goodbye to you

I am a bit sad, one of my favorite shows ends tonight. I’ve been faithfully watching How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM) since almost the beginning. I discovered this show the summer before I moved to take a job in New York City, so it seemed almost fitting that I’d enjoy a show based in my new city. I found the characters funny and endearing, and definitely tried my hand at “Have you met Ted?” at the bars when out with my friends. Through the years there’s been good times and bad, and I’ve truly loved watching this each week.  I’ve enjoyed watching the characters grow and change, all while still keeping things ridiculously funny. The last show I remember feeling like I had to see the end was LOST, and then I think it was Friends. I tend to lose interest after a bit for most shows, but this was not the case with HIMYM, and I cannot wait to see what the finale will bring. I fully expect to be glued to the couch with a box of hankies ready to go tonight.  Is anyone else sad to see this show end?

(photo from pinterest)

Paris: Part Two

Prior to getting to day two, the evening before I spent an hour or so planning out my next two days – I wanted to maximize my time – but also not miss out on some of my personal must sees before heading back home. I consulted my maps, thought about what would interest me most, and what made the most sense in proximity to each other. I realized later that I probably could have used another few days to get in a couple more museums and enjoy more of the area. I guess that’s a good enough reason to hope for another trip over to France in the future.

I started day two with a metro trip over to the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, as it’s one of the other more famous landmarks of Paris. I also wanted to see some of the details up-close and personal, and make my way up to the top for some breath taking view, since I am too much of a sissy to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. I will say that this is in the center of one of the scariest street intersections – a major rotary if you are from New England, like me, or a roundabout for those of you from elsewhere. I did figure out quickly that there was an underground pathway to the Arc, and got right in line to get my ticket to go to the top.  I wanted to see the view from the top, and there are so many views from here. I also felt more secure, and saved myself a panic attack atop the Eiffel Tower (safety first folks, safety first). It was bit cloudy, but it was great to spend time up at the top and learn about the Arc construction.

From the Arc, I made my way down the Champs de Élysées, for an early afternoon of shopping and lunching. I tried to avoid stores we have back home in the states as what’s the fun in shopping where you can at home. I poked around and ended up with two cream colored tops – one long sleeved and one short- clearly, I had a theme going. I love watching people in the shopping district on a weekday, you get the tourists, but you also get a lot of people who seem to do this daily. I really enjoy making up stories about people’s background while sauntering around.

After my shopping adventure, I headed over to the Musee de Armee, or the National Army Museum, because I really wanted to see the World War II exhibits. I always find that I am drawn to learning more about this time, so I thought why not take some time and go to that section of the museum. When I arrived, I found a military ceremony taking place, so I stopped and tried to figure out what was going on, but there was band, some marching and a gentleman gave a speech. I still haven’t figured out what was going on, but I definitely couldn’t resist some snapshots and taking in the grandeur of the event.  I really wish I knew what was taking place, but it was still neat to see something like that without planning it.  After the ceremony was completed, I spent the rest of my time touring Napoleon’s tomb and the World War I & II exhibits. I am always a bit fascinated by the histories of the wars from different countries, since we are so versed in the American side- particularly when the second World War really kicked off for us so many years later then in Europe.

My final bits of the day were spent having wine and dinner near my hotel, there’s something about getting a craft of wine at the end of a long day.  

I've got one more day to go, hopefully you are enjoying reading about my travels.

twosday II spring flowers

This week's theme was spring flowers, in which where I live, it's been far too cold for outdoor flowers. I might just have to do this again when there are flowers outside.

house lusting

My sister and her family just moved into a new home, which completely makes me lust for a home, or at least start looking at dream homes.  I am feeling slightly addicted to visiting Trulia and Zillow on a regular basis, just to see what’s out there in both the apartment rentals and homes for sale as well. There are so many beautiful homes out there – it makes me wonder how people were ever comfortable home buying without the opportunity to view everything online.

I also don’t think watching Property Brothers is helping me get over my want for an amazing bathroom, and an open concept house, and a beautiful master bedroom, and... and… (damn you, Drew and Jonathan). In my ideal home, I’d have a bathroom with a large soaking tub – something anyone who has ever traveled with me knows. My eyes light up whenever I see a huge tub in any hotel room I am staying in, and then I’ll find at least 10 minutes each night I am there to spend in the tub. I wonder if I’d really take advantage of such a thing at home, though or would the thrill of a huge tub wear off eventually.

Do you have any must haves on your dream home wish list?

(image via pinterest)

call your mother

This week’s been a bit crazy for me. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but I had two days of full day meetings, along with a work dinner one night. Apparently, when I flew home from my trip to florida, I forgot to text my mother. In my defense, it was late flight and I figured it would be odd to wake up everyone texting I had landed. Then Monday came and went, I did my normal routine of work, gym, home to watch How I Met Your Mother on DVR and head to bed. Tuesday was the start of the meetings, which no phone and no computer was allowed, not a big deal as I can survive tech free for a few days. Tuesday night my mom called me but  I was at the dinner, and got home too late to call her back – again not a big deal to me. Well Wednesday started early, and apparently at this point it was possible I had been kidnapped. I missed a few texts, missed a few phone calls, and wasn’t on email (really people what did we do before technology?). My mother so worried tracked down my colleague in another office by calling the office and getting connected to her, to make sure I was okay. Yes, my mom called my colleague to make sure I had not been taken. Moral of the story, text or call your mother even if it’s 1AM, if it bothers her, remind her of that time she called your work friends to make sure you were alive after a few days of being busy.

The next morning, I did text her and told her that my captors say hello. She didn’t get my joke.

I love my mom, but this was one of those moments that made me laugh a lot. I was totally fine, just not near the ways to get ahold of me.

things that drive me bonkers – or ways to make Jill crazy if you are mean

We all have things out of our control that irk us to no end.  Sometimes, I wonder if people do this just because they know it’s annoying, or it’s going to make you want to throw your shoe at them if you were allowed to.

People at work who leave dishes soaking in our communal sink. Kiddos, what are you making in the microwave that you need to soak your dish all afternoon? Why not take the 5 minutes to wash your cup right then and there, so that I don’t have a meltdown over this behavior. I swear, one day I am going to just throw your dish out, sorry its true, I am going to do it. Consider this your warning that I am plotting to throw away your mug that you are soaking.

People on the train who want you to stop holding on to your pole so they can get up from their seat to get to the door while the train is moving. Hello? Why should I risk injury because you are afraid the doors are going to open and shut in a nano second- they won’t, I promise the train can stop, I can let go and then you can get out. I am not being a pain in the butt for not wanting to surf the train and crack open my head – please just wait 45 seconds.

The guy who every time I make polite conversation with, reminds me he has a girlfriend. Dude, good for you – you go Glen Coco! I have known you now for 7 years, it’s totally great you finally got a girl after complaining about how f*d up girls were on facebook. I was embarrassed for you on some of those posts (private lives people).I don’t really care though that you took your girlfriend anywhere when I ask you about your weekend, just say it was really nice thank you.

I really don’t have a short fuse for the most part, but these are things that just are getting under my skin lately. I probably need more yoga in my life or something to chill out.

(quote via pinterest)