3 am Royal Wedding? Completely Reasonable.

It may be the final days before finals and Boards, but nothing was stopping me from waking up at 2:45 am to watch the Royal Wedding this morning. I was joined by my roomies and friends, and there may have been tears.

I love weddings.

Thing 1: Kate Middleton may be a (former) "commoner" but she's a freaking stunner.

[source]

Thing 2: Sleeves on dresses aren't super-trendy right now, at least here in the U.S., and I know it was a requirement of having the ceremony in Westminster but oh my gracious this dress was gorgeous. Prettier because of the sleeves, I thought. And classy. I have a feeling sleeves are going to make a comeback.

[source]

Thing 3: During the hour time between the couple's arrival at Buckingham Palace and the kiss on the balcony - I went back to sleep, and set an alarm so I wouldn't miss it. During that time I had a great dream in which Kate and I were totally BFFs (first Natalie Portman, now her). I was invited to the wedding and got to wear a very lovely hat with a "fascinator." This may have been only a dream, but I do really want a trendy new hat. 

Thing 4: The balcony kiss. I'm glad I woke up for it. I'm such a sucker for people in love, it doesn't matter at all if they're strangers. Of the two kisses, the second definitely had a little more character, just seemed more spontaneous. 

Also, please notice in this picture tiny miss Grace van Cutsem on the left there. Not stoked. It's okay - it's been a long day, she's only 3. The palace has apparently made the official statement that she "felt poorly." You don't need to give us excuses - she's tiny and adorable and has been standing in front of billions of people all day. I'd cover my ears too. Shoot - I might just start screaming. 

[source]

After this I went back to sleep for a bit longer, even though it was past 5 am - usually I'd be up, but it's been a very lethargic study week. 

_______________________________________________

Back in real life, where I'm not friends with a Duchess/princess and I have to keep studying, it's actually been a really rough week. I'm just very frazzled, along with lots of my classmates I guess, but I'm coping poorly again. I really just need to listen to myself. I've already written about how much better I feel when I get exercise and don't eat too much junk, but I've just been rather in denial the past few days. 

Cashew butter and chocolate chips for dinner:

You thought I was kidding when I said that was dinner? No. It's been a rather unhealthy food week. I've not been fueling my brain very intelligently. I know better. 

Carrot cake ice cream. This flavor was kind of weird, but good, just heavy on the molasses chips. Fortunately, I do like molasses. 

Annie's Honey Bunnies. Don't get me wrong, this is a great product - but not if you eat the whole box in like 2 days. 

Rice Dream Mint Pie. Actually this was great...nice and portion controlled. I should really always buy my snacks this way. It has an interesting mix of textures, because it's like a chocolate covered ice cream sandwich. Cookie, ice cream, chocolate, mintyness - lots to love. 

Chocolate-covered cashews from the local market. It's a very nice smooth chocolate. Unfortunately that makes me want to eat them by the handful. 

Some recent better choices:

Baked Sweet Potato Rounds - Toss with oil and rosemary. Bake at 425 for 20 mins, flipping once.

Banana Coconut Chocolate SIAWG.

Three-Bean Dal (Vegan Planet).

I have grand intentions of being back to myself tomorrow. A proper run, better food choices. Perhaps a trip to the local coffee shop on my new bike. 

It will get better. After all, we're celebrating royal love today.

A Photo Ode to Bulk Bin Granola

Rainforest.

Raspberries and Cream

Cranberry Acai

Toffee Almond

A mix.

I heart bulk bins. 

Fulminant Finals Freakout Tuesday

Yeah that pretty much sums it up. Finals start in 5 days. I've lost it a little. I feel a little zombie-like. But like a good vegan, instead of brains to eat, I just want coffee. And anything dessert-like.

I don't even know where my day went, but it's gone, I guarantee I didn't learn enough and there are far far too many drugs to know for pharmacology.

On top of that, I've been snacking like there's a famine starting. Not the good healthy snacking, the emotional eating kind that ruins my appetite for my healthy meals and makes me feel blech.

Sunday I discovered I really like cinnamon Cheerios. Too much.

Last night for dinner I poured chocolate chips and maple syrup into a jar of cashew butter and ate it with a spoon. It sort of reminded me of when I was a kid and Mom would make rice crispy treats for dinner and tell us we had to have a piece of fruit first. So I ate an apple with my balanced sugar rush.

______________________________________

At least I'm rounding it out a little - I took my audio pathology review on a 4 mile run this morning, and today for the first time I took my new bike to school, and later to the grocery store. 

You know that phrase, "It's like riding a bike"? Turns out that applies to actually riding a bike as well. Despite the fact that I haven't really ridden in years, it's going pretty well. That said, my legs are TIRED. It's definitely a different set of muscles from running. 

Also, I learned I must tighten the seat screw very tightly when I adjust the height - it fell while I was riding today after I tried to change it. No problem really, it just made the ride back a little less comfortable. 

I'm still entertaining name suggestions - I have a few good ones in the running, I'm just waiting to get a better feel for her personality you know?

________________________________________

Easter Chocolate of the Day #3: Cashew Cluster. I think cashews are my favorite nut. 

I need some help - I know there's lots of finals going on right now, what's your best stress-coping strategy?

Yeah We Have Lots of Time to Garden.

My day was completely full of studying. Yawn. So...

______________________________________

Let's take a garden tour. It's super-short I promise.

This is my garden.

It has 3.75 plants and 4 billion weeds. Down from 6 billion before I weeded a corner on Saturday.

I successfully grow chives and mint:

Chives. 

Mint. 

I sort of grow thyme. 

What you don't see it?

I mark it with a stick, otherwise I'd never find it. It's not exactly thriving. 

And I would love to grow basil - unfortunately this is my latest attempt:

It sort of looks like a despairing housewife. If it were human I suspect it would attempt to overdose on Valium and Chardonnay. 

No will to live at all.

Gardening is one of those things I know just enough about to attempt - but not really enough to be successful, which is all right, because I certainly don't have time to keep up with a full garden. And the 90 degree days are just around the corner, which really ups the challenge. 

_________________________________________

Easter Chocolate of the Day: "Nugget" - I don't really know what that means, but it was caramelly-delicious. 

Can you help me save my basil?

You Have a Moment to Lift Your Spirits.

Just let the troubles go for a second. Listen to this.



On Saturday I posted my favorite hymn: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.

The version I found Saturday is great, but I this is infinitely better.

Oh, one more thing. I'd like to introduce you to my sister Shannon.

As you can tell, she's wicked good, and I'm wicked proud of her.

Happy Easter Blessings.

Today I'm celebrating the hope I have in the Resurrection of Christ.

It doesn't feel like a holiday though, because I spent it studying. Surprise surprise. Still, no pity parties when the King of the Universe died and rose to save me, yeah? Yeah.

Knowing I'd spend the day with the books, I attended a sunrise Easter service.

4:15 is early to wake up, even for me, but we had to have time to hike to the top of the mountain by 6. It was a lovely service though, the message was about hope.

First breakfast (6 am, mountaintop): Banana Peanut Butter English Muffin.

Second breakfast (8:15 am): Frozen Blueberry Granola Yogurt Bowl.

By 8:30 I was showered, done with second breakfast and working.

Eleven hours later, my brain can't take any more.

Thanks to my mom though, there is a ray of sunshine. An easter basket - in the form of a package in the mail.

Vegan Caramel Truffles!

My family loves me. And knows how much I like Indian food. 

Um. These are already gone.

Back to the chocolate.

Chocolate-of-the-day. Pistachio Caramel. A shockingly good combination. 

It's nice to have something to look forward to.

 Holidays always make me miss my family. I hope you all had a great Easter whether you're home or away.

Blessings,

Kari.