-quit smoking for good (it's been 45 hours and 29 minutes)
-stop speaking negatively about others (not off to a good start there)
-take photography classes so I can eventually leave the corporate world
-stop leaving bars without saying goodbye to my friends
As 2008 drew to a close I made a list of all the things that happened. It was amazing to see all the events that occured in 12 short months.
In January I visited my DC/VA friends and we tried to play matchmaker with Annie & the bartender and the Willard. She wasn't happy with us. The Giants won the Superbowl (even though I know nothing about football, it was exciting to be in NY for this).
In Feb I took a trip to San Fran by myself (I was inspired by the book Eat Pray Love) and got hit by a car crossing the street. This would also be my first trip in an ambulance.
In March I threw my first baby shower for my Big, Cheri.
In April so many co-workers resigned and went to work for a competitor. I was sooooo close to doing the same, but saw the light in time. Thank god given what happened in the financial industry in 2008. Wouldn't have been a good time for a move. So April was filled with lots of resignation e-mails and good-bye happy hours. April was also spent searching high and low for an apt. Yes after having 5 roommates and 3 apartments in 6 years I moved into my own apt. Thanks to the lovely, stress-free real estate market in NY I had to sign my lease for April 15th even though my other lease wasn't up until 5/30. Soooooo...
May was spent cleaning & moving into a studio 13 blocks from my last apt. There was also a trip to Pearl River to visit my new nephew Brendan.
I met Gary Williams in June. June was also the month the Baltimore Extravaganza weekend occured. A wine festival, Bo Brooks and Cafe Hon with Nancy made for a great time.
In July, my friend Dee had her second baby Madelyn! Someone I hadn't spoken to in 3 years made an appearance. Sara, Melin and I drove down to Avalon NJ for a girls weekend. Nancy met us there. It was a fun weekend teaching Sara to play asshole, laying out, seeing Mr Greengenes and seeing shooting stars. It was took 8 hours to get home and I traveled through 4 out of the 5 boroughs (only the Bronx was left out) and Long Island to get home. Sara made the trip entertaining. My first guest, Jamie, came to visit for a weekend.
I went to the Barclays golf tournament at Ridgewood Country Club. Who knew golf could be so fun to watch? All I need is open bar & an endless amount of food. Speaking of open bar...Lauren S, Melin, Joe, Joe and I went to Brendan's christening where we got wasted (and went to an OTB). Nancy came to visit and we went to MOMA (my first trip there).
Sept was a busy month. It started labor day weekend in NJ. I went to Island Beach State Park with my mom & Rich. We drove onto the beach, grilled and did some fishing. We played by the rules and didn't drink (shocking I know), but won't be following the rules next time. The next weekend I went to MD/VA for Connor's first birthday party. That was followed by my first professional football game. Yes it was pre-season, but it was a rematch b/w Giants & Patriots and yes we left in the first quarter. I went to see Celine Dion at MSG, loved it and I'm not ashamed to say it. Carrie asked me to be one of her maids while I was in the Bank of America suite for the last Thursday game at the old stadium. I accepted.
In October I turned 28! Went to see Jersey Boys and John Stamos sat a few rows ahead of us. Celebrated with friends at Tenjune (again I'm sorry for disappearing for hours). It was Jasmine's fault. I became a VP, went to Tara's wedding (it was beautiful) and went to Ireland. The saddest thing that happened in 2008 for me was Simba being put to sleep while I was in Ireland. I handled it much better than I thought I would, but miss him lots.
November started by moving to the new Bank of America tower at One Bryant Park. I got a real office with a door. I always liked my cube, but not sure I could go back now. I also went to an event at the Waldorf Astoria (i had never been there before) where the White House chef for the Clintons & Bushes cooked us a 4 course meal and a sommelier taught us about wine. My mom, Rich and I had dinner at Union Square Cafe which is something I've always wanted to do. It was everything I thought it would be and more. Thanksgiving was great and I made my new favorite vegetable (brussel sprouts). I went to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Philadelphia and went for cheesesteaks at Geno's afterwards. It wasn't that good (gasp!) so next time we'll be going to Jim's. To be honest Jim's looked dirty so I chose Geno's. Guess you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.
Dec went by in a flash. I got my first x-mas tree from a bodega. Liz, Carrie and Annie came to visit for girls holiday weekend in NY. We went to visit Cheri & Brendan and then went to Brooklyn where our gracious host/hostess provided us with so much wine and delicious food that we didn't leave.
Sooooooooooooooo that sums up my 2008. Everything from a solo trip across the country to a trip to the Emerald Isle with friends. 8 hours in the car with Sara & Melin to 8 hours in the hospital with smelly homeless people. Golf, football and baseball events. Two concerts. Lots of time spent with friends and family. Overall it was a great year and I hope 2009 is the same or better.
It's off to an interesting start already, but I'll save that for tomorrow's posting.
xo
Lauren
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