List #31 - The Final Post

Thirty lists down and only one to go. I have to say I came a little bit close to missing a list over the weekend. Not that I didn't have anything to write about but because I was having too much fun with the high school buddies. The no-we're-not-married roommates and the I'm-about-to-make-it-on-broadway performer all came into town for the weekend and it was awesome.

Yesterday we hung out with the marrieds and played tennis which, by the way, I haven't played in years. Luckily I could still get my serves in and I was able to return a few shots over the net, but today I am definitely paying for it. My arm is so incredibly sore.

Highlights of the Weekend

• Line dancing and two-stepping at Nicks
• 60 degree weather and walking under the cherry blossom trees
• Cartwheels in front of the Jefferson Memorial
• Bear in tree plus trampoline times tranquilizer gun equals comedy
• Charlie Bit Me
• Tennis and southern cooking

I really wish these guys lived closer so we could all hang out more often but I guess the infrequent visits makes you treasure them even more. It also makes me wonder what sorts of craziness we'll get into the next time we hang out.

List #30 - Southern Cooking

Why was I not introduced to this food sooner in my life?

Hush Puppies

Fried Okra

Collard Greens

BBQ Pulled Pork

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon

List #29 - Ways I Increased My Step Count Today

How I Achieved 14,000 Steps Today

• Walked around the kite festival and World War II Memorial near the Washington Monument
• Walked under the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin
• Ran around the grass at the Jefferson Monument
• Ran in place in front of the White House
• Skipped across the crosswalks in the district

List #28 - What I Do With My Friday Mornings

Recently I rearranged my work schedule so that I could better serve the needs of our patients. I stay a few hours in the evening and am rewarded by getting Friday mornings off. The good news is that since I don't have a commute, I don't get home any later than any normal person would despite the fact that I work late. I also reclaim a morning that I lose when I am working my second job on Saturday mornings. In theory I was going to do lots of productive things on Friday mornings, in reality it doesn't seem to working out that way.

The Dream and the Reality of My Friday Mornings

• Sleep in until 10 o'clock.
  Wake up at 8am unable to sleep anymore, damn routine.
• Get lots of things done off of my to do list.
  Read in bed for an hour, putz around the house, and then realize it's time to get ready for work.
• Cook a wonderful feast for brunch of all the things I don't have time to make during the week.
  Eat a bowl of cereal while checking my email.
• Go for a run in the cool morning air.
  Clean the bathroom, do laundry, and go grocery shopping.

List #27 - Things That Are Bugging Me

Things That Are Bugging Me Today

• American is cancelling flights due to problems with the wiring on the MD-80 planes. My friends are flying American to visit me tomorrow.
• For some reason the nurses decided to pass me a bunch of walk in patients today. Which meant at 1 I was only just leaving the clinic for my lunch. Let's hope my 1 o'clock patient doesn't show!
• The doctor of one of my patients doesn't believe that a Hemoglobin A1C** can drop by two points within three months due to dietary changes and weight loss alone. The blood test must be lying.
• My brother can't remember my email. It's my name at gmail.com, how hard is that?
• Dating
• The fact that my lunch consisted of a granny smith apple, a bowl of lima beans, and a kashi cherry dark chocolate chip granola bar.

**A measure of blood glucose levels over the past three months.

List #26 - Today's Date

• 3 - The number of shows I watched last night; The Hills, Men in Trees, Here Come the Newlyweds. I didn't say they were good shows, more like mindless entertainment.
• 26 - How old I am.
• 8 - The number of emails in my inbox this morning. Which was shocking to me because I usually have none. Thanks to the emails I have two more meetings to go to, I found out I am actually counseling patients in May and am not being fired, and I have another patient referred to me from outside the clinic.

List #25 - Half Birthday Celebrations

Is the glass half full, or half empty? It depends on whether you're pouring, or drinking.

Today I am officially 26 and 1/2. I guess admitting that means I am only half grownup; do you know any grownups that celebrate their half birthdays? This morning I had to get up at half past 4 to drive my ex-roommate to the airport. Half of me was sad to see her go, the other half excited because it means she can graduate, find a job in NY, and live closer to me. When I got back to my apartment I took an hour and a half nap but now I am feeling half dead as I sit at work trying to get through the morning. Hopefully the second half of the day will pass by a lot quicker!

Ways to Celebrate a Half-Birthday

• make yourself a half-sized birthday card
• eat half of a cake
• make half and half cookies
• drink half a bottle of wine/champagne
• take a half day from work

Now you finish the other half of this list with your suggestions!

List #24 - Top Songs on iTunes

A few years ago it was all I could do to open up iTunes everyday and listen to my music. However, recently I have switched and instead of listening to my music I now tend to listen to Pandora instead.

Today I thought I would take a walk down memory lane and look at my top ten most played songs on iTunes:

• Apologize - Timbaland feat. One Republic
• Don't Walk Away - Shawn McDonald
• Be My Escape - Relient K
• Back to Me - Kathleen Edwards
• Hate That I Love You - Rihanna
• Gotta Get Up From Here - Ellie Lawson
• Fidelity - Regina Spektor
• How to Save a Life - The Fray
• Dream Big - Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband
• Bless the Broken Road - Rascal Flatts

List #23 - Irene's Visit

Lucky for me I have my ex-roommate from LA visiting this weekend, and I couldn't be more excited! Yesterday I picked her up from the Chinatown bus stop and we headed straight to U-street for lunch at Mocha Hut. I had the most delicious breakfast panini (scrambled egg, ham and gruyere on ciabatta) and we caught up on all sorts of gossip. Then we headed to the Mall, and after 16,000 steps, here's what we saw:

Gardens at the Smithsonian Castle

Washington Monument

Lincoln Memorial

Korean War Memorial

Vietnam Memorial

The White House

The Capital

Last night I showed her some of my favorite spots in my neighborhood. We had Indian food for dinner at Bombay Curry Company and then headed over to the No. 9 Lounge for a glass of wine and more chatting. Today we are heading back to China Town to meet up with Irene's cousin and then we'll check out old town Alexandria this afternoon.

I'm so excited to have someone to show my neighborhood too. Even better, she's here until Tuesday and then three of my high school friends arrive on Friday. Can it get any better?!

List #22 - Why Today's Mail Rocked

Sometimes I check the mail twice a week. Sometimes I check the mail once a week. Sometimes I realize that it has been a very long time since I checked the mail.

Take today for example. Before opening the mail box I was pretty sure I had checked it earlier in the week as I remember receiving a present not too long ago. But after being greeted by a large stack of mail, I began to wonder if maybe just maybe that present had been in the mail sometime last week. Either way, today's mail wasn't your normal mix of bills and advertisements. No, today's mail rocked because . . .

1. There was a suprise present from the Easter Bunny
2. I received my brother's very stylish engagement announcement
3. I had a letter from the IRS saying they were going to send me $300
4. I had an Easter Card from a very good friend
5. I had a paycheck from one of my contract jobs
6. There was a coupon for a car wash (you would understand the excitement if you could see my car and knew about my neat freak tendencies) just in time to use before my flat-mate arrives this afternoon

List #21 - Four Things

Although she didn't tag me, Paige provided me with today's list.

1. Four jobs that I have had in my life:

Registered Dietitian at a Community Clinic

Guest Service Associate at Kidspace Children's Museum

Receptionist at way too many companies to list

Cashier at Linens N Things

2. Four Movies I would/have watch(ed) over and over:

Mary Poppins

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Notting Hill

True Lies

3. Four places I have lived:

Isla Vista, CA

Monterey Park, CA

Coventry, England

Alexandria, VA

4. Four TV shows that I watch:

How I Met Your Mother

Oprah's Big Give

America's Next Top Model

Men In Trees

5. Four places I have visited:

China

New Zealand

Czech Republic

Mexico

6. Four people who email me regularly:

Kate

My Mom

Melissa

Meredith

7. Four of my favorite foods:

Tiramisu

Margaritas

Vegan Pizza

Anything someone else makes

8. Four places I would like to be right now:

In the rain forest of Costa Rica

On the beach in Hawaii

With my nephew

At a day spa getting a hot rock massage

9. Four things I'm looking forward to this year:

Tanzania!

Jazz in the park with the Turners

My birthday

Christmas in Texas

10. Four people who should post 4 things:

Irene

Erin

Travis

Kate

List #20 - Places I Have Lived

Places I Have Lived

• London - England
• Amstelveen - Netherlands
• Los Altos - California
• Santa Barbara - California
• Coventry - England
• Monterey Park - California
• Puebla - Mexico
• Alexandria - Virginia

List #19 - Why Fat Makes You Fat

In May I am going to a conference to get a certificate of training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management. I'm really excited about it because I think it will help me counsel my patients better but also it will allow me to network with other dietitians in the area and see what they do for their pediatric weight management programs.

Yesterday I received the self-study module. According to the welcome letter it will take me approximately 11 hours to complete the pre-reading and then I have to take and pass the pre-test before I can even attend the conference. And don't forget that once I am at the conference I have to pass a post test to actually get the certificate. It's just like being back in school!

Yesterday I started working my way through the self-study module and came across the following in an article on the development of eating behaviors among children and adolescents.

Why High Fat Diets Can Lead to Obesity

• Fat is the most energy dense food, therefore high fat diets are high in total energy (ie calories)
• Being energy dense they are also typically smaller in volume. Volume affects satiety, or your sense of fullness. Therefore, less volume less full.
• High fat foods are palatable, ie they taste good, which can lead to overconsumption.
• Research has shown that fat is less satiating then carbohydrate and protein.
• Humans have the ability to store large amounts of fat. Therefore if fat increases in the diet the body does not need to oxidize it, like it does with protein and carbohydrate, it can just continue to store and store and store it.
• Research also suggests that dietary fat is stored more efficiently then protein or carbohydrate.

So what does this mean? Instead of focusing on limiting fat consumption we should be focusing on eating more fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates (whole grains) to displace the fat in our diets. Especially since research has shown that diets high in fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates are naturally low in fat, and vice versa.

List #18 - Why I'm Tired

Temporary Insomnia Attributed To

• Daylight Savings Time
• One full time job, two part time contract jobs, and a volunteer chair position
• Ups and Downs of Dating
• Lack of Exercise
• End of Winter Blahs
• Not knowing what Vitamin D4 is

List #17 - Happy St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

• 2006 - San Francisco - Mischa Barton
  
• 2007 - New York - Mariah Carey
  
• 2008 - Washington DC - ??

Apparently they are filming a Russel Crow movie in town this week, so it's not too much of a stretch. Maybe?

List #16 - Things I Realized

Yesterday I volunteered at a Health Fair. Well to be exact it was the Family Fitness and Food Festival, or something like that. I was representing the clinic I work for but also representing myself as a dietitian and member of the Northern Virginia Dietetic Association. It was a really fun festival, lots of nutrition information, blood pressure screenings, BMI calculations, cooking demos, and even Dance Dance Revolution.

Things I Realized While Working at a Health Fair

• I like to volunteer for community events
• I am really glad I don't have children
• People like freebies
• Dance Dance Revolution looks easy when the kids play it . . . but it's really hard
• I am definitely an extrovert

List #15 - Halfway There!

Do you remember the game, Two Truths and a Lie? I remember playing it in high school during a trip to Bear Valley. Even though I thought I knew my friends really well it was still so difficult to figure out which one of the three statements was a lie. So today it's your turn:

Two Truths and a Lie

1. I once dated an antique dealer.
2. I have never been to Delaware.
3. I have lived in 4 different countries.

List #14 - Five Years

I was looking through my journal again last night and it's weird to think how different my life has been each and every year. When you are young you think you know absolutely everything about life. But, as you get older, you realize that there's no way of knowing everything about life.

• 2003 - I had just begun conducting informational interviews to figure out what the next step was after graduating from UCSB. Little did I know that an interview with a dietitian would change my path from business economics to nutritional science.
• 2004 - I had just returned from a ski trip with my boyfriend at the time. Little did I know that it would be rare to find someone that I could spend an entire weekend with after only three dates.
• 2005 - I had just made a decision for me. Little did I know it would be a decision I would sometimes regret.
• 2006 - I was planning a bridal shower for one of my very close friends. Little did I know that spending time with her and her husband would introduce me to amazing people and take me all over the world (Illinois, Mammoth, and Tanzania).
• 2007 - I had just begun looking seriously into moving to Washington DC and was a little concerned about how it would all work out. Little did I know that everything would just fall into place; apartment, work, and friends.

List #13 - Inspirational Songs

Songs that I Find Inspirational

• "When the Saints" - Sara Groves
• "The Power of One" - Bomshel
• "Hometown Glory" - Adele
• "You're Gonna Miss This" - Trace Adkins
• "It's a Great Day to Be Alive" - Travis Tritt

List #12 - Post Number Two Hundred and Fifty

Two Hundred and Fifty posts. I think it's time for some highlights.

Most Comments

• 6 comments - Donde esta mi equipaje?

Popular Days (since 02/10/08)

• 25 hits - February 24th - My Brother's Proposal
• 24 hits - March 10th - Dietitian Day
• 23 hits - March 5th - My Pile of Books to Read

List #11 - I Am My Mother

I was on the phone with my mother last night and the conversation went a little like this:

Mom: What color is your bathroom?
Me: Black and white tile.
Mom: And what color is your bath mat?
Me: It's blue and white. Don't you remember, little squares?
Mom: Um . . . yeah. . .
Me: You have no clue do you?
Mom: Nope.

And you know how I knew that she had no idea? Because that's exactly the response I have when people ask me things and I can't admit that I don't remember but, at the same time, I can't really admit that I do. So today I give you a list of reasons:

Why I am Just Like My Mother

• One of my kitchen cupboards is filled with very useful empty plastic containers and jars saved from the recycling.
• I have it written on my list . . . somewhere.
• There is a calendar in every room.
• I work in the health industry.
• My nutrition journals are beginning to pile up right next to my bed.
• Because my Brother tells me I am. Apparently it has to do with the fact that my questions annoy him in just the same way.

In all honesty though, I couldn't think of any other person I'd rather be similar to.

List #10 - Dietitian Day

Happy Dietitian Day!

You may know who your MD is but do you know about your RD? Here is some information you may not know about Registered Dietitians (RDs):

• Registered Dietitians are the food and nutrition experts who can translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living.
• Registered Dietitians have degrees in nutrition, dietetics, public health or a related field from well-respected, accredited colleges and universities, completed an internship and passed an examination.
• Registered Dietitians use their nutrition expertise to help individuals make unique, positive lifestyle changes.
• Registered Dietitians work throughout the community in hospitals, schools, public health clinics, nursing homes, fitness centers, food management, food industry, universities, research and private practice.
• Registered Dietitians are advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world.

For more information visit the American Dietetic Association.

List #9 - Celebrity Costume Party

Last night I went to a birthday party for one of my new friends. The theme: get drunk and be somebody, famous that is! In other words it was a celebrity party. I have to say some people really ran with the idea, other's not so much, but either way it was lots of fun. Tina Fey was there so was Beyonce, Carly Simon, and Mother Teresa. Below are the best costumes of the night:

Celebrity Costumes

• Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - For him, a blazer, dirty blond wig and big sunglasses. For her, a black top, skinny jeans, heels, and a baby bump. Props: family album of all their children, handouts on a children's charity, baby doll.
  
  
• Jessica Simpson - Jean miniskirt, pink Tony Romo jersey, Uggs.
  
  
• Johnny Utah - surf shirt, board shorts, and FBI badge.
  
• Audrey Hepburn - Black dress, elbow length gloves, pearls, tiara and sunglasses.
  
  
• Tony Soprano - undershirt, shorts, slippers, gold chain and robe.

And for those of you who are interested, I went dressed as the paparazzi complete with a black eye received from an altercation with a celebrity. Bonus for the host she got a lot of pictures of the celebrities at her party.

List #8 - My Patients

In case you didn't know, I am a registered dietitian. I work for a small community health center that runs two clinics, one adult and one pediatric. Lucky for me, I get to work with both populations. Yesterday I counseled my 300th patient at the adult clinic bringing my overall total up to 498 patients. Can you believe that?! 498 people. So I thought I would take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about:

My Favorite Patient Moments

• The majority of my patients are Latino, and by majority I mean probably close to 80 or 90 percent. Although I speak Spanish I am not Latino, I am English. I have had a handful of patients now who, when telling me about their diet, pause to make sure I know what they are talking about. "Tortilla? Sabes?"
  
• I had one adult patient who showed up with her child. During the counseling session she kept telling me that she doesn't eat junk food, doesn't keep it in the house, and makes sure to eat lots of vegetables and fruits. All the while, her child is sitting there munching on Cheetos.
  
• I had a mother of a pediatric patient give candy to her rambunctious child in order to get him to sit down and listen during the counseling session about his weight.
  
• Recently I had an adult patient who had just been told by his Doctor that he was pre-diabetic. He turned to me and said, "I guess I won't be eating that cupcake in my car."
  
• I always start each counseling session with a dietary recall. It gives me a chance to see how often a patient eats and also what kind of foods they like. Many patients tell me about the healthy things they eat. "Well sometimes for lunch I eat a salad with grilled chicken, and drink water." Unfortunately for them, the next question is always, "And on other days?" The response of my patient yesterday, "Oh, you mean what do I eat on the days I'm off the wagon?"
  
• One of my all time favorite patient comments was, "Man. Now that I've told you what I eat in a day I'm not surprised I'm overweight."

List #7 - Happy Birthday!

Today is the birthday of one of my very good friends. So in her honor I offer you seven of:

My Favorite Memories with the Birthday Girl

1. Getting ready for high school dances at her house.
2. Having her as my sidekick as I wrote "JV Drools" on the mirror at cheer camp.
3. Stalking bus stop boy.
4. Taking a picture of her as a flamingo at the Santa Barbara Zoo during our girl's weekend.
5. Line Dancing in SLO.
6. Watching her drink out of the water pitcher on her wedding day.
7. Eating dinner at her house with her husband and son, her desserts are the best! (esp. grandma's fudge)

List #6 - The Soundtrack of My Neighborhood

Borrowing from City Elf I thought I would post a list of noises in my apartment. My neighborhood has it's own character and therefore it's own soundtrack. But, like City Elf says, it's not noise to me it's ambiance.

The Soundtrack of My Neighborhood

• The garbage truck - weekdays at 7:30am, weekends at 8:30am
• Reggaeton - everyday at various points during the day and evening, but not after 10pm
• Chattering birds - during the summer and spring, very early in the morning
• Car horns - in the morning anywhere between 5:30 and 8am
• Bangs and crashes from the children that live in the apartment upstairs - usually in the afternoons and evenings and occasionally includes crying, marbles rolling on the floor, or music from baby toys
• Snoring from the man that lives upstairs - nightly
• The ice cream truck - at least twice an afternoon during the summer and, as I am just finding out, at least once an afternoon in the spring

List #5 - My Pile of Books to Read

Sometimes I wonder why I ever left school. I mean with the amount of reading that I do I should at least be getting some credit for it, right? Actually I guess some of it still counts for credit although now it is referred to as Continuing Professional Education (CPE) instead of units. I have to admit though that between the nutrition journals, magazines, books, and articles I am also always reading something for fun. In fact it's part of my bedtime ritual; Wash face and moisturize, floss, brush teeth, tie up hair, write in journal, read, lights out. (And some people wonder why I head to bed so early!)

In the Process of Reading

• Love in the Time of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
• Eating for England: The Delights & Eccentricities of the British at Table - Nigel Slater

Next in Line

• First Pass Under Heaven: One man's 4,000-kilometre trek along the Great Wall of China - Nathan Hotura Gray
• In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto - Michael Pollan

List #4 - Driving in DC

The Rules of Driving in DC For Visitors To The Area

• First, you must learn to call it by its rightful name. It is DC, or "the District" - only tourists call it Washington.
• If you don't go as soon as the light turns green, you will get cussed out in 382 languages, none of them English.
• Rain causes an immediate 50 point drop of IQ in drivers. Snow causes an immediate 100 point drop in IQ and a rush to Giant for toilet paper and milk.
• If someone actually has their turn signal on, they are by definition, a tourist. **Or in my case from CA**
• Many roads mysteriously change their names as you cross intersections. Don't ask why, no one knows.
• If asking directions in Arlington, Langley Park, Wheaton or Adams Morgan, you must know how to speak Spanish. If you stop to ask directions in Southeast DC...well, just don't.
• A taxi ride across town will cost you $12.50. A taxi ride two blocks will cost you $16.75. (It's a zone thing, you wouldn't understand)
• Traveling south out of DC on Interstate 395/95 is the most dangerous, scariest thing you will ever do.
• The minimum acceptable speed on the Beltway is 70. Anything less is considered down right sissy even though the speed limit is 55.
• The open lane for passing on all Maryland interstates is the far right lane because no self-respecting Marylander would ever be caught driving in the "slow " lane.
• The far left lanes on all Maryland interstates are official "chat" lanes reserved for drivers who wish to talk on their cell phones. Note: All mini-vans have priority clearance to use the far left at whatever speed the driver feels most comfortable multi-tasking in.

List #3 - Groceries

I have to admit I'm not the best at grocery shopping. I usually go to the store and just stock up on staples without actually buying anything specific for a meal. After being around empty boxes of food and talking about food choices all day with my patients (I'm a Registered Dietitian) I just don't want to spend the time wandering around the grocery store comparing products. That's probably why the majority of my foods come from the produce section, no labels there. My favorite time to grocery shop is during the work week at the middle of the day; no lines, space to wheel your cart around, and sufficiently stocked shelves. Luckily, working so close to home I can accomplish that during my lunch break.

Last week I did a pretty big shop at both Trader Joes and the local grocery store so this week I only have a few items to pick up. Here's what's on the list this week:
Grocery List

• dried milk (so I can make bread in my bread machine)
• bananas
• apples
• lemon (there's a madiera loaf recipe I've been dying to make which has no madiera but does have lemon)
• plain nonfat yogurt (the cereal I currently have tastes better with yogurt than milk)
• olive oil
• reduced sodium soy sauce (after living in the chinese area of LA for three and a half years I can't live without a bottle in my house)
• chocolate chips (I always have to have chocolate in the house, just in case)
• cereal (I'll probably look for one my patients eat a lot because I need the box for demonstration on what not to eat, but then I'll end up buying one that is similar but healthier. I.E. more than 3g fiber and less than 12g sugar)
• Frozen veggies (always a good staple to have in the house)

List #2 - Costume Ideas

Next Saturday I am going to a costume party. The theme is: Get drunk and be somebody, famous that is! I love dressing up but I hate dress up events because I always feel like what I come up with isn't clever enough. Needless to say I am struggling with what I should wear next weekend. Ideally I'd like to make my costume with either stuff I already own or from items purchased from the thrift store. But before I can decide on that, I have to come up with an idea.

Celebrity Costume Ideas

• Madonna
• Audrey Hepburn
• Cyndi Lauper
• your thoughts?

List #1 - What I Did On The Last Five March 1sts

Happy March 1st! This month I'm joining the NaBloPoMo group for their month of posting lists. I am going to try to keep them as entertaining and interesting as possible. Fingers crossed I can stick with it!

What I Did On The Last Five March 1sts

• 2003 - Did something crazy with my soul friend
• 2004 - Watched the finale of Average Joe
• 2005 - Interned at the local high school cafeteria bagging tater stix and cutting sushi rolls
• 2006 - Received my first 6 month work review and a raise
• 2007 - Gave a 20 minute presentation on the implementation of patient room service to the Medical Board at the hospital

**Just in case you are curious, I write my daily activities in a fabulous 10-year Journal that I recieved as a gift from my friend Marion. In case you are curious you can check it out here.**