Donna Martin Graduates

Beverly Hills, 90210 – was a show that I was not allowed to watch as a kid. My mom thought it was far too risky for my eight year old self to be allowed to watch. Unjustly, my sister could watch this show, and all I wanted to do was sneak this. I would try my darnest and just sit and be so quite on the couch in hopes Mom wouldn’t catch me still there eyes glued. Sometimes I might have gotten the first tiny bit before I was told to go to bed. I knew this show was cool, and my friends and I would call play Barbies with the character names from the show – I always wanted to be Brenda (she wasn’t so bitchy in the beginning) and my friend loved Andrea (who I thought was a total nerd). Once I became an adult I watched the entire series on SoapNet when that network was still on and was good for all the reruns in chronological order. I’ve learned many a life lesson from watching one of the best shows ever (and really could have totally spent better parts of my adult years not watching TV, but I’ll blame Mom for not letting me watch in my youth). Some of the better life lessons?  

Brandon Walsh will always be the boy scout, and Dylan McKay will be the bad boy that you shouldn't want to be with, but oh he's so broken and dreamy. You should pick Brandon, he's going to treat you better then Dylan.

Brandon works with the coolest adults in both his jobs, anyone else pick up on that the Beach Club boss is none other then Richard Weber from Grey's? Nat and Richard (cannot remember his name from 90210) treated B.Walsh with respect but also stepped in when he needed some non-parental adult guidance.

Everything can be solved at the Peach Pit. I've always wanted to have a place like the Peach Pit in my life, you know some of your friends will always be there anytime you swing by.

Mrs. Walsh (Cindy) gives the best advice - everyone wanted a mom like Cindy.

If you make a mistake, your friends will rally around you, hence the title. When Donna was drunk at the prom, because David's dad gave the kids champers, she was told she could not graduate. Low and behold a rally was held, and the entire school chanted "Donna Martin Graduates".

(pics via pinterest, pinterest,

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)

gratitude

Dear Grey’s Anatomy-

I’ve been watching you for a long time now, I took a little break for a couple of years, but somehow I made my way back to you.  I think the real reason I watch you know is for the amazing covers of my favorite songs you’ve compiled recently. Thank you for 500 Miles, Total Eclipse of the Heart, as well as various others. These songs make me very happy, as does the union of Jackson and April – keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

Jill 

(image via pinterest)

holiday homework

I am actually officially on vacation the entire Christmas week, which I usually don’t do – that’s what I get for not taking more days earlier in the year (2014 – will I take the two weeks of vacation back to back?). I know it’s nothing to complain about having a real school like vacation week here at the end of the year, but I’ll probably still check emails and keep a few things moving along, but for the most part, I am going to enjoy a little R&R.

I did, however, end up with some homework for the week – yes, ten years after college, I have homework over the break. Two friends asked me to complete two things while I plan on hanging around with the family. I wish someone told me the plan was just to play with Norbs the whole week. Anyway, I am supposed to watch all of Downton Abbey before the next season starts, which I have never watched but apparently this is a must watch show (I am usually late to the party, except when it comes to The Blacklist, that’s one I started the week it started), and I am to read the first book of Game of Thrones.  So, in a week that’s supposed to be 24 episodes of television and an 800 page novel…  somehow my vacation feels like exam prep. Game of Thrones though is amazing, as I started this a few weeks ago since it’s so long and I read every day on the train and before bed (book nerd here), so I am feeling like I might be ready for book two before the end of the year. 

Do you have any holiday week homework?

happiness list

The pretty manicure pictured above, that while I was having my nails done, I had the brillant idea to paint the ring fingers a sparkly gold. This made me ridiculously happy, and though I know it’s not a new trend by any means, it certainly has made me feel extra pretty all weekend.

Committing to the LivingSocial deal I bought a week ago and going to all the classes I purchased at a place that I was not loving. The workouts were good, and I thought the teachers were focused, so I was liking that part of the studio. I, however, was not feeling the clientele, and didn’t feel like I belonged. So for not wanting to go back, I finished  the pack of classes out as quick as I could, which feels like something worth celebrating.

Taking 10 minutes to plan out how to set my DVR for fall premiers. I have my favorites to make sure I don’t miss, as well as slotting in some new shows to test out. I really realize how spoiled we all get not having to plan to be home to catch our favorite programs at the right times.  Plus there’s nothing I like better than a rainy weekend in which perching on the couch all day is 100% acceptable, and doing a marathon viewing of everything on my DVR.

Making some pretty terrible gluten free bread over the weekend, I was so excited to make it and then it was not the best. Edible, but not very tasty – perhaps I really just wanted cake or something sweeter, but the bread’s only redeeming  quality was that butter made it better. It was still great to fire up the stove after a long summer hiatus. I am looking forward to more baking and cooking in the coming months.

Starting to plan a bit for one of my holidays in 2014. I am starting to think about an NYC staycation. Feeling like it’s time to plan out a fantastic week of a New York City trip, play tourist, finally check off some of that bucket list. Anyone who knows me, I need to have holiday time planned or at least in the formulation mode. Already on my list, is a Natural History Museum Trip, and the Cloisters, and maybe seeing a Broadway show.