Wednesday, February 29, 2012
More Photos
In case you didn't get enough before, here are more photos from NY (the boyfriend took these):
Monday, February 27, 2012
Weekend Getaway: NYC
This weekend was so much fun! We left Saturday morning and hopped on the bus to New York City. We made great time and arrived at noon near Penn Station. We walked to our hotel in Hell's Kitchen, Ink48, and they let us check in early which was great. We dropped our stuff off and relaxed in the room for a bit. The hotel was ultra modern and very cool. Then we headed out to explore the city and do some shopping. We hit up places the boyfriend wanted to go to (the Nike Store, the NBA Store, the Adidas store) and places I wanted to go to (Banana Republic, Esprit, etc). For dinner we grabbed pizza at this tiny whole in the wall place that had delicious pizza but not much space for enjoying it. Then we wandered around and got dessert to-go at this French bakery on 9th Ave and ate them in the room while watching the Slam Dunk contest.
Sunday morning we woke up early because we had to get our stuff together for check out as well get down to the Financial District to see the 9/11 Memorial. After what seemed like 12 different checks of our tickets and going through metal detectors, we finally made it inside. The memorial itself was very nice, very calming and somber. I thought it was a very well done and a great way to pay tribute to those who had perished. I also had no idea the story behind the "Survivor Tree" until I asked one of the very helpful guides what it was. She informed me that it was found in the ground but very badly burned. It was taken to a sanctuary for treatment and all of the old and burnt branches were cut off. It was re-planted (in a different location) in the memorial on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. It is very cool how you can see the old bark and new re-grown bark. It was quite inspiring.
After the Memorial we grabbed some brunch at the Westway Diner which was a neat, fast-paced diner with delicious food. Then we headed to High Line Park which is an elevated park made from where the elevated train tracks used to be. It was very pretty and nature-filled, and gave you a different perspective of the city. It was quite peaceful up there, but I can imagine it gets very crowded during the summertime. After the park we just wandered around the city some more and then had to head to the bus stop to get back. All in all it was fun and I'm glad I was able to surprise the boyfriend with a nice get away.
Also, I spotted 3 different people in NY wearing the boyfriends' new headphones. Get them while they're hot: http://www.urbanears.com/headphones/plattan
Sunday morning we woke up early because we had to get our stuff together for check out as well get down to the Financial District to see the 9/11 Memorial. After what seemed like 12 different checks of our tickets and going through metal detectors, we finally made it inside. The memorial itself was very nice, very calming and somber. I thought it was a very well done and a great way to pay tribute to those who had perished. I also had no idea the story behind the "Survivor Tree" until I asked one of the very helpful guides what it was. She informed me that it was found in the ground but very badly burned. It was taken to a sanctuary for treatment and all of the old and burnt branches were cut off. It was re-planted (in a different location) in the memorial on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. It is very cool how you can see the old bark and new re-grown bark. It was quite inspiring.
After the Memorial we grabbed some brunch at the Westway Diner which was a neat, fast-paced diner with delicious food. Then we headed to High Line Park which is an elevated park made from where the elevated train tracks used to be. It was very pretty and nature-filled, and gave you a different perspective of the city. It was quite peaceful up there, but I can imagine it gets very crowded during the summertime. After the park we just wandered around the city some more and then had to head to the bus stop to get back. All in all it was fun and I'm glad I was able to surprise the boyfriend with a nice get away.
Also, I spotted 3 different people in NY wearing the boyfriends' new headphones. Get them while they're hot: http://www.urbanears.com/headphones/plattan
Friday, February 24, 2012
Recap
I promised more posts but I have been so busy it's hard to find time to write any of them. The boyfriend and I did not get to properly celebrate Valentine's Day since the boyfriend had an Architecture exam to take the week of Valentine's Day, and then left the day after the exam to go home to celebrate his dad's birthday. So I have planned some Valentine's Day surprises for the boyfriend this week, that he will hopefully enjoy. I am super excited to write about them, but I don't want to ruin the surprise.
On Valentine's Day I went to Pret a Manger for lunch and they gave me a free Love bar with my order. It was so amazingly delicious and I just hope they didn't make them special just for Valentine's Day because they are so good.
My friend Jesica and I also made some chocolate covered strawberries for one of many girls nights that we have been having on Friday nights. She has a chocolate fonude fountain so that made dipping them super easy to do.
In some other random and not very exciting news, I bought myself a blender! It's a Ninja and it blends, chops, and crushes, so it's basically like a food processor and blender all in one.
I also bought the boyfriend new headphones because the headphones he was using while studying had binder clips holding them together - it was quite pathetic. They are called Urbanears and are super hipster, but make a great gift if you are looking for something for a boyfriend / dad / brother that likes music. They fold up, which is ultra convenient and you can plug another set of headphones into them so 2 people can listen at once. They come in a million colors too which is pretty cool. I'm also pretty sure they were using them on the show Whitney, so that should be enough of a sell right there.
That's all for now. Stay tuned!
On Valentine's Day I went to Pret a Manger for lunch and they gave me a free Love bar with my order. It was so amazingly delicious and I just hope they didn't make them special just for Valentine's Day because they are so good.
My friend Jesica and I also made some chocolate covered strawberries for one of many girls nights that we have been having on Friday nights. She has a chocolate fonude fountain so that made dipping them super easy to do.
In some other random and not very exciting news, I bought myself a blender! It's a Ninja and it blends, chops, and crushes, so it's basically like a food processor and blender all in one.
I also bought the boyfriend new headphones because the headphones he was using while studying had binder clips holding them together - it was quite pathetic. They are called Urbanears and are super hipster, but make a great gift if you are looking for something for a boyfriend / dad / brother that likes music. They fold up, which is ultra convenient and you can plug another set of headphones into them so 2 people can listen at once. They come in a million colors too which is pretty cool. I'm also pretty sure they were using them on the show Whitney, so that should be enough of a sell right there.
That's all for now. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
My Return!
Well, it's official. After a 2 month hiatus ...I'M BACK!
I have so much to catch up on! After I came back from Thanksgiving Break, I found out that my company had been acquired and I was being laid off, along with my department, and most of the other departments as well. Needless to say I was in shock and devastated and sad, not only because this meant I wouldn't have a job, but also because I really liked my job, the people I worked with, and being able to walk to work. The next day happened to be my birthday so the timing couldn't have been worse.
Speaking of my birthday, the boyfriend got me the coolest and most creative birthday present. He got me a 1 hour flight lesson! More to come on that.
I also received from great presents from my friends and family as well, including a cute purse, cookbooks, earrings, and a chocolate fondue kit (see below).
For the month of December I basically just job searched, went on interviews, hung out around the house, watched TV, and hung out with my old co-workers. Looking back it flew by, but during life of unemployment time goes by soooo sloooow. Each day drags on and on. I also am a planner by nature, and with your entire future up in the air, it made it impossible to plan anything at all, which I did not like. Also, all those times you sit at work wishing you were home, don't. Being stuck at home sucks! There's no one to talk to, nothing to do, and going anywhere meant spending money.
After a month and a week of looking, I found a job! I started a month ago and am loving it so far. At first I was happy just to have any job, but now I am happy and grateful for the job that I did find. I like the people, the location (right in the heart of downtown), my role, and the company. My new job requires me to dress ultra fancy, which is a big change from the wear whatever you wanted attire at my old office. Although I do miss walking to work and not having to deal with the metro, I do like being downtown again. My commute now is only 30 minutes door to door, which is not bad at all. I am also going to try riding my bike into work. I got my bike all tricked out with a rack so I can put my saddle bag on the rack, which will hold my laptop and things I need for work, which I am super excited about.
I think that's all for now, and I will be updating again soon!
I have so much to catch up on! After I came back from Thanksgiving Break, I found out that my company had been acquired and I was being laid off, along with my department, and most of the other departments as well. Needless to say I was in shock and devastated and sad, not only because this meant I wouldn't have a job, but also because I really liked my job, the people I worked with, and being able to walk to work. The next day happened to be my birthday so the timing couldn't have been worse.
Speaking of my birthday, the boyfriend got me the coolest and most creative birthday present. He got me a 1 hour flight lesson! More to come on that.
I also received from great presents from my friends and family as well, including a cute purse, cookbooks, earrings, and a chocolate fondue kit (see below).
For the month of December I basically just job searched, went on interviews, hung out around the house, watched TV, and hung out with my old co-workers. Looking back it flew by, but during life of unemployment time goes by soooo sloooow. Each day drags on and on. I also am a planner by nature, and with your entire future up in the air, it made it impossible to plan anything at all, which I did not like. Also, all those times you sit at work wishing you were home, don't. Being stuck at home sucks! There's no one to talk to, nothing to do, and going anywhere meant spending money.
After a month and a week of looking, I found a job! I started a month ago and am loving it so far. At first I was happy just to have any job, but now I am happy and grateful for the job that I did find. I like the people, the location (right in the heart of downtown), my role, and the company. My new job requires me to dress ultra fancy, which is a big change from the wear whatever you wanted attire at my old office. Although I do miss walking to work and not having to deal with the metro, I do like being downtown again. My commute now is only 30 minutes door to door, which is not bad at all. I am also going to try riding my bike into work. I got my bike all tricked out with a rack so I can put my saddle bag on the rack, which will hold my laptop and things I need for work, which I am super excited about.
I think that's all for now, and I will be updating again soon!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Thanksgiving
Tomorrow I head off to my homestate of Ohio for the beginning of a Thanksgiving celebration. My sister and her fiancee are driving back to Cleveland so the boyfriend and I are hitching a ride with them. This is the 1st time the boyfriend is coming home for an actual holiday, which I am very excited about. We will be in the car for most of Wednesday, since it takes about 6 1/2 hours to get there but there is usually a lot of traffic around the holidays.
My aunt is hosting Thanksgiving this year at her house which I am excited about. She makes really good food and lots of it! I think this year we will have 20 adults and 1 kid. My Grandparents are coming, my whole family, my Mom's sister's family and most of my Mom's brother's family. My sister is bringing her fiancee, I'm bringing my boyfriend, and last I heard my little sister is also bringing her boyfriend as well.
Friday early afternoon is a wedding shower for my sister that my Aunts are throwing her. I'm very excited and hope she likes my gift! Saturday morning the boyfriend and I have an early morning flight to St. Louis, where we will then spend the weekend with his family and celebrate Thanksgiving part 2. I have never been to his house for Thanksgiving, in fact, I have only ever been to Thanksgiving hosted by my mom or her sister, so this will be a big change for me. I just hope I'm not Turkey-ed out for part 2. We will spend Saturday, Sunday and Monday in St. Louis.
Once I get back, it'll be less than 3 weeks until Christmas. I better get shopping!
My aunt is hosting Thanksgiving this year at her house which I am excited about. She makes really good food and lots of it! I think this year we will have 20 adults and 1 kid. My Grandparents are coming, my whole family, my Mom's sister's family and most of my Mom's brother's family. My sister is bringing her fiancee, I'm bringing my boyfriend, and last I heard my little sister is also bringing her boyfriend as well.Friday early afternoon is a wedding shower for my sister that my Aunts are throwing her. I'm very excited and hope she likes my gift! Saturday morning the boyfriend and I have an early morning flight to St. Louis, where we will then spend the weekend with his family and celebrate Thanksgiving part 2. I have never been to his house for Thanksgiving, in fact, I have only ever been to Thanksgiving hosted by my mom or her sister, so this will be a big change for me. I just hope I'm not Turkey-ed out for part 2. We will spend Saturday, Sunday and Monday in St. Louis.
Once I get back, it'll be less than 3 weeks until Christmas. I better get shopping!
Weekend Recap
This past weekend started off with the boyfriend and I joining my sister and her fiancee for dinner where they treated us to a lovely and delicious dinner. The restaurant was a bit loud, but the food was delicious. We then walked around looking for some place for dessert when we decided to go to the Cheesecake Factory for some cheesecake and coffee. Why not live it up, it was Friday after all.
Saturday morning the boyfriend and I woke up early to watch the Arsenal game. After that we went for a run in which I was not having it an didn't want to run anymore. The boyfriend, being the nice person that he is, decided I needed some Breathe Right strips to help me breathe better when I run. He then went to the store to get me some. When he got back my roommate and I cooked a breakfast feast of rolls, bacon and scrambled eggs. After the breakfast I had to get ready for a manicure and pedicure date with my friends Erin and Jesica. Erin drove me and we met up with Jesica and had some excellent girl time while chilling at the salon. Then we checked out Jesica's newly purchased pad which is an awesome condo in Dupont. I'm highly jealous and the place looked great!
After the salon date, I had to run back home to get ready for a memorial service. Sadly, tragically, my old co-worker passed away suddenly at the young age of only 40. He was a good friend and I still can't believe he is really gone. His wife said that he wanted a celebration of his life rather than a mourning of his passing, so she threw a nice party for him - where the wedding rules applied of no church and open bar, so that's what we had. It was great catching up with all my old co-workers but it was also very sad that this is what it took to get us all together. They made a nice slideshow showing pictures of his life and they gave a nice speech about him. It really makes you realize how short life is and makes you want to live every day to the fullest.
Sunday the boyfriend and I were lazy and just hung out and relaxed all afternoon. I made some delicious chocolate chip cookies but nothing else very productive. Then we had to run off to the boyfriend's Sunday soccer team's Championship game. They ended up winning 4-1 (the boyfriend scored a goal!) and it was all very exciting. Here are the Champions:
Saturday morning the boyfriend and I woke up early to watch the Arsenal game. After that we went for a run in which I was not having it an didn't want to run anymore. The boyfriend, being the nice person that he is, decided I needed some Breathe Right strips to help me breathe better when I run. He then went to the store to get me some. When he got back my roommate and I cooked a breakfast feast of rolls, bacon and scrambled eggs. After the breakfast I had to get ready for a manicure and pedicure date with my friends Erin and Jesica. Erin drove me and we met up with Jesica and had some excellent girl time while chilling at the salon. Then we checked out Jesica's newly purchased pad which is an awesome condo in Dupont. I'm highly jealous and the place looked great!
After the salon date, I had to run back home to get ready for a memorial service. Sadly, tragically, my old co-worker passed away suddenly at the young age of only 40. He was a good friend and I still can't believe he is really gone. His wife said that he wanted a celebration of his life rather than a mourning of his passing, so she threw a nice party for him - where the wedding rules applied of no church and open bar, so that's what we had. It was great catching up with all my old co-workers but it was also very sad that this is what it took to get us all together. They made a nice slideshow showing pictures of his life and they gave a nice speech about him. It really makes you realize how short life is and makes you want to live every day to the fullest.
Sunday the boyfriend and I were lazy and just hung out and relaxed all afternoon. I made some delicious chocolate chip cookies but nothing else very productive. Then we had to run off to the boyfriend's Sunday soccer team's Championship game. They ended up winning 4-1 (the boyfriend scored a goal!) and it was all very exciting. Here are the Champions:
Turkey - Part 2
After seeing the Blue Mosque we went across the street to see Hagia Sophia. The Blue Mosque was free whereas the Hagia Sophia cost 20 lira to get in (roughly $12).
The Hagia Sophia was built as a Cathedral in 437 (1,437 years ago), and was later converted to a mosque and then to a museum. It is very famous architecturally (or so the boyfriend says) but it was absolutely spectacular inside. And massive! The pictures don't do it justice.
The next day we went to the Basilica Cistern, which is where they caught and stored rainwater which the city used for their water supply. The cistern was built by Constantinople in the year 532. It was very dark and dreary down there, with beautiful columns supporting the structure.
Then we wandered over to the Spice Bazaar which was just like the Grand Bazaar but all the stands were selling food, spices, or food related items.
I was pretty Bazaar-ed out by the time we got to the Spice Bazaar so we didn't buy too much stuff there. After the Bazaars, we went for a walk by the bridge, which was busy with fisherman trying to catch fish.
Stay tuned for more!
The Hagia Sophia was built as a Cathedral in 437 (1,437 years ago), and was later converted to a mosque and then to a museum. It is very famous architecturally (or so the boyfriend says) but it was absolutely spectacular inside. And massive! The pictures don't do it justice.
After the Hagia Sophia we had dinner at this place right around the corner from our hotel
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Then we walked around the Hippodrome, which is a rectangular area where they used to horse and chariot racing in the Constantinople era.
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| We got our picture taken where we dressed up like a Sultan and a Princess |
After the Cistern we went to the Grand Bazaar which is a very old covered shopping mall. It was so crazy inside - vendors trying to get you to come to their stand, tiny little alley-way type streets inside there making it impossible to navigate your way around, and any type of souvenir you could possibly think of.
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| After the Bazaar (I bought a lot of stuff) |
Then we wandered over to the Spice Bazaar which was just like the Grand Bazaar but all the stands were selling food, spices, or food related items.
I was pretty Bazaar-ed out by the time we got to the Spice Bazaar so we didn't buy too much stuff there. After the Bazaars, we went for a walk by the bridge, which was busy with fisherman trying to catch fish.
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| We stumbled upon Topkapi Palace on our way back to the hotel |
Once we got back to the hotel we had to pack because the next morning we were leaving for Cappadocia
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| Packing |
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| We found a Starbucks at the Istanbul Airport |
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| Boarding our plane |
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