XoXo, Amy

I know most people make one new years resolution and make it very specific and goal-oriented but I never keep those kinds of resolutions to be honest. This year, I’m going to make a lot of them and some are more specific than others. Some will be easier to keep than others.

Curb the Road Rage: This is something I really need to work on but it will be especially hard since my sister got me those awesome hand signs for the road. Some of them say “WTF?!” or “GET OFF THE ROAD.”I know I can’t totally get rid of my road rage but an improvement would be nice over the year.

Study for AND take the GMAT: I really need to get on top of this. Study hardcore for a month or two and then just get it over with since it’s good for five years. This one is a little more specific and my deadline is May 2009.

Read more books: I will definitely keep this resolution. I used to read a book every day or two and now I barely have time to read so even one book a month will be good even though I’m aiming for two or more.

Save Money: I need to save & pay off debt which = less shopping. ughhh. I need to save at least one month’s worth of income by the end of the year - if not more.

Cook a little more: I figured it’s about time I cook “real” food at home more. No more going out, take out, or heating stuff up. Boyfriend will probably appreciate this one. I should definitely cook once a week.

Work out more: I need to take advantage of my gym in my condo complex or the gym at work. I’m just getting fatter and fatter the more I sit in my office everyday.

Procrastinate less: I already have my new years resolutions decided on time so I’m good! This one wlil be the most difficult.

So, 2008 is coming to a close. I have to say - what a year. A lot happened and a lot changed. It was mostly a great year with lots of (good) changes. It’s the end of 2008 and I’m out of school, working full-time, living in my own place, doing my very own thing. It’s a little weird since in the beginning of 2008, I was in my second semester as a senior in school having daddy dearest still paying for everything. Not to mention I was with my ex-boyfriend and now I’m with someone else who is amazing and makes me incredibly happy. I hope 2009 is just as fabulous or better.

Now on to my life’s more mundane updates….

I just ordered this dress for dinner at Citronelle on Friday and it had better come in time. However, I just realized I have this really cute dress that I’ve only worn once and that’d be good for dinner too. Now I’m debating if I should cancel the order. haha.

Work: has been fairly quiet. This year, new years’ day is on a Thursday so a lot of people are still on vacation or working from home. I have work to do but nothing pressing or with a major deadline. However, I’m sure that will all change by next week. I expect to be swamped with deadlines & also I have a training class on the 12th of January. I’m debating to myself if I want to work from home this Friday or not.

Boyfriend: has started work again so I see him much more often. We’re planning on going to New York sometime this month to visit his friend and I’m dying to see Wicked the musical now that I have someone that doesn’t mind going with me too much. I also want to visit the MoMa too.

New Years: is going to be at a friend’s house which I’m happy about so my underage boyfriend can go. haha. I plan on bringing New Year’s Eve Pink Champagne cupcakes which I am going to make tonight. Will take pictures when it’s done.

My last day of Wisconsin for Christmas/winter. I am leaving tomorrow. *sigh* I will miss the new puppy like crazy. Nicky is too cute!

We went to the bookstore today and I picked up The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien as well as The Queen’s Fool by Phillippa Gregory. I can’t wait to get started on these books. I also can’t wait to get home to start trying out these different cupcake recipes from the book my sister got me. Some of the ones I can’t wait to try out are: “New Year’s Eve Pink Champagne Cupcake”,  ”Baklava Cups”, “Thanksgiving Apple Cider Cupcakes,” and a few more. There’s very interesting ones like “beer & peanuts” cupcakes.  

I want to try and plan something for my birthday. I’m thinking maybe a weekend getaway or something like going back up here to go to Alinea & bungee jumping. Must start brainstorming…

Here are some great links I just had to keep sharing from iCing’s Gala Darling.

8 phases of dating - hilarious.

How to impress a girl (ancient civilization till now)

Thanks Gala….

Cupcakeblog rocks.

Can’t figure out what to give? Give the gift of Experience!

Tango Diva - Solo Travels for Divas

Experience traveling away from the beaten path.

The Happiness Project. being happy!

Fashion in Japanese Streets.

What I got for Christmas….

 
A coat from Juicy Couture - I really like it. You can never have too many jackets.

Cupcakes Galore! The recipes in this book sound soo delicious. I can’t wait to try and make some of these. I also got Shu Umera eye liner, a diffuser kit with cranberry scented, and the first season of Californication.

The funniest gift was:

Hand signs for the driving on the road! My sister knows my brother and I have crazy road rage while driving so she got us these signs. There are also other sayings on the other side if you flip them out. My brother has one that says “you’re cute” and when you flip it over it has “call me” and room to write your number. haha.

and of course money. I’m thinking I could get the Louis Vuitton Neverfull PM (medium) in Monogram Canvas or Damier?

Random Nicky pictures:

I will be posting most pictures tomorrow! As you can see - the snow in Wisconsin is incredible. Definitely a white Christmas…and very freezing nonetheless. I believe the thermostat reads 6 degrees outside which probably means “real feel” is in the negatives. I can’t wait to get back to northern VA.

New puppy - shih tzu & pom mix. He’s adorable.  His name is Nicky because of St. Nicholas - we bought him on Christmas Eve.

It’s going to be a year since I started this blog and I have been reading all my entries since February 2008 and so much has changed since then. I was talking to Stephanie and we just went over everything that happened this past year with each other.

In the beginning of 2008, I was a senior in college - all excited to finish, graduate and find a full-time job to “launch my career.” Then spring came and I not only turned 22 but I  also graduated. Started working full-time at my first “real job” and being independent. I ended a relationship mid-year only to find someone else that I’m currently still with & he makes me pretty happy. Not to mention other events in my life that have happened. It’s just crazy how different things are and how time has passed by so fast.

I’m really wondering what’s going to happen in 2009. gahhhhh. I’m just getting old that’s for sure. haha.

I’m at up my parents right now. It’s 19 degrees with -2 “real feel” and snowing.
Here are some pictures of the backyard.

I love Mom’s cooking. mmm mmm. no place like “home” (where the family is.)

Sorry for the disappearance of updates and my site being down for the past…oh like 5 days? The server I am on went down and it literally just got back up. *irritated*…Anyway….

I will be going up to my parents Monday night. They live in the Midwestern state of Wisconsin. Yes, Wisconsin. The land of cheeseheads and sub zero temperatures. Did I forget to mention the 12-14 inches of snow they got earlier this week and that will still be around when I come down? I look forward to mastering Rockband in the house while it being -14 degrees outside, (yes, that’s a NEGATIVE 14 degrees.) Just bundling up to leave the house will be a task in itself. I’m just going to want to sleep all day & night - oh and eat Mom’s fabulous home cooking. I miss Vietnamese food…

Cookies & Cocktails with my lovely Envision ladies. We baked cookies over champagne & then had a late dinner of pho. It was very girly & fabulous. We don’t see each other as often as we like but when we do -  unforgettable. They are my SATC girls! haha.

Today, we had dinner at Obi Sushi for Grace’s birthday. (Happy Birthday! <3 you girl!) Diego planned the whole thing while Mimi helped to coordinate it. Lots of love & thanks to Diego for dinner & being invited to take part in Grace’s birthday! I got her a Juicy Couture change wallet - its black with gold hardware. I figured that’d be a neutral color for her and she can always exchange it if she wants.

 What I got for Grace but in black.

For my team’s holiday potluck, I brought in baked Mac & Cheese. Thank you for the recipe from my roomie - it was super easy to get the ingredients AND make the dish. It was apparently a big hit since most of it was gone by the end! I actually cooked/baked something without a huge disaster.

Exchanged presents with boyfriend this weekend. Since now he knows what he got, I can list them here…

• Fable 2 (xbox game)
• A pop culture book from Urban Outfitters
• Burberry shirt (originally I got him pjs but he decided to exchange it.)
• Skydiving Gift Certificate complete with pictures & video!
  I wanted him to be able to “open” something for Christmas since the skydiving gift cert was the “big gift” and it is really just a piece of paper. I chose skydiving because it’s something you have to experience in life at least once, it’s unforgettable, and it reflected me in that I like doing exciting stuff as well.

What I got:
     

I got a UMD sweatshirt - I guess I have to rep his school now. =P and the Collector’s Editon of Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling!!! We also have reservations for Citronelle. A really great restaurant  critically acclaimed as one of the best in the DC metro area.

 
 

 

 

 

“Bienvenue a Citronelle, the internationally acclaimed realm of Michel Richard, that is regarded as “one of the world’s most exciting restaurants,” by Condé Nast Traveler magazine. Treat yourself to a welcome reprieve from traditional East Coast-style dining. Enjoy sumptuous, lighter foods. Relax in a stylish yet decidedly less formal atmosphere. Sample a sensual symphony of flavor and wit - lovingly conducted by a playful artist whose singular style never fails to surprise. Citronelle is as fresh and bright as the cuisine that graces its tables. Where touches such as a glass-enclosed exhibition kitchen and a fluid, colorful “mood wall” contribute to an atmosphere unlike any other. “,

Thank you to Helga.

10 REALLY RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME
I can take multiple showers a day - like 2 usually and 4 if I’m stressed out. The hot water soothes me. I have to wear eyeliner all the time. The 3 pieces of jewelry I wear everyday and never take off is my silver tiffany’s lock ring, my mom’s gold & diamond ring, and my white gold with diamonds cross necklace. I like watching a guy sleep next to me. I always notice if someone is writing with their left hand around me (b/c I’m left-handed.) I hate when people take forever to respond back to me on AIM but I’ll ignore them as well. I prefer to write in black ink - never blue. I can sit cross-legged on a plane. I drink a cup of green tea 5 days a week. I have way too many scars.

9 WAYS TO WIN MY HEART
Be honest. It’s the little things that matter. Every girl wants to hear she’s beautiful. Tell me what you want me to do (non-sexual context) Don’t try too hard. Earn my trust & don’t do anything to lose it. Make me feel like you’re all about me. Being intelligent yet modest. Hold me tight.

8 THINGS I CARRY/WEAR EVERYDAY
Eyeliner, lipgloss, my wallet, debit card, drivers license, keys, purse, jewelry,

7 THINGS THAT ANNOY ME
Arrogant people who have no reason to be, cigarette smoke, slow drivers, traffic, commericals on the radio, stupid girls, people being EMO.

6 PLACES I’VE VISITED OR INTEND TO
Dubai, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, Vietnam, PI, Macchu Picchu

5 THINGS I WANT TO DO BEFORE I DIE
Fall in Love, Get married and have kids, Travel, Cheap Thrills, & tell the emo people to smile.

4 THINGS I’M AFRAID OF
Getting fat. Getting boring. Ghosts. My untimely death due to an overdose *rolls eyes*

3 THINGS I DO EVERYDAY
Shower & brush my teeth. Scream at a slow driver.

1 PERSON I WANT TO SEE NOW
The boyfriend, “naturally.” -