Friday Favorites

This has been one helluva long week. With a quiz on Monday, a midterm on Thursday, trying to schedule excursions for a trip that was ALMOST denied on Monday, finding out that my other aunt was in ICU and now in a nursing home, and many a sleepless night (oh hey, insomnia, nice of you to show up this week), I am SO ready for a mostly relaxing weekend. And then, vacation next week! WOOHOO! Let's kick this weekend off right with some favorites:

Song: Ed Sheeran - You Need Me, I Don't Need You

Surprise:  flowers for no reason are my favorite kind!!

Moment of the week: I don't care if this happened last week, I still love it.

News:

Katy Perry is selling the Left Shark as a onesie!
Sallie Mae and Student Loan Forgiveness programs

Video:  Love Has No Labels. Made me tear a little!

Funnies:

What's Whitney Houston's favorite type of coordination?

- HAND EYYEEEEEEEE

And something that actually occurred in my office-- truly foiled:: 

Weekend Updates- Aladdin, Pizza, and Hair

My weekend felt like it started Wednesday, when I chopped off 15" of hair to donate to Locks Of Love. I was growing it out expressly for this purpose, because I know some places will only accept 12" or more. It took about a year and a half-ish. I cannot even express how much lighter my head felt after it was off. Literally a weight off of my shoulders!

before/after

Thursday we had a snow day! I was able to accomplish a lot around the house. It was a great day equally spent getting things done and relaxing.

view from back patio

snow day wine

Friday I went to see John's Pizzeria and to see Aladdin on Broadway. A friend had posted back in December that she was getting a group together (for the group rate) in the Orchestra section. I jumped on the opportunity. Broadway at a discounted rate? Count me in!

I've heard rave reviews about John's, but had never been. Honestly, I didn't like it. They are popular for having brick oven pizza, but I've had much better. I tried the margherita with mushrooms and fresh basil, and it was pretty soggy. I was really looking forward to the bottom crunch. However, the wine and fried calamari made up for it.

Aladdin was the second Disney Broadway show I've seen (and within a week!). Honestly, this felt like it was geared towards children. The Lion King was much more realistic and heartfelt. This one was cartoonish and seemed to be more about fireworks, comedic dancing, and general pizzazz. I'm glad I was able to see it, but if I had to recommend one over another, I'd say go see The Lion King.

Saturday and Sunday were spent relaxing/hibernating. I didn't leave the house at all on Saturday and binged on Netflix and delivered Dominican food. Sunday I ventured out a little, as it was finally nice out and *almost* felt like Spring. It was nice to have a weekend with nothing on the agenda, as it will be the last one like that for awhile!

How was your weekend?

Confess Sesh

I confess...

I had to complete my first online quiz for a grad class last night. I had no clue what the answer was to one of the questions, so I Googled it, and found the entire answer key.

I only looked at it twice. *pinky promise* And still ended up with a 92!

We have to write an "autobiography" of sorts for my midterm. Basically where we grew up, what we do, hobbies,... and then plans. Like, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What do you want to do with this degree? What do you want to be when you grow up?"  I dislike "About Me" pages about me, which is why this blog doesn't even have one. This assignment is giving me intense anxiety.

You know what else makes me anxious? No deadlines. No limits. I asked when today's quiz was due a week ago he said "sometime before next class." When I looked at him completely baffled, he responded, "What,... you want an actual set date/time?" Um, yes please. And the "About Me" paper? It can be anywhere from 8-25 pages. I'm not even kidding. "Be creative!" he said.

I got caught in the middle of a screaming match between my boss and the Controller on Monday. I was called into the meeting to help with a project, and then they started arguing, and then screaming at each other, and I couldn't even get out because I was stuck in the corner, so I just kept quiet. The door was open and the entire office heard everything. Even though I wasn't directly involved, it made me incredibly uncomfortable.

I was assigned to a new project at work, where I have to update every employee's vacation accruals, and realized that about half of the info is wrong. So a project that should have taken about a day and a half will take at the very least until Friday.

I'm going to on vacation in 2 weeks and canNOT wait. This weather blows. It took me 3 hours to get home last night. It normally takes me 15-20 minutes.

A coworker told me that I must like the snow because I wasn't complaining about it.  This was before 10AM;  generally, I don't say much more than "hi" to coworkers before that time. And we live in the Northeast... snow is to be expected, no??

I absolutely hate it when people call me "Honey, sweetie," etc. when they don't know me. Even more so when a guy does it. I've been known to correct them when I'm in a particularly foul mood.


What are you confessin' today? 

March Goals

Things I've accomplished in February:

purchased my planner
got taxes done
planned a vacation.

This is my " Get Your Effin' Shit Together, Dani!" month. I have been lazy for the past couple months and it's time to get it together. I mean, I didn't even set goals since.... November?! Ridiculous. So without further procrastination ado, my March Goals:

1. Spend below my means.
I'm making more money than I ever have before. That's not to say I'm making a lot, but more than any other position. And if I was able to live with less money before, I should be able to continue with that. I've been putting more money towards my student loans and (finally) opened a 401K, and have more bills than other times in my life, but this should not be impossible. I just need to figure out where my "holes" are. So to find out...

2. Budget and track spending.
To find the holes and generally reign it in. I started yesterday. I just keep a note on my phone every time I spend. And being that I always have my phone on me, this should be fairly easy. I may even recap it at the end of the month, but with the vacation, it may be ridiculously off from a "normal" month of spending for me. Because... vacation.

3. Be more realistic about my time and energy levels.
Last night's plan was to come home, meal plan for the week, go grocery shopping, cook, and then do a quiz for one of my classes. Such high hopes, but not realistic. I get home around 6. Even if I change into jeans instead of sweats, once I get home (in winter), I prefer to stay there. I can generally be productive until about 8:30 if I don't sit down for too long. After that though, I start getting lazy/tired (not sure which exactly it is, but the thought of moving off of the couch is distant). Knowing this, I need to plan my evening hours better.

4. Catch up on all schoolwork [mandatory, since I have midterms this month]
Pretty self explanatory. I'm enrolled in two grad classes, and basically haven't done shit for either of them, because they haven't made me. But now the one requires project work for the midterm, and the other one wants a "self evaluation" of how we would be as a Project Manager. Ick.

5. Use What I Have
Aka being resourceful. I'm usually very good at this, but I haven't been lately. I was about to buy a pair of  water shoes just two days ago, but they didn't have my size. Then I went looking through my closet last night and found a pair (with the tags still on). I need to be aware of what I already have and use it before just going out and buying whatever it is.

6. Meal plan weekly... and (at least) 4 new recipes
Success for this week! I know I'm out of town for one week, so that doesn't count. But I think I can still work on cooking and hopefully get some new ones out, even if they're only for myself!

7. Spring Cleaning
Because honestly, it needs to be done ASAP.

8. Finish a Book [mandatory, since I have a book club meeting towards the end of the month]
This month's book is "Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination" by Helen Fielding. Looks pretty interesting!

9. Get a damn haircut. 
Because 2 hours for haircare? Ain't nobody got time for that. I'd like to donate my hair, which is why I've let it get so long. I'd like to give a solid 12 inches.

10. Apartment to "Home" Remodel
I've lived in my apartment for a year and a half already, and don't have a single thing hanging on my walls. I have things and pictures to hang, I just haven't actually gotten around to putting them up. I even bought hanger things like 3 months ago. Hopefully this will go along with my Spring cleaning goal.

Weekend Updates - Broadway, Sangria, and Hair

So I had this whole post written up, and then my computer froze and lost everything right before I hit "Publish." And of course it didn't auto-save, because that would have been too easy. Argh. So now you get an abbreviated version. 

Friday was spent running around getting presents and brows done because I was supposed to go to a bridal shower on Sunday, and there would be no time for that jazz on Saturday. 

Saturday Blue and I headed in to the city to see The Lion King on Broadway! I was a bit skeptical about how they would bring the story to life, but it was AMAZING. The costumes, the music, the sets-- everything was so creatively done. I loved the little kids (kid Simba and Nala- so talented and so young!), the cast coming down through the aisles, and Scar. Scar's costume was the best. The actors wore a headpiece with a lion mask on it, but Scar's came forward and down and covered his face when he lowered his head- it was so cool. My favorite scene was definitely the Circle of Life in the beginning when baby Simba is introduced because it had all the animals at once and it was just breathtaking (and of the course the "BAAAAAAAAAAAASOWENYAAAAAAMAMABEATSEBAHBAH!!" part. Love.). Honestly if you have the opportunity to see it, go! 

pre-show drinks

obligatory pic in front of sign

artwork

After the show we went to my favorite Cuban restaurant, Gauntanamera. We went early since we saw the matinee show, so we missed out on the live band and hand-rolled (gratis) cigars, but I'm sure we'll be back soon. The service was fast and we didn't feel rushed, which is one of my biggest pet peeves. I had my standard ropa vieja (shredded beef with rice and beans) and maduros. Blue had slices of prime beef sautéed with garlic, onion and mixed pepper served with Cuban fried rice. Both were outstanding, but the clincher was the sangria. They have the BEST sangria in all the land. Blue agrees. We polished off a pitcher.

maduros, sangria, ropa vieja, and flan

Blue's prime beef dish, cuban rice, and coconut custard flan

Saturday night I got a text from my friend saying that she was sick and wouldn't be able to make it to the bridal shower on Sunday. Being that she was my ride, and there was literally no public transportation to get to the area, I cancelled as well. With a free day, I did some schoolwork, vegged out, and did my hair. I mention the hair because it's a 2 hour long project that I literally plan for. My hair is almost down to my waist, and it's thick and wavy, so straightening it takes a really long time (which is also why I rarely even bother anymore). Luckily I already made an appointment to get it cut on Wednesday, and I can't wait!!

haircare...and stuff

Seeeeee? Too long

Wine-ing down on Sunday night

How was your weekend? 

Friday Favorites

Is it just me or did this week seem super long? I thought it was Thursday from like, Tuesday. Honestly, vacation canNOT come fast enough. But at least it's Friday, so here are some faves from the week:

Favorite Song:  Clean Bandit - Real Love (ft. Jess Glynne)



Favorite Surprise:

new (ish) iPad!

Favorite Quote:

Favorite pic:

shadows

Favorite Reads:
Lauren Conrad lists 10 things women in their 30's should know
This woman is an inspiration.
A different take on Lent - taking something on instead of giving something up.
Remember when I said I went on a roadtrip just for food? Well the reason I went (the garbage plate) just made it into the Huffington Post!
I love speakeasies and "secret" bars. So far I've gone to two on this list. I definitely want to go to the others ASAP!

Favorite Funnies:

And can we just take a minute to give it up to our host?! CONGRATULATIONS Amanda on your wedding! You looked absolutely gorgeous and more importantly... happy! Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness girl!

Confessions

I don't see the appeal of Norman Reedus from The Walking Dead. I don't even watch the show (yet), but I've seen him and don't see anything even remotely attractive about him.

I think I want to do a photo shoot before 32. I had always imagined doing something like this for someone else, but now I just want to do it for myself.

Hopefully it won't turn out like this...

I would also like to get a tattoo. I've been thinking about this since my grandpa first got sick. Hell, I've been thinking about it since I was 18 but I'm glad I didn't get it then, because back then I just wanted a tat with my 2 best friends from high school, whom I barely talk to anymore. I have a pretty good idea of what I want now, and where, I just need to stop being so chickenshit and get it.

I've been over Bruno Mars' "Uptown Funk" since it came out. In other music news, even though I really don't like Kanye, I kinda love the Kanye/Rihanna/Paul McCartney song "Four Five Seconds."  

Having more than one book checked out from the library stresses me out. I've never been a quick reader.

I never want anything, especially meat, more than when I can't have it. Like every Friday between now and Easter.

I still have no idea what to give up, or do, for Lent. I gave up Coke one year, but that was terrible. I would give up coffee, but I like my coworkers and don't want to scare them completely away; we already have the "don't talk to me til 10am" rule. One person suggested "no cell phone/computer after dinner" which I like, though I may change to "no social media" after dinnertime.

Sometimes I use half my day planning on things to do when I get home, and then get home and get so overwhelmed that nothing gets done. And then I feel bad.

I don't want to go to my friends' wedding. I love them both, I really do. But it's so hard to physically get to the location, and now absolutely everyone there will be married, and most with kids. I will literally be the only/last man standing/single person there. In the past, this wouldn't have bothered me much. I've always been pretty independent. But this was not how I imagined it would be. This wedding includes all of my college friends. Though I generally like my life, it seems like a reminder of what coulda/woulda/shoulda been and just how "wrong" I went somewhere. 

Planning a spending freeze in February was a bad idea. Most people get the "January Blues," but for me, it comes later. Like, ya know, right now. Right now, I want to buy tickets to all the events in spring and summer. And a vacation in March since that's when I have spring break. This is no bueno. 

What are you confessing today?