Smile #108 - Nailed it!

I somehow avoided this ritual of nail salon visits for the past 24 years.  So, for the first time, I decided to treat myself to a professional manicure!  :)

Sis and I went to the modern and chic Polished Nail Bar.  The pressure to pick a nail color is tough when there is a multi-layered display case with countless bottles of nail polishes in every shades of the rainbow.   HELP!  I changed my mind at least three times before finally deciding on a dark brown with hints of red. Sis picked a dark greenish grey color.

With our colors in hand, we sat at the nail bar where the technicians promptly began filing our nails.  Twenty minutes passed by quickly and we are left with clean and beautiful nails!  :)

One step closer to full adulthood!  :)

Smile #107 - Domesticated?

JB and sis invited me to their baking party.  So why not?!  Girls night in...or so I thought.  Instead, It was a trap to domesticate me!  I was put to work like a little elf!  jk :)

A few photos to proof I did help! :)

Here is the recipe we used.  Who knew there are so many steps to an apple pie!  From cutting the apples to massaging the apple slices with all filling ingredients to finally neatly assembling the pie, the whole process took a good 30 mins!

It was all worth all the hard work when the room is filled with delicious apple scent.  :)  Consuming apple pies at 11pm might be a bit sinful, but who can abstain from that?!  A slice of the warm and soft taste of apple with crispy crust is just irresistible.  AHHH!

Even though my baking skills were put to work involuntarily, I did have fun with the girls. :)  It reminded me of old times when JB would make me help her in the kitchen. Well, I put that chopping potatoes skills to work tonight.  One step closer to adulthood, right?!  :)

Smile #106 - Almost #100

More than half of the US population shopped over Thanksgiving/Black Friday.  Steep discounts and door busters attracted shoppers to patiently (or not..) wait in line for store opening.  Despite store efforts to calm the crowd, plenty of horrific and hilarious stories emerged in the news the next day.  Just read some of them here.

 

The intense and rushed atmosphere deeply contrast from the relax slow-paced Southern culture.  Shoppers are prepared with coupons and readied to claim their prize.

 

Even though I took advantage of this once-in-a-year late night shopping opportunity each year, nothing had induced me enough to actually stand in line.  For the first time, I actually stood in line! :)

 

Mom, Sis and I took a quick drive around the neighborhood to check out the craze.  With 30 mins until door opens at Target, lines wrapped around the building.  Guess those $257 TV really drew a crowd.

 

We went to Kohl's next.  It was no surprise to find a line also formed outside.  With just 20 mins until door opens, sis wanted to wait in the car.  Mom sweet talked her and sis reluctantly got out to join the line.  After I parked, I also joined them in line.  As it turns out, they were winners of Kohl's first 100 customers giveaway.  They are #98 and #99 in line.  Winners were offered a movie voucher. She better be thanking me for kicking her out of the car!  :)

 

Smile #105 - Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is a traditional holiday celebrated in the US with lots of food.  It is the one day out of a year that no one will judge you for the amount of food you consumed.  :)  Put on your stretchy pants and eat!

Because Dad has work later on, we moved Thanksgiving dinner early.  For the first time, we had both turkey and ham.  There is also mash potatoes and gravy plus desserts.  So. Much. Food!  I attempted not to overeat, but with so many food on the table....I failed.

Since Sis and I were already dressed up, we thought to take advantage of it and take a few pics.  Here are some of the photos we took.

Side story:  My car was parked outside and Mom thought it would be fun to sit on top of the hood, except getting on top was a lot harder than expected.  Here is the result of Mom's attempt and sis dying from laughing.

Happy Thanksgivings from us all!  :) 

Smile #104 - Officially Gold Star

I have been waiting for this day for ages!  I am proud to announce I am officially a GOLD MEMBER at Starbucks!  :)

Phew!  The path to Gold level is quite strenuous!

I almost didn't pass the finish line!  I received an email a few weeks ago inviting me to join a bonus star challenge. By purchasing two Chestnut Praline Lattes, I would earn extra bonus stars.  Just enough to push me over to gold status.  Well, I made the two purchases of course, but my stars never showed up onto my account. I had to reach out to Starbucks Customer's Service to initiate an investigation.  But no worries, I got my stars now!  :)

I might be slightly broke in order to maintain my new gold status (AKA making 30 purchases for 30 stars within the next 12 months).  On the plus side, I do get to indulge in a few delicious drinks.  :)

Coffee date anyone? :)

Smile #103 - The Adventures of Hazelnut Maready, Bosch Cruz & Ozlo Snow

The mountain is calling my name yet again...AKA getting spam texts from sis.  Stranded in the mountain, I am her only civilization rescuer.  :)

Since our last adventure in Boone, the weather has took quite a turn.  The radiant colorful view has been traded for a grey wintery scene.

I thought I was well prepared for this trip with my cable knit sweater, but little did I know that the chilly wind would cut right through he sweater and into my skin!  My arms clenched tight against the cold for the entire day.  Oh how I don't miss the Boone winter ... at all.

I finally met the infamous Mr. M!  He and I had exchanged short conversations previously, but it is time that we meet in person.  We met up for Sunday Brunch at Cracker Barrel.  It has been a while since I had some good ol' country food. :)

While we were waiting, sis found a huge crate of giant stuff animals and begged for it to be a part of her Xmas present.

Everyone, meet Penta the fox.  She is about the same size as us.  :)

The food certainly did not disappoint me.  I had their new seasonal offering, Mushroom Braised Pot Roast.  Tender roasted pork topped in rich mushroom sauce.  Plus I get my DUMPLINGS!  Hands down, best side dish!  :)

After lunch, we split up.  Bubble left with his friend, B for their football date while us three headed down the mountain for some shopping.

Conclusion from our shopping trip is:  we bought WAY too much!  Sis made a purchase from every shop we stopped at.  This is turning out to be a very expensive weekend!  On the upside, I have majority of her present shopping finished.  :)

Anyone want to buy me this ittsy bitsy Olaf?!

I finally found a quilted tan vest that I have been wanting for a while and I got a good deal with my expired student ID!  :)  Don't judge, you know you'd do it too!

After the outlet, we headed to Boone mini mall as sis likes to call it.  Hallmark is one of the five shops in this "mall".  We found a toy there that generates your elf name.  M pressed it and his name is Bosch Cruz.  Sis pressed it and her name is Ozlo Snow.  My new name is Hazelnut Maready.  LOL!

Nice to meet you all, Hazelnut Maready here, ready to be Santa's little helper!

Since sis introduced us to Appalachian Cookie Co, there is no way I can skip this part on any trip up the mountain.  I ordered another white chocolate macadamia cookie.  Fresh out of the oven, so worth the calories!  :)

We began descending the mountain after dusk where I fell asleep on Bubble's lap.  It won't be long until my next trip up the mountain...exactly one week from now.  :)

Smile #102 - Nice to Meet You, Windy Hill Orchard!

Nice to Meet You, Windy Hill Orchard!

Blue skies and mild temperature are the two perfect reason to spend an afternoon outdoors.  :)  Bubble and I took a break from the city and headed to Windy Hill Orchard, a hard cider producer with a small apple orchard.

We stepped out the car and the first thing we noticed was the delicious aroma.  The air was filled with sweet apple scent.  My mouth watered just from the smell!

We followed the scent and found a little shop around the corner.  A lady behind the counter busied herself with cider donuts!  Ahh!  The temptation!  The shop also sells bottled ciders, fruit pies and apple jams.

Country songs blasted in the background and crowds gathered around the fire pit with a glass of cider.  The area was quite lively!

Bubble and I have never been to a cider mills before, so we chose a sample flight to sample all the varieties.  Out of the 6 different distinct flavors of ciders, my favorite is the Strawberry Pippin.  Bubble preferred the Hoppin Johnny and Rusty Gold.  They also offer a combination of different ciders.  I tried a Sassy Matt, a combination of Strawberry Pippin and Gala Peach.  It was delicious!  Bubble asked for a shot of Rusty Gold in his Hoppin Johnny.  The bartender ladies cracked up at his odd request.  :)

We also splitted half a dozen of cider donuts which we devoured in no time.  Oops!  :)

The tickets might have been an impulse buy, but the fun we had proved it was worth every penny.  :)  I'll definitely be back for more of those cider donuts!  :)

Smile #101 - Say Yes to Public Speaking

I am a victim of glossophobia, the fear of public speaking.  Just the thought of presenting in front of anyone instantly puts me on edge.  So unless I am assigned or volun-told, I usually try to avoid any presentation at all costs.  Sure, I have presented in front of students, classmates, club members, and even the Mayor of Dornbirn.  The thought of presenting still nonetheless terrifying.

Some days I think my public speaking skills will improve with age.  So maybe next year....or in twenty years.

I finally took the first step and joined Toastmasters International, a non-profit organization that helps members improve their communication, public speaking, and leadership skills.  :)  For the past few weeks, I attended weekly meetings and heard fellow members' speeches.  But time after time, I delayed taking on a leadership or speaking role.

With a little encouragement from my Toastmaster mentor, I signed up for my first leadership role!  :)  I served as the Timekeeper at our meeting today!

The job was not strenuous.  I stood and explained my duty and responsibilities for this meeting.  I recorded time for each speech and evaluation.  The point is, I did it!  I said YES to taking on my first role!  :)

Next up, my actual speech... :)