Bonjour!

Alex had been throwing around the idea of taking a vacation together for a few months. I had been putting it off - one, because I was afraid to ask my new boss for the time (very lame of me). Two, because I don't get much vacation time and the thought of using the little vacation time I have banked so far makes me anxious. And three, taking such a big step with a boy kind of scared me.

But, I decided to throw caution to the wind - So we went ahead and booked a vacation.

In May, we'll be going to PARIS!!! It will be my first time in France and my first time away with a boyfriend. Alex, who is French, can hopefully help out with the navigation and language. I'm working on learning some French phrases (Alex's mom is fluent and we'll be meeting for a brunch/French lesson), picking out pieces to wear abroad (don't want to be a shabby American!), and reading up on Franch history and culture.

Our tentative vacation plans include a stay in Paris with day trips to Versailles, Normandy, the Louvre, and visits to the Eifel Tower, Champs Elysees, and Notre Dame. Then we will be traveling to the South of France to spend some time at the French Riviera.

I feel kinda like Belle from Beauty and the Beast -

"I want adventure in the great wide somewhere."

Being with Alex is an adventure. (Although I most certainly wouldn't compare Alex to the Beast!!... Prince Charming, maybe?)

I have to admit - Alex has been doing a lot of the leg work while I gush about how awesome it will be to be in Paris. Paris!! I'll be in Paris! The most romantic city in the world with the guy I love. What could be better than that? And throwing in a trip to the French Riviera puts the icing on the cake.

Bonjour France!

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!