Thinking Out Loud Thursday #7

I apologize in the amount of reviews that went up this week. I don’t like doing that on the regular, so I hope you guys didn’t mind. It doesn’t always happen. It’s been a while since I sat down and discussed what’s going on in my life. So let’s have a chat, shall we?

I’m thinking of incorporating those weekly workouts into blog posts again, many people seemed to like those — do you? I’d insert a poll, but I don’t know how.

Speaking of working out. I had one of the two bouldering areas at the climbing gym, all to myself one afternoon. It was pretty cool for a few climbs, but then I got lonely and walked over to the front of the gym to have a bit of social interaction even though no one really talks to one another. I swear it’s like a fun house at that climbing gym. SO many “rooms” to choose from to climb and boulder in.Plante-Granite-Bouldering

I’ve been giving the chalk called Unicorn Dust by Friction Labs a go since I got back to pulling on plastic after my finger healed. It’s not 100% healed, I do have to tape up my ring finger like a poser, but it really does help. I want someone to take snazzy cool bouldering pictures of me outside. I mean I guess I could go to the crag myself and set up a tripod after I’ve done some boulder problems but I think that might be a little much. Side note, I bought the athletic tape at the dollar store I recently discovered in Campbell. Biggest dollar tree I have seen in my life. I love browsing through the dollar store for hidden gems. I swear I’m like a little old lady nodding my head to the seniors, strollin’ through the store looking for the best deals.Taped-climbing-finger

My friend and I hung out earlier in the week – I mentioned we went to eat at University Cafe in Palo Alto. But I didn’t mention that I stopped to take endless photos of ALL THE PALM TREES.Palm-Trees

My new friend was wondering if I liked all trees. I never really thought about it in that sense, and no — I have never stopped to look and admire a tree before, until my husband and I moved to California. It’s that Palm Trees have some secret special place in my heart that makes me so unbelievably happy. So when I spotted Palm Drive in Palo Alto, I had a skip in my step – take that literally, because I actually skipped ran and jumped when I saw it.Me-on-Palm-Drive

I think it’s a good thing to be excited over possibly mundane things. I hope that I never get used to Palm Trees and drive past them like they are a regular occurrence. Which, I mean – they are in California. But you know what I mean.Palm-Drive

My husband’s birthday is coming up so yesterday morning after he went to work, I got busy putting things together for his special day. I don’t want to reveal too much, because I know he reads my site from time to time. But fret not (I’m sure you’re so EAGER to hear about it all…right?) I’ll blog about the whole thing. I think this will be his most memorable birthday yet.

I popped into West Elm a few days ago and swooned over the gold place settings. Something I’ve had my eye on for a long time. I looked at the back and noticed it was gold plated, and not gold filled. I find gold plated will get scratched with time, and gold filled will stand up with time. Not that gold filled would be any more expensive either, because my Etsy necklace is gold filled and was twenty bucks on Etsy, and I haven’t taken it off since I bought it over 4 months ago. Gold-Place-Setting-West-Elm

A few nights ago The Guy and I finally set up the Nintendo Wii U that I won at BlogHer. Of course, since it’s mine I got the first go at it. Setting up our Mii’s had me in tears laughing. The things you can do to make them not look human had me in stitches. When that was finalized, we played Mario World and took turns. I forgot how fun Nintendo games are, and how much they cramp up my thumbs because I’m one of those game players who tenses up if I can’t jump out of the way in time. I was made fun of by The Guy because when I’m going to get eaten or fall off the cliff in the game, I mash the console in my hands, subconsciously praying that I’m hitting some correct button to save my life. He had a good kick out of that. He’s more logical, of course and is always telling me which buttons to hit when I’m playing. Kinda like a back seat driver ;) I’m used to it, so I tone him out. Hah!

Give SONGZA a listen. Pick a mood. Pick a playlist. I love oldies. I love blasting music and cleaning house. Or not cleaning the house and sitting down scrolling through Facebook, IG, and Twitter. You know how it is.

Wow. This post was all over the place, a lot longer than expected. But isn’t that the fun of it?

Tell me something random.

What made you happy this week?

Have you ever had a Nintendo system? I had a GameBoy that my Dad and I used to play together, trying to beat one another’s scores on Tetris, and Mario World.

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University Cafe, Palo Alto

Header-Uni-CafeMy friend and I are still pretty brand new to Northern California, so we usually get together once a week and go to new-to-us places and explore. Occasionally stopping for lunch, or a nice an easy walk in the park with a quenching iced coffee.

Sitting-at-Uni-Cafe-Palo-AlYesterday while exploring Palo Alto, we stopped into University Cafe. Initially we were going look it up on Yelp to see if it received enough good reviews to pop in and have a bit of lunch.

University-Cafe-cashBut the place was hoppin’ with people during the lunch hour, so we decided for ourselves it must be good.

University-Cafe-cokeI ordered myself a coke, it came out with a mason jar full of ice. Kinda cute.

Friends-at-Uni-CafeThe ambiance of the restaurant was inviting, with the open concept layout. It was easy to get a table, indoors to get away from the heat of the day. We were lead towards the back of the restaurant near the open kitchen, as my friend required a high chair for her little boy.

University-Cafe-menuOur server was really funny, and recommended a few things to us on the menu. I’m a sandwich girl through-and-through, and rarely venture out of that comfort zone, so I went with the University BLT. As for their price point, I would say it’s moderately priced, considering it’s in the heart of the downtown Palo Alto, and the beautiful Stanford University campus. As you can see from the lunch menu we were given, the prices range anywhere from $8-$15 for their food.

University-Cafe-BLTOnce our food came out, I tasted the soup immediately. I love a good hearty tomato soup and this one was excellent. My friend had the same soup, but ordered a Fresh Lump Crap Burger — a crab burger! Something I would have never thought was even a thing. She said it was incredibly filling and so delicious. My sandwich on the other hand, was absolutely massive. I was eager to dig in since I didn’t grab breakfast yesterday. Unfortunately the sandwich was one of my least favourite sandwiches I’ve ever consumed. All the ingredients separately were terrific, but the bread — oh man, the bread was not exciting at all. It’s not that it was stale, it was paper thin, fell apart and crumbled easily and was fluffy all at the same time. Does that make sense?

Eating-the-BLTIt made such a mess, and I’m glad I had my napkin in my lap because it went everywhere. The dijon aioli sauce on the sandwich must’ve been made with a dab of horse radish, because it was spicy, tangy and weird. Not the best choice. I don’t mean to complain, simply stating how it is.

University-CafeI’d go to University Cafe again in a heart beat, due to their service and give the menu another go. My soup was to die for, and the place was pretty happenin’ so I know people enjoy the food there. I know for next time, I won’t order their BLT. ;)

University Cafe
271 University Avenue
Palo Alto, CA
94301
(650) 322-5301

Do you have a go-to menu item when you’re out?

For the locals reading, have you been to University Cafe?

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