It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

I had a mixed day with food today. I forgot my camera, so I had to take pictures on my phone. So, the quality might not be as good as usual.

I went to lunch today with my friend Stephanie, and we were going to try this new sushi bar in Grand Haven, but they were only open from 5-11pm, so we went to Mia & Grace.

And there was a new sandwich! When I walked in, I talked to Jaime, one of the chefs, and she told me about the Duck PB&J sandwich. Of course I tried it! It was SOOOOO good.

I also tried a new dessert - the mile high German chocolate cake. YUM!

I then went to get my hair cut and colored, then called Eric, who had gone golfing. I asked him if he was possibly interested in some sushi, so we decided to head to the sushi bar, Jelly's, in Grand Haven. It's part of a group of other restaurants I really like - including Dee-Lite and Snug Harbor.

My first problem with this place was the service. Our waiter was pretty slow, and it took us awhile to even get an order in. The place isn't very big, so it's not like they were overwhelmed, but it still took awhile. Stephanie ordered the roasted butternut squash bisque, which had a good flavor, but was way too thick for my taste.

Eric and I ordered an appetizer of edamame. Not the best - some of them were mushy, and the salt was a little too much.

And then we ordered two Jelly rolls, and the Futomaki. I also ordered a piece of nigiri - eel.

All I can say is that I've had better - a LOT better. The Jelly roll was supposed to have a "spicy sauce" and we didn't really taste any of that. The eel came on a BALL of rice - and whatever flavoring they put in the rice was way too strong for my taste. For the price, the portions were so small. I'm used to getting a large roll for $11 - not really small rolls for the same price. The eel was COLD (I don't remember ever having cold eel). I'm longing for SanSu or Ukai right now.

All in all, I doubt that I'll be heading back to Jelly's, but I will most certainly be back to Mia & Grace, though I don't know when, because it's going to be awhile before I'm in Muskegon again. I wish I could make another one of Mia & Grace and have it in Lansing.

Throwing in the towel for the week

I woke up this morning not feeling well - had a headache, couldn't talk myself into getting out of bed, and my stomach has been bothering me. So, I took a sick day. Then I found out my boss said I could take tomorrow off too - so, no more work for me for the rest of the week.

It's been weird - I've been having headaches lately, and I hadn't had them for awhile. I usually get them when I'm stressed. I suspect I've run myself down, and really need some time to myself. I think I've been pretty successful with it this week. Though, my apartment is still a mess, and I have to try to get it cleaned up.

I've started taking time to do some jewelry stuff, and I've been watching Dexter, season 2. I haven't been reading as much, but I think with winter coming up, I'll get a little more back into it. I know I won't get the 50 books I wanted to read this year done, but I've read a lot of other ones in place of them.

I'm hoping the time off to work and some much needed time to myself will help...

Going back to the hobbies

So, this past weekend, I got inspired to start beading again. Bridget was wearing a pink necklace to bowling on Saturday night, and it gave me an idea. This is what it turned out to be:










It's pewter colored, with clear Swarovski crystals. the spacers are sterling silver daisy spacers and the clasp is sterling also.



Ah, how nice to be using the stuff I have...

Progress is being made...

Today was day 4 in a row of working out. I'm trying to make sure I fit it into my schedule, no matter what time I need to do it. I also took my lunch to work, and came home and made dinner. See?






Rice with Apricot Glazed Pork Tenderloin....yum!!!

Hopefully, I won't eat too badly tomorrow, considering I won't be home early enough to make anything. Back to eating at home on Wednesday!

Photographic proof...

That I cooked something...

Grilled chicken with warm mango salsa. I realize my plating technique isn't good enough for Top Chef, but wait a few more seasons...

Attempting a lifestyle change, Day 3

I didn't originally write about this, because it just kind of happened. I had a huge migraine on Thursday night, and had to cancel everything that I had planned on doing. I feel asleep for a bit before the debate, woke up to watch the debate, then went back to sleep for the night.

In the morning, my shoulders and neck still hurt. I went to work, and had my Friday yoga class, which helped quite a bit. I left work early, and ran some errands. Then I got home, worked out, and read some of The Chocolate War - like, 100 pages worth...

Yesterday was great - I went to the grocery store, armed with a list of ingredients for three recipes that I hope to make this week - yup, that's right, I'm actually going to COOK. And not just bake, because I do that more often than actually cook dinner. I worked out before heading out (day two in a row!), and ate well yesterday too. I went to Ukai for sushi, took a return trip to Barnes & Noble because I have a gift card, and then went to Royal Scot for bowling league.

I ended up purchasing the new Ani DiFranco CD, Red Letter Year. I've listened to it a couple of times so far, but not quite with my ear completely at the CD, but I like what I've heard so far. I stayed up until 2am listening to it, and reading.

So far today, I've eaten at home, finished picking up a few things for my recipes, worked out again, and am finishing up the second disc of season 2 of Dexter. I'm also cleaning up my apartment a little bit - throwing out excess paper, cleaning the kitchen so I can make dinner, and definitely vacuuming - the dog likes to leave her hair all over!

Stay tuned for more updates...

Banned Books Week

This week was Banned Books week. I'm finally getting around to writing, as things have just been really hectic lately.

I picked up The Chocolate War from the library, and I'm hoping to crack it open tonight.

I also wanted to post this list:

The 10 most challenged books of 2007 reflect a range of themes, and are:

And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group
The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence
Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin Henkes
Reasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language
The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
Reasons: Racism
The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,
TTYL, by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
Reasons: Sexually Explicit
It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris
Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit
The Perks of Being A Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

Books have always been an important part of my life. Wherever I have lived, I have frequented my local library, and those of you that know me, know my love of bookstores (and bringing home something from there...)

This is also an interesting source - it gives a list of challenged novels in the 20th century, and talks about where they were challenged and why they were challenged. I have to say, I don't necessarily agree with everything that every book has written in it, but I think to challenge any book and not allow it to be accessible to the public is a great travesty. People should be able to read what they want, and make up their minds as to what is appropriate for their own family. Parents should be involved and read along with their children.

Many books were written in different times, and context must be taken into account, such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Only by opening our minds to different viewpoints can we truly understand our world.