Two Weeks

I don't think I've mentioned it yet, but in two weeks I'm off on vacation! One goal this year was to travel internationally, and after researching most of the islands in the Caribbean, most notably Jamaica, the Dominican Republic won out.

Yes: in two weeks, myself and a friend will be heading to a mystery resort in Punta Cana, to eat, drink, and be merry for five glorious nights! I'm beyond excited. The deal that I went with is the Six Golden Apple deal from Apple Vacations; essentially, for a lower price, you book a vacation with all details except the hotel, and Apple Vacations chooses one for you the day before you leave based on availability. Each hotel is at least a six-star quality resort--guaranteed--and after looking at all the possible options, I'm ok with not knowing, as they all look AMAZING. And, each resort is all-inclusive, so I can really relax knowing it's all been paid for.

And finally, to top it off, I received my travel documents last week and saw that we're flying FIRST CLASS for every leg. I was elated, then suspicious, wondering if I could have paid less, and wondering why my travel agent didn't ask me if I wanted first class. After emailing her, she said that the first class seats ended up being cheaper overall than coach. Go figure! I'm back to elated, and think it will be the perfect way to start the vacation.

But it's still two long weeks of work away. So, in the meantime, I will have to suffice with this picture to get me in the mood:

 

Arrested Development

Have you watched the new season? I'm about half-way through, and I'm not impressed. I'll still finish the entire season, and there have been a few good moments, but nothing like the original. But, it's nice to see the effort.

While promoting the series, (my future husband) Jason Bateman and (my future husband) Will Arnett were in New York City giving away frozen bananas at the Bluth Frozen Banana Stand, and at one point pretended to be lovers sightseeing in the city. It's pretty much the best thing ever. 

Resolution Update #5

Resolution #1: Be good to my body
Result: 150% overall!

A. Go to the gym once a week: 6/4 (150%!!)
B. Stretch once a week: 0/4 (0%)
C. Drink a glass of green tea once a week: 12/4 (300%!)

Resolution #2: Be more mindful
Result: 87.5%

A. Write in my journal once a week: 5/4 (125%!)
B. Meditate twice a month: 1/2 (50%)

Resolution #3: See one movie a month in theater
Result: Fail

Resolution #4: Buy one piece of clothing a month
Result: Fail

Gasp! No clothes this month!

Resolution #5: Read three books a month
Result: Fail

This month I read Stardust by Neil Gaiman, and Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, and am halfway through another.

Resolution #6: Keep track of my finances
Result: Pretty good

May Resolution: Go to the Green City Market
Result: Fail

I definitely did not do such a great job in May...hopefully June will be better.

Met Costume Gala 2013

Below are my favorite looks from the event, dressing for the theme "Punk: Chaos to Couture."

Carey Mulligan

Dakota Fanning

Emma Watson

Gwyneth Paltrow

Jennifer Lopez

Jessica Alba

Katie Holmes

Sienna Miller

Taylor Swift

 

And one worst-dressed:

 

Beyonce

 

She was some sort of guest judge at the event, but her outfit might just be the most hideous thing I've ever seen.

Escape Chicago: California in April

In April, I took a long weekend to get the hell out of Chicago and visit California; before this trip, I had not been to California for nine full months, which was way too long: winter in Chicago is much longer when one cannot escape. Lesson learned, and hopefully never to be repeated.

And I was rewarded: the sky looked like this when I arrived:

 

And my dad's garden was chock-full of flowers, including the never-ending terrace of amaryllis:

 

It was lovely to be outside and relax in the sun. Another perk to visiting in April is the fresh squeezed orange juice; I gorged myself on muliple glasses each day, and I maintain that fresh squeezed orange juice is positively the closest thing to ambrosia in this world.

 

My goal for this trip to California was to visit the Riverside house, formerly my grandparents' house, where my dad grew up, and purchased after they died. For the past six years renters have been living there, and they finally moved, which gave me the perfect opportunity to see the inside again. My brother will be living there moving forward, so it'll be nice to visit when I'm again in California.

 

The wallpaper in the kitchen looks like this, and has for at least 40 years:

 

The wallpaper in the girls' bathroom looks like this, and has for around 60 years:

 

It was nice to be back in that house and see the details that I remember from my childhood, though the house seems significantly changed since my grandparents lived there. I'm glad the wallpaper is still the same, dated though it may be.

 

During my trip we went to the Renaissance Faire, which is nestled against this resevoir.

 

The Faire was fun, and was excellent people-watching. I enjoyed myself, and spent most of my time at the naughty music stage, which was very entertaining.

 

It was bittersweet to leave and head back to Chicago, but what are vacations for but to make you long to come back?

Resolution Update #4

I'm horribly late with this post (for April), but here it is.

Resolution #1: Be good to my body
Result: 167% (amazing)

A. Go to the gym once a week: 7/4 (175%!!)
B. Stretch once a week: 1/4 (25%)
C. Drink a glass of green tea once a week: 12/4 (300%!)

Resolution #2: Be more mindful
Result: 62.5% (horrible)

A. Write in my journal once a week: 5/4 (125%!)
B. Meditate twice a month: 0/2 (0%)

Resolution #3: See one movie a month in theater
Result: Fail

Resolution #4: Buy one piece of clothing per month
Result: Success!

In April I bought a skirt, two dresses (both extremely cute!), and two tank tops.

Resolution #5: Read three books a month
Result: Success!

In April I read Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman; What I know Now: Letters to My Younger Self by Ellyn Spragins, which I was hoping would be moving and inspiring, but which was only kind-of interesting. However, it inspired me to write a letter to my younger self (aged about 21), which I may share one day; and The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes, also by Neil Gaiman, which checks off my goal of a graphic novel.

Resolution #6: Keep track of my finances via Excel
Result: Success

I tracked my spending in April, which was, miraculously, the cheapest month of the year thus far. I may have forgotten a piece of clothing, though.

Monthly Goal: Take a city tour
Result: Fail

I almost completed this goal, but then decided I didn't want to go on a tour alone, and no one wanted to go with me. I still plan to take a tour sometime later this year.

Resolution Update #3

Resolution: Be good to my body
Result: 150%!!!

A. Go to the gym once a week: 6/4 (150%!)
B. Stretch once a week: 1/4 (25%)
C. Drink a glass of green tea once a week: 11/4 (275%!!)

So two things are responsible for my huge success with this resolution last month: first, a colleague said "Go to the gym--it'll be the best thing you do for yourself all day." A simple way of looking at working out, and one I could totally get behind. I've started going to the gym on Fridays instead of going home and slumping, as it's a nice way to unwind from the week, and I feel way less guilty about lying around for the rest of the weekend.

Second, I've started putting green tea in my morning smoothie instead of water or milk. Easy peasy, and suddenly my green tea intake has tripled.

Resolution: Be more mindful
Result: 110%!

A. Write in my journal once a week: 5/4 (120%!)
B. Meditate twice a month: 2/2 (100%)

Resolution: See a movie once a month in theater
Result: Success!

I was excited to see Oz the Great and Powerful last month; I've been waiting for it since I first saw the trailer last fall. I like how the producers took elements from both the original Oz movie and the books. It was beautifully done, and wasn't too silly: oftentimes, with remakes or old material, modern filmmakers use silly, anachronistic characters or humor to appeal to today's audiences, in a way that I find find unbearable or totally wrong for the material. So, I'm glad to report that most of that was kept out of this movie.

Resolution: Buy once piece of clothing a month
Result: Success!

This resolution might be my downfall. I bought (and kept) a pair of tights, a pair of Spanx, two skinny jeans, a t-shirt, and a scarf from Old Navy, cute little studs from Urban Outfitters, and a work shirt from Land's End. I bought WAY more that I returned because I wasn't crazy about it. (And NOT because it didn't fit; the one huge perk that is resultive from going to the gym on Fridays is that I'm actually losing weight!).

Resolution: Read three books a month
Result: Success!

In March I read The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall, The Importance of Being Seven by Alexander McCall Smith, The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars, and most of The Pen/O.Henry Prize Stories: The Best Stories of the Year, 2010. I actually enjoyed all of them this month, though I grew a bit tired of the short stories anthology, and am not sure I'll finish it.

Resolution: Keep track of my finances via Excel
Result: Success

Purchases tracked, spent too much, but less than in February. I need to get back to my January spending...

Monthly Goal: Go to the St. Patrick's Day Parade
Result: Fail

No one really wanted to go with me, and I decided to spend that day at home doing chores so that I could actually enjoy the real St. Patrick's Day. I was downtown the next day, and the river was still green; does that count?