Vermont photos

Craft night at our apartment the night before.

I was making chocolate covered strawberries for our Valentine's dinner.

Courtnie with the Valentine stockings Libby made.

Lots of games.

Isn't Britt gorgeous?

Lib went all out with the Valentine's decor.

I neeeed an apartment with a working fireplace. I love the fire.

Valentine chinese take out boxes to celebrate Valentine's Day and also the Chinese New Year.

The final project. Thanks for teaching me how to make these so many years ago KB!

I thought everyone looked so happy while opening their Valentine's stockings so I went on to the front porch and took a couple pictures. I thought if anyone looked in we'd look like we were having such a good time. :)

Sparklers!

Valentine's Day was also Sarah's birthday. Libby lighting the candles.

Britt in the holiday spirit.

Roomie love.

Our house. There's a big lake in the front that you can't see. It was frozen over and covered in snow.

*Please don't judge my photos. This was basically my first round. I still gotta learn.

The daily ten

Got to talk to Chelse, my love. We play phone tag like it's going out of style.

Got a yummy cookie bouquet from my mom delivered at work for Valentine's Day! (She was going to have it sent on Friday, but I mentioned to her the day before I was taking the day off for Vermont, then yesterday I wasn't at work since I had the class.)

Started feeling really sick towards the end of the day, and made it home in time before I got really sick.

Was invited to a sweet Lady GaGa dancing class with friends, (which I then sadly had to miss because I wasn't feeling well.)

Was invited to Aruba with friends. They're going the day I get back from Brazil. I checked out flights to see if I could swing just the weekend there, after Rio, but obviously it was too expensive. Why can't I have it all? :)

Since I didn't feel well I spent the evening on the couch catching up on tv.

Had the apartment to myself for a couple hours.

Decided I really liked my nail color from yesterday. (Essie's East Hamptons Cottage.)

Was able to help a lady with her baby stroller up the subway stairs and she acted like it made her day.

Chuckled to myself while reading Bridget Jones's Diary. Loving it.

The daily ten

Went to a Power Point class all day so I got to dress casual. It was a perfect day for it too because the weather was nasty.

Got out of class at 3pm, so nice.

Got a mani/pedi.

Gave in and went tanning. I hate going tanning, especially in NY because it's so expensive, but I don't want to burn in Rio.

Watched 24 with the girls.

Got a Valentine from Ryan and Megan. Love being an auntie!

Got the Spring 2010 New York Magazine issue.

Chipotle for dinner.

Some good gg chat with the roomies.

Made it to midtown this morning in maybe record time, and got a seat on a very crowded subway.

An actual lunch break

How nice once in a while.

Vermont highlights

• Getting out of the city at 10am and avoiding all holiday traffic.
• Getting to the house early, all grocery shopping for 17 done, and a lovely dinner out for the four of us.
• A relaxing morning at the Equinox spa (which, for the record, I thought was overrated, but still enjoyed.) I especially liked the outdoor hot tub.
• Being reminded that I don't hate my body, and I'm dreading getting older, as I got ready in the locker room while it was very busy with other patrons.
• Being introduced to the heaven (and later sickness) that is brown sugar on french toast.
• A quiet afternoon with an almost empty house while others were out shopping.
• Lots of fun games, including Nertz, Things, Hearts, and That Game, which apparently has a real name, which is Celebrities. (I still like calling it That Game.)
• A plethora of "that's what she said" jokes.
• A round of "Never Have I Ever" that stayed surprisingly pretty innocent, thankfully.
• An awesome Valentine's dinner/birthday night for Sarah.
• Sparklers!
• Valentines stockings with fun Valentines.
• Lots of Olympics.
• Endless fires.
• Lots of laughing
• An out of the blue, practically obligated "that's what she said" joke from Daniel that had Libby and I on the floor, screaming with laughter, until my head, face, and stomach hurt.
• Lots, lots, and lots more laughter.
• An awesome house.
• Three rounds of pool, played with three different guys, won all three times due to each one scratching on the 8 ball. Muahaha.
• Late night venting sessions with my roommate Katie.
• Incredible outlet shopping; two suits from BCBG at $100 each, a peacoat, and two $50 dresses from Betsy Johnson (one of which I can wear to Megan's rehearsal dinner in June.)
• Beating Libby in Nertz by three points.
• Taco Bell on the ride home.
• Lots of *gg on the ride home and after we arrived at home.

Thanks friends. Happy Valentine's Day. :)

*gossip

The daily ten

Made valentines tonight at Carly's (first time I've actually made a valentine if you can believe it.)

After a month or two of staying away from the Treats Truck I indulged.

Was angry when I realized I had to do laundry at 10pm, but Britt had to do it also so I had company.

Made my mom laugh when I told her to relax, and then broke into "Relax, don't do it, when ya wanna get through it..." at 10am, which was 7am her time.

The pizza man brought my roommates the wrong pizza so he brought them another, so I got to munch on the first pizza.

Went to Topshop for the first time and realized it's so much better than I expected.

Had a nice chat with my cab driver.

Had a nice time visiting teaching.

Got everything done at work that I needed to.

Packed for Vermont, where I'll be all weekend (not blogging.)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy 60th birthday Dad!

Celebrating his birthday Saturday night (a few days early) after dinner at Joe's.

Today is my dad's 60th birthday. It feels weird to even type that, because my dad seems no where near 60 to me. My dad takes really good care of himself, thankfully, working out three or sometimes four times a week, eating healthily, riding his motorcycle, and trying his best to stay current on pop culture.

I was lucky enough to be able to get to Boston last weekend while he was there so we could celebrate. We had a great weekend, which I'll blog about later. Now, his birthday interview:

What do you do?

Director of Sales-California Scents (try to rid the world of stink)

Describe your perfect day.

#1 Spend time with my family, #2 go on a long motorcycle ride with good friends.

If you only had time to watch one tv show a week, which would you choose?

David Letterman

Last March when my dad came to New York and we went to The Late Show. I've never seen him so excited.

What's something people would be surprised to know about you?

People who don't know my background are always surprised to learn I grew up on a small farm.

When you've had a really bad day what makes you feel better?

See #2 and add a good work out.

Who's your celebrity crush?

Renee Zellweger (man crush-Dan Patrick.)

Sounds familiar. (The man crush, not Renee. Brad is not a Renee fan.)

What's one of your favorite childhood memories?

Spending time with my dad and Grandpa Beck.

What's one of your guiltiest pleasures?

Initials on my sleeve.

(He gets RJH embroidered on the sleeves of his button up shirts. This answer should show you how much my dad indulges or spoils himself.)

What's one of your favorite things about living in southern California?

The weather and my biker pals.

What's your favorite part about being a dad?

Seeing how well my children turned out.

What's book(s) are you currently reading?

The Old Testament

If I gave you $100,000 with the stipulation that you couldn't save it or invest it, and had to spend it within a week, what would you do with it?

Buy a new Lexus.

What is a piece of modern technology you could not live without?

Satellite radio.

Where is the most beautiful place you've ever been?

Havasuppi

The boys on one of their many Havasuppi trips.

What book should be required reading for every American?

Anything written by Neal A. Maxwell.

You've got two roundtrip tickets anywhere in the world. Where do you go and who do you take?

New Zealand-someone who loves to travel.

What three material possessions do you value most?

Motorcycle, autographed book by Neal A. Maxwell, my baseball ticket frame.

The frame in all its glory, including stubs to every MLB stadium, two World Series tickets, and a few pictures.

What are you looking forward to?

My next three day ride with my friends.

What are three things on your "bucket list"?

Go to Israel and Egypt

Hike Machu Picchu

Go on a cruise to Russia

Who is someone who has changed or shaped your life for the better?

God and anyone who believes in me.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Don't work so hard and enjoy the moments.

(Start this today, Dad!)

What do you know to be absolutely positively true?

God lives, Jesus died for me, both of them love me, and I have the four best children any father could ask for.

Coming down a bit, nothing beats a motorcycle ride with friends on a nice day.

The last few weeks I've been referencing a "big project" I've been working on. For my dad's birthday I had a blurb book made of pictures over my dad's life, and included about 30 birthday messages from friends and family. I gave it to him this weekend.

My mom did a ton of work going through photos and having them scanned and emailed to me. I included some of my favorites below, in no particular order.

Rebecca, Mom, me, Brad, Dad, Jason, in front of our house in Benicia, California.

This is probably 1985. It was the first house I lived in, but I have no memories of it because we moved to Kansas City soon after this picture was taken.

Rebecca, me, Jason, Brad, Dad, Mom. The family before in-laws and grandkids came along.

This is one of my dad's favorite family pictures. It was taken in Germany in July 2000.

So cheesy. Late 80s. Check out that 'stache.

Dad with his brothers, Bob on the left, Mike on the right, on my parents' wedding day.

May 10, 1974. Those chops are amazing. And I'm not sure but I think my dad may have had ruffles on his tux.

The obligatory Christmas Eve pjs shot, oldest to youngest.

A typical Saturday hanging out with my dad. Maybe 1987? In Chicago.

Senior Prom, June 2, 2001.

Look how young!

My favorite picture I'v ever seen of them. Isn't my mom a fox? I'm assuming this is an engagement party or maybe something for their wedding?

In Puerto Vallarta. No clue what year.

With Taffy as a little puppy!! 1987.

Alaskan cruise for their 25th anniversary.

Love this photo. Obviously it can be difficult getting six people to look at the camera. I think 1987.

Last weekend (February 6, 2010) when he just opened up his gift.

Having a good laugh at the picture of him on the cover.

I loved the quote I put on the front as well, "One starts to get young at the age of sixty..."

-Pablo Picasso

There were a lot of funny memories, as well as touching notes.

Happy happy 60th Dad!! I love you!!

Today I'm grateful:

• that the storm has hardly been a storm.
• for my wellies. The puddles that accumulate when it rains or snows are ridiculous.
• for the guys I work for. I was lamenting about the fact that all my roommates were home, everyone who's a student was out, and so many of my friends were given the day off for the "snow day." I kept reading on facebook how everyone was outside playing in the snow or enjoying the snowfall from the comfort of their warm home. After the market closed all the guys who live in the suburbs were leaving because there was a pretty big threat that the Metro North and LIRR would quit running. Around 2:45pm my guys insisted I leave. I was so happy.
• for Liz at Bloomingdales. She was so sweet and helpful, and gave me a brand new spankin watch! Hurray!
• for Jamar, who cracks me up and has the best laugh himself. He was at my house hanging out with my roomies when I got home. Love me some Jam!
• for Lindsey, who's the world's best house guest.
• to be in my warm apartment.
• that the subways ran normally, despite the threat of the express trains running local.
• that my commute rocks. I left work and walked two blocks and half an avenue till I could enter a subway entrance that connects with Grand Central. From that point on I was never outside again. I hopped on the 4/5 and went one stop uptown to Bloomingdales (for my watch) which has an underground entrance from the subway, then back on the 4/5 heading down town to my stop, which has a secret little entrance that leads to my building's lobby. So nice.
• for the laugh I got on my way to work when the lit up orange hand signaling me to stop only had one finger, flipping me the bird. Every "hand" in that intersection was the same way. How did they do that?
• for the funny little shuttle subway, which sometimes has murals (is that the right term?) on the inside and outside walls. The photo above was snapped from my phone as I walked toward the 4/5. Those tulips made me smile and get excited for spring when there's tulips all over the city. So beautiful.
• for the hilarious girls behind the counter in the gift wrapping department of Bloomingdales. They kept me laughing while I waited for my watch to be sized.
• for my dad to celebrate another year of life!
• that lately things have just been coming together. Thank you Lord.

In lieu of the daily ten

Some thoughts:

• We're supposed to have an incredible snow storm over the next 24 hours. All the schools have already cancelled classes. A bunch of the traders have hotel rooms to stay in the city for the night to make sure they can go to work. I sort of wish every subway near me would break down so I didn't have to go to work. I walked to work once when the subways broke down, but that was August. Make no mistake, it was miserable in that heat, but I can do 4 1/2 miles in the humidity, not in a white out.
• It was a big big day at work today. I was very apprehensive, but it turned out exceedingly well. I'm a very happy girl.
• To say I've become obsessed with the chunky potato leek soup at Hale & Hearty would be an understatement. I think about it in the morning as I walk to work, and think I could easily eat it for breakfast. It is so good.
• I decided to pull the trigger and invested in an SLR camera tonight. After a little research and a lot of help from Elise, I decided to go with the Canon Rebel XS. I am really excited. I promised myself after my pictures from Australia were lackluster that I'd get a nicer camera before my next trip. I'm really excited to learn how to take better photos.
• The girls and I went to dinner with Linds at Max Brenner tonight. As usual, it was delicious. And as usual, the chit chat and laughter was even better.
• Several times in the last week I've been reminded again and again how fragile life is. I have had some shocking news regarding friends and friends of friends and my heart aches for my loved ones.
• I got a free Yankees umbrella with my purchase tonight. Hurray!
• My watch, which I love, is the single thing I receive more comments on than anything else I wear. I love it, but I'm pretty sure I got a lemon. I've had a handful of problems with it and I've only had it for a year and a half. Pretty frustrating. I found out it's under warranty for two years, however I can't find the dang receipt! I did speak with a lovely lady in customer service who said to bring it into the store, and if they still carried the model she would just give me a new one. Thank you Bloomingdales! That is what I call customer service. Now just keeping my fingers crossed they have it.
• Had a couple of long chats with my mom today, which was nice.
• I seriously almost was smashed between two cars today. I was really lucky. Yikes.
• Last night I dreamt about the Marriott boys. Are there even Marriott boys? And if so, are they single?

The daily ten

Sorry friends, I've been a bit out of commission. Thursday night I just flat out forgot, and then I was in Boston for the weekend. More on that later. :)

Didn't dread work as much as usual for a Monday since I have a four day work week.

Cleaned my bathroom, which I hate doing, but love the aftermath.

Got cupcakes delivered at home.

Watched 24 with my roommates.

Went to the gym.

Ran for a song and a half at 7.0. Didn't know I had it in me!

Filled out a "permission to enter" form because Lindsey will be here in the morning!

My friend got was offered a new job and I'm super excited for her.

Texted with an old coworker I really miss.

Enter Sandman came on my iPod and it made me really excited for baseball season.

Happy Anniversary

One hand in the air for the big city

Street lights, big dreams all looking pretty

No place in the world that can compare

New York

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of

There's nothing you can't do

Now you're in New York

These streets will make you feel brand new

Big lights will inspire you

Hear it for New York

Here's to three years in the Big Apple.

I still love you.

The daily ten

Had delicious soup for lunch.

Figured out a really complicated $8,000 expense statement.

The work day went by pretty quickly, and actually every day this week has.

Was asked (yesterday) to recruit for a position in my group and was able to set up an interview today.

Got the motivation I needed to work out when I walked in the door to my apartment.

Bought 2 boxes of (good) cereal for $5. Such a steal in the city.

Caught up on 24.

Had a really good workout.

When I came home Jenna was over, who's hilarious, and my whole apartment hung out and had some great uncontrollable belly laughs.

Was told by a former boyfriend that I'm one of a kind.

The daily ten

New high score on Doodle Jump. Yes, I'm aware I have a problem.

Got my boss to laugh a few times when he was very grouchy.

Had delicious stew for dinner.

Chatted Brazil with Reagan. Got some safety tips.

Got this text, "Just got 32000 on [Doodle Jump]. I went from 22000 to 32. I think the trick is to not care-just be relaxed." Laughed hysterically because this came from a respected doctor.

Gave in after refraining for too long and got a mani/pedi.

Am way behind on tv shows but was able to watch last night's Damages with Maria.

Found out BFF Danny from college is engaged! SOOO excited for him.

Was asked to do some recruiting for a junior trader position at work.

Ran into my roommates in the hallway and had a good chat before they went to the gym.

The daily ten

Found the motivation to go to the gym tonight when I thought I'd thrown in the towel.

Watched a tourism dvd on Rio that made me even more excited.

Hung out with Logan and Jeff, love those guys.

On a packed 4/5 I still got a seat.

Beat my high score on Doodle Jump. (Thanks for the tip about shooting the UFOs Meggan!) Wow, I'm a dork.

While walking to work Enter Sandman came on my iPhone which always makes me smile and get really pumped because I feel like I'm at the Yankees game and Mo's coming in to close it out.

My coworker on one side had a birthday today, and my coworker on the other side got engaged last night. She's been with her boyfriend 9 years. I am so excited for them!

Was endlessly tormented by the guys at work. I love them.

When explaining that a particular guy wouldn't fit in my family one of the guys said, "Why, is he a democrat?" (No offense to my democrat friends-I love you!) It just made me laugh.

Had a really good day at work, with a lot of laughs, and I left really happy.

The frustrating video conference I've been trying to set up with Tokyo turned into a conference call, which makes it a heck of a lot easier on me.