Shakira

Shakira!

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Finally!!! Shakira's new CD will be out on June 7th.

Its actually part one of her 2CD release, and its called Fijacion Oral Volumen 1.
The second CD will be out at the end of summer.

Can I just say: She is my absolute FAVORITE!

That's huge to say for me, since I'm the type of person who when asked: "What kind of music do you like?"
answers: "I like ALL different kinds of stuff... depending on the mood... situation... the weather..."

Well, when it comes to Shakira, it doesn't matter what mood I'm, weather I'm on my way to the beach with rowdy friends screaming in the back seat, or on my way to work in traffic on a rainy day... Shakira's music always helps to capture a beautiful moment or bring joy even if you're ready to cry.

Plus she is incredibly talented, as she writes her own words and music.

I've been listening to her for years. We've been through a lot together...!

Breaking up with my first love...

Wild rides through rural Panama on the way to gorgeous pool parties at cliffside villas...

Saying goodbye to my second love...

Endless flights...

Sleepless nights...

Happiest moments with friends on highways... of various countries...

Always with Shakira singing. I don't sing, I can't sing, and I don't really like to sing. But I can't even count the number of times I ripped my vocal cords to Shakira's CD!!!

She is actually going to be in NYC on June 3rd at Bryant Park! How awesome is that!! (Cadiz I know you're jelous! sorry girl.)

Also, she'll be the 8th signing CDs in Times Square... but of course there will probably be a huge killing just to get near her so I doubt I will be able to get "face" time. I would love to tell her though what a difference her music makes for me!

Shakira's website: http://www.shakira.com
Pictures and new: http://www.shakiramedia.com

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Just hanging out by the radiator...

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MY weather forecast

Ok, this is just another proof that all weather people are IDIOTS!

Look at this beautiful sunshine!!!

Who was it that predicted rain for the next 7 days!?!???

WRONG! ..... AGAIN!

I guess people were so appalled by Cookie's or Sandy's (whatever her name is) performance on Channel 11, that they must have called in to complain about her horrible forecast. Because- Yesterday she showed up (in her skimpy shirt) and said that it will be "Cloudy... with chance of rain.." Right. I looked up in the sky and TRIED really hard to find ONE cloud at least and I did NOT! There-- you stupid Kiki, or Bibi, you and yours were WRONG!

During my sophomore year in college in this science class we were given a task to create a weather forecast based on certain characteristics of the wind, barometer etc.. etc...
Among the 6 or 7 different groups in our class, we all came up with COMPLETELY different forecasts based on the identical set of givens!

My lab partner was this GORGEOUS guy from Athens. His name was Zac (I will not attempt to spell the name fully.) He was SO HOT! I mean SO HOT that no matter what the weather givens were, it was always Florida temps for me in that class!!! GORGEOUS!!!!!

OK, sorry got side tracked...

So as I was saying... After listening to all the different predictions that all the groups in the glass gave and realizing that yes, we can all very well be RIGHT... it was completely ridiculous for the professor to chose one group (not ours) and say: "Very good, you get an "A" you are the only ones that are correct." WHAT!!?!?? Lunacy!!!

Lesson learned kids: You can't predict the weather, at least not so far in advance!!! who do you think you are?? GOD???

So from now on I will make MY OWN weather forecasts: I mean I have all the requisites of a good weather person... I wear skimpy shirts! I can wear lots of make up in the morning I guess... I can laugh and giggle on demand and for no apparent reason!!! I'm in!

So here goes:

For this Memorial Day Weekend I predict... (slightly looking up at the sky while twisting my blond hair with my finger) ...I predict! SUNSHINE!! zero HUMIDITY, 80F, and a kiss from a HOT Greek guy!!! (bow and flip the blond hair)

And with this, I wish you all (especially me) a wonderful 3 day weekend!!! May you all go to the beach, get naked, get a tan and be happy!

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The invisible enemy strikes yet again!

The weather is HEINOUS! And according to Katie or Molly or whoever that vulgar blond on channel 11 is, it will rain for the next 6 days!!! I mean, she dresses in tight little shirts and wears WAY too much make-up for a 6AM program, and than she dares to say (RATHER CHEERFULLY) that it will be raining as far as the predicting equipment will see!?!? She gave me morning sickness today! Bleeeh!

Translating this bad news into meaningful tangible information: My memorial day weekend plans to go to Fire Island are RUINED!!!!!!

(If this isn't the perfect exhibition by the invisible enemy than I don't' know what it!)
Maybe just to spite it I will go to Long Island anyway, to go wine tasting. And when they pour you a little glass of pino griggio I can just grab the bottle and start elegantly gulping it down! I WILL NOT be HELD DOWN on the only time slot allocated to "real life", known as the WEEKEND, for ANYTHING. Don't anger the Primavera, or you'll have a real storm- dammit!

You see what's happening! This blog is supposed to be an exercise of looking at the world in a POSITIVE way no matter what and here I am making threats of violence and aggression supported by foul language! Well, I guess, it is in a way positive-- anger is good and can be VERY constructive if channeled correctly!

Ok, I'm going to go and have a GOOD frikin' DAY now!!!

baciiiiiiii (don't worry about me being angry... it's good for your skin as it makes blood circulate faster and rid itself of toxins.)

ciaooo belli!

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Love on the Beach.

Josefina and Roberto

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Josefina's secret lover sulking in the background...

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Ahhh... isn't love beautiful!!!

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Monday morning breakfast.

Right, because I'm so important, everyone needs to know all the little details of my life! Like what I had for breakfast this morning...for example. (Oh, and no need to call CNN and NBC, they already sent their reporters to get the full update...)

So this morning for breakfast I had: "everything" bagel, toasted with cream cheese and smoked salmon (lox, as we say here in NYC). Oh, yes, and a small coffee with cream and sugar.

You're right, nothing extra ordinary but what you don't know is that I get my breakfast at this disfunctional place, where the short angry asian owner is constantly yelling at his employees who do not speak english (well, neither does he). They're constantly messing up (probably because he is yelling at them). Well this morning they messed up big time! I ordered a bagel with LOX CREAM CHEESE and instead I got a bagel with cream cheese and SMOKED SALMON. Now any New Yorker knows that this is a costly mistake (for them, since I was charged for what I ordered not what they gave me).

1.Bagel with lox spread - about $2.00
vs
2.Bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon - about $7.00

little angry man should really stop yelling at his poor little employees... it upsets ME!

Thus, I can say this morning was a success!

*note to self: no more bagels for breakfast, probably too much carbs?
*drink fruit smothies instead.... or is that too much sugar??
*PS: have pictures from my wonderful weekend with RELAX, will post later!

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The Naked Chef

I know, he is fully dressed, I was disappointed too...


Well in preparation for the weekend which will be completely devoted to RELAX (yes, I meant to use relax as a subject), I have decided to look up some fun recipes and cook something exotic.

I LOVE Mediterranean food and so I always make it. This weekend I want to try something very different... I don't know what yet...

But ALE, cooking is WORK! - you all say. Not if its done "PRIMAVERA" style... which involves more wine drinking than actual stirring. That's why I love making risotto... but the time you're done stirring the rice you've polished of the entire bottle of Pino Griggio. Marrrrrronna!

Here is the very nice ricotta and shrimp that was created last time my friends and I got together for some nice cooking...

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Risotto with shrimp

Risotto con i gamberi!!! bello... buono...
oh, yes, lots of wine and italian food just makes me speak italian too! haha

"The Naked Chef" Jaimie Oliver's recipe actually inspired me to make this dish. I didn't follow it exactly as you can see, but the procedure is the same. Only he doesn't mention anything about wine drinking... hmm... AND he really is NOT NAKED... kinda boring...

Oh, you know who is a new cutie on the Food Network? Dave Lieberman - now that's a nice jewish boy to bring home to mom and dad! A Yale graduate! Smart cookie!! and SMART because he chose to do what he likes as opposed to whatever evil profession they thought him at Yale. Actually he was a political science major, now that's evil in the PURE form!

Anyway, bravo, Davie, you're HOT! and I'll be your "Naked Chef" anytime you wish!
Just kidding... I'm a proper jewish girl myself... (dammit, just call me, we'll figure out who gets naked later.)

Ok, I'm going to go now and make sure my cellphone's ringer is turned up...

Shabbat Shalom! (and may you all get naked this weekend!)

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Seista feira!!

Hello my beautiful people!!!

Yes today is Friday and its a good thing.
I love how the Brazilians call it Seista feira (the sixth day) haha! Why I wonder? Is it because they get to completely party their brains out that remembering an actual WORD would just be too much trouble?? NICE! That's the way!

For me personally its a great day all around.

First of all, I tend to get much more business done at work on Fridays. (Thursday and Friday in my opinion are the best days to get contracts signed!) See, Mondays are the best days to have client meetings since they're DREADING doing their actual work and seeing you would actually give them a good excuse to waste a few hours. Tuesday, the customers actually DO their work... so don't talk to them. Wednesday afternoon they begin to feel like they have accomplished something so its a perfect time to call and inform them that they DID in fact meet with you that Monday and give them a 10 second summary of what actually went on (because for sure they were spacing out). Come Thursday afternoon (the pre happy hour jitters) and Friday (the pre weekend feel good) are the ultimate great times when they've already started to goof off with THEIR work, so doing business with you makes them feel like they're still actually doing something, when of course in reality they're thinking about slamming a cold one.

Secondly, Thirdly, fourthly and Fifthly... Friday is a great day because, its SEISTA FEIRA!!!

'nuf said!

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My cough syrup

I'm kinda sick. Congestion and all that yacky stuff...
So I'm taking this cough syrup I found at my parents house...
Its this natural, homeopathic syrup from NatraBio. The reason I'm taking it is because I DO NOT want to be drowsy as happens when I take sudafed and such. (Yes even if I take DAY version, I still become sleepy.)

The only thing is that I've been walking in a cloud for the past 3 days since I started drinking it. And when I drink cough syrup, I really DRINK. I walk around with it taking swags right from the bottle (every 4 hours). I've just been so dazed... hey! maybe that explains my last post... This thing is wild! Makes me see things....!

So I decided to look at the contents, I couldn't believe that this all natural stuff can be making me hallucinate like this... Here are my findings:

Ingredients: Active; Mentha piperita (Peppermint) - Hahaha, it made me laugh! next time I'm trying to order a cup of peppermint tea, I'll say: "One tall Mentha piperita please"

Mentholum (Menthol) - ok, I could see the derivation...

Thymus vulgaris (Garden Thyme) - NOW THAT IS HOT!!! I'm drinking vulgar thyme!!! I love it, its my favorite so far.

Bryonia Alba (White Bryony) - what...??!

Drosera rotundifolia (Sundew) - AHAH!! that sounds like it has the potential to make me drowsy... "DROSERA" hmmm -

Bla... bla... blaaaa.... more crap that I have no idea what it is.... (but ALL natural)

Belladonna (Nightshade) - what the heck is this, sounds funny, "Belladonna" means beautiful woman in italian...

OH MY GOODNESS!!! I JUST GOOGLED IT AND HERE WHAT IT SAID!!!

it said.... POISON!!!

DEADLY!!!!!!

and the website kindly provides further synonyms just to drive the concept home:

Synonyms---Belladonna. Devil's Cherries. Naughty Man's Cherries. Divale. Black Cherry. Devil's Herb.

MAMMAMIAAAAA!!!

waaaaww--- NO WONDER the FDA left a little disclaimer "drink at your own risk"

oh, no.... I HAVE been felling numbness in extremities... especially the head (that's an extremity right?)

I have experienced loss of voice.... (if your read the link it says loss of voice happens as part of first stages of poisoning...)

dialated piupils... YES!!

oh my goodness..... and I thought Sudafed was evil....

seriously you guys, I'm about to start walking towards the poison control center....

In fact I'm on my way now....

(I'll be back later to report... if you don't hear from me for a day or so, don't worry, cause after all hierba mala nunca muere -weeds never die- ) --- ((I'm a weed))

kisses!!!!!

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A glimpse into the future.

I'm sure all of us wonder what the future will bring. Some of us have a pretty good idea since we like to plan, set goals, follow our own time tables. But what about the future that we are not able to predict or even have enough imagination to foresee. What are the kinds of seemingly irrelevant events that may lead us precisely there?

Personally, I'm exactly one of those people that has the rest of her life completely planned. I can even tell you the place of my retirement! I'm like that, I like to plan and make projections and see what steps need to be taken to get there... However, I also accept that I would be out of my mind if I thought that my predictions and forecasts are set in stone and that it is absolutely impossible to come across something that may change the course of your life. In fact, I think that decisions that we make everyday can have a path altering effect... but only if we're open minded enough to let it happen.

With this introduction, I'd like to continue by saying that I love to observe my surroundings and wonder how my certain actions, or lack there of, are changing my life every minute... So, let us go back to last Thursday afternoon, when I was taking the subway to my friend's work for a quick lunch. It was the usual scene, hot, disgusting, full of ugly people. (My plan to introduce the Train "A" and Train "B" has not gone into effect yet.) I was standing as usual with my back to the doors, so I don't have to sit down or actually touch anything, and hoping that the time it takes to ride the 2 stops will pass by as soon as possible.

Then I saw him.

He was beautiful. He was tall, a bit on the thin side. He had olive skin (or maybe it was just the poor lighting in the subway that was giving him a greenish hue). He had the messy hair that I love. Of course he also had a strong nose, Roman nose. He absolutely must have been from Italy. (Trust me I can spot "fellow" italians from at least a mile away.)

He was wearing navy blue sweater with same color shirt underneath. He was wearing dark wool slacks and had on the most undeniably italian leather shoes. The expensive ones, with thinnest shoe laces. (The thinner the shoelaces the more expensive the shoes.) He looked like he was on the train for a while, since his leather briefcase (that perfectly matched his shoes) stood on the floor between his feet. He looked confused as he tried to catch a glimpse of the stop. He had big eyes, green. (Maybe the bad lighting again.)

Of course I was looking at him. He was the tallest on the train and you just can't help but to look at someone that gives you a "familiar" feeling. He must have sensed it too, since he turned and looked right at me. It was a strange look. The look seemed to ask, "Where have we met before? Where do I know you from?" I was looking back at him. How easy it would have been to just walk over and ask him if he was from Italy and if he needed directions... (To my house!)

Now, I know you are are all seating on the edges of your seats and hoping that I went over to the beautiful stranger and told him precisely that.

No. I did not.

Our eyes stayed locked just a bit longer during which time various scenarios flashed past my mind (and I'm sure his also). After that I "dissolved" my stare. Now if you're from NY you know how to do that very well. It is a way of looking at someone and when they catch you doing it, and it would be too obvious to turn your head, you just continue looking right at them, simply SHIFTING your focus from them to something PAST them creating the illusion of looking through them... and that's how you dissolve your stare. (Compared with the "dissolving look", the demure lowering of your eyes is basically a blatant common' since you're admitting that you were in fact looking and them looking back made you nervous.) Well, I didn't even give him the satisfaction to see me look away. Why? Maybe he would have come over himself to ask for directions... (to my house.)

For all of you that are deathly disappointed in me and my lack of action as is inconsistent with the "Primavera" everything is possible motto, not so FAST, I say! Don't worry I will not leave you wondering, agonizing about what could have been... what should have been... I have all your answers right here!

Lets look into the future, from the point of the interlocking of eyes...

His name was Giovanni (it always is). But I lovingly called him Gio (yes, pronounced Joe). I smiled at him, and he immediately came over and asked if I was laughing at his confused look. Sure, sure, I would show him what stop he needed. But that would involve getting out of the train to pick up a map, and with the crowds of people and the guys banging on the drums as they usually do, would make it necessary to come out of the subway and look for a quiet place to sit down. As we walked and walked, we didn't realize the time passing and the fact that we now were on a desolate green street where we sat down on someone's steps and continued talking into the early evening. (Yes I didn't go back to the office that day.)

Fast forwarding...

Gio had to go back to Italy and our long distance relationship began. It was disgustingly romantic, with phone calls, text messages and him visiting once a month and me spending my three day weekends in Europe with him. There were night swims in the Mediterranean, vespa rides on the Greek islands, villa stays in Spain. He was incredibly sweet always making me feel like the center of the universe.

Six months into the relationship, he proposed. I came to his home town and he presented me to his family and friends. I loved them all and they loved me. His mother was especially pleased because I offered for her to live with us when we would get married. (Common, mamma will make us spaghetti, the laundry and capuccinos! I'm totally down for that.)

I was deliriously happy. There was just one tiny little incident that got imprinted into my mind. There was this black haired girl Chiara that we've seen on the main piazza on the other side of the fountain. I will not forget the look that she gave us. Hmm... who was she...

Gio looked sad when I started asking, at first he didn't want to say anything except that she was his ex girlfriend, someone he dated back in Liceo (High school). Finally he broke down and told me the story of Chiara. She was his first. And apparently she had a very hard time getting over the fact that he didn't want to be with her anymore. But that was all in the past, 10 years ago in the past.

I was sad that day. Seeing Gio in his home town confirmed all my thoughts about him. I realized that I was not the only one thinking Gio to be incredibly handsome... I was not the only one to have been loved by his friends and family. There was history, various stories, Chiara, and I'm sure many other girls. I was completely in love, and extremely proud though that it was me that he finally chose. I trusted him completely and plus I knew that it is impossible to control someone. That night as I stepped outside on my balcony to listen to the evening crickets and breathe in jasmine plans, I saw Chiara nd Gio on the bench. She was crying hysterically, and he was telling her something very urgently as he collected her long black hair away from her face.

I trust Gio, I said to myself, and they need to say goodbuy, I'm marrying him in six months. I walked back into the room and closed the balcony doors. (Due to his mother being a strict catholic, Gio and I had to stay in separate rooms. That's what he told me.)

Six months later we were married! It was a huge party and EVERYONE was there... Oh and I forgot to mention that he is rich, the villa we moved into was unbelievable...


Front entrance view

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Of course the moment we moved I called Cadiz, and as planned she set up her studio in one of the many rooms. I gave her the far East wing because all the ruckus that would come from there, especially at night was keeping everyone up. Here is a view from her studio.


View from Cadiz's studio in the East wing

What followed were the happiest 5 years EVER!!! Gio was as devoted as ever, my friends came to stay all the time. Wall str, on her first visit fell in love with one of the stable boys and since moved to Italy and quit her very high profile job on Wall Street. She become the wife of Giaccomo the stable boy. He wasn't actually italian either, he was from Ukraine as turned out, but hey, he was a great lay from what I heard (yes I heard, we all heard! Even Cadiz stopped her rocketry to listen a sec). Anyway what I'm saying is that everyone was happy! I couldn't get Dulce to come visit, well with 4 kids and all, I understand it was hard. But Philipo is a good husband so no need to be tempting her with the Italian men.

La mamma cooked spaghetti for everyone! It was GREAT!! Gio continued traveling ofcourse. I still didn't know what his job was precisely, except for that he was an art dealer. Even Chiara and I became friends... She told me how in love she used to be with Gio, but that she though I was a good choice for him. She had a fiance herself now, but he lived in Milan so they saw each other rarely. In fact, when Gio would go up to Milan for work, and would give Chiara a ride. Yes, I was still jealous, in fact I was always jealous for some reason, but I was in love with Gio, and I knew I must trust him since I would not be able to control him.

For our 6th year anniversary we decided to go to Thailand. We stayed at one of those very exclusive private bungalows on the water. I remember thinking that I am so in love that it may be a crime. Plus isn't it vulgar to be THIS in love with your OWN husband after the initial 3 years of marriage?? Ah, yes, its was incredible, I felt as I would do anything for him.

One evening we went out to the little beach town nearby to eat in a restaurant among other couples in love, from France, Russia, Argentina... There were candles everywhere and little lights flickered as did the stars in the sky. The food was delicious, sticky and sweet. We had many drinks... I thought that if I died that night I would be content with my life. I even asked Gio if he wanted children. He smiled, and was pensive for a moment turning to look at the dark ocean to his right. I followed his gaze and could only hear the waves as they completely blended with the dark sky. A few couples were walking on the beach holding hands. Than I saw something that nearly made me faint. There was Chiara. Standing on the beach looking towards the waves holding sandals in her hands. She slowly turned and began walking away, her long black hair moving with the night breeze.

"Chiara! CHIARA!!!" I screamed standing up.
"What are you talking about, Amore?, lets go back to the bungalow, we've had a lot to drink."
Tears were running down my face. It was Chiara. Even though I have not seen her face, and most of the local women here had long black hair... I knew that SHE was Chiara.

Later that year many events took place. It almost seemed like the world flipped upside down. Wall Str broke up with Giaccomo because apparently Cadiz was sneaking around with him. I don't know but she did have a painting of him (in the NUDE) standing in the corner of her studio. Wall str was pretty heart broken about it. One night when I was trying to console her, we drank way too many limoncellos and she drunk dialed her ex. He promised to be on the next flight to Italy... I guess he would have to make up a business trip to tell his wife about. Cadiz, with the scandal and all had to move to Spain. Where she bought a gorgeous sea view apartment and where she entertains many of her gorgeous nude male models. Her paintings are known everywhere in the world and there are legends about her love conquests. (You go girl!)

Dulce got a huge contract with Bergdorf Goodman for her fabulous designs. She began traveling a lot to Miami for fashion shows. She hired a governess for her 4 children. On one of her trips there she bumped into an old love of hers. Someone she was completely in love with once. Actually it was not an accident as she later confessed. They had been having a secret affair for the past few years. It was him that convinced her to go after Bergdorf Goodman. Although I don't understand what she sees in him now... he used to be very good looking, but now he is bold and fat!

Chiara got married and moved to Milan. Immediately after we heard news of her being pregnant. "Why aren't we having children Gio?" I asked him. "We will soon, we are trying aren't we?" he answered as sweetly as ever.

A few more years pass... Gio's business trips to Milan become more and more frequent. We still don't have children. Chiara however has 3 now. Two boys and the youngest a girl. Her name is Giovanna. She has black hair and green eyes. She is the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen. How have I seen her you ask? Well, Chiara started coming to the town, bringing her three children along. Her husband never comes, since he is very busy working. In fact, no one in town has EVER seen him. Not even her mother. I wouldn't blame Chiara though for not introducing her husband to her mother. She is a strange, strange lady. She doesn't say much, and maybe its my imagination but as long as I can remember she has been giving me the durties of looks. Evil looks, as she was trying to curse me. That witch.

So pass another 25 years. Gio and I never did have children, but I have gotten attached to Chiara's kids that have all chosen to leave Milan and come to live in our little town. Also, Chiara has gotten ill and wanted to spend her last years in her home town. One night as she was visiting me, we sat on the veranda of the villa, she looked at me with tears in her eyes and said:
"When I die, promise me you'll look after the children."
"I promise, you know I will, they will live in this big house with Gio and I" - I told her.
She smiled. Later that year, she died.

The funeral was horrible. Everyone was terribly sad. The children cried. Gio had tears streaming down his cheeks. Chiara's mother, who was now almost 90 years old had to be taken away when she started screaming: "Whore! You whore!!!" It wasn't clear if she was screaming this at the grave, or her wondering left eye was purposely looking at me. Well, the crazy old lady could not have been talking to me... I've been with my husband and him only, for the past 35 years. Witch.

As promised to Chiara, the three children came to live with us. They would never talk about their father. Except for the middle boy Marco, who told us that his mother confessed that he was the product of a crazy love affair with a certain stable boy Giaccomo...

Giaccomo!?!??

Poor Wall str I thought... Poor Cadiz! Because it was with her that he ran off to Spain... Poor Marco... it must have been hard not having his real dad around. Poor Chiara! Something must have pushed her to cheat on her husband... and yes, poor husband of hers... somewhere in Milan wherever he was... not knowing that one of his three children is really not his own. Or maybe he did know... now...

The following year, Gio left me...

He moved to Milan. We never bothered getting an official divorce. What for? It was not a huge shock to me. I guess when you're almost sixty and have seen so much happen in life, nothing is a shock anymore. I love Gio, I trust him. If he needs to be away from me, than there is a reason for it. I may not know what it is, but I trust him.

Its ok, I would have the three children staying with me. I would see them get married, maybe have children. They promised never to leave the little town. And so I lived for the rest of days in the villa with Chiara's children.

Well there you have it. I don't know about you, but this glimpse into the future was giving me bad vibes...hmm, not sure why... but it just was... So, I'm glad I didn't start bulshitting with Gio, or whoever he was, on Friday in the subway.

Don't you agree...?

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Muggers in New York City.

Hey everyone,
I just thought it was important to discribe my salad to you. It is deliSHUS!
I decided to check out a new place for lunch today. Bad idea! First of all, they didn't know my name, and at my usual place they do. Secondly their prices were rediculous!!!!!

Their salads were priced as follows:

The greens: $4.95
Add meet or tuna: $1.50
Each additional ingredient is: $0.50

This is a very tipical situation for Manhattan lunch time eating and my job being located on 5th avenue, most places will impose this on you for sure. I turned around and left because today I was in the mood for actually EATING. I went back to my usual place, which from the outside does not look any different then the rest... It has the buffet island, the hot food, the Sushi, soups, sandwiches and other stuff like cakes and coffee. While it looks the same, what's surprising is the price. Its just LESS. No matter what I get, its always LESS than at other places.

OK so I got this wonderfull salad, lets do a talley and compare how much this "fantasy" salad would cost at that other place:

MY wonderful "fantasy" salad:

Lots of greens -
Corn -
Beets -
Chick peas -
Mushrooms -
Black Olives -
Backed Salmon -

My cost: $5.70

Their cost, using the "fantasy" price chart, would be: $4.95 + $1.50 + (5 ingredients: $2.50) = $9.00 (Correct? I didn't use a calculator...) Anyway, its CRAZINESS!!!

So there you have it! Oh and if I was still addicted to coffee I would be getting a Starbucks Rasberry White Chocolate Mocha for $5.00..... (They're just SHAMELESS!) That would make my humble lunch of a salad and a coffee cost $14 bucks! Waw... and what if I wanted a water to go... $2.00. WAW- $17!!!! And of course after realizing that I just spent almost $20 bucks for lunch I would need to sit down in the nearest bar for a beer to drown my sorrows.... $3.00... THERE- Now it really is an even $20 for a simple lunch.

I'm just a financial guru on the days that I BRING lunch from home... on those days I save $20... Making my yearly savings of: $4,800.

And this is how they do it in NY. Tourists are always afraid of being mugged in NY. Well honeys, its INEVITABLE! YOU WILL be mugged everytime you go to lunch!!!

Most wanted muggers of New York City:
1. Starbucks
2. Any other coffee place
3. Any lunch place
4. Any restaurant
5. MTA - to include busses, trains, subway, etc... except for the Staten Island ferry its free, but you might be mugged ON it.

Yes this is an invitation to tell me what you had for luch today, and YES its an invitation to continue my muggers list!!!! In fact PLEASE do! We need to know who is taking our kidneys everyday!!!

Big Kisses to my fellow victims!

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The vicious circle.

Well first of all, I'll do a week in review for you all, just so that you can rest assured you did not miss anything fun since Monday. Here we go. I worked a whole bunch of hours. The rest of the time was equally split among: sleeping, eating and twiddling my thumbs. It was very exciting and breathtaking. I just wish and hope I will be so lucky to have another such a marvelous week. (Oh, boy, somehow I have a feeling next week will be my lucky week, and the NEXT and the NEXT and the NEXT.... AND THE NEEEEEEXT.) Ok, I will stop now because this is really not what the story is about.

On Thursday I went out after work. My friend convinced me to come out for a little happy hour. Him and I actually knew each other in High School, and I know my mind took quite a while to locate the memory of that fact. Anyway he is a nice kid and now we bump into each other pretty often. Of course the first thing that I wanted to know after remembering him was whether or not he had any "hot friends". He tried to explain to me that HE was HOT, but quickly realized that if he wanted to lure me out he needed more bait. So right then and there he got on the phone and invited a few of his friends out (so I can have my pick!). I felt like I was picking out a new sweater in a store! "No, that wool one with stripes... or wait... rather the one with the v-neck... " Hey, girls just want to have fun! Right?

So Thursday night one of his friends from work came out and one of his childhood friends. I was actually pretty impressed with how nice and smart they were, since I went through H.S. completely convinced that everyone there was a complete IDIOT. (Exept for WallStr- who went to H.S. with me- and who is reading this blog...)

Back to the Happy Hour, my friend, Mikey, invited a friend from work, a good looking older gentleman, Stefano, who was also rather charming. (Oh, by older I mean like 35ish.) Mikey's childhood friend, Fernando, was our age and was completely my type looks wise. Tall, and a BIG dude, with the sexiest smile ever. I have a thing for guys with some meat on them, but mind you while he definitely was beefy, he was also in shape.

Now, I PROMISE, the purpose of going out was so NOT to hook up but when you're single the thought crosses your mind naturally when you see such a gorgeous hunk of a guy. It's so funny that WallStr happened to mention the subject in post about her Thursday. And wait its about get even more similar...

Mikey also invited his "flavor of the week" girl, a tiny, skinny, 22 year old, Angelica. Very nice and sweet girl... but with a bit of... a bite you can tell right away. Anyway we were all just laughing and talking and really having a grand ol' time! Then the music started and dancing started. Salsa. I'm not Latin, but I love the dancing! Same thing with Mikey, and he is a very good dancer actually!

Now I will spare you all the details and summarize:

• I notice a ring on Fernando's finger. He is married! Not that it was a secret, or that he was doing anything improper. Its just that he was cute, and he was MARRIED!!! Please, tell me since when did this become an issue!!!????? Since when do we have to start worry about guys our age being MARRIED!?!??? That is just ridiculous!!!!!
• Stefano, was totally having this "sentiment" for Angelica. Her being a nice, sweet girl, who was also from the same country as him. Him teaching her to Salsa... eventhough Mikey was the one who invited her.
• Mikey who kept winking at me hoping that I would change my mind and start thinking that he really is HOT.
• Me dancing with Fernando and thinking that he IS hot and that I need leave because the fact that he is married just made me lose interest completely in this entire excursion!
• Fernando talking to Mikey afterwards saying that he'd like to go out on Friday by he'd have to check with his wifey and make sure she'll make plans with her friends so he'll be free to make plans with his. (And according to Mikey this arrangement prevails almost every weekend.)
• Me thinking that if I was married, I would handcuff my guy to the radiator on the evenings that I was not be able to go out.
• Angelica wanting to find herself another boy which made her turn and crane her little neck all evening long.
• And Stefano... giving up early and retiring... I mean retiring to his house.

The night ended with Mikey dropping me off at my house around 11pm and me regretting that I missed my evening run. Once again, SINCE WHEN did guys my age started getting MARRIED!???!!!! Was I on vacation? Was I taking a nap?? What the heck!?

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You know you're addicted to coffee when...

I found this on a web site, thanks to WallStr, but thought it was very relevant, and my thoughts are in the red...

You know you're addicted to coffee when...

You can jump start your car without cables. -my car jumps upon seeing me-

You answer the door before people knock. -yep-

You get a speeding ticket even when you are parked. -almost happened last week!-

You've worn out your third pair of shoes this week. -yes, those new orange ones-

Your eyes stay open even when you sneeze. -of course don't yours?? -

You grind coffee beans in your mouth. -how did they know?? -

You can type sixty words per minute -- with your feet. -and other parts of my body -

You sleep with your eyes open. -everyone tells me that!-

You have a picture of your coffee mug on your coffee mug. - and in my wallet -

Instant coffee takes too long to make. -exactly-

You short out motion detectors. -well that's cus' I'm sexy -

You walk twenty miles on your treadmill before you realize it's not plugged in. - and I thought THAT was because I'm blonde...-

The only time you are standing still is during an earthquake!

You've worn the finish off your coffee table. - no, I usually don't make it that far with coffee in my hands -

People get dizzy just watching you. - yep! my grandma tells me that all the time, haha -

Starbucks owns the mortgage on your house. - they WOULD if I didn't take a calculator one day and calculated aprox. $6,013 of yearly spending, and imediately cut them off!!!

The nurse needs a scientific calculator to take your pulse. - yes, I've gotten inquisitive looks at doctors' offices -

The Taster's Choice couple wants to adopt you. -no, I drink artisan coffee from exotic countries-

When someone asks 'How are you?' you say, 'Good to the last drop'. -well, that's what THEY say about me-

You buy milk by the barrel.

You can outlast the Energizer bunny.

You can take a picture of yourself from ten feet away without using the timer. -TOTALY have done that! but once again, it's cus' I'm blonde and don't know how to set the timer -

You can't even remember your second cup.

You chew on other people's fingernails. -no, that's gross!! ...my own suffice just fine -

You don't even wait for the water to boil anymore. - totally, but the coffee doesn't taste right if I do that -

You don't get mad, you get steamed.

You don't need a hammer to pound in nails.

You don't tan, you roast.

You go to AA meetings just for the free coffee. - haha, not AA meetings, but BANKS, and Car rental places, they allways have free coffee standing there - Washington Mutual is best Bank coffee, and Eterprise Rent a Car coffee, beats out the other rental places. -

You go to sleep just so you can wake up and smell the coffee.

You have to watch videos in fast-forward.

You haven't blinked since the last lunar eclipse.

You help your dog chase its tail. - I chase my own tail too - poney tail that is -

You just completed another sweater and you don't know how to knit. - 2 SWEATERS! -

You lick your coffeepot clean. - and the table if any coffee spiled -

You ski uphill.

You speak perfect Arabic without ever taking a lesson.

You think CPR stands for Coffee Provides Resuscitation. -I'm 3x certified baby! -

You'd be willing to spend time in a Turkish prison.

Your first-aid kit contains two pints of coffee with an I.V. hookup.

Your coffee mug is insured by Lloyds of London.

Your lips are permanently stuck in the sipping position.

Your nervous twitch registers on the Richter scale.

Your Thermos is on wheels.

You're so wired, you pick up AM radio. -oh, THAT'S what those weird conversations in my head were!!!??!! -

You've worn out the handle on your favourite mug.

You take your morning coffee with you in the shower. - I DO!!!!!!!!!!!! -

Your heart beats noticeably faster as a reaction to the smell of coffee. - its beating faster now just thinking about coffee -

You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends who are addicted to coffee.

-yeah, unfortunately they're not jokes to me -

Get Your Own Addicted Meme Here

More cool things for your blog at Blogthings

The funniest thing about all of the above is that they really have happened to me in some form. They forgot a few though:

- potential employers use office espresso machines as a bargaining tool when trying to hire you -

- before having a sleep over with a new boyfriend you require him to buy $500 worth of coffee equipment -

- you can tell if your coffee needs more sugar just by looking at it -

- you use coffee to alleviate a headache, toothache, sprained ankles and blood gushing open wounds -

- your grandma greets you with coffee in hand when you come to visit -

- you follow the diet of a coffee for breakfast another for lunch and a sensible dinner -

AND the LAST ONE:

-- After finding out that there are no official rehab programs for coffee addicts, you put yourself through self imposed 6 weeks rigorous DETOX.--

I know only drink one cup in the morning and sometimes an espresso after lunch, sometimes.

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Spring Love

REAL kisses!

I don't know maybe because it's spring, or maybe its been raining again... but I'm feeling like its definitely time for some good old fashioned Spring Love! You know, kisses in public, holding hands and all those other things that are completely nauseating. Just like chocolate. Well, at least for me. I hate chocolate. I don't HATE it really, its just I want to throw up after eating it... or at least wash it down with at least a gallon of water. That's just how it is.

Still it didn't stop me from visiting the Perugina factory in Perugia when I was living in Italy. Oh what a fun filled day!! My friends and I go stuck on a tour with the little italian bambini that were very rambunctious, AND we had to wear these cloth robes and hats, it was embarrassing. Upon exiting of course we were showered with kisses (chocolate kisses that is) and I gave my portion to my friends. (Ha ha, can you believe it, I did not eat a single candy during my full day in the land of chocolate.) Anyway, I do however love the aroma of chocolate, so I guess I still had my fix.

Today, children, I ate about 6 Baci chocolates!!! Yes, there is definitely something wrong. I think I'm experiencing love deficiency!!! I need to go into a rehab immediately!!!! (Ouh, I wonder what a love rehab would be like...? hmmm) So after overdosing on kisses (once again, that would be CHOCOLATE kisses) I decided to go to Starbucks and get me a nice Chantico. BUT after about 5 minutes of feeling **niiiice** it was back to chocolate craving... Ahhh....

Primavera needs to make things happen here!! I'm willing to do a little dance if necessary! PLEASE, I'm willing to EVEN fall in love and hold hands just so I STOP EATING CHOCOLATE!!! Grosss!

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Manhattan Rooftops - defined!

After leaving 5 Ninth, we decided to grab a little drink on the rooftop of Hotel Gansevoort, which is right across the street. We also suggested going there to a lovely couple from Holland that were sitting right next to us. I suspect they didn't make a reservation and the only way were able to dine there was compliments from WallStr and Dulce who cancelled out that night (our original reservation was for 4 people). I felt very benevolent because of it, feeling like their fairy godmother, therefore I suggested they also should go for a drink on "the rooftop".

Don't remember the exact details but before going up to roof we met this Australian boy sitting on a bench reading a book. Such a cute guy! and knows how to read too!!! As I'm sure you've figured it out by now but I just love foreign guys. I like their open and friendly style. I'm really not crazy about the Australian accent but I liked it when HE was talking! It was actually a bit tapered down. We chatted for about 15 minutes or so and turns out he actually is more than a cute face. He is an appreciator of Breitling watches, which means he likes to participate in activities that require getting wet and wild, like scuba and jetskiing. (What did you think?) But even though his contact information is on hand, I don't think I will call him. I'm just old fashioned in that way I guess. (Or maybe I should forget it and act in the ways of Primavera?)
Ahh.... OK, enough drooling... We rushed off to continue partying on the roof top.

The roof top of Gansevoort Hotel-now add a couple of hundred people

It's very pretty up there and the crowd is always very enthusiastic and very international. These happy people provide a very drink encouraging atmosphere. HOWEVER the drink prices may have a very opposite effect. A little bellini will cost you $17!!! But than again, this bar is about the view not the drinks. You supposed to drink in the atmosphere, and looking down from the balcony may in fact give you a head rush, so really you don't need drinks to have fun up there. Just for the record Eye Candy and I DID have drinks last night, but I've been there a few times just to come up and take in the view before going on to your next place of partying.

We chatted up with some German guys there. I got a chance to display my German speaking skills, which consist of saying: "Ich trinke ein grosse Bier", meaning "I drink a big beer".

After that, we were off to our next location! We went to the Bubble Bar. (Sorry, I couldn't find any pictures of it on the internet maybe its not called exactly Bubble bar, but what else would you call a place that has bubbles hanging from the ceiling on the walls and at the downstairs lounge has a pool of water filled with mounds of clear plastic bubbles!) Eye Candy and I went to the upstairs bar where you get in bed and only than will the waiter come by to serve you drinks. Hmm... that's an interesting way to get one into bed! I had a passionfruit martini and Eye Candy got a grapefruit one. They were very delicious, just like we looked sprawled in the great white bed I'm sure!!

Our lounging was however cut short by call from Eye Candy's friends which were waiting downstairs in a car. They wanted dancing and we didn't end up going to PM that night (which is my favorite place to go out actually). There are at least 5 good places there to go dancing, but by the time we were trying to decide we found ourself racing towards uptown. Oh well, not a problem, lots to do there as well. We finally screeched to a stop around 50th street parked and walked over to Au Bar. Its a good place to dance and there are always plenty of exotic men to dance with.

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I think that's how many I've had last night... Also could be after how many I lost count...
Well lets start from the begining!

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The Manhattan Dining Experience - explained!

Last night I went out to dinner with my friend Eye Candy. I'm giving her this nick name because it's a perfect way to describe a hot girl who is married! You may look, but there is no way of getting a licky-lick!!

We met in the meat packing district for dinner at 5 Ninth, a restaurant I'm currently obsessed with. I've been there a few times and every single dish that I've tried there was absolutely delicious.


5 Ninth Restaurant - Address: 5 9th Ave, NY, NY

It is on the pricier side and the portions are rather small. Wall Street and Dulce were supposed to come out actually but we totally had an "email" fight about this said fact. They seem to be under the impression that you go to dinner in a restaurant to eat!?!? What kind of crazy idea is that?? Everyone knows that in NYC you go to restaurants to TRY a certain cuisine, show of your new clothes, see what the others are wearing, have drinks and than have some more drinks!

Also, something else that I particularly enjoy about the trendy Manhattan restaurants is that everyone tends to be seated very close together, thus making eavesdropping very convenient.
This is why they're called "fusion" restaurants. Its because as the evening progresses and you've had a few drinks and have been following the conversation of the people next to you for a while, you tend to end up jumping in and offering up your opinion on the situation discussed. By the end of the evening the entire dining room experiences a sort of "fusion" and bonding! And voila! we've got a "new fusion" restaurant!

Waw, after all this restaurant talk, I'm hungry, so I'll be back later to report on the events of the night. Let me just say this... we did what's called the classic "gallop around Manhattan". And I met hot guys... so yeah, I'll be back later to report everything! (Well almost, everything, hehe.)

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