I ❤ NY

I just love New York City. It's magical - the people, the lights, the history.  I went on a cruise around Manhattan last night with a couple of girlfriends and I had the chance to snap a couple of pictures with my phone.

I'm fortunate to live as close to the City as I do, but sometimes I sure do wish that I lived in the middle of it all!  One of my goals for the summer is to spend more time gallivanting around town ... there's so much to do!!

One of the saddest things about living in New York is that there are no Chick-fil-a restaurants to be found (with the exception of the one on campus at NYU, but you have to have a student ID to get in now!).  So, I did what every southern-born-and-raised girl would do - I searched Pinterest and I found a recipe for homemade Chick-fil-a chicken nuggets - and it is DELICIOUS!!!!  Seriously, they taste exactly the same.  Thankfully the restaurant sells barbeque sauce in 8 oz. containers.  I will definitely be stocking up the next time I'm home!!

So ... a police officer friend of mine recently joined the K-9 unit, and because he's now providing room and board for his four-legged partner, he has discovered that the doggie and his cat just aren't getting along.  In fact, on more than one occasion he has had to remove the cat from the dog's mouth.  A month or two ago I toyed with the idea of adopting a kitty, but I never really did anything about it.  Now he's offering the kitty and all that goes along with it!  He's adorable ... look!

I should, shouldn't I?!

I Love Being Right!

So... my last post revolved (mostly) around my breakup and the heartbreak that ensued, and I mentioned that I thought maybe, just maybe, I would end up being happier after it was all said and done. Well, guess what? I was right. Totally, completely, 100% RIGHT. I am, without a doubt, the happiest I've been in a really, really long time, and it feels wonderful!!

Don't go crazy, though ... I'm as single as can be, but like Carrie Bradshaw once said, "the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself, and if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous."  I've finally, after twenty-eight-and-a-half years, fallen in love with myself, and until I find that one who is in love with the me that I love, I'll be perfectly happy as a party of one :)

I've really settled in at work - I'm working in the Bureau that I've always wanted to be in, with the people I've always wanted to work for and dealing with cases that I am truly passionate about.  It makes a world of difference when you actually enjoy going to work every day.  Sure, there are days that I'd much rather haul myself down to the beach or stay in bed all day reading a book, but when I am at work, I'm perfectly content.

The weather has been incredible lately, and I'm seriously looking forward to the lovely Spring and (inevitably hot but) beautiful Summer that I believe we have in store.  Watch out, world!

Irony ...

I suppose it's a little ironic that my last post was entitled "Happy" and that I mentioned how I was spending as much time with my boyfriend as possible ...

Sadly, we're no longer together. While I'll spare you (and my heart) the details, I can say that the last couple of weeks have been anything but happy. Thankfully, though, I'm getting better every day, and I do think I'll be happy (maybe even happier) in the near future.

I'm so thankful for my wonderful friends - they've really helped keep me busy and have helped me move forward a little bit at a time. I'm really excited about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure next weekend in D.C. and can't wait to see my best friend Kristin! I've raised more than $2,300 for the cause and I'm actually looking forward to walking sixty miles over three days. The following weekend I'll be "running" a half-marathon here on the Island, but I'm not sure how much actual running I'll be able to do. 73.1 miles in approximately ten days is going to be pretty exhausting, but I'm pumped about it!

Fall is definitely in the air! I love everything about it - the smell, football, Fall decorations, Halloween, sweaters and cute boots :) I've always been a huge fan of summer, but I'm ready for the change. I cleaned out my closet today and pulled out all of my colder weather clothes. So exciting!!

Big things are happening at work, too. I found out last week that I'll be promoted again on October 11th and I couldn't be more excited. I'm finally moving into the bureau that I've been wanting for three years and I can't wait to get started.

Things are definitely looking up :)

Happy

I've been MIA for a little bit, but I'm back :)

I can honestly say that I am the happiest I have been in a really, really long time. Everything seems to be falling perfectly in to place. Here's to hoping I don't screw it up :)

You haven't missed much. I've mostly been busy with work and spending as much time with the boyfriend and my friends as possible.

Double-date night with our dear friends C & G

Easter at M's mom's house

Tea with Shannon and Shaina at Lady Mendl in the City


I've never been one to take a lot of pictures, but I've decided it's something I need to do more!

Books

Can anyone recommend a few good books? I haven't read anything (for fun) in a really long time, so I'm way behind. What are some of your favorites?

I heart ... kicking clutter!

IHeart Organizing is having a giveway! If you love organizing as much as I do, hop on over and enter to win a copy of Organizing Junkie's book, Clutter Rehab. It's filled with 101 tips and tricks on getting your life (and your home) organized!

Bucket List

From time to time, I hear people talk about, or I randomly think of, things I want to do/see/experience before I die. You'll often hear me say "add that to the list!" but in reality, I've never actually made such a list - at least not an extensive one. I've written things down here and there, but never in one place. Fear not, because I've decided to start one now! I can't possibly remember all of the little things I've wanted to add to that list, but this will certainly be a start. Some of these things are more "normal", like wanting to get married, have children and buy a house, while others are little more extravagant, but I'm at least trying to keep it realistic!

Before I die, I want to...
get married
have children
buy a house
complete an extensive family tree
go on a cruise
try a homicide case
go to the Summer Olympics
go to the top of the Statute of Liberty
run another marathon (without getting hurt!)
watch every movie that has won Best Picture at the Oscars

I want to visit...
all 50 states
the United States Supreme Court
Paris
London
Italy
Greece

I want to learn...
to snowboard
a foreign language (enough to converse)
to skydive
all of the history that I never really learned in school
to sew



It's not complete, but it's definitely a start! Do you have a bucket list? What do you want to do before you die?