Sex, Drinks and Mad Scientists

This weekend started off a little slow but in the end it was eventful. I probably should have said that given the title of this post. Classy...very classy. Anyway, Friday was a relaxing night and much needed! This week at work has been a little crazy and it's only going to continue. Plus, during my morning commute the ice started melting off the tall buildings and crashing down on people getting out of the subway SO they ended up closing the train and it was a wee bit chaotic to say the least. End result, Friday we just relaxed and watched the Ranger game and a little of the opening ceremony to the Olympics. We LOVE the Olympics or anything athletic so we were excited for it to finally start.

 

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Saturday we were little adventurists and headed into the city to explore. We ended up going to the Museum of Sex on 5th Ave. Now, I know some people are thinking the worst things possible, trashy, disgusting, porn filled, perverted animal you are, no. It was a museum about sex and there were a few things I could have lived without seeing, however there were some interesting things there. They only have a few exhibits but it was quite interesting to learn about the habits of people regarding sex, internet obsessions, the evolving Facebook and sexting era we are in and the act of sex between animals - which was quite interesting. Would I go back, not for $15 a ticket, but it was definitely an experience I can say I have done. For understandable reasons, I did not take any pictures besides the one below, although it was allowed, which was another interesting fact, but you are more than welcome to visit their website here.

 

 

Pun intended?

 

After that little viewing, we ended up strolling around the city, per usual acting like tourists that have never set foot in Manhattan and just enjoyed the crisp air and noticing buildings we have never noticed before, but may have walked past a million times. That is the thing I love about New York City, you can visit a hundred times, I work there 5 days a week 52 weeks for over 3 years now and I still am amazed at the things we find, the places we discover and the memories we make. As much as I would love to move out of New Jersey and become a part of another city, I don't think I can ever truly pull myself away from this amazing place I call home.

 

23rd Street and Broadway

 

Union Square Market

 

 

 

After all the walking and the temperate dropping tremendously and having to pee like nobody's business, we decided to grab some dinner. If you are new here and haven't seen all the wonderful Halloween posts, you will see that the boy is highly obsessed with all things Halloween. He has been dying to get into Jekyll and Hyde Restaurant so we decided it was the perfect opportunity. I have to say if you ever get the chance to be in NYC you have to get there for lunch or a quick dinner. The food is good, basic American items on the menu. They have entertainment and actors walking around which was pretty...entertaining. We had a few good laughs a few good drinks and called it a successful day.

 

 

 

No matter where we are, no matter what we are doing, we always manage to have the most amazing times together. The memories we are making are what I am going to cherish most. I love capturing these moments so that I will never forget all the adventures we went on, all the laughs we had. I can look back and close my eyes and remember how the air felt, the smell of the street carts roasting nuts and the smile on this guys face. I will be able to tell my children and their children the best stories from when I was growing up. I will be able to show them these pictures and show them what life was like for us. And that is what life is truly about. I am so blessed to have weekends like this and I can't wait to experience a thousand more.

The Whitney Museum

On January 18, the boy and I decided, we didn’t already have enough plans for the month, we wanted to hit up a new museum that we haven’t seen yet. We try to get into the city to see a museum every month or so and since the holidays came around we hadn’t had the chance to visit one since the summer. So off we went into the city Saturday afternoon to see The Whitney Museum of AmericanArt.

 

By looks of us we truly don’t look like museum people…especially the boy. On the contrary, he is more into the art than I am, and I have to say it is one of the most amazing qualities he has. He is so artistic and creative and he comes up with ideas so easily and they always amaze me, maybe I’m naïve? Ha! Just kidding! Just kidding! He is so smart and he interprets things so creatively he makes me appreciate things in such a different way than I would without him.

 

This museum was one of my favorite museums. It’s not that big and they are actually building a new museum to relocate downtown. But the art inside, I just understood. In the cheesiest sense, it spoke to me. I walked around, admired and the pieces were just great. I can’t wait to go back when they relocate and see the special exhibits they will heave then.

 

It’s moments like these – moments when we decided to run somewhere on a whim, when we do something spontaneous and just make it work. We have our best memories from just picking up and experiencing life and exploring new places. These moments, these little things are what mean the most to me. And I will forever cherish them.

 

 

 

 

Super Bowl XLVIII

Oookkayyy! Like I said last week life has been crazy busy so my next few posts are just going to be life updates, recaps and lots of excitement. Not too exciting for an outside however, this is also a little memory page for me to look back on and relive the craziness I endured.

 

So first things first, probably the most exciting is Super Bowl XLVIII! Talk about an interesting turn of events. Being from NJ/NY I am a NY Giants fan, so my interest in this game was no 100%. I wasn’t really rooting for one specific team this year but I did have a little bit more of me hoping the Seahawks won. My Uncle’s favorite team is the Broncos and EVERYONE and their grandmother’s sister was rooting for the Broncos around here. Basically because of Peyton Manning being some all American great guy. Since I like to play with fire and I wasn’t particularly a fan of either team, I went with the underdog to be the instigator during the game. PLUS those Seahawk fans are NO JOKE! They truly invaded NY and NJ and actually took over bars around that stadium and everything! And they look like they have the best fun! I love team spirit and the 12^th man has more spirit and anything I have seen. So I hope I don’t offend any true hawks fans but I decided I was an honorary fan for the day!

As I mentioned here the city, my commute, basically everything was plastered with Super Bowl anything and people galore! Even my train station had Super Bowl volunteers posted up to help any visitors with their traveling questions. It was nuts! As exciting as it was for NY/NJ to host the Super Bowl for the first time, I am pretty happy it’s all over and life can go back to its normal craziness…not the crazy craziness we have been experiencing. Anyway…last week NY had turned one of the most important streets into “Super Bowl Boulevard”. From 47^th street, in Times Square all the way down to 33^rd Street in Herald Square, Broadway was shut down and tents, games and sponsors were set up to entertain all that showed up. And let me tell you THEY showed up.

Apparently the guy behind me didn't find this as funny as I did.

Since I worked all week and I work on the completely opposite end of the island, I did not get the chance to witness the Boulevard during the week….when I should have. We ended up taking the train in for a quick trip on Saturday and it was MOBBED! We literally could not walk more than a block in 20 minutes! I can walk like 20 blocks in 20 minutes on a normal day! Nuts-o! So we made the best of it and shuffled on down the street to see all that they had to offer. Please note that the weather was supposed to be like 19 degrees and miraculously we were blessed with 45 degrees instead. Another reason for the massive swarms’ of people.

 

To make things more convenient, we decided to park in Hoboken, right across the Hudson River, and take the train in. On our way back home we stopped at this little display which was a sight to see. It was muddy from the melted snow and starting to get cold again but that didn’t stop us, and the rest of tri-state from walking up and admiring. We were also able to catch the Empire State Building putting on a light show which was pretty cool too. I attempted to video tape it on my phone but that never seems to turn out as great as you imagine it, so I’ll spare you the blurry flickers of light. BUT you can see a better video here.

 

Finally, the big day came! I was actually pretty excited to watch two great teams play and see the outcome. I don’t know if it was because the game was right in my front yard, or because I actually liked the teams playing, or what else but I was pretty excited to watch! Plus Bruno Mars was supposed to be putting on this spectacular halftime show and the commercials were supposed to be even better. But I have to say I was not all that impressed with the game, the halftime show or the commercials. BLEHH. I’m happy by honorary team won!! Woohoo GO HAWKS! But it was a total shut out. No excitement, no cliffhangers, no nail biting field goals, or 4^th down pressure moments. It was just a complete win. The Broncos just weren’t in it to win it and it made the game boring! The commercials were okay, some were pretty great but for the hype they give the commercials I was expecting them to be A LOT better. Not impressed. Sue me? And Bruno has done the same exact performance for the last…1837 shows he has performed. The classic suit, trumpet players and that bouncy kick dance. Don’t get me wrong I love Bruno! I like all of his songs I think he is a great performer but again, the show was just bleh. Nothing spectacular or made your draw drop. Maybe I am still on my halftime high from last year’s Beyonce performance? Maybe? I don’t know I just feel like Super Bowl is such a HUGE deal it should be…spectacular?

Aside from the Debbie Downer paragraph up there, we had beer, steak sandwiches and great picky food! Since I live SO close to the stadium and we knew that the Seahawks had it in the bag…43-8..no chance to turn it around with 5 minutes left in the game…we decided to drive down a few blocks away from my house and take pictures of the fireworks at the end of the game. With the city in the background a clear view of the stadium and fireworks, my favorite thing ever, it was a picture perfect moment!  

Congrats to the Seahawks and the 12^th man! You guys truly deserved that win!

 

Had to acknowledge this beautious-ness.

 

What Blog?! Who are you!?

 

I have been a serious slacker for this here blog - if you can even call it that these days!  For the last two weeks or so life has seriously gotten the best of me! No excuses I know however between my crazy work schedule, trying to be as consistent as possible with the gym and meal planning, non-stop weekend plans and the icing on the cake I have had a pretty nasty cold this last week, the blog has been on the back burner. The way back burner, like my oven is now the length of a bowling alley lane, back burner! Again, probably not the best excuse but it’s the honest truth.

This weekend is Super Bowl…obviously Courtney…and it is being hosted here in New Jersey/New York .. again obviously!  Conveniently Inconveniently, Met Life Stadium is approx. 6.7 minutes from my house. Translation = craziness has just escalated about 14 notches on the crazy spectrum. I promise to return next week and have some updates on my busy, however uneventful life has been!

Happy Friday! Happy Weekend! Happy Super Bowl!

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Taste of Tuesday: Veggie Patty Dinner

Along with the rest of the world, I have really been trying to get my but into shape...literally and figuratively. So instead of rushing home from work starving and eating whatever is in sight I have been planning my days much better with breakfast, lunch and snacks and getting to the gym right after work. Sometimes I get home and all I'm hungry for is a big shake before I head to bed. Just not hungry after the gym sometimes, especially when I get home all I have time for is a quick shower, prep for the next day and bed. BUT there are some days that I am starving when I walk through that door. Here I have something that is filling, healthy, quick, easy and is the perfect post-workout meal!

 

What you need:

1 cup of fresh string beans (if you use frozen or canned be sure to rinse in a strainer)

1 MorningStar Garden Veggies Patties

1/2 cup brown rice

1 tsp coconut oil

Hot Sauce

What you do:

Since I try to prep a lot of my weekly foods on Sunday most of this is already pre-cooked and just needs some heating up. In a small skillet add a little coconut oil to avoid sticking and heat up veggie patty. I usually cook it straight from the freeze so it takes a little longer. You can always microwave them, which I sometimes do as well. While that is cooking, place steams beans and brown rice on a plate and heat in the microwave for about 1:30 or until desired temperate. Add a little hot sauce to the rice for some flavor. Once veggie patty is done slice on a plate and enjoy!

 

Linking up with Ashley and Jessica! 

Pizza Week!

Happy Monday! Apparently it is Pizza Week! I have never heard of such a thing but when I was reading through my morning news today I came across an article in Zagat which shows 50 Statesand 50 Pizzas! I feel like you are not human if you don’t like pizza. Coming from New Jersey and being in New York all the time, pizza is definitely one of my favorite things to eat. It’s quick, easy, sometime cheap and now it is being made in healthier versions. Don’t judge me if I still settle for the fat version. So in honor of pizza week I decided to share this lovely article with all of you. I know there are a bunch of you that are from all over the country in different states and I thought it would be interesting to see if you love your states pizza or even if you have been to the pizza places that are displayed in the article.

I’m not going to lie, on my 30 before 30 I say I would love to visit all 50 States; I may or may not have to include trying pizza in every one of them! Although I think I will pass on the python pizza in Florida and get something a little more traditional. I’ve been to Florida but I have never heard of python pizza. Is this really a popular thing down there?

Here is the New Jersey Pizza! I have never had Marino’s for the mere fact it is located about 2 hours away from me but I have had a steak and potatoes pizza and it is pretty dang tasty! It’s super filling between the dough steak and potatoes but it is definitely a good change up from regular cheese pizza.

So check out the article here and let me know if you have ever had your states pizza!

Five on Friday!

I have never done a ‘themed’ Five on Friday but I was thinking about how I have yet to post any 2014 resolutions and this may be the perfect opportunity to share. I’m not too big on resolutions but it may help me to stick to these little resolutions since I’m now sharing with the world, I am a little more held to deliver!

 

one :: I am always being conscious of living a healthy lifestyle, eating smarter and healthier and trying to be in good shape. (typical goal I know I know!) However, as we all know this tends to get lost in the wind, or chaos of life throughout the year and I tend to lose track of what I am trying to accomplish. On my 30 before 30 I would like to be in the best shape of my life! I have 5 years to reach that goal, but I plan on doing it ASAP rather than later. I rejoined the gym right after Christmas so I have had a head start, and now I have a bunch of gym buddies to keep me motivated. I definitely think I can beat this goal and continue to live a healthy lifestyle in 2014!

 

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two :: I have been saving to purchase my first house! Since about a year ago, I have really debated whether I wanted to make a huge, expensive, scary, big purchase for myself and it is such a difficult decision to make. I have debated on whether to purchase a house or a condo based on the responsibility of a house and all the work that goes into it. Or whether I want the condo since I am not married yet, although the boy will be coming along with, and eventually keep it as an investment. Also, the housing market is SOOOO expensive in this area since we are so conveniently located right outside of NYC, but I also need to be fairly close because of my job. There are a lot of decisions to be made but I am working towards making this thing happen this year!

 

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three :: I would love to focus more on the now rather than the what’s next? I find myself always being stressed about what is going on tomorrow, next week, next month! My mind is always racing and I guess that it the planner in me. I always have to have a plan and some organized way to do everything and it sometimes takes the fun out things. I need to allow things to just happen, not worry about timing or scheduling and just enjoy NOW. Enjoy today, because life it truly too short and if things are good now let them be good and worry about the bad when it happens. We can’t always predict, plan or prevent bad things from happening, that’s life, but I need to learn to roll with it and work it out later.

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four :: Spend more time with friends and family. They don’t lie when they say time flies! Well, it really does! Can you believe it is January 10 already! It was Christmas like last week right?!! I am in such a routine of wake up, go to work, come home, go to the gym, go to bed and repeat. Yes I see my family everyday when I get home and I see the boy every morning as he drives me to the train but we don’t really spend time together. Yes, I see my friends-some on the weekends, some once a month and some I don’t even realize it has been months since I’ve seen their faces! I get it we are all on this busy schedule called life and we always tend to pick up where we left off but it saddens me that we all don’t spend as much time together as we used to or as we should. I hope that in 2014 I can learn to make more time to spend with my family and friends, whether they are a across town, across the river in NYC or across the country.

 

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five :: Kindness. I have posted about kindness before here and it is truly something that is so important to me. It is a shame how oblivious we are to what is around us sometimes that we take for granted the simplest things in life. We are worried about running here or getting there that we don’t observe what’s really going on. People sometimes assume that being kind is something the just can’t “afford”. Being kind doesn’t have to be about money or donating to a cause or buying a coffee for the person behind you (although these are all kind things). But we can also focus on the simple things, the small things that really mean the most. Something like holding the door for the person a few steps behind you, giving up your seat on the train, smiling at someone who looks like they are having a day from hell. I hope in 2014 that at least once a day I can make someone else appreciate kindness. I hope I can be kind and spread kindness to others.

 

Apologize for this ridiculously long post!!

Happy 2014! Happy weekend!!