Last Weekend of 2014

This month has flown by faster than I can even process it, but it's also been a ton of fun. Friday night, I went out for my friend's birthday. Her party was on Saturday, but I knew I had other plans, so I made sure to hang out with her on her actual birthday. The only weird part was running into my ex, RJ. Luckily my friend had given me a head's up before I got to the bar, but I was still a little worried/uncomfortable. However, there was nothing to be worried about at all (isn't that how these things usually work out?)- we stayed on opposite sides of the bar, and he left before me.

bday shenanigans

On Saturday, Seattle had a whole evening planned out as my Christmas present. We were supposed to see the tree, then go to dinner and ice skating in Bryant Park. We went to see the tree in Rockefeller Center and then randomly found a hookah lounge. I haven't had hookah in forever, and he's never had it, so it was fun to introduce him to something new. And then we headed over to Celsius for dinner. However, he had a Groupon and it wasn't good until after January 2nd! We decided to just find some dinner somewhere else and table the ice skating/dinner for sometime in the next few weeks.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree...

So where did we go? One of the most famous food carts in all the land- The Halal Guys! He's never had this either, but it was warm enough to eat outside, so after waiting on line for what seemed like forever, we got our eat on. And it was freakin delicious. We had a little trouble getting home (he should've let me handle the public transportation, since I know it better than he does, but I think he was trying to take charge of something). We got on the wrong bus home, but it wasn't too terrible, we were one town over. So we stopped in a local tavern for a drink, where he ran into some high school friends that he introduced me to, and then I got us a cab back. Overall, though we didn't go along with the plan at all, it was pretty damn perfect. 

street meats...nom

On Sunday, I got my Christmas present from Blue- tickets to the Giants/Eagles game at Metlife Stadium! Blue came early with bagels with cream cheese and Doritos (it's a high school favorite- don't judge), and a huge bottle of Jack and Coke which we guzzled on the trains to the game. I was a little worried about the impending rain, but it never came, and the Eagles won, and we had a blast!! And then we came back and got delivery from a local diner- I still can't believe that this diner delivers. I got disco fries, mozzerella sticks, and a sandwich, and we just hung out watching Game of Thrones. Another great, low key ending.

Go Eagles!

So that's what I've been up to. I can't believe it's almost New Years already- and then work on Friday... WOMP! I'm not making any resolutions, and I'm heading to a friend's house party, so I'm really excited for that. 

What have you been up to? Are you making any resolutions? 

Pre-Christmas Weekend Updates

I feel like this is the birthday that goes on and on, and I sort of kind of love it! Last week we had our work holiday bowling party, and even got a visit from Santa! And the my coworker won a tricky tray of Eagles stuff and gave it to me for Christmas! Woot woot! Unfortunately, the people putting the basket together kinda messed up though- and included a Green Bay Packers jersey! Gah!! Oh well, the rest of the stuff is pretty awesome. And I can't wait to use some of it at the game on Sunday!

"OMG SANTA! I KNOW HIM!"

Eagles gear!

Friday night I was planning on going to an ugly sweater Christmas party, but I didn't have an ugly sweater, or any inspiration to make one, so I backed out. Instead, I stayed in and hung out until Blue came back from her holiday party, and then we went out for Taco Bell. I had a major Taco Bell craving, so this was basically the perfect ending to the week. It really is all about the little things.

Saturday was spent mainly lounging and feeling like death. I think I finally got the cold that has been going around the office for the past 2 weeks. ::grumble:: Around 3 I got up and made some of my pumpkin Oreo cheesecake cupcakes to go with the bday dinner Blue was making for me- chicken parm-- my absolute favorite. She cooked while I wrapped Christmas presents. Then I tried to kill my cold with wine (it helped) and watched Elf and Love Actually. They're my favorite holiday movies and was in shock that Blue hadn't seen either of them. Luckily for our friendship, she liked them both :)

I love Buzzfeed quizzes

Sunday morning started at the diner, followed by more lounging and reading. Thankfully I'm feeling a little better, and happy that today is the last day of work until January 2nd!! 

How was your weekend? 

Friday Favorites

Good morning loves! I'm finally back to link up my favorites. I'm too tired and seriously wishing Dunkin Donuts delivered  and can't think of any more of an intro so here we go...

Favorite (Christmas) Music:

And my old favorite:

Favorite (Physical) Birthday Present (as in not including the dinner/concert):

Favorite New Purchase:

Favorite Wish List Item:

Favorite Funnies:

This card....

Happy weekend all!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Part of the reason I've been MIA was because my birthday was last Friday! And like any overly excited birthday girl, I started celebrating a week early. My other friend J's birthday was 2 weeks before mine, so we decided to have a no-boys-allowed, very small, bday brunch. We went to Il Bastardo with a few friends and got the prix frixe brunch, followed by a dance party... at 2 in the afternoon. And our friends even ordered us a special firecracker/sparkler dessert with whip cream and cookies. It was awesome. 

birthday girls

mimosas done right- in mason jars!

Oh yeah- there were also dancers. I don't remember that guy... oops

birthday "cake"

Last Wednesday my other friend took me out to dinner at Becco, followed by 102.7's Fresh Holiday Jam concert, including American Authors, Echosmith, Gavin Degraw, Daughtry, and Train! First of all, the dinner was off. the. hook. It was a very small, packed restaurant with some of the best all you can eat pasta I've ever had. They serve 3 different kinds, and they keep coming around until you tell them to stop. Of course they have other entrees, but pasta and wine are my favorite. And the concert was absolutely fantastic. 

#nom

deeeelish

Train

Blue and I at the concert

The next day we went to the diner, followed by this deliciousness, known as the cannoli-filled cronut, an original at Benny's in Fair Lawn, NJ. Mind you, this bakery run should have taken 15 minutes. It took us almost an hour because we kept missing the exits. It was a true "Big Ben, Parliament" experience. But as I've always said, the journey can be as fun as the destination.

cannoli-filled deliciousness covered in sugar and chocolate

Oh Hey... Confessions

Hey friends! It's been a while since I've updated this little space but I've been a bit preoccupied. Anyway, as it is Wednesday, I'm spilling some of what I've been up to in confession form. So without further ado, I confess::

- I absolutely love my birthday. I don't understand people who don't make a big deal out of it. (Update soon!)

- Something bad always happens on my birthday. This year I dropped my brand-spankin-new iPhone 6 which I got on Black Friday. Which I did not buy a case for, and the screen is all broken. The replacement literally cost me more than the purchase of the phone (I had scored an awesome deal at Best Buy).

- Work has been a major pain in my ass. My coworker has been out for a month because she broke her foot, which means I have to do everything. Plus, I'm getting pulled into a huge meeting with all the head honchos set for early January and I'm completely unprepared.

- I usually am a total Grinch around this time, but it's not too bad this year! I put up my tree, watched The Holiday, and having a holiday movie marathon on Saturday.

- I finished my first graduate class and got an A!!!

- Sorry for being MIA, But I think I'm back!

An Epic Weekend

I can't believe it's Monday already! I think I say this most Mondays but this one was filled to the brim with lots of fun times and I though I'm exhausted, it was great to see so many people that I haven't seen in a while.

Thursday:
This weekend was the 150th Rivalry game of my alma mater, and it was being held right here at Yankee Stadium (how cool is that?!). One of the best parts is that lots of people flew in and/or came here for the game. Unfortunately I didn't get a ticket, because when I was originally asked, it was right after my grandpa had passed away and the following shitstorm, and I really couldn't focus on a game at that time. One of my closest friends was flying in from California though, and came a day early just to hang out with me. He wanted to eat "something Jerseyan," so I promptly took him to the nearest diner. After filling up, we went out for some pool and drinks. It was so great to catch up with someone who knows me so well, someone who I could just be with, I didn't have to be on. Does that make sense? Either way, it was great to catch up, especially since I haven't seen him in about 3-4 years.

#trainstationselfies

Friday:
Friday night was spent with Blue, pizza, beer, and a mini-John Hughes/Molly Ringwald marathon. I finally saw "The Breakfast Club" and "Pretty in Pink." I have to say, I think my expectations were a little too high for the former. This may be due to Beca's reaction in "Pitch Perfect;" I was definitely not close to tears. I really liked "Pretty in Pink" though. Overall, it was a perfect Friday night. #homebody

Blue attacking me in a Darth Vader mask, because why not?

Saturday: 

Saturday was pretty lazy, and time to catch up with myself from the prior couple of (super) late nights. After relaxing and some errands, I headed out to a friend's birthday party at Barcade. I had actually heard a lot about how cool this place was, and suggested it for the party, so I'm really glad they chose to have it here! Also, I hadn't seen one of my bffs in about 2 months (at least), so it was great to finally hang out. 

shots, fun times, and Seattle

the ladies

group shot

I may have mentioned this before, but I am severely directionally challenged. So when my friend Seattle picked me up and handed me his phone and told me to navigate to Barcade, I had to admit this. I don't think he realized just how bad I was though until we missed not one, but several, turns. Luckily, he didn't get mad. Instead, he nicknamed me "Chewie" from Star Wars. I think he even changed my name to that in his phone. He sent me this pic yesterday, and I literally lol'ed. (And of course we then played the Star Wars game at the bar.)

Han Solo and Chewbacca

Sunday:

I was up fairly early to meet up with some more college friends for brunch, but they were pretty banged up from the day before. Instead, I headed out to NYC with my mom to visit my great aunts. They are not doing so great, but I'm really glad I got a chance to see them. 

It really was an epic weekend, and I'm so grateful I got to see so many people. I'm also really grateful that it's a 2-day work week. Woohoo! 

So, how was your weekend? 

What's Your Agenda?

This weekend was pretty tame. Friday night I was supposed to have a girls night in, but my friend cancelled on me last minute. I really didn't mind, since I wanted to relax and prep for a date on Saturday. However even if I stay in, I seem to get into trouble. I spent a good portion of the evening apologizing and trying to explain to a new friend that I'm not into women. And then I felt bad, even though she knew this from the beginning.

Saturday I realized that I work much better with a schedule. I don't know how this happened- I used to hate schedules and routines, but it's true. My date was supposed to be at 7:30, but he cancelled around 3. Womp womp. I sat around thinking of all the stuff I should be doing, but was just kind of bummed and did a whole lot of nothing. I was really excited to be going out, especially since I knew (via FB) that RJ would be nearby (his sister's bf's bday was that night at the local bar), and I didn't want to be home in case he stopped by all drunk and dramatic. I was invited to the party too, but figured I wouldn't go since he was going to be there. But then I decided to throw caution to the wind. I figured if he showed up, I would just leave. And wouldn't you know, he didn't even come. I had a great night out with friends, and was so happy that I decided to just do me and not worry too much about him.

Sunday was pretty much a repeat of Saturday, except I actually accomplished some things. And then I went out to watch the Eagles get destroyed (seriously though, what WAS that?!). So I'm sitting there, minding my own business, and this older guy comes and sits next to me. I've seen him a bunch of times, so I'm friendly. We're just talking about the game, and all of a sudden he gets all serious.

He's like, "Can I ask you a question? What's your agenda?"
me: "I don't have one."
him: "Everyone has an agenda. What's yours? And if you don't mind me asking, how old are you?
me: "I'm 30. And I really don't have an agenda."
him: "I'm 54. I mean, I've seen you here a bunch of times. I usually sit back and people watch, I'm an observer. So I guess I'm wondering, why do you come here?"
me: "Well, I like it here. No one bothers me. And it's close, has every football game, and cheap beer."
him: "Huh. Ok. Every time I see you, you just seem so in control of everything. You act more like a 54 year old woman. I don't mean anything disrespectful. I was just wondering. You seem like a good person."

I thanked him and left. I was on my way out anyway. The whole conversation just seemed odd to me. and made me think. I literally went, watched the game and had a beer, and left. And that was because I had been in my apartment all day and just wanted to get out a little bit. I'm confused. Why can't I just like to go somewhere? Why do I have to have an agenda?

Has something like this ever happened to you? 

Friday's Letters//Gratitude

Dear TJMaxx: Thank you for having your lingerie section in the back of the store, thereby forcing me to walk past your shoe section. And thank you for having my new favorite boots!

Steve Madden- Troopa

Dear Mom: Thank you for buying me said boots as an early birthday present. They are perfect! Also, thanks for letting me know the cleaners around the corner will do my laundry for $1/lb because lately #aintnobodygottimeforthat. 

Dear Boss: Thank you for being away at a conference all week, and not being all up my ass with emails asking if I took care of something/someone. 

Dear Christine/Blue Eyes: Thank you for taking me to dinner on Wednesday- it was delicious!

Dear "friend" on FB who I haven't spoken to in 10 years: Thank you for posting this song, and introducing me to a new-to-me artist. Samsaya - Stereotype

Happy Friday folks! What are your plans? 

Awesome Things// Friday Favorites

I got an 18/20 on my in class presentation!

finally got back into cooking and meal planning and so far, its going well.

I winterized my windows. It makes SUCH a difference. #oldlady

getting back into reading

Double fantasy football win!

finding new music. Especially this song: CHRVCHES- Dead Air

making new friends

a new space heater at work. because office temps are either boiling hot or freezing cold!

getting my money back from the asshats who hacked my bank account

low key weekends

Happy Friday!