Today Is Just One Of Those Days...

And I'm counting down the minutes until I'm on a cruise with N to the Bahamas and Key West. 18,720 minutes to be exact.

I've heard it's pretty warm outside today in Boston, but I haven't moved from my cube, so I wouldn't know (insert extremely crabby attitude). Hence why my scheduled vacation days can't come soon enough.

I won't hate spending a few days in tropical paradise

I Love You More Than...

My friend over at PR Moonlighting recently blogged about her two year anniversary with her boyfriend (congrats!) and how she used the site I Love You More Than Blank to let him know just how much she loves him. I did this for N a couple weeks back. Here is the heart I made for him:

Now I will explain why. Freddie is not real. Freddie is the miniature bulldog N and I plan to get at some point down the road. I have my heart set on a dog sooner than later, so I talk about him like he already lives with me. "Freddie would love going for a walk here..." - you get the picture. I talk about this imaginary dog so much that N feels like he will be kicked to the curb once he's really mine. I assured him he will always be #1, but Freddie comes a close second.

I've Given In To The Hype

Like most pubescent 15 year old girls, I've become obsessed with the book series, Twilight. Yes, I'm 25. I'm only half way through the first book and I'm undoubtedly in love with Edward Cullen - who just so happens to be a vampire. You would assume it is sci-fi, which is definitely not my cup-of-tea, but it really is a captivating love story. I can't wait to finish the book and watch the movie.

Has anyone else read the series/watched the movie?

Amish Friendship Bread

Has anyone ever tried Amish Friendship Bread? Ah-ma-zing. But honestly the weirdest concept ever.

Last week, in preparation for my trip to Florida, I went over my parents' house to pick up a suitcase. On the kitchen counter was a giant Ziploc bag of mush. It looked like a cross between baby cereal and vanilla yogurt - same color, same consistency. I was rushing around to get back to my apartment and pack, so I forgot to ask my Mom what sort of science project she was concocting. Not to mention this bag stuck out like a sore thumb in my uber-clean house.

Fast forward to this week. I came back from Florida on Monday and I went to visit my family for dinner to fill them in on my fabulous vacation. After dinner, Mom has some sort of bread on the table for dessert. Not a bread I'm familiar with. Mom's specialties are: blueberry, pumpkin, even zucchini, but this bread was foreign. I was skeptical, but I am never one to pass up any kind of dessert. It was UNBELIEVABLE and it was made from the bag of mush. I tried describing it to N last night and I decided it is like pound cake/coffee cake. Here's the kicker, it takes 10 days to make - in a bag.

It is somewhat like a chain letter. You make the bread, then you give a "starter" bag of batter to 3 friends, so they can make their own. Mom gave me a bag and I'm on day 3. I don't have many friends that bake, so I'll most likely give a bag to N's mom, my married friend (who is a superb baker - pumpkin chocolate chip bread) and freeze the last bag for a later date (or let me know if you want it).

Has anyone ever heard of this/made one?

Music

A few months back I shared the songs that typically put me in a great mood - some have been top picks forever, some just the flavor of the day. Now I'm in a rut and I can't seem to find any new artists/songs that I really like. If you know me, you know I'm a big Springsteen fan. Well, I was pretty excited for the January 27 release of his new album, Working on a Dream. Needless to say, "Queen of the Supermarket" didn't rock my socks off.

Does anyone have new music to share? All genres are welcome.

The Morning Commute

If you read this blog, I'm sure you have an idea of how much I hate taking public transportation to work. I went to my parents' house for dinner on Wednesday and I tried painting the picture of the morning commute. I've also tried describing it to N on several occassions and I guess you can't fully grasp the concept until it becomes part of your daily routine.

Here it goes.

First, the train has a distinct odor. Not a nice odor. The odor of burning brake pads and sweat. Boston temps are usually in the teens during the Winter, so the heat on the train is blasting to keep passengers warm. This is awesome ONLY for the few minutes it takes to defrost because on most days when people are dripping wet from snow or rain, the heat/wet combo makes for for a swampy mess. Not to mention I'm usually bundled up with a hat, scarf, gloves and the shiniest, puffiest jacket you will ever see - this does not equal hottness.

Now, finding a seat. It is every man for himself. During dinner, my mom asked, "do men usually give up their seats for women or the elderly," HELL NO, MOM if you find a seat you hold on to it for dear life. The trains are set up to have seating for two people on one side of the aisle and seating for three people on the other side. In my opinion the two-person seat is ideal because there is less of a chance to touch the other person. This is a big deal. Once you spot a seat and make the big attempt to sit down, you have to slide, ever so slightly into the seat, careful not to touch the person beside you. If you do, even by accident, there is no doubt that person will give you a dirty look for invading their personal space.

People do not speak on the train. Even if you are mid-conversation with someone you know waiting at the T stop (this has happened to me on several occassions), the conversation MUST be abruptly cut short because the glares you will get if you continue to chit-chat on the train will most likely be fatal. Same goes with talking on a cell phone. I always keep my phone on vibrate, but if you don't, you better pray it doesn't ring on the train. For the poor soul fumbling to find a ringing cell phone in his pocket, briefcase or at the bottom of a backpack, I feel for you. You will be the brunt of passengers' gasps as this is the mac-daddy of commuter no-nos. N doesn't understand the cell phone rule because he feels this would be a great opportunity for people to be "sealing deals and making moves." I agree, but I'm not going to be the first one to break from the norm.

A day in the life...oh how glamorous!

Dreams

I've been waking up crying - a lot. Not just a tear running down my face, but sobs. I keep telling myself it is because my body wants to wake me up from a nightmare (not sure why I'd be having nightmares), but today I did a little research and I've decided it is a problem.

DreamMoods.com

Cry

"To wake up crying, represents some suppressed hurt or previous trauma that is coming up to the surface. You can no longer suppress these emotions. They need to be dealt with head on."

Interesting, eh? I can't say that I was all that shocked by the explanation, but I wish it also included something like this, "Jena, this is how you should deal with your suppressed hurt..." because at this point I'm at a serious loss.