Odds & Ends

New York City sure has some of the best people-watching and weird happenings that I have ever experienced. Last week as I was walking to work I had a man dressed in a sandwich suit (he was handing out coupons for the corner deli shop) say "Eat me, baby" to him as I walked by. If anyone has ever seen the episode of Sex and The City where this happens to Miranda, you'll understand why I was almost in tears laughing as I walked the rest of the way to the subway! I also had a pretty cool steel drum band play some tunes on my subway ride to work last week- it was a separate day.

Matt and I went to visit our friends Ted and Katie Hart at their family get together at their lake house in Conneticut last weekend- they called it a "hoe-down". They were such great hosts, and there were a ton of events and activities for the family planned (lots of younger kids), like a tug-of-war, egg toss, sack races, a juggler, a mariachi band, and swimming and intertubing on the lake with the boat. Everything was followed up with a feast of bratwursts, hamburgers, corn on the cob, and mountains of salads and desserts. I was tempted to get up for some karaoke, but the kids had the mike so I didn't want to butt in. :) Most of all, it was great just to spend time with some great friends from home.

Still waiting on updates with the job I have been interviewing for...
and waiting....
Keep the prayers and good luck coming my way!

Xoxo,
Tara

Trip #2 to CA and Tina & Robert's Wedding

Here I am, back in good 'ol NYC after a great trip home to see family, friends and be in my awesome friend Tina & her fiance Robert's wedding in Laguna Beach. It was a very quick trip... I felt like I only had a short amount of time to "check all the boxes" of everything I wanted to do while in town. I got to spend time with my sweet grandma Mildred (who picked me up from school every day, took my to my dentist appointments- so I owe her a big thanks for my pretty smile, and taught me how to bake), my aunt and uncle Robyn & Dennis and the new changes/additions to their house, share my new experiences of New York with my grandparents Stan & Eunice, and get dinner and hang out with my parents. I wish I could have spent more time with everyone.

I did get to indulge in a little bit of beauty treatments with Michelle B.- we got lunch at our old favorite deli in Dana Point and I got to enjoy the best mani/pedi I've had in months (for less than $30 bucks too- what a steal compared to NYC prices and services). I also got to spend time with my Cali hairstylist Jenna to touch up my California blonde highlights before the wedding day. Dinner and drinks followed at my favorite place to relax with my favorite couple, Amy and Dave, at the Monarch Beach Bay Club. I really enjoyed the gorgeous Orange County sunset, cocktails, and fantastic company.

On Friday, it was on to the airport to pick up Matt- flying in from New York for the weekend's wedding festivities. The wedding rehersal and dinner took up most of Friday, and we needed to get our rest for the big day. Saturday's call time was 10am for me, to start hair and makeup, and be ready for photographers/videographers etc. (I call them the wedding paparazzi). Pictures for us followed at the beach by the Montage Hotel, and then off to the ceremony at an art gallery called 7 Degrees in Laguna Beach. The ceremony was beautiful, and the reception/afterparty were great and showed touches of both the bride and groom's family, interests and heritage (like their "Tokyo Tea" and "Cuba Libre" cocktails). I put a few pictures up, but I will try to publish the link for all the wedding pictures I took with Picasa.

Now that we are back in New York, I am waiting on pins and needles for the next steps with my latest job interview. I am in the running with one other candidate for a position with a great company, and if I do get the job it will finally turn around my life and my perspective here in NYC. Please keep me in your prayers!

Xoxo, Tara

PS- I forgot. I caught the bride's bouquet of flowers.... look out Matt! ;)