You know how certain songs always flashback to a certain time or event in your life? Like your first kiss or your first break up? I was listening to Songza and Craig David came on. Instantly, I thought of my freshman volleyball year. My coach had asked everyone to say little facts about themselves as an icebreaker, including your favorite artist/musician. When my turn came around, I said that my favorite artist was Craig David and he thought I was crazy because he had no idea who he was. It became an inside joke for the rest of the season, and it set the tone for a fun volleyball season.

R. Kelly’s “Ignition” was the first song I heard when I put the keys in my car for the first time. Ironic, isn’t it? Now whenever I hear it, I remember how excited and surprised I was to get my Cameron the Camry. My parents had surprised me with a car after I came home from a boy’s volleyball game in high school. I opened the garage and there was a brand new car parked inside. Oblivious to it (I figured I had a cousin spending the night and they got a new car), I didn’t fully understand what was going on until my dad handed me the keys to the car. I wanted to sleep in my car that first night I got it.

As for heartache, nothing beats Carrie Underwood’s “Starts with Goodbye.” I must have looped that song a hundred times a day with tears running down my face. It sounds dramatic, but it’s true. I’m pretty sure that Carrie Underwood song put every emotion I was feeling into words at the time. It was like that song was made for me. Listen to it. It’s the best break up song. Oh, and let’s not forget Paula DeAnda’s “Walk Away,” which is a bit more upbeat than the latter.

You can’t deny that every significant person in your life has a song that reminds you of them. I can tell you a song for every boy that had a piece of my heart at a time.  “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” by Deathcab… “Promiscuous Girl” by Nelly Furtado… “The Ponytail Parades” by Emery…

Listening to old songs is just as good as pulling out old yearbooks and scrapbooks. What songs make you think of a certain time in your life?

These cookies from chef-in-training came out the perfect shape and texture, but the malt powder wasn’t very strong. I was hoping for a strong malt taste, but no one could guess the secret ingredient after trying a cookie. After I told them they had malt powder in them, they all had the lightbulb face, as if they were thinking, “ahhhhhhh.. THAT’S what it is!” Nevertheless, it’s a good staple for the kiddos that won’t touch any cookie that has a million add-ins. In other words, it’s a safe cookie.

I chose to use chocolate chips instead of chopped Whoppers like the original recipe because in my past experiences, Whoppers are just not meant for baking.