Firsts
There are a lot of important "firsts" that we have in our lives. First smile, first step, first day of school, first date, first kiss, first job, first home, first child and so on...I was indulged with a very exciting "first" this weekend... My very first pair of Christian Louboutain shoes! Perfect height, sexy heel, fashionable pattern, great fit and, of course, an unmistakable red sole. Here's to a fashion first!
Thankful
I am thankful for Mickey Mouse because he makes a lot of people smile-including me.
I am thankful for my UGGs because they keep my feet warm and cozy.
I am thankful for food everyday because it means that I do not go hungry.
I am thankful to USC for the opportunity and because I am considered educated.
I am thankful for Minnie who forces me to be responsible and keeps me in cuddly company.
I am thankful for my Lamby who is the best cry and sleep pillow ever.
I am thankful for my friends who humble me and bring me comfort as well as provide me with lots of fun.
I am thankful for my job so that I don’t have to worry about things like bills and insurance.
I am thankful for my closet that houses all the clothes I wear so I do not get cold and sick.
I am thankful for my health so that I can function everyday.
I am thankful for my family because as crazy as they are they still love me.
But most of all, I am thankful for my faith because even when I’ve lost it, it’s still there.
I consider myself such a lucky girl to have so much when others have so little, and I am thankful for all the blessings in my life that have provided me with all of the things I have and need and want.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Saturday
Fun, Friends, Food and Good Times! That’s what this past weekend was for me. A lot of reminiscing about old memories while on a path to create some new ones!
Saturday was “Havana Nights 2006” - the third in a series made possible by Butts & Goldstein Productions. Havana Nights is, first and foremost, to celebrate the birthdays of Todd, Nirav and Walter and to have a good time. It doesn’t get much simpler than that folks.
This year, our very own Global Celebrity, Dean, made the trip from Ireland especially for the event. Several other friends from Business School made the trip to NYC from DC and also from around the general tri-state area. It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year since we’ve all had a beer together. So as you might have guessed, we spent the weekend trying to make up for it. The following provides an edited version of the weekend and I promise to add pictures later.
First on tap was a casual dinner at Little Charlie’s in Little Italy for some family style grub. Dean reminded us what it’s like to put down a good, hearty meal and worked through his plate like a fish to water while Frasco enlightened us about the many facets of the mattress industry-who knew?
After dinner, we walked around the corner to R Bar on Bowery, to the main event – Havana Nights 2006. The bar quickly filled up and we were joined by more friends and classmates. We were discretely positioned in the back of the reserved section with front row seating to two "dancing" poles. Rest assured, these poles were only there for entertainment - R Bar is by no means X-rated.
While no one actually stripped any clothing, the poles did add, how shall we say, a certain element to the evening… One thing I did learn is that hanging upside-down with your derrier in the air only makes it look bigger. Very, very unflattering!
Thing only thing missing from the weekend? Flaming Sambuca.
Gross
OK. Forget about pet-peeves. Today I was more than just annoyed. I was grossed out!
So…I am going down the elevator at lunch time. These two women get on and proceed to talk really loudly about how annoyed they are over the TomKat wedding in Italy. They went on and on about how they needed a break from it, but yet, continued to talk about it. This is not the part that annoyed me, it just made me laugh! :)
While in obvious deep conversation, one of the ladies pulled her nail clipper out of her purse and proceeded to clip her nails in the elevator. READ: Clip her nails in the elevator!!! This was not just a hangnail that needed some attention; this was an all out manicure! I was standing mere inches from her clippers and flying nail fragments, and I was just completely and utterly grossed out. EEW!
Now I know where the phase “Were you raised in a barn” comes from!
Peeved
I have a few pet-peeves. I admit it. But it seems that nothing really, REALLY bothers me until it happens – then I am truly peeved…
For instance, I get peeved at people who take the elevator up just one measly flight of stairs. The part that really, really bothers me is when they are the last ones in the elevator. They make every one else wait then they get in and press “2”. So once the elevator doors finally close, you waste time stopping a few seconds later.
I live on the 10th floor, so this happens every now and then. Last night I was carrying my work bag, three bags of groceries, my mail and holding onto Minnie’s leash. This perfectly normal, healthy guy runs in the front door, yells out to hold the elevator, proceeds to chat with the doorman for a laugh and THEN graces me with his presence in the elevator only to hit “2”.
Dude, take the stairs next time.
Lunch
Toastie’s is my favorite lunch place in New York. I must go there at least three times a week. I even have a frequent buyer card to get a free lunch!
Almost everyone in New York goes out for lunch. It's just too convenient not to. The supermarkets are so pricey here that it's not much more expensive than brown-bagging it. Besides, Toastie's has a lot of fresh choices and makes sandwiches no different than I would make for myself – only better!
At Toastie’s you can go to the Salad Bar where they mix it all together for you. I advise to pay the extra buck and have it chopped…really makes a difference! They also have a sandwich bar with quick, fast service and lots of choices. My favorite is turkey with brie and green apple topped with honey mustard – a new take on a plain sandwich!
Of course they have soup and some warm entrees too, but I go mostly for the salads. Today, I had just a plain turkey sandwich and a caramel brownie – it really hit the spot!
Toastie’s East
3rd Avenue (55th – 56th streets) You should try it the next time you're in mid-town!
