Canoe for Two - Cruising Down the Santa Fe River

With a whole summer ahead of me in Gainesville, I can easily see myself falling into the same routine: work, sleep, repeat. Most of my friends are spending their summers doing internships at law firms or traversing the streets of Italy, but for me, the summer does not hold such exciting plans. I spent last summer in Paris, France, and I decided that this summer I would sit back, save up money, and take a few online classes. However, I refuse to fall into the usual break that I have found to be comfortable. Rather than sleeping my days away, I want to explore all that Gainesville has to offer, including what I have to offer to Gainesville. From going to the various natural springs surrounding the city to restringing my old guitar and finally learning how to play, I want to make memories this summer, not just sit at home.

Thus went Canoe for Two, an adventure that started as a livingsocial coupon bought by my roommate for us and ended with her leaving for the summer and me bringing the only ACR I know - an outdoorsy type named Kyle. With a couple of cold brews and some delicious snacks, Kyle spent the afternoon pointing out wildlife (gators, turtles, catfish), while I coasted by doing very little work.

All in all, the trip was successful. I didn't take many pictures, but I have memories that will last me the summer.

More pictures after the jump!

Born to be Wild, a book review

I wouldn't call myself particularly outdoorsy - I've never been camping, the longest hike I've done was maximum two hours (and without any inclines), and when my mom would urge my child self to go outside "where nature can kill us!" I was less than enthused. Despite all of this, somehow, a book about a women hiking the PCT related to me on a level that transcends being outside. Perhaps it's because her familial struggles reflect, or maybe Cheryl Strayed's desire to be a "hard-ass amazonian woman" really sits with me, especially this past year in my journey to become independent from my parents. Honestly, I think a big part of the reason I loved this book so much is because it was a welcome distraction from Dante. Whatever the reason was, I found myself growing excited to turn the pages, rushing to finish my other tasks so that I could sit down with Wild and get lost in the adventures of the Pacific Crest Trail.

While this may not be the best written book (I must say, Strayed does go on and on and on about her portable saw which does not seem to have much plot function but hey, it is her retelling, right?), it was exactly what I needed when I read it: a strong female triumphing over her challenges, both mentally and physically. Nearing the end of my fourth semester at UF, I too had some mental and physical obstacles of my own (read: Meltdown Mondays), and it helped me to get away from that and focus on someone(thing) else for a while.

Since reading Wild, I have felt newly inspired to spend time outdoors, and I have gone on several hikes and have planned a camping trip for later this summer.

A Little Taste of Home, er, Morocco

You may be asking, how in the world is a food all the way from Morocco considered a "comfort" food? Maybe not, but I'm going to tell you anyway. Second only to chicken 'n' dumplings (a staple of my childhood), this Moroccan chicken (or tajine, as my mother calls it) brings back so many smells and memories of home. My mother worked in the restaurant industry for several years in her 20s and 30s, and because of that, she was always bringing new flavors into our home. For some reason (probably the rich combination of sweet and spicy, along with the fact that I love anything with rice and chicken), this dish seemed to stick in my head as one of the best.

This recipe, brought the tastes, not only of North Africa, but of my childhood, into my cramped Gainesville apartment. I'm a college student, and because of that, my go-to meal is usually the Steak n Shake down the street - cringe-worthy, I know. However, with only 30 minutes of prep time in the morning (because that's when we're all feeling the most productive, right?) and then 6-7 hours in the slow cooker, this meal was so easy for me to make. I had my roommates texting me throughout the day asking what was cooking, that's how good it smelled.

By the end of the day, the chicken was so tender it was falling off the bone, and I was more than satisfied with the meal I had made. 10/10 would make again.

Rain on My Tin Roof

Gainesville spring, oh how curious you are. I walked out of my bedroom to see this on the porch. I must say, sun showers are one of my favorite natural phenomena. Did you know that sun showers are only called so in South Florida? Elsewhere, apparently, people just say that it's raining while it's sunny out. Boring.

My roommate was less than enthused by this (perhaps because she didn't actually come to look at it?), but I dropped everything I was doing, grabbed a book, and sat on the porch for the rest of the afternoon, listening to the rain. It was surreal, to say the least.

Song Recommendation: Rain on My Tin Roof - Timothy Seth Avett as Darling