The (Not-So) Ordinary Life and Times...

Family Reunion

So it wasn't a real family reunion, but Drake Choir was my family for four years, so the reunion was like going home. I really miss my Des Moines girlfriends too, so another kind of family was reunited as well

Friday night was girls' night out, and I got to see all my favorite friends from Des Moines. I was telling Dan the other day the only thing I would miss about Omaha would be Whole Foods. My friends told me that Des Moines is getting a Whole Foods this summer!! I would love to move back to Des Moines, but that just sweetens the pot :)

I miss these girls so much, and I love hanging out with them! It was a Coach girls reunion, too!

Me, Bonnie and Leah

The beautiful Lani, who graciously let us stay at her place for the weeend!

 

I guess this means it was a good night!

Lani, Dan and I went to Baby Boomer's for breakfast on Saturday morning. This is the restautant that President Obama always visits when he's in Des Moines for a chocolate chip cookie. It was pretty darn good!

I then went to my dear friend Ellen's jewelry boutique, Leona Ruby. This boutique is absolutely darling. Everything is white and grey, and the jewelry and accessories is of course amazing. I bought a pair of navy pearl studs, a fun flower for my hair and a pair of camera earrings for Christina.

Then it was of to Drake for a reception, rehearsal and concert. It was surreal to be back on Drake's campus, back in Sheslow auditorium, standing on the risers with my folder and music in front of Dr. ABC, and so good to see these people again.

Sorry for the not-so-great picture on these videos, I was more concerned with capturing the audio.

  

 Os Justi

 

 

Shenandoah

 

The concert was great, and of course, the trek to The Lift was inevitable.

Marcus came from Boston just to see me. Or probably for Dan, realistically.

The Hoff. How could you not love someone who speaks fluent German and has spent the night at ABC's house!?

Sweta Soni. A little slice of heaven.

 

I miss all of you terribly, and hope that it isn't another four years before I see you all again!

New Music: Foster The People

Loving "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster The People:

 

Sensory Heaven!

I'm very excited to announce three things.  First, this is my 200th blog post! There are maybe ten people who actually ever read this, but hey, we're a small and mighty crowd. I just feel lucky that ya'll care about me :)

Second, I'm super into an Irish band called Two Door Cinema Club. They've been around for a while, but sort of recently are releasing music in the US. The are signed to the French label Kitsune and their songs are so catchy, you wont be able to stop tapping your foot and humming. My two favorites right now are "Something Good Can Work" and "What You Know." Enjoy, your ears are thanking you! 

  

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And last but certainly not least, Magnum Ice Cream has finally launched in the US! I first had a Magnum bar when I was in Mexico when I was 16. I continued to enjoy them on various Mexican and European vacations, raving about how good this ice cream was, and would eagerly seek them when I was abroad. While grabbing milk at the store last night, I passed the frozen section and lo and behold, Magnum bars stared back at me through the frosty glass.

Magnum officially launches 6 flavors of their delicious treats today. Go eat one!

Going Gaga, Bachelorette fun and Mexico horizon

A lot has gone one since last post (duh, winning)!

I got Dan James Taylor tickets for his birthday, so we went to see James Taylor play with his son Ben Taylor on the 1st. It was a great show, and the 7th row seats didn't hurt :)

We went to Des Moines for a weekend to see some friends. Our original plans fell through, but I still got to see Bonnie and Lani and we had a really fun time.

After grabbing some pizza at Goodnights on St. Patrick's Day, Christina and I went to see Lady Gaga at the Qwest Center and it was an amazing show! Every move was so calculated. The costumes and sets were larger-than-life, of course, and I was pleasantly surprised that she sounds amazing in concert, just as good if not better than her stuio albums. Other than the fact that we were in the highest section, honest-to-God last row of the entire building, we had a blast! The people watching is always entertaining as well :)

 

 

 
Erin is getting married in three weeks, so Megan hosted her bachelorette party at Urban Wine Company on Saturday. Good wine, good food and we had fun with all the ladies that attended. Megan asked if I would make some cake pops as a favor for guests, so I made some vases to hold them in as centerpieces.

 

 

 

I'm getting really excited to head to Cabo San Lucas in a few weeks! Must get to the gym...if I could only kick this cold....

Also, if your recipe calls to puree something in a blender, make sure you know how to remove the canister from the base before you start. Or else you end up with pureed potato soup all over your kitchen and a very watery soup base. Just a little nugget of knowledge for later.