The two-hundred-and-forty-third through two-hundred-and-forty-ninth days combined...Sorry for the extended absence but it's been quite the week :)

First of all... Happy Belated Thanksgiving/Black Friday/Cyber Monday everyone!

So, how was everyone's Turkey Day? Mine was simply excellent. I ate so much - but it was completely worth it :)


We are lucky enough to always have so much on the menu, and it's just amazing being able to spend the family time together.

My sisters came to work with me last Wednesday so that we could help our dad bring all the food home. We have some time to kill before we headed over to him so we strolled around the city.


We ended up watching the ice skaters in Bryant Park and buying some Crumbs cupcakes :) It was great realxing and passing the time - until it started raining that is.

I also saw this beautiful GT - seriously gorgeous, but the best part was the license plate.

I really like the movie Gone in 60 Seconds, so I got a kick out of it.

My parents also headed out during the weekend shopping madness and bought a new dining room set. The sales were pretty good.


I should have done some more Christmas shopping this weekend, but I was just plain too tired. If I could have I would have probably fallen asleep right after Thanksgiving dinner and stayed asleep until Monday morning.

I took today off anyway because it was my man's B-day! Happy Birthday sweetie! I wish I could have taken the whole week off :) It's going to be extra hard heading in to work tomorrow. It's always tough getting back into work mode after holidays and long weekends.

I hope everyone had an amazing holiday and weekend :) I really cannot believe that Christmas and New Year's are right around the corner.

G'night everyone!

The two-hundred-and-forty-second day...

The countdown continues :) Monday down, Tuesday and a half day on Wednesday to go, and then...food and a long weekend! I cannot wait :)

I'm always on the lookout for fun things to do, and I came across this today - The Amazing New York Race: An Exciting Game All Over Manhattan.


I'm hoping that a few of my friends will be up for it. A race around NYC where we have to compete in challenges and you get to take pictures all day? I'm all for it - I mean I already have the unlimited Metrocard :) If anyone is interested, you can find more information here and here!

Well, I'm off to do some reading for class (or to play some Wii :)

Have a wonderful rest of the night everyone!

The two-hundred-and thirty-ninth to two-hundred-and-forty-first days combined...

Hey everyone. I hope you're all having a great weekend!

Here's this week's (or rather last week's) Friday 5 - the theme was Book Titles, and that led to the questions being a bit different :)

1) What color is your parachute?
I'll take one with a sky pattern on the inside (for me to see) and some bright neon color on the outside (so everyone one else is sure to see me).

2) Who moved your cheese?
Probably that rat from the Farmer in the Dell song.

3) Where’s Waldo?
At work - hiding in the background just isn't paying what it used to.

4) Are you my mother?
Nope.

5) What’s happening to your body?
Haha...just no.

Anyway, on another note, why am I seeing this crazy product all over the place? Don't get me wrong, I get a kick out of the Snuggie, but a Snuggie for dogs? No. Has anyone else been seeing it?

Available in Pink and Blue

Who even thought that this product was necessary? If you haven't seen the commercial floating around, you can check it out here. It makes it seem like anyone who dares to put a regular doggie sweater on their dog (or rather who forces one over their dogs head and stuffs their legs through the sleeves) is evil.

On another note, I cannot believe that this Thursday is Turkey Day. I am so ready for the food (and the days off :) I usually make a hearty soup as my contribution to the meal, but this year I'm thinking of making cookies for dessert as well. What's on the menu for all of you who are celebrating the day - and even if your not celebrating the day, what's for dinner? :)

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend everyone!

Monthly Mixer Mele Challenge...Sometimes challenges can be fun :)

I initially saw this reading challenge on miss cindy’s wonderful site, simple life and reading... I then followed the link back to, another interesting book review site called Jen’s Book Talk. Both sites are really great, so feel free to check them out when you get a chance (if you haven’t already :) If you choose to try the challenge, feel free to visit GFDesignz (@ Jen’s Book Talk) and let her know.

For this challenge, all you have to do is read a book that begins with a letter of each month or read a book where the authors name (first or last name, doesn’t matter) begins with a letter of each month. There are 74 letters so you will have to have 74 different books to complete the challenge. Books can however be used to complete other challenges.

You don’t have to do the months in any kind of order, just fill in books as you go along until you have a book by each letter. The challenge began on November 1, 2009 and ends November 2, 2010, so you have a whole year to complete the list! Let’s break out those books and get busy!

N

O

V

E

Mistral's Kiss

Blushing Pink

E

R

D

E

C

E

M

B

E

R

J

A Stroke of Midnight

N

U

A

R

Y

F

E

B

R

U

A

R

Y

M

A

R

C

H

A

P

R

I

L

M

A

Y

J

U

N

E

J

U

L

Y

A

U

G

U

S

The Good, The Bad, and The Undead

Seduced By Moonlight

E

P

The Soloist

E

M

B

E

R

O

C

T

O

B

E

R

Have Fun & Happy Reading to anyone else who decides to do this! :)

The two-hundred-thirty-eighth day...

Nothing against Thursday, but thank goodness it's over. Just knowing that i am that must closer to the weekend is such an uplifting feeling right now. Hello weekend - I see your lovely visage on the horizon.

This was how I started my day...


My man was lovely enough to drive me in to work this morning (he's so awesome :) This HazMat vehicle followed us almost the whole way.


It's not the most comforting sight to see early in the morning - especially when it's headed the same way you are.

Anyway, anyone else super ready for the weekend? One of my sister's (Sis 1) is currently about to watch a midnight showing of New Moon. She and her friends camped out a bit, and have been on line since 8pm. I can't see myself camping out like that for any film. I love movies, but that's a bit too above and beyond for me :) I hope they have fun though. I will likely be seeing the film tomorrow - at a more reasonable time :)

So, how did Thursday treat all of you? Have a great night everyone!

The two-hundred-thirty-fifth, two-hundred-thirty-sixth, and two-hundred-thirty-seventh days combined...

Sorry for the belated posts. I hate being so busy that all my free time is spent sleeping, napping or dreaming about sleeping and napping.

Here's a few pictures that detail how I've been getting through the last few days:

They opened a location closer to my job. Yea!

A little sour to start the day - strawberry, of course.

We were provided with a delicious lunch of pizza, wings and salad at work today. This Turkey Day-esque cupcake was dessert.

As you can see, I'm pretty much 100% running on sugar right now. Is it Friday yet?

How are all of you doing? Have an amazing rest of the night everyone!

The two-hundred-and-thirty-first through two-hundred-and-thirty-fourth days...

How's everyone doing? I have been so busy these last few days. School, work, dealing with my new customer service friends. Seriously, I've spoken with so many people that I know some of the reps entirely too well.

I am so tired of dealing with people, that I am simply not ready to deal with work tomorrow. I can't believe that the weekend flew by so quickly. My man and I did get to see 2012 though, so that was great. It was completely implausible and over-the-top, but the special effects were wonderful and I really enjoyed it. Since it was so effects driven, it's definitely a movie theater/big screen film.

I'm trying to think of birthday gifts for my man - his b-day is at the end of the month. I was initially thinking of doing something touristy in the city like a harbor cruise, a tour, a show, or going somewhere like Top of the Rock...

...but I'm thinking of taking him out for something a little closer to home. I don't know. I've spent so much time thinking about what to get him for Christmas that I'm a bit at a loss for his birthday.

Oh, before I forget: The poll has closed. So, what was your favorite TV show from the old ABC TGIF lineups? The majority of the votes went to Boy Meets World, with Step by Step, Family Matters, and Full House in a triple tie for second place :)

Anyway, again, how have all of you been? Anything interesting happen this weekend?

Have a wonderful rest of the night!

The two-hundred-and-thirtieth day...Can someone please explain why my cell phone company and UPS are against me?

This is how my phones arrive? Really T-mobile? Really UPS?

What the h*** is wrong with you people? I seriously cannot deal with the customer service reps from either two companies anymore.

This is ridiculous! My letters to the respective headquarter offices will be mailed off this week.

I really hope you all had a better day than me :)

Enjoy the rest of the night!

The two-hundred-and-twenty-eighth and two-hundred-and-twenty-ninth days combined...

I've been dealing with T-mobile for the last few days. I must have spoken with 8 different reps, and still don't know exactly what I'll be seeing on my bill next month. The customer service process with them is just ridiculous. The reps are all nice enough, but they frustrate the crap out of me. Let's hope they actually got everything right and my bill is correct; I can't afford mistakes :)

My man drove me in to work this morning. It was lovely. I was so tired that I wanted to pass out the second I got in the car, but we started listening to the Z100 morning show, with Elvis Duran and it was hilarious. I love that show :)

Some pics from my day...

The bird colony on top of a building - witnessed as my man and I sat stuck in traffic

A tour bus...

...with quite the slogan.

The ice skaters are out...

...and this guy was doing all kinds of tricks. Show off :)

The fortune from my Chinese food. Seriously? If anyone wins anything with those numbers, feel free to send me money :)

Have a great night everyone! I'm so tired, I think I actually feel asleep two hours ago :)

*** Just a quick add on :) Today (well, yesterday (the 10th) now :) was my younger sister's 21st birthday! I cannot believe that she's 21 already. Happy 21st B-Day shoutout K!!! ***

The two-hundred-and-twenty-sixth and two-hundred-and-twenty-seventh days combined...

I woke up this morning feeling lighter than air - well, feeling pretty good :)

I had a great dream and woke up enjoying the weekend. I had completely forgotten that it was Sunday - today just felt like a Saturday to me. That is, of course, until I remembered that I had a paper due.

I was so bogged down with work this week that I hardly got to my school work. I hadn't written a single word. Luckily I finished it and e-mailed it off to my professor (with 5 minutes to spare), but I have to get more organized.

Speaking of organized :) I'm organizing the list of November movies that I want to see. So far I have A Christmas Carol, 2012, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Old Dogs, and Ninja Assassin. I want to see The Men Who Stare at Goats and The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, but they are both wait-for-Netflix choices for me.

What about all of you? Did the weekend get away from any of you? And what November movies are you looking forward to?

Have a great night everyone!

The two hundred-and-twenty-fifth day...

T.G.I.F. everyone!

This has been one heck of a week, and I am so glad that the weekend is finally here.

And now…drumroll please…here’s the Friday 5:

1) According to the cliche, if you "spare the rod," you "spoil the child." Who in your life was probably spared A Rod while growing up?
No clue really :)

2) In how many directions this week did you feel you were being Yanked?
At least 100. This was a hard workweek.

3) On whom have you depended for relief this week?
My man and my family. I definitely needed to be talked down a few times this week!

4) Who deserves a standing ovation this week (or even a hip-hip Jorge)?
Will everyone who’s feeling a little (or a lot) stressed please raise their hands. All of those people - me included :)

5) When did you last have a taste of Champagne?
Exactly a year ago, at my friend’s wedding. Happy Anniversary A!

So, yesterday was, once again, my turn to bring in lunch for the lunch swap; and, once again, my dad was wonderfully awesome and provided the grub :)

On the menu was chicken scarpariello, haricot verts, garlic and herb fusilli pasta, chicken and pasta soup, salad, apple pie, and cherry pie. It was so good! I really need to learn how to cook like my parents :)

I even went the extra mile and set the scene, complete with mini gourds on the tables and a pin the hat on the turkey game (with a prize of a pack of pens - supplies are getting scarce around there). It was a fun lunch hour before I had to head back to actual work.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Friday, and hope you all have a great weekend. I think I'll start some Christmas gift window shopping tomorrow :)

Enjoy the rest of the night everyone!

The two-hundred-twenty-second, two-hundred-twenty-third, and two-hundred-and-twenty-fourth days combined...

Sorry for not posting for a couple of days. I've been so tired, and busy, and stressed, etc. Not only do I feel like I'm getting sick again, but work is kicking my butt - hard.

I don't know how it happened, as the projects that come in are supposed to be assigned on a rolling basis, but I was assigned two projects that start next week. I was assigned both projects on Monday (the 2nd). One wants to start on Monday (the 9th), and the other wants to start next Friday (the 13th). Keep in mind that the we generally need 6 to 8 weeks to complete the paperwork process, so being assigned both of these really pissed me off. Not only that, but everyone at work has known, since September, that I will be out of the office on the 6th and the 13th. The whole thing has just had me tight all week. It sucks when you feel like you're being taken advantage of at work - well, anywhere really.

I did find time to take my Halloween decorations down - and put up my Turkey Day ones, of course!

If I had captured a side view, you'd be able to tell that the big centerpiece is a turkey :)

This morning some of my co-workers and I stumbled into a serious conversation about the old ABC TGIF lineup :)

Pictures obtained here, here, here and here

It was a welcome moment of levity, and it was hilarious that the conversation went on as long as it did. It started off when J shouted out the question "What was that show...that one with LL Cool J? Not the new one - the old one." I instant shouted out my reply, "In the House?" Then P shouted back, "Hey, was that in the TGIF thing?" The conversation snowballed from there :) Unfortunately, I now have the Family Matters theme song stuck in my head. I can't believe I even remember it.

Tangent: A lot of shouting goes on in our office each day. I often wonder what people on the other ends of all the phone conversations think when they call us and are trying to discuss business only to hear things like "F*** that! I told him to get that to me now!", "She hasn't cashed her checks since June. What the h*** does she want me to do", and "I understand that you felt uncomfortable when he told you to take your bra off ma'am. We will definitely contact the company and get to the bottom of this".

Anyway, I loved the TGIF lineup when it was on. How about you? Anyone out there who used to love Perfect Strangers, Family Matters, Step by Step, Full House, Boy Meets World, Mr. Belvedere, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, etc? I have a poll to the right. Vote if you get a chance :)

Have a great day everyone!

The two-hundred-and-twenty-first day...

Today was pretty slow - and yet I'm still tired :)

I saw a new Train of Thought (yea!)

Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world.

~ Schopenhauer, Studies in Pessimism

On another note, when I went out to take a walk at lunch time, I saw that the sidewalk across the street from one of the hotels in the area was packed with people all holding cameras. I, of course, instantly took out my own camera and asked the lady next to me who everyone was waiting for...well, apparently the vice-president himself was about to exit the hotel!


I snapped a few pics of the police, guards, Secret Service, etc. while I waited.

And waited.

And waited. I finally gave up since I only get an hour for lunch and, sorry Mr. VP, but I had things to do :) As I was walking away, I heard a police officer tell one of the other onlookers that no pictures of the VP would be allowed, and that they would clear the entire street before he walked out anyway. Thanks for letting us know before we wasted our time. Well, it was still an experience anyway :) Enjoy the rest of the night everyone!

The two-hundred-and-eighteenth through two-hundred-and-twentieth days...Halloween weekend edition :)

This turned out to be a fun Halloween weekend. Only four people actually dressed up for work on Friday (including me - I was a goth rag doll this year), but it was still a fun day.

We trick-or-treated at each of the departments. I was surprised that my department actually had the best selection.

I added the Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids, and Candy Corn to the pot :)

My department also had a dessert potluck, which went extremely well.

My contribution was the platter of peanut butter cookies, chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal raisin cookies on the right.

Halloween inspired mudslides

Some more treats that my boss put out (yes, the soup was up for grabs too)

Another of my co-workers dressed as Ramses and decorated his area in an Egyptian theme. He goes all out every year and this year was no exception.

He even made a mummy...

and created a story to go along with the display.

I was a goth rag doll; picture Raggedy Ann except all black and white. It was a fun costume - a lot different from my hippie costume from last year.

I decided that I needed a pet, so I carried my mummified kitten around in my skull purse all day.

Everyone got a huge kick out of it since it dances and sings "Who Let the Dogs Out?" when it's leg is pressed.

Then on Saturday, my man and I went to a Halloween house party for a while.

That's my man on the left :) He went as a Ring Wraith (from LOTR) this year.

The party was fun, but I was exhausted when I got home - and I still am. Thank goodness for Daylight Savings Time ending. I felt that extra hour today :)

So, how did Halloween trick or treat all of you? Any interesting costumes, anyone eat too much candy (I know I did), any interesting parties?

Have a wonderful night everybody!