Category Archives: Life

And It’s Only 9am

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Going to bed early pays off in an infinite number of ways:

  • you get up early (probably)
  • you feel good in the morning
  • you are the first one out getting your coffee
  • you will most likely get your favorite spot at the coffee shop/cafe/diner
  • it’s nice and quiet out or in the house
  • you can actually enjoy some quiet and/or alone time (well maybe not if you have little ones or pets)
  • you can get things done before others get up and complete tasks without interruption

I love early morning productivity, but I know it’s not for everyone. But hear me out you night owls. You can get so much done early in the day, and then have the rest of the day and night for play.

This weekend was fruitful for me in the early hours.

Yesterday morning:

  1. Did my lesson planning and revision for my professional goals (unnecessary – but did it)
  2. Started my laundry
  3. Booked a rental car for Brett
  4. Attempted to change his flight since I booked it for the wrong day – oops (on hold too long so task incomplete)
  5. All recycling and garbage went out
  6. Went to Starbucks to get some coffee and treats since we were out of coffee
  7. Read a couple of articles I had been putting off
  8. Cleaned up the bathroom

And this was all before 9am.

This morning:

  1. Changed Brett’s flight (no waiting this time – calling early pays off)
  2. Booked another leg of my Christmas flight adventure
  3. Read the rest of the articles I wanted to read, and some blogs posts
  4. Ordered some things from Amazon
  5. Filled my basket on Boden (new obsession)
  6. Looked at a few other websites for some holiday gift ideas
  7. Washed the dishes
  8. Started writing a new post

And it’s only 10am.

All these piddly little things that most of us put off during the week get done in the early hours on my weekends. And now I’m going to run my errands, and those will be done by noon!

Have a productive day!

Learning to Write

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Writing is hard. Regardless of whether you want to do it well or not.

Every day before my students write almost anything, they have a chance to tell someone what they are going to write. Verbalizing first helps them get their ideas out. But if only some of them could write the way they speak…

Well, the same goes for me. I sometimes talk first before writing. This helps especially when I am searching for a specific word. I know that my writing skills have improved over a long period of time – and I mean a long time, thanks to thousands and thousands of words written, revised and edited for my Master’s program papers. However I know I have a lot to learn. And I want to learn because I want to write fiction. And screenplays. And articles. Maybe songs. Oh and probably some kids’ books too.

So I think I’m going to take some writing classes through Gotham Writer’s Workshop. Anyone taken any of these? They have quite a selection of classes, both in-person classes and online. Decision now is, which will be better for me? Just thinking about committing to a couple of weeknights for 3 hours each isn’t too appealing especially while working (damn work again!). But will I learn as well online? Especially learn effective writing?

Hmmm, need to think about it and will keep you posted.

Bird Fear

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Bird fear is totally legitimate. It’s ornithophobia actually.

Where does my fear come from? Not sure. But I have ideas.

1. The Calgary Zoo – crazy little birds flying at head height through those little tunnels you have to walk through. OMG, scare the crap out of me!

2. The movie The Birds – I think pretty obvious here…

Ok, so I don’t have many ideas. But it stemmed form something that scarred me. Or maybe I just have this pretty common irrational fear.

While walking to the subway a couple of afternoons ago, on my way back to school for round two of parent-teacher conferences, my fear was heightened 10-fold or more. A poor injured pigeon (gross) was struggling to fly. And it’s flight path just happened to be right at me!!!! So of course I ducked, bobbed, weaved, gasped and probably made some weird facial expression in horror – right in front of a hotel doorman. Hello – I’m not Fabio and I’m not about to take a bird to the face or chest even if I am on my way back to parent-teacher conferences.

Where was this bird going? I don’t know, a better place to lay to rest? So after I made my fancy moves and tried to recompose myself, I looked at where the poor gaffer found a resting place… and sure enough he/she made to the sidewalk across the street, landing by the synagogue (Jewish pigeon?). I guess it’s destiny was to die on the sidewalk by a holy house rather than drop in the street and be run over. Both deaths are unfortunate, but secretly I am glad there is now one less flying rat to poop on me.

Get Off Your Phone

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No offense to people who talk on their cell phones or text in public (we all do it), just please pay attention to what you are doing because many things can go wrong. For example:

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  • You will probably walk into someone or something.
  • You may fall or trip in a pothole.
  • Your kid (if you have one) may get lost, choke, fall or get injured.
  • You are sharing details about yourself and others that the public should probably not know (or care to know).
  • You will drop your jar of spaghetti sauce on the floor at the grocery store because your hands are too full.
  • You may drop your phone or other items in the subway track, in the crosswalk or other place you don’t want it to land.
  • You may become completely unaware of the fact that the walk light is a hand and you follow the crowd across the street, barely being missed by a bus (witnessed this a couple of weeks ago) or speeding taxi. And of course you are lucky if you are missed).
  • Your phone may be stolen right out of your hands by some thief punk (recent experience with this – although the score is ME-1, PUNK-0. Nice try little bastard.)

*Side note disclaimer: It seems people using headsets are less likely to become victims of situations gone awry; perhaps the hands-free is the savior here.

You will probably agree that all of the above mentioned events are completely unfortunate and I’m positive you would rather not be faced with any of these situations. So always expect the unexpected when using your phone in public. Please use your device safely and mindfully, facetiousness aside of course.

Oh Jeez, What Have I Become?

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I joined the New York Health & Racquet Club a couple of weeks ago. When I visited the club on 50th Street in the spring I liked the cozy feeling of the club. It didn’t feel like the other gyms I’ve tried in the city. Unpretentious, homey.

I waited to join knowing that summer would get me outside, however I was looking for a closer, cheaper spot to get back into my yoga practice too.

So I decided to bite the bullet and join a couple of weeks ago since the weather was getting unpredictable … Great class schedule and facilities that I want to use.

Soooooo, I went to the gym tonight and tried something new… I even got a new outfit for it… and joined all the others… in the pool… for… aquacise. Oh my gaud, did I just say that out loud? YES – OKAY! I said aquacise! Holy crap – what has happened to me?! I thought it would be a good idea to do some non-impact exercise! Turns out was right. In fact, little old Judy pretty much kicked my butt. I didn’t know that pool noodles and foam pieces would make my arms quiver. I’m pretty sure I will have a hard time moving my poor limbs tomorrow.

Who knew splashing around with people double my age would be kind of fun, even the conversation in the sauna afterward. Oh my gaauuud, in the sauna? I feel like I belong in an episode of Seinfeld.

 

I Am So Qualifying

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I was so pumped after the ING NYC Marathon this year!

I was inspired to beat my mental block about never completing a full marathon! But….

I officially joined the New York Road Runners in September of this year. They have a 9+1 qualifying system for runners who complete many races with them. That means member runners can complete 9 qualifier races and volunteer for an event for a guaranteed entry to one of the world’s most amazing events, the New York City marathon (no longer ING).

So since September I have completed 5 of my 9 qualifying races. I was so pumped! I totally thought I had time to qualify for next year’s marathon! Only 4 more races and 1 volunteer! I was already signed up for 2 more races and had to figure out an event to volunteer for …. Until…. I read the fine print and realized that I needed the rest of my races by completed by December 31st! CRAP! New dream shattered.

Well not really. I’ll be damned if I don’t qualify for the 2015 race! I’ve already signed up for the first 2014 qualifier races! Need to get my winter training going! No wimping out this winter. I am going all in!

YES!

YES!

Mr. Kellerman Was Right

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Those of us who have watched Dirty Dancing upteen times know Kellerman’s Anthem. The iconic song that winds down the summer at the upitty resort. The lyrical phrase of importance here being: “old friends are the best”. Don’t get me wrong, I love the friends I’ve had the pleasure of gaining in recent years, but there really is something something special about old friends.

chellebelle416.wordpress.com

chellebelle416.wordpress.com

I spent the last few days catching up with one of my two long-time BFFs. I put work and running to the side to catch up and have some fun with Jill – the “trouble girls” were back together! We acquired this nickname in our early 20’s… How did we get this name? Pure, innocent trouble we called having fun!

Circa 2001

Circa 2001

So Jill came to this glorious place I now call home last Wednesday eve. This was not her first visit so it was nice that we didn’t have to do all the touristy stuff. We spent our time doing the usual things women do; and also laughing at our young stupidity, drinking some wine, some coffee, some beer, taking a road trip and exploring our now mature friendship in a way we hadn’t been able to for a few years. Although our lives are very different now, we are still the same when we are together.

Eve 1: A little wine at home and a night of chit chat.

Day 2: Brunch at Ze Cafe, a nice little French bistro. Shopping. Manis and pedis. Cheese tasting with Monica at the 92nd Street Y. That’s right, a cheese talk and tasting with the Cowboy Creamery ladies of Petaluma California. Wowza, loved this! (Next step in this cheese process – cheese making class!) Finished off the night with appys and sangria (best sangria ever) at Vero Wine Bar, and of course eavesdropping on a young dating couple. Oooops, did I say that out loud?

Day 3: I had to work so Jill did her own exploring and shopping. After work though we went to Bryant Park to visit the Winter Village holiday shoppes and have some appys at Celsius Lounge. Next made our way to Brooklyn for the Brooklyn Night Bazaar (bizarre hahaha!). Jill was a little “uneasy” about this event since the neighborhood was graffiti-ridden, warehouse-y and baron. Once inside – hello hipster Brooklyn! Enjoyed the mini ice cream cones, chatting with locals about their products, and laughed at our glowing teeth in the mini golf area, where of course I had my picture taken with a cardboard Fabio and Jill became a cardboard hot dog! Tina and her friend joined us then we all made our way to a lovely biergarten in the neighborhood for a bier (more plaid everywhere!).

Bryant Park

Bryant Park

Day 4: Up and out the door to Penn Station to catch the LIRR to Ronkonkama. From there, car rental and road trip to the Hamptons! Beautiful fall foliage, deer prancing around, gorgeous summer homes on the beach. First stop in Westhampton for lunch. Second stop in Southhampton at the beach, deer again prancing between massive homes, deciding whose place housed the best foliage I suppose. Third stop in Montauk for the night. Stayed at the Montauk Marina & Yacht Club. Gorgeous sunset. Wanted to crash the wedding but it would have been too noticeable so we went for dinner and ended the night early with the TV… dang just couldn’t stay up to make it to the newlywed’s bonfire hahaha!

Southhampton Beach

Southhampton Beach

Montauk Marina and Yacht Club sunset

Montauk Marina and Yacht Club sunset

Day 5: Up early for room service and a beautiful sunrise! Checked out and off to the Montauk Lighthouse we went! Boulder walking, shell picking and carcass inspection… still not sure what that creature was… Next headed into East Hampton for a coffee and a stop at BookHampton, couldn’t resist our love for book shopping. Back on the road – lots of roadkill! Poor Bambi and family! Finally, off to Riverhead Tanger outlets to meet Lana for shopping and lunch. After all that, headed back to the city on the LIRR where we hung out for the eve before Jill had to retire early for her very early airport pick-up.

Montauk Lighthouse

Montauk Lighthouse

Public Beach at Montauk

Public Beach at Montauk

I wrapped up our days in a whirlwind, yes. Unfortuntely the short amount of detail in my paragraphs doesn’t give our time together justice at all but the point is, it was a great time of reconnection and new memory-making for us. Memories that we both will look back on very fondly, like many from the past.

P.S. Some of these memories will end up cycling back as jibberyjab posts too 🙂

P.S.S. And bucket list checking too.

Hiking vs. Running – Events From the Last Two Weekends

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I cannot say I like one more than the other because each activity is glorious in itself. The rewards different, the experiences unique. Of course logistically, running is very convenient and accessible for me, whereas hiking requires more planning and more complicated transportation plans.

Hiking overview: Lisa and I had a great time hiking at Bear Mountain last Saturday. Not only did we hike part of the Appalachian Trail (towards Georgia hahaha!), we stopped at the area’s Ocktoberfest and wandered through the Bear Mountain “zoo” with beer in hand. The weather was gorgeous considering it was the last weekend of October. Usually our weather at this time of year is quite nice, minus the last two years (Sandy last year and blizzard the previous year). This was a most enjoyable day.

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The lake at Bear Mountain

Beautiful leaves!

Beautiful leaves!

"Bears and beers"

“Bears and beers”

Today’s race: Dash to the Finish Line, a warm-up to the ING NYC marathon. A little jaunt that started three blocks from my apartment (awesome), ran west on 42nd Street (awesome), up 6th Avenue to Central Park and ended at the marathon finish line of tomorrow’s marathon (fabulous). I’m pretty sure next year I will be crossing that line after venturing the 26 miles through all five boroughs. I’m driven to do it and I think I can. I have a year to prep myself mind. Oh and my body.

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The Start

Running toward the finish

Running toward the finish

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Walking home through the Literary Walk afterward

So what do I choose? Well you know I love running. But if I had more opportunity and willingness to seek out nearby hikes, I would probably hike more. I’ve just gotten so used to how races work, knowing what I need, etc, I’m not sure I will put in the same effort to find hikes. Unless of course they are arranged by someone else or LivingSocial again!

My Love for Halloween

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My favorite Halloween candy! happyhomefairy.com

My favorite Halloween candy!
happyhomefairy.com

My love for Halloween has changed over the years, but October 31st is still my favorite day of the year.

When I was young I loved it for the reasons all kids do – dressing up like someone you’re not and candy.

As I got older Halloween became about dressing up as someone you’re not and heading out to a party or bar for the night.

When I first moved to NYC, Halloween became about dressing up as someone you’re not and going to the Greenwich Village Halloween parade.

The last five or so years, my love for Halloween has evolved into something else I guess. I still love the dressing up part of Halloween – even though I haven’t dressed up for a few years. I do miss that.

Now I just love watching people love Halloween too. I love adult’s creative costumes, kids in their cute little costumes, decorated houses, scary music, treats, and the fun and festive feeling. I guess I’m okay with being an observer rather than a participant, for now. I anticipate change in the future, since I am somewhat of a chameleon.

So I hope everyone had a great night last night and your belly’s weren’t too achy from all the candy today!

Brooklyn, near Prospect Park

Brooklyn, near Prospect Park

If My Life is For Rent

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“If my life is for rent

And I don’t learn to buy

I deserve nothing more than I get

‘Cause nothing I have is truly mine”

Oh Dido. How profound you are. And so right.

What happens to our dreams of living by the sea? Why do we put things off that we want to do? Why do we make excuses? Is it easier than making a change? Do we think we don’t deserve it? Is it failure we are afraid of?

Take the plunge.

Move to the sea. Take another job. Go on that date. Take that trip. Invest in yourself.

Look how cute you will be.

“It’s just thought, only a thought…”