Things I have learned since last Friday:

1. Mike and I are very similar in ways I did not expect. Last Friday he pouted after the pizza we made would not release from the wax paper on which we had baked it. On Saturday, he mmm'd and yum'd at my overcooked croissants while I rested my bottom lip on the kitchen floor. (Trust me, that is not a place you want your bottom lip to be.)
2. Wax paper, while cheaper, is not the same as parchment paper.
3. Wax paper peels off cold pizza much more nicely than it does from hot pizza (and you have less chance of losing your toppings!).
4. I will eat anything.
5. Saying things like, "How do I expect to ever be a real baker?!" doesn't unoverbake croissants.
6. Planning other people's birthdays is a major source of self-induced stress for me. It is also a major source of great joy and anticipation.
7. Part of my love for other people's birthdays stems from my uncontrollable addiction to baked goods. I currently have cookie dough in my fridge, cupcakes on my kitchen table, and still plans for Twinkie ice cream (Mike's favorite) and red velvet cake for Mike's mom (her birthday's right after Mother's Day).
8. It is impossible to find Twinkies within a one mile radius of my apartment. Tomorrow I will venture out of that one mile radius and get the prize!
9. I know almost every word to every song in Dirty Dancing.
10. While I don't plan to get a dog anytime soon, I am shocked that I have lasted this long without friends with dogs.

Wednesday was Jenna's birthday, so Mike and I dogsat while she and Ron went to dinner. We lounged on their couch, ate their pickles, and cuddled with Piper. I've finished the last details of Mike's scavenger hunt for today, and the majority of the prep for tonight is done. Last night I took a much needed reprieve and got drinks with Meg and Tom at The Thirsty Scholar. There were wings and basketball and summer beers! There was also Ray Allen and that smooshed up adorable mean face he makes when he's doing free throws.

It's almost the weekend (the weekend!). Insert big sigh.

26 before 26.

Today I turn 25 years old. It's funny, when I was in high school, it always felt as though 2004 (my grad year) would never come. It was as though life would stretch on without ever reaching what I saw as the end point. The year came and went. I graduated from high school, transferred colleges twice before finding the perfect fit (call me Goldilocks), moved 1,100 miles away, and I haven't felt it stop since. I fell in love (!!), found a real job, had my first story (now stories) published. I'm doing things I never thought I would do. I finally made it to New Orleans; I've visited so many new cities this year, a goal realized before I even recognized that it was happening. I trust that this year will bring so many things I can hardly expect or anticipate right now, on the cusp of a brand new year, but I thought I'd make some tangible goals for myself in the upcoming year for the inevitable stalls. It's a pretty small number, so let's make them count.

Thanks to the love Amy Morby for these free banners!

Today is my Friday.

Tonight I'm flying off to New Orleans to spend a weekend with the old 20 Lopez crew. It's been a long time coming (my visits are always so anticipated, so belated), and I'm excited to experience a brand new city. I'm loading up my Pentax, my film, and my summer dresses for one final stint in 80 degree weather.

Some things before I go...

• Mike came over last night since we won't be seeing each other this weekend. I went for a walk to the library and grocery store last night, and when I returned, he had set up a whole scavenger hunt for me. The final index card described my birthday weekend: A trip to Philly, a special Friday night (still a surprise), Saturday with Philly friends (and bowling!!), and a relaxed Sunday before heading back that night. I'm usually the one baking a cake for others' birthdays, and I must admit it felt so nice to be thought of 100% for my birthday. 
• I also made these ridiculous things last night. SO. GOOD. I'm wrapping them in tin foil and bringing them below the Mason-Dixon line tonight. I hope they go well with white wine!
• Meg took me out for breakfast early this morning for some much-needed roommie time. The bacon was crisp and the syrup was real and from Vermont. On the way home...
• I stopped at Blick art supplies and oh man. I had to cut my wandering short because of, you know, work and stuff, but I could've spent days in there convincing and unconvincing and reconvincing myself to buy watercolors and postcards and colored pencils! A return trip is definitely in order. I left with free pencils (I won them!), a brand-spanking new journal, two pens (maroon and black), some green yarn (crochet season is upon us), and a frame for a gift for Crysty. They had a sale going, so I got 20% off my purchase, which diminished the dent a bit. No regrets on my first purchase in a while. 
• Love this blog with all my little heart. 
• I can't wait for New Orleans. 

That's all. 

xo, Mel.

5 Things About Me

I saw this post over at Campfire Chic and thought I'd share a few things my About Me page doesn't cover.

1. I cry easily. If you know me personally, you're probably laughing right now, not because you're mean-spirited, but because those three words are understatement of the year. There is no rhyme or reason for my waterworks, but some surefire tearjerkers are other people crying, a happy movie, a sad movie, something really frustrating, a moment of pure fear... you get the point.

That's a teardrop on my face after a speech by a complete stranger at a friend's wedding.

2. I enjoy my alone time. I'm sounding like a real winner here, I know. But a nice afternoon of SSR (sustained silent reading) time or a quiet dinner on my back porch is just the fuel I need after a hectic day. Also, who says you can't go to a movie by yourself (aside from my budget, which pretty much bans all movies other than library rentals)?

3. Ice cream is my favorite food. If it wouldn't ensure immediate lactose intolerance, I'd eat ice cream twice a day. I have been known to sneak a bite in the mornings before work. Don't ask me my favorite flavor; I love them all equally.

4. I was born on an island. I was born on Guam; my dad was stationed there with the Navy and my mom was a hot island chick. I lived on neighboring Saipan for three-ish years when I was younger, and I still remember it well. I'd love to go back, though I'm not sure I ever will. 

Image via 

5. I have too many things I want to do with my life. These include opening a bakery, becoming a lounge singer, teaching English, writing a collection of short stories, editing a literary magazine, and owning and operating a farm.

For fun...

Currently listening to For Emma by Bon Iver

Currently reading The Year We Left Home by Jean Thompson

Currently wearing a gifted dress from French Connection and a Target cardigan, sandals from Payless

Current location is my desk at my office

Currently on my to-do list: Finish reading my book and write a review; get film from Kavi's wedding developed; assemble the newsletter for work.

All work & no play makes Mel a dull girl.

I'm low on sleep and high on to-dos, so I'm a little whiny. Rather than listing complaints, let's list some good things about today:

1. It's my last day of work this week.

2. I did a phone interview for a blog post that didn't make my hands sweat beforehand. Perhaps it's growing on me?

3. I didn't have a bizarre-o lunch today. I feel satisfied, and my mouth doesn't reek of onions.

4. Bagel Wednesday!

5. Crunch gave me her FB sign-in to look at Ashley's bachelorette party photos. Felt nostalgic & grateful for knowing some amazing women. Renewed sense of need to visit her in NOLA.

6. There will be time for Mel-Quiet-Time after I get home from work tonight.

7. Mike comes tonight!

8. I have supplies to bake Nutella cookies when I get home. That, laundry, submitting to my writing group, and reading are on my list.

It's already 1 pm, and I have quite a few things to tie up before my four-day weekend, but I'm feeling renewed. After a cup of coffee I'll be ready to go.

Reading now: Still working on Jung's autobiography, and this week's New Yorker came in the mail yesterday.

Writing now: 5x500 post is an old bit I never got around to finishing. I'm starting to see it as a piece of flash fiction instead now.