Pho Dinner at the Seuberts

Dorsa's friend had sent out this "Take-Them-A-Meal" program to all of her friends when baby Liam was born. It's an awesome program where friends can choose a date to go see the family and take them a dinner. New born havoc does not seem fun. I can't imagine trying to make meals and clean the house in those first few weeks. 

Sketchy and I had signed up for a day a couple weeks ago but then we both got super sick. Rescheduled for tonight. We decided to just take them Pho for dinner. They have a favorite place nearby. I imagine they weren't getting out much to their favorite places so thought it'd be a good idea. Sketchy also loves Pho and I'm totally a fan now -- was really against a large ass bowl of soup at first -- not sure why. 

Anyways, we spent some time hanging out and talking while Liam slept and got pampered by his mommy. It was nice seeing them, as always. Can't believe Liam is already over a month old! How and why does the time keep flying like this? 

No pictures from this trip. 

We also registered for Kickball recently. We're going to do the same DC Kickball league where we play at 1-2PM on Sunday afternoons on the mall. Last year was fun. We met some cool people through kickball. In fact, Miriam and Scott are friends we made through kickball! Speaking of them, Baby Hays is doing well and we're hopefully visiting them and the baby next Friday! 

That's it for today. Thank God tomorrow is Friday! I cannot wait. 

Puttin' Food There on the Table

Tonight, I cancelled my plans with Sam because I needed to go home and get shit done. So basically, I turned down a lamb dinner she was going to prepare and an introduction to the container store which I feel is going to be very Nalini-esque. 

LifeTalk

I've been in a little work-life lull lately. It's been really challenging watching the majority of my friends head off to grad school in the pursuit of their dreams -- streamlining their professional careers and aspirations. At the same time, a lot of my friends have likewise said that it's tough for them to see me through some of my recent crazy life changes (getting engaged and buying a house)! 

I am lucky and appreciative of all the awesome life changes that i'm going through lately, but I still can't really get past the fact that, professionally, nothing's really falling into place as I once envisioned. When I was younger and started making lists of hopes, dreams and goals they were always professional -- never personal life aspirations. I wouldn't have wanted to go to an out of state college racking up loans and studying ridiculously challenging academic coursework (international affairs) if I just wanted to have a mediocre job which requires no real degree, purchase a home, get married and raise a family. God knows that would have also been so much easier in Florida -- financially speaking. So while I'm advancing in life in one way or another, it's just not the way that my brain always wanted to advance in life and it's taking a lot of mental work to get through this as life is blatantly showing me that some things are just not going to happen.

It's difficult to explain without sounding like I'm not happy with where I am in life. That's not the case. 

I just need a little professional life change. I also need to calm down and realize that success comes in many forms and as long as you're happy, you're successful. 

Montgomery Gentry's Song "Something to be Proud of" kind of says it the best. I've been listening to this song a lot lately. Music has always been my go-to and has also always helped me through most things in life. It offers you a piece of mind without having to sit down and talk. Highlighted part is my absolute favorite. 

"Dad, I wonder if I ever let you down

If you're ashamed how I turned out

Well, he lowered his voice, then he raised his brow

Said, lemme tell ya right now

That's something to be proud of

That's a life you can hang your hat on
You don't need to make a million 

Just be thankful to be workin' 

If you're doing what you're able 

And putting food there on the table 

And providing for the family that you love 

That's something to be proud of

And if all you ever really do is the best you can

Well, you did it man

That's something to be proud of

That's a life you can hang your hat on

That's a chin held high as the tears fall down

A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out

Like a small town flag a-flyin'

Or a newborn baby cryin'

In the arms of the woman that you love

Yeah, that's something to be proud of"

Listen to the song here

Speaking of putting food on the table, yesterday Sketchy and I had dinner on our new dining table. I made lamb chops for me with broccoli and roasted red potatoes and a chicken fajita situation for him. 

pre-baking

post-baking

my meal!

Sketchy's chicken

Sketchy's meal. Also found a use for the tiny plate thing I wrote about back in December 2012 that I made at fired-up. Perfect for this kind of spread. 

That's it for today. Mo will be here in two more days!

Knock Knock...

Who's there, you ask? The fricking delivery people at 7:15AM in the morning. The only reason I was able to get myself out of bed and not be irritated was because delivery people means new furniture!

So first, we had rescheduled for Friday because I did not think they would be there early enough to be set-up and done before I had to leave for work. The delivery man told me he was sorry they showed up but that it would only take 15 minutes, so I said okay. It actually took about 30 minutes, but that was still early enough for me to take lots of pictures and admire our new furniture for a bit before heading out to work. 

The newest addition to our home:

Blurry again, I'm sorry. Fits well in the dining area space!

It actually seats 6. The stupid furniture people brought one wrong chair so we only got 5 delivered. Not sure when they'll bring the 6th by! 

Orchid compliments of Lauren and David (housewarming gift). It's super pretty. 

I'm thinking of getting a maroon or teal liner for the center -- just tossed some random things laying around the kitchen on the table to take pictures this morning. The teal would match the dining room wall art I made which consist of golds, browns and teals. 

Excited to get some place settings, items on the wall in the background and an area rug under the table. I'm spending the night at home and cooking dinner. We'll have our first meal on our first dining table tonight. =)

Office, Cabinet and Relaxation Weekend

Friday evening was E P I C. Happy hour was such a success. Brenna ended up joining which was great because I hadn't really seen her in a while. Had some great conversation. Met some random older guy who was hilarious and quite entertaining. I also learned/noticed two new things about Theismann's: 

1. 

This amazing bald eagle. Uhmurka.

2. They have awesome wines on HH! 

Poker was good, there were some new folks there -- AJ's friends so wasn't really like the old poker days with the same crew but was poker nonetheless. I wasn't much of a drinker yesterday given I was driving from Theismann's to Rockville and then from Rockville to Springfield, but it was a nice break from the workweek. 

Saturday we stayed in which was really nice. We set-up the furniture in the office (FINALLY!), watched Alex Cross (which I was really opposed to at first) and made dinner at home (turkey meatball subs!). 

I spent legitimately over an hour moving the desk and bookshelf into every combination ever. The desk is just so large for the room and the bookshelf only fits in so many spots too. I tried with the bookshelf facing forward to the left of the window but it just left an awkward space between the bookshelf and desk against the wall. This is what I settled on and really like it. We have things to hang up in the office and will do that soon!

I really love the office. So much that I honestly will say that I think it's my favorite room in the house (yes, more than my craftroom (as it is right now in a state of turmoil) and even the kitchen! I have not had a desk/office-like area since college dorms and it's so very much a needed space. We have way too many bills, mail, magazines, coupons and other random things that always end up thrown around the kitchen, living room and EVERYWHERE ELSE imaginable. It annoyed me to no end to have my apartments serve as one large office and really killed me for the past 2 months to have the whole house serving as an office. I'm really happy to have somewhere to contain the madness and not only contain but organize the madness. 

I'm still missing all of my college textbooks and such which are in a couple bins in Sketchy's parents garage. Will grab that when we go down there this weekend. I'm going to the container store soon to get lots of desk baskets, filing and organizational office things! Super excited to add some color and substance on the desk and on the walls. =))

Dinnah!

Sunday was really relaxing as well. Sketchy and I went out for lunch, shopped around a little for house stuff and then watched Silver Linings Playbook at the Kingstowne theater. It was a really good movie. Up there as one of my fav with 500 Days of Summer. We actually ended up watching another Bradley Cooper movie (The Words) Sunday evening. Super movie weekend! The Words actually led me to a crazy existential crisis -- that movie, I don't even know. 

While shopping on Sunday, we finally picked up a wine cabinet. I've been eyeing so many of them lately for the wine wall I've been talking about. Still need to paint the wall mount wine holders to get them on the wall but I finally got the last piece! I'll need to sand down and re-stain so that it's a dark brown/black wood finish but it's basically exactly what I wanted! 

 

Want that wall done soon. Will look into staining gels and such soon. Anyways, really relaxing, yet eventful and productive weekend! 

Too bad it's Monday. But I'm seeing Lindsay and Diana for HH in Clarendon so that makes it better. Something to get me through the day!

TGIF!

Gah, cannot express how very genuinely I mean this -- TGIF. Going to happy hour with a friend today at Theismann's. Yes, that place is slowly becoming my favorite and frequent HH spot. Then poker night at AJ's place. That should be fun -- we haven't done poker night in forever. Hopefully him hosting will be the start of a round of poker nights on Fridays again. That was always the best deal and fun for a lazy Friday evening.

Basically, everyone takes turns hosting -- makes people trek out to each other's house so it's fair in life and allows everyone to take turns sharing the burden of playing host. Host pays for food and drinks which is also fair since each person eventually has to host. We usually cap games at 10 people per game. These games generally tend to run pretty late -- average 2AM. Buy in is generally 10-20 bucks and winner takes all which is nice. 

So to recap: 10-20 spent for a whole evening of food, drinks and entertainment and someone leaves with ~100.00 at the end of the night. 

Yesterday I mentioned that I was attempting to do something with a Thoreau quote. Here are some pictures:

I think I like this arrangement the best -- not too much space between. Bad lighting on these pictures. Have an awesome camera yet I take all my pictures for this blog with my phone. Meh. Will get my shit together soon!

I really like the dark/nature-y affect of the black trees on mirror. It screamed thoreau to me. I feel the quote really fits the decor. I might redo the "Wild and Free" to make it less big -- maybe make it branch-y lettering? Not sure, but there are a couple of ways we can arrange them. Not sure where exactly this is going to go yet. 

I know that the large wall area above the door in the entryway is going to get filled up -- but not sure with what yet. considering just quotes and frames randomly tossed around up there. Anyways, very excited for this day to be over. 

Happy weekend folks.

Deck the Walls

Last night was good stuff. I went to Mr. Days for their awesome Wednesday cheap deal, then headed out to Recess Tapas Lounge for unlimited Sangria compliments of Alex (Misha's friend) who invited us along.

Also, 2.00 drafts on all their beers (about 15 diff kinds of beer -- good selection!)

Recess Tapas Lounge impressed me with their portions. Small plates are usually just that. These small plates were super sizeable. No pictures, but definitely better portions than La Tasca (and looked just as good if not better). Looked like about the same price too. Their happy hour menu looked really good -- 5.00 glasses of sangria but also Bottles of Wine that were very reasonably priced 32.00 - 60.00! Best part? Happy hour is all night long. The place itself is kind of difficult to find. It's hidden below a very DC-esque government building with tall columns. The hidden space was very well done. Really cozy and lounge-y atmosphere. Would definitely go back. Also, as though the place had not already earned endless points with me, the waitress set this bad boy down in front of us (compliments of the chef):

Yes, it was delicious.

Tonight, we're going to pick something up from Trader Joe's and get shit done. The last of the house set-up is really just getting things up on the walls. We already have tons of decorations, just need to pick spots and put them up. I've been procrastinating because the walls are such a blank canvas right now and I don't really know where to begin. I think we're going to just put up a few pieces at a time. 

Tonight's agenda:

1. Buy paint markers and finish a mirror-esque project using this quote:

Emerson & Thoreau are my favs. =) Hopefully have a picture to share with you guys tomorrow of finished product!

2. Paint these mountable wine racks with a light layer of ORB (oil rubbed bronze). Will mount them this weekend on the "wine wall" which will hopefully include these, the diy kitchen chalkboard menu and a nice dainty hopefully distressed looking wine cabinet! 

3. Figure out exactly what I want to do with this most exciting decor purchase yet! I've been looking for a distressed window shutter since we bought the house. Saw all these awesome DIY things you could do with shutters -- mainly was thinking about a bed headboard. But would need 3-4. Only purchased one which may have been the dumbest mistake of my life -- probably won't be any left when I go back. Either way, I got only one with the intention of using it for mudroom wall as a mail/key holder:

The one I bought. I love it so so much.

Here's what the bedhead kind of would look like -- I think it's neat.

This is the mail/key holder situation that I think we'll end up using it for.

another mail/key holder situation

and another. 

Three solid items to get out of the way tonight. Maybe we'll also be overly productive and get a couple sconces up too!

Suggestions needed:

I've been taking a look at my "life list" and trying to knock off some easy ones. I got to knock off Host a Superbowl Party and go to Arlington Drafthouse and Cinema recently.

I'm working on finishing the RFDs list and starting on the 10 breweries by visiting DC Brau Brewery soon as well as taking an online photography class soon (or maybe one of those DC groupon classes).

Excitedly ready to knock off Visit Kate in Michigan in APRIL!

Here's the one I want to direct my attention to now: Read a non-fiction book on the NFL. I think I'm going to start reading at least one non-fiction football book each year during the off-season. 

Here are the two I've narrowed it down to:

To the NFL: You Sure Started Something or FOOTBALL. The Players, The Records, The Superbowl. 

Any other suggestions, or anyone read either of those two? Will probably purchase book this weekend.

Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks...

Last night, we ended up swinging by Trader Joe's. When in doubt, their frozen section always delivers for an easy to prep and delicious meal. Sketchy got Pho from a local place by us. 

GOAT CHEESE.

The Ravioli was super delicious. Ended up with leftovers which Sketchy took for lunch today.

Of course, as soon as I whine about my insomnia things get better. Last night I definitely passed out around 9PM, if not earlier. It was such a relaxing night and perfect -- no cooking but better than fast food dinner and it was so warm and toasty in the house. Anyways, I'm feeling super good today having had a really awesome night of sleep!

Diana purchased our group's National's tickets today! We should have 6 seats together for 15 games this season! Last year, we bought a five game package. This year the 15 game package was almost the same price. Weird considering how well they did last year. But hey, I'm not complaining. We were able to select 14 games and the 15th is in the form of a voucher to be used at any regular season game. The 14 games we selected are the perfect mix. We're getting to see 13 different teams play, perfect mix of 6 weekday and 8 weekend games, and perfectly spread out throughout the season: 

2 in April
2 in May
3 in June
3 in July
2 in August
2 in September

and one free voucher for any game. 

I really like the fact that the season is already figured out for us so we're not making decisions and for sure have at least 2 fun baseball days a month! This also gets me really excited for spring/summer. 

Despite going to games here and there since high school, last year was the first year that I really started loving baseball/baseball season.

I used to go to a couple Braves spring training games throughout high school since they played at Disney and I worked there. When I first moved up to DC I went sparingly to Orioles games for a few seasons. Then two years ago I went to opening day at Nat's park with Sketchy (we had awesome seats):

We went to quite a few games that season. Then last season we bought the 5 game package and went to a few extra. Last season was just so much fun -- esp with post season. It's not just baseball -- it's the atmosphere, the cracker jacks, the America beer and especially the BBQs and hanging out beforehand. 

I'm pumped for a new season for:

more souvenir cups 

More pre-game cheap beers at the Miller Scoreboard Pavillion

more lazy weekday afternoons like this

more America sunglasses and America beer! 

more inconspicuously wearing the wrong DC team's gear at games 

and of course, more of these awesome guys.

I don't know how I feel about the new addition of Taft. I don't like change, but we'll see. Five is also an odd number! Hopefully we'll also catch a couple Truckeroos (July-Oct events on certain Fridays where a massive number of food trucks take over the bullpen complete with live entertainment before the first pitch). Truckeroo schedule hasn't been released for 2013 yet, but I hope that at least one coincides with one of our Friday games! 

Tonight we're trying out a new place -- Recess Tapas Lounge in DC with some friends. Can add one more place I've tried Sangria. 

Insomnia Insanity

So this whole not sleeping thing is really catching up to me. It's been happening since about mid-January. I'm getting just a few hours a night and I'm certainly not making up the hours. Weekends are the only time I slightly catch up by sleeping in, but our past few weekends have been so social and lacking in the sleep department. I feel like my whole life has been on social overload lately.

As a result, I have been exhausted, cranky and literally brain dead. I get so frustrated when I can't think of a simple word or have so many thoughts in my head at work that I can't remember what I was just doing. 

The only time I feel I have really been happy in the past month or so was getting to hang out with Varsha and just staying at home doing nothing last week. I think last week was the first time I've truly been able to enjoy our new home. We stayed home and just watched marathons of house hunters, monk and other shows we used to like to watch together. I also think I need a Florida trip soon. Miss Florida. This tends to only happy when I'm generally blah about life from stress at work or maybe the lack of sleep.

Since basically nothing makes me happy lately, I want to do things that do make me happy, like just relaxing and doing nothing in life. I'm not saying I'm never going out on weeknights and such, but going out 6 days a week and staying in 1? That's going to stop for a little, at least to see if it helps how I've been feeling in life lately.

Today we were supposed to be taking dinner to Dorsa and Erik's but I'm still sick so in order not to infect their whole house, we rescheduled for next Thursday. 

My phone, as always, is a piece of shit. Now it's deciding to cut off randomly more frequently. I need to update the software and probably delete a million pictures since I have hardly any storage left. Meh. 

Might go infect the world and watch skyfall at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse tonight or maybe Biryani or Central for dinner?

On a MUCH lighter note, Baby Hays should grace the world with her presence sometime today and Miriam will not be pregnant anymore! May have happened already. I've been disconnected from the world since around noon. Hopefully there's an update soon! 

A Patel Weekend

Friday night we were supposed to head to Sketchy's parents but I wasn't feeling well. We ended up heading to his parents on Saturday afternoon. 

I did not fall asleep until 6:30am Saturday morning. Slept until 1 o clock. I have had the worst case of insomnia this past month -- not falling asleep until 3am at the earliest. My brain does not stop working so that my body can go to sleep. It's really horrible. I get really restless and angry at night. 

I'm chalking this up to a horrible past month. Work has been beyond stressful. I was already behind being in the office everyday, so taking off about 5 days so far this month has not been helpful! Also, those five days in pain and/or medicated were not fun. February sucks so hard. 

Saturday evening I got bored sitting around so I went out with Sapna. We went to Joann's and I grabbed about 6-7 8x11 sheets of pretty patterned and textured paper. Made use of my insomnia. A little cutting and vision and I created quite a few quick sample invitations. Had no glue, so pretend that these are all perfectly straight and put together:

I think this one is my fav, can maybe make it vertical? 

I made a few others (almost same layout as the black/white ones) in a gold maroon color scheme as seen above. 

Think the gold/maroon color scheme tends to look more Indian. So may go with that. We'll see. Either way, invitations will go out in the next week or two for engagement party which is officially happening May 25th. 

After Joann's, Sapna and I grabbed dinner at Red Robin's which I really actually like and then headed home.

Sunday we went furniture shopping with Sketchy's dad. Saw a few dining sets we really liked. The sales were not that great so we're just going to get what we like. Hopefully this week we'll have a dining set in the dining room. 

We decided we were gonna go with a pub-style dining table with at least 6 chairs and here's why: 

1. it's not a formal dining room so formal lower table might look funny
2. want furniture to go with our living room furniture and feel of laid back and young
3. higher table is better for lucy with food as well as can serve as a nice bar/area to spread out food and drinks when are entertaining
4. we can easily move this to a basement/bar area when we have a forever home with a formal dining room and dining room set.

Here are the ones we like: 

like the darker color and the cushioned chairs. Also has storage below the table (which ultimately may make my decision because i don't really like the tables with the four traditional legs)

Really like the granite top and like that it's cherry wood and black top. Want to still keep some black in the dining set so that it matches darker wood furniture throughout living room. 

I really love the shattered glass center square. I plan on putting a lazy susan in the middle of the table and I think that'd be pretty to have center stand out. The one we saw and like is a darker wood with black accents and seats 6, not four. 

Sunday evening we watched Here Comes the Boom with Kevin James. I've been really reluctant to see it even though I really like Kevin James. Turns out it's a pretty funny movie. 

Today we hung around the house until around 5PM and then spent about 3 hours in traffic getting home. I've been feeling nauseous and sick again all day. Blah. 

All in all, pretty good weekend with the Patels. 

Hope everyone's President's Day weekend was at least relaxing if not eventful. 

Fragile Friday

Yesterday Sketchy left work early to run by my office and pick up my computer and some files I needed. I was pretty certain I would not be feeling well enough to go to work today. I thought correctly. Got some real work done though since I actually got out of bed today. 

Sketchy also picked up some take-out from Ledo Pizza (it's a chain we've seen everywhere and have been wanting to try) since I was in no condition to cook last night! The food was actually rlly good. Ooc portions for price! Still eating that today. He also got me a really cute card and Tulips (my favorite shade of them too). No pictures, but they were cute. 

This also happened:

This is a thing sketchy does in everyday convo -- suggest ice cream cake, to which I always reply "no." he got so excited that I finally said yes!

lol.

and here she is in all her beauty. and yes, it's all gone already. OOC. 

Today was a slightly better version of yesterday. More awake hours and less pain. Hopefully tomorrow is better. We're going down to Sketchy's parents. Hopefully solidifying a damn wedding date and checking out some Presidents Day sales. 

Hope Everyone has a great weekend. I've also decided that it's really difficult to keep up with weekends so I'm probably not going to be doing all weekend posts. Maybe just longer Monday posts!