olympic fun

The Beijing Olympics, I think, have been a huge success. I don't remember ever being so interested in the Olympics (accept for the Women's Gymnastics team in Atlanta in '96). Michael Phelps, the basketball, the soccer, the gymnastics. All of it was so compelling this time around.

I did and still do have a major issue with the Chinese Women's Gymnastics. There is a rule that you HAVE to be 16 to compete in the Olympics and 75% of their team were under 16. IO just don;t understand how the Olympic Committee can let that slide. Younger gymnasts have a huge advantage over older gymnasts. They are less nervous and have less to prove. I was very upset with that. Gymnastics is almost tainted by that. Anyway, I thought the U.S. girls, especially Nastia Luikin and Shawn Johnson were phenomenal. They surely came out on top.

Anyway, USA has done great, as expected. It made for a great summer too!

dinner tonight

What am I cooking for dinner tonight, you ask?

Tonight I am making steak tacos (not steak fajitas) with rice and black beans. I cannot wait. My mouth is watering. I am really a chicken person when it comes to anything Mexican, but I am so excited to try steak tonight. Just thought I'd share. What sounds even more yummy is that I am topping my tacos off with freshly shaved pepper jack cheese. Yummmmmm....

randy pausch dies

Have you heard of the YouTube video by Professor Randy Pausch called THE LAST LECTURE that has billions of hits? Well, if not, I should fill you in. Randy Pausch was diagnosed with terminal cancer back in Sept. of 07 and given 3-6 months to live. He turned his tragedy into a positive experience by doing this now famous lecture where he teaches at Carnegie Mellon. The lecture is BRILLIANT. If you have time to kill, you should watch it sometime. He talks about living life to the fullest and having fun everyday. The positivity that seaps out of his every pore is just fascinating.

YouTube video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

He died yesterday at age 46 (I think) leaving three young kids behind. SO sad. He was a former Disney virtual engineer who then became a Professor at CMU. Please check out his book or lecture sometime. His message is was one that I truly believe in. Living life to the absolute fullest and having fun everyday. He made a great impact on me and millions of viewers and readers around the world.

Emily

gran peters

On a sad note, I just want to say a word about Gran Peters (Josh's grandmother). She was truly one of the strongest, funniest and most sincere person I have ever met. She made me feel like family from the very beginning. She always said if Josh was ever mean, she was come up to NY and "straighten him out." She is one of those rare souls who not one person can say a bad thing about. I really hope she finds a happy place waiting for her, because she deserves nothing but the best.

Geraldine Peters - In loving memory July 19, 2008

jury duty

Everyone I know complains and dreads about being summoned to jury duty. I really didn't mind. I had planned it to fall on the week I have no work, which worked out beautifully. The night before I had to go, I called this number with my instructions on where to go and they mentioned that you can bring your laptop. That was the best piece of advice I got. Taking my laptop was absolutely brilliant, because I spent 90% of my day on it with free wi-fi. I got so much done. I actually really enjoyed myself. I was forced to go through all the junk email I get and I organized all my pictures, worked on my website, wrote some overdue emails and finished the day feeling like I got a lot done.



Then, I got PICKED to serve on a jury. Out of 32 people, they picked 6 jurors and they picked me. Why, I will never know. I felt like I was opinionated in answering their questions, but obviously I was what they wanted. Anyway, I come back the next ready to serve and I end up sitting in a room waiting for my case to be called until lunch time. I am excused for a two hour lunch break, come back and wait some more. Sadly, I didn't have my laptop so I was bored out of my mind. Finally, around 3pm they call my case. All of use that were selected get to the counter and the lady announces that our case was settled. I have never been so happy. This case was supposed to be five days, so I was ecstatic. I got credit for serving as a juror and can't be summoned for 6 more years. Brilliant.

So, the moral is...don't dread being summoned for jury duty. It's a great break from life to read, compute or just sit and relax. If you do get chosen, a lot of cases settle outside court. If not, I'm sure it might be kind of interesting.

running

Went running/walking today for the first time in awhile. Every time I go, I realize I much I love doing it. I jog down to the east river boardwalk. Takes about 3 minutes. Then, I run along a flat walkway they have that goes for miles. One did 30 minutes today, but it just felt so good. Just me, the sun, the river on my side and some good tunes. I gotta start doing this everyday! It really does give you an energy boost and they say it cures depression. Not that I am depressed at all right now, it just makes you feel so good afterwards.

vacation

Just got back from a nice beach vacation. Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic (or as it's supposed to be called Republica Dominicana). The beaches are stunning. SO many palm trees and white sand. I don't recommend leaving the resort. The towns are a little scary and very poor. Overall, Punta Cana makes for a great all-inclusive beach destination.

did you know

Did you know that on July 2, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was actually written? So, today is really the day to be celebrated. It was not finalized and declared officially until July 4th, but today in history was the day it was drafted.

Happy Birthday, America.

Happy Birthday, Liz, too!

I LOVE NY

CELEBRITIES I HAVE SEEN IN NYC

Here is my ongoing list of celebrities I have seen in NYC...

Paul McCartney
Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey
Steve Martin
Leslie Stahl - 60 Minutes anchor
Alec Baldwin
Juliana Margoulis
Heath Ledger and Michele Williams
Chris Rock and his family
John Cusack
Howard Stern
Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel
Ben Stiller
Ben Stein
Rebecca Gayheart
Marvin Hamlisch
Ken Paves- famous hair stylist to the stars
Conan O'Brien
John Lithgow
Carla Gugino
Jacob Young- of All My Children
Aiden Turner - of All My Children
Star Jones
Queen Latifah

garlic

Just read to never store GARLIC in the fridge. Didn't know that. Good to know.

emily

flops

My favorite thing about Spring and Summer is wearing flip flops. I absolutely love them and wear them everyday. It makes me feel casual, calm, cool. LOVE THE FLOP! But I am having issues.

Everyday I get home and the bottom of my feet are BLACK. It's bad. They never used to do that! I have to scrub my feet every night to get it off. I think it's from living in NYC and walking a ton everyday. No matter which flip flops or sandals I wear, they get black. Help!

What's wrong with me?!!!!! Any suggestions??! Please don't say "Don't wear flip flops."

Emily

Vinegar

Vinegar: My new favorite thing to whiten clothes in the laundry. Put a 1/4 cup (no more) instead of bleach in the washer with you white clothes and I swear it works! Stuff comes out so white. Make sure you dry well to get rid of any vinegar-y smell!

emily

so sorry

I haven't written in awhile. So sorry. Life is crazy. We work so that we can eat and we sleep so that we can get up and do everything all over again. That's my life. Work, eat, sleep, and occasionally play. As boring as it sounds, time is flying by so fast. It's May. That means schools will be out soon and it will be hot in this concrete jungle. It also means that Mothers Day, Fathers Day, my boyfriends Birthday, my Dad's 60th Birthday and my sister's 30th Birthday are coming up. I better keep working to buy all these gifts!

Happy Thursday!