Thursday, March 31, 2011

Get Motivated...

Enjoying the scenery
... to do what?! On Monday, our whole department attended this conference downtown called "Get Motivated". It was a day of randomly assorted speakers such as Barbara Bush, Colin Powell, and Terry Bradshaw presenting 30 minute rambles about random not necessarily motivating topics. Although I spent most of the seminar offended by how many aimed at pushing their political agenda or selling hoaxy "get rich quick" software/classes, the seminar made me wonder... what are my goals? What kind of things do I want to accomplish in the next year? Next 5 years? Now that I am finished with school and have started my job, I have no idea what I want to do anymore! But like I said in a previous post, for once I can just focus on the present rather than the future. Things in Memphis really are good. I'm always working on getting better at my job and enjoying what the city has to offer as well as trying to come up with new things to learn or hobbies (like blogging!).
   In other news, Will and I met a few psychologists from the VA for fun times at The Arcade (for dinner) and browsing the art galleries along South Main during the Trolley Tour. I thought I'd make like Elvis and try out his favorite peanut butter and banana sandwich. So good! On Saturday we tried out some of the best brews in the South at the Riverfest on Beale (and we even made a connection with one of the sales reps to meet them in Nashville!)
Yum!!
  A couple of weeks ago, one of my colleagues at work brought in these amazing cupcakes from a cute little shop called Muddy's. I was really craving one this week, so I convinced Will to come with me and indulge my sweet tooth. :-) I went out on a limb and tried the vegan peanut butter frosted chocolate cupcake and was surprised at how delicious they made a vegan baked good taste! I couldn't even tell it didn't have any dairy, eggs or milk chocolate! It almost makes me want to quit my job and just work for this cute little bake shop. (Only, I feel like creating delicious sugary treats for a living may be a bit contradictory to my background as a dietitian...)
Checking out the wall art...
Tomorrow, I am heading to Nashville to meet with my Bluffton friends! I am sooo excited! It promises to be good times! :-) (And of course there will be a blog post to recount the events!)

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Beauty is in the Little Things

    Spring has officially sprung here in Memphis! The official first day was gorgeous - sunny with a high of 83 degrees! (Northern winters are already becoming a bit of a less intensely chilly memory...) With the nice weather has come many blooming plants and trees, it makes it difficult to go in to work everyday because I just want to savor how beautiful it is outside!
So delicious!!!
  So, the title of this post came from a fortune cookie I got at a little Asian restaurant Will and I ate at on Sunday. I know it's so incredibly cheesy and cliche, but it really is a good thing to remember to pause and consider the little things that make life good. For example, when I wake up in the morning to get up for work, I've been noticing that birds are singing outside now that it has started to warm up and it makes dragging myself out of bed a little less painful... Or I had another successful bread-making venture this weekend. I finally found a recipe that works consistently well. (And I'm beginning to find that kneading bread is a great way to relieve stress!) Plus, the smell of freshly made bread is one of the most intoxicatingly homey scents in the world. Or there is also the enjoyment of the company of a friend... For example, on Friday night, Will and I decided to just stay in, and cook some awesome omelets and sweet potato home fries, and do nothing. :-)
  Finding joy in the day-to-day tasks that I find myself so wrapped up in at work can sometimes be difficult. It is easy for me to sort of get into a routine of feeling like I am not making a difference, that my patient's don't really appreciate me, and that I am not seen as a professional but more of a waitress. Then, I remind myself that it is of utmost importance for me to stay positive in order for my patients to view me in a positive light. No one staying in the hospital is necessarily going to be in a good mood or particularly pleasant, but I need to act in a manner so that my attitude is at it's best so that just maybe I may brightening someone's day, at least for a bit.
They're Serious!
  In other news, to celebrate St. Patty's Day on Thursday Will and I met with my office-mate and fellow RD, Erin, for a Guinness and fish and chips (which was surprisingly delish!). Another evening, I caved and finally tried... fried chicken?!? There's this place called "Gus' World Famous Fried Chicken" down the street that everyone (including Will) raves about.  So, I figured I had to try it at least once since it is "world famous" and all. I confess it was darn good for fried chicken, but I have definitely had my fill of fried meat for long while now... plus, it was fun to eat it "picnic style" at the park along the Mississippi. :-) On Saturday evening, we went to the Spaghetti Warehouse for some awesome Italian food and then sauntered downtown for dessert. While enjoying our ice cream we spotted this interesting sculpture in the Peabody Plaza and decided the man's lap just looked as if it were just asking to be sat on... so I did! (Hopefully, without the security guard noticing!)
See what I mean!
  That's all for now, but I'm sure to keep you updated! :-)

  

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Contentment

Contentment is a concept that I have been pondering of late and seems to fit with my current state as I reflect on the time since I last wrote. My life in Memphis has started to settle down a bit as I become more comfortable with my own routine at work, find ways to entertain myself in the evenings/weekends, and continue to learn to be patient when it comes to making new friends but also stay in touch with the old (which I am shamefully bad at!). I am beginning to feel as if I am "desiring no more than what one has" which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Now that I am finally finished with school and I have no "next big thing" to work towards, it has been nice to begin to enjoy "where I am now".
Beautiful Bread!
Some of the things I have been enjoying lately:
1. I finally made a superb loaf of homemade whole wheat bread last week! After about 4 different, less than perfect loaves/recipes, I finally found one that was just fantastic. This last week, I've enjoyed some of the most delicious PB&J's!
2. Last weekend, Will and I went on a bit of a shopping adventure. I was able to score a few new outfits for work which I desperately needed. Will purchased some new aquatic friends, ie. glow fish, and just put the finishing touches on a creatively artsy aquarium (which should be unveiled on f-book soon I think...).
Look out for flying necklaces!
3. This weekend was pretty chill. I had picked up a bit of a cold so I was glad for the chance to rest. Although, we did venture out on Saturday for the St. Patrick's Day/Mardi Gras parade on Beale Street! This small shin-dig consisted of an assortment of floats and cars loaded with patrons besmirched in green who whipped Mardi Gras beads at the people lining the street. (And I mean whipped! Haha.) I left with only 2 necklaces as we were towards the end of the line of the parade but mostly because I was so scared of getting hit in the face I had my eyes closed when they were throwing (which makes catching difficult!). We also caught the flick Cedar Rapids which stars the actor who plays Andy from "The Office" and John C. Reilly. It was just as funny as I had hoped!
4. Spring has begun to arrive here in Memphis! Trees are blooming, the days are getting warmer and longer, and they have turned on the fountains in Will's apartment community. :-)
April is shaping up to be an exciting month. The first weekend, I have plans to meet my friends Erica, Bird, and Lydia in Nashville which will be a blast. The Memphis Farmers Market starts up again in late April. Will and I just purchased tickets to see Arcade Fire on the 28th at the Orpheum Theater. They are one of the first bands to play for the long line-up of groups here to kick off Memphis in May! (Of course there will be pics and blog posts for all!)
My Fun Times Companion :-)

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Stressing, Jamming, and Binging = Great Weekend!

First, the stressing:
I had the day off on Friday because Saturday I worked my first weekend shift at the hospital. Whew! It was busy. As the only dietitian on call that day you have to handle everything diet-related that comes up, which can be a lot! Well, ok, so I managed to sort it out fine, but I am glad to have gotten my turn out of the way for a few months. Now that I'm about a month in, I can say that I really have been enjoying my new job. Soon, I may be able to do diabetes education sessions in my sleep! (How often do you check your blood sugars at home? Do you know what foods will raise your blood sugar??) Although, I am trying to come up with some ways I may be able to do more/branch out a bit since my wards aren't as demanding as others and I want to keep expanding as a person/dietitian. Now that I'm not in school anymore, I am afraid I am getting dumb! (Ok, ok. I know that's not really the case!)

Second... Jamming!
Cursive!
Will and I headed to the Hi-Tone for a second week in a row for the band Cursive! It was definitely worth staying up to see! I feel like such an old fogey! These concerts often don't start until midnight and it's getting harder and harder for me to stay up that late... Goodness. I think Dean introduced me to this band in high school (?) and I was excited to see that they were coming to Memphis.Their lyrics are a bit dark (I am pretty sure the lead singer was in a lot of bad relationships... poor guy.) To make up for it though, they have a lot of pleasantly surprising well-played instrumental reels in their songs (mostly coming from the trumpet/keyboard/synthesizer guy).

Finally, Binging!
On Sunday, there was an event called, Soup Sunday at the Fed Ex Forum (ie. the stadium where the NBA team the Grizzlies play!). This entailed volunteers and cooks from some 50+ restaurants in town bringing in their bests soups, breads, and an occasional  dessert for tasting. It's so hard to practice self-control at an event like this! I ate sooo much food! Each taste of soup or other food item had a vendor number so you vote for your favorites at the end. I think I ranked this really great artichoke bisque as the best soup and a berry panna cotta as the best dessert. Will and I also ran into a few of our co-workers at the event so we weren't the only dietitians in town contradicting our own good advice and overindulging. :-)
Making Sure to Cover my Overstuffed Belly!