girl date night

I am still in giggle fits as small details of my night keep popping in my head. I had planned on meeting the lovely (and svelt!) Miss Brit for a quick dinner and a movie (Up in the Air). We met up at Rue 57 in midtown west for some oysters, salads, fries (what a combo right? Miss Brit was ordering like she was pregnant) and one (just one) glass of wine. Our friends, John and Eli, joined us for a drink. We kept our eyes on our watch to make sure we would get to the theater in time. The bartender looked at our empty glasses and asked if we wanted another. Brit and I looked at each other and knew that if we agreed to this drink there would be no movie and that our night was taking a downhill turn from nice sober night to ridiculous-ville. We got another round. And another, and another...

Our topics of conversation ranged from making fun of the Jersey Shore cast, imitating Eli's date, checklists of what we look for in a partner, and personal grooming. Every few seconds we were getting glares from people around us and the bartender kept smirking. We would stop, look around, and ask, "Are we talking too loud?" The bartender says, "Oh don't stop now, you've got the whole bar listening in."

We went on to another bar after the restaurant closed. It was one of those random, ridiculous nights where we sat there laughing the entire time and I looked around and wondered how did our planned low-key night end up like this. I was dancing on the streets like Snooki, jumped into a pile of thrown out Christmas tries because in my drunken mind I thought it would be like jumping through fall leaves (read: not the same AT ALL!), played spin the lighter truth or dare where truth questions often involved sex or animals and dares involved penises and hamburgers, and rode a taxi around Queens in search for the perfect home fries. To our extreme disappointment, that diner was closed, so Miss Brit lured me home with with promises of Mac n cheese. I'm so easy, aren't I?

I tiptoed out this morning before she woke up. I think I'll call her again. She's a keeper. : )

stick 'em up!

It's been crazy cold here in NYC the past few days/weeks. (ps my heat is still not working!) I got this awesome bandana from Cyanide Stitches to keep my face covered from the wind. Mustaches never fail to make me laugh. This is defo my new fave winter accessory.


Stick 'em up! (remember how the bandits in cartoons always said that?)

omg, look who's back!

I was at brunch with Little One a few weeks ago and we somehow got on the topic of The Babysitter's Club book series. We went on and on about how much we loved the books, remembering the details of our favorite characters. (Mine was Claudia because she was the only Asian on the block and her fave snack was apples with peanut butter).

Scholastic announced last week that they will be bringing back the out of print series with a few revisions to keep these girls up to date. Oh the nostalgia. I remember my dad brought me the very first one back to Thailand after one of his trips to the States. I dreamed about getting red glasses like Karen and starting a club of my own.

TA drops a bomb

Today was quite an interesting day. I walked around for most of the day with my head spinning, feeling completely off centered. I was running errands in the morning near where TA lives. He called me and I hadn't seen him in a while so I figured I'd pop by and say hi. Our relationship is not a traditional one, for lack of a better description. I realized on my walk over that I have been seeing him on and off for two years now. How is that possible?

We sat down to talk and I remembered why I love his company so much. He's just so easy to be around. A good friend that I'm incredibly attracted to. After catching up for a few minutes he told me he was engaged. I literally choked. I couldn't find any words. Did I think he would tell me that one day? Yes. Still, I wasn't any more prepared to hear that. How did I not know? Why didn't he tell me sooner? I felt like somebody squeezed my heart and gave it a little twist.

I also wasn't prepared for what came next. He had broken off the engagement. Head spinning. I am overwhelmed. He said he didn't know why he was telling me. I've always been able to contain my feelings for him because I always knew he would never be able to return them. I don't know if I can now.

He's completely wrong for me. Must. Stay. Away.

(Image via Le Love)

why can't we be friends?

do you remember how easy it was to make friends when you were in the third grade? all you had to do was walk up to someone and say "Hey do you want to be friends?"

About a month ago I met two guys at the bar while I was buying a drink. I overheard them speaking Italian and asked which city they were from. We got to talking and I learned that they also live in my neighborhood, Astoria. I was like, "omg, amazing. I could practice my italian with you guys and we could ride bikes together and explore Astoria." I seriously just wanted a friendship. But it doesn't happen that way does it? You can't just meet people at a bar and say, "Hey, you're really cool, do you wanna be friends?" Why is that?

nina, what will you be?

Last night my brother took me to see the broadway musical, In The Heights. I hadn't seen a show in quite some time and when I was there I really can't remember why I don't go more. Oh right, it's expensive and you have to plan ahead. Still.



I loved the show. The second number in the first act,Breathe, absolutely moved me. The character singing, also named Nina, had gone off too college but lost her scholarship because she had to work two jobs and couldn't make the grades. She worries about how to tell her parents and what people will think of her. She worries that she's become a disappointment. Near the end of the song she sings, "people ask, 'Gee, Nina, what will you be?" I felt like she was singing right at me and tears came to my eyes. Of course, I know what I want to "be" but I felt it was more of a challenge than a question. Like, "Hey, Nina, are you going to BE something or are you just going to be?" I'm not here to be a disappointment. I got home and I wrote the line on a post it and put it on my inspiration wall so that I can be reminded of how I felt when I heard the words.

2010 travel itinerary

My brother just left this afternoon which means this holiday is over and it's time for me to get back to work. Which means I'm sitting here at my desk procrastinating and daydreaming about traveling. I have a very ambitious travel itinerary this year. Let's hope I can stick to it! It is as follows:

Jan: snowboarding in Vermont
Feb: Rio for Carneval
Feb/Mar: London and Paris (Hopefully this is where S will tell me he loves me : ) )
April: LA
June: Tokyo and Bangkok

Ok, that's only half a year planned but that's probably all I can afford right now. Let me know if you want to join me or fund my travels! : )

brrrrrrrrrrrr

bloody 'ell it's cold today

writing Ugg a letter asking them to design full bodysuits. shyeah!

a year in photos...

This has to be one of my favorite posts. To literally sit here and go through all of these memories of the past year, I realise what an incredible year I had. I am truly blessed with my wonderful friends and family and the life that I live. 2010, I'm ready for you to be even more fabulous.

He doesn't know who I am.

My brother called me boy crazy the other day. I was a little offended but there is some truth to that.

I got my eye on a new boy I've been admiring from afar. Right now he has no idea who I am. : (

Garden State

I haven't really been able to post because I haven't had a minute to myself this past week. My big brother is in town and we've been cramming everyday with fun filled activities. Last weekend he got me a hotel room in our old home town in Jersey so that we could meet up with some friends there. It was such a lovely hotel room, it was a shame I couldn't share the luxury with someone. I got my best friend drunk the next night and made her come have a slumber party with me. (I love slumber parties!) I couldn't sleep the first night and stayed up and watched the sunrise over the river from my window. It was beautiful.





I couldn't get over how many pillows were on my bed. Like 10 pillows for little ol me.

We took a little trip down memory lane and spent the afternoon driving around.








It's been such a wonderful week and I've still got him for 2 more days. I don't want this mini holiday to end.