Good Thing I Wore My Running Shoes

Getting home for Christmas started off a little rough. First, the Air Tran dropped me off at a terminal that was under construction so I followed the sign that led me outside and across the street. Then the airport workers directed me up a hill behind baggage claim on a wild hunt for Delta Airlines. I finally found Delta International, where they almost didn't let me check in claiming that I was too late. It took 50 minutes but I was able to convince the supervisor that it was the airport's fault so he finally printed my boarding pass and told me to run, not walk, because not only did I need to get to my gate, but my gate was in a completely different terminal and my flight was scheduled to leave in ten minutes. Let's just say that if running through an airport with a suitcase, a bag, and a purse is ever an Olympic event- I will win the gold medal!

My first morning there I took a stroll by the ocean:)

Made it home in time to attend the Annual Rose/Haggerton/Martinez/Meyers/Sullivan/Cox/Krutsinger Christmas Party. A night of family, food, and holiday fun that leaves lasting memories in my mind and my heart. This event started my trip off and set the tone for the remainder of my stay. It was a week of family fun, while somewhat hectic at times, was just what I needed. I didn't get to see everyone I had hoped to but was able to sneak away from the kiddos on a couple of occasions to catch up with friends. After a long day of Christmas shopping, I found myself at El Tarasco at 2am with Tommy and Jules. Nights like that definitely make me miss living in the South Bay and I'll cherish those moments forever. I was also able to meet the newest member of the Johnson family, Sienna Lilly, Marisa and Dan's baby girl that is already six months old. I hate not being a bigger part of her life but love that I receive pictures on a regular basis.

Nolan was the winner of the present game and had to get his prize from Papa

 It's Christmas at Papa's y'all;)

Marina rocking her birthday and Christmas gifts from Auntie Jamie

Me and Baby Silly- short for Sienna Lilly:)

 Such a great Dad! 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Christmas in New York is amazing! As you walk by the huge Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center you hear the sounds of trumpet players and carolers on the street and catch a glimpse of the Empire State Building beaming in green and red. It is a Christmas lover's dream and I am taking advantage of the festivity with three hour walks around the city and ABC Family's countdown to Christmas movie specials at home. While I am loving this time of year, there are moments when I wish I had loved ones near by to share the joy with. Luckily, a friend from home came to NY on a visit and I was able to meet up with her in Times Square for some girl talk and wine. Paulina and I were here on business a couple of years ago so we are no strangers to having fun in the Big Apple together. It was so nice to spend some time with a fellow Cali girl:) Even though I miss my family and friends from home, I have been fortunate enough to make some amazing new friends. I am definitely not alone in being alone in this city as many of my friends are here without their families as well. So after a Thursday night happy hour, Christine and I stopped by the tree to take our 'family' portrait.

It's a Bird, It's a Plane.. No, It's a Hurricane!

January and February brought some of the coldest temperatures and record breaking snowfall levels New York has experienced in years. August felt that it needed to trump those winter months so we were blessed with an earthquake then a hurricane a few days later. Now, the earthquake, I didn't even feel at all and was not the least bit phased by. The hurricane however, well, let's just say I actually had to google it to find out what I should expect. Fortunately, I had my close family friends, Jim, Kelly, and John Banach in town to help pass the time as the storm passed through. Typically one would stock up on water, bread, canned goods, and candles just in case the hurricane causes major damage and completely shuts the city down. I however, accepted a dinner date with the Banach's at a nearby steak house but managed to grab some wine and cliff bars in slight anticipation that stores would be close the next day.

Sharing a bottle of wine with Kel, and good conversation with the guys, we completely forgot there was a hurricane outside. John was in town for the Fire/Police Olympics so after dinner we headed to an Irish Pub to meet his friends for some Beer Pong, Flip Cup and fun, fun, fun:) Completely soaked by the time we got there but with no regrets. We had a great time and I was so happy to be spending time with loved ones.

Sadly, there was an issue with my phone and all of the pics I took that night were deleted... but the memories will last a lifetime!

The Dog Days of Summer

Growing up, summer in the South Bay was mainly spent at the beach and usually included many vacations, family road trips, and weekend escapes with friends. After months of concrete, sky rise buildings, and a roller coaster of extreme weather, I needed to get out of the city. So when the offer came to dog/house sit for my friends Jill and Joel in New Jersey, I was ready and willing!

Waiting for my train at Penn Station, I couldn't help but be amused at how majestic the East Coast is. Walking through the station, it reminds me of an airport, with shops, restaurants, and the 'suspicious luggage' security announcement.  There are people running to catch a train, friends saying goodbye, others saying hello. Though all similarities dissipate as I enter a small elevator that transports me to the train. After triple checking with the train crew that I was heading in the correct direction, I took a seat on the train. A little over an hour later I arrived in Bernardsville, New Jersey. A small town buried in the hills and trees of The Garden State. I walked through the town and found my way to the Silver's home. They live in a three story, three bedroom house with a nice backyard and their two sweet dogs, Humphrey and Olive. My first night there I relaxed in their living room, watching movies and playing with the dogs. Luckily, the dogs have designated sleeping areas and I had rights to the guest bedroom. However, around 7am I awoke to the scurry of paws rushing up the stairs, bursting though the door to have Humphrey run around the room and Olive hop on the bed. They are like little kids, so cute! After a morning walk around town and grabbing coffee at the town diner, it was time to get moving on my day. I had a lot to do in preparation for my cooking debut.

Jill and Joel's house

The town... yep that's all of it

The train station in Bernardsville 

Having heard rave reviews of P90X, I decided to take advantage of the fact that I had it at my disposal for the weekend. After one workout in Jill's basement I was hooked. Sadly, my bedroom is not really equipped to carry out the program but I am determined to find a way to make it work.

With my morning workout behind me I was able to focus on dinner... and by focus I mean freak out about ahaha. Remembering that my good friend and former housemate Marisa used to make dinner all the time I called her for help. After a couple alterations to her dish I was able to create a normal, hot, and hopefully delicious meal: Chicken Tortellini with sun dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts, along with salad and bread.... Yes, for those of you who cannot believe it, I made this, and was told that it was good. I'm just happy that neither one of us died lol.

The final production 

"You Nork"

After receiving a message from my youngest niece, Sara, asking what I was doing in "You Nork" I started to think that maybe there was a hidden meaning to her mispronunciation. As if this city was here, waiting for me to make it my own. Or if every city in the world is exactly what we make of it. As much as I believe in fate, you can't let destiny do the work for you, you have to make your life what you want it to be. Life is there for the taking, but how much do we ever really take? It is so easy to become a creature of habit- to become the good girl, the bad boy, the reliable one, the flake, the sweetheart, the funny one etc. However, at some point, at any point actually, isn't okay to reinvent yourself? To re-establish your place on this Earth, your role in the world? Moving to a city where no one knows you gives you the opportunity to be exactly who you are. You get to be yourself because there are no expectations of who you are supposed to be, no loyalty to anyone but yourself, and with a world of chaos and hurry surrounding you, you become your best friend. You learn that you really cannot count on anyone else for anything. If you want something, you make it happen. There are no excuses, just do it.

After weeks of not meeting anyone I was interested in, I gave in to the requests of a few of my friends to join the OKCupid website, an online dating network that surprisingly has proven to be very successful for many of my friends. Since I am new to New York, I decided to turn this into You Nork and live it up in the dating world. A few days into my account and  I had numerous responses requesting dates and phone calls etcetera. A couple of weeks went by before I took the time to respond though when I did, a few guys, one in particular, wanted to meet up...Went well and we have our third date scheduled for this Saturday- I'm supposed to cook for him to which Carrie said "oh really, what are you making, hummus and celery or almonds and dried apricots?" lol As many of you know, I am NOT the greatest cook in the world but AM the pickiest eater :/ Ahhhhh I think for the first time ever I may need cooking advice from Mom! lol

A recent walk through Central Park on a Sunday evening

Operation Tan and Tone

After reviewing pictures of my Cali trip, I realized how pale and sickly I looked. Going from daily workouts at Lee's Fitness in Redondo Beach and running errands in the California sun to an indoor office job and sporadic runs in Central Park, my physical appearance had taken a turn for the worst! Operation Tan and Tone commence! I decided to step up my runs and take it to the East River. Providing a more versatile terrain and the opportunity to catch some rays, the East River Esplanade is my new spot:) I also decided to hit the beach. My friend Michelle offered to escort me to Coney Island- the only free beach around. The train ride alone was like a live Jerry Springer show providing comical and at times scary entertainment. Alas, we arrived at Coney Island- a run down, dirty, ghetto version of Venice Beach with a side of Circus Circus meets County Fair. I'm not sure what made me laugh more- the shady people selling Corona out of a purse or the ice cream truck playing Christmas carols. Nevertheless, I finally got a tan!

East River Esplanade

My Dad? You Mean My Bag?

An all-inclusive trip to Cabo for five days of sun, sand, and margaritas.... I'll take it! Oh, wait, that is the trip my sister and brother in law are going on so in turn I get to fly to LA and stay with their girls... I'll take it;)

Thanks to the Gods of New York for summer hours, we end our work week at 2:00pm every Friday. A 50 block power walk, an hour train ride, and a six hour in flight nap later, I arrived at LAX. I would need the fingers and toes of at least two other people to count how many times I have flown into this airport. This was by far the most humorous of arrivals. As soon as the pilot gave us permission to use electronic devices, I messaged my Mom, who was picking me up, to let her know we had landed. She responded and told me to look for my Dad. "My Dad, do you mean my bag?" Since I had not checked any luggage I bypassed baggage claim and made my way outside to find my Mom, sister, and two of her kids. They told me to go back inside and find my Dad, who had driven in from Vegas as a surprise. So exciting! Once we all collided and drove back to the South Bay we made a quick stop at In n Out for some dinner. Sitting at my sister's house with her husband, her eldest child, and both my Mom and Dad at 2am eating, talking, and laughing was one of those moments that just make you feel like all is right in the world. No matter how far I go, or how much I grow, life is always better when we're together.

This week was filled to the brim with Auntie duties. A midst packing lunches, school drop off, school pick up, doctors appointments for my oldest niece that was sick, lugging around my youngest niece that just didn't want to go to school, and trying to figure out crazy hair day vs. crazy sock day, I was also in town for graduation ceremonies of high school, elementary school, and kinder-garden. Needless to say, a hectic and worth every second of it, family filled week:)

My Amanda Panda was sick and couldn't go to school. My SareBear had a serious case of 'I want to stay home with Auntie' to which I of course was a complete sucker for! 

Although it was only for a few hours, I always have fun and cherish every minute I spend with my friends in the South Bay. I busted away from the family on Friday night and made my way to the Bay House with Jules. Luckily some of my very special friends were there and joined us for some cocktails when they got off work. You know you really love people when you can go three months without seeing each other then hang out for a few hours like not a day has gone by. I am so lucky to have them in my heart and my life. Sadly, there were many friends that I was not able to see on this trip. It just went too fast! (Deja, I dedicate a full day on my next trip to you;)