Over Rated

Today at lunch, I decided relationships are overrated. Tonight, I'm buying condoms and watch out, boys, here I come!!!

Another one bites the dust

No, I'm not referring to yet another boy. Just when I was starting to feel secure in my single-ness and enjoying not being interested in any boys, a woman I know goes and gets engaged. Normally I'm genuinely happy when happy things happen to other people. I'm even okay (and I might go as far as saying happy) working with the many happy, happy couples who come into register for their damn weddings, knowing no such thing is in my near future. But, try as I might, I can't get myself to stir up any genuinely happy feelings in this case. All I can see is another wedding that I'll attend (probably alone or with a girlfriend), surrounded by people wondering when it will be my turn, nieces wondering if they'll ever be flower girls in my wedding, a sister wondering when she'll share in this joy with her own sister, parents wondering when they'll be done with the responsibility of getting me married...
Yes, yes, I know there are more important things in life, more things to be happy about...I'll get back there. Right now I'd rather just wallow in the two things that I want but don't have and aren't even visible at the end of the tunnel. Let's hope the bitter-single-woman thing don't last. Here's to being single and enjoying it--I guess.

Corporate Warfare

I've decided to cause corporate warfare--over me. So, I heard about this job at a company and decided to go on the interview. Things were fine at my current job (let's call it Company A) but I thought why not check out other options. Company B apparently liked me and offered me a position. I accepted since it looked like a decent offer. I gave my notice to Company A, who flipped out. They decided they really didn't want me to leave and also made me an offer. Company A offered me a permanent position where as Company B was only offering me another contract position. After much negotiation with Company A and being on an emotional roller coaster, they came in higher than Company B--all things considered. So, I accepted without hesitation. I called and told Company B's reps that I was sorry to decline their offer. The reps then called me back to offer me more compensation than the original. But it's still a contract position. I've decided to stay with Company A and feel relieved that a decision's been made and it's one with which I'm comfortable. But, in all honesty, who would have thought that I'd have two companies fighting for me???? I certainly did not--not now, not ever, esp. not when I was an 11-yr-old whose biggest worry was whether I'd get a typewriter for my b-day. (I did, in case anyone wondered.) I most certainly feel like I'm taking the more comfortable, reliable, stable option but I think I'm okay with that. It feels very grown-up, which is also a new feeling... I was discussing this with a friend--how the stresses of life are no longer about toys or school or grades. Now it's all grown-up stuff like jobs/careers, families, the future, retirement... We're all grown-up people and there are kids worrying about school, grades, the mall, boys and what not to prove it. I like being here.

NYC

I did it! I went to NYC and without a doubt it's been one of the best vacations I've ever been on--thanks to citygirl's accomodations and patience while we shopped! I visited J and cousin Azer kindly flew in from England to meet me there. Day 1, I explored J's neighborhood and found Starbucks in the morning. Then when J suddenly had to leave work due to illness, we knew the only thing that would make her feel better was the kate spade sample sale. So, after lunch at the Cafeteria, we headed to her remedy. She felt a little better but I certainly felt great one kate spade later. Day 2, had us experiencing NYC Sex & the City style when we went on a tour by the same name. We sat on Carrie's stoop, enjoyed cupcakes and visited the Pleasure Chest for some toys 'n things. After the tour we visited Chinatown for some purses and almost got arrested. Okay slight exaggeration, but this place is nuts. Little Asian men, women, boys & girls stand on sidewalks saying just under their breaths, "Louis Vuitton, Prada, Coach purses." If you happen to hear them, you've scored a visit to the backs of their stores where they lead you into a tiny closet full of fakes. These people are professionals! In one case, we followed a man a safe distance behind down the street, around the corner, behind a van and wondered if we'd accidentally talked ourselves into a drug deal. After the high stress of shopping, we enjoyed a nice lunch in Little Italy and a nicer tiramisu with some great eye-candy. That night Azer met us and we scoped out Mr. Big's bar called the Cutting Room and another place called the Coffee Shop Bar. Day 3, we attempted to see the Empire State Building but it was rainy and gross, so we found ourselves shopping in Soho. Upon Mac's recommendation, we stopped in at the Spring Lounge briefly and not upon his recommendation we had some pizza w/a vodka sauce. It's the one thing that does not compare to Chicago! That night we had planned to check out the nightlife but ended up at home with a bottle of wine, J's boy and Trivial Pursuit. We proceeded to get beaten to death...it was me & J against her boy and I'm claiming that he's been studying those cards whenever he gets a chance. I'm starting my studying too for my next visit out there. Day 4 had us enjoying a great lunch at Serendipity and an attempt to catch Lady Liberty but we arrived at the ferry place at 4:10 p.m. only to find out the last ferry departs at 4 p.m. So, we went shopping. The day concluded with dinner in Soho with Azer and well...shopping. Hmmm...is anyone seeing a theme to this trip? Girl, I've already started saving for my next shopping trip to NYC.