Yo... it's Michele from the Ghetto

Hi All,
Well after last week, I am really happy to say that this week was much less eventful!

So, my burgulars were kind enough to leave behind one stereo, so Sunday was music.  The weather was ordinary and I was still a little cagey, so didn't want to venture on out.... and anyway, the shops are closed in Jersey on Sundays...they have what are known as 'blue laws'(????).  Can you believe it? You can see NYC, 'the city that never sleeps' over the river, and they don't open their shops on Sundays - how bizarre.  So, keeping shacked up in the house and trying to fall back in love with it, I found a great radio station with 80's weekend mix (even included Men at Work Down Under!).  I was thoroughly enjoying all the Whitney Houston they were playing, but I did think it was strange that there was an excessive amount of Whitney ....anyway, 2 hours later I discovered why (remember I was completely disconnected) ... very sad.  This radio station - "light fm" has a show like Mix 101's love songs and dedications, but I'm sorry, noone can replace Richard Mercer.

So, after being very unreliable the prior week, Cablevision turned up during their scheduled time on Sunday and connected me back with the world - finally I had internet!  They also managed to connect my cable in the absence of the stolen televisions.  Again, my generous burgulars had left the little television that was mounted in the ensuite, but it's not so great watching tv in the bathroom.  So, Sunday was also getting the alarm tested through ADT via the phone.  This was no fun exercise - it required testing of the alarm about 10 times for about 60 seconds each time (sorry, did you say something? I couldn't quite hear you), and each of the 'glass breakers' ... did you know you can recreate the sound of breaking glasses by smashing together three spoons?...  Talking of those pesky burgulars, can you believe they stole one curtain of a two set curtain?  How annoying.  I'm sure it did a great job in protecting the tele.... bastards!

Whilst waiting for the internet to be connected I thought I'd test out the oven - what a beauty!  I baked some ANZAC cookies for Mary Ann who works in the office.  She was a big fan when I made them for the Aussie Day morning tea...  Stupid thing is that I forgot she was in Florida for a meeting for the week...  Oh well, I found a bunch that would enjoy them!

So the bunch was my team who were here from around the region.  Here's a photo of us all - the girls in black...

From left to right: Juliana (Colombia), font - Soledad (Argentina), me, Thays (Brazil), Jimena (Mexico), and Antonella (US from Argentina).

They're a real fabulous team and sooooo full of energy, they make even me tired!  We had a great week together, the first since me taking over the team, doing our planning for 2012 and some training.  We also managed to enjoy a delicious dinner at Spice Market in the Meat Packing district.  This restaurant is Asian Fusion based on Asian street fare, with a real middle eastern decor (the picture below is from the net - the place was packed, but we managed to get our own special booth!).  All the food is designed to be served to be shared, which was great because all of the food was so bloody tasty...mmmm.

On Friday the replacement tvs arrived, so on Friday night I settled in for a night of cable, albeit I could only do it in my bedroom because the cable man couldn't connect it downstairs without a tele!  But they came back today and I am now enjoying being able to sit downstairs in the loungeroom for the first time to watch a movie - and there's a classic on - Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, such an old favourite of mine and I was strangely just thinking of it the other day... you know Whitney was in Bodyguard with Kevin Costner, Kevin Costner is the star in this movie... I really did have too much thinking time on my hands!

Last night I went out with the Hargrave family for dinner in Bleecker street in Greenwich Village.  We were booked for Cafe Espanol after some bubbles at the Hargrave apartment on Madison Avenue.  The celebration was a triple birthday, but unfortunately Teena whose birthday is today had to cancel as her daughter was teeting and really grumpy.  So the other two birthdays to celebrate was Philip (Judy's husband), whose birthday is on Wednesday and mine, which is next week.  Because it was raining the cabs were hard to come by (everyone catches cabs when it's raining whereas when it's not a lot of people just walk), so we arrived at the restaurant 12 minutes late and they gave away our table!!!!  We were not too happy, so decided to find another option.  Across the street we saw Florencia 13 - a Southern California Mexican restaurant.  This place was cool - I felt like I was in a Quentin Tarantino movie, and more specifically a small version of the place in Dusk till Dawn (minus the vampires), and the music matched the scene!  The food was great - I haven't had mexican since some Old El Paso back at home - nothing compares with Brett's mexican cooking, but this was a very close second....Here's a picture of us all.

We had all generations covered... from 16 years old to the 50's, but that makes it more fun.  Judy was enjoying their famous "flaming margharita", and it does come out flaming.  Me, I'm not too fond of the old tequila and that was the only drink on the menu, except for a Caprihani, which is made from Brazilian Cachaca, which is potent stuff.... I stuck with just the two - very sensible of me!

So, back in the ghetto, I'm feeling absolutely fine now.  I ventured out yesterday to some shops - there is the most steepest hill between me and the shops, downhill on the way there and uphill on the way back, so I look at it that I need to go shopping to get my necessary exercise!  This morning was beautiful so I went to the nearby park and walked a few laps around the lake.  The park is great, it has a heap of tennis courts, raquet ball courts, football field (soccer and American), and a proper baseball field.  The lake was full of geese and it got me thinking that I don't think I've ever seen a goose before - I think I may be coming out with one of those bimbo questions, but do we have geese in Australia?  I'm thinking not.  There was also heaps of cheeky little squirrels and because nephew Jack was asking about these last night, I thought I'd send this photo - this little critter let me go up really close to him.  This afternoon there was also a big one in my backyard.  Happy for the squirrels, but I want to avoid the skunks (luckily I have so far, but I know they're around).

Equal to the house, my favourite part is still the view from the end of the street - here's a couple of pics: the first is the view from my bus stop taken one morning this week and the other is from last night.

Before signing off, I wanted to do some congratulations.  A lot has happened since I've left...

Firstly on babies -

A big, fat congratulations to Lauren and Brad Wilson on the birth of baby Dylan on Monday this week (otherwise known as Wee Willy).  He's sooooo gorgeous.

Another big congratulations to Renee and Trav on being pregnant - can you believe Renee told me via text, whilst I was in a meeting in Brazil!!!!  I got all red and hot when I found out because I was in absolute shock! Like everyone else, I never thought this would happen, but we're all super glad it has!  I'm glad I can finally say something and I'll come home in August / September to welcome the little one in the world.

And congratulation to Baz and Bianca on also having a baby on the way.   Will this little one make it a girl trifecta or will a little fella come along to back up Baz?

Secondly on engagements -

Congratulations Amy and Ben for finally taking the leaps - I'm really happy for you both, and glad that it finally happened! Another excuse for me to come back home.

Anyone else got any news????

Finally, thank you to everyone for your notes of comfort and concern last week - it was a pretty crappy week, but you all made it easier - thank you! 

Saludos,

Michele

"911 Emergency"...

Oh dear, so I jinxed myself when I said I hope there are no dramas this week.  Well, the dramas have been a bit too major for my liking... that's saying a lot given I am a somewhat of a drama queen i.e. I like a bit of it my life.  Brett even has a special award for me "DQOTY" - Drama Queen of the Year (of who equally deserves the award as frequently as I do!) .  So, in this situation I don't deserve the award, the situation deserves the award.  Let me take you back to Monday...

So, Monday is move day.  It was always going to be chaotic. The plan was: removalists at my apartment gear in the morning 8:30/ 9am, going over to Jersey; back to midtown for a meeting at 10am, and arrival of my rental goods in the afternoon.   It was never going to work....

8:00am and I'm checking with the doorman that it's ok for the removalists to start at 8:30... of course no, the garbage run is on in the service elevator and won't be free until 9... oh well, I've packed my boxes, they can be in and out in 10 mins.  Anyway, so they arrive and I have the bright idea that maybe I can give them my spare keys and they can take the goods over without me.  "Of course we can do that".   Excellent, one stress down.

Second task for the morning, confirm the cable / internet / phone connection with Cablenet... "oh, I'm sorry maaam, your order has been cancelled"... "pardon?".... "well, the owner extended his service, so we cancelled yours, you need to speak with the owner".   Seriously, what the hell????  Message to owner to find out what's going on...

So I go to my meeting, it finishes on time and I head over to Jersey for my furniture delivery.  I arrive, and I can luckily get in and all of my boxes have arrived.  Unfortunately, they have left all of my boxes downstairs (even my clothes ones), so I need to take a few trips of heavy boxes up my steep stairs.... oh well, this is the sacrifice for not having to come over and miss my meeting.

The rental furniture crew arrives at about 4, with a full truck full of goods - 4 1/2 later and the house is filled with goods.  What a day, but the house now feels like a home, albeit I can't put the tv on because I have no cable.  Good time to ring the cable company and get another appointment.

"Oh, I'm really sorry maam, that was a bad mistake by us that shouldn't have happened... we can connect your services Wednesdy between 2 & 5"... "but I have to work tomorrow, so that time doesn't work, I can't do until after 6:30pm, and you know it wasn't my fault that you cancelled my order"... "yes maam, it's okay, I'll leave them a note and make sure they don't come until after 6:30, and even if they come before 6:30, they'll leave you a business card and they'll come back that night and put your services on"... "Excellent! thank you"....

So I get home on Tuesday knowing I'll have no tv... that's ok, I can deal with it, at least the stereo works.  Get home Wednesday and there's no card in the door.  That must be good news, they haven't been yet... time goes on and it's getting to quarter to 8, why is there no cable man?  Give Cablevision a call "yes maam, a technician went there at 4:40pm and tried to call you, but didn't leave a message"... "can he come back tonight?"... "no maam, technicians won't come out after 5 for connections".... "then why did they tell me they'd come after 6:30pm?"... "well, that was an error maam, and I'm sorry for that".. " I understand it's an error, but it's not my fault, so can someone come tonight and fix it?".... "No maam".... "Ok, so when can be the next appointment?".... "The only time we can do it 2-5 tomorrow, otherwise next week".... "Given the mistake was yours, can you please come after 6 tomorrow because I can't do during business hours?".... "No maam, sorry, we can't".... "(hysterically)Do you realise that you are leaving me with no internet or tv services because of your mistakes?"... "I'm sorry maam for these issues, but I can only offer you these times"... "I can't do that time"..... "I'm sorry maam, but I can only offer you these times"... "FINE! I'll take 2-5 tomorrow".

So the next day comes, I'm planned for leaving work early (with some reshuffling), but before I do, I think I should call them to confirm... "I'm sorry maam, there's no appointment recorded for that time"... "WHAT?"..."No, it just says you were very upset and that you'd find another supplier, but not that you would have an appointment at this time"... "But I confirmed it with a man at 9:20pm, I have the call log on my phone"... "I'm sorry maam for all the trouble, but I can't help you"...  "So, when can I get an appointment, Saturday morning?". ... "No maam, the only time available is Friday from 2-5". ... "FINE! I'll take that and just work it out ".

So, I go home Thursday evening and the garage door is open a bit with the light on... that's strange, maybe the old owner is still getting some stuff out (we'd been coordinating to make this happen).  The front door is unlocked.. the owner must be in the house.   I go inside, look to my right and the big 55 inch tv, stereo and blu ray player are all gone... holy f!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    I run upstairs, my bedrooms disturbed, the tv's gone, the drawers are all open.... holy f!!!!!!!!!!! again!.... I've been robbed and it's only my 4th day in this house!  911, "what's your emergency?"... "my house has been burgled"... "Pardon?"... "my house has been burgled"... "I'm sorry maam, I don't understand you".... "SOMEONE HAS BROKEN INTO MY HOUSE!".... "oh, you've been burglarized"... "yes!".... "ok, don't touch anything, I'm sending around a patrol car".

5 minutes later and arrives the police officer.  He asks a lot of questions, comments that "this never happens in this street.... it's such a lovely and quiet street... it's a nice part of town... this is so strange".  It was just like the movies.  He asks "do you know if anyone is still here?".  I said of course I don't know.   "Stay here maam", as he pulls his gun out checks all of the floors of the house.  "Is there a security system in the house?"... "Yes (with a look of embarassment on my face)".... "Why wasn't it on?"... "I only moved here on Monday and I was going to get everything sorted out this weekend".... "Mmmmm".

About 10 minutes later the detectives and their dust kits arrive ... more questions.  I realise that not only is it the electronic rental goods, but also my new personal  laptop, and the house's small tv in the kitchen thatIi was so looking forward to watching whilst I bake.  The worst thing is that my spare set of keys is missing, same as the garage opening clicker.  I think it's best to stay at a hotel....

So, I stayed in a hotel on Thursday and Friday night, whilst the house got new locks.   But the question is, what have I learnt from this experience?:
1: fix is my lax approach to security - use the security system, the dead locks, etc. etc, don't give strangers keys to my house - you know the basics.. & most importantly realise I'm no longer in an apartment with a 24 hour doorman or in Narre Warren North with dogs.
2: put more focus on me - don't put off important things because I'm too busy...

....(you always have to learn from these types of experiences)

So, last night, lovely Judy and Teena from work put on some friendly bubbles (champagne style) for me, which helped put a smile on my face.  My head's a little heavy today, but oh well.

So, I'm going back to the house soon, I've got the security system working and registered for monitoring, the locks are changed and internet should be getting connected tomorrow... fingers crossed!

Let's hope that's the drama over and done with and I can now settle in.... 

Signing off!
Michele

Touchdown!...

Hi All!

So, it's Superbowl Sunday and this blog is taking me much longer than normal to write as I am continually distracted by the ads...  oh yeah, and the football match :)

At this point the Giants are down 12 v 17 in the 3rd, but they have been pretty successful at coming back the past few matches.... and let's be honest they have to win.  I mean, the empire state building is even lit up in blue and red lights.   I want them to win, not only because I am now a NY resident and I am known to jump on the sporting bandwagon at every opportunity, but I have a theory.  The Giants are known as the Big Blue, and well, I am a Carlton supporter.  So my theory is that if they win, then my Blue Baggers will also win the grand final this year.  Before the Giants even made it into the Superbowl, I was convinced the Blues would make the Grand Final this year, purely for the fact that I won't be there.  Madonna was half time entertainment and her performance was at least better than Meatloafs - she had the help of LMFAO, Cee Lo Green, a couple of rappers, and about 50 odd dancers.... no comparison really, except that at least with Meatloaf you knew that he was definitely singling live, Madonna on the other hand, I'm not so sure.

Still on the sporting theme, I just discovered this week that the NYC F1 track that will be on the calendar next year is right near my new house!  Put it this way, the track goes along the boulevard up to 65th street, and I'm just off the boulevard on 75th street.  Don't worry about the fact that the track is actually in New Jersey, but hey that's just geography.... at least they will have a marvellous view of NYC in the background.  So, that is very exciting.  I hope I can get some tickets for the pure fact that I am a resident that will be 'disturbed' by the event. 

I picked up my keys tonight to my new house and I have the joy of moving tomorrow.  Without a car, this is no joyful experience.  To add to the joy, I have to go to work for a critical meeting.  So the plan is for the removalist company to pick up the boxes picked up from my apartment at 8:30am, go over to NJ, get them to literally just dump them there, then I need to get to the office for 10am until 1:45pm, then back over to NJ for 2pm furniture delivery and cable, internet and phone connection!  Not fun.

It was nice to be in Miami last week to defrost.  I got back last night at midnight!  I was supposed to get back at 9pm, but my flight got cancelled, so then I was allocated to another flight, but they didn't actually register me on the other flight, so then I got allocated to another flight, which was then delayed right at the time of boarding because the plane was broken (who needs flight instruments to tell you where the horizon is anyway?), so then I had to change gates and then finally on a flight - good old American Airlines at their best.  At least I didn't have to stay another night.  Miami was super busy, but very successful work wise.  The hotel this time was a little more real.  No "Kikki" greeting me in the morning (refer to blog number 2), no Sunday pool party, and more plastic in wallets than elsewhere.  But on the other hand there were no "Dita Von Teese" launch parties this time either.

So now the Giants are winning 21 v 17 with 32 seconds to go.  It's a close one and it's New England's play, so it could still go against the Giants.  From my shoe box apartment I can hear screams and yells from everywhere!  They've just won - the town's going wild!

So, in celebration I thought I would share with you my pick of Superbowl ads (there's lots of animal ones in there).  I hope you enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/user/samsungmobileusa?v=CgfknZidYq0
http://www.youtube.com/fiatusa?sid=1037056&KWNM=fiat+car+commercial&KWID=3109902963&channel=paidsearch
http://www.youtube.com/user/MandMsCommercials?blend=15&ob=0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEq74TCDGtc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-9EYFJ4Clo (I need to get some inspiration from this guy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STb6ZSo5CPw

.... and my favourite - Mr Quigley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kevvVMQWkfQ

Well, there's not much else exciting to report this week.  Hopefully the move goes well tomorrow so you don't need to hear about my trials and tribulations next week, but on the other hand, drama makes for entertainment!

Signing off from the town of mad celebrations!
Michele

Ode to my small Abode

Hi All,

I can’t believe it’s nearly February already.  I hope everyone enjoyed Australia Day, the sunshine and the opportunity for a long weekend.  Though clearly not a public holiday in the US, we held our morning tea in the office.  It went so well and we had around 60 or 70 turn up … there’s only around 120 in total in the office, so we were very happy with that.  We put on meat pies, sausage rolls and lamingtons – all supplied by Aussie owned “Tuck Shop” in Downtown; ANZAC biscuits (made with molasses instead of Golden Syrup – who knew Golden Syrup was Australian…),  pumpkin scones, pavlova, fairy bread and of course Vegemite Sandwiches (some with cheese, some without).  The food was a hit – people were pleasantly surprised and we even have some new Vegemite fans!  We decorated the room with an Aussie flag, a big map and some Aussie sporting items – Sherrin, Rugby ball, cricket bat and ball; and milo and vegemite.  We got so many nice notes from people in the office and we’re hoping we’ve kicked off a trend.   St Patricks day is in March and we have a few Irish Americans who have said they’ll take on the challenge, and well, I have Irish roots so I said I’d help out if they want.

I did my fly in fly out of Toronto.  We got snow – in fact as soon as the plane landed it started snowing, so timing wise we were very lucky.  I found my new most favourite bed in the world at the hotel I stayed at….mmmm…. it may have felt that way given that I got up at 4:30am and went to bed at midnight, at which stage any bed would be awesome, but putting that aside, I really do think it was the most comfortable I’ve slept in.  Couple that with the doona from the Conrad in Hong Kong and you’ve got the perfect bed… 

So, now I’m back in Miami.  It’s so nice to not have to be loaded up with a coat and scarf and gloves and hat and, and , and…. I’m here for the week for three meetings, two of which I’m running.  It will be pretty intense, but there are worst locations I could be.  And terribly (sigh!), I have to come back at the end of February (my birthday week actually) for Finance and Operations meetings.  Why Miami?... I hear you ask.  Miami is a central hub for everything Latin American.  All flights from around Latin America go directly into Miami, whereas flying to NY requires connections, so it makes it quite convenient for everyone in the region.  In saying that for our friends in Argentina, it is still a 13+ hour flight.  I was looking on the map the other day and to give some context the latitude of Buenos Aires on the map is pretty much between Melbourne and Sydney.  Interestingly, when I was there last year I discovered that they used the same power adapters as us – the only place besides NZ that I’ve found do.  They thought they were the only ones as well!

So this is officially my last week living in the shoebox before becoming an official Jersey gal next Monday.  To officially commemorate this moment, I thought I would write a short “Ode to my small Abode”.  Enjoy…..

I leave this abode with feelings of joy and sorrow,

But know that this is a chapter in my next tomorrow

I crave some green and crave some space,

And I’m looking forward to stepping back the pace.

A place where it’s possible to relax and unwind

In midtown Manhattan, that’s almost impossible to find

The vibrations from my windows 4am daily will not be missed

And the sagging couch, the cause of back pain, is not on my list

My life of convenience will be mourned

As will my short commute that I absolutely adored.

I leave behind my tiny bathroom with stage room lights,

My heating systems that sends dust in flight.

My awesome oven in the even tinier kitchen that cooks to a T

And a fridge that could fit in even me

But most of all I leave the place where my NY journey did start,

And the 300 square feet will forever hold a special place in my heart

Signing off for another week...

Michele  

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…. Or is that "Let is sludge?"

So finally we got snow!  I woke up Saturday morning and like a kid of Christmas day, jumped out of bed and ran to the window and opened the blinds and outside there was a winter wonderland!  Well, maybe not a wonderland – more like concrete covered in snow, but there was finally snow and it was beautiful.  Oh my!  Is that snow flakes? It is!  The snow is actually falling!

After a couple of hours enjoying the snow fall through the window, I had to venture out to go to a yoga class (more on that one later…).  First decision, what footwear does one wear in snow?  Why didn’t I buy those darn gumboots?  Oh well, I pulled out another pair of boots that I have bought since here…think lumberjack, fur lined style – perfect!  Put on the puffer jacket, beanie, ear muffs, gloves and we’re good to go!  Walking precariously down the street so I don’t slip – I’ve already fallen over twice, so I know the third is coming, or does two falls in one day ice skating count as two?  - anyway, I am also learning the joy of getting snow flakes in my eyes.  I’m loving the piles of fluffy snow on the side of the road, built up in pot plants, covering the awnings of buildings, it’s so nice.  I find a cab, pretty much the only cars on the road, and venture down to Union Square for yoga.  There’s no chains on the wheels so any sudden stopping (which was the case on my trip) and it’s a slidy stop.  I made it to yoga and 90 minutes emerged in a euphoric state to find the snow was starting to melt!  Nice fluffy piles of snow have been replaced with brown sludge all over the road, big, icy, muddy puddles are lashing up against the curb and sprays of sludge are flying off tyres of cars left, right and centre.  Where’s my winter wonderland gone?  Oh well, it was nice while it lasted and I’m sure there’ll be more, I mean there has to be! 

I’m on my way to Toronto, Canada as we speak for a one day visit (and I know it’s going to be snowing here).  My first trip to Canada so I am very excited, and it’s very good, only a 1 hour 15 minute flight from NYC.

So, the week that’s been…. Interestingly, after only two months, I already have a new job.  Still in the same department of MOD, but now with a bigger team of 5 that are dispersed all over Latin America – we have Antonella (Anto) from Argentina based in NYC with me, Jimena (Jime, pronounced Heme) based in Mexico, Juliana (Juli , pronounce Huli) in Colombia, Thays (Thays, pronounced Tie-ees) in Brazil and Maria Soledad (Sole, pronounced Sole-a) based in Argentina.  Pretty much coinciding with when I joined the team my boss was promoted to another role in Switzerland, thus the changes in the department.  So my new role is now a very interesting role (my other role was too) where our team is responsible for translating regional and global solutions into the market, and vice versa.  It will be very challenging, but that’s what I like.  So, last week, and this week for that matter have been somewhat insane from a work perspective. 

Now, I have heard rumours that some of you are worried that I’m lonely… please don’t worry.  Brett’s in the process of getting his visa and I’m more than getting enough human interaction.  I’m surrounded by people all day in the office, through the beauty of modern technology Brett and I get to see each other face to face every day, and I have Manuel the Brazilian shouting at me every night to shake my boom boom (more on him later…).  I’m also making friends and have very nice Australian colleagues at work who are very seasoned international assignees checking in on me each step of the way.  So, please don’t worry!  Now, I believe the rumour started because I have signed off my blogs with “keep in touch” – I am signing off with this not because I am lonely, but I just love to hear what’s going on, so thank you to all of you who regularly send me emails with your going ons. 

Now, back to my week, and specifically Saturday at

Union Square

yoga.  I’ve done a few yoga sessions in my time, but this was a different experience.   I walk into the class and everyone is wearing white (oh dear I’m in black pants!).  The yoga instructor has a long white beard that Santa would be proud of and is wearing an Indian style turban.  Interestingly, the guy is actually and NY lawyer (not Indian) and runs this yoga studio with his wife.  So I find myself a place on the floor and then go through a 90 minute yoga class that was both excrutiatingly painful and relaxing at the same time.  It was one of the best classes that I have done and I’ll definitely be back next Saturday.

And then there’s Manuel the Brazilian who keeps yelling at me to shake my Boom Boom. “What the….?  I hear you ask”.  So, I was drawn in by an infomercial on one of the millions of newest exercise fads – Brazilian Butt (or as Manuel calls it Boom Boom) Lift.  What can I say?...Genetics weren’t too kind to me.  Manuel is a Brazilian instructor who has the secret to giving any woman the perfect Brazilian body.  Anyway, so I started my Brazilian ‘classes’ this week – aka me in my apartment with my tv.  like the yoga, these classes were also excrutiatingly painful, but unlike yoga not relaxing in the slight bit.  But, I am feeling good, energized and committed.  My muscles on the other hand were screaming.

So, on Sunday I booked in for a massage at Ohm Spa (keeping with the yoga theme).  The beauty of NYC is that everything is open late even on Sundays, so I managed to book in for a 5:30 appointment to finish my weekend of perfectly (and just in time to see the Giants win their match to make it to the Superbowl).  I have been on the hunt for a good masseuse as one of the luxuries I afford myself is a good massage on a regular basis.  I hadn’t had any luck thus far, but Ohm Spa came highly recommended on the internet for not being so expensive, but really good quality…my cynical husband would tell me though that those reviews are written by the company… but in the absence of any other source of recommendation I thought I would give it a go.  I arrive and make it to the 7^th floor of building - the atmosphere of the spa is not bad, but not luxurious like Asian spas or even Endota, but it smells nice and it’s getting me in the zone.  But then my massage started by Tiffany.  All I can say is Tiffany is a master – this would have to be THE BESTEST OF BEST massages I have ever had, and I’ve had a lot!  I floated home, had a magnificent sleep and woke up to find that the tension in my muscles had been kneaded away by “Tiffany the master masseuse”.

So, this week I’m in Canada until Wednesday (it’s now Tuesday) and Thursday is Australia day and whilst you will all be enjoying a day off in the sun, I will be working, but me and my Aussie compadres are hosting an Australian Day morning tea at the office – yes, it was my lame idea…  I’ll let you know how we go.

Anyway, keep in touch J, and "speak" to you next week!... 

Michele

Happy New Year!

Hi All,

So I'm now back in the swing of things for 2012.  Mum has sadly left the big apple and is back in warm Melbourne, and let's just say from a work perspective, it doesn't feel like there was a break at all!

So, since writing last time (excluding my brush of fame photo blog), mum and I managed to do a heap of things.  We went on a movie tour around NYC, we went to the top of the empire state building, mum went off to Amish Country in Philadelphia and visited the nation's capital Washington DC, we explored Central Park, and most importantly, avoided ice skating at every cost....  We did the market circuit (hell's kitchen, chelsea market and union square) and found someone who sells meat pies - though he was a pom disguising himself as an Aussie, we walked the Brooklyn Bridge on a balmy 17 degree celcius day, went to a broadway show, visited FAO Schwarz and we enjoyed Jazz and Blues in Greenwich Village.  For an old lady, she kept up pretty well! (Don't worry, mum, you're not that old;)  ).  She's already planning the next trip here!  Here's a selection of my fave pics from the trip.

Mum and me out the front of the Cosby Show house

Mum and I out front of the fire station from Ghostbusters.

The soup kitchen that inspired Seinfeld's Soup Nazi

 Mum & I at the top of the Empire State Building

 Mum at Central Park

 A 25,000(!!!!!!) Barbie Fusball Table at FAO Schwarz

 Mum and the Chipmunks at Build a Bear Workshop

A statue of Rocky in Philadelphia

We celebrated bringing in the new year on a booze cruise - I have realised there is no class on these things, no matter where in the world you are.  When we arrived there was such a mammoth queue, we had some concerns as to whether the boat would stay afloat with that many people.  It was good fun though and such a great way to see the statue of liberty lit up at night.   We had a bit of a boogie and it was rather funny that each time the boat rocked the entire crowd of dancers swayed from one end of the boat to the other.   I must say though the fire works were a bit of a fizzle - I liken the quality of the display to that at the Shepparton show grounds, and that's being generous.  You would think there would be more than one firework launch place in a place like NYC. 

I made some new friends on the booze cruise, thanks to faithful ugg boots as my discussion point (she was wearing them, not me...).  So, this lovely couple I met, she is a broadway star and an extremely funny one at that, and he is a musician, and not just any musician... the lead singer of Spin Doctors who sings one of my (and my sister's) favourite songs of all times, Two Princes.... and he's good mates with the lead singer of one of my other favourite bands of all times, Dave Gleeson from Screaming Jets.  So funny, the song Two Princes takes me back to my youth and singing the song over and over again as I was walking down the street the first time I ever got drunk.  So, they were so lovely they invited me to brunch on new year's day (brunch at 2.30 in the afternoon!) at their apartment with all the rest of the broadway crew.  It was very surreal, but a lot of fun. 

So this weekend has been super cold, but still no snow!  It was minus 17 celcius yesterday with the wind chill.  The closest to snow has been the slightest of a 'flurry' where you can see little flurries of ice in the air, but they don't eventuate to anything on the ground.  There has been a couple of days though where the water on the ground freezes. 

It was the NY Giants big match against the Greenbay Packers (reigning 2011 Superbowl champions) yesterday, and the Giants went in as the underdog and won 20 to 37.  I educated myself on the game with the NFL website and discovered it is somewhat similiar to Rugby League.  I enjoyed the game with some colleagues from work yesterday.  So, next week the Giants are up against the San Francisco 49ers and if they win that, then they make the Superbowl.  I think that will be huge for the city and I might even jump on the bandwagon and get myself a shirt.   This has been my distraction as I have had to study for my exam which is on Wednesday so I have been couped up in my apartments studying away all weekend...boring! 

Good timing for my exam, today is a public holiday for Martin Luther King day.  There are a couple of funny thing about the US and public holidays... First thing, Christmas is the only religious holiday that is recognised as the country is 'non-denominational' and does not want to acknowledge one religion over the over.  The second thing is that Companies don't need to recognise all public holidays.  Basically Companies are required to give a certain number per year to employees, but they can set up the public holiday schedule like they want - so at PMI they use the days to beef up other public holidays like Thanksgiving.  Instead of only having the Thursday off, PMI gives you the Friday and the Monday as well.  Sounds nice and flexible, but it's hard for dual working families to play.  A lady I work with obviously had the day off, but her husband had to work and her kids had to go to school.  Very strange in my books. 
In two weeks time, I'm back in Miami, which will be lovely for another chance to defrost.  Then I'm moving into my new house!  I'm looking forward to moving off the island - it's a great city, but it's almost impossible to try and relax.  I went over to NJ with mum to show her the house and the first thing you notice is the quiet, it was so lovely.  But hey, it's been awesome to have the opportunity to live in Manhattan for a few months.

 But now, some of the most exciting news of all - I found Vegemite!!!!  Yay, who cares that it costs $9 for a small jar.  But you know the most annoying thing of all?  It's in the supermarket that I've shopped at before but I couldn't find it because it's in the bloody English section... that's just insulting. I've eaten so much Vegemite in the past 24 hours that there is a very strong chance that I will be forever preserved with all of the salt in my system!
Well, that's me signing off for another week.  Keep in touch!
Z.... Mush... Michele

“Oh, I’m sorry, did I break your concentration?”

Stop the Press.... Special Edition!... So, it finally happened!

PRESENTING......

Mr. Samuel L. Jackson

... & then me with Angela Basset

(OK, so there seems to be a theme of really unflattering photos of me in this thing...not a word from anyone!  What can I say, I had to be quick and take the photo myself and I forgot to get rid of "the chin"... and no, it's not a new chin from excessive chicken topped with bacon, cheese, chili beef and ketchup)

Oh, and for the uninformed, the title is a quote from Jules in Pulp Fiction - played by Samuel L.

Stay tuned for the next official installment