Goodbyes and Good Times

Good Monday morning to you all!

I had quite the weekend, it was a mix of emotions, sadness, impatience, peace, joy, and comfort. I believe that I felt all of those emotions in that order as well, ha!

Friday Night:

Zach and I met up for dinner with the group of PhD Economic students that he had been apart of before switching his career choice. We had a great time with these people. When Zach was considering stopping the program to chose another degree, he was very torn because all of his classmates and their significant others were such great people. We didn’t want to lose their friendship and luckily we didn’t have to. Everyone has been so great at keeping in touch with us, inviting us to birthdays and parties, we have continued to become closer with them all. A bit sappy, but all to explain why we wanted Zach to have a chance to say goodbye before he left. We ate, drank, talked – a perfect goodbye.

The rest of the night Zach made phone calls to relatives, we finished Madam Secretary (at least all the Netflix seasons) and then just soaked up some talking time and snuggles with the kitty.

Saturday:

Cinnamon Swirl French Toast and Scrambled Eggs with Tomato and Mushroom

We slept in a little (no morning workout for me, that was not a priority) and I made a nice breakfast for us to enjoy. Together we finished packing Zach’s suitcases, he said goodbye to kitty (sob!) and we left for the airport.

My un-showered, no make-up attire

I wore sunglasses into the airport, I am a crier and there are never enough tissues to soak up my love. I think I cried not just because I wouldn’t see or even have consistent communication with my best friend for a month (maybe longer) but also because I was a little scared, annoyed that I have to stay behind, and overwhelmed with what I have to do.

My handsome man, about to leave

 

 

 

Leaving the airport, I already had a plan to go to Marshall’s and shop. Yep, shopping takes away my sadness pretty quick. I think at one point I had 10 items in my arms. This is how I shop though, I pick up pretty things, walk around a bit, try them on, walk around some more, and then end up putting almost all of them back and fighting with myself in my mind over whether or not I need whatever I am still carrying.

I felt a wave of sadness when I got home, it was 3 pm on a Saturday. I felt like I needed to pack, clean, make myself lunch (late), and sleep all at the same time. I don’t quite remember what I did but I did eat something and fully cleaned both bathrooms (yes!).

Later than evening, as I was about to roast some vegetables for meals this week I got a text from a friend inviting me to a movie night – life-saver – I was starting to feel silly and sad about not having made prior Saturday night plans and I was probably going to end up in bed at 8 pm. We watched a couple of episodes of Street Food Around the World and then Arrival. I got home at 12:30 pm. Zach woke me up at 1:45 am because he was in Paris on a layover. It was so wonderful to hear his voice.

Sunday: I had my plan a bit more together for Sunday. I woke up, made a to-do list while I ate breakfast (half a bagel with egg, onion, mushroom and cheese) and got started.

I did a 45 minute workout at the gym. 30 minutes of cardio, 10 minutes of abs, 5 minutes of buttocks. I didn’t have a plan going into the gym but thankfully I ended up getting a good sweat and burn. I was planning on going to Aldi right away but swung into Goodwill, which is in between my gym and Aldi. I found a few things that I literally wanted to buy brand new at Marshalls the day before so I was happy that I saved a significant amount of money. Zach and I are being very conscious of our money (we kinda always are) so that we come back to the states in stable financial condition.

I then went to Aldi and then the wine store to grab a bottle of Malbec and some boxes for packing. I picked up a lot of fresh produce from Aldi and ingredients for Morning Glory muffin. When I came home I saw this waiting for me on my porch! Zach said that a surprise would be arriving on Sunday!

What a great surprise! I adore Michelle Obama and really admire her work with the White House Garden, Play 60, and nutrition and garden education that she provides and promotes to youth. Such an important cause and very near and dear to my heart.

Baking is not really my thing, but because it is National Nutrition Month I wanted to bring a good muffin into work this week. These turned out to be the best muffins I have ever made! I doubled the batch to leave some for myself for breakfasts and I am so happy I did! Please check out the recipe at: http://www.pbfingers.com/best-ever-morning-glory-muffins/. It is very worth your time, I promise.

I am guilty for ruining the picture because I couldn’t wait to eat one!

Between baking a double batch of muffins, packing, laundry and listening to Pandora, I barely had time to finish my last batch of muffins before meeting up with some members from the Econ group for dinner at my favorite restaurant in SouthSide, La Palapa!

I got tameles, first time having them, ever (!), and they were amazing, I am glad I tried something new. I saved half for lunch today, yay!

To sum everything up.

1. Life is good, there is a season for everything, I am “#blessed.”
2. Zach is safely in Lebanon and his first day of work is today.
3. My friends are amazing. They helped me more than they know this weekend.
4. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13. This comes to mind when I start to feel overwhelmed with packing and all of the other tasks that I have to accomplish before leaving. Take everything bit by bit, God is in control.

I hope to come to you this week with a new “What’s Trending” post. I am torn between a couple of different topics so I will just have to hurry up and decide! Try the muffin recipe, so good!

~Meghan