it's a meal in itself!

Anyone who watches CSI knows that you have to see it from the very start.

CSI is my current background noise/main focus when commercials aren't on.

I love this show, but ONLY Vegas. Miami does not do it for me, but I don't loathe it.

However, I disdain New York. I will never watch a CSI New York. Although I love this show, I will most likely never be watching SVU, NCIS, or any other thing that is like CSI. I just love it.

I naturally find myself going against mainstream. Music is really the only exception (some clothes/shoes of course). But most of the time if it's popular, then I immediately do not like it. Let's give a few examples of things that are just way to overdone for me to even bother to start to trying liking them now.

1) Twilight. Forget it. I don't care HOW good you tell me it is, I just have no desire to be a part of it. I am willing to pass it up for the sake of everyone being obsessed.

2) Harry Potter: Yeah, sorry. I hear these books are amazing, but lets get real, I'm not about to start settling in for a 6+ book series just because everybody else tells me "I just have to".

3) Peace Signs: This USED to be great--when no one wore them. Now you can't go anywhere without seeing peace signs all over it. They are all over every girls shirt, pants, jewelery. I'm just done with it. It doesn't work out to my advantage because I used to wear a ton of peace sign stuff. Now it's hyped up like crazy.

The list goes on, but you get the idea.

This week has been pretty good. There were a few (+) & (-) things.

(+)

1) Seeing Phoenix and Chairlift and front row last night! Eric and I saw them at the Aragon and it was such a GREAT show. It has been awhile since I've seen a show that great!

2) Having a good skate on Tuesday. It's important to me that I skate at least once a week, even though thats not nearly enough. I would like to be skating 3-4 days a week for at least 2 hours a day. Unfortunately, it's not possible at all with my schedule. My jumps are getting more height and spins are pretty good.

3) I purchased my favorite bread from the bakery today. It is scrumptious even though it's just normal white bread. They have such a variety though that I'm always tempted to get something like Apple Cinnamon or Strawberry Banana. Next time I will :)

4) Curb Your Enthusiasm premiere was on Sunday night. Eric and I went to his parents house to watch it. I love that show and I'm glad I have a new season to tune into every Sunday!

5) GOING TO HENRY'S HOTDOGS! So good. I've been going here for years and I love it. Eric and I went on a Sunday on a daytrip :)

(-)

1) I had to miss ballet. I love ballet and only have it one day a week. However, it was skipped to go to the Phoenix/Chairlift show. In retrospect, missing ballet was totally worth it. I will just have to practice more to try and makeup for it.

2) Classes. Enough said.

3) Only have one day of skating. Like I said, the more the better. The lack of working out kills me. I'm pretty active and eat pretty healthy, but still, I like a workout here and there to make me feel better. Especially skating.

4) Already having spent a lot of my paycheck. Of course $180 went to a bill and other things (food, unfortunately!) Oh well. I worked some good hours last week so that will make up for it!

Overall, the week was pretty good. Complaints are small and were overridden by better.

Classes, work, and weekend bliss starts tomorrow!

Cannot wait! Have a great one!

-Tessabee

the best times happen while wearing red.

a neat music vid I found this morning ; enjoy!

Ballet starts in one hour.

Actually less than that--it starts in 57 minutes.

Here is me starting a blog post.

I've been caught up in habit. I do the same things over and over without intending to.

I try to do a lot all at once. My brain is scattered. It's okay--I'm happy as a person,

it's just my brain that's all over the place.

If I were able to get into my car, start it, get out of the driveway, pick out a CD, and put on sunglasses all at once we would be getting somewhere. Unfortunately that is not the case. I am so picky about my music that I will sacrifice promptness in order to have great tunes for the road.

Classes consumed my day today. They were kind of a snooze. I am glad I do not have work tonight because I need to get crackin on some readings. My classes are JUST starting to pick up. Unfortunately I've gotten in this nice little groove where I don't have a ton of work to do and can mostly just get by with little to no effort. I knew that would change soon. I just need to really start focusing and things should be fine.

On a completely different note; I am DREADING winter yet somewhere in me wants to welcome it with open arms. I think it will be a cheery winter. I am looking forward to Christmas and everything looking gorgeous outside after everything has been sprinkled with snow. I also am excited for my winter wardrobe. Not that it's anything snazzy, it's just a change of pace and I love pullin out the boots and sweaters. However, I will REALLY miss opening my windows to let the breeze pour in or taking long walks. That is what I will miss the most is my long walks. Maybe I will find the desire to bundle up and trudge in the cold, but probably not.

I don't really know why I posted. But yeah. YAY! Ballet soon!

check this out: kinda cool

"...with club sauce."

Another great weekend was had along with a good week.

Last week was pretty much the usual. Nothing too exciting happened.

The week ended with me having class all morning on Friday, going straight to work, and then going out afterwards. Eric and I grabbed a bite to eat and headed back to his place Friday night.

Saturday was great! I convinced him to go to Greek Islands with me. He had gotten really sick at the downtown location and I was so worried that I would talk it up to much and something would happen to make it a bad experience for him--(don't you just hate it when that happens?). However, instead of the bad happening, it was a great experience. I love that place and just knew that everyone that goes there just loves it. I haven't been going there since I was months old for nothing! After lunch, we decided to get some walk action in at Oakbrook Mall. We bopped around--not really shopping for anything in particular but of course we bought things--I must admit, some very wise purchases were made! No regrets on that end. After we left the mall 2 or so hours later, I had an odd desire to both play some mini golf and get some batting cage time in. So luckily we were able to find a place close to Oakbrook and did that for awhile. I guess you would be able to say we were the front runners in the Acura Championship for golf. It was rivals with the BMW Championship that goes on the same weekend... It was a good game for sure and it has been forever since I have done batting cages. I was glad we were able to get out and enjoy the sunshine on Saturday. Not too many gorgeous days left this summer! Gotta utilize!

Sunday was fantastic because we had all day plans in the city. Rodan--our new found breakfast place in the city would be our first stop. It was more like a brunch because we arrived in the city around 12:30. After breakfast we cruised over to the beach and had a few drinks at the restaurant there. There were so many sailboats on the lake and everything was so blue. I know it's silly, but everytime I'm on the lakefront, I can't help but think of it as a sea. It's really enjoyable and I love spending time down there. After our drinks we just walked along the lake and we had the idea to rent some bikes and see lakeshore that way. I had so much fun with that! I have never ridden a bike in such nice scenery! Normally I'm just going around my neighborhood which is always a snooze. It was such a great day out too. We got lucky with a beautiful weekend! It's funny how the mundane becomes so exciting when you are in a new and unfamiliar place. I ride my bike all the time, but change the background and it makes all the difference. After our bikeride we went across the street to make our 6:00 pm reservation forCafe Spiaggia. A few weeks ago we went to Spiaggia. The cafe is much more laid back, quicker, and very affordable. Spiaggia on the other hand is a 3+ hour meal, very classy, and not what you would call cheap. It was a nice change of pace. I am ABSOLUTELY in LOVE with the gnocchi they have with the wild boar ragu. I love everything about that dish. We both enjoyed dinner, spent a little more time together, and then it was time to head back to Naperville.

I didn't have to much going for today. I had classes in the morning and I knew the only big thing I had to do was get some laundry done and clean up my room a bit. I HATE doing laundry. I don't think anyone really likes it. I get irritated with myself when I see the stack just getting higher and higher and I just keep putting it off. It's not a good habit, but in the end, I get it all done. I like maintainence and efficiency. I also get irritated when these two things are not always going on. Oh well--it got done today!

Tomorrow is work--yay! When I have a few days off, I really enjoy going back. I also get to skate tomorrow which will be good! I am exhausted right now . It's been a busy weekend. I'll leave you with a picture from Sunday :) See what I mean about how blue it is?!

Have a good week!

"I think of having tea everytime I see the shoes too."

Hello there!

I am starting to forget what the weekends look like in Naperville. Trust me, I'm not complaining!

I spent this weekend in Indianapolis. Eric and I stayed at the Westin downtown.

For dinner was Capital Grille.

We were both expecting it to be better for its reputation it has of being a great place.

It was a good night overall though.

In the end we'll probably blame it all on Indianapolis and it's cluster of chain restaurants.

Ha ha. Poor Indianapolis--It hasn't been doing too well on the score card...

However, Greenfield, Indiana was quite the pleasant suburban area. Pretty Indiana. There we go! There was a suprise party for his cousin and that was a good time. It was nice to meet family, mingle, and see different faces. It was nice to spend a weekend away somewhere new too. Last weekend was Chicago, this weekend was Indianapolis, and we're still trying to muster up something for this weekend! I'm determined to pick out something fun to do because it's my turn to pick. EEK! Pressure, pressure! :)

So I've been dying to talk more about my adoration for tea. It has been increasing more and more. It's most likely because that visit I had to Tea Gschwendner got me all crazy hooked on seeing it and smelling it before I buy. It's also a huge perk not to have to pay shipping like I was when I was ordering offline. I've tried about 4 new teas in the past two weeks.

Blood Orange

Peach Melba

Earl Grey Creme

Anna's (a raspberry yogurt flavor)

I love getting people on the "tea train" too, as I like to call it. I think it's much easier to drink than water most of the time and with all the unique flavors I've been getting my hands on, I'm practically boiling a new pot of water every hour when I'm home. I think I should wait awhile before I head over to Teavana or Tea Gschwendner anytime soon considering I have about 6 tins of tea in my cabinet...not a bad thing!

I am also an official member of the American Meteorology Society; the student chapter. Today was our first meeting. There is a symposium coming up in November--a 3 day event. I really want to go but I just am not sure if I could get work off and it's kind of pricy. However, it's all related to severe weather so I think I would really dig it. We will have to see. If I request off now, i might be a lucky duck and get the time off. I bought a new radar (RADAR SCOPE) application for my phone. That makes 6 weather apps. It's making life a little easier. I was always wanting radar on my phone, especially with base velocity. Good stuff!

This week brings the usual; classes, ballet, skating, and work.

Ballet and skating are both going pretty well. I'm happy with ballet especially. I have really fallen in love with it. I love the movement and how tough it is and how much strength it requires, but how beautiful it looks. I am going to start going to a school for it and take longer classes. I have ballet tomorrow night. I skated this morning though for an hour and a half. I guess it went pretty well. My jumps were really good today and my spins were just okay today. I'm focusing a lot more on edge work these days. I feel that if I rely more on my edge and learn how to use them more efficiently then I would be able to make things more sharp and consise with elements. I want to get into ice dancing. Take a look at some good ice dancing HERE. Impressive stuff, folks!

I'll anticipate the weekend for a nice break from the usual! Have a great night!

-Tessabee

"That was plums!"

Where to even start?!

It has been quite awhile since I have blogged.

Last week at this time I would have been (well, working) but looking forward to seeing

Modest Mouse.

It seems like one thousand things have happened since then. I suppose that is pretty accurate.

The highlight would have to be the wonderful weekend I spent in the city.

I got whisked away to the W on Lake Shore Drive!

What a unique and fun experience.

I have never done anything like that.

The weekend included some of my favorites!

1) Spiaggia. Two words. Damn Delicious.

2) Art Institute of Chicago

3) Lake Shore walking. Especially because on Sunday the waters were quite rough!

4) Room service!

5) A lot of good laughs

6) Fantastic room view (31'st floor overlooking the lake)

It was something to gush about that is for sure! It was hard to snap back to reality today and drag myself to classes at 9am this morning. My classes really do seem like a joke.

I say this because they are 50 minutes long. If there is any form of discussion, what we actually need to learn gets pushed off. I also hate that I ordered my books online because I really need them and feel mentally unprepared for a class unless they are in my possession.

You know what I do not get? Why people buy books aware of the fact they are not going to read them. I also do not get why people sign up for classes if they are just going to sit and text or walk in 20 minutes late to class. I try and make the most out of it. I feel good about that atleast. Anywho, I just hope my books get here soon!

I am exhausted! Hopefully I can squeeze in a quick skate tomorrow and head to work at two. I am excited to get back to decorating :) It seems like it has been forever!

Have a wonderful week! Hope you have something exciting planned!

You should be more Modest, Mouse!

A good amount has already happened to me this week.

This is not a bad thing I suppose. I like having a set schedule and something to do each day.

Note; I will regret saying this I'm sure at some point during the semester.

Let's delve into the early part of the week:

Monday: I started classes. I normally am really excited for school to start, but I was just not really in that mode of thinking. I will get acclimated and things will work out fine. I am taking five classes this semester, but only have four classes on Mondays and Fridays and five on Wednesdays. They are short and sweet so that is a huge perk, plus they all mildly fascinate me--the subjects that is. I can dig history, especially stuff I can remember or things I know a good deal about already. Nutrition? Of course, that's right up my alley. Ethics, business math, geography--all applicable things. I also am glad that I am out early. After school, I headed to work where I unexpectadly got out at twelve twenty a.m. That turned into a late night, but I'm glad I worked the long hours. I need the dough.

Tuesday: A day off. A day to really do nothing, except Modest Mouse at night. So I slept in a little bit, headed to the mall, scoped out an outfit, and headed back home to get ready for the show. I did so, got scooped up, and headed to the city. We arrived midway through the opening band which was a smart move. I never feel compelled to see first act unless I know it's going to be really worth it. We had a few drinks and found a good spot on the floor. The show was REALLY good. I was really happy with it. I was not a huge Modest Mouse fan a few weeks ago, I will be honest. I was asked to go to the show and I really wanted to check it out. I am really glad I did. I also am glad that I listened to a good deal of Modest Mouse a few days before the show to prepare myself. I like to atleast be exposed to an album or two than going and not knowing what to expect. It was a wonderful night and I would see them again if they came around :)

Today: Goodness. Up at 7:10, classes from 9-1, Whole Foods lunch, nutrition class, home, ballet, home, long walk. Ballet takes it out of me. I practically releve'd for forty five minutes. Poor legs. Oh well, it's worth it in the end. I am exhausted. I am pretty determined to get some good stuff done for classes. So hopefully I can utilize tonight.

I have an odd desire/craving right now for cheesecake-a good solid cheesecake. YUM! I haven't had good cheesecake in awhile--maybe years! Or a orange vanilla smoothie kind of thing. Good thing we have oranges and Vanilla ice cream! Bonus! Because it's just the worst when you want it and it's not readily available. I guess that will be the easiest craving of the two to cure.

OOOO! Tropical Storm Danny? A little tropical action and the weather channel is on that and only that until it disapates. This seems to be a quick one though. It might not even organize properly, but if it does it will definately affect the states. It might either way. I love tracking these things, seeing the impacts along the way. It's just interesting how weather moves in such large systems and how one system can cause so much destruction. Storms are beautiful and devestating. Anywho!

I should get some work done. Have a great night and enjoy the week!!

-Tessabee

Tropical meteorology;You're great!

Looks like it's that time again.

Yep. That time.

The time where I start kind of freaking out about school.

Summer is over.

School starts the twenty fourth.

I am normally a really relaxed person, but school stresses me out.

I really want to get A's.

Math alone. Scares me senseless.

I mean...THEY THINK I KNOW BASIC ARITHMATIC!?

Good God. Who are they kidding?!

I will admit I am mathematically INEPT. I cannot comprehend math. I like geometry, but that's shapes and shapes are everything we see. Geometry is way easier for me to conceptualize. Algebra? x-y? WHAT? When counting, my fingers are a necessity. How sad. I wish I were a math phenomenon.

However, I'm right brained. Give me an open stage, a spotlight, and some music or lines.

I'm too energetic for things like math. It's just how it goes. BUT I WILL TRY!

I have some other courses I am anticipating besides my Business math (which really should be a snap).

1) Ethics. BONUS. Bring on the debates.

2) History in depth from 1945 to present.

3) Cultural Geography

4) Nutrition for food professionals.

I'm looking forward to it I guess. I have to get some notebooks and pens/pencils. I am a little disappointed. See, I really wanted 2009 to be the year of the pencil. I came across these AWESOME glitter pencils (see here)

So I buy these pencils and I declare "Hey, everyone! It's the year of the pencil!". I ditched the notion of my previous mechanical pencil adoration and love for ink and moved on to the trusty pencil. Yeah, so NONE of the pencil sharpeners at C.O.D. work. Really?! The toilets flush on their own but you cannot install adequate sharpeners?! Weak Sauce. New pens and pencils are to be bought very soon.

So I have completely ignored my Phish concert experience.

IT WAS PHENOMENAL. This was a great show. It was Tuesday Aug. 11.

I know awhile ago, but I feel it definately deserves a little recognition.

Setlist:

I: Kill Devil Falls, Sample in a Jar, Ocelot, Paul and Silas, Windy City, The Curtain With, Train Song, Gumbo, Heavy Things, Time Turns Elastic
II: Backwards Down The Number Line> Carini, Gotta Jibboo, Theme from the Bottom, Wilson, Also Sprach Zarathustra> Chalkdust Torture, Harry Hood, The Squirming Coil
E: Loving Cup

This show was packed full of great songs and the crowd was a great one. They were in a jammin mood for sure and they played some great songs. WILSON! I cannot even believe they played it! Loving Cup too, WOW! Harry Hood! GOTTA JIBBOO! HEAVY THINGS! AH! I get so excited just thinking about it (I am sure you noticed). We were in Toyota Park and since it's a soccer field, we opted to buy seats because the floor would all be level, we wanted to really see the show. This was a GREAT move. We were able to have an angle view down onto the field and see all the activity. The whole field was covered and all the seats were filled and it was a perfect night. We were really lucky! During a piano solo everyone had the lighter flick goin and to look down at the crowd and see all the lighters and glowsticks in the air, I love seeing music bring people together and how it makes you feel so powerful and part of something. It was such a wonderful evening.

Wow. What an all over the place post. Sorry about the un-organized thoughts. But if our thoughts were all organized then what's the point of blogging? So all in all' I love Phish, I am nervous/anxious about school starting again, and I thought I loved glitter pencils but sharpeners hate me.

Enjoy the weekend!

Hope classes don't start just yet for you & you can still enjoy more summer freedom!

-Tessabee

these are my twisted words.

It has been too long.

What happened to my determination to type out my thoughts 3 or more times a week?

I don't know where that determination went, but it's starting to tap on my shoulder again.

Today is a day for all times. A real summer day. I just put Quadrophenia on.

See what I mean?

All I can really say is that A LOT has happened to me in the past week. A rather whimsical situation if we are finding words for it. I am not sure if whimsical is the right word, but the word brings to mind magical little things, a serendipitous occurance, or something you would find in a Disney movie. Where all is happy, bright, right, and sing-songy. So whimsical it is. Things have made their shift and I feel everything that happened is for the best. I am more than content.

I am truly living in a movie.

The script is all made up as we go...

but everything seems to flow so well as if it were strategically pieced together by the best writers & directors.

I have heard it all before, but I haven't felt it all before.

It was so easy to decide yet so hard to be sure.

I feel good. I will trust my instincts.

Places I have been in the past two weeks: (including pics from N. carolina)

one. for lunch

two. for music

three. for my beloved tea I feel that this deserves a few words. I am so glad that I finally went here. I love their tea. It's really unique and all of them are delicious. I have only ordered online from them before but I am glad I actually made an in-person visit. That way you are able to smell the tea and have it all right away without shipping and handling.

Go see 500 Days Of Summer.

North Carolina:

A random hike we took. Near the Indian Reservation in that area about an hour from Hendersonville

This was taken in Greenville, South Carolina.

The waterfall was in the middle of town.

Under the waterfall

Overlooking the waterfall

Coyote Ugly!

Updrafts were a big part of my trip.

Those are the ones worth seeing, I suppose.

I'm glad I took a long walk today to soak up a few rays today.

I'm off to enjoy the rest of my day.

I hope you enjoy yours too!

accidents waiting to happen.

Summing it all up...

(N. Carolina trip minus pictures.)

Wow. I feel like I need to update--finally. It's been too long. So last week was spent in North Carolina. Meredith and I took off in her '93 black accord with no A/C to North Carolina. Minimal stops were made. 1 stop for gas and we ate across the street at Steak 'N Shake. We ended up getting to our destination (her house in the Smokey's) around 10:30 pm. It was very odd because I felt like I knew this place so well. There was no fault in my memory of what the whole town/area looked like. I enjoyed the trip so much last year. I was excited just to return to the place that was so perfectly imprinted in my mind.

I was dying to get out of my town, get a change of pace, some new scenery for awhile. I think that this trip was a little different this year because last year it was all so new to me. I had never stayed up in the mountains or really even gone up in any mountain ranges--ever. I was enthralled with all the trees that grow so sneaky from the rocks that are pushed up high over the ground, the trails that weave so nicely through the woods, and the open land that graced the surrounding town. I was also happier last year. Happier in the sense that I was refreshed from returning from Malta & Germany. I was so in awe with new experiences and new territory. I wanted to explore it all. When I had a chance to go to North Carolina last year to stay in the Smokey's, I couldn't wait to see what lingered there for me. This year has been very redundant, not just on this trip, but this summer. Given, I fill my time with things I enjoy, it's just the same things I enjoy--all the time. This strips the fun away. All in all, second times around fall short to the first times. But of course, there were some great times on this trip. Some highlights...

Meredith and I headed to Asheville for a day, ate at the amazing Mellow Mushroom Pizza, and visited shop after shop of funky clothes, handmade accesories, decor, and unique shoes. I love the surrounding of Asheville. Very laid back/hippy-esque. Good, Good.

Of course we found the hookah bar in town. We got acquainted with the owner and enjoyed the space of the place. It was a really nice hookah bar. I have been in some nice hookah bars, but some of them are more dim, music blasting, black furniture, etc. This was different because the decor was all different but went together so well. On every table were conversation/coffee table books and games to play while you enjoyed the smoke. It was very well ran. We made two stops there on the trip.

Eating at a lil place called The Purple Onion. Meredith and I came across this because I wanted to go out to eat and get a Greek Salad somewhere and she searched food places in the area on her GPS. We were curious to see what kind of food they served so we called and found out they were a Mediterranean Cuisine. PERFECT. It was such a nice little place, great art on the walls from local artists, and they had a great staff of people.

We saw Funny People. It was enjoyable. Very long, but good. We spent a good amount of time in Wal-Mart, just to pass time. Another thing about this year was that it seemed like last year we stayed in more, had more things planned with her family, and didn't spend nearly as much dough. This year was mostly Mere and I getting away for awhile to explore towns around and new scenery. We hiked so many of the surrounding trails last year that we just kind of wanted to avoid it and go out more. We skipped across the border and into South Carolina for an afternoon. We went to Greenville and spent time in the downtown area. Very beautiful, especially the waterfall that is in the middle of town. It's gorgeous. The shops in the downtown area are all very unique and the restaurants looked amazing. I would go back.

On the way back we decided to stay in Nashville for the night with her sister. I've been to Nashville before but haven't realy explored the downtown area. Let me tell you now; I hate country music. I think it is awful. So going to downtown Nashville was interesting, but a good experience overall. One of my favorite parts of the trip?? DANCING ON THE BAR IN COYOTE UGLY! Loved it. Love performing/entertaining. If I would have known I was going to danced I would have dressed up better and brought my cowboy boots. Oh well, such is life. Spur of the moment is better.

A good trip overall. I enjoyed myself and it was good to get away. I need a change of pace once in awhile. However it is good to be back. Work resumed today and it went really well. Tomorrow is ballet and Phish! I am very excited! I just hope the rain stays away!

Have a Great day!

-Tessa

fusion.

North Carolina calls!

I am so excited!

I will be leaving tomorrow morning for North Carolina for one week.

Road tripping with one of my best friends, Meredith, to stay at her house there.

I am so excited to get away and be some place so different from here.

My whole mindset changes.

Thank God.

I need a change of pace.

pics from last year:

View from the Harner's porch.

Waterfalls we went hiking to. I hiked up there!

see here.

Fair Oaks Farm on the way!

Hope all goes as planned!

Have a great week everyone!