three cheers for friday

Hip Hip Hooray!

This weekend is one I’ve been looking forward to for so long. It’s my friends’ annual pool party back down in New York. When the party date was announced, I knew I had to figure out a way to come down and see a good majority of my friends in one sweep. It’s so nice when you can see so many people in one place instead of trying to coordinate so many multiple side trips. Weekend trips are usually not enough time for me to get in everything I want to do.

This is my second time to New York since I’ve left, and I’ve got one more to go next week (I am definitely spending too much time at the airport – just so you know). I've been going quite a bit for work - the irony. It’s been good to go back, see some of the favorites – like my favorite gym class, lunch place and it reminds me it’s not too far to get back and visit from time to time.

Here’s hoping to a beautiful weekend, and no sunburns.

 

the morning train, work from 9-5 and then…

Part of my living at home adventures involves about two hours of commuting every day, which when you go from a combined commute of walking 20 minutes and 15 minutes on the subway each way, is a lot of time to be sitting on the train. My commute in New York was easy peasy- because when you are walking you don’t need to entertain yourself much on the commute. I use to pick through my cell phone, maybe read my kindle app or play some game that my sister hooked me on. Now with what I’ll call extended time to be with one’s self and many strangers, it’s a lot of time to occupy.

How I’ve been spending my time on my extended commute:

1.   Read like there’s going to be a test on the book when I get to my destination. I love to read – so this is great, however I don’t want to read before bed anymore.  My current book series is Divergent – I love some young adult fantasy fiction. (Other series to try if you like this one: The Uglies, The Hunger Games, The Giver). 
2.    Look forward to my email box getting The Skimm – I love this daily update on the top news around the world. It feels like your best friend is call you up and dishing some seriously interesting gossip, and well it makes you look like you pay attention when others talk about world events. Items are very topical, and there’s usually something fun in there. I also love Skimm-Birthdays – I’ve seen some seriously famous people on there – Tory Burch, Tina Fey – you know just to name drop a bit. If these high profile ladies read The Skimm, I think you should too. 
3.     Tinder – yes, I’ll admit this publicly – but Tinder is a fantastic way to kill commuting time. I swipe right, left, text people, all while looking over my shoulder to make sure no matches are like right behind me – that would be beyond awkward.
4. Occasionally proofing some work documents – I like to take a break from the work, but it’s good to get a few more things taken care of before getting home.
5. Thinking about the next meal – the train makes me hungry, I don’t know what it is – but I am always famished when I depart.

Anyone have anything I am missing? How do you spend your time on the train if you have a long commute?

(photo from here - and I thought the abandon train was beautiful)

we pause for station updates

Hello Blogland friends. My sincere apologies for my horribly long break, if you missed me, I appreciate it – if you didn’t well that’s okay too.

What’s new?

I’ve successfully moved to a new state, but don’t move into my own place for another 75 days.  Where am I living? Well my friends, I am back in my high school bedroom, complete with my twin bed (which makes everyone send me this hilarious video from SNL), prom photos, and my first communion crown.  It’s cooler than being cool, it’s ice cold.

I bought a car. For those of you who have lived in the New York metropolitan area, you probably know that I had absolutely no need to own a car in the seven years I lived in the area. Those of you who live in the Boston metropolitan area probably know that not having a car pretty much means you live near Boston Common, or have no desire to ever do anything on a weekend. I went car shopping the first weekend I lived here and though it’s weird, I am happy to have a new to me ride. I also think my parents like to take my car joy riding – oh how times change.

Officially on the countdown to my two week vacation, which will be half in Cape Cod, and half in Belgium. Vacation, it’s all I ever wanted…

I’ve started binge watching Royal Pains. Maybe I am nostalgic for New York again – I mean it’s the Hamptons and always summer.  It also makes me want someone to let me stay in their guest house.

And, hopefully I am back to some semi-regular blog updates.  That’s all for now.

welcome to sweaty June

virtual high five for working out

Happy Friday (yes, I am not going to have regular blogging this month, let’s just apologize now and move on?) I hope you are ready for a June fitness challenge, because I agreed to attempt 30 fitness classes in 30 days – which will involve some double sessions – old school style.  A few of my friends and I are very into what I’ll call social working out, where instead of hanging out and getting drinks and dinners after work, we hit up a gym class together and sweat it out.  Sometimes we go to brunch after a weekend workout – those Bloody Mary’s taste that much better after sweating it out. 

The rules are pretty simple, 30 classes in 30 days, mediation classes count, yoga is welcome, and some insanity is always a good idea. So far I've been having fun, and find myself figuring out how to get to more classes (I'll sleep more in July).

Our challenge includes Instagram photos after all our sweats – so if you would like to follow along or play along look for #sweatyjune #30in30, or please follow me @jilli1982. As of last night I was 5 out of 5, and getting ready for a weekend of gym attendance and packing up my apartment. 

Have you ever attempted a workout challenge?