So This Is the Miracle That I've Been Dreaming Of

Hiii friends.  How are we?  Isn't it just sunny and warm enough today to make us happier?  I think so.

The weekend was lovely.  Since I went to bed at 10 pm on Thursday night, I was able to finally kick my week-long headache, so Friday was just fine.  I met Schmillie at Rock Center to catch the F down to THE MEATBALL SHOP, which was amazing and we ate entirely too many balls.  I had 3 sliders -- pork with mushroom sauce, beef with classic tomato sauce, and chicken with pesto sauce.  We shared a salad and roasted squash side dishes, and then had those homemade ice cream sandwiches -- I got caramel ice cream with a ginger snap and a brownie cookie.  Oh, and we split a bottle of wine.  DELICIOUS.  So full.  And we lingered for over two hours, which meant they HATED US.  It was great though, because we had no wait when we arrived, and when we left there was a two-hour wait.  Suckers.

So then I cabbed it back to Astoria, stopped at home due to Crohn's-related issues, then met Hike at Crescent Lounge for a couple of romantic drinks, then back home.  Saturday was mellow during the day, then we met up with Schmannon and Schmeather and others at Sweet Afton for a few drinks, then we went across the street to Ovelia for dinner.  It was pretty delicious, and it had a nice atmosphere, but the reviews about the long wait time are all true.  No one greeted us for about 10-15 minutes, but then I caught the eye of the manager and told her so, and from then out things went rather smoothly.  I had the lamb kebabs with fig and cherry tomatoes, and they were amazing.  It was a nice date-dinner with great conversation (I'M REALLY TRYING HARD TO NOT GUSH ALL THE DETAILS RIGHT HERE ARRGGHHH), then back to his house to watch Inception (his first time, my second.  It makes much more sense to me now.)  We were going to watch Shutter Island afterwards (as I'm insisting on watching it on night where I won't sleep alone, as I'll be to scared) but it was too late, so we're saving that one. 

Sunday I had a nice walk (of pride?) home in the sunshine, and went to get a mani/pedi, then grocery shop, then home to make Steelers-themed brownies (with just the yellow and brown Reece's Pieces on top), shower, and relax for a bit.  Hike picked me up and we went to Schmess' house for the first half of the game (with a great spread of wings, quesedillas, etc.), then drove to his friend Yoshi's house for the second half party.  It was a fun night but SO SAD as far as the game goes.  My poor father and brother.

Last night when I got home, my roommate told me she'd seen Mex at the bar where she watched the game.  With a girl.  Ignoring the girl he was with, actually, and quite drunk.  It bothered me for about a minute, and I expected to feel more angsty about it, but it lifted and just kind of went away.  It does mean I'm still going to be looking around, hoping I don't run into him in the 'hood, but it doesn't depress me anymore that our terrible situation didn't change him.  I mean, if anything, it shows that what happened needed to happen to set me free.  And I'm also pleasantly surprised that I don't feel to much about it either way.  It helps that I've found a nearly perfect boyfriend -- this is what it's supposed to be like. 

ANYWAY, I'm very happy today and I feel awake again -- the sunshine and warmth helps a lot.  I'm going to reign in the eating habits this week, and then hopefully get back to exercising soon (but not tonight.)  OH confession: I smoked two cigarettes on Friday (one with Schmillie and one at the bar) and then one American Spirit on Sunday night.  Just for fun.  But I don't feel any daily interest in it, so I really think I've quit.  I just like to socially indulge now and then.  I think that's permissible, as long as the indulgences are few and far between, right?

And it sounds like my parents will visit again this spring.  It seems like my mom didn't realize I wanted them to?  Whatever, she's weird, but I asked her specifically and so she wants to and will discuss with Dad.  They need to meet some people here and I may not have as much time to visit Ohio this year, so it's a good idea for many reasons.  That should be FUN.

Fa la la...

Making the Yuletide Gay Since 1981

Hello snow angels.  Happy Tuesday!  I'm lucky that I'm finally mostly caught up with my work, because I can't focus for the life of me.  I'm so busy organizing my personal life that I'd say I'm only putting 50% effort into the work tasks.  Oh well, happy holidays!

So let's talk about how productive I've been.  I'm such a nerd because this makes me very happy.  Last night I wrote the majority of my Christmas cards after I went to the gym and got back on the elliptical for the first time in forever (I usually prefer the bike).  Then I was at the DMV License Express this morning at 8:40, later than I wanted to arrive, but I was in and out in 10 minutes -- it was so easy and quick!  TWSS.  I also got a glimpse of my new photo on the computer screen when they were processing my renewal, and I think it's an improvement over the bloated horridness of my old one.  I hope.  While my bonus after taxes isn't quite enough to cover my student loans ($400 ish short), I'm going to use a bit of savings and get them paid by end of week.  I'm in good shape with work (despite my lack of effort) and tonight I'm going to cook dinner for Hike.

I plan on making these chicken apple sausages with whipped or baked sweet potatoes and some braised greens that I will invent.  It should be yummy and seasonal, and he already told me it sounded "intoxicating."   I mean, I'd cook anyway, but it's more fun when someone else is amazed.

I can't stop eating the Godiva chocolates that someone sent to our office.  I keep taking comfort in the fact that they're almost gone, but I'm sure another gift package of goodies will arrive soon.  God, I have no willpower whatsoever.  Our work holiday party is going to be at this Brazilian steakhouse, heaven help me.  It's one of those where they bring you meat until you signal that you don't want anymore, and all the guys are already talking major eating contest.  Whereas my goal is "enjoy myself and do not make myself sick."  I mean, that's sort of my life philosophy, but specifically at a meat buffet.  It's this Friday for lunch, and then we'll go out afterwards (if I can stand up) for more drinking festivities.  It'll be fun, but my level of nervousness about my own lack of self-control is ridiculous.  I need to get a grip.

So now I think I've decided that I want an iPod Nano for Christmas (since my oooold iPod isn't going to last much longer), but I'm going to ask my parents.  Well, this is all rambly since nothing exciting is going on, but isn't life grand, mes amies?

And that's what's in my head today.  How is it only Tuesday?  Why isn't it NEXT TUESDAY and almost the holiday?  I am SO EXCITED to go home to Ohiooooo.  Because it's round on both ends and hi in the middle.  Yeah, that's right.

Meatballz, Take 3 and What I Ate

Well, tonight is the third attempt for a Muncher Meatball fest.  The first time we tried to go, the wait was too long.  The second time, we had a cancellation of one of our members, so let's hope in the name of ALL THAT IS HOLY that the third time will be the charm.  It's a beautiful day, and I need nothing more than to get silly and stuff my face with friends, so hopefully I'm not jinxing it!

Yeah, last night I got the news from Mex that they found a heartbeat, though the doc wasn't there, just the lab tech.  So I'm stepping away from that whole situation.  It's clear to me that something's really fishy, and I'm pretty sure he's getting trapped, but it's up to him to extricate himself.  I'm going to look forward to a fun summer and better KISSING BOY stories for you, dear readers.

I did hear back from that old lover, and sadly, he's not available to rebound me right now, as he's got himself a ladyfriend.  The e-mail was very flattering, however, so it was the nicest "rejection" I've ever gotten.  I'll have to think of another trip to take to clear my head, though it may have less reunion lovin'.  That's OK, too.

So I have no work to do at the moment, so I think it's freelance time.  I'm also listening to Glee songs on YouTube over and over, so that's a recipe for a good mood!  (And gayness.) 



Try it.  You'll like it.

Ok, food plan, as pointless as it is today:
B - Honey B's, milk, coffee, string cheese - 5
L - sammy, yogurt, peaches - 6
D - BALLZ and ice cream sandwich deliciousness
S - hopes and dreams
Activity - body-checking other restaurant patrons out of the way to get myself a table

French Toast and What I Ate

Oh, why are the weeks neverending lately?  It's only Thursday, but I'm so antsy to get out of this office!  At least I can look forward to a walk home in the sunshine, if I can make it that long.  I'm feeling much less worried today about things in general, though, so I hope this carefree trend continues.  Then I can definitely blame the hormones.

Yesterday's Jiggs lunch (dinner) was fantastic, and I only ate half of my giant platter, so I can have the leftovers for lunch today!  I also drank two small beers and then had a hard time staying awake at my desk, but it was really fun.  The place was lively, but we got a table right away, and a bagpiper even walked through at one point.  Then the gang at work all went for drinks at about 4:30 pm, and it was the first time I've felt really included and comfortably social with all of them.  (I was way too hungover at our holiday party so I wasn't my usual fun self.)  Blackbeard & I had a joke going about french toast, because when we walked in, he said the bar smelled like french toast and I said cheeseburgers, and he kept bringing it up.  And he ordered pretzels and let me pick a dipping sauce and we shared them with the group.  And we walked to the subway together, just us, and these two Mennonite women with babies stopped to ask for directions and he was very courteous and masculine with them.  Sigh.  I got to tell him how much I approve of his beard, and now I need him to show some flaw so that he isn't quite so perfect.  (And I had fun with the other colleagues, and got some good office gossip as well as some praise, and bonded with the other female associate, etc.)  Anyway, I was back in Astoria around 8:30 when I met up with Mex at Dunkin' Donuts and then he walked me home.  It was such a lovely temperature outside that it was hard to make myself behave and go to bed, but I did, thankfully.

Tonight I'm making steak and sweet potatoes for Mex and myself, and opening all of the windows in the apartment.  It should be fun, and I'm going to make sure I'm not a worrying Debbie Downer like I have been this week.  I realize I've also seen him almost every day, though not for long periods of time or overnight, but maybe we should've had a break when I was such a mooner.  Oh well, he's always understanding and gentle, but I don't want to push my luck.

Now I really want some french toast.  I'm hungry.  I'm eating a granola bar instead, don't worry.  The rest of the plan:
B - Special K Berries, coffee, milk - 4
L - half of a Jiggs dinner
D - small portion of sirloin, baked sweet potato, salad with feta - ?
S - granny bar - 2
Activity - walking 3.6 miles

So Much Meat and What I Ate

Hello, world!  Let's catch up.

I was missing on Friday because I had a wonderful and unexpected snow day!  Well, maybe it was a little expected, but I still had to wake up at my normal time and check my work e-mail and emphasize how deep the snow was in my 'hood.  Deep and unshoveled.  And since no one else, especially no one important (i.e. the firm partners) were making it in from their mansions in the suburbs, I was told to stay home unless "I hear otherwise."  I figured they wouldn't be so cruel as to call me after 3 pm, so after going back to sleep for awhile after a good breakfast and coffee, Mex and I roused ourselves in the early afternoon, cleaned up, and trekked out to Broadway Station for some good lunch and to begin the Olympic hockey watching/day drinking.  It was so fun to stomp through the snow for a few blocks, then cozy up with a lunch special and cheap(ish) pitchers of Miller Lite.  Schmauren even stopped by for a bit, and we just maxed and relaxed.  After the game (which was a US blowout, though it was boring after the first few minutes when they scored all of their goals), Mex and I went to our favorite neighborhood dive bar to play pool into the evening, then catch the Canadian game on at 9:30.  It was a long, fun, beery time, and we were still home by 1 am. 

Saturday was a lovely brunch at Fatty's Cafe on Ditmars with Schmauren, where I ordered the Fatty, of course, which was an upscale Egg McMuffin with salad, yum.  We then hit up a Famous Brands discount clothing store for some great deals, then off to Target in Queens, where I bought the entire store.  I was especially excited to stock up on all my healthier snack tricks that I can't buy locally, like SmartPop Kettle Corn, light string cheese, cheap Quaker Low Fat Chewy granola bars, Baked Tostitos, generic Honey Bunches of Oats, etc.  (I'm off the FiberOne--at least, I will be once my final box is gone.  Too many unpleasant side effects, ahem.)  I even bought Market Pantry low-fat ice cream sandwiches for a treat!  And then high-fat Cadbury Mini Eggs, the best candy in the world, but I haven't even opened the bag yet.  I also purchased a sports bra, a dress, household items, fun toiletries, and who knows what else.  Anyway, after exhausting myself at Target, it was home for a nap, then Mex came over and we ordered Indian food and watched Extract, which was sadly, more boring than bro-funny, as I was hoping.  Then more Olympics and a reasonable bedtime.

Sunday we slept in, made some breakfast, then hung around watching the final hockey game, which was very intense!  Sadly the US lost in the sudden-death OT, but it was a fun game, and I mean, it's OK if Canada wins gold in hockey.  I mean, it's like all they have as a country, right?  After that, the roommate and I headed downstairs to the apartment below ours, where our new neighbor, let's call him Birdie, was making us dinner.  He's going to be using our wireless internet for awhile until his is set up (in April, after he returns from some traveling), so to thank us, he cooked.  And he's the head sous chef at the restaurant at St. Bart's on Madison, so I had high expectations -- and boy, were they met.  We started with mussels in this delicious garlic and tomato broth, served with homemade olive bread and all these little tapas plates, like homemade olives and pickles and something like tabbouleh salad and another salad with walnuts, pomegranate seeds, and green things (?), as well as a green salad with salted cod and white sardines and the Israeli version of tapanade, and then moved on to Beef Bourginogn with potato gratin...good lord.  Some of the food he'd made fresh for us and some was brought home from the restaurant, and it was all amazing.  Dessert was this apple crumble with fresh spiced, whipped cream on the side, and we had red wine.  And now he's insisting that I (surely he was making eye contact with just me, yes?) stop by whenever I want, as he's always cooking something or has leftovers.  He offered to pack me my lunches for work.  He is beautiful.  I may be in trouble -- of the sexy international-man-of-mystery neighbor type and of the caloric type.

Annnnyway, so that was the weekend, and then last night after work I went with my girlfriends, aka "The Munchers," to a book party for a friend (we each only had one drink; it was a Monday, after all,) and then we'd had our hearts set on this new meatball restaurant on the Lower East Side, The Meatball Shop.  All night, all we'd talked about were balls.  Sadly, that's all anyone can talk about lately, so when we arrived at 9:00 pm, there was a 1 1/2 hour wait...outside.  We had to cut our losses and head around the corner for consolation pizza and salad, which was delicious (we had one pizza with cherry tomatoes, spinach, garlic, etc., and the other had potatoes, red onions, pork sausage, etc.), and also very filling.  Needless to say, lots of big meals lately, and this week requires some buckling down.  At least until Thursday, when I have dinner plans at an old-school Italian restaurant in Brooklyn.  Mama mia.

So tonight is finally going to be a quiet one, and assuming I don't work overtime (which is actually a possibility today), I'm going to hit the gym, then eat dinner and catch up on DVR before the newest Lost episode, squee.  Tomorrow I'll plan on gymming it again before the excess of the weekend comes around...and I think I will be taking it a bit easier food-wise this weekend. 

Food today, which is giving me rage because I can't cut & paste now.  Eff you, Google.
B - coffee, Special K, skim - 4
L - Sausalito turkey on sandwich thin with MWLight, cheese L, T; apple - 5
D - Butternut Squash Baked Penne, salad with tomatoes, cukes, feta, homemade vinaigrette - 8
S - yogurt, light string cheese - 2
Total - 19 plus some, I'm sure
Activity - biking

I think I'm going to have to switch to Light Laughing Cow on my sandwiches if I want any cheese, or else find some better deals on fat free/low fat cheese options.  I'm adding quite a few points there and probably not even counting them all.

So today, finally, I will go without red or pink meat (aka pork)!  It's a cleanse.  A 24-hour cleanse.