I'm Still Here

I haven't posted in a while so here goes. I'm warning you, I will be rambling.

So what's new with me? Not too much. Christmas is nearing and I'm almost done with shopping. I'm not going overboard with spending this year, I just can't. I don't know what it is but I just don't have as much expendable money as I used to. I often feel like I should get a second job, but my schedule albeit it better than it used to be, still isn't constant. Occasionally there are school events at night or on Saturdays which would interfere with most part-time gigs. I'd really like to build up a collection of homemade crafts to sell at local craft fairs. I enjoy making things and it would be a bonus to make some extra money on the side. I already have some great ideas. Things that people might actually be interested in buying!

In other news, I have rejoined my local theater group - The Bergen County Players. While I have not done anything with them just yet, except pay dues, I will soon. I auditioned for a show about a month ago, but didn't get in. It's just as well, I'd like to get my backstage requirements for the year overwith early. That is what did me in the last time. The first year as an associate member there are a specific number of work days and backstage assignments you must complete. Once this trial year is over, you can get voted into regular membership. That is my goal. So maybe in the fall of 2008, I'll  be hitting the stage again as a performer. Stay tuned.

My sister-in-law Randi got engaged last Friday in front of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree! I'm, soooo happy for her!! Congratulations Randi & Jim! Randi has already "hired" me as her wedding coordinator. Here we go again!

 

Tags: life, christmas, acting, family

Lost Dog

On Sunday night, Jay and I were driving down our street, almost home when we saw this small dog running past us in the middle of the road. It was pretty late so luckily not a lot of cars around. I immediately reached for the door as we were slowing towards a light and told Jay I wanted to get out and help it. He said I'd never catch up to it - it was going to fast, and he also pointed out that it seemed like there was a car already following it. I looked back and saw it was and it turned down a side-street with the dog. So home we went.

Yesterday morning, there are flyers all up and down the street with a picture of the dog we saw. It reads, "LOST DOG- Kids devastated." My heart sank when I read that and right now, I just want to cry. We could've helped.

My mom's dachshund ran away twice and thanks to the kindness of strangers he was found both times quickly. Here was my chance to return the favor. I prayed for the dog's safe return last night. So sad :-(

Tags: life, dogs

Happy Brithday to Me...

....and Britney Spears! What a claim to fame!

 

Tags: life, birthday

aoljurlAdd, aoljurlAdd_1

What a Difference 10 Years Makes

Last night was quite a fun and interesting night. It was the night of my high school class's 10 year reunion. I along with my former classmate Gary planned the event from start to finish and it couldn't have turned out better I'm proud to report.

 

We knew from the get-go that even though we were a small graduating class of only 66, it would be challenging to get everyone together. Luckily, through the law of six degrees of separation, we were able to track down about 2/3 of the class. We utilized sites like MySpace, Friendster, Facebook and good ol' networking to obtain email address so I could send out an Evite. Can't beat technology I tell ya. I even emailed some old teachers who were all touched to be thought of but, unfortunately, none made it out. Perhaps they were skeptical as was I that this would actually happen. But it did, and it was great.

 

Our class was one for the record books. The Park Ridge High School class of 1997 didn't have the most gleaming reputation and rightly so. We had a bomb scare, made teachers cry and threw stools, books, and reams of paper out of the front windows on the second floor. I of course did not partake in any of these antics myself, but we were all in it together. Looking back, it was fun, stupid, and nothing short of memorable.

 

A lot's happened in 10 years it seems. Everyone's either married or engaged. Some have children or are expecting. Some are doctors, some own their own business, and many now teach themselves!

 

While I wasn't the most popular and I wasn't the least. I was picked on by the "cool kids" often enough that it stung. But last night, it felt like we were all on a level playing field and there were no grudges. I thinkit took 10 years for everyone to grow up and learn how to be respectful. It's so much nicer to be nice than to be outright cruel.

 

Apparently, one fellow classmate has yet to grow up. Probably the worst offender of bullying, "the" bad-ass of the grade is still the same. He showed up last night and old fearful memories returned as he looked exactly the same to me. However, he did not stay long. The manager told him to get out and that he was not allowed there. Wow. I have to say, I relished that moment. He got his come-uppance. The sympathetic side of me feels sad for him though. It's a shame that 10 years later, nothing's changed for the positive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Close to hell and far from heaven, we're the class of '97!" -our senior year pep rally chant!

 

 

 

 

Tags: life, school, friends

Bzzzz

Somehow I got invited with 4 guests to a Friends & Family screening of Bee Movie in NYC this weekend. I took Jay, June, (my mother-in-law), and our friends Mike and Chris.

In addition to getting to see the movie for free, we got popcorn soda, and a goodie bag with a bee antennae headband, 2 Bee Movie books, honey, and playing cards. My favorite part though was star gazing! Jerry Seinfeld and his family were there as was Sarah Jessica Parker with her son - she was a row in front of us. It was cute seeing her with her son and clapping for daddy - Matthew Broderick. I also could see Jerry during the movie too so it was fun to see his reactions to things.

We finished up the day with awesome greasy burgers at Nick's Pizza & Burger joint on the Upper West Side :-)

Tags: life, movies, celebs

What I Came Home To!

I came home to find our driveway sealed and we have NO IDEA who did it!! I spoke to the neighbor, called both sides of the family... no friggin clue! I'm guessing someone else in the neighborhood "ordered" it and is ticked off right now while I'm loving the way our new driveway looks!!!

I told Jay about it already but I can't wait for him to see it himself!

Tags: life

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes....

No more commuting to and from New York City everyday for me! I got a new job at a private Montessori school in New Jersey, just a few towns away - only 15 min. from my house! I will be the Assistant Director of Development - the group that handles fundraising and such. While it will be sad to leave HBO, I'll be so much happier with my new hours and lots of days off! I'll be working 8am-4pm and during the school year I'll get all the school breaks, holidays and snow days! The summertime schedule is very flexible too. As they put it, "in the summer we like to have Mondays and Fridays off. As you can probably tell, I'm pretty excited about it!

 

Tags: life, happiness, work