Hey everyone! So I just wanted to give an update on what's been going on lately. I have been shying away from Facebook alittle bit so I figured there would be enough new things to share and talk about to fill up a blog entry :)
So, let's see... We have been in Norfolk now for 2 months! It's crazy to think- the weeks have flown by even though the days really haven't! It's so much easier now to get out of the house and feel like I am a productive human being thanks to the fact that we just got a new car!
Yep! It's a Toyota Echo and it rules my world. I'll be honest, I didn't think I would ever give up a seat in our Nissan Murano but you really can't beat a car that gets 40 mpg and has a decent stereo system... I will drive that thing all day with the windows rolled down and my Justin Timberlake Pandora station hooked up... *no shame*... and not think twice about it. It's been super dependable so far although we had to really hunt for it. It's crazy how much people sell cars for in this area- everyone will price their car way over blue book value and won't budge or bargain! We had to look at a half dozen cars and came across some interesting individuals along the way. One guy tried to convince us his car had a perfectly clean title while there were visible signs of flood damage (rust up to and covering the middle console of the car) and another who told us that his car was the best thing we would find, although it was smoking once we test drove it on the highway....
In other words, I am glad Patrick knows enough about cars and what to look for so we could get the one we have and I am not hanging out at home all day. Speaking of which...
I have a new job! I had a really difficult time finding work here, much more than I anticipated. Minimum wage is fairly low and the connections I had established before I got here didn't pan out as I had hoped so that left me kinda wandering around trying to feel useful. About a month and a half ago I applied for a position with the Navy Exchange, a retail network for military and their families that provides a condensed shopping experience at a lower cost. There are NEX's all over the world...including Spain! They have a special program to keep employees so they try to transfer as much as possible. Right now I am working as a cashier at their package store... aka liquor store.
My plan of action at this point is to do what it takes so I have a better chance of working in Rota (as their unemployment rates are so high) and I am excited to have gotten my foot in the door even though it wasn't quite up the alley of what I have been doing. There will be chances to get back into management once I prove myself alittle bit but with so many of the NEX employees being military spouses, there are always new positions opening up so I am just going to do what it takes to get to where I need to be. For now, I am still doing school and will start my next class in a few days. I am pushing towards getting my AA in Human Services done before we get back to the states in a few years. I have a feeling that while Pat is away it will be a good investment of time so I can have a good shot at getting into the nonprofit field again.
In other news... we have made some good friends in the area and have been keeping busy when Pat's not in school or on the ship. We have tried out a couple restaurants in Virginia Beach and got to spend a weekend in Fredericksburg, Baltimore, and DC with Pat's sister Monica and her fiance Kyle. I am so excited to see these two get married in a few weeks! We went to a Baltimore Orioles game and paid a visit to the White House :)
So, let's see... We have been in Norfolk now for 2 months! It's crazy to think- the weeks have flown by even though the days really haven't! It's so much easier now to get out of the house and feel like I am a productive human being thanks to the fact that we just got a new car!
Yep! It's a Toyota Echo and it rules my world. I'll be honest, I didn't think I would ever give up a seat in our Nissan Murano but you really can't beat a car that gets 40 mpg and has a decent stereo system... I will drive that thing all day with the windows rolled down and my Justin Timberlake Pandora station hooked up... *no shame*... and not think twice about it. It's been super dependable so far although we had to really hunt for it. It's crazy how much people sell cars for in this area- everyone will price their car way over blue book value and won't budge or bargain! We had to look at a half dozen cars and came across some interesting individuals along the way. One guy tried to convince us his car had a perfectly clean title while there were visible signs of flood damage (rust up to and covering the middle console of the car) and another who told us that his car was the best thing we would find, although it was smoking once we test drove it on the highway....
In other words, I am glad Patrick knows enough about cars and what to look for so we could get the one we have and I am not hanging out at home all day. Speaking of which...
I have a new job! I had a really difficult time finding work here, much more than I anticipated. Minimum wage is fairly low and the connections I had established before I got here didn't pan out as I had hoped so that left me kinda wandering around trying to feel useful. About a month and a half ago I applied for a position with the Navy Exchange, a retail network for military and their families that provides a condensed shopping experience at a lower cost. There are NEX's all over the world...including Spain! They have a special program to keep employees so they try to transfer as much as possible. Right now I am working as a cashier at their package store... aka liquor store.
My plan of action at this point is to do what it takes so I have a better chance of working in Rota (as their unemployment rates are so high) and I am excited to have gotten my foot in the door even though it wasn't quite up the alley of what I have been doing. There will be chances to get back into management once I prove myself alittle bit but with so many of the NEX employees being military spouses, there are always new positions opening up so I am just going to do what it takes to get to where I need to be. For now, I am still doing school and will start my next class in a few days. I am pushing towards getting my AA in Human Services done before we get back to the states in a few years. I have a feeling that while Pat is away it will be a good investment of time so I can have a good shot at getting into the nonprofit field again.
In other news... we have made some good friends in the area and have been keeping busy when Pat's not in school or on the ship. We have tried out a couple restaurants in Virginia Beach and got to spend a weekend in Fredericksburg, Baltimore, and DC with Pat's sister Monica and her fiance Kyle. I am so excited to see these two get married in a few weeks! We went to a Baltimore Orioles game and paid a visit to the White House :)
Besides that, I made friends with a few Navy wives... Kionna, and Taylor who have been so sweet since I got here. We had girl's night a few weeks ago and I wanted to share the brownie recipe I brought to share...My aunt used to make a pan when I had friends over and it is soooo good that Patrick literally told me I was not allowed to bring any of the leftovers home for fear of delicious overload. Here it is, for those of you who need something new to try:
Triple Tier Brownies
1 package fudge brownie mix
1 package (11 1/2 ounces) milk chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter
3 cups rice cereal
1 can (16 ounces) cream cheese frosting
1 cup salted peanuts, chopped
Prepare brownie mix according to package directions, using a greased 9 x 13 pan deep enough to hold several layers of awesome. Once the brownies are done, cool. In a large saucepan, combine chocolate chips and peanut butter. Cook over low heat 4-5 minutes until blended, stirring occasionally. Stir in cereal, set aside.
Spread frosting over brownies and sprinkle with peanuts. Spread with peanut butter mixture. Chill for a few hours in the fridge and then cut into small squares. Feel free to press down slightly to help all the tiers merge together as needed. These are super rich and a pan will be enough for a party, I promise!
Now, pretend these are healthy (they have rice crispies and you can use natural peanut butter) and share with everyone you know. I mean, even your mailman.
Triple Tier Brownies
1 package fudge brownie mix
1 package (11 1/2 ounces) milk chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter
3 cups rice cereal
1 can (16 ounces) cream cheese frosting
1 cup salted peanuts, chopped
Prepare brownie mix according to package directions, using a greased 9 x 13 pan deep enough to hold several layers of awesome. Once the brownies are done, cool. In a large saucepan, combine chocolate chips and peanut butter. Cook over low heat 4-5 minutes until blended, stirring occasionally. Stir in cereal, set aside.
Spread frosting over brownies and sprinkle with peanuts. Spread with peanut butter mixture. Chill for a few hours in the fridge and then cut into small squares. Feel free to press down slightly to help all the tiers merge together as needed. These are super rich and a pan will be enough for a party, I promise!
Now, pretend these are healthy (they have rice crispies and you can use natural peanut butter) and share with everyone you know. I mean, even your mailman.
They're just... so good.
But now that I have shared this hazardous dessert with you I have one last update I can think of for now. I am doing a 30-day fitness challenge! Did you like how I timed that? I figured I would feel less guilty talking about my sweet secrets if I mentioned that I should be staying away from them...after I gave the recipe...LOL.
I am about 3 weeks in to the challenge I made for myself and it is going beautifully. I have a super nerdy spreadsheet posted on the fridge like a proud middle schooler, checking off boxes at the end of the evening for the goals I reached each day. My goals are to:
1) Complete a full workout 5 times a week.
2) Drink only water each day unless we go out with friends on the weekend.
3) Eat (low-carb) healthy meals/snacks with protein shakes after workouts. Eat out only 1x per week.
4) Take multi-vitamins!
5) Stay motivated, spending time each day looking up new recipes, fitness tips, etc.
So far, I have lost lbs and inches, and I feel stronger. Hooyah!
But now that I have shared this hazardous dessert with you I have one last update I can think of for now. I am doing a 30-day fitness challenge! Did you like how I timed that? I figured I would feel less guilty talking about my sweet secrets if I mentioned that I should be staying away from them...after I gave the recipe...LOL.
I am about 3 weeks in to the challenge I made for myself and it is going beautifully. I have a super nerdy spreadsheet posted on the fridge like a proud middle schooler, checking off boxes at the end of the evening for the goals I reached each day. My goals are to:
1) Complete a full workout 5 times a week.
2) Drink only water each day unless we go out with friends on the weekend.
3) Eat (low-carb) healthy meals/snacks with protein shakes after workouts. Eat out only 1x per week.
4) Take multi-vitamins!
5) Stay motivated, spending time each day looking up new recipes, fitness tips, etc.
So far, I have lost lbs and inches, and I feel stronger. Hooyah!
My biggest challenge has been to drink only water but I have expanded this to include home-brewed tea with little or no sugar. I also have been sleeping better and have had more energy now that I have been staying on track with what I want to feel/look like. It has also helped that my job is keeping me on my feet at least 6 hours a day and I work right next to a GNC so it's a good reminder on my way to work. I have been frequenting Planet Fitness and it's been rad.
Speaking of which, if you live near a Planet Fitness then you should stop reading my blog and go sign up for a membership. If you are still reading... then I will tell you why. A) It's only $10 for a basic membership per month that you can cancel, or $20 a month for their VIP which includes access to their tanning beds and the red light therapy bed... which I do use. The red light session advertises the promotion of new skin cells and therefore, improved skin. I don't know whether it's the power of belief or not helping me out with that right now, but either way I am seeing results and I am on board with that. B) They are open 24 hours a day. Boom. C) It's the *judgement free* gym... I don't get the 'I am the only female here" awkward feeling that I get at other gyms, or the feeling that I am the only person who isn't just maintaining... Kind of like how Jim Gaffigan put it:
Speaking of which, if you live near a Planet Fitness then you should stop reading my blog and go sign up for a membership. If you are still reading... then I will tell you why. A) It's only $10 for a basic membership per month that you can cancel, or $20 a month for their VIP which includes access to their tanning beds and the red light therapy bed... which I do use. The red light session advertises the promotion of new skin cells and therefore, improved skin. I don't know whether it's the power of belief or not helping me out with that right now, but either way I am seeing results and I am on board with that. B) They are open 24 hours a day. Boom. C) It's the *judgement free* gym... I don't get the 'I am the only female here" awkward feeling that I get at other gyms, or the feeling that I am the only person who isn't just maintaining... Kind of like how Jim Gaffigan put it:
LOL.
That's all for now! I will be coming home to Walla Walla in a few weeks and will also be going to see my madre in Roanoke so that should be a visit worth blogging about too! Thanks for reading!
-Ems
That's all for now! I will be coming home to Walla Walla in a few weeks and will also be going to see my madre in Roanoke so that should be a visit worth blogging about too! Thanks for reading!
-Ems
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