Let the Celebration Begin!
Look who I bumped into on my commute home from work tonight!
If you live in Boston and know the T system, you’ll understand why it is very unlikely that Mal and I would meet on our way home. Let me try to explain:
- Mal drives to and from work; he doesn’t take the T during rush hour.
- The Red line splits into two different routes; we met on the “wrong” route.
- Mal and I both ended up on the same mislabeled train, but didn’t realize it.
- Instead of getting off on the first stop on the wrong train, we both got off on the second stop. (We didn’t realize because we were both playing with our iPhones!)
So, basically, it was incredibly random for us to meet! You should have seen my face when Mal tapped me on the shoulder! I was so confused! Mal was actually returning from downtown after buying me a birthday present! 
(Meh. It was a bad hair day for me! Oh well. 
)
When I arrived home, two birthday cards were waiting for me: one from my mom and one from my dad.
Both cards were homemade and really sweet. I especially liked my mom’s card because it was covered with PUGS! She knows me so well! 
I loved the card and it totally cracked me up, but I think my mom has entirely too much time on her hands! 
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Dinner
In honor of National Sushi Day (thanks, Royal!), Mal and I ordered take-out sushi for dinner. We shared three maki rolls and an order of pan-fried gyoza from Fuji. As always, it was amazing!
We watched Weeds while eating dinner.
I had poured myself a glass of the Yellow + Blue Malbec from last Friday night, but the wine had expired. It tasted funky, so I tossed it.
As expected, I craved something sweet after dinner. For months, there has been a tiny nip of Bailey’s in the fridge, so I enjoyed it as an post-dinner dessert cocktail. I sipped slowly and savored it. Mmmmm! I forgot how much I like Baily’s!
Lunch
My lunch was all over the place today. I started munchin’ around noon and didn’t finish until about 3:30 this afternoon. My hunger/satisfaction was sort of “off” today.
I started with a lovely combo of fresh chopped strawberries mixed with golden raisins and honey-roasted sliced almonds.
Each bite was a delicious combination of sweet flavor. Yum!
Lunch also included a PB & J on Hemp Bread. Doesn’t “hemp bread” sound super earthy-crunchy?
A little while later, I had a major craving for iced coffee, so I headed over to Starbucks to get my fix. I’m such an iced coffee addict now-a-days!
Lunch finally concluded with a grape tomato- walnut combo and a Grey Salt Caramel, which was probably the most amazing flavor sensation my mouth has ever experienced! The salt on top perfectly complemented the dark chocolate and soft, buttery caramel. Holy yum X 100!
Beat the Heat
New Examiner post: How to beat the heat during summer workouts
Boston Happenings
For the Boston folks: LOTS of fun stuff is happening around the city in the next few days! I’m bummed that I am missing all of these events! Please let me know if you end up going to any of them.
Friday, June 19: Ivee Sample Sale
Friday & Saturday, June 19-20: American Craft Beer Fest
Saturday, June 20: Life is Good Festival
Saturday, June 20: 2nd Annual Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, June 20: L’Aquila Fundraiser Party @ the Hyatt Roof Terrace
Sunday, June 21: Chinatown Main Street Festival
Sunday, June 21: Make Music Cambridge
Monday, June 22: Healthworks Summer Solstice yoga events
Thursday, June 25: Taste of Cambridge
Meghan@traveleatlove — June 18, 2009 @ 8:02 pm
Hahaha meeting your husband on the T like that is hilarious!! So unlikely. I wish I could go to that craft beer festival, but I will be away as well. Enjoy your birthday eve!
Recipes for creativity — June 18, 2009 @ 8:04 pm
So amazing to run into your love completely unexpectedly! And love your mom’s creation
Dori — June 18, 2009 @ 8:10 pm
SO funny that you ran into each other! I love when things like that happen!
Julie — June 18, 2009 @ 8:12 pm
Wow, would this be serendipity or just being on the same wavelength? Whatever it is, it’s freaky and you two were meant to be!
When I saw the picture, my first thought was “what the heck are they doing in fields corner?” haha
Brandi — June 18, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
that’s too cute that you guys met today! I LOVE the pug card
Casey @ Double Scooped — June 18, 2009 @ 8:34 pm
How does Mal know Paulie Walnuts Gualtieri from the Sopranos?
Haha that guy sitting next to him in the first picture is definitely”one of the boys”.
K — June 18, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
Awww the pug card!! How cute that you and Mal bumped into each other!
Barbecue Fail and a Giveaway! » What’s For Dinner? — June 18, 2009 @ 9:00 pm
[...] Adam is out getting us some delicious sushi in honor of National Sushi Day! Thanks for the heads-up Tina! Onto other news… Earlier in the week I was sent a 32 oz. jar of virgin coconut oil from [...]
leslie — June 18, 2009 @ 9:12 pm
it’s national sushi day? i’m definitely going to have a belated celebration this weekend!
such a cute random meetup story! at least it made up for getting on the wrong train!
Rebecca — June 18, 2009 @ 9:16 pm
I love Boston so much. My boyfriend and I are taking a day trip there soon.
allijag — June 18, 2009 @ 9:18 pm
you and mal are just too darn cute!
dotsie — June 18, 2009 @ 9:31 pm
What a wonderfully cute story/event!
LOOOOOVE the pugs card-so awesome!
p.s.–I’m new to your blog and loooove it!
Pearl — June 18, 2009 @ 9:33 pm
meeting mal on the train is SO cute!
Robin — June 18, 2009 @ 9:41 pm
Those are great cards your mom made. And I love pugs! Ever seen a puggle?? Those are adorable too!
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen) — June 18, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
Happy Almost Birthday! I had one of the French Meadow hemp bagels for dinner – very crunchy and seedy, yum!
lena — June 18, 2009 @ 9:47 pm
Happy Birthday Tina! have a great day and thanks for a great blog! been reading it and enjoying all the pics and ideas!
ALI — June 18, 2009 @ 9:56 pm
yay to a fellow Bostonian!
I love The new neutrogena anti aging line with antioxidants, but I LOVE to try new products! Thanks
Ali
Hallie (Healthy Twists) — June 18, 2009 @ 10:01 pm
Wow, that is a lot going on in your neck of the woods! Guess you have to enjoy the nice weather while you have it
The gift shop where I work (at a museum) used to sell boxed chocolates and one version was a rosemary sea-salt caramel covered with chocolate. Sounds strange but holy moly, it was AMAZING!
Meredith (Pursuing Balance) — June 18, 2009 @ 10:10 pm
what a fun coincidence!
Karina (Like Some Cat from Japan) — June 18, 2009 @ 10:12 pm
How funny that you saw him! I love coincidences like that.
Mmm.. strawberries. i just picked some up today!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) — June 18, 2009 @ 10:20 pm
Don’t you just love fun coincidences like that?
That sushi looks delish!! I’m going to need to get some soon.
Quisha — June 18, 2009 @ 10:29 pm
Hilarious, I was going to Fields Corner yesterday but a friend picked me up at Mass Ave. Fellow Bostonian I see
I hope you liked the gift he got you!
Sarah — June 18, 2009 @ 10:33 pm
Happy Birthday!! How funny that you ran into Mal, it was meant to be
I can’t wait to hear the big announcement tomorrow, so exciting!
By the way, your hair looked fabulous. Have a great night.
Christina — June 18, 2009 @ 10:33 pm
Omg I love your mom’s card, homemade ones are the best. So thoughtful!
Kat — June 18, 2009 @ 10:49 pm
Have a wonderful, happy birthday Tina! Love reading your blog and sharing your insight on good and proper eating. Kudos to you!
Rebeca — June 18, 2009 @ 10:58 pm
Man… I wish I lived in Boston!
Happy (early) Birthday!!!
Isha — June 18, 2009 @ 11:22 pm
I just tried hemp bread! It took me a few days to get used to it, but it’s really grown on me.
Kelly — June 18, 2009 @ 11:36 pm
Happy Almost Birthday. I love weeds. It’s one of my guilty pleasures although I feel like the episodes are so short and I wait so long for a new one.
Marianne — June 18, 2009 @ 11:41 pm
Oh man, if I knew it was sushi day, I would have totally had that for dinner. I love me some good sushi
Elizabeth — June 18, 2009 @ 11:53 pm
What a fun chance meeting with Mal! I know my day always improves if I get to see my husband – nevermind it being a complete twist of fate like that! Happy birthday in 7 minutes….
Laura from Milwaukee — June 18, 2009 @ 11:56 pm
Aww Happy Birthday! My boyfriend and I are taking a vacation in Boston from July 7th – 10th, I am trying to talk him into visiting Harvard’s Farmers’ Market that you blogged about the other day
Any other events you’d recommend checking out between the 6th – 10th?
Caroline — June 19, 2009 @ 12:03 am
Wow, how serendipitous! Happy birthday:)
Ellen — June 19, 2009 @ 12:55 am
happy birthday! i also love bailey’s on the rocks.. yum!
was the sea salt chocolate caramel fran’s brand? those things are SO good, it is kind of unbelievable.
LaurenE — June 19, 2009 @ 1:41 am
happy birthday!
i’m a new reader, so i just wanted to say hey and i love your blog!
Elina — June 19, 2009 @ 7:17 am
Wow, that IS totally random! Happy birthday
Where is that Ivee sample sale?
tami — June 19, 2009 @ 8:20 am
Mal looks like he is up to something sitting there on that bench. Happy Birthday and have a great vacation. We are headed out on a 15 day road trip so I am hoping to make it to a computer every now and then to sign up for the Summit. I have a 13 mile run that weekend and would love to run around boston with some blog friends
Stacy (Eating To Live Love Laugh Tri) — June 19, 2009 @ 8:36 am
I have never seen a grape tomato and walnut combo. It sounds interesting. Was it good?
Carlos — June 19, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
Ahh Tina! Love your blog! That was me to the left of Mal in your picture! My hair looks so good
Bobbie — June 19, 2009 @ 12:28 pm
Have a great time in Victoria, BC is beautiful, you will love it!