, they scare me. If you're brave enough, it's one of the fastest means of cooking beans. In any event, all my recipes and dishes will be made using my slow cooker or pots. Without further ado, my recipe and the result:

Slow Cooker Recipe
- 1 bag of chicharos/ split peas
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 tbsp of minced garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 chopped carrots
- 1 chopped chorizo
- 6 cups of chicken broth

I put all the ingredients in the slow cooker, turned it up to high, and let it cook all day, stirring occasionally. Then, I added salt and seasonings to taste. The recipe I had said it would take 6 hours to cook completely, but in reality it took closer to 9 to get the chicharos to the consistency I like. Soaking the beans prior to cooking them or using a pot that could cook with more heat, might have made the cooking process faster.

I served the chicharos with white rice and steak topped with onions. All in all, it was delicious. My fiance loved it as well.

Finally Free!!!

So, after trying everything in my power to procrastinate,and almost succeeding...I managed to finish my seminar paper!! Which means, I am free at last to focus on my summer goals. I am a now a week behind in my gym schedule, but I know I have enough time to get back on track and lose the weight before the summer is over.

Bootcamp "Fun"

Today I tried a Bootcamp class at the gym for the first time, and boy did it kick my butt!! The instructor made us crawl on our toes and hands around the room, do these strange push-ups w/ our legs in the air, do squats and lunges and hops and steps and crunches and laps...and I am sure a whole lot more that I have blocked out due to the trauma.
Okay, enough whining - it actually wasn't too awful, intense yes... but, I feel good that I finished.
I start my externship on the 24th, hopefully I will be able to keep up with the work-outs once I'm working...
We shall see.

A Baby Exciting Day!!

I did end up going to the gym yesterday and today, actually. Yay me!!! And to be honest, I feel energized. I even went shopping for groceries, so my fiance has many home-cooked meals to look forward to. I purchased black beans, so I feel a Cuban recipe is in my near future...

Today, I also visited my cousin N and her two babies (they grow so fast), before heading to the gym. And, I found out some exciting news - she's pregnant again!!! This is her third child in three years, wow - she is going to have her hands full. But, I am looking forward to meeting the newest edition to her family. She does make some adorable children!!

Okay, time to hit the showers.

You may delay, but time will not.

What have I done today, as I work toward meeting my "Summer of Change" goals? To be honest, not much. Well, it started off productive enough - after all, I did manage to unpack. But, I am no closer to reaching my goals today than I was yesterday.

I did see the film "Vanity Fair" on netflix. LOVE it. I'm not sure what there is to say about it...a woman working her way through society, in an attempt to rise above her meager upbringing. Reese Witherspoon was absolutely captivating, [**SPOILER ALERT**] however I do wish that she had held onto the charming and loyal Mr. Crowley. Oh well, entertaining nonetheless. One lesson I did take away from the movie is that it is better to take risks today, then forever live in regret. There's no guarantee that you'll have your happy ending, but at least you'll never wonder "what if"...
I suppose today is not over yet, maybe I'll make my way to gym...

By the way, the title quote is by Benjamin Franklin. Perhaps if I had that mentality, I could complete all my goals in a week. But, I don't. So, let's see what tomorrow brings.

My Plan

So, as I previously mentioned...I LOVE making plans. And I figure, why stop now?

But before I begin with my summer plans, there are some things I should tell you about myself.
(1) I'm a law student - while I won't be taking classes this summer, I will be an extern at a law firm (2) I have a rather large family that demands face time (3) I am newly engaged to my boyfriend of three years!!!
And so, while I would love to devote much time and attention to this blog, life calls and I'll sign in when possible.

So, here are my goals for this summer of change:

1. Lose 10 pounds. Sounds easy enough, but sometimes I wonder if it's even possible since I've been the same weight for the last 7 years. However, my recent engagement has provided me with a boost of motivation!!!

2. Learn and successfully execute 5 traditional Cuban meals. You see I am of Cuban descent, and I feel that it is important to connect with my heritage. It's especially important to learn how to cook traditional Cuban meals from my grandmothers - so, why wait? No time like the present.

3. Read 5 non-law school books. So, I love reading. However, since law school, my life has been consumed by text books and e&e's. This summer I plan on taking advantage of my free time by reading 5 non-lawschool-related books. Can't wait!!!

That's my list, short & simple.

Start Date

So - Finals are looming over me...but, this also means summer is right around the corner.
Start Date for Blog = May 1, 2010.
See you then!!

Why am I here?

Well, I guess I have always been the kind of person who never really finishes anything I start. At least when it comes to self-improvement. Diets, dream diaries, exercise regimes, study plans...I am good at making plans (actually I LOVE making plans) - it's the follow-through I need to work on. And so, I have landed here. This is my attempt at starting a project and following it through to the end.
Whether I finish or not, remains to be seen...but here I go.