Smoothies

The other day I discovered a very unused magic bullet sitting all by it's lonesome on the shelf. So, armed with a few recipes from the internet and a quick trip to the supermarket I set on a journey with a few bumps and lumps of smoothie making.

The first week went well. Sticking to the recipes and using the common formula of ice & fruit with the occasional scoop of ice cream thrown in to help make it that much better was going great. The first week routine quickly turned from common to obscure ingredients in the second week. Flaxseed? Why not! Whey powder? The guys use it! Spinach? Can't taste it! Then came the day I heard about kale. It comes from the cabbage family and instead of forming the typical head, it forms these tight leaves that bunch together. Always interested in trying something new I decided to give it a go. Another trip to the market and I was back with kale.

Half way through my third week of making smoothies, I joined my sister on a trip to get some groceries. As we were chatting and making our way through the produce isle I wandered off in search of more kale since my supply was running low. When I found it, I stopped dead in my tracks. The kale I was currently using looked more like swiss chard and nothing like kale. Then a big light went off. Instead of using kale, the ultimate superfood, I was putting swiss chard into my smoothies instead!!! The weird thing is, swiss chard hides suprisingly well in them. In complete shock I quickly told my sister what I had been doing and she burst out laughing. Only then did I actually grasp how funny it really was!

I definitely learned my lesson that night. Next time I should carefully read the description by the item instead of quickly grabbing something that sorta resembles what I'm looking for.

-- Jill

Dream catching

Toady was my last day working for the mouse.  This time I was the one standing up at the podium as dream catchers fell while I was doing my final speil.  Trying to sum up this year is like attempting to answer the meaning of life.  I don't even know where to begin.  So for now I guess I will just say that this year has been quite the adventure.  Thank you for sticking it out with me.

and for one last time ...

from Florida with love,
Jilly

TED: Ideas Worth Spreading

http://www.ted.com/talks/charlie_todd_the_shared_experience_of_absurdity.html

A few months ago one of my good friends introduced me to TED.  It is a nonprofit organization devoted to ideas worth spreading.  It was a small conference that started out in 1984 connecting people from three areas: Technology, Entertainment, Design.  Ever since then the conference has been growing each year with one conference taking place in Long Beach and the other one in the UK.  More than a thousand people attend and it often sells out months before the event actually happens.  Over the course of four days, 50 speakers have a 18 minute time slot to tell their story.  However, there are many short ones that include music, comedy and performance.  The mission is to spread ideas.  They believe that with the power of ideas we can change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So TED.com is like a powerhouse of it all.  Where you look up talks, find out about events and even learn how to organize one yourself.  The link above is a talk that I watched yesterday.  I was interested in it because I had been watching Charlie Todd on youtube on the channel "Improv Everywhere."  So when I stumbled upon him giving a talk on TED I wanted to share it.  The talks have now expanded into culture, arts, science, global issues and more.  They range from funny, inspiring, persuausive, courageous and down right fascinating.  So if you have time today I strongly encourage you to check out TED.  Happy holidays!

from Florida with love,
Jilly

Washington, DC

Korean War Memorial

View of the Capitol Hill from the Old Post Office tower

The White House

On Wednesday I left sunny Orlando on a plane to Washington, DC to spend 4 days touring the city.  During my short time there I managed to see 6 museums, 3 art galleries and 11 monuments.  It was a easy city to navigate and my hotel was only a block from the National Mall.  Days started early and envolved a lot of walking but with the amount of coffee shops dotted along the streets it was easy to keep my energy up.  The White House was a lot smaller then what I thought it would be, but it was still impressive.  I had to fight the school groups to get that shot because when one school group left it seemed like another one showed up and took over.  My map I had of the city is covered in check marks with all the museums and monuments I did.  But there is still so many other ones I need to do.  I guess they will have to wait till my next trip.  That's all for now!

from Florida with love,
Jilly

Look!

Maggie and I made a trip to Hollywood Studios today, specifically to go on Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller Coaster.  We took this beautiful picture on our 4th time on the Tower.  We were overlooking the park when we spotted a statue in the corner and the camera managed to capture us as we pointed at something we overlooked the past 3 times we went on the ride.  After that ride we went on Rockin Roller Coaster for our 5th time then finished the day going back on Tower of Terror.  Now we are heading out to see our friends play!  It definitely is a magical day :)

from Florida with love,

Jilly

I'll be home for Christmas

I've never really been one to hope on board the christmas train in early november, but being at Disney they get into the holidays very early.  Three out of the four parks are already decorated and Epcot will be the last one to join as soon as the Food and Wine Festival is done on the 13th.  I've been listening to Micheal Buble's new christmas cd (which is amazing, go buy it) and Starbucks finally have their christmas flavor latte's out. This year will be a proper christmas because there will be snow!! Which I am sort of looking forward to being in.  However, I am soaking up all this sunshine and warmth while I can.  Although the temperatures have dipped to a cool 80 degrees, it's still pleasant outside.  Tomorrow I am heading to hollywood studios and then downtown Orlando for a play that my friend directed.  Work was fun today, only had short shift so that probably helped. Anyways, gotta go and do something fun because the clock is slowly counting down the days till I get back to Canada.  Can't wait to see everyone when I get home!

from Florida with love,
Jilly

mmmmBOP

Remember these guys?  I got to listen to them on Tuesday during my Amgard shift.  It was a lot of fun.  Screaming girls and unhappy boyfriends make for an entertaining crowd.  Anyways, work has been good and things are well here.

from Florida with love,

Jilly