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Confessions of Crystal

What's Up Wednesday

26/3/2014

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This week I'm skipping WIAW in lieu of What's Up Wednesday, something I learned about from my friend Susan's Blog The Feather and The Rose. 

What's Up with...My Blog?
I THINK I have finally installed a link to follow my blog by email.  If you would all follow it, that would be marvelous! 

...Spring Break?
Unfortunately, I have three papers and a twenty-five page writing portfolio for place and travel writing due right after break so it hasn't been much of a break!  I have greatly increased my skating load recently; today I did three and a half sessions in a row.  Tiring, yes, but I am so happy to be training and working hard again. 

What am I reading?
Though I have a lot of school reading to do, I actually have a tiny bit of time to read for fun.  I'm about three quarters of the way through That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis.  I have dozens of books on my kindle and piled on my floor just waiting to be read so hopefully I can plow through some it before spring break ends!

What am I listening to?
If I simply get in bed and close my eyes, it takes me hours to fall asleep.  My favorite way to ease into slumber is by reading.  When I wake up in the morning with my lamp still on, my glasses prodding into my face, and the book (or kindle) on the floor, I know I am reading a great book.  It sounds strange that it is great books that put me to sleep, but reading poorly written books before bed just makes me too annoyed to sleep!  The second best way to fall asleep is by listening to music.  As much as I am enjoying the third book in C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy, talking heads and dead knights coming back to life gives me nightmares.  So, I close the book and instead listen to my three favorite bands (Coldplay, Mumford and Sons, and Of Monsters and Men), all of which are conducive to the best, albeit often bizarre dreams. 

Fifteen Songs on my Bedtime Playlist:

Coldplay
1) Fix You
2) Cemeteries of London
3) A Message
4) Yes
5) Speed of Sound

Mumford and Sons:
1) Below My Feet
2) Awake My Soul
3) Winter Winds
4) After the Storm
5) Timshel

Of Monsters and Men
1) Lakehouse
2) Your Bones
3) Sloom
4) Yellow Light
5) From Finner

In celebration of that (and because I haven't posted any photos yet), here is a photo of the Of Monsters and Men and Vampire Weekend concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater last year.
Picture
Making lists is always enjoyable, yet challenging.  The hardest list I've ever made was one of my top ten favorite books.  I kept changing it!  Do you have any suggestions for lists I should make?
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Spring Break and Green Tea Frappuccino Overnight Oats

24/3/2014

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Yes, I know I have been slacking on blogging lately despite spring break and actually having more time to blog.  I have three papers to write plus a twenty-five page portfolio for my travel writing class to do over break, so I don't actually get much of a break!  Not that I've been all that productive on my attempts at schoolwork or cleaning.  I actually don't know what I've been doing with my new found free time.  I'd like to report that I've been off exploring the world, but aside from spending some time with friends all I've done is sleep in until 9 AM two days in a row, read some of That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis, and waste some time on Pinterest.  Hopefully, I'll be more productive soon! 
Picture
"Why is that green?" you might ask.  Yes, I know St. Patrick's Day is over.  This is my first attempt at putting matcha green tea powder in my oatmeal, inspired by Green Tea Latte Oatmeal.  I omitted the coffee and made it stovetop.  Since oatmeal is one of my favorite foods and matcha green tea is my favorite beverage, this definitely tops my list for favorite breakfasts.  It also inspired me to get creative and attempt to replicate a Green Tea Frappuccino as overnight oats.

Picture
Green Tea Frappuccino Overnight Oats

Ingredients
1/2 cup almond milk
1/3 cup vanilla yogurt
1/3 cup oats
1 TBSP matcha powder
Optional: Cool Whip
Mix all ingredients (except Cool Whip) in a mason jar and refrigerate overnight.

Since I haven't done weekly travel highlights yet, here is one for you:
Picture
Any guesses where I encountered this sign?  Hint: I would love to be there right now for spring break!
Do you have any spring break plans?
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    Crystal Chilcott

    Hi, I’m Crystal!  I love to travel and am currently a graduate student in Scotland. You’ll get all the best tips and insights from my experiences as a former ice-skating coach in Iceland and former study abroad student. Of the 27 countries I have visited, a type 1 diabetes diagnosis has been the strangest land yet.  Type 1 has not slowed down my travels and you'll learn how to take type 1 with you on the road! You can connect with me further on Instagram @CrystalChilcott, or send me ideas of where I should travel next via email: crystalmechilcott@gmail.comHappy Travels, Crystal

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