For Anyone Who Wants to Know

This is my face.

At work.

No make-up.

Yes, Accutane is worth it.

Two more months and this will be me every day.

What Is This Shit, NYC?

 

I'm escaping to a tropical island.

Peace out.

Things With Blue Eyes, Snot, and You

I like oxford commas. I think they make sense.

Take from this song and the tags what you will.

Flashback Central

Somehow, regardless of how much I love photobooth and how many self-taken GPOY exist, today's endeavor into getting a "descent" photo to show off my new glasses really got me thinking about how different I used to look.  It's bizarre how much a little hair dye, glasses and a nose ring can change things.

August 2011

 June 2010

January 2009

January 2008

December 2007

October 2007

August 2007

December 2006

November 2006

Also November 2006

 April 2006

November 2005

 December 2004

Proving Myself Wrong

Every time I think I couldn't be happier, I get happier. My entire summer has been filled with constant smiles, late nights, clasped hands and butterflies.

I Get Cranky When It's This Hot

I get it. It's summer. It's July. It's supposed to be hot. But I can't deal with 97 degrees and humidity! My hair goes wild and I sweat all over the place and there is only so much iced coffee in the world!

In other news, if you're in the greater New York City area and you're looking to adopt a kitten, this adorable little thing was found by a woman I work with. She's currently nursing him with a bottle, and you can see in the pictures just how tiny he is! I'm so tempted to take him in myself, but I was allergic when I was younger and don't want to risk it. If you're interested, or know someone who might be, let me know!!!

Bonus -- I'll be home next weekend, so if you live in SPF, I can bring him to you!

I'm A Giant Ball of Cheese

Hello everyone! As per usual, I lied about putting up my sunflower pictures. I've been so busy that I'm rarely at my apartment during waking hours! Lots of dinner dates, happy hours, appointments, and all those kinds of fun things! I'm buzzing around like a little bee, but I couldn't sting someone if I tried--I'm just too happy and excited about everything. Summer is great and I love feeling like free time is really free and not meant to be spent thawing my fingers and toes. Though with all the heat and sunshine, a lot of it is spent trying to cool down and not get sunburned.

Friday night I was supposed to go the Yankee's game with Robbie, but it was rained out. So we missed stupid Jeter's 3000th hit and the stupid Rays didn't want to do a double header on Saturday. But, as luck would have it, we were able to buy tickets for Sunday's game, and it was a beautiful day. Lots of sunscreen was had...with a side of ice cream and hot dogs. Afterwards we went to a little barbeque at Jen's and ate hamburgers and drank sangria and it was kind of a hen fest but it was a wonderful day! It was the definition of a Sunday Funday, and I'm still exhausted. Sitting outside in the sun all day is hard work!

And as for this photo, well, I think y'all know. Cause I do. It really is that simple; I just know. I'm the biggest cheeseball in the world but I don't care. My head and my heart are filled with unadulterated and overflowing happiness. Deal with it.

Since You've Been Gone

It's been a seriously loooo-o-o-ong time since I last updated (as I was reminded by my mother...thanks to my mom for keeping me on blog-track!), and I promised I would be a better blogger (clearly I lied), so here is an update for you!

Last I updated, I had gone to see free Andrew Bird in Prospect Park (yes, it was a cryptic entry...deal with it. I was giddy), so that was about 3 weeks ago. June 16th-19th was the Northside Festival, which is an annual music festival in Brooklyn. I bought badges with my friends from work, Jen and Emma, and some other lovely people. Beirut headlined, and they put on one of the most amazing live performances I have ever witnessed. There were trumpets, french horns, tubas, cellos, and all the like. So many talented people were on stage together and they were simply incredible. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps!

Here are some pictures from Northside, courtesy of Emma's roommate Rebeca:

Beirut at McCarren Park

Emma, Jen and I waiting for Beirut!

Emma and I at Brooklyn Flea, enjoying our free food (we got coupons with our passes!)

The following week was spent busy with dinners and friends. I also started a new medication for my skin--Accutane. So far I've been doing just fine on it, and I know there are always concerns about people's state of mind while on this drug. I've had many, many conversations with people about all the risks and whether or not it was worth it, and I have to say, it is. It has to be. I've been self conscious about my skin since I was 13. I've tried every topical and oral medication in the book, and everything over the counter. I've had 2 allergic reactions (with hives on my face) because I was trying to clear my skin. I tried vitamins. I spend $50 a month on makeup so I can put things on my face that are natural and gentle and aren't bad for my skin. And who knows how long this could go on on its own? I just can't stand the thought of being so self conscious any longer. So I'm doing this.

This past weekend, fourth of July weekend, I had a half day at work on Friday and headed home. My mom cooked (and made me so many of my favorite foods!) and I snuggled with my dog. I spent most of Saturday afternoon sitting on the deck reading Game of Thrones, because I desperately want to finish the first one and start the second! Damn my subway commute for not being longer. Actually, on second thought, I take that back. I just need a little more free time.

And let's see...what do I have coming up? Surprise excursion on Friday, another long weekend next week, a potential trip to Ann Arbor! And my sunflower seeds are growing! I took some pictures, so expect those this week. I promise!

How are all of you? Did you make it to the bottom of this entry?

Do You Ever Feel Like You Couldn't Stop Smiling If You Tried?

Cause I do.

When She Goes Downtown, She Walks Like She Just Don't Care

Hello, blogosphere! I promised y'all an update a while ago, and damn it, I'm gonna follow through! There's been way too many internet promises slipping through the cracks and I'm a bad blogger and it ends now!

Wowza, sorry, that got intense for a second. I may or may not be a little wrapped up in the mindset of this TV show, Game of Thrones--cause when you play the game of thrones, you win or you die (hence the intensity). If you don't watch this show, you absolutely should. I started on Saturday and I'm already all caught up (there are only 8 episodes, but still). Based on the series of fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire), it's a crazy and suspenseful series where seven noble families are fighting for control of Westeros. It's an HBO series, so if you don't have HBO, watch it here! Is it wrong that this is the most important thing I want to blog about?

In other news, it's hot. My air conditioner is in the window, and last night I bought a fan at Target (and carried it home from the subway...in heels...I deserve a medal). It almost makes summer feel bearable. Who's excited for it to be 100 degrees tomorrow? (Not me!)

Third order of business: my dad (...hi dad) sold my car. I'm literally heart broken; I've been driving that car for over 6 years. Last weekend was my last time ever driving it, and I didn't even know. No goodbye hugs or blowing out the last speaker that still (sort of) works. No more window songs (woo ooo wooo, ooo woo ooo wooo, wooooooo) and no more helicopter radio. No more broken AC and no more scratched CDs. No more dents and dings and crooked bumpers. Rest in peace, my lovely Lou Lou.

That's all for now, I think.

PS: Hi Aunt Kathy!

Face Pressed to the Velvet Sky

Updates about life soon (as soon as I install my new camera's software on my computer), but until then, Alex Dezen is easily my favorite person in the world. Evidence as to why he should be yours too:

SerialBox Presents: THE DAMNWELLS from The Serial Box on Vimeo.

The Frenemy

Nicole recommended this blog to me, The Frenemy, and so far productivity has gone out the window in favor of reading every single one of these posts. It is hilarious, honest, and basically brilliant. It's so perfect, I can't even. It's out of control (these are two of my currently waaaay overused phrases, deal with it (that's number three)).

But getting back on topic: please read this post about living in New York City. Please. It sums up the way the city feels and the way the city makes you feel. It's not even remotely cheesy but if I wasn't reading it at work, I'd probably make some annoyingly girlish squeal. Read it. SERIOUSLY. READ THIS.

Here is an excerpt, just in case you're not really sure (you should be): "Forget all the great reasons why you moved here, fall in love with the reasons you didn’t think- cool breezes, car honkings, and knowing how to get places. Revel in being alone, revel in learning a city. Hate every job you have. Hate every bar you go to. Love both of these. Love everything. Have really, really good days. Stare at the city like ‘I got this.’ Swear you will eventually leave."

I have days and weeks and even months where I spend an inappropriate amount of my free time (HAH) dreaming about moving to a different city and perusing Craigslist for a apartments in Athens, GA or Austin, TX. The cost of living is much easier to deal with, there aren't surprise 3-foot snow storms, I would have a backyard & therefore a dog, there's hope that I would turn a color other than translucent white. But there is always, always, always something that stops me from being more than 35% serious about leaving the city. I'm not sure if it's comfort (but let's be honest, who's really comfortable here), safety (but let's be honest, who's really safe here), laziness, or the hope (/faith) that something wonderful is happening here. New York City is a strange place filled with too many tourists and too many people trying to sell me handbags, but it's also a place filled with possibilities. Possibilities for new adventures, new friends, new romances, new opportunities. Oh, and $1 pizza.

These Memories Are Playing Like a Film Without Sound

So. I graduated from college on Wednesday. I guess technically I've been done with school, classes, papers, studying (ha!), etc. for something like five months now, but I have to say that finishing school a semester early was one of the most anti-climactic experiences of my life. Honestly, even after having gone through all the hoopla of Steinhardt graduation and all-NYU graduation, I still feel like nothing's different. Maybe it's not. Maybe the "real world" really does change you and the way you feel about things. I have no idea...and that doesn't just apply to the "real world," it applies to a lot of things. But I have a lot of ideas about where I'm going. And so far, I'm going there in the pouring rain (what's up with that, mother nature?) but with a huge smile on my face.

OH NO

IT'S LIKE RAAAAAAAAIN

ON GRADUATION DAY

A FREEEEEE RIIIIIDDE

WHEN YOU ALREADY PAID

I've Got Nothing To Say

...except there isn't enough sunshine in the world for how wonderful I feel right now.

I'm seeing Manchester Orchestra tonight.
Andy Hull is everything that's right with the world.

I'm going to Terminal 5, dancing and screaming my face off, then hauling myself back to Brooklyn and sleeping as many seconds as possible.

Sleep? What's sleep?
I'll sleep in June.

Till then, I'll just skip down the street.
And smile.

I'm The Worst

Honestly, the only excuse I have is that I'm super busy. One day soon, blog, I'll come back to you. One day soon.

I'm Losing My Mind Girl, Cause I'm Going Crazy

Hello, beautiful readers! I am, in fact, alive. I'm sure that after my "daily" picture-theme posts, two weeks without word from me is cause for panic.

Boy, do I crack myself up.

Last night, while in New Jersey for a hot second, my mother informed me that it was "time to update that Ramblings & Rumblings thing already," but honestly, I spend so much time in front of a computer at work, I find it hard to sit down and do this right now. I hereby promise to write you a nice, long entry next week (from my NEW APARTMENT in BROOKLYN!!) that will cover details of my birthday, Passover, moving, and everything else in between.

Until then, give me a good stalk on Facebook and Twitter, and you'll be hearing from me soon!

Really Not Okay With This

Sicker Than A Dog

So you may or may not know this very strange fact about me: when I'm feeling sick, I really like to take my temperature. It's just something that I want to know...is it getting higher? Am I almost back to normal? Am I meningitis status? So 2 days ago, I was on Fever Watch 2011 (similar, but less exciting than Fever Watch 2010. At numerous times throughout the day, I slinked out of the office to the bathroom to take my temperature. I even did it on the subway on my way back from Brooklyn. My recorded temperatures: 100.6, 101.8, 103.0, 103.3 (!!!), 100.8, 100.1, 101.4.

But that's not the point of this post, though I love revealing embarrassing and weird things about myself. Mostly I want to complain about the ridiculous doctor's appointment that I had yesterday. After some encouragement (read: people telling me I was out of my mind to be at work with a 103.3 fever), I made an appointment for yesterday during my lunch break. 1:15 PM; what a perfect time when lunch is usually between 1 and 2 and this place was literally 5 minutes away from my office. Right? So I ate my lunch a little early, and at 1 o'clock, left my office to go get myself some answers.

I walk into the office and it's 1:10 PM. It's empty, but I can hear the doctor in a room with a patient. I fill out some forms, pretty standard. Except when I go to pay my co-pay, it turns out I only have $4, and they don't take cards. Awesome. So I run to the ATM and take out money, which the receptionist doesn't have change for at her desk...she creepily goes behind a few doors then comes back out with 2 folded up five dollar bills. Very strange. But I sit and wait.

And wait. And wait. Geez, what's taking so long? I've seen the doctor and her patient go in and out of three different rooms, and it's now 1:45 PM and I haven't even been seen yet. It's making me nervous, because most agents here don't even take a lunch break. So I'm checking my watch and huffing and puffing and finally at 2 PM the doctor comes out and takes me back to (drum roll please) her office. Not an examination room. She asks, "Are you ok? You look a little stressed." To which I reply, "Yeah, it's just, this is my lunch break." Her response? "OK, we'll make this quick. Do you work within walking distance?" I'm sorry, what? No apologies for making me wait 45 minute? Awesome.

She checks my chart and then decides to ask me if I'm sure I'm taking Dorxy (which is an antibiotic I take for my skin). Why, yes doctor, I'm sure! I take it every day! Yes, I'm sure I take it once a day. Yes, I'm sure it's Doryx. Yes, that's the correct dosage. I'm sorry, I'm not four years old. I know what medication I'm taking. I've been taking it since November, I know, trust me. Yes, my temperature was 103.3. No, no, not 100.3. Yes, 103.3. Mhm.

Then this woman doesn't even take my temperature! I don't care if I told you I think it's back to normal. If I crossed the 103 threshold, you might want to check, just to be sure. Especially since I told you I'm having muscle aches and stiffness, oh but wait, you didn't feel my lovely swollen glands or down my shoulders to feel the tension. So glad that someone officially told me I didn't have meningitis! Oh, wait.

Though since then my fever has broken entirely and I'm feeling less and less sick, I'm annoyed. I took too long of a lunch break and paid $10 to have someone tell me I didn't look sick so I must be fine. She literally said, "People with bacterial infections look really bad, and you look okay to me," and then didn't do anything except test me for strep. And I've had my fair share of strep tests, but this one...done without a tongue depressor. That's probably TMI but I KNOW strep tests. And that's not the way to do them.

In conclusion, Dr. Chung, go back to med school.

Sorry.

All Smiles

New York City feels like home again.

I can't wipe this smile off my face.

Enough Slacking = Finishing in One Post!

Day 26 – A picture of something that means a lot to you

This is kind of a redundant question, isn't it?

Cop out....happiness means a lot to me.

Day 27 – A picture of yourself and a family member

How about all of the immediate ones?

Day 28 – A picture of something you're afraid of

No, thank you. I'd rather not have to google image search "E.T." Because then someone would have to come and check my closet and under my bed tonight. And tomorrow. And the day after.

Day 29 – A picture that can always make you smile

I love and miss this kid an unbelievable amount.

Day 30 – A picture of you last year and now and how you have changed since then.

Well, my hair is about 6 inches longer, I have a nose ring, and I wear glasses 100% of the time. But also, I'm now a college graduate with a full time job and tons more responsibilities. Like rent. Ugh.

Day 25 – Something You Crave a Lot

Um, hello, where have you been, survey? This is the most obvious answer in the world.

And my order is ALWAYS the vegetarian tacos, hard & soft, black beans, and a medium (sometimes small or large, depending on happy hour & money) frozen margarita with salt.

BOOM.

Day 24 & I'm Half Irish

Day 24 – A picture of something you wish you could change

What a freaking cheeseball I am! I can't help it! Honestly, changing one person (or animal, I suppose) for the better changes the entire world for the better. Which is equally (if not more) cheesy but definitely true. Can you imagine a world where people really paid it forward? Then every tiny good deed would spread across the globe and people would just be happier. Plus, I live to make people smile, so having a positive impact on people and the world is all I can really ask for. And I guess in a broader sense, I wish the world could be a cleaner and safer place to live. There are certain things we can't change (such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan), but every little bit helps. Recycle. Try to live green. Educate yourself and others. Smile.

And I'm half Irish, so happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! Yes, that's green eyeliner you spy. And a green dress!

Day 23 & A Side Note

Day 23 – A picture of your favorite sport

That's a funny joke, guys. Pretty much everyone who knows me knows that I don't do sports. Tossing a frisbee around? Sure. A little blacktop kickball? Sure. But did I ever play a sport in high school? Absolutely not. Marching band nerd to the core (and honestly, I don't even want to get into the argument about whether or not it's a sport--especially if you call cheerleading a sport, sit down please).

And a side note!

Attention world: I have the best mom in the history of the universe. Everyone at my job is jealous and wants to be adopted. HAH! She's all mine. And my sister's, of course.

Yup, that's a package. Filled with Irish soda bread and spiced jelly beans.

Love.

Love.

Love.

Biggest Slacker in the World

Day 16 – A picture of someone who inspires you

 My sister! She's smart and funny and pretty and the nicest person ever. And generous and caring and honest and have I ever mentioned that I love my sister??

Day 17 – A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

The most beautiful place on earth (that I've been to so far), Israel. Filled with some of the most beautiful people on earth, both Israeli (I know for sure that at least 10 of them are beautiful) and American (you know, those 41 wonderful people I traveled with).

Day 18 – A picture of your biggest insecurity

Let's not get into emotional ones, because that's a whole other blog. But I guess it's typical and girly to say my "figure." Especially when I love Benny's Burritos as much as I do!

Day 19 – A picture of something you like to do

I like to take pictures! And print them myself, but that's not going to happen in the near future. Too expensive, weh.

Day 20 – A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

New Zealand! Please! I mean, come on, LOOK at THAT!

Day 21 – A picture of something you want to learn how to do

Be as good of a cook as my momma! Or really, I want to learn how to cook at all, by any definition, because right now, my idea of cooking is putting half a bag of pasta, a bag of previously-frozen vegetables, a can of tuna, and some Italian dressing in a container and calling it lunch.

Dads Are Cute

I've been having a rough day at work (read: I want to curl up in my bed with sweatpants, Chinese food, and Lloyd Dobbler for at LEAST three days), and this little aside with my dad really made my day:

Me: UGH I'm sorry I keep opening picture mail thinking they're texts. I owe you like $5
Dad: Pay up! :)
Me: iPhone up?? ;)
Dad: Like heck!
Me: Blackberry up? It's 32 days until my birthday!
Dad: Don't turn blue holding your breath :)
Me: I bet there's an app you can buy to monitor my breathing, just to make sure :)
Dad: APP my tush!!

Day 15 – A Picture of Something You Want to do Before You Die

 

SKYDIVING

I have to. HAVE to. Honestly, how cool would it be?

The answer? Cooler than there are words for.

Day 14 – A Picture Of Your Favorite Physical Feature

Well this is a double-edged question. I don't think it means to be (let's face it...online surveys intended to be taken on blogs or via Facebook aren't the most complex of things) but I'll go with it because I feel like this challenge/survey is kind of getting boring.

So my favorite physical feature of mine is my eyes. Some days they appear super blue, some days almost green, some days cloudy and gray. I don't think it always coordinates with my mood, but when I'm tired and the rest of my eye-area is red, the green in them disappears. Colors are so cool.

Now my favorite physical feature on other people? Mainly dudes, cause, you know, that's my thing. Lips. Lips and hands.

 

Day 13: A Picture of Your Favorite Band or Artist

You're kidding me, right?