Brrrrrrr........

So I saw this photo in the New York City forecast for Sunday. What??? I've never even seen this image related to the weather forecast. What??? Brrrrr.....

No Wrong Answer

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland   "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The West
Boston
North Central
The Inland North
The Northeast
Philadelphia
The South
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Thank you Real Librarian!

Ode to a Little Monster

Since I am bored at work and it's Friday...I thought I'd post a random blog about my puppy. His name's Charlie and he's the first dog I've ever owned. I got him at Adopt-A-Rescue-Pet which sells rescued animals at Petco's and PetSmarts. Very cool. All I know is he was maybe four or five months old, 25 pounds, and was rescued from "trash". He loves my husband's dog Anna and follows her around, much to her annoyance. I've had him for two years now so he's about two and a half years old and 115 pounds of pure monster. But I love him :)

Holiday Shopping Spree

Good Day!

I don't know about you but I'm gearing up this weekend to get some Christmas shopping done. The great thing about work is that they are wonderful about sending everyone good coupon codes for places. They are for friends and family so I thought I'd share them all...enjoy!

Online Discounts:

Alloy Coupon Code: ALYGIFT (20% off entire order til Dec. 3, 2007)
American Eagle Outfitters Coupon Code: 64152219 (15% off from Nov. 27 - Dec. 11, 2007)
Armani Exchange Coupon Code: STYLE20 ($20 off $100 from ? - ? )
Banana Republic Coupon Code: BRHOLIDAY (20% off from Nov 27 – Dec 24, 2007)
Bare Escentuals Coupon Code: BEFAMILY (20% off from Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, 2007)
Barnes & Noble Coupon Code: T4N3B6W (25% off Single Item on Nov 27 – Dec 10, 2007)
Bath and Bodyworks Coupon Code: VELVET10 ($10 off $30 from Nov. 27 - Dec. 2, 2007)
Bed Bath Store Coupon Code: holiday07 ($15 off $75 from Nov. 28 - Dec. 10, 2007)
BeBe Sport Coupon Code: FAMILY25 (25% off from Nov. 29 - Dec. 2, 2007)
CCO - Closeout Catalog Outlet Coupon Code: CC10040 (extra 30% off your most expensive item - ends midnight Thursday, 11/29/07)
CCO - Closeout Catalog Outlet Coupon Code: CC10042 (extra 30% off your most expensive item - ends midnight Tuesday, 12/04/07)
Children's Place Coupon Code: FFTAHPVAC7 (30% off from Dec. 2 & Dec. 3, 2007)
Cloud Veil Coupon Code: 7LJ400 (45% off from ? - ? )
Crazy8 Coupon Code: C8ONLINE (20% off from Nov. 29 - Dec. 2, 2007)
Designer Linens Outlet Coupon Code: FRIENDS77 (50% off from Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2007)
Disney Store Coupon Code: HOLIDAY25 (25% off from Nov 27 – Dec 2, 2007)
***Eastbay Coupon Code: EMEB72GC (20% off Giftcards from Nov 17 – Dec 20, 2007)
GameStop Coupon Code: AFF25 (25% off Used Games from ? – ? )
Golf Smith Coupon Code: FFD07 (UP TO 30% off from Nov. 28 - Dec. 4, 2007) Exclusions, here's the original post
Guess Factory Stores Coupon Code: FNF30F (30% off from Nov. 29 - Dec. 2, 2007)
Hasbro Toy Shop Coupon Code: FRIENDS20 (20% off from Dec 2 - Dec. 9, 2007)
Illuminations Coupon Code: 999201329 (20% off from Nov. 27 - Nov. 30, 2007)
J. Jill Coupon Code: FFNV25 (25% off on Nov 27 – Dec 2, 2007)
JC Penny Coupon Code: CHAMPION (20% off from Dec. 9, 2007)
Joann.com Coupon Code: NOVA740 (40% off 1 Regularly-Priced Item from Nov. 28 - Nov. 30, 2007)
Levis Store Coupon Code: LOJVWYJ9 (20% off $75 from Nov 30 – Dec 2, 2007)
Limited Too Just click link for savings (25% off from Nov 27 – Dec 9, 2007)
Linen & Things Coupon Code: 223823997733 (20% off from Nov 30 – Dec 31, 2007)
Liz Claiborne Coupon Code: FRIEND40 (40% off from Nov. 30 - Dec. 3, 2007)
Macy's Coupon Code: MACYSFRIEND or MACYSFF or CFF117 (20% off from Nov 28 – Dec 03, 2007)
MetroStyle Coupon Code: MSTYLE50 (50% off Single Item from Nov. 28 - Dec. 31, 2007)
New York & Company Coupon Code: 9897 ($30 off $75 from Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2007)
Nike Coupon Code: 2PCTH7A (20% off $125 from Nov 27 – Dec 24, 2007)
***Overstock Coupon Code: 73989 (10% off $45 from ? - ? )
***Ralph Lauren Coupon Code: HOL2007 (30% off 11/10 - 12/10)
Red Envelope Coupon Code: AMX25WISH ($50 off $200 from ? – ? )
restaurant.com Coupon Code: THANKS (60% off from Nov. 28 - Nov. 30, 2007)
Sephora Coupon Code: FF2007 (20% off from Nov. 28 - Dec 31, 2007)
***Sharper Image Just cick link for savings ($10 off $100 from Nov 27 – Jan 31, 2008)
Snap Fish Coupon Code: FRIENDS07 (25% off on Nov 27 – Dec 25, 2007)
Speedo Coupon Code: FRIENDS4 (25% off on Nov 27 – Nov 30, 2007)
Sports Authority Coupon Code: TSASAVE25 (25% off on 11/29-12/2)
Timberland Coupon Code: 3421273 (40% off from Nov 30 – Dec 2, 2007)
Toys 'r' us Coupon Code: TRUFRIENDFAMILY (15% off $150 from Nov 27 – Dec 1, 2007)
Ulta Coupon Code: 84447 (20% off Single Item from Nov 27 – Dec 1, 2007)
Victoria's Secret Coupon Code: FA78113 or FA78449 ($15 off $100, $30 off $150, $75 off $250, & $150 off $500 from Nov. 28 - Dec. 20, 2007)
Victoria's Secret Coupon Code: WARM25 (25% off Single Sweater from Nov. 28 - Dec. 1, 2007)
Warner Bros Coupon Code: HGFFWB (20% off from Nov 27 – Nov 30, 2007 )
WinkFlash Coupon Code: G3F8E7W4 (40% off from Nov 28 – Dec 15, 2007 )
Yankee Candle Just cick link for savings ($10 off $25 from Nov 27 - Dec. 22, 2007)
Zales Coupon Code: SAVE50FRIEND ($50 off $200 [works on 199.99] from Nov 28 & Nov 29, 2007 )

Light That Tree

My work is just a few blocks from the Rockefeller Center where that famous huge Christmas tree is put up. I walked by it last week and saw the tree but it was still all boxed up. So...tonight is the night they are going to light up the tree. It's the 75th Anniversary of this tradition so there is going to be performances and all that stuff. So my husband and I might be tourists tonight and check it out. Grab a slice of pizza (New York City has awesome pizza) and watch the madness. I found out because my work emailed everyone about road blockage around here...this morning because of Nascar??? and then this evening because of the tree lighting. Weird. I left my camera AND my phone at home today :( but I'll walk by the tree sometime and take photos another day :)

Revolutionary Times

Book Blog

I strayed from my currently reading book to read a book a co-worker gave to me. She too has a hook-up in the publishing world so we are going to start exchanging books to read. I also got her to sign up on Good Reads. I am sort of addicted to that site. Anyway...the book is called Mistress of the Revolution and I absolutely loved it. It's a great historical fiction about a lady's life during the French Revolution. I wish I had read the book when I was learning about the French Revolution in college...it clears up a lot of confusion. Here's the synopsis from the back of the book:

"Set in opulent, decadent, turbulent revolutionary France, Mistress of the Revolution is the story of Gabrielle de Montserrat. An impoverished noblewoman blessed with fiery red hair and a mischievous demeanor, Gabrielle is only fifteen when she meets her true love, a commoner named Pierre-André Coffinhal. But her brother forbids their union, choosing for her instead an aging, wealthy baron.

Widowed and a mother while still a teen, Gabrielle arrives at the court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette in time to be swept up in the emerging cataclysm. As a new order rises, Gabrielle finds her own lovely neck on the chopping block—and who should be selected to sit on the Revolutionary Tribunal but her first love, Pierre-André. . . .

Replete with historical detail, complex and realistic characters (several of whom actually existed), and a heroine who demands—and rewards—attention, Mistress of the Revolution is an unforgettable debut."

Thankful

There is one Thanksgiving tradition that we are keeping. My mom always went around the table before the meal and had everyone say what they were thankful for. Watching the news with homes in San Diego and Miami burning helps remind me of what to be thankful for. I am thankful for my crazy little family and my wonderful supportive extended family. I realized that if our house went up in flames, or we lost it in a flood...as long as I have my family, I am ok. As holidays tend to revolve more and more around presents and things, I am thankful for the people (and puppies) in my life.

Happy Holidays!!

My husband and I decided a while ago that we were going to make our own traditions. This stemmed from the fact that his family is in Texas, mine is in Alaska and Colorado, and what do we do for Thanksgiving?? This saves us from arguing about who's family to visit, buying plane tickets, rushing around, preparing food, being stressed, and finding someone to take care of our dogs. Holiday time can be stressful!! I've actually heard people argue over what's better on sweet potatoes: marshmallows or brown sugar. I actually can't handle all that stress so we made our own tradition. For the last three years we've been going camping on Thanksgiving. It gives us some peace and quite, out in nature, and the puppies get to play. This is our first Thanksgiving since we've been married so we are hoping to keep up the tradition. So from my family to yours...Happy Holidays!!!

2005 - The Grand Canyon, Arizona & Cathedral Gorge, Nevada



2006 - Joshua Tree National Park, California & San Diego, California



2007 - Allegany State Park, New York & Lake Erie, Pennsylvania



Oh...and for some weird reason, the last two years have found us on a beach during Thanksgiving. Weird. But dog-friendly beaches are awesome. :)

2006 - San Diego, California



2007 - Lake Erie, Pennsylvania

Beautiful Places to Read

Speaking of being thankful...

I am thankful I've been to some pretty cool libraries in my day. I love checking out movies and CDs as well as books. The main library on Denali street in Anchorage is wonderful with a beautiful fountain outside that freezes in the winter to simulate the Aurora Borealis. I found the picture of the fountain at this site.











AND of course the cool Denver Public Libary. That's sort of what I was expecting the New York City one to be like...only better. But of course it wasn't.

And Colorado State's Morgan Libray which looks like an open book....was my home away from home sometimes which of course had a coffee stand :)

Library Rant

I have to post this. One of the first things I learned upon moving to New York City has to do with that beautiful New York Public Library with the famous lions and architecture. I was so excited to see it...to go study and do graduate school stuff. You know...experience the New York Public Library. But upon asking our New York friend where it was...he told me it is a "research" library...you can't check anything out there. Insert picture of me being sad...I think I pouted.

Then he told me the "real" library is right across the street. Oh!! Ok!! So I trotted my little self with my computer to the Mid-Manhattan Public Library to do some important graduate homework (insert me being slightly sarcastic). Anyway...I was so not impressed with the library. The level where it's ok to whip out your laptop and do work had a total of five outlets (not really being sarcastic)...with people on standby watching people leave like hawks swooping down to snatch the spots. So fortunately I finished my test before my computer's battery died. I don't think the library has been renovated or updated since maybe the sixties or seventies. Hmmm...

Oh and this was after I went to our local branch. At our branch I was looking for a book for my husband...a Neil Gaiman book called Neverwhere...and I swear the library had eight titles in the "G" section. Seriously....I think I have a better selection at home.

I was so disappointed that I haven't yet taken a photo of the famous library. The photo above is from this website.

Ok...enough of my rant...it's out and now I can spend the rest of the weekend being Thankful :)

Spies vs Spies

Book Blog

I just finished Double Cross Blind by Joel N. Ross and I have to say I enjoyed it a lot. I didn't think I was going to because my husband read it said it was just ok. But I loved it! The book starts out in London on December 1, 1941...so those of you who know your history may know what event the book is based around. I love books with spies, clues, shaddy night clubs, and double crossed agents. The story's "hero" is an American who was fighting with the Canadians (because America wasn't involved yet) and is recovering from injuries...he also hasn't slept in four days. I love the way the author writes as if you are feeling the craziness of a person who is injured, who witness war, and who hasn't slept for days. Good book :)

Books Galore!!

So remember a few posts ago my brother was MIA? Well he did call and I talked to him for a long time. It was great and he's doing great :) So the call reminded me of a typical NYC thing I'm excited for him to experience whenever he comes to visit. The overwhelming number of places to buy books!! There are shops, used and new, specialty stores, and one of my favorite New York City sights is the photo above taken with my phone this past summer. He'll be swamped with first edition/hard back copies of his favorite books. I'm excited :)

Past Views

So since I failed to upload those photos from my weekend last night I'll post some other photos.

Good tip: If you are ever in NYC, check out Me'Bar. It's on the rooftop of a hotel and has great great views of the Empire State Building. Plus!!! They serve free popcorn. Very cool :) These photos were taken with my phone...

The view:


The bar (I like the lights):

Snow!!!

This morning as we walked the dogs, the wind was whipping up and there was cold rain coming down. As I left for work a bit later I actually saw tons of wet snow falling!! Yay! It made me smile. Apparently I'm the only one that saw it because my husband didn't see it and no one at work did either...although apparently Jersey did.

Which reminds me that I have tons of back blogging to do. I tend not to like getting on my computer on the weekends since I am stuck on them all week. But this weekend I had tons of fun and played tourist a bit.

Friday night I walked from my work to meet Robb near his work. I ambled for about an hour and a half and saw the sites and took pictures. Saturday we took a nice long walk through Inwood Park and saw tons of gorgeous fall colors. Maybe I'll get around to posting them tonight. I have homework to do so I will probably procrastinate a bit :)

Wondering...

I talked to my sister last night and I learned that my brother attempted to call both of us this weekend. Shocking really because to get in touch with my brother is super insanely hard. He really should be a celebrity because he's that hard to get in touch with. We both missed his call and of course we called back to no avail. So if you're my brother and reading this...call me!!!

And just a side note...I like this picture of me and my brother at my wedding...the picture frame is really there :)

Pure Truth

A co-worker of mine said something that was an absolutely perfect quote. She was referring to people getting approval to book conference rooms, but the idea applies to life in general:

"You have to believe people are telling the truth. If you don't, well that's no way to live your life."

Wishlist

I don't know about you, but I've been getting exciting about the holidays. Today was finally cold enough that I broke out my new black winter jacket and absolutely love it...and bundling up in my red scarf :) I've been getting ideas for Christmas presents. So I have a great tip for getting gifts for people who either already have everything or usually end up buying it themselves before Christmas (note to husband)...Etsy.

Etsy is a super cool site where artists and craftsmen/women post their goods online for you to buy. You can find some awesome stuff there. I love jewlrey so it's a great place to find one of a kind necklaces, rings, earrings, etc. I've been recently looking there to find some options for wall art...we need something in our living room. You can look at stuff by colors, categories, by seller, or just search...for example try "library", "tree", or "snow". I've even found some good geeky stuff like clocks made from computer hard drives. And my favorite thing is that you can add an item as a favorite or a seller as a favorite so you can come back and look again. Very cool.

And as a shameless plug...I first heard of Etsy through my friend who sells home made buttons...her site: Becky's Buttons

A Dose of Consciousness

Check it out!

Am I Smart?

So I wonder how the rate intelligence? Amount of large words or if we actually used those words correctly? :)

A Book in a Day

Book Blog

So a good thing happened while I was under the weather...I finished up two books!! The first one was The Last Princess of Wales on loan to me from my sister. I now can send her back the book and one of my own she has to read. This should be fun :) I really enjoyed the book...one of those lovely little historical fiction/romance books that make you want to say "Saints!" instead of some other naughty four letter word :)

The next two books take place during World War II...I guess in an homage to Veteran's Day :)

I started and finished April in Paris by Michael Wallner, also a historical fiction/romance but on a much different note. It was a much sadder tale which takes place during World War II in German occupied France. The story revolves around a German soldier/translator and French girl. The story is seen through the German's eyes. Very interesting and quite touching.


Now I am on to another World War II book, Double Cross Blind by Joel N. Ross. Only a couple chapters into it but it looks like it is about an American who joined the war (Canadian side) before the US had declared war. It takes place a few days before the attack on Pearl Harbor and it looks like the American's nemesis is a woman who is a Nazi spy. Ooooo. We'll see how it goes :)

Fall Woes

So as New York City cools down I did too and caught a cold. One of those horrible nasty ones that leave you super tired and don't ever quite leave you alone. So I think a co-worker or two and I keep passing it back and forth. Always a nice thing when you are on a lot of different phones throughout the day. O well. I will try and catch up on all my blogging though...so my sister can stop sending me emails pointing out my lack of blogging :) So onward and looking forward to a holiday exteneded weekend soon and payday is tomorrow!!!

Mmmm Mmmm Chocolate

So apparently this week is Chocolate Week in New York City. I swear this town has a week for everything under the sun. Spa Week, Museum Week, you name it. So I intend to drag (probably won't have to drag him) somewhere this weekend for some chocolate. Ooooh. And while reading the New York Times' Urban Eye section, I came across a place I am going to have to try out when my sister or mom or aunt comes to town. It's called Alice's Tea Cup and sounds super cute. Not sure I can drag my husband there ;)

West 42nd to Chicago

My husband will be leaving tomorrow afternoon to head off to Chicago for the annual U.S. Green Building Council's Green Building Conference. He's super excited. He gets to stay at a ritzy Chicago hotel and all that stuff. Meanwhile I will be alone :( He's been needing a new duffel bag so to match his messenger bag he bought a while back, he's getting a Tumi Duffel Bag. It's cute because it's orange and it's a shout out to Auburn :) Tumi is a super nice bag and I'm excited for him. So I get to explore my work neighborhood and go pick up the bag for him and then we are heading out for game night and wings. Yum :)

From the President to the Princess

Book Blog

I finally finished The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candice Millard and have to say I absolutely loved it. I would recommend it to anyone. It's one of those books where you realize that often fact is often more exciting and unbelievable than fiction. She takes the story straight from the journals of the traveler's and supplements the story with notes about the animals, plants, insects, and native inhabitants of the Amazon. What a truly amazing story.

On to my next book: The First Princess of Wales by Karen Harper.


As my last post mentions, I received this book in the mail from my sister and just in time too for my commute tomorrow morning :) I'm super excited because for a semester I lived in Wales while I was in undergraduate college and absolutely fell in love with the country. It looks like it is historical fiction with a little bit of treachery and a little bit of romance. I'll let you know what I think. :)

Surprise Package!!!

Today (Sunday night) as I'm settling down to do some homework I got a knock on my door. My Super delivered a package that probably came in yesterday from my sister! I was so surprised not expecting anything from her. Here's what I got:

1) An adorable school photo from my nephew in a frame. He is three years old and started pre-school this year. He is so so cute and this is his first school photo.

2) A cute water colored and crayon colored shark from my nephew in blue and silver :)

3) Some Bare Escentuals Lip Guard (my sister and I LOVE Bare Escentuals)

4) A book: The First Princess of Wales (my next book to read...yay!!!!)

Thank you sis!!!

Like a Pheonix

Ok...so two things are going on today:

1) Our building had a fire scare (something about C level smoke something or other)...so I know what if feels like to be sitting 28 floors about ground level and smell smoke...yikes! We are ok...just a little smoke and on C and B were evacuated.

2) This month is NaNoWriMo. Confused? It means National Novel Writing Month. Apparently there is this thing going around where it forces you to write something, anything, and by November 30th you will have a 175 page (50,000 word) novel. I am slightly tempted to try it. My only problem is that I have no plot. We shall see. Maybe you should try it too :)

IKEA Slut

My husband says we are IKEA sluts. The reasoning behind this is that we have tons of furniture and stuff from IKEA. When we moved from Vegas to NYC, we got rid of most of our furniture to make the move easier (not that it did...I may blog about that episode later). There are two IKEA's within distance of us...one in New Jersey and one in Connecticut. So when I saw this today I thought it was pretty cute :)