Beach Break

The other week during gym we walked to the beach, a quick 7 minutes away. 

The break was relaxing and definitely called for. School can feel like prison and the fluorescent lighting is draining to your energy. 

The burst of vitamin D was perfect.

And they all look just the same...

How monotonous! 

Took this photo while working out by the tracks the other week right around rush hour. 

A gaggle of middle aged men (and a handful of women) exited the train looking all the same. 

Brought the song "Little Boxes", the theme song to my favorite show Weeds, to mind. Everyone is dressed alike, wears stressed, tired faces, and carries themselves in a lackluster kind of way. 

Suburbs are like that. Symmetrical. Kind of a buzz kill. 

Good Food can be Even Better

How much do you love this bags look? 

But the message on it is also important. Let's make good food even better. But how, you might ask!

I'll tell you how: by listening to the machine you put the food into. I don't do this all the time and it's a real problem when I don't. Guilt ensues and so does bloating... and more guilt. 

When I do listen to my body It's a powerful feeling. I just need to practice consistently, that is when change occurs. 

Small messages are seen everywhere, even grocery store bags. Just look for them.

Easy Chicken and Veg Stir Fry

Stir fry is probably the yummiest and easiest thing to make right behind fajitas.

Here's what you need:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 Head Broccoli
• 1 Cup Snow peas
• 1 Bell peppers
• 2 Big Carrots
• Handful of sprouts
• Scallions or onion

And for the marinade:

• 2 tbsp Rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp Soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Chili oil
• 1 clove Ginger
• 1 inch Garlic

Here's what you do:

Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a splash or chili oil. Grate in 1 clove of garlic and about 1 inch of raw ginger. 

Pan fry vegetables with the marinade in a wok or la creuset until tender. 

Place vegetables aside and cook the chicken in remaining marinade. About 7-10 minutes.

Once chicken is cooked through, place the veg back into the wok and cook, stirring occasionally. 

It's time to plate: arrange veg and chicken on the plate and sprinkle a generous amount of sprouts. Drizzle siracha to your liking. 

Enjoy!

Feeling Old

The other night was my brothers graduation from 8th grade. I felt old. 

Not just because ignorant parents told me I did (I wore a sick slip dress with a silk jacket over it). 8th grade felt like yesterday and the other night reminded me of how far away it really was. 

The president of my brothers school gave a speech with a clever timeline thrown in there. When those guys were in 2nd grade, Obama became the president! WHAAATTT. 

Also, all the teachers I ran into seemed so much hotter this time around. I guess when I was in middle school I didn't think so because I subconsciously knew that my camisole adorned chest and lack of curves didn't have a chance. Ha! 

I have this new theory that middle school teachers take the best care of themselves in terms of health and wardrobe. As the grade gets older, looks do too. Just sayin'.

Kids and The Things They Say

"What do you wanna be when you grow up?"

"A farmer."

"What's the hardest part about being a farmer?"

"The poop."

This was a conversation I had with the 3rd grader above, Human's of New York style. Her response being farmer was so unexpected! It made me laugh out loud.

Kids are so unintentionally funny! While I was babysitting, for example, I was having a chat with two sisters, Emma (9) and Rebecca (7). We were talking about a road trip they're planning to New York. I told them I'd get super bored in the car and Emma came back and said, "Well, we'll take lots of activity books." LOL! she was so serious about it too. What's great is that I'd never say something nor think of something along the lines of "activity book". 

One time Rebecca and I were watching Zoey101. She turned to me and said, "Do you have a boyfriend?" 
Me: "No." 
Rebecca: "You should go to PCA, everyone has boyfriends there."

Innocence really is bliss. 

BTS at Graduation

Oh hello there.

Been a little MIA the past week due to finals studying procrastinating. 

HAVE NO FEAR. I'm back.

On Sunday, March 31 I popped into New Trier's graduation and snapped some amazing shots for the newspaper.

Originally I said yes anticipating bad dresses, sweaty bodies crowded amongst each other, and being surrounded by faces I didn't know. Only one of the three things reigned true. Dresses were only semi-ugly, no one was sweaty (!!), and sure I didn't know half the faces but that made it all the more fun.

Shooting something like this was interesting because I'm a whole grade younger; I'll be in the exact same position next year. I basically got a preview of what high school graduation is like. The verdict? So much fun. Everyone looked so happy, like, genuinely happy. The energy of the room was tangible.

My shots turned out great. The one above is from my iPhone but hopefully I can snag a couple and post them at a later date. The second photo was taken by Camille, my co opinion's editor who also came along. Totally candid, total luck.