What is the Strangest thing You've Ever Seen While....

...Driving? Yesterday I saw a man on the side of the road doing a sobriety test in front of cop. Now I've seen these before because I happen to live in a town with 10 bars in less than a mile radius so during the night you'll see it happen. BUT yesterday I was at my lunch hour at noon near where I work on a main highway in New Jersey. What's going on with people today? Seriously...I thought the rule was no cocktails before noon?

The stuff I've seen while driving is just ridiculous. Whether it's what people are doing in the cars, what I see on the side of the road, or what's going on around me it's a lil crazy. Once on Route 80 again in NJ I saw a man being handcuffed up against a wall. Recently I saw a jewelry robbery  high-speed chase too. Maybe it's the areas I'm traveling in or something because a lot bad crap is happening.

Once I looked over and saw a big ole hound dog with a hat, glasses, & a Jack Tripper shirt on airing out his slobbery tongue sitting in the passenger seat of a car. There's always those ladies clichely putting mascara on, and maybe I'll catch the guy stepping out of his car to change his shirt during a red light. I kid you not. lol.

Well enough about what I've seen...

What are some strange things you've seen while driving? =)

I'd love to hear...

Fitting In...Kinda feels like High School all over again...

New cubicle, new boss, new coffee maker, new co-workers, new clothes, new everything...Damn it's been hard adjusting to the new job. I have to wake up earlier, drive a lil farther, have to know alot more than my last job, and have to fit into the daily rush of the office. On top of it I got so sick from the Palm Sunday fiasco and had to call out sick when I had no sick days yet to use. BUT the company let me take the day, thank God. I called my boss in a delirious panic because I literally couldn't go 5 minutes away from the bathroom and my vision was blurred. She heard me say 2 words and said don't come in, it's okay I wouldn't be fired. Whew....They have heart and care, which is a big plus.

The issues I've been having is that the girl training me has only been in every other day so I have ALOT of spare time and you can only go over your notes so many times. I know all that will change once I learn the job more but the waiting & being sick was driving me a lil stir crazy. You can only drink so many Red Bulls and so many cups of coffee to keep yourself awake. Yeah know?

But I am grateful, ever so grateful for the job and like anything new there is that adjustment period. I've noticed a few things that have been a lil weird. I'm the only brunette in the department of 3 blondes. I'm also the tallest one in the department at 5'5". Where I sit is parallel to the boss so she'll turn to tell the other ladies across from her things and then forget I'm there so she'll have to repeat it because there is a wall between us. She told me she has to get used to someone sitting there. I sorta feel like the new girl in high school. Everyone wants to know things about me but I don't know any of the lil stories & gossip so I'm the odd one out. For now...

All this new has made me so incredibly nervous that I think I stuttered the whole first 2 weeks. Today tho in my new leaf it was alot better. Maybe I got enough sleep or something or finally people are starting to get used to the new duck. I feel more comfortable doing the tasks asked of me and the conversations are flowing. Adjusting is hard...very hard.

I have to get back to work now but I'll be back later!

Today was a New Day....

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Today on this Easter Sunday my boyfriend CJ called me to the window he was looking out of. "Mel come here for a sec," he said quietly. I got out of my bed and joined him. I poked my head out of the window and saw the absolutely beautiful day. The sun was shining, the yellow flowers in the next yard were blooming, a dog in another yard was frolicking, and the I snapped back into reality.

Where the hell have I been? I don't mean just here in the blog world, I mean everywhere. The other day I was lying down and peered over to the mirror on my nightstand. Someone was looking back at me. Someone with tired eyes, a stressed furrow to her brow, and make-up stained under her eyes. It resembled me but it wasn't. It didn't help that I got sick soon after as well as my whole family from a Palm Sunday Vomiting Disaster that we still can't pinpoint the cause. It's been rough, real rough chunk of time that just escapes me. It went by in a blur. But I'm back and ready to roll.

Things have been interesting nonetheless. I sorta feel like this is a New Season and let me give you a quick recap. My whole life has changed with the new job for the better and worse. Better in that I have a job that has all the potential. Worse is that I'm absolutely exhausted. My relationship is an that odd span of time between maybe proposals, maybe moving into together and then the unknown....I found diet tricks besides being very sick that actually work. A dark wardrobe turning bright...Owning my own place has become a battle each day with many surprises.  A zombie novel back on track too...And More....

I apologize for being gone but I'm back and will see you all soon...Hibernation is over. Happy Easter & Happy Passover! =)

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I read this and my heart melted.

This was an email I got yesterday but it was so touching I had to repost it here.

It is not known who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words: 

Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies'; taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. 

Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.  I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God 

Don't say you're too busy to forward this.  Don't you know the phrase 'stop and smell the roses'?

Why be a Jerk? Seriously...Why?

I'm trying to think what would be the benefit of being a jerk? I'm not going to limit this to just guys either...girls can be jerks too. Why would someone want to belittle someone & break their spirit just so they can...hmmm feel better about themselves? See the person be upset? Get some jolly out of it? Why??

The reason why I ask is I found out that a certain person I used to know is now treating a new girlfriend like gold. He stopped being an asshole to women & has basically become a new girl's lap dog. Now honestly I could care less about the guy who will rename nameless, I'm very happy with CJ & CJ has NOTHING on this other guy from years ago but I'm sitting here going why the hell did so & so have to treat me so badly when I was nicer than pie to him and now he's being an angel to someone new? It's almost like he found me at a weak moment in my life & just tortured me mentally...AND the funny part was this person was pissed that I walked away from him way back when.

Maybe something happened in his life that made him appreciate women? Meh I highly doubt it. The girl he is now dating lives in Manhatten so there has to be a catch there. He's looking for a meal ticket or something. It really makes me mad because I didn't deserve to be treated so horribly. No woman deserves to be used by some jerk & vice versa. Men should not be abused by mentally crippling women. I remember screaming at this guy in the break-up because he thought I was being unreasonable in leaving. What a jerk.

I almost wish I could warn this new girl to watch out for the commercial of him. I wonder if that is what he's doing. Showing her the good guy so he can turn into the monster that he is later when he has her? Who knows...but for some reason it is really pissing me off that he's being nice to someone new. It's actually making another ex of this guy mad too. Why be a terror? Why?

This goes for everything...Why would someone want to be a jerk? If you could give me one good reason for being a jerk I'll buy you a smoothie. Literallly....

Dear Friday, Did You Really Have to Include the High-Speed Chase??

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Hello Everyone! What a week! What a successful week!! The new job is coming along better than I could ever have hoped for. The people are so nice and there is tons of layers to the company. I had an extremely bad case of A.D.D. in my last job because tasks were a lil restricted & very on the surface of the company. Not in the new place! I'm still in training and will be for a while but they will be giving me a lil piece of everything. YEAH!! =)

Now I am in NO WAY a fashionistaa or even an outfit blogger, BUT I had to take a picture of my outfit today. The dress is casual at the job but because I'm still new I'm trying to make some good impressions so I've been dressing a lil more business-like. This morning I was inspired by the sunset to wear some lighter colors instead of my usual black, gray, & red.  Somehow in the dark of the morning I pulled out 3 blue pieces and it all came together. I started with the lightest blue and got darker as I added the layers. I think it works!

The two bottom shirts are from Kmart & the cardigan is from the GAP. When you need to buy alot of clothes on a budget I've found it's easier to have some nice pieces & some practical less expensive ones you will put in the washing machine alot. I loved wearing it all today!

I was on a total high note up until lunch. It's funny how shit loves to hit the fan. I was minding my own business leaving a rummage store when it happened. I was talking to my Mom on the phone when I see a car speed up the hill where I was parked. A lil behind him was a cop. The guy skids around the corner away from the cop and of course the cop with the sirens blaring tries to catch him. Thinking nothing of it I get in my car & drive up the hill away from the lil chase when I notice in front of me another cop car. My mom starts screaming at me to pull to the shoulder. I do and proceed to watch 4 MORE POLICE CARS speed past me. So who is never going to go out to lunch again? *Raising my Hand*

It was pretty scary & I found out I was in a bad area so I'm going to stay more near work. Thankfully it's Friday. I just want to relax. Can't wait to shut my eyes! I'll be visiting you guys soon!! =)

Quick Check-In! - Miss Melanie...What Are You Up To?

Hey Everyone! I'm running a lil late today so I thought I'd do a Quick Check from the past few days! Some information will be about me & other parts will be to help you! I'm adjusting to the new job but I still have so much too say!

~ 4.5 pounds!! Using my Wii Fit for one & a half weeks I've lost 4.5 pounds! Each day I've been trying to do at least 30 minutes with varying exercisises. Yes I'm a also stressed about the job so that might be facturing in but overall I've lost the weight. I'm so happy I can't begin to say. I was in a diet rut...it was just the right thing I needed! I'm also drinking the Green Diet, which I learned helps a diet too from the "17 Day Diet" Book. I hope I stick with it.

~Dove Visible Care Body Wash. Buy it, Love it! This is my own opinion. I have very dry skin on my legs, arms, and stomach in the Winter. It will sometimes be red it's so dry. Not anymore. I've been using this Dove product for 3 weeks and my skin is smooth, moisturized, and non-dry. I've recommended it to 2 of my friends who have had prickly heat, mild psoriasis, & just annoying dry skin. It works! There are Shop Rite coupons & CVS coupons for it daily!

~ Remember to do something special for the one you love. You never know...it might brighten up their whole day! CJ sent me flowers at work...It was so sweet and just awesome! I have to do something nice for him today...!

~Battle: Los Angeles Movie. If your looking for an alien invasion movie, well this may not be the perfect match. There are aliens but they are more side characters in this Human/Alien War movie. It's more about the soldiers fighting & if they just concentrated a lil bit more of the development of the characters it would have been better. Michelle Rodriquez tho kicked some serious ass! BUT It is very suspenseful and enjoyable if you like war games because the movie operates like your a First Person Shooter. I give it a B...and definitely do a Matinee!

I have a whole bunch more but I have to run to work! The new job is still going great but I'm a lil scattered because they are throwing a million things at me. I'm adjusting tho! See you all later!

But Baby Wanted 12...The "Moving In" Together Question...

Ever since I bought my condo there has been a question that has been plaguing me by tons of people. I bought the condo in the early stages of my relationship with CJ AND for long-time followers you know I wanted to get my own place way before I met him. It just happened that meeting a new guy & buying the condo was around the same time. But now it is DEFINITELY creating some gossip....

However CJ and I haven't even been dating a year. It'll be a year in May. I've always thought that at least a year is a good solid amount of time before big decisions should be made affecting the relationship. I know that isn't always the case for some people but for me it's been a guideline. Now CJ & I some nights play like we live together. He will come over to my place, stay over, we'll have coffee in the morning, he has a drawer I gave him for his extra clothes, I have a few big items of his already here like his video camera & Rockband, I always keep his toothbrush out, and I have certain foods I know he loves. From the beginning we've had a serious relationship but I think it's too soon to move into together...right?

In the down-time at the new job my mind is wandering and this subject is at the top of the line. Is it good to wait for marriage before you move in together? Is there a right time you should really be a couple before? Should we do real practice runs of it? Do we split everything down the line then? Is even talking about rushing it??? I don't know...I've never lived with a boyfriend before. It's a new chapter I know I'm going to have to encounter one day this year so I'd like to think ahead a lil.

 

I'd really love your thoughts on a Couple "Moving in" Together? What do you think?

First Day Jitters turned to First Day Cheers!! =)

 

 
You read that title correctly!! I had the BEST FIRST DAY EVER!!! I was a bundle of nerves, and that's an understatement. I was so nervous I woke up at 6am for an 8:30 job. lol. I dropped every compact of make-up I owned because my fingers just were giving out on me. I straightened my hair, put on my business pants, and tried to take that sigh of relief that Monday was here at last & feel the relief that I had a job to go to this morning. BUT did you guys know that the sun isn't even up at 6am?? It made me feel all over the place & I think I had too much coffee because I was like the Looney Tunes roadrunner to finish getting ready. Eventually I pulled myself together.

Now I had no idea what the traffic would be like on the Garden State Pkwy at 8 in the morning so I left at 7:30am from my place. I got to the job in less than 30 minutes...I'm happy I brought a book. Reading a book and listening to my ipod finally made me chill out a bit thankfully. The rest of the day...was out of a dream.

I got shown my cubicle and they started me off right away. It's different to be working with women. Men are from Mars and oh boy Women are from Venus. But they took me under the wing, sat me down with the lady that will be training me and started spurting off information. I tried to be a sponge. I was asking questions, writing down notes, meeting my new co-workers and was grinning like a schoolgirl. This is what I wanted. What I needed.

Just Breathe... The possibilities at this new place is making me drunk with dreams. I am the new marketing analyst checking out data for newspaper alliances and half through the day they switch their words to "You will be doing this" instead of the "This is what we do". It was music to my ears. Sweet music.

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From getting up tho at 6am and coming down from this happiness high I need to go to bed. Forgive me if I'm a lil delayed in visiting your precious blogs...I will be back to my norm when I get used to juggling everything!! =) I hope tomorrow will be just as good as today!! =)

I'm Sorry Peter...I Can't Go with You to Neverland...I Grew Up a Long Time Ago...

Ever have that moment where you visit an old group of friends and realize your just not one of them anymore? Or you realize that you've GROWN UP so much more than them or rather have moved on from the past? Over the weekend I got to see people I honestly haven't seen in years. All my college friends & my gaming friends from when I used to go to conventions for it. Yes I had a nerd phase, I admit. I have NEVER in all my life felt so out of place. It was almost as if I was in a coma for 4 years and just woke up this Saturday with them.

I think they were expecting the crazy girl who was kind of going out of her mind years ago when she left Rutgers to re-appear yesterday. I'm not her anymore. I actually have a healthy relationship with a man who loves me & tells people our "How We Met" story with a big smile on his lips, I'm starting a New Grown-Up Job tomorrow that I need to use my skills, I have my own condo that is mine to call home, I drink cocktails and wine not the shooters of cheap vodka out of tea-light holders, I'm physically healthier than I've been in years & years, & I became the woman who I am today...not the confused caffeine crazed 18 year old who was following the crowd wherever it took her. I'm definitely not the one who played those role-playing games anymore to escape reality & to escape being me. I am delighted to be me...the Grown-Up Me.

My life has changed for better & I'm just not in that group anymore. But what is irking me a bit is that I'm totally comfortable with that. I'm okay with moving on from them. I moved out from under their comfort zone a long time ago, got out of their madness, and I think it's the best thing that has ever happened to me. Now I'm not trying to say they are bad people or anything like that, I'm just saying that I grew out of role-playing & their childish ways of life style. They have TONS of drama & I'm so glad to be out of it. It was a very sobering experience that makes me realize, "Hey...I might be heading in the right direction after all!".

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The moment of realization couldn't have hit me at a better time.  Tomorrow is my FIRST DAY AT THE NEW JOB!!! I have to wear less eye-liner, get out my big-girl purse, show less cleavage, tone down the potty mouth, wear business attire, and lose the "I just crawled out of bed look"...at least from 8:30am-5pm. hehe. It should be interesting...very interesting. Wish me luck!

Have you ever had that "Wow I Grew Up" Moment before? 

What was yours?

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Birthdays...Elephants..Quiches...& Ninjas! What a Weekend this Shall Be!

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Today was my Free Day & I really took it by storm. New York didn't get the dreaded snow of course. They really need to update something in that weather station. These false alarms are driving me a lil cuckoo. hehe. Anywho...I finished getting some last few things for my new job wardrobe today. Kohl's, Target, & Kmart are my life saviors. =) Trying on each piece made me even more excited than ever!

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This weekend I have a Booked Planner. So much is going on...including finishing up the book "Water for Elephants." That photo up there is just so cute!! I love baby elephants. They are adorable in their awkwardness. =) Tonight tho I'm going to the Classic Quiche Restaurant in Teaneck, NJ. I don't think I've ever had a quiche. They specialize in it so it should be a real treat! =)

But Tomorrow is going to be pretty cool I hope! My best friend Danielle is coming from Albany and we are all going to the Ninja Restaurant in Manhatten for her birthday! It looks so cool! The waiters are all dressed like ninjas and there are magicians and it's all Japanese food. I hope they have something besides sushi. I just don't like sushi, so I'm hoping they have a simple chicken teriyaki dish or I don't know. I get to see people I haven't seen in actually a few years. I hope all drama gets brushed aside too. I hope...

It should be a whirlwind. I hope you all have a great weekend too! =)