The Post You've All Been Waiting For

We Start! 7:30am

Breast Cancer Walk Pictures!

Me and My Walking Buddies! 

He's so cute :P

There were so many people!

And then there were even more!

We Finished!

                                                     

 It was so fun! We had great weather and a wonderful time and all for a good cause! Can't wait to do it again next year! (though next year we won't wake up for an "8am walk" only to realize that registration BEGAN at 8am)

Also news this week: I moved into my new room!! That means I have a place to call my own again! Of course it's in the same house and with the same people buuuuttt its a newly renovated/painted room and it's offically mine! (rent and all :/ ) but now it's time to decorate the walls! (any one know some good DIY??)

But that's all for now! Hope you enjoyed the pictures! and thanks again to everyone who donated on my behalf! :)

RIP Steve Jobs

(Taken from Steve Jobs Wikipedia page)

I can't believe it! Steve Jobs died! I'm in shock! 

But I did have an awesome weekend last weekend and on monday night I was lucky enough to get to stay at the Marriott Marquee in Times Square because Danni's mom was there for a work conference and so we were able to crash on the pull out bed!

This is actually a picture Danni took on her iPhone- (RIP Steve Jobs)

Now I can't believe its already Wednesday and this weekend I'm going to a Giants game!! Sure... they aren't the Packers.... but it will be my first professional football game so I'm excited! Next time I'll get picky about the teams that are playing ;)

Also, I've started fundraising for the breast cancer walk that I'm doing on Oct 16 which is hosted by my alma mater and organized through the American Cancer Society sooooo (WARNING: shameless plug) if you feel like donating to an awesome cause and helping me and my team raise money..... 

Click Here!

A HUGE Thank you to everyone who already has donated! I really appreciate it! and I'll be sure and post some photos from the walk afterwards! :) :)

Thanks everyone!

More at a later date,

MM

And one final RIP to Mr. Steve Jobs. I love my Apple products.

One of Those Days

Had a really busy day at work today. Then got depressed on the train home when a man came on and asked for money for the homeless and hungry and I realized I'm technically applicable for that.

Overall I was feeling kind of home-sick today :/

and on that note a photo from yesterday that also reminded me of home

A mix of my two worlds :)

Pardon the quality, I had to take it on my phone.


MM

Longest Tuesday Ever

I suppose the real title of this entry should be "Longest Tuesday Ever:  and a brief catch up on the last few weekends" or "Longest Entry Ever" :p but here it goes::::

Sorry I haven't been exactly vigilant about keeping this blog updated. Between work, fun weekends and long commutes I generally either forget or just end up too exhausted, but I do take photos in the high hopes that I DO update! Which means I have a ton of backlogged photos to post for you now!

Starting with Boston! Which by the way was an AWESOME trip. I LOVE BOSTON and I hope I get to live there one day. On Saturday I got to spend the early part of the day wondering through Boston with my bf (lets call him "C") and we ended up at a great restaurant right by the water that was surprisingly cheap and I had clam chowder and fries which reminded me of home and tasted delicious. Then later the two of us met up with my other friends and we all headed over to a free concert in the park which had Sara Bareilles, who was super good- I knew a couple of her bigger hits but she was really just a great performer. Overall, I LOVE BOSTON.

Me and Norm!

Beautiful Boston view

Now back to New York and other photos I've been hoarding:

Creeeeeepy

My morning commute

Best Mood-Picker-Upper
Max Brenner Hot Cocoa

Then this past weekend C and I agreed to animal sit for my "roomies" aka the amazing friends who let me sleep in their guest room. They have one giant puppy Dexter and a cat Baxter who were a lot of work but otherwise it was a great relaxing weekend that I was in much need of.

And now on to today.
Today was a long day.
Going into it I knew it would be long and throughout a good portion of it it didn't even feel long. In fact, the only real moments that it did feel long was on the commutes.

This morning was the commute from hell.
Instead of being able to take the 40 min, super easy, very chillaxed bus ride I was forced to take the subway --> ferry --> subway combo which had to have been some unfortunate act of God or more likely human stupidity as it was due to a truck collision on one of the bridges I usually take. Of course this inconvenient situation was only made worse by this being the one morning in the four weeks I've been working that I actually had somewhere to be at 8:50! It was probably the most stressed I've ever been on a commute. Needless to say however, when I finally did arrive (16min late) no one really seemed to care and the day went off without a hitch :p I suppose there was no need for the huge stress knots in my shoulders!

(oh and did I mention the ferry also had technical difficulties and was delayed?! luckily only by 2 or 3 min)


Anyways the rest of the day went really well and I can't say I'm too disappointed that I have to work in Manhattan every day, after all there are days when I get to snap photos like this:

And the rest of the week should be a breeze after all the stress and eventfulness of today! That is if I can go back to taking the bus again :p

Talk to you soon!

MM

Wednesday- Hump Day

Work has been a lot of fun.
All week I've been really busy with all kinds of different tasks- from running errands to excel documents to counting samples to everything in between.
In fact, I've been so busy that I've had to stay late every day this week, including today when I got to sit in on a team brainstorming meeting which was really cool.
It's funny to see how in the professional world the brainstorming and beginning start just like my teams would start in school- of course there's is a little more realistic and actually gets carried out! :p but it was really interesting and fun to watch.

Also I don't have a full length mirror in my room here yet and I'm dreading having to buy one in the city and be THAT girl carrying it on the subway and then the ferry and then while I walk through Staten Island.... but eventually I'm going to have to do it. and soon. cuz im sick of not knowing what I look like till I get off the bus in the morning and look in a window on the streets of Manhattan! Maybe I'll try to make that one of my daily photos ;) me carrying the mirror through NYC! I suppose that's what makes you a REAL New Yorker- hauling all kinds of things through the streets.

This weekend brings with it a trip to Boston with E and C! I'm so excited! I LOVE BOSTON!
I seem to love a lot of cities :p

I also got to go grocery shopping for myself for my "own" apartment (not fake one meal in college, "will it fit in my tiny fridge" shopping) it was so fun! and so weird! and I'm so excited!

Sorry no photo today :( I keep forgetting to get a shot!
More tomorrow!

MM

Monday.

So last week I didn't get a chance to blog about my experience at Fashion's Night Out. This is an event in NYC and in big cities across the country which kicks off fashion week by keeping retail stores open extra late (11pm) while having celebrity guests, DJ's, food and drink all being handed out as well as other fun complimentary things while the stores host sales and encourage large purchases by giving away tiny gifts with purchases of about $400.

Needless to say I didn't buy anything, but the best part is that you don't need to in order to enjoy the festivities!

I went with my friend Danni and we enjoyed the complimentary gifts, drinks and cupcakes that we could get in virtually every store we went in! In Sunglass Hut they were even doing free print outs of celeb-esq shots!

It was pretty awesome. 

In fact, in one of the stores we got to see Nigel Barker posing with customers which was pretty cool!
Overall Fashion's Night Out was a ton more fun than we expected and I'm glad we decided to check it out. Free stuff is never a let down.







However, getting home was another story. The real busy part of town was downtown (we stayed on 5th Ave near Rockefeller Center) but on my bus ride back to Staten Island I got to see the real hustle and bustle and it took nearly 3 times as long to get home due to traffic due to hundreds of pedestrians (most of them drunk)

It was a travel nightmare but I made friends with the bus driver and I think ultimately it was totally worth it. :)

More later,

MM

(*Nigel Barker Picture from: http://www.novafm.com.au/lib/images/article/normal/model-turned-photographer-profile-nigel-barker-108024.jpg)

Not a whole lot going on today.

I still can't believe I work in New York City! 

But my days are spent mostly commuting or working so there's not much to write about.

It was super dreary today, but at least it wasn't raining so I didn't get soaking wet- after all the Europe rain I dealt with this summer I'm really sick of it. Usually I get a good long break from rain in Santa Barbara... there has just been too much of it.

I can't wait till I have a shorter commute and can come home and cook!

I've been taking home a lot of old Food Network Magazine and Food & Wine Magazine from my internship and all I want to do when I get home is cook!

I will miss the pets we have here though. 

Dexter

Every time I walk pass the pet store near work I'm tempted to buy a puppy :p but that would just make finding an apartment that much harder. 

Probably just more of the same tomorrow!

MM

Long Time No Chat

So I've been pretty busy moving around and looking for jobs and hanging out with friends that I haven't been posting at all. So here's to turning over a new leaf and making more time for blogging.

I have no officially started a full- time internship at L+S which as been very fun so far. I still can't believe that I'm working in New York City- going in everyday is just still so unreal to me (and expensive). I'm still trying to get a routine in place that works but it doesn't help that we keep having long weekends and I keep escaping back to the college life via hanging out with my friends who still go to "the ville".

Also my camera broke a couple weeks ago so I only recently got it back from Best Buy which was a huge hassel.... but now I have photos again to upload so that's fun!

Trying out the Fisheye effect.

This one is actually from a few days ago because believe me today was much, much rainier.

But regardless even in the pouring rain,

I Love New York. 

I got to go out to a lovely dinner with my aunt and uncle and cousin and his girlfriend who were visiting from San Fran. Which was a super fun way to spruce up my work week! Plus the meal was delicious :) Though I have to say- I'm still getting used to my commute and getting a little anxious about overstaying my welcome here in Staten. I guess now that the job search is over the apartment search takes the front burner :/ this is the part I've been dreading. 

Keep you posted (hopefully more often), 

MM

PS I've added the follow via email element to the bottom of the page for those of you who wish to use it :)

NYC- At The Beginning Again

Tuesday 9 August 2011

So now that I've been back in NY for about a week I've tried to get the ball rolling on where my life is headed. I have applied to jobs online, emailed some people about apartments from Craigslist, but ultimately the best part of being home- despite the great feeling of finally being proactive about my future- is seeing my friends again. :)

There have been nights of attempting to go out "cheap" in Manhattan (this mostly includes a days worth of "happy hour's" research online only to be caught going wherever alcohol is served once you get out). Concerts in Central Park (Jack's Mannequin was awesome!!) and days spent relaxing in the A/C enjoying unemployment while I still can. I know soon I'll get restless and annoyed with nothing to do, for the time being it just feels bizarre- and bizarre I can live with.

Here's to hoping things pan out quickly and for the best!

MM

Farewell

Thursday 4 August 2011

Back in New York.

It's both hard to believe I'm here, and yet feels like I never left.
A part of me still thinks I might wake up and be back in London :p

My last day in London I finally went on a walking tour of the city, and while I had already seen almost everything we went by I finally got to learn a lot more of the history and fun facts. Plus I got some extra photos.

House of Parliament and "Big Ben" clock tower

Lucky for me my travel day was easy and went smoothly and before I knew it I was back "home".
Now for a whole new adventure- finding a home and a job :)

MM

The End!

Sunday 31 July 2011

Had a great last weekend!
Started out Friday when I went out with my Australian friend Marnie and while the night was QUITE an adventure it was super fun- I love London.

Then Saturday went back up to Camden Market which is just amazing- though totally crowded. But the clothes are all so freaking cute and not uber expensive and while I didn't let myself buy anything, I wanted EVERYTHING- I love London.

Then today Marnie and I went to Buckingham Palace and got to walk through the State Rooms and see the wedding dress from the Royal Wedding which was spectacular! As were the rooms and the grounds- I love London.

Ultimately I can't believe I'm in the last 72 hours in London or in Europe for that matter!

And did I mention that I love London!
MM

Animal Week Goes Out With A Bang!

Friday 29 July 2011

Today to finish off Animal Week we went to the Battersea Children's Zoo!! The kids- hesitant to go had a great time and we spent nearly all afternoon with the animals! I think the most amazing part was that as far as I can remember I had never seen a live donkey before! Hard to believe, but that all changed today!

Of course the monkeys were by far our favorite animals to watch (the meerkats were a close second)!

And of course we had to spend quite a bit of time at the playground in the zoo because what day would be complete without playground play?! ;)

Animal Week is complete. I can't believe I have to say good bye to the kids tonight! :'( I'm going to miss them so much!!

MM

Animal Week? Not So Much

Wednesday & Thursday 27 & 28 July 2011

So Animal Week didn't really take off...
Instead we built a fort in the bedroom door- simulating a zoo cage perhaps??

Then we made water bombs- to simulate... jelly fish?? 

and then we found a new park... which I can't in any way make into something about animals

It's been a fun week, but not so much an animal week as we had planned!

MM

AW- Day Two

26 July 2011

So Animal Week (AW) is off to a very lazy start... today we got ready to go to the children's zoo and instead wound up hanging out around the house, chatting and playing and the like.

We did have a great time though! and we ate more of the "animal" cupcakes!



I can't believe I'm leaving in less than a week :( I'm not sure I'm going to be ready!
I love London!!
MM

Animal Week!- Day One

Monday 25 July 2011

Last week the kids and I decided that most of the activities we wanted to do this week were animal related (zoo, aquarium) so we deemed it "Animal Week." Today was the first day, so how did we spend it? At the park... :p but we caught TADPOLES and when we got home later we made ANIMAL decorated cupcakes.

A cat, a mouse, a bee, a pig, an elephant, a frog, a spider and two dogs :)

So even though it was another park day, we brought the "animal" to it.

 More pictures:

Lola's grass art on my back

Stay tuned for more animal adventures!
MM

This Weekend

Saturday and Sunday 23 & 24 July 2011

This weekend was mostly walking. Saturday I set out to find a couple stores I had read about online and ended up discovering the vast amazing-ness that is Hyde park. It was a beautiful day so there were tons of people out and about wandering the park which made for some great people watching in addition to great park viewing.

Then later I met up with a friend for drinks in Brixton which was a little sparse for night life.... but fun none the less. 

Then today (Sunday) I got up and went to Camden Market with a friend and walked through the elaborate stalls that often seemed never ending. The crowds were CRAZY but it was totally worth it. It was an awesome market, full of crazy colors and smells and tons and tons and tons and tons of stuff. The highlight: a couch sized beanbag chair that was probably the most comfortable thing ever. :)

Camden Market

Waiting for the Tube

Overall it was a great weekend and I can't believe I only have one more left!! 

MM

Easy Day at Elephant & Castle

Friday 22 July 2011

Today we went to a NEW park- imagine that... We really only went because we were waiting for the bowling alley to open at Elephant & Castle Market :)

 

After the park we went Bowling! Which was super fun! We were the only people in the whole place and the first ones to arrive! Lola even learned to bowl without the helper slide! 

Now just wine and a movie for me :)
Had a great day- I love this job, hard to believe its only one more week!!!
MM

Mellow

Thursday 21 July 2011

Very mellow day today, took the kids to the park for nearly 3 hours! They loved every minute of it, of course that just means more tadpoles and some football :p
So in an attempt to take a new shot of the same ol' same ol':

MM

I Love London

Wednesday 20 July 2011

Today was a really fun day with the kids. We decided to go to the Bank of England Museum (their choice, not mine!) which turned out to be really fun because they provide worksheets for the kids to fill out as they go through which gave them plenty to do and they may have learned a thing or too as well!

Then we had lunch outside on the side of the bank :p and caught the bus home where I made them Micky Mouse pancakes again for dinner :)

And finally for dessert we were able to finally try our chocolate covered bananas which were DELICIOUS! :) I totally suggest them! The frozen bananas tasted like ice cream and Lola even said the treats were better than ice cream!

MM

Just A Hangout Day

Tuesday 19 July 2011

A couple days ago I was searching the internet and fell upon this website: frozen banana bites. I decided this would not only be a fun activity to do with the kids but would be a "semi-healthy" snack for them to enjoy. Of course being in London meant we had to change the ingredients a little bit so they weren't AS healthy. Instead of peanut butter we used nutella :)

Of course we can't try them until tomorrow... but man are we all looking forward to it!

I still haven't gotten used to the weather here. Only minutes after I took this photo it began to rain... and here I was worried the kids were going to splash water on the cars in their attempts to soak one another!

Moving inside and on to rainy day activity numero uno- Puzzles :)

MM

Time Flys

Monday 18 July 2011

Today was just me and Zack because Lola was at a friends house. We played football, ping pong, and went ice skating- talk about action packed!

__________________________________________________

I've also been reading the book, "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett and I seriously can't put it down. 

MM

Sundays in Town

Sunday 17 July 2011:

Didn't actually get a chance to post yesterday because I ended up having a lot to do :).

Started my day by meeting up with another nanny (who just got here from Australia) and together we took the tube into town to find yet another market! (I just love that London has so many amazing markets, they're just so fun and you can make such great finds!)

It was also really amusing to me that the market had different symbols in the ground for the different vendors (though they usually weren't relevant to what was actually being sold). I took photos of the shirt, the hat and the shoe symbols. This is the only one that didn't look oddly out of proportion though:

After the market where it just happened to POUR down rain on us (gotta love London) we headed back to our respective homes but before I could sit and write a post I was headed out again. This time to meet up with a friend of a friend who lives in London and who I happened to bail on on Friday night (see "The Night I Didn't See Harry Potter"). So despite being tired and wet I made out to Clapham Common to find a friend of a friend and a bar. Turns out you need to bring your passport around in order to get beers (pshh stuffy bartender more like it) so we just bought alcohol from a shop (which I kept calling a market- incorrect) and of course had no issues buying without a passport.... and then just went to the park and hung out and talked and kept running back to McDonalds to use the toilet :p 

Overall it was a super fun day and I got to see a lot of London which was nice! :) Now to just see Harry Potter......

MM

The Day I Didn't See Harry Potter

Saturday 16 July 2011

Went exploring around the neighborhood I live in today, of course my first stop was coffee, and from there a quick detour of getting lost ;) but before I knew it I was on my way to Brixton where I had looked up a Cinema that was playing Harry Potter. Of course once I had found I was in the right place I realized the 3pm show had already started and the next show wasn't for hours so I decided to explore the area- and the grocery stores ;). My conclusion: I love M&S (a grocery), most of the food is their own brand and from the few things I have tried by them: I love it all- the Belgian chocolate milk and the Triple Chocolate crunch granola cereal are the top ranking for now.

In Brixton I also found the Brixton Market which was an indoor funky market with stores selling pretty much everything you can imagine from wigs to convenience goods to antique dresses to flowers. Then scattered among all these shops were restaurants and pubs with food that looked and smelled AMAZING. The smells were enough that I would just stand and soak them in, never wanting to leave.

a shot from the market:

While in the end I didn't end up making it to Harry Potter because I completely forgot I had agreed to babysit :o! I'm sure I'll go tomorrow or sometime next week and ultimately I had a great day of exploring :)

MM

Two Weeks In

Friday 15 July 2011:

Puzzles, Parks, Ping Pong, Play Dates- Happy Day

On our walk to the park today I realized how happy I was to be where I am. So often I tend to focus more on what little I have figured out for when I get back to New York, what I really need to do is focus on what I do have while I'm here.

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be"

-Douglas Adams

MM

Thursday: The Day Before Friday

Thursday 14 July 2011

More tadpoles at the park

and Mickey Mouse pancakes for lunch :) :) (turns out my ability to do this makes me "REEEALLLY cool"- at least for the hour, unfortunately later when I was too busy cleaning up the pancake mess I lost this title)

MM

It's That Time

Hard to believe it's almost over. 

MM

Fun Day!

Full day with the kids! Tues 12 Jul 2011

First adventure: The bus! On our way to the [indoor] pool (Where I wasn't allowed to take photos- though that was probably for the best to avoid my [new] camera getting wet)

Then later: Baking cookies!! Though they didn't turn out as good as my home-made ones they were decent and the kids enjoyed the process :)

Today: A SUCCESS :) I even went out tonight and walked through the streets of London- took in the sights and drank some hard cider :D!

MM