Hello All!

So, it is a Monday... ugh :/ At least I started off with a great bowl of oats! Sorry no pic, but I enjoyed a nice bowl of banana oats topped with my new (super runny!) sunflower seed butter from TJ. I thoroughly enjoyed it ;]

Then I had health class, and I started working on my project with my partner. We are doing ED's like I wanted to but was a bit nervous. I took the leap and I signed up for it, so here it goes! I will let you know how it goes...

Not much else happened in school, except in German. We did a Waltz =D I couldn't tell you why, we didn't learn much, but it was really funny. We did it out in the hall and all the other people in the hall were looking at us like we were crazy!

Afternoon was some Medjool dates (my first ever!!) with my new TJ crunchy almond butter. Melted in the micro for a few seconds... (pictured on my velonews mag)

I am in love with Medjools! They are so sweet chewy and...wow

Next I enjoyed this cappuccino before I headed off to the allergist. I bought some whole milk at Trader Joes, and it is SO much better than the stuff we get at Kroger usually!! Look at the latte art!! I always determine what it is after I make it sooo... it is an apple/heart ;]

The allergist took a long time, because I had to get a regular appointment, but thankfully no reaction this time (phew) Got home and made a quick frozen veggie pizza with salad for the fam. and read blogs!

So, all in all a nice Monday :] Here's for a great Tuesday!!

Scott

perfect weekend :]

I had the most amazing weekend! I guess it wasn't really anything too special, but I just really enjoyed it.

I wanted to post yesterday, but I was just so tired!
So first, I just relaxed because, well, it was Saturday, and that's what we do :] I had breakfast with my dad and then my parents left for a bike ride. Then I got ready for my ride, had an espresso, and I drove up to meet them for a second breakfast where they always stop for breakfast. I had a bowl of oats with them (sub par restaurant oats:/) and then headed off to my ride. I ended up having time to go home and ride from there.

The ride was SO great! It was the first ride I had done with my team since the fall, and it was so nice to feel like a part of a group again. We had a good 15 people and had a pretty fast ride. I am so looking forward to this season! I am healthier, faster, and more mature and I can't wait =D I wish I could explain to you the beauty of a double rotating paceline going 27mph all in a perfect harmony... ahhhh

Today, I went on a bike ride with my dad and two friends of ours. The ride was good, a bit weird though because I felt better when I got home than when I left, like less tired? IDK why, but I like it :) It was a slower ride than yesterday, but I was ready for that after yesterday's ride! We went up to a coffee shop and I had oatmeal ( I always eat two breakfasts if I ride around breakfast time) and a nice macchiato. It is always funny when I order this out though because I just say "I'll have an espresso macchiato" and they are so used to "grande nonfat doubleshot sugarfree extra whip caramel macchiato" that they usually get ordered. Nothing wrong with that, it just isn't me :] Then right when we left, I was getting my bike ready and I saw a Corvette ZR1!! I guess most of you out there are girls and don't know what that is so... It is the top of the line corvette and has 650 horsepower (that is a LOT) and costs $100,000+ so I was excited to say the least. I gave them a thumbs up and the lady in the passenger seat saw me and waved. I told my dad and friends "My day is complete" ;] it was so cool, but my day got even better!

I got home and was ready to make lunch when I found out we were out of lunch meat, so no sandwich for me :( Not to worry! I made a salad with edamame, feta cheese, strawberries, and strawberry vinaigrette all over a bed of mixed greens. With a nice crusty roll.

After that, I sat down for a few minutes Gretchen (my dog) before I headed over to small group (A.K.A. Bible study) Then I rode my bike over to small group and we have two new guys (YAY!!) and we discussed trust, prayer, and giving thanks to God and studied Psalm 31.

A lot of what we talked about was trust, and how sometimes it is easy and sometimes it is harder to trust in god and what his plans for us are. (I was trying to get a message similar to this from a few weeks ago in church up on here, but I can't get it posted yet :( Hopefully I can share that with you soon)

A lot of people told some of their stories of when it was tough to trust in god, and one of the guys in our group told us about how last year he was diagnosed with Melanoma, and it was really hard to understand what God had in mind for him, he learned through that experience how to trust God better. Then we also talked about the speaker on the retreat, and how he had no idea where God was in his life, and now he is a motivational speaker that uses his experiences to move the audiences he talks to.

This made me think of my ED and what i had been through and why that could be. I wanted to share with the group, but I always chicken out when I get the opportunity to talk about it. I guess it is just some irrational fear of mine that they will think less of me if I share my experiences with them... but rationally I know that this is not true, it is a church group of my friends and they wouldn't judge me... IDK :/

So, I will share with you what came to me during small group today...

I am thankful that I had my ED. I know this sounds really sick, but if I hadn't I wouldn't have had the experience in my life and the understanding and connection I have with all of you. While I find it tough sometimes to figure out why God is putting me through some things, I always find comfort in the fact that there must be a reason and I am going through whatever I am going through and that it will be OK.

I am thankful for the simple things in life

• The sounds of birds coming back from the winter
• Driving around the block to finish the song with my dad
• family
• the opportunity to learn
• Riding my bike
• the smell of spring
• the happiness the sun can bring
• music
• friends

and I could probably think of more. I want to pay more attention to these simple gifts from God in my life, and thank him every chance I get.

I am also thankful for Trader Joe's, which is where I went with my dad after dinner today! We don't usually go there because it is pretty far from home, but we went out to eat at skyline (where I got a black beans and rice pasta, I decided I had gone this long without meat today, I might as well make it a vegetarian day right?) I saw it on the way and said I had to go there on the way home, because we needed milk and lunch-meat anyway...

I bought most of what I convince my dad to buy ;] which included...

• Medjool dates
• raw milk cheddar cheese
• sunflower seed butter
• crunchy unsalted almond butter
• goat's milk yogurt
• TJ greek yogurt ya, I eat a lot of yogurt ;]
• milk
• some really nice looking lunch-meat

I love this store!! I must go there more often... maybe if I go grocery shopping for the family, but my parents wouldn't let me go in there alone, I would buy EVERYTHING!! hehe ;]

Well, off to read your posts! Hope you all had a great weekend as well, and let's make this upcoming week great k?

Scott

Interview and looking forward to the weekend

Happy weekend! I am so glad this week is finally over! Time for me to relax, ride my bike, and make lots of coffee (and drink some of it) ;}
So today. I had My interview, and it went really well! He asked re a lot about my availability. I told them that I Should be available most weekends, except that I would be racing this season so I would miss some weeks. He said that we need to keep an open line of communication so he can keep staffing in order, which I expected. So he Said he would let me know. And gave me some brochures to read up on the products. So I am anxious to hear back from them!

School was Sooo boring today!! I had an extra half hour or So in first period after I Had finished my work. Then srt. where I had no homework due, So I got a head Start on my chem work. Don't you love how it feels when you get to work ahead on something? then chem and English, follower by my dad picking me up So I would have time before my interview. then you know how that went :] So Happy!

So I can't wait for the weekend! It is supposed to get to 5o degrees! That is crazy! Is it that warm where you are?

I Just found this wonderful girl and her blog and her shop! I so want to buy her bars! Here is the nutrition facts for her Pistachios and Rainbows and Nourishing Mornings bars named after our one and only Maya, and Eliza :] I love the special sayings on it!

I wish you all a happy and healthy weekend and I will talk to you tomorrow!

Scott

FRIDAY!!

I am so glad it is almost Friday! I can't wait for the weekend, especially because we have great weather predicted :]

Here is a pic of last night's snack
the yogurt came out of the tub and kept it's
shape! I know you love this Killian:]

So today I had a math test first period this morning. It was ok and i think i did well. Then in health we watched"super-size me" ugh :\ it was pretty gross. I was glad though because it didn't really bother me too much.

I am a bit nervous about a project we are starting. It is a partner project about any health or fitness related subject . I am wanting to do ED's because i feel it is so misunderstood. My only problem is that i feel unsure about working on that with a partner, ya know? I think I'll do it though.

Then had a free day in band so i git my math homework done. Then an ok German class. After school, i went to the allergist and thankfully didn't have a reaction this time! Then i went on a run and my dogs got into a fight. They are going crazy! So i locked them away while i ran. It was nice to actually enjoy the weather again!

Dinner was tomato soup with sandwiches.

Have a great Friday!!!

Scott

P.S. Sorry about the above font, I am experimenting with writing on word and copying and pasting so I can work on my posts away from the computer (like on pocket pc, or at school...) I will work out the kinks though :)

A (late) peanut butter day celebration

Hi, halfway done with the week already! I'll take that ;]

So, after reading a couple of posts about national peanut butter day, I was so sad because I missed it :( I am always behind the curve on these things... Determined not to miss out, I made myself a late celebration with Oats in a Jar!! (of cinnamon raisin swirl) ;]

I made oats with a half a banana in this almost empty
jar of Cinn raisin swirl

followed that delicious jar of oats with a straight espresso and headed off to school! (insert boring school stuff here) ;]

Then I went to church and worked in the cafe before merge. We only had two orders :/ Church was great though, and I will tell you more tomorrow, I want to reflect some more.

Evening snack was a yoplait honey vanilla greek yogurt (I am still amazed they have these!) with strawberries, granola, and nuts (cracked table-side with the torture device ;) while watching American Idol.

Two important things are coming up in my future! 1)I have a math test tomorrow :/ and 2) I have a job interview on Friday!!! This will be my first interview ever, and I am a bit nervous. The job is at a bike shop pretty close to my house, so perfect for me ;] wish me luck!

Have a great Thursday :D

Scott

Auditions and espresso explination

Hello and happy Tuesday!

I guess I always seem to start my posts with happy (blank)day, but hey, I like to be happy, what is wrong with that? ;]

Today were auditions in band for next year to figure out what band (we have 3) we will go into. I wasn't really planning on doing band next year (I'm still not sure if I want to) mainly because of my inconsiderate, rude, etc. etc. teacher... But I decided to audition anyway to keep my scheduling options open for next year. I tried out for trumpet, and I played trombone this year, but I am just really getting bored with trombone...I have been playing for like 5 years now, and I am tired of bass lines!

I got a comment from Maddi yesterday asking about how I make my coffee, and I realised that I never have shown you all the complete process. So here it is!

Here is my set-up. On the left is
the espresso machine, with the grinder next
to it, then my knock box for old coffee,
and my fresh roasted coffee on the scale!So, to begin, I grind 14-18g of coffee and pour
it into this, called the portafilter. Then I tamp it
down to make it smooth and compact.Next, I put the portafilter back into the machine
and turn on the pump. Then the extraction takes
25-30 seconds, and goes through this progressionYou need to turn off the pump when it starts to
get lighter like this^^ This is the result! A shot of espresoNow, if it is really good I will drink it like this.
Sometimes however, I prefer to add steamed milk ;]
You shouldn't be able to see bubbles in it, it is
called microfoam when it is done correctly,
and it looks about like wet paint :D

Then I pour it into my espresso. Today I made a
macchiato, which has only a bit of milk. A cappuccino
has a bit more (about 1/3 espresso 1/3 milk and 1/3 foam)
and a latte has the most

It looks complicated, but I promise it isn't that hard! It is pretty easy to do, but to do right that is a different story! I have yet to get the so called "God shot" Hope that clears up some questions out there :] Oh and by the way, Also like to make americano, which is just espresso and hot water. I make this for my dad quite a bit. I have never gotten a picture because it just isn't as pretty ;] Still tasty though!!



I also wanted to let you all know about Stef's first give-away of two cookbooks! over at her blog, More to Life than Lettuce! So sorry for the late notice :/

New template is a success :]

So, I got some feedback and I guess it was my template that was causing all of the commenting issues. So I will keep it all white and boring for the time being ;]

Can you believe it is march?!?! I feel like I just had my super bowl party... geez I am ready for spring though!

So here is a bit of a recap on my last couple of days to get you caught up

So, on Saturday, as I said briefly yesterday, I went to Staatskongress. While there, if you talk to some of the staff, you get Sprachgeld, which means "talking money" that you can spend at the end of the day.

So, after a lot of talking, I got these!


I must admit that I don't know every word on there, but isn't it cute? ;]

Then I got home and I was dead tired, so I watched some TV, had a bowl of cereal, and called it a night.

On Sunday, I helped my sis with babysitting our cousins. It was pretty fun, and luke kept jumping from the bed into my arms so much that they got sore :/ He loved it though! Then I went home and ate this sandwich, and headed off for a ride with my coach.

The ride turned out to go ok, but my asthma bothered me a lot. I got home though, so all is well :) Then my sister brought the kids home again, and I tried to occupy them while she worked on a poster for homework. I ended up getting them really excited to take pictures with the strobe light. So I had some fun photography experimentation at the same time.

On to tonight,

I had a pretty average day at school today, so I won't bore you by sharing ;]

I got home and helped my dad work on the bikes, we cleaned them and changed brake pads. I had this while working. It had a beautiful heart on top, but then I got too excited and I took a sip and it kinda ruined it :/


Then my mom came home and picked up a salmon roast from the grocery and we made that! It was salmon fillet stuffed with spinach and feta cheese...YUM! I really liked it, and my mom made a salad with it, strawberries, cranberries and pistachios. All with mixed spring greens!!

There it is, and wow I just realized the big tub of smart balance
my dad bought is there! He loves to buy in bulk ;]

So that is all, I hope all of you had a good weekend as well :)

Scott