Itsy bitsy

A while ago, I wrote about my quest to find a bathing suit. I tried on several occations to find something that looked good, or at least not dowdy on me. For a while, I thought I was never going to succeed - but then I ventured back to Linda's and let the ladies at the store just put me in anything in my size. I am proud to say that I was victorious, and walked out of the store with this little lovely number.

I am pleased to say that even though its an itsy bitsy teenie weenie polka dot bikini, I feel very comfortable in it.  I am so happy I found this early enough in the summer that I will actually get to go swimming in it.

Y I love YA

These days, it seems all I want to do is read YA (Young Adult) novels. I don't know what it is about them, but I LOVE them. It started with me revisiting a few favorites from high school, but then I started branching out -- reading new books recommended by friends and on websites. Lately, I've found myself browsing the YA section of the bookstore for what is new and popular so I can borrow the latest YA books from the library. I think I need to start a list of what I'm reading and enjoying in the world of YA on my library blog.

Click here to check it out. Right now I just list a few good reads, but I plan to update it with book reviews and recommended authors.

Actively kicking my butt, one squat at a time

I bought a Wii and Wii Active about a month ago and have been using it periodically to supplement my workouts at the gym. Yesterday, I used Wii active with my mom. We did lots of squats, some inline skating, boxing, etc. All day yesterday, my legs were a little fatigued but not bad. This morning, they were even more tired. Now, about 24 hours after finishing a 45 minute wii active work out my legs are SORE. Every step brings a little twinge of discomfort. My thighs, butt, back, and arms are all sore - but a good sore. The kind of sore that lets you know you actually worked out and did something good for yourself.

For anyone who is looking for a workout program or just something to supplement their already existing workout program, I highly recommend wii active. The programs have a good balance of cardio and strength training, and the programs are varied enough to keep you from getting bored. Sometimes it is hard to get the positioning of the nunchucks just right, but with a little practice you will zip through the exercises.

Sweet Dreams

I will be having sweet dreams for the next few days about a restaurant B and I went to with Swati and Kabir a few days ago. The restaurant is called Suenos, a Mexican restaurant on 17th street owned by the chef Sue Torres. We started the evening off with Tequilla and Sangrita, which is a spicey/salty tomato based chaser (read - super tastey). Kabir and Swati learned about Sangrita while vacationing in Mexico last summer and introduced it to us. For anyone who likes to try new drinks, I highly recommend this one.

After we moved to the table, we poured over the menu for a long time, trying to decide what to order. We ended up deciding on the make your own tacos. It was a little pricey, but mmmmmmmmm, so good. Lets put it this way, it was good enough for Kabir to declare Suenos the best Mexican food in NYC. Before the tacos arrived, we received piping hot corn bread with a black bean dip, then salads with dried appricots, pumpkin seeds, and goat cheese. Then the tacos arrived, and we went to town. I don't know how I managed, but somehow I stuffed 4 1/2 tacos into my stomach. 1 steak, 1 chicken, 1 tuna, and 1 1/2 pork, all on various types of tortillas and tostadas. And of course, being a woman with two stomachs - one for the meal and one for the dessert, I polished off the churros and tres leches that followed the huge meal.

To top off this excellent evening of food and friends, the chef-owner Sue Torres came by our table several times during the course of the evening, delivering a few of the food items, an assortment of super hot peppers, taking the time to chat with us, and even bringing Kabir another lime when he asked for it.

Thanks Swati and Kabir for a great spur of the moment evening. And thanks Ducky for the recommendation!

Earning Adult Points

B and I are the proud owners of our very first car (yay for earning adult points). We've been together since 1999, but have always lived in cities so we've never really needed a car before. Since we moved to NJ a few months ago, we've wanted to branch out of city life. We want to go hiking and camping more often, grocery shopping at the big grocery store, apple picking, visiting family, going on spur of the moment adventures, etc. Which lead us to buying our 2002 Jetta on Monday evening. After a month of scouring ads, riding the train to parts of NJ unknown, and test driving cars -- where actual ownership was questionable, we finally found a car that we love. After a little negotiating, the price was finally right. Two days later, cashiers check in hand, the exchange was made. The next morning we left the apartment at 7:30 to get the title transferred and the car registered. Hopefully we'll take the car for its first drive in the next few days.

An exercise in exercising

My arms feel like they are going to fall off. In fact, they are shaking so violently as I type this, that I am very thankful for spell check. Why are my arms so tired? Because I've finally, after two years of an extreme sedentary lifestyle, started exercising again. Today, I went to "Club Strength" at New York Sports Club ("NYSC"). The description for this class says that it is "suitable for all fitness levels" but I wish to disagree. This class is suitable for anyone who doesn't mind feeling like they are going to die while doing squats. This is my second time going to this class. The first time, my legs were so fatigued I could not walk down the stairs. Literally.

Hopefully in a few weeks my hard work will pay off and I'll be in better shape than I am now. I'd cross my fingers, but they are too tired.