The Musings Of Me

Finally...A Real Valentines Day!

2012-02-14T21:41:00.001-05:00

Well, it took me my lifetime to find somebody to treat me right on my birthday and Valentines Day, but it has happened :) My boyfriend totally spoiled me this past weekend. It had to be tough since my birthday is the day before Valentines Day, but he gave me the best birthday weekend of my entire life. We spent the weekend together, had dinner with a bunch of friends at Eatonville (delicious, BTW, especially the fried chicken, and they have Abita Purple Haze!), he took me for drinks and dancing, he arranged for a piece of cake to be delivered with a candle both at the group dinner and the dinner last night (my actual birthday), he took me out to dinner on my actual birthday and today for Valentines Day, gave me presents for both. We went to The Guards in Georgetown for dinner yesterday, it was amazing. I highly recommend this restaurant. I swear, I don't think I can ever go back from this! I had the shrimp and tenderloin, my boyfriend had the crab cake sandwich. They also brought me a piece of cake with a candle to celebrate my birthday.

We had gone to Target on Saturday before dinner at Eatonville and I had said that I needed a new dutch oven/stock pot, and pointed out one I planned on buying. On Sunday, he had taken me to Wegmans (j'adore Wegmans, in case you couldn't tell, LOL) and I had mentioned that I really liked a turquoise/green/yellow kitchen linens set. So when I opened my present last night, he had gone back and gotten me both things. He had also gotten me tall black leather boots. I told him a few weeks ago I needed new ones, and he remembered. He even looked at other shoes I had to see what kind to buy! Good stuff here. I also got my first real Valentines Day gift this year. It meant so much to me that he made such an effort to give me a great birthday and Valentines Day. Love it :)

Let's Talk About Books!

2012-02-09T21:49:00.000-05:00

I love to read. LOVE. It's always been my favorite hobby. Ever since I got my Kindle for Christmas my reading has been taken up a notch :) I discovered a site called Pixel of Ink that posts links for free Kindle books several times a day, so I am accumulating books far faster than I can read them, hahaha. You can also borrow books from the DC Public Library in Kindle format, which is great.

Because of this borrowing feature, I've read quite a few good books over the past month. Catherine Coulter is an author I've discovered, she writes mysteries. I've read "The Cove", which was great. It had quite a few twists and turns that I totally wasn't expecting, which I like to see. I'm reading "Tailspin" now, which I also borrowed in Kindle format from the DC library. I heart libraries. As fast as I read, before I had a Kindle, it was my godsend, since I'd be bankrupt if I had to buy a book every time I wanted something to read.

"Project Daddy" by Kate Perry was a book I got for free via the Pixel of Ink site. It was a great, fast read. I read it in a day :) I'd put in the chick lit category, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Another book I read on my Kindle was "Confessions of a Call Center Gal" by Lisa Lim. I actually bought it on Amazon. And wow. It was HILARIOUS. I guess I could really relate to the main character, since my first job was in a call center. A totally different industry than the book's premise, but still. Also, the main character loves to read. It was one of the best books I've read in a long time, and I can definitely see myself reading it at least a second time.

I now just waiting for the latest books by Eric Jerome Dickey and Jen Lancaster to come out. They are my two favorite authors, and for them, I splurge on the actual hardcover book the day it comes out!

FML. For Real.

2012-02-08T13:37:00.001-05:00

So it's almost my birthday. Yay! Normally I look forward to the actual day. Not so much this time. Why? Because I am spending the morning the getting a root canal. Who's jealous????? Not me! Oh well. I am celebrating with friends on Saturday night at a restaurant I've been wanting to try for a while, Eatonville. And I going to my make my boyfriend (and anybody else who wants to come, LOL) go to Alero with me afterwards so I can have my favorite drink ever, the Mojito Gold. SO. DELICIOUS.

In other health news, I more than likely have glaucoma in my right eye. Yikes. It never stops. I am falling apart :( But I don't like to dwell on things, so moving on. I finally have my apartment decorated the way I envisioned it, so I am very happy about that. All I need to do is get a few pictures reframed in darker wood so it matches my furniture. I also really, really want to get the picture "Enchanting Keys" by Monica Stewart. It would match my studio perfectly:

I guess I should just buy the print and have it framed at Michaels or AC Moore, since Art.com wants to charge $170 to frame it. Yikes.

I have tried a few more scents by Front Porch Candle Co and Kim's Tarts, reviews coming soon. I love both of those vendors, and they have such a huge range of scents.

Lastly, I made Not Really Ranch King Chicken, it's a recipe I got from the Cooking Light message board, but I tweaked it a little. Most notably, the recipe calls for 10 tortillas. I bought a package of 8 whole wheat ones from Target, and only used 4, even 8 would have been way too much, in my opinion. The end result was delicious. See my picture below.

Not Really King Ranch Chicken

1 pound cooked chicken -- shredded or diced
1 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies -- plus extra if needed
1 10 3/4 oz can 99 percent fat free condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 15 oz can black beans, drained

1 15 oz can whole kernel corn -- drained (I used frozen corn instead)

1/2 to 1 pkg chicken taco seasoning
(I added a cup of frozen green peas)
10 corn tortillas -- torn into 1 inch pieces (I used 4 whole wheat tortillas)
1/2 cup cheese -- grated

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine chicken, tomatoes, soup, beans, corn taco seasoning and tortillas in a deep casserole dish or 13x9 inch pan. Mixture should be thick but still soupy. If too thick, add more tomatoes or some picante sauce. Top with grated cheese.

Bake 45 to 60 minutes until hot and bubbly. Microwaving mixed canned goods until hot, then adding chicken, taco seasoning and tortillas before pouring into pan and topping with cheese will cut baking time in half.

Let's Talk about Tarts (Wax Tarts, That Is)

2012-01-29T20:22:00.000-05:00

I love for my apartment to smell good. I grew up with Yankee Candle, so that's usually what I use. I have a few large jar candles, but I mostly use their tarts. I have a tealight warmer in the living area of my studio, and an electric warmer in my kitchen. It's a fast, easy, and cheap way to make your space smell fantastic, and it works a lot faster than an actual candle. I've recently been trying to branch out of my YC comfort zone, and I've discovered quite a few great tart vendors. YC will always be my first love, but it's always good to expand your horizons.

I tried Kim's Tart Candles about a year ago, and they're great. I don't have any more (my stash ran out) but I am planning on placing a new order soon. My job situation is a little uncertain at the moment (apparently the company I work for is having money problems, but that hasn't been confirmed), so I am waiting to clarify things. I've also been job hunting, so hopefully something will come through soon. Quite frankly I would be better off with new job, at least one with stability. Once everything is straightened out, I'm going to splurge a tart gift to myself! It's my birthday in two weeks so I deserve it :)

I have a photo box filled with my YC tart collection, and I have an overflow box with tarts I need to melt. I also have a collection of Better Homes & Gardens wax cubes. They are sold at WalMart, and are FANTASTIC. You get 6 cubes for $2, and one or two cubes fills up my studio, and lasts for close to 10 hours. So far, my favorites have been Orange Clove Pomander, Iced Cranberry, and Wild Berry Cheesecake.

Front Porch Candle Company is a great independent tart vendor. I have been more than happy with every scent I've ordered, they're strong and last a long time, and shipping is free and fast. My favorites so far have been Grapes & Huckleberries, Ecualyptus & Peppermint (GREAT for sinus headaches) and Fruit Loops. I'm looking forward to trying Monkey Farts, Apple Cider Bread, and Saturday Farmers Market, so I'll report back.

I also really like Village Candle, especially their simmerblends, but they're not very readily available. You can order them online, but no retailers in the DC area carry them. I have a few left over from before I moved here, and I'm hoarding them. My favorite is Key Lime Pie, it is amazing. I have two left, so I am going to break down soon and melt it since I love the scent so much. I might have break down soon and order some other simmerblends online, I just hate to pay the shipping. Oh well. A small price to pay for my happiness LOL.

Lastly, I tried a new tart vendor on EBay, called Ash's Country Tarts. I wanted to love them, but honestly, they had hardly any scent. I had to hover over my tart warmer (I ordered two, so I tried one in each type of warmer). Maybe it was a fluke for the particular scent (Orange Cinnamon Spice), so perhaps I'll try another order to give them another chance. Shipping was very fast.

If anybody out there has any other tart vendor suggestions, please let me know!

Libraries, Books, and More

2012-01-12T10:22:00.000-05:00

Let's talk about books. I love to read. Love it. It has always been one of my favorite things to do, even when I was a baby. So when I received a Kindle from my sister and brother-in-law for Christmas, I was pretty psyched :) I don't think that e-books will ever take the place of real, bound books, but it's nice to not have to always be lugging a bunch of heavy books around. I've read 5 books on my Kindle so far, and it's really easy to find free books on Amazon!

I also love libraries. When I was living in MA, the librarians knew me by name since I would use the inter-library loan system to request books that my particular library didn't have. At first I was kind of embarassed, but then I embraced my inner geek and was happy my library knew me :)

Now I work right down the street from one of the DC libraries, and it was a lifesaver when I first moved here. If you read my posts from back then, you may recall that my movers were the WORST EVER, and never showed up in MA to pick up my stuff and move it to Maryland. So I was living in my apartment with two suitcases and an air mattress for a week, and did not have anything to read. Anything. As somebody who would usually rather read than watch TV, this was not acceptable. I was able to get a library card on my second day of work, and was super excited to finally have books to read!

Anyhow, the DC public library system allows you to borrow books on your Kindle, which is fabulous. Most of the books have a wait, so if you really want to read it, you'll have to just get the actual book. I have found a few I don't mind waiting for, and it's very easy to check them out once they're available.

I finally have all of my books in my apartment, after having my mother ship several boxes, and shipping some to myself when I was home for various holidays, so my nerdiness is satisfied now. Plus, now I have a Kindle! What could be better? My first Kindle purchase (well, first non-free book, LOL) was Momfriends by Ariella Papa. I haven't read it yet (I am saving it for a day when I can just read, and not be interrupted), but I am sure it will be great. I have her three other books--On The Verge, Up and Out, and Bundle of Joy?, and I love them all, I've read them all multiple times. Momfriends is only available in Kindle format, otherwise I would have bought the actual book. Point being, I recommend her books.

I also bought 10 Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) in Kindle format, which was very entertaining. Sarah Mlynowski's books are very entertaining, I actually already have Milkrun, which I have also read quite a few times.

All in all, I love books. And I love reading :) Feel free to give me some recommendations on new books!

Looking for a Pet Sitter in the DC Metro Area?

2012-01-06T09:45:00.000-05:00

I recently joined www.Care.com and set up a profile to try and build a pet-sitting business. If you are a pet owner in the Washington, DC metro area, check out my profile! I am background-checked and can provide references.

Silver Spring Pet Sitters or Dog Walkers >

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T21:02:00.000-05:00

Well, 2011 has come to a close. What a year it has been. Who would have thought at this point last year I would have a new job in a new state, and have a serious boyfriend? Certainly not I :)

It's been a year with ups and downs, but the ups certainly outweigh the downs, and I'm not one to dwell on things. I'm looking forward to seeing what 2012 brings me! I have a few resolution-type ideas in my head, but I'm trying to put things down on paper, and be realistic about what I strive to do. I am thisclose to having my apartment organized the way I want, and decorated the way I envisioned it, which has been an ongoing goal for me. I will be pretty psyched once everything is all set.

That's all for now, I need to finish up a few things and get organized for the upcoming week. 2012, I salute you!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

2011-12-15T11:06:00.000-05:00

So, my apartment is basically done being decorated for Christmas. I'll post a few pictures tonight. I waited too long to get an artificial tree, so I ended up having to get a set of 2 3-feet potted pine trees from Target. They're prelit and come in dark red pots, so they actually go with my living room/bedroom area decor anyways (which is burgandy/forest green/dark brown/gold). I brought back most of my Christmas ornaments and decorations when I came back from Thanksgiving, so my studio is nice and festive! I love Christmas, and the decorations make it feel homey until I am actually home in MA for the holidays :)

I am having a Christmas party on Saturday so I need to make sure everything gets done. My mother bought me a coffee table and end table set for Christmas and it was already delivered, so everything will be set up for my party. I am super excited to finally have a coffee table :) My party should be fairly small, but that's ok--my boyfriend and between 5 and 10 friends. Good times!

Good Times

2011-11-20T20:08:00.003-05:00

I had the best date of my life this past Friday. My boyfriend took me out to dinner, the destination was a surprise. He took me to Rays The Classics, an old-fashioned steakhouse in Silver Spring. I mentioned about a month ago that I had been wanting to try it since I moved to DC. It was amazing--romantic, the ambience was great (old fashioned, Frank Sinatra music, great service), and the food was delicious. I had the hangar steak, my boyfriend had the grilled salmon, and we shared the creamed spinach. We both agreed that it was the best date either of us had ever had. Swoon :)

Last weekend, when I went to the outlet in Leesburg, I got some great deals at the Yankee Candle outlet. It's no secret I love Yankee Candle, and I got some great deals.

I am flying home for Thanksgiving on Wednesday, and I'm really looking forward to some real home-cooked food. Yummy in my tummy! I am supposed to be meeting up with a friend for lunch on Friday and a few other friends for drinks on Friday night. Only one of my friends has been to visit me so far, and I haven't seen anybody else since July. So it will be good to see them. I fly back Saturday instead of Sunday because of flight prices, and I organized a night out through Meetup at a bar not to far from my apartment, so that will be fun. I am trying really hard to meet new people and make new friends :)

My Inner Martha Stewart

2011-11-13T22:15:00.000-05:00

So in my quest to get new furniture and home decor for my apartment, I signed up for emails from quite a few stores, like Cost Plus World Market (I am in LOVE with that store, so excited I finally live near one!), Crate and Barrel, and Pottery Barn. I have always admired the furniture and home items from Pottery Barn, but they're pretty expensive so I don't buy much from there.

However, I got an email a few weeks ago from PB advertising free classes during the holiday season, so I decided to sign up for a "How to Decorate for the Holidays" class, it was this morning at 10 am. It was myself and 4 other woman (all of whom were about 20 years older than me, LOL) but it was fun and informative. It was a lot of things that I think are basically common sense, but I thought I'd share the 3 basis principles that they suggest you follow: 1) have color harmony, 2) have a repeating theme, and 3) for visual interest, use odd numbers.

They laid out 4 different arrangements (2 regular tables, a side table, and a mantel) and then showed us their ideas for decorating a tree. One of the ideas that made a lot of sense was go from the bottom up with lights, and make sure there are some further in the tree, to make it twinkle.

Here are a few pictures of their decorating arrangements:

All in all , it was an interesting class, and I think I'll go to their "How to Entertain for the Holidays" class on November 27th. All of the PB stores have the classes, so anybody who's interested can call and RSVP. My inner Martha Stewart will have a killer Christmas decor theme goin' on this year :)

Debunking the Starbucks Military Myth

2011-11-12T08:50:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again. And by that time of year, I mean that around this time every year (Veterans Day and the holidays) I see many Facebook postings saying that Starbucks refused to send coffee to the troops because they “don’t support the war.” This rumor (and yes, it’s a RUMOR, not fact) has surfaced for the past several years (as far back as 2004 that I can see). And it’s just not true. They cannot donate to the military as a company because it doesn’t qualify as a public charity. However, their employees can donate a pound a coffee per week, and I have personally seen coffee drives in more than one store during the holiday season for the past few years. Google it if you are still wondering.

So please people, if you hear or see this rumor again (and I’m sure you will), do a little research before you start spouting it off as fact again. I'm not saying everybody needs to love Starbucks. I know plenty of people that can't stand their coffee. But when it comes to this rumor, can we make 2011 the last year this is brought up? K thanks bye.

It's Almost Home-cooked Meal Time!

2011-11-06T13:37:00.000-05:00

I'm so looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner. Like, really really looking foward to it! Turkey, not so much (I don't like hot turkey), But I am super excited for stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, turnip, corn, and best of all, GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE!!!! Yes, I really do love it that much :)

Thanksgiving sandwiches are pretty great too--cold turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce....nomnomnom. While I am home, I also have every intention of going to the Lobster Hut in downtown Plymouth. Popcorn shrimp, clam strips, and clam chowder? Yes please!!! Lastly, sad as it may seem, I am psyched to go to a real WalMart...the best one in this area is not easy to get to, you need a car. And I desperately need my WalMart fix--cleaning supplies, beauty stuff, Christmas decorations. And best of all, Better Homes and Gardens wax cubes for my tart warmers! I keep seeing mentions on Facebook about how good the Christmas scents are, and I can't get them. Sad face :(

Last weekend I had a Halloween gathering at my house, it was fun. There weren't too many people--just me, my boyfriend, and 5 other people, but it was fun and good to just relax, chat, and eat good food. And drink beer and wine, LOL. I made buffalo chicken dip and pumpkin dip and fudge, and put together a vegetable tray. Delicious!

Wegmans Is Coming!

2011-10-19T22:34:00.000-05:00

Can we talk about the fact that Montgomery County (in Maryland) will have a Wegmans soon? Well, relatively soon. It will be opening in Germantown. Super excited :) The closest one to me right now is the one in Lanham, MD, which actually isn't all that far from me taking 495 to 95, but it is really not accessible to public transportation. Which presents a problem to somebody that doesn't have a car. I did sign up for ZipCar so I think I might take a trip there soon. OR, convince my boyfriend to take me! LOL. I'm sure he would, he is seriously one of nicest guys I've ever met.

In the meantime, the one in Fairfax, VA is somewhat easier to get to, you can take the Orange Line and then a bus. It's less than a quarter mile from a bus stop. And since I finally gave in and bought one of those folding collapsible shopping carts to make grocery shopping easier, I can get lots o' stuff. Woohoo!

It's Official...

2011-10-12T12:42:00.000-05:00

I actually have a boyfriend!!! Wow, it's been a while since I could say that. I am very happy with the situation though. I finally found somebody who treats me well, says he wants to see where this goes, and is happy to hang out with me. He's a true gentleman--opens the car door every time I get in the car, holds doors open for me no matter where we are, pays for dinner even when I offer, etc etc. I don't want to rush into things, so we're taking it day by day, but it seems like it could last for quite a while :)

In other news, I am settling into my new apartment and my new job. I am buying furniture/household essentials piece by piece, but everything is slowly coming together. It's kind of hard since I don't have a car down here, but most places deliver, and my boyfriend will drive me places when he can. Good times!

I made pumpkin spice cookies with cinnamon frosting one rainy Saturday a few weeks ago, and they came out delicious. You can find the recipe here:
http://sloblogs.thetribunenews.com/andallthetrimmings/easy-pumpkin-spice-cookies-with-cinnamon-frosting/

Don't they look delicious???? They got rave reviews!

Life Updates

2011-09-11T21:01:00.000-05:00

Well, I am settling in here in the DC area. I still need to buy some furniture, but I get paid this week so first on my list is a TV stand, a bookcase, and at least one table. I want a coffee table too.

I've joined a few Meetup.com groups since I moved, and I've been to two events so far--a pub trivia night and bowling. I really want to make some new friends so I can expand my social network and make new friends. Bowling was fun, there were quite a few girls there and they were very welcoming. Afterwards I went to a bar that Jim Jones was making an appearance at. I actually gained a lot of respect for him after watching "Love and Hip Hop" on VH1. He was going to be at a strip club, so it was kinda weird, but whatever. It was still fun, and one of the strippers tried to recruit me LOL. Ummm...think I'm all set, but thanks?

I am going to NYC next weekend (Sept 17) and I'm super excited to go to Bar 89 for cocktails and a cheeseburger. Bar 89 seriously has the BEST.CHEESEBURGER.EVER. Go get one. They are amazing. I am going to ask the new boy if he wants to come, but I'm going either way. I heart New York, and I'm looking forward to seeing a few friends and having some cocktails :)

A few friends are supposed to be visiting in the next few weeks, so that will be fun too. I am excited to show people around my new city!

Things I Am Loving Right Now

2011-08-24T20:51:00.000-05:00

That's right, it's list time again! Don't be too excited :)

1. Tree Hut Coconut Lime products--I read about the body scrub in a magazine so I bought the lotion, body wash, and body scrub the last time I was at Ulta. Amazing. The lotion makes your skin so soft too.

2. Yankee Candle's Cherry Berry Pie and Apple Pumpkin tarts and candles. They smell delish!

3. Better Homes and Gardens/ScentScentationals wax cubes from Walmart. They're $2 for a package of six. I find that you can use two and it gives a knocks-your-socks off throw. Most are really good, I love the Wild Berry Cheesecake and Guava Berry.

4. Assorted wines and beers from World Market--cheap and yummy!

5. Coconut Pineapple lotion and body spray from Bath & Body Works. Love it.

In case you haven't realized, I love things that smell good. I make sure that myself and my apartment smell good at all times!

New State, New Job, New Life

2011-08-20T11:38:00.000-05:00

So, I have moved to the DC area for my new job. The move was initially a DISASTER due to the shitty moving company I hired. They were supposed to come to my house the day before I moved to load my stuff onto the moving truck. They never called, never showed. They called me the next day when I was on my way to the airport to fly down here permanently, with some song and dance about the truck being full, etc etc. They promised to come the next day between 8 and 10 am. So I had to make sure somebody would be there to meet the movers, since I now lived out of state. Again, no call no show. I ended up having to buy a new TV, a new microwave, a new bed. You get the idea. My mother shipped some of the boxes from her house via UPS so I didn't have buy all new everything.

But it all worked out, I suppose. I have the rest of my clothes (I moved down initially with what I could fit in two suitcases), my kitchen things (pots & pans, silverware, dishes, etc), and some random things. I ended buying a daybed so it could double as a couch during the day, and a big comfy pappasan chair from Pier 1. I still need to buy a loveseat, a bookcase, a nightstand, and a bookcase, but things are slowly progressing. When I go home for Labor Day, I am going to ship some of my candles and books using UPS. The nerd in me is suffering without my reading collection :) So once I have everything together, I think my apartment will look really nice. I need to buy a few pictures though, or bring some back with me over Labor Day.

The job is pretty good, there's a lot to learn since I am working in an industry I have NO experience in. I am using my financial services knowledge to do my job (that's why they hired me) but it's a learning curve. A few coworkers took my out to lunch to explain how things in the office worked and how the bosses are, so that was good. I think it will turn out to be a great experience. Fingers crossed!

I

Couponing

2011-07-18T21:50:00.000-05:00

So I was rereading the "Best Deals on Everything" article in Money (the magazine) and it makes want to buy a printer so I can print coupons :) Target.com and several other sites require you to have a coupon printer plug-in, and I can't download it at work or at the library to print coupons since you have to have administrator rights. I have it on my laptop, but I can't print with out a printer :( Even when you use a library's free wifi, you can't connect to their coupons. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

For those of you who actually have printers, Target has some great ones, and so does www.coupons.com. You can go to Red Plum and Smart Source's websites too, but you need the plugin. I think when I get moved into my new apt in DC, I might buy a printer, since quite frankly, it would probably pay for itself within a few months with coupons. Anybody have a cheap but decent printer recommendation that's compatible with Windows 7?

So Much To Do, So Little Time

2011-07-17T21:57:00.000-05:00

T minus 12 days to the big day! By big day, I mean moving day, of course :) I found a moving company that came in almost $500 less than the second cheapest company, which made my day. I need to figure out what to bring with me when I fly down though, since it will take at least 2 days to get my stuff. I guess I should bring an air mattress so I have somewhere to sleep, LOL. I need to make a list of things I'll need to survive in an apartment for a few days without my stuff, though, since there will be nothing there when I first move in.

Totally unrelated, but I have a subscription to Money magazine, and people should check out this article in the latest issue, they have a section called "Best Deals On Everything." They have some really good suggestions:

http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/14/pf/food_best_deals.moneymag/index.htm
http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/13/pf/wine_best_deals.moneymag/index.htm
http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/12/pf/car_best_deals.moneymag/index.htm?iid=EAL
http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/12/pf/car_best_deals.moneymag/index.htm

New Job, New City, New Adventures

2011-07-11T11:02:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted in a while, I've been very busy at work and moving. Alas, I will soon be moving again, because it’s official. I am moving to Washington, DC! Well, technically right outside of DC, but semantics, haha. I signed a lease this weekend for a studio and will be starting my new position in August. What exactly I’ll be doing is basically going to be determined as I go, but will involve mutual fund and securities lending research. It should be very interesting and give me good work experience. So, good times all around!

I love DC as a city so I am looking forward to being able to take advantage of the culture there. The Howard University Bookstore has a ton of book signings, as does Politics & Prose. I’ve never been to Politics & Prose but it gets great reviews, so I will definitely check it out. I love that all of the Smithsonian museums are free too, so hopefully I’ll be able to motivate myself to go to more of them.

One final plus for now—DC has actual happy hours!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo for that. I can finally go out after work and take advantage of all kinds of cheap drinks as opposed to just $1 drafts. Once can only hope that I won’t allow happy hour prices to get the best of me like $1 drafts. Because that? Is not so good times 

DC, Here I (Hopefully) Come!

2011-06-15T11:26:00.000-05:00

Well, I had an in-person interview at my potential new employer this past Saturday. It went very well, and he said he was "disposed" to hiring me. I like that they allowed me to come in on a Saturday so I didn't have to take a day off of work, since I don't get paid when I don't work, being a temp and all. They also reimbursed me for my flight to BWI, so it was very little money out of my own pocket. Sweet deal!

I got a voicemail today that they are strongly thinking about hiring me, and would like a work reference to call, and I will know for sure by the beginning of next week. I actually have a reference list saved on my home PC, so I am going to email that to him when I get home tonight. I'm not worried at all, as I am an extremely hard worker and pick up on things very quickly (I'm not trying to be arrogant, it is actually the truth) so I think it will give them even more reasons to hire me. Yay for me :) I was told they will pay for another flight for me to come back to DC to look at potential apartments, and give me a small moving allowance. The salary is very good, and they are willing to give me a very generous raise after 6 months providing I do as well they expect.

So all in all I think it would be the best choice for me. I don't particularly like Boston too much, and the opportunities for full-time employment just don't seem to really be presenting themselves, so it would be a fantastic opportunity for me, and give me work experience I don't really see myself getting here. I will definitely miss my friends and family, but that is the only downside I can see.

Related to DC, the guy I met down there in April picked me up from the airport on Friday night and drove me to DC, we had dinner and drinks. He's a really nice guy, owns his own house, and has a good job. He even went with me to Starbucks before my interview, and picked me up afterwards to drive me to the restauarant where I was meeting a friend for lunch. Good times, y'all, good times. If I do end up moving to DC I can definitely see this moving forward. Yet another bright spot!

It's Almost Interview Time!

2011-06-05T19:50:00.000-05:00

I am flying to DC next weekend for an interview! I am super excited. I love DC and it loves me back :) If the job works out, I think it would be a fantastic opportunity. If it doesn't work out, c'est la view. The company is reimbursing me for my flight, and I will be able to see some friends and have a good time. I am planning on seeing the National Cathedral while I'm there, and I'd like to go to the Air and Space Museum. I'm also going to go to Busboys & Poets, which I hear I will love. So fun!

It's Almost That Time

2011-05-25T18:43:00.000-05:00

Next week (I think), it'll be back to the daily grind. I faxed in my background check last week, and this Friday I'll have to go take the drug test and get fingerprinted. So depending on how long it takes for those things to get processed, I think I'll start work next week. I don't really understand why I have to do these things again since it's been less than 6 months since my assignment at this same company ended, but c'est la vie. I haven't suddenly turned into a criminal or started doing drugs so it'll be fine :)

I am kind of looking forward to getting back into a work routine, since it's easier to keep up with working out and eating better when I'm working. I cancelled my gym membership when I moved down to the South Shore because the closest location of my gym to me was more than 30 minutes away. When I was laid off for 13 months, it was easier to have a workout routine since my gym was close, and I could implement a system of treats and rewards to make myself go, haha. There was a Whole Foods with a Starbucks attached that I passed going to and from the gym, so I would go work out, then stop and get my coffee and get something good from Whole Foods (healthy, like a fruit cup, but yummy nonetheless). When I had my 2 1/2 month assignment that ended last month, there was a Boston Sports Club right next door, so I did the $30 for 30 days. Here, the only gym is $70/month for the no-commitment option. Since I'm moving soon, I didn't want to have a contract and $70/month for this particular gym is flat-out ridiculous. I found out they have a $25 for 5 visits that just started, so I am doing that for now. You can only do it once though.

But the building I'll be working in again has a fitness center that's $20/month, so I can do a quick workout at lunch, and then eat at my desk. And I'll be getting home pretty late, so I won't eat a heavy dinner. Good times all around. There's going to be a Planet Fitness near where I'll be moving to, so I can join that too and go late at night or on weekends. 3 cheers for working out!

Back On The Grind

2011-05-17T19:44:00.000-05:00

Well, this stint of being laid off didn't last too long :) I am heading back to work next week, for the company that I spent the majority of 2010 working for. I just can't stay away LOL. I have spent a good portion of my career at this one particular company. I am just praying that they'll decide to hire me full time before the company lays off all their temps again. Crossing my fingers!

I had also put an ad on Craigslist for pet-sitting/dog walking last week to supplement my unemployment income, and somebody answered! Woohoo! I am going to meet a couple and their dogs (2 dogs) soon, to make sure that everything will be good, and so the owners can check me out too. I'd be dog/house-sitting for a week in July. I hope it works out, and if it does, hopefully they can refer me other people too.

In other news, physical therapy seems to be still working, I have definitely noticed a difference in swelling, and my ACL is hurting a lot less now. I only wish I had started this a whole lot earlier!

My Unexciting Life :)

2011-05-05T21:17:00.000-05:00

So my first week of reunemployment is over. I've spent the time reading, job searching, studying bookkeeping, and hanging out with my cousin, her daughter, and her nephew. There's nothing like spending time with two adorable kids (one who is 2 and one who will be 2 in July) to boost your mood. My cousin's daughter is so freakin adorable, and the things she says make you laugh so hard. Today in JC Penney she told me an earring/necklace set was cute for her ("Cute for Dasia" were her exact words, her name is Dasia). And other set was "This cute for Mommy." She also told me which one would be cute for me. So funny.

That's about all I have been doing, I'm trying to lay low and not spend too much, at least not until my claim is re-approved. So I go for a power walk in the morning (about 2 miles), come home and use the free weights and do sit-ups, go get coffee (sometimes I'll go to a cute coffee shop in Bridgewater and get an iced mocha and use my laptop there), job search, go the library, etc. I love reading, and it's free at the library, so I don't have to spend money on books. Good times. I have a few book recommendations, which I will post next time. I went for $1 drafts last Friday but they are cheap so I don't feel bad LOL. I have also been doing physical therapy for my ankle.

PT is hard because it hurts like a beeyotch but it is the price I have to pay. I was told that two major ligaments were torn and never properly rehabbed, and my ACL was torn but never diagnosed so that didn't heal right either. So no wonder my ankle still hurts almost a year later, and swells up with the slightest provocation. I have noticed that the swelling (which usually happens if I walk/stand too long, and sometimes after working out) doesn't seem to be as bad anymore, so it seems to be working. Fingers crossed!

Back To Square One (Again)

2011-04-28T20:24:00.000-05:00

So my contract job ended. So it's back to the job search. AGAIN. This is gettin' real tired, yo. But such is life, and complaining about it won't change anything. So I am trying to stay positive. My staffing agency called me today and is going to try to get back into the company I was working for in most of 2010. Since I have a long history with them, if they do ask me to come back, I will do my best to turn into a full-time gig. My supervisor there the last time told me before I left that they had been planning to hire me full-time anyways, but they weren't able to since the company made the decision to lay off all of their contractors.

If that doesn't work, I will just dedicate my time to studying for the bookkeeping national exam and job searching. And going to the gym regularly. I also want to find a volunteer job, maybe at the library.

In the meantime, tomorrow night is $1 drafts time. Woohoo! Good times and good friends. And my soul mate (hahahahaha) is planning on coming out, I am pretty sure. Which would make my month. Although I don't understand what it is he wants, he's a fun guy to go out with. I am looking forward to just hanging out though, since I don't get to do it very often. Beer and good times. What more can I ask for?

Donald Trump and the "Birther" Movement

2011-04-27T08:57:00.000-05:00

I don't normally like to get involved in political discussions, because quite frankly it usually accomplishes nothing, but I cannot believe the idiocy of the people trying to claim Obama wasn't born in the US. Seriously. Do people actually think that he could have been a state senator, then a US senator, and been allowed to run and subsequently be elected president of the US if he wasn't a natural-born citizen. Seriously????? You have to show a birth certificate to get a license and to get a passport. So what, it's all a huge country-wide conspiracy to get him elected? The premises of the arguments this movement is using are just so ridiculous.

Donald Trump, among others, are saying that the "Certificate of Live Birth" is not a valid birth certificate. To those people I say--you're wrong. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Look it up. If the US State Department accepts it as a valid birth certificate, then pretty sure it's legal. Not to mention, the term "birth certificate" doesn't actually have a definitive meaning, there are many types.

I'm glad the White House released the long form birth certificate so these people can shut the eff up already. But I can't believe it actually was necessary. What is WRONG with people???? You may not agree with Obama's idealogies and policies, but that doesn't give you license to question his citizenship, when the proof of it has been available for years.

For people that want to argue with me, please read the following articles first. Kthanksbai.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/27/white-house-releases-obama-birth-certificate/?hpt=T1&iref=BN1

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/04/20/reality-check-bachmann-and-birther-movement/

http://www.factcheck.org/2011/04/donald-youre-fired/

GGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

2011-04-20T20:58:00.000-05:00

You know what's not fun? Coming home and realizing the gas company shut off the gas to the house you live in for reasons unknown. And when you have gas heat and gas hot water? Well, it kinda sucks. I'm cold :( And I've had a migraine all day. Clearly my attempts to kick my grumpiness yesterday didn't work. The guy who sat next to me on the commuter rail tapped his foot incessently the whole hour of my ride and I was about ready to murder somebody. The day just went downhill from there. Ggggrrrr. Hoping tomorrow ends up better!

Worst Mood EVAH

2011-04-19T20:06:00.000-05:00

I'm in such a bad mood today, and I can't figure out why exactly. Just so grumpy and annoyed. I think the fact that lowly ol' me at work (aka a temp) is consistently pointing out pretty big mistakes in various PDF files to senior legal counsels who probably get paid in the 6-figure range is starting to get to me. So maybe it's a good thing my job is ending soon? Who knows. I am just grateful I can just reopen my unemployment claim if my agency can't find something new for me right away. Ideally a full-time position would be what I hope for, but I'm working on it. Another temp assignment will be ok for now though. We'll see what happens.

For now I am just watching TV, and drinking a Killians trying to kick my bad mood :) I decided to figure out what new Avon lotions and body sprays I want to cheer myself up haha. They're cheaper than Bath and Body Works and smell really good. I'll probably order them next week. If I am going to be laid off again I may as well smell good!

This & That

2011-04-13T21:26:00.001-05:00

First off, I am watching The Real World: Las Vegas right now. Why I am wasting my time watching it, I know not. But I digress. WTF is wrong with that guy Adam? Alcohol is NOT an excuse to act a fool. I hope he gets kicked off.

I think my temp job is ending soon. I should probably find out if that's the case, LOL. Sometimes I wonder about some of the people I deal with though. Today I pointed something out to the Legal departement while I was reviewing some files, and one of the lawyers told me that nobody, even the auditors who "get paid millions of dollars a year" had picked up on it. I was the only one. Yay for me :) Perhaps they'll want to hire me full time? One can only hope!

When I get home from work, I've been trying out some different wax tarts in my room. I am a tad obsessed with having myself and my home smell good, so I like to melt tarts. So here are some recent reviews for your perusal:

Yankee Candle
Country Lemonade--sweet and tart at the same time, I love it
Lemon Zest (an old tart, not one of the new ones just released)--it wasn't good, I couldn't smell it all
Lemon Lime (same as above, an old tart)--I could BARELY smell it, even just in my small room
Rainbow's End--not impressed at all, an OK fresh scent but nothing to write home about, it definitely didn't live up to it's hype
Midnight Oasis--I like this one a lot, fresh musky, good throw, not overly strong
Spring Days--a great fresh/fruity/floral scent (if that's possible, LOL), but SUPER STRONG throw, a little too much for just a bedroom
Apple Cider--fantastic, great throw, smells just like the real thing

Kim's Tarts
Monkey Farts--awesome, a great fruity banana scent
Love Spell--this is a take on the Victoria's Secret scent, it was pretty close but not very strong
Grapefruit & Mangosteen--probably my favorite scent by Kim, tart and fruity, great throw
Sex On The Beach--smells just like the drink, good throw, lasted a long time
Lemon Sugar--sort of like YC's Country Lemonade, but sweeter, I prefer the YC scent

In other news, I need to go to Trader Joes and buy some new things. I am kind of intrigued by their meatloaf muffins I've seen on Chowhound.com, and there are a few new other things I'd like to try. And I need to buy some Thai shrimp gyoza. Oh my. I swear I could eat them every day and not get sick of them. I love them that much. Just steam them in the microwave with a tablespoon of water, and sprinkle with soy sauce. Delicious.

I Heart Washington DC

2011-04-12T08:04:00.001-05:00

I had a great time in DC this weekend. I went to some museums, tried some new restaurants, wandered around the city a bit on my own, went out for drinks with a cute boy, saw the cherry blossoms. What more could a girl ask for? I missed the cherry blossoms at their peak, but I am still glad I was finally able to go. Can we talk about how much I love the fact that so many museums in DC are free? It's fantastic. I was going to go the Spy Musuem (which is not free, but whatev), but the line was way too long. So we just walked over the Tidal Basin to see the trees. This is a view of the Jefferson Memorial through the cherry trees:

Clearly, a little past their prime :) But oh well, c'est la vie. I wanted to go buy a new HU sweatshirt, so on Saturday I went to their bookstore on my own, and walked a little in the area. I was finally able to see the African American Civil War Memorial. I had lunch on Saturday at Austin Grill, near the Smithsonian Center for American Art and Portaiture. It was really good, especially the carnitas tacos. I went to a few other restaurants, but that was the best of them. I was sad I had to leave DC, but work calls.

Speaking of work, however, I have had two phone interviews for a job in Baltimore. I am pretty sure they're going to call me and arrange to fly me down for a final interview, so fingers crossed. While Baltimore is not my first choice of cities, it would be a fantastic opportunity and DC is only about 40 miles away. Not to mention, rent is a lot cheaper in the Baltimore area. So hopefully something works out!

This and That

2011-04-06T21:27:00.000-05:00

In T minus 43 hours I will be happily esconced on a bar stool in Washington DC sipping on pineapple mojitos!!!! How happy am I to get away for a weekend? You have no idea. I am pretty excited to finally have the chance to go the Cherry Blossom Festival. If we have the government shutdown that seems imminent, a lot of the activities and programs won't be going on, but I can still walk around the Tidal Basin and see the blossoms, so all's well that ends well. I am meeting up with some new people, hanging out with friends, and just in general have fun. Woohoo!

In other news, I need to vent about T and commuter rail riders for a minute. To all those people who huff and blow out their breath when they have to wait while a train is delayed, SUCK IT UP. The whole train is delayed, not just you. And nobody wants to hear you complain. Kay? Thanks. And when a train is crowded, move your ass into the middle of the car. Everyone has somewhere to be. And blocking doors just makes everyone more late. And P.S? Rush hour is not the time to saunter around looking around or up at the sky. WALK FAST. OK then. Glad we're all on the same page :)

Much Ado About Nothing

2011-03-29T13:03:00.000-05:00

I don't really have a lot going on these days. I suppose it can be good or bad--good because I'm not going out a lot and spending money, bad because my social life is most definitely not what it was when I a) worked at a company with group that got along really well and socialized after work, and b) I lived a lot closer to Boston so it was much easier to actually go out after work or on weekends, and not worry about my old car. Oh how I miss the days of walking to the T! I suppose I could walk to the closest commuter rail but I'd say it's at least 2 miles away. And let's face it, this past winter is not so much conduicive to walking lots :)

So basically I go to work, and go to the gym. Such an exciting life I lead! I know everyone is jealous. At least next weekend I'm going to DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival, so that should be fun. I am just happy to be getting away for a weekend. Yay!

DC Here I Come!

2011-03-18T13:25:00.000-05:00

Yes! I am going to Washington DC again. Sweet :) I found a cheap flight online so I am going April 8-10 to go to The Cherry Blossom Festival and hang out with friends and have some drinks. I even have a date set up for while I'm there. Good times, y'all, good times. I am super excited to have an Alero Gold mojito! I tell you, it is one of the best drinks I have ever had. I love DC. I wish I could find a well-paying job down there. Or even in Baltimore, since it's so close. I should start applying for jobs at Morgan Stanley and T. Rowe Price in Maryland.

I'm Not As Young As I Used To Be...

2011-03-14T21:29:00.000-05:00

So. I don't know if it was the $1 drafts from Friday night, or the chicken fingers I ate that night, or a combination of both. But yo. I was SO SICK on Saturday. I am sticking to my story it was a combination of going out and the stomach virus going around. Le sigh. I thought I had slayed the $1 draft dragon. But alas. I did not. I now have to start my quest all over. Maybe I shall try again on Thursday night. It's St Patrick's Day! Which means everybody goes out drinkin'! However, as I need to take a commuter rail and then drive home, I cannot allow the $1 draft devil get the best of me yet again.

I am mad at myself because I had many plans for myself on Saturday and Sunday, but had to spend Saturday sleeping in my bed :) I met up with a guy from Atlanta Friday night, which was fun times. He was supposed to take me out to dinner and dancing on Saturday but I couldn't make it, due to the shenanigans of Friday. Sad face. He left on Sunday to go back to ATL so no more hanging out with a cute civil rights lawyer for me :( Perhaps it's time to visit the Dirty South? Hahahahaha.

Speaking of visiting, I'm going to DC for the weekend in April, to visit friends and go the Cherry Blossom Festival. Good times, y'all, good times. As I said, I am seriously considering trying to find a job in either NYC or DC, so maybe I'll check out a few different neighborhoods while I'm there.

TGIF

2011-03-11T10:05:00.001-05:00

So NYC was lots' of fun. I saw John Legend at a bar I was at on Friday night! What could be better than that? Not much, I say :)

My friend was staying in Harlem near 145th Street, so we got quite a workout walking up and down the hill that is 145th Street multiple times a day. I like that area a lot, I used to tutor up that way when I lived in NY. 4 different trains stop there, but the A train goes express so you can get to wherever you need to go in less than 30 minutes (unless you're going into Brooklyn). There's a Starbucks, a Duane Reade, a New York Sports Club, and a Pathmark all about a 5 minute walk from where her sublet was. I am seriously considering moving back to NY if I can find a job, so I would probably look in that area. Everything you need in a 3-block radius! I would also look in Astoria and Brooklyn, too, though. I am also considering DC, since I love DC and it loves me back :)

While we were in NY, we hit up quite a few places I've never been before. I saw John Legend at Hotel Griffou, a swanky newish lounge on W Ninth Street. The cocktails were very pricey, but STRONG. I guess their house cocktails are quite good, I just had Grey Goose and cranberry though. We had brunch at Five Points (in Noho), which was also really good. Their pitchers of mimosas are a great deal--the three of us had 3 each from the pitcher, and it was $32. So it works out to less than $4/mimosa. The food was great too.

I went to Bar 89 for dinner, which I usually do when I'm in NY because their burgers = heaven in my mouth. The Burger Au Poivre II (with swiss instead of bleu cheese) is AMAZING. Seriously. Best burger I've ever had. They never disappoint. Their St Germain martinis and coconut mojitos are delicious too.

We went to a birthday party at Bookmarks at The Library Hotel on Saturday, which was fun. Their cocktails are also pricey but delish. And since really I'm a geek at heart (I always have a book with me), I was super excited that such a place existed! Good times. Afterwards, one of my friends and I went to Ava Lounge at The Dream Hotel, which is their penthouse bar. Great music, and drinks weren't too expensive. The DJ played some really good hip-hop.

Tonight = $1 drafts, fishbowls at GoodBar, and staying in Charlestown. I have managed to slay the $1 drafts dragon the past few times (aka not get really drunk and then be hungover) so I hope to keep the streak going tonight. I am hoping that GoodBar has good music. Wish me luck!

Bargain Of The Week

2011-03-02T09:51:00.000-05:00

Can I just say how much I love my new winter coat???? I was in a desperate need of a new wool winter coat; the one I had was from 2004 and the lining was getting ridiculously ripped. So I went to Filene's Basement on my lunch break on Monday to look at their coats. I figured this would be the best time to get one, since winter is almost over and they'd be on sale. And I was right!

I found a black wool, lined coat made by London Fog for $35.99!!!!!!! Score. It's a short coat (about halfway to my knee), but it is long enough to keep me warm, and it even came with a scarf. I am so happy with my new coat. If you are in the market for one, I strongly suggest you try Filene's Basement. They are an extra 50% the lowest price.

It's March Already?

2011-03-01T14:06:00.000-05:00

Wow, time is flying by this year. I can't believe it's already March! Yikes. Although it will be nice when it's just a *little* warmer outside, so I can walk to Park Street from South Station in the morning, and go for a walk on Boylston Street or Newbury Street during lunch. So far during this temp job, it's only been nice like that once. Boo :(

I was hoping it would be a little nicer this weekend too for my NYC trip, but no such luck. In NY, it's gonna be in the mid-30s on Friday and Saturday, 40 on Sunday with rain. Joy! But what can you do? Nothing. So I will just have fun and enjoy fun times with my friends, and make the most of it. Happy hour, martinis and a cheeseburger at Bar 89 (FYI, the most amazing cheeseburger you will EVER have), brunch, shopping, a friend's birthday party. What more could a girl want? I am going to try and squeeze in some good ol' chicken and waffles while I'm there, since I'll be staying in Harlem. Cheers to fun in NYC!

TGIF Y'all

2011-02-25T09:21:00.000-05:00

I am so happy it's Friday!!! I am going out for margaritas after work, yay for tequila! Mmmm mmmm good. I need a drink after this week. I was only unemployed for a month and a half this time, but it's hard getting back into a routine. I don't understand why, because it's not like I was sleeping in til noon every day, and sitting around doing nothing. But still. Getting up at 6 am is nobody's idea of a good time. Some people may think it's okay. But those people would be WRONG :) Getting up at 6, rushing to take a shower, do your hair, get dressed, get your lunch together, etc etc, then driving to a commuter rail--not fun.

Speaking of commuting, you know what's not fun? Falling headfirst down the stairs at South Station while you're rushing to get on the T, that's what. Luckily, I was wearing thickly lined snow boots when I fell yesterday, so when my leg when out from under me and hit the steps hard, it didn't do too much damage. And a random guy going down the stairs at the same time noticed I was falling and lunged his hands over the rail to grab me. I am pretty much convinced that he saved me from a hospital visit. So my knee is bruised to all hell, and I have a scrape and bruise on my leg, but that's it. I was even able to go to the gym last night. So all's well that ends well, I suppose. I'm just thankful it wasn't the leg I injured in June. That would have sucked a lot.

So I need some drinks tonight to numb the pain in my leg hahahaha. It should be fun, I haven't gone out after work in a while. I've been out a few times close by to where I live now, but it's just not the same as being in the city with your friends. So a toast to good times!

Back To Work I Go...

2011-02-22T10:01:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was a good weekend, I am happy to report. I didn't do anything Friday night, I was too tired. I had to adjust to actually working again, hahaha :) Saturday I had lunch with a friend at Tsang's Village Cafe. I had never been, and I have to say, it was really tasty. It's a Chinese/sushi place in Hanover. I recommend everything I had--an egg roll, shrimp with mixed vegetables, and the pork fried rice. My friend had the beef and broccoli, and that was also very good. Mmmmm mmmm mmmm!

Afterwards we saw "Unknown", the new movie with Liam Neelson. It was really good. I didn't know much about it before I went, but I definitely recommend it. Without giving too much away, you watch the movie thinking it's going to end a certain way, and then with about 20 minutes left they totally flip the script on you. You definitely don't see it coming. Which I like.

I went to a new bar on Saturday night, Harry's Bar and Grille in Middleboro. It was ok. I was hoping that they would have some beer specials, but no such luck. Aw well. It was good to get out and have a few drinks, so I won't complain.

I also hit up the Wrentham Outlets this weekend, with my cousin and some of her friends. I got some good deals at Calvin Klein, the Adidas outlet, and the Yankee Candle outlet. My new gym sneakers were less than $20!!!! Good times. We had lunch at Uno's. Get their Pomegranate Margarita. SO GOOD.

Back To Work

2011-02-18T14:12:00.000-05:00

Well, I started my new position this week. It's been pretty slow going, as there's really only one person who can help train me, and he's really busy. Oh well. C'est la vie. At least I can catch up on my Internet reading! I think I might be a little too efficient at this job right now, but I'm sure that will change once it's closer to the deadline dates of what I'll be doing. I'll need to send follow up emails and update Excel spreadsheets much more frequently.
I am back in the Copley area, which is nice. My last job was in the Seaport district, which was the WORST. My building had a deli in it, but it was mostly chicken kebabs, so there was a serious lack of lunch spots. You could walk to Fresh City, Sebastians, or Yankee Lobster, but it was a hike to any of them, so when the weather was lousy it was not a fun time. At all. So at least there's places to go here, and it's a nice area to just go for a walk. I'm pretty close to the Borders there too, so I am tres sad that it is one of the stores that will be closing. I hate Downtown Crossing with every fiber of my being, so I really really wish that the Back Bay location was the one staying open!!!!!!!! Boo to you, Borders!!!! Guess I'll have to treck over to Barnes and Noble if I need my bookstore fix. Sad.

It's That Time Again

2011-02-10T15:40:00.000-05:00

Well, I have some good news...I start a new contract job on Monday. It's with a company that I've never worked with or at, so it will be something new and different. I'm going to be doing something I've never done before, so it will be good to learn something new. It pays a little more than my last position, and there will be be overtime again, so hopefully I'll be able to put away some money for a rainy day :)

I rescheduled my NYC trip for the weekend of March 4th, and I can't wait! I am hoping to be able to take March 4th off and go down there in the morning, drop my bag off with baggage claim in Port Authority, and walk around the city until my friend gets off work. I am totally taking her out in Harlem :) She's going to be subletting a 1 bedroom in Harlem, right around the corner from where I used to tutor every Saturday when I lived in NY. So I am pretty familiar with the area, and I'd like to check out a few local spots. On Saturday night, another friend who lives there is having a birthday party, so we'll be able to have a joint celebration, since I wasn't able to celebrate my bday early last weekend.

I am also looking forward to be able to join a good gym again. The gym I belong to now is just too far for me to go regularly (which reminds me, I need to cancel my membership). And the gym near here is not for me. I tried to do cardio at home the other day, but since my foot and ankle STILL bother me from my fall in June, it wasn't working out so well. I need to be able to have my foot on a hard surface (like a treadmill or an elliptical machine). I need to find out if my buildig will have a gym; if not, I will most likely join Boston Sports Club again. It's expensive, but I really like it and there will be one basically right next to the building I'll be working in.

I'm off to study for bookkeeping again. Good times.

New Day, New Gig

2011-02-04T19:51:00.000-05:00

So I was offered another contract position. I guess I'm happy since I won't have to be unemployed but at the same time the free time was kinda nice :) Oh well. I start on Feb 14th. I guess it's another reason to have $1 next Friday! Good times, good friends, and cheap beer. All I need is a lil' hip-hop and all will be well in my world.

At least now I can put aside a little more money to shopping in NY next month. I need work clothes since all of my clothes fall off me. And I am SO EXCITED to go to Sylvia's for fried chicken while I'm there. Possibly brunch at Sugar Hill (on the UWS) too. One never knows.

I hope y'all are observing Black History Month is some way. Honor Carter G. Woodson!

I'm off to have some sort of alcoholic beverage now. Deuces :)

Wegmans Is Coming, Wegmans Is Coming!

2011-02-02T17:11:00.001-05:00

I am SO HAPPY that Massachusetts will finally have at least one of its long-anticipated stores! The Northborough, MA location is opening in the fall of this year. Yippee!!!!!

Yes, it will be a hike, but I don't care. I won't go all that often, but I will be there opening weekend, mark my words!!!!

In other news, I have a few potential job leads in the works. My recruiter told me that the last company I was temping with (that laid me off in December) told her they were interested in bringing me back. So I am waiting to hear back on the details. There's another potential contract role in the Back Bay area, but to be honest, since I already have established relationships at my last job, I would probably prefer to go back there. We'll see. She's also working on a full time position in a town close to me, so that would be good. Fingers crossed!

I am also meeting with the design engineer either tomorrow or Friday to work on his business plan with him. I don't think it would end up being a full time job, but it could be a freelance consulting role, and give me exposure to an industry I've never been involved in, so I might be able to make some contacts in that field too. One can only help :)

Candles, Candles, Candles

2011-01-28T11:09:00.000-05:00

I am trying to downsize my candle collection (which isn't very big, actually) so I am selling a few on EBay. If anybody's interested in any of the following candles, check out my EBay auctions!

Yankee Candle South African Vineyard (2 wick tumbler)
Yankee Candle Italian Christmas Biscotti (2 wick tumbler)
Yankee Candle Candy Slices Swirl
Yankee Candle Lime In The Coconut Swirl
Yankee Candle Red Berry & Cedar (medium jar)

http://shop.ebay.com/sarahm0213/m.html

In other candle news, Kim's Tart Candles are getting rave reviews on Facebook and she has a ton of different scents. I ordered a few tarts, they were delivered to my old address but I'm super excited to try them when I pick them up from my old roommate. It's a great deal, 3 tarts for $1.75!

Dear Target, I Love You

2011-01-19T17:48:00.000-05:00

Can we just talk about (again) how fabulous Super Targets are? Especially the ones with Starbucks inside them! Target is already my favorite store, add a full grocery section (except for a deli counter) and coffee, and I am one happy girl. Today I was able to get my venti non-fat, no whip mocha, and then go shopping. I got 2 yogurts, a bag of Doritos, 5 apples, dish detergent, a small plastic trash can, fabric softener, toilet bowl cleaner, tinfoil, ACT Total Care, and a Kashi frozen dinner for $27. That makes my day.

In other news, I have a meeting set up tomorrow to meet with a design engineer who's designing a park nearby. He's looking for help with the accounting/bookkeeping/grant-writing aspect of the project, so I am going to talk with him to see if I would be a good fit for what he's looking for. I assume it would be a sort of freelance consultant sort of position, but I think it would be a really good learning experience. So wish me luck!

Hello Internet, I Need Help!

2011-01-18T13:23:00.000-05:00

I want to set up either a sole proprietorship or a single person corporation for a bookkeeping business. Can anybody explain to me why one would better over the other? I'm sure there are different tax ramifications for each, and I am going to research how to do both, but I was hoping to get some kind of feedback from people who may have done either. Any comments would be appreciated!

Harlem, Here I Come!

2011-01-17T22:00:00.000-05:00

I'll be on my way to Harlem for a few days in the beginning of February. I'm super excited :) A friend of mine is subletting a place for a few months and invited me to come for a week or two (really, however long I want, hahaha) so I am going to take her up on her offer. As she puts it, I can search online for jobs just as easily in NYC as I can sitting at home. Good point, no? And there's a lot more to do in NY than around here. And it's a lot easier to get to said places due to the public transport.

So that's my plan--head to NY for a few days. I'd like to stay longer, but it all depends on the unemployment situation. My claim expires on 01/22/11 so I have to file a new claim the next day (well, 2 days later, since the 22nd is a Saturday). Since I worked at my contract job for so long, this will actually be a good thing because my rate will be recalculated based on those earnings. I worked a sh*tload of overtime so the rate should be significantly more than what I am getting now. When I was laid off a few weeks ago, I had to reopen the claim I had earlier this year, which was NOT a lot. That in of itself was a saga, if you read my posts from the beginning of the year.

So if the new claim doesn't take to long to be calculated and approved, I may stay a little longer. I did have an interview for another contract job last week, so if that comes through, and the hourly rate is ok, I may have to just head down for a weekend. I'm pretty sure I am obligated to take the new position, because of unemployment rules. So we'll see. So many variables :)

That aside, assuming I am not offered the position, and my new claim comes through in a timely fashion, I am hoping to stay for a week or so. I want to go to a few museums, have dinner, and just relax and not worry about things. My friend can get me a guest pass at Bally Total Fitness, so we've decided my job is to go the gym during the day, and find some cute men to take us out on the town. Go me!

Sad Face...

2011-01-11T12:11:00.000-05:00

So my soul mate/future husband never got in touch with me :( Alas, since I didn't give him my number, I suppose it's my own fault haha. Oh well. On to the next one!

I've been staying busy job searching and studying for the bookkeeping test. I think I'll feel ready to take the first part of the national exam in a few months at this rate. I also bought a few bookkeeping books--Start & Run a Bookkeeping Business and Bookkeeping For Dummies :) I figured these two books would be a good investment in my future because once I take the exam and (hopefully!) pass it, I'd like to start building up my own clientele for bookkeeping, and maybe someday open my own business. That would be ideal, but one step at a time.

I'm also planning on going to NYC and staying with a friend for a week or two, and doing some job searching down there. She's moving February 1st, so I have an open invitation to spend some time down there and expand my job search if I want to. I love NY, as most people know, so it would be nice to have some free time to explore and possibly go on a few interviews. I don't necessarily want to move back there, but at this point I am open to any opportunities. So I'll probably do that in mid-Feburary.

Well, off to meet a friend for lunch, and then to my doctor's appt. I needed to get all my appointments in before my insurance runs out this Saturday.

Back To Square One

2011-01-05T20:31:00.000-05:00

So. Last week I got laid off again. Good times. The company I've been working for (as a contractor, through a temp agency) ended the contracts of every single temp in the department I was in (and another department too). I am assuming they laid off the temps in other areas too, but I'm not really sure. So it's back to Unemployment I go. Unfortunately, this time I don't get severance :( However, my year is up on 01/22/10 so when I file a new claim, my unemployment should go up because my earnings for the past year will be factored in. So fingers crossed. I'll be going to Unemployment tomorrow to follow up, I just want to make sure that there aren't any issues with my claim, and the agency I was working with has my information in their system correctly (that I am not working because my contract ended, etc). We'll see.

My last day of work was last Tuesday, and my group took me out for drinks. One of my coworkers managed to get the invitation extended to another contractor, in a different group. I've had a lil crush on him since he started (in May), but since I am a big baby, I've never been able to talk to him. So he showed up too. We all went out for dollar drafts. My coworker managed to get me an introduction to him, which was great. Later on that night, after my coworkers had left, a friend who met me there managed to get him to come over to us at the bar, and I was able to talk to him all night. Luckily my friend agreed to stay and let me stay at her house so I didn't have to leave and catch the commuter rail. Best.Wingwoman. EVER.

BUT. In my dollar-draft-induced haze, I don't think I ever got his number. Damn you dollar drafts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why must you forsake me? The next day was ROUGH. Which seems to be par for the course when it comes to dollar drafts. Curious. But I made it back home the next afternoon. My trip entailed two commuter rail rides, a subway ride, and walking, but such is the price one pays for finally talking to their soul mate! Alas, apparently my soul mate is not to be since I can't manage to give him my number. Sad face.

Anyhow. So I have spent the past week filing for unemployment, going to the gym, and job searching. I've also been studying for the bookkeeping certification exam. I had an intitial phone interview for a pretty big company today so fingers crossed!

Happy Almost New Year

2010-12-30T23:51:00.000-05:00

A lot has happened since my last post. Details to come as I am tired and need to go to sleep. My last day of work was Tuesday, but my Tuesday night was AMAZING. One of my friends = best wingwoman EVER!

Randomness

2010-12-20T21:46:00.000-05:00

1. So apparently my new town doesn't know the meaning of the word plow, at least not today. Nor does the neighboring town. So yeah, my drive home tonight from the commuter rail station was WICKED fun.

2. I cannot stand the fact that a guy who works in my building comes in with another guy every day because he clearly hasn't paid for a pass to get into the fitness center, so his ID doesn't work. He also never brings gym clothes, and works out in his undershirt, dress pants, and dress shoes. Really??? Do you LIKE looking like a douchebag? Guess so!

3. I would like to note that a Christmas themed sweatshirt with three cats on it, ill-fitting jeans, and white gym sneakers and white tube socks is NOT appropriate work attire, even if it's jeans day. You work for a professional company. So yeah...ummm no. Not a good look.

4. I have managed to lose more than 3 1/2 pounds in a week and a half. 1 1/2 pounds and it will be 5 pounds in 2 weeks. I am determined to have lost 5 pounds in two weeks, my deadline is Christmas Day. And yes, I WILL make it happen. I am determined not to be a statistic, and I won't be one of those people who gain weight during the holiday season. Yay me :)

5. However, since I plan on going out Thursday night after work and Friday afternoon is my family's annual Christmas Eve party, I guess I better pretty much not eat between now and then, hahaha. Because cheap beer, English toffee candy, buffalo chicken dip, baked macaroni and cheese, and chicken wings are not conduicive to losing weight, no?

Checking In

2010-12-12T11:10:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm all settled in down on the South Shore and adjusting to my new commute. It sucks getting up at 6 am now, but such is life :) I'm not used to depending on the commuter rail schedule, but it will be ok in the long run. I'm getting more reading done though, since I have almost an hour to South Station and an hour back, so that's good. I am going to start bringing my bookkeeping studying materials with me, so I can start studying in earnest for the certification exam. When I get home I so exhausted that studying is the last thing I want to do, so this way I can doing something worthwile when I'm sitting on the train. Go me!

I am off to do some more Christmas shopping now. I have about half of it done, and I plan on finishing by next Saturday. I used to be one of the people that would have to go shopping on Christmas Eve because I still hadn't finished, so I don't want to be one of those people again this year haha. I don't have time to do it during the week, what with 10-hour work days and a 2 hour commute, so I have to make my weekends productive!

I Need a Wingman (Or Wingwoman)

2010-11-28T10:41:00.000-05:00

Anybody care to volunteer? There's somebody who works on the same floor as me, who I think is very attractive. I don't know anything about him except for the group he works in. But other than that, nada. I don't know his name, how old he is, nothing. He probably has a nameplate at his desk, but I have absolutely no reason to walk over there. None. At all. So if I ever did, it would be so completely transparent, he'd probably just laugh. So. I need somebody to come up with a plan for a meeting. Who's game?

Well, I'm off to finish errands. I accomplished absolutely nothing yesterday because I had a ridiculously bad headache and a stomach virus (half of my family is sick, so thanks guys!). I spent the entire day on my couch. So everything I planned to do yesterday, I have to do today. I am almost done with laundry (my laundromat has free wi-fi, woohoo!), then I need to buy a few Christmas presents, hit up Target for a few things, and go to UHaul and buy boxes. I really don't want to pack, but alas, it has to be done. Because in 6 days, I'll be waving bye to the North Shore. Does it make me a huge nerd that the thing I'll miss most up here is the Melrose Libary? Probably. But I'm ok with that :)

Revelations

2010-11-24T09:27:00.000-05:00

I have been thinking hard about my life and goals these past few months and have recently had some revelations. More to follow on that in the next few weeks.

New York was fun times, it was good to just have girl time. We walked down Fifth Avenue to see if there were any Christmas decorations up, tried to go to Serendipity (with no luck, since there was an hour and half wait), had lunch, did some shopping. We had dinner at our standby spot, Bar 89. Seriously. BEST.BURGERS.EVER. A friend of mine who lives in NY met us there, she had never been, and even she was super impressed. Their bathrooms are pretty amazing too. And I heart their St Germain martinis.

After dinner we went to 40/40 Club to sit in their suspended chairs and listen to some good music for a minute :) I love that place, I don't care if it's not the place to be seen anymore. It's always crowded, and they always have great music. I suppose if you're Jay-Z and you own a club, you kind of have to have a good DJ. But I never have to wait in line, and you always feel comfortable there.

We also went to a fairly new place in the West Village, The Collective. NOT impressed. It was way too crowded, the music wasn't very good, and no eye candy for me :(

Anyhow, all in all it was a good time, I got some Christmas shopping done, and got to hang out with my girls! What more could I want?

Empire State Of Mind :)

2010-11-18T11:00:00.000-05:00

I am super excited to be going to NYC this weekend. Shopping, walking, drinks, hanging out with friends, and best of all, a bacon cheeseburger and martinis at Bar 89! The burgers at Bar 89 are PHENOMONAL. Seriously. They have the best burgers I've ever had. So delicious. The last time I was there I had a martini that had champagne and St Germain elderflower liqueur. There were other ingredients, I just can't remember them right now.

So as of now, my plan is to do a little Christmas shopping and just generally eat, drink and be merry :) My friend in DC is meeting up with us in NY, and my friend that lives in NY will be joining us for dinner and drinks. Good times, good times. And maybe a little 40/40 Club for good measure! Drinks, a little hip-hop, and I will be one happy girl.

While I'm there, I plan on hitting up Pure Dark (a store specializing in dark chocolate) and grabbing some chocolate bars for stocking stuffers. I've been there before and their chocolate is pretty amazing. I am also going to Marc Jacob's new bookstore. I heart Marc Jacobs, and reading is my favorite hobby. I am basically a geek at heart, I suppose, haha. There are a few other places I want to go, and I need to find a NY Yankees sweatshirt for my brother in law. How somebody born and raised in MA is a diehard Yankees fan I know not, but hey, whatever makes him happy.

Will I Ever Learn?

2010-11-15T15:56:00.000-05:00

So once again I allowed $1 drafts to sidetrack me and cause me to drink far more beer than I should on a Friday night when I have to get up at 8:30 and go to work for systems testing. Yikes. Rough times. But I made, it on time and ready to work. And it was fun hanging out with my friend and a few coworkers. Good times, y'all!

Other than that I am quite proud of how productive I was over the weekend. I went to work, met my cousin, her daughter, and my mother for lunch (primarily to get my MP3 player I had left in my mother's car--it is TORTUROUS to me to go to the gym without music, and I couldn't take more than a week of it), and organized my clothes and books for donations. I had a garbage bag and two plastic shopping bags filled with clothes, shoes, and handbags, which I brought to Goodwill. I donated about 20 books to the library too. I also filled a bag with housewares I don't need (all in perfectly good condition) that I'm going to drop off.

I also did laundry, caught up on my email and Facebooking (tres essential, non?), cleaned my apartment, caught up on my DVR'd shows (basically because once I got home from Target on Saturday I collapsed on the couch due to my prior night activities), finished reading a book, went to the library to get new books to read, got groceries, and went to Lenscrafters to get new glasses. I also went to a different Target trying to find sneakers I wanted, and had success! Better yet, they were 60% off on clearance. Su-weet. I bought a few Christmas presents there and at Yankee Candle too.

All in all, I am pretty damn proud of myself for everything I managed to do in the span of two days. Next up is packing, but I need to buy boxes. I'll do that one morning this week. Hopefully. And getting ready for NOO YAWK, BABY!

Why This Week Sucks

2010-11-10T15:33:00.000-05:00

1. The incessant rain
2. The fact that the wind was blowing SO hard near the building I work in on Monday morning that it literally bent my umbrella in half, rendering it totally useless (when I tried to bend it back it broke the metal)
3. The book I am reading is the worst, it doesn't interest me in the least bit, and I don't know when I'll have time to go to the library to get some new reading material
4. I had to throw my black ankle boots away, and I heart them
5. I have to work at 10 am on Saturday, and since I have plans on Friday that does NOT make me happy

Alas, I have plans to go to NYC next weekend so that is making me a little more cheerful :)

I'm Not As Young As I Used To Be...

2010-11-08T19:27:00.000-05:00

It's a sad fact of life that my glory days of rock star partying appear to be behind me. Sob :( I went out after work on Friday night, for drink specials at one bar and then $1 drafts at another and I thought I was going to DIE on Saturday. Luckily even in my $1 beer-induced hazed I had the foresight to eat some crackers when I got home. So while I didn't think I would throw up all over my shoes the next day, I was sufferin, yo. Of course, when you got woken up at 6:30 am by your landlord (who lives above you) because he apparently feels that ungodly hour is the time to start singing, coupled by the fact you are ridiculously dehydrated, life does not appear to be on your side. Then when you have to get up an hour later to to go work because that's how much your life sucks, it is not a happy Saturday.

While I managed to get myself together, go to work, then run some errands, then do a little cleaning when I get home, that's all I could do. So sad. However, I am going out this Friday night anyways, because I do what I want! I need to take advantage of the fact that I don't need to drive while I can, since when I move next month that will come to a crashing halt. Booooooooooooooooo.

My Housing Update

2010-11-02T13:58:00.000-05:00

Well, I found an apartment this past weekend I really liked, and even put down a deposit. But after thinking long and hard about it, I just don't feel comfortable signing a 14-month lease when I don't have a full time job. Although I am confident I could get unemployment if my contract ended, I don't know how much it would be, and I don't want to be locked into a lease that I can't afford. So I think I will move home for now, save some money, and start looking again once I am able to find a full time job.

I don't think it will be too bad, my cousin will be really close by, and I have friends that aren't too far away. And by taking the commuter rail, I'll have more time to read and to study for the national bookkeeper certification exam.

GGGGGRRRRRR

2010-10-29T18:57:00.000-05:00

So, I was not approved for the apartment on the South Shore I was hoping to get. I have a few appointments tomorrow, so I am keeping my fingers crossed. I really REALLY want to be able to get my own place. A studio is fine. One of the complexes I am visiting allows cosignors, so in the event they won't approve me on my own (due to the fact I have a temp job, or if my credit isn't great, etc etc), I should still be ok as my mother said she's willing to cosign a lease for me. At least she knows I'm good for it :) So if all goes well, I shall soon be on my own again, woohoo! I am superexcited to be able to have my own place, redecorate, and just enjoy some me time.

Sayonara, North Shore!

2010-10-26T15:29:00.000-05:00

Well, I found what I hope is my new home this past weekend, at an apartment complex in Weymouth. It's a studio, but big for being a studio, with a full kitchen, new appliances, and a full bath. I am SO EXCITED to have a full size bath tub!!!! My apartment now only has a shower, and my mother's house has a bath tub, but it's not full size so it's not comfortable at all to take a bath. There's two big closets, and there's a little patio in the front.

Also, there's a bus stop right down the driveway from the complex, so I still won't have to drive to get to work. There's a Planet Fitness less than a quarter of a mile from the place, so I can have a gym really close by, plus Stop and Shop and Walmart. There's a Starbucks not too far away too, I can still have someplace to go study for my bookkeeping certification and use the internet (although I am looking into getting a wireless connection, so we'll see).

All in all, I'm pretty excited about finally having my OWN apartment again! And it will be nice to be closer to my family. I definitely don't have any issues with my current roommate, I just prefer to live on my own. So this is going to be fab :)

I will miss my regular Starbucks though, and the Bohemian Coffeehouse in Melrose (FANTASTIC coffee, espresso drinks, and baked goods). But, I'll be closer to a Mary Lou's and the Coffee Break Cafe, so hopefully they will suffice!

I Need A Drink, Yo

2010-10-14T16:52:00.000-05:00

So I didn't get the job I was hoping to get. Boo to that :( But I am not going to dwell on it, I am choosing to believe that the economy will continue to SLOWLY recover and I will be able to find a full time job soon. I am honestly starting to think I may need to take some things off my resume. Even at this most recent interview, they told me they were concerned I was TOO experienced and would get bored quickly, and want to leave. Even though I assured them I would be willing to make a commitment, and stressed that there are still not a lot of opportunities out there (meaning, I wouldn't be looking and quit after a few months), I think they still thought I was overqualified. People are looking at my resume and deciding I am too overqualified. I am going to look at my resume this weekend and see if I can change some things around.

Anyhow, I still need to move and I have been seeing some studios for about $700, including heat and hot water. So as long as I can find something in that price range, either by the T or a bus line, I should be ok. I really really really want to live by myself :)

On that note, I'm out. Today SUCKED and I need to go home and make myself a stiff drink!

Blah Blah Blah

2010-10-12T17:20:00.000-05:00

Work work work. Study for bookkeeping. Sleep. Such is the way the world these days. Oh well.

So I think I will be moving on January 1st. My landlord is raising our rent and my roommate and her boyfriend are going to be moving in together. Ideally, I would like to find something to rent for Dec 1st, but give my current landlord 30 days on Dec 1st too, so I can take my time moving. I would really like to find a fairly cheap studio or 1 bedroom apt, I would love to live on my own again.

I am waiting to hear back from an interview I had this week, and providing I get this position, it will definitely be my plan. I have high hopes so I am crossing my fingers! I'd end up working a TON of hours for the first three months of the year, but it would be all OT so I would be able to save up a nice little emergency cushion. Everyone, please send a little prayer my way that they say "You're Hired!"

Question Of The Day

2010-09-30T12:44:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I was reading "Not Ready For Mom Jeans" by Maureen Lipinski last week. It was HILARIOUS. I highly recommend it actually. I actually plan on buying her first book and this one this weekend to add to my library. I liked it that much.

So in the course of the book, the main character was talking to a friend on the phone about going to Trader Joe's. So the friend says that her transformation to a suburban mom was complete, she was obsessed with Target and Trader Joe's. That got me wondering. Does that make me a suburbanite? I don't think of myself of living in the suburbs, per se, since I am only about 10 minutes outside of Boston. And I'm not a mother. But I LOVE myself some Target and Trader Joe's. They are probably my two favorite stores. And most people I know love them too. Viva la Target and Trader Joes!

As a matter of fact, I got my dinnerware set at Target, it's part of the Thomas O'Brien line, it's dark blue stoneware withe a dark brown rim. LOVE.IT. And a new Target opened near where my mother lives last year, it's a Super Target with basically a full grocery store (they don't have a meat counter, but they sell ground beef/cold cuts/etc). I love it. Groceries are super cheap there. There's one closer to me in Woburn, but this new one has a Starbucks and it's bigger, cleaner, and newer. Plus there's a Trader Joe's 2 minutes down the street from it. Really, what more could a girl ask for?

Lessons Learned At "The Big E"

2010-09-28T12:07:00.000-05:00

1. Leave REALLY early to get there early
2. Don't go when it's more than 75 degrees outside. Or you will be gross and sweaty.
3. The Big E is white trash central
4. You can have anything you ever imagined deep fried
5. Going into the various state halls can you yield you plenty of free samples
6. You don't get searched so you could hypothetically bring your own alcohol so you don't have pay the jacked up prices
7. It's PUMPKIN BEER TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That, my friends, is the most important lesson of all :)

Trader Joe's, I Heart You :)

2010-09-22T17:45:00.000-05:00

It's no secret that I LOVE Trader Joe's. Love it. I do the majority of my grocery shopping there, but there are few things I have to go elsewhere for (like Diet Coke, for example). I don't really buy any household items there given my love affair with Target (that, however, is a story for another day) but their food makes my life. For real. I am pretty sure I could eat their Thai shrimp dumplings every day of my life and be happy. Also, their nacho tortilla chips are awesome.

Anyhow, I was talking with a coworker about how much I (and as it turns out, he also) like Trader Joe's and he sent me a link to a CNNMoney.com article about it.

It's a really interesting article, so if you like Trader Joe's I suggest you read it.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/08/20/news/companies/inside_trader_joes_full_version.fortune/index.htm

There is also a book about Trader Joe's that is really interesting, and gives you a pretty good look at the business behind such a small but successful chain.

Now I Can Exhale...

2010-09-21T12:10:00.000-05:00

So I have been beyond fustrated the past few weeks. I have been temping/contracting for a company since the beginning of March, and the particular group I work in at the company works a lot of OT. Like, 10 hour days are basically de riguer. Which is fine, don't get me wrong, I am willing to put in the hours.

So anyhow, my contract got extended at the end of August again until December 1st. I would imagine that they are going to hire myself and the rest of the temps full-time, or at least extend us again in December, becuase there is a lot of work to be done and 2 of the full-time employees just left. But that aside, when I went to submit my hours on the company's online time system for temps/contractors, I got a message saying there were insufficient funds and to contact my manager.

Long story short, because of the large amounts of OT, apparently I was over budget. I also think I get paid a little bit more than most temps because of my experience. So they had to create a new budget, which required like 5 levels of approval, and I couldn't submit my time until that was done. GGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRR. I usually get paid on Thursday for the week before. But since I haven't been able to submit my time, I haven't gotten paid for the week ending 09/11 or last week. SO FRUSTRATING. My agency's payroll dept said unless my time was submitted and approved, I would not get paid.

However, I decided to email my contact at my agency and see if she could do anything. And she came through in the clutch! They are processing my hours for both weeks and I will get paid at the end of the week. I am pretty excited about it, since I am still not able to submit my time online. I was able to get by a week without getting paid, but it would be tight if I had to wait another week. .

Moral of the story--there is always an exception to the rule :)

A Great Neighborhood Find

2010-09-19T13:53:00.000-05:00

I discovered Bohemian Coffeehouse about a year ago while searching for some non-chain coffee establishments in my neighborhood. And I would really like to suggest people in the area check it out. It is SO GOOD. I've always been a fan of their iced coffee and specialty espresso drinks (while, since I discovered it, haha), and today I tried one of their pastries. Their orange chocolate chip scones are out of this world. They make their baked goods fresh every day, and this scone was amazing.

Their hours are kind of weird though, so check the website before you head over. But seriously. Go there. Now. It's on West Emerson Street in Melrose, MA. Right by the commuter rail stop. You won't be sorry.

I Have A New Plan

2010-09-18T11:58:00.000-05:00

OK, so I have decided to take the exam for becoming a nationally certified bookkeeper by the end of the year. I would like to be able to start at least a small business (in addition to working full time) so I also want to do the Proadvisor program for QuickBooks (through Intuit). If you successfully complete the program your name is added to a list of certifiied QuickBooks professionals, and you can generate new business that way. Yay for plans :)

Outlets Make Me Happy

2010-09-12T11:47:00.000-05:00

I went to the Wrentham Premium Outlets yesterday and found some great deals. I got new gym sneakers and a new gym bag for $45 at the Adidas outlet, a new bra and 5 new thongs for $20, and some really cheap stuff at the Yankee Candle outlet. Score! I was pretty psyched.

Rants and Raves

2010-09-07T12:21:00.000-05:00

I really just need to vent about people riding public transportation in Boston yesterday. It was a holiday, so maybe there were a lot of tourists. But seriously, people were IDIOTS. It is NOT THAT HARD to figure out how to get a Charlie Ticket or put money on the Charlie Card. The touch screen makes it very clear. So why does it take someone 10 minutes to put 2 dollars on a card? I know not. And standing there looking around doesn't make it happen any faster. I've bought a ticket for public transportation in many cities other than my own, so I know of what I speak.

And when you are waiting for a train, crowding around the bottom of the staircase making it impossible for people to squeeze through or around you is NOT COOL.

Lastly, if I am sitting on the train and there are about 50 empty seats, sitting RIGHT next to me is not necessary. Personal space, people!

Work Work Work

2010-09-02T16:27:00.000-05:00

I yearn for the days of actually having a life! Alas, with this job, I don't see it happening any time in the near future. 10 hour days are basically de riguer of being on the particular team I am on. Of course, being a contractor, the OT is enjoyable, but sometimes it would be nice if I could actually make plans for after work. Aw well. C'est la vie.

My work week consists as the following: get up, get ready, take the T, grab coffee at Starbucks, take the bus from Downtown Crossing to my office, work for 10 hours, go the fitness center, take the shuttle to North Station, take the T home, eat dinner, go to bed. Are you jealous of my life yet????? Haha. Sometimes I mix it up by take the shuttle to the T and then driving to my real gym. The fitness center in my building is the worst, but it's convenient.

My BBQ Beef Casserole

2010-08-27T21:49:00.001-05:00

So I love the Cheesy BBQ Beef Casserole recipe from the Betty Crocker Cookbook, I have posted about it before. But it seems like it is kind of fattening so I attempted to modify the recipe a few weeks ago, and it came out REALLY good. The original recipe was in this post. My revamped recipe is below. It's just as good as the original, in my opinion, but less fattening

3 cups uncooked whole grain pasta
1/2 lb ground beef (90/10 lean)
1 small onion, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup drained black beans
1 cup BBQ sauce
1 cup skim milk
1 1/2 cup shredded low fat sharp cheddar cheese
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
3. Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, cook beef, pepper, and onion over medium high heat 5-7 minutes,
   stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain
4. Return drained pasta to saucepan. Stir in beef mixture and remaining ingredients except for
   1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese. Spoon into casserole. Sprinkle with remaining half cup of
   cheddar cheese.
5. Bake uncovered 30-40 minutes or until hot

Need A Laugh?

2010-08-27T13:17:00.000-05:00

Read this link: http://www.jennsylvania.com/jennsylvania/2010/06/team-edward-team-jacob-or-team-take-your-pants-off.html

It's from Jen Lancaster's blog. She is hilarious, for real. Her books make me laugh so hard I cry sometimes. She writes memoirs, and they are so freaking funny. Go read them. Now.

FML

2010-08-25T11:20:00.000-05:00

It's been a while but seriously, all I've been doing is working. And trying to get to the gym at least 3 times a week. I get up, go to work, go to the fitness center in my building or go to my gym, make something quick to eat, and go to bed. Oh the excitement!

I finally managed to get around to doing some things I've been meaning to do though--organizing my photos, replacing my bedspread set, getting a new tart burner for the living room, a new throw pillow for my recliner, and replacing my storage box in my bedroom. Good times.

I really like Yankee Candle more and more these days. I have a fleece blanket on my couch that my mother gave me for Christmas one year, I LOVE it, it's so warm and comfy :) The color scheme matches my throw pillows (hunter green, dark red, etc) and it has pine cones, so I bought a pine crackle tart warmer online on Yankee Candle's website, with a matching candle shade. I already had the tealight holder.

I also tweaked my bbq beef casserole recipe to make it a little more healthy; I'll post the new recipe and a picture this weekend, or whenever I have my laptop.

Back to work :(

I'm Baaaccckkk

2010-07-07T10:43:00.000-05:00

So, I'm back from my DC trip. It was great. I couldn't do anything TOO wild and crazy because of my sprained ankle and foot, but I still had a great time. Saturday I flew into BWI and my friend picked me up, we went to Wegmans (the mecca of all grocery stores), and hung out for a bit, then met up with two friends for dinner in DC. We went to Ben's Next Door in the U Street District, which is what seems to be an up and coming neighborhood in DC. My friends compared it to a newer Harlem. The food was delish--I had brined fried chicken, kale, and mashed potatoes. MMMM MMM MMMM. I love me some soul food! Our two friends went home after dinner, but my friend and I had drinks at Alero afterwards.

I have to say, at Alero I had one of the best drinks I've ever had. It's called the Mojito Gold and it is the BEST.MOJITO.EVER. And you get very much a bang for your buck. A few of those and you'd be feelin' real good.

Sunday my friend and I went into DC again (she lives right outside DC in Virginia) and went to the National Museum of African Art. I have a slight obsession with African and African-American Art so I really liked it. I might become a member actually. We had lunch at Capitol City Brewing Company, then went to the National Building Museum for a little bit, then headed back to VA to see "Grown Ups" and then get a seat by the Pentagon to watch the DC fireworks. We had a perfect view. Afterwards we went to a restaurant in Arlington for a bite and drinks.

Monday we explored Old Town Alexandria for a bit then I had to go to BWI to get back home. It was a fun trip. I love DC (and Baltimore too!), I didn't want to come home :) Aside from the heat down there, I think I would love living there. I might try to find a job in that area.

Washington DC, Here I Come!

2010-06-30T16:29:00.000-05:00

I have made up a list of some things I'd like to do while I'm in DC. I find making lists makes me more likely to actually DO things, so here goes:

1. Dinner at Masa 14--this is a birthday celebration for a friend of a friend. The birthday girl is pretty hilarious so this should be a fun time. And since I haven't been able to do much the past two weeks due to my ankle/leg situation, I am looking forward to a night out and some laughs. And some DRINKS.

2. Go to the National Museum of African Art (it's a Smithsonian museum). Smithsonian museums are free, so it's a great thing to do: http://africa.si.edu/

3. Visit the George Washington Masonic Memorial. My stepfather was a mason, he passed away in 2006, so I 'd like to visit it mostly as a tribute to him. I also read "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown a few weeks ago, and they talk about that in the book.

4. See the George Washington Masonic Temple--this is not the same as the Memorial (which is actually in Alexandria, VA), but the actual temple. According the website it's closed every weekend and also on July 5th so I will have to settle for a picture of the outside. Which is fine. I'd just like to see it.

5. WEGMANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay for Wegmans. BEST.GROCERY STORE.EVER.

6. Fireworks? This is debateable, depending on weather and my leg/ankle health. I am going to the doctor on Friday morning to make sure I didn't seriously damange any ligaments, so we'll see. It's still swollen, although the pain is a LOT better. I think it's just badly sprained, in which case the swelling will last a while, but better safe than sorry. Anyhow, we'll see. If it's disgustingly hot I don't want to be outside all night anyways.

More Things I Am Loving

2010-06-29T14:31:00.003-05:00

OK, so I almost broke my leg during my sister's wedding and have been pretty much out of commission since so I don't have much to talk about. However, I have discovered some things I am loving lately so I thought I would share.

Fish Eye Reisling--this wine is very good for the money, and the best part is--It's Screw Top! Yes! Opened wine bottles with the cork back in don't fit in my refrigerator standing upright so I am super psyched about this.

Yankee Candle Tutti Frutti candles. They smell like Hawaiian Punch. Love it. And they make my house smell delish.

Ciao Bella Blood Orange Sorbet. Oh my. It's probably the best sorbet I've ever eaten. And it's only 60 calories a serving. So in theory you could eat the whole container at once and not feel bad. Really, it's amazing. Go get some.

I would also like to add that the Bohemian Coffeehouse in Melrose has pretty great iced coffee. And they have a bunch of flavored syrups if you want to add a lil' something. A medium Toasted Marshmallow iced coffee hits the spot.

That is all for now. I am attempting the gym today, for the first time since my leg got hurt last Saturday (the 19th). It's killing me not being able to work out, so I'm going to try. I think it will be good to try and stretch my leg out too. I am going to DC this weekend so I need to get used to really walking again :) I'm excited about it, I was there for a night last year but it was gross and humid so we didn't do a lot. Saturday is a birthday party and the rest of the weekend is open. Good times to be had!

LET'S GO CELTICS!!!!!!!!!

2010-06-17T10:34:00.000-05:00

Down with Kobe! Let's make this championship #18! That is all.

So...I Got Nothin...

2010-06-10T13:11:00.000-05:00

So yeah. Not much going on. I still work between 10-12 hours a day so I am basically too exhausted to do much of else Monday - Friday. Aw well. At least I'm not out spending money!

On weekends, I am really busy now since I have to do everything I don't have time to do during the week. I was quite productive this past weekend though--I went to the gym both days, did laundry, finished reading a book, cleaned my apt from top to bottom, organized a financial plan for myself, and finally finished a take-home bookkeeping exam. Go me.

I also made edamame lo mein. I got the recipe off of the Eating Well website, and it turned out really good if I do say so myself.

4 servings, 2 cups each

Active Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
2 cups frozen edamame, (shelled soybeans)
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup oyster sauce, or vegetarian “oyster” sauce
1/4 cup rice-wine vinegar
3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 medium carrots, cut into matchsticks
2 small red bell peppers, cut into matchsticks

Preparation

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add spaghetti and edamame and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is just tender, 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions. Drain.

Meanwhile, whisk scallions, oyster sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil and crushed red pepper in a small bowl until the sugar is dissolved.

Heat canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add carrots and bell peppers and cook, stirring often, until slightly softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the pasta and edamame. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is crispy in spots, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the sauce and stir to combine.

Nutrition

Per serving: 417 calories; 13 g fat (1 g sat, 5 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 60 g carbohydrates; 2 g added sugars; 18 g protein; 13 g fiber; 569 mg sodium; 310 mg potassium.

This was my first serving, don't you want some??? LOL. It was delish.

Bachelorette Party/Portsmouth, NH

2010-06-03T11:36:00.000-05:00

So the weekend before Memorial Day was my sister's bachelorette party in Portsmouth, NH. All in all, it was a good time. Our friend picked my sister's future sister-in-law and myself up at the Westin next door to my work, and we headed up there. We hit a lot of traffic, but that's par for the course on a Friday evening. We stayed at the Sheraton Harborside, which was a nice hotel.

Dinner on Friday night was at the hotel restaurant, the Harborside Restaurant. I had the Harbor Loaf, which was meatloaf, with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus. After dinner, we headed up to the rooms (we had suites) for a pre-dancing cocktail, then headed out to the Gaslight for drinks and dancing. We all had a great time having a few beers and dancing.

Saturday my mother, aunt, and a friend of the family came up for the day, we had lunch at the Portsmouth Brewery and then walked around downtown Portsmouth. I had a veggie burger at the Brewery, they make their own their and it was DELICIOUS. The beer they have is brewed on site and is really good, too. Downtown Portsmouth is really cute, with a lot of stores, bars and restaurants.

Saturday night we all had dinner at Agave, a Mexican restaurant. They were very attentive, and the food was great. A bunch of us all got the shrimp and avacodo salad (I got mine without avacado), and it is probably one of the best salads I've ever had. They make their guacamole tableside, and I heard it was great. I don't like avacodoes at all so I didn't try any. The margaritas were delish too.

After dinner we headed out for drinks. We stopped first at the Daniel Street Tavern, which is a little hole in the wall dive, but we all had a great time. Beers were cheap, the guy who ran the karoake machine gave us all free jello shots, and they seranaded my sister :) Good times all around. After that we went to RiRa for a little bit to hear the live band.

All in all, it was a really fun weekend. My sister had a great time, which was the goal, and we all enjoyed ourselves. The food in Portsmouth is really great too, and the drinks are pretty cheap. I hope to get up there again soon for a weekend.

P.S. If you're ever up there, try Popovers for breakfast. They have Rao's iced coffee, which is tres delicious, and homemade breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Yum.

The Best Lipstick EVER

2010-05-17T15:08:00.000-05:00

OK, so back in the days when I lived in NYC I started using MAC makeup. A girl's gotta keep up with the Joneses, you know what I'm sayin? Such things also led me to need to buy a Louis Vuitton and a Coach bag too. LOL. Anyhow, I really like MAC makeup. A lot. But it's really pricey so over hte past few years I've toned it down a notch and used Sephora's generic line and Cover Girl. I longed for my MAC days but one needs to save money where they can :)

However, I have not been able to find a lipstick I like more or that even compares to "O" by MAC. I swear, it's the most versatile lipstick ever, it looks good on anyone. My aunt even tried it and liked it. So I broke down and bought some this past weekend 'cause I NEEDED it, I tell you. And it's as good as ever. It even won an Allure Magazine beauty awad. Go out and buy it. Now.

New York Magazine Recaps Make My Day

2010-05-13T15:50:00.000-05:00

So I recently realized that New York Magazine has TV recaps for popular shows in the Vulture section of their website. And they are HILARIOUS. The Gossip Girl recap makes it worth coming to work on Tuesday mornings. So effing funny. Their ones for The Hills and The City are pretty hilarious too.

Speaking of The City, WTF is up with Olivia Palermon? Seriously? If it was anybody else in that position they would have been fired a LONG time ago. I don't get it. Even if it's just for TV, you would think she'd actually be required to do some work.

Back to work. Oh how I just love 10 hour workdays.

I leave you with a picture of my ADORABLE second cousin. I love her :)

Need Coffee...Send Help!

2010-05-04T15:01:00.000-05:00

I am cranky. I haven't been able to have my iced venti non-fat, no whip mocha yesterday OR today. Boo to that. This whole no drinking water situation has certainly put a damper on my day. Of course, don't get me wrong, things could be a WHOLE lot worse. And I'd rather have a boil water order in effect than have people exposed to illness. I have to say, though, I find it ridiculous that people felt the need to buy cases upon cases of bottled water. It was said almost from the get-go it was going to be less than a week before we got our water back. Okay, fine, buy a case or two. But for the love of God, is it that much work to boil some water???? Christ almighty. What are these people going to do know that the water's safe again and they have a lifetime supply of bottled water? Watch them go try to return it. I wonder what stores' policies will be on that.

That being said, I have to give props to the Starbucks on D Street (I think the actual address is 601 Congress Street, in the Seaport district). For the past two days, they have been making ice, coffee, and tea using bottled water, so the masses can have their caffeine fix. It's no mocha, but it will do in a crisis, LOL. And the Westin Hotel on Summer Street has had free hot Starbucks tea and coffee too, since the actual Starbucks in their lobby has been closed. Good times. I am very much looking forward to actually being able to get my mocha though. You can't get an espresso-based beverage in this town to save your life today!

We All Scream For Ice Cream!

2010-04-20T08:39:00.000-05:00

So, I have heard about Jeni's Ice Cream from Columbus, Ohio for a few years now. It's supposed to be pretty amazing, but unless you lived in Columbus, it was pretty inaccessible, unless you ordered it online (and then had to pay shipping costs, too). However, for those of you in the Boston they now carry it at Formaggio Kitchen. It's pricey but supposedly well worth the cost. I definitely plan on trying at least one pint. The flavors sound AMAZING.

http://jenisicecreams.com/flavors-signature.html
http://jenisicecreams.com/flavors-seasonal.html

Things I Am Loving These Days

2010-04-19T16:17:00.001-05:00

Avon's PLANET SPA African Shea Butter Brown Sugar Body Scrub--it is absolutely amazing. My mother gave me some for my birthday this year and I've never had a body scrub that worked better. Go buy some now:)

Yankee Candle's "Candy Slices" swirl candle. It's great. I also love the Vineyard candle and I just bought a Mango Peach Salsa and Sparkling Lemon tart to try.

Barefoot Wine Pinot Grigio:

And lastly, I may have mentioned these before, but I ADORE the Thai Shrimp Gyoza from Trader Joes's. They are so good. I swear I could eat them every day and not get sick of them.

Is It Friday Yet????

2010-04-14T14:01:00.000-05:00

Good lord these 10+ hour days are doing a number on my energy. However, I have been trying REALLY hard to keep up with my workout regimen and thus far I am doing ok. I slacked off for a week or two but have gotten back into it for the past few weeks. Since I don't have to go down to the South Shore to visit family this weekend it will be good for me, cause I can go to the gym over the weekend too. Yay me :)

I have been working on some goals for myself to accomplish while I am working too, so I am going to try and get myself organized this weekend so I can accomplish this. Good times all around. I have monetary, physical, and career goals, which I will post this weekend. I find when I make lists of goals/things to do/tasks, I am much more likely to actually accomplish them, since they're in writing and I can cross them off my list of things to do. Yes, I am type A like that, so what? Whatever works for you?

My Life Is So Exciting...Jealous?

2010-04-10T22:41:00.000-05:00

Not really. It's 11:30 and I'm about to go to sleep. And I went to bed at 11 last night. My weekends have been so wicked exciting I can't even stand it :) My job just wears me out for real, yo. At least 10 hours a day, with only a 30-minute lunch, which I hardly ever take. I do get overtime, and my agency offers health and dental insurance, plus life insurance too, so it could be worse. It's just a really long day, since I need to leave my house by 7:15 am, and if I go to the fitness center in my building after work I don't get home til like 8:30. But hey, it's a job, so it could be worse.

On the bright side, my mother bought me two new pairs of shoes today. So I may have no social life these days but my feet will look hot!

It's About That Time

2010-04-07T13:00:00.000-05:00

I really need to start buckling down and studying for the National Certified Bookeepers exam. I'd like to take it by the end of June, but preferably sooner. I think once I have that accreditation it will help to find a full time position more in line with my MBA degree, and let me use my budgeting/bookkeeping/analytical skills moreso than what I am doing now. Not that I am complaining in the least bit, because let's be honest, in this day and age a job is a job! And my temporary agency offers health and dental insurance, along with a 401(K) plan, so that is a huge bonus. And if I can find a permanent position that pays decently, I'd certainly be willing to stay here, especially given my 5-year history with this company. Sometimes I think I never should have left :(

However, dwelling on the past accomplishes nothing so it is what it is, and I will try my hardest to be the best fund accountant ever and get offered a full time position. Once I get my national certification I also plan on trying to get bookkeeping work on the side, and hopefully somebody will get enough business that I can start my own company. Here's to hoping!

Yankee Candle, I Heart You

2010-04-05T06:56:00.002-05:00

I have a little bit of an obsession with making my house smell good. I have a tarter warmer in the living room and my bedroom, an oil burner in my living room and bedroom, several little votive and tea light holders everywhere, and a nice big Vineyard jar candle (by Yankee Candle) in my kitchen. The past few months I've been trying to make my obession coordinate with everything. I bought a tealight holder at Target on clearance and my roommate's boyfriend gave me some martini-style votive holders:

Then I bought a few votive holders at Ikea to match the martini votives and a set of glasses displayed on the ledge. I had "Island Nectar" by Slatkin & Co (from the Bath and Body Works line) burning with two Starfruit and Orange votives by Yankee Candle, it smelled AMAZING.

Then I have two large jar candles by Yankee Candle, they're both winter fragrances. The Snow Berry candle is one of my favorite scents ever by Yankee Candle, I hope they bring it back for next Christmas.

Lastly, I kept my Christmas-themed tart warmer because the glass of my every day one cracked, and the colors in it match the color scheme of my living room anyways. I bought a Tutti Frutti wax potpourri tart to use in it because it got rave reviews, and I have to say, it's great. It smells kinda like Hawaiian fruit.

One my next trip to Yankee Candle I am going to switch out my two large jars for some more spring/summery fragrances, most likely Kiwi Berries and something else. You can print out a bunch of coupons online. I'm also going to stock up on some new votives and tarts. I hear Beautiful Day and Early Sunrise are good, and I love Tutti Frutti, Fruit Punch, and Cherry Lemonade. Yay for spring :)

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

Hello, Lover...

2010-04-02T19:06:00.000-05:00

I love dark chocolate. And I love cherry. And when you combine the two of them together into a Starbucks iced espresso drink it's all kinds delicious!

The Starbucks Iced Dark Cherry Mocha--so so good:

Let's Talk About Food

2010-03-28T16:49:00.000-05:00

I've been house/cat-sitting in South Boston for the past 5 days, so on Thursday night a friend and I went to Salsa's South Boston for dinner. Can we talk about how good the Mango Camorones is? Holy God, it is amazing. The menu description is "shrimp sauteed with garlic, tequila and parsley and topped with a fresh mango salsa". I would say it's more of a mango sauce not really a salsa, but it was incredible. It came with sauteed vegetables and their house mashed potatoes. I also had a frozen strawberry mango margarita. So I love mango. Sue me :)

I had dinner at Boston Beer Garden, also in South Boston, on Friday night, with another friend. We both had the steak tips, which were really good. The marinade was great.

I am looking forward to Easter dinner next weekend, since it's been a while since I had a home cooked meal. I am just not motivated to make a lot of food since it's just me eating it. However, I have a recipe for edamane lo mein that I'd really like to make, and it got really good reviews, so maybe I'll try to make it this week.

One last note--my roommate bought Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Almonds with Sea Salt and Turbinado sugar, and they are REALLY good. I'm not a big fan of almonds, but these will make me eat them, LOL.

It's The Weekend, Yay

2010-03-27T15:52:00.002-05:00

It’s been a while but with my new job I have been EXHAUSTED. I work close to 10 hours a day, which isn’t so bad since I get overtime. And to be honest, when you work in financial services, you get used to it. But since it’s been oh so long since I have had to do it, it’s taking some getting used to. But I will persevere! LOL.

I am hoping that with my background at the company I am working at again, and with my experience, they will offer me a full time position after a few months. That would be fantastic. As my sister said, I just have to blow the other temps out of the water  So that is my plan, along with studying for the national certification exam for bookkeepers. I plan on doing bookkeeping work on the side once I (hopefully) pass the exam.

Other than that, not much going on. Things kind of fizzled out with the guy I was supposed to go to NY with for my birthday. He had been having some tax problems due to a life insurance policy, I guess, and went pretty much MIA. Even when I texted him telling him I was canceling our hotel reservation so we wouldn’t get charged, he didn’t reply. And when he finally got in contact with me on my actual birthday, did he even say “Happy Birthday!”? That would be NO. I understand that people have issues and stuff comes up, but seriously, it takes 5 minutes to pick up a phone and call to say hi. So that’s that. I deserve better. I don’t really have time to deal with it these days anyways, with work and studying, and my sister’s wedding coming up. C’est la vie.

I Love This Weather!

2010-03-07T14:15:00.000-05:00

It's been beautiful outside the past few days. Yesterday I went for long power walk outside, it was great. I went to the gym instead today, oh well. C'est la view. I need to finish my "Mastering Inventory" open book test so I went to the gym and am now at Starbucks checking email and studying. Good times.
I started my full-time job last week, it's been a lot to learn but I welcome that. I got to leave early on Friday since they're putting me in a different department starting tomorrow, which works for me since now I'll be a block away from the building when I get off the T instead of having to get off at Downtown Crossing, walk to South Station, and then take a shuttle. Yay for me!

A New Beginning...

2010-02-25T11:56:00.000-05:00

Well, today is the last day at my part-time job in retail. I am actually kind of excited about it, I'll have my weekends free again!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am pretty sure that during the week I'll be putting in overtime so I think that will more than compensate for the lack of part time job. I am hoping this position turns into a full-time offer, but if not, I think that I'll be able to find something else, since by then I'll have taken (and passed, haha) the National Certified Bookkeeper's exam.

So I just need to be diligent with my studying to make sure I am able to pass both parts of the exam. My classes for the program finish up this week so even if I just study an hour a day for a month I should be okay. And since I won't have to be working on weekends I can study then too. Woohoo!

I Got A Job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-02-21T13:31:00.000-05:00

Woohoo! I got a job :) I will be back at my JPMorgan roots next week, in a contract position in their fund accounting area. I am under the impression they plan on making several of their temporary employees full-time after a few months, so I hope that is the case. However, I will be finishing up my accounting/bookkeeping program this week, so I can study for the national certification exam in the next month or so, and hopefully pass it and find a job in the bookkeeping area if the temporary position doesn't turn permanent. It's going to be hard to get back to the daily grind after so long, but I'm sure I'll get back into the swing of things soon :)

I Do What I Want!

2010-02-09T15:31:00.000-05:00

Ok, so apparently the girl who started the fight on Saturday night says to my friend "You guys should stick to your own kind" before she started throwing punches. To clarify, my friend and I were talking to Mr Elusive and his brother beforehand, and they are black (well, West Indian to be accurate, they are from Barbados). And the girl who started the fight and all of her friends were black too. But I will be damned if I will let that kind of ignorance stop me from dating someone. 'Cause you know what? Screw you. It's not my fault if some incredible-looking guy would rather date me than talk to you. And if you are willing to start an all-out brawl in a bar, then news flash--you're probably not that desirable to anybody. That's just plain ignorance and being stupid, and most men worth dating wouldn't be in the least be interested in someone like that. So go to hell. And take your idiot friends with you. Meanwhile, Mr Elusive and I will be hanging out and enjoying each other's company.

And you could very well have assault and battery charges in your future, if employees of the bar can identify you. So I hope what you did is worth it to you. Cause a court case against you is sure as hell not going to be fun.

Between A Rock And A Hard Place

2010-02-07T17:33:00.000-05:00

OK, so Mr. Elusive has decided that he wanted to make a reappearance once again. So I decided that I would invite him to my friend and I's joint birthday celebration last night. Mind you, I had also invited the new man in my life cause I figured he might actually come. I never actually thought that Mr. Elusive would come. And between the two of them, he's actually the one that made an effort to come into Boston and meet me at Suite. He brought his brother with him, so my friend and I hung out with them for a while.
There was a miscommunication with the other birthday girl and some other people that were coming out, so it was just my friend and I. He had borrowed a car from a friend to come into town (his is in the shop) so he couldn't stay all night, but the fact that he actually made an effort to see me made me happy :)

So there's my dilemna. Intellectually I know that the new man is better for me. But the chemistry between Mr. Elusive and I is RIDICULOUS. I have never in my life felt such a magnetic attraction to someone. It's crazy. And when we are actually hanging out, we get along so well. And while I know the new man is probably more what I should be looking for, he's not even the one that came into Boston to come celebrate with me. Oh, what to do?

Speaking of last night, I will NEVER go to Suite again. EVER. After Mr. Elusive and his brother left, my friend got elbowed by a girl standing next to her at the bar. So when my friend said "Excuse you", the girl got offended and literally started punching my friend in the face. Then her friend joined in. So I tried to pull one of the girls off my friend, and a bunch of their other friends joined in. So my friend is laying on the floor trying to fight off like 7 girls, I get tossed out of the way by one of them and thrown up against a table, then landed on the floor. Finally two guys at the bar broke it up. Not one of the employees of Suite did a damn thing to try and break it up, call security, or call the cops. Nothing. They stood there and watched. And after the fight stopped, one of the girls took my purse off the floor and threw it at one of the bartenders. The bartenders stood there and laughed. And when I asked for my purse they took there sweet time looking for it. The moral of the story is, don't EVER go there.

Yet Another Unemployment Update

2010-02-06T12:26:00.001-05:00

OK, so apparently my fight with MA Unemployment paid off, because I am now getting more than $400/week. It's not the maximum benefit I was getting before, but it's a hell of a lot better than $97/week, as I'm sure we can all agree. I haven't gotten my benefit determination letter yet, but I am assuming they took into account my wages last January at my full-time position, the severance, and the bonus, in addition to my part time wages. I think that severance should count as qualifying wages in Massachusetts anyways, because federal law apparently supercedes state law when it comes to such things, and according to the IRS the amount that appears in the "Medicare Wages" box on your W2 are wages, and according to my W2, everything I received last year was wages. So there you go.

I still plan on appealing my new wage determination though. I received the money to attend school (via ITA/Section 30) through a federal grant, not through state money. I wasn't eligible for state funding because I already had a college degree (the battle for that money is a story for another day, but I did discuss it on this blog late last year). My letter approving this training clearly states you can get an extension from their program while you are attending school full-time if your uenmployment benefits run out. Since federal rules are God, apparently, I think the fact that I am attending due to federal funding should entitle me to my full benefit amount while I am in school. If I had had any idea at all that I would be in for such a battle to even get a new claim, I probably wouldn't have chosen to attend school to begin with, I would have looked even harder for a full time position.

On a more exciting note, tonight is a birthday celebration for me and a friend of mine, since more likely than not I will be in NYC next weekend on my actual birthday. So it should be fun. I'm not sure where we'll be going for drinks and dancing yet, probably The Estate or Gypsy Bar. I am excited for dinner at Rock Bottom Brewery and some good beer!