A Journey of Exploration

It's hard to believe that I'm not a rookie anymore. I'm entering year 3 of my first professional position and that makes me less of a "newbie"every day. I also am proud to say that I've mastered living by myself (with the dog) - going on four years now. You learn a lot about yourself in adventures such as these when you have less opportunities to duck and cover (like running to the parents house when the going gets rough - not that it's a bad option that I haven't thought of a time or two).

In taking some time to look back on these past two years, I've thought back often on "Eat, Pray, Love" (GREAT BOOK) and my own venture into getting to know me and what I like, and what I dislike and how to love myself for who I am. I've come to learn a lot. I've learned I like my independence, I like to go to bed earlier than some, that I can totally do pancakes on Sundays for me and the dog and the world won't fall apart because I'm not at my parents' dinner table.

Don't get me wrong, I've had my struggles. Driving yourself to the hospital in 40 degree weather in the midst of what you think is your last breath is not cool and calling my parents during the drive probably wasn't good for their health either. But wow - after it's all over do you feel empowered. Like wow, I can take care of myself.. I can do this. I promise you I didn't feel like it then, but if you spend a little time looking back you'll see you're a lot stronger than you think. And ultimately it helps you to know more about what you want versus what you need.

I did a recent exploration of Glamour.com and came across an awesome blog post titled "36 Things Every Single Girl Must Do Before She Settles Down." (See article here). I loved it and immediately sent it off to all my closest friends, including the ones who are married because I truly believe that women become stronger when they don't forget about who they are as individuals. I take that lesson from my mom, in that it's okay to not be with your husband every waking moment. You both love each other but forgetting about who you are as individual doesn't allow you to love yourself. Who ultimately is your first priority? You.

Ladies - "You can't love nobody 'til you love you" (Murphy Lee said it best). So this is the beginning of my own introspective journey into loving me and I plan on getting there by doing all the things that I want to do to make me the best person I can be.

First Steps Below:

• Run a 5K - planned for the end of July
• Go on some dates - In progress
• Take a trip by myself for fun - AND enjoy it
• More to be added with time

What I've covered so far:

• Gone to the movies (and still do) by myself - and love it just as much as I would with someone
• Not afraid to have a drink at the local restaurant by myself
• Tried a new activity - see Run a 5K - I'm training for it now!
• Begun to get into the groove of who I am at the core - including blaring loud music wherever I go
• Been single to a wedding - totally fun when you have good company

What are you going to do to make sure you're loving you?

**I need to make a special note here that I am able to start this journey thanks to my amazing best friends who never cease to help me be a better me and to remember who I am and what I'm capable of. Thank you to all of you ladies AND men out there who help me when the going gets rough... and ultimately for helping me to remember what makes me happy.

You, travel, and your furry friend

Many modern women (and men) spend time traveling. It's a fact that our generation is more global than any other generation before us, and our jobs require us to to travel from time to time and our friends span the globe. So when travel calls or its time for a reunion with some college friends, finding a kennel for your furry friend, whether a dog or cat, can be a process.

Over the years, the trend in pet care has been not a kennel concept, but a "pet resort." More and more kennels are offering detailed "menus" of options for your pet's activities while in the kennel's care. These can include supervised play-time for your pet, long walks, specific treats at bed time, or even (and this may be extreme for some pet owners) a bed-time story and a tuck-in every night. So how do you decide where to go?

You must first start with a thororugh knowledge of your pet. Does your pet play well with others? If so, then maybe a kennel that offers supervised play groups is the one for you. If not, then you may want to look at a kennel that offers individual care without interaction with other animals. Does your pet need plenty of excercise? If you answered yes, then you will need to ensure that your dog is signed up for some long walks and some playtime.

The most important point here is to ask the right questions and actually VISIT the kennel before you drop off your pet. Perhaps, even show up unannounced. That way you get a chance to check out the kennel in its "natural habitat." Ask these questions: "How often will my pet get exercise? What exercise options are available? Will it cost extra? Do I need to bring my pet's food? (If they offer food - make sure that your pet doesn't have a sensitive stomach - if you don't know this answer - bring your pet's food!) Do I need to outline my pet's feeding schedule and rations? Do I need to bring bedding for my pet? Where will my pet sleep? (Ask if you can see the place where your pet will stay,  If you can't - then I would not be as keen to stay at that kennel - any good kennel will give you a tour).

These are just some of the basic questions, but any good kennel will walk you through the steps if it's your first time. Regardless, there are many options in most areas, so take the time to check them all out. For me, when my puppy needed to stay in a kennel for the first time (in her four years of life), I called three different kennels in the area and canceled on a few places until I found the place I liked the best. Now she can't wait to hop out the car when she gets there. I drive 25 minutes, granted, to get there. But it's all worth it to go to a place where I know my pet will be well taken care of and that gives me the piece of mind when I'm away.

Simply Cooking with Wine

Red and White. Sometimes that is as deep as some people go into deciphering the difference between wines. Some might even throw in what some call a rose' (the pink wine people).

For me wine is much more complex. In fact, wine is an art. The complex flavors and smells are tantalizing. I love the smell of oak barrels and I dream of living on a winery. Those who know me, know this, and for that reason one of my Christmas gifts this year was a wine package (decanter, wine stoppers, and a "Wine Lover" glass) - catchy idea for those who have a hard time deciding on gifts.

However, as we know, here on MMW - we like to keep it simple. So we'll delve into the basic reasons why you would choose between red or white for cooking, as I most recently discovered by trial and error. Many recipes call for wine in their ingredients, but many may not realize why one recipe may call for white and some red. Some of you may, admittedly, not be very familiar with wine but it's a MUST to have in your kitchen. It adds some complex flavors that you will be sure to enjoy (and if you are anti-alcohol, don't worry it burns off in the cooking process).

In choosing meats (no fish today), you have the white meats and the red meats. Pork, chicken and turkey (not the dark meat) fall into your white meats. Steak (any cut), lamb and duck fall into your dark/red meats. Fun side note: Any poultry that sticks to the ground and doesn't fly will have white meat except in the legs. Poultry that flies (geese and ducks) are dark throughout.

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I don't hate you Martha...

Morning is always the best time for me to get things done. I wake up and clean the house, get some personal work done on my computer before heading to work, and I usually try to watch a few minutes of the Today show. Who doesn't need their fix of Matt Lauer in the morning?

This morning there was a New Year's theme, which usually includes some food. There she was. Martha. Cooking up four minute meals with some decently priced items. I had to like her for that moment. She was efficient, quick, and she can cook good food. What could Matt, Meredith, Ann and Al do but eat it and say how good it was? They were sitting ducks. I think Martha even picked out foods that she knew they would like (Al got a steak meal).

Now you may be staying, "Miss Millennial Modern Woman, you profess to be a "non-Martha Stewart blog." And there I must agree with you. I'm not. I don't have time for the pretty frills (all the time) or the money to pay for some super fantastic food items. BUT Martha has some good tips every now and then, which includes these recipes she had on national tv, and for that I have to say, "I don't hate you Martha." I just know that some things need to be simplified for the day to day - and that's what the Millennial Modern Woman is all about.