27 So Far

Polar Vortex

I've had a good streak of going to the gym this week. That, unfortunately, has more to do with the fact that pipes freezing/bursting (and my gym has showers) than any increase in workout motivation. I also worked out, but only because I would have felt weird JUST to use their shower. Yes, the DC area has survived the coldest freeze in 20 years and I realized I have no idea how to deal with the cold and there is a lot more to learn about adulthood at 27 than I originally thought.

For instance,

• Clean snow off car COMPLETELY before driving. Don't want anything falling in your line of vision while driving.
• Related: Need something more than ice scraper to remove said snow.
• Gloves, ear-warmers, scarves, neck-warmers. fleece-lined jackets/tights are invaluable. I'm lucky I got some cold weather gear for Christmas that came in so handy this week! (Thanks mom!)
• Leave water running overnight for especially cold freezes (can sometimes help) and use space heaters for pipes. It helps if walls were insulated well beforehand.
• Know who to call to report homeless people and animals in need of shelter.
• Give yourself much more time to get to work in the morning. Cars don't like the cold.

In other less educational news, though, I had a birthday since my last post! I cannot believe I'm 27 years old, mostly because I feel like I would have felt so much more officially 'adult' by now. I think a lot of that has to do with factors outside of my control and a lot of it has to do with learning a little something each day. It's actually pretty re-assuring to know that there are so many things left to learn and explore. Many adventures left to be had.

Graffiato

I hadn't wanted to do anything special for my birthday mostly because I was all celebrated out after the holidays. Mike got me a salon/spa gift card so I enjoyed some relaxation and then (at the very last minute) realized that I didn't want to make dinner or stay in the night of my birthday. We were able to get a reservation for Graffiato and see American Hustle in theaters.

Graffiato surprisingly really won me over. I chose the place because my friend Kelly recommended it and it's known for having Prosecco on tap. I got there early and had some Prosecco and another mixed drink at the bar while waiting. The mixed drink was recommended and was called "Comfortably Numb" (vodka, galliano, aperol, blood orange, ginger beer). It was one of the best mixed drinks I've ever had and I don't think because I got it for free after I told the bartender it was my birthday (although free things always taste better). I think it was the ginger beer! I was so surprised by how much I liked the mixed drink and was equally impressed with the food. Here is a link to Graffiato's menu. They have family-style tapas (small dishes). I didn't get any pictures because everything was inhaled, but standouts were brussel sprouts with pancetta, burrata with caviar, and the pork ragu gnocchi. The chocolate budino was a standout dessert. Graffiato is definitely a new favorite fancier restaurant in DC. It's hard for me to get full and feel satisfied during a tapas style meal without ordering a ton of plates, but the food was so well-prepared and balanced that I felt completely satisfied. The dessert was rich and flavorful (strong bittersweet dark chocolate flavor) that I actually couldn't finish it alone! Well done, Graffiato.

American Hustle

American Hustle (the movie) was not as impressive. The theater was extremely warm for some reason (over compensating for the chill?) and I actually fell asleep (this happens easily when I'm in a very warm space...I know, I'm a child) during what I assume was a crucial part of the plot. When I came to a little bit later, everyone around me found the jokes funnier than I did and I just couldn't get into it. I did find Jennifer Lawrence adorable, as always, but that's about it. 

I kind of almost wish I had seen Frozen again (because I've had the soundtrack stuck in my head since seeing it), but at least I got a birthday picture with Olaf before leaving the theater!

Olaf really steals the show in this picture.

Resolutions

I'm less into making resolutions for the new year than I used to be. I keep pretty up-to-date with my ongoing lists of personal, professional, financial goals and thus like to use the new year and my birthday as an opportunity to reflect on broader themes in my life and re-adjusting my ongoing goals. I also find it easier to avoid my extreme perfectionistic tendencies when I switch my perspectives of goals to themes and patterns of habits rather than specific measurements or outcomes. Therefore, I decided to choose a word for 2014. I think it's a very silly word and was hesitant to share, but once I thought of the word, I couldn't let it go. The word is SURE-FOOTED and it probably came to mind because one of my favorite books when I was little was "Fritz and the Beautiful Horses" where Fritz is often referred to as a sure-footed pony. The moral of the story is a timeless one and reminds me of staying true to yourself. The word sure-footed makes me think of all the possibilities of the upcoming year and how I want to stay true to myself and self-assured through whatever comes my way. To me, it means taking ownership over your decisions and your life and consistently pursuing your passions. It means remaining steady and dependable and faithful even when you don't always know the outcome, and it makes me smile.

Besides my #oneword, I'm also trying to cross many of the things off of this list I saw in a blog...just to, you know, get a head start: http://www.20-nothings.com/2014/01/30-resolutions-for-30-somethings.html