I Guess I Missed the Mountains

Seattle Skyline from Aliki Beach

Finally got mah her did today (seriously, 3.5 months is 2 months too long for me...), but since I was squeezed in there she really didn't have time to much of a cut, but she got my bangs and most of the split ends that were bugging me. Plus the color looks fantastic. And since we were over in West Seattle, we had to check out Bakery Nouveau (the premier French bakery outside of France. Seriously), do Luna Park for lunch, and look at the amazing view of the Seattle skyline from Alki. Glorious.

Today is cold, crisp and absolutely clear and boy howdy did I get a view of my mountains! MY MOUNTAINS! Both ranges and Rainier! So bloody gorgeous! This city! Stop it right now! A pretty perfect send off, I have to say. And I'm feeling better (no more sickie!).

Tomorrow is supposed to be clear again, so I'm hoping I have a window seat with a view of Mr Mountain once more before I head back to my city of skyscrapers.

Stunned and Amazed

Giant Bon star on top of Seattle Macy's!

Downtown Seattle was glorious! It made me happy to be down there today and to see the (stupid neon) carousel, the giant star, and just generally to hangout downtown in the cold. Seattle's so pretty. But moves at a much slower pace than what I've become accustomed to. Seriously. No one downtown around 5:30pm. And no one jaywalking? I seriously do not understand.

Clinched

Yup, we clinched it. NFC West and the #1 seed in the NFC? Both ours.

We did it! Go Hawks! Knew you could pull it off! Love my boys! YEEEEES!

Happy Hawks-day

Bam Bam Kam. I still need your jersey, sir!

I also got SO MUCH Hawks loot for Xmas this year that I can't even wear it all for today's game WHEN WE CLINCH THE NFC WEST! Get it, boys!

I'm Still Here!

On the way home from a Buca Di Beppo Boxing Day dinner

I'm in Seattle, but I've had the death (honestly, I just think that my stupid cold has migrated into my throat, but it's the worst because it hurts as opposed to just being annoying... Stupid plane ride...), so I really haven't had the energy to hangout with anyone... And I leave SO SOON.

At least today I will get to see some friends for the Hawks game (GO HAWKS! The 12th man wants a 12th WIN! AND I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!) and then do family dinner tonight with D & P and Jacki, Kent and the little bugger, Ben, and the Seestor.

Yesterday we went to see Nana (it's getting tough...) and then went to see Into the Woods (I was, surprisingly, impressed).

I would love to see some more friends, so maybe Monday night? I just don't know...

Blearg.

Seattle Christmas (Eve)

Saw this on my ride home! I'm HOME!

Seattle! I'm here! Let's do Christmas! And other things! And movies! And family! And friends! YEAH! #winning #12hoursoftravel #I'mexhausted

Homeward Bound

My healthy pre-plane breakfast this morning.

It's just like the movie. Only I'm human. And taking a plane.

Well, this is officially the farthest I've been uptown (128th st). I have to take the train all the way to the upper east and then transfer to the M60 bus to get put to Laguardia out in Queens (yes, it's a straight shot north from Bkln, but for some reason transport between those two boroughs is nearly nonexistent). So, I'm on the train. Thinking about home and counting down the legs (and hours) until I'm back in Seattle (3 and 12 respectively).

Can't wait to see how big Ben has gotten and be back in a city where I know where everything is. Can't wait to see my family and friends. And catch up. And have no work for 9 days. And celebrate the season. And see movies. And watch the Hawks clinch the NFC West. And just be HOME. Sooooooooon!

T-minus 12 hours.

To Do to To Done

My completed Christmas cookie family

I got it all done! Thank Christ! Laundry was in by 10, and then I headed to the post office where I stood in line for the exact amount of time it took for my laundry to finish AND picked up my last package. Two for one, BOOM! After my laundry was done drying I went to Target to return some curtains I'd purchased earlier this month and picked up a few household items. Then, made one more stop to grab last minute Xmas gifties before coming home.

That was all by about 1PM. I am very proud of myself.

Once home I knew I didn't have to head out any more today, so I started wrapping up my amazon gifties, packing (which was easier than I thought it would be), then finished decorating the three cookies I had left all while watching more Xmas movies, of course. I have now ticked off Die Hard, Elf, and Love Actually from my Xmas movie list (adding to Scrooged, Happy Christmas, The Family Stone, Arthur Christmas, Charlie Brown Christmas, Muppet Christmas Carol, It's a Wonderful Life, and White Christmas which I watched over the last few weeks).

All I have left to do is shower, organize the few things that I have left to pack and figure out which coat I am going to bring with me to Seattle. Oh and pack my skiing stuff (just in case). I already packed up my Hawks stuff so that I can wear it when I go to the game on the 28th (that IS my Xmas gift, right? Right?!)

Calling All Angels

Getting ready for Xmas at Stout FiDi

It's been a long couple weeks. I honestly cannot explain how excited I am to be off work. Although the fact that I have to pack and travel during Xmas is not a happy one...

I feel slightly bad that I had to switch around my schedule to get tomorrow off work, but there is NO WAY I would be able to get everything done that I need to if I hadn't. Tomorrow I have to do laundry, pick up an Amazon package at the post office, return something to Target, wrap the Amazon gifties, figure out what I'm bringing with me, pack up my bag, make sure everything fits, figure out how I'm getting to the airport on Wednesday, clean and organize the apartment, throw of food in fridge and garbage... Blearg. A lot.

But the Hawks won a big one yesterday! And I was at Carlow watching it (although I was in the bathroom during Marshawn's big run. OF COURSE!). The feeling was electric! And I'm slightly bummed I won't be there for the last regular season game next week... I realized that I only worked 2.5 games this season and the opening game was when I was still in Seattle (and I watched it, of course), so I've been there for almost every single game this season. The first game I went to was the Broncos game the DAY I landed here. And I've been back for every game I could since. Yesterday my favorite bartender even told me that I have been a great addition to the bar! Yay! I have a bar family! Too bad it's so far uptown...

Christmastime Is Here

Mama sent me a box of gingerbread cookies and decorating materials!

Yes, that IS a White Christmas picture on the box that la mama sent me. She knows me too well...

I decided to forgo the trip to Rockefeller Center today (EXHAUSTED) and try to do that either tomorrow, on my day off, or Monday, if my work schedule permits. I dunno though. I'm sorta done with cookie decorating (they take too long to make and then only look OK. Basically, I am no Lindy in the art talent department...), so I might get a wind (I haven't gotten a first wind, so it couldn't be called a second wind right? So, just a "wind"? I'm sticking with it).

Tomorrow Jess and I are gonna do something. Don't know what yet, but something. Maybe culminating in the party her roomie is throwing at her place? Or maybe heading to Harlem for Diana's Ugly Xmas Sweater/Housewarming party. We shall see if we are up to heading all the way up to Harlem...

Sunday I work. I open and am 3rd cut, so I should be able to see the Hawks play at least part of their game. Then I am assuming I work on Monday since I have Tues 12/23 through 1/1 off work(!) and I kinda can't wait.

As nice as it will be to go home and see everyone and Seattle and have a week off work, I kinda do wish that I could be here in NYC for Xmas. I think it'll be awesome and beautiful and really unique. But, as my manager pointed out to me, it'll be here next year. And maybe my family can come here and visit me for a NYC Christmas! Also, the whole traveling during the holidays. Blearg. Not looking forward to that bullshizz...

But again, can't wait! Home for the Holidays! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!

T-minus 5 days.

Christmas in NYC

Rockefeller Center Xmas tree 

So, I was actually able to get some Xmas shopping done last night (YAY!), so I am one step nearer to getting everything wrapped up (PUN INTENDED) before I head home in less than a week. But whatever I am fighting has definitely moved into my sinuses (boooooooo) because my stupid nose is totally stuffed today, which is no fun at all.

I let myself sleep in as much as I needed to today, attempting to nip this stupid cold with rest before I close tonight and tomorrow. The only thing I have to do today before work is stop by the post office and pick up the Xmas cookies sent from my mama!

Tomorrow, assuming I am up for it, my plan is to head to Rockefeller Center to check out the Xmas tree and do other NYC-ish holiday things. Yesterday I saw a car driving around Crown Heights with a plastic menorah on the roof, so there's that...

T-minus 6 days.

Christmas Countdown

It's SO SOOOOOON!

Whelp, in all my excitement about heading home for the holidays I sorta forgot that I am not gonna have the time to buy or wrap or make my Xmas prezzies once I touchdown in Seattle at 6pm on Xmas Eve... blearg. So much to do and no time off...

Tonight, assuming we're not tooooooo insane at work, I might even head over to Target post-work and buy some more gifties...

We shall see...

PS T-minus 7 days!!!!!!

Weekend Round Up

Found at the Brooklyn Holiday Bazaar

Had a great day yesterday. Jess and I hit up the Brooklyn Bazaar where I bought some Xmas prezzies and then we had yummy brunch and I went to Carlow and watched my boys eek out a much-needed win over the Niners (and bumping them outta playoff contention).

Today my plans are to sit around in my pj's watching holiday movies and maybe order a pizza later. Yay days off!

Beyond Exhausted

Me. Last night. Once I finally made it home.

So. Tired. Ran a ton of errands before work yesterday (and started Xmas shopping), so I was already out and about doing things on a few hours of sleep before heading into an incredibly nutty Holiday Party work environment. And we were busy. Busy, busy, busy. Not sure if we were busier than we were Thursday night or not, I just know that with a party of 40 coming in at 11pm, we had 5 girls working up until 1:30am or so...

As someone who is used to keeping up the facade until midnight or so and then being able to calm it down and take care of a few tables before starting to teardown the restaurant for close, it was a little difficult dealing with a bunch of young people coming into the place after a holiday party. Luckily, they were all outta there by 1:15/1:30 or so, but having to be that much happier and "on" for that many more hours made the end of the night pretty horrible. It took us 45 minutes to do the money last night, and yeah there was a lot of money and it was sorta confusing, but Tali and I were also just done and making stupid mistakes, so we didn't get outta there until 3:15am...

And then the train took over 20 minutes to arrive and I had to transfer trains and I didn't get home and into bed until 4:45am. Needless to say, I set my alarm for 11:45am and slept until noon.

Today is day 7/7. I HAVE MADE IT! (after today)

Tomorrow I have plans to head to the Brooklyn Holiday Bazaar hopefully with someone, but if not then by myself to look for some Xmas prezzies before heading to Carlow East to watch the Hawks beat the Niners (again).

T-minus 11 days!

Makin' the Monies

Yay! Holiday parties make the world go round!

So, I closed last night for the first time on a Thursday and apparently this was the most we made per hour in... a really, really long time. Yay! I worked the most and made the most! And I close tonight and we have five holiday parties tonight!

But first: to run all the errands! Let's do it!

Lingering Snow

View from my living room window

Some snow is lingering in Brooklyn. Still really cold out, but not looking like it's gonna snow again, so it will probably melt pretty soon. This Nor'easter is definitely cooled things down a ton here in the city, but still not as low as people say it usually is in winter, especially compared to last year when there was snow on the ground from October to March (apparently).

Not complaining, but I love snow!

First NYC Snow!

Walked past this on my way home last night! 

So, it wasn't much, but there was definitely snow sticking to the grassy bits and on the tops of cars in Brooklyn. None at work downtown, but home there was a little bit! So, I snapped this pic! Yay! I'm ready for more and a day off and time (and a buddy) to go play in it with me! SNOW!

Also, worked 11 hours yesterday. To say I am excited for my 9-10 hour shifts the next three days would be... an understatement. Knowing when I am going to get home (even if it's SUPER late), still makes a huge difference. Plus, closing always means more monies.

Get it.

T-minus 13 days until I'm home for the holidays!

Pretty, Pretty Princess

I should be wearing a tiara

Well, I just worked the BEST princess shifty ever! Left home at 3, back home by 930. A little 5-ish hour shift that (hopefully) made me some monies and let me both sleep in and go to bed at a decent time. I will take one of those a week, please and thank you.

Seriously, in the world of working 7 days in a row one of these thrown in every once in a while will go a long way for both my sanity and keeping me healthy (which is HUGE. Since everyone at work is sick right now).

Up In the Air

Wish I had time to do fun NYC winter-y things

Ugh. About to head to work. Day 3 of 7 in a row. My next day off is Sunday (at least I get to watch the footballs?), so here we go!

Yesterday I was so exhausted that I passed out and headed to bed by 10pm. Exhausted.

So Much Laundry...

Pouring down rain

So... I HAD to do laundry today. Like, HAD to. Had to to the point of I'd be wearing swimsuit bottoms tomorrow if I didn't do it today. But it's absolutely POURING down rain. Just pissing rain. It's no fun walking to the laundromat with bags of dirty clothes (or back home with clean clothes) in the pouring rain. But I had to...

I also closed last night. Got home around 3:45am, but was SO CLOSE to finishing my book that I was up until 415 finishing it. Needless to say, I shut off my 9:30am alarm and somehow managed to sleep in until noon. You could say I was a bit exhausted.

Today I am hanging out with Miss Jessica. She's gonna come over and see the new apartment! Cannot wait to show it off to her. Then we're gonna catch up and possibly see Aislinn's show tonight.

Let's do it! Day off success!

Also, made SO MUCH MONIES the last two days at work, so I'm ready to spend some of it.

Holiday Parties 4eva!

Not that we serve drinks like these, but you know what I mean...

Seriously, holiday parties are the best! Making me monies and keeping me busy. But, making for some long days... Yesterday was another 12-hour one. Once I was home though I got to hangout with the roommates and make potential plans for doing something with them (and Jess!) on my day off tomorrow!

Also, we all realized that we will be here for NYE, so we are potentially gonna do a roomie thing. Or maybe, in keeping with our tradition, we will do a late NYE celebration!

(No) Changes

My new city's so pretty. Just still super racist.

So, super upset yesterday about not indicting any of the officers involved in the illegal chokehold death of Eric Garner. In my new city. A major metropolis. In fact, arguably THE major metropolis in our country. Pretty much, I read the news at work and had so many emotions at once that I almost couldn't go back. With Ferguson, it was expected. That's a backwater town in Missouri, I didn't think a grand jury would indict, but here? In NYC? With footage showing at least 5 cops jumping onto Garner FROM A BODY CAM? With the coroner stating that the COD was negligent homicide? Not even a manslaughter conviction? This country is a joke and I'm really getting worried that there are going to need to be riots and revolutions for anything to change.

Pissed. Upset. Angry. Devastated. Confused. Disappointed.

Jon Stewart said it best. Thank you for your raw, emotional look at this bullshit.

Back to Normal

Back to busy nights!

After last week (that was so boring and I made no money), I was glad to close yesterday with two parties and a number of walk-ins and generally a busy (and relatively quick) 8-hour shift. With the holidays approaching and corporate parties starting, I think we will stay busy for this entire month. Which will be good. Making money and keeping me busy. I will take it.

T-minus 21 days!

Seattle Day

Overcast Seattle day in NYC

It's super grey today and started pouring last night. The temp has dropped since this weekend as well. And overall, it's feeling more like winter again. The warm fall days that came back this weekend are gone and I think it's gonna just get colder and more winter-y from now until spring finally hits...

But, for now I'll just enjoy the Seattle-ness of today before I head into close tonight.

PS T-22 days until I'm back in Seattle!

Mas y Mas

More (and better) pictures of Turkey Day

I found more pics of Turkey Day food! Mmmmmmm... food porn. Enjoy!

Successful Outing

Just bought a new one!

Right now the new crockpot has the carcass of one of the Cornish game hens, a whole onion, celery, carrots and water in it... And in about 5 hours I will have "turkey" soup.

Plus, I bought a new curtain rod and installed it myself! All by myself (with help from a YouTube How To)!

That's my new curtain rod and curtain in my room!