I've Got Sunshine On a Cloudy Day

Let's be serious, I was attracted to this bottle because of the color and the name. Green Fin White Table Wine in a green bottle with a green top. I was hesitant because I'm particular about white wine especially since I like things sweet. I figured if I didn't like the taste I could always cook with it so for $3.99 at the Trader Joe's Wine Shop in Union Square I couldn't refuse. I was very pleasantly surprised! I absolutely loved this wine! I can't wait to go back because I will be purchasing this again. It was not overly sweet but it was not overly dry either. It was a nice color and it is made from organic grapes! Overall I'm very happy I bought this wine and I will buy it again!

People come into our lives and people go. Some go far, far away. Some go away for good. Some leave footprints and others leave daggers, broken pieces. Some people leave loyalty, love, peace, knowledge, even fear or pride. Some people leave irreplaceable memories, some leave heartache we wish we could never remember. Some leave us smiles and warm hugs that we can always feel. People come into our lives and people go. And some people come back into our lives. Perhaps these are the people that always give us butterflies no matter how many times we see them. Perhaps these are the people that we can't quite let go of no matter how hard we try. Perhaps these are the people that we can recall the exact moment we met- where we were, what we were wearing, doing, saying. Whether it was "love at first sight" in the high school auditorium, a celebrity lookalike passing by, a random meeting on a dark street by a police car, or a one on one awkward hello in the school gym. Some peopl...

I was the lucky recipient of a random act of kindness the other day. Yes people hold the door for me and say "bless you" when I sneeze. But when my friends and I were out to dinner, an anonymous donor wished to pay a portion of our bill. It took us all by surprise. We could not figure out why it was us they had decided to help. After being taken aback and quietly thinking for a few moments, we decided it was because we are good people and good things happen to good people. It taught me a lesson though- not only did I say special prayers for them and thank them and wish good things to happen to them, but I learned it's time to pass it on. To pay it forward. When someone preforms a random act of kindness and you witness it, it means the only way to keep the peace in this world is to keep it going strong. Kindness. Pass it on.

I believe that to go from lovers to friends might be one of the hardest things a girl can do. Devoting time and love to someone special everyday is fun, fulfilling, and heartwarming. But like they say, all good things must come to an end. It's okay. I tell myself this is for the better and I know I will be just fine. You hold each other for the last time, not wanting to let go. You cry together and wipe each others tears away hoping the pain won't last long. All the memories flash before you, making your heart smile while simultaneously causing heartache. I liked our time together. I loved the things we did have in common and enjoyed learning about the uncommon interests of each other. I liked how he made me laugh and I liked hearing his laugh. I liked how he made me feel. I liked his family and their kindness and welcoming arms. Maybe it was wasted love, maybe it was one-sided, maybe it was not love at all. I don't want to dwell on the good. Those glorydays and the ...

New York. Boston. Washington DC. Dallas. All noble cities, all taking something away from me- my best friends. College may have been the fastest four years of my life. I remember move in day back in 2005. I had lots of roommates to meet, lots of packing and repacking and unpacking to do, I had to get organized and get the wrinkles out of my clothes. But as vivid as that day was, meeting all the blonde girls surrounding me and sharing awkward hellos, my graduation day is more fresh in my mind. Four years later, on a gray day where the clouds hung ominously, I laughed and cried and thought about the future of myself and of my friends. Would we stay close? Would we stay in touch? Would future graduate assistant positions keep us together for longer? I was unsure of what was in store. Two years later it's that time of year again. Back in school and back to thinking how fast time goes by. My graduate assistantship did keep me in New York with friends and closer to other people. I was ...

After a lovely weekend away with some of my closest friends this weekend, I have realized my time living in New York is limited. And for the better. New York City has always been attractive to me. It has always made me determined, envious, loyal, and yet rushed. The big apple is perhaps the biggest and most richly populated city in the entire world, people from all over dream of visiting, living in, and experiencing New York. But the city that never sleeps is just that- it's always on the go. It's always rushing, and while rushing it's keeping it's head down and keeping to itself. The city never sleeps nor do the people that call it home. This might be because of the airplanes taking off every few minutes, loud to those Queens and Long Island natives lucky enough to be located near the two main airports. Or, maybe we don't sleep because there are always sirens, always car horns, there is always loud music, and on certain nights, don't forget the garbage trucks....

...But for now this is as close as it gets. I've always wanted to write a book. Ever since Leah and I were in 7th grade and would escape to her grandmother's house during cross-country practice for snacks, we decided we'd write a book titled "To Grandmother's House We Go." I think I wrote three or four paragraphs. It's saved on a floppy disk somewhere. Then I decided I would write a self-help book about life and the struggles and stresses that a typical college student goes through. I thought I would connect life situations with song lyrics, since I have such a strong love for music. Since opening my own restaurant might be a challenge, (one that I am still up for!) I thought maybe a cook book would work instead. But I don't follow any recipes, I create meals off what's in the fridge and what tastes good together. The moral of this story is that I would love to publish a book. A book combining all of the above. A book that includes stories, advice,...