NYC Sunsets

I'm such a sucker for sunsets. I'm extremely lucky to have such an amazing view from my new apartment in Brooklyn. Here are some of the amazing shots I've been able to enjoy, and I want to share them with you. And from what I hear the sunsets only get better during the summer. I can't wait! :-)

One-Way U-Haul to NYC!

So here I go... The day is finally here. My whole life is packed into this 10 foot truck, and I have an 11 hour drive until I start the newest chapter of my life. NYC bay bay! I have my roll dawg kitty with me, JJ. NYC, 11 hours here we come!

JJ was such a trooper!  He only meowed for the first 30 minutes!  LOL.  He calmed down once he got on my lap.  :)

It was actually a very pretty drive! Especially after the three hours of darkness I encountered from 3:30am to 6:30am. The two cold Starbucks drinks couldn't go down fast enough. But oh they went.

Finally, sunrise.

I had no idea how my GPS was taking me, I just knew I had my GPS on and in the charger. Soon enough though I realized I was driving through the Shenandoah Valley! It was so pretty! Large open fields, old farm houses, and light pastel skies hanging over the mountains sure did keep my attention!

Even after 6 hours, I was only halfway there. (sigh)  Thankfully though I'd loaded up on snacks before hand!

But it was the beautiful scenery continuously surprising and impressing me that kept me going! Highway 81 north is long, but at least it's pretty.  I ended up going through Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  I covered some ground!

I was a little anxious anticipating how I would drive this huge U-Haul through NYC, and my nerves were right. It was just as scary as anything I've experienced in any third world country. People everywhere, cars everywhere, loud noises, horns honking, and here I am in the biggest truck on the block almost.

Then I get caught at an intersection and capture this. How eerie this photo is....   It's so timeless, and is worth a thousand words.

I actually arrived at my destination 5 minutes after my scheduled move in time. How could I have timed an 11 hour journey more perfectly. I'm home. I've arrived.

Now it's time to settle in.  Work starts on Monday.

I Walked Away From My Career and Got Promoted!

A lot of people's lives are driven by fear, versus desire or chance. It's interesting when you start noticing how many people operate from this crippling intangible.

Last summer I chose to give up my ten-year career in banking to travel the world. My plan was to be gone for two years, or forever, I really had no time frame. Who would have thought I'd come home after only 2 1/2 months. I felt like I needed some sort of structure. Or more of a plan or purpose when setting out on such a grand journey. I also realized I couldn't retire after only working 10 years, who am I kidding!

So nine months after I gave it all up, I'm coming out on top! I've been offered an Assistant Vice President position and substantial salary increase to work for a foreign bank in New York City! If I would have stayed put (and not followed my heart) there is NO way I would have made those accomplishments in nine months. I gave it all up, and got it all back and then some! HELL YEAH!!! GO ME!!!

A lot of people thought I was crazy when I decided to quit my job. I'm sure some doubted me, many questioned me, and it felt like few supported me. But at the end of the day you have to do what YOUR gut tells you, even if (you feel) the odds are stacked against you. It will not be easy, but if you listen and trust your own voice, and your own strength, you will make it!!

If your not willing to risk the unusual you'll have to settle for the ordinary. ;)

If you've been teetering on making a life changing decision - DO IT! The journey will change you, for the better. It will make you stronger. Most fear they may not achieve the outcome they imagine, but what if it ends up better than you imagined!!??

Bad Dates

Wow, this one is hilarious!

A girl knows almost immediately if there will be another date when meeting a guy for the first time. And as this one approached I knew based on his height and weight (being about the same as mine) this would be our only date. Even after these realizations, I was still respectful and followed through the course of the meal carrying basic conversation in hopes that within an hour I could be on my way. This guy was actually nice, so lunch was good for the most part, or maybe it was the amazing fish tacos.

When we finished we parted ways and I thought all was good (and I was free) until I got the following text message…

I mean, WHAT THE HELL!?!?!?  Ugh. Gross. I just can't believe a man would say such a thing to a woman like this after a first date!!  Even after a third date, that is so ridiculous!  

People are crazy and dating is crazy in 2015!  More wine please!!!!

"Quote Boxes"

I love these! I call them "quote boxes." LOL 

Feel free to use, post, or add to your Instagram! Enjoy!

Nature & Dog Walks

The weather this week has been so beautiful! I'm so lucky to have the ability to walk my Mom's dog, Stallone. He is such a sweet being! Having a dog is so awesome, it's such a a great reason to get out and exercise!

Getting outside is good for the soul. Actually being in nature in general is good for the soul. I read an article recently that said being out in nature, and just touching a tree can bring many health benefits. You know the term "tree huggers" exists for a reason. ;)

It works. It really does. Getting out in nature is so easy. All you have to do is go outside and sit on your front porch, actually sit in the grass! Go for a walk. Sit on the sidewalk and strum your fingers through the grass. Who cares if anyone is watching! Every time I walk Stallone I make a point to feel and hug trees and put my fingers on as much nature as I can. 

I just had the most wonderful day outside this week, I got some exercise and I got a little tan! GO NATURE!

When is the last time you've hugged a tree?

Bad Dates

I love confidence, but there's a fine line between being confident and being arrogant and obviously trying to make up for something. Too much confidence is unattractive, in my opinion. Too many of those one-liners, especially, make me want to vomit.

"By the way I think you have prolific beauty."

This guy's game almost had me. In our first phone conversation he asked me if anyone had told me I was beautiful today? I looked around the room shocked because I really couldn't believe what I was hearing, WOW! I chuckled and said "NO," and he said "Well let me be the first one to tell you...."

How sweet was that! Another day he sent me a text saying "Enjoy your message." I had actually missed his phone call and he left me a voicemail telling me I was beautiful. Awwww how sweet.

Now here's where I have an issue when first meeting someone. I don't want to go from zero to 100 after we exchange a few texts and talk on the phone one time. I get it you can be into someone, but starting to text them all day every day after your first phone call is a little much. I don't want to feel obligated to text and respond to you ASAP every single day after first speaking with you. SORRY BOO.  Can we please space this out some!

So this guy is texting me every day, sometimes multiple times a day. Geez man. One day I didn't respond as quickly as he would have liked, so in a matter of hours he responds with: "Or not, stay wild traveler." 

Jesus Christ. Stage 5 Clinger Alert!!

Ok maybe I'm being too judgemental, maybe he was genuinely interested in this woman of prolific beauty he had just chatted with. At this point I was still OK with taking him up on the offer of a lunch date. Cautiously.

So we meet for lunch. I had not planned on drinking, but once we realized we both had a love for whisky, his pushing for drinks led to one, then two, and three rounds. I mean we both had no where to be, so sure! We actually talked about a lot of different things. But there just comes a point where you just know you aren't jiving with the person. I realized this earlier than I thought with this one. The sleazy one liners, hand rubbing, and slanted eye looks like he was filming a sexy cowboy video shoot while we were eating were just too much. BARF NOW. UGH. Whatever, I held it together and grubbed down on extra chips to soak up all the Jack. Lunch came to an end and we politely departed in our own directions.

Now I'm not trying to bash the guy, because some of this game tactics were on point, but this one thing he did set me over the top.

So not only did he immediately text me right after lunch, but also that night and next day. WOAH MAN. At this point I may be purposely trying to create a little bit of time between our conversations. Well he obviously didn't like that because he came to me with this: "Don't tell me you're a flake out after I spent $89 at Cabo Fish Taco LOL."  Man I had to get real with him. Maybe he should consider coffee for a first date rather than a whisky infused lunch when you are meeting a girl for the first time. Jesus.

That was the nail in the coffin for me, amongst other things. Stage 5 Clingers - I'm not interested.

I think he's gotten the hint now after I haven't responded to numerous texts. Sorry buddy.


I'm still hopeful for love though, and that will never change. <3