Oh and the most important

My wonderful family. I missed being home because of them but I have to say I was happy to get back to my wonderful city =)

I have gotten sooo behind...

Here are some fun pictures from the last week or so that I am behind. They all make me smile and most have a variety of fun stories as well =) 1. tandem bikes in arizona
2. Fun x-mas decorations at the Glendale Glitters (AZ) 3. The three of us on the way to Caroling at the Walt Disney Concert Hall In Los Angeles...never too old to sing Christmas songs (my all time favorite thing to do). 4. Los Angeles...I guess it is kind of pretty although I'm not a huge fan, the day was goregous and I have to say the pictures turned out pretty nice. 5. Roasting Marshmallows in the backyard with Sister...good times and yes that is totally normal. 6. Yummy desserts and food for christmas that yes I actually helped cook although sister did most of the work. I don't mind being in the kitchen every once in awhile. Oh and my favorite (in the back) Crokenbusch...the family tradition.

Leaving on a jet plane

1. I won't explain all the particulars of my night last night but I ended up meeting this way older man who had some of the best stories I have ever heard. Turns out he's some famous nyc doctor. All I know is that some people are just impressive.

2. My boss asked me to take over this new project for this professional organization that accountants are a part of. Basically I am on the Board now and will be the new editor of the newsletter for the New York City chapter. Although it is kind of a big job, I'm excited that I'm having a new opportunity to be creative.

3. I love going on trips, it doesn't matter where or for how long. There is something wonderful about packing your suitcase, getting on a plane, and knowing that you aren't going to be in the same place you are today. I love that feeling maybe because it allows me to understand that nothing is permanent. Anyway, I'm spending the weekend in Phoenix for my sister's birthday. Hopefully my weekend recap will just include pictures from the weekend =) thats my goal.

Two more lbs

1) I hate being girly about weight especially since eating disorders run in my family. I think that someone should feel beautiful on the inside and being healthy is the ultimate goal. Regardless, I can’t lie, I like the fact that I’m loosing weight while getting in shape. I might attribute some of the weight loss to chasing my new dog around, but some is definitely from running and it makes me feel good to know that what I’m doing is making me a healthier person. Now I just have to stop drinking…

2) The fact that anything can be an adventure makes me laugh. I went to pick up the dog crate (I’ll be flying Liberty home to CA with me for the holidays) which I bought from this girl off of Craigslist. Basically we hauled this massive crate down stairs and to the street, hailed a cab, tried to shove the crate in the cab and it wouldn’t fit, tried to get a minivan cab but had no luck, went and looked for scissors but only found a knife, stood on Houston cutting the ties off the crate to dismantle it, had two people come over and inquisitively like to know what we were doing, shoved the crate in a cab dismantled, found out the cabbie was just back from Iraq 2 days ago, talk to the cab driver about life and treating people nicely, get pulled over, talk the cop out of giving cab driver the ticket. This was all in about an hour on a Tuesday night. Isn’t it nice living in nyc.

3)Long talks about everything. Have you ever had those friends where you feel like there isn’t anymore you could know about each other but somehow you still find more and more things to talk about. I love friends like that.

Manageable Monday

1. Anyone who knows me, knows I love efficiency, I love being busy, I love putting too much on my plate and I love being able to get it all done and just scrape by. If I am not tired in life I am not fulfilled. I know that it's not healthy and I know that it prevents me from giving 100% but I love to be busy. . . Efficient. My doorman last night when I got in at 1 am (and was a little disappointed that I didn't make it out longer then that since all 7 of us girls managed to make it out) said: "I don't know how you do it, you are always going, going, and it is so impressive. I don't know how you do it." This is a major compliment to me especially since he works the night shift and then goes to his other job in the morning.

2. Road bikes! I'm getting really excited about all of this biking I'm looking forward to. Yesterday Amy and I went to the bike shop to try and get some prices and see what we were looking for, I have to say I am like a kid getting their first bike--except for the one I want is close to $700 and no ones buying it and putting it under the tree for me. Oh well...still excited.

3. NYC. I know, I know it's pretty ridiculous that I can be this obsessed with a city, but I am. I love that on a Monday night you can get a huge group of people together and have your pick of where to go because almost everything has something going on. The city that never sleeps...No matter what night of the week it is.

Just relax already

Weekend recap: ( I had fun pictures but they won't load for some reason...so sorry)

Fri.
1. Cleaning- it's kind of just a fresh start and so nice to enjoy. I cleaned when I got home from work for about 2-3 hours and then laid with my dog, watch tv and enjoyed the clean apt. So nice.

2. Getting off work at 2:30 when the trains aren't crowded and you don't have to "rush" home.

3. Older people with warm hearts. On the way to going to petco to get my dog a new leash training collar thing (because she ate the one she had) I ran into this older man who fell in love with my dog and decided to share some stories with me (and dog treats with Liberty). He was telling me about how robbers came into his home when his wife was alone and the dog who hadn't barked in 4 years started barking to warn her that someone was in the house. She (apparently she was a beautiful woman who was on magazine covers--and very feisty) put up a fight by smashing a chair over one of their heads, etc but still they got away with some of their valuables. Regardless, the dog was pretty much their hero for the rest of it's life. Sweet old man who you can tell just enjoyed someone to talk to.

Sat
1. Felicity the tv show. I have to say it has some really interesting points including the episode I watched about dating "A list" and "B list" guys...Couldn't be more true.

2. The Path by FDR it runs along the water and is a really nice stroll from the east side all the way to seaport. Gotta love nyc =)

3. My first attempt at being allowed to slide down the firehouse pole--unsuccessful, but that doesn't mean that it wasn't a good attempt. I'll get it next time.

Sun
1. Being unpredictable and okay with that. I know that I always have a quasi plan in mind whether it be for life or just for the day--or the next hour. But I think one of the things that makes me such a happy person is the fact I don't care if that plan becomes altered...Even a lot. I locked my keys in my apartment Sunday morning...Locking me, Amy, and both of our dogs out as well. My spare was at her place so we changed our entire day and I have to say it worked out just fine.

2. Snickerdoodles, a movie, and a night indoors. The ideal cold December night---oh and the movie...must be a xmas movie--the more corny the better.

3. Working on a business. There is a business woman in me somewhere and as much as I know I want to teach, I love the fact that I am starting a new business although it is time consuming and hard to stay encouraged it is so much fun to put 4 years of school to use.

Sweet Kisses

1. Nice young men. It's always fun to meet someone new that you connect with, especially after meeting so many men that are just blah and not right. I have no expectations but it's still nice.

2. Balloons. They are kind of fascinating in a weird way it's funny if you stop and think about the things that we use and see every day so they don't even phase us. My dog stopped to stare at these balloons waving in the wind for about 5 minutes. I think she could have watched them all day. I just walk by. I wonder sometimes why we think lights are pretty. What makes a building beautiful. Who decided that confetti and streamers could be used as decorations. Beauty is a funny thing and it's everywhere when you stop and look for it. This is my reminder to myself to: slow down and appreciate more.

3. Comfort in anything. I know that everyone has something they find comfort in or there is a moment at your job that you reach a level of comfort. When a boyfriend and girlfriend reach that point of being comfortable, etc. I like feeling comfortable as long as I don't become complacent.

I'm outta there =)

1. We had our exit conference for the job I've been working on. Not only did I get to go and get experience my bosses let all of us speak! It went really well--much better then expected...and how can that not make you smile when the day is easier then planned.



2. Little Liberty when she actually behaves. Jeez it is so nice having a dog that knows how to behave herself, even if it is short lasted sometimes. She is so adorable and I have pictures..but not with me.

3. Free Ipods--or virtually free I should say. I went to the Ipod store and repaired Amy's Ipod that her ex had bought her. Pretty much paid 32 dollars to get a brand new one because something is wrong with hers. I have to say that isn't too shabby at all and it is going to make running on the treadmill 400 times easier. Go me for beating the lazy factor and actually getting it fixed.

Tuesday Giving

1. I love giving presents and my whole family does too. We used to spend way too much money on everyone and have about 6 million presents under the tree. The last two years we've been limiting it to where you can only spend $5-20 on each person. Well I came up with a creative way to make my mom happy and make everyone laugh and give to charity (my favorite thing to do). I'm excited about the gifts and it was one stop shopping. I'll post on the results after christmas.

2. Cold air. I'm sorry but even though its actually getting cold here--30's and what not. I love it. I'm not sick of it yet, I don't care that my face gets cold when i walk in the wind and i can't feel my hands when I take my dog out. I refuse to wear a ton of clothes until I have to. And I'm embracing this new thing--I think it's called winter.

3. Internet dating. Although I have to admit I've been tempted by the idea since it's practically the same as meeting someone in a bar that you know nothing about. I'm just not so sure. There is a free month trial to www.perfectmatch.com if you add /clark to the end of it. I'm not signed up but I can't say I haven't tossed the idea around a little - - and that makes me laugh, quite loudly... at myself.

Just a little behind

I spend the weekend with my mom and quite a few things made me smile:

My mom
Tea at the Waldorf Astoria
The city I live in
Shopping (so girly and materialistic -i know)
Asian culture
Wicked--the show was amazing I reccomend it
Yummy food
Dip -- the fondue place on 3rd Avenue
Russian Vodka Bar (a nice pre-or post show event)
Sardi's ...although it's crowded the food is yum and the bacone dulce is perfect
Walking, I don't miss my car at all
My mom --she's great and I miss her.