Archive for December, 2009

OBSESSED

Have I told you about my new obsession?

It’s a little show known as “MAD MEN”

OH MY GOD.

Why did I wait so long to watch it?

Everyone has been talking about it for AGES.

I decided that when the 3rd season started back in August that I would DVR it and rent the 1st & 2nd seasons to catch up.

Little did I know that I would watch HOURS UPON HOURS of episodes.

Every weekend (which has now turned into almost nightly), I sit and watch a few episodes back to back.

Have I mentioned I WANT TO RUN AWAY WITH DON DRAPPER?

And when I say Don Drapper, I mean DON DRAPPER (not the actor who plays him- Jon Hamm).

I guess I have always been attracted to tall, brooding characters.

Men who are assholes, but also misunderstood.

You know- the ones you think YOU can change?

SIGH.

If you have yet to watch this show- go NOW. Netflix it. Rent it. Itunes it. Just go.

You will not regret it.

What show are you OBSESSED with??

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Baby It’s Cold Outside…

 

 

 

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Tai

Death of Hollywood actors happen often.

For some reason, Brittany Murphy’s passing really hit me to the core.

When I was 16 years old, my parents moved our family to Israel. I was in the 10th grade and started attending my cousin’s high school. She was (and still is) one of my best friends- so I was excited about my new life. Up until that point, I had attended all-girl schools and this was my first co-ed experience.

The school administration refused to place me in the same class as my cousin, even though we were in the same grade.

My plans to win over my classmates with my wit and American Mystique shriveled and died pretty quickly. I made NO friends with each painstaking attempt I made. I was seated next to Meely, the class SUPER NERD- And she didn’t even want to be my friend!!!!

My shining light was always my cousin. She was SUPER DUPER popular and had her own clique. I was attached to her hip, and she was amazing about it- never making me feel less than. I would often hang out with her and her popular clique and feel the odd man out. I was in no way pretty (ugly duckling during those years!) and I still think that girls that age should NOT look that perfect- it’s against nature I tell ya.

Me circa 10th grade

The girls one day decided to nickname me “Tai” referring to Brittany Murphy’s character in Clueless. I asked them why, and they said that I reminded them of her(i.e I had curly hair, I was chubby, I could draw cartoons, I had a good singing voice.)..but what they failed to actually mention was the main reason they called me Tai- it was because I was the uncool kid that they were doing a favor for by hanging out with. I was their charity case.

They made me cool by association.

It was BY FAR the most difficult teen year of my life. I never felt that I fit in there. And I didn’t. My family ended up moving back to my hometown a year later.

During my first semester of college, I decided to RUSH Greek Life on my school’s campus. I was one of the only girls from my school who attended that college and so I thought a sorority was the best way to meet friends. I pledged Kappa and half way through the pledge period, I was given my pledge name:

Tai.

My mouth dropped when I heard it.

How the heck was I given the SAME.EXACT.NAME???

This time around, I was told that the name was given to me because I had curly hair, was from Brooklyn, and seemed somewhat boy crazy (you know, due to my all-girl schooling). I knew that the name was given to me that time around NOT because I was unpopular.

I guess I was just “Tai” and that was all.

I was actually one of the popular girls in my sorority, and that was the time in my life when I started coming into my own.

Every time I saw a movie with Brittany Murphy over the years, or flipped through a magazine and saw her there.. it was like looking at my alter ego.

Of course, we all know how she drastically changed over the years- to unfortunately conform to Hollywood’s impossible standards….

She suffered  a heart attack at the age of 32, most likely due to mixing prescription drugs (and possibly anorexia). 

I pray she finds peace, if not in this life than in death.

I hope she knows that she was perfect just the way she was.

I will always hold a special place in my heart for Tai. 

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Happy Holidays!

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Perfect

Best google search that led to my blog (this may have been googled by Heather):

“i am pregnant and i am fond of ice cream”

 

CLARIFICATION:*NOT PREGNANT*- Unless it is the Second coming of Jesus Christ. Which wouldn’t be so far fetched since he WAS Jewish.

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I will never be able to spell Hanukkah correctly.

I’ve sort of been in a blogging slump lately.

Not too sure what to write about I suppose.

Always trying to tap into some well of inspiration, which apparently is running a bit dry these days.

The one thing I can always write about that makes ME happy is my girls.

They are changing from day-to-day.

It’s amazing to witness it.

Yesterday, while immersed in year- end budgets and paperwork  at work, I took a moment to be reminded that I HAVE DAUGHTERS.

I know that should be an obvious thought, but it’s not.

I work so many hours and am away from them most of the day, that for a few seconds…. it slips my mind.

Then in an instant, I am reeled back in with the knowledge that I am a mother.

 A mother to two girls.

Two babies who are mine.

Two little girls who have a bit of me in them.

Until this day it’s strange to see a child who looks like me, or acts as I did when I was young.

My pregnancy period was so short, followed by a whirlwind of change that now that the dust has finally begun to settle, I am really taking it in.

At two years old, their personalities are really starting to shine through.

 

Their vocabulary is expanding with each new day… it’s so strange to witness.

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Over the weekend, I listened to my maternal instinct that told me that Neve needed some alone time with Mommy & Daddy. We dropped Soleil off by my parents house on Saturday night for a slumber party at their house, and got to spend some alone time with Neve.

We took her to Toys R Us and purchased a puzzle and  blocks. She loved it.

She seems very relaxed when she is by herself- as if she doesn’t have to compete for attention.

It does bother me that she feels this immense pressure when her sister is by her side, but I am hoping it will appease when she gets a bit older.

 

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The past two weeks have been filled with birthdays and holidays.

My father turned 67 the first week of December…

and my mother turned 55 the second week of December.

Although I am not a big fan of my parents, I make sure to have the girls celebrate their birthdays.

I actually forgot about my mother’s birthday until the day of, so I decided to invite my parents over for an early dinner and cake.

I cooked and cleaned.

 

We lit the menorah:

 

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Hanukkah happens to be my favorite Jewish Holiday. It’s a time of celebration and traditions… and LOTS OF FOOD.

Usually adults don’t buy gifts for one another on Hanukkah, as it is more a holiday for children.

I didn’t buy my girls gifts this year because they are too young to really understand or appreciate.  We buy them toys every so often- so believe me- they are not lacking. Next year- when they might be old enough to understand- we will do the 8 nights of gifts. Of course, for my non-jewish friends out there- that doesn’t mean you have to buy 8 huge gifts.

My mom used to buy us one big gift, and 7 smaller ones like sticker books, markers, ect. I always remember it being an exciting holiday as a child.

They had a Hanukkah party at their school.. I couldn’t attend because you know -WORK… but my husband and mother took them.

They had a blast:

So my weeks have been pretty full lately, just not much juice left in me these past few weeks.  I am counting down the weeks to my Ireland Vacation (9 weeks!)

Happy Holidays to you and yours!!

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ABC

How did this happen??
*Mind the voice!*

MVI_6216, originally uploaded by gemini-girl.

 

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From the Land of the Lost

Thanksgiving was nice.

I work in Manhattan and was lucky enough to be able to attend a Thanksgiving Breakfast at my place of work, which happens to be right above where the Parade was marching by. This gave us an optimal view of the parade.

The girls had mini tantrums, and didnt seem too into it. Oh, well- there’s always next year (even though my husband has vowed “Never Again”)

Soleil has a reluctant new boyfriend

Best family photo we could get.

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I went to the doctor the day prior to thanksgiving, and I told her that I just always seem to be exhausted even after a full nights sleep. She ran some tests and then turned and asked me, “Do you think you might be depressed?”

Of course… not the first time I am asked this question. Not the first time I need to ask myself that question.

I told her that I see a therapist. She asked if I would consider taking antidepressants. Not the first time I was asked that either.

apparently, being depressed can lead you to have constant fatigue- which is what I seem to have.

So I took a little quiz that she gave me, and she decided to write a prescription for Lexa*pro – which I was told has the least side effects.

I started out with half a pill for two days and a whole one on the 3rd day. I was actually starting to feel a little better, when suddenly on the 3rd night- I became sick. I was so sick on Monday, that I almost threw up on my way to work and couldnt eat anything the entire day.  I was nauseous and tired. I thought I came down with a stomach virus. I had to stay home on Tuesday- because I could not get out of bed – dizziness, nausea… fatigue.

On Wednesday, I had to pick myself out of bed and go to work since I was organizing a very large meeting on Thursday and could not afford to be sick. On Wednesday night, after taking another pill and having the nausea restart- I realized what the cause of my illness was. I stopped asap. I called my doctor- who was on vacation (naturally), and googled side effects. Apparently, I am part of the lucky 10% who feel nausea when taking lexa*pro.

My brother takes 4 (4!!!) of them a day and warned me of weight gain…

I actually LOST 3lbs last week- which would be reason enough to keep taking the pills if you ask me (weight loss!!) but considering I have to commute to work on the subway and sit at a desk the whole day- not a very smart thing.

I know she might tell me to push through the side effects, but the truth is- it’s a bit difficult for me.

Speaking of weight loss, I am just about 10 lbs away from my pre- pregnancy weight. This is very monumental for me. It took me over 2 years, but I am finally inching closer.

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Since I have not been feeling myself these past weeks, it would explain my lack of posting- so I apologize.  Just feeling a bit off kilter.

Especially when I had a winner to announce for the Cirque Du Soleil Tickets!!!

The winner was automatically generated- ERICA!!

Email me your info to geminigirlblog at aol.com

*BTW for those who don’t know Erica, she is an AMAZING AMAZING woman. She had twins 2.5 years ago, and then was the surrogate for her sister… and carried her twins as well! Two twin pregnancies one after the other- the woman deserves a medal!!!!

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Sorry for being MIA- Promise to be around more!

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