oh, eating clubs

Hi. (waves shyly). Remember me? Please pardon my absence and the depth of my self-involved introspection. Life's been throwing me quite a few grown-up challenges lately. I've cautiously been working through them. And although all may not completely figured out yet (when is it ever?), I'm return to blogging.

I look for an "escape" quite often--whenever I'm upset, angry, uncomfortable, stressed, bored. A few weeks ago, I was thankfully just bored. I'd had a migraine for nearly the entirety of Friday evening into Saturday, and awoke Sunday feeling like I'd all but wasted my weekend.

A boy and I went out for a late brunch. When I say late, I mean so late that I had slept in yet been awake long enough to be in desperate need of food and caffeine. We stopped for a latté along the way to hold me over on the long seven block walk to Beechwood Cafe and Market.

This adorable country-style, New American-esque restaurant serves typical brunch fare in addition to fantastic Southwestern favorites, like my Santa Fe Breakfast Burrito: fresh salsa, cheddar cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and scrambled eggs wrapped in a flour tortilla and spread green salsa. It was delicious and all was right in the world... except for the fact that my biggest accomplishment thus far was eating breakfast. 

So, we brainstormed our options while I also exercised my ability in being indecisively difficult. That is, until he suggested we hop in the car and drive south to a place that he knows well and I've never been. I like him.

Less than an hour later, we arrived at Princeton University.

This boy I was with graduated from his alma mater a few years before I did, and was amazed at the new buildings and ground renovations.

I was just thrilled to be on a college campus again. 

We spent hours wandering through the academic buildings, dorms, sport fields and eating clubs (or in my opinion, glorified ivy-versions of co-ed fraternities).

It was also, conveniently enough for wandering purposes, move in day... so although more crowded than usual, most buildings were open.

Princeton is beautiful, isn't it? The town itself is pretty cute too. After four hours of walking, we happily sat down at The Alchemist & Barrister. We enjoyed multiple beers and fried foods as a means to channeling our former college student statuses.

More specifically: Ithaca Apricot Wheats, Shipyard Brewery Pumpkin Heads, crispy calamari (italian peppers, capers, raisins, honey drizzle), a garden vegetable burger (feta cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, hummus, tzatziki sauce on a whole-wheat bun) for me, and an italian-style turkey burger (fresh mozzarella cheese, sautéed spinach, roasted red peppers, basil aioli) for him. 

The weekend was anything but a waste.