Saturday, January 30, 2010

Kitchen vs. Closet

i came to a very important realization today. i was having a discussion with my room mate about a studio apartment i had viewed last month and how it was WAY too tiny but the kitchen didn't really matter. it was a teeny tiny kitchen but i was perfectly ok with that.

most of you should know i spend a very limited amount of time in any kitchen. it's the last of my concerns in choosing an apartment or living environment. this is when the realization hit me...

i looked at Rach and said "i need a closet that is the size of a normal kitchen!" if those two areas could reverse sizes in my living habitat, all would be well in my little world.

if i ever design a home and build one in the distant future, i would have to have a serious conversation with the architect of downsizing the kitchen and using that extra square footage in my closet area.

i have something in mind similar to what Carrie Bradshaw was blessed with. oh how envious i am... i don't care if it's just a movie! i know there are people out there with closets like this in real life! i would be ok with it being larger than my bedroom. i just like organization. a whole lot.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Perfect Friday Night


as Rach and i were chatting before bed last night...
me: what are you doing tomorrow night?
Rach: nothing really. i was thinking maybe a bottle of wine and.... and that's about as far as i got!

me: well that's the plan then - a bottle of wine!


that's right - i'm 28 years old and single. my perfect idea of a Friday night is sitting around watching tv with a good bottle of wine while gabbing about life with my also-single room mate and our other "down the street BFF" Rebecca. the 3 of us generally grab a bottle of red and hit the couch in Rebecca's basement once her 3 precious angels are fast asleep.


i could leave the bar scene in my college years and never return. don't get me wrong, i like a classy dress-up event on the social scene or a casual night at a local bar in Wayne. but i'm certainly not the bar-every-weekend girl. not to mention my obsession with wine. could you see me hitting the dance floor at a center city bar with a glass of shiraz amongst the Miller Lites??


enjoy your Friday night! we'll be enjoying ours on a large sectional couch with a side of brownies.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

do i have hidden Asian heritage?




as many of you know, i work in an office where i'm surrounded by Koreans. i am the minority white caucasian much of the time. our president and founder, Tim Haahs is Korean and his wife Janice is our CFO. i've thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in this culture for the past 3+ years and learning so much and experiencing new things.




Janice often comes around in the afternoon offering a slice of a Korean pear she has cut up, or a Fuji apple which is the size of a grapefruit. they are delicious!! my co-worker, Ashley and i always enjoy trying whatever she is offering us. (within reason! i'm still the world's pickiest eater.)
so Janice asked us if we would be interested in visiting the "Assi Plaza" with her at lunch one day for a fieldtrip. for those who don't know, this is the Asian food market where all their ethnic food is sold. Ashley and i agreed, not quite knowing what we were getting ourselves into! but what a fun experience it turned out to be.

i got myself a case of Korean pears. some good Tofu (don't ask me how i will prepare or cook this.) some other random snacks that were recommended. and what i'm MOST excited for - GREEN TEA ice cream!!! ...i'm still searching for the ginger dressing they serve in restaurants with green salad. i could drink it by the bottle it's SO GOOD.

we also took a break and dined in the food court area. i had 2 sushi rolls, miso soup, and some seafood dumplings. all so fresh!! i could seriously eat sushi every single day of my life. i eat it constantly, every chance i get. multiple times a week sometimes.

i can't wait to go back to this place! is that weird? :) i swear i am half Asian. which would explain why my hair was jet black as a child... (see picture)




Tuesday, January 26, 2010

No, I will not give up coffee, alcohol, or chocolate.

so i've had a "throat problem" since at least college timeframe. my room mate in college, one of my best friends Amy G. - would often tell people she knew it was time to wake up when she would hear me clearing my throat continuously in the morning. often when i wake up, or after i eat i cough and clear my throat for the next few hours. yes, hours. my voice is often hoarse in the morning and this irritation can sometimes last all day long. you may have noticed this about me, or maybe i'm good at disguising it. sometimes it gets really bad and i've gagged and choked while coughing. my sister says "adrienne, stop that you're annoying!" as if i WANT to sound like that.

so my parents finally urged me to see an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat specialist) since my Dad suffers from acid reflux. my appointment was this morning...

apparently i have something called "silent reflux". (it's not silent when you're listening to me cough!) which is when acid passes through my throat causing an irritation and urge to clear my throat and cough. but by the time i do that, it has already passed through so there is really nothing "stuck" there after all, just the feeling that there is. it is different than acid reflux because it doesn't settle in my chest causing heartburn, but settles in the back of my throat area. i have to go back in a month for a lovely procedure where they put a camera down my throat to take a 360 degree picture. i should be a pro after this morning when she put a small camera on a wire UP my nose all the way TO my throat causing extreme pain and me saying "OWWW!!" she tried to tell me it would just be uncomfortable. this was not the case and i was waiting for my nose to start bleeding it hurt so bad. even after she removed it, it hurt! so now i am taking a medicine 2 times a day for 2 months to eleviate this discomfort but i also have rules on a piece of paper she gave me that will help it feel better and ease the symptoms. i would like to share these very practical suggestions with you:

1. Avoid spicy, acidic, tomato-based foods like CHOCOLATE, tomatoes, citrus fruits and juices. (i will NOT be eliminating chocolate from my diet, thank you very much. and i'm obsessed with fruit. awesome.)

2. Limit your intake of COFFEE, tea, ALCOHOL and soda. (i will NOT be giving up coffee and/or alcohol. i'll cough for a 24 hours before i would do such a thing!)

3. Watch your weight. (sure, i'll watch it stay right where it's been since high school.)

4. Don't gorge yourself at mealtime. (does this mean puncture with a knife? if this means eliminating feasts like the Bachelor Premier night spread OR Restaurant Week in Philly, i think not.)

5. Don't exercise too soon after eating. (i may actually be able to obey this one.)

6. Have meals at least 3-4 hours before lying down. (again, does this mean ruling out large snacking sessions during reality tv?)

7. Stop or reduce smoking. (well i was just going to start, but i'll have to reconsider.)

8. Elevate the head of your bed. (if you see me sleeping sitting up, don't be alarmed.)

9. Maintain a low-fat diet limiting your intake of red meat, cheese, and eggs. (hello, i LOVE cheese. haven't eaten red meat in about 15 years so i have that going for me.)

...and my favorite. i swear this is printed on the brochure.

10. Avoid wearing clothing that is too tight, especially around the waist. (WHAT?!?!?!)

thank you , doctor for giving me this helpful list but i'm sure you have another one with much more realistic expectations.