New year, new obsession.

I didn't think it was possible, but I really got sick of the Reduced Fat Cheez-Its. I never thought the day would come, but it did. Now my snack of choice is Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt White Cheddar Kettle Chips. Good tasting, but bad for my waistline.

Since I've been back in Boston, I've had two really good workouts. I hope to be on my way back to a svelte almost-30-year old.

Seriously, after today, I'm SERIOUS about my diet. That means the half-eaten bag of TJ's White Cheddar Chips will be my last. Fo-shizzle.

Let's fast forward to the summer please.

We have a few weddings this summer to attend. This adorable frock by Jill Stuart is a winner.

Cute and feminine dress found here.

Scoreboard: 2009:2, Me:0

I have 9 working fingers. That means that it will take me an extra 15 minutes to type this post. I sliced my left index finger while attempting to slice a fresh French baguette last Friday. Is that God saying, "Girrrrrrl, you don't need any bread, especially white bread!" If that's the case, God, you didn't need to de-finger me. Sheesh.

Revised list of resolutions:

1. Never take my friends or family for granted. That means emailing or sending cards more often even though my schedule may not permit it.

2. Workout at least 4 times a week.

3. No cookies or sweets during the week. Bye, bye McElroy cookies. We'll meet again soon. I hope.

4. Don't gossip.

5. Dress to impress everyday. It'll offset the muffin tops.

6. Live a more balanced life.

2009: 1, Me: 0

2009 is not off to a great start. As Charlie on Party of Five would say, "I'm sick, Julia". That was his canned response anytime she asked him to do anything besides thinking of himself.

Photo found here.

I'm feeling a bit under the weather. Maybe its sympathy pain for Ben since he's not been his cheerful self for a few days now. I have a cold and I'm all achy. Maybe my body is prepping me for another stressful semester. Oy vey.

Ever since I saw this video about a month ago, I've been obsessed. You'll see why. Fast forward to about 2:20 and watch from there. Oh, I think I feel better after watching this...

Hello 2009!

I've never been one to make new year's resolutions, but I'm feeling like I should this year in light of everything that is going on in today's world. The world is a shakier place which requires all of us to be stronger individuals in order to survive the chaos. Here are my hopes for the year.

1. Never take my friends and family for granted.

2. Work out at least 5 times a week and do not underestimate the positive effects exercise has on my mental happiness. Do a long run at least once a week (6 miles or more).

3. Read one Yankees article per day once Spring Training starts. I was a bad fan last year and I'm determined to be more dedicated this time around.

4. More importantly, I vow to read (and not just look at the pictures and read the captions) at least two business articles per day whether its in the WSJ or Business Week.

5. Take one interesting photo per month so I can make a calendar for 2010 with my photographs.

6. I'm not going to have Sunday Blues or a "Case of the Mondays". As I was looking on one of my favorite sites See Jane Work, I found the infamous Red Swingline Stapler. Oh Milton, how I love you.

6. Live a more balanced life.

Photo of the scale found here.

Hope you have a blessed and glorious 2009!

Don't Hate the Chains

Most people would dream of going to cute Italian restaurants once they've been away from NYC for a few months, right? Not this girl.

Monday night, we went out for what was to be a very cool NYC outing...about 4 hours earlier than one would expect. We started dinner at around 5:30 in Little Italy. True-blooded cool people start dinner around 9:30. Whatever, we're old. Get over it.

It was a warm 60 degree night in December in New York City. We got off the subway at Canal Street, walked in the wrong direction for about 2 minutes (thanks to me) and finally found our way to what looked like a cute and charming Italian restaurant in the Little Italy section of the city.

It looked so quaint with its stucco walls tastefully decorated with nice wreaths and lights. We took a table outside and embarked on the night I'll call "Colon Blow". One delicious Sangiovese glass of red wine, 1/2 order of soggy calamari, and one order of pesto pasta with portobello mushrooms and sundried tomatoes later, I had one really disappointing meal. To add insult to injury, the total bill was $100 for the two of us. Bleechhh...

I won't even go into detail about what the meal did to my colon and my digestive tract for the next 24 hours. Basically, my colon hated me and wreaked havoc on Monkee's belly.

Fast forward to today. I met up with one of my beloved friends Kip at another Italian restaurant in Chelsea. What little find would that be, you ask? It would be the Olive Garden. Yes, that's right, the Olive Garden.
I love this place.

My meal cost $17 (with a generous tip and tax) which included: 3 (okay, 5, I lied) crusty yet soft garlic breadsticks, unlimited salad, one lunch-sized serving of whole wheat linguine with marinara sauce, and free refills on my favorite beverage - Diet Coke.

Based on these past two recent experiences, it will be a looong time until you'll find me an authentic New York City Italian restaurant. At the Olive Garden, it's WYSIWYG.

Put a Fork In Me...

Photo Credits

...I'm done!

I'm 1/4 of the way done with business school.  I can't believe it.  It's scary and exciting all at the same time.  I'm off for a month, and I look forward to agenda-less days with my hubby and puppy.