After an awful rain on Saturday (I can´t cope with humidity… neither does my hair), we decided to go for a ride in the Delta river with my family and some friends that were visiting as well.
It was a gorgeous day, the sun was up and I was looking forward to lie down quietly and soak in the heat and the wind… and then reality hit and I took in the situation: confined in a 40 feet long boat with 13 people and be able to relax, I mean, am I crazy?
We always have the different music tastes that collide together and leads to a fight for iPod control… reggeaton it´s the preferred choice but who can stand it more than a couple of hours? (No disrespect to Wisin & Yandel, whom I really like!) and then, my father with his 12 years of Caribbean living wants Merengue and Salsa (not the food!), as well as my husband… and I wanted complete silence (why haven´t someone invented a song of “nothing”? It would be a huge success with me as the number one fan!).
13 hungry people and being late to set sail is not a good combination; so besides having to manage the music I had to deal with eating the same thing as the day before; don´t get me wrong, I love Argentinean food, but is variety too much to ask?
With these two mood downers; having a tan with the shape of your sunglasses stuck to your face and the line of the sun block all over your arms was a walk in the park (or hell)… I got home with a raging need to take a cold shower, being red as a shrimp as I was, and not even a cream embalming could calm it…
Why is it that I have to inherit the worst family treats? Why can´t I have a perfect suntan in a smooth brown tone instead of this over-exposed-to-sun white skin (now pink/red)?
I´ll have to wait for it to tone down soaked in a bathtub full of ice… Not even carrots can save me from this!
http://www.allaboutar.com/st_tigre.htm
Monday, December 21, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Family reunions and their awkward moments... nothing can save me from this one!
Yesterday we celebrated my father´s birthday… differently to a family reunion in other countries, every time we get together we have a huge barbecue (asado is the word we use) and lots of wine. We also have music (the really loud type) but you don´t get a police visit sent by a grumpy neighbor no matter the volume level and no matter the time… at least, not if it´s a weekend.
As a visitor in your home country, you get asked the same questions over and over again: “how´s your life in NY going?”, “did you get a job yet?”, “is it cold there?” “What do you do every day? (AKA: do you have a job?)”, “have you visited other cities?”, “how´s the economic situation there? Still slow? (AKA: how´s the job hunting?)”… Do you get my picture? It´s an impossible task to be unemployed while living in the USA; everybody is expecting for you to have this perfect life or at least, to be succeeding in the professional and employment department... I feel like Legally Blonde but instead of Harvard as my play field, USA is the conquering country and not even a tough back bone (the one that survived the 15 hours flight) can help me!
But my family is very supportive, and even thou they´re like 52 people bugging me about everything, I know they mean well… sometimes, you have to conceal (i.e. lie like your life depends on it!!) not to be pushed in a specific matter; and news travel really fast with them, so my acrylic nails, my blog, the book I´m reading, my dog´s temporary home, my Bach flowers and my new life coach are knowingly matters… hence, frequently questioned about.
Today´s a different day with different visitors, however, we´re still eating asado, as tomorrow, and the day after… and the day after… and so on.
Goodbye healthy, balanced, life… Hello uric acid!!
As a visitor in your home country, you get asked the same questions over and over again: “how´s your life in NY going?”, “did you get a job yet?”, “is it cold there?” “What do you do every day? (AKA: do you have a job?)”, “have you visited other cities?”, “how´s the economic situation there? Still slow? (AKA: how´s the job hunting?)”… Do you get my picture? It´s an impossible task to be unemployed while living in the USA; everybody is expecting for you to have this perfect life or at least, to be succeeding in the professional and employment department... I feel like Legally Blonde but instead of Harvard as my play field, USA is the conquering country and not even a tough back bone (the one that survived the 15 hours flight) can help me!
But my family is very supportive, and even thou they´re like 52 people bugging me about everything, I know they mean well… sometimes, you have to conceal (i.e. lie like your life depends on it!!) not to be pushed in a specific matter; and news travel really fast with them, so my acrylic nails, my blog, the book I´m reading, my dog´s temporary home, my Bach flowers and my new life coach are knowingly matters… hence, frequently questioned about.
Today´s a different day with different visitors, however, we´re still eating asado, as tomorrow, and the day after… and the day after… and so on.
Goodbye healthy, balanced, life… Hello uric acid!!
Friday, December 18, 2009
15 hours and a back pain later… we arrived to the sizzling hot summer of Argentina
We arrived at JFK with a temperature below freezing, wrapped in our coats and day dreaming about summer and a warmer weather. As predicted, our suitcase was overweight (13 lb above limit), so we decided to travel with two carry-on valises so the amiable lady in AA wouldn´t charge us USD 50 for it.
That we were over loaded with things was an understatement. My purse weighed two pounds, my husband has one of those Mac laptops that weights a ton, plus our coats, scarves, and a carry-on each of us - that was made to be dispatched in the first place - so my shoulder was killing me!!
As for the cordial lady who checked us in, at that moment she was pleasant enough… until the point when we were boarding the plane and our eight-month-old reservation, with incredible good seats was changed for two seats in the 41 line - two rows before the bathroom - and 250 people before us to get out when we arrived at Buenos Aires; this meant a two hour immigration line (Argentinean airport personnel are really friendly so no comment on that one) and an endless journey home… because, you see, my husband says I deflate during flights, as I go to the bathroom five times (minimum) hence I need an aisle seat, however I prefer the window because I can rest my head in the side panel. So I spent 12 hours jumping over my husband, but as I´m a little clumsy, I always ended butt first onto him … he was sleeping soundly until the moment where I landed flat on his face… and off he started with the cursing, half-awaked as he was…I don´t think he remembers every time this happened (is not as glamorous as I want to be remembered…a girl can dream).
Other thing to consider, is the on-flight entertainment. I was expecting a bunch of premier movies, something to help the time fly faster… we were completely unlucky because ¨Legally Blonde¨ was the only option (a eight hundred dollar ticket and not even a decent movie!); so I grabbed my book (reading is my hobby / fascination / obsession) “Twenties Girl” by Sophie Kinsella (I love her! Her Shopaholic series aren´t as good as her other books) but after ten minutes I started getting dizzy (other side effect that travel – by any transportation – gives me) so I dropped the book and opted for my iPod… after a while I was asleep, but nature calls really often in my department, and sleeping wasn´t as pleasurable for neither of us… me as the affected with the insistent calling of my urinary tract, and my husband as the bystander victim with a wife with early symptoms of temporary urinary incontinence… where would us be when we turn 80 if aging symptoms start now?
So long bone chilling cold!!!
Your 25 year old unemployed house wife on vacation…. Jealous?
That we were over loaded with things was an understatement. My purse weighed two pounds, my husband has one of those Mac laptops that weights a ton, plus our coats, scarves, and a carry-on each of us - that was made to be dispatched in the first place - so my shoulder was killing me!!
As for the cordial lady who checked us in, at that moment she was pleasant enough… until the point when we were boarding the plane and our eight-month-old reservation, with incredible good seats was changed for two seats in the 41 line - two rows before the bathroom - and 250 people before us to get out when we arrived at Buenos Aires; this meant a two hour immigration line (Argentinean airport personnel are really friendly so no comment on that one) and an endless journey home… because, you see, my husband says I deflate during flights, as I go to the bathroom five times (minimum) hence I need an aisle seat, however I prefer the window because I can rest my head in the side panel. So I spent 12 hours jumping over my husband, but as I´m a little clumsy, I always ended butt first onto him … he was sleeping soundly until the moment where I landed flat on his face… and off he started with the cursing, half-awaked as he was…I don´t think he remembers every time this happened (is not as glamorous as I want to be remembered…a girl can dream).
Other thing to consider, is the on-flight entertainment. I was expecting a bunch of premier movies, something to help the time fly faster… we were completely unlucky because ¨Legally Blonde¨ was the only option (a eight hundred dollar ticket and not even a decent movie!); so I grabbed my book (reading is my hobby / fascination / obsession) “Twenties Girl” by Sophie Kinsella (I love her! Her Shopaholic series aren´t as good as her other books) but after ten minutes I started getting dizzy (other side effect that travel – by any transportation – gives me) so I dropped the book and opted for my iPod… after a while I was asleep, but nature calls really often in my department, and sleeping wasn´t as pleasurable for neither of us… me as the affected with the insistent calling of my urinary tract, and my husband as the bystander victim with a wife with early symptoms of temporary urinary incontinence… where would us be when we turn 80 if aging symptoms start now?
So long bone chilling cold!!!
Your 25 year old unemployed house wife on vacation…. Jealous?
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The most awaited day is here… Don’t let them get meeeeee!!
Today we're traveling to Argentina and as expected, I'm still receiving last minute requests for "tiny" things to take there.
However, I'm not letting anything ruin my mood because I'm saving patience for the lovely and always so helpful guys of immigrations and customs in the JFK airport... you know, the only ones that are permitted to watch you undress in public without giving you a ticket for inappropriate behavior or disturbance.
They're so cute, whit their long faces and demands... and watch out if you are a Latino; because they're even worse.
My advice when you’re treated as an ignorant and humiliated by their remarks, is to imagine them really tiny in your head… like this tiny man, with his tiny pants and a tiny little voice… that way, I don’t let them get to me; because in my head, I’m the master and commander of him (or not… but I feel much better afterwards).
I’ve decided to travel without a belt (even thou it’s really uncomfortable when your pants start to fall down and you’re, very discreetly, pulling from both sides to get them up again) and with loafers. Ever since I got stuck in line trying to unbuckle while untying my shoes at the same time that I was putting my bag, laptop and cell phone in a bin... while checking for liquids and my nail clipper (which I lost in a bucket full of them)… don't get me wrong, I'm a multi-tasker: while writing this post, I’m travelling in a bus, singing at the pace of my mp3 player (the guy next to me has bad breath and awful music; by his face, I can tell that he hates my voice…louder now… eat that!) and checking the bus stops so I don't miss it.... but the immigration people, just push it to the limit.
I can’t complain thou, because now I can check-in in the first class line (I’m an unemployed frequent flyer… the best kind!) and I don’t have to go throw those small capsules with the pst pst pst pst things of air (my husband loves when I use onomatopoeias) that pull up your hair and your blouse; and I don’t have to open my bag to be scrutinized by them.
So yeah! They’re tiny little people!
And I’m the leader of this pack (of one, big person: myself!).
So if it’s your time to travel also, no belt, no tying shoes, no watch, no creams, no metal accessories, no water, no nail clipper, no tweezers (NO of anything that it isn’t clothes)… and most important: your imagination and the tiny little people in it!!
Next post’s writing destination: Buenos Aires, Argentina
However, I'm not letting anything ruin my mood because I'm saving patience for the lovely and always so helpful guys of immigrations and customs in the JFK airport... you know, the only ones that are permitted to watch you undress in public without giving you a ticket for inappropriate behavior or disturbance.
They're so cute, whit their long faces and demands... and watch out if you are a Latino; because they're even worse.
My advice when you’re treated as an ignorant and humiliated by their remarks, is to imagine them really tiny in your head… like this tiny man, with his tiny pants and a tiny little voice… that way, I don’t let them get to me; because in my head, I’m the master and commander of him (or not… but I feel much better afterwards).
I’ve decided to travel without a belt (even thou it’s really uncomfortable when your pants start to fall down and you’re, very discreetly, pulling from both sides to get them up again) and with loafers. Ever since I got stuck in line trying to unbuckle while untying my shoes at the same time that I was putting my bag, laptop and cell phone in a bin... while checking for liquids and my nail clipper (which I lost in a bucket full of them)… don't get me wrong, I'm a multi-tasker: while writing this post, I’m travelling in a bus, singing at the pace of my mp3 player (the guy next to me has bad breath and awful music; by his face, I can tell that he hates my voice…louder now… eat that!) and checking the bus stops so I don't miss it.... but the immigration people, just push it to the limit.
I can’t complain thou, because now I can check-in in the first class line (I’m an unemployed frequent flyer… the best kind!) and I don’t have to go throw those small capsules with the pst pst pst pst things of air (my husband loves when I use onomatopoeias) that pull up your hair and your blouse; and I don’t have to open my bag to be scrutinized by them.
So yeah! They’re tiny little people!
And I’m the leader of this pack (of one, big person: myself!).
So if it’s your time to travel also, no belt, no tying shoes, no watch, no creams, no metal accessories, no water, no nail clipper, no tweezers (NO of anything that it isn’t clothes)… and most important: your imagination and the tiny little people in it!!
Next post’s writing destination: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Home sweet home… for me, my husband, our dog… and everybody else!
Visitors are really common if you live in a city like New York.
You can try to move to...let’s say, a remote island located in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean; where nobody is going to want to get a hold on you, and your family and friends will be a distant memory of people that you don’t see very often (maybe two times a year... or one, who knows?)
However, as you’re living in the Big Apple, I'm pretty sure you'll have to make a schedule, pinpoint the visits of the year in a calendar and plan for them not to overlap… it’s almost like a strategic chess game where you move your pieces to avoid total disaster!
Can you imagine what would happen if you mother came at the same time that your mother in law? (my mother in law came from a fairy tale, but she’s a rare case… or at least, that’s what I’m told… thank god for small favors).
Anyways, at this time, we have a foreign visitor staying at home…and sightseeing is another thing that you have to consider when you receive a guest; because I can assure you that no matter how many times you’ve been to the Rockefeller Center, or up the Empire State, or hop on the Ferry to the Statue of Liberty, or walked the 5th avenue and visit Central Park or go inside Saint Patrick to light a candle and ask for forgiveness and a job (I hold the record for candles offered in that department)… I’m a hundred percent sure that you’ll do it over and over again for your remaining time as a New York resident.
As you’ve confirmed in other posts, my lack of patience (or the nonexistence of it) is a key element in my day to day basis as a host… I’ve been put to the test in this one, and I keep failing no matter my persistence. I get anxious when I have to wait in line to pay for something and there’s always this guy in front of me that can’t grab the 25 ¢ coin that’s stuck in the bottom corner of his wallet, and you just want to snatch the thing from his hands and throw the coin at him (I have a really vivid imagination)... didn't this guy hear about Debit Card? or for example, when you have to go shopping to Macy’s, because everybody has to go there, and your advises are: “perfect, if I were you, I’ll take it!” … but at the same time, my insides are turning and I just want them to make a swift decision and get the hell out from there! (If you give me online shopping, I’m happy as a clam).
So yesterday, for the hundredth time I took my picture in the Rockefeller Plaza, with a smile sticked to my face and an invisible tag in my forehead that said: PLEASE GET ME OUT OF HERE!!
...and click... nice pic!
http://www.rockefellercenter.com
http://www.macys.com
http://www.centralparknyc.org
http://www.saintpatrickscathedral.org
You can try to move to...let’s say, a remote island located in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean; where nobody is going to want to get a hold on you, and your family and friends will be a distant memory of people that you don’t see very often (maybe two times a year... or one, who knows?)
However, as you’re living in the Big Apple, I'm pretty sure you'll have to make a schedule, pinpoint the visits of the year in a calendar and plan for them not to overlap… it’s almost like a strategic chess game where you move your pieces to avoid total disaster!
Can you imagine what would happen if you mother came at the same time that your mother in law? (my mother in law came from a fairy tale, but she’s a rare case… or at least, that’s what I’m told… thank god for small favors).
Anyways, at this time, we have a foreign visitor staying at home…and sightseeing is another thing that you have to consider when you receive a guest; because I can assure you that no matter how many times you’ve been to the Rockefeller Center, or up the Empire State, or hop on the Ferry to the Statue of Liberty, or walked the 5th avenue and visit Central Park or go inside Saint Patrick to light a candle and ask for forgiveness and a job (I hold the record for candles offered in that department)… I’m a hundred percent sure that you’ll do it over and over again for your remaining time as a New York resident.
As you’ve confirmed in other posts, my lack of patience (or the nonexistence of it) is a key element in my day to day basis as a host… I’ve been put to the test in this one, and I keep failing no matter my persistence. I get anxious when I have to wait in line to pay for something and there’s always this guy in front of me that can’t grab the 25 ¢ coin that’s stuck in the bottom corner of his wallet, and you just want to snatch the thing from his hands and throw the coin at him (I have a really vivid imagination)... didn't this guy hear about Debit Card? or for example, when you have to go shopping to Macy’s, because everybody has to go there, and your advises are: “perfect, if I were you, I’ll take it!” … but at the same time, my insides are turning and I just want them to make a swift decision and get the hell out from there! (If you give me online shopping, I’m happy as a clam).
So yesterday, for the hundredth time I took my picture in the Rockefeller Plaza, with a smile sticked to my face and an invisible tag in my forehead that said: PLEASE GET ME OUT OF HERE!!
...and click... nice pic!
http://www.rockefellercenter.com
http://www.macys.com
http://www.centralparknyc.org
http://www.saintpatrickscathedral.org
Monday, December 14, 2009
Luggage keeps pilling up and I didn’t even put my clothes in yet!!
Here we are, 3 days before our departure, and as always, we women tend to get ahead of things so I started packing for our holiday trip to Argentina.
Have you ever lived outside your home country? It’s like this:
2 months prior to our arrival, I started to get these emails:
“Could you please bring me a blouse / pant / shoes / boots / wallet / purse / belt that I saw online, is really tiny, and it’s not heavy, I promise” or “I’m dying to have those new sunglasses / watch / key ring / cuff link, but here they’re really expensive, would it bother you if I ordered them and you can, maybe, bring them with you in a small corner of your bag?” or “I want an iPod / headphones / cover case / new laptop / Wii / Stereo system… I’ll pay the custom taxes, but could you please go to the store and bought them for me? They don’t accept international cards”… (To someone else with that story; do I look stupid to you?... ok, don’t answer that) and they add “pretty please?” as if THAT is going to make the difference… come on! You’re asking for a 10 pound favor… didn’t you notice that we have weight restrictions in airplanes now? Where do you want me to put MY clothes? Send them by courier? Pay overweight for my 0.01 pound bathing suit?
What is it with people and decency? Forget about shame... nowadays people just ask and expect that you’ll be OK with them; don’t even think about deny them a favor… let me warn you, families keep grudges; so if you want to be in the white list, you better do whatever it takes to get that stuff down there; and I mean WHATEVER IT TAKES!
It all started with this spectacular idea that today I’ll finish with the packing business, so I dived inside our spare mini-room / closet to get our biggest valise; and I started to put the presents and requests first; big mistake there; because now the bag is full and where am I suppose to put all of our stuff? Is not like I can tell my husband to bring a few things, it’s a 3 week trip! Its summer there, so no coats or heavy clothes, but a girl needs her attire!! shoes, bathing suits, hair products, make-up… options, options, options!
So, yeah… maybe I’m a bit stupid because you should really see my luggage! I look like a walking department store; except for the beauty department (thank god for small favors! or our very nice relative that forgot to ask for a perfume / rejuvenating cream / make-up, etc.).
Anything to be kept away from the family's black list; I don’t want to be poisoned when we get there… and I want nice Christmas presents. So I did the second logical option: I found the other big valise and started dividing the weight between both of them… problem is; both are overweight now; and I’ll probably pay USD 200 to get them to Argentina; USD 500 when we arrive at customs and USD 75 to rent a mini-van to transport them to my father’s house.
In short, next time, don’t even let them know you’re coming! A surprise is much more fun, don’t you think? And you don’t have to worry about requests!... or better yet, change your email address and don’t even tell them… or commit to everything they ask and arrive with your empty hand and tell them you got robbed!
Laugh now, but this is definitely going to happen to you as well, and when it does, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Have you ever lived outside your home country? It’s like this:
2 months prior to our arrival, I started to get these emails:
“Could you please bring me a blouse / pant / shoes / boots / wallet / purse / belt that I saw online, is really tiny, and it’s not heavy, I promise” or “I’m dying to have those new sunglasses / watch / key ring / cuff link, but here they’re really expensive, would it bother you if I ordered them and you can, maybe, bring them with you in a small corner of your bag?” or “I want an iPod / headphones / cover case / new laptop / Wii / Stereo system… I’ll pay the custom taxes, but could you please go to the store and bought them for me? They don’t accept international cards”… (To someone else with that story; do I look stupid to you?... ok, don’t answer that) and they add “pretty please?” as if THAT is going to make the difference… come on! You’re asking for a 10 pound favor… didn’t you notice that we have weight restrictions in airplanes now? Where do you want me to put MY clothes? Send them by courier? Pay overweight for my 0.01 pound bathing suit?
What is it with people and decency? Forget about shame... nowadays people just ask and expect that you’ll be OK with them; don’t even think about deny them a favor… let me warn you, families keep grudges; so if you want to be in the white list, you better do whatever it takes to get that stuff down there; and I mean WHATEVER IT TAKES!
It all started with this spectacular idea that today I’ll finish with the packing business, so I dived inside our spare mini-room / closet to get our biggest valise; and I started to put the presents and requests first; big mistake there; because now the bag is full and where am I suppose to put all of our stuff? Is not like I can tell my husband to bring a few things, it’s a 3 week trip! Its summer there, so no coats or heavy clothes, but a girl needs her attire!! shoes, bathing suits, hair products, make-up… options, options, options!
So, yeah… maybe I’m a bit stupid because you should really see my luggage! I look like a walking department store; except for the beauty department (thank god for small favors! or our very nice relative that forgot to ask for a perfume / rejuvenating cream / make-up, etc.).
Anything to be kept away from the family's black list; I don’t want to be poisoned when we get there… and I want nice Christmas presents. So I did the second logical option: I found the other big valise and started dividing the weight between both of them… problem is; both are overweight now; and I’ll probably pay USD 200 to get them to Argentina; USD 500 when we arrive at customs and USD 75 to rent a mini-van to transport them to my father’s house.
In short, next time, don’t even let them know you’re coming! A surprise is much more fun, don’t you think? And you don’t have to worry about requests!... or better yet, change your email address and don’t even tell them… or commit to everything they ask and arrive with your empty hand and tell them you got robbed!
Laugh now, but this is definitely going to happen to you as well, and when it does, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saying goodbye to your dearest, dearest... pet
Today was a tough day for me.
As we're going away for the holidays, we decided to leave our dog in a friend's house...
Buono is like an only child; everyone think he's spoiled... why wouldn't they?
If he drinks water, there's someone drying his whiskers with a paper towel; if he goes to the balcony... you know, to do his business, there is someone cleaning his paws; he even knocks the door to be let outside and knocks to be let back in again, he has his teeth cleaned every day, I cut his hair every week, he gets a bath as well and we use oatmeal shampoo for his skin... do you get the picture?
So you can imagine that when the time arrived to drive him to New Jersey, I started packing all his belongings (every dog has "belongings" of course!!); toys, brushes, shampoo, towels, food, platter, leash, tooth brush... should I go on?
If I say that we looked like gypsies, was to put it mildly.
The problem was that our best (and only) option to get to New Jersey was by train.
From our home to Penn Station is like 10 minutes taxi ride, but you can’t get in the taxi with a dog; so we opted for the subway.
My husband was holding a 20 pound bag of dog food and all of Buono’s knick knacks. I was carrying his cage and my purse.
We walked 3 blocks to Grand Central Terminal and arrived covered in sweat in the middle of the winter with a low temperature of 40 F (6 C). We got stuck in the door; it was closed… you know when you’re with someone for a really long time and you get to “learn” his or her signs? So there we were, standing in front of the door, rolling our eyes to each other to get the other person to open the door while neither of us was loosing the packages. (it looked like a staring contest! Where have all gentlemen gone?)
Then, we got to the turnstiles to enter the subway system. You have to swipe your card to get in, but I couldn’t even get to my pocket… and I wasn’t going to ask some stranger (that’ll be weird) to do it; so my husband left his bag in the floor and put his hand in my pocket (have you had that experience yet?) and I start: “not that one, the other side. Yeah! That one… to the left, no… down a bit, you missed, to the right… there!” While doing this I was moving my hips at the rhythm of his hands to help him find the card (really… truly) although I think we invented a new spastic move for foreplay.
At last he found it and we went through… we and all our packages.
Next move: get to the train and find a seat; my arms were killing me!!!
It was Sunday, raining, the subway was replete with people, we were gypsies in a circus and my patience was non-existent.
Buono, in the other hand, was comfortable enough in his cage, pretty exited to be outside, watching everything around him… lucky bastard!
Saying goodbye to him was horrible… nearing traumatic… he, on the other hand, stayed completely happy with his two new dog friends, a big house, lots of room to play and his food.
Can I blame him? He will have 3 weeks vacation from his owner, the one with the bach flowers drops, the life coach and the beauty crisis… enjoy while it last!!
As we're going away for the holidays, we decided to leave our dog in a friend's house...
Buono is like an only child; everyone think he's spoiled... why wouldn't they?
If he drinks water, there's someone drying his whiskers with a paper towel; if he goes to the balcony... you know, to do his business, there is someone cleaning his paws; he even knocks the door to be let outside and knocks to be let back in again, he has his teeth cleaned every day, I cut his hair every week, he gets a bath as well and we use oatmeal shampoo for his skin... do you get the picture?
So you can imagine that when the time arrived to drive him to New Jersey, I started packing all his belongings (every dog has "belongings" of course!!); toys, brushes, shampoo, towels, food, platter, leash, tooth brush... should I go on?
If I say that we looked like gypsies, was to put it mildly.
The problem was that our best (and only) option to get to New Jersey was by train.
From our home to Penn Station is like 10 minutes taxi ride, but you can’t get in the taxi with a dog; so we opted for the subway.
My husband was holding a 20 pound bag of dog food and all of Buono’s knick knacks. I was carrying his cage and my purse.
We walked 3 blocks to Grand Central Terminal and arrived covered in sweat in the middle of the winter with a low temperature of 40 F (6 C). We got stuck in the door; it was closed… you know when you’re with someone for a really long time and you get to “learn” his or her signs? So there we were, standing in front of the door, rolling our eyes to each other to get the other person to open the door while neither of us was loosing the packages. (it looked like a staring contest! Where have all gentlemen gone?)
Then, we got to the turnstiles to enter the subway system. You have to swipe your card to get in, but I couldn’t even get to my pocket… and I wasn’t going to ask some stranger (that’ll be weird) to do it; so my husband left his bag in the floor and put his hand in my pocket (have you had that experience yet?) and I start: “not that one, the other side. Yeah! That one… to the left, no… down a bit, you missed, to the right… there!” While doing this I was moving my hips at the rhythm of his hands to help him find the card (really… truly) although I think we invented a new spastic move for foreplay.
At last he found it and we went through… we and all our packages.
Next move: get to the train and find a seat; my arms were killing me!!!
It was Sunday, raining, the subway was replete with people, we were gypsies in a circus and my patience was non-existent.
Buono, in the other hand, was comfortable enough in his cage, pretty exited to be outside, watching everything around him… lucky bastard!
Saying goodbye to him was horrible… nearing traumatic… he, on the other hand, stayed completely happy with his two new dog friends, a big house, lots of room to play and his food.
Can I blame him? He will have 3 weeks vacation from his owner, the one with the bach flowers drops, the life coach and the beauty crisis… enjoy while it last!!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Brittle nails got me here... beauty parlors in NYC
I have this "new" (nasty) habit, of biting the sides of my fingers... I don't know when it started but it was sometime between my moving to NYC and my wedding; so roughly, a year and a half.
Adding to this, is the fact that I haven't been to a salon for a Mani/Pedi (that's what they call it here) for a long time and I tend to change my nail polish really often, so the over use of polish remover it's also an important reason that my nails started to came apart.
My husband started, really gently, to caught my hand every time it was near my mouth, in an unnoticeable way, but at the end I was reprimanded as a little kid... humiliating!
At first I had one nail (out of 20) cut in a weird shape or really short in comparison with the others... and then, one by one they cracked and now I've the hands of a 8 year old with a serious case of stage fright, giggles and nervousness; all together.
The cherry that topped the ice cream was a comment made by my husband: "I see women in the subway who have their hands nicely done all the time"
(do they cook for you? Clean? Do laundry?... have you used detergent once? do you even know what bleach is?)
I tell you, in my mind, he suffered...for a minute (or two); but then I realized that I needed to put my act together and spend some beauty money... not a difficult task, if you ever want to try it... and less difficult considering that it's your husband's salary (you know, he who made the "nail" comment in the same sentence with the word "women" in it?...the bastard...)
Where was I?
Oh, yes! money spending... So I did some research and the best way to recover my nails was getting new ones, at least that fastest way... and who knew that there were so many different techniques, you practically need to be a nail technician to get to a decision; but I'm not a quitter, so after much googling I chose to try the Acrylic ones.
When you first think of nails, you imagine a Korean place, or a Chinese one... even a Japanese, they have all the credit in the nail department; but my research drove me to an European salon; Fifi's International Salon... and a woman with French accent and heavy make-up was the one that build up my nails from scratch. As well, while at it, I did my pedicure and some eyebrow waxing... (too much information)
So when my husband got home that day, he asked: "where's my wife?"
"out to dinner" (I told him) "and she is going to be late".
and cut!!
Curtain closing, end of act 1, scene 10.
Next scene, rated: R.
Serenity Nail & Spa II Inc
717 2 Avenue, New York, NY
(212) 297-1757
Adding to this, is the fact that I haven't been to a salon for a Mani/Pedi (that's what they call it here) for a long time and I tend to change my nail polish really often, so the over use of polish remover it's also an important reason that my nails started to came apart.
My husband started, really gently, to caught my hand every time it was near my mouth, in an unnoticeable way, but at the end I was reprimanded as a little kid... humiliating!
At first I had one nail (out of 20) cut in a weird shape or really short in comparison with the others... and then, one by one they cracked and now I've the hands of a 8 year old with a serious case of stage fright, giggles and nervousness; all together.
The cherry that topped the ice cream was a comment made by my husband: "I see women in the subway who have their hands nicely done all the time"
(do they cook for you? Clean? Do laundry?... have you used detergent once? do you even know what bleach is?)
I tell you, in my mind, he suffered...for a minute (or two); but then I realized that I needed to put my act together and spend some beauty money... not a difficult task, if you ever want to try it... and less difficult considering that it's your husband's salary (you know, he who made the "nail" comment in the same sentence with the word "women" in it?...the bastard...)
Where was I?
Oh, yes! money spending... So I did some research and the best way to recover my nails was getting new ones, at least that fastest way... and who knew that there were so many different techniques, you practically need to be a nail technician to get to a decision; but I'm not a quitter, so after much googling I chose to try the Acrylic ones.
When you first think of nails, you imagine a Korean place, or a Chinese one... even a Japanese, they have all the credit in the nail department; but my research drove me to an European salon; Fifi's International Salon... and a woman with French accent and heavy make-up was the one that build up my nails from scratch. As well, while at it, I did my pedicure and some eyebrow waxing... (too much information)
So when my husband got home that day, he asked: "where's my wife?"
"out to dinner" (I told him) "and she is going to be late".
and cut!!
Curtain closing, end of act 1, scene 10.
Next scene, rated: R.
Serenity Nail & Spa II Inc
717 2 Avenue, New York, NY
(212) 297-1757
Friday, December 11, 2009
Tea time @ Serendipity with my girlfriends
Serendipity it's a Cafe/Restaurant/Tea House/Desserts Paradise where everybody must go at least one time if you're visiting the Big Apple.
Recession and this place don't get along so well; so no matter the economic condition of the country (or the world) you can always count to find Serendipity brimming with people.
It's one of those rare places that don't take reservations, so to go there we had to organize and make a plan. Have you noticed how difficult is to agree to something the easy way if you're meeting with your girlfriends? (men tend to go with the flow; but women go against it without even asking; just to rebel... I think it has to do something with our history).
First of all, we all talk at the same time so it's pretty impossible to understand what the others are saying; second, we change the subject every 2 minutes so we're completely incoherent; third we gesticulate a lot so you get dizzy; then everybody else does too; fourth; between the talking, changing the subject and gesticulating; it's pretty impossible to get anywhere... I'm impressed we even manage to arrange for a get together!
On that particular day, New York was soaking wet and my shoes were dripping, even my socks! My hair was a frizzy mess; the subway was crowded (more than usual) and like every rainy day, people get disoriented so everything runs slowly; the walking mass don't advance at the usual pace, your only option is to elbow your way head-on into the sea of people to get in time to your destination; and Serendipity doesn't wait... so there I was, clutching my bag under my arm, tightly grabbing my umbrella, arranging my scarf and elbowing... and I mean a lot!
There's something you don't know about me and it's that I'm not a patient person... I don't like to repeat myself, I can't cope with hysteria and I don't like to deal with a crowd of people in the street.
Tough for me living in this small island with so many people (1,634,000 people to be exact); one of the most densely populated areas in the world (can you imagine what this information did to my nerves??)
Tough luck!!
If you've been to Serendipity you obviously want to come back, I was like the donkey and Serendipity was the carrot, and it was a really palatable carrot!!
So after 34 SMS from the girls (we really CAN'T agree that easy, sorry humanity), 13 thousands elbowing, 55 percent drench-er, 20 percent humidity free hair (the rest 80 percent not so lucky) and 2 reschedules later; I arrived at the place 30 minutes before the arranged time to put our names on the list and have a table ready by 4 pm.
The good news is that after you're seated and enjoying yourself, the place is great, the food is incredible and the sweets are fantastic!
It's definitely worth your while!!
My only advice: don't go on a rainy day, always get 30 min before, the waiting area is non-existent so you most definitely will wait outside the door... ohhh! and no strollers. Sorry mamas!!
http://www.serendipity3.com/
Recession and this place don't get along so well; so no matter the economic condition of the country (or the world) you can always count to find Serendipity brimming with people.
It's one of those rare places that don't take reservations, so to go there we had to organize and make a plan. Have you noticed how difficult is to agree to something the easy way if you're meeting with your girlfriends? (men tend to go with the flow; but women go against it without even asking; just to rebel... I think it has to do something with our history).
First of all, we all talk at the same time so it's pretty impossible to understand what the others are saying; second, we change the subject every 2 minutes so we're completely incoherent; third we gesticulate a lot so you get dizzy; then everybody else does too; fourth; between the talking, changing the subject and gesticulating; it's pretty impossible to get anywhere... I'm impressed we even manage to arrange for a get together!
On that particular day, New York was soaking wet and my shoes were dripping, even my socks! My hair was a frizzy mess; the subway was crowded (more than usual) and like every rainy day, people get disoriented so everything runs slowly; the walking mass don't advance at the usual pace, your only option is to elbow your way head-on into the sea of people to get in time to your destination; and Serendipity doesn't wait... so there I was, clutching my bag under my arm, tightly grabbing my umbrella, arranging my scarf and elbowing... and I mean a lot!
There's something you don't know about me and it's that I'm not a patient person... I don't like to repeat myself, I can't cope with hysteria and I don't like to deal with a crowd of people in the street.
Tough for me living in this small island with so many people (1,634,000 people to be exact); one of the most densely populated areas in the world (can you imagine what this information did to my nerves??)
Tough luck!!
If you've been to Serendipity you obviously want to come back, I was like the donkey and Serendipity was the carrot, and it was a really palatable carrot!!
So after 34 SMS from the girls (we really CAN'T agree that easy, sorry humanity), 13 thousands elbowing, 55 percent drench-er, 20 percent humidity free hair (the rest 80 percent not so lucky) and 2 reschedules later; I arrived at the place 30 minutes before the arranged time to put our names on the list and have a table ready by 4 pm.
The good news is that after you're seated and enjoying yourself, the place is great, the food is incredible and the sweets are fantastic!
It's definitely worth your while!!
My only advice: don't go on a rainy day, always get 30 min before, the waiting area is non-existent so you most definitely will wait outside the door... ohhh! and no strollers. Sorry mamas!!
http://www.serendipity3.com/
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Naughty or Nice neighbor? (check the list twice!!)
The apartment we live in is a Cooperative (Co-op as the new yorkers refer as); this means that every resident in over 600 apartments that the building has, is entitled to a voice and vote in every matter... and I mean: EVERY single matter.
Yesterday we had the "pleasure" to share the common area in our building with over 375 people complaining about their neighbor, or the smoking of their neighbor, or the fact that they don't want flowers in the aisles, or the smoking of their neighbor, or to change the energy supply method, or the smoking of their neighbor, or the dog/cat/bird/stuffed animal of their neighbor; and of course: The smoking of their neighbor (How could we forget!!)
You are in your own home, it's 40 F outside (like -2 C), it's snowing, you have your windows open wide, your head stuck outside with a high risk of brain freeze or permanent damage to it... and you are smoking a cigarette, peacefully after work, enjoying the quiet time of your home... when suddenly your doorbell sounds and you hurry to put the cigarette down, start swatting at the air around you for the smoke to disperse, close the window hurriedly and run to the door; and when you open, is your 70 year old neighbor that lives down the hall (like 4 doors down) in the top floor (not even in yours!) and asks you very politely to: "please put the f... cigarette down" (he's a mean 70 year old guy; not like those sweet loving ancient people) and while you're at it: "please stop hearing the music so loud at this time of the night (it's 7 pm), don't you have any respect?" and "your dog was barking all day while you were out" (you don't have a pet), and: "you shower at such an early time that he hears it like it was just next to him" (you shower every day at 7:20 am), and: "please stop cooking meat all the time, I can't stand that awful smell" (meat? you're a vegetarian).
So here's how it works if you live in a building like ours: You bought a place, it is completely yours, your own piece of the world, just for you... the only place called home, where you can be yourself, do what you please... well, as long as it's legal, or the building approves it, and it doesn't bother you neighbor...whichever neighbor that lives within 1,000 feet from your home: top floor, down floor or your floor (roughly 100 people), you can't have a pet that barks, so no dogs, if they sing neither, so no birds... cats you don't like. You can't hear the music you like when you like it; your neighbors might not like the same style (try opera, jazz or classical music). When you do laundry in the common area, forget about using bleach, it's not good for your neighbor in 14C because she has allergies (how did she managed to know every time?!) If you get a girlfriend/boyfriend; forget spontaneity!! you are not going to get any outside of a schedule... and the only open time (for you and your neighbors) it's friday 1:23 pm (so, you either produce money or have a nice relationship, you can't have both!!)
So people, my advice: move to New Jersey!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Sales and Credit Cards... one cannot go without the other
It's almost the end of the year and Christmas is around the corner; so you must go shopping (pity!) to find the best deals in every store.
You start with a list, the one that you wrote twelve times already, trying to reduce its beneficiaries: "this aunt never gives me a present" (scratch), "it's that important to give a present to your godson?... christmas is not about gifts" (scratch), "my sister's always good to me, but her present are so lame, I'll give her a christmas card" (scratch)... you even managed to remove you husband's name from the list: "a glass set it's not a present for me, it's for the house!" (scratch).
So there's only your name on the list... and your best friend's... You-are-good!!
So you have a budget for thirty presents but only two people in the list; so you grab your bag, go to the biggest, fullest, best department store in the city (Bloomingdale's my fav!) and start eyeing for coupons, sales, discounts.
First you've got to go to the Customer Service department to get the discount pass for the day, then you realize they have a discount in the Shoes department but you need a card that are only giving away in the 7th floor... so off you go. There's a Redeeming Desk in the 5th floor for order above 200 dollars, so you go there, because you have a whole budget just for you and your BFF; which is way above 200 dollars; and don't forget the Beauty department with their gift bags and 10 dollar coupons; so it's been two hours and you only shopped for coupons and discounts and gift bags.
But, nothing can get in your mood that day (shopping is unstressful for women, go figure!) and you have only two beneficiaries in your list and lost of ideas! (and budget).
After endless scouting, choosing, picking, trying, discarting and finally satisfied, here you are, in front of the cashier, with you pile of things; and she start scanning the items... but wait! your coupons and discount cards are in your purse.
You drop everything on the counter and search for them.
Total amount: $863 (12 items)... not bad!!
- 10% discount + 25 dollars discount for every 150 dollars you spend + 15% discount if you apply for the member's credit card + a 20% discount only on the winter boots
Final amount: $598 (12 items)... loo and behold: you're still in budget!
Credit Card #1: $183
Credit Card #2: $348.90
Debit Card: $66.10
So, you get home, and your husband only sees the joint account expenses so he's thrilled because you bought all those things for $66.10!!
Ignorance is bliss...
At the end of the month, when the statements arrives, I suggest a bucket and some matches.
Minimum payment is glory!
You start with a list, the one that you wrote twelve times already, trying to reduce its beneficiaries: "this aunt never gives me a present" (scratch), "it's that important to give a present to your godson?... christmas is not about gifts" (scratch), "my sister's always good to me, but her present are so lame, I'll give her a christmas card" (scratch)... you even managed to remove you husband's name from the list: "a glass set it's not a present for me, it's for the house!" (scratch).
So there's only your name on the list... and your best friend's... You-are-good!!
So you have a budget for thirty presents but only two people in the list; so you grab your bag, go to the biggest, fullest, best department store in the city (Bloomingdale's my fav!) and start eyeing for coupons, sales, discounts.
First you've got to go to the Customer Service department to get the discount pass for the day, then you realize they have a discount in the Shoes department but you need a card that are only giving away in the 7th floor... so off you go. There's a Redeeming Desk in the 5th floor for order above 200 dollars, so you go there, because you have a whole budget just for you and your BFF; which is way above 200 dollars; and don't forget the Beauty department with their gift bags and 10 dollar coupons; so it's been two hours and you only shopped for coupons and discounts and gift bags.
But, nothing can get in your mood that day (shopping is unstressful for women, go figure!) and you have only two beneficiaries in your list and lost of ideas! (and budget).
After endless scouting, choosing, picking, trying, discarting and finally satisfied, here you are, in front of the cashier, with you pile of things; and she start scanning the items... but wait! your coupons and discount cards are in your purse.
You drop everything on the counter and search for them.
Total amount: $863 (12 items)... not bad!!
- 10% discount + 25 dollars discount for every 150 dollars you spend + 15% discount if you apply for the member's credit card + a 20% discount only on the winter boots
Final amount: $598 (12 items)... loo and behold: you're still in budget!
Credit Card #1: $183
Credit Card #2: $348.90
Debit Card: $66.10
So, you get home, and your husband only sees the joint account expenses so he's thrilled because you bought all those things for $66.10!!
Ignorance is bliss...
At the end of the month, when the statements arrives, I suggest a bucket and some matches.
Minimum payment is glory!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Chinatown in New York Town
The other day I went shopping for bags with some friends in the only place where you can get them disposable and cheap, but if you're lucky enough, a nice replica (that can pass - without much scrutinizing - for an original) can be found for less thant $40 dollar. Yes ladies! Chinatown.
But don't think it's an easy task to walk those messy streets while scooping for a bag; and trying (but no succeeding) to understand the inhabitants of the area: "lolex, lolex"; "zunglasses"; "vaggs, Couch, Gucci, Lui Vuitton, Diol"... and then everything togheter: "lolex,zunglasses,vaggs, Couch,Gucci,Lui Vuitton,Diol".
Not an easy task, but if you go with your mind set to get out with your catch, then it doesn't matter the obstacles, you have your eyes on the price!
Not everybody knows this, but the best bags aren't the ones for display in the stores; the best ones are hiding in a basement, or behind a closed door that looks like a wall, or in a drawer that it isn't there at first.
You have to be like a gazelle, while walking down Chinatown streets, you have to hear the people that offers you the hidden products, the good stuff!!, you have to respond with a nod or a quick answer, and start following this person, until you're led to the dough!
Don't be affraid to enter these inconspicuous places, be brave!...if not, you'll leave the premises with a bad replica for a ridiculous high price.
No pain, no gain!
http://www.nyctourist.com/chinatown1.htm
But don't think it's an easy task to walk those messy streets while scooping for a bag; and trying (but no succeeding) to understand the inhabitants of the area: "lolex, lolex"; "zunglasses"; "vaggs, Couch, Gucci, Lui Vuitton, Diol"... and then everything togheter: "lolex,zunglasses,vaggs, Couch,Gucci,Lui Vuitton,Diol".
Not an easy task, but if you go with your mind set to get out with your catch, then it doesn't matter the obstacles, you have your eyes on the price!
Not everybody knows this, but the best bags aren't the ones for display in the stores; the best ones are hiding in a basement, or behind a closed door that looks like a wall, or in a drawer that it isn't there at first.
You have to be like a gazelle, while walking down Chinatown streets, you have to hear the people that offers you the hidden products, the good stuff!!, you have to respond with a nod or a quick answer, and start following this person, until you're led to the dough!
Don't be affraid to enter these inconspicuous places, be brave!...if not, you'll leave the premises with a bad replica for a ridiculous high price.
No pain, no gain!
http://www.nyctourist.com/chinatown1.htm
Saturday, December 5, 2009
... and the cold is already here... bummer
If you have lived most of your life in a warm country as I was until last year, when the first snow of the season arrives, it's kind of a "stay in you PJ's and indoors" day.
Don't get me wrong, a few cold days it's good for your skin and for a change of scenery, but please! 6 months!! That's really pushing it mother nature!!
Is in days like today that I snuggle close to my husband, cover myself in one of those fluffy blankets (he gets static electricity from it so he hates it) that I love so much, and day dream about the Caribbean.
I used to live there, but as everything in life, you don't appreciate everything that you have until you loose it, so now I have to comfort myself with the heating system in our apartment to compensate for the lack of heat in this country...pity!
However, my dog loves snow! Can you believe that Buono waits close to the window, with his nose sticked to the glass until the snow ceases, and then he goes outside to the balcony and walks in circles as a crazy man.
I wish I was more like him, waiting... hoping for a cold day; but I'm not that lucky, so today is the first day for the most difficult five months in my life.
They say all you need is love... I need heat!!
Bring in the summer... wishful thinking for now.
Don't get me wrong, a few cold days it's good for your skin and for a change of scenery, but please! 6 months!! That's really pushing it mother nature!!
Is in days like today that I snuggle close to my husband, cover myself in one of those fluffy blankets (he gets static electricity from it so he hates it) that I love so much, and day dream about the Caribbean.
I used to live there, but as everything in life, you don't appreciate everything that you have until you loose it, so now I have to comfort myself with the heating system in our apartment to compensate for the lack of heat in this country...pity!
However, my dog loves snow! Can you believe that Buono waits close to the window, with his nose sticked to the glass until the snow ceases, and then he goes outside to the balcony and walks in circles as a crazy man.
I wish I was more like him, waiting... hoping for a cold day; but I'm not that lucky, so today is the first day for the most difficult five months in my life.
They say all you need is love... I need heat!!
Bring in the summer... wishful thinking for now.
Friday, December 4, 2009
South Pacific in the Northern Atlantic... and a moody citizen
Living in New York City, gives you the oportunity to always do something different and the theater is a preferred entertainment in the big apple; so yesterday, I got up in my high heels (I hate pointy high shoes), produced myself to look like a "respectable occupied" citizen (when I'm really a "time free" housewife) and went with my husband to the beautifully upgraded Lincoln Center Theater to enjoy the play "South Pacific".
Don't you love New York in autumn? The weather is magnificent and you can walk, and walk... without even getting tired!
The only problem (at least for me) is bumping into so many people on the street that you spend all the time apologizing: excuse me, sorry, opps... sorry, coming through, etc.
Here is me everytime I leave my home: a smile in my face, happy with everybody, holiday cheers bursting out of me...
But then, you start with the apologies, and the bumping, stomping, moving, pushing, sliding, plunging... and the arghhhhh!!!!
So, my face when I return home isn't as nice as it was before... you can use your imagination.
My husband always teases me about my patience (or lack of), if it was for me, I'd teleport to every destination, isn't that easier than this walking thing?
But, either way, I love this city... with its people and everything.
http://www.lct.org/showMain.htm?id=174
Don't you love New York in autumn? The weather is magnificent and you can walk, and walk... without even getting tired!
The only problem (at least for me) is bumping into so many people on the street that you spend all the time apologizing: excuse me, sorry, opps... sorry, coming through, etc.
Here is me everytime I leave my home: a smile in my face, happy with everybody, holiday cheers bursting out of me...
But then, you start with the apologies, and the bumping, stomping, moving, pushing, sliding, plunging... and the arghhhhh!!!!
So, my face when I return home isn't as nice as it was before... you can use your imagination.
My husband always teases me about my patience (or lack of), if it was for me, I'd teleport to every destination, isn't that easier than this walking thing?
But, either way, I love this city... with its people and everything.
http://www.lct.org/showMain.htm?id=174
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Rockefeller Center and the Lighting of the Tree Ceremony
If you have been living in New York long enough, you know that a must on your list is the assistance to the ceremony of the lighting of the tree in the Rockefeller Center. I can't remember how many people told me: YOU HAVE TO GO!!
So I went...
First of all, let me tell you what a huge effort required on my part, being an awful rainy day, and the prospect of standing for 4 hours wasn't that appealing either; but I was looking forward to meet the presenting artists and performers, so I manned up, and stayed...
Now, I ask myself, for what?
I think that only 400 people that assisted the event, really saw anything... the other 98,000 (according with the news) didn't. Between me and the stage was a sea of umbrellas, a whole police department, a bunch of people clusttered together and the rain drops; besides the awful location of the stage, that it couldn't be seen from every angle.
So, next year, if you are wondering if it is worth it, if you're not going to have VIP passes, then stay at home, turn on your TV and invite some friends... it's going to be much better!!
At least, me and my friends, can say that we, at least, did it one time!!
Now I have the starting of a cold and no one to blame but me...
Come Bach Flowers and comfy little blanket, make me feel better!!
http://www.nyc.com/arts__attractions/rockefeller_center_christmas_tree.1375/editorial_review.aspx
So I went...
First of all, let me tell you what a huge effort required on my part, being an awful rainy day, and the prospect of standing for 4 hours wasn't that appealing either; but I was looking forward to meet the presenting artists and performers, so I manned up, and stayed...
Now, I ask myself, for what?
I think that only 400 people that assisted the event, really saw anything... the other 98,000 (according with the news) didn't. Between me and the stage was a sea of umbrellas, a whole police department, a bunch of people clusttered together and the rain drops; besides the awful location of the stage, that it couldn't be seen from every angle.
So, next year, if you are wondering if it is worth it, if you're not going to have VIP passes, then stay at home, turn on your TV and invite some friends... it's going to be much better!!
At least, me and my friends, can say that we, at least, did it one time!!
Now I have the starting of a cold and no one to blame but me...
Come Bach Flowers and comfy little blanket, make me feel better!!
http://www.nyc.com/arts__attractions/rockefeller_center_christmas_tree.1375/editorial_review.aspx
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Bach flowers and a Life Coach
When you spend your days thinking about: dinner, groceries, cleanning and more groceries, and more cleanning... life gets kinda boring and when we women are bored, we tend to philosophize; and that leads to finding problems where there aren't any...so at the end of the day, you are walking in the walls of your home, your husband doesn't know which is better, to stay and be supportive (supportive for what?, there wasn't a problem in the first place) or run through the door (I say: through because in the hurry, he is not going to open it, he's going right for the other side!!)
So, this is one of the "after" days, where I get to over analize what happened?
It's nearly 1 pm, and I already made a Bach Flowers purchase to get my moods up, and found a Life Coach to start visiting... because, you see, these days are sustainable only once a month... every week, it's not possible!!
So ladies, please, use your motherhood to take care of yourselves; it's not possible to make anybody happy if we're not happy with ourselves, even if this means we have to LOVEEEE grocery shopping, laundry making, cooking and cleanning.
:S
PS: I even bought Bach flowers to my dog (who knew that it existed?) because the poor thing is the only one stuck 24/7 with this "crazy person" :D
Links: http://www.feelbach.com/ and http://www.jungiantherapy.com/
So, this is one of the "after" days, where I get to over analize what happened?
It's nearly 1 pm, and I already made a Bach Flowers purchase to get my moods up, and found a Life Coach to start visiting... because, you see, these days are sustainable only once a month... every week, it's not possible!!
So ladies, please, use your motherhood to take care of yourselves; it's not possible to make anybody happy if we're not happy with ourselves, even if this means we have to LOVEEEE grocery shopping, laundry making, cooking and cleanning.
:S
PS: I even bought Bach flowers to my dog (who knew that it existed?) because the poor thing is the only one stuck 24/7 with this "crazy person" :D
Links: http://www.feelbach.com/ and http://www.jungiantherapy.com/
Monday, November 30, 2009
Do what you love, the money will follow??
Whoever came out with that frase, wasn't really thinking about the repercusions that mere words could have in someone else's life.
When you're young you think that by being an artist, a musician, a firefighter, a reporter...all the: "What I want to be when I grow up" options are going to get you filthy rich, because you're DOING WHAT YOU LOVE!!
But no, now you've to love being a nanny, a housekeeper, a salesman, a cashier to even make some money to live in this crisis. (no disrespect to the people that love to practice these professions)
It's been 1 year, 8 months, 15 days since I quit my job to live a girl's dream to get married and come to the US to have a spectacular job... not that I'm unhappy with my choice, I could do it all over again... the problem it's that I need to use my brain, to think, be challenged!!
For all of you out there who have a happy relationship, married with an incredible person, or have the dream boyfriend... but don't have a job (like me), please know that you're not alone in this world, and the encouragement words for you are:
Think of all those women, working non-stop, in and out of their offices all day, and coming home to an empty bed and a lonely house.
WE, AT LEAST, HAVE THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE PUZZLE SOLVED!!!
When you're young you think that by being an artist, a musician, a firefighter, a reporter...all the: "What I want to be when I grow up" options are going to get you filthy rich, because you're DOING WHAT YOU LOVE!!
But no, now you've to love being a nanny, a housekeeper, a salesman, a cashier to even make some money to live in this crisis. (no disrespect to the people that love to practice these professions)
It's been 1 year, 8 months, 15 days since I quit my job to live a girl's dream to get married and come to the US to have a spectacular job... not that I'm unhappy with my choice, I could do it all over again... the problem it's that I need to use my brain, to think, be challenged!!
For all of you out there who have a happy relationship, married with an incredible person, or have the dream boyfriend... but don't have a job (like me), please know that you're not alone in this world, and the encouragement words for you are:
Think of all those women, working non-stop, in and out of their offices all day, and coming home to an empty bed and a lonely house.
WE, AT LEAST, HAVE THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE PUZZLE SOLVED!!!
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