Birthday Deliciousness...

So by this point, you probably know that I enjoy baking.  I find it cathartic.  Especially with the tv facing the kitchen and a good, drama-filled episode of Housewives blaring in the background. 

So when my honey (who knows me better than pretty much anyone) requested a birthday dessert...I waited with eager anticipation.  Of course, the more challenging the recipe and the more time consuming, the more 'meaningful' the birthday dessert will be.  Right?  Guess not.  He requested a 3 ingredient dessert that required absolutely no baking. WAH WAH

At the last minute, I threw in a 4th ingredient, trying to add my own 'flair'.  But, how do you add flair to a dessert consisting of cool whip and jello combined?  Blueberries.  Yes, those were my flair!  I rinsed them and everything.

So here I am in the kitchen, nearly in tears because I'm worried that my dessert isn't special or meaningful enough (set scene).  But, I poured a glass of my favorite Chablis and powered through. 

Several hours later, I decided to try the dessert...lo and behold, it was amazing.  It was light, fluffy, and pretty much perfect.  I promptly had to eat my words...and regretted my near meltdown.

All in all...it was a success...and I may be making it again this weekend.

Teaching a College Course

In August, I began teaching a 3 hour business course at a community college on Monday evenings.  I've always been interested in teaching and really felt that it would help hone my public speaking skills.  Now that I'm halfway through the semester, I am realizing how much being a professor (technically, an adjunct professor) has taught ME. 

Wait a minute, I thought I was supposed to be the professor?!  This shows that there is always an opportunity to learn, in any situation.  The class is teaching me patience, confidence, and most of all how to connect and relate to my students.  I've made a point to get to know each and every one of my students and to understand their background, goals (both personal and professional). 

Although it is a huge time commitment and makes for extremely LONG Mondays, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything else.  If everyone who has taken classes could have the opportunity to teach their own course, they'd see it through a completely different lense.  Things I would change, I'd make more eye contact with my professors and be more engaged in class.  I would appreciate the time and effort that goes into preparing the course materials and grading.  I would see the professors more as people, rather that just an orator.

Have you ever taught a course?  Did it teach you any surprising lessons?

Until next time,

Amy

The Winds of Change are A' Blowin!

For those of you still stuck in the winter doldrums, don't despair.  Not only have we experienced unseasonably warm weather for the past few months, but spring basically arrived in February this year.  Its odd, but warmly comforting.  Along with spring has sprung tons of good news.  Good things are happening all over the place.  Try to take a moment, look around, (if you can see through the thick haze of pollen) and be thankful. 

Sparkles!!

What happens when you pile 13 lovely ladies into a mansion in Charleston?  Fun times!!!  Here are some things that I learned during this remarkably fun bachelorette weekend for my friend Sarah B.:

1. Sparkles are IN!!!  Out of the 13 girls, I'm pretty sure at least 10 were wearing sequins on our fancy night out!!  (Including me...as evidenced by the above photo!)  Coming from someone like me who enjoys the shinier things in life...this is a trend I will be embracing!!!
2. 13 women can co-exist in one house without any drama transpiring!!!  This may have been a miracle!!
3. My friends are all ridiculously beautiful!
4. If we pay for something...we will use it!  (As in the rooftop infinity pool.)  Yes, it was February and extremely windy, but we were determined to utilize that awesome amenity!!!  Who cares if we had to sink down to where the water came up to our noses just to avoid the freezing wind!!
5. Our brains have an odd knack for remembering all of the lyrics to songs that we listened to nearly 15 years ago!!  Why and how does this happen?!
6. Bachelorette parties are way more fun without all of the silly trinkets, veils, buttons, etc! 
7. I love to do hair!!  And its quite possible that I might be decent at it!!
8. Mexican brunch trumps working out.  Don't ask me how I know this. : )

So this blog may seem rather random, but I felt it was worth sharing!! : )  I have fun recipes and more crafty blogs to share, soon!!

<3 Amy Lizabelle

Book Club!!

As the most voracious reader I know, I've always wanted to be a part of a real book club!!  I'm so thrilled to say that it is finally coming to fruition!!  The 'club' meets for the first time next week. 

At this point, I am approximately halfway through the book.  I've been holding myself back from reading the book too early because my memory of books and movies is ridiculously short term!! 

So far, I'm a fan of this book and would highly recommend it!  The pic above should be linked to Amazon, if you want to read a description of the story line.

I would love for you to share some of your favorite books with me!  I would love to line up my next 'must-reads'!!!  Leave me a comment with your book or author recommendation!!

Me Running??! I know...

Okay, most of you that know me well would not consider me a runner.  That's probably because it is one area where I am ridiculously weak.  Well, in the spirit of exploiting my weaknesses and trying to turn them into strengths...I joined my friend Paula in training for a half marathon.  A little excessive??...probably.  But, that's how I roll.  All or nothing. 
We are officially in our 4th week of training....out of 12 weeks.  We successfully completed the longest run that I've ever done in my life (yes, ever) on Sunday.  The best part about this...Paula and I have been talking about running or working out together on the weekends for years.  This is the first time its ever happened...and it was perfection!  Luckily (this could be the wrong choice of words...not sure that either of us consider our short legged-ness a blessing...), we both have unusually short legs, so we run about the same pace.  Please do not ask me what that pace is...hahaha
This is both scary and nerve wracking because it has catapulted me out of my comfort zone.  Me running 12 plus miles per week?  Shut the front door!  I secretly panic each time I walk out the door to complete a run.  But, the feeling of accomplishment that I have when I return is unbelievable.  Take that self doubt!  Amy-1, Self Doubt-0.  Boom!

Check out Paula's take on our running experience...and her other hysterical blogs!  We're considering a 'before' and 'after' picture posting after our next run.  We may need to mark that blog for mature audiences only!!

Paula's Blog!!

Enjoy!!

Amy

UNC Basketball

I realized that my posts can be quite random.  However, I want to give you a little insight into yours truly.  There is only one thing that I love more than UNC Basketball games...and that is getting to sit mere feet away from the basket during a game!!  (Okay, that was overly dramatic.  I should say that UNC basketball games are my favorite sporting event...not the love of my life! lol)  I literally had to zoom my camera out in order to include the goal in my pictures!! 
Although, I can remember being an avid UNC basketball fan all the way back to the 5th grade, I've never experienced anything like last night's game.  We went to a pregame event where the team practices where we enjoyed free food and beverages.  Its the little things folks...we were able to take our free bottled waters into the stadium.  What a victory!  They are $4 at the concession stands! teehee 
 Then....here comes the good part...we were actually able to come THROUGH THE TUNNEL that the team comes through onto the court!!  We didn't time it quite right, so we went through the tunnel along with the Georgia Tech players, but nonetheless it was an amazing experience.
We literally were on the court as the teams were practicing.  I had to post a picture so that I could share this experience!!

I had to hold myself back from singing the refrain from 'Oh Happy Day' at the end of this crazy weekend!  Yep, I said it.  Laugh at me if you must.

Still smiling,

Amy Lizabelle