tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53816418762610404802024-03-13T17:15:31.115-04:00The Peacock DiariesAlisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-77113449988474138782011-11-21T22:20:00.001-05:002011-11-22T12:42:56.183-05:00Lovely Life List: Learning to DriveIf you've been following my blog from the beginning (I know there are a few of you!), you know that I have a sort of bucket list/life to-do list thingy that I call my <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/p/lovely-life-list.html">Lovely Life List</a>. Do you have one of these? You really, really should. I can't even tell you how much of a difference writing mine has made. Writing a life list is such a great exercise in identifying your goals and helping you chart your path. And I don't know that I believe all of that nonsense in <em>The Secret</em>, but I do believe that you won't get what you want if you don't ask. So put it out there in the universe! You can see my original post <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/2011/04/lovely-life-list.html">here</a>. And check out <strong>Maggie</strong> at <a href="http://www.mightygirl.com/">Mighty Girl</a>. She is pretty much a Life List guru.<br />
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Some of you may also remember a few months ago that I jumped head first into one of my most feared life list items: <strong>learning to drive</strong>. When I was making my list, it was hard for me to even include that item. It felt scary to even admit I <em>wanted </em>to drive. And I was afraid it would just sit on the list forever, mocking me and making me feel like a failure. But I also knew that my inability to drive was a bit of an Achilles' heel. It bothered me that I couldn't do this thing that just about everyone else could. I was embarrassed to tell people I didn't drive, I hated having to ask people for rides, and I hated how defensive I got when people teased me about it.<br />
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Surprising but true, up until this summer I really didn't know how to drive. I got my license at 17 along with my friends, but after just a month I had a bad accident and vowed never to get behind the wheel again. OK, well I didn't make some kind of dramatic declaration...I just literally never got behind the wheel again. <br />
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Conventional wisdom would probably say that was a mistake. I should have tried to get back on the road right away, because the longer I was away, the harder it became. But I would say that not driving was really just me making a statement that <strong>I know myself and I know what is best</strong>, and I would drive again if and when I was ready. And you know what? <u>That's exactly what happened</u>.<br />
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Flash forward to this summer, when I realized that I wanted to move to Florida to volunteer at Give Kids the World. I figured out pretty quickly that this move would mean driving a car. I did <em>briefly</em> toy with the idea of trying to find some public transportation options, but central Florida is just sprawling, and I knew I would be incredibly limited without a car. So I decided I needed to bite the bullet and figure out how to get confident behind the wheel.<br />
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I didn't know anyone who had taken driving lessons in NYC, so I turned to my friends Google and Yelp for advice. I found a driving school that had great reviews and reasonable prices, and after several false starts (OK, I probably stalled for a few months), I <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/2011/06/shut-up-and-drive.html">made an appointment for a lesson</a>. I read and re-read the reviews I found online. People spoke of getting over years of driving fear and loving the freedom of being able to go where they pleased. Part of me was excited that one day, this could be me...but a big part of me doubted that I would ever feel so comfortable with driving. Driving a car is SO much responsibility, and I just didn't think I could handle all of the <strong>mirror checking</strong> and<strong> lane changing</strong> and <strong>merging </strong>of it all. <strong>I was afraid that I would always be afraid</strong>, and that is not a good way to be as the operator of a motor vehicle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-986CIPHILAs/Tsso6_tIteI/AAAAAAAAASo/QT7vYEfdKAc/s1600/zombies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="251" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-986CIPHILAs/Tsso6_tIteI/AAAAAAAAASo/QT7vYEfdKAc/s320/zombies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>What if I encounter some zombies while driving? I think it is a valid concern.</em></td></tr>
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So this summer, I took a grand total of 5 driving lessons. I thought I'd have time for a few more, but the days flew by and I did have a few issues with my driving school forgetting to show up at the agreed upon time (their one flaw was their online scheduling system). I practiced changing lanes, I practiced driving in the rain, I practiced parallel parking (despite my protests -- I never have to parallel park in Florida!). I felt better behind the wheel, but suddenly I found myself in the Orlando airport picking up my rental car and I realized I had to drive out of there by myself. BY. MY. SELF. <br />
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After checking in at the rental counter (yes, I'm sure I don't want an SUV! I barely know how to drive a regular car, thank you), I made my way to my generic white standard 4-door car and sat in the driver's seat for about 30 minutes trying to pump myself up. I felt absolutely sick, but I knew I couldn't sit there forever. I backed out of my spot -- <em>sloooowly </em>-- and headed toward the exit. I followed the signs out of the garage, then out of the airport, then before I knew it...I was driving!<br />
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My GPS lovingly guided me through Florida's finest non-interstate highways (wasn't brave enough for I-4 on my first go 'round). I gripped the wheel pretty tightly and drove in total silence (took me a few days to decide I could handle the radio), but I made it. Left, right, left, right...and suddenly I was pulling into my destination: the parking lot of the Super Target in Kissimmee (had to make a stop before getting to my new place). I cruised in just as the sun was getting low in the sky, I found a spot far, faaarrr away from any other car (wasn't ready to face my fear of dinging other cars), and put the car in park.<br />
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SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
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I was so relieved and happy and giddy and PROUD of myself...I swear, my feet didn't touch the ground as I walked into Target. I wanted to hug random people, I wanted to sing...I wanted a stiff drink. Probably the wrong instinct for a new driver, but that's how I felt!<br />
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I navigated myself to Publix and then finally to my new home, and this will <strong>probably go down as one of the most memorable drives of my life</strong>. I had driven myself from the airport to my new home, all by myself. A simple act that a million people have done but for me, a <strong>true accomplishment and the unshackling of myself from one of my greatest fears</strong>. I felt like a weight of about a million pounds had lifted.<br />
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Looking back at my previous driving experience, I realize now that I just wasn't ready to drive when I was 17. I don't know why, but I just wasn't ready for that responsibility. It doesn't make me a bad person, it doesn't make me stupid...it just means that when I turned 17, I didn't magically wake up with the skills I needed to drive. But it is hard to have that much self-awareness when you're a teenager. I wish I could have said, "it doesn't matter that all of my friends are driving, I just need a few more years", but at that age it is not so easy to swim upstream in that way. I appreciate that as an adult, I very rarely feel like I need to do things just because everyone else is doing them. Yay for being a grown-up!<br />
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And it turns out, I don't mind driving...in fact, <strong>I kind of like it</strong>. In my first week, I put about 450 miles on my little rental car, and since moving to Florida I know I've logged nearly 2,000 (which is impressive considering I don't have a daily commute). And I really feel comfortable with it. I can handle driving at night. I can navigate U-turns at wacky traffic lights. And I can even handle I-4 (but I'll only do it if I really have to).<br />
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Do you want to see my car? Here it is -- my little green bean!<br />
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I'll have to save the story of buying the car for another day. Navigating the used car market in Florida is an adventure and a half. But for now, I am happy -- thrilled! -- to be crossing a big item off my Lovely Life List. <strong>Learn how to drive? Check!</strong>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-82915798366899695662011-11-04T16:23:00.000-04:002011-11-04T16:23:20.331-04:00Taking the long way<i><br /></i><br />
<i>My friends from high school, </i><i>married their high school boyfriends</i><br />
<i>Moved into houses, in the same zip codes where their parents lived</i><br />
<i>But I, I could never follow</i><br />
<i>No I, I could never follow.</i><br />
<i>- </i>The Dixie Chicks, "The Long Way Around"<br />
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I don't know how many Dixie Chicks fans read this blog, but "The Long Way Around" is one of my all-time favorite songs -- do you know it? It is one of those songs where hearing the lyrics <b>felt a little like someone was reading my diary</b>. I totally could have written it! (Except I don't really write songs...I get hung up on the rhyming).<br />
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I've been thinking about this song a lot lately because I've just started out on a bit of an adventure, and it's definitely a little out there. I don't know that everyone would take this particular path, but I think it is right for me...and I'm excited!<br />
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As I mentioned in my last post, I am now coming to you from sunny...<b>ORLANDO</b>!<br />
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Whoa! Pretty drastic change. I've lived in NYC for almost 8 years and before that Boston for 3. I'm a girl who likes big tall buildings and late night food delivery and walking everywhere...basically a City Mouse. Orlando has been a BIG change of pace: lots of grass and late night theme park visits and driving everywhere. Very different!<br />
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I've been here since September 2, and I honestly can't believe almost 2 months have flown by. So much about my life has changed, and I can't believe it but I still am not quite in a regular routine. And I am a girl who needs a routine! Hence my dropping off the face of the blog world, both as a reader and writer. Just have not figured out how to get it all done.<br />
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So why Orlando? Well, I've <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/2011/06/give-kids-world.html">mentioned before</a> that I am absolutely in love with a place called <a href="http://www.gktw.org/">Give Kids the World</a>. I first learned about this organization about a year and half ago, and it isn't an exaggeration to say that hearing about this place changed my life. I can't explain exactly why, but I was fascinated by it, I felt drawn to it. There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't think about it -- I just think their mission of granting Disney-based wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses is so inspiring, and I think the work they do is so important. I just had this incredibly strong feeling that I wanted to be a part of it. But I lived in New York City...so what could I do?<br />
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Well, last year I came up with a plan that would have me quitting my job and moving to Florida to volunteer at Give Kids the World for 6 months. And there's a long, sad story that goes along with this, but I was not able to make this plan work. I had done everything I needed to do, but an important piece of the puzzle didn't fall into place. I was DEVASTATED. And I felt lost for a while. But the new year came, and I started blogging and making lists and figuring out my goals, and I couldn't get Give Kids the World out of my mind.<br />
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And then I watched <b>The Last Lecture</b>.<br />
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And really listened to the messages about brick walls and not taking no for an answer. And I figured out another way...<br />
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I'll need another post to go into all of the details, but I convinced my company to let me move to Florida and work remotely for a few months. I figured if I was here, I could volunteer at GKTW any time I wasn't working. It wasn't quite the same as totally kissing my job goodbye, but it was a way in. <b>It was a way to get where I wanted to be</b>. <br />
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And after about a million other steps (subletting my apartment, learning to drive, buying a car, etc.), here I am. Most days I still pinch myself. The experience has been everything I wanted, and so much more. I LOVE spending time at Give Kids the World (don't worry, so much more to come on that!). I love the change of scenery, I love the new friends I've made. And I love knowing that I was able to do something kind of big, kind of crazy...all on my own. I dreamed up my own destiny, made a plan, and made it happen. <br />
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Seriously, I feel like I can do ANYTHING I put my mind to. Amazing!<br />
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PS -- Thanks to a lot of people for helping me make this work: my boss for understanding my crazy dream, my new friend <a href="http://www.runeatdatesleep.com/">Andrea</a> who was an excellent planner-in-crime and now is a most excellent Disney park buddy, my dog for rolling with the punches. And Randy Pausch. Thanks, Randy.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-71980161517432843812011-10-25T23:42:00.001-04:002011-10-25T23:42:33.007-04:00OH. MY. GOD.I feel like this blog is that old, reliable friend who is always there when I need her, and I am basically acting like the worst friend in the world in return. "Oh, yes, we're such good friends...I just never have time to see you, I ignore you for days on end, and I can't help ditching our plans at the last minute. But I still care about you!"<br />
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Sigh.<br />
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I've really enjoyed writing this blog, and during this unintentional hiatus I realized that I do miss actively blogging. I miss having a place to work through my crazy thoughts, I miss the little group of people who came by to read and say hello. And I know having this blog has pushed me into doing great things, big things -- I LOVE that.<br />
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So I need to get back on track. New post coming tomorrow, and another one after that. Let's see if I can string together a week's worth of posts. I think I can!Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-60887509021186851692011-09-23T23:07:00.001-04:002011-09-23T23:07:59.286-04:00Mini Life List -- Florida EditionI wrote my Lovely Life List a year ago and so many amazing things have happened -- so I figured I needed to write a mini version so that I can make the most of my time in Florida. Type A in the house -- I do love my lists.<br />
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So here is what I have on the agenda for my Orlando stint:<br />
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1. Ride every ride in all four Disney parks at least once<br />
2. Visit all four parks in one day<br />
3. Ride Dumbo during the MK fireworks<br />
4. Get my picture taken with Mickey (how can I never have done this in more than a dozen trips?)<br />
5. Go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party in costume<br />
6. Visit Gatorland<br />
7. Mail my holiday cards from Christmas, FL<br />
8. See the Candlelight Processional<br />
9. Watch the cheesiest Eat to the Beat concert<br />
10. Eat at a Waffle House<br />
11. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of a Disney park<br />
12. Check out the Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney<br />
13. Take a swim in Stormalong Bay<br />
14. See the Magic Kingdom Christmas parade taping<br />
15. Check out the Cinderella Castle suite (note: I have no idea how I am going to do this)<br />
16. Take my mom to EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival<br />
17. Go to the beach! (again, so many trips yet I've never been to a Florida beach)<br />
18. Watch the fake swirling snow in Celebration<br />
19. Buy gingerbread from the life-size gingerbread house in the Grand Floridian<br />
20. Decorate my car with cheesy Disney doo-dads<br />
21. Take an air boat ride -- another fun non-Disney thing I've always wanted to do<br />
22. Be a part of Disney Marathon weekend -- not sure if I will be a competitor, volunteer, or spectator, but I will be there!<br />
23. Take a solo ride on the Tower of Terror (and buy the picture!)<br />
24. See ICE at Gaylord Palms<br />
25. Take Audrey the Dog to the South Beach Wiener Dog Festival<br />
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I've officially been in Florida for three weeks, and a lot of that time has been spent taking care of practical matters and trying to get myself settled. Time for some fun!<br />
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<br />Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-69562257059969043992011-09-11T14:56:00.000-04:002011-09-11T14:56:02.145-04:00An UpdateHi friends,<br />
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Your friendly Peacock blogger here...I'm baaacck! I hope. I really never intended to take such a long break, but I guess one of the things I learned is that getting out of the habit of regular blogging means that I lose momentum quickly. I had written a million posts in my head, but none of them actually made it on to the screen. I still remember most of them, though, so hopefully I will be able to do a little catching up.<br />
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Anyway, here is a quick rundown of things that I've done in the past month:<br />
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<b>1. Visited Kentucky for a business trip.</b><br />
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I did a lot of traveling for work this summer, and apparently the theme was "random states I've never visited" -- I hit Texas, West Virginia, and Kentucky. All were nice, if not a little warm. And now I'm three steps closer to achieving one of my <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/p/lovely-life-list.html">Life List</a> goals.<br />
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<b>2. I prepared for a hurricane.</b><br />
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<img src="http://images1.dailykos.com/i/user/30549/Hurricane_Irene.jpg" /><br />
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Hurricane Irene was all the rage in NYC last month, and I realized that I was woefully unprepared for any kind of natural disaster. Brooklyn did not seem too freaked out -- my neighborhood in particular was very calm. A trip to the grocery store revealed Perrier and fancy cheese to be running dangerously low, but all other staples very well-stocked. It reminded me a lot of this:<br />
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<tr style="background-color: #e5e5e5;" valign="middle"><td style="padding: 2px 1px 0px 5px;"><a href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Daily Show With Jon Stewart</a></td><td style="font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 5px 0px 5px; text-align: right;">Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;" valign="middle"><td colspan="2" style="padding: 2px 1px 0px 5px;"><a href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-march-6-2001/gourmet-food-crisis" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Gourmet Food Crisis</a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #353535; height: 14px;" valign="middle"><td colspan="2" style="overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 5px 0px 5px; text-align: right; width: 512px;"><a href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/" style="color: #96deff; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.thedailyshow.com</a></td></tr>
<tr valign="middle"><td colspan="2" style="padding: 0px;"><embed allowfullscreen="true" allownetworking="all" allowscriptaccess="always" bgcolor="#000000" flashvars="autoPlay=false" height="288" src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:106184" style="display: block;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="512" wmode="window"></embed></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 18px;" valign="middle"><td colspan="2" style="padding: 0px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="100%" style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr valign="middle"><td style="padding: 3px; width: 33%;"><a href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/" style="color: #333333; font: 10px arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Daily Show Full Episodes</a></td><td style="padding: 3px; width: 33%;"><a href="http://www.indecisionforever.com/" style="color: #333333; font: 10px arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Political Humor & Satire Blog</a></td><td style="padding: 3px; width: 33%;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thedailyshow" style="color: #333333; font: 10px arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Daily Show on Facebook</a></td></tr>
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On a side note: aww, look how adorable young Jon looks :)<br />
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<b>3. I slept through a hurricane.</b><br />
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<img src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR6TJMQQHRVmqGzCQ9zh0nvoaqUDXXlci6pW03K4rk7jNws0-rIYA" /><br />
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Yes, so Irene turned out to be kind of a bust in NYC. It all happened overnight while I was fast asleep. There was flooding in some areas, some power outages, a few idiots in a kayak, and some hilarious press conferences by Mayor Bloomberg, but it wasn't much of a disaster. Many places had it much worse.<br />
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<b>4. I moved to Florida.</b><br />
<img src="http://www.vacationrentalslounge.com/resources/FL/images/Florida-postcard.jpg" /><br />
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Whoa. WHOA! This one is going to take some more explanation, but let me just say that for the next 4-5 months, The Peacock Diaries will be coming to you from sunny Orlando! Celebration, to be specific. Do you know this town? It is fantastic -- I've always wanted to live in Stars Hollow, and I think that maybe I do. Much, much more to come here...stay tuned!<br />
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<b>5. I rented a car and drove myself home from the airport.</b><br />
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Seriously! I still can't believe it, but I did it! My driving lessons are over and I am officially a driver now. In fact, I guess I kind of enjoy driving because I managed to put 450 miles on my rental car in a week. I think that's a lot, right?<br />
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I have missed you all and look forward to sharing more updates and also checking out what you've all been up to -- I haven't been doing a good job keeping up with blogs, but I am ready to spend some quality time with my blog reader!<br />
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More to come soon, but it feels good to get something posted. Tonight I have a date with the Magic Kingdom -- still pinching myself that Mickey is right in my backyard!Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-44050198284366014052011-08-08T23:16:00.000-04:002011-08-08T23:16:24.359-04:00I'm not dead!Oh, hi. Remember me? Probably not. I just logged into Blogger and my blog is pretending not to know me. A little cold shoulder, but that's OK -- nobody likes to be abandoned.<br />
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Well, hopefully this marks my <b>return to regular blogging</b>. I'm going to start slowly so I don't hurt myself, so this will be a quick post...but LOTS more to come!<br />
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So I've been busy with lots of great changes. My to-do list has been MASSIVE, but I am thrilled to say that I've been able to keep up with some good workouts. In the past three days, I've logged <b>10 miles</b>! They haven't been fast and they haven't always been pretty, but I've gotten them done. And this morning's workout was a 6am special -- definitely not my best hour. Which is probably why I managed to drop my keys along the way without realizing -- not awake! Luckily I retraced my steps and found them :) At various times my mother has threatened to pierce something on me and attach my wallet/keys/phone or other frequently lost item to a chain. She's probably on to something.<br />
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The weather in NYC has been pretty miserable lately -- <b>muggy, sticky, humid,</b> and any other word for "<b>makes me feel disgusting</b>". I've been trying to keep my workouts to the earlier or later parts of the day...I figure even if it isn't that much cooler, it will be harder for people to see how gross I look in the dark. Last night I took a nice long stroll right at dusk, which is perfect for one of my favorite activities -- looking in people's windows and seeing what they're watching on TV. Listen, I'm curious! If you don't want me to look, close your blinds. I have to say, <b>some of you have some very questionable taste in TV shows</b>. VH1, really?<br />
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This time of day is also perfect for admiring my neighbors' decorating styles. I passed one home that had a real, honest-to-goodness library -- walls and walls of floor to ceiling books and one of those ladders that slides around the room. <b>Note to self: I need that.</b><br />
<br />
But it's not all fancy libraries in my 'hood. As the old saying goes, money can't buy class. To this point, I introduce <b>Exhibit A</b>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-giReyuw7_XY/TkCkpWFUeGI/AAAAAAAAASQ/s1q0y4tqLEk/s1600/IMG_0238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-giReyuw7_XY/TkCkpWFUeGI/AAAAAAAAASQ/s1q0y4tqLEk/s400/IMG_0238.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Yes, this is the kind of crap that one of my neighbors decided to adorn their million dollar brownstone with. It is hard to read the sign, but it says something about happy birthday to Leos.<br />
<br />
Then there's <b>Exhibit B</b>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9maai97JEY/TkCkrxPvIJI/AAAAAAAAASU/yw2D7hkdgcU/s1600/IMG_0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9maai97JEY/TkCkrxPvIJI/AAAAAAAAASU/yw2D7hkdgcU/s400/IMG_0225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I think they specialize in post-mortem spray tan applications and rigor mortis fist pumping. Listen, maybe your name is Guido -- but that doesn't make it a good name for your business!<br />
<br />
OK, off to give Audrey the Dog her last walk (she's doing much better, thanks to those who asked!) and get ready for bed. I'm ready for some QT with my TV hubby (Jon Stewart) and some good sleep!<br />
<br />
<br />
Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-31390594262852739522011-07-25T00:06:00.000-04:002011-07-25T00:06:08.537-04:00ConfessionForgive me readers, I have sinned. It has been 12 days since my last blog. I have had some blog-related thoughts, but I have not acted on them. Sigh.<br />
<br />
In my previous life as a blog reader, I would definitely get annoyed when bloggers would disappear without warning for days or weeks on end. What happened to them? Where did they go? How could they forget about the blog? How hard is it to just check in?<br />
<br />
Well, harder than it looks. I'll be honest, the past few weeks have been such a blur that I really didn't think much about blogging. The to-do list was so long, posting just never got very close to the top. Sucky, I know. I know I don't have thousands of readers hanging on my every word, but I do love the fact that people take time to visit -- whether you just stop by or you're a regular commenter, your visits mean so much! Plus, I really enjoy the whole process of blogging. Really helps sort through my thoughts, and I like having my little electronic diary to look back on.<br />
<br />
So the good news is that I've been busy with super great things. Workouts have been happening pretty regularly -- in the morning, even! This is blowing my mind because I am so not the morning exerciser. I've also been driving. Today was fun with parking: parallel parking (boo!), navigating parking lots, etc. Not the most fun, but better than the BQE. And I've been working on a bit of a top secret surprise. I hate to be a blog tease, but more to come soon.<br />
<br />
The bad news is that my busy schedule is likely to keep up over the next few weeks, so my free time is not going to open up any time soon. But I've been adjusting and trying to make myself as efficient as possible, and I'll just have to find ways to squeeze in some blog posts. If only the rest of the world would adopt that 36-hour day that I've been pushing then I could get it all done!<br />
<br />
And with that, I am off to sleep. I'm going to be dreaming of this little fuzzball:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wELdWgvnzGA/TizpM5ujZ_I/AAAAAAAAASM/eSmnEINy5og/s1600/282143_10150279901658713_809583712_7341881_6267750_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wELdWgvnzGA/TizpM5ujZ_I/AAAAAAAAASM/eSmnEINy5og/s400/282143_10150279901658713_809583712_7341881_6267750_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Audrey in her sick bed -- I tried to take good care of her all weekend!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Audrey the Dog was not feeling well this weekend, and last night we didn't get much sleep (no one wants to be alone when they're sick). This morning things actually got worse, so I took her to the emergency vet and they wanted to keep her overnight! I was shocked, I thought we'd just get some medicine and get back to our Sunday. I felt awful leaving her. Woofy hospitals are just as depressing as human ones, and I hate that I couldn't make her understand that I wasn't abandoning her and I would be back. I'm sure she's totally fine (probably snoozing in her little doggy hospital bed), but just in case I'm going to the window to sing a quick rendition of "Somewhere Out There". The pet hospital is just a few blocks away, so we are definitely are sleeping underneath the same bright star...Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-37912416459223132672011-07-13T12:57:00.000-04:002011-07-13T12:57:07.200-04:00A night at The PlazaNo, I didn't get to spend the night in the <strong>Eloise Suite</strong>. But I did get to spend a few hours at one of New York's most famous hotels. Some friends were in town for the weekend (bringing their almost 7 year old on her FIRST TRIP TO NYC!), and I was looking for someplace fun and a little bit special to meet them for dinner. When you live in a city like New York, there is a lot of pressure to deliver good dining experiences to out-of-towners. New York has some of the best food in the world, and it often comes at a price...so you want them to be impressed!<br />
<div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZmPYfFWsRI/Th0WOTtjgYI/AAAAAAAAAR4/h3dehQMzXpw/s1600/plaza+facade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZmPYfFWsRI/Th0WOTtjgYI/AAAAAAAAAR4/h3dehQMzXpw/s400/plaza+facade.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
<div><br />
</div><div>After consulting my foodie friends and racking my brain a bit, I came up with what I thought was a good idea: <a href="http://www.theplazafoodhall.com/">Todd English's Food Hall at The Plaza Hotel</a>!</div><div><br />
</div><div><strong>Food halls</strong> are pretty trendy in New York right now -- this isn't a new concept (think Harrods in London, Takashimaya in Japan), but now top foodies are tripping over each other to develop the quintessential NYC food hall experience. Mario Batali has <a href="http://eatalyny.com/">Eataly</a>, Jeffrey Chodorow has <a href="http://www.foodparc.com/">FoodParc</a>, but the trend really started with Todd English's contribution, which is located in the basement of the newly renovated Plaza Hotel.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-glPQrl9G9Vw/Th0Wcbc-BsI/AAAAAAAAAR8/B3q2XA8bJiQ/s1600/plaza+food+hall+mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-glPQrl9G9Vw/Th0Wcbc-BsI/AAAAAAAAAR8/B3q2XA8bJiQ/s400/plaza+food+hall+mirror.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>I thought this would be perfect for my friends. First, the food was supposed to be fantastic. That really had to be first priority. Second, my "niece" (I'm Aunt Ali, at least in name!) is a foodie who loves some Top Chef. Todd isn't exactly Tom Colicchio, but he's definitely a player in the celeb chef world and I think he's even been a TC guest judge. Third, The Plaza Hotel is an NYC institution and is a great little stop on a first visit, especially for little girls who have grown up reading <strong>Eloise</strong>. Eloise is ALL OVER the new and improved(?) Plaza -- she's on a flag waving on the front of the building, she's in a portrait in the lobby, and her likeness is available on all kinds of books and jewelry and clothes and toys in her very own gift shop. </div><div><br />
</div><div>And I'm happy to say our visit was a total success! The Food Hall is huge but not overwhelming, popular but not too crowded (a nice contrast from Eataly, which is absolutely mobbed all the time). There are 8 different food stations, serving a variety of choices including <strong>sushi</strong>, <strong>pizza</strong>, <strong>carved meats</strong>, <strong>salads</strong>, and <strong>dumplings</strong>. You're seated on stools around one of the various stations, but the menu is inclusive and everyone can order from any station. There aren't a lot of places where your dining companions can be enjoying good sushi and great flatbread pizza at the same time! And while you're waiting for your food, you get to watch your stations chef in action -- the slicing and dicing, the pots bubbling over on the stove. Dinner and a show!</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CCJGgbGui10/Th0UtOTfw4I/AAAAAAAAAR0/3xDSw2hK1mY/s1600/plaza+food+hall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CCJGgbGui10/Th0UtOTfw4I/AAAAAAAAAR0/3xDSw2hK1mY/s400/plaza+food+hall.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.therollerpig.com/">Image source</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>The seating initially posed a small bit of a challenge for our group of 4. We were seated in a row, and our conversation was a bit of a game of telephone, trying to pass messages down the line. Eventually 4 seats on the corner opened up and we were able to move so we could face each other as we chatted. I wanted to hear all about their big day in the city! There were <strong>multiple</strong> <b>Naked Cowboys</b> involved. </div><div><br />
</div><div>So, the food. A-MAZ-ING! Everyone was really happy with their meal, but I think mine might have been best. My friend went with sushi and a seaweed salad (which we dared her to order because it sounded weird, and she ended up LOVING), her husband got gyros, and her daughter got beef sliders and fries (super cute presentation on that one). I went with the 1/2 organic rotisserie chicken, which came with bread and pickled vegetables (umm...?), and I added a side order of haricots verts. And here is what I got. First, the chicken:</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYwbcml3054/Th0Y3CLK6lI/AAAAAAAAASA/NT_cBozHevs/s1600/Chicken-at-the-Food-Hall-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYwbcml3054/Th0Y3CLK6lI/AAAAAAAAASA/NT_cBozHevs/s400/Chicken-at-the-Food-Hall-300x225.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Thanks, Interwebz -- I totally devoured mine before I snapped a photo<br />
<a href="http://www.kewlbites.com/kewl-news/kewl-spot-chef-todd-englishs-plaza-food-hall/">Image credit</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>What a feast! I couldn't eat all of the meat, though I really wanted to because it was perfectly tender and juicy. This is the kind of flavor that you just can't get when you make it at home. <br />
<br />
And the haricots verts were like dessert -- SO tasty! Green beans topped with walnuts, cheese, and a bit of pepper for some spice. Oh my god, I wanted to lick the bowl! I usually eat my green beans steamed, but this was quite a nice treat. I need to try to recreate this at home.</div><div><br />
</div><div>We were all too full for dessert, but they had quite a nice looking little bakery. I spotted some French macarons, so I'll definitely try to save room next time. And I do plan on going back -- there are so many more things I need to try on the menu! Prime rib, gourmet pizzas, big salads -- yum, yum, and yum. I'll definitely suggest this for out of town guests, but this would be a great spot for a date or a girls' night. We can't let tourists have all of the Plaza fun!</div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-15101300180335618572011-07-08T13:15:00.000-04:002011-07-08T13:15:23.652-04:00Dreaming vs doingWhere did the week go? I love a long holiday weekend, but it is hard not to feel a little bit behind for the rest of the week. I've had some blog-related thoughts this week, but the actual writing just didn't happen. Bad blogger.<br />
<br />
This week had me thinking about <strong>dreaming</strong> and <strong>doing</strong>, I've figured out I'm very good at one of these things...can you guess which one? Yeah, <strong>I'm a dreamer </strong>(but I'm not the only one...) Hence my constant posts about goals and plans and life lists. I really like the planning process. I like <strong>plotting</strong>, <strong>envisioning</strong> myself in new ways and new places; I like <strong><span style="color: red;">c</span><span style="color: blue;">o</span><span style="color: orange;">l</span><span style="color: purple;">o</span><span style="color: lime;">r</span>-<span style="color: #8e7cc3;">c</span><span style="color: red;">o</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">d</span><span style="color: blue;">e</span><span style="color: purple;">d</span></strong> spreadsheets and <strong>pretty lists</strong> and <strong>doodle-covered maps</strong>. I love letting it all swirl around in my head and seeing what develops.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g3akIJDY8E0/ThaC8NewMAI/AAAAAAAAARs/HsHuQTmGqy8/s1600/dreamer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g3akIJDY8E0/ThaC8NewMAI/AAAAAAAAARs/HsHuQTmGqy8/s400/dreamer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sweet. But not really accurate...you'll see later when I get to the part about<br />
having 4 alarm clocks.<br />
<a href="http://gotbyouthblog.tumblr.com/">Image source</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
But when it comes to actually following the plans, doing the work, taking the actions, sometimes I stumble. What is they say about mice and men? Add peacocks to that list. I often find myself astray. But I don't give up!<br />
<br />
This week I decided my workout needed a little chart, so I made myself a pretty Excel sheet:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eteovMcTnKs/ThZ7uhRRHQI/AAAAAAAAARo/bbVLglRCIiY/s1600/training+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eteovMcTnKs/ThZ7uhRRHQI/AAAAAAAAARo/bbVLglRCIiY/s400/training+plan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gridlines, wherefore art thou?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
I've since filled in specific daily/weekly goals and I made it my computer's wallpaper so I have to look at it all the time. I think the success/failure color-coding is my favorite part. I want to see a lot of pink!<br />
<br />
So I started things off in my usual way. Day 1 -- success! It was the 4th of July, so I wanted to squeeze in a quick few miles. Then Day 2 -- fail. Could not get out of bed. Many snooze buttons were hit. Day 3 -- same. And while I was annoyed at myself, I really hated having to color in the blue box each day. <strong>My failure was staring me in the face, mocking me</strong>. Grrrr.<br />
<br />
I wanted things to go differently yesterday morning, so I went to bed a little earlier, set my 4 alarm clocks (sorry neighbors!), and tried to psych myself up mentally.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-inBgdoWW9HM/ThaE82l9h7I/AAAAAAAAARw/8NgY3Sjblp8/s1600/alarm+clocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-inBgdoWW9HM/ThaE82l9h7I/AAAAAAAAARw/8NgY3Sjblp8/s400/alarm+clocks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mine are scattered all over my apartment, and still I manage to oversleep. Really, it's pretty impressive.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The alarms went off, and I shut them off. I buried my head in my pillow. So tired. More sleep, more sleep! I dozed a little, and woke up again 20 minutes later. Not too late to squeeze in a workout, but getting close. I don't want to do it. My eyelids are so heavy, how am I going to lift my feet? But then...<br />
<br />
I promised myself I would do it -- get up! I'll get a pink box! I'll feel fine once I start...just get out of bed!<br />
<br />
This went on for a few minutes. I checked my email on my phone. I made lists in my head. The angel and devil on my shoulder really went at it. <strong>But much to my surprise: the angel won!</strong><br />
<br />
I got up and got out and logged a couple of sweaty miles. And it was fine. I'm definitely not a morning person, so I felt like it took a little while to get into a grove, but I got there. I didn't let my foggy head bother me. I also did my best to ignore stinky garbage truck that insisted on following me (that was a little tougher). And I made a pretty pink mark in the box.<br />
<br />
<strong>Do you use any special tricks to keep yourself accountable? Do your plans ever go astray...and how do you get back on track?</strong><br />
<br />
Oh, and some exciting news to share: my <strong>first guest blog post is up today</strong>! The lovely Andrea over at <a href="http://runeatdatesleep.com/">Run, Eat, Date, Sleep</a> allowed me a little space to write about one of my favorite subjects, <a href="http://www.gktw.org/">Give Kids the World</a>. This won't be totally new info if you've read my previous posts, but you should definitely pop over and see what's going on. It's a must-read blog if you like running, Disney, Criminal Minds, or awesome people ;)Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-25765555355015250362011-07-03T19:39:00.001-04:002011-07-03T19:39:00.315-04:00Eat Pee LoveOne year ago today, a little furball named <b>Skittles</b> (don't worry, she won't keep this name for too long) showed up at my front door. She looked small and scared, and frankly a little embarrassed by both her bad haircut and her silly name. She walked in, took one look around, and <b>peed on the floor</b>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-73u_rilIjco/ThCdVnzqgNI/AAAAAAAAARA/_Qsm2ilUwhw/s1600/logomayorsalliance-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-73u_rilIjco/ThCdVnzqgNI/AAAAAAAAARA/_Qsm2ilUwhw/s1600/logomayorsalliance-600.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div><br />
</div><div>She came to me thanks to a wonderful organization called the <a href="http://animalalliancenyc.org/">Mayor's Alliance for New York City's Animals</a>. This organization is a coalition of animal rescue groups and shelters that works to place animals in loving homes and end the killing of healthy cats and dogs. A lot their work involves placing animals in foster homes while their owners are unable to care for them -- maybe the pet owner has gotten sick, been forced to move to an apartment that isn't pet-friendly, or become temporarily homeless. MAFA helps find great temporary homes and covers a lot of the costs of caring for a pet during the foster period, and <b>often the animals are happily reunited with their owners</b>. </div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Skittles</b> (better known to you as <b>Audrey the Dog</b>) was a different situation. She had been purchased from a breeder by a family in New Jersey, and after two years they decided to give her away. I don't know all of the details -- I don't think she was abused, but I don't think they cared for her very well. There was a divorce and children involved, and apparently she was being used by the parents as a way to try to manipulate the kids. Eventually they decided to surrender her, and MAFA stepped in. And I have to say, MAFA really goes above and beyond -- they picked her up in New Jersey, brought her to their vet for <b>spaying, microchipping, vaccine updating</b>, and a <b>check-up</b> and <b>teeth cleaning</b>. Then they delivered her to my house and then paid for some follow up vet visits. For all of this, I paid an adoption fee of only $100. Truly, a great organization! I've decided to make a <a href="http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/help/donate/index.htm">donation</a> to MAFA every year on Audrey's adoptiversary so they can continue doing their great work.</div><div><br />
</div><div>While our first few days together weren't exactly smooth sailing (they said <b>she was housebroken -- she was not</b>), I did quickly get a sense that we were meant to be together. I have been wanting to adopt a dog for more than 10 years -- <b>wishing, hoping, and praying</b> big time. Truly, I was a little obsessed. I wanted a rescue, and I hoped for a little dachshund (or at least a little doxie mix). When my dog-loving boss heard this, she offered to reach out to her contacts at MAFA on my behalf. Lo and behold, they were rescuing a dachshund that week. <b>Fate</b>.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The past year with <b>Audrey the Dog</b> (she ditched the <b>Skittles</b> after about a month -- <b>new life, new name</b>) has brought me more joy than I could imagine.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-InQhIMdUkB8/ThCfhYqFcTI/AAAAAAAAARE/KdP4wTmgDwA/s1600/skittles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-InQhIMdUkB8/ThCfhYqFcTI/AAAAAAAAARE/KdP4wTmgDwA/s320/skittles.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Skittles are candy, not pets. A few friends loved the name, but<br />
I thought she needed a fresh start.<br />
<a href="http://www.adweek.com/">Image credit</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
She makes me laugh every single day, she makes me me see things differently, and she gives unconditional love. And even though I quite like living alone, she is great company in my life. She is so happy to see me when I get home (and the feeling is mutual), and I'm shocked at how absolutely empty my little house feels when she's not here. </div><div><br />
</div><div>And I've learned a lot, so I thought I might share a few lessons about being a doggy mama. Warning, gratuitous Audrey photos ahead!</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>I can put someone else's needs in front of my own.</b><br />
It's not that I haven't done it before, but being a pet owner does require quite a bit of selflessness. When Audrey arrived, I had to work to figure out her schedule. I needed to learn when she wanted to eat, when she needed to go out, and how much she needed to sleep. Of course, she stayed pretty silent on the whole matter so I had to figure out a lot by trial and error. I needed to leave work at a certain time so I could get her home, I needed to take care of her dinner before mine, and I needed to get her out on her walks...even if I was tired, even if it was too hot or too cold. Audrey doesn't like to go out in the rain, so often I hold the umbrella over her while I get soaked. I do it because that's what she needs, and <b>it's my job to take care of her</b>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpTj510VfC4/ThCg__aFVzI/AAAAAAAAARM/arKLGY0SUq4/s1600/IMG_0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpTj510VfC4/ThCg__aFVzI/AAAAAAAAARM/arKLGY0SUq4/s400/IMG_0778.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I need a whole post to showcase the many faces of my little drama queen,<br />
but here is preview.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>Sometimes being very patient is important.</b></div><div>In a lot of ways, Audrey is a real New York dog -- a little bit neurotic, and not always easy to please. I mentioned the housebreaking thing. Actually, Audrey wouldn't even pee outside when she first got here. We'd walk forever and then as soon as we got home, she'd smile and pee on her bed. (OK, she doesn't smile with her lips...it is more in her eyes, but I know she's doing it). I cleaned up a lot of messes, <b>but eventually we figured it out</b>. She has also developed a few behavioral issues (please do me a favor and don't ever ring my doorbell), and I am seeing that while she can eventually learn to act the right way, it won't happen overnight. I need to be consistent with her training, and I need to be patient.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TimaXCp3YM/ThCh9zXibJI/AAAAAAAAARc/FXAbcfkeD9Y/s1600/IMG_1484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TimaXCp3YM/ThCh9zXibJI/AAAAAAAAARc/FXAbcfkeD9Y/s400/IMG_1484.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Love can be a little bit disgusting.</b><br />
I know that being a dog mama isn't at all like having a child, but there are a few useful comparisons. I always wondered if I was cut out for the icky side of child-rearing, and after just a few weeks with Audrey I got my answer. Audrey likes to eat things that she shouldn't, often with messy results. I came home to find <b>Audrey had gotten sick many, many, many times</b>. I'll spare you the details, but the phrase, "oh, shit!" was never more applicable. Audrey was fine, but there was a lot of clean up to do. It was totally disgusting, but I did it without hesitation. Same goes for that night she had projectile diarrhea. It isn't always easy to care for the people we love, but it is nice to know that I can do it when I am called.</div><div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W-WCDktWehA/ThCiquuzsQI/AAAAAAAAARg/L7_KbIC30Hs/s1600/IMG_0659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W-WCDktWehA/ThCiquuzsQI/AAAAAAAAARg/L7_KbIC30Hs/s400/IMG_0659.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This bed is just the right size...for me.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>I can't control everything.</b></div><div>And finally, life with Audrey is a good reminder that no one is perfect, and sometimes people (or little furballs) will do things that I don't want...and I need to be able to roll with the punches. Audrey has a protective streak, and she gets a little angry when she sees other dogs. She demonstrates this anger by screaming, snapping, lunging, and otherwise menacing other pups in the neighborhood. And while <b>I truly wish she would not do this</b>, wishing it isn't enough. I have a similar wish that she <b>wouldn't follow me into the bathroom</b>. I probably should do something about that, but right now I'm picking my battles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RiLd0gV9PFM/ThCkWelUZuI/AAAAAAAAARk/dshhw6wFqWk/s1600/IMG_1302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RiLd0gV9PFM/ThCkWelUZuI/AAAAAAAAARk/dshhw6wFqWk/s400/IMG_1302.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
So Audrey, thanks for a year's worth of good morning hugs and goodnight kisses. Thanks for being such a good playmate and such a good listener. Thanks for licking away my tears, and thanks for entertaining me by running around with a pita chip bag on your head (this happens almost weekly).<br />
<br />
I look forward to many, many happy years with my teeny little pal!</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-83175982135055024862011-07-02T15:08:00.000-04:002011-07-02T15:08:52.003-04:00Halfway check-inI never really thought of <b>June 30</b> as milestone, but a number of my favorite bloggers' recent posts looking back on the first half of the year have got me thinking that this might be a good time for a check-in myself.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CqJceUOKV_Y/Tg9hbZ-r0kI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/CxMhQ6IRats/s1600/june+30+calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CqJceUOKV_Y/Tg9hbZ-r0kI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/CxMhQ6IRats/s320/june+30+calendar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.justcalendar.org/">Image credit</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>2011, Part I</b><br />
<br />
When I started this blog, I mentioned 3 big goals for the year:<br />
<br />
1. I want to run a marathon<br />
2. I want to write a blog<br />
3. I want to stop procrastinating so much<div><br />
</div><div>I have been <b>blogging</b> for almost three months -- woo-hoo! And 3 months in, I have to say <b>I really love it</b>. It is harder than it looks and a LOT more time-consuming, but ultimately so much fun. I have learned a lot about myself and this great blogging community, I have been perpetually inspired, and hopefully I have shared a few things that made others smile, or laugh, or think. I knew that I would be making some life changes this year, and I wanted a blog as a place to collect my thoughts along the way. But a funny thing happened...writing my blog and reading many others have actually inspired a lot of the changes that are happening. Chicken? Egg? I don't know, but I'm loving it!</div><div><br />
</div><div>I definitely haven't fixed my <b>procrastination</b> problem, but I'm not giving up yet. My <b>marathon training</b> is really <b>half marathon training</b> at this point (baby steps!) and it is going slowly. I began the year WANTING to become a runner and train for a race, and I guess my progress report mid-way through 2011 is that I KNOW I can do it. It's not a question of if, it's just a matter of when. That's a nice feeling.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>2011, Part II</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>There are GOOD things coming later this year, I know it. I don't have a lot of details yet, but there are at least 8-12 <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/p/lovely-life-list.html">Lovely Life List</a> items in my sights right now -- by the end of the year, I am going to have a lot of crossing off to do. And that is CRAZY to me. A dozen dreams coming true... I can hardly wait!</div><div><br />
</div><div>And what is even more amazing is that I'll make all of it happen myself. I had goals, I made plans, I dealt with obstacles, and still I kept going. Henry Miller said, "<b>We create our fate every day we live</b>". I'm ready for the fate that I'm creating for myself.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I'll have news about bigger plans soon, but for now I'm excited about tackling this item:</div><div><br />
</div><div><b><i>Learn how to use all of the features of my DSLR and be a photography rock star</i></b></div><div><br />
</div><div>This week I'm starting my <b>Photo 101</b> class courtesy of <a href="http://nicolesclasses.blogspot.com/">Nicole's Classes</a>, and I can't wait! When it comes to photography, I think I have a pretty good eye and I know I have a decent camera, I just need to know how to make both work a little better for me. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnBPTALY7zg/Tg9p_G32kvI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/AbKMY7dId04/s1600/nicoles+classes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnBPTALY7zg/Tg9p_G32kvI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/AbKMY7dId04/s400/nicoles+classes.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>I've never taken any kind of online class before, so I'm kind of intrigued by the whole process. And I am so excited to have better photos -- of my vacations and adventures, of Audrey the Dog, and of course of all things blog-related. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I'm looking forward to a great weekend, and a great rest of 2011! How are you feeling about the year so far? Have you achieved the goals you set out for yourself, and are you excited about the next six months? You guys inspire me all the time, I'd love to hear what you've got planned!</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-34407092481760207992011-06-28T10:00:00.001-04:002011-07-06T22:54:28.186-04:00Shut up and driveA quiet Sunday morning around 9am: the sun is shining, the city is slowly waking up, and I am pacing nervously in my apartment trying to keep busy. My first driving lesson is 30 minutes away. <b>Am I really going to do this?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NU9Gq_CcoSM/TglR7PzIrUI/AAAAAAAAAQw/TiDo81448M8/s1600/IMG_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NU9Gq_CcoSM/TglR7PzIrUI/AAAAAAAAAQw/TiDo81448M8/s400/IMG_0218.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><b><br />
</b><br />
<br />
My lesson was in the back of my mind the whole weekend. I tried to stay positive: This would be fun! This would be an adventure! This would be empowering! And in general, I think I believed most of it. But I had a restless night of sleep on Saturday, so at least part of my brain was struggling.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Still, Sunday came. I distracted myself by debating what to wear. Somehow none of my shoes seemed like good driving shoes: these pinch, those slip off my feet, this heel is too high. A pair of <a href="http://www.tods.com/home.html?region=eu&lang=us&area=1&sound=y&sez=1">Tod's driving loafers </a>would have come in handy. I settled on my hot pink and orange Sauconys, because <b>nothing says serious driver like neon-bright sneakers</b>. My instructor finally called to say he was close, and I headed out the door. I tried to psych myself up: I am smart, I am capable, I can do anything. Britney Spears can drive a car. The kid who ate paste in 3rd grade can drive a car. 15-year-old kids in South Carolina can drive cars. By the time I saw my dorky Student Driver car parked out front, I was ready and I thought, "yeah, I'm gonna do this!". And then my instructor motioned for me to get in the driver's seat. <b>I have to drive right now?!</b><br />
<br />
Crap.<br />
<br />
But somehow, suddenly I was cruising down Atlantic Avenue, turning on to Court Street, dodging pedestrians on Pacific. I don't really have any plans to drive in New York City, so in my head I thought somehow we'd start of somewhere more...suburban. But I guess most NYers who want to learn to drive need to learn how to navigate the mean city streets, so the training wheels come off right away.<br />
<br />
The lesson was pretty uneventful, which I guess is a good thing. I drove, I made turns, I saw my neighborhood from a whole different perspective. <b>I parallel parked a few times and silently thanked the driving gods that I already had passed a road test and would not need to perform this act on command</b>. I drove down INCREDIBLY narrow streets lined with cars on either side, and thankfully I did not relieve any of those cars of their side mirrors. I get the feeling that this driving school likes throwing people into the deep end, because suddenly my instructor was saying, "Signal right and now you're going to get onto the BQE..."<br />
 <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9cZ8iXlVV7w/TglTe2MClzI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/Ih6Pan_XodA/s1600/bqe+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9cZ8iXlVV7w/TglTe2MClzI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/Ih6Pan_XodA/s320/bqe+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>A lovely sign for a lovely road</em><br />
<em><a href="http://www.dailynews.com/">Image source</a></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Crap. CRAP!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Zhaz-jxvE8/TgkclZEgLmI/AAAAAAAAAQk/BoedwtkWrhc/s1600/amd_bridge-traffic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Zhaz-jxvE8/TgkclZEgLmI/AAAAAAAAAQk/BoedwtkWrhc/s320/amd_bridge-traffic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Beep beep! Nervous driver, coming through<br />
<a href="http://www.dailynews.com/">Image credit</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>For non-New Yorkers, the <b>BQE</b> (Brooklyn-Queens Expressway) is a narrow, winding, pothole-laden, speedy stretch of highway connecting the two boroughs. Even at 10 o'clock on a Sunday morning it was jammed, and I was very happy to stay in my little lane and then get off at the very next exit. But I did it! And I probably gave my fellow motorists a good chuckle. My Student Driver car <u>was</u> pretty dorky.<br />
<br />
And then it was over. I pulled up in front of my apartment, said goodbye to my instructor, and watched him pull away. I am not a perfect driver yet -- I do need to learn how to change lanes at a speed great than 5mph, that is true -- but I am a driver. It's a start.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-57878718551108530182011-06-26T21:40:00.001-04:002011-07-06T22:55:02.208-04:00The end of excusesYesterday I decided it was time to get back on track training-wise. I thought it would be easier to get into a schedule once I got back from vacation, but no. There's always an excuse -- it's incredibly hot, I got stuck at the office late, I wanted to sleep in, a last-minute invite to something more fun than working out -- <b>but I know what excuses do for helping me reach my goals: absolutely nothing</b>. I'm remembering why I was such a hard ass on myself once upon a time -- if left to my own devices, I can be quite a slacker!<br />
<br />
After letting almost the whole day go by (and seeing my evening plans fizzle out), I finally got my act together around 7:30 and laced up the sneakers. It was a really lovely evening -- the heat of the day had dissipated, leaving a still-bright sun and a nice warm breeze. I set out for Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is starting to feel comfortably familiar. I don't think this view will ever get old:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5b38nifbvVo/TgfcIt7HyJI/AAAAAAAAAQg/iASmHrZadBg/s1600/bbp+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5b38nifbvVo/TgfcIt7HyJI/AAAAAAAAAQg/iASmHrZadBg/s400/bbp+sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One day I will take a not-crooked Hipstamatic photo</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a name='more'></a>Technology was not my friend for this workout. I found my Garmin completely dead when I was ready to leave, so it stayed behind. I gave myself an hour goal, which I stuck to, but I really wish I knew how much distance I covered and what pace I was keeping. I have a competitive nature, and the <b>motivation of trying to beat myself each time and see improvement in black and white would really help</b>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71KJQsVHxVg/TgfUsqcSqgI/AAAAAAAAAQc/YqC4mYDMQq4/s1600/garmin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71KJQsVHxVg/TgfUsqcSqgI/AAAAAAAAAQc/YqC4mYDMQq4/s200/garmin.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I know there are much sleeker GPS watches out there, but<br />
I think this one has a charming </i>jolie laide<i> quality</i><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-Receiver-Heart-Monitor/dp/B000CSWCQA" style="font-style: italic;">Garmin Forerunner 305</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>My iPod also died at about the halfway mark. I am definitely a "needs music to workout" kind of girl, so this was a real bummer. Also, I learned that <b>an iPod with a drained battery weighs at least 10x more than one that plays music</b>. Seriously, the minute it died it felt like a big anchor weighing me down.<br />
<br />
Luckily, people around me were able to provide some entertainment. Along the way, I saw the following:<br />
<br />
- A <b>60+ year old man zooming past me</b>; a good reminder that age is just a number, and that if you take care of your body it will take care of you.<br />
- Two girls running side by side, who would raise their arms up every so often. At first I thought they were doing some kind of stretch, but as I got closer I realized they were <b>practicing their poses for crossing the finish line</b>. Made me smile.<br />
- A stretch limo parked in DUMBO, with various members of a <b>wedding party</b> strolling about. This is the first year of my adult life where I didn't have a summer wedding to go to, and I was kind of wishing for one. My <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/2011/06/thing-i-should-do-more-give-compliments.html">favorite green summer wedding dress</a> needs some action!<br />
<br />
Before I knew it I was home, sweaty and happy. I had a quick dinner and snuggled on the couch with Audrey, flipping through the channels and <b>trying to keep my mind off what was on the agenda for the next day</b>. Sunday morning: driving lessons!<br />
<br />
Full recap to come tomorrow, but....I did it! And it wasn't at all terrible. I'll definitely need a bit more practice, but I am excited because I know I will have another <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/p/lovely-life-list.html">Lovely Life List</a> item to cross off soon!Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-60156557900038217612011-06-25T16:20:00.001-04:002011-07-06T22:56:25.292-04:00Cars, too<i>Do one thing every day that scares you.</i><br />
<i> -</i>Eleanor Roosevelt<br />
<br />
That's a great quote, and one I think of a lot when I'm trying to take on new things. Trying to achieve this daily seems like a bit of a stretch to me, though when I think about daily life during Eleanor Roosevelt's time, maybe it wasn't so hard. I mean, what was hair removal like back then? Probably frightening.<br />
<br />
Yesterday I did something that was quite scary: <b>I signed myself up for driving lessons</b>. Well, just one lesson -- but with any luck there will be more to follow.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z3I0f-3o6-E/TgY4CeYBrGI/AAAAAAAAAQU/163O-Hc6O7o/s1600/open+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z3I0f-3o6-E/TgY4CeYBrGI/AAAAAAAAAQU/163O-Hc6O7o/s400/open+road.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Source unkown</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a name='more'></a>I am probably not the typical driving school student. I actually have my driver's license. I passed my road test more than 10 years ago, and even though I have barely driven since then, the state of New York believes that I am totally capable of operating a 2,000 lb. motor vehicle.<br />
<br />
I am not.<br />
<br />
I have totally forgotten everything. I have a vague recollection that the gas is on the right (it is, yes?), and that's about it. But it is time to change that.<br />
<br />
Why don't I drive? Well, there was a car accident right before college. It was terrible and life-changing, and<b> it was the excuse I used to stop driving, but it wasn't the reason</b>. At that age I really didn't wanted to drive, and it was a relief to be able to stop. I had seen friends get their licenses and start doing really stupid things behind the wheel. And learning to drive was mostly miserable. My mom tried to teach me in her Nissan Sentra with a manual transmission (not a great experience). I was dragged to Driver's Ed because all my friends were signing up, and I spent Saturday mornings in a car with an extremely unpleasant instructor (terrible experience; I don't wish bad things on people, but if that woman ended up with anal warts I would not shed a tear).<br />
<br />
Eventually the bad lessons were over and I managed a decent enough 3-point turn and parallel park to earn my license. But still, I wasn't excited. What I see now is that <b>I just don't think I was ready to drive</b>. While plenty of kids are ready at 16 or 17, I think I was meant to be a bit of a late bloomer and probably should have waited until I was a little older. <b>My gut was trying to tell me something, but I wasn't ready to listen</b>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VTYMfVQQBqw/TgY9ZpZ8FtI/AAAAAAAAAQY/BpTP8ihNY4I/s1600/justify-paying-absurd-rent-somewhat-topical-ecard-someecards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VTYMfVQQBqw/TgY9ZpZ8FtI/AAAAAAAAAQY/BpTP8ihNY4I/s400/justify-paying-absurd-rent-somewhat-topical-ecard-someecards.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sounds like a good excuse to me!</i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.someecards.com/">Source</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I always thought that eventually I would start driving again, but up until now I have managed to be car-free. I've spent my adult life living in <b>Boston</b> and <b>New York City</b> where it is actually kind of an advantage to not be saddled with a car. And even though I travel a lot for work, I've found ways around getting behind the wheel. So I haven't driven...until now.<br />
<br />
There are a couple of things that brought me to this point:<br />
<br />
1. Even though I feel comfortable with the reasons I don't drive, <b>I don't like to tell people that I don't drive</b>. I feel self-conscious about it. I don't want to feel that way.<br />
2. Re-learning to drive is on my <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/p/lovely-life-list.html">Lovely Life List</a>. So I have to do it.<br />
3. There's an opportunity that I'm pursuing that would have me living outside of NYC for a little while. In a city without much public transportation. <b>So if I want to do this, I'm going to have to unleash my inner road warrior</b>.<br />
<br />
I found a driving school that has AMAZINGLY great reviews, and I feel good about trying this again with a qualified instructor. And even though there is a little part of me that feels <strike>terrified</strike> nervous, I am mostly excited. Regardless of whether I hate it or love it, tomorrow I will be a driver again.<br />
<br />
My gut approves.<br />
<br />
PS -- To future blog readers who come across this post in the archive -- you should know I posted this on the same weekend that Pixar's <i>Cars 2</i> movie opened. The title is both timely and clever, and if that doesn't translate in the year 2019, I'm sorry.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-60722715047934374682011-06-22T22:34:00.003-04:002011-07-06T22:58:22.880-04:00Suddenly, this summerI was pretty excited to wake up yesterday morning and take in the <b>first day of summer</b>.<br />
<br />
Summer!<br />
<br />
It's my favorite season, I just love saying it. True, it has felt like summer for the past few weeks in NYC. And true, as a regular 9-5 working girl I'm hardly able to kick back and take off entirely for the summer. But still, I find this particular season incredibly appealing. Long, lazy dinners at outdoor cafes, weekend BBQs and pool parties with friends, frothy and fruity adult beverages, and so much sunshine every day. Everyone is just a little bit more relaxed...aaah.<br />
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There's also something about the start of a new season that feels like a clean slate, full of new opportunities. I want to enjoy every minute, so I thought I'd take a minute to lay out some of my goals for this summer (this is totally original, I'm sure you haven't seen ANY other posts like this).<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Great summer vacation</u></b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JYzx1-9skfE/TgKftyySpsI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/W_4bo8h2stA/s1600/IMG_1260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JYzx1-9skfE/TgKftyySpsI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/W_4bo8h2stA/s400/IMG_1260.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<a name='more'></a>Check! <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-i-spent-my-summer-vacation.html">A week in Walt Disney World</a> -- textbook definition of a great vacation (well, in my textbook at least!). True, I was in Italy last year...but this year I got the Italy Pavilion of the World Showcase. Almost the same.<br />
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It is kind of nice to have the big vacation come at the start of the summer...gives me time to plan a nice little weekend getaway later in the season.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Running</u></span></b><br />
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Yes, I plan to do this...hopefully multiple times! I still haven't quite figured out what my goals are in this area. I'm going to look for a 5K to sign up for and maybe work backwards from there. I feel like my progress has been a bit slow. I am fine with my tortoise status in life, but I would like to enter a race with some confidence that I won't come in last.<br />
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Also, this summer is going to teach me to be a super early bird -- not at all excited about running in the heat.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Shaking things up at work</u></span></b><br />
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I think I've alluded to the fact that I have <b>very low job satisfaction</b> right now, and I know I need to do something about that. I spent most of the winter and spring searching for and applying to a variety of jobs, but nothing materialized. I was probably a little extra picky, but I think I deserve to be (and I know this is a terrible economy, I know)...I have really never felt totally fulfilled by a job, and I think it is time. I am happy to work hard -- in fact, I would LOVE to find a job where I could work hard 10+ hours a day doing something that I really enjoy. But so far, I have not found that right opportunity.<br />
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So this summer I feel like I need to make SOME sort of move. I have a few ideas, so it is time to test the waters and see what happens. Maybe I can stay at my current job and find a way to make it more bearable; or maybe it is just time to leave. But I'm setting a deadline of Labor Day for myself to decide. <b>I don't want to start another season feeling stuck and unhappy.</b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Life Listing</u></span></b><br />
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I'd love to tackle a few more <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/p/lovely-life-list.html">Lovely Life List</a> items this summer...because that will be fun! There are a few things, like seeing a <b>movie on the lawn at Bryant Park</b> and <b>getting tickets to Shakespeare in the Park</b>, that are obvious targets -- if not now, I'll need to wait another year. But I'm open to a grabbing a few more. Maybe I'll be <b>snapped by Bill Cunningham</b>, or take a <b>ride on that unicorn</b>...<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>...???</u></span></b><br />
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Last but not least, I am hoping for more than a few fun surprises this summer. Because this is the season of going with the flow, so I can't schedule everything. And on the very first day of summer, I got my first surprise!<br />
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I was walking down Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights on my way to get something to eat and I heard a rumble in the sky. Brooklynites are pretty well-trained, we know fireworks when we hear them. Everyone on the street stopped, looked at each other...and took off running. To the Promenade!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ORNKHsCA8H4/TgKSQcD_BtI/AAAAAAAAAQM/xun1kQ767tw/s1600/First+Day+of+Summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ORNKHsCA8H4/TgKSQcD_BtI/AAAAAAAAAQM/xun1kQ767tw/s400/First+Day+of+Summer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bad camera phone photo -- sorry, can't always be prepared for a surprise!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I got to see a fantastic fireworks display in the company of a few of my lovely neighbors -- just the right amount of crowd to make it fun, but small enough that I still had a perfect view.<br />
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<b>Such a great start to the summer -- can't wait to see what happens next!</b>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-64679591239228890262011-06-21T20:56:00.002-04:002011-07-06T22:57:02.624-04:00Web roundupI spend <strike>a fair amount of time</strike> hours and hours and hours surfing the interwebz, and there isn't a day that goes by where I'm not inspired by looking at sites that are lovely/hilarious/amazing. But don't worry, I'm not selfish -- I am happy to share a few sites that have been keeping me entertained this week.<br />
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<a href="http://www.dearphotograph.com/"><b>Dear Photograph</b></a><br />
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Definitely the darling blog of the web this week, <b>Dear Photograph</b> encourages people to "<b>take a picture of a picture from the past in the present</b>". Got that?<br />
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Looks something like this:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dearphotograph.com/photo/1280/6703273530/1/tumblr_ln27x26iFU1qcuqzs" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://dearphotograph.com/photo/1280/6703273530/1/tumblr_ln27x26iFU1qcuqzs" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><b>Dear Photograph,<br />
We had nothing, but you gave me everything. Thank you for your<br />
never ending love. I love you Dad<br />
@okfollowheather</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a name='more'></a>This blog features photos that readers have sent in -- people take their favorite/most memorable/most poignant photos back to the locations where the photos were taken, and then photograph themselves holding up the photo in that space. The results are sweet and funny, offering a way to pay homage to the past while acknowledging that time continues to march on. I would love to try this myself, there are quite a few favorite places from my childhood that I would LOVE to see again.<br />
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<a href="http://mydaguerreotypeboyfriend.tumblr.com/"><b>My Daguerreotype Boyfriend</b></a><br />
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Again, I'm going to let the blog tagline speak for itself: "<b>Where early photography meets extreme hotness</b>". Indeed!<br />
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I have to say, as an art history student I looked at my fair share of daguerreotypes and I never saw many lookers, but I guess I wasn't looking in the right places! <b>Who knew our forefathers were such smoking hotties?</b><br />
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This site does make me stop to wonder, "were these men considered handsome at the time, or did women find other characteristics more appealing?" But I don't think <u>too</u> hard...I mostly just look at the pictures of yummy men. Here's a popular one of Almanzo Wilder (aka Mr. Laura Ingalls Wilder).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gk9yzsyg4OE/TgE3-2ZJYyI/AAAAAAAAAQE/PrMrCiINHeM/s1600/alonzo+wilder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gk9yzsyg4OE/TgE3-2ZJYyI/AAAAAAAAAQE/PrMrCiINHeM/s400/alonzo+wilder.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I'd like to cuddle with him in a little house in the big woods...</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://nutropolitan.tumblr.com/"><b>The Nutropolitan Museum of Art</b></a><br />
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Finally, a museum devoted to peanut butter. Isn't it about time?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KznfHbgm6NQ/TgE5hbKJrzI/AAAAAAAAAQI/S_CXPq73mBo/s1600/pbco+cherry+sandwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KznfHbgm6NQ/TgE5hbKJrzI/AAAAAAAAAQI/S_CXPq73mBo/s400/pbco+cherry+sandwich.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dark Chocolate Dreams peanut butter, cherries, cherry preserves, and shredded coconut --<br />
this needs to git in mah belly ASAP</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>This is a virtual museum that features photos and recipes for a variety of peanut butter-based treats. The site is the brain child of <a href="http://www.ilovepeanutbutter.com/">Peanut Butter and Co.</a>, makers of the BEST gourmet peanut butter in the world. If you haven't tried this delicacy, you must. You can find it at many major supermarkets all over the country, or you can make a trip to New York City and visit their adorable little sandwich shop in the West Village. Actually, a visit to their shop should be on your to-do list anyway -- it is like <b>peanut butter mecca</b>!<br />
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This site will definitely make you hungry, and might also inspire your next peanut buttery meal!<br />
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There are a few of the sites feeding my web addiction lately...<b>what sites are you loving right now</b>?Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-32619882255310831712011-06-19T21:46:00.002-04:002011-06-21T19:53:51.895-04:00Lovely Life List: Lip serviceThis week I've spent a little bit of time working on a small corner of my <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/p/lovely-life-list.html">Life List</a>: finding a <b>great lipstick shade</b>.<br />
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I have a drawer full of lipsticks that are all fine, but I have yet to find that one great shade that goes with everything and makes me feel perfectly polished. Seems like a good thing to have in one's makeup bag, right?<br />
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There are a few criteria that I identified to help me narrow down my search:<br />
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- I want something in the <b>pink</b> family; plum colors are too dramatic for my coloring for every day and reds are too high-maintenance<br />
- I want something <b>creamy</b> or <b>matte</b>. No glitter, no shimmer.<br />
- I'd prefer a <b>drugstore brand</b>. If I find something I love I'll probably want to have an extra tube or two around, and spending $75 at Sephora on three tubes of lipstick does not excite me; it would also be handy to be able to replace a tube easily when I run out or if I'm traveling.<br />
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I ended up with 3 finalists:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a6oimBCk2eg/Tf6ehQ1-e1I/AAAAAAAAAQA/1VzjK1XKo5s/s1600/fairytale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a6oimBCk2eg/Tf6ehQ1-e1I/AAAAAAAAAQA/1VzjK1XKo5s/s1600/fairytale.jpg" /></a></div><b>Fairytale</b>, <a href="http://www.covergirl.com/">CoverGirl</a> -- this was a suggestion by a commenter on a fun makeup post over at <a href="http://makingitlovely.com/2011/05/24/my-five-minute-face/">Making it Lovely</a>. It is a lot brighter than I am used to (and quite a bit brighter than this photo indicates), but I thought it wouldn't hurt to try something different. Probably a little too bold for me during the day, but I think this will be great with a black dress at night.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lRYH_jsPkq0/Tf6ehJrtf-I/AAAAAAAAAP8/iwfpk-7byKk/s1600/darling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lRYH_jsPkq0/Tf6ehJrtf-I/AAAAAAAAAP8/iwfpk-7byKk/s200/darling.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<b>Darling</b>, <a href="http://www.covergirl.com/">CoverGirl</a> -- I spotted this one while I was looking for Fairytale and was immediately drawn to it -- much more my speed. I LOVED the color in the tube, but I didn't love it as much on my lips. Funny how that happens...but hooray for reasonable return policies!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4gBA1LIi6yU/Tf6ehPO8zxI/AAAAAAAAAP4/C5V-WQASfMU/s1600/7702_220px_a_100006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4gBA1LIi6yU/Tf6ehPO8zxI/AAAAAAAAAP4/C5V-WQASfMU/s200/7702_220px_a_100006.jpg" width="103" /></a></div><br />
<b>Classy</b>, <a href="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/"><i>e.l.f</i>. </a>-- I grabbed this one on a whim. I could barely make out the color in the packaging, but when I saw the price ($1), I threw it in the cart. Guess what -- <b>this is my favorite</b>! It looks natural but pretty, feels nice and creamy, and has decent staying power. And I can pay for it with the change on the bottom of my purse.<br />
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So, I have <b>one-third of one more item crossed off my list</b>. A baby step of progress, but I'll take it!<br />
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And while we're on the subject of makeup, two videos to share. First, one of my favorite YouTube makeup gurus, the adorable <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/MichellePhan?blend=1&ob=5">Michelle Phan</a>. Do you watch her videos? She's super talented and getting to be super famous. She started doing tutorials on YouTube and now she's everywhere: she's in Vogue, she's working with Lancome...but she's still sharing her tutorials with us for free! I have learned SO much, and I feel empowered to try new things. Here is her video for the fancy eyes I wore last New Year's Eve:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/plV8PK5w2Jg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Of course, success breeds copycats...but this one is pretty adorable. 5 year old Madison is a modern girly-girl in the digital world, and she knows what she's talking about. And she gives my favorite makeup advice ever: "It's OK if you mess up!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/N5VBYrNU6wc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Also, I have that Pink Please lipstick -- she has good taste!<br />
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If you have a favorite lip product, let me know! I I love taking a peek in other people's makeup bags.</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-66130270941836881852011-06-18T13:08:00.003-04:002011-06-21T19:52:41.551-04:00Summer FridayYesterday was my first official <b>Summer Friday</b> -- hands in the air for the Friday dance!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbDcKu1ixNY/Tfwfv1DRglI/AAAAAAAAAPc/otm9QKB5VqE/s1600/friday+dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbDcKu1ixNY/Tfwfv1DRglI/AAAAAAAAAPc/otm9QKB5VqE/s320/friday+dance.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com/">Image source</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Do you know about the wonder that is Summer Friday? It goes like this: in an effort to <b>help employees get a head start on weekend plans (i.e. drive out to the Hamptons)</b>, companies allow employees to leave the office early. Every company has a slightly different arrangement, but ours is pretty simple. We can leave at 3pm, provided our work is done. There has to be someone in each department who stays the full day to provide coverage, but for me that means I only have to stay every 3rd or 4th Friday. Not bad!<br />
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I had hoped to use this time to meet up with a friend for a drink (feel like I've been so out of the loop with my girlfriends lately), but everyone was either working or, in fact, headed out of town this afternoon. I decided to spend the afternoon focused on two things I love: <b>shopping and eating</b>!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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This will be boring for non-NYers, but there is a section of the UWS (my old hood) that has become a bit of haven for <b>shiny new retail establishments</b>, particularly big-box stores not typically found in Manhattan. A rash of condo development paved the way as huge new ground floor locations offered space normally not found in the city. This area (Columbus btw 96th and 100th) is a little out of the way, but I'd been wanting to check it out, particularly because of the recent opening of Manhattan's first <a href="http://www.homegoods.com/">HomeGoods</a>.<br />
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You love HomeGoods as much as I do, right? I am actually a fairly recent convert, but I am making up for lost time. It is not unusual for me to be pushing two carts loaded with goodies.<br />
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A massive thunderstorm kind of put a damper on my outing (I'd go in a store while the sun was out, come out and be pelted by apocalyptic hail), but I eventually made it to my primary destination.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6lXvlnSZf8A/TfzDVIPETmI/AAAAAAAAAPk/SYsNHqOiuP4/s1600/HomeGoods-Manhattan-Exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6lXvlnSZf8A/TfzDVIPETmI/AAAAAAAAAPk/SYsNHqOiuP4/s400/HomeGoods-Manhattan-Exterior.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://blogs.glam.com/glamnest/">Image source</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>First thought: kinda small.<br />
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NYC stores are always a little weird. With so little space, they are often <b>ridiculously cramped or spread out on multiple tiny floors</b>. The upper level of this store was almost like a boutique. I've been in bigger GAP stores. But luckily I spotted an escalator, which I learned led to a much bigger lower level.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5zdkhPMOU64/Tfwgu-sXhbI/AAAAAAAAAPg/ln-C96OLcdw/s1600/Nate%252BBerkus%252BHomeGoods%252BCelebrates%252BGrand%252BOpening%252BIpGVXKJjxSbl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5zdkhPMOU64/Tfwgu-sXhbI/AAAAAAAAAPg/ln-C96OLcdw/s400/Nate%252BBerkus%252BHomeGoods%252BCelebrates%252BGrand%252BOpening%252BIpGVXKJjxSbl.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>UWS Home Goods is Nate approved!<br />
<a href="http://www.zimbio.com/">Image source</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>For my first experience, I would give this store a 'B'. Didn't have the selection of goods as the suburban locations, and certainly not in the same quantities...but I managed to find a couple of must-haves for my cart:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8RNc6I5H-8/TfzaFHfbm9I/AAAAAAAAAPw/qBdEpOyBOgk/s1600/DSCF1059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8RNc6I5H-8/TfzaFHfbm9I/AAAAAAAAAPw/qBdEpOyBOgk/s320/DSCF1059.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This is my <b>favorite</b> -- spotted it from 50 paces away and made a beeline for it. I would have bought more if they had them!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GRkHmyMgW4w/TfzaPbFXjbI/AAAAAAAAAP0/iDAmku0-BI0/s1600/DSCF1066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GRkHmyMgW4w/TfzaPbFXjbI/AAAAAAAAAP0/iDAmku0-BI0/s320/DSCF1066.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>My new accessories are in place in my place and they look great. Maybe I'll do a little house tour soon (I do have a little house!).<br />
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My second stop this afternoon was <a href="http://www.wholefoods.com/">Whole Foods</a>. I love me some Whole Foods, but I don't shop there much anymore (<a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/">Trader Joe's</a> is two blocks away and much more wallet-friendly). I really wanted to check out this new store, so I decided to splurge on some of my WF faves.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZMWhQa5-Kg/TfzGR5aVLxI/AAAAAAAAAPo/AJa7cZOW9wI/s1600/wholefoods2-480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZMWhQa5-Kg/TfzGR5aVLxI/AAAAAAAAAPo/AJa7cZOW9wI/s400/wholefoods2-480.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/">Image credit</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>When it comes to Whole Foods, I am a sucker for the prepared foods. I went right for the chicken salad and bought a couple of mini whole grain rolls to put it on. I don't know why, but this is one of my favorite comfort dinners. Apparently when I kick back, <b>I like pretend I'm at a baby shower</b>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bdwt20WNn_Q/TfzZ66G9YnI/AAAAAAAAAPs/enFJBX_72WY/s1600/DSCF1052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bdwt20WNn_Q/TfzZ66G9YnI/AAAAAAAAAPs/enFJBX_72WY/s320/DSCF1052.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Too lazy to get out the big camera. Not a food blogger, clearly.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I picked up a few other goodies like <b>roast turkey, potatoes, and pita chips</b>. I also grabbed a WF granola bar in the bakery section -- just like homemade and SO good (no pic because I nom nom nom'd it right away) and headed to the check out.<br />
<br />
And then I remembered why I don't shop at Whole Foods a lot.<br />
<br />
$35 for a half-full bag. I think I'll stick with my friend Trader Joe for my regular shopping trips. Congrats though, UWS: your Whole Foods is lovely!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-16fzONO4GE8/TfwamA9K0AI/AAAAAAAAAPU/xjU2ZdBCUiw/s1600/trader+joes+whole+paycheck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-16fzONO4GE8/TfwamA9K0AI/AAAAAAAAAPU/xjU2ZdBCUiw/s320/trader+joes+whole+paycheck.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://debugmybrain.blogspot.com/2011/05/trader-joes.html">Image source</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I managed to get back to Brooklyn as the crazy weather started to subside. I came home and found this photo on Twitter:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGmHjljCVUI/Tfwdfpp63vI/AAAAAAAAAPY/5ENDvSWSLpA/s1600/nyc+over+the+rainbow+isardasorenson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGmHjljCVUI/Tfwdfpp63vI/AAAAAAAAAPY/5ENDvSWSLpA/s400/nyc+over+the+rainbow+isardasorenson.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://twitpic.com/5czemg">Image credit</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Friday night with some good grub and a good pup. Indeed, there's no place like home.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-5976661505363314392011-06-16T22:28:00.002-04:002011-06-21T19:51:51.054-04:00Thing I should do more: give complimentsI've been thinking a bit about compliments, thanks to a <a href="http://whatiwore.tumblr.com/post/5999621208/your-style">great post</a> by Jessica at <a href="http://whatiwore.tumblr.com/">What I Wore</a>. She asked about the <b>best compliment you've ever received on your personal style</b>, which led to a fun discussion in the comments.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nl61MlkwVzk/Tfqv2qlswWI/AAAAAAAAAPI/bdjEnWIUk0g/s1600/you+look+lovely.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nl61MlkwVzk/Tfqv2qlswWI/AAAAAAAAAPI/bdjEnWIUk0g/s400/you+look+lovely.png" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.keepcalmgallery.com/prints/hllovely.htm">Image credit</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
One thing everyone could agree on is that it is <b>SO GREAT to receive a compliment</b>, whether from a loved one a complete stranger (and in some ways, a compliment from a complete stranger is an even better ego boost). This got me to thinking about compliments in my life, both given and received.<br />
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I try to have fun with my wardrobe, and over the years I have collected quite a few compliments on my clothes, accessories, shoes, etc. I have a favorite ring that I wear all the time, and I get at least one comment every single wearing. I am always flattered by these kinds of compliments -- I dress for myself, but I am pleased to know that others notice.<br />
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I've felt a little more conflicted about compliments about my weight or my body. When you lose weight, it is inevitable that people will comment. Most of them are kind (and a nice reward for the hard work), but sometimes things can get a little uncomfortable. <b>Let's face it: some people have no tact</b>.<br />
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But all in all, I think compliments are muy bueno -- <b>one of the great small pleasures in life</b>.<br />
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When it comes to compliments, I think there are two important lessons to learn:<br />
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<b>How to GIVE a compliment...</b><br />
It doesn't have to be elaborate or complicated, it just has to <b>come from the heart</b>. A few simple words are all it takes to make someone's day and put an extra spring in their step (though if you are particularly witty or eloquent, you'll be sure to be remembered). I'm going to make an extra effort to give more compliments to people in my life, be they friend or stranger. <b>Sincere praise is so powerful...and it is totally free!</b><br />
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<b>How to RECEIVE a compliment...</b><br />
For a lot of people, this is MUCH harder. We feel uncomfortable. We don't believe we deserve it. We think we aren't really that great. Guess what? <b>We ARE</b>.<br />
<br />
One of the best things you can do for yourself is learn to accept a compliment. <b>Don't deflect it, don't take the wind out of it -- just say "thank you"</b>. If you really feel like going crazy, you could elaborate: "Thanks, that means a lot!" or "Wow, that made my day!". If you protest too much, everyone feels uncomfortable. But with a simple "thanks", everyone wins!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RFszvv9wMKc/Tfq5ktTEOsI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/vX3BvE5xsr0/s1600/look-great-old-thought-birthday-ecard-someecards.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RFszvv9wMKc/Tfq5ktTEOsI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/vX3BvE5xsr0/s400/look-great-old-thought-birthday-ecard-someecards.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>See, compliments are easy!<br />
<a href="http://www.someecards.com/">Image credit</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>So, what do you think about compliments -- if you've given or received a good one lately, <u>let me know</u>!</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
I'll share the one I posted in the comments of the <a href="http://www.whatiwore.tumblr.com/">What I Wore</a> post -- it's one that has always stuck with me in a good way:<br />
<blockquote>"<i>I was walking home to a fairly new apartment and I took a shortcut through a slightly questionable block. I was coming from a summer wedding and wearing my favorite green dress and gold heels, and I came upon a group of guys hanging around on the street corner (one of them may have been peeing against a wall, but that's not important). As I approached I expected some sort of crude or obnoxious comment, so I steeled myself and kept walking. The biggest guy looked at me and said, "Hello...I didn't know we had America's Next Top Model in the hood!"</i></blockquote><b>Totally made my day. </b>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-91186704485003260152011-06-15T14:14:00.002-04:002011-06-21T20:02:32.472-04:00Just keep swimming, just keep swimming<i>You know what you gotta do when life gets you down?<br />
Just keep swimming</i><br />
<i>Just keep swimming</i><br />
<div> -Dory the Fish<br />
<br />
OK, so I <i>almost</i> have the Disney thing out of my system...<br />
<br />
This happened on Monday, but it was still on my mind this morning. Monday morning started off in the <b>usual fashion</b>: oversleep, rush around, curse, knock something breakable over, forget one of my gadgets, run out the door with sweat on my brow. It's fun, really. It must be because I do it almost every. single. day.<br />
<br />
I was supposed to make something for lunch before I left, but that definitely didn't happen so I figured I would grab a salad near work. There are quite a few pick-your-own-ingredient salad bar type places near my office, so not a bad option for a quick and healthy lunch.<br />
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And then lunchtime rolls around and <b>my desire for salad goes right out the window</b>. I didn't feel like it, I wasn't in the mood, a client was mean to me, blah, blah, blah. Who knows why, my brain is full of excuses. I started thinking about other options, and I decided I was in the mood for Chipotle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chipotle.com/en-us/assets/images/menu/menu_burrito_bowl.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://www.chipotle.com/en-us/assets/images/menu/menu_burrito_bowl.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Guacamole and DREAMS. No wonder I can't stay away...<br />
<a href="http://www.chipotle.com/">Photo credit</a></i></td></tr>
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I started walking in the direction of my favorite Chipotle (there are three within walking distance -- thanks, midtown!) but halfway down the street, I just stopped.<br />
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Why do I sabotage myself like this?<br />
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I'd had a plan for a healthy and tasty lunch, and I was ready to ditch it on a whim for fast food. True, Chipotle is pretty good as far as fast food goes, but I always end up eating lots of white rice and too many chips -- exactly the kinds of things I'm trying to stay away from. And sure it would taste good, but <b>would it taste THAT much better than the salad I was planning</b>? No, probably not. Chipotle was not the <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/2011/04/motivation-good-better-best.html">best</a> choice, so <b>what was I doing</b>?<br />
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I turned around and headed in the other direction to my favorite salad place. That's the good news!<br />
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The bad news: <b>the salad I ended up getting totally SUCKED</b>! Ugh. I thought I would get rewarded for making the right choice, but I guess the universe isn't always about keeping score like that.<br />
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I tried to take a picture of the sad salad, but I don't think this photo does it justice. It really looked (and tasted) a lot worse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oETxmo88XP0/Tfg2JnV--XI/AAAAAAAAAPA/_vOZWDKnNFw/s1600/salad+fail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oETxmo88XP0/Tfg2JnV--XI/AAAAAAAAAPA/_vOZWDKnNFw/s320/salad+fail.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lunch FAIL</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I had wanted a chicken Caesar salad but they were out of grilled chicken (this is why you shouldn't wait until 2pm for lunch) -- that was the first problem. I saw the roast turkey and decided to go with a Cobb-type salad, and I think this was the fatal blow. When it came time to add avocado, my salad maker reached a spoon into a murky green soup and <b>pulled out some watery avocado chunks and about a quart of slimy water and dumped it in my salad</b>. I had hoped it wouldn't be that noticeable, but when I sat down to take a bite I realized I had a soggy mess in a bowl. Everything was covered with a slight green ooze. Blech, I'm dry heaving just thinking about it. Seriously, how hard is it to slice a <b>fresh avocado</b> people?<br />
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I managed about three bites and then just gave in. Nine bucks, in the trash. I also didn't really have the time to grab anything else, so I was just stuck with this total bust of a lunch.<br />
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I started down a Sliding Doors-line of thinking: What would have happened if I'd gone to Chipotle? Would I have been happier? Would I have stepped into the road and been hit by a runaway taxi? Would I have chopped my hair into a blonde pixie cut and met a cute British dude?... but then <b>I just let it go</b>. I stuck to my plan, I did the right thing, and it just didn't work out. It isn't a sign, it isn't the universe telling me something, it just happened. <strong>I can't let it get to me, I have to just keep swimming, just keep swimming</strong>.<br />
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Around 3:30 my tummy did start to grumble, so I grabbed my favorite dirty deli snack:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RW8P5w_iu70/Tfg4DvTqIaI/AAAAAAAAAPE/Vfb_kvYVi3I/s1600/pretzel+snack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RW8P5w_iu70/Tfg4DvTqIaI/AAAAAAAAAPE/Vfb_kvYVi3I/s200/pretzel+snack.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
String cheese and sesame sticks -- yum! The pretzels were a little carb-ier than I'd like, but all things considered it was a good choice. And so filling! I got home from work fairly early, and I was able to get tons done before I even started to think about dinner.<br />
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This morning I managed to drag myself out of bed in time to prep some lunches for the rest of the week. I'm definitely off deli salads for a while...<br />
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</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-65801035532897277142011-06-14T21:00:00.004-04:002011-06-21T19:50:58.621-04:00How I spent my summer vacation...I've already shared the <b>Give Kids the World</b> parts (<a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/2011/06/volunteering-at-village-part-i.html">here</a> and <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/2011/06/volunteering-at-village-part-ii.html">here</a>) of my Orlando trip -- I wanted to recap the "vacation" part of my trip, too.<br />
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I think I have already mentioned this, but I am a bit of a Disney nerd. My family didn't get to take many vacations, but when I was in middle and high school we took an annual trip to Orlando for as much Disney fun as we could squeeze in, and we REALLY cherished these trips. I took a bit of a hiatus from Disney parks for quite a few years, but I've been making up for lost time -- last week was my <b>6th trip to the World in two years</b>. Hooray for Annual Passes!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEaHc4Dn0kA/Tff30wZ60CI/AAAAAAAAAOs/tNJjnlQB-5Q/s1600/annual+pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEaHc4Dn0kA/Tff30wZ60CI/AAAAAAAAAOs/tNJjnlQB-5Q/s320/annual+pass.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I like how at Disney you're not an adult, you're just "10 or older"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>What this means is that I don't feel the need to see and do everything on my trips. Our trip was scheduled during a fairly hot and crowded time of year, and my traveling companions (mom and brother) don't really have the same kamikaze attitude I do about touring. In general I just tried to <b>go with the flow</b>.<br />
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So, the highlights....<br />
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<b>Loved the hotel!</b><br />
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We've stayed at <b>Disney's Beach Club</b> before, and I think this is my favorite resort on property. I LOVE being in the Epcot area -- it is so nice to be able to stroll over to the World Showcase, and I love being a short walk/boat ride to the <b>Swan and Dolphin Hotels</b> and the <b>Hollywood</b> <b>Studios</b>. The theming of the Beach Club is also great. It is reminicent of a New England seaside resort -- lots of white clapboard, rope trim, sea creature motifs, etc. The rooms are light and bright and just scream "vacation" to me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kL5iYSAD2iY/Tff6lhO0pGI/AAAAAAAAAO0/vwBy5EXGXnk/s1600/beach+club+panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kL5iYSAD2iY/Tff6lhO0pGI/AAAAAAAAAO0/vwBy5EXGXnk/s400/beach+club+panorama.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.disney.com/">Photo credit</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I loved our stay, though it was not without a few hiccups. First, a reminder that <b>Disney service is just not what it used to be</b>: our internet service refused to work, and it took multiple calls, several trips to the Front Desk, and a lot of patience to get it fixed. And what was sad was no one really cared -- there was a lot of shrugging shoulders and passing the blame. Not the Disney I remember from years ago.<br />
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Also, you may remember I was considering my workout options in case I felt the need to get some exercise in during my trip. I needn't have worried. Our room was quite a hike from the elevators -- <b>more than 160 steps</b> (I kept losing count). Not so bad in the morning, but sometimes that walk after a long day in the park was brutal. Also, *some* people in my family (everyone but me) got lost in the maze of corridors that led to our room.<br />
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I am very happy to say that during this trip, we really got to take advantage of the amazing pool at this resort: <b>Stormalong Bay</b>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qslGO5kJRB0/TfgCy0iT4bI/AAAAAAAAAO8/cKoTFvfPNrI/s1600/stormalong+bay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qslGO5kJRB0/TfgCy0iT4bI/AAAAAAAAAO8/cKoTFvfPNrI/s320/stormalong+bay.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.disney.com/">Photo credit</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>This 5-acre pool is really like a mini-water park. There's a slide, a lazy river, games -- so much fun! On the last full day of our trip we had croissants by the pool and then floated in the lazy river for hours. The pool was miraculously empty that morning, and it was heavenly.<br />
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<b>Loved the food!</b><br />
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A trip to Disney isn't complete without some great meals, and this visit was no exception. We had a fantastic first dinner at the <b>Cape May Buffet</b>, right in our hotel. This buffet is meant to be an old fashioned New England Clambake -- I'm not a seafood eater, but I definitely didn't go hungry. Chicken, beef tenderloin, pasta, salads, potatoes, corn on the cob, and at least 100 pieces of cornbread. <strong>I really liked the cornbread</strong>. We hit a few other favorites, like the <b>Crystal Palace</b> (with hugs from Winnie the Pooh!), <b>Pecos Bill</b> (love the burgers and taco salad), and <b>Sunshine Seasons</b> (definitely a change of pace from typical fast food).<br />
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I was also glad to introduce my family to <b>Chefs de France</b>, one of my favorite restaurants in Disney. It is pricey, but the prix fixe menu helps make it a little more reasonable. I went with the chopped salad (too hot for French onion soup, unfortunately), braised short ribs, and creme brule. Heaven!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rA_HSlYcqKQ/TffupPS5gAI/AAAAAAAAAOc/i0xGhrIk6FA/s1600/chefs+de+france.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rA_HSlYcqKQ/TffupPS5gAI/AAAAAAAAAOc/i0xGhrIk6FA/s320/chefs+de+france.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I love the quality of light in this restaurant at night, so Parisian! This photo does not help you see that at all.</i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/5268342">Photo credit</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>Loved the attractions!</b><br />
<br />
Despite the crowds, we managed to hit a lot of parks and a lot of rides during our trip. I won't recreate our plan completely, but most memorable were...<br />
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<u>Tower of Terror</u>: my favorite ride, hands down! A good day is when I can ride this about a dozen times. We managed 2 rides this time, but I loved each one.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BiJFUV1LLms/Tffyn1T9znI/AAAAAAAAAOk/ugDc6ApF5Pw/s1600/IMG_0253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BiJFUV1LLms/Tffyn1T9znI/AAAAAAAAAOk/ugDc6ApF5Pw/s320/IMG_0253.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<u>Buzz Lightyear Space Rangers</u>: I finally beat my brother! He ALWAYS wins, but this time we made a <b>dessert wager</b>. I guess that was the motivation I needed to rally and out-shoot him. 417,000 points! Certainly no major record, but a great score for me (hint: aim at the hands of the big robot on the left-hand side of the first room -- each hit is 100,000 points). And my reward was delicious...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGjKvcI0-J8/TffxsG0YAJI/AAAAAAAAAOg/DKVjC6mAKRM/s1600/cookie+sandwich.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGjKvcI0-J8/TffxsG0YAJI/AAAAAAAAAOg/DKVjC6mAKRM/s320/cookie+sandwich.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/">Photo credit</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><u>Animation Academy</u>: This is one of the best kept secrets at <b>Hollywood Studios</b> (though this trip brought the biggest crowds I've seen here, so I guess the word is getting out). A Disney animator teaches these 25 minute classes, taking you step by step through the process of bringing your favorite characters to life. <b>You DON'T need to be an artist</b>, they really make it easy! My characters always come out looking like they've been slightly squashed by a steam roller, but for me that qualifies as a success.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKO6GoDCjso/Tff0Sbnb6nI/AAAAAAAAAOo/AuEHRCI8h8k/s1600/dale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKO6GoDCjso/Tff0Sbnb6nI/AAAAAAAAAOo/AuEHRCI8h8k/s320/dale.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We drew Dale! Can you guess which one is mine?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><u>Miyuki the Candy Lady</u>: The Epcot World Showcase offers plenty of live music and entertainment throughout the various pavilions, and Miyuki is by far our favorite performer. She is an amazing candy artist who performs regularly in the Japan pavilion, and her work is AMAZING. She takes a simple ball of rice dough and transforms it into beautiful and playful animal-shaped candy. They're miniature sculptures, really -- she's so talented! I believe she is the only woman trained in this ancient art, and her performances are so captivating.<br />
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It was a great trip, but I am quite happy to be home. I have a busy summer planned -- marathon training for sure, and perhaps a few other big things in the works. There have been so many things that I've been waiting until "after I get back from vacation" to do, and now I'm ready to get to work!Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-67654427002621345972011-06-13T13:55:00.002-04:002011-06-21T19:54:29.635-04:00Volunteering at the Village, part IIFriday was an early morning, and we all tried to stumble through the getting ready motions as quickly as possible. We were out of the room at 7am and stopped to grab a quick breakfast at the <b>Marketplace</b>, the quick-service restaurant/hotel gift shop (yeah, I don't understand it either) shared by the Yacht and Beach Club hotels.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R1_QXVBhrAo/TfVx2yNX-3I/AAAAAAAAAOI/TDwhdiYrFBo/s1600/marketplace+bakery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R1_QXVBhrAo/TfVx2yNX-3I/AAAAAAAAAOI/TDwhdiYrFBo/s1600/marketplace+bakery.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Good morning, carbs!<br />
Photo source: <a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/">WDW Info</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>We were a teeny bit late pulling into Give Kids the World, but luckily the staff was beyond understanding and assured us we hadn't missed anything. Today's shift was at the <b>Gingerbread House</b> -- we were helping with breakfast!<br />
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A quick run down of food at Give Kids the World: families are provided with all of their meals for the duration of their stay -- <b>breakfast, lunch, dinner, ice cream, late-night pizza delivery, and other snacks</b>. Many choose to eat at the parks for some meals, but when they need to eat at the Village there are plenty of options. It is a pretty good deal!<br />
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I have already mentioned the <b>Ice Cream Palace</b>, one of the most popular spots at the Village. The ice cream and fixings are supplied by <a href="http://www.friendlys.com/">Friendly's</a>, and families can snack on banana splits and other treats from early morning to late at night.<br />
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Also popular option is <b>Katie's Kitchen</b>, a quick lunch or dinner option. The food is provided by <a href="http://www.bostonmarket.com/">Boston Market</a>, so families can order rotisserie chicken dinners, meatloaf, chicken pot pie, all of the delicious sides...yum!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XbFQzH_yHOA/TfVm6E4PesI/AAAAAAAAAOA/gKI-eAgebLg/s1600/gktw+katies+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XbFQzH_yHOA/TfVm6E4PesI/AAAAAAAAAOA/gKI-eAgebLg/s1600/gktw+katies+kitchen.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I love a good Chicken Carver Sandwich...<br />
Photo credit: <a href="http://www.gktw.org/">Give Kids the World</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>And finally, there is the <b>Gingerbread House</b>. This is a buffet style restaurant open for breakfast and dinner. The food is provided by <a href="http://www.perkinsrestaurants.com/">Perkins</a>, so there are plenty of good, homestyle options. This is where we were headed!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_RD4Se7Ta8/TfVp5bvXeYI/AAAAAAAAAOE/lJxwXnwE55U/s1600/Give+Kids+the+World+Village+gbread+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_RD4Se7Ta8/TfVp5bvXeYI/AAAAAAAAAOE/lJxwXnwE55U/s320/Give+Kids+the+World+Village+gbread+house.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo credit: <a href="http://www.gktw.org/">Give Kids the World</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>On the morning of our shift, there was a large number of corporate volunteers from JPMorganChase stationed at the Gingerbread House so there quite a few hands available. Some of the Village's regular volunteers were manning the buffet lines (which was smart -- having some experienced hands really kept things flowing), so my mom was assigned to help with the waffle station (fresh Belgian waffles with whipped cream, fruit, butter, or chocolate -- so yummy!) and my brother and I were tray carriers.<br />
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Give Kids the World thinks of everything, and <b>one of the small but meaningful touches </b>is that all guests have their trays carried for them. Many of the Wish Children who visit the Village are not able to carry their own trays, but rather than making them feel singled out or reminded of things they can't do, volunteers are on hand to carry trays for <u>everyone</u>. This turns a gesture that might be a source of frustration into one that seems like white glove service for all. The kids like being "waited on", and the parents don't seem to mind special treatment either (especially the moms -- they usually have to carry everything, right?).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hwmyUT8Wo2w/TfV3R7kXfII/AAAAAAAAAOM/elHre7bWAG8/s1600/gktw+gbread+house+interior.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hwmyUT8Wo2w/TfV3R7kXfII/AAAAAAAAAOM/elHre7bWAG8/s1600/gktw+gbread+house+interior.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Such a warm and happy place<br />
Photo source: <a href="http://www.gktw.org/">Give Kids the World</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>As a volunteer, I loved this job</b> -- I got to chat with all of the families and take a minute to ask about plans for the day, hear favorite memories from the trip, and just help everyone get their meals off to the right start. I also acted as a "runner" -- refilling drinks and grabbing seconds for people so they could relax at their tables, and also cleaning up tables as families left.<br />
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I also got to see plenty of <b>special moments</b>. One of the first kids to come off the line happily handed over his tray, which consisted of a plate filled with nothing but bacon. He was thrilled, and the true embodiment of GKTW's motto that <b>a week at the Village is a week of 'yes'</b>. You want to eat nothing but bacon for breakfast? Sure!<br />
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I also watched a little boy break out into a big smile as he sat and watched all of the activity in the Gingerbread House. I didn't think much of it until his mom came over with a camera to capture the moment -- he is non-verbal and rarely smiles or laughs, so this was a <u>very</u> special event. And a perfect reminder of <b>why Give Kids the World is so special</b> -- it creates these magical moments every single day.<br />
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The shift went by pretty quickly, and after a thorough clean-up it was time to go. I was sad to say goodbye, but I tried to turn that sadness into determination that I would come back as soon as possible. There are so many more wishes that need fulfilling...Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-39100375208782126592011-06-12T11:53:00.002-04:002011-06-21T19:55:15.465-04:00Volunteering at the Village, part IBy far, my favorite part of last week's Orlando trip was <b>volunteering at Give Kids the World</b>. If you missed it the first time, make sure to check out my post on this <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/2011/06/give-kids-world.html">amazing place</a>.<br />
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</div><div>The process of volunteering at Give Kids the World is pretty straightforward. Since I had volunteered there previously, all I had to do was let them know when I was available and I could be put on the schedule. My mom and brother were new <b>Angels</b> (GKTW code for volunteers), so they had to fill out the online <a href="http://gktw.org/volunteer/">application</a> and go through a quick background check. Very easy!</div><div><br />
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</div><div>Once everyone was approved, we needed to receive our assignments. There was a little confusion here as my mom and brother were both in contact with Volunteer Services separately, and then I jumped into the mix...but the team at GKTW are amazing, and after a quick phone call we were all set. Because we were renting a car for just the first half of our trip, we requested back-to-back shifts so we could get in a few days of work. We also asked to be able to help out with the Thursday night Christmas celebration (a weekly event at the Village) -- and <b>Volunteer Services was able to accommodate both requests</b>!</div><div><br />
</div><div>We grabbed our rental car (conveniently picked up at the <a href="http://www.swananddolphin.com/">WDW Dolphin Hotel</a> right on property) and hit the road -- Give Kids the World is located in Kissimmee, FL, just about 15 minutes away from Disney. We took the scenic route down U.S. 192. Have you ever driven down this road?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UkNH2XC5kfc/TfQi9hXireI/AAAAAAAAANc/o31M9v0sMDA/s1600/orange+world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UkNH2XC5kfc/TfQi9hXireI/AAAAAAAAANc/o31M9v0sMDA/s320/orange+world.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The aptly named Orange World<br />
Photo credit: <a href="http://adventuresinwaltdisneyworldfl.blogspot.com/">Adventures in Walt Disney World</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>When I was a kid we stayed at a hotel on 192 when we visited Disney and we had LOTS of fun adventures down this stretch of highway. It is tourist paradise: a mix of hotels (big chains and sketchy motels), restaurants, t-shirt shops, wacky tourist traps (Shell World comes to mind, as well as the giant building shaped like an orange), and other visual delights. <b>It kind of feels like a beach town without the beach</b>, and for us it was a bit of a trip down memory lane.</div><div><br />
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</div><div>We arrived at the Village at 3pm. <b>I wish I could explain the feeling I get when I am at this amazing place</b>, but needless to say I was thrilled to pull in and see some familiar faces (hi, Mayor Clayton!). We parked, checked in at Volunteer Services, and got ready for our first assignment: decorating for Christmas!</div><div><br />
</div><div>It didn't quite feel like Christmas as we stood in the blazing Florida sun, but we got right to work helping GKTW staff pull full-size Christmas trees, huge Santa statues, foam snowflakes, and other goodies out of a storage shed and carry them all over property. Soon there were decorations everywhere, and I was ready to get into a festive mood (the Christmas music playing all over the Village definitely helped!). I probably wasn't dressed correctly for this kind of work (what else is new), and it wasn't long before we started feeling a little overheated...thankfully my brother did a lot of the heavy lifting while my mom and I took plenty of water breaks ;). Regardless, we tried to get the work done as quickly as possible with smiles on our faces because we really wanted to give the kids a great party.</div><div><br />
</div><div>We took a short break and then at 6pm we were back in action -- it was <b>almost time for Christmas to start</b>! This time we were separated -- my mom was helping our with the Storytime Elves (a little area where kids can listen to stories and pick out books to add to their own library), my brother was working the Christmas parade, and I was in Winter Wonderland. My specific job: manning the cotton candy machine. Whoa!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yk5whuudcUE/TfQlHaJzSaI/AAAAAAAAANk/Kd_gatWEUoM/s1600/cotton+candy+machine1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yk5whuudcUE/TfQlHaJzSaI/AAAAAAAAANk/Kd_gatWEUoM/s320/cotton+candy+machine1.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Harder than it looks!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div>What's great about Give Kids the World is that they have <b>no hesitation in putting volunteers in really significant roles</b>, even if they have had no experience with that particular task. Because GKTW relies on volunteers to fill so many shifts, they have pretty efficient training processes. Last time I volunteered, I was stationed in Amberville and I was taught how to <b>drive a miniature train</b> (including what to do if it gets derailed), <b>man the miniature golf course</b>, and <b>set-up all of the video game systems</b> -- just for my one 3-hour shift!</div><div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33gf5Lg5mEs/TfQlkzU0iXI/AAAAAAAAANo/DAttLduc8hg/s1600/gktw+train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33gf5Lg5mEs/TfQlkzU0iXI/AAAAAAAAANo/DAttLduc8hg/s320/gktw+train.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>All aboard -- Conductor Peacock at your service!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Christmas party was a HUGE success -- so much fun, and the kids and families had a great time. They got to<b> make snowflakes, decorate cookies, play games, take horse-drawn carriage rides, snack on cotton candy and sno-cones, and visit with Santa Claus</b> (with presents for all)! And then in midst of all the fun, a huge Christmas parade marches through the plaza -- characters in costume, elves, stilt walkers, and snow falling from the sky! The parade dissolves into a dance party that give the kids a chance to boogie with all of the characters. It was a really joyous and festive atmosphere, and I think the kids had the time of their lives.</div><div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PZYY07zMPg8/TfQo2-Cb0AI/AAAAAAAAANs/Gj_QckKADwc/s1600/gktw+christmas+gifts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PZYY07zMPg8/TfQo2-Cb0AI/AAAAAAAAANs/Gj_QckKADwc/s320/gktw+christmas+gifts.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A peek at the toys that kids can pick from Santa's workshop</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I found out that <b>cotton candy making is probably not my calling</b> -- some of my batches looked a little wonky, but my young audience was very forgiving (it all tastes the same going down!). I loved getting to talk to the families staying at the Village -- I am a Disney nerd, so I can talk parks and rides and fireworks and parades FOREVER. My mom had fun reading stories to the little ones, and <b>my brother had the best job of all: he got to be the Snowman!</b></div><div><b><br />
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</div><div>He was a huge hit, dancing around with the kids, signing autographs, and collecting plenty of hugs. I actually didn't know he was in the costume at first -- he definitely was busting out some moves that I had not seen before!</div><div><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We left the Village tired but so happy -- it was a great night! After a quick dinner at Chick-fil-A in Celebration (the cutest planned community ever!), we headed back to the hotel for some sleep. The alarm was set for 6:15am, and we were due back at the Village at 7:30 for breakfast!</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-25286402813480970402011-06-08T23:15:00.002-04:002011-06-21T19:56:15.727-04:00S#*t my brother says<i>"The other day I felt like going for a run and ran 11.2 miles in 97 minutes."</i><br />
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<i>"I'm not sure if I could run a half marathon...though I did run 13 miles once when I was lost. So I guess I could."</i><br />
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<i>"I really love running this 1 mile loop around the Boardwalk...so I ran it 10 times. I had to stop because I was getting a little thirsty." (This run took place around 3pm in the brutal Orlando summer heat)</i><br />
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<i>"I had a great 5-mile run. I wish we didn't have to go to the parks, I could have kept going for another hour."</i><br />
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Over the course of my six day family vacation, I got a bit of insight into my brother the athlete. And my emotions ran the gamut from annoyed, to impressed, to jealous (probably mostly jealous). This kid makes running look easy.<br />
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My brother's story is a LONG one, but let's just say he has not always been a running machine. Following some medical problems, he gained a lot of weight and was pretty inactive. Now that he has overcome those problems, he has turned himself into a certified gym rat (he is a personal trainer himself, he loves spinning -- he would be a big hit in the healthy blogger community!). And he has discovered that he loves running, often going out for 8-10 mile pleasure runs.<br />
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What was fascinating to me was the best part of my brother's vacation was running. We spent 6 days at a gorgeous resort in one of the most action-packed vacation destinations in the world, and his priority was running. He planned his meals, his sleeping, and other activities around getting in a great workout.<br />
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This astounded me.<br />
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On the one hand, I will admit I was annoyed. I wanted to have a blast in the parks, and I was getting a headache from all of my eye-rolling upon seeing my brother limp around the Magic Kingdom -- you're not enjoying this because you ran 10 miles today!<br />
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But a big part of me was impressed -- I would LOVE to be so excited about getting out for a run, and I would love for long distances and harsh conditions look so easy. While my brother has a bit to learn about fueling himself for runs (he doesn't carry any water with him, no matter the distance) and pacing himself (if he could, he would just run for miles every day), I know that he could easily conquer half marathons, full marathons...and probably ultras. Is this how Dean Karnazes got started?<br />
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This has got me thinking a lot about passion, obsession, and balance. I am definitely ready to make exercise and health a priority, but I hope I can remember to take time for fun and not miss out on great opportunities (and fun vacations) for the sake of my workouts. There are a lot of things I want to accomplish in the next few years, and I know I need to maintain some balance to make it all happen.<br />
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And maybe I'm struggling a little with identity. My brother and I have had an unspoken agreement: I'm the nerdy overachiever, he is the charming social butterfly. Now my brother is overachieving (and I'm still the same wallflower)...and somehow I feel a bit out of sorts. These are definitely unfamiliar waters.<br />
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But I'm trying to look on the bright side -- maybe there is some natural running ability in my family that I am ready to tap into! If there's a running gene, I'm ready to discover it.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5381641876261040480.post-8433184443038973012011-06-07T22:25:00.001-04:002011-06-21T19:57:22.042-04:00There's no place like homeAnd just like that, I'm home.<br />
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This morning at about 12:30am, I was back in Brooklyn following a fantastic vacation to Disney World. <b>You might not have even noticed I was gone</b> because of my sneaky auto-posts (ah, technology!) -- but while you were reading about <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/2011/06/give-kids-world.html">Give Kids the World</a>, <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/2011/06/truth.html">cake</a>, and <a href="http://thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com/2011/06/notes-on-dachshund.html">dachshunds</a>, I was in the land of sunshine and talking mice.<br />
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<b>It was a lovely vacation, but it definitely took a lot out of me</b>. I only got about 5 hours of sleep last night, and I was dragging today (the final day of my lovely 11-day work respite). When I went to bed last night (er, this morning...it was about 3am), I remember making a mental to-do list and thinking that I would need to put myself on a schedule today to get it all done.<br />
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And, <b>FAIL</b>.<br />
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I did manage to make a dent in the list: two loads of laundry are done, groceries have been purchased, (some) blogs have been read, a few DVR'd shows have been watched. But there's <b>still a lot to do</b>. And I had all good intentions of spending this evening writing up a few glorious posts about my trip, some musings on running, and my plans for the summer.<br />
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And here's what I can tell you: <b>that is not going to happen</b>. Because it is 9:30 and I can barely keep my eyes open! But I will share these updates soon -- there are a couple of posts that are half-written in my head, I just need to dislodge them. In the meantime, <b>a few highlights</b>:<br />
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- I spent 6 days in Orlando and <b>did not see a drop of rain</b> -- not one single "oh, this must be the end of the world!" thunderstorm! It was, however, <b>hot as balls</b>.<br />
- I read The Hunger Games, and I really liked it! Jennifer Lawrence is perfect as Katniss Everdeen, I'm cautiously excited about the film.<br />
- I finally <b>beat my brother at Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin</b>. Dessert had been wagered, and it was delicious.<br />
- I saw Winnie the Pooh, and <b>I think he may have gotten taller</b>. When pressed, he refused to answer.<br />
- I drew Dale, and he only slightly looked like he had been run over by a car!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCv5frcXFy0/Te7abz3cWdI/AAAAAAAAANQ/_l0ujlMQlfc/s1600/253462_10150225304303713_809583712_6948894_5853442_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCv5frcXFy0/Te7abz3cWdI/AAAAAAAAANQ/_l0ujlMQlfc/s320/253462_10150225304303713_809583712_6948894_5853442_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mine is on the bottom right</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I will say that I am feeling almost a <b>sense of relief</b> that I am finally at this point -- major work trips are over, spring holidays are over, vacation is over. What I am really longing for is the ability to<b> re-establish my routine and get back to normal</b>. I need to develop some new habits, and the best way to do that is with time and repetition. <b>Things may be a little boring for a while, but I am more than ready for it.</b>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504673557922103766noreply@blogger.com0