20 Something in LA LA land...

Happy New Year!!!

It's finally December 31st, and feels nothing like the last 15 New Years that have passed.  For one, I have no built up excitement for tonight like I usually do, most likely because I am still suffering from this sinus thing and CANNOT SMELL which also translates to something worse - I CANNOT TASTE.

Do you understand the tragedy in this people?  I LOVE FOOD and I love wine and bellinis and champagne and I won't be able to enjoy ANY OF IT.

This is also the first year in a long time that we don't have concrete plans for what we are doing in 13.5 hours.  I mean, I think we're going to my sister's house - cause she has a killer backyard and hot tub and kitchen and house, and we'll probably just spend some time there.  And hopefully sleep there because it takes a very brave person to face the streets of LA in a car after 12 am on New Years Day.

And tomorrow is the Rose Bowl game, which we normally don't care that much about but we do now because C went to Illinois and (they better win!) it should be a good game.

I don't have much to say as a wrap-up of 2007 except that I really hope 2008 is a bit better.  Sure, there were a couple of good things this last year (my new job and promotion, meeting my blog friends) but there were also some shitty things too (car got stolen, unemployed for months, got sick 4 times).  In the words of a friend's company's email - "MAKE 2008 GREAT!"  I plan to.

I love each and every one of you so much - I look forward to reading about your lives and I take all of your advice and comments to heart - sometimes more than a friend that I see everyday.

THANK YOU for that.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I'm baaaaaaaack

Oh how I missed you so!  It's been about two weeks - which is ridiculously long to not keep in touch.  Sure, I love to bore you with the mundane details of my life approximately 4-5 times a week and I'm sure it was hard for you not to have that, but what was really hard for me was not having the time to sit and read your blogs!  I have definite withdrawal symptoms.  So I will quickly tell you about my trip and then I will try to get to all of your blogs through the weekend by the end of this year! HA!

Number one?  We had a fucking fantastic time.  This is quite surprising to both C and me because a) we were in 10-40 degrees weather the whole time and being an LA girl, that usually tends to suck, b) we were with his family for 10 DAYS STRAIGHT and as much as I like them, that worried both of us and c) there was SO MUCH EATING and hardly any moving around and normally?  I hate that.  But guess what?  This time? It was nice feeling like a lazy fat pig!

I won't bore you with too many details but I'll give you the highlights.

Last Monday, we flew into Denver and C and I immediately rented a car to drive two hours up into the Rocky Mountains to Beaver Creek (It's right next to Vail).  Let me just tell you, that as a kid I always wanted to spend some time in one of these cute little ski villages, where there are ice skating rinks and chocolate stores and Starbucks and good restaurants, and you could walk around and ski and then relax by the fire and then walk some more.  It was so perfect and beautiful and out of a movie.  We stayed in a condo there with his family for two nights, playing Trivial Pursuit and eating yummy food and watching good movies and laughing.  C also decided (on his own) that he wanted to take me out alone for dinner the second night, so he found this beautiful restaurant and we went on a date.  Very sweet if you ask me, considering he sees me all the goddamn time and his family very rarely.  I guess he just knew that he wouldn't be alone with me for the next 8 days and wanted to give me a "treat".

On Thursday of last week, C and I had a flight from Denver to Chicago, and what do ya know? They downsized the plane and we were left without a seat, along with 30 or more people.  I immediately went into panic mode, as I quite clearly remember Last December 29th, when C and I had to be put on standby for 8 hours, and only got out of Chicago the next morning at 6.  That, my friends, was HELL.  SO, I nicely spoke to some sweet man wearing a Santa tie, who totally hooked C and I up.  We got to fly first class to Sioux Falls (please, stop the chuckling.  I know, I know, a 1 hour flight, but it was something.  And Sioux Falls's airport?  One long hallway with a stuffed dog.)  and a couple hour layover and then off to Chicago.  SO we made it there only four hours past when we should have BUT we did manage to score two free roundtrip tickets to anywhere in the US except Alaska and Hawaii so I would say we made out well.

Oh, did I tell you that I also was feeling sick again?  I couldn't believe it, as I had just gotten over the WORST cold of my life a bit over a month ago, and then all of a sudden, I was sick again.  And flying.  This was not a good combination.

We woke up the next morning in Illinois to snow on the ground and a pretty sunny sky.  And so started our week of EATING.  Full-on breakfast every morning, and lunch 3 hours later, and of course a heavy hearty dinner.  Did I mind?  Not one bit.  I loved it.  C and I cooked for his whole family on the 23rd (that was 27 people - It felt like Dinner Impossible) and the other days I helped his mom out happily. When I say happily I truly mean it too, because if you would have tried to keep me inside for four straight days at C's parents' house last year or the year before I would have said NO WAY.  But this time, for whatever reason, I felt so comfortable and happy, and genuinely enjoyed their company - especially his mom (In fact, we had a long heart to heart about the "marriage" issue and she was so great about it).  I looked forward to talking to her, and getting her advice, and telling her stories.  It was so nice.  On the 2nd or 3rd day we were there, C looked at me and said this was the best Christmas home he's had in years because he could trust that I was having a good time and he didn't have to constantly check on me like he used to in the past.  This time, he could freely go down to the basement with his brother and dad and play darts or pool, and he knew I would be fine upstairs with the ladies and the kids.

And ohmigod the kids!  C's brother has two kids, a 4 year old boy and a little 8 month old girl.  The boy has always had this thing for me - when C and I see him for the first time in a long time, he tends to run right past him and jump into my arms.  I love that of course, but now that he is getting to a certain stage and has a new baby sister who gets TONS of attention, he had moments of devil-like behavior.  Which was not fun.  But the 8-month old!  So cute - what a sweet age!  And she was obsessed with her Uncle C and wow - to see him with a little baby girl got me teary-eyed at moments.

Other highlights?  We went to visit C's grandparents who are both in a nursing home, the grandfather for physical reasons and the grandma for dementia.  Even though it was sad to see them like that, they were both so sweet and fun and loving, and I just loved seeing the family interact and taking pictures of it.

Also, we spent the first Friday night with a few of C's friends and their wives for dinner at this great Italian restaurant.  It's always good to get together with them, because amazingly enough, I get along with all of the wives really well.  The not so fun part?  Being grilled about marriage after a couple of glasses of wine.  Haven't we had enough???  This last Wednesday, we went to one of the couples' condo, which we hadn't seen yet and they cooked dinner for us.  It was so great.  SUCH a cute house and great food and great music and obviously great wine (anyone else feel they have drank too much lately?) and good conversation and I just loved it.  So much fun. 

And finally Christmas morning.  With mimosas and Christmas music and thousands of presents under the tree, it just it so much fun for me.  And C and I made out pretty nice!  Although I didn't get EXACTLY what I wanted (this is kinda a joke because if C ever proposed to me Christmas morning in front of all of his family, I would be mortified), he did get me the perfume I wanted so badly, an adorable shirt, and a pair of beautiful earrings and a ring.  Not that kind but it was still beautiful.  His parents and family all got us great stuff too (including a new DVD player, gift cards to Marriot Hotels, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Forever 21, Borders, etc. - they know me well!).

And so came Thursday morning, to quickly pack up and go home, but guess what?  DG got a ridiculous sinus infection!  So no matter how much medicine I took, and how much I tried to forget about it, that day of flying was honestly the most excrutiating thing I had ever gone through.  I mean, ridiculous.  My head was gonna EXPLODE!!!!!  At least I didn't focus on the fact that we were flying and whoops! I'm scared of flying but I actually wasn't at all and I think it cured my fear!

Lastly, C and I are doing really well.  There was hardly one argument the whole time, minus the marriage one after we got majorly grilled.  But other than that, we got along really well and I feel like we bonded even more if that's possible?  As far as the marriage and future talk?  We'll just have to see.  I will say I did get a little more insight as to why he's feeling the way he is, and a lot of it has nothing to do with me but with his job and the current state of his career-life.  So, we'll see.  If I'm happy now must I change it? 

let's bounce

Last night my partner and I forced ourselves to go to a networking event.  The reason I say "forced" is because honestly?  The idea of leaving my cozy house on a rainy night to be forced to drink and socialize with people I don't even know doesn't usually sit high on my "to do" list.

Either way, we felt it was our "duty" to go and show our faces.

The same things always happen at these events.  You walk in with high hopes, grab a glass of wine, then you find the same circle of 5 that you know and talk to at all of these parties, and basically never mingle to meet new people.  Then you're standing around in a circle wondering why you dragged yourself to go out when you see these people all of the time anyway.

An hour and a half into the party, my partner and I looked at each other and in unison said "let's bounce."

Oh well, at least we tried.

Meanwhile, the new project is a go.  The people we're working with have NO idea what they're doing, at least not in the capacity that we understand is correct, so it's proved to be a little difficult so far getting everyone on the right page.  However, the deal is signed and thank god for that considering I keep hearing the strike wont be ending anytime soon. 

Tonight is the 4th night of Hanukkah, and C and I are celebrating at my mom's tonight with the whole fam.  Should be nice and relaxing and where there's a lot of latkes, there are a lot of smiles.

Have a great weekend!

Halloween

I think I'm officially wearing myself too thin.  Not one day since last week's Monday have I slept in, and therefore I am coming down with this strange chest cold.  What else is new?  I swear, every year around Halloween I get some sort of sickness.

Last year was the WORST.  It was the weekend before Halloween and C was going to be out of town for his annual man-cation (he and 8 of his friends go down to San Diego to watch the Chargers play).  So naturally, I bought a costume and filled up both nights with plans with various girlfriends to go to different parties.

Thursday morning came and I woke up with the worst pain on one side of my throat that I had ever felt.  I could hardly speak, and definitely couldn't really swallow.  I made an appt with my doctor and sure enough, two hours later I was diagnosed with tonsilitis.  Two hours after that, my throat COMPLETELY closed up, my fever was at 103 and I literally thought I would die.  That lasted all of Thursday.

C offered to cancel his trip but there was NO way I was going to make him do that.  Not to stay home and take care of a half dead girl.  My mom and sister were close and therefore, I knew I'd be ok. 

He left early Saturday morning and for the next two days I hardly moved.  I couldn't eat barely anything, not even clear chicken broth because the saltiness BURNED my glands.  I laid on my couch and watched TV - namely, the Food Network's Halloween specials - all weekend.  And when Saturday night came and I heard tons of people walking and partying in my neighborhood?  I turned off my lights and went to sleep.

No, it wasn't the best Halloween weekend ever, but surprisingly, I remember kinda enjoying being all alone, watching whatever I wanted, and going to bed early.  Although I also remember that a glass of wine would have made it better.

Tonight C and I are staying home and handing out candy.  We were invited to this director's HUGE halloween party that he throws every year and is filled with celebrities but honestly? Not my thing.  Staying home and watching the Charlie Brown Halloween Special sounds much better. 

Happy Halloween guys!! Any fun plans?  What are you dressing up as?

A night in the life of my family

Last night as I mentioned before was Rosh Hashanah dinner, which is the Jewish New Year.  Therefore it's a happy holiday and sweet, yummy foods represent what the new year should bring.

If only I had a video camera.  Because as much as I love my family, they are a little bit insane.  But unique without a doubt.  So I'll try to give you some tidbits of what went down last night.

• My mom is a television character.  That really is true.  She is so complex and has so many different qualities that sometimes? You never know what you're gonna get.  She always enjoys entertaining, or at least the thought of entertaining.  Yet when it comes to the day where she is cooking 7 dishes, as well as setting the table and making sure everything is organized, Mommy the monster comes out.  She becomes sensitive and loud and lays on the Jewish guilt like she was getting paid for it.  Upon arriving and saying how beautiful the table looks, instead of saying "thanks!", she says "well you know, it's not easy to prepare a dinner, i hope you appreciate it."  And that goes for the remainder of the evening.  No matter how many times you say "wow, this soup is great!" she will inevitably respond with a sarcastic comment like "glad to know you're paying attention.  You know, today was not easy".  So after a while it gets very very annoying.

• My stepdad is a storyteller.  Do you have people like this in your family?  If he sits at a table and isn't the center of attention (meaning he's not talking), he looks miserable.  But when he can jump in and say "this reminds me of a story..." and then go on for 30 minutes, he lights up like he is a comedian.

• My mom's cousin is a very nice doctor, actually a plastic surgeon, who is a germaphobe.  There is a tradition where you take the challah (the round bread) and everyone just pulls a piece off, and he couldn't.  He took a napkin and a knife to it.  Oh yeah, he also can't pronounce my name.  This is not a joke.  Now my name is spelled differently than it is pronounced so I understand strangers that don't know how to say it but family?  COME ON DUDE.

• My stepbrother (one of them - I have 7 stepbrothers and sisters) is a recovering (maybe?) drug addict.  He's 22 and has had a tough last 10 years.  He has gotten himself into all sorts of trouble and has gone to rehabs since he was 15.  He seems to be doing a bit better but it gets a little awkward when 10 minutes after the prayer he is telling me across the table how there is this "really fly girl who I fucked last week and the bitch didn't call me and fuck this - im going outside to have a cigarette."

• By the time the dinner was winding down, half of the family was sitting in front of the TV watching Curb Your Enthusiasm.  At least it's better than a few years back.  I'll never forget the look on my grandma's face when after a nice Hanukkah dinner my mom forced everyone to sit in the living room and watch "Big Mommas House".  Again, not a joke.

So look, I know we all have strange things in our families.  And I love them, no matter how odd and annoying they act at times.  Does anyone have any strange things that their family does that you want to share?

It feels good to be missed

Yesterday afternoon I went to visit my old office.  This was where I was working for three years prior to me getting this new job.  I have a female and a male boss there and then our assistant.  The had been working now for about a week on a new project and were pretty busy so when I offered to bring them coffee they couldn't have been happier.

When I got there I immediately sat at my old desk.  It was actually a kneejerk reaction - just natural.  The phone rang thousands of times and I picked it up a couple of those times without even thinking.  My workspace is EXACTLY like it was when I was there, since I haven't packed up any of my things yet.  Basically, it felt like I still worked there.

Except what was really nice was how sweet everyone was to me.  Now I get along really well with all of my coworkers anyway, but yesterday? I felt like I had paid them to praise me.  My head boss (who we call Jeff Lewis from the show Flipping Out because he really can be that crazy) was laughing with me and telling me he didn't want me to move out cause he'll be sad and who will he be able to discuss that morning's Regis and Kelly and the View.  My other boss was so sweet - she couldn't tell me how much she misses me more and she needed me there to help her creatively with ideas and work.  And our assistant actually said the sweetest thing to me - she said "I can see now why you have so many friends - because when you're not around it's just not the same.  You bring such fun and life into this office!"  I can't help but say I was sincerely touched.

I also was able to pick up three months of my wine club wines that my sister got me for my birthday in June.  I had no idea that two bottles came in each of the boxes, so I brought home 6 wines from regions around the world, and of course invited my friend over so we could share a bottle of one of the Australian Pinots. And it must be good wine because after drinking a half a bottle I'm not even hungover today. Yay!

Tonight we celebrate the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, at my mom's house where we will eat yummy food and dip apples into honey.  Tradition!