Rain, Rain Go Away

'Le List' for a Rainy Day

1. 
   
   Mood: Sleepy, dreamy---I didn't want to get out of my warm bed and walk outside in the damp, dark, cold to the bus this morning.


2. 
   
   Has a commercial ever brought you to tears? I've always had a soft spot for the holiday Coca-Cola and Campbells Soup commercials.


3. 
   
   Something you've lost and would like to get back? The sapphire from the ring my parents gave me when I was 14. It fell off my ring a few months ago, and my finger has never felt the same.


4. 
   
   When was the last time you thanked someone with a kiss? Last night when Jeff brought home acorn squash soup from work for dinner and mashed sweet potatoes for my lunch today.


5. 
   
   3 good things about your life right now? I've got the love of my life, a beautiful apartment and we have two good, new jobs :)


6. 
   
   What store would you like to see open in your town? A Peoples Market (and preferrably NOT in East Liberty/Shadyside with the rest of the nice grocery stores...and all-day traffic)


7. 
   
   If you were a type of makeup, what would you be? I'd be a tube of YSL red lipstick, of course.


8. 
   
   First trip on an airplane? To Jamaica with my youth group for a missions' trip in 10th grade


9. 
   
   3 songs that remind you of different times of your life? 1) 'Bye Bye Bye' - *NSYNC, singing/dancing with my friends at middle school dances; 2) 'Let It Be' - The Beatles, singing with my mom in the car; 3) 'Mine' -Taylor Swift, when I first started dating Jeff and to this day...It's our song <3


10. 
    
    Weekly Goals: Make it through the 70+ degree Thurs-Tues filled with doctor appointments
    

I Finally Met My Match with the GMAT

This morning was my GMAT exam. It was the last step in my application process for grad school and my MBA. I've applied to Pitt, Duquesne, Robert Morris and Point Park. Although I had not studied as much as the GMAT Test Prep suggested, I never studied as much as the Test Prep guides or teachers suggested. Even without proper test preparation, I always received an adequate score---and usually an above average score at that. Today, the GMAT defied all tried-and-true logic that allowed me to believe I did not need to prepare as suggested or that I was an exception to the rules. I have finally met my match in a standardized test.

I am kind of glad it happened. I was overly confident and arrogant, and if there is anything I cannot stand is an overly confident and arrogant person. What I enjoy in equally the same fashion is that same confident and arrogant person meeting his or her match and realizing their faults. For all of my life, which I realize is not that long, I have thought that I was immune to the pressures of exams. Yes, I sweat with the hard ones and prepare for the ones on subject I struggle with, such as statistics or supply chain management. But, standardized tests are a different ballpark, in my opinion. Instead of focusing on one subject or a series of chapters in one book, standardized tests gather information from everywhere and anywhere.

I have always believed that "You either got it, or you don't" when it comes to standardized tests. The tests I took all through K-12 public school always revealed me in the top percentiles for language and reading and above average in math and science. The SATs were similar. I didn't study a single book or study guide for the SAT and performed as I always have in standardized tests. I was a little surprised, honestly, but at the same time I was not at all shocked. I expected my results, whether I studied or not.

The GMAT was a whole different story. I did study! I took the diagnostic test over a month ago and scored above average in all areas. In fact, in one section, I only missed one question. I scored with a little less sparkle in the quantitative section, so I focused on that test prep booklet when studying. However, as I have been feeling "not my self" lately, I haven't studied as much as I had originally planned. Instead, most nights this past month I've come home from work and gone right to sleep. So, many would assume that I was doomed to score worse on the actual GMAT than I did on the diagnostic exam because of the distraction of being sick. At least, Jeff has told me that I couldn't help my score feeling as I have lately. And, to a point, I agree with him. But, what if my arrogance had something to do with my unexpected score more than my health?

Although I went into the exam knowing I was not prepared and wouldn't score as high as I believed I could, I did not expect to do worse than the pre-test. I believed what has always worked for me in standardized tests---my Kool-Aid, or my immunity to the stressors of such a test---would work for me again.

It didn't work!

And now, I am humbled to admit that I think I'll have to enroll in a GMAT Prep class and take the exam again in a few months. I am still submitting my completed applications, as I still feel I have a chance to get into the schools I've applied to and I have excellent recommendations and qualifications, but I may have to re-apply for the Fall semester.

Maybe I am overreacting to my estimated score or underestimating the power packed in my applications, recommendations, resume, GMAT essays and admissions essays. That's possible. But, it's easy for me to believe that might be too optimistic.

Instead of optimism, I think I will be enjoying the rest of this chilly, rainy Fall evening with a cup of tea and some humble pie.

(Well, really, I'll probably eating some Greek yogurt and berries, but you know what I am trying to say.)

My 24th Birthday

This past weekend was a relaxing, fun time with the ones I love. We celebrated Jeff's new job, ate Mexican food with a party of 15+, cheered the Steelers on to butt-kicking victory and spent the evening with family last night.

Today, it is the actual day of my birth. I was born to Frank and Dot Harnett on this day, 24 years ago, at 9:34 a.m. I weighed 5lbs. 14oz., 19 1/2 ins. long and was born 2 weeks late. Today, 24 years later, I am spending my birthday with my one true love, relaxing and enjoying each other with so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to in the near and distant future.

Here is what is on the agenda for today:




Our 1st Pumpkin Spice Lattes of the season at Starbucks




The Lion King 3D (OMG!!! Jeff has never seen it!)




Thai food at our favorite spot, Nicky's Thai Kitchen in Verona, and to stick with the fall theme, I plan on ordering their pumpkin curry with chicken along with a pot of their Tom Kha soup.




And, to finish the night, Jeff is making my favorite dessert, Bananas Foster with Tahitian Vanilla Bean Gelato. This will be inevitably followed with absurd amounts of smiles, cuddles and XOXOs, as we watch our evening TV choices.

These have been a very eventful first 24 years. Here's to the next 'eventful' 24 years and many, many more!

I am so excited :)

You Have Bad Days...and Good Days?

So, yesterday was a bad day.

Now, my morning bus picks me up in Oakmont around 6:23am every day, and I usually get to town by 7:15am. That gives me 10-15 minutes to walk from Fifth Ave. to my office on First Ave. I usually like to run a few errands during those few minutes, and some rough mornings require a trip to Crazy Mocha.

--->I have been avoiding Starbucks like the plague since Pumpkin Spice Lattes came back a few weeks ago. I LOVE THEM! It is honestly something I look forward to every year, and stupidly, I made Jeff a promise that we'd have our first Pumpkin Spice Lattes of the year together on our next day off work. BIG MISTAKE! We're planning to wait until my birthday (Monday) to go to Starbucks for a coffee date before seeing The Lion King 3D movie. I am so excited for Monday! But, needless to say, I've been very good at keeping my word in this promise. I don't even linger at the Starbucks door, hoping to catch a whiff of Pumpkin Spice or see the glossy marketing visual of this fabulous Mecca of coffee drinks. I just look and walk the other way with a pout on my face.

So yesterday morning, my normal routine was interrupted. My bus goes up Grant St. from Liberty Ave. when it gets Downtown. We go right by the Federal Building, Steel Tower, Courthouse and Greyhound Bus Station every morning. That morning, all four of those buildings experienced some drama to say the very least.

Apparently, a passenger of one of the Greyhound buses yesterday morning got off their bus and pressed a fire alarm. She was already on the radar with this action, and it wasn't even 7 a.m. Secondly, there was a 'suspicious bag' left near the courthouse. Or, was it the Federal Building? I don't think the media really nailed that detail down officially. And third, there was another 'suspicious bag' left "somewhere" on Third Street.

Pittsburgh, in all of its hopes to become the next big news story (but never quite achieves that goal), had Grant St. blocked off from Liberty Ave. to Seventh Ave. with a total of eight police cars. There were also officers on patrol outside the Federal Building, turning pedestrians to walk away or on the other side of the road. Cars were backed up all across town, even all the way to the Liberty Bridge on the opposite side of town. Yay for rush hour delays being delayed.

Officers on foot. Check.

Fire truck. Check.

Two ambulances. Check.

Two bomb squad trucks. Check.

Sheriff van. Check.

So my little Oakmont Flyer bus turned up Liberty Ave. and detoured to Seventh from Strawberry St. in a total of 15 minutes worth of traffic jams. Finally the bus started letting passengers off on Grant St., but stopped letting people off right before my stop. We sat on Grant St. for another 5-8 minutes before turning down Fifth Ave. and skipping my usual bus stop. Instead, I finally got off the bus on Wood Street, left to walk 9 blocks in the rain, skipping my errands and being about 7 minutes late to work.

SO NOT THE WAY TO START ANY DAY!

Later, Pittsburgh unraveled this 'gripping' story. The bomb squad never detonated the bags, instead they just unzipped them. It turned out they were both bags of the same woman that set off the fire alarms at the Greyhound station earlier in the morning. It also turned out that the bags just contained clothes and various toiletries. Fabulous. I wish they had blown them up so she could be inconvenienced, just like half of the morning rush hour.

So, the rest of the day was pretty average and slow at work. My stomach was killing me from eating pasta and a chocolate chip cookie for dinner all night and continued into the next day. Work was dull, to say the least. And the sky was gray and unhappy too.

At 4 p.m. I left work and started my walk to my bus stop on Fifth Ave., only to wait an extra 15 minutes for my late bus. Not even three blocks up the street, my bus driver pulls over and calls his boss that some lights starting flashing on our bus and it was 'about to break down.' A crazy woman was knocking on the door to let her on (or something), but it wasn't a bus stop.

Crazy Pittsburghers are out in abundance today!

My bus driver decided to 'risk it' and keep driving as normal, but the by the time we got on the East Busway, he pulled over and turned into the garage. We had to get on a new bus and get a full bus situated again. More delays...

I got home 35 minutes later than usual, and I was feeling sick. And, in general, I wasn't a happy camper. My Facebook status when I got home was actually "So let's cross September 15, 2011 off the calendar forever starting now. And the rest of this past damn week :)" and I meant every word of it.

I ended my bad mood by saying "Today was a bad day" and hoped for a good day soon.

My good day came sooner than I expected.

This morning, I woke up after a really good night of sleep. My 3 mile run and uphill walk definitely rocked my to sleep by 9 p.m. and I was more than thankful for it this morning. I wasn't even craving coffee until I left work! I had tea instead.

So, today's morning commute was a lot smoother and I got into town with plenty of time to spare to start my morning routine and get to work early. I stopped by Crazy Mocha, even though I knew I didn't 'need' coffee today. I wanted to get a chai tea soy latte. While I was in line, another lady walked up in line and smiled at me. I smiled back.

"Did you already pay for your coffee?" She asked me.

"No, not yet..." I said, thinking maybe she was in a huge hurry or something.

"Don't. It's on me," she said with another excited smile. She showed me a BOGO Crazy Mocha coupon.

"Well, I'm not getting coffee. Does it still work? Are you sure you don't want to save that?" I asked, shocked.

"Nope. It's on me. Please, let me. I hope you have a great weekend."

And with that, she shooed me away from the barista and espresso machine, counter and assorted pastries.

When does that happen anymore? I try to do the right thing and always make a point to do good deeds, hoping someday I'll receive a good deed in return. But, I never honestly expect to get a return of kindness from a stranger. I was blown away and so thankful. It was exactly the boost I needed to get me to work and have a fantastic last day before a long weekend with Jeff for our birthdays. Work was the last thing I wanted to do yesterday, and after that act of kindness, I had a fabulous day at work.

This weekend is full of exciting parties and events, and this week has been the longest week of my life (Or at least since the week before the cruise to Bermuda in August). I hate feeling distracted or under-motivated at work. I love to do my best every day and excel. So, it killed me even more to have such bad, slow and impatient days all week. Sometimes you need something totally unexpected---Like a good deed from a stranger---to knock a new perspective into you. Today went by fast, and I rarely felt tired. I felt accomplished leaving work.

Jeff's last day at Gullifty's is today, and they're throwing him a going away party after work tonight. We're both going, and it should be a nice, relaxed time. Tomorrow is our joint birthday party, eating yummy Mexican food and drinking margaritas with friends. Sunday is Steelers Sunday. And, Monday we both have off from work and we'll be seeing The Lion King 3D, drinking Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes at lunch and eating Nicky's Thai Kitchen and Banana's Foster for my birthday dinner. Things look so much brighter than they did just yesterday, and I can't help but think how important it is to maintain perspective, no matter how 'lame' the day or week may seem. I may not have a party every night to look forward to, but I have a bunch of things to be thankful for every night. With that, I am getting ready to go on a run in my new (birthday gift to myself) running shoes. They're lime green and turquoise, and I am obsessed with them.

My perspective has done a 180 in less than 24 hours. When was the last time you received a good deed or gave an act of kindness that caused this to happen in your life? I'd love to hear.

Have a beautiful weekend, loves.

XOXO

Has It Really Been 4 Months?

Yes.

And I am so sorry for such a lull in my blog. But, more importantly, has it really been 1 year since my post about my first 4 years in Pittsburgh?

Yes.

So, let me get this straight. It has been 4 months since my last blog. It has been a year since I celebrated my 4th Anniversary with Pittsburgh. And, it has been 5 years since I moved to Pittsburgh for the first time.

WOW! Isn't that crazy?

I could fit a lot into this one blog, believe me. I could take this post in millions of directions, at dozens of angles each. I could talk about Pittsburgh. I could talk about living on my own and finding myself in the city over the last 5 years. I could talk about the last 4 months finishing P90X(!) and going on a cruise to Bermuda with the love of my life. And, I bet it would be a very long post. I know I don't have the energy to type it all out because I know you certainly don't have the energy to read that much. I think I just need to become more diligent with my posts. That would eliminate the problem altogether. Unfortunately, the Internet in my apartment somehow doesn't want to cooperate with me despite paying an obscene amount of money every month for it.

Maybe not obscene. Maybe just a little ridiculous.

But, don't worry. This doesn't mean I will leave you all hanging without a bit of an interesting story.

Why have a blog, right?

So, let's begin...

PNC

Work is going exceptionally well. It has been just over 3 months with the bank, and I have to say I am definitely exceeding goals, as well as expectations. Who would think a former retail sales trainer at a cosmetics store would hack it in the corporate banking industry with no experience? My boss is impressed, at least. I've also been chosen to join a committee to help provide user feedback in training modules, as well as help create and write training material. So exciting! And, I joined a young professional's networking group in the company and will be running Pittsburgh's Great Race at the end of September with PNC. It'll be my first marathon, so I thought a 5k would be a smart choice.

P90X

I took the 90-day challenge to a "sexier" body after seeing a dozen infomercials, reading a bunch of reviews, and hearing from a few friends. It was one of the most grueling things I have ever done---Of course, 18 credits senior year in college while working over 40 hours a week in retail during holiday shopping and finals week kinda blows everybody out of the water in that contest. I will say, it was the most physically grueling 90 days of my life. It made swim team look like lying on the couch with potato chips, watching Teen Mom on Mtv. It made running 2-3 miles a day in August look like a bubble bath.

It kicked my ass.

I will give a brief review of P90X. It is NOT a weight loss program. If you are trying to lose weight and shed some serious pounds, this is not the program for you, especially if you are a woman. Even the lean options will not shed the pounds. I went into this program hoping to get into bikini-shape for Bermuda. And, I accomplished my goal. But I wasn't totally satisfied with the results in my waistline or the scale. Now, I did see a shrinking of the waist, chest, legs and hips in a very apparent way. But, if I had a goal to lose 10 lbs., it wasn't happening. Luckily, I didn't have that goal. I wanted to LOOK better. I didn't care about numbers. What P90X did for me was teach me more discipline than I could have imagined. 1-1.5 hours per day is a lot to dedicate to a workout DVD during the Summer. P90X also got me in shape to enhance my running performance. I toned my back and chest more than I ever have. Arms and legs look like they did when I was swimming competitively an hour a day. But, this was my first step in my weight loss program. Now, I need to shed some belly fat that I picked up on the cruise ship (GRR) and get ready for the marathon. Step 3 will be to maintain my results.

Bermuda

Bermuda was beautiful. Duh.

Jeff and I took a 5-day cruise to Bermuda from Baltimore, MD for our friends' wedding. They got married on the ship before we set sail, and then it was party time the rest of the trip. I did the makeup and the hair for the bridal party, and despite some bumps along the way, the wedding was beautiful and I couldn't be happier for the couple. Jeff and I got 9 days off (including the weekends) from our jobs to relax with friends, eat good food, hang out by the pool, drink cocktails and just enjoy each other. I think what I liked the most about our vacation was that we didn't have to be anywhere at a certain time, or call someone to do something or get something. We just did what we wanted. And swimming in the coves of Bermuda was exactly something we wanted to do. We are so lucky that we got to do that so young and early in our relationship. It's 10 months now...Going strong.

My MBA

I am in the process of getting ready to take the GMAT exam. I bought the books and set up an appointment for October 1st, just in time to get my results to the schools in time for the Spring 2012 Semester. I hope, at least. If not, I'll try for the Summer. I plan on applying to Pitt, Robert Morris University and Point Park. I normally would completely dismiss going to the same school for my grad degree as the school I got my undergrad from, but it's my safety school. Plus, if I go, I save $50/credit with my alumni status. So, that could be incentive... Honestly, I want to go back to the classroom and be invigorated. And, Point Park may not be the best choice for me in that sense, although it will only take a year. I am leaning toward Pitt just for the sheer education and experience. It is pricier and longer than the other two programs, but I have a feeling it has the most to offer for my career. Anyhow...the whole process is still a process. I'll keep you posted. Studying is not going to be fun, but neither was P90X.

So, those snapshots should be enough to get you up-to-date on the most important things in my life at the moment. Obviously, I didn't write a paragraph about Jeffrey, but I think that I would be just adding to the nauseam. I was reading the last few posts since I met him, and although I wouldn't change a single word of any of them, I can't help but say:

"Oye, Em. Stop it. You're gonna make yourself vomit."

But, I will let you know he is cute and wonderful. He's the love of my life. And we are so happy together.

Month 10 feels like Day 1.

Thank you all for reading after so many months. I'm not on Facebook until my Internet gets fixed, but I'll try to post on here more often.

XOXO

Everything Has Changed

This weekend is mine and Jeff's six month anniversary. We met six months ago. I used to always hear stories, and still do, about when people meet each other everything in their world turns upside down or everything changes. I have one of those stories.

When I first met Jeff, I was still working and going to school full time, living in an overpriced and tiny apartment near a bad part of town, taking the bus and obviously hoping for the stars after graduation. The first date was amazing, and the second date lasted for 7 days. I wore very little makeup, stayed up until 4am every night with him, watching TV and talking...I barely had the urge to wash my face without having him by my side!

It was ridiculous.

To this day, we are still pretty much in the same I-can't-eat-without-hearing-about-your-drive-to-work boat even six months later. We are crazy! But, now, I think we can function in society and be productive also. We spend so much time seeing each other and talking, but he's working both jobs and I have so much on plate too. It's the perfect blend of my crazy life and my crazy love.

Now, seriously, just look at all of the things that has changed in the past six months:

1. Got a boyfriend (obviously)

Yes, I got a boyfriend. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am so lucky. At this very minute, I am waiting for him to come home from work. I will jump off the couch and run up to him like a little kid, jumping up and down and giggling with kisses like I do every night when he comes through the door. Yep. I am crazy about this kid.

2. Graduated college


I finished school, graduated with honors and now will be walking into the business world with confidence. I didn't think I'd want to walk at graduation, especially since Point Park doesn't do a Fall commencement. But, the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to celebrate ALL OF THIS WORK with the people I love the most. So what if I have to wear a stupid black potato sack and cardboard card on my head? Dinner will be fabulous, and so will all of those Facebook pictures!

3. Mode of transportation

I got a car. I will be taking the bus to work, but my car has changed a lot of things in my daily life. I leased a 2011 Honda Civic LX. I can now buy canned goods and V8 juice at the grocery store and not have to carry them home in a few trips a week! Not only that, I can get things done and see people a lot easier. I am so thankful for this.

4. Living situation

Instead of living by myself in a tiny apartment on a street between Friendship and East Liberty, I am living in a lovely 2-bedroom apartment with my boyfriend in Oakmont. I live in the quaintest, cutest neighborhood. I have the small town feel that I grew up with and love, with the quick commute to the city life that is so deep in my soul. I will always be a city girl, but I appreciate living by the river and seeing the trees change with each season. I just get a good feeling waking up in the morning and driving home from work.

5. New friends

I have met amazing new friends, and still grab drinks with my old friends. I have the best friends ever, and I wouldn't trade a single one of them for anything.

6. New furniture/everything in the house

I sold my old furniture because the yellow and pink roses on the antique furniture wasn't quite fitting with a 28-year-old male's bachelor pad. Trust me, there was no compromising these two tastes without starting from scratch. I am in the process of buying new furniture and apartment things for our new home. Our tastes go together more and more each day...That is a good sign, I think?

7. And now...A new career!

And now...I am starting a new career with PNC Bank next Monday. I will be working with corporate loans at the operations center in Downtown Pittsburgh. I get to be one of "those" people Downtown with a suit on with a pair of sneakers, running for the bus on Fifth Avenue at 5:01pm during rush hour. Life is too good to me!

HOLY CRAP!

I have never been so grateful or aware of the many blessings in my life. I have so much to be excited for, and I cannot wait to see where this road leads me.

Wish me luck! Oh, and what is something that has changed in your life this year? I'd love to hear it.

Xoxo

All Good Things

I love driving with the windows down on a long, winding road with the music blasting and wearing my sunglasses.

You know, life is full of good things. Sometimes when something scary, tragic or just plain awful happens, it is hard to see the silver lining. Sometimes you need someone to point it out for you.

So, my boyfriend, Jeff, is a cancer survivor. This week he was in the hospital as a precaution due to results from his most recent CT scan. I suppose it is better to have overly cautious doctors and nurses as opposed to not cautious enough, but it turned out to be a long three-day vacation at UPMC Shadyside for ultimately nothing as far as procedure or testing.

Jeff is fine!

Although his body has been to hell and back, and then again...and again...He is a super trooper and is already back to working both jobs. Go figure.

But, after all of this week's detours and potholes, I couldn't help but see the Allegheny River in all of its calmness and the sun shining from behind the clouds while on the road. At work one day this week, after Jeff had come home from the hospital, Nancy introduced me to a client of hers as "her hero, Emily". She has done that a few times in the past, but they had been while I was still in school. To see that I am still inspiring one person, although I am not a full-time student and full-time employee, plus everything else, it kind of took me by surprise.

Sometimes you need to be surprised.

We had a really tough week.

We will hardly see each other next week.

But, we love each other, and that is the most beautiful "good thing" there is.

To all the good things...