Day 1 of Holiday Vacation

Day one of holiday vacation started off with a bang! I received a phone call from the body shop that my car was ready!!!!!! YAY no more rental car. It was then off to a cup or two of coffee and then to take Bailey outside to play.

Bailey is in love with the snow. We got about 8-10 inches on Saturday night and it has stayed around 28-33 degrees so it is not really melting. She loves to jump in it, run and play like a little kid.

We went out back for a frisbee toss. It goes something like these pictures!

Come on mom I am ready for you to throw the frisbee



I dropped it already will you hurry up and throw it



Retreived it now and bringing it back for another toss



This is great mom!



HURRY UP AND THROW IT! For crying out loud I am WAITING.



Thanks!




Here I come all covered in snow!



Ahhh how I love the frisbee toss game.

Time to cool off in the snow for a little bit. Do you think anyone can see me?

Oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree

A few months ago my best friend and I were at one of the last Yankees game of the regular season and decided that we would ask her cousin who works at 30 Rock (Rockefellar Center) and have him get us in for a special day in NYC on December 2nd. The plans were in the works and the day was fastly approaching!

We met up at my house on the 2nd of December and drove into NYC around 4pm. Headed to Fresco by Scotto for an early dinner and then off to 30 Rock to meet her cousin. We got our VIP badges and headed through the building and to what do our merry eyes see:



the unlit Christmas tree!




We decided to head over to one of the stages to watch the performers. There were two stages, one to the back right of the tree and one on the ice rink. We went for the back right one since it was raining and you were out in the open on the rink. We were fortunate enough to get to see the following performers right infront of us. You could literally reach out and touch them if you wanted to. The local broadcat came on at 7pm EST and we got to see each performer once sing a song off one of their albums and then at 8pm was the National broadcast in which each singer sand a Christmas song.

This is Jo Dee Messina (Country Singer). She was funny before going live dancing with people on stage and just having a good time being there.


Here she is again talking with one of the hosts of the Lighting of the Chirstmas Tree this year which is also "Chuck" Zachary Levi.




Next up was Rob Thomas. He was very good!

The no show would be complete without a performance from The Rockettes!

Rob again for his 2nd song.

Barry Manilow (guy has had too much plastic surgery and also looks like he could fall over any day now)

Jo Dee again for her 2nd song.

And the official lighting of the Christmas Tree!

After the lighting we got to see Aretha Franklin in the lobby dressed in her fur coat, red sequin dress and blue converse sneakers. CLASSY! We headed to the downstairs through Jef Zucker's private party then out to a bar for a few drinks before heading home. It was a fantastic time and a wonderful way to start the Holiday Season!

Fun Filled Friday

My commute is 21 miles one way door to door to work and typically takes about 40 minutes. On Friday night that commute took me 2.5 hours. Yes 2.5 hours. The main reason...I got rear-ended by an Audi. I am fine which is all that matters since my car can get fixed.

I was sitting dead stopped in the right lane (exit lane) waiting for the traffic to move...typically dead stopped since it is getting onto Route 80. The traffic in this lane is always stop and go so you have to be careful. I was about 2 feet behind the car in front of me when I feel my car getting pushed forward and a load crash. That was the Audi hitting the back of my Mercury Mariner. Thankfully I have a truck since the real damage to my car is the tailgate and bumper (well all that I can see). I put my car in park and turn it off and go out to see the damage. The girl who gets out is all in panic since it is her brother's car...3 days old mind you. Fluid out of her car is leaking everywhere...and she left it running (STUPID). A state trooper pulls up almost one minute after (on his way to another accident further south) and gets us out of the right lane and into the shoulder. We get out the cars again and we are standing in between the two cars and her car starts rolling forward...she forgot to put it in park. (Are you getting the idea of whom I am dealing with now?) The cop tells us that he needs to go to the other accident since it happened first and that he will be back. I didn't realize that you had to take a deli ticket number for accidents. I will remember that next time, but hopefully there won't be one. About 25-30 minutes goes by and a different cop shows up. He takes all of our information and gets me on my way while the Audi gets put on a flatbed.

My truck now rattles (exhaust pipe is loose) and looks a little sick from the back but will get fixed soon I am sure.

Upside Down

Back in June, the Company I work for announced that we would be closing our office in Northern NJ and moving down to South Jersey, we own the building and our other sister companies are there. It all made sense from a business standpoint and eventhough everyone (besides three people) were offered the opportunity to still have their jobs in the South Jersey office and still work in the Northern NJ office until March 2010 there was a lot of hostility towards those whom were going to the new office. Why? I have no idea but there was. It was bad to the point of swear words being used in the Corporate world which is UNCALLED for.

Jump ahead to last Thursday. There was a meeting called at the office that we are closing and the President announced that we would be STAYING in that office. There were applauses from majority of the room but some sad faces from others. There were people whom were planning on taking the severance and enjoying time at home with kids, enjoying maybe a few months off from work, using the money to pay off debt and I am sure a slew of other things. All of those things were now off of the table since they all still have jobs, which is great news for them, but when you have something planned and are looking forward to it this news might not be great.

Today as I sit back in the old office, I had already moved to the South Jersey office, I am awaiting boxes to come of my stuff and sitting here thinking I wish some people would leave. There are some two-faced people whom I can't stand now since the original announcement to move. Their work ethic dropped by like 300% and their attitude is piss poor. There isn't much that can change that now and they have jaded quite a few people. Sometimes the world just isn't fair to everyone and flips you upside down sometimes, but people have to realize that this is life and you have to roll with the punches that are thrown at you.

I hope attitutudes and personalities come back, little secret chats are put to a halt and that people actually APPRECIATE that the Company has now given them back their jobs in their same office.

The Road to Hana

The road to hana, also known as the Hana Highway, is a 68 mile long stretch of winding, curving roads that have about 600 curves and 50 bridges (most of which are one-lane). Scott and I ventured off to tackle this 68 mile road on our first full day in Maui.

The top came down off of our Jeep Wrangler, the sun was shining and snacks were packed for the day long journey.

The start of the Hana Highway!


The promosing look of another gorgeous day!

Stop number one, a smal roadside stand for a fresh made fruit smoothie!!!! YUMMY! Scott is trying to make his selection of what flavors to add together.

A view from the Huelo Lookout...isn't that beautiful.

A view of the road ahead. This was the standard for the whole road (basically 50 miles) until you reach Hana.

Some views along the way

The beautiful waterfalls along the way that you can stop and take a dip in.

Since we set-off at 8am and were not a bit famished for some food we stopped at another roadside stand and split this AMAZING pulled pork taco. Not just any taco but a Hawaiian style taca which was yummy!

The proof we made it to Hana! Although there isn't much to see in Hana there is past Hana if you are daring enough to go the extra distance.

On the next few miles here are some shots along the way. Scott took a dip in this waterfall and it was CHILLY.

About 8 miles past Hana is the 7 pools. It is numerous waterfalls that make 7 pools and eventually lead to the ocean. This is the lower half of the 7 pools.

A view from a bridge looking to the top of the 7 pools and the bottom (2nd picture)

We left the 7 pools and headed a bit further down the road to find the hidden grave of Charles A. Lindbergh. He is buried at a small church off of the beaten path. Here is the sign that is the landmark of where to turn for his grave.

The Palapala Ho'Omau Congregational Church:

This is the view from his grave.

A beautiful Banyan tree at the church.

Random pictures along the rest of the way up/down from Hana:

I know my family will enjoy this next picture. There are Cheeseheads on the Road to Hana!!!! GO PACK GO!

A beautiful black sand beach that you can drive down to and go swimming at.

We left at 8am and got back to the hotel at 5pm. It is a long day of driving but you do stop alot to see the waterfalls, go hiking, stop at roadside stands and swimming. Well worth the trip and if you do plan on going I recommend a convertible since you get to see so many nice views out the top!