Day 323 - Day 331

July 21 - August 1, 2010


Has it really been this long since I've last blogged?? Oy! I have so much to tell you! It has been a great last few days. I had some pretty amazing visitors in town. Let's start from the beginning:


Wednesday, July 21st: I worked both jobs and got ready for my mom and grandma to come into town. That's that.


Thursday, July 22nd: After work, I drove to Orlando to pick up the Toncar women from the airport. It is significantly cheaper to fly into Orlando and worth the drive to do so. So, we rented a car which was a Toyota. I did fear for my life due to the recalls Toyota has had. Overall, it was a good car. The second they got into the car, talk of heat and my driving kicked in. My thought: Good Lord, it's been two seconds and it's already started! =) Grandma loves my home! I will take you on a video tour later! It's really fantastic and I love it! 


On the way home from the airport, we stop to get gas. There was no sign out front telling us how much gas was. Do you want to know why?? Because gas cost $4.95! No joke. No wonder they didn't put a sign out front! I refused to pay that much for gas, so I drove off and went two blocks to pay only $2.59. Outrageous! 


Friday, July 23rd: Work. Same stuff, different day. Friday night was pretty low key. Saturday was going to be a big day! I introduced grandma to all of the ducks around my apartment. They love me! I feed them. 

I get home from work and the ladies decked out my second bedroom! So cute! It's hot pink and orange decor. Of course, the bathroom matches the bedroom! They are so funny! I love it! 

For dinner, we went to JB's on the Beach. It's a great restaurant in Deerfield Beach that overlooks the ocean! We had the best food! Gma: Fish and Chips. Mom: Coconut Shrimp. Me: Lobster Pizza. It was a gorgeous night to sit outside and marvel at the beautiful ocean. Thanks to Hurricane Bonnie, the wind was pretty heavy and the rain was unreal. During the day, it was like a monsoon outside! Mom and grandma got stuck under a bridge. Haha! The waves were pretty high and I explained that these were the waves Brett and I dealt with when he came to visit. Not easy. Here are the photos from dinner. Check out the sunset! Breathtaking! 

Deerfield Beach!

Sunset! I love the pink and orange colors! Beautiful!

Fish 'n Chips...whew, so good!

Coconut Shrimp! So good! 

Lobster Pizza! Looks good, huh?? Amazing! 

Dessert. What's a meal without a little sugar?? ;)

Saturday, July 24th: Key West! We wake up early to leave to beat traffic. Ha! Didn't work. Key West is beautiful, but getting there sucks! A two-lane highway, full of Florida drivers. What are Florida drivers you ask? Average age: 92. Average MPH: 23. Ashley's Patience Level: 0. 

We're driving, admiring the beautiful ocean when I decide to pass someone. Well, that didn't work. A cop spotted me going 22 miles over the speed limit. So, I pull over and here comes Mr. Rodriguez. Ugh! He says, "I clocked you going 22 miles over the speed limit. I'm assuming you were trying to pass the car in front of you." Ya' know Mr. Cop...I think you should have went to school to be a doctor because you are one smart cookie! ;) I say, "Yeah." I wanted to say, "Yes, sir. If everyone here wouldn't drive like they were on their last leg of life, I may be a little more patient. I just want to get where I'm going and not take an extra hour." 

So, he takes my license. While he's looking into me, mom's taking pictures! Yes! She is trying to take pictures of me getting my first speeding ticket! Oh my God! We are laughing so hard, the cop probably thinks we're making fun of him. There goes my grace he's going to give me! Here's a picture of mom trying to be sneaky with her photography. So funny! The next picture is of her photographing me while I'm signing my citation papers. I'm trying so hard not to laugh because I can hear the clicking of the camera from the back seat. I'm thinking, no way is she taking pictures while the po-po has his hand on his gun, waiting for my John Hancock! 

 

After that ordeal, we're back off. Driving the recommended 45 mph. You know how slow that is?? Ugh. So, we get there and immediately get sightseeing. Key West is so much fun! They have so much history and so many fun places to look at! We ate the best Key Lime Pie ever, a 1/2 pound cookie, seafood, burgers, crab cakes, slushies, etc. We basically ate our way through the little beach town! 

It's such a cool feeling knowing you are on an island, surrounded only by water! We went during Hemingway Days! We saw the winner of the look-alike contest for Ernest Hemingway. It was cute! They had a street market going on, so it was fun to shop and look at all of the little trinkets! We went to Ernest's house, the cemetery (of course!) =), the Southernmost Point of the United States. This was really cool. Being at the very tip of the last point in our country. Only 90 miles to Cuba. I don't know who says you can see Cuba from the end of the island, but they lie! All you see is crystal blue, mixed with a little turquoise, kissed by the sun! Amazing! 

It's easier to tell my Key West story through pictures. So, click HERE! These are our pictures from the weekend. Please read the captions to get a real sense of all the fun we had! 

Sunday, July 25th: Time to go home. Not without a little more Key West for us. We went to Mallory Square, saw a cruise ship, wondered who lived on Sunset Key (wishing we did), and ate a little more. When we got home, I took them to the best pizza joint in town. Boca's Best Pizza. What did we order, you ask?? None other than BBQ Chicken Pizza! Mmmm.....

Monday, July 26th: I introduced them to my three favorite places in Boca. One: Bliss Designs. It is a little boutique that personalizes different gift items! The last two times I've ordered something from this store, the owner has taken my idea and re-created it for other people to use! I'm trying to convince my mom we need to open a business like this! The last gift was for Maddie's bachelorette party. I walked in to buy another gift and what do I see? The SAME gift I bought Maddie. She loved the idea so much she made them for other people. This time, I got something for Maddie for a little gift she was given! ;) Information to come at a later date about that! My mom went to go pick it up and lady re-created this one too! It's a gift we have! We have been bitten with a creative bug! ;)

Two: Home Goods. It's like a TJ Max for home items! It is so cool in there! Mom and grandma had a hay day! Everything is so cheap! Iowa needs to get one! 

Three: Lucille's Bad-to-the-Bone BBQ. Mom's been there. Grandma was in heaven! It's so cute and the food is amazing! Then we went home and watched Leap Year! If you haven't seen it, it's a must watch movie! I loved it! 

Tuesday, July 27th: I had to work both jobs. Bummer. But it's the real world now, so you have to deal with it. Mom and grandma made a wonderfully delicious dinner. Healthy and all. Guess what I did? I ruined it by bringing home the best mac 'n cheese known to man! The restaurant I work at has the BEST food ever, let alone their lobster mac 'n cheese! They use four different cheeses and mix in fresh lobster. Oooohhhhhh. Yum. And I brought home their ever-popular Coconut Cream Pie! Mom scarfed that thing! It's amazing! 

Wednesday, July 28th: Worked both jobs again. This time, the ladies came into the restaurant to eat dinner. They loved it! The restaurant is so cozy and the service is honest to God the best you will ever get! They just ate a little bit because guess what they did? Sat in the sun longer than an hour. I don't know why people don't believe me about the sun. Apparently, even though I live here, I don't know what I'm talking about. So, family comes down here and ends up looking like they painted on white clothing because their sun-burnt lines are so bad. I don't feel bad for them. 

I would like to point out one little detail. Before this trip, my grandmother thought she knew everything about anything in Florida. She was an expert on their weather, the lifestyle, the people, the sun, etc. SHE even admitted she has never been in this kind of heat before. Of course you haven't. You can't come down between the months of September and February and think you understand Florida summers. No. It's NOT the same. Please view the video below...

Thursday, July 29th: It was a back and forth kind of day. What do we do? What do we not do? Are we hungry? Are we not hungry? Our family is the most indecisive group of human beings you will ever meet. These are always our answers, "Ya' know, I really don't care." I'm just as guilty. We're going to go to dinner and a movie. Well, then we're not hungry. How about a movie. Grandma won't like this movie. How about another movie? No, that movie's fine. Now it's not fine. Ok, well then mini-golf? Okay, let's do that. We drive there to come to the decision it's too hot to go mini-golfing. Let's go to the movies. But let's see this movie. Oh actually I want to see this movie. OMG! 

We end up seeing "Knight an Day" with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. It's really cute! Are you one of those people who buy pop and candy before you get to the theatre? WE ARE! I typically get Sour Patch Kids. I steered away from those this time and stuck with the traditional sweet and salty combo--Milk Duds. Oh, so good! 

Friday, July 30th: We are exhausted. This week has been full of so many fun things, but we are slowly starting to wind down from all of the excitement. I took them to Ft. Lauderdale to go shopping and show them the amazing houses I wish I could have someday. Please click HERE to see an example of what I'm talking about! 

Friday night, we went to Bahama Breeze for dinner. It's owned by the same corporation for the restaurant I work at. It was so good! The prices are incredibly affordable, the food is amazing and the drinks were really fun! Check out the photos below! 

Our drinks! So good mom even drank! ;) Grandma had some amazing concoction of rum, orange sherbert, orange juice, lime-somethin'. Crazy good! Mom had a strawberry daiquiri that was so delicious and I had a Bahamarita--kiwi and strawberry margarita! 

Chicken flatbread with tomato and basil! 

Grandma's Smothered Pork....mmmmm.....

My Lobster & Shrimp Pasta....oooohhhhhhh tastay!

Mom's Fried Chicken. You know how I feel about fried chicken.

Chocolate Pineapple Upside Down Cake! Yes, the title says it all!

Saturday, July 31st: Time for the ladies to go home. Sad day in paradise. It was so nice having people here to do something with everyday! So, we rent another car. This time, it was a Toyota Prius. I'm in love with this car. I agree they do look a little on the nerdy side, but they are so cool!!!! After taking ten minutes to figure out how to start it, we were on our way! It doesn't have a key...just a push start button. So cool! Everything is controlled by a touch screen in the middle of the dashboard and when you reverse, it shows you a camera behind you of what's going on. I said I wanted to drive backwards just so I can watch myself drive! The car gets 39.9 mpg! Outrageous! We had to stop at Kilwin's to get my aunt, dad and brother the best fudge you will ever eat! Then I dropped them off at the airport--yes. I cried. Of course. Moving on. On my way home, I'm talking to my friend Greg and it starts raining. I'm trying to figure out the gadgets in the car when I look up and notice everything in the car is going off. I say, "Oh my God, Greg! I don't know what's going on! My back windshield wiper is flipping out of control, my front wipers are out of control, the radio is changing levels and my lights are flickering!" Pretty funny situation. 

I had to work at the restaurant last night. Longest day ever! I got home pretty late and just crashed. Body-overload. 

Sunday, August 1st: I have to wake up early to return the car. Another sad day in paradise. I come home, look up some stuff on the Internet, then lay back down to sleep. That was at about 10:00 a.m. or so. I wake up and notice it is about ten minutes to three! Oh my gosh! My allergies have been acting up something fierce the last few days! It's miserable. For those who have allergies, you will agree with me. The rest of my day will be spent doing nothing but relaxing. I have a friend from New York coming on Thursday! I can't wait! I miss her tons! 

It's all about movies Sunday night. I can't believe how many movies I've seen the last few days. Your mouth will drop when you see how many! Maybe my movie-A.D.D. is going away! 

Bounty Hunter

Leap Year

Valentine's Day

Knight and Day

The Notebook

Failure to Launch

Step Up

That's a lot! Yes, I know. Notice the trend? I love romantic comedies! I'm a hopeless romantic! Now if I could just find a man that's normal, such as these actors from the movie. Normal men don't exist in my life! ;) 

Note to self: Realize how lucky you are. When you complain about the things you don't have, why don't you pay attention to what you do have? Sure, you don't have something you want, but you do have a family and set of friends who care about you more than anyone could ever ask for. A lot of people can't say that. You have been blessed with people in your life who would do anything for you and not think twice. Be grateful and thank God everyday you are so lucky to call these people your family. Be lucky you can call your friends your family. Growing up in a place where people take you in like their own is something that so many people don't understand. Even though Iowa has a reputation of being "hickville" and "not up to modern speed," we at least know how to treat people and appreciate and respect someone for who they are. Not how much they have. 

Being able to look at your life from the outside in and realize what a lucky woman you are is really something that opens your eyes. When you see everything you have gotten to experience in your lifetime--all of the lessons you've learned, the times you were hurt but had people there to talk to you and cry with you and understand and just listen to you; the times where you laughed so hard, your stomach hurt; the joys you experienced in weddings, babies, or just a night of summertime and wine on a porch. You have no idea how many people would love to be in your shoes. Don't take it for granted. Enjoy every single moment while you can and just remember...you can take the girl out of Iowa, but you can never take Iowa out of the girl. ;)

I'm sorry for the long blog, but I had so much fun the last few days! It's almost time for one-year blog post. I've been working on some things that I think you will enjoy. 

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT OUR KEY WEST PICTURES! HERE! 

UPDATE

Hey everyone!! I know I haven't blogged in a while. After my last post, all I've been doing is work, work, work! It's crazy! But I got promoted, so that's fantastic news! I love my job!!! Everything is starting to get settled! Brett's here, so that's another reason why I haven't spent the time to blog.

Quick update: We went to $5 Burger Night, took him to Chow on Wednesday where ladies drink free. (Yes, the bartender remembered me from the week before!;) ) Went to a Luau Anniversary for a work client. Brett ate sushi for the first time and really liked it! There were hula dancers, fire performers, $2 beer and $5 sushi rolls. Can't go wrong!

Tonight is grill-out Friday and Atlantic Ave. bars in Delray Beach. Basically the place to be for people our age! It's so much fun down there!! Saturday is 3S Day: Surfing, Skimboarding, and Snorkeling! Whew hewww!!! How fun does that sound? I can't swim, so thank God for life jackets and flippers! ;) We got an underwater camera, so I'll have pictures at a later date!

Sunday is Marlins baseball day and who knows what else! Monday, who knows!!!

I've had a glass of beer dropped directly on my foot, from four feet in the air. Huge bruise. No good. Then, we're at Target. I had a bag of wine, with a whole in it. Almost hit my foot. Bad luck with alcohol!

Anyways, just want to say I haven't forgotten about all of you! I've just been so, so, so, so busy!!!!!

Have a great weekend!

Note to self: Don't forget to let your hair down and let loose! It's good for the soul! ;)

Day 168 - Day 170

February 18 - February 20, 2010

I made it back to NYC. I am exhausted. I've been up since 3 a.m., and haven't slept hardly at all since being down in Boca Raton. I've officially decided I'm one of those people who does not make life easy. Oh no. And I don't know why. I don't intend to be this way. It just seems like everything I do ends up costing me (or pretty much my family) big--mainly financially. I'm over that! And you know the worst of it? I know it will happen again. Everyone makes mistakes--over and over. I just don't want to make anymore. I don't really consider what I've done in my life "mistakes" per say. Bad decisions? Maybe. And I know everyone says, including me, "everyone learns from their mistakes." True. But why does mine always cost me hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars? Good Lord, I wish I knew the answer! Or wish I would just win the lottery already! ;)

I actually heard a really great quote from Tiger Woods' speech today. I think he's a puke and the speech was ridiculous, but this quote caught me. He said he heard it from someone once. "It's not what you achieve in life that matters. It's what you overcome." It struck me pretty good today. Crap. If life is measured by this, I deserve a freakin' Oscar, or Emmy, or Pulitzer Prize! Yeah, okay, I'm completely over-dramatizing my life situation right now, but to me, it's a big deal. Moving on.

So, I know you're wondering why I went to Florida. Business, mainly. Then it turned into a few good times! I already made friends down there! The ocean was beautiful, of course! I love to just walk the beach and think. Or not think. Whatever. I always wonder, if only the ocean could talk. Can you even imagine what it would say? The stories it has? The secrets it holds? It's unreal.  I could sit out there all day and let my mind wander.

Boca at night is beautiful! The lights reflecting off the palm trees, the quaint restaurants and shopping. It's perfect. I could get used to it here. ;) Can I just tell you the mall has a Crate & Barrel, a Louis Vuitton, and a bebe? What more do you need in life? ;) Oh yeah, Nordstrom's, Macy's, Bloomingdales! Check out their website.

My last night in town, the girls that I'm staying with and I go out to dinner. It's Lent; therefore, I can't eat meat on Fridays. So, we decide on pizza! We go to this super local pizza place, which turns out to be amazing! And guess what? When I go back to Boca, I have a hot date! Whew hew! You bet! I even got us free dessert out of the deal! I'm instantly fitting in here. I'm not leaving! ;)

So, like I said, over the course of the week, things kept going wrong. I get to the airport this morning at 5:00 a.m. only to be confronted with this situation:
Lady: "Ma'am, can I help you?"
Me: "The computer says it can't find my itinerary."
Lady: Clicks away at her keyboard, "It says you are to be returning to New York March 20."
Me (thinking) blank stare: Huh?. No way. This can't be happening. Tears slowly start to form.
Me: "Okay."
Lady: Just stares at me. You know how friendly ticket agents are.
Me: "Well, is there another flight leaving today that I can get on?"
Lady: "The only flight is this morning and only First Class is left."
Me: "Which I'm assuming is going to cost me an arm and a leg."
Lady: "It's $849."
Me: "Excuse me? $849? No. I can't do that."
Lady: Shuffles me over to someone else.
Lady 2: "Ma'am, you booked this through Expedia. You're going to have to buy a whole new ticket because the remaining value on this ticket doesn't account for anything."
Me (thinking): Of course not. Why would it account for something? Just put me on the damn plane lady!
Me: "Wait. I have to get a whole ticket?! How much is that going to cost me?"
Lady: "$314."
Me (thinking): Holy shit! This is nuts! I get on the phone with my mom right away. (Of course!)

To finish quickly, I had to walk to another terminal and book through Jet Blue. It got me home the quickest because I had to be to work by 1 p.m. Nuts, I know. Jet Blue is awesome! It's my favorite! I think I told you this already, but I want to reiterate this point.  I got in to NYC, put my stuff in my apartment, talked to my leasing agent here in NYC, then trucked it to work. I'm just now getting home and have been awake for about 20 hours. I'm tired.

Florida Wrap-Up: Here are the answers to the questions, I'm assuming you're asking.


Why did I go down there? Three job interviews
Did you get one? Two 'most likely' job offers. One hell-to-the-no! ;)
Are you moving down there? Yup!
When? Depends. But in the near future.
Are you ready to leave NYC? I'm ready for a full-time job! You have to do, what you have to do! Plus, it's Florida! I've always seen myself here! It's fate! ;)

Note to self: When you start to doubt yourself and make unrationalized decisions, sleep it off. You can't make good decisions when you're tired, upset, and not in a good place. You need sleep. Turn off your phone. Turn off the television. Get the good nights rest you've been lacking the last week. Being up for now 21 hours is not good for your mind. Start over tomorrow when you are refreshed and can think clearly.

Good night!

Day 166 - Day 167

February 16 - February 17, 2010

So, I slept for one hour before my flight. I get in a cab and the cab driver is chatty Cathy for the whole 30 minutes to airport. Not only is he a cab driver...he's a doctor, a chef, and a preacher to all things Indian! I now know how to cure cancer, diabetes, and control my cholesterol. All you need is garlic, something else, and something else. I know how to make curry chicken. I know that he was on his way home to go to the gay club by his house, then he dropped two girls off by my apartment and he said, "Then I wouldn't have found you!" Yay. I'm so glad you did. It's 3:30 in the morning, sir. I'm glad you offered to buy me a hot tea, but I just want to get to JFK.

The flights are good. I made friends with the stewards on board. Of course! ;) They even offered me a seat closer to the door on my second flight! I arrive in Florida! Yay! I can already hear the ocean calling my name! I walk outside and the automatic doors open and I hear, "Hey, you're pretty." It was the voice-over on the doors! Hahahaha! Too funny! I wonder if it's something that goes off every five minutes, or if there is someone watching on a camera and randomly plays this when women walk through. I liked it! 

I go to get the rental car and the teller is from Brooklyn! I'm thinking, perfect! I'll just schmooze him over and maybe he'll give me a better car! So, of course, I schmooze away! We're talking about New York, Florida, how I should move here, blah, blah. He says, "I actually have a great convertible for you." Yes! I reply, "Really? Fantastic!" He says, "Yeah, it's normally an extra $50 a day, but I'll give it to you for $25 extra a day." What?? No! He tries to sell me all kinds of stuff. Sir, I live in New York and I'm the cheapest person alive. You can't convince me of anything. I say, "Don't you have anything for the price I already paid for?" Please don't waste anymore of my time. I have things to do, places to go, people to see. I wasted my time schmoozing you, so now, I have to go! ;) 

Can I just tell you, when I got in the car and started driving, I felt so different. This place does something to your attitude! You can never be in a bad mood here! The sun is always shining. The palm trees are beautiful. The people are so different than New York--in a good way. It's a great change of pace! 

I'm staying with a family friend, who is fantastic. Since being here, I've met some really great people! For my first meal, I ate at Cote de France Cafe in Boca. Boca is amazing! There is a shopping area called Mizner Park. Fabulous! It's really funny because I'm wearing jeans, boots, a black top and a colorful scarf. Everyone else is dressed in Tommy Bahama--bright colors, linen, cotton, etc. Needless to say, I stood out a bit. It's so much more casual down here and I forgot that when packing. I love it though! 

I had to go to Target. Do you know how excited I was when I saw a large bottle of Dawn dish detergent for $1.99?? And scrapbooking materials for 99 cents?? I haven't seen the words 99 cents in about six months. NOR have I stepped foot in a Target in about the same amount of time. I love that place! I wanted to spend all day there! They had so many cute things!

Can I just tell you, the red lights here are ridiculous. You sit for at least four minutes at a red light. It's so frustrating. The driving isn't as slow going as I anticipated. People are actually a bit crazy around here! It's great! ;) I'm a crazy driver too, so I fit in!

I ate lunch at the Whale's Rib. We ate here in September when the ladies in my life vacationed here! The place is so good! Their specialty is a fried dolphin sandwich! And their whale chips, with whale juice. I know what you're thinking. Whale juice? Yeah, sounds gross, but is oh-so-tasty!

Tonight I go out with some people I met today to a place called, Table 42. It's $5 burger night! Whew hew! Five bucks for a burger? And they are huge! Not to mention delicious! The ambience is very modern and clean, with a trendy, urban twist. It's a great place for all ages! My martini was great, the burger was amazing. And can I please tell you about the sweet potato fries? Oh my goodness! You think the ones at the Iowa State Fair are good? Please. These are insane! I could have eaten those all night long! The chocolate cake we ordered was delectable, and the cappuccino was great! Yeah, I ate a lot. But it was worth it! I had a great time!

Note to self: Even if you're tired, try not to be a brat. Although you're frustrated about some things, don't take it out on the people you love. Suck it up, grow up, and get over yourself. After you throw a bit of a tantrum, you quickly realize what a complete brat you have been. And although slightly embarrassed about your  poor attitude, don't be ungrateful!