The Journey Starts with Spirit (Chicago Trip Day 1)

I am back, and HAPPY from Chicago. Spain won the world cup, (please, nobody get mad at me for being excited!), I FINALLY have an American Girl doll, and I feel like a 3 year old. Basically, everything is all right with the world. It is time for me to document my trip. I will shorten Chicago Trip Day # into CTD# from now on. Hence, I shall begin.

The journey started with Spirit. Spirit Airlines, to be exact. I do not like mint, or gum, so I really can't chew anything on the plane. Finally, I have found something that calms me. Hajmola! Its a spice filled tablet that somehow calms me (the kind in the purple bottle, not the orange bottle). Downside: You have to eat 4-6 because they're so tiny, but not at once. Upside: Not mint or gum.

So, we landed in Atlantic City, New Jersey at first. Let me tell you something: Its beautiful and all, but the airport is tiny! It has: 2 places for food, 1 gift shop, 1 bathroom set, and a few terminals. I spent some time in the gift shop, and watched Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune from Historic Boston! the whole time. We had a two hour wait. The flight to Detroit would have been nicer if it weren't for the girl behind me, who kept kicking the back of my seat. Not the best if you're tired and cranky.

Finally, we landed in Detroit Airport. The highlight: I took a huge Duffel Bag from the Baggage Claim and landed it in one swipe before Mom or Dad got there. People behind me were all "That bag's bigger that her!" and "Wow! I couldn't do that!" It made me happy. :)

After that, we went to the Hertz bus terminal for Murphy's Law example number 1: Everyone that went there was waiting for Hertz. Guess which was the last bus to come? HERTZ! Give the reader a prize...

After wards, we went to an awesome fast food restaurant called Checkers. It has better food than most, and is a fresh-ish drive- thru. Then, we started to drive to Lansing, where I'll start off on my next post.

Farewell,
Tani

How to devour a watermelon in 2 days

Note: Said Watermelon was devoured by 3 people

Note2: Just because I'm telling you how to do it, does not mean I recommend you do it

1. After a month of not having watermelons, buy a big one
2. Forget about it for a week or two
3. Finally open it
4. Have dad chide you for opening a watermelon two days before you leave for Chicago
5. Drag dad onto deck to devour half a watermelon
6. Feel like you're full of water (and melon)
7. Sleep
8. Have a little breakfast
9. Eat a quarter of a watermelon with mom
10. Wait
11. Eat supper
12. Finish the watermelon with mom, minus one part that you save for dad
13. Crave that one part you saved for a minute
14. Say "I'll just eat the broken parts"
15. Eat said broken parts
16. Crave watermelon (again) for 30 seconds
17. Touch the watermelon and watch a piece crumble off
18. In reality, break a piece off
19. Eat it
20. Repeat steps 17- 18
21. Watch Mom laugh at you
22. Enter kitchen
23. Realize you had half a watermelon alone in two days
24. Smile
25. The End

And that, my friends, is how you devour a big watermelon in 2 days.

http://ericsonfp.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/watermelon.jpg

Chicago....

Dear World,

We are heading to Chicago soon. Please let me know if there's something I MUST eat, MUST see, MUST do, etc.

Sincerely,

Tani

Summer Boredom-----> Riddles!

Boredom. Summer boredom. It comes around every year. This year, it has led me to riddles. So, I am making a contest for the few of you who read my blog.

Rules: No looking up the riddles... that would not be using your brain.

...

Thats it. On to the riddles!

1. I have an eye but cannot see. I am stronger and faster then any man alive but have no limbs. Who am I?

2. My life can be measured in hours,

I serve by being devoured,

Thin, I am quick,

Fat, I am slow,

Wind is my foe. Who am I?

3. I never was, am always to be,

No one ever saw me, nor ever will,

And yet I am the confidence of all,

To live and breathe on this terrestrial ball.

Who am I?

4. No legs have I to dance,

No lungs have I to breathe,

No life have I to live or die

And yet I do all three.

Who am I?

5. I always runs but never walk, often murmur, never talk, have a bed but never sleep, have a mouth but never eat. Who am I?

Good Luck! You don't need to know all of them to comment by the way. Also, do me a favor and don't read others comments... anyway, they could be wrong.

-Tani

Happy Summer!

Summer: The complex season. The season where people are either completely lazy, unnaturally active, or in between. I don't know whether I'll be lazy or in between yet this summer; I am being forced to read 6 books that don't sound that interesting, as well as two textbooks. Joy.

Oh well. It's less work than usual :)

Summer Recipe: SUMMER BERRY TRIFLE!!!

Ingredients

• 1 package (3.4-ounce) instant vanilla pudding
• 4 cups fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries), washed and hulled, plus extra for garnish
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 24 to 36 ladyfingers

Instructions:

To make the fillings, prepare the pudding

according to the package directions and chill it.

Slice the strawberries, if you're using them, then toss all of the berries with the lemon juice and the 1/4 cup of sugar. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the berries to release their juices.

In a medium mixing bowl, whip the cream, vanilla extract, and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar until soft peaks form. Set aside.

To make the layers, set a layer of ladyfingers (around 7 or 8) on the bottom of a large, clear serving bowl (ours was 4 quarts). Top with the berries with half of the pudding.

Add another layer of ladyfingers, another third of the berries and juice, and the rest of the pudding. Add a final layer of ladyfingers and berries. Top with the whipped cream and a berry garnish.

Refrigerate until you're ready to serve. Serves 8 to 10.

Enjoy!

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