2-7.

Well, it's happened.  My birthday.  I am now 27 years old.  Why does that sound SO much older to me than 26 did?  And trust me, I had a mini panic attack about 26.  Ugh.

But honestly?  My birthday was great.  I have amazing people in my life who made my day (and basically my entire weekend) super special.  27 feels like a special year.

Every year since I was about...23, I tell myself "this year is going to be the best one yet!"  And uh, every year seems to kind of suck overall.  I'm not saying I haven't had good things happen to me - I've had some great things happen, but I would say ages 23-26 have probably been the suckiest times of my life (can we say, "divorce"?  "death of soulmate dog"?  "some serious yo-yo dieting"?  "career troubles"?  ....yeah.  you can say it all.  and more.)

So this year, I will say two things:  I don't expect anything more than a mediocre year!  BUT I do expect (if this weekend/birthday was any indication) my year at the age of 27 to be full of surprises. 

Are you wondering what kind of surprises I have had these past few days?  Ok, I'll share a couple....

Surprises like this:

My co-workers surprised me with, not one, but 3 birthday cakes!

 

And then I got flowers from another co-worker!!!!!  Puppy shaped ones!

AND...maybe the best surprise ever.  My 3 favorite people in New York City schemed together to throw me a surprise birthday party on Sunday!  I was brought to a super cool Steelers bar to watch the football game with my friends!  Thank you so much to everyone who was there.  I love you.  :)  I ate so many buffalo wings...oh boy.  AND they had pierogies!!!!!!!!!!!  I mean, could you make a Pittsburgh girl any happier?  We had so much fun.

 

The Steelers didn't win...but we had some good moments.  I believe this was after we scored the touchdown and got ahead in the 4th quarter.  I had to snuggle the terrible towel.  

 

 

"Who are we?  USC!"  The Upper St Clair Alumni ...and a random guy photo-bombing the picture. 

 

 

The Inner Circle:  Amanda, Taylor and Abby - thank you so much for an amazing celebration!  I am so lucky to have each of you in my life. 

Some Christmas Confusion

So....I've got a Spotify playlist of Christmas tunes going right now....11 hours worth of music.

It's basically been playing constantly for about 3 weeks. 

So now I know a lot of these random holiday songs (that maybe I wasn't as familiar with 3 weeks ago) by heart.

For example:  Christmas Island

I fell in love with this song a few years ago, actually.  But I kind of just hummed along and never really cared what was being said because it was so cute and pretty.

I've listened closely the last few weeks and now I am confused.

The lyrics say....

How'd ja like to spend Christmas on Christmas Island?
How'd ja like to spend the Holiday away across the sea?
How'd ja like to spend Christmas on Christmas Island?
How'd ja like to hang your stockin' on a great big coconut tree?

(No problem here...Christmas Island?  Sounds great.  Stocking on a palm tree?  Sure!)

How'd ja like to stay up late, like the islanders do
Wait for Santa to sail in with your presents in a canoe
If you ever spend Christmas on Christmas Island
You will never stray, for ev'ry day
Your Christmas dreams come true
HOLD UP.  What does Santa need a canoe for?!  He has a SLEIGH.  WITH REINDEER.  IT FLIES.  NO NEED TO GRAB A BOAT AND PADDLE YOURSELF ALL THE WAY OVER TO THIS RANDOM ISLAND.

And wait a second, do the islanders get to SEE Santa every year?  How come everyone else has to be asleep?!?!  Why are they so special?  Just because their island is named after the guy's favorite holiday?

Now, I'm also not sure if they are talking about the literal place, Christmas Island, or just some fictional island of their dreams.  But I'm going to guess it's inspired by the actual Christmas Island - and in that case, Santa canoeing there is just about as unrealistic as hoofed creatures pulling a giant man in a sleigh with presents for ALL THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD.

....We're already suspending reality here, people.  Let's not go overboard.

But the song is actually sort of cute, so I'm going to try and look past this MAJOR issue I have and enjoy the islandy Christmas joy.

Photo booths are the funnest things ever.

I'm sorry, they just are.

Photography by Alpha Smoot!  And she rocked it.

And this is how I feel today...

http://canifindamanwho.blogspot.com/

Sigh.

On the bright side, 11 days until my birthday! 

Yes, I'm counting. 

No, I'm not excited to be a year older. 

Yes, I am excited for potential presents.

Scout told me she's not getting me anything this year.  I'm hurt.

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.

In case you were wondering...

All is well here after Sandra ripped the city a new one.

Sorry, was that crass?  I've feel like I've been camping for a week. 

I promise I will actually blog something soon.  In the meantime, why not check out this blog: 

http://canifindamanwho.blogspot.com/

3 things

1.  Scout is at Doggy Daycare today and I can't help but imagine her having this fabulous time making puppy friends and never wanting to come home again.  In reality, she's probably having a mini panic attack.

2.  It's Mani/Pedi day with my friend, Aubrey!  Huzzah!

3.  I need to move someplace where snow comes before Christmas.  Because I am getting SO jealous of my friends who are already getting snow.  I guess that means I need to go either north or west.  Someone give me recommendations.

10-11-12

Doesn't it feel like it should be a special day?  That some sort of momentous occasion should take place? 

I feel that way, at least.

But nothing is out of the ordinary here. 

Got up, went for a run, came to work, going to babysit later...It is a beautiful day though.  Perhaps God knew it was a special day, so he gave New York City some sunshine and crisp fall air. 

I've heard a lot recently about being grateful and counting our blessings.  So that is what I am doing today.  Counting my blessings.  On a special day.  Where nothing is out of the ordinary.

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!

More Video!

Sorry to just keep posting myself singing, but I already miss rehearsing and performing this!

My "Capacity for Joy" song:

I did a show.

I did a show with my friend Abby Feinberg.  And it was great.  Super great.  You should be sad you missed it.  (unless you were there, and if that's the case, thanks for coming!)

I wanted to share some clips with the world!  We are releasing the videos slowly over the next week or two so that we can possibly keep people interested.  :)

So, you can find the first two...

HERE

and

HERE  *this one has swear words in it. 

Also - you can just go on YouTube and search for my name or Abby's name or "A Quarter-Life Cabaret" and they should pop up for you!

Or...just watch them down here:

A Way Back To Then

 

 

Casting Call For A Best Friend/BSLW

So, yeah, that's what I've been up to lately...and the reason I basically stopped blogging.  But now I'm done and I'm back and hi.  :)

Shameless Plug

Because that's what I do.  I shamelessly plug things.

 

I'm doing a show this Sunday!!!!!!!!

 

 

A Quarter-Life Cabaret

Sunday, September 16, 6:30PM

The Duplex

61 Christopher Street

$10 Cover, 2 drink minimum

 

 

 

4 years ago, Abby Feinberg and Lauren Sapienza graduated from The Boston Conservatory with their eyes set on BROADWAY, love and big city living. Now they're Millie Dillmount, Doralee, Rosemary and Smitty...but nowhere near the stage. Can these New York City admins escape the jaws of a quarter-life crisis, balancing both their theatre and real-world dreams? 



 

 

With music from 4 Non Blondes, LCD Soundsystem, Dolly Parton, The Indigo Girls, Jessica Andrews and...a bunch of musicals!  You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll have so much fun! 

 

Hope to see you there!