Jet setting...

...time to fly back to NYC. (written on the plane on the way back to NYC)

Iowa will not be missed (harsh but true) - funny how that is... I have no connection to this place anymore except my Mom, Dad and Payton (my dog). Yes there are friends that I still keep in touch with in Iowa (esp. Kendra and Stef) but as I stated before Iowa is a distant memory (they are not a distant memory and they know that). There are some remnants of Iowa inbred in me, things that formed who I am - morals, values, ideologies - but do I have much in common with Iowa anymore - NO. I am no longer an Iowan (my driver's license may clearly show that I am but I am not), I think the first time I realized this was when I was in a cab last week going to Grand Central to meet a friend. The cab driver was young and flirting with me (I guess a good story for another day..). He asked if I was vacationing for the Holidays, I said yes I am flying home to Iowa to surprise my parents for Christmas. He said "Home? to Iowa? Y0u are not a New Yorker? I looked at you and assumed that you were born and raised here in NYC." I laughed - you know how much I always wanted someone to say that to me...but he made me realize that outwardly and somewhat inwardly I am completely devoid of Iowa. No longer do I exude nice little girl from the Midwest. I love that he thought I was a New Yorker through and through but I ask myself do I want to be completely devoid of Iowa? I guess at first glance I am, but I do know deep down I am not totally...the guy I was most recently dating told me that there were many things he liked about me and a few were my kindness and warm heart. But I guess you don't see that at first blush with me and I am not saying that New Yorkers are not kind and warm hearted but that is not something you see at first blush (at least w/ most of the true New Yorkers I know extremely well.)

One thing I realized, while I was at my parents house, is that I hate having nothing to do (unless I am at a beach or pool with a frosty beverage in hand) and I hate just sitting around. Yes, I can sit at my desk for 10-14 hours a day but the power of the DOLLAR is my pure motivation there. I have to be on the go, on the move, doing something, as I always am when I am home in NYC.

So anyways focusing on me....has brought me to New Years Resolutions, one's i really can achieve...
1) get back to my regular Pilate's workouts (back in shape)
2) get all my clothes put away in my room
3) hire a financial planner and get my finances straightened out
4) actually start my new job search
5) work on being a better daughter, sister, friend (and better at dating)
6) take the struggles I have faced this past year and find the lessons and actually learn from them.
7) be pickier with men in my life...

I just want to work on me and make me an all around better Karin - in every aspect of my life. (maybe that means choosing better men that I spend my time with....but some just fool you into thinking they are something they are not...*sigh*)

Anyways - NEW YEAR, NEW YORK, NEW & IMPROVED ME!!!!

Disclaimer: I can not promise that my potty mouth will get better or that I will drink less or that I will stop drinking coffee.... NO PROMISES on those at all! ;0)

A Christmas Miracle..

This year Sam and Sharlynn (my parents) thought they were spending Christmas alone - their first year with no kids. Me being in NYC and Jayson and Katie in Massachusetts and flight prices were outrageous it was almost impossible for anyone to travel to spend the Holidays together.

After a lot of looking and searching, I randomly one afternoon found a flight for under $300 to fly in Christmas Eve. Jayson and I decided to surprise Sam and Sharlynn with me on their doorstep on Christmas Eve.

I contacted Bob and Penny (my parent's best friends in Iowa) to let them know that I was coming in. The visit stayed a secret and Bob and Penny picked me up at the airport Christmas eve. Bob called Sammy and said he was coming over for some spiked eggnog. Bob rang the doorbell with my suitcase in hand and said "I have one more present for you guys."

Mom was just standing in the living room saying come in come in and could not figure out why Bob had a suitcase and what could be in it, Dad was downstairs getting the alcohol. I was trying to hide behind Bob in the front door. Finally, Bob stepped to the side and there I stood - but it took my mom at least 20-30 seconds to realize that Karin was there and her hands flew to her cheeks and no words came out of her mouth and she just stood in the living room shaking. Then Dad finally came upstairs (arms loaded with alcohol) and it took him awhile to realize that I was standing there too and Sharlynnn was screaming at him - Sam did you know about this?????? and he was just in shock.

We pulled one over on them - and the scrooges and grinches quickly left the Page house...and as Carolyn would put it the "Christmas cheer" was over a 10 - a 10.5 for Sharlynn. It was a good surprise...a Christmas miracle as mom keeps saying...

I'll Be Home for Christmas...

(written on the airplane Christmas Eve flying to Iowa..)

It seems my life has taken me many places I never imagined it could at 28 years old. When I tell my "tale" to strangers, new friends, acquaintances they stare at me with amazement and they are unbelieving of the opportunities I have encountered. Do I really feel it is that amazing? NO not really...but that is partially because I have not yet achieved what I want career wise...but I know I am a lucky girl.

However, I question "What do I really want to do?" I know I could be a brilliant lawyer if I really tried and found a good job, but do I want that anymore? I have it in me, I know I do, but do I want too...Do I want to be a writer instead? Do I want to be a fashion designer instead? Maybe....just maybe...who knows...I am 28 and have 8 years of college education 3 degrees, shouldn't I know what I want to do???

Anyways, as my flight lifts off from NYC, I realize the is no other place I would rather be or live right now. Yes, I love Europe and the Netherlands, and I would go back there and live in a heartbeat, but NYC...NYC...

Again back to my tale, I have not had it bad at all - living in Salzburg, Austria, the Netherlands, Massachusetts, California, time in Greece - my life has been full of opportunities, chances and adventures - lucky I am. New York City has captured me - to its fullest. I am entranced but NYC's ever enchanting lifestyle - the people you meet, the hustle and bustle, the never ending list of new things to do. I am in love for the first time in my life and it is with New York City.

Going "home" to Iowa for Christmas on Christmas Eve to surprise my parents - made me realize that my life has been nothing BUT everything I wished, hoped and thought it could be. The things that have pranced in and out of my life during my short time thus far in NYC are nothing I could ever fathom - men, friends, circumstances, jobs, apartments - all of it has changed me. For the better or for the worse, that is only for God to judge. But on this Christmas Eve day as I fly to Iowa I am a different woman than the woman that walked through my parents door a year ago. I am more beautiful, more confident, more complicated, happier, harder, more experienced, believing less in love than ever, making 4 times more $$, more in debt, my body has changed for better and a little bit for the worse, I am older, wiser.... Is that Iowa girl still there in me? NOT sure - Iowa seems like a distant memory.

I have had things happen to me that I thought never would occur, I have made decisions I never thought I would make. I make more $$ than my parents combined but yet still live pay check to pay check... again all relating back to my blog page title "Who am I?" I am becoming a woman, building me... I know who I am, do you?

Home from Christmas... home, home, home is NYC now. But Christmas without my parents is not Christmas, thus I have embarked on this tiresome adventure to surprise them and bring them tears of joy. Between yesterday and today, I have spent 3 hours in my car driving to Massachusetts Saturday morning, 3.5 hours on a train back to NYC Saturday nite, a sleepless nite and a semi-lonely holiday weekend. So far today I spent 3 hours sitting in LaGuardia Airport and now I have at least 3 hours of plane rides ahead of me and a layover in Chicago (plus flying home to NYC late wed nite) - see this is the first year my parents were going to spend Christmas alone - so I found a fairly cheap flight and now I am off to land on their doorstep at about 7pm tonite to surprise them.

I'll be Home for Christmas...I guess home is NYC but home is also with my parents - it will be a complete and total surprise - I hope it is joyful.

Life has changed me a bit in the past few months...taken a toll on me...the twists and turns of my life have changed me BUT I am Karin.... one thing I hold true too - Is ME! I am ME, not matter what...

I"ll be home for Christmas...

DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE & Me

Last night I went to the Utah Jazz v. New York Knicks game. It was a present to myself from my Bonus check. The reason I wanted to go - WAS BECAUSE Dee Brown and Deron Williams (and Roger Powell) play for the Utah Jazz. These 3 guys are some of my all time favorite Illini Basketball players and they were all on the Illini team in 2005 that went to the National Championship Game. oohhh and the one small fact that I just happen to LOVE DEE BROWN and have loved him since the day that he started playing ball at Illinois.

So my friend Ramin and I walk into Madison Square Garden and my tix were floor tix, we were only 15 rows from the court. AMAZING. When we walked in I spotted Dee right away, he was on the ground stretching - I was like a little girl, poking and prodding Ramin saying "look there he is, look there he is." Deron was also on the court shooting around.

Ramin and I quickly found our seats with our beers in hand already. I started immediately snapping photos of Dee and Deron. While they were warming up, a man in bright orange pants walked up to Dee on the court. I turned to Ramin and said "HOW come HE gets to go on the court and talk to DEE and I DONT???" Ramin said "Uh Karin, that is Bill Murray." So there stood Bill Murray with Dee and Deron mid-court in his bright orange pants. (Those of you who are Illini fans know very well that Bill Murray is a huge Illini fan!)So there I sat 15 rows back from them in my bright orange Illini sweatshirt watching them Chat it up with Bill. *SIGH* wish it had been me.

However, I am pretty sure they saw me with my bright orange sweatshirt on before they were talking to Bill Murray because Dee and Deron were standing there talking and pointing in my direction.

It turned out to be an amazing game. The first quarter the Jazz ran away with the game, with Deron at point (he has improved so much, if you could even think that was possible!) He is such a good point guard. Dee, who is Deron's substitute, got about 9 minutes during the game and he played pretty decent too. It's definitely a different game for Dee than Illini basketball, but I know in time it will come to him. He still handled the ball excellently. Every time Dee entered the game, I screamed a little bit - not too much like a girl - I tried hard to not be too crazy. Even at one point in time when Dee came into the game, I caught the eye of one of my coworkers that was there and he gave me a thumbs up.

The Knicks ended up coming back and they were ahead. However, Deron playing some Illini ball threw up one of his beautiful 3 pointers at the last second of the game and tied the game to go into OT. That is just the Illini way baby! And you had me in the crowd jumping up and down yelling "That's MY BOY!! That's MY BOY!!" In the OT the Knicks took the lead again, and at the end of OT Deron hit another beautiful shot to put the Jazz back in the lead by 1 point. Everyone thought it was a 3 pointer, but it turned out to only be a 2 pointer. However, somehow one of the Knicks players ran down that court with the ball and laid it in and scored at the very very last second to win the game.

Regardless of the Jazz losing and that I didn't get close to Dee to get pics with him. I had a fabulous time! It was a great game to watch, Deron and Dee are as good as ever. And to see the 2 of them back out on the court again was just like poetry in motion. I can not wait until next year when the Jazz are back here again to watch them play again.

I will say it was a bit odd to see them in baby blue uniforms (almost north carolina blue - yuck - makes the sting of the loss in the National Championship Game 2005 come back a little bit). Just weird not seeing Dee in his Orange and Blue. BUT BUT BUT - As Dee was dribbling down the Court towards me I saw a glimpse of something - his ORANGE mouth piece that he always wore. Some thing never change.....

ILLINI FOREVER!!

Thanks RA for going with me and putting up with me drooling over Dee all nite! I had a great time!

Also before the game, someone from New York Style Interviewed me on camera asking me my thoughts on the previous game where the Knicks got in a brawl and the suspensions. I told them I was a Jazz fan and Rooting for Dee and Deron - so the suspensions, if they came down before the game, would help us out, oh and that Carmello Anthony threw a sucker punch and ran away like a little girl. So maybe somewhere I am on TV talking about DEE in my ILLINI Sweatshirt.

Holiday Spirit - NUTcracker

"Long ago on a cold Christmas Eve in Germany, Dr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum were decorating their Christmas tree and preparing to host a holiday party..."

Last night a bunch of us from the office went to see the Nutcracker Ballet performed by the NYC Ballet at the Lincoln Center. For me, it was bringing back a magical childhood experience because my mommy used to take me the Nutcracker Ballet at Iowa State every Christmas season when I was little. I was so excited to go and relive my childhood memories.

The first act of the ballet was not what I remembered it to be - I remembered it to be - I remembered more drama and the fight with the Mouse King to be bigger and more exciting - but then again maybe it just seemed that way because I was little and just completely enchanted by the story.

However the second act was Amazing. The Sugar Plum Fairy was a talented dancer and so was the dewdrop and her flowers. It was an enchanting second act full of sugar plum fairies and dancing. It took me right back to my childhood and sitting there next to my mommy.

But the adult in me was amazed by the level of dancing - the ballerinas were amazing...I was just entranced by their dancing.

I am so glad we went, it was a lovely evening and a great NYC Christmastime Experience.

The Nutcracker story is such a great story and any parent out there should take their child - it is classic, timeless and enchanting.


"...the snowflakes around them came to life, leaping through the air like winter fairies and swirling into a snow storm..." - from the Nutcracker Story



now its time to go to bed w/ sugar plum fairies dancing in my head...

Love, Compassion...

TeaBag quote of the Day:

Love, Compassion and Kindness are the anchors of life.

Your head...

TeaBag quote of the Day:

Your Head must bow to your Heart.

What's Love got to do, got to do with it...

I have no clue why...but this song has been running through my head all morning...

"What's Love Got To Do With It"

You must understand
That the touch of your hand
Makes my pulse react
That it`s only the thrill
Of boy meeting girl
Opposites attract

It`s physical
Only logical
You must try to ignore
That it means more than that

Oh whats love got to do, got to do with it
What`s love but a second hand emotion
What`s love got to do, got to do with it
Who needs a heart
When a heart can be broken

It may seem to you
That i`m acting confused
When you`re close to me
If i tend to look dazed
I`ve read it someplace
I`ve got cause to be

There`s a name for it
There`s a phrase that fits
But whatever the reason
You do it for me

I`ve been thinking of a new direction
But i have to say
I`ve been thinking about my own protection
It scares me to feel this way

What`s love got to do, got to do with it
What`s love but a sweet old fashioned notion
What`s love got to do, got to do with it
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken

I MISS...

...my parents (especially mom at christmas time...shopping with my daddy.)

...Payton (my puppy)

...muffin (my best friend and dog for 15 years)

...my brother (who is too busy..)

...you (and you know who you are and i miss you a lot)

...keeks, mary, and linda (who are way too far away)

...ken

...law school

...my 2 grandpa's that are not walking this earth anymore (they were 2 of the most honorable, upstanding men i have ever met - why can't more men be like them)

...HOT SNICKERDOODLES made by my mom fresh out of the oven and a huge glass of milk.

...being 6 and having no worries except what santa was bringing me.

...sunday nites with keeks, mary, and linda.

...mary and i's table at soph's and a pitcher of mich ultra right in between us.

....cheezy poofs and double stuffed oreos (and on occasion a LATE nite hot pocket from the Shell Station)

...my really cool cabbage patch kid table and chairs

...watching ABC family all day sunday and a little bit of golf too

...my apartment in THE HAGUE, the Netherlands (everything about living there i miss i cant wait to move back.)

...Greece - the islands, the sea, the sun, the food...everything


Just a few of the things i miss today in my complete utter boredom at work.

Love what is..

TeaBag Quote of the Day:

Love what is ahead by loving what has come before.

Some Holiday season pics...

and more to come...

Those who are..

-TeaBag Quote of the day:
Those who are Selfless find God.

MUST BE SANTA, Must be Santa, Santa Claus...

Today Carolyn and I planned a morning outing to Macy's which is just 3 blocks from our office on 34th Street (you know Miracle on 34th Street!) to go visit SANTALAND and the MACY's SANTA!

I even put on a Green shirt this morning so I would look good in the picture with Santa and so I wouldn't clash with his RED.


So this morning we counted down until 9am when Macy's opened and headed over there in the blustery cold. I swear I even saw Snow Flakes - Jenn and Carolyn thought I was crazy - I thought it was a Christmas Miracle.

We entered Macy's on the first floor with the Splendor of RED and Poinsettias everywhere. And traveled our way up 6 or 7 floors of escalators to Santa Land. As we entered Santa Land it was a choo choo train that we walked thru and the floor even move like chug a chug a chug. It was decorated amazingly (for a little kid that is) and we took plenty of pics (to be soon posted). Because we were so early the line was not too long and the wait was very short. As we came upon Santa there was an Elf there and he asked us where we were from and if we knew what we were going to ask Santa to bring us for Christmas. We all shrugged our shoulders and I said "CRAP I KNEW I FORGOT SOMETHING MY LETTER TO SANTA!"

The Elf then lead us to another Elf that was at the door of Santa's Room. That Elf I posed for a picture with and he asked us too if we knew what we wanted. I said "I know what I want" and Carolyn shook her finger at me and said "I don't think Santa can you bring you THAT!" And the Elf said OMG you guys are dirty and laughed.

THEN we got to see SANTA - he laughed with his jolly laugh - HO HO HO! He smiled and patted his to thighs for Carolyn and I to sit on. He said "Sit here on my lap" and then told Jenn to sit on the Box in front of him. He then made Carolyn and I put our arms around him and Hug him and pose for pictures. Then he asked each of us what we wanted for Christmas. I said "A new Fendi bag" He said "ho ho ho this one has expensive taste!" Carolyn said a "new digital camera." and Jenn said "some new boots."

Santa then gave us a nice little Holiday lecture: "About how Santa cannot always give every boy and girl everything they want and need but he always tries his hardest. But for us older children Santa will always bring us faith, peace, joy, happiness, and love on Christmas day!"

Good ole Santa Knows the TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS!!

The Macy's Santa was awesome! And he gave each of us a Santa Puzzle. (which we brought back to the Office and Brian and Bill had a contest to see who could put the puzzle together first - Bill won in 2 1/2 minutes)

To be able to go see Santa at Macy's on 34th Street in NYC is something I have always wanted to do - the Movie Miracle on 34th Street is one of my favorites and sitting on Santa's Lap like in the Movie is a dream come true!

After we left Macy's the three of us were Giddy like little girls. We checked out the Macy's windows and I snapped some pictures. I can not wait to post the pictures.

I love Christmas. Its the MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR.

p.s. - I swear I saw snowflakes on the way back too!

Macy's Santa Land Theme Lyrics by William Schermerhorn:
Is this the way to Santa Claus?
Which path will lead me there?
Is this the place where dreams come true...
Right here on Herald Square?
Within a World of fantasy -
A land that's bright and new -
Is this the way, dear Santa Claus?
Will this Path Lead to You?

I have a wish. I have a dream.
Here is where they start.
It's a gift of joy for each girl and boy...
Come Follow your Heart.

May your...

-Tea Bag Quote of the Day...
May your Inner Self be Secure and Happy.

I must be packing on the pounds...

every single day this week the coffee cart guy has said to me 2 sugars and SKIM MILK, right? And I say no 2 sugars and Cream please. Seriously how long have I been going there? Let me see - I think since sometime in June or July....

He must be trying to tell me something - trying to get me to put Skim Milk in my coffee instead of Cream. He must think I am packing on the pounds. Maybe It is all the bulky sweaters and heavy coats we wear in the winter...but geez... I might start to get offended.

Brian, my neighbor at work, thinks that maybe cream is just more expensive and Coffee Cart guy is trying to push the Skim Milk
OR
that a lot of people are drinking Cream so he is trying to push the Skim Milk to get rid of it.

I just think Coffee Cart guy thinks I am packing on the pounds and wants me to lighten up on the cream.

oh if he only knew that this one coffee is usually my only sustenance all day long until a late lunch/early dinner.

Who am i? and How the hell did I get here...

Last nite at work I looked at the Title of my blog page...and the title kept resonating in my head all nite and all day today...

How did I get here?

HOW did i get HERE?

Wisdom becomes...

-Tea Bag Quote of the Day....
Wisdom becomes knowledge when it is personal experience.

You Can Not Make a Person...

...care about you

....be there for you if they don't want to be

....hug you

...cuddle with you

...love you

...stop being ignorant if they have no desire to open their mind

...call you

...be your friend

...listen to you

...hold your hand

...open their heart

...understand if they don't want to

...help you make the pain go away

...There are so many things you can not make another person do even when you need them to do those things more than you need anything else in this world.

Arrogant, Egotistical, Ignorant Assholes...

WHO NEEDS THEM??

NOT ME thats for sure.

they are not worth my breath;

or the motion in my fingers to type about them;

or even the tears in my eyes...

To all you GRINCHES out there!

GET OVER IT! (one specifically - you know who you are - you let me in on your little secret just yesterday). There is NO ROOM for a GRINCH in my life!

Seriously this has got to be the best time of year.

The bitter cold, the snow falling, the beautiful white all over, stocking caps, gloves, big bundled up coats, Christmas music (which I am listening to as I type), all the red and green painting the city, the sparkling lights everywhere glittering and glistening, hot apple cider, Santas on street corners, the Salvation Army bell ringers, ice skating, Christmas trees, bright and beautifully wrapped presents, making lists of gifts for my friends and family of things they would never buy for themselves, the completely unselfish giving at this time of year, the tears of joy, the smiles on peoples faces, the cookies (especially my mom's), gingerbread....

ummm DO YOU WANT ME TO GO ON????? Because I can!!!!

Sunday nite, I started to decorate my little tree that will go in my room. It is white with pink ornaments (most ended up in the storage unit I am not happy about that, oh well). Tonite I am going to hang my lights in my windows, which face the street so everyone can enjoy! And I might just MAKE Jen help me put the tree up in the living room and decorate for Christmas.

I just don't understand Grinchyness! Yes Christmas is an expensive time of year and you forsake buying somethings for yourself that you would like but SO WHAT?? To see that look at my mom's face, the tears in my daddy's eyes it is worth it. To watch my little puppy Payton rip open her toys with her paws and her teeth. To see that look on my brother's face - YOU SPENT TOO MUCH $ on ME! I love it. LOVE IT! Send a small token of love to my grandma's.

My mom this year is being a GRINCH (except she is making all of her Christmas goodies to send to me). I kind of understand why she is being a GRINCH because it will be the first Christmas that her and my dad will spend alone. Jayson hasn't gone home for a few years, but in my 28 years this will be my first Christmas that I will not spend with my mommy and daddy. Also it will be the family's first Christmas without Muffin (our dog that we had for 15 years).

So Mom is taking it hard. BUT I hate that she is NOT decorating her house, it makes me sad. Her house is so beautiful at Christmas time, a tree in EVERY ROOM - even the bathrooms (I am not joking). She completely changes her rugs, her decor and the house is an Elegant Splendor of RED and GREEN and GOLD and CHRISTMAS CHEER. Even though I will not be there to see it just knowing that she is not doing it brings tears to my eyes. I don't want my mom to be a GRINCH. If my mom becomes a GRINCH - what is this world coming too...

ANYWAYS I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!!!!! and to KICK IT ALL OFF:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!!!

(and stop being Scrooges and Grinches - PPPPPPPLEASE!)

Silver Bells
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks.
Dressed in holiday style
In the air
There's a feeling
of Christmas
Children laughing
People passing
Meeting smile after smile
and on every street corner you'll hear

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day

Strings of street lights
Even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush
home with their treasures

Hear the snow crunch
See the kids bunch
This is Santa's big scene
And above all this bustle
You'll hear

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day

SOOO EXCITED!!! I get to see DEE and DERON play Ball on the 18th!

I am sooo excited - with my leftover bonus $$ (which most of it went towards moving expenses) I bought myself tickets to go see the Utah Jazz play the New York Knicks on Dec. 18th. This means:

I get to see Dee Brown, Deron Williams, and Roger Powell (all former Fighting Illini) play!! Ok I know that Dee usually only sees a few minutes and Roger almost none but Deron plays alot - and since the Knicks SUCK - maybe Dee will get more floor time!!!

AND AND AND my tickets are on the floor so MAYBE I will get to meet Dee - OMG that would be awesome...ahhhhhhh, god I can't wait.

I can barely sit in my seat right now thinking about it!!! Lets HOPE I get to meet him and get my pic with him - mmmmm! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Missing out on the Holidays in NYC...

so the past few weeks I have been so busy and consumed with moving and with things in my life and fighting being sick...that I haven't had time to do your typical NYC holiday things...

Things I have missed and why (and I better not miss them next year!!!!):

1) Thanksgiving Day Parade - it was miserable out, pouring down rain and windy, they weren't even sure the balloons would fly and I was completely run down and tired and I did not want to risk getting even more sick.

2) Unveiling of the Holiday Windows at Macy's and Bloomingdale's - just busy packing, moving, and working...ughh life.

3) Lighting of the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center - home on the couch sick. poor Jen and Zakir had to listen to me complain all nite that I wanted to be there.

WELL - I refuse to miss anything else - I am going to go see the windows. I am going to go ice skating in Rockefeller Center and see the tree. I want to take a carriage ride in the snow. I am going not going to miss anything else - I am going to see the Nutcracker on the 12th and I want to see the Holiday Spectacular and the Rockettes and hopefully the Grinch on Broadway...

I refuse to let the rest of the Holiday Season pass me by - December is dedicated to my Christmas Spirit - THE TREES in the NEW APARTMENT are GOING UP THIS WEEKEND - if it kills me!!!