2012 - It's the end of the world as we know it....

....and I feel fine!!!!!

2011 was a huge year for me - graduation from graduate school, break-ups, lots of bad dates, a new boyfriend, leaving my first job after college, starting a new job....

2012 marks the nice fresh start to a new year.

I am settled into my job at WCMC. Although I do like working in Development, my new work-place can be a bit catty at times (three girls in particular can by quite prickly). I really love my commute - 20 minutes tops from my apartment and only 15 minutes from Alex's apartment. At times I struggle with my boss - she is very moody. Some days she's an absolute joy to work for while others she reminds me of the horrible boss in The Devil Wears Prada.

The idea of staying in such a strict, corporate environment for a lifetime isn't very appealing to me. But for now I'm happy for the experience and the paycheck and the opportunity to MAYBE go back to school...

I have a steady significant other in my life and it feels incredible!

Alex is great. Things are new and exciting. We are enjoying our independent lives and our time together - we have a nice balance. It's all warm and fuzzy and romantic and lovey...and gross to listen to. I'm a firm believer keeping the gooey love stuff to myself. Nobody wants to hear the mushy crap. But I will say that I'm very happy and very lucky to have found someone who is so good to me.

Usually I think of something fun and exciting to work toward at the start of a new year. Last year I pledged to be a better New Yorker - and I was! Visiting many museums, trying out new restaurants, exploring the city more than I ever had in the past. But the idea of leaving things up in the air is exciting to me. So that brings me to my resolutions for 2012:

-Be more spontaneous!!

Who knows what can happen in 2012? I hope to report some spur of the moment excitement this year.

In addition, I plan to:
-Eat healthfully
-Run some more races
-Travel
-Read
-Spend less (financially)
-Consume less (environmentally)
-Journal
-Keep in touch with friends
-Spend time with my family
-Find "me" time in this busy life

Bah Humbug and a Happy New Year

For the first time ever, I have had to work the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. (I know that I'm spoiled from years of school breaks - both while in school and while working at Juilliard - I've been lucky all these years!)

The buses are half as full, run half as often, and the commuters are half as excited to be there. The office is busy. It's work as usual. But it's not that same buzzing office it normally is. Unproductivity plagues my cubicle. The drone of the printer gets on my last nerve. Projects that usually take me twenty minutes take me an hour. When the work day is done and I sprint out of the building, I'm disappointed by the dark night sky and another day that has gone by. While I'm very grateful to have a job that pays me well, I truly miss the relaxing winter laziness of this week.

And now that I'm done being a Scrooge, here are some highlights from my Christmastime/New Year's Eve and Day:

Christmas eve was spent with my parents and brother exchanging presents and eating a delicious Italian 7 fish dinner (which I contributed to significantly this year!). Some memorable gifts that I received this year: a new posh business card holder from my brother (I was so impressed with his good taste), a pair of coach gloves, some new clothes, a gift certificate to Bloomingdales, and a beautiful scarf.

For part of my present to Alex (I also got him a navy cable knit sweater and a goofy "Twin Peaks" Sherrif mug), we went on a food tour of the village. It was awesome - delicious food, bubbly tour guide, and I now know a ton of trivia about the 3 block radius our tour of the area covered. I highly recommend it to anyone (local or out-of-town). I'm really looking forward to his gift to me - 2 tickets to see The Book of Mormon!!!!


For New Year's Eve, I traveled to Philadelphia for a party at my college roommate's house. It was a great way to ring in the new year - with tons of food, tons of booze, and tons of friends. The perfect way to start 2012!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Christmas in the city is magic.

The stores have beautiful window displays. This year my favorite was Tiffany's windows with carousels adorned with beautiful jewels. Alex's favorite is the creepy mannequin that bike rides around the windows of Saks Fifth Avenue.

Rockefeller Center is full of ice skaters, tourists, angels, shops, and of course the beautiful big Christmas tree. Alex and I took a stroll to see the tree on a Wednesday night in the hopes that there would not be a serious crowd. Thank goodness we were right! It was a really special and romantic walk.

Winter is starting to settle in and that icy smell of almost snow feels is heavenly. Walking around this concrete jungle is actually really pleasant in the cold. I walk home from work most days.

There is so much fabulous music associated with this time of year. As usual, I played The Nutcracker with one of the orchestras I play in. AND I'll be playing pops music and selections from Handel's Messiah next weekend with another orchestra I'm a part of - how exciting!

Tree lined city blocks are lit up with twinkly lights and tinsel. My block is full of construction which serves as a great block for the wind but is sadly sparsely decorated for the holidays.

Although I tend to get overly sappy about New York City, this city just has so much magic - especially during this time of year. My favorite Christmas movie (Miracle on 34th Street) takes place in midtown Manhattan. The Macy's Day Parade, which marches through a good portion of the center of the island, kicks off Christmas on TV sets throughout the nation. But I think my favorite thing about Christmas in New York is the energy. In that special time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the city is buzzing with contagious happy energy. Everywhere I look, I see something Christmassy. It's my favorite time of year.