NYE

I saw this and thought it was hysterical... because it's so true!

Book Club Friday: The Hunger Games

"In Suzanne Collins’ riveting tale of life in North America after its destruction, a powerful Capitol emerges as residents of its twelve outlying Districts individually struggle to survive under its bleak rule. Living under the constant reminder that the Capitol obliterated District 13 when the people incited a rebellion decades before, 16-year old Katniss Everdeen quietly carves out a path of meager survival for herself, her younger sister, Prim, and their widowed mother under the Capitol’s strict regime.

Each year, the Capitol assembles its Gamemakers to create an elaborate arena filled with deadly trigger points and calls upon one girl and one boy from each of the twelve Districts to play in its nationally televised Hunger Games. On the Day of Reaping when 24 children are selected to fight to the death, Katniss is whisked away from her daily quest for survival alongside her friend Gale, and thrust into the elaborate Capital as she is prepared for the Hunger Games.

In this world of instant gratification and superficial people, Katniss contends with her drunken, disengaged mentor, Haymitch, and wrestles with her feelings about her co-Tribute from District 12, Peeta Mellark. Growing up apart from Peeta in the same District, Katniss struggles to determine if Peeta is the boy who once showed her an act of kindness pivotal to her family’s survival, or if his actions are motivated to keep himself alive, as the Capital will allow only one Tribute to survive the Hunger Games’ treacherous arena.

In the days to come, Katniss must fend for her survival against the natural elements and the vicious Careers, who are Tributes who’ve trained for the Hunger Games their entire lives. Katniss meets a young Tribute whose likeness to Prim tears at her heartstrings and she continues to process what Peeta’s motives could be as the end draws near. Should she kill these two or be killed? If Katniss wins, her family will be handsomely taken care of and her District will receive the additional food it so desperately needs to survive." [from here]

I loved this book. I read it in one sitting (granted, I was also stuck on a place for over 7 hours lol). But I haven't found a book that was such a page turner in so long...seriously riveting. I also can't wait for the movie,... and to read the other 2 books in the series!!

Have you read this? What did you think?

Merry Christmas!

That is exactly what I did this year!

I spent Christmas Eve with C and his parents. We went to church, and then went to dinner at his mom's and had delish sauseeeg and peppers on rolls, salad, and yummy potatoes. And wine...lots of wine :) 

We also opened presents from/to his parents. 

I loved what I got them. For his mom, I made a personalized calendar, complete with birthdays and other special dates from Vistaprints, "Bad Teacher" and "The Holiday" DVD's (she loves romcoms like me!)  and this super cute bird feeder from Red Envelope!

C also got her a gift card from Macy's and one of her fave restaurants. 

For his dad, we got 2 bottles of red wine, a red wine aerator, a varsity style scarf (with his initial) , and Marshall headphones (apparently they're top notch,...or so C tells me) ... because his dad is a drum player. 

Christmas morning we slept in a little, took our obligatory "in front of our Christmas tree" pic (which will not be posted here because honestly, no one looks good when they just wake up!), and opened presents. 

I got so many awesome presents! Barnes n Nobles gift card, a $500 restaurant.com gift card (from my bff in PR...so redic but awesome!!), long johns, a cute flannel shirt, and monies from C's parents, monies from my mom and grandpa, and a few tops from mama as well. 

Stocking Stuffers: BBW Japanese Cherry Blossom set (my fave!), small Bali Mango lotion (yumm!), lip gloss, and Stila "Wonderful in Waikiki" make up set

Hunter Original Tall Glossy in Gray and black fleece socks

and my new jewelry box

but I may have had more fun giving than getting this year!

I don't know why this keeps coming out sideways... but anyway, these are some of C's presents. Sublime ft. Rome CD, a homemade calendar, The Hangover beer coozy, a Christmas CD he got from a friend, chocolate, iTunes gift card, a mini Battleship game and batteries, and ...

PHILLIES SPRING TRAINING TICKETS!!

That's right, we are headed to Clearwater, Fl for Phillies Spring Training on March 15th!! So freaking excited!

I got the tickets in October, and it's been soooo hard trying to keep it a secret! It also happens to be his "winter break" and our good friend from Florida's birthday weekend! Ahhh could not work out better!! Can't wait!

And I can't wait to see how my friends like the presents I got them, and see what I got, over New Years!

Did you get anything you really wanted this year, or give any amazing presents? Please share!

Things To Do With Your New iPhone

Sooo I got an iPhone for Christmas/Birthday! It's actually my first "smart"phone, so I'm super excited!! This is what I've been doing with it so far...

take pictures

(yes, this is a real product, selling in Toys R Us...I wish I knew someone I could get this for!)

tweet

uhhh...i mean....

discover the joy of hitting pigs with birds

shazam it, then watch the video, and download the song

check in to locations and get discounts, and check out the tips

(seriously, I didn't know you could do this... but I "checked in" to a restaurant the other night and we got $10 off our order! Sweeeet!)

learn to use the rest of my phone

yeah,... still working on this part!!

What do you like to do on your phone? Got any fave apps I should check out?

Tunery Tuesday: SuperHeavy "Satyameva Jayathe"

This is my new favorite song. Maybe I'm still missing the music of India, but I love the whole vibe of this song. C bought the CD, and this is a close number 1 with "Miracle Worker." If you've never heard of this "band", here's a little knowledge for you, courtesy of Wikipedia:

"SuperHeavy is a supergroup consisting of Mick Jagger, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, A. R. Rahman, and Damian Marley. Stone and Stewart have collaborated in the past with Jagger. Jagger said of the band, "We wanted a convergence of different musical styles... We were always overlapping styles, but they were nevertheless separate".Jagger wanted SuperHeavy to showcase different musical styles, with music ranging from reggae to ballads to Indian genre."

Enjoy!

Go Shawty, It's Your Birfday...

Yaaaaay! My birthday! I *love* my birthday! I'm not one of those people who dreads their birthday, cursing the day that brings them that much closer to 30. Nope, not me. Maybe next year, but I highly doubt it. In fact, next year, I plan on doing it BIG, because it will be my Golden Birthday- 12/12/12!!! I've already started telling friends to keep it clear because I want to go on a trip- I'm thinking a weekend getaway in New Orleans, since I've never been and I hear it's awesome. Plus, it's not too far, and I see getaway deals there all the time.

I'm not one of those people who keeps it all "hush hush", hoping no one notices it's their day. I don't understand those types. Shoot, I made brownies last night to bring to work! I figure, I love brownies, and would love to eat them all afternoon, and my coworkers love snacks. I see it as a win-win!

I'm not one of those people who thinks they are "too old" to have a party to celebrate it either. This year, my friends are joining me for a fun night of bowling! I'm super excited. Being that my day falls on a Monday this year (boo!), we will be going out next Saturday. Tonight, my love is cooking me my absolute favorite dinner- chicken parmesan! I can't wait... he makes a meeaaaaaan parm.

I love getting all the notifications on Facebook of people writing on my wall. Sure, I know they wouldn't remember if there wasn't a reminder feature, but whatever- it warms my little heart that people would go out of their way to send a little birthday wish my way! Even people who I haven't spoken to in years... it's like an open invitation to reopen those lines of communication. It also reminds me of friends lost, those who did not post, but then I just think about all the ones who did, and the new friends I've made, and I get all warm and fuzzy again!!

I love my outfit today, and my new bangles that actually fit that I bought on my trip. I love my nails that I had done yesterday (Opi's Black Cherry Chutney- dark and delicious!). I loved my coffee this morning, and my ipod playing all my favorites, and that my commute went without a hitch... and that I took a cab after the train instead of the bus and didn't feel guilty about it! I'm just so grateful for everything today!

I'm Back!!!

I've finally returned from India and being sick! 

I actually got back to the U.S. on December 1st, but then I was knocked down by a mean case of bronchitis :( 

But I am feeling much better now, only a few more days of antibiotics to go and I should be 100%. I'll definitely have some more pics and stories to come, but I just wanted to say Hello! And I missed you guys!!

no, this is NOT a Photo Shopped pic! Just great photography by C!

Awesome and Awkward

Awesome: Eating lots of candy because of a lack of trick-or treaters/ over buying

Awkward: Getting trapped on a train on Halloween night- the train I was on lost power- so I wound up sitting in the dark, locked in the train, with a bunch of strangers...on Halloween...makings of a scary movie? I think so!

Awesome: The Boyfriend not pointing out my third eye blemish

Awkward: My close-talking (Asian) male superior at work pointing at it and and wincing "OOOOooooh...I so sooorry!" and again the next day... "Oh yeah, still there, so sorry!"

Awesome: Getting my laptop fixed for only $40 (it was the power cord)

Awkward: Being without a  laptop (and not posting) for a week...sorry guys!

Awesome: Going to Buffalo Wild Wings for Sunday Funday!

Awkward: Going with 8 male friends and one other girl, all shouting at the multiple huge flat screens, and apparently having ADD and not being able to focus on a single game!

(how I usually feel about football time, except when enjoying it at a bar with my boo and friends!)

A Lesson in Polish

me: how do u see hi in polish again?

10:36 AM say*

18 minutes

10:54 AM C: I don't know how to spell it. Yahck shimash

  Say it like I spelled it

  Yahk shimash

10:55 AM Yahk shimaash

  Did u get it?

 me: is that a silent h

  in yahk

 C: Yes.

 me: why would u put in a silent letter when u tell me to say it how u spelled it!

 C: Not yak, like the animal. Yahk

 me: ok

10:56 AM C: Like open up and say ahh

 me: mash like mash potatoes

 C: Yahk

 me: ok ok!

 C: No not like mash

 me: like outkast hey ya

  with a k at the end

10:57 AM C: The "mash" is also pronounced like the "hey ya"

  Right. Yahk. Shi-m"ah"sh

 me: got it

10:58 AM C: :-)

 me: like maaa...the meatloaf! with with a -sh at the end

 C: Lol. Yes
I love our G-chat convos :)

Newport, RI Wedding Weekend Pt. 3

I didn't forget the ending of this mini-series! These were taken on our last day in Newport....or actually leaving Rhode Island. C wanted to take a "Fall Foliage Tour" on the way home, so we took the very scenic route. Unfortunately, his plans were thwarted by the still-quite-green trees! But we did have a wonderful Sunday drive!

All of these were taken near a lake in Connecticut...

and yes it was October and I'm in a tank top...it was really that warm!

scenic overlook

mural

C and waterfall

me and my beau

love the reflection on the water- C is a great photographer!

This was a little farm we found while driving that boasted having fresh maple syrup. It was kind of weird- the house was a refurbished farm (that part was awesome), and we had to drive around it to the back (following signs). We got out and walked around a little bit, looking for a person. When no one appeared, we figured no one was home so we started pulling away and were almost back on the "main" road, when a woman came around the house finishing a sandwich- apparently we had interrupted her lunch! But she was super nice, and we bought some real Connecticut maple syrup....and it is de-lish!!

Best Costume Yet

Everyone in these parts has been complaining about the snowstorm that hit yesterday, and the fact that a lot of them weren't able to go out and party in their costumes. Luckily, I had no such plans, and was more than happy to stay warm inside, plan my vacation to India (in just 18 days!! wooot!!), and watch movies. However, I did see this costume and it made me laugh out loud-- love it!

My friend's boyfriend as The Situation- Italy style

What have you been up to this weekend?

Spending Recap: October 13- 28, 2011

So. This is what the budget is supposed to be:

Other
Eating Out: $50.00/week
Shopping: $60.00/week
Entertainment: $25.00/week
Beauty/Wellness: $30.00/ month
Miscellany: $200.00/month


And this is what actually happened in 2 weeks:

Bills/Fixed Payments

Groceries: $50.00 + $30.00
Budgeted: $300/month
Total (including last recap's $40.00): $120
*I think I need to re-assess the grocery budget; closer to $150 or $200...

Shopping
FYE: $16.00 (present for C's mom)
Bath and Body Works: $30.00
Hallmark Store Candles: $20.00
Halloween Store: $48.00 (?) (present for godson)
2 presents for C
Budgeted: $60/week, so $120
Total: $114.00 (not including C presents)
Miscellany
Bachelorette Party Check: $86.00
*Not sure if the presents noted in Shopping should really go here? That might make more sense...Budgeted: $200/month
Total (including the last recap's $280): $366.00

Eating Out
C dinner: $55.00
V dinner: $25.25
Stevens: $7.50
Food with mom: $11.50
Budgeted: $50.00/week, so $100

Total: $99.25
Entertainment
Drinks with girlfriend: $35.00
Stuff at Pumpkin Farm: $20.00
Beer: $25.00
Budgeted: $25.00/week, so $50.00Total: $80.00



Umm. Yeah.
I don't even want to look at these numbers/budgeting anymore. I suck at this, apparently.

In my defense, I've had one friend, C's mom, and C's birthdays this month. And a wedding. And me and C's anniversary. That's a whole lot of very special occasions!!

However, I did not budget properly for all of this. I knew they were coming up. So,...that was my major mistake. I also did not use the envelope method as I said I would. I looked in my office and at home, and couldn't find envelopes, and thought that was a valid excuse. Noooo, no, no! I must get some envelopes. This is my problem with cash- I don't track it. If I used envelopes, I would be able to write down exactly what I'm spending on, when I'm spending it.

Le Sigh...

Happy Birthday Boo!

Today is C's Birthday!

Here is another dose of Scorpio info for my Scorpio man!

October 27 Scorpios are complicated individuals who like to walk on the wild side. Their quiet personality seems to hide something dangerous and volcanic. They can make others notice them because they're magnetic. While some might use this power to manipulate, they rarely attempt that.
I've actually never seen him be truly wild, but I have heard stories from his younger days!

Friends and Lovers
Few people make more loyal friends than those born on October 27. Their love nature is extreme. They love so deeply they nearly become the person they love. This has its drawbacks, including fits of jealousy. They are often involved in tempestuous love affairs.
He has never, ever been jealous. I've actually gotten mad about this. And not liking this "love affair" part this mentions!

Children and Family
October 27 people feel bound to their upbringing. Though they may have experienced an estrangement from family, they inevitably mend fences. They make good parents, although because of busy professional lives, they will depend heavily on a spouse for child-rearing.
He will be Mr. Mom and he will love it! Haha, just kidding! He is quite close to his parents though, and has a tat in memory of his grandmother on his chest.

Health
It's difficult for October 27 people to banish their all-or-nothing attitude from health matters. Either they faithfully adhere to a fitness program or they ignore exercise. Food and drink can be problematical for them. The downfall of many is their habit of taking huge servings. They need to eat five small meals rather than three huge ones.
Haha he doesn't exercise...and he does eat a lot! But he's not chubby miraculously!

Career and Finances
Because October 27 individuals understand the balance of power that exists in every relationship, they are canny judges of others. They make fine supervisors, mentors, teachers, and coaches. October 27 men and women have a common-sense attitude about finances.
He's a teacher! And he is good with his finances!

Dreams and Goals
October 27 people are very complex; they walk the tightrope between excitement and high risk. There's so much contradiction in their behavior that it's difficult to know how they'll react from one moment to the next. Those born on this date have the energy to accomplish amazing things in their lifetimes.
He's pretty moody, but loveable!

via

Happy birthday boo! Hope all your dreams and wishes come true! And hope you have the bestest year yet!

Newport, RI Wedding Weekend Pt. 2

The day after the wedding, the whole crew went to do a little sightseeing in Newport.

Our first stop? The Breakers- the summer home of the Vanderbilts!

Unfortunately, we couldn't take any pics inside the mansion, but I assure you it was over the top and gaudy as anything- many of the rooms were decked out in solid, brassy gold!

Like the view from our back patio?!

The following were taken on our "Cliff Walk".

Some other crazy big mansion. We didn't do the full 5- mansion tour, but this was one we saw on our hike.

the girls

I would like to point out my attire. You see, I thought Newport, R.I. in early October would be chilly. I insisted on purchasing those cute brown boots you see here the night before we left, as I didn't own any riding boots and was trying to be super cute. I dragged poor C to the mall and into at least 5 stores before he found these boots that I adore.

I did not, however, look at the weather. Nor did I bring any "warm weather" clothing.

Ummm...it was 80 degrees.

No joke. So here I am, in my cute boots, jeans, purple (long sleeve) shirt, and corduroy jacket. D'oh!

These are the Forty Steps. We did not walk up/down them, but here they are.

 "During Newport's Golden Age, the Forty Steps were a gathering place for the servants and workers from the nearby mansions." via

Lobster Roll:

I have never had a lobster roll, and I was on a mission to have one in New England before I left. I was NOT disappointed. If you have never had one, you need to. Just sayin'. It's basically chunks of delicious lobster (notice the full claw!) in I think just some mayo, atop lettuce and a savory, buttery, toasted roll, somewhat like a hot dog roll but not really. It was so good I had 2.

And, I was lucky enough to have it here, at Pick Pockets Deli, which boasts the best lobster rolls in Newport. I didn't have any others, but theirs was delectable.

After our mansion tour and lunch, we headed back to the bride and groom's bed and breakfast for a wine and cheese party.

The boo and I

The girls on the "bad girl" porch. The other guests were in the backyard, but we liked lounging in the sun in the front. Plus, we were too tired to be extra social- we just wanted to chill.

It helped that our guys were there too!

Conclusion coming soon!

3 Years

Dear C,

Source: Uploaded by user via Dani on Pinterest

I love you, even when you're being annoying...

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...and even when you make me mad...

Source: 20x200.com via Dani on Pinterest

I love going on long drives and getting lost with you...

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I love the way our initials look next to each other...

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I love cuddling and snuggling with you....

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and being nakey and silly too...

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I love doing nothing together...

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Source: amazon.com via Dani on Pinterest

I love your weirdness, your kindness, your wisdom and your smile. I love your hugs, your enthusiasm, your drive and your corny jokes (yeah, I said it!). I love our adventures and travels (and the fact that you sleep on planes... teehee!).

Thanks for 3 great years boo! Here's to a whole lot more!