Ahhhh... Philly life

Wow... I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up with this thing!

I'm all moved in at Andrea's in Philly, and have been here about a week now. I've been through 2 jobs already--- the first I hated and the second was part time and an hour away--- and am still desperately seeking for a job. I'm at the point where I'll take anything full time (except that first job of course). 

I've been doing Wii Fit everyday and eating a lot healthier. Today Im going for a run in Fairmount Park. It sucks because I do enjoy running, but I also enjoy smoking. Those really don't go hand in hand huh?

I got a silicone cover for my keyboard and I can't figure out if I like it or not yet. Its a weird feeling.

The Russians are blaring house music next door. Must be home for lunch. Gonna go say hi...

More later!

After the vodka comes the thoughts...

Some things I've been thinking about while sipping on my new fav skinnygirl cocktail (One shot vodka, 1/2 shot lemon juice, water). This may get intense- so bear with me...

I saw a family friend today that I have not seen since I was 5 years old. And I looked like crap. I mean crap. I had just finished working out, was at the grocery store with my mom and could not have looked worse today. And I saw her. My fabulous Aunt Nancy. I remember as a little girl always looking up to her... she was always so put together and chic. She's from Queens, has a vacation home here in the Poconos and a summer condo in Sarasota, FL. Her and my Uncle Jimmy (you know the family friends you call aunts and uncles as kids but really have no relation) met my parents back when my dad played golf every chance he had and my mom drank lots at the clubhouse. We grew up with them, and her real nieces Kelly Ann and Deidre. I guess life just got the best of everyone, because today was the first time I've seen her since I literally was 5. 

And then I got to thinking. Think about all of the things you've accomplished and the goals you've acheived, even in your daily life. Then try running into someone you haven't seen in 18 years and try to explain it to them. I sounded like a babbling idiot! "Oh yea I just graduated college... yes Jacksonville University... small school in Florida... yes graduate school in the fall... Hofstra... health administration.... I'm so excited.... John's in Savannah...." and as I said these things and think about them there are 2 points of this conversation I had with Aunt Nancy that I will never forget.... 1) I remember being at her house like it was yesterday. I remember Uncle Jimmy dancing to "Runaround Sue" and just hanging out at the pool the whole day in Saw Creek. 18 YEARS HAVE FLOWN BY. I finished high school. AND COLLEGE? When did that happen??! Before you know it I'm going to be 25... and then eek... 30!! Have I already experienced the most fun I'm ever going to have!?? Where did 23 years of my life go already???!.... 

 2) She said, "You are the spitting image of your father." BAM. The first thing I thought was... FML. Which is mean, but you have to understand my father. My dad has a very masculine face (which I have I suppose) among other burdens for me to bear. My mom went into Mr.Z's to get the RedBox movie, and the tears came down. But then, I took it as motivation. I have changed my eating habits and lifestyle. I now understand how crucial exercise and physical activity are as part of my daily activities. I've got a huge challenge ahead of me, and there is no room for any excuses. It has taken me years to reach this point, and it will take time to revert back to a healthy weight. 

Seeing Aunt Nancy really lit a fire under my ass today. I don't want to have to see another person after 18 or so years, and feel like a major disappointment. Hello wake up call. Time to get my ass to the gym!

So since then, and after some cocktails and self reflection (of course), I have been buying things non-stop to make my workout experience more enjoyable. So far, this includes Skull Candy headphones (in pink!!), Jockey Slim Bermuda Shorts, and these little beauties. Yea I know it's a recession, but I've been sticking to my workout regimen for almost a month now (which is an accomplishment for me), so I decided to reward my hardwork. I'm accepting that no, I probably won't be considered skinny in 2009. But 2010 has my name written allllll over it ;)

My Fair Medical Forms

I'm obsessed with Wii Fit. I love it. Not only does it make me work up a sweat, it's fun! Of course I'll keep running and eating healthy and all of that other stuff, but Wii Fit is a good time. I'm rocking at the Super Hoop Spin (woot) and I'm sad to move to Philly and leave it behind for the rest of the summer. OH WAIT. Andrea has one. I can super hula hoop spin until the cows come home :o)

So after my Wii Fit extravaganza, I watched My Fair Lady with my mom. Audrey Hepburn is awesome ("Breakfast at Tiffany's" is still my #1 favorite movie of all time) BUT this was not my favorite performance of hers. First, she really couldn't sing and it was obvious that her voice was dubbed. Second, she's wayyyyyyyyy too skinny. There's one part where she's wearing a beautiful dress with a sash but she's so damn thin and frail its distracting. I love her, but eat a steak damn it! On a better note, I love the scene with all of the rich people watching the horse race. Someone make me a hat like that please!

Shuey just iChatted me. I miss her. Worse than that, I miss Florida a lotttt. Like A LOT. I'm having so much fun here with all of my high school friends (don't get me wrong) but what I wouldn't give for a night at the Palace Saloon or Lynch's. Sigh. Longing for a month ago. But I booked a plane ticket to Jax for FL/GA weekend!! (IDK if I mentioned that already or not)

I have been going insane trying to get all of my medical forms together for Hofstra. All before I leave for Philly on Monday. Def not going to happen. Sorry Hofstra, you'll just have to wait. 

I'm really distracted by the True Hollywood Story of Jennifer Lopez. I can't wait to start working. Peaceeeeee.

A memorable Memorial Day

I woke up even later than the previous days yesterday. A new record! I missed the Memorial Day parade that took over Main St, which also meant missing Andrea and her dad (Marty) marching in the parade. When I finally arose from my coma, it was 2:30 pm. GROSS. I hung out with my parents, showered, took advantage of some online deals for Memorial Day (Check out these shoes and this necklace!! Can't wait to get them! Eek!) and then finally made it up to Marty's house. 

It was super nice outside (not sweltering like the Florida heat I miss so dearly- more like a cool 75 degrees... I'll get used to it eventually), and we had a fun day sitting around, talking to the Poconos Chapter of Vietnam Veterans that Marty belongs to. One guy brought a 1944 Army Jeep which was pretty neat. After all of the bbq staples, we settled down and just hung out. I headed home around 9 to make it home before it got too dark (I know I sound like I'm 90-- but I'm not lying when I say the roads are bad!!). As I left, Andrea was settling in to the "Jon and Katie Plus 8" season premiere. 

This is actually what I want to rant about. I hate this show. I have always hated this show. The only episode I actually find enjoyable is when they go to DisneyWorld and someone gives all 8 kids ice cream that melts all over them and Kate flips shit. And, I have only seen that episode because my mother is a Jon and Kate Plus 8 addict. I do, however, thoroughly enjoy Perez Hilton so I am also up to speed on their most recent scandal (I also enjoy that he refers to their current situation as "Jon MINUS Kate Plus 8") 

And here's what I think: THEY ARE EXCELLENT BUSINESS PEOPLE. Bottom line. They're money-grubbing, self-involved, SMART business people who really could careless about each other. And to be honest, I really feel bad for Jon. Do you think he really signed up for 8 kids? I'm sure he was like "Oh fertility treatments, yea let's have like 4 kids" and God was like "No Jon. Screw you. I'm doubling it" and then BAM he's having a mid-life crisis watching 8 kids crawl all over him and the next thing you know he's banging the 23 year old neighbor down the street. 

They have 100% exploited their situation (meaning their 8 kids) and have set themselves up for a nice financial future. And here's the best part... viewers (and addicts- like my mother) have complete control over their finances! Basically what I'm trying to say is... if you think they're bad parents, money-grubbers, conceited assholes---- DONT WATCH THE SHOW. TLC will cancel it tomorrow as soon as viewership drops. The purpose of this rant: I won't take anything you have to say about Jon and Kate Plus 8 seriously until you use the phrase "I used to watch..." or if you're my mother "I used to be addicted to..." before you start your own rant about how disappointing the show is and how sad you are for the family. Bottom line- they're rich sittin on stacks while I'm sitting here blogging about their stupid show. I have no pity for them.

Wow. I'm more worked up about that than I thought I was. 

You are under citizens' arrest

I slept until around 2 yesterday. As my mom says it, yesterday was a "no matter" day. Whatever that means. I literally didnt get out of my pajamas until around 6 when I had to go to Mr. Z's (our local grocery store) to pick up "Taken" from RedBox for my parents. Then Andrea came over for dinner, laughed at the neighbor mowing his lawn at 9:00pm, and then went off to Liz's.

Driving in the Poconos is very different than driving most places in our country. First, we have no street lights, incredibly windy roads (I think they invented the turn "hair pin curve" after Rt 402), the fear of hitting a deer and fucking up your car and your life, and fog. Fog? Serious thick fog late night where we couldn't even see the traffic lights we were supposed to stop at. Unreal. On top of that, DUI checkpoints were out everywhere last night! Who in their right mind would drive wasted under driving conditions of the Poconos!?

Anyway, we got to Liz's, drank some of her family wine from their vineyard in New Jersey (which was excellent- PS) and shortly after found ourselves listening to the police scanner application on my iPhone. No conversation, just listening and laughing. First, I don't know if this application is legal, because we heard the Northampton County Police use the code 11-58, which means "Radio monitored- use phone." Did they know we were listening? How would they know that? Aren't you allowed to listen? I don't get it. 

Secondly, we heard people's full names, telephone numbers, addresses and even a social security number come through last night. It's a sick addiction. It's like listening to drama television, but it's real life. Allentown police had trouble busting a party because 20 intoxicated kids was too much for one cop to handle, and backup wasn't getting there fast enough. We also listened to this incident happen, a cop named Jim go to Nazareth Diner and a ladder in the middle of 6th street. No joke, this iPhone app is A W E S O M E. I spent a good portion of yesterday listening, and the police scanner may be my new favorite drinking tool (we drink everytime they come on the radio... good luck).

After we left Liz's- Ang and I searched for a Perkins in the thick fog to no avail. Found a gas station. Then went to WalMart to buy potato salad and macaroni salad for Marty's barbeque. When we got home, there was a huge opossum in my front yard. I dashed inside, made it to my room and could not fall asleep until 5am because I was afraid I let it in the house. I'm crazy. I'm terrified of rodents. I hope I don't see it again tonight.

Longggggg Island

Yesterday afternoon, I woke up at Steph's house. I say afternoon because I think it was around 12:30, because we had all stayed up until 4am the night before listening to the police scanner on my iPhone, drinking lots of wine and making fun of Carmine being so man-ly. After getting our lives together, we went and ate at this little diner ("Apollo"), then saw Hofstra, my future home(!!!!). 

Hofstra is a really pretty campus. Grad housing is brand new- so I'm pumped about that. Most people find someone to ask questions when taking a tour of a college campus, but not us. We just wandered around with Steph as our tour guide and taking obnoxious pictures. Bottom line... I love it there. I really can't wait to move!

Next up: Roosevelt Field Mall. So glorious. Largest mall in NY. Right in my backyard. I saw my future gym, my future favorite tea place and my future empty wallet. Also, during this mall trip we did something completely unexpected, and I can't even believe I'm writing that this actually happened. We (Carmine, Steph, Liz & myself) saw Star Trek. What? I know- I'm in shock too. Soon after we found ourselves saying "Live long & prosper" and making jokes about Mr. Spock. (For example, Liz & I find him incredibly attractive due to his emotional unavailability). WHO ARE WE?! 

So after our Star Trek excursion, we went to eat at Vincent's. No joke- AMAZING Italian food. It may even be the best I've ever had. And, they have outstanding Sangria. Yum. We said our goodbyes to Steph & Carmine, Liz & I hit the road back to the Poconos. I received numerous drunk dials from my mother on the way home, which were hilarious. Got home around 11, drank a marg with the rents then passed the fuck out. 

Best. Day. Ever.