Sunday at Crossroads

The boyfriend has been bragging about the Sunday brunch at Crossroads Restaurant in MD for as long as I can remember so we finally hit one of his favorite spot's this weekend. As we pulled into the parking lot, I tried to hide my disappointment. In my head I said, "I hope this man isn't taking me to a hole in the wall that could easily fit in with the other Jamaican restaurants on White Plains Rd" (my neighborhood in the Bronx) ...awful I know...lol. But as I stepped inside I was dead wrong.

The ambiance inside was pretty nice, a little too dark for me but nice nonetheless . The tables were lined with linens and the dark wicker chairs and matching celling fans gave it a cool Caribbean vibe. Sunday brunch is an all you can eat buffet and there was plenty to choose from. Escovitched fish, ackee & saltfish, stew chicken, rice & peas, curry chicken, fried dumpling, calaloo, fried plantain, green banana, porridge and much more. There was even an omelet and waffle station! Its like having breakfast or lunch in your grandmother's kitchen and for about $20/person, you can't go wrong.

I love the mural painted on the wall adjacent to the parking lot. What a great reminder of our past!

I got your back Mr. President cuz I know you have mine!

Year in a review/ 2011 changes

OMG! Where did 2010 go? This was definitely a better year than 2009 but as I reflect on this past year, I'm thankful for all the "lows" I've experienced because my situations have taught me patience, in all things have faith, and to continue to believe in hope.

As I move into this new year and with all the talk of resolutions, I thought about all the things in my life I would like to change. I haven't been one for New Years resolutions because I believe you can make a change anytime, regardless of the date, but I have to admit, it's kind of nice to start with a clean slate on 1/1/11.

So here is my looooong list of Lifetime Changes (I think I like that better than New Years Resolution)

1. To have a REAL, personal relationship with Jesus Christ

This is very shameful for me to admit but I've been struggling with my spiritual life. I plan to devote my time to really reading and understanding the scripture and having daily communion with Him. I believe Jesus is coming again soon and I want to be ready for His return.

2. To live a healthy lifestyle when it comes to my diet and exercise

It's no secret that my biggest insecurity is my weight. I'm always either on a diet, just finished a diet or about to start one. I'm so tired of living like that and now is the time I make a lifestyle change and make exercise a part of my daily routine.

3. To achieve a more stable financial situation

I've been blessed with a career where I'm able to support myself and afford some small luxuries but this is the time I need to be more responsible and actually start REALLY saving money. I (thankfully) don't have any credit card debit and I live at home so paying down on my student loans, car note and putting something away for later on in life needs to be my priority.

4. To further my education

Even though I'm proud of my accomplishments, to this day I still beat myself up about not doing nursing the first time around. I feel I should of had a Masters by now but I can't live in the past so I plan to apply to one graduate program this year and see what happens.

5. To be a better nurse

Just because nursing school is over doesn't mean you have to stop learning. I want to make it a habit to review things I once learned because I'm sure it will make even more sense now that I'm practicing. I want to better my techniques and become even more proficient with cardiac rhythms.

6. I no longer want my emotions to dictate my actions

I've been working on this since last year and there has been great improvement already but I can do better.

7. I want to be less selfish and share more

I have no problem giving but I hate sharing what's mine. It's such a bad trait and I've been blessed to have many people share with me throughout my life that I definitely need to do better in that area.

8. Don't have an opinion where you don't have responsibility.

I read this quote on my cousin's husband's facebook page a few weeks ago. How often have you listened to a friends situation and unknowingly judged him/her? Perhaps even discussed it with another friend or your significant other, stating what you would have done differently, questioning the reasons for their actions, and even looking down at them for their misfortunes. That is not being a real friend and being a good friend is what I strive for. I have a very small circle and treasure all those that are apart of it.

9. To be a better blogger

This blog has been such a major outlet for me since I started last year but often it gets put on the back burner, sometimes because of a crazy work schedule, sometimes out of laziness. I spent 6 days in DC with my boyfriend, had Christmas dinner my MD family and later on with his, ate at a fabolous restaurant, went to the movies, etc and I didn't make one entry or take one picture. I should be ashamed of myself... I don't even deserve to be called a blogger...lol. But for 2011 I plan to do better.

PS- If you're reading this and not a follower, go to the right side of the screen and click follow please :-)

What are some of your changes for the New Year?

Just what the doctor order

I've been in DC since Tuesday and I've literally been in bed since I got here. I haven't wanted to do anything but stay in and sleep. I finally began to feel a little better on Saturday and Nelson was tired of me being cooped up inside and harassed me until I agreed to go out to dinner with him and his cousin Tony.

We left the house with no idea where we were headed but we ended up at Ted's Montana Grill. None of us have ever eaten there before but Nelson heard good things about it so we decided to give it a try.

It took a while to figure out what we wanted

especially Tony. Nelson and I shared secret snickers to ourselves because he told me how indecisive Tony can be when he eats somewhere new and how many questions he asks the waiter and he did just that! LOL

Nelson and I got the Red Rock Bison Burger. It's pepper jack cheese, fresh jalapeños, cilantro, fried onion straws, and their signature Z sauce on a ciabatta bun and it was delicious, probably totally unhealthy but so good.

Leaving the house was just what the doctor ordered. I'm happy he talked me into going out. I actually felt even better being outside and getting some fresh air. I guess he does know best... sometimes ;-)

I wish Nelson told me we were doing sexy faces I would have made one too...lol hahaha (He's gonna kill me for this comment)

We don't need no water...

I promised myself I would cook more when I'm in DC, not because Nelson cares, I mean he likes taking me out to eat ;-) but because my mom actually made a big deal out of it. The last time I was there she called and asked if I cooked breakfast for him before he went to work. I looked at the phone for a minute and asked her to repeat herself. Does she know what time he gets up in the morning? Did she forget I'm nocturnal and stay up most nights and get my best sleep in the mornings? I calmly responded no. She didn't hesitate to tell me "the way to a man's heart is through his mouth".

HUH?

After laughing hysterically and correcting her butchering of the popular saying, I realized she was right.

So on Wednesday I decide to cook my special chicken parmesan. It's a special recipe I came up with while in college that wins over everyone's heart. I haven't made it in 2 or 3 years so I was excited to bring it out the arsenal.

Everything was going according to plan. The chicken was complete and smelling divine, I just strained the spaghetti and the corn on the cob was almost finished boiling. It was the perfect time to cut and heat up the garlic bread. I grabbed a baking pan from the drawer under the stove and placed the bread in the oven. I went in the living room to sit with Nelson and his cousin Tony for a while. After a few minutes, I went to check on the bread and what I discovered was a fire in the oven!

I didn't know what to do, my mind went blank. I finally called out to Nelson for help. He went to the sink and grabbed the silver colander I just used to drain the pasta when he realized it couldn't hold water of course. The fire alarm is going off now and I'm worried the sprinklers are going to come on. I hear sirens in the distance and I pray they aren't making their way to his community. He reached into one of the cabinets and got a big plastic white bowl, filled it with water and threw it into the oven. Finally the fire was out.

I was so embarrassed! The baking pan I thought was metal was actually plastic. I caused his townhome to be smoked filled with black plastic remains (that are probably carcinogenic) floating around the main floor, not to mention the ruined oven racks. But Nelson was sooooo sweet, he told me it was no big deal and he's just happy I got up to check the bread when I did.

Besides the fact I almost made two people homeless, dinner was a success, they really enjoyed my meal and he even trusted me to cook the next day.

DC Discoveries

* Disclaimer* After reading this post please don’t judge me… I can’t help there is a fat girl within me, dying to re emerge and re live my freshman and sophomore years at Southern…lololol

So you all know about my fall challenge right?? Too bad it doesn’t seem to exist outside of state lines…smh. I went to DC Thursday night and didn’t stop eating till I got back home to NY today. Nelson knows the best places to eat in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) vicinity (please don’t tell him I said that… I don’t want his head to explode ;-]). I swear each visit he will run out of spots to take me but he keeps discovering neat little areas with even better eateries.

On Friday we headed to downtown Silver Spring to my new favorite restaurant Eggspectation. It’s like an upscale but casual restaurant that focus’ on breakfast/brunch foods although there is extensive lunch and dinner menu.

I ordered the Eggsuberant: pancakes, scrambled eggs, grilled potatoes, turkey bacon, grilled tomatoes and fruit. It was really, really good but I've had better pancakes. Nelson got the Eggstrvaganza which is basically the same thing but instead of pancakes you get French toast and let me tell you, it's like a piece of heaven for your taste buds (let me stop now because I'm sounding really fat). Downtown Silver Spring is a great place to eat, shop, catch a movie, or even live. I saw some pretty fabulous apartments nearby.

Saturday night we went down to National Harbor in MD to have dinner and just hang out. I enjoyed strolling along the marina and looking at all the colorful lights. Even though it was a tab bit chilly, I didn’t let it ruin my mood. The Harbor is filled with cute little specialty shops, tons of restaurants, and luxury resorts. I hope I can spend at least one night at the Gaylord National in the future.

We had dinner at Grace’s Mandarin. I’m not one to venture too much out of my comfort zone when it comes to food so I had General Tso Chicken Breast and Nelson had Sushi. I’m hoping one day I’ll be brave enough to try it.

Yesterday we ate at this charming French café that seemed to be modeled after a dreamy cottage off the French countryside called La Madeleine. Nelson got a boring meal consisting of a croissant, scrambled eggs, and turkey sausage *yawn*. He vowed never to order something he could make at home himself again…lol. Don’t worry I was nice enough to share my chicken pesto pasta with him.

I had a great time in DC as I usually do, but I’ve been pretty spoiled with all this eating out so next week when I head back down, I’m going to spoil him and prepare dinner a couple of nights (a couple is only like 2 right)…lol.

Dear DC...

I want to thank you for showing me such a good time

Every time I come for a visit you show me something new

I love the company you bless me with, the family you bring me closer to and the memories you help me create

The more time I spend with you, the harder the goodbyes become

I just ask one thing of you: PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME FAT with all your great restaurants and bakeries

But most of all I want to thank you for restoring my hope and helping me believe in something I almost gave up on

See you again in 2 weeks *MUAH*

Sunny Saturday

Today was such a beautiful day! I mean the sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky. It was almost 90 degrees at the end of September for goodness sake. We went to church at Community Praise Center in Alexandria, VA. It was the first time I ever went to a church that started at noon but hey, I'm all for it.

I found this little number at H&M. I wanted to pair it with a red blazer and red pumps I already owned but there was a huge black stain on the blazer. I have no idea how it got there, especially since I haven't worn it in forever. Nevertheless I had a navy blue blazer I bought last year and paired it with matching heels and I think it went over well.

The day was too nice to stay indoors so we spent our afternoon in Georgetown.

We had pizza down by the waterfront and stopped for a few pics

To make up for the red velvet I didn't get on my birthday, we walked over to Georgetown Cupcakes which you might have seen on TLC's TV show: DC Cupcakes. Take a look at the pics below... the line you see is for cupcakes, cupcakes people. We waited outside in the blazing sun for 30 mins but I have to admit they were pretty yummy. Would I go there again... sure but I would never stand on another line like that.

We ended the evening at the movies where we saw Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps... great flick

I wish all Saturday's could be this lovely