20 Miles? Easy!

I got my first real "adult" bike this past weekend. A Jamis hybrid with road tires. Isn't she a beauty?!

So, after a few rides this past week, I finally, despite my terrible cold (who gets a cold in the summertime?!) went out with J for a 20 mile ride on Saturday. Yes, you read that right -- a cool 20 miles.

Better yet, I was tired after the 20, but not exhausted and not in pain. I even went to bootcamp this morning and had no issue. AWESOME.

Looking forward to pushing a little further next time. LOVE IT!

Love assesment

"I believe there are two types of love. Healthy and unhealthy. Unhealthy love is being powerless, selfish, and enabling. It has no boundaries. Unhealthy love is unconditional and yet contingent. It is immature, irresponsible, and dependent. Unhealthy love is urgent. There is a desperation behind it which produces manipulation and compromise of self. Unhealthy love is a pissing contest, a tug of war, a mute silence, and a kick stand. It is obvious. Unhealthy love promotes the false self and stunts growth. It is a drug.

Healthy love is a choice. It is something you decide to give as a gift. It has conditions, that shape the self and strengthens the other. Healthy love is feeling powerful and independent. Is is grilled cheese and vegetable soup on a rainy day but not every day. Healthy love is patient, kind, and accepting. Healthy love requires a tremendous amount of responsibility which involves communication on all levels and constant reflection. It is building trust, having faith, and holding a commitment. Healthy love promotes growth and two strong containers. Healthy love is rare." -- Angry Therapist

Been a really rebuilding almost-year for me. Lots of news, lots of self reflection, lots of tears (I cry at everything, it's my fatal flaw).

Poland was a very illuminating trip and I think we're all now looking at the parts of ourselves that were lit to now reflect.

We'll see what we all learn and how we can grow through this.

Coffee Guy

The coffee stand guy outside my building infuriates me in a way that only a high-strung NY'er could get bent out of shape. He is SO. UNBEARABLY. SLOW.

All the other coffee cart guys fly through their orders, they know their "regulars" and begin getting their orders done as newbies futz to get out the right change for their muffin. These coffee guys are great -- fast, reliable service -- and in turn, they sell out of most of the items in their cart.

As for the guy on 50th & 3rd. I appreciate the fact that he relaxes through his morning, but I constantly pass him in the morning because I can't think to wait for 3 people in front of me at the rate he moves. Doesn't he know he loses business everyday? I know I'm not the only one who passes by.

I know, I know, anyone reading this would tell me to relax, but that's just not the way I do it in the morning. Efficiency is key...

And so summer begins...

Bean is a great sunbather.
















Got to spend a really nice weekend out in 06880 for Memorial Day. Justin was in Asia (currently in Beijing) so it was just me and the family.

Funny, with the holiday weekend can the official start of warm weather, perfectly timed with my 'changing of the closets.' Works out well b/c now I am shorts and flip-flop ready.

Per usual, looks like this summer is ramping up to be quite busy. Items on the docket thus far:

June:
- Ithaca, NY for Justin's 10 year reunion
- Chicago for work (both Justin & I)

July:
- POLAND!
- Greece (work)

August:
- NYC wedding (Justin's friends Matt & Irina)
- Greece (work)
- Vermont weekend

Here goes summer!

Proud Date

Justin won a Starmine Financial Times analyst award this past week. He was picked as the best earnings estimators in his sector. I tagged along as his +1 at the honors dinner at the NYSE. Very proud of him...

Trucking through the month

It's been a pretty brutal month. High high's, low low's. Feel like the world has just been keeping me on my toes. Maybe I'm just tired from all the travel...

In the middle of all the trips, Justin hurt his back, I had a little health issue all my own (I'm back to being a-ok, amen!). Justin leaves for a week-long whirlwind Asia trip on Saturday (missing Memorial Day). I feel like I finally just got home and now he's off. He said it today, "I feel like we haven't caught up from the last trip." I agree.

Next week, I've filled my schedule with plans to keep me busy. I'm also back to doing Bikram Yoga for a month (first session was last night and boy was it tough...). The week will go quickly.

Few shots from the past week:

Alexis was in from Chicago. Got to have brunch with her at The Standard, then caught up while walking on the Highline. Was good to reconnect.

Justin and I went to an impromptu amazing Sunday night dinner. Tried out a great sushi place '1 or 8' in Williamsburg. We did the Omikase and then supplemented with some extra items. AMAZING meal.

And finally, looking to the summer ahead. Looking forward to opening the "summer party in a box."

Musings

I'll have you know that strange pork was quite delicious. Will have to wait 'till my next trip to the Chinese restaurant in Piraeus to try the famous 'onion explodes the pork.'

Also...

Did you have any idea that chincillas had such cute little feet/paws? (Taken at a pet store around my hotel).

Finally, through a blog I was reading, I got directed to Sarah Kay, a noted spoken word poet's speech at the TED Conference (link) . In true Laura fashion, the speech made me shed a tear (or two). What a beautiful poem she starts and ends with, and her speech, not bad. I've never been a poetry person, but after listening to her speak, I'm immediately interested -- not necessarily in writing or reading aloud anything I would create but to hear more. To be moved to shed a tear is no passing matter. We'll see. On that note, I videochatted with the boyfriend this evening. Video chat is an amazing thing -- AMAZING. It's made these long trips a bit more bearable. Video-talking is so much better, and at the end, I don't feel as far away from him.

Anyway, he's mentioned in passing that he big into poetry in college and even took a poetry class at NYU as an adult, while he was working. This is a side of him I know absolutely nothing about. I think my interest comes off as poking fun (which it really isn't). So I tell him about the video, and how it made me think of him. Hoping this would spark a "I should read you some stuff i wrote" conversation to which he then mentions that there's a poem about me in his top drawer of his nightstand -- the nightstand that I organized for him. The fact that I immediately can't go and run to read it is killing me.

Ugh... and so the countown begins. Heading home on Friday (120 hours until I land, but who's counting??)

Bouzoukia & Cape Sounion

Yesterday I was invited to a colleague's Name Day party (i'm back in Greece). Seeing as my Friday night plan was treadmill, reading and room service, I signed on for the party.

The party was great and then I got invited to go to a Bouzokia. Sadly in all my time in Greece, I hadn't had a proper Bouzoukia experience. I was in.

Boy was it awesome. Greek music, throwing flowers, being overserved, dancing on stage and next thing I know I'm getting dropped off at my hotel at 7:00am -- just in time for the breakfast buffet to begin. Poor waiter in the restaurant, having to deal with me first-thing in the morning. He deserved a medal...

I'm terrible when I'm hungover. On the rare occasion I over do it, I always feel extreme guilt and then counteract it by overplanning.

To that extent, I woke up and immediately showered and left to catch a tour of Cape Sounion, where the Temple of Poseidon is. Whole this was a 4 hour excursion.

Was a great little day trip -- nice to see something new, outside of Athens/Piraeus. Some photos from the trip:

From the road as we headed around the last bend to the Cape

Love the wild anemones that were growing all over

Greeks, similar to other Europeans follow the "common sense" guide. If you walk to the end of an area, look down and realize it's cliff, stop walking. In the states, we have signs, railing and warnings for everything -- as if you wouldn't know a cliff is dangerous...

Sounion's mascot is the local grouse. I had no idea they made such a funny noise. They were all over the temple area, caw'ing away like they owned the place. So cute. This was the famous 'welcome' grouse.

Few shots of the temple. So beautiful...

You just can't get tired of these vistas

I can't remember a time where I've seen water glisten as beautifully as it did today...

Anyway, we'll see what tomorrow holds. Think it's going to rain so it might just be a lazy Sunday here in Piraeus. For now, it's off to bed.

Luck of the Pick

I won my March Madness pool this year. Yes, me. Ironically, this is the year I only watching one full college basketball game prior to March Madness. Amazing, right? Goes to show you that sometimes blind luck is really the best.

So, with my winnings I decided to purchase something totally unnecessary and very un-sporty. Tada:

Fendi Selleria Boston bag

Bought this bag last week and have been toting it all around Greece with a big grin slapped across my face. Who knew a little bright green leather could make me so happy. I’m in love…

2011 -- Year of the Utensil?

Work has me going to Greece for approx 27 days, cut into three trips of 9 days with just enough time in between trips to do my laundry and get over jet lag. We’ll see how this all goes. So, while I have some down-time here in Piraeus, I thought it was time for a quick update. Let's talk something near and dear to my heart -- FOOD.

Titi (Aunt in Spanish) Vangie was in town a few weeks ago. She’s a really amazing woman and as I’ve gotten older, I really enjoy spending time with her. I took a trip to Spain with her last year which was nothing short of magical. I was going through a real transition period and the trip brought clarity and calm back into my life. I can’t thank her enough for that...

Anyway, so Titi was in NYC for a conference and I had the pleasure of her inviting me to join her at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon,over at the Four Seasons. YES!

Over the past 5 months, I’ve been blessed with some of the most amazing meals of my life at 'noted' places like Per Se, Taillevant and Joël as well as some highlight meals at WD50, La Grenouille and Luger’s (just to name a few). I don’t think I’m much of a foodie, but looking at this list, 2011 might be the year of the utensil for your truly. As long as that doesn't translate 2012 being the year of the elastic pants, I should be ok...

Anway, back to Joël and Titi -- the conversation was great, the wine was awesome (their extensive wine list came on an iPad and included great write ups on each wine, the vineyard and the vintage. Really a unique way to present the information. I bet you see more restaurants doing this soon...), and the food was divine.

Rather than doing the tasting menu, Titi and I picked some items off the menu -- some to share, some that we couldn't think to share and we'd just order until we were happy. Honestly, this is probably the ideal way to order. With the plates we picked, plus a few gifts from the kitchen, it ended up being one of those 'lifetime' meals.

Photo highlights and write ups as best I can remember:

Amouse bouche: oyster with chive and butter reduction. Spring vegetable custard topped with asparagus reduction and lemongrass foam

We sat at the counter which gave us a gallery seat of the kitchen. The chefs hard at work, their precision plating all the dishes was mesmerizing. I also just love something like a "casual" bar seating at a place like that. Bar-eating is always a more intimate experience with the kitchen...

Sweet spring Scallop with baby chive and spring vegetables, crème reduction

Ravioli stuffed with ricotta and quail egg, morels and pea puree sauce

(gift) Pettipoise of spring onlin custard, with bacon and spring fruit, topped with pea puree

Pan-Seared Sea Bass with lemongrass foam and baby leeks

Crispy Langoustine Papillote, Basil Pesto

Free-Range Caramelized Quail Stuffed with foie gras, black truffle potato purée

Seared Foie Gras, Sautéed kumquats

(gift) Pre dessert: mint sorbet with wine gelee, grapefruit foam and shaved vanilla

Le Sphere: Sugar sphere filled with Champagne crème, mandarin oranges and sugar flowers. This was their "signature" dessert and it was equally delicious as it was beautiful. They blew a sugar "glass" dome and then filled it with champagne whipped cream. I mean, do I have to go on?!

(gift) Le Tendance Chocolat: chocolate cream, bitter chocolate sorbet and oreo cookies













Can't explain how delicious it all was. What a lucky girl I am. Thanks Titi Vangie.

Cheers to a continued 2011 -- The Year of the Utensil.

Refocusing

Considering that I’ve gone 6+ months w/o a post, I thought it was about time for a bit of a revamp. So, what is this space, it’s just going to be my catch-all for things that I want to share but don’t necessarily have a forum.  We’ll go from there…

Turning 27 -- Birthday Horoscope

This will be fun to re-read a year from now.
Birthday Tarot Reading

I’m big in Japan

So there I am at my desk doing some institutional shareholder analysis for a client and I get a call on my cell from a weird “949” number. I don’t usually answer numbers I don’t know, so I googled the number and up came Killer Dana’s Surf Shop.

Wasn’t sure why a surf shop was calling me since I (a) have never been surfing (b) have no interest in learning to surf (c) don’t live in Cali, but I decided to answer the phone.

A sweet-sounding surfer chick on the other end asked if this was Laura and then asked to confirm my billing address for the purchase I had just made.

WHAT?!?!?!

She started rattling off my old address on the Upper East Side (I’ve moved).

WHAT?!?!!?

I freak out into the phone, “I didn’t buy anything! This isn’t me! I don’t live there! OMG, Identity theft!!” (I didn’t say O-M-G, said the full phrase).

Then the surfer girl says, “ya, thought it was weird that we were gonna ship this stuff to Japan.”

WHAT!??!!

The surfer girl hears the panic in my voice as I repeat that I didn’t make this purchase, someone has my identity and that she has to cancel this order. I mention that this has never happened and that I have to get off the phone to call AMEX immediately.

She asks me, “WHOA, I’ll cancel the order now. SCARY, dude! Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Yes,” I reply. “Do you have the info of the person who placed the order in Japan?”

Needless to say, I’ve spoken with American Express (the best credit card company ever). They’re taking care of it. No other weird charges on my card. PHEW!

Now, since Mr. Tune Trnh Thanh so graciously tried to steal my identity to buy $250 worth of board shorts, I want to publicize his information. You can call Mr. Tune at the following Japanese phone number: 0 81 125 609 7305.



Crazy...

C’mon Kate, you’re better than that!

When I woke up this morning and checked my mail, I had an email from Kate Spade entitled “idiom bracelets.” I’ll be honest, I got excited. I thought about how fun having silly little idioms wrapped crisply around my wrist – might be a fun new jewelry piece. A bird/bush bracelet with the line “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”, “High as a kite” with pretty kites, “turning over a new leaf” might have been a beautiful bracelet for fall.

Alas, I opened the email.



Really? This was the most creative you could be with IDIOM bracelets? ‘Ooops a Daisy’ doesn’t have a single daisy on it. ‘Tickled Pink’ is just white polka dots. “Grass is always greener” is just stripes. What is this???

These are hardly creative and if I was wearing one, I assure you that I would NEVER think of the idiom that apparently inspired their design. It’s like your design team came up with a beautiful line of enamel bangles and then some kook in marketing had to come up with a common link, a theme. Why waste the idiom idea? It’s spectacular. These bracelets are not as great as ‘idiom bracelets’ could have been. These should have just been called classic enamel collection. That’s all they are.

You’ve left me disappointed. You’re better than this, Kate!

The Last Time the Dow Closed this Low...

The Dow closed yesterday at its lowest level since May 7, 1997. Back then,

- I had just moved into my new (blue) house in Westport, CT.
- Alana Davis' 32 Flavors was on repeat in my boombox.
- I had successfully had my dream guy ask me out and then dump me on our first date (at the movies).
- I was stressing over being Bedford Middle School's President.
- I had some rockin' clear braces.
- and glasses.
- I was just returning from the Honor Society trip to Washington, DC where I was in a BBQ rib eating contest with all the boys (and won). Sad...
- I had an online journal on Geocities.
- I had never tasted beer.
- I wanted to go to William & Mary for college since I thought it would be awesome to go to school while ppl around you were all dressed up in historical costumes.

You’re Still on My “We’re not Cool” List

I was so freaking excited when I got the mail yesterday. Let me (in just a few words) explain what it’s been like trying to get my security deposit back from my landlord: LIVING HELL.

I moved out of my previous dwelling on the UES in mid-October. Since then, I’ve waited patiently while my landlord ignored my calls and emails, tried to bamboozle me saying that I never gave her a deposit, told me that I lived in the apartment for an extra month (not true) and a whole other gamut of time wasting tactics.

Needless to say, after 127 days of persistence (including two letters threatening to go to small claims, 14 emails and a dozen phone calls,) I finally got a portion of my security deposit back. And look, she even sent me a note with the check:



Now here’s the thing. Since the fall, my landlord, a little old lady who lives in UN Plaza (she’s filthy rich), has become this mythical monster. I’ve spoken about her and her nasty tactics to friends/family, dreamed about her demise, and imagined picketing in front of her doorman palace for my measly money back.

How am I supposed to keep this woman on my ‘wicked witch’ list when she sends me that note?! I mean, it’s a sympathy trifecta:
- Old lady writing/misspelling mea culpa
- Puppies
- She gives $ to a seeing eye dog foundation (see header)

I mean, the first time I saw the note, even I let out a little “aw.” NO FAIR!!!

Dear Landlord,

You put me through hell. You made me wait, and hope, and wait, and prepare a legal defense all to get my money back. I appreciate your apology, on sympathy paper, but you’re not getting off my ‘we’re not cool’ list THAT easily.

Just so you know…

25 Things

So the chain email has progressed from email to facebook. After being tagged in two of my friend's '25 things about me' note, I wanted to do one of my own. Oddly, I had a hard time writing the first 10 or so and then it was easy. So, w/o further ado, here's 20 of my 25 things about me you might have not known...


(1) I am a die-hard alumna – in general. I love (and still do work for) both my college (IU) and my sorority (Pi Beta Phi). Ironically, my volunteer work for my college let’s me interact with my high school, which I am also a proud alum (go Staples High!).

(2) I still believe that I am one of the most normal children of divorce in the continental US.

(3) I have a fear of people running behind me. If I hear someone running behind me, I usually stop and look at them or, if I can’t stop, you’ll immediately see me grimace with fear.

(4) I dream of moving to a random city in the US, but fear how quickly I would become bored once I left the NYC area.

(5) I fear becoming a ‘townie’ in Westport (where I was raised), but wish nothing more than living there as an adult.

(6) I once consumed 23 ozs of Jim Beam in one sitting (and lived to tell the tale). Needless to say, it was NOT responsible behavior and I don’t condone ANYONE doing similarly.

(7) I want a dog so badly but refuse to get one until after I leave NYC.

(8) I love low-brow amusements (e.g.- theme parks, monster truck rallies). The better the chance of seeing a mullet in its natural habitat, the more fun I’m having.

(9) I made a pact with myself to become a Zagat-of-sorts for restaurants and bars in Manhattan. I think I’ve done a pretty good job…

(10) I’m terrible at talking on the phone. Most women can talk for hours. For some reason, I get antsy after 20 minutes. I’m much better in person…

(11) I always thought I would be a great news anchor. I don’t know why I didn’t follow that dream.

(12) I have the best little sister in the world. We argue and bicker, but my love for her is more real and true than anything I can put into words.

(13) I CRINGE when people don’t spell simple words properly even in IM conversations.

(14) As a child I always wished I had a nickname. As an adult, I appreciate that there’s only one way to say my name.

(15) I was almost named Justine. Luckily my parents came to their senses before I arrived. (I don’t think I’m a Justine)

(16) My grandmother bought me a ‘My Buddy’ when I was a little girl because I had an uncanny resemblance to the boy doll. I still think it’s mildly tragic that my family openly agreed that I looked liked a little boy.

(17) I consider myself a GREAT driver. I miss having a car at my disposal to putz around town in.

(18) I do some of my best thinking and centering on the walk to and from work. I find peace in the everyday noises you hear when walking around the city. This is why I don’t wear an iPod.

(19) I LOVE musicals. When I’m in a terrible mood, I lock myself in a room and play some of my favorites. Within 20 minutes, I’m feeling much better.

(20) I used to sing the National Anthem at my High School’s football games. People tell me now what a terrible singer I am. I wonder whether I was terrible in high school and no one wanted to hurt my feelings so they just let me sing every week. YIKES…

Dating a Banker Anonymous – Embarrassing!

I can feel it – a firestorm is brewing over this morning’s NYTimes article “It’s the Economy, Girlfriend.” If you haven’t read it yet, I’ll fill you in.

A bunch of NYC ladies who all date (or dated) once economically stable men in the financial arena now blog and meet up “once or twice weekly for brunch or drinks” at upper class locations around the city (e.g.- Bowery Hotel) to share their woes. Note: if you already want to roll your eyes, just wait...

Let’s look at some of the highlights from the piece that got me so enraged this morning:

One woman, 26 year old Dawn Spinner Davis, a beauty writer says that ever since her husband lost his job and gave up his passion, golfing, things just haven’t been the same. She says, “It’s not what I signed up for.”

Dear Dawn, believe it or not, when you signed your marriage license you signed up to support your husband through good times and bad. Yes, your husband might be a little more anxious than he once was. Yes, you might now be the breadwinner. This is what marriage is all about – making it through the tough times TOGETHER.

“…her boyfriend told her to “grow up” and stop “complaining about vacations and dinner” since he had to “fire 20 people by the end of the week.””

Being forced to lay someone off is one of the most humanizing, guilt-laden, uncomfortable, unenviable tasks someone could ever be put through. Frankly, if my partner was complaining about vacations and dinners (both luxuries, not human rights), while I was dealing with the emotional rollercoaster of telling someone that they will no longer have a paycheck, I would probably freak out too!

The website that these women of leisure blog on uses the tagline -- “free from the scrutiny of feminists.”

‘Feminists’ seems to always have a negative connotation around it. It is not a negative word! These women, who clearly seem to be out of touch with the world around them don’t seem to understand the word either. Being a feminist means standing up for your rights as a woman – whether your rights are to vote, to be able to choose whether or not to have a baby, to be able to go to college.I can (for the sake of argument) say that these women are just standing up for their right to be financially taken care of and to be treated the way they feel they deserve.

The disconnect seems to be that the women of 'Dating a Banker Anon' see the emotional difficulties that their significant other is facing, they see how it negatively affects their “rights” and then they choose not to deal with it, but rather just talk about it.

That's where feminists and the women from 'Dating a Banker Anon' differ -- we don't just talk about the injustices we face, we DO something about it.

The Dating a Banker Anonymous web site says that this group is for all those women whose “Bergdorf’s allowance has been halved and bottle service has all but disappeared from your life.”

Now, I realize the Bergdorf quote just might be in jest, but..

Dear Ladies of Dating a Banker Anonymous,

This recession is opening you up to the emotional hardships of being in a relationship. They are just that – hardships. You’re either going to have to support your significant other until times get better, or you’re going to have to take a cold hard look as yourselves and prioritize what’s more important to you – that Bergdorf allowance or the ‘relationship’ you had with the guy who funded your spending habits.