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A-Z Survey

You know those days where your day goes crazy? Yup, welcome to my day. It’s a wild way to start the week, but luckily I love this new role, even the crazy and chaotic moments!

Since I only have a few minutes, I thought that this A-Z Survey, which I’ve seen on both Theodora and Christine’s blog would be a great way to kick off the week.

A – Age: 31

B – Biggest Fear: I have an extreme fear of drugs. I can’t watch any movie or television show that includes drug use. But if you want to know about my other, more normal fears, sharks have be scared to swim in the Atlantic Ocean.

C – Current Time: 1:27pm

D – Drink You Had Last: A huge glass of sparkling water flavored with some lemon and lime wedges. Our SodaStream has really helped make cutting out Diet Coke easier.

E – Easiest Person To Talk To: My mom

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F – Favorite Song: Right now I like Honey, I’m Good and Hold My Hand.

G – Grossest Memory: Over the years there have been plenty but as of late, having my flip-flop clad feet step in a New York City sludge puddle after yoga was a sure fire way to ruin my zen.

H – Hometown: Savannah, Georgia

I – In Love With: Bo! He has been my rock, more so than ever before, as we’ve gone through this huge transition together.

J – Jealous Of: At my age I don’t have room in my life for jealousy. I spent far too many years being jealous and refuse to do so any longer.

K – Kindest Person You Know: My mom. I don’t think she could harm a fly, and she has the largest heart.

L – Longest Relationship: Bo – 11.5 years together. We’ll celebrate our six-year wedding anniversary in November.

M – Middle Name: Originally my middle name was Elizabeth but much to my mother’s dismay, I took my maiden name (Rudolph) as my middle name when I got married.

N – Number of Siblings: 1

O – One Wish: Continue living a healthy and happy life.

P – Person You Spoke To On The Phone Last: My manager

Q – Question You’re Always Asked: As of late everyone is asking me “Don’t you miss Europe?”

R – Reason To Smile: I am happier, more confident and more content with my life  at 31 than I’ve been at any other point in my life.

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S – Song You Last Sang: The last song this tone deaf gal attempted to sing was Shake It Out. I often try to sing and dance to this song while shaking out the stress.

T – Time You Woke Up: 5:36 am

U – Underwear Color: hot pink

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V – Vacation Destination: I am pretty easy to please. Place me on a boat and surround me with fun people and I’m in paradise. But, if you want to know my favorite vacation spot thus far then I’d have to say Maui.

W – Worst Habit: This depends on who you ask. If you ask friends and family, it may be not picking up the phone more often. I’ve fallen back into the habit of texting too much. If you ask Bo, it’d probably be taking up more than my fair share of our bed. What can I say, I’m a tree pose sleeper for life.

X – X-Rays You’ve Had: If you don’t include dental x-rays then I think I’ve had two, thumb and lower back.

Y – Your Favorite Food: Salty, crunchy tortilla chips and perfectly made guacamole are the way to my heart.

Z – Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Your turn: What question would you want me to answer?
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Summer Fun List 2015

Between changing cities, changing jobs and an entirely new routine, I woke up this morning to realize that there are only six weeks until Labor Day. Summer in New York City, though sometimes sweltering, is such a fun time of year due to the number of outdoor activities.

In an effort to pause, and make sure that we enjoy some Summer in New York City, I thought it would be fun to do some research and compile a list of 15 things we want to enjoy in and around the city this Summer.  This list will help us take time to breathe in between our new jobs and moving!

NYC Summer 2015

In no particular order, here’s our Summer Fun list for 2015!

  1. Enjoy a Mr. Softee while meandering through the city.
  2. Take advantage of the free kayaking on the Hudson River.
  3. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge at either sunset or night.
  4. Enjoy evening cocktails on the Met Rooftop while checking out this year’s Summer installation.
  5. Enjoy a run through Brooklyn Bridge Park followed by lunch at Smorgasburg.
  6. Visit the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the New York Botanical Gardens.
  7. Visit the new Whitney Museum and follow that with drinks at the Summer High Line location of Terroir. (Done 7/25/15)
  8. Finally make it to Rockaway Beach for a morning yoga, a lazy beach day and tacos.
  9. Take out our road bikes for a long ride including a stop at the Little Red Lighthouse.
  10. Do an ice cream taste test comparing Ample Hills Creamery to Van Leeuwens. (Ample Hills 7/19/15)
  11. Pack a picnic and attend an outdoor movie with friends.
  12. Spend an evening at either Boat Basin, Frying Pan or another waterfront bar.
  13. Host a farm to table dinner party with all ingredients coming from one of the many NYC green markets. (Done 7/17/15 and 7/18/15)
  14. Grill in our new back yard!
  15. Enjoy one too many lobster rolls. (Luke’s Lobster 7/18/15, Ed’s Lobsters 7/25/15)

Your turn: What is the ONE thing you definitely want to make time to do this Summer?

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Do As I Say, Not As I Do

So, on Monday, I was still in “welcome to New York” bliss when I wrote the post A Weekend in Three Cities.

Now, three days later, I’m dealing severely with the consequences of my weekend choices. Just in case any of you thought I wasn’t human and never hit that place of utter exhaustion or dealt with jet lag, this post is for you!

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Things didn’t start to get rough until Tuesday afternoon when suddenly I felt as if I was walking around in a daze. I went to a happy hour with my old office and barely had energy. I snuck out early because I just couldn’t handle catching up with people. My eyelids kept closing and I caught myself constantly yawning, even though it was only 8 pm.

I went to bed an hour later, sleeping until 7:30 yesterday. I woke up feeling good but emotionally I was a wreck. I blew up at Bo about something so insignificant I can’t remember it now. The entire day, I was an emotional roller coaster. I headed downstairs to run, hoping that releasing some endorphins would help make me feel better. For thirty minutes, I felt incredible.

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But then, as if the run used the last of my energy, I went back the zombie-like lethargic stage. I had a few errands I had to run yesterday including seeing an apartment in Brooklyn and sorting through some issues with our bank. Two separate people told me I looked ill and faint while I sat in their offices. In fact, I found myself briefly snoozing in one office, while the kind lady processed our paperwork. I owe her a cupcake and thank you note for her kindness.

I came home, donned my eye mask, and did my best to sleep from 4-7pm. In the middle of Times Square, this isn’t an easy feat due to the traffic and construction noise. Yesterday, this didn’t phase me a bit and instead I found myself just waking up when Bo walked through the door.

I tried to rally, going out to dinner at a neighborhood spot, but couldn’t bring myself to eat as my stomach wasn’t having it.

Up four times during the night, and still in bed this morning, I’ve learned the hard way that jet lag is far more than just exhaustion.

Jet Lag Isn't Just Exhaustion

In the future, do as I say, not as I do. Don’t think that you’re invincible and that “powering through” will mean that you can do it all without feeling the affects of jet lag.  After a stressful week and long flight, make sure to be kind to your body, so it doesn’t rebel. Unfortunately, there aren’t many recommendations on what to do at this point in the game other than rest, warm bubble bath, and sunshine.

So with this revelation, that stomach issues and even PMS symptoms can be a symptom of jet lag, I’m going back to sleep. My only goal for today, other than packing for our long weekend away in the Catskills, is to sip NUUN and sleep as much as possible. Hopefully, I’ll wake up feeling better and excited for the relaxing long weekend with family!

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