*La Fonda del Sol & Team

[in progress]

Happy Birthday, N! What better way to kick off a birthday week than tapas and sangria? Like the dinner options in the upstairs dining room, the tapas were EXCELLENT. Truly inspired and we ordered everything.

*Vai & J

[in progress]

Coffee with D

Now that there is a deadline, I have been scheduling breakfasts, lunches, coffees/teas, dinners/ drinks to spend time with the people I love and probe them (in the most non-intrusive, friendly way) for information. It would be easier to have one big party - my friend J is having a "J Got Laid (Off)" party - but I've changed (no more 300+ balls) and really cherish one on one time.

D was great. He walked me through the job, culture, landscape of this opportunity I was thinking of. We chatted about Stern and what was going on with him. And because he is just so lovely and honest, he talked about how his partner would drop his glamorous accounting job in a heartbeat to be his housewife. And honestly, I would love a short respite consisting of chillaxing by the pool at the complex and cooking fabulous meals for M. I've been meaning to get better at cooking fish.

*Boi Sandwich & E

A tiny Vietnamese sandwich, noodle and "lunch box" shop opened up on 3rd Ave. by my building and my friend E and I finally got a chance to try it today (there's no place to sit so we brought the food back to a conference room).

We shared a BBQ pork Vietnamese sandwich that had their signature pate on an amazing french baguette. E got a chicken lemongrass soup and I got a chicken pho. The food was really tasty, well seasoned, extremely fresh and a great healthy option to our usual Japanese sushi/ bento box/ noodle soup. It was a bit pricier than I expected but we will definitely be going back to try the lunch box. I think I want grilled chicken over rice noodles.

Progress Report

Yup, I was up since 5. My brain pops up and is like, "did you do this? did you do that? did you talk to this person, what is that person up to? what do you think of this or that?" On and on it spins. I think this is just going to be my thing.

I went to a conference about Crises Management for Hedge Funds at a law firm and I just loved it. I love the law. It got me rethinking about a JD and I'm looking into getting one part time at Georgetown during my unemployment. I miss the classroom. Yes, I am a nerd.

There are 2 jobs at PWC that sound really great. I am hitting up a cousin who works at PWC and my friend E for some insight and information.

My firm also has a few groups in DC as well. My friends have gotten me informational interviews with 2 of the groups. There's one more group and I'm meeting another friend for coffee to learn more about it. I look to be top of mind as positions open up. I also signed up for the 1 year of career services that I get through the firm and registered for a bunch of workshops. I also got a career coach. They matched me up with an Asian woman - I totally picked that up over the phone even though she didn't have an accent or anything. My first impression is that she is soft spoken.

So, just reaching out to people, letting friends and my network know what is going on with me, helping those around me, and being thankful for all the incredible people in my life and the blessings I have.

Rhong-Tiam with B, K & G

[in progress]

Momentous

Due to the fact that I was moving to DC, that M was making me her domestic partner, my family would be 3 hours away in NJ, and I wanted to get all my legal stuff done before my benefits ran out, I contacted my lawyer today to draw up a health care and fiduciary power of attorney. This means that in the case something happened to me, M would be the one who would make decisions and have access to me at the hospital and to my medical records.

I had to pause at the fax machine. This was huge. This was kind of like marriage. I was placing my life in her very capable, thoughtful and caring hands. I got a little teary.

SFactor: Wow

Can I just say flying body spiral to chair to flying half pint? Helicopter to descending angel? Wow.

Life, Death and Jersey Brunch

The Jersey brunchers had not convened in a long time, there was a lot of catching up to do. The last brunch was at M&M's home and I think we are going to stick to a theme - potluck! I love the idea of being in a home, enjoying food at a leisurely pace and not being rushed or stressed by waiting for a table, menus, appetizers, entrees, bills, splitting the bill, etc. And we are, after all, in a recession.

Baby R had changed and grown so much from when I last saw him. I shared my news about moving - only 2 more Jersey brunches left - sad! M&M shared their good news and N&K told us about the passing of their kitty, Balanchine. Rest in peace, sweet kitty.

It was so good to be with old friends, share the good and the bad, and see our lives evolve.

Perfect Saturday

After all that happened this week I needed Saturday to decompress and melt some overheated brain cells. I caught up on most of my favorite shows and did chores (clean bathroom, vaccuum, clean room, 2 loads of laundry) during the commercial breaks. Doris said that I would get Gonorrhea from all the crap TV I watched.

First up, Double Shot of Love. I didn't exactly watch it but looked up what happened on mtv.com. I just didn't understand the show - were they supposed to pick the same person because they would both make out with the same person and the poor person had to be like, "I like you. No, wait, I like your sister." It was gross but I get it now. They each pick someone to like but that person has to pick them as well. So, it turned out that they both picked this boat captain/ waiter guy who always turns red when he's drunk and has the WORST hair. I don't know. It's sad.

I started Saturday watching Snapped. That was sad because the murderesses were either involved in getting insurance money or domestic violence. Normally, M and I could watch a whole day of murder shows but it was a bit much for me this weekend.

I was saved by Tool Academy, which M can't stand because she says it teaches women to be with their abusers because they think that their abusers can change. I agree with that but these guys are so ridiculous, it's like watching a train wreck which is actually how I feel about all the crap TV I watch. Plus, when the guys get kicked out of Tool Academy, their girlfriends generally leave them as well.

Next, my beloved Rock of Love Bus. Why? The silicone. The tons and tons of silicone. And the tattoos. I don't even know what they are saying but am just mesmerized by these women. Who are they? Where did they come from? What work did they get done? How come they don't fall over? Is Brittanya Asian? Why did she pierce her dimples? They might be doing pole dancing in the next episode. I can't wait!

Ah, Top Chef. I love that I was able to get up to speed. I'm thrilled that Carla is in the finals and that the judges loved her oyster stew. I want some of her oyster stew. She's really kooky but sweet and I do believe that food made with love is better. She's been the underdog but she's from DC and I'm rooting for her.

Lastly, The Millionaire Matchmaker. I haven't really seen this show but once I started, I couldn't stop. She is the quintessential New York Jewish lady. She tells it like it is. Some of these guys have serious problems and the ones that do take her advice are better for it (i.e., the guy who painted Madonna kissing Britney). The women are also really interesting. I like this show in the same way that I like the Rachel Zoe project, you get an in depth look at their business and their management style. And see awkward dating and one of the millionaire guys pole dance. He did a trick that I've been dying to learn - spinning helicopter!

I ended the day talking on the phone with V and then, M. A perfect day. And yes, it is 6 AM on a Sunday morning. I was actually up at 5 AM. 3 AM and 5 AM seem to be my new wake up times.