Getting Close to the End

Hard to believe but summer time is almost over! It is already August, and move in day back to good old SPC is only three weeks away. I have pretty much succeeded in most of the goals I set for myself this summer. The one that I definitely still need to work on is getting tan, or at least enough color that it won’t look like I am ghostly (I know Rezma and Aashish still do not believe that I can tan, and I need to prove it to them). This past weekend I visited my friend Dan’s who lives by Long Branch Beach, and the day that we decided to go it rained and was overcast. Still had a very fun time even with no sunshine. Looking forward to this weekend, since I am heading down towards Tom’s River. Hoping I can read a good book and successfully get some golden bronze coloring (not too much, I don’t want to have skin cancer or look like someone from the Jersey Shore, haha).

Although, I am really looking forward to going back to college for my last year, I am also really enjoying my summer and don’t want to come to terms with starting my last year of school. After working full time this summer, I realize that college is way easier than the working world. I think I would even take studying for final exams over working a 40-60 hour week. The days just go by too fast. It’s not that I don’t enjoy work, it’s just that I don’t feel like I get to talk to all my friends as often as I would like to. At least I always have weekends to look forward to! I think what I will miss and what I enjoy is being around a lot of friends 24/7. I have made some really amazing friends at work. So, in actuality I get to be with people I like a lot at my internship as well, but I only get to see them for an hour if I am lucky (unless we go to Turtle Bay for Happy Hour!). I just think it is finally hitting me that after this year, I am going to be out in the working world for real. No more internships, it is time for the real deal come next June. Definitely going to live this last year of college up as much as possible (while maintaining my grades still, I know if Kim is reading this she probably got real excited up until just that point, haha). I have a lot to look forward to in the future, but I don’t want to rush my last year of college. Hopefully the last three weeks of summer don’t go by too fast because once the first day of school comes, I know things are going to fly.

Next week is going to be my last week of working for MetLife as a summer intern. I am hoping that I have impressed them enough to get a job offer before I graduate in May! As I have mentioned before, I have made a lot of great friends at work. The interns I work with are all a part of another department (Brand Marketing where as I am a part of US Business Marketing). On the first week, I met my friend Sidney at a Usability Testing/ Focus Group and I got her email. From there, I got Leslie, David, Gloria, Kendall, and Parker’s emails and basically asked them to lunch even though I did not know any of them. It was kind-of like a blind date! (I was basically the freak that no one knew on the 39th floor, haha!) Luckily, they all accepted the sole US Business intern, and since then I have become very close to them all. Thank God I met Sidney or I would not have met any other interns or people that are my age. It is nice to have people at work that are in similar situations as myself. I go to the gym with them, get the chance to laugh and kick back with them at happy hour, and currently we are planning on bowling and clubbing nights. As I said, I really enjoy my job, but having friends like them makes my day that much better. I even got the chance to work on a summer intern project with them and their department, and it wound up being one of the things I can say I am most proud of this summer. So, for any of my friends from MetLife if you read this blog, I am happy I got to work with you all and I hope that in the future I will get the opportunity again. I am really looking forward to the outing we are having at the end of the week, and I think that we will all hang out again in the future.

Anyway, those are the most recent things that are on my mind. Hopefully, when I am done working I can write more before school starts. I know my blog will be lacking once the fall semester shenanigans begin!

Saying Goodbye is Never Easy

Yesterday, I had one of the best days of summer so far! It was bittersweet spending time with one of my best friends, Peaches Dela Paz, and then realizing that at the end of the weekend I was saying goodbye to her for two years. For those of you who do not know Peaches, she is going to Micronesia for two years to serve young students there through JVC. I selfishly wish that she could stay here and be with me for my senior year. Who am I going to dance with at the Shannon and take a gazillion pictures with?!? Or, who am I going to escape to at 12 am when I just want to get away from everything.

I know that I have really great friends at SPC, but Peaches really is very special to me. She has always been there for me in good times and in bad, and I know that if I ever needed anything that she would be there for me in a heartbeat. As cheesy as this all sounds, it is true. Last night, while sitting in my backyard with a bunch of my close friends made me remember that goodbyes are never easy. Never, have I been one to be good at saying goodbye. I know that it is just see you later, but leaving people for long periods of time is so hard for me.

Most of my friends who attended Peaches going away party I threw were seniors, and it is sad for me to think that next year will be so different without all of them at SPC. I know that I am going to have a blast my senior year with all my close friends from the class of 2011, but there are going to be moments where I wish that all my close friends were in the same grade as me. I know that change is a part of life, but I wish things could just stay as they are sometimes. Happy in the same moment forever. I guess I am living in a fantasy world, thinking that life could be that easy. But, I know that near or far, my close friends will always be there for me. So, even though I may not see them in person everyday... I will know that they are thinking of me at least. Just like I will be thinking of them.

This post is really meant to say, good luck to all of you who are moving on to your next stage of life! I have faith that you will all succeed. So, here is to all the memories we have shared, and to all of the ones that lie ahead. I know that I will miss Peaches so much, as well as my other friends... But, I also know that no matter what I will always stay connected to them in one way or another.

Sorry for the cheesy post, but I guess saying goodbye to a best friend makes you sentimental!

Short and Sweet

So, I have totally slacked off for the last month on blogging. I know, I know... Not as dedicated as I imagined I would be. As many would say, "Epic Fail". Since I started working at MetLife I have totally lost my ability to stay up past 10:30 at night. I feel like I am 40 years old. But, slowly, I am beginning to get used to the work schedule. Wake up at 6 and come home around 8:45. Long day to say the least. I have though, been keeping up with going to the gym almost everyday! So, at least I don't totally fail on accomplishing my goals of the summer. I am keeping this blog short and sweet since I can barely keep my eyes open right now.

Just wanted to say there are some things that I am looking forward to this month! Including seeing friends from SPC, going to the beach to try and get a tint of color since I am pure white still from working in an office building (or as my mom says, "You have a neon light tan" aka no tan at all!), planning on going to Boston to see my sister, and I am even looking forward to this weekend.... 3 day weekend for the 4th of July! Happy Birthday America ;) Cannot wait to watch some fireworks.

Also, I am not going to lie about how excited I am to see the new Twilight movie, Eclipse! Gahhh! I am super excited to see Tay Laut with his shirt off for a good portion of the movie ;) Team Jacob! Although, I would love it if I had a boyfriend that treated me like Edward too. Both are good picks in my book. Oh, and I saw the new Harry Potter trailer... CANNOT WAIT to see that movie!!! Gonna be great!

I really love working in the city, sometimes wish I had more of a social life on weekdays... But so grateful to have such a great job. Learning so much this summer, and feel like after college I am going to be prepared for the real deal.

This weekend I will post a real blog story. Just wanted to update and try to keep up with one of the many summer goals I have. :)

Watching the Sunset for the First Time Again

Over this last week, I realized that no matter how many times I watch the sunset, it will always feel like I am watching it for the first time. I saw the sunset earlier this week at the beach and then last night in the city. I had been visiting my grandparents at Breezypoint Beach on Thursday, and we left the just before the sunset. On the way home we drove along the beach and I was sad that we were not sitting on the beach when the sun was going down. I feel like every time the sun goes down, it makes me remember how the simple things in life are often the most beautiful and enjoyable.

Being that I am a pretty sensitive person (haha), it also makes me reflect on things that have happened during the week. In some ways this week has been very enjoyable. Spending time with friends and getting to do things as simple as strolling around, laying in the grass and looking at the sky and picking out the shapes the clouds make, or just sitting outside on a nice summer day with my mom and reading a book have been highlights of this week. It was nice to spend my last week before I begin working at MetLife in relaxation. Yesterday when I was standing on the Brooklyn Bridge watching the sun go down, I looked out at the city and realized starting on Monday I will be working in The Big Apple full time! Hard to believe how fast time went. I know that come Monday I will be a part of the hustle and bustle of the city. So, standing on the bridge looking out at "the city that never sleeps" in silence was pleasant.

It feel like I do not usually take the time to go outside my house to appreciate the simple beauties of life, like the sunsetting. I hope that even though I am going to get caught up in work and going out with my friends, that I can find more time to remember to step outside and admire the simple splendors that God has created.

The pictures I have uploaded are some of my favorite sunsets. The first one is taken from my phone on the Brooklyn Bridge after spending time on Pier 17, which was a very enjoyable time. The second is also from my phone and is from Liberty State Park after a day with my close friends when I was a sophomore... That is still one of my favorite memories at SPC. The third is one I took in Rome, Italy right before the sun began to set. That is one of my favorite pictures from that trip. The last two are both from a family vacation I had at Cape May. Nothing gets better than sitting on the beach and watching the sun go down! The last picture, I must note is one that I am very proud of!

Missing My SPC Family

Although, I really love my time at home.... I surprisingly miss time at SPC, a lot. Well, I think it is the people I miss more. It has only been a week here at home, but I know through the summer these are things I will begin to miss!

I miss saying goodnight to my roommate, JoJo. I also miss spooning with her and chatting about everything and nothing at the same time. It is so quiet in my house, and I do not even have my sister around to have pillow talk with. I miss my other roommates a lot as well, being around all those girls was such a blast. People thought we must drive each other crazy, but in no way shape or form did that happen. Sure, every one has their moments, but life is never dull with the girls from E20. I definitely miss cuddling with Allyson, my "dinner dates" with Molly as well as singing with her, my extremely awkward moments with Cindy-bear, and pedicures with Kate. I miss my two pseudo roommates, Nicole and Emily brightening up my day! I especially miss "bathroom talks" til' 5 AM with Nicole. I miss walking over to Peaches and Veronica's room for a late night conversation. I miss Peaches "WOW MOM" so much already, and her being there to dance to Miley Cirus with. I miss Marielle's sleep overs that are normally impromptu. One time I got a great video of her... But my computer crashed *sigh*! I miss my Durant girls, Melissa, Kim, and Steph. They were so good to escape from 140 to go and have a good laugh with. I was kinda their "4th roommie" after KB left, who I also miss. I miss Mike and Brandon coming over and pretending to not know I just showered and walking into my room, haha! I miss my RA Rozen for having "Club Nepal" bumping til' 3:30 AM. I miss hanging out with my other favorite seniors, Jacob (aka Cupcake), Mariya, Alisha, Rezma, Aashish a.k.a. the other Shrestha, Ivo, and Albert... I really miss them a lot since I feel like I became close to a few I wasn't as close to at the end of the semester! Dinner with Cupcake on Sunday nights is missed. I miss seeing my 2 "daughters" Samana and Si.... They are two of my best friends, and could not make it through the semester without my two loving "daughters"! I miss my "big brother" Jon and his half and half blood that we share. I miss K-Chen for all of her sarcastic remarks, and for her hugs. I miss my "lover" Rose and the "maid of honor" Venessa. I miss all the people that lived above me, Joe, Gilbert, Greg, James, and Adam... Those boys may have been routy sometimes, but they sure did always put a smile on my face. I definitely miss saying, "Grrayyyyygg!" and Joe's country-boy accent, even though he thinks he does not have one. I also wish I had Gilbert as my gym partner over the summer still, it is boring working out alone! I miss my Bulgarian friends, they are all SO sweet and they all make me feel like gold when I see them. I miss my newly found international friends! I miss Shailesh coming over and eating jelly sandwiches and chilling out, and my "Boo Two", Kapil, since well... He is my other boo! I miss my close choir friends, like Kelly Rose who always makes me laugh uncontrollably, and Mike Storey's jokes at rehearsals. I miss James M. for the fun awkward waves and moments. And I should mention Ayush and Ryan, since they have become followers on my blog, haha.....

And the list could go on and on and on with everyone from SPC (if your name was not mentioned it does not mean that I do not find you special as well), but what I am saying is I have really made a family at SPC. I love the people there. There are some people like Dan, Jolie, Megan C., and Tommy who are not there now, but everyone that has been a part of my SPC family means a lot to me. I think this blog is mostly because I know I will be a senior in August and I know how much I will actually miss all these people even more next year. Shailesh was talking to me tonight on Skype, and I am not quite sure how it happened, but he inspired me to write this blog, so thanks to you :) The picture I have posted is from my car on my mobile phone while waiting at a light. Although JC is not quite a site to see... It definitely has its moments of beauty. I think that is mostly because of all the people that are in my life there. This may be a cheesy blog, but at 2 AM it is the one thing that seemed worth writing about today!

My trip to the beach winds up being a trip to B&N

Today, I was going to go to the beach with Nicole Onello again, and some of her friends... But my mom really wanted me to go shopping for some clothes for work since I start in a week from today! I did not fight her too much since today is an awesome sale day, but I do wish I was soaking up the sun instead of being inside an air conditioned store. The tan that I got last week is already beginning to go away. So sad.

So, I woke up with every intention to go to the mall all day, but then my mom told me that she wanted to go to the Christmas Tree Store. Let me tell you, there was nooo way I was going to go shopping there today after skipping out on the beach! So, I made her and my dad drop me off at Barnes and Noble while I waited for them. My mom told me they had wireless, but what she failed to tell me was that they did not have plugs to charge my computer. I only have about half the power on my computer. Being that my mom usually takes hours at The Christmas Tree store, looks like I am going to be able to read a short novel while I wait here. Not that I mind very much though, I have always really loved Barnes and Noble. I also have a $50 gift card here, so I can at least buy something!

Recently, I have become totally obsessed with the show Glee! I am definitely a "Gleek" now. I was never really able to watch it during the school year, because it was on when I had choir (kinda funny that I had choir when it was on). I am pretty much in love with the characters Finn and Artie! They are quite the lookers, haha! I am also finding myself playing Glee songs on Youtube constantly, so I am actually considering spending my giftcard to Barnes and Noble for the Glee Soundtracks. I will feel slightly bad that I am buying CD's and not books, but I figure that I can get almost any book I want at the library. I do not think the Ridgewood Library has all of the Glee Soundtracks. Sometimes, I hate getting money to places like these, because there are so many things that I want that it becomes hard to choose which thing to get.

I could probably spend all day here, reading, drinking a frappuccino, writing, and people watching. Right now, I am sitting by a large glass window and it beautiful outside. I kind of wanna go out for a walk later, because the sun is shining and the wind is blowing. I probably won't be home til' dusk though, so I will have to find a friend to go with me. Not such a fan of walking in the dark by myself! Well, that sums up this blog. Kinda happy that I wrote two days in a row. Let's see if I can repeat this again tomorrow!

Summer of 2010

Not until recently did I think I would ever want to blog. Then, after reading some of my friends blogs, I decided it could be fun to start my own. I am not sure how long I am going to stay dedicated to it, but I figured I could give it a try.

I have just gotten home from my Junior year of college at SPC, and I have a pretty exciting summer ahead of me. I have some goals and expectations that I am setting for myself this summer. Some of them include....

~ Making sure I get to the beach more than once this summer! Already went with Nicole Onello once, so this should not be quite as hard as it was last year.

~ Actually getting some color before the month of August. Last year I was pretty pasty white until right before I went back to school. Although, this goal may not be possible since I am working a minimum of 40 hours.

~ Do a good job at my internship with MetLife, so that after college I can have a job offer. It has been dawning on me that my time at college is going to come to an end before I know it, and I really am going to need find a job hopefully before February of 2011.

~ I want to make sure that starting next week, I make it to the gym 6 times a week because since finals week, my pants have been getting tighter on me. Definitely no bueno.

~ I want to relax and enjoy my time at home for the next few months. Although, I will be working, I want to enjoy my last summer vacation as a college student. I will eventually be going to grad school or law school, but this is my last real "summer vacation"... So weird!

~ I really wanna get back into playing my violin. I have not played in the past three years, and it makes me feel bad that I took all those lessons since I was 10 and kinda let it go to waste. So, starting this week, I am going to try to play at least once a week, so that I do not totally lose my skills.

I am sure there are other things I would like to do or achieve this summer.... But for now these are the immediate things I am going for. Hopefully, I will be able to check all of these off by the end of the summer! Next time, my blog probably won't be quite as self centered but I didn't feel inspired quite yet on something to write about (and thought I should at least start blogging since it is one of the things I am trying to do this summer!)