A Memorable Memorial Day Weekend

A three-day weekend takes on a whole new meaning now that I'm in the working world. :-)

I was blessed to have spent my weekend with good friends, good food, and beautiful weather.

Friday evening David and I met up with our good friends Mal and Corey in downtown DM for dinner and drinks. We had a great time and met up with more friends throughout the night.

Saturday got off to a great start by SLEEPING IN. Rather than enjoying the beautiful weather, I eventually got up and went to the mall to buy summer sandals. Louie and I then ventured to the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden in downtown DM. Louie did not enjoy the sculptures as much as I did. He showed his distaste by leaving his mark near many of the sculptures. Eventually, he grew tired and was ready to leave. We finished our outing with a stop at Snookies for ice cream. Louie made a scene when a golden lab invaded the line for treats next to us. We left soon afterwards. :-)

That night, I ate at Jethro's in the Drake neighborhood for the first time. It was delicious! I then met up with more friends that night out on the town.

On Sunday, David and I met my parents and Cali in Omaha for a day trip to the zoo. The place was packed around noon so we went out for lunch, visited the Bass Pro Shop (dad's pick) and tried the zoo later in the afternoon. Best part about the zoo? The baby gorilla (so cute!) and the cats-lions, tigers, pumas, jaguars, etc. Tried to leave Cali but they wouldn't take her.

Monday consisted of taking Louie for a walk around Gray's Lake. What a gorgeous day! Families were paddle boating, picnicking, and biking. David wanted to get back to watch a baseball game, which meant I took nap. TV baseball always puts me to sleep.

That evening we met up with friends for boating on Saylorville Lake. It was my first time on the lake-us NWesterners usually stick to Okoboji so it was fun to see/do something new.

Overall, it was a fantastic weekend and hard to get back into the swing of the work week. The upside? It's already Tuesday :-)

Va-Va-Va VEISHEA

I cannot WAIT for VEISHEA festivities this coming weekend at Iowa State!

Bring on the cherry pies, float building, campaniling, and college celebrations!!

I've been reminiscing about some of my favorite VEISHEA momments. Please leave a comment and let me know your favorite memories!

Freshman Year-Float building with the AKLs, staying up ALL night ALL week to finish the Nemo float, walking in the parade praying the float wouldn't break down, 5K Donut Run day after VEISHEA.

Sophomore Year-Missed out on events b/c of mini-Dance Marathon at local high school, but was coaxed to come out afterwards by a fellow Varieties dance partner-David Taylor :-) We went to the Mike Jones concert together on central campus.

(No photos were taken at VEISHEA 2007-this will have to do)

Junior Year-It snowed on VEISHEA! I remember walking through Taste of VEISHEA and attending a snow-covered parade. David and I went campaniling but refrained when I was pooped on by a crow. :-(

Senior Year-Helped make VEISHEA cherry pies, carried the Pi Phi balloon in the parade, met with some prestigious ISU alumnae, and celebrated VEISHEA the way seniors should.

VEISHEA 2010 will consist of celebrating the Iowa Egg Council's Order of Knoll award, maybe riding a trolley in the parade, celebrating with friends, eating lots of bad food, visiting club booths, campaniling (sans white poo), and do what alumnae do best--reminisce....and relive the glory days. :-)

Fatal Attraction

Who knew Animal Planet could cause nightmares? I watched a show on the network last night called Fatal Attractions. It was about people who try domesticating wild animals (i.e., tigers, chimps, reptiles, etc.)

This one lady in particular kept tigers at her Minnesota acreage. She loved her felines but after a certain time, was financially unable to care for them. Her love for the tigers was so strong she was unwilling to give the severely underweight tigers away and kept them alive by feeding them roadkill. OMG

One day, she was cleaning the tigers' cages and accidentally left it unlocked as she continued with the chores. Needless to say, one of the hungry tigers saw an opportunity for lunch and took it. She was discovered hours later by her son in the tigers' cage.

Note to self: Refrain from watching scary Animal Planet shows before going to bed. I had nightmares of tigers, lions, and bears eating me last night. Couldn't sleep at all.

What prompts people to keep wild animals is beyond my understanding. I'll stick to Louie and my parents' Friskies consuming farm felines.

Green Eggs and Ham...

Take note: I have changed the name of this blog.

Same author with just a more fitting blog title. :-)

Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) would have celebrated his 106th birthday one week from yesterday (March 2). How do I know this? Why is this relevant?

Some of my employment duties include tending to an egg hotline. (Insert snickers here) With the doc's birthday less than a week away, I've received 4 calls today alone regarding the recipe for-you guessed it-the renowned green eggs and ham.

Caller: "How do you make green eggs and ham?"

Me: "With food coloring from a box"

Caller: "But what if I spill it on my sock?"

Me: "I would not spill it here or there, I would not color it anywhere"

Caller: "But will the green eggs make my children sick?"

Me: "Not unless you get them from a green chick"

Caller: "Will the green eggs make me fat?"

Me: "What's making you fat is that cat in your hat."

Caller: "Can you make my students green eggs and ham?"

Me: "I would not make them for a goat, I would not make them on a boat."

Me: "I would not make them at my desk because quite frankly, they're grotesque!"

You get the picture. For those of you planning to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday next week, here's the recipe for green eggs and ham:

Green Eggs and Ham Deluxe

Ingredients:

2-4 ounces of ham
8 eggs
2 tablespoons of milk
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
1 tablespoon of butter or margarine

What You'll Need

knife, medium-size mixing bowl, wire whisk or eggbeater, large frying pan, spatula, serving plates

1. Cut the ham into small pieces.

2. In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the eggs, milk, ham, salt, and pepper. Beat with a whisk until frothy.

3. Heat a tablespoon of butter or margarine in a large frying pan over medium heat until the butter begins to sizzle. Then add the egg mixture to the pan.

4. Stir the egg mixture with a spatula until the eggs are set.

5. Transfer the eggs to individual plates. Serve with toast or warm rolls.

Feeds 4 hungry green-egg lovers.

Support the Arts-Attend All-State Large Group Speech this Weekend in Ames

I recently told someone that I was headed to the Iowa High School Speech Association's All-State Large Group performances this weekend in Ames. My sister is double performing in Reader's Theater and Individual Mime--a huge accomplishment.

This person's remarks? "Sooo does everyone who participates make it to All-State?" Alluding to the fact speech and debate programs are viewed as insignificant with very few competitors. My answer: No. Much like any other competition-be it athletic or artistic-performing at the state-level is a huge honor. Annually, 40,000 students from 487 Iowa schools take part in speech extra-curriculars.

It's time art and drama programs receive the respect they deserve. Being involved in the arts stimulates creativity in problem solving, challenges perceptions, role exploration, and of course, improves communication! Those who have participated in drama activities are less likely to have difficulty speaking in public, will be more persuasive in their communications-written and oral, relate better with others, and have a more positive, confident self image.

Not to mention, speech also teaches: self control, articulation, discipline, cooperation, tolerance, and empathy.

Imagine state legislatures consisting of representatives who cannot speak, lawyers without the ability to present a convincing argument, and teachers who cannot explain a lesson concisely.

The importance of speech is abundantly clear. Iowa's speech programs provide vital life skills. Take speech away, and what you're left with is a jumble of ideas without any substance.

I encourage you all to attend a IHSSA All-State Large Group Speech performance this Saturday at the Scheman Building in Ames. You'll be impressed and proud of the students' efforts.

Check the website for performances times and see if there are performers from your high school:

www.ihssa.org

Or you can tag along with me! I'll be there from 9-12 :-)

Woman's Best Friend

Having experienced sorority/dorm life for the past four years, I've forgotten how wonderful it is to have a faithful companion by your side. There is nothing more delightful than being greeted by your dog when you walk in the door. His wagging tail says it all, "sooooo excited to see you! I thought you'd never come back!"

Dogs have a special way of understanding us two-legged hairless, talking canines. I'm amazed how they can sense human emotion and empathize with us-sometimes better than we can with each other. It doesn't take a text message or a one-on-one conversation to let them know how you feel...they just get it and respond in the best way they know how--love. It's amazing how a good dog lick or cuddle session can make all the difference in attitude.

And even when he's chewed up another sock or refuses to come inside after a pee break, it's hard not to immediately forgive that adorable face. Now if only we could train him to flush....

It's easy to love a dog because all they really need is a full bowl of kibble, someone willing to play fetch, and a good belly scratch every once in awhile. Woman's best friend-faithful fido. :-)

-Cayla

Pizza Hut = Pizza Gut

With more free time on my hands, I decided to join a local gym a few months ago and so far I really enjoy it.

Of course I try going everyday but we all know that's unlikely. I usually make it about 2-3 times a week and growing. Coming from someone who never participated in sports and visited in Lied Rec only to watch someone else play sports, it's hard to make exercise part of your routine. I commend anybody who can do that. :-)

But I have to question my gym's location--right behind a Pizza Hut. Seriously? It's hard enough to drag yourself to a gym let alone have to endure a pizza aroma while you workout. Then of course, all you can think about is pizza while you workout. Thank GOODNESS it's not a Pizza Ranch...I'd be screwed.

My favorite pizza is a toss-up (get it? :) between hawaiian and bacon cheeseburger. What's your favorite?? Please leave an appetizing comment.

Until we eat-I mean meet again,

Cayla

Life from Angie's Perspective

Angie sent this to me yesterday. Thought you'd enjoy it as much as I did!

Growing Up and Giving In

What started out as a simple visit to my new Urbandale dentist became a much bigger ordeal this Thursday morning. Whatever happened to, "oh your teeth okay. Just keep flossing and here's your toothbrush."

I haven't visited a dentist in almost two years but I brush well, floss sometimes, and try and make clean teeth a priority of mine. Yet to my dismay, the dentist informed me that my four cavernous cavities needed attention. Three hours and a sore mouth later, I paid the outrageous dental bill and got the heck out of there.

This is the first time I've had to cover my own dental costs and wow was I in for a surprise. Still feeling a little numb from the novacaine, I lispingly phoned my dad to thank him for his years of financial dedication to my orthodontics. "Sthank you sad for making my seeth sraight." He thought it was a prank and hung up the phone.

As I trudged back to work I thought of all the things I could've bought with my cavity money-a plane ticket back to Europe, adopt a child, spring break festivities, and more new shoes. kidding

I'm steadily facing reality. This is just all part of growing up-paying your debts and your dentist.

If you find it in your heart to make a donation to Cayla's plane ticket back to Europe, adopt a child, spring break festivities, and more new shoes fund, please contact her at westergard1@gmail.com. Pledge now to improve Cayla's social well-being.

Until we meet again,

Cayla

A few of my favorite things

A few of my favorite things:

1.) New makeup

2.) Driving through the country

3.) Eating out with friends

4.) North Grand Mall Dollar Theater

5.) Morning News

6.) Surprise Dates

7.) County Fairs

8.) Perusing bookstores

9.) My bathrobe

10.) Mexican restaurants

Skip on soufflés...Never fall asleep while whitening your teeth

Last night's inevitable Iowa weather meant staying cooped up inside slaving over a hot stove making what else but soufflés!?! :-) If you've never tried a soufflé before, it's essentially a baked cake made with egg yolks, beaten egg whites and other desserty ingredients. I started on the amaretto soufflés at 6:00 pm and didn't actually taste the finished product until 10:30. Although they were great and turned out like the picture showed they would, it wasn't worth the almost four-hour trouble. I'll stick to cookies next time...and keep the amaretto. :-)

Have you ever fallen asleep while whitening your teeth? Not good. I woke this morning feeling as though I'd chewed a sheet of aluminum foil. (Yeah, you know the feeling) I then tried to eat another soufflé for breakfast, which also tasted like aluminum foil...apparently they're a "serve immediately" type of dessert. A typical Tuesday.

Until we meet again,

Cayla

What's all the Buzzz?

Happy Monday everyone.

It was a great weekend, wasn't it? Saw lots of friends, celebrated some birthdays, watched good movies, and stayed under the covers for a good portion of it.

Almost nine months out of college, I'm still trying to figure out what to do with all this extra time on my hands...read books for pleasure (what!?!), work out (not very often but yeah!), catch up TV shows, go back to school???

I would LOVE to go back and get a Master's Degree-in what though I have no idea. So rather than wasting money on a degree program I'm still unsure of, I've decided to just take a handful of interesting classes.

After hearing wonderful things about DMACC (thanks recruiter Elise), I've enrolled in Beginning Beekeeping and Intro to Graphic Design. The classes are a couple hours one night each week. Beekeeping starts this Thursday and Graphic Design starts in March.

I'm looking forward to learning in a classroom setting again and learning "sweet" things...here come the puns. :-)

Until we meet again,

Cayla

Hey January, get out of my life!

Is the month of January every going to end? Now 22 days in, I feel like we are forever stuck in this black hole we call "the dead of winter." Crummy roads, snow drifts, bad winter drivers sans four-wheel drive capabilities, bad winter pick-up drivers on their cell phones, and now for the icing on our Baked Alaska (I mean Iowa) Cake-more ICE ICE ICE and I've got the elbow bruises to prove it.

I just heard on NPR that today has been named the most depressing day of the year. And who can blame them?? Scientists are saying that today's depression is the result of:

*Bad weather

*Christmas debt

*New Year's Resolutions gone belly up

*Trying to get back into a work routine

*Just being plain old lethargic

Check yes to all of the above.

Off the top of my head I can think of six friends who have birthdays today-that's amazing considering I have a difficult time just thinking of six friends off the top of my head! Feliz cumpleaños to them!

Yet, I thank God for these six friends because looking forward to their combined birthday parties all week is what's been keeping me from going off the deep end on the year's most depressing day. Thank you to my six friends!

This weekend, I'm getting a facial thanks to Carissa's generous Christmas gift card in Ames. I've never gotten a facial before so it will be interesting for both parties no doubt.

If you haven't checked out the Des Moines Botanical Center this winter you HAVE to go! It's an instant boost to your skin's moisture (and a much cheaper facial) plus it's a nice to escape to a domed-in tropical environment for a couple of hours. Also, they have what's called 'Botanical Blues' from 1-3pm on Sundays in January. Blues musicians play while you enjoy the greenery. :-)

Happy trails to you, until we meet again.

-Cayla