Day 15: Half way there! WHAT.

Can't believe it. I'm actually going to be 30. And I feel so amazing. Like, everything is fantastic. And I can't really explain why. 

Here's where I thought I'd be by the time I was 30: Living comfortably (okay, luxuriously) with my gorgeous husband and twin daughters (whose names I had all picked out be tee dubs). I would have made major MAJOR moves in the music industry. Back when I daydreamed about this, I thought it would be some sort of Beyonce-esque type stardom. And that's about as far as I got.

Here's where I am now: Living by myself (and my awesome cat Isis) in my same neighborhood that I rued the day when we moved here, not famous, not even remotely famous, not rich and I want to stress how not rich I am, like laughably, embarrassingly not rich. Overweight! I'm not afraid to say it!!! OH and here's the kicker, no kids, no husband, hell I ain't even got NO BOYFRIEND. I'm so single, I be forgetting how to type good English. And somehow, amazingly, inexplicably, I'm the happiest I have EVER BEEN. 

I can actually explain it. It comes from all of the experiences I've had, mixed with the wisdom I've gained, and shaped by the influence of meditation and quieting my mind in general. Tuning into my intuition and know what's right for me, what I should be learning from, why things are happening in the way they are, and why things AREN'T happening yet. I take so much time to be patient and I always reflect. I think if I had all those things I'm still hoping and dreaming for before I reached this level of understanding myself and the world around me, I might not have grown as much. I know I have a lot more growing to do but I'm really pleased with where I am right now. It will only get better from here! 

Day 26: This episode of Gummi Bears

I got this brilliant idea to search for Gummi Bears on YouTube after someone tried to argue with me about how the theme song went. I mean, hello? And I learned that you can in fact watch entire episodes of Gummi Bears. OMG. Also, you're welcome.

(I teared up at the end, because it's such a feel good show with morals,  and mayhem! And conflict, and resolution! And it's orchestrated and there's beautiful illustration...did we 80s babies get the works or WHAT?)

Day 27: Great minds discuss ideas

I'd say I haven't been a HUGE gossiper since high school. I mean, weren't many of us? It made sense to talk about people, because, like, what ELSE is there to talk about? Seriously, High School La Toya? Because it's too dorky to talk about what you're really interested in? Like Super Mario Brothers or this really cool harmony that you heard on channel 13 and don't understand how to describe it? Get over yourself, you're a nerd, and everyone knows it. And that's why you're awesome.

But I took that with me to college too. Even though that's where I really began to find my voice, it was still so hard for me fit in with just anyone. They wanted to talk about shoes or cars and I really wanted to talk about an idea I had for how to sing this particular song. Or a really cool story I was thinking of writing some day. But I mean, "no one wants to hear about my ideas" I thought. And thank God, thank GOD for people who share your same interests. Who are as creative as you and as passionate as you about the things you love. For me, it's music and theater, and BOOKS and math, sometimes. Ah hell, it's math a lot of times. 

So I came to conclude that the older I got, the more people came to realize what they loved. Be it sports, cars, travel, music etc. And those people talk about those things, and other people, no matter what, find a way to talk crap about another person. I can only guess that it's because they haven't had the fortune to figure out what they are truly passionate about nor have they found others who love to talk about these things. I will keep hope alive that those who are late to the party.

Day 28 : Do something you love everyday.

When we were kids, we used to do all the things we liked. Or, maybe I shouldn't be the spokesperson for everyone and say *I* did all the things I liked to do. These things were:

Coloring

Reading

Video Games

Watching a tv show/cartoon I LOVED (Inspector Gadget and/or Ducktales)

Talking to my best friends (omg wait, I just remembered I loved Gummi Bears and Tale Spin too)

Listening to music

Writing stories

And somewhere along the way, maybe when I was a teenager, I thought I was too cool for all that stuff. I feel like this could have happened to all of us at some point.

"Someday, you'll be old enough to start reading fairy tales again" 

                                          ~CS Lewis

I came across this quote one day in my mid-twenties and thought, what the hell could that even mean? But there is so much wisdom in this one line. I think a lot of times we get told that when you're an adult, you've got to worry about taxes and the economy and paying your rent on time. Or we feel like the most important thing to talk about is politics or current events. I mean, yeah, that's all fine, but there's something to be said for the adult who's still in touch with their childhood, who remembers what kept them feeling the calmest and what made them the most happy. I'm not saying that you should color and play Super Mario every night after work (even though, that sounds effing amazing) but remember who you were and don't get lost in the whole adult responsibility thing. 

Day 29: Mister Rogers be knowin'

The other day, I heard a super awesome "remixed" version of some of Mister Rogers' awesome words and it really resonated with me.

I don't normally like it when people do that but this one is so tremendously well done. It's included here for your listening pleasure.

Are you discovering the truth about you? I'm still discovering the truth about me.

It's so important to find out what we feel good about doing, it's so important to feel good.

When people are honest with each other, they're able to do all kinds of fine things.

The truth is inside of us and it's wonderful when we decide to tell it.

There's so much in this world we can learn no matter how young or how old we are.

30 til 30: First post!

Well hello there bloggity blog! Haven't updated this one in a verrrrrry long time and I think today's a good day as any to start again.

If you know me, you know how important my birthday is to me. Well, I'm about to have a milestone birthday, that's right, I'm turning 30 exactly one month from today. And I thought I'd honor my life and all the immense personal growth I did in my 20s with a blog post everyday. I was thinking of discussing a virtue I've learned each day with an anecdote or something that happened during that particular day that has to do with said virtue. I don't really know. This isn't even really for anyone to read beside me and if you like it, well then, ALRIGHT!

Some other things I'm going to do during this final countdown are: starting a LOST re-watch, re-read a few Narnia books and Harry Potter books, and whatever else that generally tickles my fancy, I owe it to me to do what makes me incredibly happy as often as possible.

Thanks for reading! I hope you stop by each day. I'm gonna be dropping mad knowledge.

OMG

OMG so like...update?

Okay Bazoodles fired me! And everyone else but they called me on my first day of vacation. Like, c'mon son. 

It ended up being an incredible thing for me because the weirdest thing happened when I went to California (see previous posts)...I was INSPIRED! My friend came and picked me up from the airport and we had an hour or so to drive. So he played all this music for me and I'm singing along to it, looking out the window. All of a sudden "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" came on. The actual song. It's a gorgeous song but the words definitely spoke to me (I've embedded the song for your listening pleasure!) : 

My world it moves so fast today

The past it seems so far away

And I squeeze it so tight, I can't breathe

And every time I try to be

What someone has thought of me

So caught up, I wasn't able to achieve

But deep in my heart the answer it was in me

And I made up my mind to define my own destiny

I look at my environment

And wonder where the fire went

What happened to everything we used to be

I hear so many cry for help

Searching outside of themselves

Now I know His strength is within me

And deep in my heart the answer it was in me

And I made up my mind to find my own destiny

And deep in my heart the answer it was in me

And I made up my mind to find my own destiny

It's crazy! I was working at this job all year and making pretty good money. Maybe I seemed successful to someone in that field but shiz, I sure as hell wasn't successful to myself. I *barely* sang last year. Like barely. I can hardly write off operatic expenses on my taxes. Like, for real?

So my friends, that's where we're at right now. I've taken the bull by the horns and will only take temp work while I start defining my own destiny. There doesn't seem to be a clear trail for an opera singer from Brooklyn in her late 20s but hell if I'm not gonna blaze my own.

I’m on a boat! (plane.)

So then I got on the plane. That's me waving in the middle there.

Okay let me go back a few steps. Remember when I was all like “Oh snap, I’m going to California”? I didn’t think to check to see if I had a number of things for packing. One of those things was luggage.

Heh, OOPS!

So it’s like 11:31pm on Friday night…wait let me back up again. I went and got my hair done by the most amazing hair stylist this side of the Galaxy after work and it took like, a pretty long time. So that kinda threw a wrench in my plans but I’d rather have amazing hurrrr and be late than like, the opposite of that. Thanks Randy you the bomb!

Okay so I get home and I’m all like, what should I bring to California?? I had nothing! Maybe some Summer dresses that are way too thin for normal life in November. I also have various short sleeved shirts, which, are fine I guess? So ugh…I might just have to pick a few things up when I’m there.

Whatevs, I always do that. I got some luggage packed majorly light and am on my way. I’m on the plane right now blogging to you FROM OUTER SPACE. I thought I was smart to get an aisle seat but this poor bloke in the middle seat is making my ride really painful. Oh I think he’s reading this. Ok bye.

California Dreamin’ & Halloween

Hey guys! So after a tumultuous two weeks at my job Bazoodles Incorporated, I am taking a well deserved and much needed vacation to Sunny California! This will be my second time going and it’s not a moment too soon. I’m crazy excited to see all my gorgeous friends and  eat ridiculous amounts of tacos and other things that NYC kinda has but like, not really because there are other places that have stuff that’s way more authentic.

Hmm, what else has been going on? I had some friends over for Halloween (my fav holiday beside all the other ones). I was in full fledged ridiculous mode ie. I made them play Murderer. Yes,  I know! It’s the most fun ever!!  Okay, the short explanation of how to play goes a little something like this:

The players consist of 1 Murderer, 1 Narrator and however many other  Investigators. You count how many people are present and cut up pieces of paper to write the various descriptions on and put them in a hat or bag. Everyone takes a slip and they will then know who they are. The investigators have to guess who the murderer is!

Omg, so it’s way more fun when there are like 17 people playing. I only had 6 and everyone was yelling at me to stop trying to make them play it. Hey, you’re in my house so we’re playing MY games. The best part was when everyone yelled. They were so mad!

Anyway, thanks for reading. Be sure to check out my book blog and follow me on twitter and etc!

Where a kid can be a kid?

I went to Toys R Us on Sunday to return this freaking thing that I got.

It's an alarm clock/radio/iPod charger except I don't have an iPod, I have an iPhone. So the girl who sold it to me swore up and down it would work for iPhone and even slipped up and said "This came out before they had the iPhone..um." I could've walked away but I really thought I needed and alarm clock and it was marked down significantly.

Then I bought the damn thing and surprise, surprise it didn't work for the iPhone. So yesterday after a coaching and delicious Arepas from Empanada Mama, my friend Joe and I fought through the crowds of ridiculous tourists to get back to Toys R Us to return it and maybe take a stroll through the Barbie Dream House, and if we had time, go to Candy Land.

Not only was the customer service agent rude, she was a cariciture. Seriously, I felt like I was on a Mad TV sketch. She told me that I couldn't get my money back for electronics. Sorry, I didn't know this was common knowledge...oh wait, it isn't ho, so don't make me jump behind that counter.

I shortly thereafter realized that perhaps my anger was misdirected and that it is the sales rep who weaseled me in to the purchase in the first place. Eventually I got a store credit (awesome...) and the ID for the sales rep. That's right girl, I'm gonna get you...!!

Okay, also?

Omg, hello.

Yes, I know "Where have you been?" or "I haven't read a post from you in AGES!" or "You've got something in your teeth!" or "Nope, it's still in there!" and finally "Oh okay, you got it."

Listen, you know how it is, you get a day job, you still try to be an opera singer and juggling is difficult etc. etc. But now I'm back, and hopefully blogging daily.

I went to the gym yesterday for the first time in a while. I'd gone to other gyms in the city but not specifically the Park Slope Crunch. There was a new guy at the front desk so he wouldn't recognize me no matter what. When he checked me in, he glanced at the computer and said "UM?" as I turned the corner to walk up the stairs. I doubled back to see if there was a problem. And he was all like "No, it's um, it's nothing" and I was like "What's wrong dude?" and he's like "It's just...you haven't been here in a while..." Oh good! Let everyone in the gym know!

So, I was there to try out Zumba once and for all and I've got to say, it's really fun! It was just like doing a whole bunch of dances and a lot of booty popping, which happens to be one of the only dances I've mastered. The instructor was this fiesty, short and lean Latino guy named Will and he kicked all our asses. When I tried to take a small break he jogged over to me and was like "YOU GOT TA DO BETTA DAN DAT HUNNY!" And proceeded to gyrate in front of me until I matched his speed of gyration.

The highlight of the hour was when they turned on Jam by MJ. I was tired as hell but I felt like I needed to dance and sing the entire song just because it was MJ. That song literally gave me life.

Needless to say I'm sore as hell today, and I'm going again tomorrow at 7:15pm.

Thanks for reading!
Lah

Life is more interesting again.

I have a day job.

It's kinda cool or like whatevs. I'm glad to know I can afford groceries and rent. I will be sad when there are beach days and I'm at work though.

Anyway! Remember how I used to blog all the time with little stories about weird things people do to me or around me? Well, those things stopped happening for a while because I was in my house rubbing together nickels.

But NOW that Im oot and aboot, I don't even know where to begin. I was getting lunch today at one of those street vendors. You know the ones that used to only do Shish Ke-bobs and pieces of bread? Well now they have rice.

I digress, so I'm standing there trying to order some steak and yellow rice when this dude in an armored van starts waving at me. This is not too abnormal as dudes flirt with girls all the time. But while he's waving profusely, the guy making my steak and rice starts yelling at me.

DO YOU WANT ONIONS?

Then I start looking at my phone like someone sent me a text message since Van Dude was directly within eyeshot.

DO YOU WANT THE GRRRREEN PEPPER?

At this point, Van Dude is tapping on his window, persistantly. He's not too far away so I really have to make an effort to pretend I don't hear any of this commotion.

BARBEQUE SAUCE, HOT SAUCE, DEY WHITE SAUCE? "Um, well, what's in the white sauce?" SUGAR MAYO WHITE, C'MON! "I mean, I guess I'll have the barbeque..." ::van door opens and Van Dude jumps out and slams the door:: WE DON'T HAVE WHITE SAUCE THE BARBEQUE SAUCE IS THE BEST SAUCE.

...I got the barbeque sauce.

Team iPhone!

It took them forever but I finally got my iPhone!!

The story goes something like this: I stayed up until 3am on Feb 3rd to be the first to order the damn phone. The order went through and they didn't ship it until this Monday. Once UPS had it, they claimed it would be here by Tuesday. So I sat in my house ALL DAY and waited.

And waited...

AND WAITED!!

When I checked the tracking number and all that, it said something the UPS dudes skipped over my box and had to bring it the next day.

So Wednesday happens and I'm waiting around again. Finally, I checked the tracking thing and it said that they had the wrong apt. number and were trying to figure out what the right one was. OMG!

Long story short, I've got the awesome phone now. I don't know how I've been using Blackberry for so long.

The 400 Mile Fitness Challenge!

So, on my lovely book blog, I'm competing in 16 reading challenges. But when I came across this challenge, I decided that not only is it perfect motivation for me to get out there and exercise, but it would be perfect to make a post about it on this blog. The 400 Mile Fitness Challenge 2011 is hosted by Book, Fitness & Other Stuff and runs from January 1 - Dec 31 2011.


Here are the rules (taken from the challenge's main page):

• The purpose is to reach the equivalent of 400 miles (at least) during the year, not a set number of miles a day.
• Every Saturday starting 1/8/11, come back to Books, Fitness & Other Stuff and add the link to your update link in that weeks post. If you'd rather post an update every two weeks, that's fine too, but please visit a few participants every week and give them support.

What counts:

mile for mile-

walking/jogging/running outside or inside on a treadmill

biking inside or inside on a recumbent, spin or stationary bike

WATP Mile DVD's: 1mile walk, 2 mile walk etc.

15 min. equals 1 mile-

cardio

step aerobics

swimming

weight lifting

workout videos

exercise classes

Minutes and miles can roll over:

If you only walk for 3/4 mile, or exercise for 10 minutes, you can add those minutes/minutes to the next day.

I'm super psyched for this because there are others doing it too and we can be supportive to one another in our fitness goals! Check out the main post to sign up!

xo,
Lah

Oh, hey! Didn't see you there!

Where have I even been?!

First of all, I have a book blog that I blog on every single possible day ever. I've been reading a crapload more than I have in centuries (yes, centuries. I am immortal) and I haven't been doing too much else.

For this reason and this reason alone, I don't have much to say on this page! But fear not faithful reader (I would think that there's only one of you reading my blog faithfully), I will blog on this page the way I used to in the olden days when I took small events that would happen to me and make them impossibly epic. Like I do.

Thanks for reading,

Slushpocalypse: PART FÜNF!!!

Captain's log: alright, let me not even try to pretend that I know what that means or that I watched Star...Trek? to know what he'd say next.
Point is, now that the snow has started to melt at rapid speeds, it's ridiculously slush-tastic outside. I have a temp gig around 5th ave and I think that Slush + Tourists rivals that of Umbrellas + Tourists...or, dare I say it, 42nd Street + TOURISTS!!!! Get me outta here!

PS: That bus I took a picture of was still stuck in the snow when I got home that night.

Snowpocalypse 2010

Unless you live in the Center of the Earth you've heard about Snowmaggedon in NYC, and I suppose other parts of the east coast. The problem with snow storms and mass transit is that now matter how many inches of snow fall, the trains are gonna be all messed up. And when the trains get all messed up, people can't get to work. And when NYers can't get to work...all hell breaks loose.
People get all stupid and try to drive in the snow. We don't know how to drive defensively in the not-snow let alone the highly HIGHLY cautious type of driving you've gotta do IN the snow.
The picture above is of the bus that got stuck on the street as I was on my way to work. Poor guy. Where the hell are the plow trucks?

2011 Resolution Challenge!!

I stumbled across an amazing 2011 challenge!Marie @ Just a Mom is hosting the 2011 Resolution Challenge. Here are some deets lifted directly from her page:

"I decided to look at the areas I want to improve (or make more time for) and they are:

Organization
Health
Kids
Money/Finances
Spiritual
Food

Every Saturday (starting with Jan 1st) I will post a challenge in each of these areas. Each month there will be a room that we are working in for the organization aspect. So on Jan. 1st you will see a post that looks like this:

Organization weekly challenge: set a timer for 20 minutes and clean out your messiest drawer/cabinet. On Saturday start with your messiest, Sunday the next messiest and so on.

Health Weekly Challenge: drink 6-8 glasses of water. Water. Crystal light, diet soda etc do not count. You can have as much as you want of the others, but you have to drink 6-8 glasses of water daily.

Now that you have seen what it will look like, I will also post a daily challenge. This will be put up every day and not listed in the weekly post. For example you will see, " clear off the fridge of all magnets, art work etc. Wash front. Put back only what is needed."

I've been telling myself that time is slipping away and I most certainly need to organize my life! Check out her page if you'd like to join!

Meet me on Monday #2

 Meet me on Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Java at nevergrowingold.blogspot.com

Questions:
1.  What are your New Year's Eve plans?

I really wanted to throw a party at my place but will probably end up watching the fireworks at Prospect Park if they have them this year! 

2.  How tall are you?

I am an astonishing 5'3 1/2!

 
3.  What is your favorite pudding flavor?

I guess Vanilla! I'm a plain jane kinda girl in the flavor department!

4.  What room of the house do you blog the most in?

I try not to blog right before bed, but I always do. So I'd say in my bedroom, even though I'm blogging from the study right now!

5.  What is your best physical feature?

I personally think my eyes are amazing. I've heard it said many a time. But I can guarantee that if I took a poll I'd get a much naughtier answer than that. HA! 

Thanks for reading. And head back to Java's page to see all the other Meet Me on Monday participants!

Baby dresses for friends

I have 2 friends in my immediate life that have (is about to have) a daughter. The other day, I ended up in the dress section of a kiddie clothing store. I like shopping for dresses, probably more than average. It's almost essentially the reason I became an opera singer...so I can have an excuse to wear dresses.

Anyway, I just wanna buy all the dresses for the little girls! I picked out like 5 before I realized that neither Angie's baby, Amelia nor Rachel's baby, Rachel-La Toya, will need an 18 month size dress for like, a long time. But when they do, Auntie Toya is getting them dresses!