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2019 Secondary Team Away Day

August 22, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

2019 Secondary Team Away Day | Hawaiian Shirts

These team button down shirts are so not my style nor the crazy Hawaiian print. Regardless, it was suggested everyone wear their shirts so I did.

I’ve realized that every position I’ve held since I’ve graduated from college has me straddling between two or more teams. I’m not sure how much I love it but I meet more people this way and gain more knowledge as well so I guess no complaints here.

2019 Secondary Team Away Day | Breakfast

We started off with a very delicious array of breakfast choices. I felt fancy because they had mini croissants and salmon (among other dainty things)! I wish I was able to pack the rest of the salmon to go. What a waste.

2019 Secondary Team Away Day | Marshmallow Challenge

We had introductions, a VP guest speaker, and then the Marshmallow Challenge. You have 18 minutes to build a free standing tower that can hold a marshmallow on top using spaghetti, tape, and a piece of string. Ours wasn’t the tallest but it stood up unlike another team so I was proud.

2019 Secondary Team Away Day | Lunch

There were a lot of slides and open discussions which was very useful for me as I’m usually with my main team and I don’t get this knowledge or what they worry about daily. It also helps to see how everyone thinks.

Lunch was served and I felt like I was at a fancy buffet place. Three different entrees and a plethora of sides. I feel so bad about the wasted food and really wished I could have taken some home. I wish they donated the food or something. I wonder if this hotel does dining because I’d come back!

2019 Secondary Team Away Day | Dessert

We defined some risks before having dessert. Pecans pie and brownies. Desserts don’t really speak to me so this wouldn’t be the reason I come back. Then we finished our discussions and defined some Key Focus Areas before calling it a day.

2019 Secondary Team Away Day | Bowl & Barrel Happy Hour

We headed to Bowl & Barrel for Happy Hour. Again, they ordered too much food and this wasn’t even everything. The funnel cake is bottom right. It looks ugly but it was perfect. Okay, so maybe some desserts do do it for me.

I didn’t bowl too horribly and I could say for the first time in a long time, my anxiety wasn’t too high so I was able to enjoy without worries.

Emmy & Bruno

Soon enough I was home playing with Emmy. She tired me out. She’s at the phase where she loves to play with me. Although I’m tired I try my best to give her the attention. When I was too, too tired, she decided to play with my feet and legs. I guess, whatever floats your boat, little girl.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries Tagged With: American

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Cafe Benedicte | Houston, Texas

August 20, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Annual mother daughter Houston Restaurant Week. This time I picked a Cafe Benedicte. It’s not a far drive and for $35 three course meal.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Cafe Benedicte | Houston, Texas | Bread and Butter
Bread and Butter

They started off by giving free bread and butter. The butter was a little too hard to spread and the bread was so soft it tore through. The bread was nothing to write about but per usual Mum loved it. Carbs is her downfall when it comes to eating better. But who am I kidding, we are feasting!

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Cafe Benedicte | Houston, Texas | Chunky Gazpacho and Lobster Bisque
Chunky Gazpacho [with shrimp and avocado] | Lobster Bisque

I don’t believe that I’ve ever had gazpacho before but it was quite refreshing having cold soup and chunks of shrimp and avocado inside. It was a little sour but overall I enjoyed it.

The bisque was a bit heavy but Mum enjoyed it. She was bummed there weren’t little lobster pieces but I don’t think that’s normal, is it?

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Cafe Benedicte | Houston, Texas | Beef Wellington and Seared Diver Scallops
Beef Wellington [crimini mushrooms, chestnuts and Parma ham over Yukon mashed potatoes] | Seared Diver Scallops [over saffron risotto, asparagus and baby portabella mushrooms]

I chose this place so Mum can get her seafood fix. Her risotto was so freaking good too. She is now on a scallop been hoping to create the same scallops you see here.

I chose this place also for myself. I’ve never tried Beef Wellington before and I’ve seen Chef Gordon Ramsey make it enough times. The beef was medium rare, the pastry was flaky on top though the bottom could be better as it was a bit soggy but it’s now on the list of things I want to make. I could do without the mashed potatoes and had grilled vegetables or something instead. Then it would be perfection.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Cafe Benedicte | Houston, Texas | Chocolate Pyramids & Macarons and Creme Caramel
Chocolate Pyramids & Macarons | Creme Caramel [griottines]

The dessert choices didn’t fancy us but I was surprised by the chocolate pyramids. They were so smooth and had a bit of dark chocolate feel. Macaroons were nothing to write home about as they didn’t have the shell i was expecting and the flavours are pretty normal: lemon, coffee, and strawberry.

We wouldn’t have chosen the Creme Caramel if we knew it’d be flan as it’s not really our favourite. I think the Tiramisu would have been a better choice for us.

Overall, it was a great choice and we enjoyed people watching while we ate. I want to come back and try their Lobster Risotto. It sounds dang delicious.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries Tagged With: American, Houston, Houston Restaurant Week, Mediterranean, Texas

2019 Summer Trip | Day 7

August 6, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

2019 Summer Trip Day 7 | Coventina Day Spa | Waterford, Pennsylvania

I packed all my bags and we headed to Waterford for massages at Coventina Day Spa. Liliana ordered us a couples massage. The doors open up to another room where she was laying. I don’t really understand what the point of it is since you don’t really talk to one another during. I guess it’s just nice to have them there? The hour went by too quickly but overall it was nice. We both still loved our reflexology more so we’ll have to keep that in mind next time we get pampered.

We stopped by two different post offices because one of them didn’t have packing tape. I guess I won’t fault them since that one was in a gas station but how do you do business as a post office without packing tape?!

2019 Summer Trip Day 7 | Lawrence Park Dinor | Erie, Pennsylvania

Lily found Lawrence Park Dinor close by. They are a quiant little place that reminds me of a Waffle House because you can watch them make your food. It’s been around for years that it’s become historic and they try to keep it as classic as possible. Everything we ate was delicious. I was weary at first but I walked out full and happy. I’ve never had Italian Wedding Soup before and I found myself Googling a recipe to make myself in the future.

2019 Summer Trip Day 7 | Panache Salon + Spa | Erie, Pennsylvania

Soon enough it was facials at Panache Salon + Spa. They take you to the women’s locker room which has a few lockers to put your things, a shower, a restroom, a hair dryer, a curler, and a straightener. You change into robes and slippers then walk down the hall to a very relaxing waiting room with lemon water and cucumber water.

We filled in our forms and the ladies came to take us to separate rooms to get our facials done. The lady did my extractions and told me that she was surprised by how great my skin is. That means a lot coming from a lady that does facials! I fell asleep when she was steaming my face with a hot towel and started massaging me.

Lily and I met back up and she followed me into the room for a lash lift and tint. I’ve always wanted to do one and figured, why not. I don’t think I’d ever do it again only because the results weren’t what I was thinking it’d be but it was a good experience.

2019 Summer Trip Day 7 | Panache Salon + Spa | Erie, Pennsylvania | Mellie Dee & Liliana Before & After

Lily and I’s before and after. I told her I don’t understand why we looked better in the before. Maybe the poking and prodding made our face swell up a bit.

2019 Summer Trip Day 7 | Sonic Slushie and Corn Dogs

We headed to Sonic, picked up some slushies and corn dogs and headed to the airport. Once I got there to go print out my ticket it said that I would have a mis-connect. I wasn’t going to make my connecting flight due to their delay on the first leg of the trip from the weather.

We made an impromptu decision to just fly out tomorrow morning instead so I headed home with Lily yet again so that I wouldn’t get stuck at the Detroit airport if I couldn’t make it.

2019 Summer Trip Day 7 | Roadside Farmer's Market | Liliana

When we were driving back, we stopped by a roadside Farmer’s Market. I’s a trust system where you pay for what you get by sticking cash into the little steel box. We found the most gigantic zucchini ever.

2019 Summer Trip Day 7 | Homemade Dinner by Daniel & Liliana
Drink: Honey Melon Water | Appetizer: Homemade Cherry Vinaigrette Summer Salad | Entree: Elotes

Once we got home, I started working, and Lily started making Elotes. Daniel came home after and was nice enough to make us a summer salad even though he is sick.

They’re asleep now and I’m about to head to bed soon too since I’ll have a busy day of traveling and then working from home once I get back. Night world!

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: American, Erie, Pennsylvania, Sandwiches and Burgers, Spa, Waterford

2019 Summer Trip | Day 1

July 31, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Hi from Pennsylvania!

I worked from home this morning and seven hours later I was out the door to the airport. Dad was nice enough to drop me off so I didn’t have to stay the night at Sissy’s to take an Uber or even pay for parking.

Upon arrival to TSA, they were rushing everyone and a lot of them were standing around as if waiting for a big shot to walk through. I was so rushed I forgot to take out my liquids but luckily, they didn’t say anything about it and let me through.

2019 Summer Trip Day 1 | Bush Intercontinental Airport | The Breakfast Klub | Houston, Texas

Since I wanted to get my work done, I didn’t have time to eat. I was surprised to see The Breakfast Klub when I got through TSA. The last time I had this was when I worked at my last job and they had it catered once a month for breakfast.

I ordered the usual wings and waffles. I’m not sure why I keep ordering it with the waffle since I don’t care much for it and never finish. Maybe next time I’ll just ask for the wings because they’re the only thing worth eating there.

2019 Summer Trip Day 1 | IAH to DTW

Once my tummy was full and happy, I headed to my gate and waited a good, short time until we boarded the plane. I was sat next to a very cute guy which has never happened in my life! But with technology nowadays and my super shy anxiety, we just made niceities.

2019 Summer Trip Day 1 | IAH to DTW | Snacks

We were given choices of different snacks. I went with almonds and water. I chugged the water and saved the almonds for when we go hiking. I was able to get a few pages in before sleepiness kicked in. Then it was music and naps. The ride was a bit turbulent and cute guy and I kept bumping knees and arms and whatnot.

2019 Summer Trip Day 1 | DTW to ERI

Once we landed, I hauled ass to the gate. It was a far, far walk but I made it with time to spare. It was restroom time and online shopping for a present before we boarded our flight. The flight was smooth and quick.

2019 Summer Trip Day 1 | Sonic from Daniel

Daniel and Liliana came to pick me up and was nice enough to supply me my dinner to eat while driving to their house. So much yellow. The only thing missing was honey mustard but I wasn’t too bummed since everything was flavoured nicely and no extra calories. I was so hungry the only thing I didn’t eat was the toast.

I was also told that this is a dine in Sonic! How crazy is that?! I guess since it’s so cold up here, it makes sense.

2019 Summer Trip Day 1 | Gifts from Liliana

Soon enough we were at their new abode. Liliana got me some presents from her trip with her family and I got them the pups a travel water bottle for when we go hiking. It’s a new design that seems to make much more sense so I hope it works out.

2019 Summer Trip Day 1 | Sangria

They even poured me a glass of wine while I looked through my work emails.

Everyone is asleep now. Where they live is gorgeous but a bit scary with a foresty, off-the-path vibe so I have the pups in my room with me. But I really do love this place more than their last. It feels more cozy.

Okay, off to bed now since there’s a one hour time difference and we are waking up early.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: American, Houston, Pennsylvania, Texas

Eric’s Surprise Goodbye Party

July 27, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

This morning was pretty relaxing. I took Rocky and Rizzo to the vet and found out Rocky has a few more lumps growing. We’ll be getting him a biopsy soon to figure out what’s going on. Fingers crossed it’s nothing bad and it’s just fat.

Eric's Farewell Surprise Party at Pitch 25

I kept debating to show up to Eric’s surprise goodbye party that My-Linh was putting together since he’ll be moving to Ohio this coming weekend. I didn’t really know anyone well and I usually get anxiety when that happens. I only knew Eric, My-Linh, and Nathan. I found out the week before that Nathan, a coworker, and I have Eric as a mutual friend. Small world!

I pushed myself out the door and was relieved to find other people I had interactions with during college remember me and it was smooth sailing after that.

Eric's Farewell Surprise Party at Pitch 25 | Houston, Texas | Szechuan Chicken Burger and Brussels Sprouts

I got the Szechuan Chicken Burger and Brussels Sprouts. The burger was a big fail but the Brussels were amazing. My-Linh brought a cake to cut and then Andrew McK, Tony, his girlfriend, and I went and played cornhole. Andrew and I won the first round then lost to Eric and Christina.

After standing around talking for a bit, we all headed to Battlefield Houston for an hour of laser tag. I was on the losing team but overall, it was fun to get out of the house, catch up with old acquaintances, and meet new ones.

Two late nights out makes for a very tired me. Luckily, vacation is just around the corner!

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries Tagged With: American, Bars and Pubs, Houston, Texas

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