New Thing #51: Blanc Burgers

Two Saturdays ago I got to spend an afternoon on the plaza with my lovely friend, Meg, to check out Blanc Burgers & Bottles.  Throughout the course of the last year, I’ve heard rave reviews about their burgers. A couple of months ago I jumped on a 50% off Groupon offer to finally get to check the joint out.

Looking at the menu was both exciting and overwhelming. So many delicious sounding burgers! I went in with my mind set on the Inside Out Burger. Mostly because it’s the one I’ve heard people talk most about, plus it’s won some awards. Despite second guessing myself and salivating over the descriptions of several other burgers (mainly the bison), I went through with my original choice.

The Inside Out burger is filled (not just filled, stuffed) with blue cheese. It’s topped with mustard, ketchup, lettuce and bacon. Meg, an experienced Blanc patron, got the bison burger. We split grocery carts of onion rings and truffle fries.

The meal was FABULOUS. I enjoyed my burger. It was very blue cheesy (it oozed out of the sides with each bite) and very tasty. Although I enjoyed mine, I immediately suffered from order envy. Seeing the bison burger  in person made me crave it more. Plus, I’m eager to try the sweet potato fries.

That being said, I am ready to go back! If you haven’t, I highly recommend you check out Blanc. Want some company? I will gladly go as your guest.

New Thing #50: Rock Climbing

While brainstorming ideas for new things to do throughout the past year, multiple people threw out the idea of rock climbing at Ibex. In the beginning, I was totally against it. First of all, I have horrible upper body strength. Secondly, despite my attempt to overcome this a few years ago with skydiving, I’m scared of heights. Very much so. The main reason I’m afraid of heights is because of the possibility of falling. And what do you do when you get to the top while rock climbing? You purposely fall back to the ground. OK so I know it’s not really falling, but still…close enough. However, the last few times people have suggested I go rock climbing, the idea began to grow on me.

Friday, Sarah and I met up at Ibex before our soccer game (yes, we went rock climbing before running around the soccer field). I got there early for a class on belaying.  After some one-one time with my instructor and lots of knot-tying and safety check practice, I was set loose with Sarah.

I was a little unsure of the whole climbing up a wall and trusting a person to catch me if I fall thing (which btw, I had to practice fall just to see what it was like). I have always assumed I wouldn’t get very far for the reasons I listed at the beginning of this post. I attempted four climbs and made it to the top three times!!! The one time I didn’t was because I tried a trickier route/path/whatever they’re called. It required more upper body strength than the two easier routes I succeeded on.

After a couple of times up, my body was already letting me how great of a workout rock climbing is. I had so much fun and cannot wait to put my new belaying and rock climbing skills to use again. This is hands-down, without a doubt one of my new favorite hobbies.

P.S. Need a Christmas gift idea for me? 🙂 I’d LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE rock climbing gear or a punch card/gift card to Ibex. Seriously.

New Thing #49: Drag Racing

Two Saturdays ago I got to watch a student race. It was his last race of the season and he was competing for first place. Walking up to the track, I had no idea what to expect. The lot was full of trailers and racers preparing their cars. While waiting for the youth dragster races, we got to watch some pretty sweet cars drag race (so cool!). My student’s father gave a brief Drag Racing 101 lesson to us. However, I can’t remember much of it now. He told us about the flashing lights, timing, goals, etc.

It was a good hour+ before the dragster racing began. We watched his first practice (qualifying?) round in which he didn’t make his time (I’m sure I messed up the wording). After realizing we’d be sitting through another hour+ of all the cars we just watched before seeing him race again, we decided to leave.

It was a beautiful fall day. Perfect for sitting outside chatting with a friend and cheering on a student. Monday morning I was greeting by a certain smiling student with exciting news. He has a 5 foot trophy coming his way because HE WON!!!

New Thing #48: MU Game

Two weekends ago I got the opportunity to attend my first MU game. I attended with my fanatic roommate Megan & her fam.  I didn’t just get the opportunity to go to any MIZZOU game, it was ESPN’s Game of the Week. First of all, the tailgate experience beforehand blew me away. Her family knows how to do it! Three tents, LOTS of food and getting started hours before the game.  Entering the stadium and cheering alongside about 71,000 fans was indescribable. The energy that filled the stadium was ah-mazing. Then, talk about a perfect start to the game- we returned the opening kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown. Despite the rain and OU taking the lead for a bit, it was such a great game. We won 36-27 and fans stormed the field to celebrate. Before this game, Missouri had lost seven straight against Oklahoma and last beat the Sooners in 1998.

Man, you should have been there! I’m thankful I was. (Thanks Meggie!) What an amazing first MU game to get to attend. I can confidently say I’m officially a new fan of MIZZOU after experiencing this game.