Maybe you've noticed that things look a little different around here? Josh has been offering to do a little site redesign for a while, but until recently I haven't felt like I could take advantage of his offer. I mean, this is what he does for a living; I wasn't quite ready to take advantage of his generosity, and I certainly can't afford him.
The day after we found (and applied for) the perfect apartment, we woke up, and Josh turned to me and said, "now that we're getting serious, I want to talk to you about something... I'd like to get you your own domain."

Aww shucks.

So he's in the process of doing some kind of internet voodoo, and I'll keep you posted.

The day we went apartment hunting (Saturday) was proving a bit of a challenge. I'd found my (almost) dream apartment, and I was comparing everything we looked at to the apartment that got away. Couple that with the Most Unpleasant Rental Agent on earth and Saturday morning wasn't exactly a cake walk. Fortunately Josh didn't like anything we looked at any more than I did.

Lunchtime rolled around and we decided what we really needed was a beer (Josh) and a mimosa (me). We shook off the morning's defeat, cleared our minds and took a nice long walk down to meet our (third!) agent.

As cliche as this might sound, as soon as we met this new gal we were both immediately calm and knew she'd find us a great place.

I was smitten with the first place she showed us, but when Josh's mouth twisted sideways I could tell he was less so...

The next place we saw was amazing. One of those luxury high rises, state of the art everything. Our only complaint was it was... too nice? Wait, that's not a real complaint is it? I am here to tell you it takes all kinds. It was an amazing apartment, but we wouldn't have been comfortable there, we wouldn't have been us.

The third place she showed us had hardwood floors, a dishwasher, a gas stove, garage included, in unit washer/dryer and central air. Both our jaws dropped and we asked what was wrong with it? With some trepidation, she mentioned that it was a "unique" space.

That was definitely true, but we were just the unique people for it. We walked in, exchanged one of those conspiratorial glances and knew it was the place for us.

One of my favorite things is to park myself in front of my television, dinner made cocktail at the ready, watching Top Chef. I love it. My mom loves it too, it's one thing we share and we sit, phones at our sides to call during commercial breaks to dish and theorize and recap, but mostly to lament that we don't get to taste all that wonderful food.

The folks over at BTC asked for volunteers in several US cities to go to the Top Chef tour when it rolled through town and I jumped at the chance to spend a half a Saturday getting some more Top Chef in my life.

Saturday was a scorcher in Denver. The thermometer reached 99 degrees and I was plenty grateful to be in shorts and ball cap and not in long pants and a chef coat like Antonia and Ryan.

They were both extremely nice and friendly and spent the fifteen minutes leading up to the demonstration signing autographs, posing for photos and talking to fans. You could tell they were both really enjoying their particular slice of fame.

Having spent ten years working in the restaurant industry I can understand that. Rarely is this a glamorous business. Usually it is hot, sweaty work for long grueling hours.

Antonia had prepared duck lettuce wraps for an earlier demo, and quipped about the difficulty of finding the ingredients she wanted, likening it to a quick fire challenge.

Though it might be an inconvenience to pick up in the middle of their lives head out to Denver for the weekend, you'd never know it. Both chefs were extremely gracious and friendly.

There were three shows scheduled for Saturday, I was fortunate to attend the third demo, hosted by Chef Ryan Scott.

Throughout the demo he gave tips, sharing every trick he could think of to make us better cooks. For instance, make sure proteins are at room temperature before cooking. He was also sure to mention that when cooking meat in a hot pan, be sure to lay it in away from you as scars are stupid, not a badge of honor. To test doneness push the meat from the sides instead of the top, and slice against the grain.

Another tip, in response to a question from a lactose intolerant member of the audience, for a great corn chowder; after cutting the kernels off the cobs milk the cobs with the back of a knife, use the "milk" from the corn instead of cream.

For great mashed potatoes add the potatoes to cold water, bring up to boil and then add salt. Instead of adding milk (cold milk can make potatoes gummy) add some of the reserved potato water and butter when mashing.

Ryan, grinning ear to ear and talking a mile a minute made crostini topped with pickled cherry tomatoes, goat cheese and flank steak.

Ryan's Crostini:

1 c. vinegar (any kind you like)
Boil w/ 1 c. sugar and set aside
Bring 1 c. oil up to temperature and throw in some slivered garlic and ginger (not paper thin!)
Bring the oil off the heat and add the vinegar mixture
Chiffonade some basil, add to the tomatoes, and pour the hot mixture over the top
Crostini is toasted baguette with olive oil, salt and pepper
Whip one pound of goat cheese with one cup of cream, some parmesan cheese and salt
Spread on toasts, top with a thin slice of steak and some pickled tomatoes

It was a great Saturday, and it was amazing to taste the food, I can't wait to try out this recipe at my next party.

Josh's best pal Byron is a wonderful guy, and a lot of fun. I think this week's pictures speak for themselves.

Friday morning things were moving right along according to plan. Josh went to the apartment rental service with me to keep me company and to offer his expert opinion on apartments.

The agent that helped me out was a really enthusiastic and friendly guy, who took one look at my apartment wish list, laughed, and asked what I could live without. I was prepared to compromise, having been told that a Chicago apartment with all of the following (in my price range) was an urban legend:

Dogs allowed Parking Patio South facing windows Hardwood Floors In unit (or at least in building) laundry Close to train Gas Stove Dishwasher

The nice young rental agent spent about 40 minutes pouring though the listings and found five places to show me. We started with the one, he said, that he thought would be (almost!) perfect.

It was.

As soon as we walked in I was struck by how much it reminded me of the apartment where Jill and I used to live in Wash Park. Charming, vintage, and full of sunlight. The rental agent could tell I was sold and the corners of his mouth turned up into a self-satisfied grin.

We went to see the next apartment because, well, it didn't seem prudent to settle for the first place I looked at. After the second apartment however, I was ready to forgo the remainder of the showings and sign on the dotted line.

First months rent paid, lease signed I happily strolled out of the office ready to go explore my new neighborhood.

A few hours later I got a call that the apartment had already been rented, and the listing just hadn't been updated. I'm a little embarrassed to tell you how hard I took this news. I was a bit heartbroken, I mean, I'd already decided where to put my furniture!

Defeated and slightly deflated Josh and I headed downtown to see a movie. Eschewing the bus we decided to walk the long walk back to his place, keeping an eye open for "For Rent" signs.

I was pouting about the apartment and hadn't noticed that Josh had been uncharacteristically quiet most of the day. As we waited on a corner for a light to change he started hemming and hawing the way he does when he is about to say something he considers of particular gravitas.

Usually I'm pretty intuitive, and when he does this I know exactly what he's about to say. (The day he told me he was in love with me I knew exactly what was coming but it was too much fun watching him torture himself to find the right words to even think about helping him out.) This time, however I was so stuck in my own mind I didn't really see this coming.

We'd briefly discussed moving in together before, but dismissed the idea as rash and foolhardy. Something over the course of the day must have changed his mind about that because that is exactly what he suggested while waiting for the light.

Seven blocks later I was sold too.

I've been in Chicago for a few days already, and so far I've been slacking on the photo snapping. Due largely to the fact that thus far I've been taking care of business. On Thursday I had work stuff to do all day and yesterday was devoted to finding an apartment. The story of how I found the perfect apartment and how it slipped right through my fingers is post unto itself.

Any plans we may have had today (we didn't have any) are officially put on hold as the apartment search continues.

It hasn't been all work and no play.

On Thursday night we went to see Byron's show and I was amazed. It was really fantastic and very engaging.

Staying the course (squeezing out as much Colorado as possible in the next month) Part of my crazy weekend included quite a few Rockies games.

With Katie!

And Kassie!

And Daver oh my!

Speaking of Daver, my friends have a long standing joke about Katie and her little brothers. Once upon a time, many moons age I may or may not have made out with both Kate and her (older) younger brother. At the time Daver was probably 13 or 14 and the joke became if I could only make out with Daver one day, I could pick up the hat trick. Sadly, five years later Daver is 19 years old and the joke hasn't died. Daver got this matching "tattoo" to show me his love. I still wouldn't make out with him.

Next, my mom and I spent all of Saturday together before meeting my Dad for another Rockies game.

Cute family picture!

Mmm, foot long!

"Liberty" dots. Oh, America.

I had a wild weekend, and I've got lots to share. Right now, however, I can only think on one thing.

My remarkable sunburn.

Thank goodness for Aloe Vera. I've been slathering it on all day.

Last week Sarah and I met at GCB for a beer and she invited me to join her at the pool on Sunday.

Tonight I'm joining her again to watch a little baseball, my third game this week. Hopefully we'll have seats in the shade.

Poor Ambre from Rock of Love 2, first she and Bret Michaels have broken up.

And now, thanks to Josh's awesome photoshop skills, we've broken up with her too.

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I've been thinking a lot about self image, about what's healthy, and what's maybe sort of expected of women.

A lot of people seem surprised that I'd put pictures of myself on the internet in a bikini, considering I don't have a Gisele-like physique (actually, to hell with Gisele, I dream of having Stacy's body). Are we expected to be ashamed of our bodies if we have more than 2% body fat? And, hey, I use an anti-cellulite cream just like everyone else (not that it works).

Certainly I (sometimes) have moments of dissatisfaction with my body, usually on a Friday night when I'm standing in front of my closet in my underwear bitching on the phone to Jill about having nothing to wear.

But otherwise (and especially) when camping or running around in a two-piece (and anytime I'm naked) I feel great about my body. I don't know why, but when I'm drinking a cold beer and swimming in the freezing water and soaking up the warm sun my skin feels so good I just don't feel fat in it.

So maybe that's what it's about, being happy with an imperfect body because it feels good and it's healthy and it can do amazing things, even without a six-pack.

The 4th of July camping trip is an annual thing, and thank goodness.

This year the festivities started at a free concert in Snowmass.

After clumsily setting up our tent at midnight, Jill and I got a good nights sleep, but woke up pretty early... such is life when camping.

There was cliff jumping, though Katie and I elected not to jump this year due to too fast water...

Mak and Brandon were brave enough (read: drunk and foolish enough) to risk it.

We did some hiking- Chester and I were friends.

I was channeling the coppertone baby- with a road-y

Don't look too closely at this one folks! Cellulite city!

Cassie, J.Paul and Pat, that little dog is a trouper.

Hold the phone! Somebody call Sports Illustrated, I think I've got their next cover photo!

Laying out on this rock is a bit more pleasant when the sun is shining.

Ugh, melt your heart these girls are so cute.

Brrr. It got a little cold. I guess that's what happens when you refuse to wear pants.

We all got it together for a great big group picture.

And finally, after three days of camping, we finally got on the river and went tubing!

I'm like one of those devices that runs on rechargeable batteries. I can go-go-go until I run out of juice, and then I need to recharge.

That's just what happened this weekend, I didn't have anything left, I needed to relax. I've been trying to cram in as much Colorado-friends-family as possible before September 1, but it's really taken a lot out of me.

I had plans Saturday night, but Saturday morning I knew I wouldn't make it. Instead I fired up the grill, watched Law and Order (shocking!) and went to sleep at a very reasonable hour.

Mornings like this one, waking up early and not hungover make me wonder why I ever drink at all. I'm sitting at a coffee shop, I'm on hour three of solid thesising, and I'm zipping right along. I'll probably stay right here until my parents come for a visit this afternoon.

I've been plagued with insomnia on and off for as long as I can remember. When I was a little girl and I couldn't sleep at night, I'd rearrange the furniture in my bedroom. Now I just stare at the ceiling and try counting sheep.

Last night I called Josh in the middle of the night. You know he must dig me because instead of being pissed that I'd woken him up at midnight, he was jazzed to hear from me.

We started talking about my impending move to Chicago. I'm not going to lie, we talk about that a lot these days. What can I say, we're both excited.

I think normal couples might be worried about logistical things like how such a big transition will affect our relationship, will we get sick of each other when we get to see each other all the time?

Josh's big concern?

Once we actually get to hang out on a regular basis and our stories start to overlap; who gets to blog about what?

Last week I was feeling particularly frazzled and I've been having plenty of anxiety ever since. I've been laying awake, unable to sleep, for thoughts of work, money problems, etc., etc., etc.

When I woke up at 4:30 in the morning yesterday I decided to something about it. I got dressed and came right to work. I worked hard all day, tying up loose ends and trying to pull things together. I was super focused all day, despite running on so little sleep, and as the day wore on I started to notice a few things.

I was kicking ass, I was getting tons done, and the more I worked, the better I felt. After a very long twenty hour work day I slept a peaceful 8 hours last night, woke up nice and early this morning and came back to work again.

Though at a more reasonable hour.

Also, Katie found my camera and the money thing has seemed to work itself out. Go figure.

I'll probably still have some anxiety for the next two months, but instead of worrying so much I'm going to channel that energy into more productive pursuits.

I love when things work themselves out. They always do, you'd think I'd have that figured out by now.

Oh, holy cow this weekend was fun.

Three days of camping in the most beautiful setting in Colorado.
Three days of eating and drinking and laughing with amazing friends.
Three days of sunning (gorgeous) and swimming (cold!) all followed up with a shenanigan-filled beer-fueled tube trip down the Colorado River.

Unfortunately I can't find my camera, so I can't share any pictures! Even if I could find it, I only took a few pictures, and all the things I wish I'd taken pictures of I didn't so...

This Photo Essay Tuesday is of the imaginary kind. Here's what I wish I had pictures of:

Jill and I trying to set up our tent at midnight (and drunk to boot), hey it only took us three tries.

The longest ever game of UNO, played on an island in the middle of a very chilly stream.

Drinking too much scotch and then catching on fire (thank god Jared was there to put me out!). Don't worry! I only caught on fire a little, and said fire was dispatched with extreme haste, but I sure wish I had a picture of myself covered in the feathers from my down blanket.

A bunch of grown-ups (says who?) playing slap tag in a park after two rounds of tubing. Katie has a hand print shaped bruise and I have an ass covered in busted blood vessels. Slap tag hurts.

Sorry I was such a Negative Nellie yesterday!

I try not to get too down about work, I mean, it's just science after all. And not cure-for-cancer or renewable-energy type science, but just regular boring science that nobody cares about.

So! In the spirit of lifting my spirits, a few things I'm particularly excited about:

I got my ticket to Chicago on July 23! I think a Cubs game is on the agenda, as is finding an apartment and spending some much needed time with Josh (Cue porn-type music. Sorry mom if you're reading this. Sorry Josh's mom too.)

Meryl Streep in Mama Mia! I love me some ABBA.

Camping this weekend in Aspen. Last year's trip was good times, but this year Jill is coming up with me and we're going to do some serious relaxing.

July 19th the Bravo Top Chef Tour is rolling through Denver and the folks over at BTC are hooking me up with a press pass.

Suzie's wedding dress has arrived as have our bridesmaid dresses, I can't wait to see how they all turned out, I'm sure they are just beautiful.

I have a huge presentation at work next week, which sounds like it doesn't belong on my list of all things awesome, but I'm looking forward to getting some good feedback and practicing for my defense.

Thanks to everyone for such kind words of encouragement. I'll try not to let the man get me down in the future.

Have a great weekend!

I am trying to be calm and not freak out about the overwhelmingly long list of things I need to get done before I move on September 1.

Last night I was nearing an anxiety attack so I called my mom who always knows just how to calm me down. She reminded me that even though I have the next two months mapped out to maximize friend and family time things may not work out the way I'd planned.

Turns out she was right, and I absolutely hate deviating from the plan.

I'd planned on two short trips, one in July and one in August to find an apartment and get all my paperwork and drug testing etc. done so I'd be prepared to move; not to mention visit Josh. I've had to rework the schedule and plan for one longer trip instead.

Which means that I only have one chance to find an apartment. Ach. ACH!!!!!
But OK, I can make it work.

Then I started listing all the research and thesis related things I need to finish before Friday and I started to feel that anxiety creeping in again. In order to spare my poor mom from talking me off another ledge I am taking a 15 minute break from working, listening to some music and venting a bit here.

I'm just trying to keep in mind that even if I'm exhausted and completely burnt out come Sept 1, that still means I'm completely done with grad school (and being poor, don't even ask me about my financial situation right now; we're talking dire straits people).

So OK. I'm going to take a deep breath and get back to work.

UPDATED: I lied. I called my mom anyway. She told me to relax and stop trying to do so many things at once.

Last week I was fortunate to catch up with some old , The Shrenks, who were passing through town, visiting from Texas. I finally was able to meet their two little girls.

My friend Brandon, who is clearly angling for father of the year, letting his kid play with all the knives.

His wife, my friend Amy who looked great, recently had their second child.

I also got to catch up with Lisa, who was my little sister in our sorority in college. It has, sadly, been a while since Lisa and I got together, but I think we have plans for a couple nice cold beers at GCB before I move and I can't wait.