HAPPY HANUKAH!

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Its officially the celebration of 8 nights of lights!
On the first night of Hanukkah we went to Dan's parents to celebrate. Why do Jewish holidays alwaysss land on weekdays?? And why do we always have to go to work the next day?? I think we should all be off for ALL Religious Holidays!
Anyway! Back to the celebrating, Dan's mom always makes the best latkas, and Matza Ball soup, soo good! And then we played Draydels (not sure if it has a technical term?) anyway I lost, Dan won. It came down to Dan and his newly Brother-in-law, I think they were both out for blood, the game lasteddd for everrr.

Over all it was fun, I was sad his brother's girlfriend didn't make it =( always more fun when she is there, and we gossip =)

His mom also got us an electric menorah, and Apples to Apples (the Jewish edition) I think we will be breaking that out on Christmas ;)

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I got Dan some of his favorite Lindt chocolates, the Dark and Peanut Butter. He got me The Office Monopoly!

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Vacation Time!

 Dan and I went on vacation a few weeks!  This is the one part I love about being an adult, You can go on vacation whenever you want.  It feels kinda funny that its not the Summer.
His parents have a townhouse in Mrytle Beach, SC, so we headed down there for a little get-away.
It  was veryyy relaxing.  We didn't really have any specific plans for each day.

We went to a vineyard on Saturday that was super cute! and so much fun!  we did the tasting and then each got a glass of our favorite, and did the self-guided tour of the vineyard.

Luckily the weather was perfect! and we actually spent some time on the beach almost every day.

We also went to lunch one day at Hamburger Joe's, it was soo good, and the prices were Cheap!

We also spent some time at Wild Wing Cafe.  They have soooo many different kinds of wings.  Sooo good!



We bought new fishing poles and hit up the pond across the street.  and caught two little fish.  Don't worry we released them back unharmed!

We always have such a good relaxing time in SC!

RANDOMNESS

1. I love the Holiday Season! I use to say Christmas Season, but now that I date a Jew, I have to be all PC and Say HOLIDAY.

2. I Love the I get to celebrate Hanukkah now! Even if we just really eat Latkas one night, and exchange 1 silly gift, It's fun! I love the challenge of finding cute Hanukkah decorations.

3. I am now reading the Sookie Stackhouse books. I love TrueBlood, and have now decided to read the books. I'm only half way through the first one, and Im loving it. It is definitely different then the show. But so
far I'm still enjoying it.

4. I want to repaint the house, its bugging me. I think im just going to do it this weekend.

5. I HAVE to put away my colthes and do laundry this weekend, I alwaysss put it off for too long. (hoping that if I write it here, I will actually do it!)

6. I officially hate my job. Like cant take it any longer! Im bored out of mind. Any projects or just work in general I suggest doing get shot down. I hate it!

7. Since I don't want to be all downer, I LOVE that the our ChristmasTree is up! And I am pretty much Done shopping! I think that is a new record for me!

8. I Loved being able to go shopping on Black Friday. I got a ton of stuff and saved so much money!

9. My car sounds like its going to die every time I press the brakes. Luckily I have a boyfriend, and boyfriend's brother, who said they will fix it tomorrow for me! It will be a nice Hanukkah gift! Haha

10. Today is my Parent's 33rd Wedding Anniversary!
 

Better Late than Never

Save-a-Seal 5k

This past weekend was kinda a bust. I came down with a cold on Friday night, so I just watched some tv and went to bed early.

Saturday morning we went down the Seaside Heights, (Home of the Jersey Shore house) to partake in the Save-a-Seal 5k!
It was a fun event! A friend of mine's brother works for the Marine Mammal Rescue Center, and this is their big fundraiser every year. It was a 5K Run/Walk on the boardwalk. And it was chilly!
Di and Dan ran the whole thing. Because I was under the weather, cough * out of shape * cough cough, I got Michelle to ran the first mile with me and walk the rest. And by walk the rest I mean, going on the beach and watching the fishermen.



Walking to the start



Di finished a few minutes before Dan, they both finished under 35 mins! Which is great since no one trained really for this!

After the run, they had a free Breakfast, and the prize ceremony. As well as a Chinese Auction, sadly none of us won =(
Overall it was a great morning! I would def recommend doing this next year!

Differences

So I had been dating Dan for about 5 years(I don't really like to think about how long it has been, so I just always say 4-5 years) when we took the plunge and moved into together.

We have dated since my freshman, his junior year of college. And you would think we knew everything about each other. But let me tell you, what they say is definitely true, that you learn a lot more about each other living together!

I think the biggest thing I have learned about Dan is how much he EATS!I mean I alwaysss knew he liked food but OMG! If we make dinner, I have to take my full portion before he starts eating because there will be no seconds left!

The first time we made Tacos, I took 1 hard shell and 1 soft shell. When I went back for 1 more Hard, they were ALL gone already! The pack of 6! So he ate at least 5 hard tacos, (no sure if he squeezed some soft ones in there too) in the time it took me to eat 2!



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While on the food topic, Lets discuss Left-Overs. In my family, if we go out to dinner and you bring home your left-overs, they are Yours to eat. If anyone wants to even try it they have to ask you first. Welll I found out that in Dan's world they are free game! Even after you ask him repeatedly amounts of time not the eat them.

The other day I was upstairs, and he yells up "are you going to eat this slice of pizza?" I reply "Yes, please don't eat it" He says "Okay, I already ate half!" I go down later to find 1 single bite left!



Conclusion, I know if I absolutely want to eat my left-overs I have to hide them in the wayyy back of the fridge out of eyesight.

What have you learned about your Roommate/BF/Husband after moving in

with them, that you didn't know before?

Belated Halloween Recap

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I love Halloween, everything about it, dressing up, the decorations, the candy! This year we decided to host a party at our new place! We were excited to Finalllly have a party where almost all of our friends could come!

My friend, Michelle and I started decorating the week before, and thank god we did! We went all out with streamers, garland, and lots of spider webs. Which worked out great bc the day of the party all we had to do was attach the balloons the ceiling.

I spent the week before also figuring out my lighting. I became obsessed with finding the perfect blubs, and ended up getting them from ShopRite (local grocery store) I got yellow, red, and blue. I also had a black light, but I didn't like how it looked, it was Very dim. I think the lighting was def worth all the work, it was nice and dim, and people tend to loosen up and dance more the dimmer it is. Or at least My friends!

I was so worried we would only have like 10 people show up, but ended up with 40! And few were even party Crashers! It was a great night. We gave out a few prizes for best costumes.

Overall the party was a huge success, and we can't wait to have many more at our house!

November 4th.




Today is the day Dan and I went on our First Day, I don't even want to

say how many years ago. Cough six. Cough

I know! So many! I can't believe I have known him for 6 years! It's

weird to think back on. The day he asked me if I would "want to get

something to eat sometime." I believe this most likely happened over

AIM, as most of our convos happened at the beginning. The days leading

up to the event. I don't know why but it was definitely a Long period

of time, and a Halloween party in between.



Ah the First Halloween party. At the old Hackensack house. I wanted to

go so badly and feeling this was the college right of passage. I

gathered my girls, made them all dressed-up. A Cowgirl, Red Riding Hood,

a Beachy-Surfer girl, and a hockey Player (even though I had a huge exam

the next morning, my roommate didn't party, and soon-to-be partner in

all college crime, was on the rocks with her bf. But now thinking not

sure if they were dating..hmm)

We all got dressed made our way there. It was when I was introduced to

the Jungle Juice, being served out of a huge barrel (funny I use to

throw corn in those), and the constant juggling of "Omg! You are SOOO

much Prettier than Her!, Here have another Drink!!!"



The night ended with a sweet goodbye and a confirmation of Cheesecake in

a few days.



So the night began me getting prepped, with the help of Theses Shoes? Or

this Bag?

He picked me up, and I remember my sigh of relief he wasn't in the

purple truck (it wasn't blue, def purple sorry). Instead it was the 90

something Toyota Corolla, stick shift. Its weird how that car set me at

ease for the night. Although the thought of does he know how to drive

stick... Popped into my head...



We parked and made our way through the mall to Cheesecake Factory. Now

we went to school in North Jersey where everything is packed alll the

time. I don't remember how long we waited, but I will never forget the

table for two.

It was one of those along a curved wall, with the bench seat one side

and the chair on the other. It was a packed night and we were about six

inches away from the tables of either side of us. I could tell he was

super nervous, but to me it was a weird calm, not really nervous, more

excited.

We ordered. And don't laugh to hard now. I remember what I got, The

Crabcake Sandwich, so good. And He got the Orange Chicken.

We played the So tell me something I don't know about you, while the

older women on either side watched on to watch this awkward first date

play out.

We must of looked so young! 18 and 20. we got the checked, he commented

that I was a "cheap date" um thanks.

After dinner, we went back to his place.... And played PlayStation.

Hahaha

I whooped his butt at The Quad game, ATV Fury I think is what it was

called. I even got the New High Score. But because I was player 2 it

didn't save... Still sounds like he was just ashamed to save it.. Haha

As it got later, friends started showing up for the usually get

together, of beer pong, and card games.



I can't believe it has been 6 years! Its funny to look back on it.

rain rain go away

When it rains, it pours bad drivers.

It also means more time with my morning shows! Love!
This morning I flipped between Wake Up on cosmo and Howard. Wake Up was talking a little bit about Miley being in a new movie, and about going under cover in Sorority House for the FBI. Sounds pretty cheesy to me. But Ill admit I will probably watch it when it makes it to Tv for free.
Then I flipped back to Howard, he interviewed Mike The Situation from Jersey Shore. He was pretty interesting at the beginning, talking about how he went to college and stuff and how he ended up on Mtv. Then he started to get all I'm the HotShit, and then I turned.

This morning I stopped at StarBucks got a nice Pumpkin Spice for the morning drive.. Yummm! I love having a coffee in the car and Starbucks is like my little guilty pleasure, since I know its to much to spend, and should probably be going to Dunkin Donuts, but something about a rainy morning and a pumpkin spice is just soo good!

Pike Chronicles

Okay, Okay, enough is enough, I REALLY am going to start this blog thing!
I have finally figured something out that I hope you find semi-interested. --- Since New Jersey has been all over Reality TV lately, I thought I would bring you into REALLY NJ reality--- TRAFFIC! not just any Traffic, New Jersey Turnpike Traffic.


You see I travel about 40 miles everyday to work, and back. And I have learned a lot about traffic, and more importantly I think a lot while in traffic. So that is what I will blog about, my thoughts and brainstorms while sitting, and sitting, and sitting in my car, stuck on the NJ TP.

When people ask you where you live in Jersey, everyone always replies with their exit number. I'm Exit 10 Hollla!
Before I moved last year I was "Exit 7, and another 20 mins South"

So I travel from exit 10 to Exit 16E the Lincoln Tunnel. (for those not in the NYC area, the Lincoln Tunnel connects Jersey to Mid-town Manhattan.) Tunnels and Bridges = traffic.




So enough of boring Traffic, lets get to the good stuff.

Today on the way to work I flipped between Cosmo Radio on Sirius, and Howard Stern.
I love Cosmo Radio, I think the host, Taylor is so funny, the co-stars are eh ok. They mostly talk about Celeb Gossip, and Pop Culture.
Howard Stern - I think he has a bad rep for being crude and nasty, but hes Really not! I cant believe how much I relate to him! He talks mostly about tv shows, which Hello! Im a TV junkie! and then he talks about the news, and celeb gossip too.
Today I caught mostly stuff about the Election Results, and Adam Carolla's new book. Which sounds really funny, he has a list of "those guys" that he cant stand, I.E. The guy who doesn't own a TV, The guy who is working a project for work but can't talk about it, and the guy who shapes his facial hair.
It was so funny because all these things drive me nuts about people too!
What kind of guys do you hate hanging out with?

So what do you listen to on the way to work? Music? FM? Satellite Radio?

Going Going Going

This week has been so busy at work. With one person on Vacation, and everyone already me fighting the allgeries. Luckily I am still feelin' good!

Last night we went to D's parents for Yom Kippur Dinner. It was fun, lots of cousins. Always fun. I need to start taking more pictures at family gatherings.
We ate lots of yummy traditional Jewish food, made from scratch my his gma and mom.

Today we are heading to my Aunts for a picnic and My Mom's birthday! should be a lot fun!

hopefully I will remember my camera so I can take pictures and get this blog going!!!

I have lots of other topics to post about! so I will be doing that soon!

Friday on Sunday

Pre-end of the weekend recap.

Friday -- After work I met up with some Sorority Sisters, a birthday celebration Happy Hour. Celebrating my 24th, and Mary's 21st. It's funny how some relationships seems so effortless, but others you have to work at.
Mary's and my friendship is an effortless one. The kind where we haven't spoken in a few months, yet when we get together we can pick it right back up. I am learning these are the best kinds of friendships in my mind. Maybe because I am bad at picking up the phone to 'catch up'. I don't like feeling in order to be your friend I have to talk to you all the time. Maybe thats just me. Maybe thats why some of my oldest friendships have faded out.
but when friendships fade out who is really at fault. One person, or both people.

After happy hour, Dan and I went down to meet up with some of my best friends at Alstars. Its a central point to meet between my new home, and my old home.
It was fun, some new friends joined us. We had fun watching the Flyers win! Drinking and sharing stories of our days.
I'm interested to see if these new friendships last, or will they fade out quickly. I guess we will see if they fit seemless and effortless into the group. So far so good, sometimes its shakey but its new.

Overall friday was a good day. Great closing to my Birthday Celebration.

First Post

So, I have finally bite the bullet and started a blog.

After months of reading and following blogs, I am ready to have my own space to share my thoughts.

Now what to write about on here. I think it will be about all the thoughts I have on 1 hr + commutes to and from work. Probably about my daily life. I will write about what its like living with my boyfriend for the first time. And several other changes I have had in my life these past few months. These include moving out of my parents house, being away from my friends, and starting a new corporate job.

I'm exciting to start this adventure, and interested to see where it takes me!