New York, New York...

I had a late flight Friday night, it was on time and ready to go, unfortunately the flight attendants were not. They were on a different flight that had been delayed, and we had to wait for them…The flight was quick, but not necessarily painless. I don’t know if it was because I had a cold or what, but the descent into LGA killed my ears. They are still plugged today. LGA wasn’t that impressive, kind of dirty and unkempt. I had to stand in a taxi line for quite awhile – outside. Meanwhile, there are these random men asking if you want a taxi ride. I opted for the long line, with the airport approved drivers. My taxi driver, not surprisingly, drove like a crazy man, and honked his horn before we even got of the airport area. Of course I couldn’t understand him very well, and he wasn’t exactly sure how to get to my hotel. Obviously I was of little help. Eventually we got there, and I don’t think I have ever had worse motion sickness in my life. I took some NyQuil and called it a night.

Today I figured I was waste my time checking out the city around me. I would a couple blocks north and found Times Square! So many big billboards and lots of lights. SO many people too. I have never seen so many people in my life. I walked down Broadway and saw where Lion King, Rent, and some other plays were. Of course I stopped at one of the many Starbucks. By my hotel was Bryant Park. There was a skating rink, with a looong line. I enjoyed the live music, and all the little booths with a variety of nick nacks for sale surrounding it. Later I went a block east to 5th Avenue. Here I found lots of shops – most too expensive for me. There were lines to walk by the windows of Sax and Lord and Taylor. I took a quick left before turning around, and found Rockefeller Center! Now there were even more people! I threw a penny into this huge area with millions of penny’s. It was some children’s charity project called Common Sense. On my walk back I noticed the Empire State Building. Didn’t seem as big as I would imagine it to be, but then again I did not go to the top. On my way back to the hotel, I grabbed a hot dog from one of the many vendors on each corner.

I attempted to hail a cab – ha! Some cabbie who originally turned my request to be driven to the Bronx (he said he was waiting for someone to take to the airport), eventually felt sorry for me and gave me a ride. Another crazy driver, but I got there I guess. The people at the store are very friendly, but in hyperspeed. They talk SOO fast. I can’t even get a word in.

Turns out everything that could go wrong with an inventory - did. I was on the phone with my senior all night long as I kept finding more and more issues. They forgot to count 3 different areas - one being a high dollar area. They kept asking me to overlook everything I found wrong, but I held my ground. Needless to say, we finally came up with a way to become comfortable that everything had been counted. And at 3:30 in the morning (12 hours later) I got back to my hotel, having had no dinner : ( I finally was able to relax a little and fell asleep for an hour. Woke up, caught a cab, and happened to get the airport for an earlier flight. The rest of my day was spent sleeping on the couch. Tomorrow will be a fun-filled day of documenting everything that wrong - yes!

I would still like to take a trip (non-work related) to NYC and really enjoy all there is!!

UGLY CHRISMTAS SWEATER PARTY

Blaine and I hosted our First House Party! We thought it turned out great. There were over 20 people, and only 3 did not have an ugly sweater on. I made Pomegranate Vodka Lemonades, which at least I thought were tasty : ) And we had lots of snacks, which thankfully were pretty much gone by the end of the night. Some people played board games, some played drinking games, some played pool or darts! It was great getting a lot of my cousins all together, as well as meeting some of Blaine's work friends, and seeing some college friends I haven't in awhile! Thanks to those who made a long drive - it wouldn't have been as fun w/o you!

The Family

A very serious game of Apples to Apples...

Sisterly Love!

Hockey anyone - GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!

Holiday Party...

Its always fun having an opportunity to get a little dressed up! We had a great time at my office holiday party, getting to see people I started with that I never get to see, and of course the open bar was a plus. It was located at The Depot downtown. Just for a little history, the building use to be the old train stop. Now it is a skating rink, which they can also turn into a huge party hall. Pretty sweet!


We are getting all prepped for our ugly Christmas sweater party!!! It looks like there is going to be a really good turn out. I just hope the roads are good for those who have to travel. We went to Sam's Club to get snacks and drinks. We also bought 40 ft of real garland for $7!! Our balcony now looks like it came straight out of the forest : )


I will be gone in SD all next week. Blaine and I STILL don't know what we'll be getting off for Christmas week...but we will be taking a trip to NY over New Years (its work related - so free flights and hotel!!). Its all coming sooooo fast - yikes. But I can't wait to get home for the holidays!


Laters all!

O Christmas Tree!

Our First Chrismas Tree

Well there is not much too, but its ours! And it looks better in person : ) I guess you will have to come visit to get the full effect! (Only two more weeks until Ugly Christmas Sweater Party!!!!)