Ball Pit Experience

       It is like we are kids again! This is such a good video, who would have thought this would be so successful and interesting. The large balls have topics of conversations and activities for them to do together. The cameras are from a distant so they aren't acting. If you look at the comments some of the people involved commented about the experience.  Hope you enjoyed it! 

Google Chrome Applications

    So being that I am so bogged down with school work I decided to take the plunge and download a Google Chrome app called StayFocus.  It has worked for the most part, you have to be logged into your gmail account when you aren't logged in it does not keep track of you time on the website. 
      Other than that it's helped me limit my time on distracting websites. It put a clock on my Facebook account that keeps track of how long I have been logged on. I always lose track of time so this alone has been very helpful. The nuclear settings are apparently the best although I have yet to play around with those. It is worth checking out though. They have a twitter page @Stayfocused that answers any question you might have. But I highly recommend checking it out in your Google Chrome App! I just downloaded I-AM-STUDYING app, I haven't had a chance to test it out but am really excited to see how it works. 

WEEKEND!

Happy Friday!

Enjoy your weekend! Its been one hell of a week! 

My plans for the weekend include a practice GRE and 

studying for my TWO midterms next week! 

Sleepy Time

"Early to bed and early to rise makes a

 man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

  

     I don't know who said it but its true. I have discovered a new sleep pattern that optimizes my study time. I had two exams this week and three next week- Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Anyway trying to study while fighting the Z monster is not easy and I do my best work at night. Without going completely nocturnal I can sleep from 6-8pm, study from 8:30-12, sleep 12:30- 6:00am and begin my day all over again. So far its worked like a charm. My little nap is enough so I can focus at midnight but not to much that I can't sleep. I discovered this pattern on Monday when I had a headache from chapter but needed to study, so I napped from 8-10 and got so much done when I woke up. It allows for enough sleep with optimal study time which makes me wise.  

Ice Cream VS Chocolate Milk

     So Lent has began! I decided that giving up eating ice cream at least three nights a week was something I could do. With full intentions to go without ice cream for 40 days, I have began a new obsession- chocolate milk. It is sweet and fulfills my dairy craving. I probably drink 5 glasses a week. At the beginning I didn't see a problem with it but decided to do some research to make sure this was a healthy choice. Mind you ice cream was my guilty pleasure and my incentive for going to the gym or working out three times a weeks. 

Pros to chocolate milk (source) 

1) High Carb and Protein content which is fine if I worked out before but really do not need all of the carbs. Protein is something any 20 something gal always needs 

2) Improves the process of muscle repair and recovery which again is fine if I just worked out but not something I need every day. 

3) Optimizes Insulin, I don't have an insulin problem but it never hurts? 

4) Still contain the 9 essential nutrients that I get from regular milk. The 9 essential nutrients include- calcium, potassium, phosphorous, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin and niacin.

Pros to Ice Cream (source)

1) Taste Yummy- I love the texture 

2) Low Glycemic Index- won't spike your sugar levels.

3) Protein- about 10% of you daily intake. 

4) Currently they are working on a new brand of ice cream that will prevent certain cancers, aid in digestion and have good bateria for our stomach. 

All in all both taste great and satisfy my craving! 

Mardi Gras Around the World

Happy Mardi Gras! To my Catholic friends you know that today- Fat Tuesday marks the last day before lent. I have been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and that was a blast. But what I didn't know was how it was celebrated all around the world! Each country better yet each city has their own traditions and rituals! 






In Italy it is call Carnevale Festivals. This winter celebration that is full of parades, masquerade balls and other entertainment. The Carnevale has its roots in the pagan traditions and has evolved to more Catholic traditions. Ever wonder why masks are so popular in Venice? It is because of how important masks and costumes are during this celebration where majority of the famous masquerades take place! 
  

     Jump on over to Binche, Belgium, where they celebrate Carnaval de Binche on Fat Tuesday. During this festival local men called Gilles parade around town in  strange green-eyed masks and shaking sticks to ward off evil spirits. The Gilles and their ladies prance around town with baskets full of oranges. They throw oranges at the people as a symbol of summer, it is supposed to be bad luck if you throw one back- you are returning the gift. There are really strict rules and hundred year old  rituals. The entire city dances to the beat of the same drum- literally during this celebration! 

    Funny enough, Mardi Gras or Carnevale as the Brazilians call it is the most famous Brazilian Holiday. Rio de Janeiro is where the main party is- it has been called the Carnevale Capital of the world! The Rio Carnevale is 4 days long- roughly 40 days before Easter. Everybody celebrates this holiday- even those in the slums in fact they are usually the most involved. Samba schools (social clubs that make floats and put on a production) perform and gays and drags are also very involved. The roots are traced back to Greeks and Romans who celebrated the beginning of spring with masked parties- this tradition came to Rio in 1850. The celebration took a hiatus during WWII and began again in 1947. The festivities are in full force today! For more on Rio Carnevale check out this website! 




Happy Fat Tuesday, Rio Carnevale, Carnaval de Binche, Carnevale Festivals or Mardi Gras!!

Me and my freshman hall-mate celebrating Mardi Gras New Orleans Style in 2011! 

Chewy Oatmeal M&M Cookies

   So I failed to take pictures of each step but they were delicious. I brought them to a couple of superbowl parties and people LOVED them. I doubled the recipe and managed to make at least two dozen which was plenty! Anyway they are still really good, I highly recommend giving it a try. 



Chewy Oatmeal M&M Cookies

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 and 2/3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup mini M&Ms

In a large bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment or with a handheld mixer, cream the softened butter and sugars until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla and mix well.

Slowly stir in the baking soda, cinnamon, oats, and flour. Mix together until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in the mini m&ms.

Chill the dough for at least one hour in the fridge. Cookies will be very flat if the dough is not very cold. Between the batches be sure to keep the dough chilled. 

Preheat oven to 325F degrees.

Roll and drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 10-11 minutes and let cool on baking sheet for a minute or two before transferring to a wire rack.

Time Is On My Side

       Not really, I just really want a watch. My wrist is really small I have a really hard time finding a watch that looks right. Two years ago my wonderful boyfriend  bought me a Fossil watch but its leather is starting to look a little worn and really young. So I am in the market for a new one but am having a hell of a time making up my mind. If I had my way I would make a custom watch.  I love the rose gold although am scared it will clash with my silver pearl ring. So that makes me think that a two toned rose and silver would be awesome but Michael Kors does not make off that combination.  Ideally I would pick Michael Kors watch but I am never one to just buy the label, I have to find one I really love! So the following are in the running... 

It has everything I love but just looks kind of boring... 

Modcloth's great price but very trendy and not really my everyday look... 

I love the chocolate and rose but is it timeless? 

If I am paying the Michael Kors price it better be timeless.  

I love the face but really don't like the band. 

I don't know what to do!