I slacked, big time!

This blog seems to have turned in to a place for me to apologize for not writing.
I know i've said it before but I really do enjoy writing and hopefully I can pick up where I left of a long long time ago.

Happy 2009!

Some random updates; in November the bf and I broke up. It was pretty mutual and one of the easiest breakups I've had. I enjoyed getting to know him but am pretty happy on my own. The holiday's were great, although a bit of a blur. I ended up sick for New Years and then off to Baltimore on a work trip right after. Things are finally slowing down and i'm working on my "embrace CT" phase.

Speaking of CT, I guess I never really gave it a chance. Less than two months after moving up here I had a boyfriend in NY (not to mention family and friends down there as well). Almost every weekend was spent back in NY. NY was familiar, CT was new and a bit lonely. Unfortunately that scenario lasted almost a year and a half. Yes there were some signs that things needed to change but I just didn't see them, or didn't want to.

But with the breakup in November came my opportunity to really accept that my life for now is in CT.

I've made excellent progress. I have friends! I have a bit of a social life and have even gone on a few dates. I'm considering buying a condo up here. I'm embracing CT and so far it's hugging me back.

Yes I miss NY and my friends and family but this is the hand I have right now so why not make the best of it?

the end of the era

I slacked. It's been more than a month and a half since my last post.
I guess because I doubt anyone reads this I don't feel pressure to post. But, I enjoy writing and for that reason am going to start up with this again. I'll aim for once a week and we'll see what happens.

So it's the end of an era. The Yankees played their last home game at Yankee Stadium last night. It was bittersweet. The house that Ruth built holds so many memories but ideally we are going on to bigger and better (and more expensive).

I was lucky enough to be at the stadium on Friday night. It was a great game (they won) but when the game ended no one left. That's when it hit me. I didn't think I'd be emotional or even care that much but when the fans were lingering I realized that I cared more than I thought. We lingered as well and took tons of pictures. It was likely the last time I'd step foot in that stadium.

The broadcast of the game last night was great. Pre-game they had a sort of old-timer's celebration. Post-game Jeter made a great speech thanking the fans. The players walked around the field waving to the fans. It was touching. It was nice to know that even with all these crazy salaries these are real people and they do appreciate the fans. It was a great ending to the era!

Hmmmm

Well, it looks like my last post was June 30th. Interesting that today is August 5th. That's a long time for me to be quiet.

Here are the highlights of the past month plus:

• Happy 4th of July (went to the Yankees game)
• Went to Eleven Madison Park for dinner (yum!)
• Went on a kick ass vacation (Italy, Greece, Turkey and Croatia)
• Was away for my bf's bday (sad face)
• Got a new cell phone (exciting, I know)
• Had off from work on August 1
• Had dinner with the fam, bf and grandparents

So as you can see, it's just been excitement non stop. I'll write more about the notable bullets at another time (i.e. the vaca).

Welcome back to me!

Accountability

The thought is that if you are held accountable for your actions you may behave differently. If you have someone to answer to, is it more likely that you'll actually do what you say?

I'm testing this theory.

I've told a few people that I'm going to try going to the gym in the mornings. One person asked me "Why?" and another told me that it was a great idea but he didn't think I could hack it. My goal by making this public was that I'd have people to answer to, people who would want to know if I did what I said I would. Instead I got non-believers, which gave me another goal of proving them wrong.

So far I'm batting 1000. Granted, it's only been one day. We'll see how it goes. More to come.

Long Time No Blog

I can't say I've been busy (at work at least) but rather I guess I've been preoccupied and boring at the same time, which is why I've let the blog that no one reads slide.

But, I'm back and wanted to share a recipe that I made last night.

Blueberries were on sale this week and Fine Cooking had a great looking recipe so I gave it a try. They're pretty tasty and weren't too difficult.

If you make them, let me know what you think.

Blueberry Streusel Bars with Lemon-Cream Filling

Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened; more for the pan

3 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats)

1-1/3 cups packed light brown sugar

1 tsp. table salt

1 tsp. baking powder

1 large egg, separated

14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

2 tsp. grated lemon zest

2-1/2 cups room-temperature blueberries, washed and drained on paper towels

Directions
Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch metal baking pan with foil, leaving a 1-inch overhang on the ends. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of the foil.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Using your fingers, blend the butter completely into the flour mixture. Transfer 2 cups of crumb mixture to another bowl and reserve for the topping. Blend the egg white into the remaining crumbs and then press the mixture into the bottom of the pan to form a level crust. You can tamp it with the bottom of a measuring cup to even it out. Bake the crust until it starts to form a dry top, 10 to 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk the condensed milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and egg yolk. Let this mixture stand for 5 minutes; it will begin to thicken.

Sprinkle the blueberries evenly over the hot crust and then drop spoonfuls of the lemon mixture over the blueberries. Spread gently with a spatula to distribute a little more evenly, but take care not to crush the berries; it’s fine if the lemon mixture isn’t perfectly even. Bake until the lemon mixture just begins to form a shiny skin, 7 to 8 minutes.

Sprinkle the reserved topping over the lemon-blueberry layer, pressing the streusel between your fingers into small lumps as you sprinkle. Bake until the filling is bubbling at the edges and the topping is brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

Let the bars cool in the pan on a rack until just warm, about an hour. Carefully lift them out of the pan using the foil overhang and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Remove the foil and cut into 24 bars when cool. The bars may be stored at room temperature for a few hours but otherwise should be kept in the refrigerator.

Back

I'm about to finish up my first post-vacation work week and I feel like it's been the week that lasted forever.

I'm sure I'm not alone in this feeling, but I HATE HATE HATE coming back from a vacation. Sunday night I was disgusted with the thought of having to return. Not good.

Complaining about the present aside, the vacation was great. We had a minor issue with check-in but otherwise everything was smooth as satin.

The weather wasn't perfect but I'll take cloudy in the Caribbean over sunny and at work any day.

We ate, drank, relaxed, swam, sunned ourselves, bowled, played pool, ate, ate and ate. It was relaxing and the company was great. Have I mentioned that I'm not enjoying being back?

TTFN (lame, I know)

It's the Friday before Memorial Day. As of 5pm I'm officially on vacation!

I'm excited and thrilled, but I'm also STRESSED. What's that about?
Seriously, I haven't been sleeping. I can't fall asleep and if I do, I wake up stressing about something that has nothing to do with me. I toss and turn and then finally catch some zzz's right as my alarm is going off. Strange thing is, I'm not really tired. Given that, stress is the only logical answer.

I think it's the stress of getting everything organized pre-trip. I've got a weekend trip to the Jersey Shore to plan for and then immediately after, my vacation. So, I'm really packing for two things at once. Packing stresses me out to begin with, so this isn't helping. I'm very much afraid of forgetting that key thing that can't be bought or replaced. I've got lists up the wazoo and have spelled out every packing scenario. It's not pretty, but it's how I roll.

But, the end is near. In three hours I expect the stress to just flee from my body. Yeah right.

Stress aside, have a fun and safe memorial day weekend and I'll be in touch post-vaca.

One week!

So it's been a little while since I've posted. A) I haven't had much to say and B) I don't really think anyone is reading this anyway.

But here I am. I may just be wasting time at work, but that's OK.

My long-awaited vacation is only one week away! In that time I've got a bunch of things to take care of as well as a bachelorette party to attend. It's going to be quite the weekend/week and I CAN NOT WAIT!

I'm excited to leave work behind...FAR behind. My goal is to not talk or even think about that dreaded "w" word. As someone pointed out, I won't even say "the TV doesn't work", I'll go with "the TV is broken" or "the TV doesn't seem to be functioning". Yes, it's that extreme. But isn't that the point of a vacation?

Ex

I was playing around on myspace the other day (busy day at work) and came across my ex. I was kind of curious as to what he had been up to (although more so about how he looked because he had gone kind of downhill at the end of our relationship), so I took a look.
Turns out he's married and has been for almost two years. Crazy!
He had wedding pictures on his page, which as someone pointed out is a very girl like thing to do.
So yes, it was weird to see. But it also made me very happy that I wasn't the one in the white dress. I'm happy for him, but happier for me!
And in case you were wondering, he looked exactly the same as four years ago (or however long it was) but maybe a little heavier. And, I'm definitely better looking than his wife. Now I'm being catty. :)
I guess no matter how un-interested you are in the person, it's still going to be a little odd to see where there life has gone. Right?

17 Days

Back when we booked our vacation we had over 90 days to wait. I'm happy to say that we're finally down to 17!



In preparation for bathing suit time, i've put myself on a somewhat strict diet and have been vigilant about getting to the gym. See picture above for my motivation.


I also started tanning in preparation for the DR sun. I know it's horrible, but I just feel so much better when I'm not pale white.


But back to the gym for a moment...I'm happy to say that i've broken the 3 mile mark (3 times in a row!). I'm psyched and amazed at how it really isn't as hard as I thought. Granted I'm slow, but still. I've also been impressed with how much I'm able to push myself.

Last night for example, I didn't think I'd make it past a mile. Then I pushed myself to 2 and then somehow kept pushing and made it to 3.1. I probably could have gone a little farther, but my body was TIRED! But I'm excited.

I am so ready for a vacation! I haven't been on an official long vacation in about two years and that is way TOO long. Never again! I had time off around the holiday's, but to me taking time off to do nothing is not as redeeming as going somewhere special.

I've actually got another vacation coming up in two months. Crazy, right?

Eh

Do you ever feel just "eh"?

I can't really explain it because it's subtle, but things just seem a little off. I'm not unhappy, but I'm also not busting at the seams with happiness. I think its times like this that my "What's Next" mentality comes back in to the picture.

I really don't have anything to complain about, yet I also don't have anything (besides upcoming vacations) that I'm really excited/happy about. I get up every morning, go to work, go the gym after work and then go home. While I'm happy with the routine, it's definitely not exciting and I can't say I really look forward to each day. However, there's not much I can do to change this routine, so I guess it's up to the weekends to inspire me.

The weekends are great, I'm happy to not be at work, but again, they're not very exciting. I'm usually pretty tired from the week so the weekends end up being a little lazy. Again, there's nothing wrong with this situation, I just think I need something new. Maybe.

Does this mean it's time for a change? A big change? A little change?

I'm not sure what it means, but the wheels are starting to turn.

10 Things That Make Me Happy

It's Friday and the weather is gorgeous, so I thought I should keep things upbeat and positive.
Happy friday!

10 Things (some trivial) That Make Me Happy
(in no particular order)

friends and family
springtime
vacations
dessert
working out
the weekend
dogs
tv
sleeping in
sunshine

I bought myself flowers

I guess the title says it all.

Work has been a pretty tense place lately and while looking through a Stop and Shop flyer, I came across tulips, and just had to have them.

I picked up a bunch of beautiful purple tulips (similar to the ones to the left). I threw them in a plain vase and have them sitting immediately to the left of my monitor.

I must say, it is making a huge difference.

Looking at these sunny, pretty flowers makes everything seem a bit more cheerful.

Of course a few people did ask me who I got flowers from, but I was proud to say I bought them myself. I think this just may become a once a month ritual.

If something so small can make me smile, why not?

Passover Delicious-ness

I don't have much to comment on today, but wanted to post a recipe that is the hit of the Passover Seder's. This recipe is so tasty that no one will even know that they are Passover-friendly, but it will surely wow your Jewish friends when you tell them.

I've been wanting to experiment with them using flour, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

Passover Brownies
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted and cooled
3 eggs
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 scant cup matzoh cake meal
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350
Lightly grease a 7 by 10-inch rectangular baking pan, a 9-inch square pan, or an 8- or 9-inch springform pan.
In a bowl, mix the sugars into the melted butter, then the eggs, cocoa powder, salt, cake meal, nuts (if used) and chips.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 25 minutes. Do not over-bake. The brownies should be set and seem dry to the touch, but there should not be a crust around the sides. Cool in the pan.

There's lot of frustrating/stressful crap going on in my life at the moment. Most of it is pretty trivial, but annoying none the less.


I could very easily rant about that, but quite honestly, i'd rather not devote even more time to it.



That said, I've decided to do an informal book review on here whenever I finish a book. Maybe this will be useful/interesting to people, maybe not. But it will successfully take my mind off other things, just like a good book does.

24 - Karat Kids
I found this book on the Candy Covered Books website.
This book is about a recently graduated pediatrician (Dr. Shelley Green) who ends up getting a job at an ultra-posh practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The book touches on almost every aspect of her life; her family, her boyfriend, the crazy parents and kids she sees at the practice and the utter wealth had by those who live on the Upper East Side.
I finished this book in about a week and enjoyed every minute of it. The writing was solid and lighthearted. Shelley is a likeable character and it was enjoyable to experience her world.
I'd definitely recommend this book to my fellow chick-lit fans. If you're looking for a light read that will leave you smiling at the end, pick this book up.


Next up is Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella (i've actually already finished the book through an informal book club at work, but will write about it next go round)

Spring Tease

My cold/illness, whatever it is, went all wacky on me and forced me to see a doctor. I'm now doing the z-pack thing and feeling a little better.
Given that everyone and their mother seemed to have the flu I'm hoping I escaped with it's less evil brother. Where did I get that from?

Anyway, the weather here today is GORGEOUS! I love warm weather so I was thrilled to be able to eat outside at lunch. It was lovely!
We picked up some mexican take out and had a little fiesta on the patio at our office building. Quite nice.

Unfortunately the next few days are going to be rainy, so just like my subject, it was a spring tease. I hate teases.

I am so ready for the warm weather! Vaca is in 46 days and I can not wait. Granted it will probably be warmer by then, but the escape is much needed. Can't wait!

Back to work, enough procrastinating. Happy thursday!

Looks like i'm losing the battle

Those lovely little critters to my right are GERMS! And yes, they look nice and likeable, but they're not.

It seems that these bad germs are everywhere! Everyone seemed to be getting sick, especially at work. I imposed an unofficial quarantine on myself and did everything in my power to stay away from these sick people. I fought hard for the past three weeks and it seemed I was victorious.

Until Friday happened.
I woke up with a little itch in my throat and since then it's gotten worse. I'm still fighting, but it's looking more and more like the germs have gotten in. No!!!!!!!!

So it's off to resting and drinking plenty of fluids. According to research I've found online, it's ok to work out at a "moderate" intensity if your symptoms are "above the neck" (i.e. stuffy nose, sore throat, headache). Anything more than that and rest is encouraged. I definitely fall in to that range, but I'm also tired from lack of sleep, so the jury's still out.

Keep up the hand washing folks, it's a germy world out there.

What's pissing me off today

Granted most of these are pretty trivial, but none the less...

• coworkers needing total silence to work (that shouldn't be my issue)
• the rain
• getting a coupon for a store the day after making a purchase
• forgetting my socks last night
• i need to get gas, again
• i need to get my oil changed, again
• vacation can't possibly get here fast enough
• the smell of smoke in my apartment/hallway (who the heck still smokes inside?)
• falling asleep cold and then waking up sweating
• the fact that i've been fighting the beginning of a cold for a couple of weeks now
• i want to get my hair highlighted but don't want to spend the big bucks
• my boyfriend has been away on business for way too long
• i can't walk anywhere from my apartment
• no one i know has a dog i can play with

Play Ball!

It's that time of year, baseball season is here!

(I didn't mean to rhyme)

I love baseball season and here's why I'm excited...

• the warm(er) weather is on its way


• going to games and drinking beers


• watching games on tv


• the BBQ season


• my first date with a certain someone was to a Yankees game


• the last year at Yankee Stadium is a great time for a championship (no pressure)


• Shelley Duncan


• Joe Girardi

Enough said. :)

I'm Frustrated

The running saga continues.

I did manage to hit 2.6 and then 2.65 but have been struggling recently.

On Friday I attemped to run and made it to just shy of 2 miles. However I have to say that I hadn't been feeling well all week and had a bad headache and was overall rundown. That was my excuse. I pushed myself as hard as I could and then just wanted to lie down.

Yesterday I gave it another go. I started out strong. Made it about a mile and then my shins started hurting, badly. I haven't had this problem in quite a while so I tried to work through the pain. It didn't work. I stopped to stretch my calves/shins and noticed a bump protruding from my left shin. That freaked me out a bit and told me I probably shouldn't push myself any further. So I stopped, having only made it a mile. I did however make up for it with other cardio, but the running curse seems to have its eye on me.

I can't seem to grasp why on some days I'm good and others I'm not. Granted, fighting a cold probably took its toll on my entire body. As for yesterday, I'm just not sure. I was feeling better and the only thing I can come up with is that I wore heels to work. I know that wearing heels shortens your muscles (or something like that) so I figure maybe it caused the tightness in my shins. But, I'm not sure. I'm going to test this on Wednesday (or Thursday) when I plan to wear comfy shoes to work and see how the running goes.

Does any of this sound logical to anyone? Can anyone understand where I'm coming from? Any advice? (besides stretching my calves/shins beforehand)