Happy Holidays!

Well...I guess it's been awhile. Mostly because the camera is broken and I think the updates are more exciting with pictures, but alas, here I am. The job is still fantastic! Such a good move, I am very happy. I have had a busy month or so I guess. Holiday time always gets so busy in this city. Also, my birthday was this past week. Thanks so much to everyone for all of the fantastic birthday wishes, gifts, cards, snacks, drinks, etc. It was really nice to feel so loved :). Also, just a note for those of you who didn't make it to the festivities on Fri, DO NOT go to Latitude for any reason. It was terrible and ghetto. Seriously don't even bother. Got to visit Tash and Nick in Nashville a few weekends ago, which was a blast! I DO actually have pics from that weekend, but no time to post them now. I'll do it soon! I promise. For all my cali peeps...I'll be home Dec 24-30. Hit me up if you want to hang. Oh and I have seen some pretty fantastic movies if anyone needs a recommendation- Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, No Country for Old Men, Juno, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (but don't sit in the back because you will never be able to read the subtitles over everyone's heads!)

Also, for those of you knew about Movie Trailer boy...it's over. Don't ask, just don't. Let's just say don't ever break up with anyone at their birthday party. It's just plain not nice and really terrible timing if I do say so myself. He was too tall for me anyway. bleh. That said, if anyone has a single friend, well, you know where to find me :)

Alright, it's Sunday night and tomorrow is back to the grind, so I guess I'd better hit the sack. Happy Holidays to all and have a good week!

New Job

So I've been at the new gig for about a week now and I am loving it! Thanks to everyone for checking in to see how it is going. So far, everything is fantastic!

Best Day

Today was a fantastic day. Yesterday was my last day at work, and I don't start the new gig until Monday, so I have a few days off to do whatever I please. Although I had the chance to sleep in, I woke up around 8:45 anyway. I hung out for awhile, watched TV, got ready...just kind of took my time and hung around the apt. I met Heather in Soho around 1:30. Let me first tell you how fabulous the weather was. It was a perfect day. Not too hot, not too cold, not too humid (so my hair could stay cute). Anyway, we went shopping, had a "snack" at this little French cafe called Cafe Gitane (Mott and Prince-one of the best places EVER in the city) which I absolutely LOVE. It was fantastic. Good food, super cute place, fantastic company! So then we went back out shopping. We didn't buy anything (go us) then went for pedicures. I think we both could have fallen asleep in a second. After pedicures Heath had to go to work and I had to go back uptown to get ready to go out later, so we had to part ways. It was sad because we had such a wonderful day together. So I go back up to my neighborhood and I'm running to the bank, etc., I'm walking back to my apt and what do I see but a huge movie trailer with all these dressing rooms outside of my apt. Nothing was shooting yet, but you can bet I'll be going back down in a few minutes to check it out! I'm PRAYING that it is Sex and the City. Right on my block. How cool would that be??? Ok so then I'm almost to my door and what do I see, but a friend from work who quit about a month ago! He lives on my block, but I have never seen him before. So we stood on the street and chatted for a bit. It felt so neighborhoody chatting with my neighbors. It was the best New York day ever and I had so much fun! Thanks, Heath, for such a fun time! xoxo (come on, you know what that is referring to)

Today

Happy Halloween to everyone! I moved to NYC last year on Halloween. So, technically, I've been here for over a year. I can't even believe it. It feels like I have been here forever, yet went by so fast all at the same time. I am still loving it, so I guess that's all that matters, right? Anyway, Happy 1-year to me! YAY!

Mom and Dad in NYC

Finally I'm uploading the pics from mom and dad's visit a few weeks ago. We saw a lot, walked a lot, ate a lot, and had a blast! I'm sure they can't wait to come back! Thanks to Chris, Heather and the Upper East Side kids for hanging out with us...

Top of the Rock

My Pals at Vynl!

Mom's Bday Dinner at Tavern on the Green

Bday Drinks at The Stone Rose

Radio City

St. Patrick's

At the bar

Mom and Chris on the dance floor...well not really but they made their own

Central Park

Jersey Boys!

Me, Chris and Healther!

Little Italy

Statue of liberty is in the background, but it was really foggy

Recovered from WTC

The Bull in the Financial District

South Street Seaport

Brangelina

I forgot to say that the Brangelina's moved out of NYC. And I never got a sighting. boo.

Weekend

Okay, first of all, I still need to upload the pics from mom and dad's trip, but haven't had a chance (since they are on my home computer and I am at work), but I will try to get those up this week.

So for this past weekend...

It was the first weekend it started to get a little cold here in NYC. It is SO fantastic. Everyone will tell you how much the winter sucks (and maybe I will in a few months too), but for now, I am LOVING it. The fall is so beautiful and peaceful and festive. I love it. Last year, winter wasn't too bad, so maybe I had it easy, but I loved it. I've never lived in snow and I thought it was fantastic to have so many extreme seasons.

The weekend was comprised of a lot of different neighborhoods and goings on. Friday night, I was feeling lazy and I had to clean from the Game Night we had on Thurs, so I stayed in. Heather came over after her show and we just hung out. It was so nice to just relax and wear PJs. YAY. Saturday I ran some errands, hung out in the park and then went to the West Side to see a movie with Heath. (Jane Austen Book Club- don't waste your money- although I think we got our money's worth making fun of it after because I was laughing about it all night long). After the movie, I went home to change and met everyone out for Daniela's Bday. We went to Pegu Club down in SoHo first (good specialty drinks!) and then to Society, where I've never been. It was such a fun night! Maybe a few too many drinks as I was trying to cut back, but whatever. You only live once right? Happy B Day Daniela!

So we got home late on Sat, and then I was meeting the boys for brunch on Sunday. I got to see Chris and Joe's new Chelsea apt (so beautiful!) and we went to brunch in their neighborhood. Then we decided to have an adventure and go to Macy's on a Sunday- I can't believe we did it, but we did. We had fun picking out bedding :). Then had dinner at this little Italian place that was good. I was so tired by the end of the day that I couldn't make it out for another drink and had to go home right after dinner. Oh, also Chris and Joe gave me their extra coat rack that is SO perfect for my apt. I love it!

Now it's back to Monday and back to the grind. My last day is 10/31 and I start the new gig on 11/5. Wish me luck!

PS I'm trying to be better about updating the blog, so if you check back more often, hopefully there will be some new material for you to read :)

xoxo

Game Night

Okay, so last night was game night. I have no pictures bc the camera is not fixed yet, but we had a great time! Hyun and Claire tied for the winners of Balderdash (the best game EVER). I somehow took the cake on Apples to Apples (which wasn't as funny as we had all hoped) and they Syracuse girls (Katie, Wendi, Heidi and Marina) came from behind to beat the Media Planners for the Taboo trophy. By the time we moved on to Cranium, I think we had all had a bit too much wine and couldn't really get it together to play the game (especially those of us secretly turning the games into drinking games). The recycling man will be happy with all my glass contributions. Also, we had no spills and no breaking glasses! I must admit that the iPod playlist was a little lacking- that was my fault. Well actually it is iTunes fault because they are processing my information wrong and won't let me log on. Everyone brought great wine and snacks (cheesecake on a stick and homemade spinach/artichoke dip- does it get any better!?). Oh and obviously we went to Baker Street after. Shocking. Thanks for a fun night girls! I had a blast :)

Sex and the City

FINALLY I saw them shooting. Everyone else in this city has seen them except me. They were just outside Bryant Park/NY Public Library shooting the wedding scene. Unfortunately the camera is broken and I didn't have my phone with me, so no pics, but I did see Sarah Jessica, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon! Just a few feet away. I felt like I was watching TV :) I owe it all to Claire who decided we should go to Zeytins for lunch. Thanks Claire! woohoo!

Think

think.mtv.com. Go to it. Join it. Do something.

Deleted

So, there was this guy. I decided today I am deleting him from the phone. Chris asked me "what gets someone deleted from the phone?" The answer is as follows:

probably someone who texts me two weekends ago to go out. I politely respond that I cannot because I am at a wedding out of town. He says we will hang out soon. I text him TWICE last weekend which he chooses to ignore. Randomly texts me Tues night, inviting me out to "one of the best bars in the city" wed night. I reply wed, "sure! what time?" to which I get no response. Later I text again thinking that my original text never went through (or maybe making an excuse for myself to text him again) also to which I get no response. No text, no phone call, nothing. Ever. Why did he even invite me out then? I want to write back and say "thanks for inviting me out and then completely ignoring me. that was awesome," (especially since I didn't like the guy all that much to begin with, and was trying to give him a fair chance), but decided that just saying nothing is better and the only way to achieve this is to delete him, otherwise I will just be tempted to make some comment. AND if he EVER texts me again I won't know the number and I'll be like "who is this?" and he'll feel like a jackass. No more chances for him.

That is what gets someone deleted from the phone.

La Palapa

We went to La Palapa in the East Village (St. Mark's and 1st) last night for HH. It was awesome. The Apps were wonderful (Chorizo Fondu- amazing) and the margs were great also (try the Pink Cadillac Low Rider Margarita). Plus, the place is really cute. The only thing is that it is apparently considered as more of a restaurant, so it closes at 12- so don't plan on late night cocktails or snacks. Good for after work though. Check it.

Subways

Not that anyone reads my blog for their morning news, but I just wanted to make a comment on this. So, yes, there was a HUGE storm overnight on the East Coast. There was even a tornado in Brooklyn. Yes, it woke me up (the storm, not the tornado). Yes, it is still really freaking hot in the city and now more steamy and smelly than before. So gross. Also, I am a big fun of public transportation, it is one of my favorite things about NYC (and the roads are probably a lot safer without me on them), but let me just show you how confusing it is when something disrupts the transit routes (not to mention that I was stuck underground for 45 minutes, packed onto the train like sardines, got whacked in the face with an old man's backpack and was an hour late to work only to realize that everyone else is working from home today):

Due to severe flooding throughout the subway system, there are extensive delays on all subway lines. Customers are advised when at all possible to use bus service. The detours are as follows:

There is no V train service in both directions between the 2nd Avenue Station and the Forest Hills-71st Avenue Station.

There is no W train service in both directions between the Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard and Whitehall Street.

There is no Franklin Avenue Shuttle (S) train service in both directions between the Prospect Park Station and the Franklin Avenue Station.

There is no G train service in both directions between the Long Island City-Court Square Station and the Smith-9th Street Station.

The R train is running on the N line in both directions between the Canal Street Station and the DeKalb Avenue Station.

There is no 1 train service in both directions between the 14th Street Station and the South Ferry Station.

There is no 2 train service in both directions between the Penn Station-34th Street Station and the Brooklyn College-Flatbush Avenue Station.

There is no 3 train service in both directions between the Harlem-148th Street Station and the New Lots Avenue Station.

The A and C trains are running local in both directions between the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Station and the Broadway Junction Station.

There is no E train service in both directions between the 23rd Street-Ely Avenue Station and the Jamaica Center-Parsons-Archer Station.

There is no F train service in both directions between the Jamaica-179th Street Station and the Forest Hills-71st Avenue Station.

There is no F train service in both directions between the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station and the Jay Street-Boro Hall Station.

There is no 4, 5 or 6 train service in both directions between the 125th Street Station and the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall.

There is no L train service in both directions between the Canarsie-Rockaway Parkway Station and the 8th Avenue Station.

There is no 42nd Street Shuttle (S) train service in both directions between the Times Square-42nd Street Station and the Grand Central-42nd Street Station.

Astoria-bound N trains are running on the D or M lines from the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station to the 36th Street Station.

J trains are running with residual delays.

In addition, due to debris on the track at the Church Avenue Station, the B and Q trains are running on the D or N line in both directions between the DeKalb Avenue Station and the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station.

Please expect delays in service system wide at this time.

Oh, also the MTA website was down, so you have to go to a completely different site to get this info.

Matador

Okay, so I met some friends for HH on Friday (aka Harry and Ron) ;)

Anyway, we went to this fabulous tapas place called Matador. They have half priced Sangria, Draft Beer and Tapas from 5-8. Definitely worth checking out as there were 5 of us and we were there for a good 3 hours or so and the bill was just over $100. And we ate and had drinks AND food. It was great. Anyway, definitely worth checking out if you need a good HH place downtown (Greenwich Ave at Perry St). Additional info here. Also, there is this pub across the street that reminds of Hogsmeade (HP fans!), but I can't remember the name. What I DO remember is thinking "why is it that when you go downtown, a pub turns into a total scene?" I mean seriously everyone was dressed up as if they were going out clubbing or to a nice dinner or something. We are in a PUB for cryin out loud. Please people. Obviously I was in a T-shirt and flip flops-it was Friday work attire. Needless to say that after HH (a few sangrias, a few beers) and the pub (a few more beers, maybe a shot or two) I had no problem standing in the rain trying to catch a cab or singing the Harry Potter theme (or attempting to, rather) in the cab on the way to the NEXT bar uptown. I think I was home around 4am (or so I was told). I love NYC! Mom and Dad, I hope you're ready :)

8 Coupons

Okay, so for now this is only good for the NYCers, but I'm sure it will spread. It's this coupon service where you can go to the site and have coupons sent directly to your cell phone (in a text). This way there is no coupon clipping, lugging around, losing etc. involved. You just show them your phone with the coupon in it and it is a done deal. This is especially interesting for all you Direct Marketers out there...maybe it'll help us put an end to all that junk mail. Anyway, the launch in NYC is tomorrow are there are some good deals listed. Check it out here.
If you want to log in today, use the code "THRILLIST." Otherwise, the official launch is tomorrow (8/8 at 8am 8 minutes and 8 seconds). Why can't I for once think of an idea like this FIRST???? Damn.

New Times Square Lunch Place

Ok, so for those of us who work in the 1440 building, there is pretty much only one place we eat lunch, the one stop shop that has everything and anything you could want, in and out in a matter of 5 minutes and back eating at your desk in no time, yes that's right folks, I'm talking about Cafe Duke. Well after you have eaten there everyday for 15 business days straight, despite the variety, it gets a little old.

Well, luckily for us, we have a fabulous new lunch place called Zeytinz (insert credit to Claire for discovering here). It is awesome. Better food than Duke's for sure. Maybe not as much variety, but still a pretty good number of choices. Today I had the taco bowl, which I would strongly recommend. It was fantastic. The salad bar is also wonderful

So if you find yourself hungry in midtown, check out Zeytinz at 24 W. 40th Street (between 5th and 6th). You will not be disappointed.

Explosion in Midtown

It was close to my office, but we are all safe. Thanks for the calls and emails.

I am not the only one with mice!

new employee orientation

New 'Times' HQ Has "A Herd" Of Mice

There's an email circulating today among the ad sales people on the 19th floor of the new Times building—let's just say that it's a good thing it's summer and people aren't eating lunch at their desks as much! Or, you know... eek! Mice! The email follows.

Apparently the mouse control efforts on 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 have been very successful. We know this because a herd (???) of mice have been stampeding on the 19th floor. Building services is on the case, and will address this immediately. Please stay calm.... Help is on the way. An extra sales call might be a great idea...

Also, please suspend any dining on our floors immediately, and dispose of any food or waste in the receptacles found in each mail room. Do not keep food of any kind on or in your desk, this is why our guests have joined us.

Our "guests" indeed.

Black Out

There is a blackout. It is on the Upper East Side. This is where I live. Hopefully it is not on my block or I will have no A/C in this heat. Here is the most recent Article

Kelly Clarkson!

Yesterday at about 10 am Chris alerted me that Kelly would be shooting a segment for the Early Show and performing on the stage outside the Apple Store. I ran out at lunch and got to see her! We learned that she loves to wear spangles on her shirt and that Hollywood does not really exist but is a made up place and everyone in America is fooled into thinking celebrities live there (tourists are so smart). I LOVE KELLY!

SoCal Baby!

Alright guys, so I went home to Cali for Vacay last week. I had a great time. Got to spend time with family and friends, see the Padres, do some driving, do some drinking (not together of course!), hang out at the beach, get a little tan... I miss the West Coast! Anyway, I had a great time and thanks so much to those of you who made th effort to spend time with me while I was there, it was so great to see all of you. I miss you! xoxo


Me and Lins!

Schmoops!

How good is that banana JJ?

Santa Monica Pier

Me and Cody!

My toe is a midget

Me and JJ! YAY!

So Serious

Go Padres!

Um the cutest thing ever.

Shane and Rose

Dom, Keith, Cody and little Tristan!

Me and Natalie

Britt and Scott. Scott is the slowest ice cream eater I've ever seen.

Uh-oh time for cake!

Thanks dad!

Sharing with daddy!

Mom and Natalie

Seriously what can you even say?

Me and JJ!

My crazy brother

Me, Keith and Tristan!

Mom, Rose, Me, Grandma, Diane and Aunt Mo!

My girls! Kaite, Lins, Me, Syd and Sandra.

My favorite face ever.

I did the hair for this one!