No Fireworks of Fun for the 4th

This 4th of July was going to be a blast. It was going to be the Best!! We were told that we were going to go to a friend of Ayla's "beach house" on the Jersey shore. We were so excited about being able to grill out, eat watermelon on the deck, lay in the sun, and enjoy a relaxing weekend out of the hot city.

After an hour and a half train ride and a $7 cab ride we arrive to our spot. hmmmmm, there was no beach house. Instead it was a gross run down apartment building that was muggy and had no TV. There was no deck, no TV, no A/C, no bedrooms, and No SUN!!! I almost went back to the train station immediately but thought, I should suck it up and rough it. After all, we were going to be on the beach the whole time, right? Wrong.

We tried to lay out the day we got there but there was no sun and it was freezing. The water was ice cold and the sand was rough. I think we were out there for only 30 minutes or so.Our crew, Meredith, Ayla, Matt, Matt's 3 year old daughter Maison, and Ayla's dog Zoe.

Everyone was exhausted except me. I probably should have slept, that was the only thing to do.

We sat out on the pier waiting and waiting for the fireworks. We were out there so long that we started playing kiddy games like Chinese freeze tag and I taught the girls how to do cartwheels.


Finally the fireworks started. They were nice, and sort of loud.The next day it was still cloudy, cold and rainy out so we had brunch and then sat inside a pub all day watching the Yankee game, sipping Champagne and trying to solve all life's problems. Just what Independence Day is all about.

The lovebirds, Matt and Ayla

The Crazies Ayla and Meredith
The only sane person on the trip.
My little buddy.
We decided to try to make the most of it. Sure it was rainy, cloudy and cold. But we were on the beach. Let's pretend we had a blast.

There was nothing healthy to eat where we were staying. So fried food was the only way to go. We were very excited about eating wings and onion rings.This is how i felt after eating that. Or maybe this is my mugshot after a domestic dispute of someone from Mississippi. Can't really tell the difference.Back on the train going home. We all felt so so gross. No showers, no make-up, no sleep and no healthy food. We were all wrecks.The bigger the glasses the more of the face it covers and the less everyone can see how rough we looked.

We Are Family....

A couple of months ago I went home for my Grandmother's funeral (thanks to all for leaving such sweet and caring comments on my blog for that). I was able to stay home for about 2 weeks. It was much needed and I am happy that I was able to be there so long.
Here are a few photos from that trip home. And by the word "few" I mean a ton:

This is my Uncle Jerry, Aunt Joy and my mom. They all look alike and all are the nicest, sweetest people you will ever meet. Because of this, they have a hard time making decisions like who will take all the plants. It took 2 hours for them to decide that because they wanted to make sure that everyone was happy and getting the ones that they wanted. It was kinda funny.
Mr. T and Me. Sweet Elisabeth getting ready. Mom and her grand kids at my Grandmothers House. We have so many family pictures on that couch. Why we chose that couch to be the backdrop of some family photos I will never know. Elisabeth giving Poppie a big goodbye hug.She has her own unique style that will set her apart from the rest when she gets older. I will encourage it. All his ideas I think they look alike.My cousin Cary getting married. I can't believe he is old enough to get married. I guess he is too old to make him play with my Cabbage Patch Kids now.Elisabeth and Jacquelin. She thought she was Cinderella. They entire wedding she kept calling for "Relle". Rick and his kids. My best friend since Kindergarten, Danielle. We haven't changed since then.

Sex and the City

Yes, I of course saw the most awaited movie of all time, well by women that is. I rounded up my 3 best girlfriends and we braved Times Square to see the Chic flick. We could have gone to a calmer quieter theater but if we were going to make an event out of it then why not go to the heart of the city. We had drinks before to celebrate. Cosmo's of course. We were all happy with the movie and enjoyed it. I am sure I will own it when it comes out on DVD.

Now before I moved to the city I was told by a family member, "You know just because you are moving there doesn't mean that you life is going to be just like Sex and the City." My response was, "duh!" I really didn't expect it to be at all, nor was I wanting it to be. But in the past 4 years there has been moments in my life has resembled not just that one show but other New York sitcoms like Friends and Seinfeld.

I have my group of girlfriends who we meet for brunch every week.
I have gone on my share of bad dates and dated the guys who wave their freak flags high and proud.
I have had random interactions with homeless men, celebrities, people from far and wide.
I have had my heel stuck in a man hole and had to stop traffic as to not run over it.
I have fallen asleep on the subway and ended up in Queens some where.
I have learned that I can run a marathon in heels if needed.
I have had racial slurs yelled at me by a homeless woman on a subway (not sure why she chose to make them racial but she did).
I have called 911 about 6 times since living here.
I have been sprayed by a wave of water from a taxi driving through a puddle.
I have had a bird poop on my head while on a date.
I have had my apartment broken in to and the only thing they took was a laptop, cantaloupe out of the fridge, and my autographed Kirk Cameron photo.
I have had my hands and arms as full as you can get with heavy grocery's and while walking home the bags rip and no one offers to help me but just stares at me.
I haven't seen a sunset, stars, or a rainbow in 4 years.
I have been in a cab that requires a crash helmet
I have had Mike Myers get me out of trouble with the NYPD due to jaywalking (When the whole time the cops were just giving me a hard time)
I have taken a cab to a shoe store and said the words, "And Step On It" because I had to get a pair of boots before the closing time.

and so on......

So yes, I understand where they get their ideas for these shows and movies. NYC is a person in itself and just living here it has made my life that much more interesting. I am glad I moved here and I will adore this city for the rest of my life.

I HEART NY!!

My Time in the UK

London was lovely, once again. This time we had better weather. I am not sure how they manage to get through the days when it's rainy and gloomy out. I need sunshine every once and a while. We had a few days of it which made it better.

Jon had to work all week so I had the days to myself. I could have explored the city or gone to a museum or something but instead I worked. Yes, I know, sounds exciting. It's kinda the plus and minus of being able to work from anywhere.

We did manage to take a few pictures though. Even the trash cans look friendly. Or should I call it rubbish bin. (I think that's right) I need to get with the lingo over there.
We went to see a movie while we were there. Kinda embarrassed to admit what we saw. It was by far the worst movie I had ever seen. The dreaded movie was Maid of Honor. I am not sure why we chose that one of all the choices, I think Jon deep down wanted to see it. Since the movie had been out for a while we saw it in the smallest theater I had ever been in. Where I am standing to take the photo is where the screen was. I laughed out loud when I walked in.

Not really sure why there were wigs that night. Someone just pulled them out.
I think the next time I will be there is in October. He will be in NYC for two weeks in August. We leave for one of those weeks for Puerto Rico. I can't wait! He's thinking that he will be able to get me in the water with the fish. I don't think he truly understands the fear of the fish.

I Love NYC in the Spring Time

I'm back in the states!! I had a wonderful trip and didn't want to leave this time. It gets harder and harder to leave that man.

I do have to say that though that if I do have to come back home at least I am coming back to New York in the Spring time. It's BEAUTIFUL here right now. Everyone is out and about and happy. Yesterday I was able to sit outside of one of my favorite places and have lunch with one of my best girlfriends. I look forward all winter long to doing that in the Spring and Summer.

While walking to lunch I stumbled upon a movie set about to film a scene. Guess who it was? Woody Allen!! I knew I'd find him. He was in the directors chair and yelled "ACTION!" It was pretty cool to watch him work. He's a movie genius. I tried to take a photo but they quickly stopped me. He's getting a bit old now and looks like a little old man.

I have photos of the trip to London and others that I will post soon. Need to download them. But never fear they are on the way soon. I will be better about blogging now that I am working from home. I will be on the computer all the time. Not sure if I told anyone but I have gotten back into PR. I am working for The Press House here in NYC and get to work from where ever I like. LOVE THAT!! So it makes it fun and easy to travel back and forth to London as I can work from there.

Ok, enough of me rambling. Hope everyone is having a great Spring and enjoying Life!!!

Aww, Man...

I miss him. I can't believe it. Woody was filming in a chess shop right next to my apt and I missed it. Why, because I like to watch the View at 11. That's such a lame excuse. I can't believe I missed Woody Allen because of The View.

I guess i will make up for it by leaving for London tomorrow. Drunkin' Amy Winehouse lives close to Jon so maybe I will see her. That will be a story for sure.

Jon is taking me out of this city this time. I will get to see the country of England. I will bring my camera for you. I am sure there will be a lot to see.

Star sighting of the week: Michael Richard aka Krammer. Walking through Washington Square Park wearing a baseball hat trying to blend in be his height giving him away.

Cheerio all.....

Rain Rain Go Away

The rain seems to just keep coming lately. I have no idea where our Spring has gone. This normally wouldn't bother me too much but they are supposed to be filming a Woody Allen movie on my street this week and they have had to postpone the days until it stops raining.

Friday they were out there getting it all set up and whatnot but had to tear it all down due to the rain. Of, course they don't work on the weekends so today I was excited to watch the filming today. Nope, rain again. It's supposed to rain most of the week. I leave Friday for London again and I'm afraid that I will not get to meet the legend Woody Allen.
Keep your fingers crossed that the rain will stop and that they can continue to film.


I will keep you all posted and hopefully I will have great photos to post.