July 23: National Refreshment Day

My birthday was a few days ago. Since I had three lovely days off in a row (this is the only time this will happen until September), I went to visit one of my dearest friends from Portland to spend my birthday with her. We spent my actual birthday on the Oregon coast. It was the perfect day except everyone else had the same idea we had so it was quite crowded. But that's okay.

I got to frolic in the waves. I'm quite good at that.

I got to eat ice cream.

And I got my beloved sea foam. Never had it? You are missing out. It's a chocolate covered crunchy, light, brittle like thing. Pretty much the best ever. I can only ever find it at the beach. Or at specialty candy shops. I live for that stuff. 

So we celebrated my birthday with my family when I got back. I went to my favorite local Mexican restaurant. Where I ordered the birthday special drink.

What is the birthday special drink? That's a really good question. It's about 5 shots worth of various liquors (I actually have no idea what they are.) Then it's mixed with coffee, two cherries, and a lot of whipped cream. Then it's lit on fire and transferred to another glass. It's quite dramatic. I mean, a flaming alcoholic coffee drink?

Yes please.

So this was my refreshment of the day.

I have a video but it's too big to upload here. You will just have to take my word for it.

I do have an awkward photo to share though.

July 22: National Hammock Day

Have you ever seen a bear full of hammock? I mean a hammock full of bears?

Well, now you can say you have pretty much seen it all.

I'd like to introduce you to the handsome lad in the front. This is LB. He is visiting until the end of August from Sunny California.

Happy National Hammock Day!

July 21: National Junk Food Day

I'm not really the healthiest eater.

I mean, I eat a spinach fruit smoothie for breakfast each morning. And I have been eating a lot of spinach salads lately.

But then twice, in the last week, I've been guilty of eating a donut IN THE PARKING LOT of the athletic club. I don't even like drive down the street and then stuff that deliciousness in my mouth. I try to be sneaky. I make sure my car is parked in the opposite direction of the club. I wouldn't want someone to see me. But still...

I'm also addicted to coffee. Not just like regular black coffee. But like coffee that is loaded up with sugar.

I love chocolate.

And ice cream.

And fudge. And of course donuts!

Pretty much any dessert.

So in honor of today, I'm posting some pictures of my favorite junk food.

Enjoy!

Mud pie from Red Robins!

Caramel corn!

Pigs in a blanket!

Ice cream with sprinkles!

Chocolate zucchini bread!

Rice krispie treats!

Pie!!!

July 19: National Daiquiri Day

Yummmm daiquiris!

What a funny spelling for a word. And a little confusing.

I made strawberry coconut daiquiris for today! I decided to get a little fancy and put an umbrella in my drink.

Except dad got confused and drank the one with the umbrella, then he licked the umbrella so I didn't end up with an umbrella in the end. But that's ok. Next time I'll put an umbrella in both of them.

Dad excitedly stated, "They were very tasteful."

I'd like to thank Captain Morgan for his help in celebrating this day.

July 18: National Toss Away the "Should Haves" and "Could Haves" and...MY BIRTHDAY

One of my absolute favorite books (and movies) is The Great Gatsby. Something about it, draws me to it. And the reason I like the movie (the new one anyways) is NOT just because Leonardo DiCaprio plays the part of Jay of Gatsby. (That might have a little something to do with it though. That man, he is beautiful).

My favorite line: "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
- The Great Gatsby

This quote has intrigued me. And one day, it will be one of my tattoos. I know a lot of people have this tattoo, which is the only thing holding me back from getting one right now. I like to be different.

This quote reminds me that the past is important as it is often times is involved with what will happen in the future. And even if we are fighting to move forwards, there will be things holding us back. That's the boat fighting against the current. The future is trying to pull us back into the past. It's a never ending battle.

People always say to forget the past and move on into the future. But these two things, they can only exist with each other. In order to be a future, there has to be a past.

So I think it is important to learn from the past, and take that new knowledge into the future.

Now how does my semi-sane ramblings relate to today's post? Because today is about writing down things you "should have" or "could have" and throwing them away, and moving forwards. (But don't forget about them completely, they are things that make you, you.)

So I made a list of things I Should Have or Could Have Done

 
And then I crumpled it up and threw it out. (No, I am not going to let you see what I wrote.)

On a happier note, today was also my birthday! I spent the weekend in Portland with one of my dearest friends I have known since Kindergarten. We went to the beach.

The beach is my happy place.

And had an amazing mud pie ice cream treat.

And got in some puppy lovin' with this super sweet and rambunctious golden retriever pup, Poppy.

It was a good day to be alive.

July 17: National Yellow Pig Day

What the heck is National Yellow Pig Day?

Good question.

Very good question in fact.

I wasn't sure what day to celebrate today. Mom suggested I celebrate this day in honor of my dad who loves math.

Then it got ironic.

Because National Yellow Pig Day is about these two college students who became obsessed with analyzing the number 17.

My dad's absolute favorite number is 17.

When asked how long it will take to get somewhere the answer is always 17 minutes.

What is the estimated time of arrival: 8:17 or so on.

How long did we bike ride? 17 minutes.

I think you get the point.

It seems that these two college students decided to invent a "yellow pig" which has 17 toes, 17 legs, 17 teeth.....and so on.

I haven't seen this pig, but I'm pretty sure my dad's new mission in life is to find this yellow pig who has 17 of everything. 

July 16: National Personal Chef Day

My mom announced today that I am like the family's personal chef.

Oddly enough, I'm okay with that.

Although I would prefer to be a personal baker.

I know some people who just hate to cook. I look at it as an adventure. Because even if it turns out horrible, you can try again the next day and it's like it never happened.

And you don't even have to tell people about it if it turned out bad. But often times, this experience comes with a funny story. And funny stories are pretty much my all time favorite.

I would never want to be someone's personal chef. Except, I could be my own personal chef. :D

I would be okay with that.

I've been craving sushi lately. Probably because my brother and his girlfriend gave me a birthday card that had 3-D sushi on the cover.

I've never home made sushi, but somewhere in this house, we have a professional sushi rolling mat.

I think that's what I will make next.