The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo is an awesome book. You should read it, and read it now. The UNABRIDGED version. Why, might you ask? Because the abridged version (which before a couple weeks ago, was the only version I had read, as required in school) condenses 1,000 pages into 250. It is, quite simply, not nearly as good.

The complete book is now hands down my favorite classic. It is a tale of sorrow, revenge, calculated and slow, unfolding over a period of months and years. The unabridged novel really explores the backstory of the characters who Edmond Dantes seeks his revenge on - Villefort, Danglars, Fernand and Mercedes. There's satisfaction, guilt, regret, love, loss and sorrow.

And my favorite quote:

"So, do live and be happy, children dear to my heart, and never forget that, until the day when God deigns to unveil the future to mankind, all human wisdom is contained in these two words: 'wait' and 'hope'!"

The abridged version is confusing - and rightfully so, as it eliminates 3/4 of the story (mostly backstory, focusing on the action and the ending/revenge) and thus is incomplete in its buildup and climax. The abridged version is complete in these respects, and completely satisfying and amazing. It gets you thinking too, about what is right, what is wrong, what is justice. Years ago I saw the movie and was sorely disappointed. It's simply not possible to condense this book into a movie while retaining its integrity. I do, however, think it would make an excellent miniseries (hello, HBO, give me a call I have ideas!!!).

One of the great things about having an Amazon Kindle is that most classics are free or cheap ($2) for the unabridged versions. I'm planning to read more of the classics, so stay tuned....

(and until then - read The Count of Monte Cristo. You'll be glad you did)

Subway Etiquette

Inspired by my good friend Natalie's blog "Nattily Natalie" (you should check it out here: http://nattilynatalie.blogspot.com/) I've decided to write a little post on Subway etiquette after a particularly tiresome day riding the New York City rail. If you live in the city or are planning a visit, follow these helpful tips to have a less painful subway journey. You'll make yourself and those around you much happier!

• Please have your subway card out before you approach the turnstile. No one wants to wait while you dig through your bag. We all have places to be, which is why we're heading into the Subway. Step aside, find your card, then go right through.
• If you're not sure where your train is and your station is crowded (Times Square and Grand Central are particularly affected) - step aside, locate the nearest map or better yet MTA employee (they're everywhere) or a vendor selling papers and ask. Do not slam on your breaks while you're walking in a crowd. People will walk into you, and then you'll say well did you not see me? We saw you, but we are all walking and there's no warning for slamming on your breaks. Step to the side, collect your bearings, and take your time.
• When your train arrives, please let all exiting passengers off before you attempt to get on the train. This sounds obvious, but it is apparently painfully difficult in practice. On this note, do not wait in front of the doors - wait just to the side. Otherwise, people get off the train slower, you get on slower, thus making your wait longer than if you had stepped to the side.
• Please do not shove your fellow passengers getting on the train. There is usually room for everyone (unless it's 9am, in which case usually those closest to the doors will get on) - assuming my next tip is followed:
• Please step all the way into the train. If you know you need to get off at the next stop, let others file in ahead of you - if you're one of the last people on the train then you will be closer to the doors. Do not rush to be the first on the train and then try to stand right by the door. It's rude. 
• Please do not smush if the train is full. Another one will be along shortly. No one wants to be like sardines. If it looks full and there's an inch of space, that doesn't mean you will fit. This is another rule that is hard to follow, but will ultimately make everyone happier (I do follow this rule. I don't smush onto trains!).
• If the doors are closing - this is a tricky one to follow and I have been tempted many times - but please do not put a bag/backpack purse in to block the doors. If you are close and manage to get in while the doors are closing and you have one foot out or bag out, that happens (although people will still glare at you). In this case, the doors usually spring open and then close - a lot of time is not lost and people will get over it (because they've often done the same thing). But simply blocking the door means you're going to have to pry it open. And this can take a minute. This actually holds up the train and will really annoy your fellow passengers. In the end, it's a judgment call, but just remember you don't want to hold up the train. This causes delays, which end up annoying you!
• Unless you have a valid reason (note: valid means a physical limitation or not feeling well, not a choice to wear heels) please stand if there are those around you who need to sit more than you do. Wearing heels is your choice, but do not rush to grab a seat while you leave an elderly woman to stand. 
• When the train is in motion - hold onto something. You are not superman. You are not special. The trains move fast, they're also old and shake. You will stumble into someone. And/or you'll step on someone's feet. Or spill coffee on them. Or elbow them in the face. All of these things have happened to me. None of them are fun. There are plenty of bars to hold onto. Know your limitations, respect those around you, and hold on. Because if I see you standing there with a coffee in one hand and a kindle in another and you make no effort to hold on, I know it's just a matter of time. So choose one and hold on!
• If you are listening to music, please use headphones. Even if they are crummy headphones where people can still hear around you (I sadly used such headphones for years and didn't realize they annoyed people around me - apologies to those I annoyed!). But to use NO headphones just screams "I don't care about you, I'm doing what I want, and I'm listening to my music." If you are at your house - by all means. But you're in a public space. And not everyone wants to hear your music. So please, use headphones, or else wait until you are at a place where you can listen to your radio without bothering those around you. Thanks!
• Another rule for when the train is in motion - do not lock your knees. This is a less obvious tip, but when you lock your knees you are much more susceptible to shakes, shifts, braking, etc. And you'll end up sliding and knocking into those around you. Instead, keep your knees slightly bent, and center your weight. When the train is breaking, you can shift your weight to the foot closest to the front of the train. This will keep you from sliding forward. So much easier! 
• If you have many bags (as I often do) - please be aware of the space around you and do not jab people in the back with your purse or backpack. Sometimes you can't help that you're shoulder to shoulder with someone, but it doesn't mean you can't be respectful.
• If you have a suitcase or large item (duffel, instrument, package/boxes, or huge shopping bags) do not try to rush up the stairs ahead of everyone on your train. You are carrying heavy items on the subway - which is no easy task - but it's going to slow you down. And chances are the people behind you will be pushing ahead and you'll feel rushed - you may even drop something. Wait for the frenzy of people to head up the stairs and then take your time. You won't be far behind, you'll feel less stressed, and everyone will be happier.
• If you aren't sure where your stop is - or if you can't hear - just ask! Most people will be happy to help you (I always am!). If you can tell someone is listening to music and can't hear you and you need a quick answer, that person should not be your target. Look for someone available! That said those of us listening to music are happy to help you, but we will not appreciate your impatience as we try to pause our music to help you.
• If you are exiting the train and the people closest to the door aren't moving, a simple "excuse me" goes a long way. Most people will step aside - or just off the train - to let you through. Barreling through like you're a human bowling ball knocking over pins is not the way to go about it.
• Finally, if you have children please keep them from hitting strangers on the subway. I make no other comments about children than this, because I'm sure getting around New York City with them is a challenge! That said, please don't allow them to punch/slap people they don't know. I think this is common courtesy. Also encourage them to hold on when the train is moving. This will keep them from falling over/onto others. 

That's all for now! Thanks for reading and best of luck navigating the wonders of the New York City subway system! 

Upcoming Adventures Announcement!

I am due for an upcoming adventures announcement! I love adventures, especially travel as anyone who knows me can tell - and I have several upcoming adventures that I'm incredibly excited about! First, Nate and I are headed to London, England for his Spring Break. We are staying in the city a week and we are going to the London premiere of The Hunger Games!!! We could not be more excited about it! I have not been to London since I lived there for 2 months in the summer of 2005. I can't believe it's been 7 years, but it has - and I can't wait to show Nate around the city! We are also taking in my absolute favorite show, Les Miserables, and going to some new restaurants - although I have already told Nate we have to go to my favorite chain, Pizza Express. Yummy thin pizzas and for dessert - chocolate glory (a ridiculous sundae!).

After London in March, we are heading to Washington DC for Easter for the Cherry Blossoms Festival! We are staying with one of my best friends Rachel and her husband Allin. DC is gorgeous in the spring and we're really excited to take in the museums, possibly visit a winery, and tour the West Wing of the White House! It should be a fantastic trip.

In May we are going to Italy for 10 days with my parents. It will be my dad's first trip to Europe and I'm going to be the best hostess in my favorite city in the world. We'll spend most of the time in Rome, but we will also go to Siena in Tuscany, as well as do a wine tour of Montalcino, San Gimigiano, and other towns in the region! I can't wait. There is nothing like showing someone you love a place that means a lot to you, I really can't wait to show my dad Italy.

Finally, my summer adventures (what is planned so far) includes a Foster the People concert in June, a tentative visit by my best friend Courtney in July, a weekend in Atlanta visiting Chrissy and hopefully other friends that are around, a couple weeks in Florida, and finally a week in Costa Rica with Nate in August, at the end of my contract break. I'm really blessed to get to travel so much and have so many adventures with the people I love. It brings me so much happiness!!

Stay tuned for updates on the adventures! :)

New York Road Runners!

New York Road Runners!!! Update - I just joined the New York Road Runners, which is the umbrella organization for all of the major runs in NYC, from 5Ks to the New York City Marathon. When you're part of road runners, you can register for all these races. I realized, as successful as I have been at losing weight and being really happy about that, I wanted a fitness goal. I love running although I'm not a fast runner - far from it! But I realized watching my sister run the Gainesville half marathon that I love the idea of having a goal and working towards it - even if I know I'm the last one to cross the finish line. So on that note, I've joined the road runners and I registered for my first run - a 4 mile race in April. I can run 3 miles easily, so getting to 4 should not be too hard! I hope to keep it up from there, perhaps running a 10K or a 15K! All I know is I'm going to work hard to have a constant fitness goal so that I stay motivated and have something to work for! 

World Food Programme Partnership with The Hunger Games!

As all of you know I'm a big fan of the book series The Hunger Games, and very excited for the movie to come out next month! What you may not know is that for the past few months I've been working on a very exciting partnership between the movie and World Food Programme and Feeding America! I had the idea while reading the books and it seemed like a natural fit - and it's so exciting to see it happening in real life! Please check out our website http://www.wfp.org/hungergames and take the hunger quiz, make a donation by "sending in your parachute" - and watch the PSA filmed by the cast of the movie!

Here's what the website looks like:

And here's the PSA:

You can also check out The Hunger Games tab on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thehungergamesmovie

We are so excited about the partnership with The Hunger Games and how excited they are to help us fight hunger around the world!

Bon Voyage, Jenni!

As many of you know, my sister Jenni is leaving for the Peace Corps VERY soon - in just two days she will be on her way to DC to meet the other volunteers, and then from there heads to the Dominican Republic for intense training! I am so super proud of her. Last weekend, for President's Day, I went home for the weekend to send her off! I got in late Thursday night, and Friday I caught up with my friend Jessica for one (or two, or three) mojitos and then had a family dinner at Sabore! That night Jenni and I went out to listen to some live music with my best friend Courtney - our friend Brian was playing at a local bar. We had a blast!

Saturday was a nice relaxing day - I spent the whole day with my family. Jenni was loading up on carbs for her big run Sunday - she ran a half marathon!!! I was impressed and inspired to start running again myself! She made great time too, under two and a half hours!

Sunday night we had a Bon Voyage party for her, very much in theme with her heading to the Dominican Republic. Catered by Emilianos and thanks to my Tateen and Papi bringing homemade seven layer dip AND homemade flan, there was tons of delicious food! I also got to see one of my best friend Janeen and her beautiful daughter Chloe who is going to be one year old in just a month, I can't believe it!

While I am going to miss Jenni I'm very proud of her heading out on this adventure - she is going to do amazing things and I could not be more excited for her to start the adventure!

Two Year Anniversary!

Happy Two Year Anniversary to us! It's hard to believe it's been two years already that we started dating (long distance, from North Carolina to Florida). We celebrated our two year anniversary at Dovetail, a restaurant in the Upper West Side that we've really been wanting to try! It did not disappoint - we enjoyed a three course meal called "Sunday Suppa" and I had the most amazing ricotta gnudi (like gnocchi) with mushrooms, butternut squash, and parmesan cheese. Needless to say, next time I return I am ordering that again!!!

Very thankful for all of our amazing experiences, adventures, and memories we've made the last two years. Looking forward to the year to come!

Starting Off 2012!

2012 started off at our favorite Mexican restaurant - Rosa Mexicano. We dressed up and hit the town, ordered our favorite food and a couple margaritas. Super fun, just how we like it!

Next up - my sister Jenni came to town! We started off taking in the Museum of Natural History with our good friends Amanda and Steven:

We also went out to celebrate Jenni's (sigh) 23rd birthday... if she is 23 that means I'm really getting old. We went to a new place - Buddakan (SATC fans will know it as the restaurant where Carrie and Big had their rehearsal dinner):

Next up in January we had a nice snowstorm! It was not like the Nor'easter blizzard of last year, but that was fine by us! We spent a Sunday in Central Park, which was virtually deserted - enjoyed the beautiful snow!

 And finally, the first weekend in February was Superbowl Sunday! It was a rematch of the 2008 Patriots-Giants Superbowl and the Patriots were looking for revenge... but my giants won! We took to the streets of the city afterwards and people were so excited - it was awesome to be a part of it. Definitely one of those bucket-list type things you can say you've done - lived in a city that won the superbowl! It doesn't hurt that I'm a huge Giants fan and I love my New York teams!

All in all, 2012 is off to an amazing start! More updates soon on my trip home to Florida, upcoming adventures, and more!

Catching Up on the End of 2011

Me & Nate at Bryant Park

If there's one New Year's resolution I hope to keep, it's keeping the blog updated! The holiday season really flew by, but here are some of the highlights:

I went to a private showing of Foster the People, and while I'd heard "Pumped Up Kicks" on the radio all summer, I didn't realize how good all their music was! They've quickly become one of my favorite groups, so much so that Nate and I are going to see them play this summer on the Central Park Summerstage!

Foster the People at The Bowery

The holiday season always brings a whirlwind of holiday parties - I had two for work, Nate had one for work, and we hosted one! I love the holiday season - here are a couple favorite pictures from our party:

Finally, we had a very special Christmas at home in Florida with our families and friends: 

 More soon on the start of 2012!!!!

I'm Back...

So, I've been bad/terrible about the blog and haven't updated it since December (yikes!!!). Sometimes it has seemed silly to post so many pictures on Facebook, then chronicle my adventures here. But this week I started rereading some of my old posts, and I realized I really miss it, and so stay tuned, I will be catching up on the end of 2011 and beginning of 2012 tomorrow!