asteroid

i don't talk about my improv team very often. which is a total shame because they really kick ass. case in point: this weekend's show. we're a long-form team and we usually do a standard harold. but for the past month or so, we've been practicing a b-movie form. it's roughly based on a harold (starts with a three scene structure) but it's a lot looser/gets a lot more insane/features more ridiculous archetypes/features more screaming and falling around. we get a suggestion of the name of a creature (last nights were 'attack of the mutant eggplant' and 'attack of the killer ducks') and set the scene, then the origin of the creature.

we found out last minute that we had to fill the total hour (freak snow = cancelled other team) and ended up doing two b-movies. it was amazing. we all dressed up in 50's style black and white clothes and looked totally boss. everyone was having a total blast and i think it was really apparent in how we were playing. the pictures above = definite proof. me as a killer eggplant attacking bert, luke as a dead horse, aj fishing, pondering with jess - it was a total whirlwind of silliness.

when improv is good, it's the best feeling in the world. i get ridiculously giddy and hopeful and can't stop talking. that being said, when improv is bad it causes physical pain and serious stress. i've been known to go into funks after crappy shows. but it's completely worth it knowing that there's the potential for amazing shows and moments. because you're making it all up on the spot, with the support of all these other people around you, and you know any choice you make is the right choice - when you get to this really sweet spot when it's completely euphoric. it's so collaborative and it really requires you to follow principles that should dictate your life in all areas: listen to people, exist for someone outside yourself, take chances, listen to your gut, say yes, contribute something else.

i'm so grateful for the role improv has played in my life. when i decided to try out, on a whim, in december of my sophomore year (after seeing the audition event in my newsfeed on facebook), i had no idea how much it would shape my college experience. improv introduced me to most of my friends at temple. it got me involved in temple smash. it gave me to the confidence to audition for my PHIT team, which has lead to me meeting wonderful people and learning more about improv as a craft and as a community.

if you're ever in philly, you should check out a show. my team, asteroid, performs regularly around the city. and even if you're not in philly, you should look up your local improv scene! go support it! it's full of hilarious warm-hearted people who would love to see you in the crowd.

(sorry this turned into a sappy love note to improv dudes. i'll try to keep it together for you bros in the future.)

fondue fundo

i have a fairly hectic schedule this semester (internship, improv, smash, column, social life, full course load, etc.) BUT i have managed to have fridays pretty much totally free. i took advantage of my free fridays a few weeks ago to make fondue! with my groovy yellow fondue set! boyfriend mikeyaz was coming to town so i surprised him with some cheesey beer fondue complete with apples, red potatos, tomatoes, broccoli, and sourdough bread for dipping adventures. sometimes i like to up my girlfriend game. fondue for the win.

hot diggity!

would you like to see compelling footage of a hard-hitting news story on gourmet hot dogs?

well it doesn't exist. so tough luck.

what does exist is this 7-minute homage to hot diggity's banging south philly hot dog shop. the video also features: me staring awkwardly at the camera! magic tricks that involve my chin completely disappearing into my neck! terrible celery cutting skills caught on camera! intensely unnecessary dance moves! sauce covered faces! biting hot dogs straight from the microwave! mispronunciation of several words! so many things that i thought would end up edited out! i write a bi-weekly column for my college newspaper reviewing local eateries and attempting to recreate those eats at home (often with mixed results.) this is the video version. boo ya technology!

enjoy, mis amigos.

oh parents!

my parents are the bomb (dot com.) they attended a halloween party this weekend with a 1980's/MTV theme and chose to dress up as 'video killed the radio star'. my dad made the television and radio out of cardboard/paint/genius. mom dressed like joan jett to add to the punk element of her video takeover/radio killer. please note, she's also wearing my little brother's band's t-shirt.

seriously though - how adorable are these two? they crack me up on the daily.

sweet potato tacos

are another thing i have made recently. inspired by this post. mine are much less fancy. which means i didn't buy the purple cabbage.

i applied to graduate this week and begin scheduling a series of heinous but apparently necessary advising appointments. after this semester, i will only need 11 credits to graduate. this, of course, is dependent on not totally messing up this semester but so far it looks promising. in my honors advising appointment on friday, i tried to come up with a mock schedule - my last schedule ever. it was hard. this will be the last time i have professors and homework. i have no plans of going to grad school as of now and i'm beginning to feel a little upset about the prospect of leaving academia forever. but also excited. excited to be a real person getting real experience in the real world. it will take time to adjust to the fact that there are no semesters and that i don't get to change what i'm doing every four months. adjusting to a lack of summer vacation and winter break will be even more difficult. i have to keep reminding myself to enjoy those things while i still have them.

big changes are afoot my bloggy amigos. what advice do you have for a one person with a penchant for planning in this time of complete uncertainty? what would you tell your 21-year old self?

apple pie

i don't know why, but i consistently behave in way that denies my extroverted nature. i know i'm an extrovert - not just because personality tests have told me so, but because i can feel it. one of my professors described an extrovert as a person who recharges in the company of others. by interacting and connecting with people, they gain inspiration and motivation to take on new challenges and create new ideas. this is me. yet, i consistently treat myself like an introvert. i tell people i can't hang out, or convince myself that i will accomplish more if i'm alone. and then i don't. i get depressed or procrastinate or scroll mindlessly through pages of internet nothingness. but then there are nights like tonight, were i can't avoid working with others, that make me realize how much that method doesn't work for me. brainstorming with temple smash writers totally breaks down the dam formed in my mental thought river! i literally get giddy during meetings when we're all just talking and what if-ing. then beth and i studied together for our mediation exam - a task i gave myself three full days to work on (didn't do anything more than write a few words on index cards) and blammo! I feel like I know the material well! and now i can't fall asleep because i'm just so jazzed about everything and feeling insanely energetic and enthusiastic. again, i really need to start nurturing my extroverted side and just accepting the fact that i work better with others.

also, i made an apple pie. it was awesome. come hang out with me and maybe i'll make you one. if you play your cards right.

apple harvest festival and signs of fall

hit up the apple harvest festival with my mom today. as if the change of month and abundance of apples weren't doing it already, the weather got seriously chilly as if to remind everyone that fall is officially here. i wore a butt-load of layers (stripey shirt, chambray shirt, red grandpa cardigan topped off with a henry higgin's tweed hat) and walked around the muddy fair grounds looking at Americana crafts. my mom and i split a pulled pork sandwich and fries and we picked up apple dumplings for dessert. i also left with a jar of apple butter and some cranberry apple wine along with a box of mulling spices to make mulled wine. when i got back to philly, i packed up all my summer dresses too. just wanted to make the transition complete.

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

life as of recent (it's been a lot of food)

1. went to smokin' betty's for restaurant week with liz and keiran. four ridiculously huge courses later we were all wheezing on the streets, squatting in doorways, praying to god that our food babies would die. my meal included brisket and sauerkraut samosas with apple chutney, curry squash soup with candied pecans (pictured), korean bbq ribs with pineapple rice, and brown sugar pavlova with triple berries. food coma.
2. went to hot diggity in south philly for the video version of my column. not only was the owner ridiculously nice but the hot dog i got was out of this world. honey hot sauce, buttercream & chive sauce, blue cheese, celery, and little chicken bits on a buffalo dog? yes please.
3. spent last saturday playing with corrie and jimmy. beat everyone in just dance. reigning champ. i'd like to thank my mom for driving me to all those dance lessons as a child. i knew it would pay off.
4. made carrot ginger coconut soup. my mind exploded with it's goodness and i am now officially on the soup bandwagon.
5. got crepes with jimmy and corrie at the crepe truck.
6. tried out the new grilled cheese truck. got 'the pyro' which features pepper jack cheese, spinach, chipotle sauce, and pickled jalapenos. ah-may-zing. great, crusty bread too. i followed it up with a caramel apple cupcake from the buttercream truck. equally delicious in different ways.
7. temple smash is currently in full force. insane rehearsals and mucho mas hours being poured into the show but i think it's going to be really good. i love being a part of smash and this week it all comes together. you should watch- it streams live at 8 on thursday!