curiosity killed the cat

Studying all summer for the CPA exam could make you stressed, upset, and frustrated. I have felt that way when I get overwhelmed thinking about all of it, but really, this summer has been pretty amazing. I have been spending time with both friends and with Jarrett and really just building a good balance between studying and still having a sense of fun and a summer! I feel so lucky to live in such a gorgeous place and to be starting a great job again soon and to just have all of the things I have right now. Here are some of the things that have been making this summer pretty darn amazing:

 My super cute vanity table captured when I was getting ready one morning, complete with my obsession: plain greek yogurt and pineapple!

 Drinks on a super fun night out with Mei :)

 My really random chocolate milk craving satisfied the morning after our night out!

 Funniest note page ever: I had a missed call on my phone from an unknown number that I was really curious about, as they had left a message. Mei replied back: "curiosity killed the cat!"

 Huge mixing bowl salads with homemade dressing and turkey = amazeballs. 

 Studying? Not so amazeballs.

 Killer workout? Definitely amazeballs. (Okay, done with that word now.)

 

Monday-Thursday = $5 movies for UM students, our new obsession!

Madagascar 3 was hilarious. Loved Snow White and the Huntsman and MIB 3, however, DID NOT LIKE Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Poor ending!

Moral of the story: Try not to let whatever is consuming your life right now consume you. Take time to enjoy your blessings and just to take it all in! (Also, I should take my own advice, so self: when you're stressed, read this post!)

carrot, pineapple, and raisin summer salad

After seeing the Barefoot Contessa make a similar salad, I was instantly obsessed with the idea of this salad. Cool and refreshing, sweet and crunchy, this salad is perfect for cooling off at lunch (or dinner!) from the hot summer heat. With some slight tweaks to the recipe, this is a healthy, enjoyable dish!

Carrot, Pineapple, and Raisin Summer Salad

adapted from here

Ingredients:

1 bag shredded carrots (I got the Publix Organic bag)

handful of golden raisins

1/2 cup to 3/4 cup diced pineapple

1/2 cup greek yogurt

honey to taste, if desired

Steps:

Empty the bag of carrots into a bowl, add in the raisins and pineapple, toss all together. Mix the greek yogurt and honey together (if using) and then pour on top. Mix through and enjoy! So simple and so satisfying.

laters, baby.

Don't worry about the title, I'm not going anywhere. I may disappear for months at a time, but rest assured I'll be back! (The title is referring to Fifty Shades of Grey. If you haven't heard of it, I'm not sure we can be friends.)

I am about to post a bunch of random pictures, in hopes of updating you on my life. In case you care.

I graduated. And two days later, I started this:

 A boatload of CPA exam studying. I have already taken (and passed!) the first of four sections. I am currently working on studying for my next two this month (because June is an off-month where you can't take the exam) and will take two more parts in July. Then study some more and take the last part in August. Woo!

Luckily, after the first exam, I did get a fun little break which was a five day cruise with my friends! It was all sorts of amazing and we had a blast. But now, I am back to studying. (Picture above taken in Grand Turk's Margaritaville)

So now, I sit inside all day when the gorgeous Miami weather looks like this. And sometimes I cry. (Kidding. Kind of.)

 Around 5 or 6pm, I will go to Crossfit.

 Drink a delicious green smoothie after, and maybe relax with a good book (if I have actually done a decent amount of studying beforehand, if not, back to studying). Unfortunately, I have finished all of the amazing Fifty Shades books. They were so good and I just couldn't put them down. 

Sometimes, if it is nice out, after the gym Jarrett and I will go to the pool at his apartment complex. It's so nice and relaxing to just swim around. (Gotta sneak some summer in sometimes!)

So that is basically my life these days.  Super thrilling, I know. Look! I even wore my hair straight one day:

And here is my delicious lunch today:

I know you're jealous. (Chicken with homemade mayo and arugula, with green olives. Delish!)

Oh and one more thing because I feel like complaining. I cannot eat nuts anymore (or coconut!)!!! Such an issue. I am so in love with them, but they hurt my stomach. I have tried every type independently and without fail they kill my stomach every time. That's all.

spring break cruise 2012

 Jarrett and I in Grand Turk (left) and San Juan (right)

 Gorgeous sunrise in San Juan

 Stunning view from the fort in San Juan

 San Juan Castillo

 Deliciously refreshing bucket of Corona Light in St.Thomas

 Our boat docked in Grand Turk

 Where we spent the day, by the pool at Margaritaville

Pretty church and morning sun in Nassau, Bahamas

 Where we spent our days on the boat

 Enjoying a "bahama mama" and our books

 One of the many towel creatures we found nightly

A bar where we made some new friends and enjoyed some delicious drinks

lately.

{view from the fort in San Juan, Puerto Rico}

{this week: massive amounts of studying, accompanied by Vampire Diaries and lunch (apple, turkey wraps with mayo and spinach)}

{the most amazing homemade mayo ever: recipe here}

{totally favoring my 7fam jeans + breezy tanks}

 {homemade trail mix: i dry roasted raw cashews and almonds with a bit of salt and combined them with apple juice sweetened cranberries}

{fun nails recreated from this pin, love pinterest!}

currently obsessed

{this super fun ring from forever 21}

{trying new fruit from a fruit platter at work -- who knew I loved pineapple?! so good.}

{my CrossFit gym, love the new wall paint!}

{smoothie dates: mine is kalicious, his is bananas foster. both from whole foods}

 {the amazing weather that lets me lay out for an hour or so each day}

 {vampire diaries: i am currently re-watching all of the old seasons again. such an amazing show!}

What are some of your current obsessions/things you can't get enough of lately?

to workout or not to workout?

{today's WOD (workout of the day)}

The answer? To workout. As much as you may think it's going to suck. As much as you don't want to get out of bed in the morning or as tired as you are that night. The answer is always to workout. Think about it this way, have you ever finished an amazing workout and thought "Man, I wish I didn't do that!" That's a no. You know you won't regret it if you do, but you will if you don't!

This morning I did not want to get out of bed. I was thinking I would just go back to sleep and just workout tomorrow. Jarrett reminded me that I would regret it later, and I knew I would feel so much better if I did. So, I dragged my butt out of bed and headed to CrossFit. And you know what? I am so glad I did.

I was able to do the WOD Rx (as prescribed) and got a PR (personal record) on my post-WOD run. My best mile time is 8:16, but that is coming from a completely rested state. When we run post-WOD, my best mile time (until today) was 10:00. Today, I ran that post-WOD run in 9:41! I shaved :19 off my time!

Could I have done that if I stayed in bed? No. The answer is always to workout.