By J, on February 11th, 2010
Yesterday’s snow storm didn’t totally cripple the Big Apple. This proved that the city is well prepared in dealing with a treacherous situation with this magnitude. With the city’s 1,600 plows and 365 salt spreaders on hand with more than 4,000 sanitation employees working in 12-hour shifts, the parkways and streets were pretty much passable. The rule of thumb is that for every inch of snow that falls, the city pays $1 million to clean it up. With up to a foot and a half expected, the total could reach $18 million.
The public transport system operated normally except for a few routes (MTA buses) that were suspended. In fact, if anyone had to be out, the best way to get around the city was through mass transit.
While schools were closed, New Yorkers went ahead with their usual business and that included government offices, as well as private establishments. We had our mail delivered yesterday, which meant that our trusty mailman worked too. Many chose to telecommute and totally stayed away from the outside element. Nothing beats working from the comfort of ones home when the weather is that bad.
Today, everything is expected to be back to normal. In fact, Mayor Bloomberg announced early last night that schools will reopen.
Now, it’s time to bring out those shovels and start to dig out.
By J, on February 6th, 2010
The only thing that is constant in this world is change. Be that as it may, a lot of people take any kind of change as simply disruptive and an unwelcoming idea.
I may now be one of those people to some degree. When I was younger, I welcomed change just like changing outfits. Testament to that was my career moves and company transfers in an effort to get to where I wanted fast. Getting pirated by another firm with a juicy offer and a career advancement was the norm. I was an aggressive twenty something, who had a specific objective to reach at the age of twenty five. It was very detailed and straight to the point, that I was going to declare myself a failure if I didn’t achieve it. I was driven and unyielding. No wonder that at that time (in my early twenties), a lot of people thought that I was in my early 30′s, and I only got those business suits to blame.
I don’t regret any single career move I made in the past. Looking back, I would not have been the person that I am today if I didn’t do what I did. I’m now a secured stay at home wife who is no longer power hungry and unyielding. I’ve been there and done that. I must say that I have peaked and achieved what I wanted in my professional life. Now, it’s time to relax and smell the roses. As you see, I have survived the biggest move in my life – and that is moving from the Far East to the West. That has been the biggest move I’ve taken so far. At my age, I would hate to move cross country if I can help it, but the promise of warmer weather is enticing. When that happens, I’m sure we can peruse those professional cross country movers.
I don’t even want to think about moving at this point though. Just the idea of it gives me stomach cramps. You’ll know why, when the time comes.
By J, on February 4th, 2010
After almost three weeks of disappearance, HGTV and Food Network are now finally back on CableVision in the tri-state area.
On January 21, Scripps Network and CableVision gave me a wonderful surprise by bringing back two of my favorite channels on cable. The sudden blackout of these two channels brought a damper on my new year, as they pulled the plug out on these channels at the second hour of the new year right after the merrymaking and celebration of New Year’s eve.
Scripps’ and CableVision’s terms of agreement were not disclosed. I wonder why! While they were busy bashing each other at the height of the dispute, dishing out how much each of the two parties get from the subscribers, their lips were sealed after they finally ‘agreed to agree.’
It was the longest three weeks for someone like me who rarely watch TV with the two channels gone. Now, I should find the time to sit on my fave recliner, relax and watch TV more often.
By J, on January 31st, 2010
This time of the year, I always get offers for term life ins from different pre-need companies. I wonder why. My husband also gets his share although both of us already have life insurance policies in force. In fact, because my husband is drawn to insurances we have coverage on all the basic insurances including jewelry and that umbrella insurance policy.
You want to hear how insane he is with insurance? He also insisted on getting appliance coverage. For now, our kitchen appliances are all covered under the manufacturer’s service coverage. And they are not new as the pieces are now about 10 years old except the dishwasher. We pay the premium on these every two years. I’m contemplating on not renewing the service contract this Fall. After all, if one of the appliance breaks down it may be less of a burden if we just replace and get a new one instead of calling for an on-site repair which the policy covers.
See? I have an insurance man in the house.
By J, on January 30th, 2010
I live in the biggest and the most exciting city in the world (please don’t contradict). If I don’t see New York as such, I would not have been lured to keep going back for New York Holidays all those years when I was still living overseas.
The fact that almost everyone who has not been to the United States would consider the Big Apple as one of their first State must-see/must-go to is enough proof of the city’s allure. I must know, I was once one of them.
The city that never sleeps has a multitude of things to offer to all the millions of visitors that flock annually. Holidays to New York as we all must know may not be that cheap, but if a traveler knows where to find good deals and offers, there’s a vacation package out there that will perfectly suit ones budget.
Yes, we all dream to travel and see the world. But it’s only those who dream big and act on that dream, who will eventually make that dream a reality. If you’re dreaming to travel someday, then you might as well dream of Holidays New York. It may not be the ultimate destination to some but your travel portfolio is not complete without New York listed on it.
Am I a good enough endorser of the city? Lest, you think I’m on the payroll of Mayor Bloomberg, no I’m not. I just love New York!
By J, on January 28th, 2010
When I saw this Saks Fifth email on my in-box today, I couldn’t get my mind off these beauties.
I guess, it’s about time to start shopping for these Spring must-haves. February is just about here and it is the right time to grab a pair. I already browsed through the collection and I can’t wait to head out to the store to fit and get the two pairs that I really heart. It is very seldom for me to buy footwear online. I’m ‘Mrs. Bigfoot’ and I’m very particular on how a shoe fits on me.
At Saks, once I phone my personal shopper, she gets the specific styles that I want, and they are ready for when I make my appointment, then I fit, decide and buy. Through the years, I have a certain comfort level when I’m shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue. This started when I said my first hello here in New York and it’s always been like that. Although, I still find myself going to Bergdorf Goodman, Barney’s and other good department stores here for merchandise that Saks don’t have in stock. But if you ask me which store I feel most comfortable in – that is none other than Saks.
By J, on January 26th, 2010
Yesterday’s rain and windy conditions wreaked havoc around New York. Our weather here has been totally unpredictable, and although we have above normal temperatures, the weather is unsettled. It’s a good thing that I didn’t go out as I don’t want my colds to turn for the worse. In fact, I’m now feeling a lot better as compared to Sunday’s heavy congestion.
I found myself baking again yesterday; this time, it was not for us but for my husband – to bring to work. I have initially planned for him to bring a couple of home-baked cakes last Christmas but because of over-abundance of sweets in his office at that time, he convinced me not to add to it. It turned out to be a wise move because with the overflowing quantity, they actually just finished everything last week.
I haven’t been working in my kitchen for almost seven weeks already. It didn’t feel right. I made two cakes, and even if they were not that complicated to make I was dead tired and I badly wanted to get a massage after. I was standing far too long and it’s something that I haven’t done in a long time. No, I don’t think I would need something like a spine surgery Mexico (I heard they have an affordable international patient program). That would be over-acting to even think about that. All I’m saying is that, I feel like a newbie in the kitchen, having been detached from it in almost seven weeks.
By J, on January 23rd, 2010
One day of running around got me my sniffles. Thursday was a very hectic day for me, as I was tasked to check out several places for our big project – the project that is currently ongoing but still stuck. I didn’t think it was going to be this hard but as it is, even with the current scenario, that perfect match is hard to come by.
The dry indoor air is not helping my condition even with the humidifier on. I’m clogged up. While writing this post, I have on the side the different auto insurance quotes that I printed, but it’s hard to concentrate. This has to be reviewed and a decision has to be made because Cordie’s insurance is expiring this March. We have ample time, anyway.
It’s time to fold up. I think I need to rest my eyes. It does not help that I’m in front of the laptop. That heated mattress pad on our bed is waving at me.
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