Giving Thanks

This is a little late due to the busy fun holiday weekend I had but I wanted to give thanks to things/people in my life:

My family: I love my family and miss them dearly but so thankful for the times we've spent together this past year. Although this year was a roller coaster of a ride with the unexpected death of my nagymama (RIP) as well as my parents having to put down both of the family dogs, I appreciate my family and all that they have been there for. Between visiting for work and personal matters I have managed to see my parents 8 out of the 11 months so far this year and have enjoyed every minute being able to spend with them. Even with my sister in Atlanta, I have managed to see her 6 out of the 11 months so far. I am truly grateful for the time spent with my family even with being so sprawled across the United States. I can't wait to see them again 4 weeks for Christmas.



Ann Marie, Janssen and I

My friends: I can't believe it's been over a year and a half that I have now been living in New York. Time has flown by but the friendships I have made are stronger than ever. I have made such an amazing group of friends through trivia, kickball, friends of friends and all of the other various things I have participated in here in the city. A special thank you to Tom, Ann Marie and Janssen. Without you all in my life and helping me out when I was in need/disarray I am not sure I would have made it through with a sane mind.

Tom and I

Tom- without you I don't think I would feel as grounded and sometimes sane as I do. You calm me when I need it, and also make me let loose and have fun instead of feeling stressed and always planning. Thank you.

Ann Marie- you're my second half and are my closest girl friend here. You and I have such a great and solid friendship. Here's to many years to come. 

Janssen- you and I have become closer over the past year and I am truly grateful. We've had great conversations and fun times together. I am glad we've formed this friendship.

My boss/work: I am truly grateful for given the opportunity to work in New York and still do every day. I am lucky to be not one who is unemployed during these tough economic times. I thank my lucky stars every day that I work with such an amazing EHS team here at 30 Rock as well as working for a boss who is there for his employees. Without any family here to lean on in case of an emergency or in times of trouble, I appreciate the fact that I can reach out to my boss as we have established a solid friendship and work relationship. Here's to EHS and working with smart and dedicated people.

My health and financial stability: Even after moving to New York and adjusting to new climates, humidity, and crazy allergies, I am greatful that I have maintained my health and haven't had any major health issues over the past year (knock on wood). With all the traveling and crazy schedules I have had, I cherish the time I can hit the gym or walk for blocks enjoying the outdoors. Relying on walking and public transportation like I did back when I first moved to San Francisco for college, makes me realize how much I enjoy the outdoors and how I should cherish those moments as much as I can. My new found finanical stability has definitely made me thankful this year. After moving and costs associated with moving to New York, I had some moments where I thought being finanically stable would be impossible. With good budgeting skills, a small raise and moving to a more affordable neighborhood, I have managed to become almost debt free (including the many of plane tickets I've had to buy this year)! My goal is to have zero debt starting in 2013 and to buy all Christmas presents with cash.

Dear Monday

It's been a few weeks since I posted last, I feel like November has flown by.

Dear November, please stick around, I can't believe you're already half over.

Dear Janssen, I hope you had an awesome birthday celebration Friday night. It was good to celebrate with friends.

Dear Trevor, hope you survived Saturday. Brunch was awesome and you're friends were great fun.

Dear family, I'm sad I won't be there to celebrate Thanksgiving together but seeing you at Marika and Jeff's wedding was amazing. See you in a month!

Dear friends, can't wait for another BDHOF Friend's Thanksgiving on Friday.

Dear Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, I can't wait to watch it again and maybe even live this year!

Dear Jeff, thanks for the invite Friday. You're team was super fun and congrats on 2nd place!

Dear Christmas shopping, please be good to me this year. I need to start now and get everything accomplished soon.

Dear roommate, sorry I couldn't make it Saturday but I hope you did awesome and I'll see you after Thanksgiving weekend.

Dear work, I'm glad you're busy and keeping me busy.

Dear winter, I'm glad you're a bit more prominent this year and I'm ready for some more snow.

Love in Austin

First off: CONGRATULATIONS Jeff and Marika!!

After a 2 hour trip to the airport on Thursday afternoon, I successfully made it to Austin, Texas for the wedding of my cousin Marika and her now husband Jeff. With everything going on post-Hurricane Sandy I was feeling a bit relieved to be leaving the city for a few days to not think about things going on. I was fortunate to have not lost power, water or heat during the storm so I would have been OK had I stayed in New York.

Thursday those of us who arrived early all met up for drinks with the bride and groom at Peche, a fancy bar known for it's gin/whiskey/absinthe drinks. Few hours later after meeting the best man, few groomsmen and other friends in town, we headed back to the Sheraton to get some sleep before the busy days began.

Friday morning, most of the bridesmaids and Marika met to get our nails done and have some quiet time to enjoy each others company and catch up. After we got our nails done (by the way awesome nail salon!), we went to lunch with all the bridesmaids. Hillside Farmacy was a cute little old house turned restaurant with delicious food; I recommend it if you make it to Austin. After lunch some of us grabbed Amy's Ice Cream on South Congress before heading over to Green Pastures, the wedding venue.

The venue was GORGEOUS! It is a historical old mansion set in the middle of a neighborhood with luscious green trees, grass and peacocks wondering the property. After finally meeting the rest of Jeff's groomsmen, we began the rehearsal with their Reverend, Vikki. Being there with everyone made me even more excited to be a part of my cousin and Jeff's special day. Friday finished off with a rehearsal dinner with close family and friends, speeches galore and a power point presentation my mom made of Jeff and Marika.

Saturday was wedding day!! Bright and early the bridesmaids, Marika and I gathered together in a conference room set aside at the Sheraton to begin getting our hair and makeup done. I loved how my hair turned out based similarly to a picture of Katherine Heigl. Once we arrived at the wedding venue, got Marika dressed, took photos and prepared for the start of the wedding, was it then I began to have so much joy and excitement for the bride and groom.

The wedding was sentimental and well put together by Jeff and Marika. The rest of the wedding night was filled with family, friends, great speeches by the maid of honor Julia (Marika's sister) and Sam (Jeff's best friend he's known since childhood), drinks, delicious food and PLENTY of dancing with the live band.

After the wedding was over, many of the "young ones" as my mother called us, went down to 6th Street (which is the downtown bar scene) and continued to celebrate the night away. We even got to continue for an extra hour since the time changed that night!

Overall, I had an amazingly exhausting weekend that will be one for the books. This was definitely the best wedding I have been to so far. Let's see how the next ones match up!