Day 113 - Day 119

December 26, 2009 to December 31, 2009

My remaining days during my Iowa vacation were fantastic! I can not tell you how nice it was to sleep in and not think about anything, except what I was going to do that night. I didn't stress about work, money, nothing! My following blogs are going to put my vacation in a nutshell. Kind of. You know how I love to talk!

I want to start off talking about things I've missed. Number one: cable! I can't believe how behind I am on Keeping Up With The Kardashians! I love that show! I feel like I don't even know a thing about them anymore! Since when did Bruce and Kris get a new house? And Scott? Please. He needs to go! I would have smacked his stupid ass too! She should have Tiger Woods' him! He's too "pretty" for my liking! Who lays out, at your baby mama's, mother's house, when you know they don't like you; all the while, your baby's mama is at work?! Get a job!!!! Okay, and the Jersey Shore?! OMG! The funniest thing I've ever seen! The fist pump is now my favorite dance move! Hahahaha! Those people are something else! The sad/funny thing is...my first date in NYC was with a dude like this! LOL! Go figure, right? Total "Guido" or whatever they call themselves. Beautiful man, dummy for a personality! Remember me telling you about the Greek goddess? It was him! ;)

I miss Nick at Nite! Shows like, The Nanny, Roseanne, Fresh Prince. These are the shows I used to fall asleep too as a teenager/young adult! ;) I also missed radio. Although 107.5 still plays the same ten songs they did four months when I left, it was nice. Okay, so they now play the new Britney and Lady GaGa songs, but they did a segment on the number one song in 2000. C'mon Des Moines! Really?! It's 2010. No time for reminiscing. If people in Iowa only knew about the songs they were missing out on--the songs I hear play at clubs here in the city, you guys would be so mad! KISS needs a serious upgrade and maybe a possible rearranging of who's in charge!

The day after Christmas was spent shopping. I went to Von Maur, my all-time favorite department store ever! They typically have the best sales! However, I was highly disappointed with the selection. The shoe barn didn't disappoint. It never does. Needless to say, I walked out with, I think, five new pairs of shoes. But the clothes weren't that exciting! It's time for spring wardrobe. I need to see some color! I did buy my first Burberry handbag at Von Maur! One of the best days of my life! ;) It was on sale, of course! Do I ever buy anything full price? Heck no! I'm way too cheap for that! It was a ridiculously good deal, plus it's what I need to carry to and from work!

After much sleep, Wii Mario Brothers, and a couple watchings of "The Hangover," Monday finally arrived! Okay, Wii Mario is awesome! If you have a Wii and don't own it...buy it! It's like the old school version, but better! My family was sitting in our family room, yelling at the t.v., yelling at each other, and yelling at ourselves. It was great! You forget how intense you get when playing. My palms were slightly sweaty! And "The Hangover." I don't even have to say anything. It's one of the funniest movies I've ever seen! This brings me to my next point.

So, while home, my brother invites me to Vegas with him and his buddies in May. One condition: I have to bring a friend. Okay. Can do! Have you ever heard the Carrie Underwood song, "Last Name?" Well, when it came out, my mom always told me this is something I would do. Okay, mom. You're probably right. I would do something like this, just because I can get a little crazy sometimes! You're in Vegas, you have to get married! Why wouldn't you?!?! What a great memory! This was my thought: since I'm going with my brother and his friends, I'll marry one of them, then get it annulled the next day! Brilliant! Because if they don't annul the marriage, he'll kill them! It's like it never happened! Hehe! I would prefer to just not sign the marriage papers, but I'm pretty sure they'd make you. So, I already have my husband-to-be and we decided on a "Cops and Robbers" themed wedding. He said he'll marry me under one condition: he gets to be the robber. And my brother said we have to get the ultimate wedding package like in "The Hangover" because he wants a keepsake hat and coffee mug! LOL! Now that I've created this huge story, let's see if I can even afford to go! But if I can...I can already hear wedding bells! ;)

So, throughout the week, I had several dates. My first date was a breakfast date with my long time friend, Greg. We always meet at Hy-Vee in sweatpants, looking like we both got hit by a truck the night before, and eat pancakes, eggs, and bacon. It's tradition! Later that evening, I have a dinner and drink night with Tim; probably one of the nicest guys I've ever met. He will make some lady very happy one of these days! We went to Brick House; a new restaurant in town, then to Court Avenue Brewery for a drink. I'm always guaranteed a good laugh with both of these guys!

My Tuesday is jam-packed with things to do. I met my friend Emily at McDonald's. I was so happy I only had to pay $2.50 for a coffee AND a cinnamon roll! That's practically free for me! Fantastic! And it never tasted so good! In New York, I pay like $5 for the same thing and it tastes like they just picked it up off the floor! ;) Then, I met my friend Renee and went to Granite City for lunch! I love that place! It's so dang good! Then, I met Maddie at the funeral home for dinner and a movie! We go see "The Blind Side" with Sandra Bullock. Amazing movie! I'm not a big movie-goer, but lately, I feel like that's all I've wanted to do is watch movies! If you haven't seen it, you must go! We ate at Ranallo's in Ankeny. Delicious! Again, if you haven't been, go! The service was fun, the atmosphere is nice, and the food is great! Not that pricey either, considering everything you get with it.

I had a wonderful day with my grandma...we got pedicures! It was fantastic! My feet were disgusting and the spa treatment pedicure hit the spot! We go to Pella Nails in Pleasant Hill and the staff there is wonderful! I highly recommend it! Not that expensive either...it's about the same as NYC! After that, we got lunch for mom and Brett at Norwoodville Bar. It's a dive place, but I tell ya' what. They have the best food! Another great food joint, Hilltop! I went there with my friend Kristi on Wednesday! I love their pizza! It's a tradition Kristi and I have. A large onion ring and medium extra cheese pizza! Yum-O! After pizza, we meet a few people at The Lift. What's that you ask? It's only the best martini bar in the country! Two-for-one on Wednesdays! In all honesty, I have yet to find a place in the city with as good of martinis as this hole-in-the-wall place. If anyone can tell me a competitive place, I'm all ears! My favorite is the S&M. But I've come to find that the French Caribbean is quite tasty as well! My friends Holly and Crystal from high school meet us out; my friend, Jennifer; and Tim!

Continue on reading about the rest of my trip!

Day 40

October 16, 2009

Forty days?! Holy cow, I can't believe it! It's a good fortieth day here in New York City! The morning air is brisk and the clouds are hovering over the sun. But it's a great walk to work--it wakes me up and gets me energized for my long day. I meet two other people from Iowa while working for David Yurman. One is from Cedar Rapids, the other from Victor. Small world, huh?

Even smaller, a Yurman shopper that knows the one and only, best department store in the world! She says to her husband, "I saw this necklace at Von Maur."
Me: "I'm sorry. Where did you say you found this?"
Lady: "Von Maur. It's a store in the Midwest."
Me: "That's what I thought you said! I know Von Maur! I'm from Iowa! Is it not the best place ever?! There is no place here like it! It's my all-time favorite!"
Lady: "Oh I know! I love it! 'I love this girl!' (she says to her husband). I know she'll find me something good. I know where she shops and she knows where I shop!"
And the rumors are true, everyone...they do sell Louis Vuitton! So jealous! Although I'm not a huge LV fan, the more I'm around them, the more I am craving one! Not the traditional monogram one--everyone has those! I love to be different! If you're going to spend $2,000+ on a handbag, why do you want the same one as thousands of other people in the world? Check the ones out I would love to have! Petit Noe, Le Majestueux,and Le Radieux. Classic, but detailed.

Besides Mrs. Von Maur, there is another lady who is so much fun! She tells me, "My boyfriend thinks I'm shopping for yogurt." I reply, "Well, this sure is some expensive yogurt!" I work with her for an hour and a half! She is willing to try on everything, so I go wild with it! She tells me my parents should be proud because I'm a great salesperson. Funny thing is, I hate sales! I am one of those people who brush off salespeople in the stores because I do not like to be bothered, nor do I like to be annoyed with stupid questions and unnecessary things. (Such as someone trying to sell another VISA cards. ;) Ha!) I have become what I don't like. Funny how life works out, huh? =)

When she goes to check out, guess how much her bill is? Just think of a number...any number. She has $33,400 worth of jewelry! I think to myself, Holy God! I can't believe I got this lady to buy this much jewelry! But...she was NOT about ready to pay for all that. She cut herself down to only $3,000 worth of jewelry. I did help her with the cut backs. I mean after-all, she did offer me a job! That's right! I talked enough to where we got on the subject of school and work--when I tell her what I'm doing out here, she offers a job and says, I know I'll pay you a hell of a lot more than what you're probably making here. Okay! Sign me up!

So, I pretend to be Dr. Phil tonight when I'm talking to a bestie back home in Iowa. She is having boy problems, so I give her, what I find to be, an excellent analogy. I tell her, men are on a one-way road and if you're not in a straight-shot sight, forget about it. Men don't have peripheral vision, so if you're not about ready to be ran over in his car on this straight-shot road, don't expect him to remember, or take you into consideration on certain issues. It might sound dumb, but I like it! ;) And it's true!

Note to self: Learn patience from those around you. Take lessons from the daughter buying jewelry for her mother. As you listen to her talk to her mom on the phone, take note that although the mom is clinically insane and can't make up her mind, the daughter's voice never once raises, nor does she get an irritated attitude like someone you know. When she says, "Mom, don't get heart palpitations over this; it's only a necklace," just laugh along with her. Realize that even though the daughter wants to reach through the phone and strangle her mom that you're now getting annoyed with, she remains calm and the issue is resolved--it only takes 45 minutes! I don't know about you, but yes, patience is a virtue; however, after 45 minutes, patience starts to become more of a vice. I apologize to the folks ahead of time...I'm learning patience, but things take time! ;)