Why closets fall apart?

ugh

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:26:00 +0000

Another mouse in my house. Third one since December. I live in an end unit in an apartment complex next to a field, but wtf!? I am so tired...literally and figuratively. Right now it's 4:30am and I've been up since 3am. At around 4, the mouse graced me with its presence and ran along the walls of my room but when I screamed bloody murder he made his way out. Same thing happened last night. When we discovered we had a mouse last Thursday, I quickly packed my bags and stayed at Jon's until Sunday. But this weekend we've both got other plans, so we unfortunately won't see each other until Sunday or Monday...so I won't be sleeping there and I refuse to call and wake him up (he's been sick the last couple of days) to complain and cry about the mouse.

I feel like its maintenance's responsibility to manage this problem, but of course those a-holes could care less if I'm not sleeping comfortably or at all. It just sucks. What it boils down to is that I am going to have to call a company and pay them to come and do something my complex's maintenance team should be handling. Anyone have any suggestions for getting rid of these little suckers? I have a ton of traps (some with peanut butter) and those sonic sound things that supposedly bother mice, however, nothing has worked.

I'm so tired and I can't live this much longer.

Oh, and while I'm complaining, blogger is officially on my $hit list. I still can't load photos.

Where the $*#^! have you been?

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:31:00 +0000

My oh my, it's been an awfully long time. Yes, I've been "ghost" but I've missed you. REALLY. Today I was reading through some of my favorite blogs (because believe it or not, I do still read and try and catch up with you all every once in a while) and while reading Katie's (one of my personal favs) read a line in one of her posts that basically said, the longer you go without blogging the easier it is to well....ditch it. (I'm paraphrasing). Not because you don't love doing it, but because you get out of the habit doing other things or in my case, get lazy.

It's almost like working out. In the beginning, you're all gung-ho, going every day and giving it your all. But as time goes on you feel more comfortable so you take a day off...(and get lazy)...and then one day turns to two and two turns into a week and a week turns into a month and the next thing you know - BOOM! You've missed SEVEN whole months of working out (blogging). Shame on me. I know. But I hope you understand.

Given the fact that I've been completely incognito, I figured I'd answer the question most commonly asked: Where the $*#^! have you been?

December 2008
Well, December was a whirl-wind I tell ya. I basically gave up friends, family and damn near food for the GMAT, which I took December 18th. I wish I could tell you how wonderful I did and how I scored a 700+ and now I'm going to Harvard or UPenn. Uh, no. December 18th was a crappy day. The GMAT kicked my tail after endless hours of studying. In fact, I've never works SO damn hard to not see the fruits of my labor. It was depressing. I decided I wouldn't give up, but I needed time to decompress.

The holidays were awesome though. My cutie patootie Isabella celebrated her 1st birthday, Amy had her annual holiday party. Overll: Good time, good food, good family and good friends. I am blessed and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank the man upstairs for all that I have.

January 2009
I rang in the New Year in the city (aka NYC) with the some girls of mine (freezing my tucchus off, but whatevs) and as the clock sriked midnight I made a vow to me, myself and I to try and live a happy life and make this the year for great things. It was a year to get finances in order, take my job to the next level and to ditch an BS/drama and negative energy. I think 6 months in, I'm doing a pretty good job.

I went to the inauguration in Washington, DC which was life changing. Freezing outside for a gazillion hours and getting a frost bit face was totally worth it. After the inauguration, I made it back down to the MD/DC area for my company's national sales meeting where I learned that my name had been thrown out to take on a new position. I went back and I interviewed for the position the last week in January...

I also celebrated 4 birthdays: Grandma & my wonderful friends A, K and S.

Oh and I told the guy I picked up at the Halloween party in October to kick rocks. <-- yes, those were my exact words. He was being a prick and knowing my new years resolution aka vow to myself to not deal withe the drama, I told him to beat it and I never looked back. Call me sassy, fiesty, or whatever you want...but you want call me a sucker.

February 2009

I GOT THE JOB!!! (and a nice increase in salary too). I did my annual Miami trip (meeting up with some of my Maryland girls) to visit my girl Kim, local radio personality in the area, for her birthday. Hanging out with her is always a good time and we all enjoy catching up. This time we stayed at the Mondrian Hotel (which was fairly new) and enjoyed nice views of the ocean and interesting encounters with Suki, the wall art in the hotel. (Suki is not the name we have her...that was done for us by one of the fantastic bell hop guys).

After I returned from Miami, I went started transitioning into my new role...so much to learn; including forgiveness, which is what I did towards the end of the month. A friend of mine was celebrating her 29th birthday at a club in NYC and I ran into my ex (the one who stomped all over my heart - TWICE) and had a nice long conversation with him (granted not in the most ideal setting) and sqaushed any ill-will or negative feelings, whatsoever. This was so freeing for me and really showed me how much I've grown over the past couple of months or so. It's just so incredibly draining when you put so much energy into loathing someone...

March 2009
As psuedo-spring started to approach (and I say "psuedo" given the fact that it's June and still teeter -tottering between 60 and 80 degrees -gotta love NJ weather) I got into party mode. The new job was kicking along with my new salary, St. Patty's, March Madness; all good times.

Mid-march my best friend college girlfriends came into town (one flew in from Chicago, one drove up from Maryland) to join me and the Jersey gang for our annual St. Patty's day parade and bar crawl. It's a tradition now that the girls come in to town for the "holiday" and we just party and have a good time all day long. This year we had a few extras as well, which made for a good time. My one friend S was the biggest trooper of all and partied with us until 4pm, when she left to go to Florida. I mean, who can party ALL day, drinking and crawling and then catch a flight without feeling like you want to puke your brains out? My girl S. :) Needless to say, the girls were wild and the boys were watching. And the two buys with us were serious troopers - Jimmy, my best friend Kristin's husband and one of the "other" extras (ok, envision this) my best friend Kristin's, husband Jimmy's childhood best friend Jon. I'd met Jon before at the wedding (he was Jimmy's best man, I was a bridesmaid) and we chatted a bit then. Don't know what it was about March 14th - blame it on the alcohol - but I was alerted that Jon and I had a heavy flirtation going on. After hanging out into the wee hours of the morning, I confessed to my girls the next day that I indeed had a crush. Of course, being the bold one that I am, I requested to be facebook friends (thank you technology!) and the next thing you know, we were chatting through facebook messages. A week of that later, and we finally spoke on the phone and I have never gone a day without talking to him since. He is the most fabulous man of all the fabulous men who don't say fabulous. (Sex and the City anyone?) Our first date was at this fabulous spot called the Martini Bar. Over martinis and a dinner, we discovered that while we're very different in some ways, we're also very much alike. He's awesome. Period.

Also, as Maid of Honor to my best friend, me along with the other maids through her a kick ass shower filled with color (lime, hot pink, black and white), laughter, lots of gifts and love. I think she had a great time and that was all I cared about while planning it. We tried to add lots of little personal touches...and I think she noticed all of the effort and caring that went into the planning.

April 2009
April 2nd marked my 28th birthday (old hag, much?) where I celebrated via a casual Thirsty Thursday Happy Birthday happy hour at one of my favorite local bars with many of my favorite people. They just so happen to serve these glasses of wine that I like to call fish bowls. Four fishbowls in, I was a happy 28 year old. During the day Jon surprised me with the most beautiful arrangement of hbd flowers and my co-workers surprised me with some yummy cupcakes. That weekend, I stepped out in my favorite party dress for dinner with Mom to this wonderful new restaurant where we chatted up the owners and made friends with the bartenders. It was a great night and I felt incredibly blessed.

The second major duty of being MOH came this month, too. S's bridal shower was amazing! We started the nigth off at a showing of Tony and Tina's wedding (HILARIOUSLY FUN!) then went to a rooftop bar for some drinks before ending the night at a NYC hot spot called Whiskey Bar where we got a bottle of something special and danced until our feet fell like they were going to fall off. The next morning was hangover city but so worth it.

May 2009
May 1 was Sin's wedding. Gorgeous. Amazing. Fun. I have never gotten down with the get down like I did that evening. Sitting at a table with my mom, her boyfriend, Jon, Kristin, Jimmy and a few others was so much fun -- I think almost everyone at the table missed their calling to be a comedian. My speech went off without a hitch and I got roaring laughter from the crowd. BUT, above all else, one of my bestestes married the man of her dreams in most beautiful of ceremonies and every little detail expressed them and their love for one another.

After digesting the wedding, the summer fun continued with a nice weekend trip to one of my favorite places - MARYLAND! Hopping between Baltimore, Silver Spring, Columbia and DC is always a good time with some great gals and I conquered my first (and definitely NOT last) Wine in the Woods in Columbia. Wine in the Woods is just that -- a wine festival in the woods -- where everyone just drinks, eats and is merry while hanging with friends and jamming to music. I passed out at 8pm. Needless to say, great day. The next day was Jon's birthday where I flew back up the turnpike to surprise him with balloons and red velvet cupcakes. He loved it! (The following weekend we had a "real" dinner in honor of his b-day).

Memorial Day weekend was a blast. First of all - great weather. I spent a lot of time outside with friends, playing corn hole, drinking beer, wine, sangria (I don't discriminate) and simply relaing. Good times.

I ended the month with a party for my godson and his little brother, where I decided, I so want one (meaning a baby/child) of my own someday. So cute.

June 2009
We're only a few days into June and so far, so good. I spent a lot of time with Jon this week, in between working and working out. (Today I ran 5 miles, yesterday I went to the gym, twice, so yea, I'm back on my grind). I also start my GMAT class again tihs Sunday and I'm trying to have a different perspective on it and not put so much stress on myself and the test. Work is coming along...still learning a lot but enjoying the ride.

So as you can see, a GMAT, an inauguration, a trip to Florida, a few trips to Maryland (business and pleasure), a bar crawl, a 28th birthday, a new job, a new man and a new attitude can really keep a girl busy. I'm glad to be "back" and hope to be more consistent this time around. I can't promise I'll be here every day, but I definitely don't want to write six month at a time updates...life is too much and there's too much to share.

Thanks for reading!

ps - I'm trying to load pics...but I'm having problems so I'll upload when I can.

Full Steam Ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:19:00 +0000

I'm applying to B-school. I'm writing essays. I'm in a GMAT class. I'm working my tail off in my "regular" job. I am guilty of NOT going to work out in over a week. Ugh.

In the past two weeks, I have been a traveling chick-a-dee. Weekend before last, Mom and I went on a fun road trip to my top business school to check it out and confirmed what I already believed: I must go there. I don't know if I'm applying in 2009 or 2010 yet (GMATs dependent upon what I do) but I'm excited about the possibility of going back to school. The weekend was amazing. Beautiful grounds, wonderful friendly faculty/staff, alum and current students...just made me feel right at home. Granted, I know most schools are trying to "Sell, Sell, Sell" (I am in marketing so I know the game), but I have been quite surprised just how friendly the students have remained even now that I'm not walking around on their campus.

Aside from my trip to B-school number 1, this past weekend, I went on a road trip with one of my girls to my favorite weekend getaway [MD/DC] for the Halloween weekend. I had a fantastic time, of course. Dressed up as a fierce black cat, I danced and purred the night away at this great spot in DC with a few close friends. It must have been my lucky night because...I met a guy! I saw him from across the room and something drew me into him. I just had to talk to him. SO being "big and bold" like I am, I walked right up to him and proceeded to tell him just how attractive he was. Yup, I did. *Side note: I was not intoxicated but I had had a glass of liquid courage.* My "line" went something like, "Hey...how are you? You know, I saw you from across the room and just had to come over and tell you ALL B.S. aside, you really are an attractive man and I could not in good conscience leave this party without telling you". I planned on turning right back around and walking away but "E" (<---said atractive man) actually talked to me for about 15 minutes. A little chuckling and a little flirting, lead to a little giving out of nine little digits. He took my number. And even better, he actually called the next day. I wasn't sure men still did that. Someone I actually LIKE. Butterflies. Have interest in. Can you believe it? I mean, it's been almost two years since "he who's name shall not be spoken or written" and I broke up and I haven't been remotely moved by anyone. I have tried to date and have been very unsuccessful. Who knows if my "success" in the wretched dating game is making a turn for the better, but the simple fact that I can feel again?? Words can't even describe. I seriously thought I was broken for a while.

Anyway, I'm charging along, studying, keeping busy and making moves. Thought I would check in and say hello. So...hello.

Hope I'll have more positive GMAT and handsome guy stories to tell you in the near future...back to studying.

oh and ps - this is my WTF moment of the day -- how awful is this? Minding my business at the library studying diligently and notice the man next to me hogging up the local printer that sat right between our desktop stations. I glance over at his screen and do you know what I saw? KIDDIE PORN. A digusting, perverted old man printing child pornography; pages upon pages of it. I almost threw up on the spot. I immediately packed up my belongings, went right to the reference desk, reported the issue and proceeded to go out to my car and scream. Never in my life have I dealt with or seen something like that live and in the flesh...and I hope I never have to again.

Wedding Wonderland!

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:13:00 +0000

One of my bests got married. National KJH day (aka the big day) was on 10.3.08. K (bride) and J (groom) could not have been happier. It was a fantastic day. Here's a little montage of the festivities leading up to the big day.

Here is the crew in good ole Atlantic City for the Bachelorette party. We stayed at this fab new hotel called the Chelsea an partied it up all night long at Harrah's by the Pool. The weather was hot and hazy and perfect for a group of crazy ladies. ;)

Team K at the shower. (K in the middle holding her "bouquet" surrounded by her maids).

Rehearsal dinner. K with some of her maids and puff aka Liv, the flower girl.

The bride with some of her maids on D-day.

It would not be a wedding if the bride didn't get fed from her chocolate fountain at the end of the night. ;)

I've decided weddings are so much fun. Can't wait until the next one. One in a few weeks for a friend's brother and then of course, my best S is getting married next May and I am in the MOH. The presssssssssssure!!! Hahah.

to B or not to B

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:36:00 +0000

B-school that is. I've been putting it off for years (six to be exact) and now after being out in the working world for some time now, I finally feel like I'm ready to take the plunge. Do I miss endless amounts of homework, meeting with groups on presentations and studying for days upon end? Nope. Do I miss hitting up the little lady at the Latin Cafeteria (thank you MIAMI) at the drive up window for my nightly study dose of Cuban coffee? Not really. (Well actually, I miss the ritual with the girls. And man oh man it does keep you up for hours upon hours). But in my field of work, it's just about mandatory I go back to school and get my MBA.

I signed up for a Kaplan GMAT course last week and begin soon. I've already written one essay and started this whole application process. I'm on my way to my visit college visit this upcoming Friday and working on my first case study for my class visit. What crazy girl decides she wants to go back to business school and apply to SIX schools all in the matter of 8-10 weeks for the Fall of 2009 (less than a year)? That's right folks, me.

Crazy, wired - call it what you may - but when I set my mind to something there is no turning back. Who knows if I'll get into these schools...but I figure worst case scenario (i.e. bombing the GMAT), I've always got 2010.

Other than this new excitement in my life, everything is everything. Life in general is good. I haven't written in a while...needed a serious detox. Although I'm not really "good" at it, I do indeed love blogging. I started blogging during the summer of 2007, while I was mourning the loss of my last relationship and going through a serious EX detox. (Unfortunately, do to the nature of the content, the blog was only shared with close friends and family). After I ended my detox, I decided to continue to blog, but really on write when I have something to say...otherwise, it feels like to too much pressure to keep up with all you lovely writers. So I apologize for my blog shadiness (Shady McMuffin - I have been) and hope that with all this B school stuff and the holidays and all that good stuff, life will pick up once again and give me something to talk to y'all about.

Anyway, thanks for keeping me laughing (and reading) over the past few months. You all are fabulous and so are your blogs, I swear.

Ok, off to finish this case (I can't BELIEVE I'm doing HOMEWORK for a class visit) and watch some Law & Order. Good night lovely people. :)

Alive

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:50:00 +0000

Hey, I'm alive. Sorry for my disappearance...things have been so hectic. My friend's cousin committed suicide, my job has been killing me so I've been working non-stop and I was also under the weather for a bit. Please bare with me. Be back soon. Thanks!

Guess who's bi-zack?

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:55:00 +0000

Yup, That'd be me. I'm back. Relaxed and feeling great. Happy to be getting settled back into normal (aka boring) life but definitely not excited about going back to work tomorrow. At least it's only a half day. I'm waaaay too exhausted to get into any trip details at the moment (as the 6 hour time difference has kicked my tail), however I just wanted to say hello (I've missed you much & I'm reading through all the updates between laundry loads) and share a few pics. In no particular order, but here we go. On the plane on the way in to Hawaii...8 hours and 17 minutes into the plane ride from Chicago to Maui to be exact. (Oh no, it didn't stop there -and THEN to Kona, my final destination). Mind you, I had to be up waaay early (2:45am EST) to catch my first flight out of Newark to O'Hare (3 hour layover in O'Hare), so I'd been up a gazillion hours at this point (I think about 19 hours, with only 3 hours sleep the night before), sucking in that very thin cabin air, starving half to death because I only had a tiny salad (seriously folks, I could have counted the pieces of lettuce on my one hand) -which I was charged $7 for btw - ready to pluck my eyeballs out. Wearing my contacts on a million hour flight?? Yea, not such a great idea. The best part of the plane ride (besides the vodka/sodas I so happily downed) was the movie, "Because I Said So", which is a favorite of my mother's and mine. But let me shut my big fat mouth because at the end of the day, I'd stay up 24 hours straight any day to have the experience again...and props to United for having the BEST flight attendants EVER! They were so cheerful and positive and un-grumpy (yes, I made up a word) that it kept us motivated throughout the flight.
Anna, my bestie and I after we did this ridic trail to see lava spewing (spell?) into the ocean. It was pretty cool. Although, a rocky trail under a hot sun, with no water in hand almost led me to break my ankle twice in exhaustion. No harm, no foul though. It's all good!
Guard rail aside, is this not an awesome view? Hawaii is just gorgeous. If you ever have the opportunity to go, please do!

Ok, back to laundry and catching up on all your blogs!! If I don't fall asleep first...

PS - I also have to update you ladies on Mr. C. He only *gently* stalked me while I was in Hawaii with e-mails, texts and calls. I guess after not responding to his weak e-mail before I left, he finally got the hint (ding, ding, ding!) that something was clearly wrong.

PPS - Sorry if there are spelling errors or if this makes no sense at all. In Hawaii it's only 10-something in the morning, so I'd just be waking up. My plane left Kona at 4:45pm (which was 10:45 pm EST) and technically I have been up since 7am Hawaii time (which was 1pm YESTERDAY July 9 in Jersey) and now it's almost 4:30 pm (EST) so that's more than 24 hours at this point...you understand, right?

MeccAloha...

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:58:00 +0000

Greetings from Hawaii! I will keep this short because I have a lot of living (and by living I mean, sun bathing, eating, drinking and shopping) to do, but boy, oh boy, can I tell you this place is GORGEOUS. Honestly, one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. So far:

1) I have been spent waaaay to much money on buying gifts for friends & family. Who knew(expensive) chocolate covered macadamia nuts were THE gift to give?

2) I've been eaten alive by insects ... well, my ankles have been anyway. Whatevs, so worth it.

3) I've been told by a local that my energy was "positive", yet I had a sense of "longing". Should I be concerned? What the hell does that mean? Could it be related to "he who's name shall not be spoken" (the EX)?

4) Anna (best friend from the Chi) and I have managed to jacuz (yes, jacuz -- we've made it into a verb) every day for at least 15 minutes. I mean, why not?

5) I've adjusted to the six hours time difference...(from EST). My friends and family back home? Uhhh, not so much. How many "Happy fourth of July" text messages can one receive at 4:32am? LOTS.

6) Started and finished a 350 page book. Lots of laying-out peaceful, laziness going on.

7) Had at least one of my signature drinks once every night. Vodka soda, anyone? (Ok, not everyone's drink of choice, but I like it because it's clear, low-cal, and I happen to think it's tasty with a dash of lime juice).

8) Taken over 250 photos in 2.5 days. And I'm just getting started.

Ok, off to jump in the shower for a rinse-off, then back to my standard uniform: bathing suit and cover-up. Hope you all had a safe and fun-filled fourth and are enjoying the long weekend!

Aloha!!

a day late...

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:42:00 +0000

"Hey Mec, how are you?? How's your day going??....I'm sorry I didn’t get back to you last night, things got a little hectic. By the time I got your message, it was a little late."

That's the bullshit ass email I got from C today at around 1:45pm explaining why he canceled our date. And did I reply? Hell to the nah. Ummm, I'm sorry C...you might not be a dollar short but you are definitely a day later. You clearly have me mistaken for a doormat; but the last time I checked, I'm not the one to be walked all over. I'm sorry people, but I am just fuming. He could have AT LEAST given me the courtesy of calling me (not emailing aka bailing) to tell me he was cancelling our date. I'm just not the one. I can't be bothered. I'm calling a spade a spade and walking away. But there is a bright side...better now than later.

With all I've been through I've definitely learned:

When people show you who they...believe them!

Meccaloha!!! Vacay & other updates...

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:58:00 +0000

Hello people! Have you ever been in the intersection of "I'm so burnt out, I'm crispy..." and "If I have to go to work (or really anywhere for this matter) and look at these people one more day I might have to hurt someone?" Well, I have been wandering in that intersection for about a week now. Thankfully, tranquility and peace of mind are not too far away. For those of you who aren't aware, I am going to Hawaii (for the first time ever) on Wednesday morning, returning eight days later (if I decide to come back) on a wonderful vacay with my best friend from college, Anna. Not only is it awesome because I don't get to see Anna very often and we're totally gonna cut up like only we do, but this whole trip was made possible because Anna's dad lives there (lucky stiff), so accommodations are completely and totally F-R-E-E! We will be staying on the big island, with a quick pit stop in Maui. A fully stocked fridge of our favorite eats and beverages of all sorts, plus an itinerary that looks like, beach, eat, drink, beach, eat, drink, occasional activity (i.e. ATV rides and snorkeling), beach, eat and drink, I'm stoked!!!

I'm starting to pack tonight -- eek -- and I'm nervous as heck that I won't fit everything I want/need into my suitcase. I'm trying to think light and pack lots of sundresses and flip-flops. I'm using Katie over at La Petite Chic's suitcase from a recent trip as inspiration. If she can go to Europe for more than a week and have a suitcase that looks like it came out of Real Simple and less than 50 lbs., so can I. Or at least I can try. Have you looked at it? I mean, c'mon, it's a masterpiece! I guarantee if Katie and I lived in the same metropolitan area, we'd probably be great friends as our organization tactics are SO in-sync.

The last I wrote, I was mentioning how I had let go of Mr. Ex (betrayal is a straw that can definitely break the camel's back) and was thinking of going out on a date with a new guy, who I'll call C. Well, I did go out with C, and it was nice, however, it wasn't exactly how I thought it would be. Is it just me or do men not court women anymore? Keeping a long story short, I got a phone call at 8:30p on a Saturday (last Saturday, not yesterday) asking if I wanted to "hang out" that evening. Resolving to not be a stickler and give it a shot, I accepted. Since I was just finishing dinner, I told C I would call him when I made it home to discuss the plan. And a half hour later, I did just that. The conversation went something like:

Me: "Hey, I'm home! What's the plan? When and where shall we meet?"
C: "Uhhhh, I don't know. What do you want to do?"
Me: "Ummmm, it doesn't really matter, do you have any suggestions?"
C: "Uhhhh, not really...."

WTF? I was so f-ing annoyed. I mean, honestly...

First of all, you call me at 8:30pm on a Saturday night (basically the eleventh hour) asking if I want to hang out for that evening. We've never hung out before...so talk about a first impression. What happened to planning in advance? You just assume that I'm going to be available? Secondly, I happen to be available (even though I almost said "no, I'm not available" on principle alone) and accept to "hang out" with you, and call to find out the plan and you DON'T F-ING HAVE ONE. ARGH. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to sound like a diva or anything, because I'm not talking about caviar, expensive dinners, flowers and champagne. I don't care if we go bowling and sling back a few beers, but take some initiative, make a plan, and ask me on an honest, proper date! So, after being asked to "hang out" (I feel like I'm in f-ing 10th grade), I have to go on the computer and look up some cool things to do in a central location for both of us, tell him where it is and when to meet me. You ask me out, yet I do all the work. I just feel like at 27, I'm too old for this shit.

Still, trying to give it shot, because once I got there to meet C, we had a decent time (read: he's very nice, no butterflies whatsoever but I'll give him two more chances just to be fair), I invited him to see "Wanted" (new movie with Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman) this weekend. We agreed on Friday that Sunday evening worked best for both of us. I had my friend's son's first birthday party - which was more like a kick-ass free-for-all for all ages) this afternoon, but I told him I would call him when I was on my way home with movie times and theatre options. So I left the party (which can I just take a sec to tell you had a huge blow up water slide, a moon walk, a caged in trampoline, and pony ride for the kids AND a fully stocked bar of all premium liquors, catered bbq foods, volleyball set-up, horse-shoes, adult water attractions and a jacuzzi for the adults spread across their 13 acres of land in their "backyard") and called him with times. There were two times I thought would be good to see the movie: 6pm or 8pm. I mean, it's Sunday, and I do have work in the morning, so I didn't want to be out too late. Well, let me just tell you that it's 7:46pm and I have yet to get a phone call back telling me what time he preferred or at this point, that going to see the movie was off. That is just sooooooooooooo f-ing rude! What is WRONG with some guys these days? I don't want to go into the "being a single girl sucks" speech, but let me just tell you, dating is awful. Especially when you're dating because the man who you thought was the end all, be all, the man who you thought you would marry and start a family with bails on you for no good reason. And then after you do EVERYTHING in your power to get over the asshole, he comes back into your life, only to drag you back into the shit-hole you spent a year and half trying to get out of, only to pull the same shit he did back in January of 07. It's like a child with a toy. He is so excited to get the toy and play with it...for a while. Then he tosses the toy to the side UNTIL someone else wants to play with the toy. Then all of a sudden, he wants to play with the toy. He has that horrible syndrome; you know? The "have-his-cake-and-eat-it-too" syndrome. So I'm forced to "keep an open mind" and be on the scene...which I haven't had much luck in. At this point, I don't even know what to say to C, when/if he calls. Do I even bother?

Well, I'll look at the bright side of things...I'm not at the movies, so I finally had time to write and say hello! :) Besides, Wedding Crashers is on TBS, so I'll watch that and start packing...

Feeling good...

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:32:00 +0000

The last few days I felt like crap. I mean, absolute crap. Migraine, stomach bug, huddled in bed, ready to just die. I don't know what the heck was out there, but I am thrilled that it's peaced out and moved on. Now my physical state matches my mental state which is great.

For the last two months, I was dating my ex. The one who broke my heart to a gagillion pieces and then road over those pieces with a tractor trailer and then scrambled to find the pieces and throw them in a river with an anchor on them, to never ever surface again. Lucky him, got a second chance to come back into my life. And oh how quickly that has come and gone. Thank goodness I proceeded with caution.

About 2.5 months ago, we began speaking. He said and did everything right. He was starting to earn the forgiveness of my friends, family, and most importantly, me, who to be quite honest, thought he should rot in hell for hurting me to begin with. Soon after, like I knew he would, he started becoming distant. Distant and cold. The sweet little text messages stop chirping in, the friendly yet flirty emails stopped trickling in my inbox, the calls stopped coming in. I found myself putting in all my effort and getting nothing in return. And then I got, "I love you. I want to marry you. But I already broke your heart once before and if I'm going to come back into your life in that way I want to make sure I'm 100%. I need to focus on getting X, Y and Z in order before I could commit myself..." Excuses. Always excuses. And while I respected what he had to say, it was exactly what he said the first time AND completely contradictory to what he said at the end of March when he was trying to ease his way back into my life. Felt like I was right back where I left off when I cut him out of my life the first time. It was the intersection of Lonely Road and Heartbroken Lane and I was not going back. So, as painful as it may be, I cut him lose; again.

A near and dear friend said the following and I couldn't have put it any better myself...

It definitely seems like he is trying to have the best of both worlds. And- if he truly loves you, he wouldn't put you thru all this. I can totally understand that whole fear of commitment, but don't mess with someone's emotions. I agree, you should definitely leave him alone. You're going to be happy with your own family. You'll have a husband that loves you and he will still be searching for Mrs. Right. Little did he know, he found her {more than once} and let her go.

And while it hurt like hell, this time it is a little different than the first time I cut him out. For some reason, I feel like I got the closure I really needed. I realized, I can't change him but I can change me. I can control how I act, and what I allow him to get away with. And poof, I'm done. And no, he hasn't quite gotten it yet. He says he "cherishes our friendship" and wants me to be apart of his life. Yea, whatevs. He can keep calling...and keep talking to my voicemail. I believe in second chances, but third and forth? Uh, no!

In other news, I met a new gentleman last month who is very interested in taking me out...and this girl just might let him. I had been putting him off while I was focusing on Ex and now that I realize Ex is Ex for a reason, I feel like I can actually go out on a date and have an open mind. I'll keep you updated...

Happy Father's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 22:09:00 +0000

Happy Father's Day to the best man in my life. My Dad. My Dad has to be one of the coolest cats I know. He's warm and caring, kind and sincere. He's very proud of me; as I am of him for all of his wonderful accomplishments.

So here's to you "Papa Frita". I love you.

(And here's to all the other wonderful dads out there...)

Hello There!

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:01:00 +0000

So I turned 27 in early April and became to fly to blog. NOT! But I know that's what some of you probably think. Despite the fact that I turned 27 and eased up on my blogging, my life has become a complete and total catastrophic, busy, whatever of a whatever. I love my life; don't get me wrong. But I do despise that overwhelmed, anxious pit in my stomach like I am forgetting something important or that I suck at life because everything that I love, admire and that is important to me is falling by the waist-side.

Work is still kicking my high-tail. Meetings and conference calls and everything in between. I am desperately in need of a vacay and counting down the days until I make it to Hawaii. Only thirty at this point and coming quickly. Thank goodness.

Relationship-wise, I am maintaining and hanging in. I'm still "dating" my ex, which is a joke in itself and I am also keeping my options open and "dating" someone new as well. It's funny because I am not a dater. I don't even know what it means to date. I am either in a relationship or not.

But - I'll have to leave my dating tales for another day. I'm exhausted and one of my boys (the new one) had just called.

Please take me back people. I still love ya all!

Hawaii 5-0!

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 22:50:00 +0000

I booked my flight to Hawaii and lucky me - my connection is in Chicago -- so my darling Anna and I will be on the same flight there and back. I'm so excited. Now that the tickets are all out of the way the actual trip seems official. My trip is only two months away and I am in desperate need of a vacation at this point.

I am just about ready to pull my hair out at this point with work, work and more work.

Two months and counting...

My birthday! :)

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:31:00 +0000

I celebrated my actual birthday on Wednesday, April 2. I partied like a rock star on Saturday, April 5.

Being "Rebellious" at Rebel. Celebrating my birthday with close friends. :)

Everyone should be *lucky* enough to have friends like mine.

Letting Go of the wheel

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:38:00 +0000

"I believe we write our own stories. And each time we think we know the end - we don't. Perhaps luck exists somewhere between the world of planning, the world of chance, and in peace that comes from knowing that you just can't know it all. You know, life's funny that way. Once you let go of the wheel, you might end up right where you belong." -- Little Black Book

I'm a control freak and always like to have control. One of the hardest things for me is letting go and allowing for nature to take its course. I'm doing my best to just "let things happen". Most recently, I've started dating....my ex. The ex who in January of 2007 broke my heart into a million pieces. The ex who "wasn't ready" and who needed to have "space" and "take a break". And after trying to be friends for four months after the break-up, realizing that wasn't going to work and officially cutting him off in June of 2007, he instantly reappeared into my life a few weeks ago.

And then last weekend at my birthday party, the connection was there. It's magnetic and something draws us in to each other. I can't deny it, even if I tried. Long story short, we've agreed to try and rebuild our friendship and we're going to date each other. Yes, date, and actually "court" one another, the good ole fashion way.

I'm nervous, scared and trying to work through all the hidden emotions and see what's what.
I'll keep you all posted.

And pics of my fierce birthday party dress to come. The party was insane!

I'm am stil alive

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:38:00 +0000

...well and better than ever. I'm still hectic work-wise but I am feeling good and trying to get ready for spring. My girls came the weekend before St. Patty's day to celebrate the annual town parade and bar crawl, which was a blast. For the 4th year now, no one got sick, and we had no drama - whatsoever. Decked out in our green or Irish spirited shirts, we crawled, danced, drank, ate and just enjoyed a long overdue reunion. It was like the University of Miami, Mahoney/Pearson get together. We will not wait that long before seeing each other again. That's for sure.

Additionally, the Easter holiday was great. I took off two whole days (Good Friday and Monday) to relax and actually relaxed. I needed a mental health day or I was a going to explode. Friday, I spent some time with my Papa, who surprised me by buying me a nice pretty pink Sony VAIO as an early birthday present. I am so thrilled because I was in desperate need of a new laptop. I also spent some time in Philadelphia also known as Killadelphia celebrating my younger cousin's 21st birthday with family. Sunday, I spent Easter with my Dad, Stepmom, Stepbrother, SIL and nieces, which wore me out but also was a bunch of fun. Finally on Monday, I enjoyed a sunny day running errands and just having "me" time. Of course, I tuned in for season premiere of "The Hills" with my friend Amy and her little baby girl Izzy, who tuned in for the entire thing!

Now, I'm back to work...just hoping the week flies by so I can try and have another great weekend with loved ones, as I begin kicking off my birthday week!

Well hello...

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:26:00 +0000

Hello people! Have you missed me? Again I come to you with excuses of late work hours and happenings of life that have caused me NOT to write, but boy the past two weeks have been good. Aside from working until 1 or 2am on certain nights, I have done/accomplished a few key things.

I FINALLY organized my nightmare of a closet -- a massive trip to the Container Store, LNT and Target totally helped me to organize and maximize my space. I read some really great articles on how to go about this process, and where to start. I think the thing that kept me from getting on it sooner was that I didn't know where to begin because it was so overwhelming. I also had to tell myself that it wasn't going to happen in one night. It took a while, but it was worth it. I have a fully functional closet and have maximized my space to the point where I actually see a crap ton of carpet. I even re-organized my bathroom and storage under the sink. I also gave both my room and bathroom a little face lift by purchasing a new bedding set and some new fluffy towels. Nothing like rolling around in some new sheets. I feel like a new woman.

My HUGE project that I have been slaving away at for the past three months has finally kicked off. One of my favorite brands I work on is sponsoring a major artist's concert tour and we're executing events on-site. I had three months to pull together the entire program, sponsorship details, creative collateral, etc. not to mention executing in both US and Canada, which is a first for my company since we just recently were combined with Canada to become "North America". Anyway, the best part about working my ass off for three months is that I got flown out to Vancouver for a show to party it up, stay in a fly ass suite (which was bigger than my apartment) and eat, drink and be merry with some crazy folks and this awesome, amazing artist on the company dime. Oh yea, and they got me a massage, too. :)

My Vancouver euphoria was quickly killed when I returned back home (after the craziest turbulent landing in which I literally thought I was toast) and was "bitched out" by my neighbor. Yes, the crazy dog-lady neighbor. She actually had the audacity to be upset with me because I "backstabbed" her when I sent her a certified letter, demanding the money she owed me. I was in shock. This jerk has the nerve to play victim when I was bit by her dog and later received a check from her, which bounced not due to insufficient funds but because their was no such account! That's right - she tried to pay me with a check from an account she had previously closed. People are friggin' bananas. In any case, after beefing about it a bit in the hallway, she later gave me the cash for what she owed me and I was happy to close that door. Eventually I will run into her, but I don't give a crap. I know I did the right thing and she will NOT intimidate me or give me shit for her screw-up. So at the end of the day: I got the money. Thank goodness.

This week it's back to the grind but I have a great ending in sight. Thursday my best friend comes into town from Chi-town, and then Friday another one of my good friends is driving up from Maryland with her boyf. to hang out with me and my girl K for a mini-college reunion (yes, we're all proud ass 'Canes) to party it up for my town's annual St. Patrick's day parade and bar crawl. Get right!

Enjoy your week all you lovely sexy people. ;-)

My maternal instincts...

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:28:00 +0000

I was "blessed" enough to attend a 1 year old's birthday party last week. The only "real" reason I was there was to support my friend Lina through a bunch of screaming rowdy children. Don't get me wrong people; I absolutely love children (especially the birthday boy, baby David) however, I knew this one party would consist of rowdy, mischevious little boys between the ages of 1-6 and I had to mentally prepare myself for it. In any case, my friend Amy, who just had a baby three days before Christmas brought her best Christmas gift of all with her: her new daughter Isabella (or baby Izzy as I like to call her). I don't know if it's because she was the only "lil princess" there or because she was the smallest; but I just fell in love. Not that I wasn't already. I fell in love with her during her first 24 hours on earth, but this time we got some good face time and I enjoyed being with her. She's an excellent baby and didn't cry one bit. Not even when Clarence, a friend of the group, but a (big macho football player) GUY, nonetheless, held her, rocked her, sang to her and even made her stand on her lil tippy toes and "dance". It's just so funny because I don't have children, but as soon as you get around a child, the instincts just naturally appear. I could have held her all day long. The second picture is me afterwards, proud of my maternal efforts. Some day...a long time from now...maybe it'll be my own.

I did it!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:20:00 +0000

I finally did it. I REACHED MY GOAL WEIGHT! Ok. My friends and family have been on this weight loss journey with me and I am happy to report after almost 2 long years, I have lost a total of 32 lbs. and am now pretty much back to "normal". I feel confident and most importantly, comfortable in my own skin again. :)

Before - April of 2006

After - February of 2008

Here's the journey along the way.

October of 2006 - Me and my "homeslice" R. (Of course, my girlfriend R in the picture always looks great!)

I was down about 10lbs from my heaviest (April) and I had just started Weight Watchers with my best Sin. We only lasted until about December, but we kept the learnings and the money in our pockets.

February of 2007 - me with Mel (my childhood friend and a modern day Pocahontas).

About 15 lbs down from the beginning, although you can still see it in my face an arms.

June of 2007 with Sin, K and much shorter hair (ahhhh). I was down about 22 lbs. I also started going to the gym more regularly, so although I wasn't losing very quickly, I was toning and firming and becoming stronger overall.

@ Dewey Beach (sooo tan, I love it) August of 2007. F---!!!! I hit the Plateau of the century.

Didn't I tell you I hit the plateau of the century? Probably only another 1 or 2 down if that. This was November and December of 2007. Holidays. Always a killer, but I did my best and was at least able to maintain my weight.

Hard work pays off! Finally lost that final 8 lbs in January and early February. I feel great. I'm stronger and have more endurance. I actually enjoy working out and I have a new lease on life.

Now it's called: "MAINTENANCE". But I finally did it. :)

(Thanks to my friends and family who listened to me, offered encouragement and who supported me the entire way through. I love you all).

Pepe Le Pew...

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:17:00 +0000

WTF is wrong with me and my luck these days?

After an exhausting week and weekend, I wanted nothing more than to get a little face time with my pillow and blankets; yes plural since it's mighty cold these days. So anyway, I'm getting my sleep groove on, deep into my REM when suddenly I am awakened by a G-O-D AWFUL STENCH.

Now, my bedroom windows are worth shit, are not air tight and have let in everything from cold air to hot air, my neighbor's exhaust from the cars, my neighbor's loud mouths (in a drunken stupor at 2am), etc. through them, but this time, I almost lost it. Literally, almost vomited. A fucking skunk. That's right people, Pepe-Le-Fucking-Pew himself, was messing around outside and set it OFF. You would have thought the little fucker was hiding under my bed or something. I don't know when it happened, but what I do know is that at 4am, I was forced to build a blanket cave so that I could 1) attempt to go back to sleep and 2) breathe. Wasn't happening. I sealed my blanket cave so tight, I almost suffocated and was forced to breathe through my mouth, not my nose, which means when/if I did fall back asleep, I probably swallowed a spider or two. I did attempt to take it to the living room BUT it was worse out there (and much colder). I ended up crying at 6am, because tired ole me kept having visions that my clothes, which were drying on my drying rack (from being washed the night before) were going to smell like Pepe.

Needless to say, I made it to work SUPER early this morning.

If I could tell him anything...

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:26:00 +0000

I would say:

You know you want to...it's all you can think about; that you made a mistake.
A BIG MISTAKE.
You're sorry, maybe not for walking away because that's what you "had to do", but for hurting me and all you want to do is let it be known. So stop letting your ego get the best of you. Put your foolish, childish pride aside and make well with the world. C'mon.
You know you want to...It's all you can think about.

A tad stressed...

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:56:00 +0000

...which means Mecca will sleep like sh*t tonight. Basically. I just strolled in from work after the another long drawn out day of meetings upon meetings, emails upon emails and phone calls upon phone calls. Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love my job and I'm blessed to have it BUT I work my tail off and I don't know that I always get the appreciation or the recognition I deserve. Lately, it's been weighing on me, because I've become this work-a-holic, Treo carrying, late night and early morning email checking fool, while other important things in my life slack...or are slowing starting to slack.

Tomorrow, I've got to take my car into the body shop at 7:30, where the rental car will meet me at 7:45 and then rush the rental to the local train station where I have to hop an 8:30 train into NYC to make a 10am meeting. After the meeting, I'll come home and work like the work horse I have slowly become, because I will be out of the office on Friday to attend my stepmother's mother's funeral. Would you believe I was actually relieved I would be only missing ONE day of work instead of two which I originally thought was the case? How f-ed up is that?

Then, it's supposed to snow on Friday, so who knows how the services and funeral will actually go.

One other thing I'm stressing about waaay in advance is the fact that, my bestie is coming into town (yippee) from the Chi (in a few weeks) and that means, Mecca has GOT to get this room in order. As we all know, space is limited up in this piece and I don't want my A feeling like she is sitting on top of herself, so it is my mission, to clean & organize. Any suggestion of ways to make/create more space in tiny living environments? I'm dying here.

Danke.

A little bit of this, a little bit of that

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:15:00 +0000

Some of you have read, one of my best friends is getting married and she asked me to be her MOH. Well, tonight, Sin, her FI and I went to a tasting at the reception site and it was fantastic! It was a showcase really, of the food, the desserts, and some of the facility's selected vendors. My oh my...so much to take it, but the food was great. I could go to tasting everyday. Yum. :)

Rise Above.

noreply@blogger.com (Mecca) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:28:00 +0000

"A person can only rise so high. Now I'm rising above, but there's a ceiling and I'm about to hit it." -- Grey's Anatomy

After the whole check bouncing incident, I thought things couldn't have gotten much worse but I was wrong. This weekend, ups and downs, proved me wrong. Things in fact could get worse, but I of course, could rise above. After a long week, I decided to call in reinforcement (meaning: two of my bests) to meet me at the nail salon for much needed manis and pedis [up]. The salon got new massage chairs for the pedicures, which made my much needed trip even more worthwhile. After pedis, Sin and I headed to eat, drink and be merry. On the way grub, my old roomie, L called me and told me she had an ex sighting. I should have known at that point, it the weekend would be hairy. Now, although the ex and I are from the same area, I have been fortunate enough to not see him, since I chose to stop speaking to him last June (5 whole months after the break-up and torturing myself wishing and hoping we would get back together). In that timeframe, not one of my friends has seen him either. It's as if, he, me, us, simply disappeared, never existed. So anyway, she told me she had a sighting and they spoke cordially. Cool, whatever, moving on.

Saturday rolls around and on the way home from a fabulous trip to the hair salon [up] my Dad called me and told me my step mother's mother (his mother-in-law, my step-grandmother) passed away that afternoon. I wasn't extremely close with her and didn't know her very well (she lived far away), but I still felt awful for my stepmom. She was older and sick, so it wasn't a total shock, but still sucks nonethless [down]. Feeling bad for the situation, but refusing to feel defeated, I went shopping for a little retail therapy, where I found the cutest sweater and even better a pair of jeans for $4.99 [up]. Good jeans from Banana Republic which went on sale. $4.99. Can you even believe? I then continue with my day, running to a birthday party for my friend's son (he turned 1) and then off to watch a movie (Why did I get Married?) with my lovely mother [up]. After watching a movie, I run home, change really quickly and meet up with a group of girls to head out for a night on the town. A big party town about 30 minutes away. Enter the bar, order my signature drink (vodka & club soda with a lime), when I am greeted with a BOMB. Ex is in the building. CODE RED!! My dodging bullets for the last eight months in my own friggin' home town just ended in a huge party town, with 800 other bars, 30 minutes away [down]. My first reaction was to run, but then I had to quickly put myself in check, because: 1) I had just as much a right to be in that bar as him 2) I'm over it and him, so why am I ready and willing to run? I wasn't gonna run. I was gonna do my thing and whatever happened, happened.

Wanna know what happened? Mecca had a few vodka sodas, felt very nice and danced the night away. I had a fabulous time and didn't care that he was there. The only thing that sucked was that at one point in the night he purposefully looked me right in my face, and turned and ran for the bar [down]. He's a punk. A weasel. I mean, I would have been cordial. But he chose to be an a-hole, so I decided to keep it moving and try to forget it. It did hurt my feelings, because this wasn't some random relationship, this guy was who I thought was "the one". So the fact that couldn't even look at me, hurt. But I knew I did nothing wrong. I didn't break up with me. I didn't walk away. He did. He has to work through whatever he going through. I can't change that. All I can do is move on. The night ended with a trip to my favorite diner [up]. What could be better?

Sunday, I was on my way to the mall, stopped at a light, minding my business, when BAM! F-ing a-hole whacks me from behind out of nowhere [major down]. I mean, hello? Does anyone pay attention on the road anymore? The good thing is, I am fine (went to the ER and just sore and a bit stiff) and Kira (my car) doesn't have any major cosmetic damage. I am going to drop her off on Thursday though and getting a rental car just to make sure everything is ok. And it wasn't my fault.

Yesterday I had off, although I ended up working at night for a major project that someone had to do and that someone just had to be me [down]. (No one else would do it on their day off). I got home late from work, woke up exhausted, and was greeted at work with a long laundry list of issues with a project I'm working on from legal. I bust into tears. (Literally, this is before it was even 9:30).

I'm so frustrated because I'm trying. Working my tail off and it seems for every one good thing, I get two bad. As the quote up top reads...I'm rising but I'm sooooo about to hit the ceiling.

Can a girl catch a break?