Financial dating
No, I have not invented a new form of speed dating that involves playing the stock market. But G and I have decided to start being more on top of our finances. To make it "fun" we have been installing finance dates into our relationship. We have our second one tonight where we will focus on not going broke for Christmas. I'm excited to be more on top of our spending plan. We have been calling it that instead of a budget since that's just such an icky word. Spending plan good, budget bad. Today I also got my first paycheck as a Director. I must say, holy moly. I mean I know most of it will go to rent but it was certainly nice to see that in the checking account! Woo hoo!

Let the tree lighting festivities begin! So I have now been to the Lincoln Center tree lighting and I'm going to the one at Rockefeller Center tonight. I guess tree lighting is uber important in NY. The one at Lincoln Center was very fun and they even had this HUGE street fare with all sorts of culinary delights. G met me there and we wandered through everything. A little nutty even by NY crowd standards but we had fun enjoying our new town. Then we went to Indian food at this fun place near Columbus Circle called Balucchi's or something. I know, sounds Italian right? Last night my friend N from high school came into town for a visit. He was here for work. It was fun seeing him and he came over for dinner at our pad. I made a lemony chicken concoction that involved using whatever we had in the kitchen. I only had to buy garlic and lemons in order to make it. I love when I have good stuff at home so I don't have to spend a lot at the store. G started his new job this week. It's going well I think. I'm VERY proud of him and I just know this is going to be a great new chapter in his career. I think working hard on something you enjoy and believe in is exciting so I'm happy that the man I love gets to do just that.

It's the holiday season, It's the holiday season. I get it now why they say there is no place like being in New York over the holidays. I walked into work today and let me just say, the lobby of my building is gorgeous. The tree lighting at Rockefeller Center is happening on Wednesday. The windows as Saks Fifth Avenue are all done up. I mean, you cannot beat it. There is that smell of the season in the air. It just seeps from every direction. I think today I have decided to let it envelope me. G and I are sitting down this week to figure out our gift giving strategy. I know silly to strategize on such things but since we are still trying to buy furniture, we gotta really have our arms around it this year. I think unfortunately that means a lot of people I would normally buy gifts for are getting cards. I know, lame but I think all my years of crazy purse sale/DVD giving will get me a get-out-of-jail-free-card this year. I love giving presents. There is something so great about the look on the person's face. They are just so happy that you thought of them. So maybe that thought of them is a candy cane taped to a card. I think all the change and starting of a new life will buy me a little forgiveness this season. I vow that while I will never be as good as my friend H about buying throughout the year that I will start shopping earlier next year so that it does not all come out of the same paycheck! :)

Ludicrous Speed! Yes, that's me, living in Spaceballs the movie. This past weekend in DC was a giant whirlwind. All fun, but insane. I think just because I now live closer to my family that doesn't mean I have somehow turned into a super hero that can get more done than normal humans. I pulled one of my famous cram as much into one weekend as I can scenarios where I end up feeling like poo come Monday. One of my best friends from high school A had her baby shower this weekend. It was so much fun to see her and she looked amazing. I hope I look half that good whenever I am pregnant. It's just so nice to see someone you love getting ready to embark on something so incredible. I mean, she has a baby in there! It's real and it's about ready to come join us. :) Other than that I spent the weekend with family and G came with me. We tried a new mexican restaurant which was so great. Very tasty for DC standards I must say. yes, I know, I'm an LA snob when it comes to Mexican and I don't care! I will say this, taking the bus back up to NY last night and getting in at midnight was not the best thing ever. But in the cab ride back home, I had a moment. More like a flicker. Of knowing I was going home. Just me and G sitting in the cab and looking out the window at the still somewhat busy NY streets that I was heading to my home. My overpriced, one-bedroom, box ridden home. However imperfect it may be, it's ours. And we will figure it all out in time. I felt pretty calm for the first time in about 72 hours. Sometimes it's just nice to remember that no matter what, we will do this together. This whole thing called life. I might not tell him enough how lucky I am to have him. But I like to think he knows.

It's FRIDAY!!!!! Just in case you forgot. :) This has been a busy week for me so sorry for not writing. I have been working my tail off and I am leaving for LA on Monday evening so it's just been one thing after another. Last weekend was an absolute blast. My dear buddy M was in town and we managed to make it to RUDY's after an afternoon of drinking/napping. That place just totally cracks me up! People get so into playing songs from the juke box. Yours truly included. I really could have partied there all night. Sunday G made us chili which was delicious and we watched football. Very all american of us! This weekend our good friend B is joining us which I'm really excited about. We haven't seen him since the wedding so it will be nice to catch up.