#9

Today, I got a mini-physical by a nurse practitioner for my pre-employment health screen.

Lab work = BONUS!.....smiley face hot pink tape = DOUBLE BONUS

Now for that pap....

#38

Last Thursday, I cooked my very first Indian dish: chicken curry with basmati rice and naan.

The source

I love my knife

Marinating

Naan dough....my first time at dough so I had to watch how to knead

Pile of naan....recipe here

Cooking

Yummy

Not bad, but it was a lot of work, and I'm no chef...so for now, I'll stick to the pros at India Palace.

#19

Went to Maverick Library today and renewed my library card - on which I owed 70 cents since 2001.

Perusing aisles leads to.....checking out books

High-tech receipt = No more stamp the date on the back of the book?!

Anyways, let's hope it's not another 9 years before I check out another library book....but I have a feeling it will be at least 4 years.

#33

Last Saturday, I went ice skating with Sean and Vicki. The last time, I was 11 for a birthday party at Crystal Ice Palace, which I just found out is no more. Highlights of this activity - not falling.

Pairs figure skating

Mr. I'm-good-at-all-activities

Showing off in front of a fallen kid

Thanks Sean and Vicki!

#10 and #30

Wednesday, Rachel and I went to Austin to go Mount Bonnell and canoeing on Town Lake. Two things that I've always wanted to do while living in Austin, but never did.

The trek up Mount Bonnell was less than a work-out, but the view was spectacular!

What would have happened to Austin if the Mormons hadn't been flooded out?!

How many steps does it take to reach the top?

The peak

The views

Tankmates for life!

Downtown

We drove to Zilker park, where I parallel parked for the first time since my driving test. After forgetting sun screen, we picked up a canoe and rowed down Town Lake. Among other sights, we saw turtles, ducks, swans and their babies (looked it up - cygnets). Adventures included: picking up some booty (trash) and saving the day for a poor dog who lost its tennis ball in the river! :) Top it off with some snow cones!

Best steerer ever

Wearing my kiddie life vest

The day was completed with a late lunch at Shady Grove, where I drank a "Shady Thang" and ate a "Hippie Chick Sandwich."

YUM

It was an awesome Austin-packed day. Thanks Rachel!!!

#47

I brewed beer!

Last February with the Mr. Beer Kit that Eric got me, I began making a nice "Golden Lager." I know brewing beer should come naturally to me, but I actually had to follow directions.

Anyways, on to the brewing!

I stored the keg in my most obvious cool, dry place = the upstairs guest bathroom. Unfortunately, I'll probably only be able to make beer during the winter when it's cold....but there'll always be enough Shiner in the fridge no matter the season :)

After 2 weeks, came bottling/carbonation = add sugar and shake.


After another 2 weeks, the bottles went into the fridge for "conditioning."

And thanks to Felix for the name "Bruzo," combination of Bruce and Zoe.....(drumroll, please).....Bruzo Brew est. 2010! (You'll Get Smush-Faced)

Custom beer labels

So last Saturday, the moment of truth was upon us! Will it taste awesome? or like....just some bad beer?

Icy cold goodness

TASTES AWESOME!!!

Passing it around

CHEERS!!!

Cloudy or Clear....it tasted all good


We had to watch a beer-themed movie

Chugging... motivated by "Das Boot"....Ian won...but just barely ;)

I did plan on saving at least one bottle...but we drank it all....and it was very, very inebriating.....

And so the beer brewing was a total success! Thanks to all that came and drank! LONG LIVE BEER!!!

#12 and #17

Last Saturday, my best friend Kristen got married! ....To quote the very end of my poorly rehearsed toast: "To Kristen and Jon!"

Jon is awesome...and so is his cake

However the day before, w went to Spa D'sante, where I received a spa treatment AND 1 1/2 hour massage:

"body, sole & mind
Let us relax your mind with a sedating hot oil scalp massage, followed by a warm, gentle rinse. Then, let us take you away with a healing foot rejuvenation treatment followed by a one and a half hour rejuvenating body massage."


It felt really good....I can't remember anything other than that.