Vacation

Ha. Vacation from what you ask? Updating my blog? Yes, I know, I am practically internet immobile. But no, actually real vacation. SG and I went down to the FL Keys for Memorial Day weekend and I am calling it my first "adult" vacation. The idea of going somewhere where you are not related to anyone within a 100 miles radius is completely foreign to me (and not just because I have an enormous family). For me, vacation means family- going with family, to visit family. Vacationing with family is similar to herding cats- 20 people all trying to go in the same direction while actually wandering around pursuing their own agendas. I happen to love spending time with family, so this does not bother me in the least, but I was pretty excited to go somewhere with just one person and be able to do whatever we want.

It was everything I expected it would be and more! We got to dive four times, including my first time on the USS Duane. Watch:

Post Dive, we headed down to Key West in time to catch the sunset. This portion of the trip can be summed up by the consumption of pina coladas- which are SO freaking delicious b-t-w- damn and conch fritters- also freaking amazing- pool crashing- SG and I just wandered from one fancy hotel pool to the next, relaxing on plush loungers,  trying to look like we belonged and yummy seafood dinners. Pretty much perfect. It felt so good to be out of NYC- I was actually surprised how refreshing it was to be away, and did not really realize how much I needed it until we were there, drinking iced tea at Mrs. Mac's. 

As a first foray into adult vacation-hood, I have to say it was a complete success. Looking forward to summer and all the change that comes around. I will be back, thanks for those of you who are still here. 

xx

L

Coulda Shoulda Did Not.

Wowzer. There is nothing that makes you wish you went to the gym in the morning more than facing a rainy, mid 40's afternoon run around the reservoir in Central Park. The old- not training for the triathlon- me might have just bagged the whole thing and went to the Muffin Cafe for a biscotti and decaf iced latte (the favorite, if very rare afternoon treat)-- but the new me is driven by the brutal images of a four mile beach run. Motivation was lower than low, but I suited up and hit the pavement. Pleasant surpise was that what I believed to be was a slightly superfluous purchase of a SUPER cute
all weather running jacket turned out to be clutch in this moment. Nothing sillier than running in a hooded rain jacket, but I made it work.

The important thing I need to remember about all weather outdoor activity is that it is almost always enjoyable once you get out there. It was so beautiful yesterday, so green and it felt wonderful to get outside. No to mention that you feel like a navy seal running in the absolute pouring rain- which by the way it was only doing WHILST I was running- of course.

These pics were taken through the zip lock bag that was holding my iPhone. Effective!

Love this Covah.

Listen to the original version first and then the cover. A-Mazing. 

I is Back.

Turns out sometimes you don't have time to write about life. No shock there. But this week, there is time!

Yesterday was one of those days- got to the subway, realized I had left my unlimited card in the pocket of my Botanical Gardens jacket- ugh. Purchase a single use metrocard. E train comes. Another E train comes. E train again. and finally, another E train. I get on it, even though I am actually waiting for a C train- it appears it is flat out never coming. Get off at 42nd to transfer, see A train pulling away. Run into trainer from my gym I have been avoiding. Ugh. Another E train. Finally! A -C train. Take it two stops up, one more  to go! Conductor informs me we will be skipping JUST my stop, 72nd street,  all other local stops will be made.  At this point I contemplate swearing and kicking the train as it pulls out of the station. Refrain, barely. Eventually, a train that is going where I am headed arrives and takes me there but by this time I am so pissed at the MTA the thrill of arrival is gone. Run down 73rd WITH bright yellow (empty) suitcase that I have been hauling in hopes of hitting TJ's later--to make it to the gym in time. My favorite spinning instructor sprained her ankle (possibly kicking an uncooperative train?!?) so we have some random lady. Overall, not great.

I managed to shake it off, and wandering the aisles of Trader Joe's I decided that the perfect response to the morning commute chaos was scones. I have thinking about trying to bake scones for a while now and recently purchased "How to Cook Everything" by Mark Bittman- (on the iPad!!!- which by the way, is EVERYTHING I thought it would be and I am still love love loving it)- sure enough, Scones are included in "everything".

Surprisingly they came out just as they should- they are great! I added in cinnamon and raisins (no currents at TJ's).  To be honest I like my scones with a super crunchy outside and more crumble-y inside- these are very flaky and moist- so I am thinking of tweaking just for personal preference- but not sure how one tweaks- any thoughts are welcome.

The great thing about cooking in a kitchen that is not yours is that you discover things you did not know you had! Mark Bittman told me to put everything in a food processor, don't have one-- but wait! I do! Throw everything in the processor. Cannot figure out how to work it. Fast forward 10 minutes, take everything back out of the food processor and throw it back in the corner from whence it came- that thing is like a freaking cryptex- never cracked it.

 

SG and I went to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens yesterday for the Cherry Blossom Festival. The gardens were beautiful- PACKED- but beautiful. The entire five borough population descended to wander around pristine-ly manicured nature. Amidst the crowds there were people dressed up in bizarr-o costumes- ninjas, sexy cats...etc, your guess is as good as mine...

The hunt is on.

The idea of moving into an apartment and staying there for more than 8-10 months is completely foreign to me. For the past 8 years, since I moved to college, I have been hauling my belongings back and forth across state lines. During college, I moved each year so I went back and forth from Poughkeepsie four times, then I moved home to CT, then I moved to BK, then I moved all my stuff home and lived in the East Village for a month, before living in LA for a month, then I moved to Harlem, then I moved all my stuff home to CT and wandered around NYC for a month with my essential belongings in a granny cart that I usually used for groceries, (shout out to LM for hosting me on her couch for many a night)  then I moved to Soho! Hopefully this summer I will skip the "double move" as I like to call it, which involves moving all of my stuff back home to CT in the gap between apartments. Unfortunately, this rolling stone has gathered a lot of moss...and one tempurpedic mattress (that is a-mazing) that is like moving a dead horse.

A couple nights ago SG and I wandered around Craig's List and Street Easy to see what was out there in the rental world. I have to say it was encouraging. I was ready to move back into an apartment the size of a postage stamp that had a beautiful view of someone's else's apartment (the fishbowl effect). Much to our surprise, it seems like we may get to live somewhere nice! This realization got me fired up about decorating! We are going with an ocean/beach theme- though I drew the line when SG suggested we mount fishing rods on the walls. Ha. Here are some ideas below that I am pulling together!

We hope to work in some lobster traps, lures (I know, just go with it) and big glass vases filled with sand and shells. This apartment is either going to be GREAT or look like the beach after a big storm, hopefully it tends towards the former.

I love these shells lining the wall. I would consider nailing some 2 X 4's to the walls and displaying beach-y paraphernalia.

I LOVE this Ikea arm chair, there is also a couch that goes with it. And, the cover is machine washable, which is key.

For the couch, and armchair, I was thinking a fun assortment of sea themed pillows. I will most likely make these myself,  but some inspiration is below.

I love both these shelves-- again, planning on making them- which will involve roping my dad in for some time on the CNC machine, but I think its doable.

I am not sure where this bench fits in, but I have to admit I like it. Possibly as an end table?

Life's Important Questions

Taking care of my girls two days a week has turned out to be one of my favorite parts of my routine.  I flashback to the day I did not get into my dream grad school.  I walked downtown to pick them up, crying the whole way. Ha, this in itself was a sight, being as it was St. Patrick's Day and I was pushing myself through 70 blocks of drunk green idiots. Somehow, despite feeling like I would never laugh again, their energy and happiness was infectious. By the end of the evening, I smiled again.

Fast forward two years and shock! life went on. Today T really got to the heart of life's big questions. While standing at the cheese display at Gourmage (Gourmet Garage), munching on her second helping of the sample,  she looked up at me and said: "Vinia, I am not sure whether I want to be a fashion designer, or a paleontologist..."

 

While I sit here, trying to grow out my mullet, I too ponder these important questions. By the way, SG recently sent me this photo, entitled: "Your Haircut!".  Bumma.

Hang Ten

Irritating. My Blog is telling me that I have no picture storage left and that I have to buy more on Picassa. That is certainly no happening.  Any advice?

Tri- Anything Once!!

Inspired by my fabulous sister MM, I have registered for the Block Island Triathlon!  I have always wanted to do a triathlon, but a few things have been holding me back:

1. I HATE competition. That feeling of your stomach flipping right before you take off, don't like it. This is why I was never a good competitor, just trying to beat someone else makes me nervous and unhappy, while most people respond to this by pushing themselves, I respond to this by stressing out and slowing down.
2. I have always been a terrible biker, an ok runner, and a great swimmer, so the ratio of swim:run:bike has always turned me off...I can swim for miles, but up until recently I could barely scale small hills on a bike and running is just pretty miserable all around.

These factors aside, I am also tired of working out just for the hell of it and I am hoping that a good motivator will put a spring in my step!

Not sure how to train for this baby, so please, if anyone has any tips they would like to share, send them my way.

July 30th. Here I come!

So far, best yet.

Wrote this a week ago- in the middle, spilled milk on the track-pad, hence the delay. Ha, the computer had to take a little vacation at the Mac Store...


When I started this blog I hoped it would make me pause and appreciate all the fun stuff that happens throughout daily life. It has been hit and miss. Today, as I was rocketing up out of the subway, I lamented the fact that life seems so busy lately. The weeks fly by, running from one day to the next, and the weekends, the oasis of relaxation to look forward to, always end up being more of a mirage. With all this in mind, I know for certain that it only gets busier from here. And this is not a bad thing, being busy with fun and interesting things is great and do not misinterpret, I am not complaining. I just want to find away to enjoy the busy life as it is happening, and find the balance between productivity and relaxation during the down moments. These are all just thoughts- but wandering back through the volume of photos that I have amassed since the camera purchase,  I picked out these to remind me of the fun times this year that can get lost in the mess. I am reminding myself that so far, things are the best yet! ( there, blog success)

the days of taking blurry pics in the bathroom at Jo's