Happy Valentine's Day!

It’s Valentine’s Day everyone! Happy Cupid’s Day! I don’t know how I feel about this holiday. As a child I LOVED going to school and handing out cut-out Valentine’s and sticking them in the handmade paper envelopes we pasted to the front of our desks and decorated. As an adult, I’ve never experienced a true Valentine’s Day with the candlelight dinner, roses, etc... or whatever society says couples are meant to do. I’ve had fantastic Valentine’s Days with friends and sorority sisters. Oh... that Valentine’s Day at The Sandbar was a blast! I wonder where that paper went where we wrote down what was happening all around us went? Let’s just say it was a good time.

However, Valentine’s Day often has some people sad and thinking about the love that they don’t have. So I don’t have a special person to send me roses. Who cares! I have a handful of close friends that are like family to me ... a loving family ... and lots of love to give. I sent out my Valentine’s (yes I do send out actual cards still with stickers and everything) and have had a piece of chocolate today and got dressed. Now, I was going to wear a red dress to work. I have two fantastic red dresses, but then thought, “Ummm... overkill.” So I’m wearing black pants and brown sweater with a black big heart in the middle. LOL. I literally just laughed-out-loud at that. I went from red to black. But hey ... I like it and I think it’s the second time I’m wearing pants to work on a work day! 

So if you’re all alone on this Valentine’s Day try not to drown your sorrows in a bottle of wine (a glass or two is fine) ... treat yourself... eat whatever chocolate you want ... and think of all the love in your life you do have. It’s a day to celebrate whatever kind of love that is in your life ... because if you are loved and do love ... well... that’s probably one of the best gifts anyone can give you this Valentine’s Day!

And PS.. Best quote ever by an unknown person. "I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon."

xxxoo

Jess

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=840NbiFF1zM

MTA: Many Trains Around

So it’s been a bit since I blogged. I’m sorry for that. Adjusting to a new city and new job can eat up your time. All is good though in The Big Apple! I’m still adjusting but still enjoying the new challenges of my job (usually LOL) and am lucky to work with some amazing people and for a great company. New York City is still great .. as it always is to me. Something about this city still gets to me every day. I feel very lucky to be able to work and live here. Anyway, it’s supposed to snow today. I think it has snowed once since I moved here! While I’m enjoying this Spring-like Winter, I do miss the snow and cold. I mean a girl likes to dress up in her cute and cozy winter clothing! 

Speaking of cold ... I turned another year older last month and went home for a couple of days to Chicago to celebrate with my parents. It was nice to see them and my grandma, but oh my ... when I stepped out of the airport back into the bitter cold Chicago air ... Yikers! I had forgotten how miserably teeth-chattering cold it is in The Windy City. BRRR! 

After some yummy meals and family time I came back to New York and to the Spring-like weather and got back to work. I take the subway pretty much everywhere. I get asked a lot of questions from non-New Yorker’s about the safety of the Subway, etc.

There are certain things that are starting to drive me coo-coo for cocoa puffs about the subway though. Yes, I still enjoy taking the subway to work. There are many aspects of it I enjoy. BUT ... here are some things that get on my nerves about subway riders.

1. Seriously. Wait for the people to get off the train before you get on. If you’re already waiting for the train and not running to it you’ll get on it. Slamming into people getting off just so you can get on is just rude and dangerous. Seriously.
2. When you get on. Please don’t congregate by the door. You can take a few steps into the aisle so as to let more people onto the train. I mean standing crunched together like sardines while you can just take two steps into the aisle will make everyone’s ride a bit more enjoyable.
3. I’m all for listening to music on your ride to wherever you may be going. HOWEVER, please use your earbuds or headphones. I do not want to hear your punk rock, or whatever music you are listening to ... and I’m sure the stranger sitting next to you doesn’t either. It’s just plain annoying! 
4. When the train is packed (I mean you can’t move another inch packed) and not one more person can get on it ... PLEASE don’t use your hands to pry open the door and then shove people to get on. I for one don’t want to get crushed to death on the train. Neither does the little baby in the stroller. There is probably another train right behind the one you’re shoving your way on. FYI, I love when the conductors yell at people who do that. 
5. Okay. Eating. I get eating a granola bar or something of that nature but don’t bring your Taco Bell on the train and eat it. Yes someone did that at 1am the other day. No, he wasn’t drunk. A) The whole train smelled like a Chalupa and B)It’s just gross. Plus why would you want to eat a meal on a dirty train??!?! GROSS! That’s just my opinion. I watched someone eat a salad on the train too. Gag.

Anyway, I am off to catch the train. So travel safely as you go about your day. I hope wherever your day takes you it’s good!

A Bloody Good Time

Okay, so I'm not in England (though that would be amazing). I'm talking about Bloody Mary's ... the lovely tomato/vodka concoction that make your taste buds tingle and warms you from the inside.


I've been feeling a little under the weather but took myself out this morning for brunch and a Bloody Mary. Let me say that this bloody was one of the best I've had! I mean ... I like mine with all kinds of goodies in it. Everything from celery, pickles, to cheese, to olives, to beef sticks. This drink had none of that, but it had a lot of spicy goodness and was served in a mason jar! I mean how can you beat that!?


As I sipped my drink and watched all these friendly faces walk into the restaurant I remembered something.  Every time I've had a Bloody Mary it's been associated with a good time. I had the infamous drink often in Green Bay with my friends Laura and Kristin. I saddled up to the bar for a Bloody Mary ... or two... or three... at 10am after a loooong night of work with the world's best morning crew in Milwaukee. I've sipped the drink on the Lido Deck of cruise ships as I watched the waves of the ocean ripple in the sunlight. I've had the drink so many times with so many good friends and family I could probably fill up a page with memories. I've even converted a close friend of mine into a Bloody Mary lover!


This time I sat alone drinking my Bloody Mary. I was tired ... not feeling well ... but happy to be where I was at that moment. I was surrounded by families and a Birthday party for a little girl in a neighborhood I truly love. I opened my magazine and drank up the peppery, spicy drink, and smiled as people left or came into the restaurant. One woman with a child looked at me and said, "I envy your leisurely breakfast." So take the time for some leisure before your week of work, or school ... or whatever you have planned for the next 5 days begins. You deserve a little leisure.

Find The Beat Again

Finding the beat again. That's what I'm trying to do. As you all know I started a new job last week. While everyone has been amazing, supportive and patient ... it has been a bit overwhelming. There were times last week where I found myself a little dazed and confused! BUT ... I think I may be finding the beat again thanks to a lot of cheerleaders and my co-workers. 

New jobs are always challenging at first but this job is pretty new to me in terms of it not being for a live newscast. So, finding the beat has been a bit challenging sometimes. At times I'm waltzing along. Then, there are times I turn into that spastic dancer you see dancing all alone and you're thinking to yourself, "Oh my lord. What in the world?!" Sometimes I forget the steps to a dance, but then my co-workers show them to me again. Sometimes they have to show me a few more times because well ... I forget them. The good news is I know I'll find the beat again.

So, as I took the train home from work today, my iPod shuffled to Sugarland's "Find The Beat Again." I found myself tapping my toes and bobbing my head as some loud people at the other end of the car debated Caribbean food. 

So if you are having a tough time or a tough day and things just aren't going your way remember ...

Hey! (Hey!)

Things are lookin' better now

Hey! (Hey!)

Nothin' lasts forever if you open up your heart and let it in ...

You'll find the beat again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgCKTGVyCho

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg6vc66foXE

I made it through my first day of work! While it was overwhelming (and am sure will be for the next month as I learn my new job), it was a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious first day! Wow, that is a long word.  I don't think I could have asked for anything more from a first day ... minus the normal computer/human resources glitches that usually come with your first day at a new company. It'll all take care of itself in time. Plus, I'm sure it doesn't help that most people are on vacation for the holiday!

Anyway, it was truly a great day! My co-workers have been really awesome and so was everyone else I met throughout the day or talked to on the phone. I learned some new things about the company as well, and am very excited to learn this new job and conquer the challenges that come with it.

My friends and family also made this day very special. I couldn't check email or texts very often, but when I did there was always a friendly "Good luck" email or "Thinking of you" text. Then I came home to an early Birthday present that brought tears to my eyes. I also had a nice, but quick chat with my parents and bestie.

While it has been a great day it's been an exhausting one too. So ... I'm off to bed to get some zzz's before I head back for Day 2 tomorrow morning.

And remember ... don't forget to wish upon a star tonight ...


Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires 
Will come to you

First Impressions

So it's Sunday night and I'm getting ready for my first day of work. It always feels like the first day of school. You have to pack your backpack. In my case, it's my work bag. I've made sure I have pens, paper, my earbuds (in case I need to listen to some audio), my Social Security card, Passport, and my paperwork I was asked to fill out for orientation. I should probably pack some snacks too, but I'm not bringing my lunch bag AND (okay former co-workers who may be reading this) my Lysol wipes. You tend to share desks, computers and phones in newsrooms so I always have brought Lysol wipes to wipe down everything with! So back to the "backpack." It's packed.


Now to the more important thing: What to wear. OMG it's soooo hard to figure out what to wear. I mean how dressy do you get? You don't want to look too casual and you don't want to look like you are going to cocktail hour! Anyway, my best friend helped pick an outfit for my "first day of school." I like it. Well, I liked it today. We'll see if I like it tomorrow. If I don't,  I have another option that's a little less dressy. I know the whole 'what to wear' dilemma seems superficial, but if you don't feel good about yourself and confident it will show. 


So those two things are all taken care of. Now you just worry about making a good impression ... which happens by just being you. Will I forget co-workers names tomorrow. Sure. I'm horrible with names. Will I be nervous at orientation and maybe say some silly things. Sure, but that's me. Will I worry about whether my co-workers will like me and if I'll like them? Sure. That's totally natural. However, I basically can get along with anyone. Will I ask too many questions? I may, but that's okay. But as I walk in the front doors tomorrow ... excited and nervous ... I will remember something my parents have told me since I was a little girl. "Jess. Just be yourself and do your best. That's all anyone can ask."

ABCDQ123 .. the MTA

So ... I've been in NY for less then two weeks and am really enjoying using the MTA. Now, to be honest ... I wasn't a big CTA fan. Chicago is built differently than NY. I like New York's grid. I find the subway in New York is a ton easier to use. However, I have learned a few things:


1. I can't read on the Subway like everyone else.
2. I think half the people who try to swindle money from you on the train are lying about why they need the money.
3. Wear layers. It's easy to take off a scarf and coat. A sweater ... a bit harder when you are packed like a sardine on the 2 Train.
4. Love the musicians that play their instruments or sing for you on the platforms. They are AWESOME! I mean who doesn't like some salsa music at 9am!? 
5. People-watching on the subway is super fun. I forgot how much fun it is!
6. I am now used to the message about "Look out for suspicious packages and report them..." 




Bottom line ... so far I'm enjoying the subway and am not missing my car ... yet. I feel more free. Ask me how I feel about being without a car in three months. I'll let you know if my opinion changes.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRGFqSkNjHk