Gluttony

Dear Lord, forgive me for the gluttony that took place this past week (she says as she shoves another handful of Swedish Fish in her mouth). My diet consisted of chocolate-covered nuts and Milk Duds. Ugh, I feel sick just thinking about it. I felt sick about it yesterday but it didn't stop me from eating even more today. Everyday I say "Tomorrow!" Well, I think I need to mean it. I have no plans tomorrow night so I think I'll go to the store and prepare for a week of detox, headaches from lack of sugar, and my digestive system straightening itself out. Wow, this sounds a lot like rehab.

Journal Entry of a Weak Soul

Dear Diary,

Why are there so many damn cookies in the kitchen? I feel guilty if I don't try them all. I feel guilty if I do. So I settled for the lesser of two evils. Now my mouth hurts from too much sugar.

And in case any of you were wondering if Rick Bayless' new restaurant, XOCO, was any good. It is. And he's just as cute in person. I could have reached out and removed a flake of torta from his beard. But I didn't.

Final Four

The Final Four haven't even played yet and I'm the guaranteed loser in my office pool. Fine with me! The person with the lowest points gets their $5 back. I'm going to take my winnings and buy me a three-pack of Orbit gum. I'm thinking cinnamon flavor.

Seriously, my points add up to 61. The next lowest has 83. That's bad. I have no one team in the final four. I'm wondering if I even had any in the elite eight. I don't care about college basketball. Arkansas hasn't been good since the mid-90's. Maybe now that Andrew will be there in the fall, I'll care a bit more.

Random factoid for you today: Sunday night a friend of mine made homemade ice cream. It was coconut lime with a jalapeno infusion. IT WAS SO GOOD! Sweet at first and then it burned you good.

A Good Monday

So I had a fun start to the week on Monday. First of all, I got a call to audition for an upcoming Sitcom Pilot. On a big network! Thanks to my friend, Cristin, for sending me the information. It was for the "best friend" role which fits me nicely; especially since the girl was just like me. Secondly, I got a call that I was cast in a short film that will be filming in April. I went to the callbacks on Saturday and was one of many people auditioning for the lead role. So of course that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside - hearing that I was WANTED! The skies were open and the possibilities limitless on Monday. I love days like that - days when you feel things are happening and you've stepped a little further in life. Progress feels good.

The audition was good. I won't say great because I by no means nailed it. I was all jittery and numb from having memorized 10 pages in less than 24 hours. They gave me a second read which was great and I felt much better about it. Wish I could do it again and knock their socks off. But it was a great opportunity and learning experience for me. I think my heart would explode out of my chest if I were to be called back. Oh the possibilities! lalalalalalalala...Katy, come back to earth.

Update on my eating:
I turned down chocolate cake and cheesecake last night. I'm committed y'all! Of course my birthday week is coming up and I pray God gives me strength and discipline for my birthday (along with movie roles and the love of my life). I lost 5.5 pounds quickly and then plateaued. It's frustrating eating good when you feel like it's not making much of a difference. I have a feeling I'll break the barrier soon and lose a couple more. Either way, I fit into my skinny jeans nicely this weekend. No stretching or day-dreaming of putting on sweatpants ASAP.

Something's Fishy

Last night I made fish tacos. I was so excited about how delicious they turned out the first time that I thought I'd make them again. It's simple:

• Two wheat tortillas (nuke them for 20 seconds to warm them up)
• Shredded Cabbage - place row on tortilla
• Alaskan Cod - drizzle olive oil and salt & pepper - bake for 15 minutes at 450 - place a strip over the cabbage.
• Salsa - fresh or any of your favorite flavors - spoon some on top of the fish.
• Serve with side of salad or steamed broccoli.

They are seriously delicious. Unfortunately I didn't realize how badly the fish makes the apartment smell. I left for a while last night and came home to the house stinking of fish. I even smelled it in my sleep and it's still there this morning! I took out the trash, opened a few windows and am hoping for the best when I go home. I need to send my roommates a huge apology.

Drunk with Love...for Ice Cream

I love this picture of Connor. Perhaps because I identify with it. That's me when I eat Ben and Jerry's. Oh, Ben and Jerry's. I haven't had you in so long!

10 Pounds of Chocolate

It may be time to commence the wiring shut of my jaw. Seriously. At one of our fundraising events last night, a donor bought a 10 pound bar of chocolate in an auction. He kindly (?) donated this 10 pound chocolate bar right back to us so we could eat it at our office. WHY IS GOD TESTING ME?!!!! I added it all up: The bar has 24,860 calories and 1,469 grams of fat. With all the estrogen and pregnant hormonalness going on in our office, that bar will be gone in 24 hours. I kid you not. Is there no mercy?

Recipe Time

For those of you who asked:

Texas Caviar
The best for nights at the ranch, holidays, or fun parties with friends…

2 Cans Black Eyed Peas, drained and rinsed
1 Can Rotel, drained
1 Red Onion
1 Green Pepper
1 Avocado
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
½ C Italian Dressing
Lime Juice to taste

Mix all ingredients in large bowl, then add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with tortilla chips.

HodgePodge:
Perfect for a cold day, party with friends and even best served as leftovers...

1 lb. ground beef
1 medium white onion chopped
1 can rotel (diced tomatoes and green chiles)
2 cans stewed tomatoes
4 cans minestrone soup

Brown beef & onions together in a large pot. Drain grease. Add all other ingredients (no need to drain cans) and mix together. Add water (1 inch above other ingredients or to your preference). Heat on high until it bubbles. Serve in a big bowl with grated cheese and crackers.

**You can also add other ingredients like corn, beans, etc.

Gina's Birthday

Happy Birthday to Gina! We went out and celebrated at Tango Sur Saturday night. Let me just say that I absolutely LOVE this restaurant. Big chunks of meat and sides of buttery mashed potatoes. Can it get any better? I submit that it cannot! Our Johnny Depp look-a-like server with a huge chip on his shoulder was a nice added bonus.

Enjoy a couple of pictures from the night.

Apron Strings

This is a roommate picture that we took on Sunday. My mom was in town this weekend and bought us each a cute apron. She's probably hoping that it inspires me to cook more often. Tuna salad and crackers is cooking! I'll probably die of mercury poisoning from the amount of tuna I eat weekly. But it's a meal I can eat immediately. My hunger pangs don't have much patience! AND it's high in protein and low in fat. Again, that's neither here nor there.

We had fun cooking it up in the kitchen. Janell cut up watermelon. Jessie made oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies (Temp. Tation! I can hardly resist!). And I entertained them! I wore my apron while doing it. I think I've finally found my calling.

Sodium Carbonate

Yesterday's Lunch:

Appetizer of grape tomatoes with salt...and more salt
Appetizer of Tostitos Scoops chips with salsa and guacamole
Dessert of half Golden Delicious Apple
Entree of an organic cheese tortellini thingy with pesto sauce that was immediately thrown in the trash because it tasted like mint. I hate mint. And it was organic. I tried organic but I need to just embrace the fact that preservatives are for me.

Today's Lunch:
Appetizer of Tostitos Scoops chips with salsa and guacamole
Dessert of grape tomatoes with salt...and more salt
Entree of a Healthy Choice chicken and rosemary potato thingy. I ate most of it. It also had broccoli.

My current craving: Grape Tomatoes with salt...and more salt. I couldn't wait to get out of a meeting so I could go eat my salt with tomatoes. I'm going to be retaining pounds of water any day now. I just realized I've only gone to the bathroom once today. I think the water retention has begun.

Fortune?

I just had a fabulous dinner at Shine on Armitage. My fortune cookie told me:

Expand your horizons by reading a new book.

I have something to ask my fortune cookie:

Do you even know who I am?

Anniversary

Sunday marked my three year anniversary here in Chicago. I celebrated by throwing a work event for over 10,000 people. It reminded me of how far I've come since I left on a 15 hour road trip with my dad three years ago. So much has happened in those three years. I've been blessed with great opportunities, wonderful friends and unforgettable memories. I thought it might be fun to highlight opportunities I've had since picking up my life and moving to Chicago.

1. Road trip with Dad
2. Slept on Kathie's couch for 4 months
3. Celebrated and mourned with the Cubs loss to the Marlins - Bartlett ball incident
4. Met Joss Stone
5. Got a great job, new roommates and an apartment all in ONE day
6. Ran 2 half marathons
7. Completed a sprint triathalon
8. Trip to Hawaii
9. Brother, Patrick, got married to Alicia
10. Erin & Chris had a baby
11. Best friend, Beckles, got married
12. Auditioned for the Second City Conservatory & got in!
13. Graduated from the Second City Conservatory
14. Made life-long friends from Second City
15. Finished the iO improv training program
16. Performed with Quick!Paddle!! at iO
17. Performed with Sable (my first improv show ever)
18. Auditioned and got cast in "Generation X-Communication"
19. Performed with friends in "Mockupations"
20. Asked to perform at House of Blues with Rebirth
21. First audition for a play and CAST!
22. One minute part in a seven minute play - "The Resignation"
23. Picked up Gary Hall Jr. from the airport
24. Learned to flyfish with my dad and patrick in Montana
25. Family trip to Vancouver
26. Climbed the Grouse Grind
27. Lost 20 pounds
28. Gained 20 pounds
29. Had many unsuccessful blind dates
30. Turned 30 and had my whole family celebrating with me
31. Skiing with my family in Breckenridge, Colorado
32. Went to Stacey, Rachel, Katherine and Lindsay's Weddings
33. Shook Harold Ramis' hand and talked to him about Second City
34. Re-introduced Chris & Marissa who ended up getting married
35. Bought a couch and oversized chair
36. Got numerous parking tickets
37. Part of the greatest small group ever
38. Live with my cousin, Jessie
39. Learned that I don't like beer but like a good Cider
40. Discovered Potbellies
41. Attended 2 plays at Steppenwolf with Helen
42. Met most of Chicago's top CEO's
43. Passed by Scott Speedman on Dearborn St.
44. Found the love of my life - "Dancing with the Stars"
45. Bonding with Auntie
46. Cubs games with roommates, dad, work, Ashley and Drewbie
47. Becky, Wendy, Katherine, Dow, Bunny, Marissa and Courtney visit me
48. Family Reunion in Myrtle Beach
49. Laser Hair Removal!!!
50. Discovered D'Agostino's thin crust extra sauce cheese pizza. mmmmm good.

I'm going to stop at 50. I think that's a good number. I am blessed beyond words and comprehension. So much can happen in three years. I took a risk by leaving everything I knew and look how much I've been able to do with my life. Three years passed by so quickly. I wouldn't change a thing. I want to make the most of the time that I have here.

I know that there are many things that I've failed to mention or momentarily forgotten. Please feel free to add any memories you've had with me over the last three years. I'd love to hear them!