It is pretty ironic that i have spent the last few days reminiscing about college: the friends, the house, the city, the freedom, the chaos. i finally came around to the conclusion that underneath a muddled view of a mopey college student i had it good, i had it real good, gooder than good: great. but isn't it always the way that we don't know how good we've got it until its gone?
to try and prevent this from happening to me again. i've decided to make a list of all the things i love about my life here on MI. and i will not be making an alternate list for charleston. i think this weekend will be proof enough of how much i miss the old cobblestones, the bridge, the coffee shops, the shopping, the churches, the green spaces, the bikers, the pedestrians, my yoga teacher, the sunshine, beach houses, boats, the beach, my gym, my old run down house, my roommates and first and foremost my grocery store (both whole foods and harris teeter, i had quite a rude awakening when i was told that shunucks was the best that it gets.)
here it goes memphis, don't let me down:
tennis courts outside my window, co-workers that are willing to walk a mile to staff meeting on a pretty day, a fun and creative job, family just a hop, skip and a jump away (i had a really hard time putting this saying in the right order..it still might not be right, the more you say it the weirder it sounds), friends that are even willing to venture back into AR for a long weekend away from civilization, the MI bridge and river path, connections/knowing a lot of people (could be considered a negative component as well) the trolley stop, the pool, mrs. cords, co-workers that recite facts such as "did y'all realize how much fiber pears have in them?" as if that was a normal topic of conversation, running through central gardens, and of course i guess i have to say bar dog and beale street (they can be great after a long week of work!)
On a more positive note (but initially sounds negative) i didn't realize how bad my body had it with all those processed foods. i'm not sure how this is going to end, but if i had the will power to keep eating like this forever my body sure would thank me for it. i still can't get over how much better i feel. my mind is clear, i get more work done, i ran 3 nine minute miles today outside and went to an hour long workout class and had energy to spare. (it is a possibility that these great side effects are in direct relation to the 70 degree sunny weather as well, not sure if we will ever really know?)
Menu for the day:
Breakfast: Bananas, Walnuts and Almonds (definitely need a new b-fast!)
Cinnamon infused coffee with almond milk
Snack: golden rasians, grapes, and raw sunflower seeds
Lunch: Roasted Eggplant and onions and left over sesame cumin cabbage
Snack: Smoothie (Frozen Strawberries, blueberries, peaches, vanilla, almond milk and sunflower seeds YUM!)
Dinner: Broiled Basil Mahi Mahi with Cashew Parsley Pesto (left over) Sesame Cumin Cabbage (realized ginger would have been a great addition) and the new product: Cinnamon Apple Cider Brussels sprouts.
Dessert: Banana Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Cinnamon Apple Cider Brussels Sprouts
Half brussels sprouts and place on foil lined cookie sheet along with large chucks of garlic. Pour on olive oil and use hands to make sure all sprouts are throughly coated. Pour on apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, and salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Pop in oven at 350F and roast for about 20-25 minutes or until brussels sprouts are golden brown, but not burned.
“A person who misses a chance and the monkey who misses its branch can't be saved” - Indian Proverb
Sundays are weird. I like schedule and patterns and Sundays don't have either. 
