There have been a lot of moments this month, the first of the new year, where it’s felt like a seesaw, one moment things are pretty hard, and then they are looking up, and the next day, you get some news that tries to bring you down again. I guess we all need to try and keep an open mind and maintain a balance of some kind.
Starting
this new year, I'm going to be working hard on making things different. I know
I don't write and post as often as I want, but I'm working really hard on
changing that starting now. I've been getting really inspired and going to
start using that as motivation for my many projects.
This blog has a new template, and hopefully a new
style. For now, I'll keep writing about the things that interest me, but all
video's will be posted on my other blog, please go my storylines page for further
information.
I do have a couple different blogs, and that's because I have so many ideas I want to share, and there are so many awesome, incredible templates that I want to use to showcase them. From my favorite movies and tv series, to my adventures when I travel. Not to mention all the different styles of cooking I like to try.
Two different series, based on two different books, but all by the same author, Jenny Han. The first time I ever heard of this author, was when the Netflix movie, To All the Boys I've Loved, came out. After I watched the first movie in the series, I loved it, and I was hooked.
Then, I saw the trailer for, The Summer I Turned Pretty, I was intriqued, especially by the fact that the book series was written by the same author of the Netflix movies. After I watched this new series, I was addicted yet again by the stories this writer created.
I love that the main character is a female, not sure of herself, trying to figure herself out on her own terms. I think that’s awesome. I also like that in the movies, both characters are portrayed by actresses, who are not just your usual brunettes.
We went back to Coralville again, the first of this month. The trip was supposed to be quick, considering we didn’t have Missy, and we knew where we were going for the most part, and what we were supposed to get. However, the best laid plans,… often turn into misadventures.
We got started pretty well, we went to Walmart, and I found
the coffee I love best, and we were leaving, but we got to looking around, and
found some other food stuff that was important, but they didn’t have a great
selection of some other stuff we were hoping to find there, like dog food.
After that, we went to a store, World Fresh Market, I though
they would have an amazing selection of oriental foods, and the key items on my
list. But as it turned out, they didn’t. Most of the stuff was Indian, and was
interesting, but now what I was looking for, except for some miso.
Next stop was Trader Joe’s. We got there, and we went looking
for the things on our list. We had trouble finding one of the key products, but
we found it with help from someone who worked there. We also found some amazing
foods, potstickers, and macarons, two of my favorite things. We didn’t find
everything we were supposed to though. However, as we were getting ready to checkout,
one of the ladies who worked there, told us the place to go for oriental food
and ingredients, and things, was a place called Chong’s.
So, we took a chance, and payload! All items on my list were
practically there: miso, kombu, Benito flakes, and boba pearls. I was so happy!
Even though our time there was cut short, it was nice, and now, I know where to
go.
We got coffee, and headed home, so even though the trip was
kind of crazy, it was awesome. We didn’t find everything, and we went to some
wrong spots, but now we know better, so we can plan better for next time. Isn’t
that the point of living?
It was my first time going to an event at the Art Center,
downtown. My mom and I had reserved a table, beforehand so we would miss out on
anything. I was so excited for the event, I planned a special outfit, and go my
hair redone, cut and colored, just for the occasion.
When it was time, we got there a little late, but it was okay. We had time to find our seats, got something to eat and drink, and got settled to watch the artists go. We were supposed to go with two others, but they couldn’t make it. When we arrived, we met up with some friends of ours from church, who joined us, so that all worked out.
There was some awesome food, catered by an awesome local vendor, Tasty Endeavors, and the price was reasonable, at least to me, and they an awesome selection of sodas at the bar, and they also served an amazing charcuterie board, with cheeses, crackers, salami, and a balsamic vinegar for dipping.
Each artist had their own unique style. The task they had was to take topic, in this case: Riverfront, I think, and paint, and as a added twist, they had to include a mayfly. Some of the artists used acrylic, or watercolor, but I was amazing to see them go, and be around all that energy, including all those who were there to support the arts as well.
In the end, there was one artist, I liked better than the others, even though they didn’t win, and my mom and I didn’t get chosen in the raffle drawing for a finished work, I was still impressive, and was totally worth going. In the next couple of months, we may try and go to another event.
Spring is a time of cleansing, and renewal. For me, it’s
also the time when the weather warms, for me to get my hair redone, and to get
ready for some awesome things to come, like the farmer’s market here in town.
There was some other stuff I didn’t expect, but we’ll come back to that, maybe.
We finally got rid of my broken frame, and by laying my
futons on the floor, I can fold them up each day, and really get working on my
room. It already looks so much better, although I did run into an unexpected
problem. I’ve been trying to sort through all of my stuff that I want to work
on and all of my projects. But I think I need to just get rid of a lot of the dead
weight that’s been holding me back, and start fresh.
I got my hair redone, cut and colored, and I’ve done some pretty
new, and interesting things this summer, it’s just hard to get back to work,
and I’m trying to get that mojo back, starting now.
One of the things I’ve been looking forward to this year is
the farmer’s market, downtown. I love seeing, and walking down the stalls, and hearing
this saxophone player, and smelling all this incredible produce, baked goods,
and other stuff.
It’s been a little tricky, keeping the budget straight, when
we try and go, every Thursday, but we managed to make it work for most of the
months that it’s been going on. That’s because it’s always worth it.
We had another road trip today. To me, these are always an adventure, because we can go somewhere new, and different, if just for a day.
Today, we had to go to Coralville for a doctor's appointment. I did a little research, and found they had a Walmart Supermarket, and they carried my favorite brand, and roast coffee, Coralville also had a Traders Joe's!
We got started by grabbing something to eat at Hy-Vee, and coffee and tea at Starbucks. After that, we started driving for a long couple of miles. A lot what we saw was open, wide fields, valleys, and hills, from West Burlington, to Danville, and to New London.
When we finally reached Coralville, we stopped by their Walmart, and it was a mega store, way more wide, and fully stocked then the one I usually go to. And I was able to find my coffee of choice, YAY! After that, we headed to the University of Iowa Medical Center. After we parked in the large, dark garage, I went to Trader Joe's, which was right across the street, very convenient. I looked around, and finally found some amazing nut butters, with out soy, corn, wheat, or peanuts, which was impressive. There was also some good flat bread, and amazingly, some black garlic.
The doctor's visit was long, but afterwards, we went to Red Ginger, and had some sushi, and miso soup, and onion soup on the way home. It all was incredible! All in all, the trip was long, and the day was tiring, but everything ended on a pretty good note. Next time we go, we'll be better prepared, so here's to next time.
One of the first buildings I fell in love with was the public library for a lot of reasons. Last summer, I discovered that the first library is now converted into the Historical Society and I'm going to join sooner or later. Right now, though, I'm learning more about this awesome place we call home, and its own history.
Reading the booklet, the library passed out, I've discovered that in 1868, Senator James Wilson Grimes donated $5,000 to start a subscription library, which is financed by private funds either from membership fees or endowments. Shareholders contributed $10, and those who were unable to join, were encouraged to purchase borrowing allowances for $4 a year. All of this didn't stick around very long, but it was apparent there was a need for having a library in the community.
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