Thursday, September 30, 2010

Things I Love Thursday--9/30 Edition

It has been a cold and dreary day in the land of Jersey...lets add some sunshine to it!

What I have been in love with this week:

--Meeting the whole New Jersey Devils team! David and I went to the NJ Devils Season Ticket Holders BBQ and while we were there we met Jason Arnott, Patrik Elias, Ilya Kovulchuk, Jamie Langenbrunner, Zach Parise, Brian Rolston, Travis Zajac, Dainius Zubrus, Mark Fraser, Andy Greene, Henrik Tallinder, Anton Volchenkov, Colin White, MARTIN BRODEUR, and Johan Hedberg. Thanks again to David Cohen for making this happen! Also got really yummy food and drinks and a great experience.

--Sitting right behind the goal zone at the NJ Devils vs. Philadelphia Flyers pre-season game. Never had seats like that before.

--Twinings Herbal Revive Tea. It has cherry and cinnamon in it and it is nummy, especially on a rainy day.

--Speaking of that, RAINY DAYS! The perfect opportunity to cuddle up with someone you love, a good book, a nice hot steaming cup of tea. Mmmm...

--Packing for Daytona Beach! I will be there next weekend for a professional wrestling pay per view.

--Being a VIP at TNA Wrestling. It pays to know the right people...

--Planning out my outfits for Daytona the week before I go.

--Getting excited for Universal Studios and HARRY POTTER PARK!

What are you excited about this week?

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Happy and Grateful Tuesday #5: 9/28th Edition

Stress...Work....it has been the death of me lately. In the State of New Jersey, there are a lot of shady business practices going on in the world of education and it is affecting myself as well as other superb teachers in the area. Also the movie "Waiting for Superman" has put everyone at the edge of their seats, even though the movie only tells part of the story of charter schools and does not bother to look at/examine the teachers that ARE "Superman" or in my case "Wonder Woman" as that does not bring in money or ratings. With that said, let me apologize for one not being up to date with my blog reading and leaving comments and two for not posting as much as I used to over the summer. I will still always be here in some form and capacity though. With that here is the HG!

I am so happy and grateful for nice clean sheets on my bed to roll around in when I get home from a tiring day at work.

I am so happy and grateful for fresh peaches from Georgia that drip juice down your chin and make you go nomnomnom as you eat it.

What are you so happy and grateful for?

XOXO.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Fun Fact Friday #24: 15 Games in 15 Minutes


First of all, let me apologize for being so distant lately. I need to write a Kayfabe Monday blog in the next hot minute and pay attention to my blogs and followers! I feel so bad for neglecting you so but with work (I am a 3rd grade class support teacher) I am so tired when I get home. I hope you can forgive me! So with that, I give you this weeks F3!

The rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen video games you've played that will always stick with you. List the first fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes.

1) Super Mario Brothers
2) Tetris
3) Ms. Pac Man
4) Guitar Hero
5) Brain Age
6) Dance Dance Revolution
7) Duck Hunt
8) Hogan's Alley
9) The Legend of Zelda
10) Skate or Die
11) Gauntlet Legends
12) The House of the Dead
13) Castlevania
14) Spy Hunter
15) Mortal Kombat

YOUR TURN!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Things I Love Thursday--9/23 Edition


My life has been a whirlwind of busy right now and that is a great thing! As always, I stop and reflect the things that have made me feel so in love for the week....here it goes!

--The season known as AUTUMN! I love this season. The cool crisp air, sweaters, cardigans, tights under skirts, hot apple cider, pumpkins, Halloween, horror movies, NYC Zombie Crawl...so much stuff in Fall is a joy.

--Having word vomit in work. Let me explain. There is a girl I work with who constantly brings up the negative, complains and whines, drops designer name brands like there is no tomorrow, etc. For some strange reason I always tip-toed around her. Not anymore. When the complaining starts, I just say what is on my mind. It feels GOOD.

--Being broke. Wait, what?? How can a person be in love with having no money? Simple--I am enjoying things again that I took for granted and learning how to entertain myself without money in my pocket. I am listening to music more, reading more, catching up on movies on DVD, and enjoying the art of the nap. Do not get me wrong, I do have money in the bank but I have various bills that I need to take care of by November 1st and after then, I should be okay.

--Having the greatest girlfriends in the world who are always there to lend a ear and share their crazy with me.

--Daytona Beach in about 2 weeks! So can not wait!

What are you in love with this week?

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Things I Love Thursday--9/16th Edition


This week has been hectic with work and other job opportunities but I will try my best to write this list.

--Grilled Cheese and Tomato at Think Coffee in NYC. After a hectic week, I looked forward to this sandwich and it was DELICIOUS!

--Loud, obnoxious thunder that is perfect for cuddling with my dogs.

--Phenomenal also known as David. I can go on and on, but I will not.

--Making new friends at work due to school closings.

--Being the girl that tries to keep my friend awake who got stuck in a car accident on Back to School night and she did not get home until 130am. She made it into school the next day but was a zombie.

--Buying summer dresses for fall wardrobe

--Sweaters, cardigans, tea, black tights...I heart fall.

--That Neil Gaiman, one of my favorite authors, will appear as a cartoon in Arthur!

--Signing up for a One Day University and taking a class with JOYCE CAROL OATES as my instructor. Can not wait!

--Daytona Beach in THREE WEEKS!!


What are you in love with this week?

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Happy and Grateful Tuesday #4: 9/14 Edition


Since I have missed about two Happy and Grateful Tuesday blog posts, this post I will have THREE Happy and Grateful Tuesday posts!

I am so happy and grateful that I am working in only one grade level this year.

I am so happy and grateful for warm beds that are waiting for me when I get home from work.

I am so happy and grateful for the excitement of football season starting. LETS GO JETS!

What are you so happy and grateful for this week?

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Things I Love Thursday--9/9 Edition


Oh TiLT...how I have missed you....

What made me squee and yell with love this week?

--ATLANTA! I learned what true Southern hospitality is and it is a great feeling. Still have a blog to write up about it.

--Returning back to work. Yes most people will say "are you crazy?" but it was nice to see my co-workers and friends again.

--Having only one grade level this year! Last year I was a floater between 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th and it was TORTURE. So glad I am in one grade level which is 3rd grade.

--The return of The Vampire Diaries on Thursday!!! So can not wait...

--The return of 90210 and Gossip Girl on Monday 9/13! I have missed my fandom...

--Meeting Morena Baccarin "Anna" from V! She is very personable and down to earth. I have a bunch of videos from her panel I need to put together and when I do I will upload here. Here is the picture:

--Curling up in my nice warm bed and taking a 2 hour nap after work.

--Baby Bell snack cheese..you know the ones that you unwrapped from a red waxy enclosure to reveal a perfect size wheel of cheese? Yes that one. So good.

--Having a good third grade class this year, maybe some chatterboxes but all in all okay.

--Being energetic even after a long day of work! I know that contradicts my nap sentiment, but it is still there!

What are you squeeing about this week?

Monday, September 6, 2010

I Have Missed You: Vacation Blog: Chicago

Oh boy this past week has been a whirlwind of adventure. David and I traveled to Chicago on August 27th through August 31st; was home in NYC for one day then traveled to Atlanta on September 2nd through September 5th. I know I know..why did I not get a connecting flight from Chicago to Atlanta? Simple--the stuff I wanted to bring with me to Atlanta was still at home so I needed time to repack and everything.

So let us move now to the discussion of our trips!

Trip 1; Chicago, Illnois

All I kept hearing when I said I was going to Chicago for a little vacation, I heard "Why Chicago? What is in Chicago?" It amazes me to no end that people of this nation do not want to get out of their comfort zone and go exploring this great country of ours, but that is them and not me.

Our flight was at 7am with a 930am landing, which in central time is 830am. I gained an hour! Woohoo! I am one of those people with a irrational fear of flying, but I have beaten that fear into submission by following some tips from Gala Darling's Love and Sequins #10. In my carry on, I had a book and my iPod with my headphones as well as a empty water bottle and a cozy blanket. I also dressed really warm and got comfy into the seat. What amazed me is the fact that I did not need a seat belt extender! I always asked for one, but now I do not have to. Go me. The landing and takeoff were insanely smooth and I met loads of friendly people along the way on the plane.

After getting our bags and finding a cab, we took a nice 45 minute ride to our hotel. Yes that is right--45 MINUTES. Everything in Chicago is nice and spread out. You best be in shape, or at least have comfortable shoes, for the treks in Chicago. Luckily our hotel was about three blocks away from Northwestern University, so I knew we were in a safe area. After a quick nap and shower, off we went to explore!

Our first stop was Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. This ball park has a old time feeling. No electronic scoreboard of today--they still use the removable score numbers and team names. The men that work inside that scoreboard must be insanely sweaty. We were too after this tour. No elevators, no escalators. If you are handicapped or again not in shape/no comfortable shoes DO NOT GO TO WRIGLEY FIELD. If you ever went on a ballpark tour before you know that most of it is going to the bleacher area, press box, visitors locker room, home team locker room, and if it is not a game day the field and the dugouts. It was a lot of fun visiting this ball park and the home of the Cubs. As they call it--The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field. There were pretty friendly and amazing.

We stopped into a couple of sports stores along the way and then went onto the US Cellular Field to see the Chicago White Sox vs. New York Yankees. This ball park did not have the excitement and nostalgia like Wrigley. It was a fun game. Tried a ilotay which was corn with cheese and salt and pepper. It was okay. After the game and a long train ride, back to the hotel for sleep.

The next day we were off to Sears Tower/Skydeck Chicago. The views are spectacular. The waiting on line to get to it though was a horror. Took a lot of photos on the Skydeck Ledge which is a big glass block that you can look straight down on. David was so scared but he tried it out. It was fun but the crowds and the way it was controlled could have been better.

After a long walk to the train station, we were off to the Chicago Bears vs. Arizona Cardinals game. As a football fan I was looking forward to this game. Jay Cutler on the Chicago Bears has a incredible arm. We got to the stadium and the security there has to be one of the rudest security ever. The girl who searched David's bag acted like a police officer. Do not fret, we did complain and hopefully something will come out of it. Soldier Field is another field that is just okay. Nothing different in terms of concessions. Lots of nostalgia though on the walls. After about a mile and a half hike in the humidity of Chicago, we made it to the train station where our cab driver could pick us up. Everything around the field was closed off and traffic beyond traffic. It was insane.

We then went onto Steak and Shake which David constantly raves about, but I just do not see the appeal. It is a Midwest version of Wendy's to me. After eating we were off to sleep.

On Sunday we had another Chicago White Sox vs. New York Yankees game but today was FRANK THOMAS DAY. It was a good thing we got there early as there was lines upon lines to get in. Why? FRANK THOMAS BOBBLEHEAD. I did not see the point but he is an icon in Chicago so I understood. I got these great Tex-Mex nachos for $8 dollars and it was huge. Definitely filling.

After the game, David and I met up with his friend Morgan to have the greatest Chicago deep dish pizza known as GIORDANO'S. Oh my goodness...the Uno's out on the East Coast have no idea. This pizza had to be the best thing ever. We got a large Tropic stuffed pizza and I had to eat it with a fork. That is how good it was. After a while I could pick up the slice and mind you, no one spoke while we ate. You know that is a sign of good stuff. Traveled back to the hotel and just relaxed.

Monday was our last day in Chicago so we tried to make it count. We went to the John Hancock Observatory which is 100 times better than Sears Tower and went on a great sightseeing cruise. The weather was definitely with us today. Walked into the Chicago Tribune but could only go to the lobby due to September 11th. Also walked Magnificent Mile for a little bit then we made our way back to Wrigley Field to be BLEACHER CREATURES. That was a lot of fun except for this one guy who kept on yelling about Tyler Colvin wearing #21. Also a bunch of kids glamored all of the baseballs, including one that was thrown to me. I said come on dude what are you going to do with all of those baseballs and he said he would sell me one! I said um no and sat down. I also became a super fan and yelled at the Pittsburgh Players something fierce. It was a lot of fun. We left after 5 innings to try Hawaiian food at Aloha Eats and I did not like it. It did not agree with me. Went back to the hotel, took some Gas-X and went to sleep.

Tuesday we got up early and went to Ann Sather Restaurant which was featured on Food Network. I got their Swedish Breakfast Sampler and it was so nummy but a lot of food. Afterward went back to the hotel, took a nap together followed by some adult fun, packed up our stuff and off to the airport. It was a great trip. I loved every second of it. Can not wait to return!

Other awesomeness from Chicago: That the ticket agents at Delta were very courteous, how I got complimentary magazines from Delta Airlines, No use for a seat belt extender on the plane, how the history of Chicago is vast and wide, how the people of Chicago are very accomodating and friendly, the sports fandom in Chicago is louder than ours and it was great.

For pictures from the vacation go here: Pictures from Chicago, Illinois

Stay tuned for blog #2 all about ATLANTA!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Fun Fact Friday #23: Favorite Superhero

Hmm....favourite superhero...that might be kind of stuff...I am more of a super villain kind of girl...but if I had to choose, it would have to be Neil Gaiman's SANDMAN.