Fortunate Fool

Thankful.

2010-09-28T11:56:00.000-07:00

As a 2008 graduate of Seton Hall University, this story hit quite close to home. literally and figuratively. This past Friday, 9/24/10, a shooting occurred at an off-campus Seton Hall party about a mile from campus. A man refused to pay cover and was therefore turned away. He left, got a shotgun, and returned to shoot 5 people. One of whom passed away the next afternoon.

A quick Google search will show hundreds of articles about this tragedy. You can find one here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/nyregion/27seton.html

Jessica A. Moore was a sophomore at SHU. 19 years old. it truly is a tragedy and if nothing else, a wake up call for those of us who tend to sweat the small stuff (guilty) or dramatize little things (guilty) or worry over nothing (guilty).

Things like this always open up my eyes in the worst way and I can only hope and pray that her family and the Seton Hall community as a whole will come together and heal after this horrific tragedy.

The gunman was caught last night although they are still searching for his accomplice. I hope they both rot in jail for a very long time.

RIP Jessica - I may not have known you but thank you for opening my eyes.

once a pirate, always a pirate. stay strong seton hall.

Not Just Yet

2010-07-01T13:37:00.000-07:00

so I didn't receive a call from Hallmark.

I should've expected as much - it's only my first time ever entering into one of their contests, and if nothing else, I'm proud and happy that my card was at least mentioned on their Facebook Fan page during the judging process.

Hallmark will continue to have lots of contests and I will certainly continue to enter lots of contests. That being said, I just wanted to write about how grateful I was yesterday. For what, you ask? I mean, afterall I was completely rejected by Hallmark and one of my life goals is not going to be checked off my list as quickly as I first thought, BUT I do know some really awesome people.

Let me explain.

In the days leading up to yesterday, I pretty much told EVERYONE at my company about my card. literally, everyone. If they didn't see it on facebook or twitter, they could hear me talking about it in the hallways. I even told Tom Coyne about it and even my boss, Dave. It was so exciting that it was all I could think about. Everyone knew that yesterday was the day I'd find out, one way or the other.

I was nervously sitting at my desk, dreaming and hoping that my phone would ring and it would be Hallmark telling me they've chosen my card. Hallmark does this thing where they post 'blurries' on their facebook fan page. Essentially, the Hallmark team hangs up the finalists and then the winners cards on a wall and then take a picture. They must upload the picture and blur out the cards so it's hard for you to tell whether or not yours is up there. After the post the "blurry" of the winning cards, they tell everyone that they have started making the calls.

Of course my face was glued to the screen to see if my card was among the blurries. I didn't have a good feeling but before I knew it, I had people calling, texting and emailing me left and right.

From Chris, Cristin, Danielle and Katie huddled around a computer trying to decipher to Nick and Lila asking me which I thought could be mine to Liz asking me to send her a screen grab of the Blurries (she can't get on facebook at work) to see if she could tell to Andrew texting me that he thinks my is the second one down in the third column. I didn't ask any of these people to follow it but the fact of the matter is that they all know how important this was (and still is) to me. They were right there with me and we're just as bummed (ok maybe not as bad) as I was when I realized I wasn't getting a call. Hell, even this morning one of the senior VPs in the company, Kelly, called me. He said "2 things: can you print a book for me? and don't worry about Hallmark - there's always next time."

Sure, there are tons of creeps and bad people out there in the world. But damn, I'm lucky to know so many good ones. And on top of that, to have this many people on my side? Wow.

Am I a Hallmarker?

2010-06-24T13:55:00.001-07:00

...I sure hope so.

I've always had a thing for greeting cards. Ask my first boyfriend - I think I gave him close to 100 cards in the almost four years we dated. I'm good with the tearjerkers (especially with my mom) and I just have an overall love for cards.

I recently realized I say the phrase, "I need to do that before I die..." about 10 times a week, no exaggeration. I realized that maybe it was time to start writing these things down. Call it a bucket list (although some people prefer the title 'list of really cool things i want to do') or whatever you want, but I started writing mine out. I'm up to about 50 but the first one I wrote down was "Have a card published by Hallmark."

I've always wanted this and any of my close friends know this. It wasn't until last week when I stumbled upon a little website called hallmarkcontests.com when I realized I might have a serious shot at this.

On that site, they host different contests throughout the year (almost every month there is a different topic that you can submit a card for) and then they choose a selection of cards to be sold on their website. if your card is chosen, you get $250! From there, they narrow it down even more and choose another select group of cards to actually physically be sold in the store.

Needless to say, I HAVE to submit. Entries for the current contest opened on June 7th and the deadline is June 28th (next Monday). Since I found out about it so late in the game, I have been cramming to try to come up with some card ideas that are good enough to submit. I have a few ideas that I'm really excited about and will officially be submitting my first card(s) to Hallmark this evening!!!

I'm just grateful that Hallmark has these contests that give people like me (who don't want to up and move to Kansas City, MO to be close to the Hallmark HQ) a shot at actually crossing one of the biggest things off of my 'bucket list.'

I've already warned a few people that if my card is chosen (whether it be online AND in-store or just simply online) I'm pretty positive I'm going to cry like a baby. Well, cry like a baby and buy hundreds of my card.

Even if I don't get chosen, I'm still very excited about the opportunity. and if nothing else, at least these contests will help me gain some experience and build up a little collection for myself.

Wish me luck!

Happy National Lobster Day!

2010-06-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

Happy National Lobster Day!!!! Who knew? 6/15 is National Lobster Day and I can't help but think of my two best friends, Liz and Nicole. This picture was taken on Nicole's 21st birthday in Atlantic City - an awesome night none of us will ever forget.

I had plans to hang out with my friends Kayleigh and Brianna this Friday and then I was going to head down to South Jersey Saturday morning. A change of plans popped up when I talked to Nicole, who now lives in Ohio, and she told me she would be home in South Jersey this weekend. She’s driving home to surprise her family for Father’s Day and her dad’s birthday. She’s doing family things (her dad’s birthday party) Saturday night and Sunday but will be free Friday night if I wanted to hang out. I felt bad cancelling my plans with Kay and Bri but they understood immediately.

Liz now lives outside of Baltimore, MD and Nicole by Cincinnati, OH. I’ve known these two since 1999 and I’m so lucky to still call them my best friends 11 years later. Although we don’t get to see each other nearly as much as we’d like, we clearly jumped at the opportunity to all get together this Friday. We don’t even have big plans – it’s very possible that we’ll end up sitting in Nicole’s backyard with some drinks, just hanging out like old times – and the best part is that we all love that idea. We don’t need to go out and spend all this money, the most important thing is that we’re actually going to get to spend some time together.

Let me explain the lobster reference for anyone who may not know. Before we all left for college in 2004, I became very scared/nervous/anxious about all of my friendships. I had a very strong friendship circle all throughout high school and I was not ready to lose that as we all went off to college. I’ve always been obsessed with the TV show, Friends, and I remember watching it one night when “The One With The Prom Video” came on. I had seen it before, but it never really struck me. There’s a part where Phoebe is explaining to Ross that Rachel is his lobster. Here’s how it goes:

Phoebe: Hang in there, it's gonna happen.
Ross: What? Okay, now how do you know that?
Phoebe: Because she's your lobster.
Chandler: Oh, she's goin' somewhere.
Phoebe: Come on, you guys. It's a known fact that lobsters fall in love and mate for life. You know what? You can actually see old lobster couples walkin' around their tank, you know, holding claws like...

At the very end of the episode, Rachel kisses Ross and Phoebe yells “He’s her lobster!”

This might sound lame to some people but it immediately reminded me of my group of friends. Although we’re not technically “mating,” I am definitely in love with them in a way. From then on, I called them my lobsters and it’s been our thing. Some people may have come and gone but it’s always been the three of us, and from the looks of it, it always will be. No distance (NJ vs. OH vs. MD) can break us.

So, you see, it’s quite fitting that today is National Lobster Day since I will be seeing both of my lobsters this Friday. =)

I really am a Fortunate Fool

2010-06-09T12:25:00.000-07:00

It's been almost 9 months since I've last updated this blog but I needed a place to write down what I'm feeling, and I figured this was a good a place as any. I'd be surprised if anyone will even ever see this but that's no big deal.

I've had my dog Jinx since I was seven. My little brother was only 4 and I distinctly remember the day we picked him out from his litter at the shelter. I remember asking my mom if we could have all of his brothers and sisters. I remember bringing him home and running over to Adrian's house to show him off. I remember how well he got along with our old dog, Scruffy, at the time. I remember how protective Jinx used to get of me when he was younger whenever my dad would hug and/or tickle me. I remember the night we had to put Scruffy to sleep and how rambunctious he was while we were trying to get a picture of everyone before she passed. I remember crying when I moved out of my parents’ house - not because I was sad to leave my family but more because I was sad to leave Jinx. I remember all of my friends poking fun at how old Jinx was, but secretly loving him. I remember his wretched breath that he got way back when and even the Vet said there was nothing we could do about it. I remember getting teary-eyed every time I visited Atco for a weekend and had to make the trek back up to Clifton. I will remember each and every one of those things forever.

17 years later, I still love that dog like he is my little brother (sorry, Ry, but it’s true). I went home this past weekend and my family had somewhat of an intervention with me. I heard things like, “Jinx is getting so old, Shan,” “He’s in so much pain,” “We really need to start thinking about putting him down,” etc. etc. We’ve had the conversation before. My entire family is scared to bring it up to me because they all know how much I love him. I respect them for that, really. Because it means they get it. They know how much I love him and they know I don’t want to hear it but they know it’s for the best. And deep down, so do I. So before I left my parents this past weekend, we agreed that we would put him to sleep the next weekend I’d be home, which will be June 19th for Father’s Day weekend.

As I drove back to Clifton, I cried and thought about Jinx and about how hard 6/19 will be for not only me, but my entire family. But by the time I arrived in Clifton, I had pretty much accepted it and come to terms with the fact that we would be putting my best friend of 17 years to sleep. That being said, it was the last thing I wanted to think about. I figured I had two whole weeks to not think about it. Not worry about it. Not cry about it.

Until Tuesday night. I was hanging out at two of my best friends’ apartment – Cristin and Colleen's. We were having a good time. My phone rang and we even joked around that my “I want you to want me” ringtone was an inappropriate one to have for my dad calling me. And then I picked up the phone. And heard my dad crying. And I knew.

Jinx was outside and all of a sudden his front legs wouldn’t work. He’s had bad arthritis for years and I guess it finally got too bad. My parents made the executive decision to put him to sleep last night and my dad was calling to see if there was anything I wanted him to bury with Jinx. I was too upset to even think of anything but my mom did tell me she saved his collar for me. I think what upset me the most is that I had all intentions of seeing him one more time before this happened. Everything does happen for a reason, and I suppose it’s probably for the best that I didn’t have to see him like that.

I’m actually really glad I was with two of my closest friends when I found out because they were amazing. I felt silly crying so hard about a dog, but they didn’t care. In all reality, when I take a look at it, my friends are really very amazing. From Cristin giving me her stuffed animal, Donuts, to cuddle with, to Colleen snuggling up beside me, to the Dunkin Donuts breakfast Cristin bought me this morning and left on my desk, to the cupcake that Kelly gave me because she feels sad for me, to Computer Mark coming to talk to me, to Chris telling me he understands, to my boyfriend making me laugh even when all I wanted to do is cry, to the friend who completely understands that the last thing I feel like doing tonight is going out to dinner, to the countless texts and emails and facebook posts I’ve gotten from friends – old and new, those I talk to all the time and even those I don’t. I really am lucky.

And I’m not sure if I’m overreacting or what but all I do know is that Jinx has been a massive part of my life since before I can remember. I’ve been dreading 6/19 because I didn’t want to go home and face the reality that we had to put him to sleep. I’m still dreading 6/19 but now for a different reason. I don’t want to go home and face a house that doesn’t have him in it.

However, when I look back at the past 17 years, I know I just need to remember all of the good times. It really does feel like a member of my family has died, and in all reality, he has. Looking back, this is just another perfect example of why I even named this blog what I did. I suppose I really am a Fortunate Fool. Thank you, Jinx, for 17 amazing years.

I think my mom said it best when she updated her facebook status this morning to say: I guess you don't really own a dog, you rent them, and you have to be thankful that you had a long lease. RIP Jinx!! Thank you for making our lives full!!!

why do trainers cost so much?

2009-09-23T09:10:00.001-07:00

You know, some gyms even provide trainers for FREE. I mean, their memberships probably cost much more than the $30 per month I pay, but still. I was lucky enough to get a personal trainer package for $249 for 10 sessions. Which, if you know anything about personal training, is an INCREDIBLE deal. So naturally, I was very pleased with this and took him up on it. Now originally, I was training with this one guy, we'll call him J. I went through 3 of my 10 sessions with him before he texted me one night and cancelled for the next morning's session. This happened for 3 mornings in a row, until he finally told me that he had been let go by the gym. Ok, no big deal. Whatever I just kept training on my own even though I still had 7 sessions left. Then one morning while I was working out by myself, a different trainer, we'll call him A, asked me if I was interested in personal training blah blah spiel spiel. I told him how I still had 7 sessions left (probably much to his dismay since I wasn't actually going to be making him any money) and from then on we decided to train together. Fast forward to this past Tuesday morning, which just so happened to be the last of my 10 sessions. Naturally, A tried to convince me to purchase another package. Now, being the normal 23-year-old that I am, I’m not afraid to say that I’m pretty broke. I make good money but I also spend good money. I’m not afraid to buy a new dress, a new book, or a couple (many) beers on the weekends (or during the week for that matter). That being said, I was thinking about possibly spending another $250 on a 10-session package. I told him that I could probably swing $250 for another and then A goes, “oh…uh…that’s only the price for introductory packages. Your new package would cost…” and he holds out his phone, where he had typed the new price (probably because he would have had a HEART ATTACK if he had to actually say this dollar amount). I sit up and check out his phone: $1104!!!!!!!!!!!

…uh, are you kidding???! I obviously went on and told him that I can’t even fathom affording that. A, being the douche bag he is, went on to say “well you don’t have the money but you sure do have the weight to lose (really, you think?). Maybe you should consider getting a second job.”

Ummmm...maybe you should get a second job because hey guess what? I’m not getting a second job to support your life. Also – when exactly would I get a second job? Like I mentioned before, I’m a big fan of fun weekends so I’m obvi not getting rid of that. He suggested a “night job.” I’m still not sure if he was implying I become a prostitute or what, but I told him if I got a “night job” there would be no need for a personal trainer because hey, guess what? I wouldn’t HAVE TIME TO EAT so I’d naturally lose weight from becoming an anorexic.

Thanks asshole.

UPS probably thinks I'm crazy. I don't care.

2009-08-14T07:44:00.001-07:00

So Adrian forwarded me the tracking number for my camera the other night. obviously, i've been a freak about tracking it since. all day at work on wednesday i was checking the tracking number online. it said "third delivery attempt failed because recipient was not present for signature." obviously i saw this and was disappointed. i figured i would just sign something and be able to get it on thursday. but - since i am the luckiest person alive - on my way home from work i was literally around the corner from my apartment I see a giant UPS truck stopped at someone else's house. I debated stopping but passed by and pulled into my driveway. I sat there for a second and thought - why not? I pulled out of my driveway and pulled over right next to the UPS truck. I explained the situation: i was waiting for a delivery, not there to sign, i live around the corner. the driver asked me what my name and address was and where the package was coming from. I told him and signed for my camera and there you have it. i really am the luckiest person ever.

I'm in love with the camera but have yet to use it for anything besides self-portraits. I'm headed to AC tonight with Cristin and Colleen so i will definitely be testing it out there. ALSO - it's supposed to be VERY nice this weekend (aka i will be spending A LOT of time by a beach/pool) and will also use the camera then.

SO EXCITED.

Happy Birthday Liz!

2009-08-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

23 years ago on this day, one of my best friends in the world was born. I just want to say happy birthday to one of the best people I know, Lizabeth Kimmie Walther. Being friends with you has done many things for me. I’ve learned to laugh at any and every situation, I’ve learned that sometimes having thick skin is good for you, I’ve learned that spending a spontaneous Valentine’s Day with your best friend in NYC can beat out a romantic Valentine’s Day with a boyfriend (most of the time), I’ve learned that boys will come and go but best friends are there forever, I’ve learned that even though most other people in the world think it’s a bit strange, I find it oddly awesome that my best friend is living with my parents, in my old bedroom, even though I live two hours away. While I’m sitting at work, you’re spending a lovely (well-deserved) day on the beach.
I’m more than jealous and wish you the best birthday ever! Love you.

luckiest ever.

2009-08-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

so i've said many times before that i am one of the luckiest people i know. today is a testament to that.

so you may have read how my camera stopped working this past weekend. as i said, it was a sad, sad day. last night, i updated my facebook status to say: "mourning the death of my camera. who wants to contribute to my next one? i'd love you forever." clearing being my sarcastic self and trying to have some humor in this sad situation.

on a sidenote: i am 23 years old have been friends with adrian for 23 years. we grew up as next door neighbors and were pretty much inseparable since then. a few years back she moved to omaha nebraska and obviously we haven't gotten to see each other nearly as much as we wanted. we rely heavily on facebook and texting to stay as close as we have.

so anyway. last night adrian commented on my facebook status and asked what kind of camera i had and if i was looking at getting a new one. i told her pretty everything that i wrote in my earlier post, and that was that. she said she had something to send me, that might help me make a decision. i assumed it was a book or something like that. then today i get a text from her telling me "DO NOT BUY A CAMERA i bought one for you!"

....are you joking? i was at work, sat there in shock, and didn't know what to write. so obviously my first response was, "are you out of your mind????!" she admitted that while she might be, she did indeed buy me the exact camera i wanted (the yellow/green olympus styulus tough 6000) and it will be arriving at my apartment this thursday or friday. after fighting back and forth with her about whether or not i would accept this gift, i think it's safe to say that i lost that battle.

SO. this leads me back to my belief that i am the luckiest person i know. and i'm not just talking about my great luck in getting this camera as a gift. i'm talking about the people i've chosen to surround myself with. this is really a testament to them and how great they are.

i asked adrian if there was something she wants as much as i wanted that camera, because i clearly owe her. her response struck me, and i think it's something everyone can/should learn from. she said, "i don't want anything. i am more than happy with the things that i have. that's why i wanted you to have something! my life is simple and happy =)" i think everyone should live their life so that this is true.

thank you adrian! you are simply amazing. i owe you big time. i am already scheming for many christmas and birthday presents to come. thank you for being the constant definition of a best friend in all of my 23 years.

RIP Olympia

2009-08-10T11:15:00.001-07:00

anyone who remotely knows me knows that im obsessed with pictures. all aspects, really. taking them, being in them, posting them, everything.

so clearly it was a sad sad day when i realized that my amazing little yellow/green Olympus SW 790 is no longer working. i've had it since Christmas 2007 and i love it. it's waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof and has definitely been put to the test. i brought it snorkeling with me in the bahamas and boogie boarding with me in the dominican republic. it's been dunked in plenty of pitchers of beer and used as a toy to occupy a 4 and 6 year old in a pool on many occasions. it will be missed. RIP.

here's the new dilemma in my life. albeit a small dilemma in the grand scheme of things, i still consider it one.

I need a new camera. This is not an option. I do not function well without one. Not to mention that i have 5 straight upcoming weekends with events i know i will want to photograph (14th - AC, 21st-24th - OCMD, 28th - friends bday party, 29th - Kayleigh's Annual Summer Party, 5th - Dane Cook in AC).

Here is what i do have options on: do i get a cheaper camera (not waterproof) just to have one and save up for the one i really want. OR do i just splurge and get the one i really want (which costs around $250)? the thing is - remember those bills i was complaining about in my last post? they're still there. but to me a camera fall under the necessities category. i could always charge it and pay it off slowly but surely. (clearly this is what i'm leaning towards).

The new one would be an Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 which is basically just a new and improved version of my beloved camera. It's waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof but is 10.1 megapixels (instead of 7), has a much larger screen, much better zoom, etc. it's awesome. and it still comes in the color that i love oh so much.

i just don't see the point in spending money to fix the old one or buy a cheaper, non-waterproof when i could just put that money towards this baby. also - at this point i'm so used to have a more rugged, waterproof camera that i think going back would be a mistake on my end and wind up costing more anyway. not to mention that my friends have come accustomed to playing the "lets dunk shanas camera in beer and pretend we hate her to scare/amuse other people" game and i fear that they might continue that game without realizing my new camera isnt waterproof.

i know this is a lot of rambling just about a camera but i'm just trying to weigh my options. any thoughts/suggestions?

i am not a grown up.

2009-08-04T18:51:00.000-07:00

i'm in denial that i have grown up.

there. i said it. everything is pointing to me still being a kid. all i want to do is hang out. take naps. drink beers. have fun. (okay so maybe kids don't drinks beers but i'm not willing to give that up).

unfortunately, my rent, cable, gas, electric, student loanS (yes, plural) and all the other bills are saying otherwise.

by the time i get home from work most nights, all i want to do is eat dinner, relax and get to bed. therefore, ive been trying to have as much fun as possible on the weekends. it's a vicious cycle really. because this lack of sleep on the weekends just escalates during the work week. but in the words of my dad, "it all comes with the territory. you're not a kid anymore."

on a different note - my dad has been unemployed for quite a few months now. last time i was home i helped him update his resume and today he asked me to apply to a job at Fedex for him. ever since he was laid off (stupid economy) he's been in denial and hasnt wanted to get back to work. says he doesn't want to grow up. in a way, its been great for him to be around while my mom got her surgeries (knee and back). but i think he's realizing that it's time for him to step up and get a job again. today he said something that made me tear up. He said, "i realized i want to be just like you when i grow up."

now that i think about it...if it makes my parents proud then maybe i DON'T mind being a grown up.

really?!

2009-07-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

Ok - so I admit I'm awful at this blogging thing. But it was brought up again at today's staff meeting so I figured I might as well try it again. (it's just that twitter is so much easier/quicker)

Anyway - the other day i was driving home from work and saw this next to me:

it's not just me, right? this child is FAR too young to be riding on the back of this motorcycle. he can't even wrap his arms around what i'm assuming is his dad. this is ridiculous. so much so that i was on the phone with my mom, told her to hold on, and took a picture of this ridiculousness with my phone (just got an iphone!)

we won't mention the fact that i think motorcycles are crazy dangerous for ADULTS let alone 5 year olds. i'm hoping that the mother of that child sees the craziness of that father so at least there's some home for him.

Side note: since I believe everyone's stopped reading this anyway, i think i'll be updating much more frequently. I recognize that i don't really have a "theme" but too bad. I like to update about what's going on in my life. the end. =)

Been a long time...

2009-04-17T12:55:00.001-07:00

...shouldn't have left you. (without a dope beat to step to..step to,step to...) ok that's enough. but i haven't posted since March 2nd. I guess I've been pretty busy since then.

Here's a quick update on the major things that have been going on:

1. My mom had to get her third knee replacement on 4/9. She's a pro by now but it was still scary. She had her right knee replaced when i was a soph in high school. that one failed when i was a soph in college and she had to have the right one replaced again. I might have mentioned before that my mom also has a slipped vertabrae in her back, which she also needs to get surgery on. However, the doctors refuse to do the back surgery until she got her left knee replaced. I guess it was bad enough that they don't think she'd be able to fully rehab her back with a bum knee. makes sense i guess. So now she's out on disability, and pretty much confined to our little house with just my dad. This means she is going crazy. And guess what? as soon as she's 100%, she's going right back in for the back surgery. YAY!

2. My brother and his girlfriend moved out of my parents house into a small one bedroom apartment in Bethalto, Illinois. My brother's been talking about it for a while but he finally did it. He wants to be a commercial pilot and found a great school out there that will get him everything he needs. I hate the fact that he is almost 20 hours from home but I am incredibly proud of him for knowing what he wants to do and actually going out there to do it. I can't lie and say i don't miss him every single day though.

3. I turned 23. Every single year i say: WOW this was the best birthday EVER. and every single year i'm right. they are constantly outdoing the year before. ridiculous. my very best friends from home drove up to stay with me for my birthday weekend. Liz from Maryland, Tom from Philly, Nicole flew in from Ohio, etc. We went out Friday night with Lila, Katie and Frankie to celebrate. Then saturday morning, Liz, myself and our friend JeanMarie went to get tattoos. It's something liz and I have been discussing for YEARS. literally since high school. and it was finally time to do it. I got a celtic knot shamrock on the inside of my left ankle and i absolutely love it. the place we went was awesome thanks to advice from a few coworkers. After our tattoos, we met up with some of my friends from work at a pub crawl in Morristown. After that, we drove back to Clifton, had dinner and got ready to go out in the city. I am so grateful to everyone who showed up. It was such a nice mix of people (friends from home, friends from SHU and friends from work) - i literally had the best birthday ever.

4. I've lost 17 pounds. my work started the Coyne Fitness Challenge on March 10. Since then, I've joined ballys and have been pretty diligent about going 3 or 4 times a week. I had started going after work but after a while I was tired of getting home at 9 and still having to eat/relax. Instead, I've been getting up at 6 and going into the gym. Then I get ready for work there and head in and am still here by 9. Not gonna lie, i have a ton more energy as well. Overall, it's going great. Not to mention, if my Fitness team wins, we get a half day off of work and a half day at a spa on Coyne! can't beat that!

5. I'm going to the Dominican Republic on May 14th and I could not be more excited. Lila found us a great deal that we couldn't pass up so I am looking forward to a week of craziness with Lila, Katie and Shamira.

I think that pretty much sums up the major happenings since March 2nd. I need jump back on the blogging bandwagon. I'll work on it.

Hidden iPod Function

2009-03-02T09:42:00.000-08:00

so this is basically just me rambling but this past Friday I drove from Parsippany to Westminster, Maryland. A trip that took me about 5 hours when all was said and done.

The only time I really use my iPod is in my car, and more times than not, I listen to it on shuffle. With over 2800 songs, it's hard for me to choose just one so I just listen to it like that. That being said, as I'm going through the shuffle, sometimes a song comes on and makes me want to listen to another song by that artist. It's annoying because then i have to go out of the shuffle thing and find that artist/song/album whatever.

So on Friday, this was happening and I was getting annoyed so I went to turn off my iPod by holding down the down button. Turns out I was holding down the center button and guess what pops up????? a little list that lets you search all songs or albums by that artist.

It's like apple read my mind. I know i sound like a huge dork right now, but it's the little things that make me happy I guess. haha. I figured I would share incase anyone else has been wishing for this function. haha.

funny thing...

2009-02-27T08:04:00.000-08:00

So for the most part I've been under the wise assumption that no one reads this blog. But now I know that while there may not be many of you, there at least a few people who do. Case in point: Throughout the past week, while hanging out with people, I've mentioned something along the lines of - "hey guess what? we ordered couches!!!" and numerous people have been like "i saw that on your blog!! that's great!"

so with that being said - comment once in a while so I know you're out there!

drumroll please...

2009-02-18T16:12:00.000-08:00

...we have finally ORDERED COUCHES!!!!!

I know that might not be that exciting for the majority of you but after living here since JULY - about SEVEN months - I'd say they're long overdue. However, Annie's parents offered to buy them for us, so for that I am VERY grateful. They will be delivered in about 1-2 weeks!

She ordered the full size sofa and two chairs - aren't they pretty?

Statue of Liberty

2009-02-17T17:12:00.000-08:00

I was so grateful to have off this past Monday for President's Day, especially since I hadn't been feeling so great on Sunday. Denna decided she wanted to bring the kids up to visit and came up with the idea of going to the Statue of Liberty. I still wasn't feeling 100% but I wasn't about to pass up a day out with those kids. They picked me up and we were on our way. Their older brother Nick even came with them too (he's 20) and goes to Rutgers. Luke, the baby (ok not baby, he's 3) sat on my lap on the ride back to my apartment and before we knew it he was passed out. As I sat there with him sleeping in my arms, I just kind of took in everything and realized how lucky I am to have this family in my life. Here are some pictures from our trip to the Statue of Liberty.

Words of Wisdom

2009-02-16T06:52:00.000-08:00

If you don't feel well you probably shouldn't attend an open bar.

I woke up on Sunday and could hardly breathe or talk. The worst part was that i wasn't sure what was from being hungover and what was from this sickness i know i have. I bought some medicine, came home, showered, and literally laid in my bed all day yesterday. Once Annie got back I realized I would really like some sherbet so she drove me to Stop and Shop to get some. I really shouldn't have left the house looking like i did but at that point I really didn't care. I took some nighttime medicine at like 9pm and was passed out shortly after. Today I feel a bit better and i'm so grateful that we have today off because I'm pretty sure I'd have called in sick if it wasn't a national holiday.

Sidenote: Happy 23rd Birthday to one of my best friends in this world, Phil Green (even though I'd be very surprised if he ever read this)

Another Valentine's Day Memory

2009-02-15T07:59:00.000-08:00

So yesterday was Valentine's Day and I couldn't help but think of what I was doing on this day last year. Valentine's Day was on a Thursday last year, and I volunteered at St. John's Soup Kitchen every thursday. Liz goes to school in Maryland and a few of her friends are obsessed with Ingrid Michaelson. She was going to be on Good Morning America so Liz and her friends left Maryland at like 1am to drive to NYC. Since it was Valentine's Day and she was newly single we realized that I should take the train in to the city to meet up with them. This all happened on Wednesday night at about 11pm. So I called out of the Soup Kitchen and took the 5am train from South Orange into NY Penn, met up with Liz and her friends, RAN to GMA, was on tv, and was back in south orange by 11am while Liz and her friends were halfway back to Maryland.

It was the most random but best Valentine's Day ever. Because all you really need is your best friend when it comes down to it.

F my life.

2009-02-06T16:40:00.000-08:00

Not really, but this is just another new obsession of mine. There's a website (www.fmylife.com) and it is HILARIOUS. I could literally read it for hours. Check it out. laugh. post. feel better about your bad day.

Weird Coincidence

2009-02-05T17:16:00.000-08:00

I distinctly remember Valentines Day 2007. It was a Wednesday and I had JUST started interning at Coyne. I had only been there about two weeks when a HUGE snowstorm hit. Seton Hall canceled classes but I still went into work. At about 11 or 12, Tom Coyne made an announcement that we could all go home. My roommates and I were all newly single (and bitter about the awful holiday) so I was excited to drive back to school and spend the rest of the day with them. Like I said, I was very new and the commute was still very new. It was snowing BAD and as I got onto Route 80, I was going about 25 miles an hour and could see hardly anything. Somehow, I missed the exit for 280 and continued on 80. It felt like it took FOREVER to get to the next exit, but finally it came. It was the exit for Route 46. I took the exit and pulled into the Wendy's that was right there as I merged onto 46. I remember walking into the Wendy's in my dressy shoes (this was back in the day when I got dressed up for work and CLEARLY before my GPS days..) and I asked the Wendy's guy how to get back to 280. He looked at me like I was an idiot and told me to turn around and get back on 80. I did that, and before I knew it, I recognized where I was. AT WORK. there are no signs to get onto 280 going West so I literally went back to work and turned around. About 2 hours after I had originally left Coyne, I made it back to South Orange. I decided to stop at Burger King and buy lunch for all my roommates, knowing full well that it was snowy and gross and on top of that it was the dreaded Valentine's day.

Now, it's two years later, I'm almost 23, and I've been through a lot of Valentine's days. But that one, in 2007, is still one of my favorites. My roommates were so excited and a day watching funny, UNsappy movies while there was a blizzzard outside was exactly what we all needed.

On a side note, I now pass that Wendy's every day to and from work. I thought I was so lost on that day, in some random town, and now i LIVE here. What a coincidence.

New obsession(s)

2009-02-04T17:13:00.000-08:00

I have become obsessed with this web site: etsy.com. It has almost anything you could ever want. I've been looking for something to hang up in my pretty much bare room. I have a black and white comforter with pink sheets and need something to perk up the room. I found this poster:

I'm not sure if i'll get this color, but it comes in every color. I've decided that i should start to live my life by this motto. It is one out of a series of posters commissioned to be displayed throughout Britain upon the outbreak of World War II.The intention of the poster was to relay a message from King George VI to his subjects, reassuring them that all possible measures were being taken to ensure the defense of the country.

..but obviously it fits well for other situations as well. and if nothing else i feel like if i look at it when i'm having a bad day it will help me remember that things could always be worse.

This website also has some funky jewelry that i want:

Those rings are customizable, they also have a bracelet too! Not too expensive either. Just thought I'd share. =)

It's just another f@%$ing day, but happy 50th anyway!

2009-01-28T18:21:00.000-08:00

my amazing father turned 50 on january 23rd. My family and I have been planning a surprise party for him since about..september. It finally all went down this weekend. We had about 75 people show up, including my best friend from childhood, Adrian - who flew in from nebraska JUST for this party. we had family members, coworkers, and friends of everyone. there were people there that we hadn't seen in YEARS too. liz came up from maryland and we had many many family friends chip in with food, decorations and set up. i made a whole collage of pictures and we had a cake that was perfect for my dad - it had a picture of him in his kanye west glasses and his well-known saying "it's just another f@$%ing day, but happy 50th anyway".

it was at my godson's father's gun club and i couldn't have asked for anything to go better. I have never seen my dad cry OR drink as much as he did on saturday. i admit, i was nervous as to how he'd respond to the surprise but he cried and hugged my brother and i as he opened the door. throughout the party, whenever i came near him, he would grab my beer and drink the whole thing. I didn't think anything of that - it was his birthday, why not? UNTIL later that night when EVERYONE was saying the same thing - hence why he couldn't feel his feet at the end of the night and literally had to be helped to the car. it was by far one of the best parties i've ever been to, let alone thrown, and it's definitely a day i'll never forget. here are a few of my favorite pictures from the night (visit my facebook for two whole albums of pictures!)

Micahwave

2009-01-19T16:46:00.000-08:00

This past Thursday night, I met up with Annie and some of her friends at the Shannon Rose. This was my first encounter with "micahwave" aka the prankster from Annie's office. He tried to fool me before I was even introduced to him - telling me his name was something ridiculous.

Of course, we had to take a picture together.

I was even nice enough to bring some half eaten cupcakes (courtesy of Mike Petite, even if they are "3 weeks old")...

It was a pleasure meeting you, Mernst, but I'll have you know your "friends" were helping me plot my revenge as soon as you left.

=)

moms just know.

2009-01-12T19:00:00.000-08:00

i noticed today something that happens without fail in my life.

i call my parents on my ride home from work every day. i don't get to see them as much as i'd like since i've moved up to clifton, so i have to settle for phone calls. today wasn't one of my best days (it was a monday, afterall..) and I called home like i always do. I asked how my mom was doing and she replied with "what's wrong????" how do moms know? i didn't drop any hints, i didn't sniffle, i didn't give her anything. i had no intention of calling home and complaining but that's exactly what i did. I only hope that I have the type of relationship with my daughter (that is if I ever grow up).

Good News

2009-01-07T18:02:00.000-08:00

So just before Christmas my mom was in and out of the hospital with stomach and back pains that pretty much no one could explain. They gave her a TON of pain meds and sent her home. Later that week, she had an appointment with an orthopedic doctor who finally told her that she has a slipped vertabrae and would need surgery. However, she couldn't get an appointment with the surgeon until January 7th (today). Up until now she's been in and out of different doctors to get a back brace, more medications, etc. They all basically told her the same thing: her vertebrae is so far slipped that her spinal cord is in danger of being ruptured, in which case she could become a paraplegic in the blink of an eye. Her surgery would fuse the vertebrae on top and the vertebrae on bottom would be fused together with the slipped one after it was pushed back in. Needless to say we were all very nervous throughout the holidays and we're pretty relieved that she would finally be meeting with the surgeon today to schedule the surgery. This morning when she called me on her way home from the surgeon's office, I picked up and all she said was "I don't need surgery."

Now, while that is great news - we're a little confused and surprised and not sure what to think. How could one doctor tell us that surgery is a must and this doctor tell us she can be healed with therapy? Apparently, from what I understand, the vertebrae that is slipped is so far down her spine that the spinal cord isn't actually intertwined in the vertebrae so its not at serious as they originally thought. Now, this still confuses me, because isn't your spinal cord long? But whatever. I'm just excited that my mom is safe and that we don't have to sit through another surgery with her (she's already had two knee replacements - on the same knee!) Not to mention that this definitely frees her up for a certain surprise party that's in the works...

New Year

2009-01-05T07:41:00.000-08:00

It seems as though mostly everyone has fallen off the blog bandwagon during this holiday season, and I have to admit that I have as well. A lot has happened since my last update. I’ll try to recap in as little words as possible:

-Christmas: it was great. I worked on the 23rd and then headed to my parents house for about a week and a half. I didn’t have to be back in work until Jan 2nd so that was a plus. My top gifts included a black ipod classic, a Bluetooth headset, new ugg boots, an automatic car starter from my brother, a zebra purse from annie, an adorable notepad with a picture and quote of us on it from liz and a ring/bracelet set from my grandma.

-New Years: Also great (from what I can remember). My friends and I went to a bar called Bourbon Blue in Manayunk for New Years Eve. It was $80 for a top shelf open bar from 9-1, which included a complimentary coat check and champagne toast, a dinner buffet and a $20 gift card to go back to the restaurant/bar in the future. I have to say that the place was really nice and it was good for my friends and I to be able to get dressed up and look very nice. The Bacardi and cokes did me in though, and at one point I took off my heels and must’ve stepped on a broken glass (considering my parents dug glass out of my foot for a good hour the next day…)

-Friends: With 2008 ending and a whole new year upon us, I realized how important it is to realize who your real friends are. I feel like I’ve finally stumbled upon a very nice mix of people who I find myself extremely comfortable around. I have a whole list of resolutions but the most important is that I am no longer going to tip toe around friends. If I don’t feel comfortable around them then they clearly aren’t a good friends. So far it’s been working out great.

Getting in the Christmas spirit!

2008-12-21T17:05:00.000-08:00

Sadly, I have to admit that up until this weekend I wasn't really in the Christmas mood. But I guess a weekend consisting of the Coyne Holiday Party, blizzard 2008, NYC in the snow, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, pictures with Santa, Christmas movies and an abundance of Christmas shopping will put you in the mood whether you want to be or not. Here are some things I learned/realized this weekend:

-I work at the best company ever. I would have never thought that a work holiday party could be that much fun but it was. I am so lucky and grateful to work at this place. Also - Beth Kimmerling is awesome and gives amazingly thoughtful gifts. She's the best. Also, I've made some pretty awesome friends at Coyne and that's something I feel so lucky about.

-Going to see the tree in Rockefeller Center can be kind of depressing. Lila and I trekked into the city in the snow to see the tree (I've never been before) but she had already been in the city so I went in to meet up with her. Before I found her (there are only a million people in Rockefeller Center on the Saturday before Christmas) I was asked to take probably 20 pictures of couples who were all in love and stuff. While that is great for them it just reminds that I am alone this Christmas.

-That being said, while I stood there waiting for Lila and taking countless pictures for strangers, I also took a minute to stand back and just watch things. It was snowing and here i was staring at the tree. What more could you ask for? It was beautiful. And as much as the picture taking annoyed me, I also found it oddly reassuring. It's proof that people do still have some good left in them. Countless strangers do this kind gesture for people they don't even know and will never see again. And all with a smile on their face. So many people told me "happy holidays" etc and it's just nice. Also - how can you be sad after you take a picture with a very good friend and Santa? seriously.

-Going to the mall (or shopping in general) the weekend before Christmas is just DUMB. I had a few last minute things to do and it was just awful. Saturday afternoon I went to the Willowbrook mall. I literally just had to run in and pick up a gift card - as task that should've taken about...20 minutes tops. from the minute i entered that ridiculous parking lot, i should've known. I spent 45 minutes driving around/sitting in traffic trying to find a spot. Then I realized that if I didn't head back to Clifton soon - I'd most likely miss my train to the city. So I left. It was a great afternoon of wasted gas and time. So I trekked back this morning and finally found a spot. While the traffic was just as horrific, I still noticed some very cheerful people which made me smile. People holding doors and letting people pull in front of them in the parking lot, etc. All in all a good day.

-Black ice is a bitch. Annie and I both fell (literally) victim to it this weekend. I feel en route to the Morristown diner after the holiday party and almost faceplanted today in front of our house. Annie, on the other hand, fell right on her butt in our driveway. Also, our steep driveway becomes a mountain when covered with ice.

-Annie just made us some very delicious hot chocolate and now we're watching Serendipity while she's trying to guess what I got her for Christmas. mwhaha. She'll never figure it out.

-I think I bought some pretty awesome gifts this year and I'm excited to see the faces on people when they open them.

-I cannot fill out or even shop for cards without crying. I even told Liz today that I wasn't going to do cards. I should've known that wasn't going to happen. i get carried away. Annie came home while i was filling them out and was like omg what happened? since I had been crying. It's ridiculous. When I get old and retire I want to work for Hallmark. true story.

See - I told you this weekend put me into the holiday mood. Happy Holidays!

We Can't Let This Bank Fail.

2008-12-15T07:04:00.000-08:00

More than 35 million Americans, including 12 million children, either live with or are on the verge of hunger. In New Jersey alone, an estimated 250,000 new clients will be seeking sustenance this year from the state's food banks. But recently, as requests for food assistance have risen, food donations are on the decline, leaving food bank shelves almost empty and hungry families waiting for something to eat.

The situation is dire, no more so than at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), the largest food bank in the state, where requests for food have gone up 30 percent, but donations are down by 25 percent. Warehouse shelves that are typically stocked with food are bare and supplies have gotten so low that, for the first time in its 25 year history, the food bank is developing a rationing mechanism.

As the state's key distributor of food to local banks – serving more than 500,000 people a year and providing assistance to nearly 1,700 non-profits in the state – the stability of replenishment of the CFBNJ is essential to ensuring that individuals in need have access to food.

If everyone could just do a little, it would help those in need a lot. To help, people can:
-Make a monetary contribution: Visit www.njfoodbank.org .
-Donate food: Drop off a bag of food at your local food pantry. Click here to find a food pantry near you: www.sefan.org .
-Organize a food drive: We can help explain the logistics of starting a food drive. Just call 908-355-FOOD.
-Help "Check Out Hunger:" Look for the "Check Out Hunger" coupons at your local supermarket and donate.

No donation is too small!

I don’t understand why this happens.

2008-12-12T07:43:00.000-08:00

I’m sure you’ve all experienced this at one point or another. Say you’re driving home from dinner and all of a sudden you realize you have to pee. You’re fine the whole car ride and casually ask the driver to pull over so you can use the restroom. As you’re walking in to the bathroom, doesn’t it always seem as if you have to pee 20 times worse? It’s as if I wouldn’t physically be able to hold it any longer had we taken another minute to get there. I think that when you know you’re so close it just gets worse.

This is probably a really weird post but I think its so weird how that happens.

Verizon Fios hates us.

2008-12-11T12:08:00.001-08:00

Annie was away last week in Disney, when she got back she realized that her tv box wasn’t working. However, the boxes in my room and in the living room were working fine. She decided to call Verizon to see if someone could come out to fix it. They came out last night – we were hoping they would get there and be gone by 7:10 because we wanted to go see Four Christmases. 7:10 came and went. Then around 7:30 he shows up (hardly enough time for him to fix the problem and us make the 8:10 movie but that’s besides the point). The next movie wasn’t until 9:45 so we had some time to kill since our little friend was taking forever. We decided to turn on Intervention on A&E (we may or may not have a small obsession with it…) and our friend (let’s call him Carlos) decided he was finally finished. He came downstairs and plopped his but down and started watching Intervention with us! For at least a good 10 minutes! It was absurd and hilarious all at once. Finally he decides to leave. About 20 mins later, Annie and I are pulling out of our driveway en route to the movie and there he was, SITTING IN HIS VAN OUTSIDE OUR HOUSE.

CREEPY.

What a Wonderful World...

2008-12-06T13:33:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if it's the same for everyone, but I remained very close to the people I met during my freshman year of college. I lived on the 5th floor of North Boland hall and my entire floor was very tight knit. i lived with desiree and we lived across the hall from 4 boys who were all from South Plainfield, NJ. Jason, Tom, Greg and Rob. They had all gone to high school together and decided they'd stick together at Seton Hall as well. As the year went on, we all got very close because we spent so much of our time together. Between the classes, the silly string fights, the blackouts, the infamous "last night" (where i may or may not have cried hysterically..) they all became some of my very best friends. Here's a picture from the last night of freshmen year. Please excuse how i look. The night involved a lot of goodbyes, alcohol and tears.

Greg played the bass guitar and would bring it out sometimes to entertain us all. At the end of freshman year he told us that he wouldn't be coming back in the fall because this little band asked him to be their bassist. That was in 2005, and now, in 2008, The Jonas Brothers are one of the biggest bands out there.

The other 3 South Plainfield boys stuck it out at Seton Hall, until the middle of the fall semester of senior year when Rob decided to drop out. Turns out, The Jonas Brothers needed a photographer to go on tour with them. Greg, being the great guy that he is, mentioned his friend Rob, Setonian photographer and next thing you know, the two of them are literally traveling around the world with the jonas brothers.

Talk about luck! On Thanksgiving, after stuffing my face with tons of turkey and stuffing, i sat down to watch some football. Next thing you know, it was halftime of the Cowboys game and who do I see? Good old Greg. And this past week when I turned on NBC to catch some of the Christmas Tree Lighting special, who do i see? Greg.

it's crazy! the other day i googled him just for fun and found some CREEPY fan clubs for him. ridiculous.

I think it's true that good things happen to good people. I couldn't be happier for these two guys.

2008-12-01T14:25:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving break was lovely. Coyne had off Thursday and Friday but I used three vacation days and took Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off as well – so I got to go home on Friday the 21st. Home is always great but its so much better when all of my friends are home too. As usual, I was very sad to leave yesterday and, as usual, I made the rounds and started saying goodbye to people. I made sure to stop by the Goehringers to say bye to the kids, gave my brother (and his stupid dog) a hug, kissed my mom on the cheek and gave my dad a hug. Then there was one thing I was forgetting.

Jinx is my 14-year-old Shetland Sheepdog/Lab mix and I love him dearly. He is getting so old – he has horrific breath, decrepit teeth and he has even started to lose is fur. But I love him. And everytime I have to say goodbye to him I get teary – mainly because I know 14 is old for a dog. Living away from home doesn’t make it easy because every time I leave I can’t help but wonder if it’ll be the last time I see him. I know that sounds awful and maybe I’m just a baby but he is the best.

Birthday Girl: Annie Chatenka

2008-11-22T22:50:00.000-08:00

I, without a doubt, have the best roommate ever. I don't know how I lucked out so much, but I can say with 110% certainty, that there are few people in this world that I would enjoy living with as much as I do with Annie. We laugh at the same things, get mad at the same things. We just get each other.

My all-time favorite thing that has happened with Annie and I involves me, Annie and a nun. Senior year, Annie and I lived together in our cozy little Turrell Apartment at Seton Hall. I had been asked to speak in front of this group of big time donors to Seton Hall and explain why I loved SHU, what made me go there, etc. etc. I prepared this whole speech that explained why I chose Seton Hall (because of my grandfather - for those of you who don't know, i'd love to tell you the story) and I asked to practice it in front of Annie. She listened but on the day that I was to make my speech in front of these big time donors AND Monsignor Sheeran (president of SHU) she came with me because she knew how nervous I was. There was nun (I still don't know her name) who was preparing to introduce me to the group. She came up and asked how to pronounce my name and the three of us got to talking. She asked about my major, I told her i was a PR major, and said, "you know who you should talk to?" I asked "Who?" as she was closing her eyes and shaking her head to remember. The thing is, she shook her head with her eyes closed for LITERALLY about 5 minutes. Around minute 2 I started to laugh. And then Annie saw me laughing and she started to laugh. we were both trying to do this silent laugh so the nun wouldn't hear us laughing directly AT her but after the 5 minutes were up, and she finally opened her eyes, we were clearly peeing our pants in this nun's face. It might not sound funny to anyone reading this but it was by far one of the funniest moments in my entire life.

After they introduced me, I walked into the room to begin my speech when the nun invited Annie into the room to join us. I told her to stay out of the room because I knew if I saw her I'd laugh. We have contagious laughs and its one of the things I love most about our friendship.

Here is one of my favorite pictures of us. It was taken at graduation, and yes, I wore an eye patch as I crossed the stage and accepted my diploma and yes, Annie had her dad deliver popcorn to us during graduation. So, Annie, today and always I want you to know how much you mean to me. Happy Birthday, I hope you had an amazing day.

how could i have forgotten..

2008-11-20T20:12:00.000-08:00

I forgot to write about another reason that my mom is the best - my friends love her. seriously. everyone is almost as excited to see her this thanksgiving as they are to see me. phil can't wait for her to make his favorite meal ever - sausage peppers and onions - and even proclaimed so on her facebook wall (yes, my mom has a facebook...) and liz made it a point to call my mom this morning to wish her happy birthday (maybe even before i did...) and annie calls her by her childhood nickname. don't even get me started on tom - there are times he will go to my house solely to see her. she is so much a part of me and the fact that my friends get along so well with my mom is just another testament to how amazing she is.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

2008-11-20T17:04:00.000-08:00

If you've read any of the posts I've written since creating this blog, you probably already know that I miss home. And the number one reason I miss home is because I have the best mom ever. I know this is something everyone says, but I swear by it. She is my absolute best friend and knows more about me and my life than most other people. She is there for me when I am sad and crying, when I'm scared or anxious but most importantly she is the cause of the majority of my smiles and laughter. It kills me that I'm not home with my family to celebrate her day but I am beyond excited to go home tomorrow night. I have off all next week, as well, so I'm excited to spend the upcoming 9 days with her. Words cannot describe what she means to me. Happy birthday, Mom, I love you so much and want you to know how lucky I feel to have you in my life.

mystery solved: part II

2008-11-18T17:48:00.001-08:00

Dear Mernst, I know it’s you.

And really, I should’ve known all along. I do, after all, have excellent stalking skills. Which doesn’t explain why it took until today for me to figure this all out.

Let me start at the beginning.

My roommate, Annie, works at MWW Group and I work at Coyne. Coyne and MWW are apparent ‘rivals’ so some people think its funny that we live together. Apparently, I came up at lunch one day, where Annie mentioned me. Somehow, my business card was brought out and she came home that night to tell me that “everyone in her office wants to prank me.”

From then on, I was on the look out but I never really believed that this group of “strangers” would do anything that good (or anything at all for that matter).

Fast forward to last week, when Annie went into work to tell Studio MWW about how we found this licked cupcake. Cue Mr. Mernst.

Let me explain how I found you. The lovely and talented Melissa Mackey came to my desk today. Since I had told practically my entire office about this mystery, she casually asked if I had ever figured out who it was. I said no and she told me to google “micahwave” so I did. (Why I didn’t think of this before is beyond me). Googling “micahwave” resulted in your twitter page – which had a link to your website – which had a link to your flickr account. After creeping through your pictures, I found a picture of you holding a GIANT check (which Annie had told me about a while back…) which revealed your full name. I then googled your full name, and up popped your facebook account. Since we are clearly not friends, I obviously couldn’t view your profile but I could see 3 friends that we had in common: Frank Filiatrault, Ann Marie Chatenka and the sneaky Mike Petite. That’s when I knew.

What makes this even funnier is that last week I joined Annie, Mike and their friend Adrianna for dinner at the Shannon Rose. Since I was so creeped out by this entire situation, I decided to share it with them. Little did I know, they were holding back laughter because they knew the entire story.

I do owe apologies to my friends that I’ve blamed along the way. To Lila, Crissy, Marissa and most of all Chris – I am sorry for accusing you of licking my cupcake. (However, truth of the matter is that Annie swears she didn’t lick the cupcake, that she just relayed the message to Micah – which means the ACTUAL cupcake licker is still out there OR it was licked while drunk and the licker doesn’t actually remember).

ANYWAY, I tip my hat to you, Micah Ernst for having such gaiety and mernst. And to Annie and Mike for keeping the secret so well. However, I’ll have you know that this is not the end.

It.
Is.
On.

mystery SOLVED.

2008-11-18T12:49:00.001-08:00

Dear Mr. Cupcake licker,

I've found you out.

Sincerely,
Shana

bridesmaids dresses

2008-11-17T17:18:00.000-08:00

Why is it that bridesmaids dresses are always so hideous?

Seriously.

I'm going to be a bridesmaid for my good friend Jen's wedding in January. I found a few that I like but for the most part they are UGLY.

If you have EVER been IN a wedding or been TO a wedding, where the bridesmaids' dresses were not atrocious please give me some suggestions. Luckily for me, Jen is at least open to suggestions so I'm trying to avoid looking like this, at all costs:

i need your help.

2008-11-14T09:50:00.000-08:00

Something very strange has happened to me. Let me explain.

A few weeks ago, my roommate, Annie, brought home a delicious box of Entenmanns’s Halloween cupcakes. We quickly went through them, until there was one lonely cupcake left. I didn’t want to eat the last one, so I left it there. I assume she didn’t want to the last one either because the box sat on top of our refrigerator for a good two weeks. The other night, I glanced up there and realized the lone cupcake was still atop the fridge.

I take it down and get ready to throw it out, when I glance in the box to see this:

Someone has licked our cupcake and left it in the box for us to find! I have no idea who it was (okay maybe a little idea…) but Annie and I just laughed it off and threw it out.

THEN I sit down with my computer and go online to check out my lovely blog. I see that I have a comment on my last post (about sorority sisters) so of course I read it. It says: “on ur fridge eatin ur cupcakes, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.”

Now, I’m confused.

So I decide to write back to this person and ask them who they are. This morning, I see another comment from “micahwave” and it says, “Me? Just a big fan of cupcakes and your blog. I hear you're a Legend!”

What’s even more weird is that when I click on “micahwave”s link to his blog – it leads me to a blog with posts about the show Lost - from February. Which means whoever commented did not just create this blog to toy with me.

What the hell is going on? The combination of cupcake licking and comments has left me with a short list of suspects. You see, it could very well be Lila, Chris or Crissy because they each came over before going to Testa’s party on Halloween. It could VERY easily be a funny joke that my roommate Annie is playing on me. OR it could be my friend Marissa, who stopped by briefly on the Saturday after Halloween.

Please comment to tell me whom you think it is. Any information you may have that could lead to the solving of this case would be greatly appreciated. I’m even offering an award. What is it, you may ask?

A delicious, UNLICKED cupcake.

And to the mysterious cupcake licker, I know you’re reading this. You’d tell me who you are, if you know what’s good for you!

sorority sisters

2008-11-11T17:09:00.000-08:00

I never pledged a sorority while I was in college, however, two of my very best friends are in sororities. Liz is an Alpha Nu Omega at McDaniel and Desi is an Alpha Gamma Delta at Seton Hall. I never even considered pledging but being so close with two people who are in sororities, I get to see the other side of it as well. If I didn't have Liz and Desi in my life, I'd most likely think about what a crazy idea pledging is. You know, the whole idea of "why would you pay for your friends?" etc. But at the same time, it's a crazy bond that not many people could break.

This past weekend I visited Liz at her school for their Homecoming. As I mentioned before, I'm literally obsessed with quotes and when Liz was pledging, she needed a bunch of friendship quotes for something - and fast. I, of course, sent her a document like 20 pages long and needless to say, her entire pledge class loves me because of that. After she was done pledging I visited for a weekend and they were all so nice to me. So now, whenever I visit, they all take me under their wing and we always have so much fun.

Same goes for Desi. Because I lived with Desi while she was pledging, her and our other friend Amanda, would call me whenever they needed something. My favorite was when they needed to be dressed in black for something. they had to run back to the dorm and get it so they call ed me on their way and I had it ready for them when they got back. After that, whenever I'd be at cryans and meet a gam that I knew OF through Desi, I'd introduce myself. This happened so often that i slowly but surely got to know most of them. A few weeks ago, Desi invited me to Hoboken for this kids birthday, and it was just her and her sisters mainly but I went and had so much fun with them.

I just think it's funny to see the other side of "greek life" and sometimes it makes me wonder if I'd have done things differently knowing what I know now.

22 years is a long time.

2008-11-06T20:01:00.001-08:00

This past weekend I went to a good friend's birthday/Halloween party. Everyone was having fun, drinking, socializing, the whole nine. As the night went on we stumbled upon the topic of friendships. Everyone began naming which friend they've had the longest and for how long.

I didn't have to think twice - when I was asked who and how long, I responded "Adrian - 22 years."

Yes, I'm 22 years old. And honestly, if I could say MORE than 22 years I would. It's actually a bit ridiculous that I've made 20-something posts on this blog and have yet to mention Adrian. You see, Adrian's a year older than me and our parents were friends and neighbors before either of us were ever even thought of. After Adrian was born, in 1985, my parents began to babysit, etc. Then my mom became pregnant and almost a year later, I was born. Needless to say, we've literally been together from day 1.

Growing up, her mom would watch us before school everyday. There's so many things about my childhood that would never ever be the same if I didn't have her to remember them with. The countless New Year's Eves where our parents would get together and we'd sneak out to steal snacks when they thought we were asleep. The millions of Saved By the Bell episodes we watched - back when they were new. The Dolphin game and the Sonic the Hedgehog wars we had. New years at her Dad's apartment when we got older. Yelling Jason's name out the window to see if he'd find us (Age - on a completely different note, he's getting married!) The bus stop wars with an unnamed individual down the road. Literally being chased on our bikes by another freak down the road. The bike rides. We would always think we were so cool, and we'd always switch bikes. One day, Adrian decided to get herself hit by a car! And ruined my bike! and lost the tip of her finger (okay, so maybe she didn't LOSE it, but she had to get a ton of stitches).

Basically, Adrian has made me the person I am. A few years back (oh my god has it really been..4 years?) she moved to Omaha, Nebraska from New Jersey. Obviously, I haven't seen her nearly as much as I did when we were growing up, but she is one of those lifelong friends that will always be there when it counts.

For example: Her and our other good friend Ashley sat through the pouring rain at my high school graduation. Then when it came time for my graduation from Seton Hall, Adrian made sure she was there. Even a 22 hour drive from Omaha, Nebraska to East Rutherford, NJ cannot separate us. It's one of the best feelings in the world and I am beyond grateful to have someone like her in my life.

Election time.

2008-11-02T10:23:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty positive that these kids know more about Tuesday's election than I do. Take a few minutes to watch this (click on more info for the lyrics).

I think this is amazing and their teacher should win some type of award. Check out Ron Clark Academy on YouTube for more videos. There's an interview session on there where these kids show off how well spoken they are and impress the hell out of me as well.

I love the Phillies!

2008-10-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

Okay so I might not be a die hard Phillies fan like this guy but as you know by now, I was born and raised in South Jersey, a mere half an hour away from the city of brotherly love. Because of that, I happen to love all Philadelphia sports. I even interned for the Philadelphia Flyers, Sixers and Soul for a semester doing design work. (I do have a special, undying love for the Philadelphia Flyers, however. Ask my family/friends and they can tell you numerous stories about all of the signings, etc. I forced my parents to drive me to during high school).

ANYWAY, I am ecstatic the Phillies won the World Series. About damn time someone in Philly won it all, isn’t it? What city deserves it more? Seriously.

But what I hate hate HATE, is when people (particularly NON-Phillies fans) make ridiculous, sarcastic comments like, “Funny how many Phillies fans are popping up,” or anyone who calls any Phillies fan a front-runner, etc.

WHO CARES?

Who cares if so and so from down the street is all of a sudden in love with the Phillies? If you don’t like the Phillies because you’re say a..Mets or Yankee fan then so be it. Why do you care who Joe the Schmoe down the road likes? And vice versus: if you are a Phillies fan, who cares if there are some front-runners? You’re team is NUMBER ONE. And really, that’s all that matters. As long as you know you’re love of your team is true then go on and celebrate!

I'm an Alumna?

2008-10-28T19:49:00.000-07:00

Last year, I was president of PRSSA at Seton Hall. Therefore, when the current president emailed me to invite me to the annual Alumni Panel Discussion for PRSSA, I knew I'd be attending.

It is so weird to sit in front of a classroom of young, oblivious, naive students and talk about what you do. Not only what you do - but how you got there, who you knew, and how they can be like you. Not to mention that I WAS one of those young, oblivious, naive students at this time last year. I remember running this very same event last year. I remember that when I left I thought, "wow...so and so was really negative. I'm sure the working world isn't that bad. I'm sure its not that hard to get a job."

Tonight, someone asked the panel, "How important do you think networking is in finding a job/internship?" I bluntly replied, "You need to know people - if not, you're screwed." (Maybe I should reevaluate my bluntness, but that's for another post entirely...)

I didn't mean to scare the people but it's the truth. After telling everyone that they're screwed, I tried to reword it by explaining how important it is to get out there and meet people. You really just need to take every opportunity you have to show people how smart you are.

Another topic that came up had to do with the economy and how hard it is to find a job, etc. Rennie (the best teacher alive) stepped in and said that "Every single person on this panel is here because they worked their asses off while they were in school, and I'm sure they still are." And not to pat myself on the back, but she's right. I tried to chime in and explain that they need to start working their asses off now to get ahead.

It's funny because towards the end of the night we all realized how scary we made "the real world" sound to these kids. So we made sure to tell them how much fun we have too. We work our asses off, but we have fun. Isn't that how it's supposed to be?

After the event was over, a bunch of people just stood around and some people came up to talk to me. They asked me how I like my job and I simply said, "I couldn't be happier." And that's the truth.

It's crazy how much things change in a year.

I need a weekend to recover from this weekend.

2008-10-27T18:34:00.000-07:00

Here I am on a Monday night, at 9:35p, and I'm ready for bed. To be honest, if it weren't for the Phillies playing Game 5 of the World Series, I'm pretty sure I'd have already passed out.

This weekend was nonstop craziness. In case you're interested, here it goes:

Friday
5:30p - Left work
7:30p - arrived in Ewing, NJ to meet up with Tom for dinner at IHOP (a favorite of ours) and then met up with Nick and Carl from high school. Friday was Vern's 23rd birthday - we've all been friends since...7th grade. His girlfriend planned this surprise so that she would bring him in and he'd see us. He was so surprised. It was such a good night with old good friends.

Saturday
3:00a - finally go to sleep after a long night at the bar and some french onion soup at the diner.
6:45a - wake up after my mom called (I was silently cursing her)
7:00a - left Ewing
8:10a - arrived in Fairfield, NJ for Joe Perri's 5K.
1:00p - passed out on my bed
7:00p - woke up from my nap/coma
8:15p - met up with Desiree, my roommate/best friend from freshman year at SHU in Hoboken for an open bar

Sunday
2:00a - find myself en route to South Orange unexpectedly with Desi & Co.
4:00a - pass out
9:00a - wake up because I am slowly but surely turning into my mother (she wakes up at 4a daily, even though she doesn't have to be at work until 7a)
1:00p - drive back to Clifton
2:00p - drive to Nutley to see Ally G's dance competition (I'm their good luck charm - they won first!)

I'm tired from just rehashing it all. Now, I'm off to watch the Phillies hopefully win the World Series!

That will be me.

2008-10-24T06:37:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days, there have been 4, yes FOUR, different accounts on which I recall someone reading my mind. I don’t know if this just means I’m predictable or if “all great minds think alike” but it’s getting to the point where I just laugh when it happens again. And then the new mind reader is left wondering “what’s so funny?”

On a much more important note: I am OBSESSED with Wheel of Fortune. I know it’s nerdy and old lady-ish but I can’t help it. I am SO good at it. I’ve applied to be on the show about 25 times. I’ve yet to be called back but when I do get on the show, I can only hope to be as lucky as this girl:

Let me explain how hard it was to even win that. Here are the steps she had to go through:
• Land on the million dollar wedge
• Win that puzzle
• Avoid bankrupts
• Go to the bonus round
• Land on million dollar envelope
• Solve bonus puzzle

For those of you not obsessed with WOF, you might not understand how hard that is but when I first heard about the million-dollar prize I was like PSH no one will EVER win that. Well, WOF, if your plan was to make it too hard for someone to ever win, sorry. And watch out, because I’ll be million-dollar winner number 2 if you ever call me back (perhaps they already know this and that’s why I haven’t gotten the call…)

room update.

2008-10-22T19:59:00.000-07:00

Since I know so many of you were waiting on the edge of your seat to find out what ever happened with the whole room situation with my brother at my parents house (ok so no one cares, but whatever, it gives me something to write about..)

As you may or may not know, I went home to south jersey this weekend. After spending a couple hours over the Goehringers (yes, i went to visit the kids before I even went home - and called my family to meet me over there) I finally got home to see my "new" bedroom around 7p. I walked upstairs and...dun dun dun..I didn't even scream! Believe it or not, my mom and Denna (my godson's mom) fit my lovely lovely queen sized bed into my "new" mini room.

This new layout/room/everything made me realize some things:

A queen sized bed is HUGE, especially went it takes up most of your bedroom.
I have kept A LOT of useless shit throughout the years that will soon be thrown out in upcoming trips home. In my big bedroom, it didn't really matter because I had a TON of room. But trying to fit a bunch of useless crap into a small room is not working well.
My mom and denna love me very much because they knew how upset I was about the possibility of having to sleep on my brothers dirty, small, twin sized bed (because lets be serious...God only knows what that thing is contaminated with...)

And now...time to go watch the rest of game 1 of the World Series - Go Phillies! (Yes, I know I'm "from" North Jersey but I'm a South Jersey girl at heart, remember? Therefore, I'm clearly a Philly fan for life).

what to do, what to do.

2008-10-20T18:45:00.001-07:00

I need advice. My ipod died. Not just the battery. The whole thing. I'm very upset about this. I listen to my ipod nonstop. In the car. At work. After work. All the time. I had a 20 GB 4th generation ipod - it was soo old.

I need to buy a new one. I just don't know which one. I have approximately 10GB of music right now. Here are my options:

1. A green ipod nano, 16 GB, $200

2. A black ipod Classic, 120 GB, $250

3. White Iphone, 16GB, $300

So many options, I just don't know which to pick. (or if maybe I should wait it out til Christmas to see if Santa brings me any of these three!)

Homebody at heart.

2008-10-19T19:49:00.000-07:00

Let me just start out by saying that I had NO intentions of ever moving to north jersey. yes, i chose to go to school up here, but I was very adamant about moving back home after graduation.

Every time I go home for a weekend, I find myself wondering why I ever left. I have everything I could ever want there. I have friends that are like family, not to mention a pretty amazing biological family. I have my dogs, my kids, everything. It's just home. And while I've lived in Clifton for almost four months now, South Jersey will always be home. And when I start the trek from Exit 4 on the Turnpike to Exit 16W, I literally cry every single time for a good five minutes. Every time. Without fail.

I cry and cry until I realize everything that I'm going back to. While Atco/South Jersey is full of memory after memory, Clifton/North Jersey is full of potential memory to come after potential memory to come. I might not have my family up here, but I do have plenty of other things. First and foremost, I have an unbelievable job, which is the sole reason I moved up here in the first place. I have an amazing roommate and crazy fun friends who are slowly but surely making me love the weekends I spend up here as much as I love the ones I spend in South Jersey.

I'm still trying to find out how I got this lucky. It's just crazy to me because I still feel like the 18 year old girl who just wants to have fun. Yet here I am living on my own like a grown up. When did this happen??

Pros and Cons about today.

2008-10-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

Cons:
-I worked til 7:30p tonight.
-Work was very stressful.
-I didn't get to eat lunch.
-Or do my laundry.

Pros:
-Today was Boss' Day - and I have the best boss out there (and I swear I'm not just writing that because I know you'll read it)
-I got to meet up with Kayleigh and Annie at Carinos (and got my favorite thing ever: Italian Nachos)
-PR Week Awards are DONE!
-I got to watch Grey's with Kayleigh and Annie, just like old times.
-I get to go home tomorrow (!!!!!)
-Tom Coyne cried (a good cry) because of our Boss' Day gift.
-The Phillies are going to the World Series (first time since 1993!)
-I have amazing friends.

Lately I've realized that no matter how many cons there are in a day, I can somehow always manage to find more pros. =)

I love Jake.

2008-10-15T16:42:00.000-07:00

As I've mentioned before, Jake is my godson. My parents were having dinner over the Goehringer's house and my mom called me because she had a story she HAD to tell me. The story was a conversation between her and Jake. Here's how it went down:

My Mom: Jacob, what am I going to even get you for Christmas?? You guys have every toy out there!
Jake: I KNOW! Buy me a shark. I really like sharks.
My Mom: But where would you put it?
Jake: In the pool!

Then Jake ran off to play with Luke and Madison. About 5 minutes later he rushed back to my mom and goes:

Jake: MAURA! We can't put the shark in the pool!
Mom: Why not?!
Jake: Don't you remember that Shana loves to swim in our pool? Don't worry though. I have a great idea! Cisco (my dad) and me will dig a hole to make a lake for the shark - so still buy it for me.

I seriously love that little boy.

Do I run like Phoebe?

2008-10-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

For the past few nights I've been making it a point to go running after getting home from work. Ok...so maybe 'running' is a little misleading. I do more of a walk then run then walk thing. To be honest, I haven't ran on a consistent basis since high school (4 years ago!). But I'm getting back into the swing of it - I really need to. I really want to just join a gym but they're all so expensive. So I'm just making due with my little dumbbells and my legs. (I'll have you know that I'm currently winning a 'weight loss challenge' with some people at work!!).

So tonight I went for my walk/run and during a running portion I couldn't help but wonder....Do I run like Phoebe Buffay? I sure hope not but like I said, I haven't run on a regular basis in such a long time so sometimes I wonder. I'm not sure if this is because my walk/run routine has been giving me much more time to just think about things or if its because I am a Friends freak.

I am obsessed with it. It's a little absurd but who cares. Just in case you've been living under a rock for the past 14 years, here's a clip of what I'm talking about. Honestly, I find myself constantly comparing my life to a Friends episode - and when I say constantly, I mean multiple times a day. In fact, just today I remember making a Friends reference during lunch with two of my friends (although I cannot, for the life of me, remember what it was...)

I'm not sure what to make of this but I do know one thing - I can always count on Friends to make me laugh. (the tv show AND my real ones).

I miss Atco.

2008-10-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

I know this might make me sound like I'm a baby - but I miss Atco.

As I mentioned in a previous post (or as you may already know if you know me at all), I grew up in Atco, NJ and just recently moved to Clifton after graduation. Clifton is amazing - don't get me wrong. But there's nothing like the town you grew up in. I'll be 70 years old and I'll still profess my love of Atco.

I haven't been home since September 26th, when I stopped at home for literally 10 minutes en route to Philly for a girls weekend with some friends. The last time I actually spent the weekend in Atco was Sept. 20, the week before - which in reality isn't all that long ago but it sure feels like it.

I miss my family. I know I'm playing this grown-up person role being a recent college graduate that actually has a (wonderful) full-time job. But sometimes a girl just misses her mom and dad (and brother for that matter). Last time I was home my brother was fresh off a break up and now he has a new girlfriend. What is going on???

I miss my kids. Relax, I don't have any children of my own, but there are three kids that live in Atco that might as well be mine. The amount of love I have for the three of them is insane. When I picture my future life and my future children, I know I'm going to love them a lot. But the amount of love I have for these three goes above and beyond that. In high school, I worked at Wawa for three years. On the day of my high school graduation, I quit for various reasons. Desperately needing a summer job before going away for my first year of college, I got lucky. My brother had a friend, Nick, who he often shared rides to and from school/football practice with. Nick just happened to have a younger sister, Madison, who was 2 at the time and a baby brother, Jake, who was only 5 months old. and they just happened to need a babysitter. Enter me. I babysat them in between going to school for three years. In the midst of all that, Denna (their mom) had another son, Luke. Last summer, my brother and I became Jake's godparents and over time our two families have meshed into one.

Last time I was home, their family was in Hershey Park for the weekend, so I haven't actually seen them in almost two months. Two months is a long time in little kid years. Madison's cast has come off her broken (now healed) arm, she's started first grade (!!!!), Jake's started preschool and Luke has gotten even cuter (I know I haven't seen him in 2 months, but I'm positive of this one). Whenever my mom is over their house, she'll put one of them one the phone. They still have trouble comprehending that I'm not right down the road anymore. When I talked to Jake on Sunday he said "Hey shan, what are you doing?" I said, "I'm just at the mall." He replied with, "well I have a great idea. why don't you go home and pick up Oscar (our puppy) and come to my house?" What's not to love about these kids? I am beyond excited to see them this weekend.

I miss my dogs. I have a 14 year old Sheltie/Lab mix, named Jinx, that is my best friend. This might make me sound like a real girly girl but I literally get teary whenever I have to leave him. Also, two days before I moved to Clifton, my brother bought a long-hair dachshund, Oscar, that is unbelievably cute. It took me a bit to like him to be honest. I think it was really just my brother's way of coping with me moving out, but I felt like Oscar was replacing me (I know, I'm crazy..) and not to mention Oscar's puppy genes mean that he constantly wants to play with Jinx. Being 14 years old (or 98 in dog years...) Jinx is not a fan of constant playing. He's more of a fan of sleeping. Oscar picked on Jinx and I didn't like it. But now they get along and everyone's living happily.

To make a long story short (or not...) I'm unbelievably excited to go home this weekend.

IT'S A MIRACLE!!!!!!!!

2008-10-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

Ok so I know this is my third post today but this is completely warranted.

Tonight Annie and I were sitting in our living room, just hanging out. I had some clothes in the dryer and all of a sudden I started hearing something clanking around in there. I looked at Annie and said, "what if that noise is my necklace?!?!" I laughed at myself because, as you know, the necklace has been MIA for about a week now. Then I got up to go check what it actually was and lo and behold, IT WAS MY NECKLACE. I literally jumped up and down with excitement. I know that makes me sound like a four year old but it's entirely true.

I don't know if this means I'm psychic or if it just reaffirms my belief that I am actually one of the luckiest people alive.

you will love this too.

2008-10-12T13:30:00.001-07:00

Annie and I went to see this Friday night and we are both obsessed. It is officially one of my favorite movies ever, not to mention the soundtrack was unbelievable. So unbelievable that Annie and I made sure to pick it up yesterday when we went to Garden State Plaza. I haven't stopped listening to it and I'm pretty sure you should pick it up, put it in, and drive somewhere with your windows down. It's that kind of day.

All in the family

2008-10-12T08:12:00.000-07:00

This is one of the best feelings in the world (and even though last night ended horribly, this was a great way to start it...)

As I was walking to the PATH with Annie and Lila, I get a text from Nicole - who is home from Ohio for the weekend. Liz is also on fall break and home for the weekend and it's very unusual that they're home and I'm not. Since I technically live pretty close to home (under two hours) whenever I find out someone is coming home I make it a point to be home too. However, it was Kayleigh's birthday party in NYC and I couldn't miss it. But needless to say, I was sad I was going to miss hanging out with my lobsters.

Nicole's text said, "we're meeting at your house, i miss you." after speaking to my mom this morning, I found out that Liz and my mom were hanging out for a little bit during the day, Liz was trying to help fix the whole room fiasco that is currently happening at my house, then Liz and my mom went for dinner. Tom and Nicole were calling to meet up with Liz so she told them to just come by my house. My mom sounded so excited because they all hung out there for about an hour before heading out for the night. Tom even left his car there. In a way this makes me sad and makes me miss them even more, but it in a completely different way it makes me so incredibly happy. This is what I mean when I say they are my family.

kicked out.

2008-10-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

This afternoon my roommate and I went to the mall. While she was in the dressing room at Old Navy, I decided to call my mom, say hi, see how she was. She also mentioned helping me out with my halloween costume (and my teams halloween costume for that matter...) so I just wanted to touch base about that.

However, when I called home, my brother answered. I asked what he was doing and he said "nothing I'm just upstairs." I asked, "where's mom?" he said "upstairs." so he puts my mom on the phone and come to find out they're upstairs reorganizing "my" room.

let me explain. at my parents house, there are two bedrooms on the second floor. Being the older sibling, I naturally got the larger bedroom. When I moved in July (and even before that) my brother had been talking about how he was going to switch rooms when I left. It took me a while to be okay with that but I really had no right to have the larger bedroom when I'm only there one or two weekends a month. I gave in and told him he could switch the rooms, but I made it very clear that I didn't want him to just throw all of my stuff into his old room. There had to be some order to it so that when I finally go home again for a relaxing weekend, I won't have to sit and sort through things the entire time. I don't think I was being unfair, and frankly I didn't really care because after all, I was the one giving him the larger bedroom.

Then today when I was on the phone, I found out that not only is my brother taking my room, but all of sudden they think my queen sized bed won't fit into the smaller room. SO now he isn't just stealing my room - but my bed too. My lovely lovely bed that is only a few years old. I don't know why but this really pissed me off. It's my bed. not his. and there's no way that I want to go home and sleep in his dirty old twin sized bed.

But you want to know the best part? A few years ago when my dad redid the larger bedroom for me, he let me paint it whatever color I wanted. Being obsessed with green, my obvious choice was a very bright green. I even got these awesome green and white polka dot curtains and comforter/sheet set. I hope he has an awesome time trying to mack it with his girly green walls. That's all I have to say about that.

superstitious fool.

2008-10-09T17:31:00.000-07:00

I'm still trying to decide if this is a good or bad thing, but I'm pretty positive that I'm the most superstitious person I know.

In May 2005, at the end of my freshman year at Seton Hall, Nicole and I drove to Elmira, NY to visit Liz at school. Liz's school ran on trimesters or something different that made her stay at school for a few weeks after everyone else. The first or second weekend in May is called "May Days" and that happened to be going on when we were up there. There were crazy games and things like that for us to do. I can't even remember what game we played but one of the things we won were these cheesy, sliding knot friendship bracelets, circa 1995. We each took one and I distinctly remember grabbing one for Tom (my boyfriend at the time) too. I must've thought that we'd all actually wear our friendship bracelets and live in one big happy world.

When Nicole and I got home from that weekend, I remember showing Tom his (red and white) friendship bracelet and being so excited that we would all have these matching bracelets (looking back, I sound like such a nerd). Tom refused to wear his so I put his in my car, around my gear shifter, figuring I'd get rid of it sooner or later. I never really saw Liz or Nicole wear theirs either but for some reason I put my black and white sliding knot friendship bracelet around my left ankle. I figured I'd be much more likely to leave it there for a while as opposed to my wrist.

And I was right. The bracelet turned anklet stayed on my left ankle all through that summer. and my sophomore year of college. and junior. and senior. you get the point.

Today, I was at work doing normal work things, actually getting ready to go home for the night. I had an itch around my left ankle so I reached down to itch it. I assume you'll understand my horror when my black and white sliding knot friendship bracelet literally disintegrated before my eyes. I tried to revive the poor thing but it's gone. It's too short to just retie around my ankle (I tried).

However, being the ridiculously superstitious person I am, (and having already lost a very important necklace earlier this week) I really, really, really didn't want to throw the raggedy, 3 and a half year old bracelet away. I just couldn't do it. I know some weird part of me would feel as if I were 'jinxing' myself or my friendships, even though NONE of my friends have worn theirs nearly as long, if at all. I was trying to think of what to do with it when I came up with the perfect place for the very short broken bracelet. I left the office, walked to my car, and tied the ratty piece of bracelet around my gear shifter. Right above the pretty, 3 and a half year old red and white one - where they can stay together for a very long time. =)

I love lobsters

2008-10-08T18:02:00.000-07:00

There are few things I love more in this world than these four people.

Liz, Nicole, Tom and Phil are my four best friends. We've all been friends for over 10 years now (a DECADE! that makes me feel so old). and I can honestly say that I don't know where I'd be without them. This past summer was monumental for us though. I moved from Atco to Clifton, Tom moved to Manayunk (outside of Philly), Phil moved to Maryland and Liz and Nicole both went back for another semester of school. Liz to Maryland and Nicole to Ohio.

When I hear friends from school talk about their friends from home, I realize how truly lucky I am. I've always known I lucked out in the friend category (I'll fight to the death that mine are the best), but here's the difference: most people are like "wow I'm so excited to hang out with so and so on Friday!" When I go home to "meet up" with my friends, I usually don't spend much time withOUT them. That is one of the things I love most about them. Not only are they my best friends, they are literally my family. When we're all home for a weekend, it is not unusual for us to spend both nights together, sleep at the same place, and wake up saturday AND sunday mornings to recap the nights before.

This picture was taken during one of the best weekends of my summer. Nicole had come home from ohio for a week or so and we all made sure to come back so we could hang out. It was one of those weekends where we spent practically the entire weekend together. I even remember going back to work the following Monday and talking to Tom (via text) about what an amazing weekend it was.

A couple of years ago, I was watching the tv show, Friends (another obsession of mine) and I was watching the episode with the prom video. Any other Friends freak probably knows exactly what I'm talking about, but for those of you who don't, there's a scene where Phoebe explains to Ross, Chandler and Monica the following: "Come on, you guys, it's a known fact that lobsters fall in love and mate for life. You know what, you can actually see old lobster couples walking around their tank, you know, holding claws…" Now I know we're not couples but we're definitely together for life so from that night on, we've referred to ourselves as lobsters.

Like I wrote before, you give me any situation and I'll find the perfect quote for you. Here is the perfect quote for me and my lobsters: and even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.

i love you guys.

R.I.P.

2008-10-08T04:33:00.000-07:00

Something very tragic happened to me this past week.

I have a necklace that I've worn practically every day for the past four years. It's a diamond heart necklace and my ex-boyfriend gave it to me for Christmas. I know a lot of people get rid of all jewelry from exes but for some reason I kept it. Perhaps because it was very nice but probably because my ex and I are still very close. While I highly doubt we will ever get back together, it's safe to say that we are absolutely still best friends - even after everything we've been through.

Last Wednesday, I went to Target to look for a necklace to match a certain outfit I have (looking back, a diamond heart matches anything). I had the necklace on but took it off so I could try on a bunch of different ones. I distinctly remember putting it in my pocket, NOT even finding a necklace at Target, and coming home. I completely forgot about the necklace until SUNDAY morning when I woke up and realized my neck felt naked. I literally tore through my room looking for it. Then I realized that I had just done ALL of my laundry on Saturday. I'd bet money that my beautiful necklace is lost in the abyss of my washing machine.

So, for that, I dedicate this post to my lovely heart necklace. May you Rest In Peace. (or turn up very soon...)

Queen of Quotes

2008-10-07T18:15:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have an absurd collection/obsession with quotes.

I collect quotes about anything. love, heartbreak, friendship, family, luck, hope, and life in general. you get the picture. people rarely believe me when I tell them about the quote document I have on my laptop - it's currently up to 87 pages (and that's with size 10 font...) I agree that sometimes it's a little out of hand but give me a situation and I'll find you the perfect quote.

Last year, I had an awesome RA. He was just a genuinely good guy. There was this one time he needed to post "inspirational quotes" (or something like that) on the bulletin board in our hallway so he randomly asked me - and struck gold. I sent him my entire document, which was only 50-something pages at the time, but still very helpful. From that day on, he would always ask me to send him my quote document so he could see the new quotes I added. A few weeks ago, while drunkenly walking the streets of Hoboken with my friends, I ran into him. One of the first things he asked me was, "Can you send it to me?????" I just laughed because I knew exactly what he meant.

I don't think it'd be right to write an entry about quotes without including a quote - so I figure, why not share one of my all time favorites?
"every glorious minute you waste thinking is a minute you could be drinking, loving, fighting or dancing. think about that. but not for too long.... "

And so it begins...

2008-10-07T17:39:00.000-07:00

Let me preface this entire blog by stating that I've never done this before. I've been thinking about starting a blog for a while now, but really had no reason to.

I'm 22 years old and a recent grad of Seton Hall University. I majored in public relations and minored in graphic design and was lucky enough to get a job at Coyne PR after graduation. I've been there for a few months and today we had one of our monthly staff meetings. Tom Coyne, the CEO, told everyone that he wants all of us to start a blog. Hence why I'm here. I figure - what do I have to lose? Tom even encouraged us to write on our blogs during the workday, so it doesn't interfere with our lives outside of work. I guess the reason I haven't already done this is because I'm little afraid of coming off the wrong way. But the more I think about it, the more I actually have to say.