Moments of Musing

Lessons of a Phoneless Gal

Filed Under: Uncategorized //


This gal has a (pretty and new) phone again. Prior to getting my iPhone 6 on Monday, however, I went nearly one month without a phone. It was surprisingly liberating and not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It actually taught me a few lessons:

1. It is okay–and kind of nice–to be disconnected from the world sometimes. 

2. Social media does not need to be updated or checked on every few minutes, hours–or even days. 

3. Being “disconnected” allows you to be really present in the world–and that’s an amazing thing. 

4. Not every piece of food or date night needs to be photographed. Just because I wasn’t documenting everything doesn’t mean it wasn’t happening or that I wasn’t enjoying life. 

5. It’s not impossible to share a phone. Tim let me use his a lot and it was pretty doable and convenient.

6. Life without cell phones how we have them today (AKA mini computers) wouldn’t be the worst thing…

HI, HELLO

Filed Under: Uncategorized //

http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/ 
 
1. I’m still here in blogland. Work, life and wedding planning have taken all of my time. I think once wedding planning is over, I’ll be here much more 🙂
 
2. I used to/ still might say “Hi, hello” when answering the telephone. Weird, I know but it’s a habit.
 
3. A person in D.C. might be infected with Ebola and that scares me because a) the disease doesn’t have a cure; b) D.C. is closer to Chicago than Texas; and c) we have lots of flights coming up.
 
4. Tonight is our last night of studio living. I’m kind of sad because this was my first adult apartment. It’s where I learned how to [be okay that I] live alone. It was my first home in Chicago.
 
5. Speaking of Chicago, it’s pretty chilly and windy today here. AND I LOVE IT. Because I LOVE FALL.
 
6. I bought Tim’s wedding bands (as in two) last night and they are blingin’… Yes, I talked the man into diamonds.
 
7. I visited Penn State a couple weekends ago and it made me so nostalgic but also so happy that my baby brother is there getting to experience all that I did. 
 
Until next time,

Lots of Wedding To-Do’s

Filed Under: wedding planning //

This weekend we are heading back East for a family wedding in Philly. But before that, we have quite a few of our own wedding activities to do:
  
1. My first dress fitting

 
2. Meeting with our priest
 
3. Meeting with our florist 
 Exotic Breeze™ Orchids, 15-30 Stems

4. Food tasting at our venue
 
Talk about lots to do! I’m so excited for it all, especially to be able to do it together (minus the fitting) with Tim. 
 

How a Day Goes from Good to Horrible to Okay

Filed Under: Uncategorized //

1. You go to the dentist.
2. You find out you need a root canal –or two.
3. You find out your dental insurance is pretty crappy and you’ll have to pay lots of money for said root canal(s).
4. Your “spill-proof” water bottle opens in your purse and creates a puddle.
5. You realize your phone is in your purse and hurry to take it out.
6. Your phone will not turn on.
I almost broke down and cried right there on a main avenue. But then I remembered life was okay-it’s okay. And Tim was home waiting for me. Words can’t express how grateful I was in those moments to know Tim was home–with dinner already cooked.

When I got home and told him what happened, he put his jeans on. I asked him what he was doing… He was going to the store to buy a bag of rice to try to salvage my phone. He never ceases to amaze me. (My phone is still in rice since it has to be in there for 24 hours.)

Cheers to having the most amazing life partner. And cheers to that partner who bought us Garth Brook tickets for tonight. This evening will certainly be better. And life with T will be great no matter how shitty my evenings can get.

9/11/01

Filed Under: 9/11 //

We all have our 9/11 stories. This is mine. 
 
Thirteen years ago I went to school in Brooklyn, New York. By all accounts, it started as a normal day. And then it became a nightmare. Thirteen years ago, I went to school and my then-NYPD Detective dad rushed to what is now known as Ground Zero. Because public servants and heroes rush to the chaos, the danger, where they’re needed. They don’t run from it.
 
Thankfully, my dad came home to us. He came home late at night in the days following, leaving his volunteer hard hat in the trunk of our car. He never really spoke about what exactly he saw or how it made him feel. 
 
In December of that year, my family visited Ground Zero. There were still ashes everywhere. And Missing Person posters, hundreds. I will never forget how I felt in that moment knowing that so many loved ones would never get a chance to be with theirs again. Because of hatred and evil, because of terrorism.   
 
That day all of the students were picked up by parents early. I’ll always remember the ashed papers floating in the air as I walked home with my mom, my brother, and my cousin. Since that day I have grown a newfound appreciation for life and patriotism. And the beautiful democracy of a country we live in. I am thankful for those public servants who continue to keep us safe. I keep the victims in my prayers. 
 
And I will always love my city and my country, these United States of America.