Lots of Excitement Coming Up

This is a very big week for me. I am very actively looking for a new job. I had a great interview at a digital advertising agency, and heard that all the feedback was positive and it was just a waiting game while they finished their interviews and made the decision. Well, after waiting 4 weeks to hear I finally got an email from the HR contact I'd been working with. Unfortunately, their needs had shifted so they would not be hiring me for the original position, however they wanted to bring me in for an interview with the associate partner on another team. Though I was disappointed to have waited so long just to hear their needs have shifted, I'm still excited because clearly they are interested in me or they wouldn't be bringing me back in for another interview. Since all the feedback was so positive the last time, I only need to meet with the partner, and then hopefully they'll make a decision quicker this time. I really want this job! The company seems great, the work sounds interesting, and it'd be a heck of a lot more money! So everyone keep their fingers crossed for me!

Though I am usually the eternal optimist, I am not putting all my eggs in this basket. I'm pretty desperate to get out of my current place so I have an interview with another company this week as well. I have heard some less than positive things about this other place, but again the work sounds semi-interesting and again....MORE MONEY!

So, I will be getting up early on Thursday, getting all professional looking, and heading out for my interviews at the first company at 8:30, followed by my interview at the place I really like at 11:30. Lets hope I can post some good news in the very near future!

Oh, and then Friday, I'm hopping on a plane down to Charleston to stay with my sister for the weekend! We are going to do some party prep work for my nieces 1st birthday. I can't believe the little peanut is almost 1, and I'm soooo excited to spend quality time with her and my sister. How can you not love this face:

GET ME TO FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

My New Boyfriend

It's definitely not what you're all thinking - I'm still single as can be. But let me introduce you to my new boyfriend.....

That's right, I FINALLY got Netflix (instantly for my wii, so I can finally put that $200 purchase to use). It was probably the best decision I have EVER made. My queue is already packed with tons of tv series and movies that everyone on earth has seen but me! I hang out with him every night, we fall asleep together, and he makes me the happiest girl in the world.

Seriously, who needs a boyfriend, I'm perfectly content with my Netflix!

Does anyone have any good movie suggestions I should add to my list?

My mama said...

Nope, not you can't hurry love....instead my mom said (and I quote) "Play hard to get - 90 days , no cookies, like Steve Harvey says." Yes, that is right, my mom went there and told me not to have sex for at least 90 days when I'm dating someone. And honestly, I loved every second of that conversation (well gchat conversation). I don't think I've ever laughed so hard. And she makes a valid point, though I hate to admit to her that there may be times where I just might not be able to keep that promise. A girls got needs, and when you've been single for as long as I have, sometimes its hard to make it 90 days. Don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean I run around jumping in the sack right off the bat, I'm DEFINITELY NOT that kind of girl.

Anyway, that comment pretty much sums up my mom in a nutshell. Our relationship is amazing, she is a wonderful, down to earth woman, and I have truly come to appreciate her. I wasn't the easiest of kids growing up, I definitely went through quite a bitchy phase in middle school/early highschool, but she put up with me, and got me through those times, and now our relationship couldn't be any closer!

So here's to my mom, and all the great moms out there! And mom, I promise, I'll do my best to never have any cookies within the first 90 days!

You have to go through Hell, before you get to Heaven!

I'm semi-embarrassed to admit that I heard this quote while watching the World of Jenks this morning on MTV. I will admit that I watch terrible tv (I love the stupid reality shows like the Kardashians, Housewives, and Teen Mom), and Sunday mornings seems to be when I watch the worst shows. Which leads me to this morning's World of Jenks episode where he followed a rapper (apparently the guy that sings 'All the Above'). The rapper was talking about his past life, going to prison, getting stabbed, etc, and how it all lead to where he is today.

This quote really struck me (enough to make me blog about it). I have really gone through some ups and downs while living in NYC. In fact, pretty much a year ago from this time I was severely unhappy in life. I spent my weekends alone in my apartment, barely did anything, and just kept to myself in my state of depression. I knew something was wrong, I knew that I was not myself, but I just didn't know how to snap out of it. I had pretty much hit my rock bottom (for the second time) in NY.

And honestly, I don't know what happened, I don't know why I was so unhappy, and I don't know what has changed, but now I feel like the happiest girl in the world. I'm still miserable in my job, I'm still single, and I'm still struggling to save any money while living here, but for the first time I have accepted it all, and I'm completely content with everything. I realize now how amazing it is that I am living in NY, even if I'm broke! This is quite the experience, and I would never change it to be living back at home with my parents just to be saving some money (no offense meant to anyone who chose that path). I also know that I will find a new job eventually and everything will fall into place. But in the mean time, I'M IN HEAVEN! I'm finally sooooo happy it's unreal. I keep myself busy, I've found a great group of friends to spend time with on the weekends. I go out, and try new things, and meet new people. I'm no longer letting myself get stressed out and upset over a job I don't even like. Sure, there are nights I have to stay late to make deadlines, but I've stopped caring as much as I used to (esp. since nobody else does). I'm finally making myself the priority, not my job. I'm exercising more and eating healthy, I'm writing on a regular basis, and I've adding learning how to play the guitar to my list of things to do next. I'm focusing on making healthy priorities for myself, and it feels good.

Of course, there are going to be some bad days/bad moments where I regress to questioning whether living in NYC is the right choice for me, but for now I'm happy to say that it is. That this is where I should be in life. I've gone through my Hell, and now I'm in Heaven and it can only get better from here!

What I don't miss

I was on the subway yesterday morning on my way to work, reading my book with headphones in, just minding my own business. As we got closer to the city this couple got on the train, and what started as a semi-quiet, kept to themselves argument, turned into a full blown fight. I'm talking yelling at one-another loudly, the guy hitting one of the poles because he got so angry, just an all out fight on the middle of the train. I try to just mind my own business on the trains since there are quite a few weirdos in this city, but everyone was watching this fight. You just couldn't help but stare. I don't even know exactly what the fight was about, she was mad at him for not taking the day off from work, and then she couldn't go into work at that point because she forgot her phone...really it made no sense, but they were both LIVID with one another, and you could tell neither person was going to win that argument anytime soon. They ended up getting off at Grand Central and continued their argument, but it really got me thinking.

I definitely don't miss that at all! I don't fight anymore, I don't have to worry about the drama, or putting someone else's happiness above mine. I get to do what I want, when I want to do it. Granted, in all the relationships I've ever been in, I've never been in a fight that had gotten that out of hand, and I would never let someone treat me that way. As an onlooker for only a few moments I could tell that it was a very unhealthy relationship, and I don't know about you, but I'd much rather be in no relationship, than one that is unhealthy.

I've been single for 3 1/2 years now (minus a few month relationship back in February), and though there have been times where I've missed the companionship, the comfort of having someone by my side, I've realized that I deserve a lot. I deserve a man that will spoil me, and take care of me after a long day of work. I may have been single for over 3 years, but that's because I refuse to settle for someone that is less than I deserve. And though at times I may miss being in a relationship, I certainly don't miss the fighting!

Riding Solo

This is probably my new theme song. I love this song and think that its so refreshing to finally hear a song about how great it is to be single (rather than how great it is to be in love, blah blah blah). So as I get ready to go out at night, I turn up the volume and sing and dance. Life is good, and it's going to be a great weekend, even though I am Riding Solo.

I'm feeling like a star, you can't stop my shine,

I'm loving could nine, my head's in the sky,

I'm solo, I'm riding solo,

I'm riding solo, I'm riding solo, solo

Yeah, I'm feeling good tonight,

finally doing me and it feels so right, oh

Time to do the things I like

going to the club everything's alright, oh,

No one to answer to,

no one that's gonna argue, no,

and since I got the hold off me,

I'm living life now that I'm free, yeah,

Telling me to get my shit together

now I got my shit together, yeah,

Now I made it through the weather

better days are gonna get better

I'm so sorry that it didn't work out I'm moving on,

I'm so sorry but it's over now, the pain is goooone,

I'm putting on my shades to cover up my eyes,

I'm jumpin' in my ride, I'm heading out tonight,

I'm solo, I'm riding solo, I'm riding solo, I'm riding solo, sooloooo.

Now I'm feeling how I should,

Never knew single could feel this good

~Jason Derulo

I think that last line speaks volumes for me. I feel great lately, my entire attitude has shifted, and being single really does feel good! I can do whatever I want, and life is all about having fun right now. So I'm going to get all dressed up, and go out tonight with some great friends, dance my ass off and see what happens. The beauty about being single is that anything can happen....

Are you ready for some football????

Because I am!

Last year was the first year I really followed football. I started going to a Patriots bar with a friend of mine every week. I must say, watching football in a crowded bar where everyone is cheering for the same team is a heck of a lot more exciting than sitting at home watching it on tv by yourself or with a few friends. I was amazed at how crowded the bar would get every week, and we made quite a few new friends by seeing the same groups there every Sunday (not to mention the bartender knew us pretty well, so we usually got hooked up).

One of my favorite things about the city is that there are sports bars for practically any team you can imagine. I swear, if there were a national shuffleboard league, you could find a bar to watch all the games in with fellow fans. This also means I don't have to limit my favorite teams to the ones in the NY area just so I can watch the games. I jumped on the Patriots bandwagon because that was my friends team, but as I get more and more into it and start following more closely, I will find my own team.

So get out your jerseys, and crack open a beer because football season has OFFICIALLY begun!

Just what the doctor ordered

A weekend in Philadelphia with my family that is. The weekend was semi-uneventful, but EXACTLY what I needed.

I got in Friday afternoon. My uncle, his cousin, and my cousin picked me up from the train station and then we did some touristy things before heading to my uncle's cousin's house. We got to the house around 7, had a nice dinner as a family at home and then just sat around playing cards and drinking wine.

Saturday we got up early, had breakfast, got ready and drove into NYC because my family wanted to see the city while they were on the east coast. We ate lunch in Little Italy at a place I used to go to with my friends in college. We saw Times Square, stopped at Macy's and headed back to Little Italy for dessert and coffee before we began the drive back to Philly (we had parked right by Little Italy). Everyone was impressed with how well I knew the city and how easily I was able to get us all around. I guess that's what happens after you've lived here for a few years, but it made me feel good that they thought I was city savvy. We got home a little after 10, and again sat around the table drinking wine and playing cards.

Sunday came and we all slept in, took our time getting ready and then went to brunch. I ate like a champion. I can't even believe my stomach allowed me to consume the amount of food I did. After brunch we went back to the house, everyone packed up and we made our way to the airport where I had to say good bye to my aunt, uncle and cousin.

I said goodbye to the comfort that my aunt always provides because she completely understands the person I have become. I said goodbye to my uncle and his corny jokes that make me laugh so hard I can barely breathe, and I said goodbye to my cousin and our late night chats after everyone had gone to bed. I gave them all a hug, and though I was sad to have to say goodbye yet again, I felt refreshed. The weekend was pure bliss, and I'm so blessed to have such a loving family who was generous enough to include me in their weekend plans.

Straight Up and Dirty

I just recently finished the book Straight Up and Dirty, a memoir by Stephanie Klein that details her life (getting married at a young age to a man whose family doesn't approve of her, getting divorced young, and finding herself again). At the end of the book she has learned to define herself outside of being in a relationship. I really began to relate to this book, a young, successful woman living in Manhattan, struggling with dating and getting her life back on track. Granted I've never been divorced, but I definitely know how challenging it can be to date in Manhattan!

By the last page in the book I knew I was meant to read this book. It has been inspiring and insightful and it's motivated me to find myself too; to stop worrying about finding a satisfying relationship unless that relationship is with myself. I need to continue to find things that make me happy, that I like to do, and once I am fulfilled with my own life, then I can worry about finding someone else.

I think that lately I've been doing a good job with this. I'm less concerned about having a boyfriend, and settling down. I'm still young, I have PLENTY of time. I'm just excited to keep trying new things and loving life in NYC. After all, I'm only going to have this opportunity once, and I'm finally ready to embrace it and start having fun as a young, good looking single girl in Manhattan!

And with that, I leave you with a selection from the last page of the book Straight Up and Dirty:

But now, I realized it's about abandoning your stupid wristwatch and giving your compass a flick to make sure the needle still moves...having the courage to follow in the direction to which is points. I opened my journal to a blank page. I still do want that: the husband, babies, and house int he suburbs, but I'm no longer envious because I know I can have it, all of it. Success isn't about crossing things off life's to-do list. It's having the grace and fortitude to move through change, and smiling.... The plan should be learning how to live without one, or how to carry a big fat eraser in your petite handbag. It's comfortable to have plans, but you've got to be loose enough to accept change. Plans get revised, new blueprints get drafted to accommodate the expansive garden. And nowadays, I'm planting my own, even if it is in crapass Central Park. I'm digging my feet into the warm soil, retaining and nourishing everything I've got left - and that's a lot.

~Stephanie Klein

I'm ready to forget my plans, to go with the flow and accept that I will have all the things I want in life, when I'm meant to have them. For now, I'm going to enjoy the ride and see what happens.

TGIALW

THANK GOD ITS A LONG WEEKEND!

I am burnt out after the last few weeks of work (not leaving before 10 any night), and am very much looking forward to a long relaxing weekend in Philly with my family from Chicago. I am very close with my Chicago family (mom's side). I lived with my aunt, uncle and cousins for 2 summers while I interned at her marketing agency, and have made an effort to visit them on a regular basis ever since. This weekend she happened to be in the Philly area for work and my uncle has family there so he was going to come too so I planned to take the train and meet them for the weekend. Then my cousin called me to tell me he was in the Philly airport, a very pleasant surprise for me because we have become very close. It made the weekend plans go from good to great!

So here I am, just outside of Philly for a weekend full of fun, food (last weekend before I get serious with my P90X meal plan), and family. It's exactly what the doctor would have ordered for me to tone down my stress levels!

Enjoy the long weekend!

Life's Simple Pleasures

I'm a firm believer in enjoying life's simple pleasures. Here are some of my favorites:

-Enjoying a big cup of coffee on a lazy Sunday morning

-A cold beer on a hot day (or any day really)

-Going to bed at night with wet hair

-Getting a seat on the subway (not surrounded by weird people who smell bad)

-A thunderstorm on a day when I don't have to leave my apartment

-Wearing sweatpants

-A glass of wine after a hard day at work

-Curling up with a good book (usually chick lit, nothing of value)

-Iced coffee season

-A fresh manicure/pedicure

-Seeing new pictures of my beautiful niece Chloe

-The feeling I have after adding a new blog post

What are some of your simple pleasures?

Blog SLACKER

And I apologize... I'm going to try to get back on the wagon and maintain semi-regular posts!