I like to be fat and single--that's why I drink beer

There's something depressing about buying a frozen pizza for just yourself. You know that 80% of that pizza is going back in the fridge for lunch tomorrow, maybe dinner the next day, and then, inevitably, to the trash can.

I've long understood that living alone is great...when you're in a relationship. In fact, it's preferable. But when faced with the total emptiness of your life when you live alone, in every sense of the term, it's utterly wretched. I understand why single women own cats and are often portrayed vegging out to the television on a couch with a FULL glass of wine on TV, because that's what we do.

Only, I like to be fat and single--that's why I drink beer.

My new baby

The beaten gold Mazda Protege that has taken my family across many states for many years has finally kicked the bucket. It's been dying for the last few weeks now, and when it refused to start a few days ago, I knew it was time to get a new car.

Meet The Sheep. A hand-me-down from my wonderful grandparents up in Midway.

While the name was also handed down from the previous owner, it's too fitting to let go of for reasons I can't quite explain until you drive it. And, might I add, this is the first time I've had a snow appropriate car. Quite the shocker since I've lived in Utah my whole life.

I feel like The Sheep and I are going to have some interesting adventures together. My grandpa warned that I might become a "Jeep girl" after having The Sheep for a while, to which I replied, "I was always a Jeep girl, now I'm just a Jeep owner to go along with it."

I can't explain how excited I get bouncing down the street as I herd The Sheep through Salt Lake City. I am so grateful for my grandparents who have helped me in my moment of need more times than I can count. And while I feel wildly indebted to them, my grandma simply says, "No, sweetie. That's what family is for."

My family and the support I receive from them has become a factor to me staying in Salt Lake City the last year or so. The older I get and the harder life gets, I realize how important it is to have that safety net when you're in need. Which, if you're me, happens a lot.

I guess I just want to take a minute to be grateful.

But besides solemn gratitude, I feel excitement for the adventures to come. Hold on tight Sheep, let's see what we can get in to.

The perfect messy bun...first try

Such a rare occurrence, it required a post.

I appreciate the gesture...

Dear man at Coffee Garden in a Hawaiian T-Shirt,

I appreciate the gesture, but it's 19 degrees outside and snowing. Put a coat on.

Love,
Savannah

The fat phase

That's right guys. I'm at the fat phase of winter. Don't believe me? My dinner last night was composed of one pint glass of Evolution Amber Ale and a giant slice of white chocolate cranberry cheesecake (from Dodo, OMG it was so good), which I proceeded to eat all of. After my nutritious meal, I then indulged in two hours of comedy tours by Kevin Hart.

While I laughed so hard last night I know I burned a few of those cheesecake calories, it wasn't enough to make up for my last few days of utter laziness.

The "fat phase" hits everyone at some point during the winter season. Usually it's right around Christmas when there are chocolates, cookies and candy canes everywhere you look. It makes sense. After so many weeks bundled up (feeling fat from the down feathers that keep you warm anyway) you feel like the difference of a couple pounds won't be noticed, and that you'll get your ass in gear this spring before swim suit season. Hopelessness plus holiday stress is the recipe for the fat phase.

Because of my recent trip to the beach, the phase is hitting me a little later. Over December and the beginning of January, I was driven to the gym by my California vacation. However, now that that's done and I know no one but S will be seeing my flesh for the next few months (sorry baby), I've subconsciously given up entirely on trying to be healthy and buried myself in comfort foods. (Seriously, I bought Chef Boyardee for lunch last week).

So here I am, at the corner of hearty and hefty, with a negative amount of motivation to eat right or exercise. I'm even writing this blog mostly to justify sitting down by being "productive." But also to say, "Hey, fellow winter survivors, I know how you're feeling, and I'm there too."

While I want to say I'll make a deal with you right now to eat healthy, the idea of getting rid of my five cans of Chef Boyardee is more depressing than scraping snow off of my car in the morning. And while I do want to exercise, I'm having a hard time budgeting my time well enough to go regularly (that's what two jobs will do to you sometimes).

So here is a suggestion. If sitting on my ass is all my lazy ass will do, then I'll be a smart lazy ass. Instead of posting up on my bed with hours of this TV show or that movie, I'm going to...dare I say it...read. If my tummy is bound to grow over winter, then so shall my mind. What better excuse to snack endlessly and sit around under the covers than because I'm reading? This way, I can justify my bad habits and finish some of those novels I'm halfway through at the same time.

For those of you out there in the fat phase, fear not. Your pain is shared by many, and the phase will pass. Until then, join me in a crusade to be a lazy ball of processed foods and old Christmas cookies, while indulging in some good books.

Here are some of my suggestions for your winter reading list:

Funny: "Naked" by David Sedaris

European historical fiction: "The Paris Wife" by Paula McLain (Suggested by my BFF, L)

Going to make you cry: "The Tiger Rising" by Kate DiCamillo

In the cinema: "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card or "Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

I've got a family and friends full of readers. I'd love to hear your winter reading list suggestions in the comments below!

Posted up in Piper Down

For some much needed girl time, my BFF and I threw on our boots and infinity scarves and headed downtown to my new favorite Irish pub--Piper Down.

I first went to PD after Christmas for $1 mimosas (yeah, for real) with my family. Their brunch blew me away, not just with taste, but with price and I was quickly hooked. I went there for dinner on Friday with my mom and her boyfriend (yes, my life is that lame sometimes) and we enjoyed a stein of Bohemian brew and even more yummy food. So, when L and I were thinking of places to go for dinner Piper was the first place on my list.

You really can't order anything bad here, everything is hearty and delicious. L and I opted for a burger and french dip along with a heph for her and a stout for me. PD is not the place to go if you're in a hurry, the pub is huge and the staff is busy, so expect to relax and have lots of table talk prepared before coming.

While one of my favorite things about Piper is that it is 21+ (which means no little ones running around. Woo!), L loved the menu. A self proclaimed London-phile, the pub reminded her to the T of places she'd eaten in Europe and she immediately feel in love.

We gossiped about friends, complained about boys and gushed over our new favorite TV series--Girls. And, lucky us, while waiting for our 10:20 movie to start an Irish band came on stage and played a few bangers before we left.

The atmosphere is what really sold me though. With the walls littered with Guinness paraphernalia and the eclectic crowd that calls PD home, I can see Piper Down becoming a staple in my SLC hit list.

Snow day blues

Well, it’s snowing again today. While my boyfriend jumped up in excitement to slide on a pair of skis, I couldn’t hide deep enough under the blankets. An idea came to me this morning that it wouldn’t be too hard to just live in my bed for the next few months until winter is over. S even agreed to slide my meals under the door so I’d never have to leave my bedroom. However, in an attempt to avoid getting fat and depressed by living on my queen-sized bed, I’m going to scrape off my rickety death machine (because in the snow my car might as we be called that) and get out of the house. Here are some of my favorite spots I force myself to go when it’s hard to leave the homestead.

Coffee Garden

I don’t know if it’s the subtle classical music in the background, its location on one of my favorite blocks in SLC (9^th & 9^th), or the fact that this coffee house is known as a literature major hub, but I always feel right at home at Coffee Garden.

SLC is teeming with local coffee shops (believe it or not since caffeine is frowned upon by the Mormons). After a dedicated search to try them all a year or two ago, I found my few favorites, Nostalgia being another one that is just a little too far from my house to receive regular attendance by yours truly.

Coffee shops are where I go to be productive, pretend I'm an intellectual and find a neutral place to catch up with old friends--even when we have rocky pasts. There is a comfort found in local coffee shops that you just don't get from the hustle of a Starbucks, no matter how big their leather chairs are.

The Gym

S and I recently got gym passes to 24 Hour Fitness, and I’ve fallen in love entirely. For a girl with few hobbies other than working, the gym has proven a perfect pass time. So, on days like this when I feel like melting into the covers, I try to get my ass out of bed and into shape.

Again, with the gym only being a few blocks away, it’s hard to use the excuse of my crappy car to avoid going. Plus, the endorphins one gets from exercise helps boost my mood, even when I know it’s going to be a winter wonderland when I walk outside.

The Dodo

Welcome to one half of my two jobs. As a server there for over a year, I’ve developed some really good friendships. And with a nice little bar, The Dodo is a popular spot for employees to come grab a bite and a beer. Not only because of the discount, but because it’s one of the only places in town we know for a fact we will have people to talk to, laugh with, and maybe even get a little juicy gossip.

For all the other 20-somethings out there, I hope you have a spot like this, workplace or not, where you can go and be surrounded with friends any day of the week. If you don’t, find one. Or even come into Dodo and make friends with us.

Okay, now for the hard part: actually getting up. Perhaps I’ll try to hit all three of my snowy day spots today. That doesn’t sound like a bad Thursday to me J 

Stuck in SLC

Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate Salt Lake City, at least not any more. Since going to college, turning 21 and making some great friends, I’ve come to tolerate, and even admire this salty city. But as much as I try to smile in the face of snow, I find the religious majority that seems to control everything, the freezing temperatures and smoggy air bring me back to a type of compulsory loathing that you can only experience for the city you grew up in.

There are a lot of things to love about SLC. The beautiful mountains, the adamant counter-culture, the quality standard of living that I’ve become so accustomed to. Even as a single, 21-year-old girl, I manage to afford my own apartment in the city, complete with all the creature comforts one could want and only a block away from my favorite city park. Gosh, I sure do have it good—but why, then, am I always so down in the dumps about living here?

It’s not that Salt Lake is bad, it’s just that, and all natives with a brain will tell you this, there is so much more to the world than Utah. That said, I haven’t been able to get myself to leave. First school, then a job and a boyfriend, not to mention not having the funds to pack up and bounce to a big city. While it seems that many bloggers are able to pick up and leave whilly nillly—and while I aspire to be that way myself—I have commitments here that have kept me in the City.

So, as 2014 begins, so does a new chapter of my life as a Utahan (even the proper noun is horrific). I figure, if I’m stuck here another year for this reason or that, I might as well try to help those that are stuck with me. Whether you too are looking to escape the drudges of SLC or have your own hometown blues, join me on a quest to not only live, but love in the city I can’t stand.