In case you're new here, Tim and I eat out only once a week. Therefore, we make every experience count! No repeating restaurants. So you can imagine, every week it's a huge ordeal just picking a place. There are too many awesome restaurants around here. But it's a constant dilemma we are happy to have. Sure, it's going to take a LONG time to hit up all the places that are on our list, but good thing we have patience..or at least I do ;).
As I forgot to post last week, I wanted to dedicate part of this post to our dining experience at Jack Allen's Kitchen. To describe in simple words, the menu = Comfort food meets Southwestern flavors. Although the restaurant appears rustic and worn down on the outside, the interior is very sophisticated and resembles that of a modern western saloon. I absolutely LOVED our waiter! He was friendly, funny, enthusiastic, and extremely knowledgable about the food. We learned, along with many other interesting facts, that almost all of their ingredients are locally sourced and that one of their main goals is to support local farmers. Sounded good to me!
And yup! A whole section in the menu devoted to "Chicken Fried Anything..." I am in Texas.
Another burger for Tim. Ever since he started his burger bucket list, he finds so much joy in crossing each entry off one by one.
I, on the other hand, am glad that some of the burgers he wants to try are at places that offer other choices. Mmm...Ruby Trout.
Earlier in the week, I purchased a new item to add to my essential kitchenware. I introduce you to my very first turkey roaster! My family usually doesn't do turkey for Thanksgiving as Korean food reigns king. However, as my parents are in Korea, I am in charge of Thanksgiving this year for the "children." I'm extremely excited and nervous at the same time. It's only a week away!!
In addition to school, I began working for the WIC this past Friday. I'll be there Tuesdays and Fridays after school and will def fill you in on what I learn, do, etc. The menu reviewing for the Texas Department of Agriculture is going extremely well, also. It's great to see the schools really taking on the initiative and putting in the effort to make some positive changes.
School has been pretty challenging - a lot of papers and presentations. However, I'm knocking them down one at a time. On a positive note, I'm becoming a lot more comfortable with public speaking. A neat part about one of my classes is that at the end of presentation day, we all get to vote anonymously for our favorite presenter, and that person gets an extra 10 points towards his/her grade. And guess what? This past week, I was the winner! Woot woot! Talk about a confidence booster ;). Totally made my day.
Saturday night was Fiesta Time for the praise team at our church. A lot of people showed up fashionably late due to the nail-biting Texas A&M vs. Alabama game. But that was ok since I was actually on time (Ahem!) and got to catch up with friends that I haven't been able to talk with lately. Once everyone showed up, the party began!
Grilled fajitas (beef and chicken) served alongside the most perfectly caramelized and grilled onions, peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini. As for the sides, there were beans, chips, and queso. I love me some queso!
Saturday = Burnt Orange Day...
or Maroon Day. A house divided, indeed. Notice I'm with the Aggies? I don't discriminate. I declare myself neutral as there's no football team at Emory.
Do you remember Callum? He was soo soo tiny, and we were all extremely worried. But look at him now! Well, guess you can't really see him as I couldn't get him to face the camera, but he's looking awfully adorable with his chubby cheeks ;). It's a good look for him.
In terms of my workout regimen, ever since I ended my gym membership, I've been at a loss. Then, I decided to try Tina's Best Body Bootcamp. I love it because not only are the directions thorough and easy to understand, Tina provides different variations to each of the workout sets. As I'm trying to focus on low-intensity workouts for the time being, this works perfectly for me. I do admit that it's hard at times to not give it my all and push myself beyond my limits (I have done this several times to be honest) and to avoid feeling the pressure that I have to catch up to the rest of my "group." However, for the most part, this plan is working out for me, and I am enjoying the change!
And finally (I know this post is getting really long, but I want to catch you up on how I'm doing with my Bible reading and spending time with the Lord), my 2+2+1 plan is going really well! As I've never read the Old Testament in great detail, I am so glad that I've finally set out to do so. I'm beginning to see the Bible as one epic story. It's amazing to see God's promises and plans being unfolded and fulfilled in the books of the New Testament. I'm also finding wisdom and love in stories that I've known for so long but have clearly overlooked. For instance in Genesis 18:20-33, God was so angry and disappointed with Sodom and Gomorrah that he wanted to destroy them. However, Abraham kept inquiring of the Lord. From this, I'm reminded of God's fairness and mercy. As we pray, our prayers shouldn't be to align God's mind to ours. He's the only one who sees and knows the whole picture of our lives. Instead, as we continue to seek Him, we should strive for our minds to be in alignment with His through prayer and meditation. I had to ask myself, am I feeling like God's not hearing or answering my prayers because I'm so set on Him responding to my needs and desires the way I want Him to? I realized that it's not about my will and my wants. It's about God's perfect plan for my life that He knew about even before I was born. And thus, my prayers have been slowly transforming.
I leave you with this - In John 6, you read of Jesus feeding five thousand people from barley loaves and 2 small fish, which was all that a little boy had. That was more than enough for our Lord to work His miracle. Oftentimes we may feel that God can't use us cuz we're too small, too insignificant. But He wants to work in us and through us - He's dying to! He sure can take what little we have (if we surrender it to Him), multiply it and turn it into something amazing!
Hope you have a blessed week!
Kym says
That's a great plan you have with Tim - eating out somewhere new once a week... definitely gives you something to look forward to! When my husband and I eat out, we always aim to go someplace new but our old favorites always win. Haha! I can't wait to see what your Thanksgiving menu will look like! Also congratulations on winning best presenter! 🙂 I need to step up my game with reading the Bible too... what is the 2+2+1 plan?
Min says
Tim and I used to be like that too..always go to the same restaurant over and over again. But then we became more adventurous when he started his burger bucket list. Maybe you guys should start one too! Not a burger one but something that you guys love to eat!
Eeks..I guess I should've explained what 2+2+1 is! I did when I first started, and I should've linked back or something. It's a bible reading plan that my church started last week. Basically, we have scriptures to read everyday..2 from the Old Testament, 2 from the New Testament, and then 1 from Psalm. RIght now, I'm reading Genesis, 2Chronicles, John, 1 Thessalonians, and of course Psalm. This plan is amazing because it really allows you to read the Bible as one epic story!
Brittany Trentham (@batrentham) says
I love reading the old testament! It all points to Christ, and that just amazes me!! I am going to have to try out those yoga videos!
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily says
This will be my 3rd year cooking Thanksgiving dinner, I love it! You will too, just take a deep breath and do one thing at a time 🙂
Khushboo Thadani says
Austin really does sound like burger heaven...I need to come visit :)! I'm excited to hear about your cooking adventures during Thanksgiving- if your past meals are anything to go by, I have no doubt you are going outdo yourself! Have a great weekend, Min!
Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian says
Great post!
That restaurant looks delicious! Glad hubby got to cross off another burger!
That's great that you are doing so well with public speaking. It is something that you will definitely utilize as a dietitian. I have to say, I am still shaky, but have gotten better with time. 🙂
Ellie says
I love this post unnniiieee!!! ahhh I am so so proud of you for victoriously being the BESHT presenter, yayyy! Wish I coulda been there 😀 And I love how you shared about the OT. I'm currently reading Isaiah and every time I read it I'm a lil bit lost, but so amazed and yet so fascinated! I'm def. gonna have to pull out Greg's crazy big books for Bible references. 🙂 I hope you have a blessed week, and talk to you soon~
myhealthyohana says
I loved reading about what you're learning from your 2+2+1 plan!! This is a verse that has really been in the forefront of my mind recently, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". Jeremiah 29:11 Even when it seems like our prayers aren't being answered, or things are going wrong, I have to remember that He has an overarching plan to give us hope and a future! You truly blessed me with your interpretation of the loaves and the fishes...I do feel that way sometimes, that I'm too small to make a difference, but you're right, anything is possible with God! Thank you, Min 🙂 Hope you're having a good start to your week!!
eatpraytri says
I spy green chile on Tim's burger....yummmmm
I love that you are getting so much out of your Bible reading time and I love what you mention about aligning our will to His and not the reverse. What a trap that we fall into over and over!! Its good for the reminder. 😉
freshlifefindings says
Great job on the best speaker award Min! I'm glad you are doing the Bootcamp too, makes me feel like I have a friend doing it as well 🙂 And I need to do more yoga like you are, thanks for the inspiration 🙂
carol says
Best speaker ... congratulations!!! Your turkey dinner will come off without a hitch I'm sure. Enjoy.
Sara @ Nourish and Flourish says
There is so much goodness in this post, I have no idea where to begin! First of all, CONGRATS on being voted best presenter last week! That's a huge achievement, and definitely something to feel fantastic about! 😀 I also think it's wonderful that you're working for WIC; it's such an important organization, and I'm sure that every minute you spend there is helping make a difference in families' lives.
Each of your posts makes me want to visit Austin more and more! By the time I get there, my list of must-try restaurants is going to be a mile long! Jack Allen's Kitchen sounds like a place I'd love, and your ruby trout looks delicious. I'm glad Tim is slowly but surely checking items off of his burger list! You should bring him to DC---there's a place called Ray's Hell Burger that's supposed to AMAZING. It's Barack Obama's favorite burger restaurant, and nearly every dignitary that comes to town goes there. It's still on my must-try list, but make not mistake...i WILL get there. 😉
I'm so happy to hear that Callum is making healthy progress! He's an adorable little boy! <3 And I'm excited that you've found a great workout regimen that doesn't require a gym. I've heard great things about Tina's Best Body Bootcamp, so I might look into joining the next round. I'm not sure if I'd be able to combine it with my current routine, but it sounds like it's worth looking into!. 🙂
Finally, thank you for sharing an inspiring and miraculous message at the end of this post! God's love and grace is EVERYWHERE in our lives, and all we're asked to do is accept Him, and trust that the path he's carved for us is more fulfilling and fruitful than anything we can imagine. This was such a lovely reminder--and so reassuring. 😀
Lots of love to you, Min!! Miss you! xoxo <3
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
You have so much going on Min! And congratulations on winning the best speaker category 🙂 That is super cool. I used to hate (HATE) public speaking but also had to do a lot of it when going through grad school, and now I am so much more ok with it. It's true what they say about practice makes perfect 😉
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
Just stopping back to say I nominated you for a Liebster Award 🙂
https://www.bitesizedthoughts.com/2012/11/fitness-fridays-return-and-liebster.html
jessielovestorun says
You will do an amazing job @ Thanksgiving dinner, I promise 🙂
Danielle (@itsaharleyylife) says
yay! I'm glad you are doing Tina's Workout plan! I knew you would love it! (: School sounds like it is going awesome! I hate talking in front of people so great job on winning this week and your extra credit! (: Every time I see your burger pictures... I want one!!!!!! (:
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie says
Sounds like a great weekend! That restaurant looks great, and I'm sure you will rock Thanksgiving dinner! I agree with Tina -- I used to not liking reading the Old Testament either, but now that I understand more, I see how much it applies now. Have a wonderful Monday!
Tina Reale (@tinareale) says
I used to hate reading the old testament too much either and now I love all that you can pull from it and apply to the new testament. it always amazes me how God works in such detail like that.
That restaurant looks like a great place to dine. I love that you always go somewhere new!