If you're lost, you can look, and you will find me*

I am the worst sick person ever.  No, seriously, I am.  

I whine, I complain, I moan about how terrible I feel.  

And yet, I am so bad at doing things to make myself better.  

I hate medicines.  I rarely take anything stronger than an advil (and seriously, if I've broken down and actually taken an advil, it must be bad). I hate going to the doctor (all they're going to tell me is it's a virus, and prescribe me some antibiotics...oh the RAGE I feel at that sentence).  I am not a good sleeper.  I tend to have issues not being tired at night, and then I'm either up ridiculously early, or I refuse to wake up at all.  Being sick is not a reason to change that apparently.  

I was sick the week before Christmas and it totally sucked.  However, I was finally getting better and other than a slightly runny nose and a nagging cough (I get a cough and it lasts a year, no lie), I felt fine.  

Then, for some reason, on Sunday, I woke up and it hurt to swallow or talk.  My nose is so stuffy again.  I feel like someone beat me with a stick, and I have no energy.  Awesome.  I pretty much have felt the same way since.  

So, do I break down and go to a doctor?  (Actually, I had half convinced myself I have Lymes disease...stupid internet...and should go the doctor THIS INSTANT BEFORE I DIE FROM COMPLICATIONS!).  Then, I realized, these symptoms would have shown up about 3 months ago and not so much now if it was really Lymes disease.  Phew, that's a relief.  

Instead, I did some pilates at the hotel (ugh I'm so not flexible anymore...I remember when this workout video used to be EASY) in an effort to loosen up some of my muscles and get rid of that fell out of a tree and hit every branch along the way down feeling.  

Now I feel like I hit every other branch.  Slight improvement.

Tomorrow, I run.  

*Cyndi Lauper

What I've succumbed to is making me numb*

I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year!

Mine was lovely.  J and JP hosted a rock your face off live karaoke party.  This is so much cooler than just a karaoke party.  Basically, JP and some of his friends form a band for the night.  We give advanced requests for the songs we want to sing, and they learn the songs.  Then, at the party, "the band" plays the songs and the lyrics are projected up on the wall and you sing.  So you're totally like a real rockstar!  It's so much fun!

I sang "Float On" by Modest Mouse and I won 2nd place for being awesome!  (Seriously, my sister and her husband put on the best parties...they even have PRIZES for people).  I got a fun new t-shirt.  And I drank a Lithuanian (I think?) alcohol that tastes like honey with a burn (it tastes like burning).  Oh, it's so yummy.  And totally kicks your ass.  

I came back today and housekeeping had cleaned my room for me (they even cleaned/straightened my desk etc).  Which is lovely.  However, something was bothering me about my desk and I couldn't really figure out what was off (seriously, I was really rough this morning.  I'm amazed I was even aware enough to notice there was something off).  

I was lying on the couch and finally figured it out (and I refused to get up and take a better picture).  Apparently my desk light got cold while I was gone. 

And, I have to start the year off with the adorable dog I almost sat on.  Luckily he stuck his head out of  the blanket right before I sat.  I couldn't resist taking his picture.

He's just too adorable.  :-)

*No Doubt

Oy, ridiculously long meme

I know lots of people are doing this, but I stole it from L at Trapped in North Jersey

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
I moved into a hotel for a long term stay.  AND, I moved to PA.  I've never lived in this state before.  It's been interesting.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't usually make New Year's resolutions.  I find that the actual act of making them makes me nervous and just sets myself up for fail  However, last year, I think I said I wanted to exercise at least 3 times a week every week.  I didn't do a TERRIBLE job with this.  For the majority of the year I kept up with this.  I slacked off a lot when I moved up here, but I'm doing better again (ignoring this past week when I was dying of some awesome lung infection). 

I also said I would cook more and eat out less.  I did terribly with that in Virginia, however, since moving up here, surprisingly, I've been eating out A LOT less than I used it.  Which is odd since I have no real kitchen area to cook in.  But I'm doing it! 
So, I did better than I expected on the resolutions, but I have lots of room for improvements. 

I don't think I'm really going to set any resolutions this year, but I have a few things that I plan to continue working on.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, my sister! Yay Baby V!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, my grandfather.  I still expect him to walk down the stairs everytime I go visit my grandma.  It sucks. 

5. What places did you visit?
I went to Costa Rica with L and her husband and kids.  What a lovely trip (in fact, I think that trip was the very first thing I blogged about on my new blog).  I visited places in Virginia I had never been to before.  But, truthfully, I didn't really go anywhere else.  As much as I love traveling, I haven't really gone that many places this year.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
I didn't really LACK anything in 2010.  There are things that I would like to have in 2011, but nothing really that I can say was lacking in my life. 

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 7, 2010.  Found out mid meeting my grandfather had passed away. 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I worked up the guts to do something I had been wanting to do for 12 years.  And...that is all the information you will be getting from me. :-)

9. What was your biggest failure?
Um, sadly, I don't really REMEMBER much of my biggest achievement.  Alcohol is bad. 
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
My knee was originally hurt in 2009 I believe, but it continued to plague me for much of 2010. So I will count that. 

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I didn't really buy anything big or exciting.  Just kind of boring necessities. 
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My friends were awesome.  They were so supportive and understanding of me this year.  I couldn't ask for a better support group. 
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
This question sucks.  I'm not answering.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Nowhere exciting.  Mostly just paying off debt or into savings.  Super fun. 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to Costa Rica.  Meeting Baby V.  And I don't know if this counts as a "really, really, really" excited, but I was excited to move back north and to re-get to know old friends I had lost touch with. 
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Bottoms Up by Trey Songz

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? much happier
b) thinner or fatter? I think I'm actually exactly the same.
c) richer or poorer? I don't have a lot more money in the bank compared to last year, but I do have a lot less debt, so I count that as richer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I feel like I'm actually pretty happy with my 2010 year and I wouldn't really change much.  Maybe I wish I had saved more at the beginning of the year? 
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
I wish I had not let stupid people get to me as often.  I wish I had learned to take things less personally. 
20. How did you spend Christmas this year?
Same as always, Christmas Eve helping my mom wrap gifts, and Christmas day with my family
21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Um, there were moments.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
I became obsessed with NCIS.  It's sad, I know.

23. What did you do for your birthday in 2010?
I had to go to work.  Then, we went out to dinner and the bars with some of my friends. 

24. What was the best book you read?
The Physics of Superheroes: Spectacular Second Edition by James Kakalios.  Seriously, this book is really interesting and educational at the same time. :-)
25. What did you want and get?
A new mp3 player.  I put off buying one for so long, that I got it as a Christmas gift and it's awesome.  I also wanted a new camera, and L gave me her old one.  I'm on fi-ah with the gifts this year. 
26. What did you want and not get?
I wanted a new car.  However, I did not NEED a new car and thus did not get one. 
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
hmmm- I liked a lot of movies this year.  I can't pick just one.  However, the most recent movie I saw and liked this year was Easy A.  Very cute.

28. Did you make some new friends this year?
I became friends with people I was previously only acquaintances with.  I also renewed some old friendships.  I think this counts.

29.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Seriously, I'm happy with my past year.  I don't know that it could have become immeasurably more satisfying.  Maybe losing tons of weight and winning the NY marathon?  I mean, if I'm going for something that is impossible...might as well go big right?
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Casual, cardigans, khakis, comfortable. 

31. What kept you sane?
Talking to Revolting R and my sisters and running.  Always with the running.
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Seriously?  Um...I like Emma Stone and Ellen Page.  I have huge girl crushes on them. 
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
gay rights.  Argh.  are we really in 2010 and still don't believe in equal rights for everyone?

34. Who did you miss?
My grandfather, Revolting R, and all my friends I left in VA.
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Don't sweat the small stuff, and it's ALL small stuff. 

I want to be where your heart is home*

Things that made Christmas awesome this year:

• Awesome friends.  On Thursday, I was hanging out with Revolting R (yeah, sorry, that name is still sticking) and was already having a great time.  We got sushi and made fun of the mail order bride and her suitor sitting next to us (seriously, these people were hysterical and their conversation was painfully awkward).  It was just like old times and I was having a blast.  Then, Mike stopped by on his way home and gave me an unexpected Christmas gift.  A while ago, I complained my sansa clip was old and didn't have a micro SD slot so it didn't hold a lot of songs.  And, for Christmas...surprise!  A new sansa clip that holds a card for expandable memory.  And...it's blue!  Or purple...or royal blue...whatever you want to call it.  It's pretty!  I put an image of the Sansa Clip below but mine isn't a bright blue as this.  Mine's prettier.  (I have some great friends that apparently DO listen to me when I complain). 

• An awesome family.   My sisters got me a David Sedaris box set that I've been wanting for forever (and I didn't even have to ask for it, they just noticed it on my wish list on paperbackswap.com and got it for me).  My mom and dad got me some great things, including an apron my mom made me and some orange kitchen tools (like measuring spoons and such).  My aunts got me a leash to use while walking Oscar (it has a built in flashlight and baggie compartment) and a chew toy that Oscar loved so much he pretty much has already killed it.  My uncle gave me this beautiful square bowl that I can't wait to display (And it's SQUARE!  NOT ROUND!  My favorite!).  And of course, gift cards to bookstores.  So excited.  I unfortunately do not have any fun pictures to post here.  I didn't really take any pictures of my gifts yet.  That will be later. 
• Awesome nieces and nephews.  Seriously, the cuteness is just overwhelming!

All in all, it was just a generally awesome Christmas, and now I'm snowed in at my parents.  I'll let you decide if that's a good thing or not :-)  (Also, if the pictures line up funny, I apologize.  I spent a ridiculous long time fighting blogger to make them line up as I wanted.  And it's not working on my laptop.  Hopefully it looks normal to everyone else).  Argh. 

*She and Him

It's the hap-happiest season of all...

So, totally laming out on the post.  Here's the Christmas gifts I made this year:

For my awesome sister J:

It's a silk/wool blend that's an off-white color (this pictures didn't really do a good job showing the color).  It's also really long (It didn't fit diagonally across my king size bed while trying to block it).  

Next, my also awesome sister L:

The scarf and hat is actually a dark turquoise color, not the blue-grey it looks in the picture and is 100% cotton b/c L hates anything else touching her skin.  Apparently she has sensitive skin that itches all the time.   

For my brother in law D (L's husband), I made a hat using a navy blue cotton yarn.  It's nice and squishy and soft and warm.  I am making myself a hat out of the same yarn.

And JP, my other other brother in law, got these socks.

He should feel honored.  I hate making men's socks.  Their feet are just too damn big.  Also, I really hope he likes/wears them.  

Lastly, I made my aunt P a necklace. 

I kind of wanted to keep it.  

So...that was my attempt at giving gifts this year.  I hope everyone liked them!

Good news will work its way to all them plans*

I went to Dunkin Donuts this morning for my normal iced coffee.  It kind of pisses me off these people can't seem to remember what I want.  I go at least 3 mornings a week since I've moved here. 

Anyways, this morning I got into a big "argument" with the guy behind the counter.  (I wasn't really fighting, I just couldn't think of a better word).  I ordered, iced coffee with cream and sugar.  Like always. 

However, this morning, our conversation went as follows:

Iced tea with lemon or no lemon? 
I don't want iced tea, I want iced coffee. 
Ok, ma'am, it's the same price.  Iced tea with lemon?
No.  Iced coffee with cream and sugar.
Ok.

A few minutes later, he handed me my iced tea with cream and sugar. 

Sigh.

I also had an embarassing moment last night at CVS trying to buy tampons and liners.  All the store had was JUMBO packs of each.  Like 50 per pack.  And I was kind of in dire need of them, so I figured, eh, just buy them.  You'll be set for a while. 

Except, up front, hottest guy ever at the register.  And yes, I realize he sees much worse purchases every day, and I can't say I normally give a crap about buying these items, but seriously.  JUMBO PACKS. 

Double Sigh.  

Anyways, tomorrow I will be spending the day in my car, so don't expect a post from me!  :-)

*Modest Mouse

Make my wish come true, all I want for Christmas is you*

So, I'm taking the week off of running.  I went on Sunday evening (yes, I worked up the energy to go), barely.  I felt so lethargic while running.  It was such a struggle.  I just felt awful.  

Then, on Monday, I felt horrible all day.  I was ache-y and kept getting hot then cold all day, and I had that weird crawly skin feeling where I didn't want anything touching me.  It was very un-fun.  I was supposed to run, and just had no energy to do anything but come and sit on the couch and wait for dinner.  

Then, I woke up today, and my throat was killing me, I had no voice, and my lungs felt hurt-y (yes, these are all technical descriptions).  

So, I am taking a break this week.  No running.  Just getting as much sleep as I possibly can.  

I also am trying to get better as quickly as I can because Revolting R is back in NJ and I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HER and I don't want to be sick (oh, yeah, also, Christmas is coming.  Would hate to be sick for that as well...).  

Hope everyone is having a lovely week!

*Mariah Carey