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Week in Review

written by Parita 6 Comments

Hello hello.  As I mentioned, I was in Chicago for work this week.  Luckily I made it back to Florida before the weather turned nasty.  Phew!  That could’ve been a huge disaster!  And now we’re on our way to Atlanta for a week before flying back up to Chicago for New Years.  So much travel this year!

This particular trip was a lot of fun.  While I was there for work, I got to spend some time with my best friend.  We hung out with a few other friends and reminisced about college.  Lots and lots of funny stories were shared.  I haven’t laughed that much in a long time.  It was much needed.

I also had the opportunity to attend another work holiday party.  It was so nice to finally meet people I email on a regular basis.  It’s cool to be part of a highly virtual organization, but nothing beats face-to-face interaction.

I didn’t take too many pictures this time around, but I can tell you this…lots of good food was consumed.  Chicago is really a food lover’s dream!

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Pad Thai from Big Bowl – YUM!

My boss also treated me and another co-worker to manicures after work.  We went the festive route.

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I consumed one Starbucks drink a day…I’m a daredevil!

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I described my perfect New Year’s dress to my friends on Monday night.  On Thursday I got a text from Roshni asking if I liked a dress they found while browsing at a store.  It turned out that the dress was exactly what I was looking for!  Thank you Roshni and Ankita!!!

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The back is the best part.  Oh and the 3/4 length lace sleeves.  Love!

Another friend sent me a beautiful link about 26 touching moments from 2012.  The tears were flowing Monday morning.  It’s nice to be reminded about all the good that exists in the world, especially in times like this.  Enjoy!

And finally, I want to share something my friend Monica sent me the other day.

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This made me laugh a lot.  Indians are obsessed with Taco Bell sauce packets.  We had several containers full of them growing up.  I’ve even seen households with entire drawers full of the colorful packets of spicy goodness.  Ha!

I hope you all have great weekend full of beautiful moments. 

Catch you later…from Atlanta!  Woot!

Written on December 21, 2012 Related:Food, Friends, Life, Travel

Gone for a Week

written by Parita Leave a Comment

I’ve been gone for an entire weekl!  Can you believe it?!  Not only did I not have the time to blog myself, I also didn’t have the time to read many blogs this past week.  Sad smile  Sad times!  I’ll catch up soon enough.

So, you know how I love life lessons (if you didn’t before, you do now).  Well, this week was full of them – both serious (or kind of serious) and funny.  I figured that for my first post back after a week away, I’d share some of these “lessons!!” Smile

1. Don’t leave packing for a week long trip to the last minute.  Trust me.  I did just that last week, and it was rough times the next morning.  Plan ahead, people, plan ahead!

2. Always bring snacks with you to the airport, if not an entire meal.  This especially holds true if you have connecting flights.  I absolutely hate airport food, and yet I always forget my own rule. 

3. Double check your company’s car rental policy.  There may be hidden perks you never knew about such as free upgrades to much nicer cars.  Otherwise, you’ll end up with a Kia that resembles something from the 1980s.  (Note to self – put on to do list for next trip).

4. Working in teams is never easy, but you know what really helps…listening!  I find that my listening skills are subpar sometimes, so I tried to work on that this week.  I maintained eye contact, asked good questions, and really internalized what people were saying.  It worked wonders!  Winking smile

5. Waking up in the morning and getting your workouts out of the way is the best way to go.  It was rough times getting up super early, but at the end of the day, I’m glad I did because evening workouts weren’t going to happen. 

6. Sometimes you have to give people second chances.  I actually wrote someone off after meeting them at our last training because of a misunderstanding.  Then at this training, I ended up having to work with them pretty closely for some activities, and we actually got along really well.  We shared personal stories and a few laughs.  I’ve actually find situations like this happening to me every now and then, and I think I’m finally getting it.  Smile

7. Vegetarianism has not taken the world by storm yet.  Bummer!  I just don’t get it.  The way I see it, meat eaters can eat vegetarian food, but vegetarians can’t eat meat, so why not provide at least one entrée option for the veggies in the group.  But no, I ate sides for lunch every day.  I feel like I need to make up for my major lack of protein – it was slim pickins’ I tell you. 

8. In one of our trainings, we learned about the different work personality types and how to deal with them.  For example, you have the naysayers, the gossipers, the 9-5ers, etc.  But you know what…I learned that the one uppers are the people I can’t stand the most.  They really bother me because everything is a competition and talking to them becomes annoying and uncomfortable.  Why can’t we all just be supportive and happy for one another!?

9. People will look at you funny if you start crying on the plane.  What they don’t know is that you’re reading one of the saddest books ever – Sarah’s Key.  I had tears flowing down my face for about 30 minutes straight, and you know what, I didn’t care what people thought. If you’re interested in learning more about the Holocaust and some of the untold stories, this is the book for you.  But just keep in mind that it will have you relive an incredibly sad time in our world’s history.  I’m only about half way through, but so far so good.

10.  And finally, the best lesson ever.  Sometimes, just sometimes, you have to let your past back into your life.  And yes, I’m talking about Taco Bell.  Now, before you judge me, keep in mind that I hadn’t eaten in over 6 hours, and my only options were Popeye’s Chicken, a Japanese restaurant that didn’t look too appetizing, and my long lost love, Taco Bell.  And I’m not going to lie, it was delicious…yum!

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In other news, I did spend a couple of days in Atlanta this past weekend after training.  And you know what, I learned that I REALLY miss home, especially my parents.  We had a great time doing some wedding stuff and just hanging out.  I can’t wait to go back at the end of September.  Lots of fun things planned for that trip – Wicked, a good friend’s wedding, seeing Vishnu…woot!

Well y’all, I’m happy to report that I will now be back to a semi-normal blogging schedule.  Smile  I know, I know…I just made your night! 

Have a good one!

Written on August 22, 2011 Related:Blogging, Self

Obsession, Passion, and Lust

written by Parita Leave a Comment

Hello hello!  Today’s post has to do with obsession, passion, and lust, but before I go there, I want to share some serious and important information…

I got an email from my mom today with the subject line, “Ladies, let’s ask for this – please share.”  I had no clue what this email was about, but I’m glad she shared it with me.  The email was sent to my mom from a coworker who is a fan of The Dr. Oz Show.  She wants to spread the word about something she heard on the show – potential causes of thyroid cancer.  This was news to me, but thyroid cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in women.  Dr. Oz mentioned that this increase may possibly be related to dental x-rays and mammograms.  He showed the viewers an example of the dental apron that everyone has to wear when getting x-rays taken.  He then pointed out a little flap that can be lifted out and wrapped around the neck.  Most dentists/dental hygenists don’t bother using it, which is a shame.  But the next time you are getting your dental x-rays taken, please be sure the find this flap and use it!  Also, there is something called a thyroid guard that can be used during mammograms.  My mom’s coworker just recently went and got a mammogram, and she asked the technician for a thyroid guard.  And sure enough, there it was lying in a drawer.  When my mom’s co-worker asked why it wasn’t routinely used, the technician said, “I don’t know.  You have to ask for it.”  That makes no sense to me, but if/when you get mammograms, please ask for this small “tool/device” that could possibly save your life.

And please pass this tidbit of information on to your family and friends…thanks!

***********

Now, on to the obsession, passion, and lust….with Taco Bell that is!  What did you think I was talking about?!  I’ve only shared my love for TB once before on this blog, and that’s because I am slowing but surely phasing it out of my life.  I honestly haven’t had it in five or six months. 

Something you should know is that my family and most of my Indian friends share my love for TB.  We Indians love this “restaurant!”  In fact, I don’t think I’ve met an Indian that doesn’t like TB.   Growing up, Taco Bell was a weekly indulgence for us, and mexican pizzas and tostadas were our go to menu items.  So, as you know, I’m all for moderation and balance, but there was a time when I would eat it at least twice a week.  In fact, I partially blame my 17 pound weight gain in undergrad on my unhealthy obsession and the late night trips my friends and I would make to get our Taco Bell fix.  When I think back on how much I used to eat it, I am…well, disgusted!

I still get cravings for TB, but I just can’t go back to eating it so frequently.  What I can do is recreate some of my favorite menu items at home, and that is exactly what I did tonight!  Here you have my very own “healthified” mexican pizza…

 

 

“Healthified” Mexican Pizza
Yields 1 pizza

2 whole wheat tortillas crisped using this method
half a cup of vegetarian refried beans
2-3 tablespoons of water
garlic powder
chili powder
1/2 a cup picante sauce or salsa
1/4 cup of goat cheese
Your choice of toppings: avocado, tomato, onion, spinach, olives, etc.

Loosen up the beans by adding water and then microwave on high for about 45 seconds.  Add a couple of dashes of garlic and chili powder to the bean mixture and mix well.  Blend salsa in a food processor or small blender until smooth.  Spread one tortilla with bean mixture and blended salsa.  Place second tortilla on top and spread with remaining salsa .  Sprinkle goat cheese on the pizza and microwave for 45 seconds.  Top the pizza with your choice of toppings.  Today I opted for sweet onions, avocado, tomatoes, and sour cream. 

This really is as simple and easy as it sounds, people!!!  AND it was incredibly fresh, delicious, and filling!  My mexican pizza puts Taco Bell’s to shame, or at least that’s what I think!

What’s your favorite fast food?  Do you ever try to recreate healthy versions of it at home?

Written on April 11, 2011 Related:Food, Health, Recipe

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