Happy Fourth of July...

We were set to have a traditional Fourth of July weekend – beach, BBQ, fireworks, time with friends. And it started off so well…

 

After Friday night downtown with old and new friends, we spent all Saturday exploring Pacific Beach. I still can’t believe that this is the first time that we have made it up to PB. But I can guarantee it will not be the last. We actually got in the water (the Pacific Ocean water is soooo cold, not something that I am used to from the East Coast), played football, and then went to Miller's Field for beer in mason jars. I’m not sure that I have mentioned this before, but I love mason jars. I have them all around the house, my office, and even featured them at our wedding. So any place that serves beer out of these old-fashioned jars has my business! On another side note, we saw the cast from Real World San Diego at Miller's Field. They are filming for an upcoming season. And no, I will not be making an appearance (at least not in that episode;)) We finished up the night at our favorite Irish pub, The Field. 

 

We were all set for a Sunday BBQ with friends and then it hit. The stomach flu. First Matt and then me. There really is no need for details. Let’s just say that it was not fun. 

 

Even though we spent all day Sunday and most of Monday in bed, we didn’t want to miss our first San Diego fireworks. They have a celebration called the Big Bay Boom where there are multiple firework locations over the bay that sends up synchronized firework displays. We stocked up on peppermint tea and walked the couple of blocks down to the water to join the masses. It was worth it. They were amazing. Although, we learned quickly that Sadie, unlike Cole, is not a fan of fireworks. 

 

Even though the weekend did not go exactly as planned, it started and ended on a good note. Guess we can’t ask for more. 

 

And now I am getting the house ready (and sanitized) for my little brother and his fiancé’s visit. Great times aheadJ

 

Foosball table and shuffle board - my kind of place

Surfing class in PB. I think Leslie and I might have to sign up for this when she comes to town.

Life is good.

Miller's Field

Downtown San Diego

The Field. One of our favorite bars in San Diego. Mostly because it is awesome, partly because there is no cover charge.

Enough said.

We made it out - Happy Fourth of July!

Before the fireworks...

...and after. Maybe next year:)

Celebrations galore

Happy Summer from the city!

I just got back from Amsterdam...yup, awesome...that's my next blog post, but in the meantime there has been lots of celebrating in NYC! Governor Cuomo signed the same-sex marriage bill the same weekend of the New York Gay Pride festival and parade and it was the 4th of July!  Both of these things mean LOADS of people coming into the city, crowded sidewalks, parks, packed restaurants, and of course more street trash and noise.

I live in "The Village" in nyc...then if you really want to get down to neighborhoods, I live in "West Village"...the village includes East Village which is a little more grungy and rough around the edges, Greenwich Village which includes NYU, famous high end Bleecker Street shopping, and home to famous artists, music venues, and the epicenter for the bohemian movement.  West Village is primarily residential with tree lined streets and small restaurants and shops.  Quiet, quaint, friendly, and cozy :)   The village has always been known for it's gay population, so the parade runs right by our street and the crowd is everywhere.  Because the same sex bill was passed on Saturday night...things seemed even a little more rowdy than usual.  The festival brings a lot of people in from outside the city that wouldn't normally celebrate gay rights so there's a lot of police on hand and you need to be pretty aware of your surroundings when out and about.  Still though...Saturday night in New York is a Saturday night in New York...there's always tons of people out.  Sunday was spent watching the parade crowd below from my friend's balcony (drinking games with "drink every time you see a creatively placed rainbow" may have been involved)...here's a link to some of the scene.

Nick was in Bologna, Italy and Amsterdam, Netherlands during the week to have meetings with two clients...then I took an overnight flight to meet him in Amsterdam for a 4 day weekend.

Nick and I made it back from Amsterdam just in time to celebrate the 4th of July in New York!  Macy's puts on a "4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR"...what doesn't Macy's sponsor...over the Hudson River.  We are lucky enough that we live 2 blocks from the Hudson River park which was prime viewing location. (mostly lucky b/c we wouldn't have put any more effort into seeing the extravaganza) It was PACKED with people...we showed up around 8pm and barely found a spot on the boardwalk along the railing.  Luckily it was just enough space for us to put a blanket down, eat some dinner, let Cole greet the people around us and chill for a bit.  Just to give you some perspective, the Hudson River park runs along the west side of Manhattan island from 59th street to Battery Park and has a bike and running path, a boardwalk with tons of trees, benches, lawns, and dog parks, along with piers that have lawns, playgrounds, tennis courts, volleyball sand pits, soccer fields, basketball courts, and a recent discovery of mine....putt putt!  It's awesome....it's where we walk Cole daily. There were also a ton of boats and yachts in the water, some were really rockin with club music. Fireworks started at 9:30pm and by that time there wasn't a space around us to stand!  They shot off synchronized fireworks from 6 barges along the river.  It was a great show!  Cole did great too...made friends with everyone and licked all the little kids around us.  Nick and I swear that he's the only way most of the people in our neighborhood know us, haha. 

Love from the city!

Magnolia Bakery ready for the 4th!

4th of July shirt, check.  happy dog, check.

Cole kissing me after I wished him a Happy 2nd Birthday!

the crowd getting ready

Awesome sunset over the Hudson River

found our space of concrete

the sky was incredible

party yacht...see on the people on the top deck??

Gupta Fam.

Fireworks!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

A couple of weeks ago our friend, Adam, got a nice little monetary treat from his parents. Instead of doing something smart or useful with the money, he did the next best thing. He bought a box at the Padres v. Nationals game for all of his friends. And were we ever grateful!

So thank you, Adam's parents, for taking us all out to the ball game.

This is what happens when the majority of your friends are three years younger than you. I think we all know what happened next...

All of the girls

It was free hat day...

Making sure that he got his money's worth

Celebrating 1 year of marriage :)

June 5th was Nick and I's 1st anniversary!  I can't believe it's been a year...at the same time that it feels like it's flown by; our wedding also feels very long ago.

So much has happened in a year...lots of enjoying NYC, trips to see family and friends, visitors to see us, Ireland...my job changed in a big way making life more hectic...and now we're contemplating our next (and hopefully final move).

We have loved spending our first year of marriage in new york and when I bang into something in our apartment once again or can't find space for that new book I just bought...I remember that we love our west village tiny apartment and have spent more time together (literally) than we ever have.  We have not only survived, but thrived :)  I also then start to dream about moving into a nice sized house together...haha...only a matter of time!

Nick and I were headed down to Richmond for my friend's baby shower...yay for Kathleen, Andrew, and baby Lawson, who's due in early August!!  So we combined the baby shower trip with celebrating our anniversary where we got married!  Nick really splurged and planned for us to stay at the best and most historic hotel in Richmond, The Jefferson...we went out for sushi and mai tais (just like our Hawaii honeymoon!) Friday night in downtown Richmond.  Then we shared a bottle of wine we brought back from a Maui winery and attempted to put together a puzzle Nick gave me on our 1 year engagement anniversary...it was a picture of us right after Nick proposed in front of Independence Hall in Philly.  The puzzle proved really hard with all dark pieces, so we gave up! haha.

flowers and champagne from my parents - thank you!!

Sunset over Richmond...view from our room

trying to re-live our Hawaiian honeymoon!

Maui wine and a card from Cole!

Saturday was Kathleen's baby shower and Nick played golf with friends...then we met up and had dinner at Hard Shell where we had our rehearsal dinner!

momma -to - be at 8 months!

high school girlfriends at Kat's shower

The Jefferson...off to dinner!

 Sunday, Nick made reservations for the champagne brunch at the Jefferson which is soooo nice.  It was such a special weekend...thank you honey!!  I love you and can't wait for all our anniversaries to come :)

Jefferson champagne brunch

such a great weekend...wearing new anniversary gift jewelry! :)

Wedding cake...1 year later

Hobbies

Hobbies and interests are an important part of life…a way to enjoy yourself outside everyday work, cooking,and running around tending to life’s needs.  My hobbies have fallen a little to the side the more I get busy with my career and recently I’ve decided to take my life back and get back into my hobbies!!

Exercising and Running…I personally have always been an active person except for the past few years I’ve really become lazy about it.  I’ll run or do yoga every once in a while, but nothing consistent.  It’s bad….real bad.  We joined a gym when we got here, but it was $170 a month for the two of us so eventually we just didn’t feel like we were using it enough to justify the cost.  Plus I didn’t like the classes that much….so we quit and I promised myself that I would run outside and do yoga in our apartment.  Here come the excuses…it got cold and I didn’t like my yoga dvds…plus Cole would jump on me while I tried to work out in the apartment. 

But I can’t take it anymore...my body is getting creaky and I’m more out of shape than ever, so I signed up for an all women’s 10k in central park on June 11th to take back my running hobby!  I hoped that would motivate me…I’ve trained a little for it.  My friend, Erin ran it with me and we did pretty well for not training a ton.  We only walked part of mile 5 and paced an 11 min mile. 4000+ women ran it and it was all through Central Park...I love the scenery :)  It kicked me into running again and I’m feeling good!!

Erin and I finishing the 10K

Yoga…. I bought a new Yoga dvd which I love!  I figured out that if I let Cole up on the couch while I do Yoga he won’t jump on me!  Sigh…life is all about compromise…  The thing I love about this dvd is that its yoga, but also basic strength building exercises.  I was sick of my yoga dvds with the creepy half naked, long haired male instructor who's voice and music makes me want to fall asleep or just be creeped out.

The best thing about it for non-yoga enthusiasts is the addition of strength training exercises like lunges, squats, and tricep push ups.  Plus...Mandy the instructor is funny!!  Example:  “this is what makes my ass look good”  or "the best way to breath is inhale and then exhale".  She has a sense of humor and doesn’t seem like she’s reading from a script.  I really like that.   I also like that she is Jennifer Aniston’s yoga instructor…every woman’s goal is to look like Jen…myself included!  Try it for yourself…order off Amazon, you won’t regret it. 

The goal!



Buy It!  you'll love it and Mandy!

Flowers…I love flowers and plants.  I worked at a flower shop in Blacksburg during college and I just love arranging flowers, planting, and tending to them.   So I planted my spring flower box with begonias and my herbs…parsley, cilantro, and basil…everything has been growing like crazy.  We only get late afternoon direct sunlight on our balcony, so I had to choose carefully, but I think I aced it!  I love pruning, watering them with my fancy glass pitcher, and sitting at our balcony table enjoying the greenery against a city backdrop.

Here’s where things get weird with Casey and I….sometimes we are the same person and doing the same thing at the same time…it’s bizarre, but we love it.  She had told me that she was planting window boxes after I had planted mine…we both love the way it looks.  Then she blogged about it and her herbs, which I was getting ready to do this week!  I texted her and said, you stole my blog…hahaha.  So now you get to vote – who has the best window box???  Take space out as a factor in your decision.

my window box in May... starting to bloom



window box in June...in full bloom!



basil, cilantro, and parsley....pre-pruning.

My New York City garden :)

Recently...

So I need to play a little catch up….

This spring and early summer we have just been hanging out in NYC enduring the April and May showers that made it seem like warm weather and summertime would never arrive.  Even since the warm weather hit, it’s still pretty mild, but I’m not complaining since our AC situation isn’t ideal. 

Summer sunset in the city...

summer in the city

-we went to Richmond for Easter…squeezed in a visit with Tina and Joey on the way down and had a great warm VA spring weekend relaxing with my parents.  Nick also played his first round of golf for 2011 J

Cole and I hanging out on my parents lawn in Richmond...he loves the grass!

Gupta family on Easter Sunday

my parents on Easter Sunday :)    see cole in the background...

-went down to DC for my friend from college, Allison and her fiancé, Jared’s engagement party.  Very fun to see all my college girlfriends, plus we stayed with Tracy and Joe and got to hang out with them and their cute little dog Charlie and saw our crazy guy friends as well…it was good to be back in Arlington for a bit.



Kappa Delta sisters from VT...been friends since 2001 :)

Side note…these VA trips make me kind of homesick.  Coming to NYC was not only a career move for me and Nick, but it was a “we’re not sure where we want to live and settle down” move.  So we came to a big city to have fun and figure it all out.  Missing VA, having space, and being near friends and family hit us like a ton of bricks this spring…going back is really nice, but makes me a bit sad at the same time.

-My girlfriend from college, Natalie, came to NYC for her friend's bachelorette party and came up early for a bonus night with me!  We had great night out in the city...drinks on the balcony, Italian dinner, crepes, (i've been dying to try this one crepe stand!!) seeing a band at a bar on Bleecker street and a rooftop club....we crammed a lot in that Thursday night!

yummy nutella and banana crepe!

da club....rooftop at the Gansevort Hotel

-went to Boston for a work related weekend and had a great time at the Sam Adams brewery having a clam and lobster bake and went to the Red Sox – Cubs game.  We also got to see our friends Trace and Natalie who we always have too much fun with and little Caroline, Andy and Shannon.  Nick hadn’t seen C since Christmas, so it was a fun visit.

Cubs game at Fenway...they haven't played each other since 1918!

Green Monsta.

Aunt, Niece, Uncle.

-Memorial Day Weekend was very exciting!  Andy, Shannon and Caroline came for a big visit to NYC.  J  It was Caroline first trip and she did great!  She is such a low key, easy baby so she just snoozed in her stroller seat while we ate at great restaurants and got in some quality time.  She was awake for the ground zero tour and the fun visits to Bryant Park and FAO Swartz….where she loooved all the soft stuff animals.

mommy and C




hanging out in a west village park

C whisking through the subway!  she's a pro.

The Smiths at Ground Zero

in our apartment...getting C & C acquainted

Memorial Day Empire State Building!

Daddy and Caroline in Bryant Park

the Muppet department in FAO - coincidentally, Nick was wearing his Muppet Band tshirt, haha.

Shopping :)

she fits right in...like a doll!