LOST: 30-something Woman

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

  Wishing everyone, whether you are asian or not, b/c I know some of you secretly wish you were asian (you know who you are! :-), a very happy new year! For those who were born in the following years: 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997. I'm not going any further back in years b/c I don't think anyone older than 47 is reading my blog....not that I wouldn't love that! So, if you are lucky to be born in this year. Here's some info about you:

People born in the Year of the Ox are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. They tend, however, to be eccentric, and bigoted, and they anger easily. They have fierce tempers and although they speak little, when they do they are quite eloquent. Ox people are mentally and physically alert. Generally easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed. They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat people.

I was home over the weekend for dinner with the family and laid back festivities. My mom cooked a delicious HUGE meal and we helped to clean the house (preparing for the new year - taking out the old and allowing good luck to come in). So, for those of you who wanted a do-over New Year's celebration (from 3 wks ago) here's your chance!

Xian Nian Kuai Le!!!!!!!!! (that's how you say 'happy new year' in mandarin, btw....)

 

Travel-o-rama

I'm going to Mexico late next week for a long weekend. Yes. I'm going on vacation....again. This was really last minute and random. I am going to the Yucatan area. Flying into Cancun, heading down the coast to Tulum and places along the way, stop over to Cozumel and then over to Chichen Itza to see the ruins.

I am very much looking forward to WARM weather and the natural warming affects of SUN. It's been freezing here lately. Oh yeah...b/c it's called winter. Bah. Me no likey. Even though it's been sunny, I can't FEEL the warmth of the sun. Just cold bitter air.

I am going with LSteez from my SF days. She's convinced she has SAD (seasonal affected disorder) and needs warmth. This time of the year, she's usually my Sundance Film Festival buddy, but we passed on that this year for warmth. I can't take the credit for it b/c she actually called me around Christmas to tell me she booked a cheap fare to Mexico and that I should meet her there. She even did searches on my local airports to demonstrate to me that, I too, could get a very inexpensive fare, further making her case.

I am very lucky that I have the work flexibility and financial ability to travel as much as I do. I am very thankful for that. People are always saying "do what you love and things will come". Travel is something I love. Of course, being single and having no one to answer to except myself, helps too.

1 pt for the single girl! LMAO! :-)

I hope to plan more trips this year. A few are percolating. It helps get thru the winter and any other doldrums.

Oh! And if anyone has been to where I'm going in Mexico -- any info, suggestions and logistical help would be greatly appreciated! Email me or comment! Thanks!

Energy

Happy Inaguration Day!

Pretty amazing! Peaceful, yet energizing. Walking to my office there are people already gather on the street in Times Square across from ABC studio who are broadcasting on the jumbotron (is that how it's spelled?) the events of this morning and afternoon.

2 points

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Happy New Year to me.....I got a speeding ticket last night on my way home from pilates class. I haven't gotten a speeding ticket since 1993.

Grrrrrr.

Worse? I was literally not even 1/4 mile from my home. I own up to speeding. My road is pretty easy to do so, as mostly it's just parked cars for people who are taking the ferry to the city. We've had one of those giant neon speed clockers up before, so it's a known fact people speed on this street. But it's so open and feels like my condo complex's driveway, that I never REALLY think about it. It's a 25 MPH zone. Guess what I was doing??? Guess?

40 MPH.

Heh. Not safe, yes...I know. The worst is that I slammed on my breaks just as I was passing the police officer parked there. The lights came on and I just thought, "F&^%".

It's a $95 ticket, with 2 points attached to it. I can't complain too much b/c he also pointed out that my car inspection sticker expired in December and he wasn't going to give me a ticket for that which he pointed out was $180! I had no idea that my sticker had expired. I think b/c I was operating off of my old car and that one is due in June. I had forgotten that I was now driving the car that I bought from my parents (a year ago) and had no idea when it was expired.

I'm lucky...bc that ticket would have stung! He went on to be somewhat defensive, which is completely reactionary on his part. I say this b/c I clearly knew I was guilty when he pulled me over and he must get lots of hostile people who want to argue with him b/c he handed me the ticket and very defiantly said, "You have the option to contest this citation. But you need to take that up with the court. I don't know anything else about that, nor can I help you. I will most likely not appear in court. But, if you want to contest it, again, that is not my issue nor department. I CANNOT HELP YOU."

Um...ok. I just looked at him blankly. I then just said, "can I ask..." and he said, "Miss, you have to take it up with the court". And I said, "I got that. I just want to know how much this ticket is and how  many points it is?". He stopped and then I think he let his guard down a bit, and his body tension released and he said in a much more humane and normal tone, "Oh. I think it's $95 and you get 2 points. I'm not giving you a citation for your expired inspection....b/c that is like $180".

He handed me the ticket and I just took it and threw it on my dashboard. He stopped for a nanosecond and looked at me. Did he think I was going to say, "THANK YOU"?????? He said, "Please be careful. have a nice night". I went about putting my documents away and then sighed.

Clearly, I'm not going to court b/c what would I say? I'd have no defense. I was speeding. Crap. So, now I have to figure out if my insurance will go up. I think I am going to take one of those online driving school things to erase the points.

*sigh*

Pacino

Just wondering.....

What possesses someone to buy a leather jacket with the face of Al Pacino from "Scarface" embroidered on the back??

I saw that on the subway this morning.

Remnants

I work in Times Square. This morning while walking to my office from the subway, I noticed a 2x2 colored foiled square fluttering about in the corner of door. Yes, folks...it was leftover pieces of confetti that fell over the thousands of people who gather here last Wednesday night for New Year's Eve. It already seems distant, especially the way that it floated around by itself, separate from the 4-5 other pieces that were settled in the ground. Like if they had voices, the pieces settled were like, "Dude. Stop trying to relive it."

2009 is starting off very quiet. I've got my resolutions and now I just need the jump-off.

A meme of 2008 was posted on a blog I occasionally read. I found it reflective. So, I present it now via me....

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

I learned how to swing dance

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, did you make new one for this year?

No, b/c I didn't make any last year. Yes, I made some for this year. See previous post.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes. Mya and B. Mazel-tov to both!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My grandmother

5. What countries did you visit?

Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany, Austria and Canada

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

Professional satisfaction

7. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Letting go

9. What was your biggest failure?

I don't think it was a failure. Can I call it my biggest disappointment?....that I allowed myself to get all twisted about something that someone else did!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Yes, I had that 3 week weird bronchitis-laryngitis-virus that wouldn't give up in the middle of summer!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My recycled wood desk/dining room table!

12. Where did most of your money go?

My mortgage 

13. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Returning to Hawaii and going to the George Michael concert!

14. Compared to this time last year, are:

a)happier or sadder?

b)thinner or fatter?

c) richer or poorer?

a) Happier

b) right now I feel fatter but that's b/c I think I gained 2 lbs over the last 2 weeks

c) it's an even split - not greatly richer, yet not poorer

15. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Meeting new people

16. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Hibernating

17. Did you fall in love in 2008?

Nope

18. What was your favorite TV program?

In Treatment & Gossip Girl

19. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Hate too strong, how about "dislike"? Although, I can't stand Heidi and Spencer from "The Hills". Actually, while we're at it, how about all of the non-celebs who are famous for being on a "reality" show that really have no talent but to produce superficial drama?

20. What was the best book you read?

The Glass Castle by Jeanette Wells

21. What did you want and get?

I got a Wii! I went back to Hawaii after a 2 year hiatus and I managed to go out on successful decent dates with a few men who were overall good, but sadly just not for me. Not just talk about the weird, bad or comical dates.

22. What did you want and not get?

Career motivation (this is a reoccurring theme my work, isn't it? better be positive foreshadowing for this year!)

23. What was your favorite film of this year?

Hmm....this is a tough one. I have "favorite" in different ways. Quantum of Solace, well b/c I had nearly 2 hrs of Daniel Craig lust. Sex & The City: Movie - not b/c it was amazing, but b/c it's fantasy land for women.

24. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Shopping with my mom, dinner with my family and friends. I turned *whisper* 37!

25. How you would describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Simple, comfortable, minimal and adding the "one" piece to your outfit that makes it unique (ie. shoe, jewelry, bag or accessory)

26. What kept you sane?

Meditation via television, aka....shutting out the world and zoning out for a bit

27. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Duh.....Daniel Craig 

28. Who was the best new person you met?

PL Girl

29. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. 

Trust your gut!

30. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. 

"have no fear for givin' in. Have no fear for givin' over. Say what you need to say" - John Mayer

The World Is Mine in '09

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

I can't take credit for the 2009 rhyme. That's Col's. But, I like the way it sounds. It sounds like a James Bond (growl....Daniel Craig) movie title, doesn't it? Heh. I am not usually one to make up resolutions. If I do, they are usually silly and just to mock resolutions. This year, however, I found I had 3 that just naturally came to me and I WANT to have them. They are realistic, practical and I believe they will bring me much joy and happiness. 

Without further ado.....I present Lost's 2009 Resolutions....

1. Research, determine, plan and begin transition of next professional career path. Yes, I know that sounds really convoluted. But, I am going to do it. I really need to find what my next step is going to be professionally that will be challenging, engaging and satisfying. I realized that for the last 5 years, I have been bored, tired and uninspired by my work. What is completely unbelievable to me is that I have increasingly made more money, moved up the ranks in title, got bigger offices and yet manage to sit at work each day bored and often watching the clock tick by. How is this possible? I must have missed the memo that you can move up the corporate ladder, use less of your brain and deal primarily with political drama!! Seriously, I know politics is everywhere, but gesh...it shouldn't be the ONLY things I have to do all day, is it??!?? I don't know what the next thing is going to be for me, but I know that this path I've been on can't be it.

2. Always trust my gut (or at least defer to it) . I've always been fairly intuitive, however, something happens and I tend to override it. In 2008, I really fought with my gut and pushed and tested it. What happened? I learned that no matter how I tried to rationalize it. My gut ultimately was what I should've done. So! In 2009, I am going to try to stop fighting my gut and use it as a compass. Whoa. Please don't fail me now!

3. Wear more hats and hair accessories. I feel like I may have declared this one a few years ago. If I did, I am making a small modification and making a bit clearer (I'm making SMART goals - those of you who are subjected to performance reviews, may recognize that acronym!) I do wear more hats, than I ever have.  However, it's mostly in the winter and it's a matter of retaining heat and survival! I have quite a lovely collection of winter hats that I wear daily (as it's currently 0 degrees here!). But, I want to wear hats in the spring/summer. I bought a cute fedora over the summer and I haven't worn it once. I am also adding hair accessories, like head bands and hairpins. I bought a beautiful headband with ornate feathers (yes....FEATHERS..*smirk*) and I love it!  Have I worn it? Nope. I have lovely hairpins, too. Have I worn those? Nope. I either forget about them, or like the hats....I put them on and as I am leaving the house, I am so not used to seeing myself in them and the attention I fear they may cause to me (which is all in my head, I realize) I take them out. NO MORE! 2009? HATS & HAIR ACCESSORIES!

Ahem. So there you go. I've put them out there. They now must be done b/c I don't like incomplete things. I want to look back on 2009 in 364 days and feel the same way that 2008 ended for me....happy, content and not wistful or regretful.....and ACCOMPLISHED!

Wish me luck!

I wish you all, dear readers, a very happy, healthy, prosperous and rockin' 2009!