Grateful.

Y'all.  Less than a month until my birthday.  Let's just start with that. 

So, I said I would actually blog something of substance soon....I guess it's that time.

This week is Thanksgiving.  Can you believe that?  We are already there....shocking how quickly this year has gone by.

I have so much to be grateful for.  I really do.  My life is not at all where I thought it would be...I've had so many ideas of where I would be around this age...I am not really anywhere near any of them.  But things are still ok.  And because I feel so lucky that even if life isn't what I expected, it's still pretty fabulous...I would like to give thanks.  Here.  On my blog.  For the things I am so very grateful for:

I have amazing friends and family.  You all mean the world to me.  Like...you are seriously good people.  Seriously, seriously good.

I have the sweetest little dog on the face of the earth - and another little doggie up in Doggie Heaven watching over me.  (boy, do I miss him.)  I have the privilege of taking this sweet little pup to work with me basically anytime I want.  And she is so freaking well-behaved, I don't know how I got so fortunate.

I live in an adorable little studio in the best neighborhood in New York City.  I'm minutes from my absolute favorite spin classes.  There are about a bajillion amazing restaurants within walking distance.  The parks, the parks, the parks.  And...the streets themselves...are just adorable. 

I'm so darn grateful for SoulCycle - I wish I could afford to do it every single day.  It makes me happy.  And really, what exercise ACTUALLY does that?  Like legit you want to do it all the time?  I'm sorry, but nothing.  Nothing else is like that.

Ok, maybe dance sometimes. 

But truly, for me, nothing else kicks my butt and makes me smile at the same time like SoulCycle does.

I am grateful for my body.  I'm grateful that it lets me run and cycle and dance and stretch and sing and skip and laugh and oh-so-much-more every single day.  I'm grateful it lets me train for the half marathon I will run in February.  I'm grateful for its ability to adapt. 

I'm grateful for heytell.  Cause it's freaking hilarious.  Please, friends, connect with me on heytell.  It makes my day to be able to send stupid messages to people so quickly.

I'm grateful for vacations.  For the ones I've gone on this year and the ones coming up.

I'm grateful for the chocolate chip scones at the Lincoln Square Farmers Market.  And suncrisp apples.

I'm grateful my coworkers like my baking.

I'm grateful for Brandy, who does my hair, for literally letting me walk in EVERY time and say "I don't know what I want to do, I just want to change it" and she does her magic and I always love it.

I'm grateful for the Steelers for giving me something to cheer about and believe in.  Though you made me a little sad last night.  But regardless, nobody else gets me to yell at my TV like you do, my little bumblebees.

I'm grateful for Spotify.  For letting me listen to all the Christmas music I want.  I'm grateful to the Feinberg (and Feinberg-Rowe) children for introducing me to Spotify. 

I'm grateful for L.A. Burdick having a location in New York City.  Holy crap. 

I'm grateful for Christmas decorations - and for my ability to convince myself that it's all actually there to celebrate my birth instead of Jesus.

I'm grateful for people at work who make me laugh.  I'm grateful for an assistant who knows what he's doing.

I'm grateful for manicures and pedicures.  They make me feel instantly prettier.

I'm grateful for New Yorkers and their amazing bravery and resilience in the face of disaster.  And for caring for others when times get rough.  It amazes me how strangers can quickly become friends in the face of a crisis.

I'm grateful for snow.  And sunshine.  And crisp autumn air. 

That is just a sampling of what I am grateful for this year.  There is so much more that I'm sure I could add to this list, but you probably want to stop reading now, right?

Oh, did I mention that I'm grateful for you reading my blog?  And humoring me and my crazy thoughts?  Yeah, I'm totes grateful for that.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.

I honestly don't know what to post on here anymore.

My life is so uninteresting and after my whole "photo-a-day" thing...I just seem uninspired.

I guess I can fill you in on some STUFF.

I ran the Tower of Terror 10-miler!  And more importantly, I finished it!

That's me.  Yep.  We were encouraged to wear costumes.  The theme was "Disney Villians" so I went as Prince John from Robin Hood!  ....do you even remember who that is?  I'd say half of the people did.  But I saw about 100 Cruella's and Captain Hooks each.  I think I was the only Prince John.  :) 

Bonus of the trip?  Got to bum around Disney for a couple days! 

I made some new friends. 

And visited with old ones.  (my very favorite picture from Disney as a kid *age 5!* was with Chip and Dale...21 years later, we still look good together!)

And fooled around while waiting for my "fast pass" time.  (boy do I love this roller coaster, by the way.  fabulous.)

Then, uhhh, I came home.

Right now I'm party planning!  I'm throwing a Bridal Shower/Bachelorette night for my friend, Abby.  And then in less than 2 weeks (!!!) I will be in Mexico for her wedding!!!!!!  I'm very excited about that.

Oh!  And I signed up to run another race.  The Disney Princess Half Marathon in Disney World.  February 24th.  So now I have to get ready for that.  And frankly, I am not motivated.  Please send me some awesome motivation vibes so I get my tush in gear.

...that's about all that's new here.  Aside from autumn sweeping in and making it gloriously chilly.  I love that I can finally wear long sleeves again!  And boots!  Ahhh, boots.  It's the little things in life.

Hope all is well with you, reader.  Until next time!

Day 340: Leaving on a jet plane...don't know when I'll be back again.

Day 340: Leaving on a jet plane...don't know when I'll be back again., a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
It was raining. Texas was crying because I was leaving.

Day 339: Welcome Back, Freckles. I've missed you.

Day 339: Welcome Back, Freckles. I've missed you., a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I feel like I just need to point my face at the sun every day to make sure I keep them all summer. I love my freckles.

Day 338: Baby Shower Shenanigans - decorating our own baby eggs

Day 338: Baby Shower Shenanigans - decorating our own baby eggs, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Mine is the one in the back that looks like Liza Minnelli.

Day 337: Happy Birthday Thomas B Sapienza - the best Dad a girl could ask for! I love you.

Day 337: Happy Birthday Thomas B Sapienza - the best Dad a girl could ask for! I love you., a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

What a handsome guy! You're the best, Dad.

Day 336: That's a bass flute, y'all.

Day 336: That's a bass flute, y'all., a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Sorry for the grain. It was dark. But whoa, cool instrument! And he was good.

Day 335: This great big bed is just for me!

Vacation!!!, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

I love vacation!

Day 334: So ready to go!

Day 234: So ready to go!, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Austin, TX - here I come!

Day 333: Texas Pedicure - The color is called "Cajun Shrimp"

Day 333: Texas Pedicure - The color is called "Cajun Shrimp", a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I just think that's a hilarious name for a nail polish. But don't they look nice?

PS holy cow those are my toes up close and personal!

Day 266: Just booked my very first all by my onesie vacation! And evenbetter it's to a friend's wedding!

Day 266: Just booked my very first all by my onesie vacation! And even better it's to a friend's wedding!, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Like that grainy screen shot?? I bet you do.

YAY MEXICO! YAY WEDDINGS! YAY VACATION!

A little taste of the Wizarding World...

So, if you hadn't noticed from my "photo-a-day" pictures…I went on vacation last weekend.  To the most magical place in the entire world…

(OK, yes, I did go to Disney, which is probably what you think of as the most magical place in the world, but I am here to tell you that you are WRONG.)

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

It was beyond awesomely nerdy and great.  I am slightly embarrassed of my Harry Potter obsession, but now that it's out in the blogging world, I'm going to embrace it and GUSH about this trip.  In multiple blog posts.  So get ready.  

First…just some lovely scenic shots.  :)

I first got to walk through the village of Hogsmeade…how incredibly adorable is this place?  Seriously.  Beautiful.  Down to every last detail.

Then after walking through Hogsmeade, I came upon the most famous and awesome School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  Hogwarts.

After learning some important spells and jinxes, I went back into down for some snacks.  Of course, I stopped by Honeydukes.

Then I stopped by the Owl Post to send some postcards (with an official Hogsmeade postmark!  I tell you, these people, they think of everything) and check out some adorable owls!

Then I walked over to Hagrid's Hut to say hi to Buckbeak and Fang.  

"Where to next?" I asked myself.

It was winter…in September…so I checked out this cutie-pie snow-witch somebody made.

Then I went to Ollivander's because I didn't have my own wand yet…and…well, that's a story for another post but let's just say the child in me just about wet her pants with glee during that experience.

Back to Honeydukes for more treats… (did you see my Chocolate Frog??)

The details…this is what I'm talking about.  This is the clock-tower in Hogsmeade.  How gorgeous is this??  Just every little bit of it was totally awesome.

More to come…seriously…I cannot stop gushing about it.  

HP Fans…be brave.  Come out and tell me what you think!  Ask me questions!  I'll answer!

Day 95: Goodbye Hotel. You're so pretty.

Day 95: Goodbye Hotel. You're so pretty., a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Loews Royal Pacific Resort. It was great.

Day 94: Magic Kingdom...Main Street Electrical Parade!!!

Day 94: Magic Kingdom...Main Street Electrical Parade!!!, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I saw this parade with my family when I was 5 years old. Still has the same music. I felt like a kid again! Happy me.

Day 93: Hogsmeade!!!

Day 93: Hogsmeade!!!, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I died a little. It was amazing. This is from across the river. More shots to come when I upload camera stuff!

Day 92: Universal Orlando! Wooooo!!!

Day 92: Universal Orlando! Wooooo!!!, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Day 91: Ahhhhh....vacation begins!

Day 91: Ahhhhh....vacation begins!, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I love hotel beds!

Day 17: Pamela's Hotcakes - Best Ever!!

Day 17: Pamela's Hotcakes - Best Ever!!, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

There are just no words to describe the deliciousness. So rich. So perfect. So bad for me and I just don't care.

But did I mention that I ran 3.6 miles before eating them to try to "even it out"? Well I did.

Day 15: Comfy Pillows at the Marriott

Day 15: Comfy Pillows at the Marriott, a photo by lalasappy on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Staying with my dad and stepmom in their hotel room for the night. A weekend visit with all my parents. THE PILLOWS ARE SO SQUISHY!! Mom's house tomorrow!

2 Weeks Til Vacation!

2 weeks until I am headed to the airport to fly down to FABULOUS Austin, TX! :)

Sometimes, when I'm bored, I look online at apartments down there and think about how truly AWESOME it would be to leave here and just start fresh! New city, new job, my family around me! Ugh, I'd love it. I hope it happens relatively soon.

Until then, I'm trying to stay upbeat and positive. I have at least one thing to look forward to: I will be heading to Boston for a mere...6 hours this Saturday and I could not be more excited! Woo woo!

Other than that...3 more days til the weekend! I count them down slooooooowly but surely! Every dang week! And then start over again on Monday...sigh.

Doesn't ANYONE want to pay me to sing for a living??! C'mon people...