NyStateOfMind

Usually in a relationship or a family you use the same kitchen chair every night, drive the same car every day, sit on the same spot on the couch and sleep on the same side of the bed every night. We do this without even thinking.  Ever tried to change it? Well yesterday we did. I slept on my husband’s side of the bed and he slept on mine. It really makes a huge difference. When I woke up I was facing a wall I never see from my side of the bed and I felt disoriented. I want my side back!

New York got hit by yet another snowstorm and everything as far as I can see is white. Dressed like a Spice Girl, Mike’s description of me this morning, I went out and cleaned of the cars. Not really sure which Spice Girl he was referring to, but I’m guessing Sporty Spice since he a few minutes earlier said I looked like an Olympic Snowboarder? Who cares what you look like? I stayed warm AND dry.

Helping a friend move this weekend. Far move, they are moving from an upstairs apartment, to the apartment right underneath. A perfect move for a snowy weekend.

I am happy to announce that I passed my Citizen civic and history test with flying colors! After 2 months of nerves it only took about 30 minutes until it was over with and I heard the words, Congratulations, you passed! A weight lifted off my shoulders and I have been on cloud nine all day :)
To celebrate we headed over to Starbucks for breakfast and to get some energy before hitting the mall. Walked home with two pairs of summer shoes, a belt and a cute shirt. Monopoly and American Idols elimination was how I spent the rest of my day and night. The guys on American Idol were as bad as the girls and after the eliminations Thursday night I am done watching.

                Carrie Underwood - Star Spangled Banner

Watched a friend’s baby for a few hours yesterday, what a good little baby she is. I got home nice and early and started making dinner, homemade Chinese food was on the menu. Despite the fact that it was only 6.30 when we were done with dinner, I took a hot shower and jumped into bed with my computer and Desperate Housewives.

Before the lights went out we watched American Idol. The show is now down to the final 24 and last night was the 12 girls singing. After hearing them all both me and Mike was wondering how half of them even made it that far.
Tonight is the guys turn and if that is a bad as the girls I think I might just stop watching.

                 Stevie Wonder -  They Won't Go When I Go

I am officially two pairs of shoes richer. The cutest leather boots and a pair of really hot black heels! This is something that very rarely happens and I am therefore extremely excited about my treasures.

Friday I went ice-skating with my old host family. I’m proud of myself that I came home without any broken bones :) Friday night we spent watching the movie Coraline, which was a great movie but definitely a little scary and according to me should have been rated more than PG.

Today was the day we have been waiting for since Christmas. Rock of Ages on Broadway. Absolutely amazing. A great cast and of course classic rock songs from the 80s. Mike had gotten us great seats, 7 rows from the stage. The show exceeded my expectations and I would recommend it to everyone I know. Before the show we had a quick lunch at Stardust Diner. Great food and singing waiters.
While in the city we did some shopping at the markets downtown. Got myself a new scarf and a hat. After dinner at Union Square Café we headed back to Penn Station and hopped on the first train home.  

Long day at work today. Got here at 7am, and of course Syd was awake and ready to play. Drove to Starbucks this morning, me looking like I haven’t slept in 2 weeks and Syd with a milk mustache and still in her little Santa Pajamas. That cup of coffee was probably the best I’ve had in a while.
Most of this gray day has been spent building blocks, playing with playdoh and dreaming myself away. My thoughts have gone to the times I have been sitting on my sister’s balcony drinking wine until the sun came up, or the times when me and Jenny would crawl under a blanket and have movie night on her balcony. I think I might be longing for a balcony? It’s on a day like today I start missing the most random things. I could probably make a whole list but that would get boring. Instead I started looking through pictures on the computer of previous vacations… Sandy Beaches and Palm Trees…and so my thoughts start to wander again…


Puerto Rico - 2006



Dominican Republic - 2008



Florida - 2009

It’s snowing, AGAIN! I wish this winter would be over already. I’m tired of spending every morning cleaning my car, having dry skin and dressing in layers and layers of clothes. I want to open my windows and hear the birds sing, walk barefoot on the soft green grass and feel the sun slowly making my skin tan. I know I’m not the only one longing for spring to come, at this time of year most people are.

February might be the shortest month of the year but it sure feels like the longest.

Babysat for my old family for a few hours today, played Monopoly pretty much the whole time, love that game. It was as hard as always to leave, especially when all three kids hung on to my legs for dear life asking if this is the last time they will ever see me. It will never be the last time, but trying to explain that to three kids under the age of 7 is not the easiest thing.


                     Mikael Wiehe - Flickan och Kråkan

Had some friends over to watch the opening of the Olympics last night. Ordered Pizza and ate chocolate fondue. I wasn’t really impressed with the performances or arrangements. I guess nothing can really beat Beijing’s Ceremony and therefore this one seemed a little cheesy. With good company, what’s on TV doesn’t really matter.

Went to see Avatar in 3D today, definitely as good as the reviews. Very long but well worth it.
Mexican food with two friends and a round of Loaded Questions and our night was set. My eyes are now slowly closing and I can’t wait to crawl into bed and fall asleep.

Woke up this morning to a whole lot of snow outside. Mike had to go to work so that left me shoveling out my car all alone. It took me 1 ½ hours and 10 frozen toes before I was done. A pair of really warm and thick winter shoes might be something worth investing in. I’m now warming up with a cup of coffee in my hands while my Risgrynsgröt is cooking on the stove.  

I should be getting ready instead of sitting here. Having lunch with my munchkins today and I don’t want to be late.

The snow is coming down hard and I didn’t have to go to work this morning. Instead I have been spending my morning watching Desperate Housewife’s. I can’t believe it took me this many years to start watching such a fun show. I’m half way through Season 1 and I just might have to pay Amazon a visit tonight to get Season 2.

Tomorrow’s plan is to visit my little munchkins during the day and do Yoga at night. After a lazy day like today I could really use something to do. I’m getting to the point where being home all day is really boring.

Watched the Super Bowl on Sunday and for the first time I was actually following the game. I was jumping up and down and yelling like a referee. Mike had some money in a pool from work, but unfortunately we didn’t win anything  :(

Saturday’s cocktail party was awesome and I felt so pretty in my black dress. Got there around 7:30 had a Blueberry Martini and a whole lot of appetizers.  Ended the night with wine and Taboo. Explaining words is not the easiest thing to do when you have a little bit of alcohol in your body. Anybody else who gets Bamboo and Baboon mixed up?

There is still no snow outside and I have a smile on my face.
I woke up so hungry this morning my stomach was hurting, got out of bed right away and I can now smell the coffee brewing and Mike has started cooking breakfast :)

I came to the conclusion the dress I bought the other day is not a cocktail dress and I will not be able to wear it for tonight’s party. The good thing is that it fits me, and I have a wedding in March that it will be perfect for  :)

I spent most of my day and half my night yesterday trying to find shoes and a new dress. Shoes are impossible for me but I did walk home with not just one but TWO dresses!!! One of which I can wear tonight. Still no shoes and if I don’t find any today I will be wearing my converse ;)
After shopping we went to eat at Pollos El Paisa, a delicious Columbian restaurant before we ended the night with the movie Watchmen. A movie I definitely recommend watching.

Time to get ready for Yoga.

I have been trying to find a dress for Saturday’s cocktail party for the past two weeks with no luck. Well today luck was on my side.
After a visit to Starbucks I went over to Annie Sez. Found a pretty dress as soon as I walked through the doors and went to try it on. Since I was by myself and my arms don’t stretch like a superhero I couldn’t reach the zipper in the back to pull it all the way up. The dress was on final sale and buying it meant keeping it. I figured that if the dress doesn’t fit me now it might later on or I’ll just leave it on the hanger and hang it on my wall. In other words, I bought it. Now I have three days to find shoes to match... good luck to me.

The groundhog was right yesterday, winter has returned. Woke up this morning with snow covering the green grass, and the rumors is that we are in for a snowstorm on Saturday!!

                                              Lionel Richie - Hello

Groundhog Day today and the little animal saw his own shadow. That only means one thing, winter will last another six weeks :(  Not the best news but as long as it doesn’t snow I’m fine. Plus I will be in California for one week out of the six :) Booked our trip this weekend and I can’t wait to get to the palm trees and sunny skies. Venice beach, Disney Land, Solvang (Danish town), Beverly Hills and tons of other stuff is on the schedule. 29 days and counting.

Watched The Grammys Sunday night like most people on the planet. Opening performance was awesome, Pink was great like always, and the Tribute to Michael Jackson in 3D gave me goose bumps. But the fact that Taylor Swift won so many awards (90% of which she didn’t deserve) was a downer.  

I hear the laundry calling my name and my butt is falling asleep, I think that’s my cue to get off the couch.