It's happening

My bff, twinner, wifey, soulmate, love Shantay arrives tomorrow.  CAN'T.  EVEN.  WAIT.

Kinda sad, but really funny

How fairy tales should really be told

I love the part in the movie Sex and the City when Carrie's reading a fairy tale to Lily and after it ends happily ever after Carrie explains to her that that's not always reality.  Prince Charming doesn't always pull through.

We need more fairy tales like this one, so as not to grow up confused with unrealistic expectations.

Girls, quit trying so hard, he's probably not worth it.  And you're better than him anyway.

Weekend recap

Two weekends ago was one of the most fun and busy weekends I've had in a really long time.  It started off Friday night with seeing Push.  I'm a fan of Dakota Fanning's and really enjoyed seeing her in an older role.  The movie wasn't anything I'd say you have to see, but I thought it was entertaining and enjoyed it.

After the movie we got dinner at Chevy's, and then headed up to Pacha for Anita's birthday.  This was actually my first clubbing experience in the city if you can believe it.  Even though I always have fun dancing, and the friends that were there were awesome, I have to say, I was not overly impressed with the whole club scene.  I wasn't that into the music (even though there were three or four floors with different music) and I just felt a little violated.  There was about a 10 minute period where I wasn't with Curtis and I was groped by a totally drunk guy (he stole second!) and some other dude tried to get all up on me dancing.  Yikes.  Let's just say I'm glad that's not the way I have to meet people in the city.  It was so hot in the club though, that it was so nice after leaving to walk from 11th and 46th to 7th and 42nd.  Love those nights you can just walk and walk.

Saturday was super fun.  Got up early(ish) and went to Alice's Teacup, one of my favorite brunch places.  I'm obsessed with the vanilla yogurt and granola.  We had to wait a bit so we headed over to Pets on Lex to look at the puppies.  I'm not all for buying puppies at a pet store because it promotes the business of puppy mills, however I didn't think it would hurt to look.  I absolutely fell in love with this Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  I've never given those dogs a second look but this one just stared at me and I felt as if he was choosing me to take him home.

After brunch we saw He's Just Not That Into You and I have to say we totally loved it.  Maybe it's because I went into it with low expectations?  I don't know.  They've been shamelessly advertising for so long, and I feel like most movies that have so many A-list actors end up being a flop, but I really loved it.  I'm surprised so many people are hating on it.  I feel like so many of the examples shown are so many classic mistakes girls make, and I laughed really hard a lot of times throughout the movie.  Yes, I hated the way a marriage was represented, but honestly, isn't that in every movie and tv show?  Whether blatantly or subtly, Hollywood has a way of getting us to root for the cheating husband and the dirty mistress (hello MerDer.)  Not that I was necessarily rooting for that scenario in this movie, it just seems like a lot of people are up in arms about the marriage situation, and I don't get why because it's nothing new for movies.  I'm not condoning it, just saying I guess I've come to expect it from Hollywood.  I don't know, I'm sure I sound hypocritical because I hated Nights in Rodanthe because we were supposed to root for Richard Gere and Diane Lane and HELLO!  She was married!  But I feel like that movie was different than this one.  Anyway, the point is, I really enjoyed the movie.

After the movie we headed over to Rockefeller Center to do something I've always wanted to-skate at the famous rink!  I'll be honest, I don't even really like ice skating, hurts my ankles.  But I just wanted the experience, and that's pretty much all it was.  SUPER small rink that gets so cut up so it's not the most slick (and we got on just after the zamboni) and very expensive.  I'm glad I could do it once though.

After skating it was home for a bit.  I was exhausted and had a crazy headache (thanks to a little "fun" activity we participated in on our walk from the theater to the rink which led me to walking into a parking meeter....my knee still has a gnarly bruise and I think I may have gotten a mild concussion.)

Took a little nappy nap and then headed to one of my favorite restaurants Harry's Burritos.  Mmmmm. So good.  Then it was up to Anita's for the party at her apartment.  We didn't get there till after midnight but it was still super fun.  I honestly have more fun dancing at these Mormon parties than at a club, I decided.  She lives across the street from my first apartment so it was fun to be at the old stomping grounds.

Best email I've gotten in weeks

Thoughts from the treadmill

• Sheryl Crow was wrong; if it makes you happy it can be that bad, and the first cut isn't always the deepest.
• There are days when things are just awful at work, with my family, and my love life and I feel like I'm isolated and can't talk to the only person who I can really talk to, but my Heavenly Father is always patiently waiting to listen.
• The media portrays Wall Street (and pretty much everything else) so poorly.  A vast majority of the population has the wrong idea about traders.
• The heart can be broken more than one ever imagines.
• There are people to whom I'd really like to give a piece of my mind, and it's probably a good thing they live 3000 miles away.  I still might, next time I see them.
• I am absolutely floored people twenty years my senior still behave as though they were in high school.  Completely astounding.
• Few things in life are better than being behind the wheel with an open road, blaring the music and singing at the top of your lungs.
• I am such an advocate of mental therapy, whether it's going to the gym or speaking with someone who's licensed.  
• Men are selfish.
• I'm so lucky to have found some very true girlfriends in New York, even if it took a while.
• God really hears my prayers.
• There is always more to a situation than one can perceive, and it's incredible some don't understand that.
• There will always be people who hurt me.
• There will always be people who help me put myself back together.
• At the end of the day, you can't rely on anyone else to take care of you forever.  One must always have the capability to take care of ones self, even if one doesn't always have to apply those abilities at the moment.
• Coldplay is genius.
• One day I might get pushed enough to the edge that I might swear at some traders, and I'm pretty confident I'll get some applause.  Everyone's just waiting for the nice Mormon girl to crack.
• I'm really lucky that even though I live in a super liberal area, my work environment is very conservative and respectful of my standards, and despite the fact that I work with a bunch of lushes, if I ever succumbed to having a drink everyone would get really mad at me (not that I would, but I like the fact that even my non-member colleagues would keep me in check.  And I know, just because someone's liberal doesn't mean they're not respectful or supportive.  I'm just happy to be around people with similar points of view.)
• I never thought I could run at 7.0 for a whole song.  Apparently I was wrong.  I hate running, but for some reason I keep trying.
• I'm constantly surprised at how easily my blood boils when it comes to someone thinking negatively about a family member.  I never considered myself the protective type, but it turns out I am.
• It's weird when one day you realize you're better at some things than your parents.

I'm the worst sister-in-law

Steve's birthday was Jan 31 and I'm totally lame and missed it on the blog!  Steveo, I hope you forgive me.  

Luckily Steve is maybe the nicest person in the world, so I think he will.  :)  Steve also is an awesome dad, perfect husband to my sister, great provider, amazing example, and just all around wonderful person.  Every family needs a Steve.

Hope your day was great Steveo!!

Happy birthday Dad!

So excited you got a new toy for your big day!  I can't wait to go for a ride.

Happy birthday to my favorite guy in the world.  I love you.

Happy Anniversary

Happy second anniversary my love.  I can't believe another year has already gone by.

Obsessed

I have become obsessed with Magnolia's red velvet cupcakes.  It's bad.

Making me happy

So lately I've sort of been focusing on the sucky things in life and letting the winter blues get me down, but today I got super excited when I realized I have a lot to look forward to!  Like....

The warmer weather forecast for this weekend!

This boy coming into town this weekend (yes, we're still friends, get over it.)

Jac attack coming up next weekend!

Getting to give up the crowded subways for a few days....

and getting to get behind the wheel(!)...

to take a girls' trip here!

And spending Valentine's Day doing this!

And this!

And my wifey coming to visit the last weekend in February!

And getting to stay with Aim in LA in April!

And getting to reunite with my favorite Aussie Freya in Brisbane!

And remembering today that the Great Barrier Reef is in Australia!

And deciding to face my fear of deep water and look into getting certified so I can go scuba diving there!

And maybe even see Nemo!!

Wow, I've decided the only way to get through life (especially in the winter) is to always have something exciting to plan and look forward to.  It makes things a million times better!

I'm going to.....

And I'm so excited!!!  It all happened so fast, and out of no where!  So I've been thinking about my two week vacation, and Australia was one of the places I had in mind, but realistically it wasn't at the top of the list.

So on Sunday some adorable Aussie boys that were visiting New York were at my ward.  I got to chatting with them and casually mentioned that I was thinking of taking a trip down under this year.  We talked for a while and exchanged information and they said we'd have to meet up if I ended up going.  I didn't think too much of it.

Then yesterday morning I started looking up the price of tickets, you know, "just for fun."  Then I went on with my day.  At the end of the day I got a random email from my friend (and total travel hero) Karen.  She mentioned how she came across my post from a couple weeks ago where I brought up my two week trip, and invited me to join her on her two week trip to......Australia!  Are you kidding me??  That is so random that she would email me that same day!

I immediately responded telling her I was super interested and asked for more deets.  Of course, being the non-impulsive, must plan in advance, hate to commit person that I am my first thoughts were, Oh gosh, April??  Wow, that's way sooner than I'd planned on taking this trip.  Australia is seriously so far.  Is it worth it?  Am I really going to pull this off?  Then I got to chatting with some coworkers who'd been to/lived in Australia and it got me a little more interested.  

I came home and sent a message on facebook to my good friend and old college roommate Freya, who lives in Brisbane, to see if she'd be around.  Being the doll she is, she immediately responded insisting I stay with her and her soon to be husband (three weeks!) in their new condo.  Love love love her.

So there were still a few hurdles to cross.  I went to work and cleared the days with my boss, and then checked out flights.  I found a good deal, and then it was just a matter of booking it.  Talk about panic!  I finally pulled the trigger.  Karen and I were emailing all day, totally freaking out.  Seriously?!?!?  We're seriously going to Australia???????!!?!  I'm trippin.  I haven't left the country since my family went to Europe when I was 17.  I can't even believe we're doing this!

So we're meeting up in Sydney on April 13th (our flights land within 10 minutes of each other!) and then will be jet setting around the country for two weeks!  We'll be staying with Karen's friend in Sydney, and Freya in Brisbane, and who knows where else we'll end up!  Flights within Australia are super cheap, so we'll figure out the rest of the details in the coming months.

If anyone's been there I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Until then....Aussie!  Aussie!  Aussie!  Oy!  Oy!  Oy!

I finally saw it

I absolutely loved Benjamin Button.  I've heard all sorts of reviews so I tried to go into it with no expectations.  I went to a 6:50pm showing and made sure to grab a Diet Coke (one of my lasts) and didn't even get a bit sleepy, thank goodness.  I struggle in movies, even early ones.  I was worried it would be too long for me but other than during one part I never felt like it was slow.  I thought there were great lessons, amazing special effects, and phenomenal acting from Brad.  And seriously, how could one tire of looking at this face?  He is honestly perfection.

T-1 day...

...until I eliminate soda from my diet.  I know right?  Who woulda thunk it.  My boss is going on three week break from alcohol and he said to be supportive I had to give up caffeine.  At first my reaction was your typical "psh."  And then I decided to go for it, and while I was at it, might as well just make it soda all together.  My dad gave up caffeine a few years back and he never quit craving it.  I think it's because he still drinks soda.  I never would have thought I'd actually give this up, but I'm going for it (and I got my dad on board too.  The rest of my family scoffed at me...apparently addiction runs in the family.)

I have to say it will definitely be the most difficult to refrain in the morning, and when I eat mexican food, mac and cheese, or any salty treat.  

Let's face it, this is going to suck.

But 2009 is the year for betterment for me, so...........here's to sucking down a 12 pack on Superbowl Sunday and getting myself sick so I never crave it again.

Take from the rich and give to the poor?

Yesterday one of my favorite traders was leaving work when a homeless person asked him for money.  He gave the usual, "Sorry" and kept walking.  The homeless guy then says to him, "Hey!  We're in charge now!  Give me some money?"  Charlie's obviously taken back, "What??"  "Yeah!  We're in charge now!  You gotta give me some money!!"  

True story.

Then, this morning on my commute, with the rest of the working peeps who earn their paycheck I see what looks like a group of seats open on the subway.  Then with some shifting of people I realize, no, it's a homeless person sleeping, stretched out on the bench.

I couldn't help but think of the symbolism.

I'm supposed to keep getting up and going to work to pay taxes that will put money in this man's pocket?  Not exactly motivation.  I think I might rather be the one sleeping in and getting the handout.

Makes NO sense.

2008 Introspection

I stole this from Meggan. I love the idea.

What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?

Went skydiving.

Did anyone close to you pass away?
Thankfully, no.

What countries did you visit?
:(  Sadly none.  But that's changing this year!!

What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
My own apartment (dreaming big.)  More realistically, a busier schedule that keeps me motivated and interested.

What was your biggest personal achievement of the year?
Getting out of debt.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope.

What was the best thing you bought?
It's gotta be my watch.  I love it so much, and I've never worn something that got so many compliments, even from complete strangers.

Who did you have the most fun with?
Curtis

Where did most of your money go?
Uncle Sam, rent

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Getting a new niece, moving into a place with my own room

What songs will always remind you of 2008?
4 Minutes by Madonna and Justin Timberlake, Too Late to Apologize by One Republic, Disturbia by Rihanna, The Way I Are by Timbaland, Feedback by Janet Jackson, Gimme More by Britney Spears, You Are The One by Shiny Toy Guns

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spend money, stress/worry, make the same mistakes over and over again, waste time, miss opportunities, doubt myself, have petty relationship arguments (especially the same ones, over and over and over again), lose balance in my life, focus on things out of my control.

What was your favorite TV program?

The Amazing Race

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.  I don't hate anyone, and don't believe I did last year.

What was the best book you read?
It wasn't the most productive year, literary-wise, but maybe The Secret Life of Bees.  I really loved that book.

What was your favorite film of this year?
That's tough.  It's always easier to remember the more recent ones.  I can't pick a favorite, but the following stick out in my mind as movies I really loved: Juno, Defiance, Seven Pounds, Batman, There Will Be Blood, No Country for Old Men, Sex and the City, Michael Clayton.

What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
Gosh, it was more like a birthday week.  Pretty much every year I do a low key dinner, but this year just happened to be different.  It started off at midnight with longboarding and a milkshake with Curtis at Charlie's, and then that night we had dinner at one of our favorite mexican restaurants, and then meeting up with Chels, Court, Jac, and Maria for dessert at Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man, followed by an impromptu dance party.  Then that weekend Rachel, Gina, and Rach's doggy Pepper came down from Boston and Chelsie, Jaclyn, Rachel, and I went skydiving by the Hamptons on Saturday and then the rooftop dance party that night to celebrate my, Chelsie's, and Maria's birthdays (since they all fall within a week), and sleeping all day Sunday.  Best birthday of my life.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Hm, a lot of solid colors, comfy clothes, leggings, skirts, jeans, tunics....these are my favorites.

What kept you sane?
Very good friends.

When you think about 2008 what sticks out in your mind?
A relationship, considering it consumed most of my time, energy, and focus.

Happiness is

getting this email in your inbox:

It's not exactly JFK-Orange County, but it will be soon!

Bodies the Exhibit

After hearing how awesome this exhibit is for the last two years I finally went and saw for myself.  Let me tell you, it definitely did not disappoint!  It was honestly so interesting, and my only regret is that I didn't allow for more time.  I went at 8:30 and it closed at 10 so I had to rush through the last couple rooms, which were some of the most interesting to me.  These rooms included the reproductive organs, and different periods of pregnancy.

It really was so incredibly fascinating to learn so much about all the different parts of the body.  It's amazing how much happens in our body that we just never think about.  I kept wondering how anyone could see this and not believe in God.  Everything is so intricate.

Considering I was the only person at the exhibit for a lot of my time there, it was a little creepy at first (especially when my phone started buzzing- scared the heck out of me!)  It's dark, and quiet, and I was just so focused.  However, the "creepiness" fades very quickly.  It's just so fascinating.

I'd highly recommend going if you're in the city, especially because this is the last year it will be here.  I know it goes on tour to other cities so I'd definitely recommend going if it comes to your town!

Escape

I'd really love to escape this cold winter we're having and head to the sparkly waters of Powell.

(In my chubbier days.)  I'd also really love to work on my tan.  I'm pretty sure I'm at my all time pastiest.  By the end of that Powell trip I'd never been so dark.

Happy 2nd birthday Megster!!

There's not a 2 year old in the world who's cuter, sweeter, or more precious than you.  Aunt Rae Rae loves you!!!