Scrabble on Saturday

Mr. was sick all last week. He spent most of the week miserable with a fever. He was in bed before 8 p.m. almost every night (which is why I haven't posted since Tuesday - My typing is too loud!) On Friday, he was finally feeling better. We went to dinner with a friend (had delicious potato gnocchi with pesto sauce) and later went and had a drink with some more friends. Unfortunately, as we called it a night before 10 p.m. and started heading home in the cold, we realized a fever would be making its presence again another night... but this time, in me! Seth was so kind to share!! It was a long and miserable night, but luckily, the medicine he gave me in the middle of the night finally helped my fever calm down and me get some sleep. I woke up feeling ok, just to go back to sleep and wake up feeling a fever. :( I have to say there is nothing more miserable than a fever. Despite the fact that I wanted to get out and put my camera to use again today, I was stuck inside. We did play a game of Scrabble and watch multiple episodes of Arrested Development (a show I didn't originally like, but am loving now). Oh, and K-State beat Texas today in basketball, which definitely helped me feel better, even if it was just in my head! (Clemente was definitely the star of the day, with over 40 points! Plus we broke the 19 game winning streak Texas had at home!!!)

A quick review of my week - Wednesday, a new episode of Lost! Loved it... :) I really want to know about those Others, and now with the Charles Whitmore link to the Others... Oooo, it definitely stays interesting! I also realized, I'd much rather watch a show about the island over a show about the people who got off the island, the only exception being Desmond, a character I'll watch where ever!)

Thursday night was a book club meetup. Funny, I came in and sat down next to a girl that I thought looked familiar... turns out, I did know her! We'd met at a K-State watch party and were both Kansas State Alum!! I had a great time at the book club and can't wait to attend more meetups! Our conversation flowed on for the whole time we were there, a little about the book, but mostly about other things. All the girls were wonderful, and we've already started making plans to hang out outside of the book club. :)

Another note about Thursday night... this may make me seem crazy (which I'm pretty sure I am!) I am a very lucid dreamer, but sometimes, I get my dreams and reality mixed up. It's nothing major, usually... but after going to bed stressed out about the economy (and the potential lay-off I face) I must have set myself into a stressful dream pattern. About 2 hours after falling asleep, I sat straight up in bed and yelled out to Seth that "My wallet has been stolen!" I jumped over him in bed and climbed down our loft ladder, repeating it over and over. I was panicking and worried, telling him I needed to call in and report my stolen cards. I remember wondering how I was going to get to work without my metro card! Then, as I made my way into the living room, I realized I had No Idea what I was talking about! Seth was asking me if I was freaking out and what in the world I was even talking about. In the daze of my panic over my "stolen" wallet, I climbed back into bed, tried to forget just how crazy my mind must be, and fell back asleep. I guess maybe I compare losing my job to losing my wallet? I just hope it isn't a foreshadow of my wallet's future, in more ways than one.

Pictures from Coney Island

Today's post on Shuttersisters.com reminded me of the pictures I'd taken last summer on a trip to Coney Island with my Canon 35 mm film camera (remember Grandpa-Inspired Camera?) The packet of pics has been sitting on my desk since they arrived in the mail last fall, along with my camera. I haven't used the camera at all this winter, but I look forward to warm days this spring and summer when I can bring it along for a photo day trip. The rolls of film around my place are probably getting restless and wanting some clicking action soon!

Sick Cabbage

8/365 Sick Cabbage, originally uploaded by brklynphoto.

I pulled this out of the back of my fridge... sadly, it got pushed to the back last week and forgotten. This cabbage isn't the only one sick looking today, Mr. is too. His second day of being miserable with a cold, sore throat, and fever. I figured I'd be safer photographing the cabbage rather than him. :)

This photo was day 8 of my project 365. This cabbage is now residing in the garbage. Au revoir, Cabbage! And hopefully, au revoir to sickness!

Peeling Paint

Paint peels in Park Slope.

Inspired by this weeks Inspire Me Thursday Theme! I've been following the blog since last summer, but don't normally post. This will be the week I start!

Finds at the Flea Market

One of the Park Slope schools hosts a weekend flea market in front of their school (remember the deer hoof I posted back in November?). I don't often make the walk up two avenues to check it out, usually just stumbling upon it randomly, but I think I might have to put it in my weekend schedule... not for buying the cool items that I (1) don't have room for and (2) don't have extra money to spend on, but instead for a few fun photo opportunities. Here are a few shots I clicked quickly before I ran to catch up with the group I was out with.

Old photographs. Wish I could have dug through the suitcase a little more to see what else was in there. Moments of happiness forever engraved in time.

This was actually the picture I chose to use Saturday for my Project 365. Check it out by clicking here!

Frames standing against the school yard wall. See the graffiti painted on the bricks?

This lamp shade was pretty sweet. Wish S and I had room for a few vintage pieces. Sadly, we have room for nothing more, and truthfully, we don't even have room for what we have in our tiny home right now!

Sunday Morning Wake-up Call

That woke me up this morning.
Men in full gear roaming our halls.
Story is that a manhole caught on fire.

The smell from outside says it all.

Each apartment was being checked for CO levels.
I didn't ask what ours measured.
I was still trying to wake up.
I thought I heard them say upstairs was 20.
Makes me nervous,
as they go from building to building, apartment to apartment along our street.

Winter Park

How lucky am I to live within walking distance of an amazing park! Saturday afternoon, Seth and I met up with 3 of our friends (one being a dog... Remember Lewis?) and headed to Prospect Park to walk around and relax. It was a perfect outing: great company and peaceful surroundings. I took my camera and tagged along behind the group snapping pictures of almost everything :)

There was a chill in the wind, but for the most part, it wasn't unbearably cold. Some of the paths were covered in ice, and even though there were some people around, I felt as if the park belonged to us.

I think I need more days in the park. (I've said that before...)


I have been craving a little nature, and this afternoon in the park satisfied that desire. As we wondered the paths, I realized how little I had experienced of this park. I've always tended to stay on the north half near the west side because it's the closest to home. There is so much to explore and experience. I almost forgot I was in the middle of a large city.

The view from behind the camera.

A social swan posed for the close-up.

A wife/writer/blogger/photographer posed for her close-up.

Extreme Home Makeover: Home Edition

For Chapman, a small Kansas town, a tornado is no longer merely something seen carrying Dorothy away in the movie The Wizard of Oz, it is a reality. June 11, 2008 changed everything. An EF-3 ripped through the center of the community, leaving a desolated path of destroyed homes, churches, schools, and memories.

To learn more about the small Kansas town and the community that surrounds the devastation, watch this weekend's episode of Extreme Home Makeover: Home Edition on Sunday evening. Ty and his crew came together once again, with the help of the people in the community and communities surrounding Chapman, to start to rebuilding the small central Kansas town. I'll be watching it with a box of tissues...

Read more about it here. And don't forget to tune in!

Hate to See the Sun Go Down

I hate to see the sun go down so early in the winter. With my long commute, I rarely see much light during the week in my neighborhood (I know, you've all heard me cry about it before. Just last week...) Thursdays are good days though, as far as seeing sunlight. Our students get out before 3, and I'm hoping on the subway as quick as my feet will carry me. Despite my desire to be lazy when I got home, I forced myself out with my new camera for a little walk. Nothing to brilliant happened through my lens, but I was kind of hurrying to (1) beat the sunset and (2) get back inside where it's warm and cozy!

Currently being a permanent pedestrian (plus subway and bus rider), I've really gotten into street signs and all the messages they inform. In the Midwest, our signs are tagged so much. Their messages are usually just the original intended message, because eyes wouldn't as easily catch all the added words.

Seth and I dream of living in a Brownstone one day. They are such beautiful and strong buildings, with details that force me to constantly look up as I walk through my neighborhood. In a moment of staring up, a small, dangling black object caught my eye. An owl! It was just hanging from the roof! Blog followers may remember my previous owl story months ago. Even if this building is an avenue up and a couple blocks away from me, I share a special bond. My building is also an owl building! Our owl, who can be seen in these pictures, is currently chilling on the roof instead of hanging over the edge. That makes 3 owls in the neighborhood. I wonder what they mean or who put them there? What secret am I not a part of...?

This is the photo I posted for my photo-a-day project. I'm on Day 4! Check out the last 4 days on flickr.

Barack Obama: 44th President

Words are a form of action, capable of influencing change. –Ingrid Bengis

Obama's words ring in my head... Click below for songs inspired by Obama's call for change.

Yes we can!

We Can Change the World

What change will be? Education. Environment. Economy. Peace.

Morning of the New Camera

There was not too much sleeping in on my day off from work today. I offered to walk Seth to the subway, and took the opportunity of being out in the fresh blanket of snow to take pictures with my new camera (a big purchase S and I made yesterday). Below are a couple of the pictures I took. They are completely random, but look amazing compared to pictures I've taken on past cameras. I'm going to have to work hard to figure out how to use all the features and settings, but I can't wait to see all the moments I will capture.

Egg sandwiches. The people at the bagel place asked me if I'd be on my way to D.C. to take pictures. (They were probably thinking it was way too early for someone to be wondering around taking pictures!)

An adventure to the roof, despite the sheet of ice that covered it!

The backs of signs are tagged throughout the neighborhood.

I didn't get a picture of these flowers before they began to hang their heads. After this picture was snapped, they met their end.

Snow covered berries.

Day 1 of 365

I decided to start Project 365. Starting today, I'll be taking at least one picture a day and posting it!! Can't wait to see what happens! Check it out here!

Music in the Trees

SUBWAY ANECDOTAL

Beautiful music on the subway platform. He even let a bystander play with him.

A Hair Cut Movie

Recently, I saw a great home-made movie, featuring BB (in miniature clay form). I was shocked and impressed by how wonderful the movie was (not that I doubt the brilliance of my sister-in-law and nephew). Watching it made me wish I truly could quit my job and hang out with P and J all day long, taking part in all the cool things they do!

Seth explained that making a movie as they did wouldn't be too difficult, and we were both familiar with a program that we could use (used it for the wedding movie back in June). Seth, looking for ANY possible excuse to make me approve a haircut, volunteered an idea quickly. So, in the name of P, here's our first movie of the sort!

A Dreamer's Mistake

To Bang It or Not?

In the near future, I'm going to get my hair cut. It needs it SOOO terribly bad, and I've been saying I'd be getting it cut for over a month. The question is, should I get bangs cut into my hair again or not? I'm planning to still have long hair... I will probably chop it late spring and donate the long strands, but between now and then, I could have bangs.

What do you think? Leave a comment with your opinion to help me make up my mind!

Kings in the Sink

Last night, when I was almost ready to go to bed, our new neighbor friends, N and C, stopped by for a few (drinking) games. In college, these games were played often, and we had many up our sleeves. As we began playing a variety of games, C suggested Kings. I thought I hadn't played this game, but as we began discussing the rules, I realized it was similar to a game we played called Circle of Death. With that, our evening was a flash back to college!

Funny side story... Our sink is a bit funky. When you turn on the faucet, you can turn the handles either way. There is nothing stopping the handles. So if you want to turn them on to the left, turn them left. If you'd prefer to turn them on to the right, turn right. It was weird at first, when we would turn off the faucet, but go too far and turn it right back on. With time, we've mastered the perfect turn to get them off without turning too far and turning them back on. N, on the other hand, hasn't had enough time to master the perfect turn... as she was washing her hands she had both hot and cold turned on at the same time. But, as she attempted to turn off the water, she had a bit of a problem! She'd turn one, and then the other. The water kept shooting out. She started freaking out! Even I couldn't get them shut off, as I tried to watch for the water to slow when I thought one side was turned off. Seth did finally get the water off. We weren't quite sure what we would have done at 3:30 in the morning with water running full blast out of our sink. Maybe it would have been a good time to call our landlord :)

Colors of the Sky

The sun has gone down on this week, and I cannot help but look forward to the long weekend. Sadly, it's way too cold (and of course, the slumlord doesn't turn up the heat because he's cheap). Spring are you there? I'm getting sick. Surprisingly I haven't been sick for quite a while (GO ME!)... but of course, in prelude to a long weekend, I start to come down with something miserable! (Will life just give me a BREAK?!)

*Note: The picture was taken a couple weeks ago... I momentarily lost it in the 11,000 pics in my iPhoto (of which I've recently had to move off my computer because I'd used up all the space!) Not really sure how the sunset looked tonight. I did make it home before dark, but I laid down for an end-of-the-week nap (something I needed so badly, as I couldn't stay awake for any of my commutes to and from work all week... I was the one with my head plastered against the window in the corner, who kept jerking her head while drifting in and out of consciousness.)

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

Mirror in one of the bathroom's at the bar across the corner.

Light of Day

I saw it today, and it wasn't from inside my classroom. I actually walked in the daylight! I loath these dark mornings and evenings in the dead of winter. Ahh... how nice it was to see a blue sky.

Morning Surprise

This is the soft blanket of white that greeted me this morning on my way to work. I had no idea of forecasted snow. I've been so wound up about this freezing cold weather to look past the temperature when I've checked weather.com the past few days. The snow is mostly melted away tonight, but it was definitely enjoyable to see it falling.

Getting Inspired

Over my break from school (in December), I had the chance to pump myself full of inspiration to do something creative in 2009. My inspiration/creativity will hopefully come through in my writing (pushing towards something more than just a blog... we'll see where it goes), my photography (hoping to get a new camera Friday!), and through any other creative avenue I can find. I've recently started reading the Shutter Sisters blog more frequently. This blog is filled with inspiration for creative and wonderful pictures and many wonderful photographers who share their work daily!

Today's post asked what inspires you. As I thought about how I didn't take an inspirational picture today, I was led to the inspiration that's been burning within me. I recently got my thoughts onto paper in my current journal. So I pulled out the book and camera and then went to work attempting a picture that would start to display my inspiration.


In spreading inspiration, I helped my sister make the final step in creating her OWN blog! Last night, she figured out the blog name that made her happy, I purchased the domain name, and she was set free to begin blogger. I spent the whole day in anticipation for her first post... I definitely enjoyed it (but maybe I am a bit biased because she wrote really sweet words about me! I hope she knows how much I think she rocks as well!) It's kind of fun to think that I helped inspire her to start it, but now, she's off to inspiring her own creative mind and sharing something wonderful with the world! Such a creative spirit, I can't wait to see what she comes up with! She's already started inspiring me!

(The one picture I did take during the day didn't fit right with the theme of inspiration! I somehow couldn't quite find my co-worker and my socks inspirational. The funky socks do show how we both lack a desire to do laundry and thus both get stuck wearing the most ridiculous socks to work because we are both down to almost nothing. Yes, it does inspire me to do laundry -- but obviously not enough, as I didn't do any tonight and will probably be wearing mismatched socks tomorrow. I just hope I can scrounge up a pair from the corners of my house.)

City of Dreamers

I like what this writer wrote about living in New York and how the writer referred to it as "...a city of dreamers, not of picket fencers." Check out the rest of the post about New York City living and why it's so amazing at Brooklyn Based.

The thought that I live in Brooklyn has shocked me at random moments throughout the last 6 months. I am living my day-to-day life and have gotten into so many habits that I often don't think about where I reside. Yet, every now and then, I snap back to the memory of life before New York and realize just how different everything is.

I often wonder if I'll ever get so tired of this city that I'll actually want to leave. Now, for the most part, everything is still fresh, new, exciting, amusing, interesting. Living in this city truly does inspire, and I cannot quite find the words to explain it. How will I ever keep my days so interesting when I no longer live in this city? How will I function when I can't walk everywhere or catch a subway? What will shock and surprise me when I no longer have New Yorkers to pull another one on me?

A Year of Reading

I have a few books I've been craving that I picked up from being on hold at the library tonight (now that I've finally figured out how to put books on hold from my personal computer AND the library was actually open when I showed up!!). ... I already have a huge stack sitting in my living room, and a few more books I picked up at the Strand last week. (I could make a living out of reading, if it were an option!) Currently, I'm reading Jane Eyre, one of the books I picked up at the Strand. I've decided to read more classics this year, as part of my New Year's Resolutions. (Ironically, my new neighbor friend from this weekend is also reading Jane Eyre, although she's a bit ahead of me.) I guess I was afraid I might not enjoy this particular classic as much as I am (I think the thought of "classic" makes me think I'm going to yawn... stereotype...). It's not as fast of a read as modern-day chick-lit, but it is definitely pulling me in, as I jones for more when I'm not holding the book in my hands.

One of the books I got today is for the book club I recently joined. We are meeting later this month to discuss the book Are You There Vodka, It's Me Chelsea by Chelsea Handler. It will be my first book club ever, and I have to say I'm completely excited! I hope I enjoy it, despite the fact that it's on a school night, and I'll probably exhausted the next day! I think I was inspired to join a book club when I moved to NYC because some of the chick-lit I've read prior to the move featured women with fabulous lives and great book club meetings!

The other books I have in waiting include:

• Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot (The third book in a series my sister got me into... somehow it snuck out without her or me being aware of it!)
• Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
  
• Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell (the actual book in which the show is based)
  
• The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

As far as classics go... I'll be adding Wuthering Heights, by the other Bronte sister to my reading list soon. (I didn't dare even look for it at the library tonight, as I already have enough words set before me!) Stephanie has agreed to make it a goal to read classics with my this year... which we'll probably do more of in the summer with our break from school and a schedule that allows us to meet at Central Park and lay out on the lawn reading (and enjoying wine). Anyone have a favorite classic or two to recommend? Leave a comment so I can add them to my reading list!

Peace is in the Paint

Saw this bright and peaceful trashcan on my walk home from the library tonight. It was one nice thing I got out of my trip... Books, sadly were not included. After taking the horrid 2 train out of the way, I walked up to a big "Closed" sign hanging on the library doors. Wonder if I'll be able to motivate myself to go tomorrow...?

Penny Slots in Atlantic City

Saturday morning, Seth's brother, Ethan called and propositioned a trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey for an evening of gambling. Last time, Seth joined two of his brothers and enjoyed a brother time. This time, he talked me into going. (I only agreed because I had very little to do for school this last weekend -- amazing, surprising, and definitely worth taking advantage of!)

It was an enjoyable time. Most of mine was spent on penny slots, with a few ventures to the nickel machines. I didn't win big, but even better, I didn't lose big either. (Only $10 poorer.) S and E didn't win big, and E didn't lose as big as he did last time... but they both still lost. Bric was the winner this time. He was also determined that I was not having as much fun (I was a bit tired from Friday night's adventures, but by no means was I not having fun.) He was sure the only way I was going to have fun was if I let loose and spent some money in the casinos. I assured him that if I did that, I was sure to ruin my evening! I Hate losing too much money, especially when I have a whole list of things I could spend it on if I really wanted to give it away (including the Digital-SLR that's been hanging out at the top the last few weeks).

Port Authority

Port Authority Entrance near Time Square

Wall of Music

SUBWAY ANECDOTAL
I've decided to attempt to start something new. Considering that I spend almost 13 hours a week riding the subway, not counting any weekend travel I may do, I am going to start a once-a-week post of a moment from my subway riding hours.

On our way to Port Authority, near Time Square, we traveled down a long tunnel. While there were many interesting things going on as we made our way, the wall of music stood out to me most. As an avid iPod listener, I have often wondered what it would be like if people could hear my music as I walked by them. It would be like sharing a part of me in passing, in a similar way that I do by my outer appearance. I'd imagine how everyone would have various types of music surrounding them, depending on who they are. When I saw these "advertisements" covering the walls of the tunnel, I was reminded of these past thoughts.

We didn't slow down to plug in our headphones, but did see a few people wondering along and listening to the various people's music. I'd be interested to see what sounds go with the different people. Since I didn't plug in, I am assuming it is music you hear... I guess I could be wrong?

To Playa on Friday Night

Friday night ended up being more eventful than I had planned or imagined I could handle. My teaching partner and her boyfriend drove down from north of the city for dinner, and we were joined by a couple other friends. Our dinner destination was Playa, a new restaurant in Park Slope at the corner of 5th Ave and President St. The evening was filled with great conversations, well-deserved end of the week drinks, delicious guacamole, and even some octopus (see picture above).

The food wasn't too bad. The guac was great. We enjoyed spicy popcorn while waiting and were treated to a cheese bread, compliments the house (probably because of the long wait on our food). It seemed that our food took a little longer than it should have, and with all the food I had prior to getting my entree, I was almost too full to eat the Chicken and Avacodo Arepa I had ordered.

After dinner, we joined a few friends at the Patio, a bar that I hadn't been to before. We were only there for a moment before we headed to a friend's place to drink and play games. Our night ended around 2 as Seth and I made our way home. We headed home with all intentions of going to bed, until we greeted some of our neighbors outside the building... As we got cold standing outside talking, we all decided we'd head inside to hang out a little longer. The hours of the night faded into morning - I had officially been up for more than 24 hours. Despite my exhaustion, the night was great fun, and S and I are excited at the prospect of making some new friends, and even better, friends that are so close!

Since I moved to NY, I've had many moments where I've missed home and missed our circle of friends (immensely). While I still miss them all, daily, I'm excited that our friendships have grown and continue to expand here in NY.

Frustrated with the Landlord

This month was my first for delivering the rent check. Somehow, I've always talked Seth into taking it down to the box in the entryway. I headed down, a pen in my hand (to copy down the "Pay To" part), an envelope, and two checks. This was all I had, and turning in the checks was the only thing I was doing down there. I filled in the "Pay To" part on both checks and put them Both into the envelope. I then pulled the plastic piece off to reveal the sticky part and sealed the envelope. After this, I dropped the envelope in the little black (and very unsecured) box. I wadded the seal piece and took it with me as I headed down to the basement to change over the laundry. I threw the seal piece in the laundry room trash and headed back upstairs.

Two days later, I get a call from my landlord informing me that he only has half our rent. He goes on to tell me that he did not receive a check from me and needs me to get that turned in right away. ... Except for the fact that it was in the SAME envelope as Seth's and he assured me he had Seth's rent check.

Me, being emotional and worried, started crying at the thought of a check missing and my stupid landlord being to blame. Despite me informing him that IT HAD TO BE in the same envelope, he acted as if he didn't care, didn't want to hear about it, and pretty much refused to check again, demanding that it was not there. When I asked him if the envelope had looked like it had been messed with, he didn't even give me the piece of mind in answering the simple question with a yes or no, but instead retorted that NO ONE would ever get into the rent box (that, as I mentioned prior to this, is not secured or locked in any way... and even more, found in the entryway of a building (1) whose door sometimes does close securely and (2) has packages, mail, and magazines stolen from the tenants on a regular basis). As soon as I got home, I checked the laundry room trash (yes, by checking I mean dug through) and found the plastic seal piece... but No check... not that I would have thrown the check away anyway... but Just In Case.

Turns out, after conversations with a few other tenants, he has lost checks before. Later he finds them, but never admits to being a complete idiot, despite the obvious proof against him. I have a few choice words for this man. I have officially concluded I live under the roof of a slumlord... Refer to previous window issue... and many other issues which I haven't posted about previously.

To the Deli for Kindness

I think from now on I'm going to stop by the grocery store after a bad day. The deli man is really kind. ...It may seem weird to some of you, but I never had the deli people offer a sample before I bought my meats and cheeses... I know it's simply a grocery deli counter, and more than likely, I'll still get the same meat, even after the sample... but it's also nice to have someone be kind... Kind interactions don't come as often here in this city as they do in the Midwest. (And truly good customer service is HARD to find here!)

Watercolorist

This picture is from one of the windows, Bergdorf Goodman, in which I posted pictures of in December. I loved all the details of these windows and could have stood outside peering in for hours (if it hadn't been soooo cold).

Riding Above the Trees

On our lift up Okema Mountain, Vermont. I enjoy trying to get some cool shots by shooting right into the sun.

"Happy New Yea" in Vermont

Happy New Yea! Picture above taken at a local Taco shop in Ludlow, Vermont (the town close to where we stayed).

An account of the Vermont trip... for those of you who are wanting to see pictures and hear about our trip. I didn't take a ton of pictures. Mostly, I spent the time relaxing and enjoying friends (there were lots around - 20 people total in the 6 bedroom cabin). I did convince myself to go snowboarding one day, and I'm still sore from it. Vermont is definitely not Colorado... It's not as pretty, there is a lot of ice on the slopes, and it's extremely COLD! It didn't really seem like we were in mountains either. I think of Mountains... These seemed like very Big hills (or baby mountains)... Vermont, you are definitely definitely no Colorado.

A few notes on our trip:

• The 4 and half hour drive took us over 7 hours from the city to Vermont... thanks to the lovely snowstorm that arrived as we were heading out of the city. I got to sit in the backseat of a car between to guys. Lovely and comfy... Or not.
  

• We rung in the New Year... except that it is a little bit of a foggy memory for me... and one of my friends from home had to deal with me yelling "Happy New Year" and "I love you" over and over again on the phone! I blame it on the Whiskey (which is no longer a friend of mine!!)
  

• I made some new friends!! I was actually scared to go, so many new people! I knew some people before the trip, yet, I didn't even know many of them that well... Plus All the New people... Despite my fear, it was very enjoyable, and I'm sure we'll see most of them again (soon, I hope!)
  

• Talking about the people. 20 people in a cabin kind of scared me. We've done the group trips multiple times, and most of the time, there ends up being Some sort of drama. Drama doesn't entertain me much, and I was hoping it would avoid me all together... And it DID! 20 people stayed together in a cabin for 4 days, and we all survived with no major issues. The person who put all of us together as he planned the trip did an amazing job! It's nice to be surrounded with chill, respectful, fun people. (Not that I wasn't on my past trips... maybe we are all just a little more mature now as "adults".)
  

• Vermont may never find me boarding down its slopes again. I was pretty miserable. Seth convinced me to go to the top of the mountain. We took a fairly new boarder along with us, thinking it would be fine since we were heading down a green. Except for the fact that it was so cold and the wind was blowing sharp pieces of ice/snow in our faces. Even worse, the run kept going flat and then uphill again and again... which hardly allows me to snowboard, let alone a beginner (I have trouble with the going-too-fast thing so I cannot keep my speed up to go uphill all the time). Whole long story... we ended up walking, it was 4 p.m., mountain and lifts were closed, sun was going down, NO one was around (I could have been dying in the middle of the run, and no one would have known). I cursed Vermont for over half an hour, as my feet froze, and I feared frost bite. (I actually played out the consequences in my head for what I was sure was frost bite - how would I possibly be able to live in NYC? My frost bitten feet would prevent me from Ever walking again... Ok, so I had a little personal drama!) Eventually, we came to a steep blue that S informed us we Had to go down in order to get back to the lodge... K and I stood and watched him as he fell and slid down... then as he got the bright idea to sit on his snowboard like a sled, between the bindings. He literally flew down the hill. With no chance of running into anyone and a very deep desire to be back at the lodge, K and I both jumped on our snowboarding sleds and flew down the mountain behind him. It may have been the One thing that truly saved that day of boarding. (In the future, I think I'll plan to head up right before the lifts close so I can be one of the last ones coming down... and then, instead of boarding, I'll just sled down on my board! It really was one of the best sledding experiences ever!)

Me, sitting before the run from hell began. Doesn't seem so bad, right? Don't let it fool you.

Seth's face after the Horrid trip down the hill.

• New Year's Day was celebrated with a wonderful dinner at a local steak/crab/lobster restaurant. It was an enjoyable evening with the group, despite our 2 hour wait. (Side note: All the restaurants in this town looked like big houses. It gave the town a cozy feeling.)

• There was about a foot and a half or more of snow!!! We also witnessed one of the best snowfalls I've seen in my life! It was a perfect, peaceful snow, where the flakes just float down from above, as if in slow motion. A few never made it to the ground, as they were falling slow enough for me to easily catch with my tongue. (Check out the vid!)

• Hot Tub. Need I say more? I'm not going to lie, I've been craving a little warm weather after hearing about so many peoples' amazing trips to warm climates and beaches... But a hot tub in the cold snowy weather is just about as nice! (PLUS, I don't have to worry about sunscreen!)

Here are a few of the guys with S before I ran through the cold snow to join.

• There were fellow Twilight fans/readers among us... We spent a part of the last evening in the cabin discussing the movie, the books, everything while the rest of the group enjoyed football! :) It was very enjoyable! I've just finally finished the 4th book today, and K was getting ready to start it... I hope we can all get together after she finishes to discuss "the saga" without having to worry about giving anything away!
  

• Did I mention I'm still sore? Despite that, I want to go back!!!