robbing the cradle

wonderful saturday- perhaps its the gorgeous weather but i've been floating on cloud nine.

had brunch with DJ at flea market. delicious smoked salmon salad. food was as good as i remembered- service much worse than i rememembered.

afteroon outing with the ladies- Q2, celestial, theng, and i went cosmetics shopping in soho in the afternoon. stopped in chinatown to get a snack before heading back to Q2's place to get dolled up for dinner at peep. enjoyed giving theng a mini-makeover.

long line at peep so we put on name down and walked around to see if any other restaurants had an open table. in the end, we decided to go back to peep and sit at the bar and have some drinks. by the time we finished our first round, it was time to get seated. we ordered a boulliabaise dish, calamri, squid ink noodles, sea bass, and scallop tartar. all was surprisingly good and not too expensive.

after dinner, theng headed home and our little triumverate headed out to the westside. we went to level V and were shocked by the poor turnout, despite a mostly male crowd, it was definately not a new york crowd. we hung around for a drink before heading out again. Q2 headed home so celestial and i decided to head back to the LES.

on our way to our old standby, a ryan gosling look alike waved us over.

gosling: hey ladies! what are you up to?

v: just hanging out. not sure where we're going.

gosling: i'm hanging out with some of my friends. we're going to X bar, you want to join us?

i look over at celestial and try to gauge her level of interest. gosling is hot but seems young. i glance bac over at celestial. she's got a poker face.

v: celestial?

celestial: whatever you want.

damnit, she's playing it cool.

v: yea, i think we're gonna go.

we walk away and once we get a block over celestial asks if it's too late to go back.

v: wait, you wanted to hang out with them? jeez, you gotta give me a hint next time. otherwise i'll always decline. yes, it's too late.

as we stand there debating for a few mintues, i notice gosling has wandered over our way.

v: so are you following us now? haha.

gosling: no no. just calling my friend. at this point, gosling is very inebriated as demonstrated by his difficulty managing his cell phone. we lost one of them. he took off, did you see him?

v: what does he look like.

gosling: he's white with dreads.

v: um, no, we didn't notice anyone.

gosling: gosling goes on for a bit about the story behind his friend's disappearance. he calls another friend to tell him where he is. so where are you two headed?

celestial: verlaine or schillers but we haven't decided yet.

gosling: do you want company?

v: sure.

gosling's friend/roommate stops by. rounds of introductions. the boys accompany us to verlaine and buy us drinks. we chat for awhile. gosling is talking to celestial so i make small talk with the friend. the wingman. he's a nice kid, you can tell he's used to playing this role or being overlooked for gosling. over the course of conversation, i discover that gosling and his roommate are college friends and they graduated a year ago. a year ago. mental calculation. 22/23 at best?

as the night wears on and i continue to make conversation with gosling, his age becomes more an more apparent. eagerness to please. lacking in direction. as we talked, i played with the idea of dating a younger man.

the pros- i could teach young gosling how to be a superb boyfriend, educate him about women, culture, food. then let him go and make the perfect boyfriend for some young girl his age.

the negatives-do i even need to mention them?

i suppose it's b/c it's hard to guess an asian girl's age. young gosling probably has no idea he was hitting on someone 5 years his senior. i'm not sure how i feel about it all. if i was a man, i'd feel pretty pumped, right?

breaking up the monotony

my commute to work has become the bane of my existence . . . or at least, the most annoying part of my day. i get frustrated with traffic, bad drivers, the monotony of it all.

taz recommended downloading "this american life", a podcast produced by NPR that gives first person accounts and short fiction pieces. . . it's quite entertaining. and so i rediscovered podcasts!

living in LA and VA, i used to keep up with my news via NPR. these days, i'm always behind on current events, and just catch snippets here and there online.

this american life. check.
talk of the nation. check.
wait wait. .. don't tell me. check.
learn spanish with coffee break spanish. check.

my car ride yesterday was the most enjoyable, entertaining, and engaging drive i've had. it flew by and i felt like my time was being used productively! (learning spanish has been on my to do list, and up'd the anty with my upcoming trip)

confession

hi my name is v. this is the hardest thing for me to admit, but i'm around surrounded by friends. your support means so much.

(deep breath)

i am a bachelor show addict.

ok, i know this isn't really news. . b/c i've talked about bachelor nights with VK and drinking games based on stupid, repetitive things that the contestants say.

in any case, i recently found out that the season had already started. last night while i was browsing on line, i discovered that the full episodes were viewable on ABC's website. so i snuggled into bed and started watching. . and after episode one, i told myself, just 15 more minutes. then somehow episode 2 flew by. then episode 3.

ahh. . why do i love it so? perhaps it's the romantic in me that somehow believes that crazy things can happen and people can truly find love in weird ways (no matter how fabricated and surreal. or, maybe it's just the fact that i am a voyeur and somehow enjoying all the awkward moments in dating and interpersonal relationships and seeing people reveal things about themselves through slight expressions and behavior. it's like watching a train wreck sometimes, just can't look away.

anyways, it was a great kick off to a "v is going to relax and do whatever she wants" day off. today i'm going to the gym, do a little shopping, hole up in a tea house and do some reading and internet surfing. what a beautiful thing.

prayers to the hokies who are injured, victims, witnesses & their friends & family

during a normal week, i would rant about something inconsequential- something that annoyed me about work, driving, or dating/not dating. . . but i'm at a loss. it's such a sad thing that has happened at virginia tech.

some of my friends from grade school are alums. it just hits kinda close to home.

my prayers go out to all those that have been affected by this massacre.

balancing act

the downside to my new job is that i only have two weeks of vacation a year. initially i expected to go visit my big sis in her new home in FL in july and go for a long weekend to NN. i thought this would give me another week to work with to take a real vacation (i.e. out of the country) in september.

somehow, my vacation requests came back as a week off in july and a week off in august. while i love my family dearly, i was bummed by the fact that i might not get to go traveling this year. for those that know me, i am perpetually fighting wanderlust and start feeling antsy if i'm in any place too long. next on my list has been latin america (peru & argentina) and of course vietnam. the latter somehow always gets pushed back- mostly because i would love to spend an extended amount of time there.

in any case, i had hoped to go to latin america last year with eddie and Q2 but it never worked out with the timing. a new opportunity seemed to arise.

vern called me over the weekend to see if i would be able to help her drive down to FL in june. i spoke with my manager and was able to clear a 4 day weekend to go help my sister out. that left july free free free to go wherever i wanted but still have a week to chill with the folks in NN in august!

cross your fingers- looks like it just might work out! eddie should be back in lima for work and i can meet up with him there. . . machu picchu here i come!!!

b-flat

called my girl on the drive home to see what she was up to. Q2, dollface, and i all meet up at angel share for drinks and snacks. chatted with my favorite bartender winnieL.

he told us the scoop. all the bartenders and servers were walking and opening up there own bar called b-flat at the beginning of may. new concept, new menu, new cocktails. perhaps a new favorite spot?

interesting conversation- dollface was offering advice on body language/signals and how to appear more approachable to q2. unfortunately, there was no opportunity for a demonstration of her coy skills as the rest of the night was lackluster and no suitable prospects to practice on. met up with celestial at a birthday party in flatiron and had a drink but we all called it an early night.

wing girl

must be a full moon coming out. all the crazies and difficult customers are out.

rough rough week at work and by thursday, i needed to go out and play. rushed out the door after turn to meet up with Q2 for dinner and drinks. got to her place in record time and was at her place around 7:30. we got dressed and freshened up before heading out.

first stop was momofuku for some savory pork neck ramen. plans to play wing-girl were quickly crushed as we found out that my girl’s crush had recently gotten married and no longer on the market. nonetheless, we had consoled ourselves with sake and a delicious dinner and were off to the next stop.

pegu club. made friends with the gorgeous aussie bartender. gotta love an accent. then headed out to verlaine where polo-shirt k killed us with overly strong drinks and free shots.

bad idea. paid for it all friday morning and early afternoon. . .

catch up day

went to work on the early side today hoping to catch up with the work i missed on my day out sick. that, plus, i had to move my car by 7am. i love getting an early start. had time to stop by micky-d's for an egg mcmuffin and get my car gassed up before sliding into work an hour early.

so much easier to be productive when there are no customers to bother you!!

in any case, today was a problem solving day. somehow managed to resolve several complicated customer issues by lunchtime which gave me a huge sense of accomplishment. rest of the afternoon was wrapped up in clienteling then a managers meeting which i had to leave early to help a bride. once that was done, it was time to go home! hung around for a bit longer to get the last batch of emails out and prepare a work plan for my associate.

good news, i might have a new hire before the month's end and many exciting developments at work.

happy easter

met up with tintin, mittens (tintin's new girl), Q2, and JP for dim sum at golden bridge. i was the first to arrive. reaching up the top of the stairs, i was welcomed by chaos. angry sounding chinese woman barking cantonese and english numbers from her podium. grandpas and grandmas sitting in rows waiting for their tables. little tykes milling around restlessly. i push my way to the head of the line, wait for the woman to stop yelling into her mic.

v: 5 people. lifting my hand to show all five fingers

the woman hands me ticket number 64. phone rings. Q2 is on her way. shortly after, Q2 then tin tin and mittens arrive. just as our table number is called, JP comes in. we're directed to a four top.

v: i said five. again lifting my hand to show all five fingers.

woman: i'm sorry. you can squeeze into the four top?

v: sure.

we scramble around while they pull up an extra chair. finally, we are all seated. by now, it's after 1pm and the carts are slowing down, the selection is more limited, but we are all starving. the first cart rolls around. we pounce on her and order har gow, rice flour rolls filled with roast pork and ground beef, taro dumplings. five rounds later, we were all satiated. especially tin tin as we were egging him on to finish up all the dishes.

after taking care of the check (really dim sum is always more expensive then anticipated), JP, tin tin, mittens, and i walked around chinatown for a little grocery shopping. i picked up some veggies, dried plums, and roast pork. we wandered our way over to the east village and stopped by sunrise mart where i got some picked veggies, spiced squid, and brown rice. with all my arms loaded up, it was time to head home.

within ten minutes of walking through the door, the phone rings. it's Q2 and she's dying to go out. i'm cold, fighting my cold, and beat from walking around town all afternoon. . but hey, what are friends for right? we met up at cha-an for some tea then yokocho for yakitori and sake and capped it off with a drink at angel's share. . a beautiful end to a wonderful friend-filled day.

calling out

spent wednesday running around in the cold rain doing site inspections for my class.

by late afternoon, i felt the first signs of illness creeping up on me. itchy throat and that "sick" feeling. by the time i was sitting in kura sushi with VK, i could tell that it would be bad. still, i had a fabulous dinner (rainbow roll and spicy scallop sushi- yum yum) and stopped by cha-an afterwards for a green comfort drink before heading back uptown.

next morning, my cold had definately settled in. body aches, alternating fevers and chills, and just feeling miserable overall. that on top of a 2.5 hour customer issue i had to deal with in the afternoon, i left work feeling whiped out. after spending way too long looking for a parking space, i stopped by duane reade to pick up cold medicine and some vitamin waters.

went to bed early, woke up for a few minutes to assess my health. not feeling much better, decided to call in sick and went back to bed. a delightful 3 hours later, i woke up feeling much better. sleep is always the best medicine. besides a runny nose, i'm feeling pretty good and will be ready for a long work day ahead.

best kind of benefits

sometimes relationships and people surprise you.

i never expected my friendship with taz to develop the way it has. i still recall meeting him for the first time at orienation and having lunch at ackerman. study sessions paved way into walk breaks during our second and third year. . . leaving behind taz, eulalie, eddie, and maekre was tough. especially being uncertain of how those relationships would weather distance.

happily, all of these friendships have survived. and taz has become one of my best male friends. needless to say, i was very excited that he'd be visiting nyc for a conference.

wed night he got in and we met up at brother jimmy's bbq for a late dinner. talked into the wee hours. friday night met up with VK, Q2, and taz for dinner at pardo's chicken. (really really excellent peruvian chicken)- after which taz pointed out that he hadn't been given a handle yet. little did he know that i'd tried in the past, but finding a short word to capture or characterize him is extremely difficult. saturday met up for lunch at les enfants terribles (superb couscous with merguez sausage). sunday night went to a nearby sushi restaurant and caught a late showing of "blades of glory".

with taz back on the west coast- who will tell me truths about myself that aren't always so pleasant to hear but cushions it in a way to make it bearable (you know you're high maitenance right? not in a bad way at all only in a good way)? who will help me dissect any scenario, situation, relationship, problem with the patience of a saint and precision of a surgeon?

can't wait til you move back to the same time zone!

A Sad Day for the Bruins

last night met up with a bunch of friends and bday boy at the village pourhouse to watch the final four.

b-day boy and his fellow georgetown alum friends arrived early to secure a spot to watch near the bar. Q2, celestial, and i arrived around 6:30pm figuring we'd have no problem getting in. . . no such luck. b-day boy warned me via text that it was crowded and to try the back entrance and say we are with the ucla alumni club and the line stretching around the front entrance confirmed his words. we made our way to the side door and tried to talk our way in. the bouncer wouldn't budge. no one in or out until 10 minutes before the ucla game. i texted b-day boy and told him our predicament.

b-day boy came to our rescue. he came to the back entrance and told the bouncer that we were with him and there was space near him and we were miraculously let in.

village pourhouse was a madhouse. an official georgetown (and ucla) bar, the crowd was intense, drunk, and loud. perfect for watching the game.

the rest is history. georgetown fought hard but was not able to come back and take the lead against ohio state. ucla fared even worse. halfway into the game, they fell apart. perhaps they got psyched out playing against florida once again. it was a sad sad night for the both the b-day boy and myself.

i couldn't even watch the last minutes of the game and we quickly left the pourhouse. a group of us headed to solas for a bit before heading over to level V for a b-day party.

interesting underground club in meatbacking- nice dance space and private rooms for parties. b-day boy's friends were all nice, having a great time, and in various states of drunkenness (the party had been going for a bit). we hung out for a couple of hours then decided to call it a night.

a woman in love

i heart afflalo.

i heart howland.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/sports/ncaabasketball/25kansas.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

now can i get an 8-clap?

GO BRUINS!!!

tube tied

given that i'm often the maternal one in relationships- it's nice to be "mothered" every once in awhile. these days, that's laurie's role, although she's much wilder and crazier than my mom!

our conversation turned into an extensive lecture about dating men.

l: (sigh of relief) only this past year did i finally got my hubby down to 3 times a week.

v: and that's a good thing?

l: yes! sometimes i just want to be left alone.

v: hmm, i know of women who have the opposite problem. they want it more than their partners.

l: (giving me a serious stare) what type of guys are these? are they american?

v: (i nod my head) for the most part yes.

l: then they should date europeans. it's true. american men spend too much damn time obsessed with sports- basketball, football, baseball, hockey. you name it and all year round, there's some sport to follow and american men are always spending all their time with their male friends. all their testosterone gets riled up and spent on sports! european men only get excited about soccer and the world cup once every four years! they are more into spending time with you and the family.

v: (totally disregarding the fact that a european man can obsess just as easily and as much over soccer as any american man over all american sports combined!, i prodded her on) you think so? tell me more. all european men?

l: let me tell you. i married at 25. but before i got married, i dated every type of guy. didn't waste my time if he wasn't exciting, if he had a small *you know what*, and if he didn't do it for me. but you gotta stay away from the greeks.

v: really? why?

l: my GOODNESS. . unless you want it up the ass! they will keep you under their thumbs they are so domineering.

v: hmm. ok. what about latins?

l: ooo. that would be nice. romantic. their culture is very sensual, dancing, etc.

v: so you don't think there would be a problem with sex drive with them?

l: hmm. well, they are all about scoping out women. when they talk to you they will stare at your boobs. so they are arousal is always elevated and this could lead to a lower sex drive too.

v: hmm, so i guess europeans are the way to go huh?

l: yep. i married a german.

while i found laurie's advice giving endearing, i found most of the conversation (which continued on for a bit) amusing. i find it hard to believe that american men are so tied to the tube watching sports that they are not as passionate and sensual with their partners. . . your thoughts?

step it up boys!

wonderful evening. had dinner with j at sushi of gari. i had three and a half rounds of omakase and split a couple bottles of sake with j as we caught up on one another's lives.

this is our routine. every 3 or 4 months we'll go out for a delectable sushi dinner and talk for a couple of hours.

j is a hoya devotee so we talked about college basketball for a bit and he checked the score for the UCLA-Indiana game for me during dinner (yes a little dorky). i suggested going to bar coastal to watch the second half of the game.

march madness + st. paddy's day turned bar coastal into a frat house!! (assuming that's not what it's normally like which i don't know since it's my first venture there) tons of drunk young boys drinking pitchers and pitchers of bud and coors light, getting in fights with each other, etc. j and i felt (1) old and i felt claustrophobic. . but it was the only guaranteed bar to show the UCLA game so we toughed it out.

i bought us a round of beers (brooklyn lager for j and amstel light for me) and we watched as UCLA almost gave away the game. . . while i love my boys, watching them play indiana reminded me way too much of their lavin days. playing with no heart and being lazy and sloppy because of a 10 pt margin. i almost lost it when indiana tied the match. luckily, UCLA won out in the end. . .they won, but honestly they weren't playing like a winning team. the bruins need to step it up if they plan on making it to the final bracket.

i have faith in my boys tho, and howland. for now, i can sleep soundly with tonight's victory.

feeling not so "groovy"

spent all day cooped up inside on a beautiful day studying for my quiz. thought i would reward myself by meeting up with Q2 for drinks at angel share after class. with our busy work schedules, our impromptu get togethers after work have all but ceased so we were both looking forward to hanging out.

class ended promptly at 8:30 and was at our chosen destination by 9 (even made a pit stop for my favorite wasabi fumi furikake at sunrise market). most of the seats were taken so we opted for the bar. i ordered the "groovy", a refreshing drink made with yuzu and shiso leaf. we chatted an hour away and had a second round.

feeling the need for change, we decided to hit up decibel- an underground sake bar just steps away. the host directed us to our seats. as we settled in, Q2 started sniffing the air and crinkling her nose.

Q2: do you smell that?

V: china smell?

(if you've been to china, you know that there is this unmistakable odor- associated with subways, little alleys, etc)

Q2: it smells like urine. ugh, i can't take it. . let's move.

V: ok. motioning to the server. can we move?

S: sure.

we get up to look around. the only seats are at a short bar right next to the entranceway.

V: wanna sit here?

Q2: hmm. i don't know.

as the server tries to assist Q2, a random asian guy walks by and asks me where the bathroom is.

V: huh? i don't know.

RAG: oh, sorry, i thought you work here.

uh, yea RIGHT! all the guys that work here are wearing robes with japanese characters on it and i'm wearing a brown/beige polka dot dress. but ok, let's give him the benefit of the doubt.

V: nope. sorry.

eventually Q2 and i decide to go back to the original seats. we order 2 glasses of sake and edamame to share. we chat. we order 2 more glasses of sake. by now, we've both reached our limit and decide to call it a night. when we walk the stairs, we see RAG and his friend smoking cigs by the doorway.

RAG: sorry, i really thought you worked there. leaving already?

V: no worries. yea, it's late.

RAG: what is your background anyways.

V: guess.

and guess he did. . every nationality under the sun. japanese. taiwanese. malaysian. singaporean. siamese?!!? pretty sad pick up line i have to say. not only is it generic, but it shows he can't tell one asian from another!!!

so lessons to be learned?

guys- can we be more please just be sincere. what happened to "hi, my name is X, what's your name?"

for me- 2 drink maximum when i have to go to work the next morning. . woke up feeling not so groovy.

unexpected call

chatting chatting chatting with eulalie.

ring ring from the other line.

v: can you hold on a minute

e: sure

switch over

vk: how far away are you from the city?

v: hmm. .maybe 20 minutes? what's up?

vk: can you stop by?

v: what's up?

vk: we locked ourselves in! can you come and open the door?

v: sure. i'll see you in a bit

vk: thank you thank you thank you.

turns out VK had managed to lock herself into her apartment. . . of course, me and my tickets, i rushed to her apartment, double parked and left my hazards on, got buzzed in, ran up the stairs, unlocked VK's door, asked if they were ok, ran back down the stairs, got to my *thankfully unticketed car* and drove back home.

now, how did VK manage to lock herself into her apartment? i still don't know. . only know that the design of her locks is that you can lock yourself in but now out? how does that work???

fighting cravings

had my first taste of it on tuesday after lunch. i only finished half. so perfect and oh-so satisfying.

a couple meetings at work. then my first craving stirred. luckily i still had a half left. polished it all off.

can't stop thinking about it. . yep. . trader joe's greek style yogurt. it is creamy, thick, and has the exact consistency of a rich frozen yogurt or soft serve ice cream. unfortunately, there is only one TJ's in the city and i have been unable to go back to get more. yesterday i was craving it so much after lunch that i broke down and bought a $3.25 small cup of frozen yogurt from the company restaurant (which is actually very good but not cheap). then i realized that i needed to go to TJ's as soon as possible. even thought about whether i should lug a suitcase full of it from newport blues back to nyc but i dont' have the fridge space for it. . . and it's dairy and shouldn't be out of fridgeration for so long. . . .

it's been a torturous two days without TJ's greek style yogurt. wed night had class until 8:30 then had to rush back home to have a conference call, thur night met up with VK for dinner and was too slap happy to do much of anything except for chatter away on the phone with theng.

but it's friday morning, i've got a late shift and will drive out to work early to hit the gym there. there's also a TJ's 20 minutes away from the gym so i can do a little shopping and store whatever i get in the manager's fridge before my shift begins at one.

sigh. . i can see how addictions begin. . .

homeward bound

spent weeks worrying about how i would fit my parents, sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew into my 400 sqft apartment. . .looks like an easier solution arose. . . i'm heading back to bad news sat morning. it'll be a short trip. arrive sat morning leave sunday afternoon.

can't believe how much i've been missing the place- haven't been home since october. . maybe it's just missing a comfortable bed and my momma's cooking!

so march madness begins

channel surfing while i was burning out the stair climber at nysc last night. caught the tail end of the VCU-GM game. . VCU was down but stepped up to win back the game. . very exciting game!!!

somehow the significance of march had passed me- perhaps it's being out of grad school and less contact with my grad school friends. . . nonetheless, glad to see my boys are representing!!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/rankingsindex

anyways, if you see a little asian girl at a sports bar yelling at the t.v. during a bruins game in the middle of nyc, chances are it's V. . .

brunette and brunetter

had been looking forward to going out with Q2 all week. . .plan was to meet up at her place, get dressed, grab dinner and catch up, and then hit the b-day party. the "slumber party" themed b-day party. feeling adventurous, we decided to go for it- b/c with any theme party you have to go all out and be obvious or risk looking silly?

right? well at least that was our thought process!

we glammed up in sexy sleepwear and hit the town, of course, careful to cover up with cardigans to be decent for dinner.

enjoyed a great dinner at a local sushi spot and a couple glasses of otokoyami for "courage" and headed to the gallery bar. upon arrival there was a small line forming but we spotted the b-day boy at the entrance way and got in straightaway. taking in our surroundings, it quickly became apparent that we were the only ones that dressed up!!! (well, except for a petite japanese girl wearing cutesy pjs)

uh oh. this doesn't feel awkward at all. the fact that we were dressed in sleepwear was not in the slightest embarrasing. good thing we weren't wearing anything too scandalous!

of course the b-day boy assured us we looked great!

um yea, of course you think so, you're a guy.

nonetheless, it took a few more drinks before we relaxes. . .and i suppose the outfits did make for a great story and got us invited to another b-day party downstairs. a "blazer" crowd of doctors, lawyers, consultants, etc representing the bulldogs. made conversation with the boys for a bit but started to feel as though we were fulfilling some asian fantasy and decided to head back upstairs for a bit of dancing. . .the music was a bit uninspiring so we headed back to Q2's to change into our regular going out clothes and hit la caverna.

met up with celestial and her date, a nice aussie boy. music was rocking and we danced up a storm. after some time, we decided to head back to verlaine. small world that it is, we ran into jere, deb's cousin. . .a drink later, i was done and our crew rolled out of verlaine and being that it was 3AM, we went to rosario's to grab a slice of pizza. perfect end to a fabulous night!

great finds!

it has been a WONDERFUL day off! slept in until 10:30. . i think a first for me since i can't remember when. fabulous workout at the gym.

met up with m.fem. around 2:30 to check out a studio sale by one of my wedding/special events planning super-heroes. they are moving offices and are getting rid of a lot of their inventory- beautiful fabrics, candle holders, and vases galore. . i was in heaven!!!

i picked 3 silver/beaded candeholders, a couple candles, and this gorgeous white fabric that was hand beaded. . all for $60!!!! i'm goin to nail the fabric up on my wall (until i buy a big mirror or flat screened t.v.). i also spoke with the staff and got info to volunteer with them. . sigh, that would be amazing!!

after our bargain hunting, m.fem and i went to trader joes where i stocked up on groceries. . very long line. . . sigh, i miss LA and the less crowded TJ's. nonetheless, the staff there exudes a great energy. chatted with the line/traffice director for a bit before getting rung up by "dilan" who was fantastic.

dilan: how are you?

V: great, you?

dilan: good. find everything you want?

V: pretty much, but got to the end of the line and realized i had forgotten one thing!! arg.

dilan: what did you forget.

V: fresh basil

dilan: why don't you go get it while i ring you up.

no encouragement needed, i sprinted to the produce section and grabbed a container of basil and back to the cashier.

V: i love you! thanks so much.

madonna playing on the overhead speakers.

dilan: don't you love this song? this is my favorite song. better watch out!

V: why, you might bust a move?

dilan: yea, i just want to start dancing. call up the girls and start dancing.

V laughs.

dilan: you want one of these? he holds up an array of my energy snack bars.

V: actually, yea, i'm starving.

dilan: which flavor? i start to touch the "cookies and cream" flavored zone bar. hmm, i would save that for later. . peanut butter caramel?? hmm? yes? good choice. V laughs.

how can you beat TJ's? great food, great prices, and great staff.

grumble grumble grumble

didn't leave work until 10:30. got back around 11:30 and spent half an hour looking for parking. . . was trying to find a spot so i wouldn't have to move for street cleaning in the morning.

sigh, had to switch my days off work due to work politics. . UGH! so going in tomorrow on the late side. which is annoying b/c now i have to miss my girls night out- art gallery exhibit opening reception and chance to meet with the artist. . .alas, it's the "right" thing to do workwise.

damn sensibilities- i wouldn't be able to enjoy myself anyways if i knew i wasn't doing the "right" thing. . .

dude, where's my car?

left the apartment at 8:40 AM even though i had a bridal event and could come to work later. . . street cleaning starts at 9AM and i wasn't chancing another ticket! as i started walking, i tried to remember where i parked on sunday night. . seemed like eons ago. . i know that it was an odd numbered street since it was one way headed west.

as i walked west on the street i thought i had parked on, i started to have a mini panic attack as i realized i didn't see my car in sight. .

was i late. . has my car been towed? damnit, where did i park my car???

finally, i remembered feeling relieved to have found a parking spot so close to my apartment after driving around in circles for half an hour on . . .so i walked up a couple streets and found it!

would've been a great excuse not to go into work right?

so yea um, i can't make it in today because i can't find my car. . .

awkward locker room moments

so gym locker rooms are a funny thing. especially for modest girls like me (yes, i may show a bit of skin when i'm going out, but full nudity is a weird weird thing). growing up i always felt shy undressing in front of other girls. i had mastered the technique of changing and not showing any, eh-hem, private parts. most women probably have this skill, along with the taking off the bra without taking your shirt off. . .

in any case, i've become more comfortable showering & changing in the locker rooms out of necessity and don't really care as long as its strangers. just try to do things quickly, mind my own business, and avert my eyes.

this morning, VK and i went to NYSC and did a total body conditioning class. . loads of fun. we decided to shower at the gym rather than her place to save time. i showered with lightning speed and rushed to get dressed as to avoid the awkwardness of having VK see me naked.

perhaps even more modest than i, VK comes out of the shower room carefully covered up with two towels, one wrapped around her top and one wrapped around her waist. . .seriously, can they make the towels just a little bit smaller???

as i put on my makeup, VK discreetly got dressed. in the middle of blowdrying her hair, we heard a woman make a noise.

large woman wrapped up in two towels, but her ample left breast hung out from the towel.

LW: i can't open my locker. i need help.

VK and i exchange slightly bewildered looks.

VK: is your lock stuck?

LW: it's brand new. i can't open it.

VK: i'll help.

i go back to blow drying my hair as VK successfully opened her locker. later at UTDT, we discuss how weird using public lockers are and how we both were trying not to stare at the woman's huge breast. . .but it was just so massive, it was hard to look away. . . hmm. . i think i sound like a man. . .

housewarming partay

Spent the better part of Friday running around buying groceries and bits and pieces for the apartment.

Oh wait, I forgot the cornstarch.

Darn, TJ's doesn't have pitted dates.

Oh wait, I don't have a hammer or nails.

You get the point. . but it all came together. The food was mostly prepared by the time everyone arrived and I was actually able to relax and enjoy myself.

Menu: 3 cheese (emmentel, gruyere, and brie) & champagne fondue served with bread cubes, broccoli, and carrots, bacon wrapped dates stuffed with parmesan reggiano cheese, and fresh fruit. plenty of bubbly and red wine.

It was a wonderful gathering. There was just enough food (perhaps a little too much fondue) and more than enough alcohol. Everyone loosened up and stayed til 1:30 talking and catching up.

peak time

just got back from the gym. apparently, saturday morning is a peak workout time.

the downside- every cardio machine was taken and the weight room was packed

the upside- the weight room was packed with quite a bit of eye candy of the male variety.

yum yum.

too bad i work most saturday mornings. . .

deja vu friend

have you ever found yourself drawn to a person b/c they remind you of someone you knew?

mfem is a woman i met through my night class. we ended up as partners on a class project since we live a few blocks apart. interesting woman- moved to israel recently with her husband for his work. surprisingly independent, curious about life, and extremely direct. we clicked immediately.

after a couple classes, i realized why i felt so comfortable around her. she reminded me- both in appearance and in personality of a woman who i had been good friends with in california. it's happened to me a number of times now- similarities between old & new friends. mikey & ahern. bj and nels.

in any case, i'm a sucker for making new friends. we grabbed dinner after class at a local italian restaurant. food was decent but the conversation was wonderful. a great end to a very long work week and a promising start to a new friendship!

running running running

feel like i'm always on the go these days.

Q2 pointed out that i always have the habit of overextending myself- especially when i'm not in a steady relationship. work. gym. class. planning my high school reunion. squeeze in dinner or drinks with friends when possible. entertain out of town guests.

my days off are no better, try to catch up on my errands- dry cleaners, go to a real grocery store rather than the corner deli, spend quality time with my friends, decorate my apartment, etc.

it's not a complaint, just an observation that i really don't know how to relax. . .hmm. . maybe the "type A" V is coming back???

restless

it's been awhile since i've had such restless sleep.

woke up around 3:30AM thinking that it was probably 6AM. . damn, there goes my attempt to get 8 hours of sleep!!! stayed snuggled under the covers for half an hour contemplating whether or not i should get up or try to fall back asleep.

neighbors arguing very loudly outside the door. she sounded tearful and angry. . . he sounded just angry. dog barking.

by 4, my mind is racing with all the things i need to do for the week and so sleep eluded me.

in the meanwhile, i've done a load of laundry, changed my sheets, written a couple emails, and worked on my to-do list.

will hit the gym shortly and hopefully that'll give me a second burst of energy. . have a late shift at work today and have a feeling that it will be a very long day. . .

debunking MSG myth

i always thought MSG got a bad rap! our people have been eating it for years with no problems- it's in canned soups, potato chips, etc yet chinese food gets the negative rep. . .

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/opinion/18dunlop.html?em&ex=1171947600&en=6ddb397afad82409&ei=5087%0A

Happy New Year!!!

Year of pig. . . hmm. . . doesn't sound so peachy

The Year of the Pig starts Sunday and Chinese fortune-tellers say it will be a good time to have a baby but also warn there will be an upsurge in epidemics, disasters and violent conflicts around the world.

Oh wait, sounds kinda like 2006. . .

bad day

woke up and realized i had to move my car for street cleaning. spent an hour and a half looking to no avail. broke down and shelled out $13 to park my car in a garage. had to cut my gym session short since i spent an hour and a half looking for parking. no time to go to the grocery store.

got to work on time but managed to knock my side rear view mirror b/c i was blindsighted by the glare on my dirty windshield.

had a pbj sandwich for an early dinner at 4:45pm and was starving by the time work was over.

left work after 10pm and had to shell out $4 for a snack. missed my exit b/c i was lost in thoughts. ended up having to pay $4.50 for the midtown tunnel toll.

greek goddess

decided to pop into benjamin moore after my workout to look for supplies for my little apartment craft projects. i actually love hardware stores and was content to wander the aisles (maybe i just love shopping?) but seconds later an employee in a bright orange jacket (BOJ) asked me what i was looking for.

V: glue sticks

BOJ: what for

V: for a hot glue gun

BOJ: right here

V: great! perfect!

BOJ: what do you need them for?

V: for a craft project at home.

BOJ: goin to the gym?

V: just got back

BOJ: why didn't you tell me, i woudla gone with you? i look blankly at him and laugh awkwardly. need anything else?

V: craft paint

BOJ: i'll show you. leads me to the paint area. what's your name?

V: V

BOJ: that's my grandmother's name!!! it's greek for *******. V is the goddess of fertility.

V: ha ha. great, thanks for all your help.

BOJ wanders away. In the background I hear. . .

BOJ: V is my grandmother's name. I'm going to marry that girl!

blizzard?

momma V called twice on tue to warn me of the pending snowstorm. .

momma V: i heard on the news that there is a big snowstorm heading to new york. don't forget to get gas and make sure you have groceries!

flashback to 1999

momma V: 2000 is coming!!! make sure you have gas in your car and plenty of food and water.

because the end of the world is coming and i would drive where????

in any case, there's been just a dusting of snow so far and the night has been good. found a great parking spot just a block away. class is cancelled for tomorrow so i can actually relax at home tomorrow, watch dvd's, and not spend the day rushing around to get everything done!

celebrating the little things

still am adjusting to life on the UES . . . never thought i'd end up here, but i fell in love with the apartment and the rest is history. in any case, the perks- proximity to my friends, the river, the highway, the gym, and a pleasant walk to central park (weather permitting).

i'm learning to use the buses more (theng's influence, and b/c damnit, avenues are really long!) and figuring out street parking.

i've yet to settle on a drycleaner, wine shop, butcher, etc.

a small victory tonight. on my way home from the gym, i decided to venture a little further west and happened upon a speciality grocery store. . i was a bit wary- suspecting astronomical prices. . .i was pleasantly surprised, nice selection of organic/healthy producs, regular groceries (read: non-organic), produce, and asian products. . the best part, prices are reasonable!!! not like lee's grocery on the corner that charges $3 for the smallest carton of milk!!!!

while it's no tops (i will still have to go elsewhere for meat products) and not 24 hours like sunac, it'll do just fine.

Before Photos

Before shots . . . luckily i'm working with what is an already gorgeous apartment!

training in the city

probably the highlight of my job thus far. central (headquarters of my company) organized a 4 day long training in manhattan for all the associates sharing my position in all of our branches. everyone was flown in and put up in the doubletree in midtown. unfortunately or fortunately for me, this coincided with my move and i have been so damn eager to start staying in my new place that i opted out of the free hotel stay (no warm cookies, soft bed, and free cleaning for me!).

it was a busy four days- we strategized, visited show rooms, and met with one vendor after another. who knew there was so much to learn about luxury products- the difference between baccarat and waterford crystal or berneadeaux and gien or kitchenaid and cuisinart. for the most part they are all fine products and a lot of the difference is stylistic or perception.

highlights-

1. forming some solid connections/friendships

2. freebie's!!! a waterford hostess set, caphalon cooking utensil set, martini shaker, and tapas pans, all clad saucier, towels, a faberge clock, etc.

while this seems extravagant, it makes a great deal of sense from the vendor's perspective. i can pitch a product that i've owned and used a lot better than one i only see on display!

3. night culinary activities at both ICE and the French Culinary Institute- cooking demos and scrumptious dinners that would please any fellow foodie! i had the exceptional opportunity to speak with a former top chef finalist that i'm a huge fan of. she was extremely gracious and i even got a photo and signature! not to mention she's an excellent chef!

now i'm back to the grind, but it doesn't feel like a grind. i feel invigorated, see so many challenges and areas for business development, and more confident in my role. so i guess training was an unexpected success!

home sweet home!

sorry for the absence! i've been in the process of moving, had house guests, etc. my laptop has been sitting at Q2's place for over a week and i can't believe i've gone without email for that long! a record for me.

in any case, internet should hopefully be set up tomorrow at the new pad and pics and an update will follow.

family visit

my parents and brother decided to drive up and visit me afterall. . mom was wavering b/c she was concerned about the weather but in the end, her need to see her babygirl conquered all! they arrived friday night and despite working a late shift i managed to beat my folks to the apartment. perhaps because my dad is surprisingly bad with directions and always gets lost (this is both annoying and endearing- perhaps b/c i have his terrible sense of direction?).

they arrived armed with a small carryon, some bags, and a box of random stuff. they toured the apartment and fell in love with it. then it was time to turn in. i insisted they stay on the futon and i slept on the airmatress which i realized in the middle of the night does not retain air as i felt the hard wood floors pressing against my back.

the next morning we all rose early. i made coffee for the folks and we headed down to chinatown for dim sum. great morning meal and i was glad to see my folks eat well (a sign for my mom that she's happy) and they actually enjoyed the dim sum. next up was a lot of window shopping, or shall i say chandelier shopping, at lighting stores in chinatown. got some odds and ends at pearl river mart and a chinese grocery store. by mid afternoon my dad needed a nap so we dropped him off at home and moms and i headed back out. after a few hours we were exhausted and cold so we headed home to relax for a bit. by 6 my parents were starving so we ventured out (a whole block away b/c it was too cold and my folks aren't used to it) to a local restaurant and had a feast.

after dinner, we went back home and my dad proceeded to watch the news while i cleaned and hung out with my mom. my brother arrived around midnight with his wifey and we watched saturday night live for a bit before going to sleep. five people. 400 square feet. i was sleeping on my old rug. bro & wife slept on the airmatress. my parents on the futon. you get the picture. . .in spite of the close quarters, i was able to get a good nights rest curled up in a ball wedged between the bed and my big closet.

folks left around 6AM to head home. i left for work around 9 and got home by 8 to meet up with my brother and his wife for dinner. went to a sushi restaurant a couple blocks away.

all in all, a delightful weekend with the family.

settling in

the move went surprisingly well but that was probably due to the help of my three male friends!!!

it was actually a 2 day proccess. i started with the help of R on the night of the 27th, getting the remaining items out of my car and moved inside. i cleaned and threw out a few items left by the previous tenant. sunday i met up with mikey at the apartment and blondie at the storage unit. R met us back at the apartment. the storage unit was cleared out in two trips. after stacking up all the boxes, bags, and general clutter in the apartment, i took the boys out for supper.

went to a great israeli restaurant and had the best swamara i've ever had! the rest of the night i spent unpacking and it's been a slow proccess of settling in. i want to refurbish a few things- get a black chandelier, repaint, change some fixtures- all in due time. i'd rather do it right then rush to finish it all now. i have much less space then before but luckily was able to have my parents and brother bring some items back to VA. it's starting to shape up and i'm hoping to be quasi-ready for my housewarming party by the end of the month!

warning label please!

now that i've moved out of willie-b and left my beloved maxim gym, it's time to find a new gym. (remember new years resolution to say "bye bye" to poochie?) for the past two weeks, iwas doing a whirlwind tour of the different New York Sports Club gyms. 76th & york, 96th, soho, long island. . . my favorite is soho. . .only one floor and every weight machine that i want. long hours. overall, i like NYSC but feel that it's a bit too impersonal and corporate. . .the only complaint is that a lot of the trainers aren't in such great shape (some are even, dare i say, overweight?) and i wonder how good they can be if they can't practice what they preach.

i'm now sampling the new york health & raquet club gyms in the city since i got a free one-week pass. have only made it to the 77th st and astor place location. . overall i feel that it's a bit too chi-chi for me, i mean, the 77th st location plays classical music in the locker room. although it's older, i actually prefer the UES location. they have most of the weight machines i'm accustomed to using.

had a very "V" moment tho. was using the leg press which happens to be my favorite weight machine at the moment. doing warm ups and realize that the lock/release lever was a lot more complicated than the simple turn of the handle. to release, you have to pull up and to lock you have to push the level to the left and down. now, try that while trying to support 225 lbs with quickly fatiguing legs. luckily, the cute trainer jumped in to help me a few times. but it was still embarassing to not be able to lock the machine myself. . .totally made me lose my rhythm.

new years resolutions

so last year (please let's not even review that), i had a long long list of new years resolutions. . of which i may have met one or two of!

there's two philosophies i could have about this.

-if you reach for the stars, if you fall you'll still land on the moon (thanks cuz)

-keep it simple and achievable. e.g. drink more water (thanks cassanova)

well, i'm going for the middle ground this year.

so here they are:

1. stop commuting.
it's crazy to live in NYC and have a car unless you are fabulously rich. i miss my daily subway rides, stopping at the bodega to pick up snacks and energy drinks, meeting up with my girlfriends at a moment's notice for happy hour. i hate alternate side parking, parking tickets, etc.

2. settle into my new apartment.
for reasons which i may go into at a later point, i am still without my own place. i wistfully look at pictures of my new pad like i would a long lost lover. i am aching to move, to decorate and make it my home, to cook in my own kitchen, to throw dinner parties, to watch dvd's or just read trashy magazines in comfort.

3. to embrace singlehood.
that doesn't mean a swinging, crazy life ala sex in the city. . .rather, it means to focus on building my own life, furthering my career, and pursuing my interests instead of dating and romantic involvements.

curse the parking gods

i jinxed myself. got a parking ticket. . guess two days parking in a "no parking zone" was pushing my luck. . .

unexpected pick up

Q2 and i got a quick bite and drink at the bar next door- like literally next door, or i should say literally across the street, as in i walk five steps and i'm at the bar. . . it's a beautiful thing. in any case, we it's a cozp spot, dark and very european pub feeling. i order cava and venison sausage. Q2 orders cauliflower soup and salmon.

we're engrossed in conversation- the kind that only women can immerse themselves in.

there's a group of three elderly people, two men and a woman, sitting at the table to my right. occasionally i see one of the men staring at us.

while Q2 and i are polishing off our dinners, the group prepares to leave. the man that had been staring stops and introduces himself.

old staring man (OSM): i am looking for two pretty women and you two seem to fit the bill.

we stare at the man with both suspicion and surprise.

OSM: you see, i'm part of this organization called X and we are looking for pretty women to help advance our cause.

we continue to stare, now blankly, at OSM.

OSM: our case is that we believe every person can be a better self. not that you can't be better if you aren't pretty. . . in any case, here's my card. if you are interested in helping us with our cause, please give me a call.

V: hmm, alright. thanks.

Q2: yep. thanks.

i'm pretty amazed, (1) that a man that is old enough to be my grandfather would try to pick up two young women and (2) that he would try to use a charitable (?) organization to do so. . gotta give OSM some credit for his balls.

rules shmules

the first day that i stayed with Q2 i was daunted by the parking situation in the LES. fearful of getting a parking ticket, i diligently moved my car every hour until 7pm.

this is not goin to be fun!

almost every street had restricted parking- no parking from 8-5pm M-F, parking for 2 hours everyday except sunday, no parking from midngiht to 3AM on Tuesday, thursday, and saturday, etc etc etc.

the days have progressed, i've become more accustomed to parking. . then suddenly, i had an epiphany.

no one follows parking rules!!!

the stretch on orchard with the "no parking 8-5pm, M-F"?

completely disregarded!!!

when in rome. . .

channeling george costanza

ever seen the seinfeld episode where george takes a nap under his desk? has his little pillow and alarm set up? that was me yesterday around 2pm.

i had participated in inventory two days in a row. which means getting up at 4'ish AM, leaving the apartment by 4:45, and working a 5:30AM to noon shift. adding to the brutality of this schedule was having to move my things from my old apartment to storage on monday afternoon and preparing and attending a bridal show on tuesday night.

yesterday afternoon, there was too little time to trek back to the city and back so i opted to hang around for a couple hours before i began preparing for the show. my plan was to shop for new sneakers and check out clearance sales, but i was simply too exhausted to be in a shopping mood. so i decided to head back to my office and attempt to take a nap. i locked the door, balled up my puffy green coat for a makeshift pillow, turned off the light, and laid down. unfortunately, there was too much noise and i was too cold to fall asleep.

instead, i went up to chat with some associates, helped deal with some customer issues (obviously, not being in uniform does not deter our customers for asking you for help!), and had lunch. by the time that was over, it was time to prepare for the show. it was a successful event and we got a lot of leads. unfortunatetly, i had to return to the office to drop off the merchandise before heading home because (1) i didn't want to leave it in my car and invite someone to break in and (2) i didn't have the energy to drag it up four flights of stairs. consequently, i didn't get back to q2's until 10:30 and fell asleep shortly after.

mapping the city by foot

one of the upsides of my current state of homelessness is that i've gotten to reside and somewhat explore different neighborhoods in nyc. east harlem, upper east side, and now the lower east side. Q2 has been gracious enough to let me take over a good chunk of her living room.

one major downside of my current state of homelessness is difficulty keeping up with my gym routine. in any case, i broke down and got a 2 week trial membership at a gym. i had planned my sunday perfectly. wake up at 7. have my protein shake. jog to the gym. do weights for an hour and jog back. have an hour to get ready for work and an hour to get there.

unfortunately i didn't wake until 7:45 a.m. so i decided to go for a run instead. i suited up, got my nano and nike arm band ready, and went for a run. my route- west on canal and north along broadway. i ran from the lower east side, through china town, through soho, and to union square and back. all the streets, subway stops, shops, and sites that i had frequented throughout the past year and change had always seemed like scattered and separate entities. but by foot, all of it started connecting. . i finally was able to see it in north-south-east-west perspective.

i'll have to continue running and exploring the city. i have been scared to run with my bad knees and have gotten bored with cardio, but right now, my knees are feelin pretty good (being iced now) and the run was exhilirating! what a great way to get to know the city!!!

a moving comedy of errors

spent the better part of new years eve helping the boy move back into his old apartment. saturday morning i woke up around 9am and headed to east harlem to meet the boy at his old place. he had dunkin donuts breakfast and coffee (yum!) waiting by the time i arrived at 10.

the boy suggested that i double park the car while we loaded the car up with his things. the process took a good hour. i helped pack up odds and ends, then we began the task of bringing everything into the elevator, then outside, then into the car. while i've been inbetween apartments, i had left my prized money tree in his care. the boy placed the plant on the floor of the passenger seat. while we began to load the other items, he moved the plant to the top of the car. . . when the wind began to blow and i saw the plant shake precariously, i decided to place the plant on top of the trunk to shield it partially from the wind. once we moved almost everything, one final burst of wind came and the plant fell to the ground, strike one. . . luckily the container did not shatter and the plant survived. once we rescued it, i noticed that there was a parking ticket on the windshield. $115 for double parking. strike two.

that was the first trip. the second trip during which we got the majority of the remaining items was much smoother. i stayed in the car while the boy loaded to prevent a second ticket. after this was done, i headed to the grocery store to buy food for the evenings festivies. . . i was sticking to a surprisingly simple menu since it was such a small crowd- just two other couples- empanadas, fruit, cookies, and sparkling white wine with juice. company was expected to show after 8pm, so we had a good 8 hours to get everything together.

by the time i arrived at the boy's apartment, he was already waiting there. we began bringing all the bags upstairs. after that, we had to run out to pick up some odds and ends. turns out the apartment was having drainage problems in the bathroom & kitchen sink as well as some electrical issues. after we got back from CVS, we tacked the task of cleaning and organizing.

around 5, the apartment was looking pretty good. i wanted to shower and get dressed so i could spend the rest of the time cooking and relaxing. i noticed that the kitchen sink had been leaking so the boy decided to look into it. all of a sudden i heard a huge crash that startled me. the light fixture in the kitchen fell and broke into a g'zillion pieces, strike three!!! shards of glass were everywhere!!! both of us cut ourselves on the glass. at that point, i had to just laugh at all the things that had gone wrong during the day.

we were still able to finish tidying up and snacks were prepared by 8. our first guests did not show until 9, so we had time to rest for a bit. we snacked, drank champagne cocktails, and played jenga until countdown time. it was a lovely evening. . . .despite the eventful and laborious day, i had a wonderful time setting up the boy's apartment and spending the day and winding down with a few good friends, a perfect day and way to end 2006.

happy new year!!!

the art of flattery

my brilliant niece (age 4) and nephew (age 2) have already learned an important life lesson, that in almost any instance, can win over a woman's heart.

my sister was about to lose it- tired, cranky, and had it up to here with the kids. sensing that their momma was about to lose her lid, the kids cranked up the charm.

my nephew decides to cheer up vern with song.

nephew: jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle all the mommeeeeeee. aww fun to ride with mommeeeee.

my sister's steam begins to cool.

my niece then turns up the charm.

niece: mom you are so beautiful mom you are not fat at all!!

how do they know??? needless to say, it worked like a charm. my sister's anger melted into laugther. besides, it's hard to stay annoyed at two such adorable munchkins.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

whether you're relaxing with family, friends, or a loved one- i hope you are having a merry christmas!!!

what's in a name

i was standing near a register and dealing with an associate problem when an older woman caught my attention.

crazy customer: YOU! SALES PERSON!!!

is she f**king serious? who would go into a restaurant and say- YOU WAITER! come be at my beck and call. . i'm no one's b***h. but it's not even so much what she said but how she said it with such a condescending tone that implies that being a sales person is something lowly . . . my blood was boiling.

v: yes ma'am, i'll be with you in a minute. k can help ring you up. do you have a question?

k was busy ringing up another customer, but crazy customer obviously didn't want to wait.

crazy customer: can you help ring us up?

ahh. . she's obviously so important that she doesn't have to wait in line like anyone else.

crazy customer's daughter: MOM!!! can't you see she's busy?

crazy customer: what! she asked me a question. i'm not crazy.

hmmm

highlight of my day

saw a couple wandering around. i approach them.

V: can i help you?

lady (L): yes, do you have the wine coaster that matches this?

she holds up a modern looking, silver wine bottle holder. i check the style of the piece.

V: let me check in the back.

i take a deep breath before i disappear into the stockroom. it's hit or miss. . either you find it right away or spend minutes (what feels like hours) looking for the desired piece. EUREKA!!! i find it. i carry the box triumphantly out to the couple.

V: YES! here it is!

l: hmm. . great! what do you think? she turns to her boyfriend.

Boyfriend (B): it's great. your tastes are changing and i hope to be around when they do.

l: i am moving from a french country style to something more modern.

V: yes, that is a big change.

l & b spend half an hour debating between two different coasters. he's starting to get a little frustrated.

b: just pick what you like.

l: but your opinion matters too. what do you think?

b: i dunno. . it's kinda modern/MOMA like and that's not me. (to me) what do you think, not that it matters.

V: they are both nice but they are completely different styles. i actually have modern/MOMA-like tastes. . . but that coaster is not too crazy or out there. . .

b: that's true.

l wavers back in forth, looking at other pieces. he starts to get impatient.

b: look, just pick whatever you like, i'm sure this nice sales person has other things to do.

V: no no, take your time.

b: wrong anwer!

V: laughing, sorry! i'm actually very busy, can you hurry?

l: i also need to get a gift for his sister.

V: what does she like?

l: i have no idea!

V: (to b) what does your sister like?

b: girls!!!

l: i am soo embarassed.

V: no no, it's fine.

b: honestly, the only thing i know for sure that she likes is girls. . . we used to cruise for girls together. . . actually only once, years ago.

l: i can't take you anywhere!!!

27 going on 72

christmas is right around the corner which means (1) longer work hours (i have to be at work at either 8 AM or until 11:30 PM), (2) the crazies and grumpies are out in droves, and (3) the patience of all have worn thin.

which means, i'm tired and never feel like going out after work. especially with an hour drive back home. in traffic. with my notorious road rage and metamorphosis into the angry little asian girl. regardless, i feel lame.

it's saturday night and i had a lovely evening out planned with theng, her hubby, qq, and another friend. i got home around 10pm, hungry, and beat. registry returns totally over $4000. customers up the wazoo each vying for attention and immediate service. although i kept my game face on throughout the night, it drained me. i need to sleep and wake up in a few hours and do it all over again. . until i have another day off. . five more days. . a stretch of 10 days without a break. . .

sorry for all the complaints. . i'll be better after the holiday madness ends. . .

the kindness of strangers

paycheck has been burning a hole in my pocketbook for the past week. finally got up early enough to go to the bank before work to make my deposit and get some cash.

got to the bank before its opening at 7:45 AM and used my debit card to get into the atm area. went to make a deposit and realized i had forgotten to bring a pen. luckily there was another customer at the neighboring atm machine and lent me his. made my deposit. got my cash. got my receipt and left the bank, in a rush to get to work in time.

just as the door closed behind me when i realized that i had forgotten my atm card. luckily the pen-loaner saw my predicament and let me into bank. unfortunately, it was too late. the machine took the card back because the wait was too long.

i called the number on the screen as i got into my car and drove to the associate parking lot. found out that i had 24 hours to retrieve my card from the bank before it was deactivated. what a start to the day. . .

post office nazi

feeling a bit run down of late. . .my days off are for the most part errand days, running around all over town tryin to take care of odds and ends. mostly dealing with stuff for my new apartment.

given that i am technically homeless for a month, i had decided to put my mail on hold from the end of november until the end of december. nonetheless i have still been getting some mail in my mailbox. . .monday morning after hitting the gym, i decided to walk to the post office. . mind you, my old apartment is equidistant from two post offices.

so first i went to the one in greenpoint. after waiting for half an hour i was told that i had to pick up my mail at the other post office. once i got there. . i waited for yet another half an hour just to get to the front of the hold line. . . mind you, there were only three people in line before me. . the attendant was extremely slow. . during the wait, i questioned what the pay system is at a post office. i figured there must be very little incentive to actually work efficiently.

once i got to the front, i told the extremely slow attendant (ESA) that my mail was on hold and showed her my ID and a bill to verify my mailing address and asked if i could pick up my mail. she disappeared for fifteen minutes.

ESA: your mail is on hold until the end of december. you can't pick up your mail until the end of december.

v: (incredulously) but i'm physically here at the post office and requesting to get my mail.

ESA: i'm sorry. you can't pick it up.

v: can i cancel the hold.

ESA: no. you're going to have to catch up with your mailman on the street and tell him. he left already.

wtf? how am i supposed to do that?

v: i don't understand why i can't cancel the hold.

ESA: i already did you a favor by going upstairs to look up information for you.

wtf? you are doing your J-O-B, not doing me a favor.

v: i appreciate that. could you please notify the mailman that i want to cancel my hold.

ESA: i'll make a note of it and get to it when i can.

so essentially, after wasting my entire morning, i still have none of my mail. i really am going to have to rank the post office as one of the most annoying places right up there with kinkos. . .

vultures

had very much been looking forward to a girls' night out with Q2. with the new job & the living situation, outings with my girlfriends have become a rarity.

we met up at variety, which has gotten a lot of buzz in the media. . .huge wine lovers, Q2 and i were pretty excited about checking out the venue. . .what we expected to be a laid back, casual spot to grab a glass of wine ended up being a bit aloof, stuffy, and pretentious. while the owner was friendly and eager to please, the food was underwhelming and overprices, the waiters were stingy with bread, and they commited the V pet peeve- overpushing bottled water. . please, water from the sink is fine by me and don't try to trick me by offering "still or fizzy?" and ommitting the tap water option!!!!

that being said, variety seems like a great place to grab a flight or glass of wine. . much more my speed was our second stop, in vino. a cozy wine bar in the east village that is remiscent of a cavernous restaurant in florence. our server was knowledgable, laid back, and friendly. in vino espouses my philosophy towards wine, it is a beverage that should be enjoyed on a daily basis, as determined by one's individual taste buds, without fanfare and fuss. we had an excellent bottle of docletto, bread, and meatballs.

by the last glass, kb joined us. we headed to china1, a spot i hadn't frequented in some time. the crowd was a bit stuffy and we only stayed for a brief while as Q2 started feeling ill. after kb made sure Q2 got home and in bed ok, we headed to our tried and true favorite, verlaine. i don't know what was in the air, but the vultures were definatley hunting. first there was the indian bloke that couldn't stop staring and making awkward conversations that were more silences than actual words. then, there was random scott who pretended to be best friends with one of my bartender-friends just to have a chance to interrupt our conversation. next was some guy who invited us to join their table. . and in the last maneuver, a group of guys invited us to have a shot on the house with them while we were obviously exiting the bar. . .is this really what the singles scene is like???

winter time

winter is here, i feel it when. . .

all i want to do is stay curled up in my warm bed under my down comforter topped by my fuzzy heavy blanket

it takes an additional mental push to walk the three blocks to my gym

i'm cursing the cold as my car heater warms up

the christmas playlist goes on high rotation

i see lines out the door at toys r us with parents queing to buy the hottest toys for their kids

ordering take-out sounds a lot more appealing then dressing up and going out for a night on the town with my girlfriends

the boy and i agree to watch animated christmas classics rather than fight for the remote

empty fridge

during my preparations to move, i packed up almost everything in my kitchen and cleared out my cupboards and fridge. so for the past few days i have been eating out/ordering take out. while the food is tasty, it's rough on the wallet and waistline. . so this morning after i hit the gym, i decided to stop by the grocery store to pick up enough food to get me through a week.

turkey bacon
eggs
cereal & milk
sandwich meat
frozen veggies
etc

the cashier rings me up. i hand over my credit card. the cashier tries to swipe the card and finds that their system is down. she calls the manager. they both fiddle around with it. it's goin to take some time before they figure out what's wrong and get the problem rectified. . . wanting to get goin with my day, i decide to leave without my groceries. a couple minutes into my cold walk back home, the bagger runs out calling my name.

b: it's okay!!! the machine is working.

v: GREAT!

we start walking. as soon as we get back to the store, the cashier waves her hand motioning, no no. the machine is still down.

hopes dashed, having wasted half an hour, i go home starving. . good thing i have some muscle milk powder and almonds to tide me over, otherwise i'd be really grouchy!

stroke of luck

thought i should clarify my living situation on my blog for my friends that i talk to less regularly(v. good point ahamoud).

i had been expecting to move to the UES dec 1st so i notified my landlord that i would be moving out at the end of november. at the end of october, i found out that the new apartment would not be ready for move in until the end of december. unfortunately my landlord had found a new tenant.

via my landlord's real estate broker, i worked a deal with the new tenant and i would sublet my old room and use it as storage for the month of december. then i found a sublet for 3 weeks in december until i could move to the new place.

come dec 1, i finally talked to the new tenant directly and it turns out that he would be out of town for business dec 2nd-15 and he generously told me to take my time moving out. so essentially, i'm squatting at my old apartment until the 14th after which i will bounce around with friends for a couple weeks.

feeling a bit nostalgic

wake up. long ass commute to work. work. long ass commute home. pack. gym. pack some more. sleep for a few hours.

repeat.

needless to say i'm a bit exhausted. i'm moving to the city at the end of the year and will be subletting a room for three weeks.

after a hearty 45 minute cardio session at the gym, i decided to treat myself to dinner and stopped to get take-out. as i walked down bedford, passing my laundromat, anna marie's pizza (perfect for a bit after a late night of carousing), the deli where i pick up milk and snapple, i began to feel nostalgic. williamsburg has been a wonderful place to call home for the past year and change and i'm sad to say goodbye to her.

from the first moment i laid eyes on you, i've loved you. you trendy hipstery place you.

mcarren park where i have had many a therapeutic runs. teddy's, my favorite brunch spot and an unbeatable bloody mary. my beautiful apartment. tops grocery store. my favorite boutiques (pema, red pearl) and vintage shops. maxim where i finally whipped myself back into shape. old polish lady sitting outside with her fat daschund. my fabulous landlord who speaks broken english but always repairs things and never got mad when i repeatedly blew the fuse. black betty. the bagel store which has the best bagels in all of new york. the lazy L train that never works on the weekend.

williamsburg, i'll miss you.

Trip Highlights

1. Drive-in: For the first time in my life I went to a real drive in, the kind you see in old movies and television shows. We borrowed the boy’s dad’s truck, loaded up on snacks, blankets, and were geared up for a double screening- Casino Royale and Stranger Than Fiction. It was loads of fun and definitely a novelty. The only downside is that it was so comfortable that I found myself drifting in and out of sleep.

2. Berryessa Flea Market: Claiming to be one of the largest flea markets in the U.S., this place rocks! How could you not love a place with mariachi bands, cheap tasty foods, an awesome produce market, and everything that you could ever want to buy or never thought you’d need but it’s so darn cheap you want to buy it anyways?

3. The Mission: Met up with M, his partner (who looks an awful lot like Will from Will & Grace), and another couple for dinner in the Mission. Went to a fabulous Mexican restaurant which reminded me how far superior Mexican food is in California vs. the East Coast. . no comparison really. After dinner, we wandered in and out of a few stores and made our way to a French café for crepes. The outing was wonderful but the drive home was brutal. As usual, I was asleep almost instantaneously (I have the uncanny ability to fall asleep on any mode of transportation) and the boy struggled with fatigue the whole drive home. This reminded me of how great mass transit is in NYC.

All-in-all a great trip to No-Cal. It would be great to live there for a few years. . in due time, perhaps when VK makes her move, for now, NYC still has a strong hold on mel.

Forgive the lack of photos for my posts of late. . I’m missing the cord for my camera to upload photos! I will update these with photos once I buy a card reader.

Thanksgiving in the city of Mexicans and Vietnamese

The first thing I noticed when the boy was driving me around on a hunt for coffee (turns out neither of his parents are coffee drinkers) are telltale signs of Mexicans and Vietnamese. From taquerias to banh mi and pho, san jose is comfort food heaven for me!! It also amused me that the boy had to go all the way to NYC to find a Vietnamese girl when he grew up in one of the largest communities of Vietnamese in the states.

Breakfast was cooked by the boy’s dad who turns out to be a foodie and great chef . . . hmmm . . . chorizo scrambled eggs served with the best homemade chili sauce and greasy yet crisp home potatoes. We were stuffed but luckily had 7 or 8 hours to recover our appetites before Thanksgiving dinner.

While I chatted with the boy’s dad and step-mom, the boy and his step-brother attempted to fix his mom’s backup car. Apparently, the car gets infrequent use and every time the boy visits his mom he has problems with it. This visit proved no different- from windows that refused to roll up to doors that temperamentally locked up! Having grown up driving used cars, I just took it in stride.

The rest of the day was a haze of introductions and chitchatting with the boy's family, napping, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and overeating. . .

Traveling to San Jose

i can count on one hand the number of times i've had the urge to file a letter of complaint. . the first time was with a horrible dentist in beverly hills, the second was during my continental flight from newark to san jose. i was fast asleep on the flight, but woke up during the first beverage service. . the boy had been waiting for the flight attendants to announce that passengers were free to move around the plane so that he could use the restroom.

that never happened. . .so the boy was waited another 40 minutes for the flight attendants to finish the beverage service to get up. his plan was foiled when he realized they were immediately starting the food service!!

nasty flight attendant (NFA): steak and swiss sandwich?

the boy was trying to distract himself from his urge to use the restroom by listening to music on his ipod

the boy: sure (the boy glances at the sandwich and realized there is cheese on it). actually no thank you, i don't like cheese.

NFA: rolling her eyes. i said steak and swiss. as in swiss cheese.

i looked up apalled. was this b**ch serious? i could not believe she was so rude!

after they finished the food service, there was a ten minute window to use the restroom. . the boy was the first in line. . after he got back i got up to go. apparently, a lot of people had been waiting to go because the line was long and people were s-l-o-w! i finally get my chance and while i'm in the stall i overhear the NFA complaining that she couldn't start the second beverage service with people in the rows.

what? they just served a beverage service!

NFA then gets on the loudspeakers and tells everyone to get in their seats so they can start the beverage service. by the time i get out, i realize they had already started. . so essentially i was blocked. i walk up to the two flight attendants and ask if i can get in my seat. mind you, i'm sitting in the row behind first class and they could have easily backed up to let me sit down. . instead, NFA complains loudly to her co-worker about how difficult the passengers are making it for her to serve beverages by standing in the aisle. i stifle my urge to slap her and instead proceed to tell her that they made the announcement while i was still in the restroom and i didn't understand why she was being so rude.

she looked right through me but eventually moved the cart so i could sit down. . . seriously, i don't understand their timing was extremely poor and i was just floored by how a flight attendant could be so unhospitable and nasty. in the end i never got the NFA's name, but i still have the flight number and intend to write a letter to customer service.

we arrived at san jose international airport around 8:45 pm on wed night. the boy’s dad picked us up and insisted on taking us to dinner. being the night before thanksgiving, most restaurants were closed which ultimately left us with the option of denny’s and various fast food restaurants (sadly, not in-n-out). we opted for denny’s, where the boy and i discovered it was a study spot for the both of us during our college years. service was s-l-o-w and during the long wait, jetlag set in. the two of us struggled to stay awake and eat our food. after that the boy’s dad dropped us off at his mom’s and headed back to his house. first impression of the boy’s dad was that he was exactly as he had been described- loud, outgoing, brash, a character if you will, and utterly likeable!

NFA:

the screamer

work has been especially hectic of late, and i imagine will be increasingly so with the holiday season drawing near. during this time, i am developing some useful attributes, namely:

1. the ability to say "no"

2. thicker skin

3. the patience of a saint

regardless, i still witness behavior that simply astounds me. on saturday, it was "the screamer".

this particular customer came in to receive help with an order she placed with another company. my company uses the same shipping center so i offered to help. the woman was distraught and upset that several of her orders had been botched up by the other company. after offering my condolences and apologies for the woman's troubles, i called customer service to find out what was happening to her order. this process took about half an hour during which the customer repeatedly worked herself into a frenzy, calling the associate and manager that had helped her at the other store "stupid" and "idiots", yelling on the phone with the poor customer service rep, all the while proclaiming "poor me poor me". while she talked to her daughter on her cell phone, settling another matter, she began screaming to her "SHUT UP" while she was on our phones yelling at the manager at the other store. this scenario played out for another good half hour as she retold her story to every associate that passed her way.

this is why work leaves me drained. but hey, at least it's good blog material.

so hard it hurts

there are only a handful of comedians that can make me laugh so hard it hurts. among this motley crew (dave chapelle, chris rock, will ferrell, and my brother) is russell peters. known for his amazing ability to perfectly mimic any accent and ethnic jokes, i feel that his humor has broad appeal while not resorting to excessive use of profanity or crudeness.

indian-canadian, he has made a name of himself via youtube and his jokes about stereotypes.

http://letsget.bz/fun/Russell%20Peters.wmv

needless to say, when theng, q2, and i went to see him perform live friday night, there was a hugely diverse (i don't recall seeing a single caucasian) audience. haven't been around so many asians since 2005 halloween party!

the show was worth every pennny and i was relieved that much of the material was new. i completely lost myself in laughter for two hours, forgetting all my day to day stresses and troubles. . .

bowl no-mor

as many of you know, i do not have the best hand-eye coordination. . . a fact i attribute, perhaps unfairly, to a childhood in which i was discouraged from playing sports (e.g. scarred knees and legs are not attractive and you should be studying). despite that, there are things that i love to do but that i'm not very adept at. namely, iceskating/roller blading, bowling, tennis, billiards, and etc.

so last night's outing with the boy, his co-worker & his date, + date's friends at bowl-mor near union square was at once fun and nerve wracking. in the beginning, i was relaxed and all about enjoying myself after everyone assured me that they weren't very good. . . plus how bad could it be, we're just a bunch of adults throwing a bowl down lanes and trying to knock some pins down.

in the first round of the first set, i did ok. i got 7 pins and some people got none. then the second round came and everyone started playing better, having warmed up. . .except for me. initially, everyone was super supportive, cheering anyways and giving pointers. . . but at some point, it just became embarassing.

to make matters worse, the boy has great form and was picking up spares left and right. and his form of encouragement?

come on honey, you can do it.

alright, you need to pick it up a little.

if you get a spare, you won't be last.

argggg.

of course i came in dead last. but we all decided to play a second round -me somewhat grudgingly. . bowling isn't fun!

my turn. i found a ball that had larger holes and released more easily than the ones i used in the first set. i slowed down and consciously made sure that my wrist didn't twist as i released the ball. bingo!!! i got down most of the pins and picked up the spare!!!

my game turned around and i managed to bring my score to the middle of the pack. . .yay, bowling is fun! don't be surprised to find me at bowl-mor during "happy hours" styling in my bowling shoes and perfecting my game!

the hot new dance???

http://video.umrg.com/webstar/chickennoodlesoup/

cheers to trinidad

monday afternoon i decided i had to get my hair re-highlighted, the roots had grown in and it was starting to drive me crazy. i try to go only 3-4 times a year, it's not easy on the pocketbook. . . although my salon is reasonably priced for manhattan.

in any case, i was able to schdule an appointment for tuesday afternoon at 3pm. getting my hair done is an event. usually, it takes beau a good 3 hours (minimum, once i spent 4 hours having my hair colored) to work his magic.

i walked in armed with two photos of hair colors that i liked. sat down in my chair and while beau started playing with my hair, i announced, "i want to go back to blonde!" we discussed hair color and cut for a bit, then he started working.

one of the newbies offered me coffee. about 30 minutes into the coloring job, i heard petra, the salon owner talkin to the receptionist.

P: Mix me some grape juice and white wine

R: That's so ghetto

P: It's GOOD! V do you want some?

V: thinkin for a second. . sure, why not?

P: Great!

an hour and a half later, petra's sister and nephew come to visit. he's an adorable little boy. they all fawn over him. i'm tryin not to move while i'm sitting with my hair resting in the sink, hair slathered with toner.

petra walks around with a short glass. rum (from trinidad) and coke.

P: V want to try some? it's unbelievable!

B: it's really great. . . the distillation process is so good that even low grade alcohol is good. i never feel sick after drinking it.

V: sure, i'll try it. take a sip . . it's really smooth!

by then, beau had finished cutting my hair. . it was time to blowdry and i walked out with my hair looking great and a little buzzed. . . i love my salon!

the idealistic architect

met up with Q2 at our old standby verlaine last night. . . it's nice to have a go-to place where you start to see the same people and know the bartenders. in any case, this ladies night was all about catching up and dishing about relationships rather than having a crazy night out.

by the middle of the night, we ended up making conversation and befriending Harc, an architect born in taiwan, raised partially in texas, and now living in nyc. Harc had quit his job that same day and was at verlaine, a day early to see a photo exhibit- photography being a hobby of his. we ended up discussing past failed relationships, taking risks in life and love, aspirations, finding balance in life, and etc with a degree of earnest that only strangers or close friends could.

while we may never see Harc again, it's somehow comforting to know that living in a big city of strangers, you can connect and meet interesting, friendly people when you least expect it.

p.s. i love you

so, warner brothers is filming p.s. i love you on my street. . in theory this is cool, the celebrity stalker in me is kinda excited i may spot some stars. . .the downside is no street parking on my block and near vicinity. major inconvenience especially given the cold and already limited parking spaces. not only that, but my favorite brunch spot, teddy's is closed for a couple weeks!!! that being said, i'll still watch the movie so that i can try to spot my apartment and favorite willie-b haunts!

anyways, a synopsis of the movie provided by http://thecia.com.au/reviews/p/p-s-i-love-you.shtml:

Everyone needs a guardian angel...

Some people wait their whole lives to find their soul mates. But not Holly (Hilary Swank) and Gerry (Gerard Butler). Childhood sweethearts, they could finish each other's sentences and even when they fought, they laughed. No one could imagine Holly and Gerry without each other. Until the unthinkable happens. Gerry's death devastates Holly. But as her 30th birthday looms, Gerry comes back to her. He's left her a bundle of notes, one for each of the months after his death, gently guiding Holly into her new life without him, each note signed "PS, I love you".

As the notes are gradually opened, and as the year unfolds, Holly is both cheered up and challenged. The man who knows her better than anyone sets out to teach her that life goes on.

With some help from her friends, and her noisy and loving family, Holly finds herself laughing, crying, singing, dancing - and being braver than ever before.
Life is for living, she realises - but it always helps if there's an angel watching over you.

an asian girl walks into an oyster bar. . .

last night VK treated me to dinner at the oyster bar at grand central terminal (VK rocks!). i took the train into the city and realized how much i miss the subway and the hustle and bustle of manhattan. . . more motivation for me to work hard and towards a transfer into the city. in any case, i arrived at the oyster bar early.

V (speaking to the maitre d'): i have reservations for two at 7pm

maitre d': last name?

V: K

matire d': would you like to be seated or have a drink at the bar?

i glance over to the bar. i have not gotten over my dislike for sitting by myself at restaurants.

V: i'll have a drink at the bar

matire d': great. it's our anniversary and also the bartender's birthday. you can spoil your dinner with some cake!

V: what's the bartender's name?

maitre d': marcello

V: great, thanks!

i walk over to the bar and wait while the bartender, an older gentleman, busily makes drinks, insists everyone try cake. he looks happy. finally, the bartender looks in my direction.

Marcello: how can i help you, young lady?

V: Marcello? (he nods) I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday!

Marcello smiles warmly and extends his hand forward. Assuming he wants my credit card, I put it in his hand.

Marcello: Thank you! I just wanted to say thank you. What would like to drink?

V: dirty martini with Belvedere please.

Marcello: We have Grey Goose, is that okay?

V: sure, that's fine.

I end up making conversation with a couple from Long Island. They lived in the Hamptons for 10 years, now she commutes into the city for work and he, an aspiring musician, wants to move to Manhattan. After chatting for 15 minutes and exchanging names, I notice VK waiting outside the restaurant doors. I step forward and she notices me. I go back to the bar and try to settle my tab.

Marcello: It's on me. I'll see you again?

V: Definately.

Great start to a wonderful evening with my girl. The food was excellent- we enjoyed wine, oysters, MD crabcakes, and boullibase. The waiter was knowledgeable and efficient. . .but the draw will be the friendly company at the bar, the good drinks, and Marcello.

because i don't know how to relax

i decided to help plan my high school's 10 year reunion. . yea yea. . i'm not afraid to date myself!

just b/c a new job and moving in a month aren't enough to keep me busy every single second of the day- i decided to pick up another project. . . have got to keep my event planning skills up, y'know? also need to keep myself busy until another wedding gig comes along.