happy list

if you follow me on Twitter, I’m sure you’ve guessed I had a terrible week.

I was, and I miss Mikos so much it hurts (we actually never put him to sleep; we gave him away to a rescue because he is too sick for us to take care of…), and I just hope he’s not sad and scared without his dad (he lived with Mike).

anyway, today things turned around a little bit, which was such a great reminder that, yes, this too shall pass.

still, I feel like I need a happy list. So here goes. The following make me happy today.

{1} the excitement over March Madness is building up on campus. If I ever got to experience seeing this as a Syracuse University student, well, that would be incredible. No words.

{2} my dad gave me an iPad for my birthday, and I’ve been reading magazines on it nonstop since then. I love having them all neatly in the same places – I read a lot of magazines; it is my major after all – but I must admit I do miss actually holding a physical magazine. Maybe if I particularly like an issue, I will buy it in print too.

{3} this video. I read the article last year, and I thought it was amazing. Also, for the umpteenth time…I am obsessed with Russia.

{4} I got two pieces of amazing news today. I’ll be in New York City this weekend. I’m so excited. No place I love more.

{5} I get to spend an entire week with Mike over spring break! We’re going home (mine), and in addition to visiting the most beautiful beaches, I get to see my little sister and Papi.

p.s. sorry for being sort of MIA. I was dealing with life.

questions people ask me a lot

{I look like Crohn’s took over my soul, BUT LOOK HOW CUTE MIKOS WAS!}

I am not naming this post a “FAQ” post because I don’t think I am important enough to warrant a FAQ post.

{did I use “warrant” correctly? That word always throws me in for a loop. Some journalism student I am}

But I’ve been getting the same questions a lot through email, comments and real life, so I figured…why the heck not.

{I really hope I am not coming across as self-absorbed. Mostly, I am just kind of bored.}

so where are you from?

this is the question I get the most (all the time, guys) and the question I hate answering the most. I swear, every time I have to introduce myself to someone, I dread this question. The answer is kind of complicated. I was born in Costa Rica by mistake (I was premature) and moved to Israel (where my parents already lived) a few weeks later. We moved from Israel when I was still young.

I have two passports, if that helps at all (and by the way, the photos are terrible. I’ve had customs officers ask me if I was having a bad day when the picture was taken. Yes, yes I was).

And I currently go to school in upstate New York. Which is so very different from New York City. Unfortunately.

{I do love my school.}

why don’t you talk to your mother? she is your mother.

first, thanks for the guilt trip. Appreciate it.

second, I do not talk to her because she abused me and mostly because she knew I was sexually molested at 14 and yet continued to have what I would consider to be an inappropriate relationship with my abuser.

also, she’s shown no remorse.

what’s your dream job?

my friend Alex and I have been working on a special project since this summer. If it comes to fruition and is successful (please God let it be successful), that would hands down be my dream job.

I would also really love to write a novel someday. Writing is my number one passion. And I would be happy to freelance in writing and maybe photography.

and let’s just say I also have marketing and public relations on my resume, which I do enjoy a lot.

I’m kind of all over the place, I guess.

what camera do you use?

I use a Nikon D3100. However, I think it really is the lens that makes all the difference.

if you still love gymnastics so much, why don’t you go back to it?

because my body is broken.

also, I am very competitive and it frustrates me to no end that I will never be as good as I once was.

I know. Petty and immature.

why are you so accident prone?

wish I knew.

I mean, I’ve got to be the only person on this planet that had an earplug stuck in her ear for over two months (lovely infection, by the way) that then needed to be surgically removed, right?

also, one time I broke my ass (I mean, my tailbone).

how did you and Mike meet?

I was walking back from class to my freshman dorm and saw his car parked right outside. I told him his car was hot because I am a loser and an embarrassment to society.

I guess the pick-up line worked?

no?

what’s your tattoo of?

a hamsa with an evil eye in the middle. “Duhhzies” (in the words of my friend Alex)

how did you recover from your eating disorder?

I think I got tired of fighting my body and throwing myself a pity party. Also, I think Mike’s mom scared me into eating.

how’ve you been feeling?

really terrible, to be honest. I really appreciate everyone’s concern though. Hopefully I get this Crohn’s into remission soon.

are you really allergic to lettuce?

for the longest time I thought I was, but now I’ve just sort of figured it really triggers my Crohn’s.

do you like Mikos or Justin Bobby better? {actually, this is Mike’s question}

why are you making me choose between my children? That’s just evil.

any travel recommendations?

oh my God, so many. I don’t think I’ve ever disliked a place I’ve been to…well, except Cuba, because I somehow got amoeba in my appendix there and had to get it taken out (the appendix, not the amoeba. Although obviously the amoeba came out with it. I hope).

{Like, who gets amoeba in their appendix? That’s just strange}

besides, I am still discovering the world myself.

how’s Mikos doing?

he seems to be doing better…

we’re still not quite sure what’s going on.

what’s with your obsession with Jennifer Aniston?

first of all, obsessed is a strong word. I just want to be her friend (or preferably, her sister).

second of all, have you watched Friends? Best show ever. Ever.

hopefully now, whenever someone asks me any of these questions, I can just be all like “clickity click here” and BAM. There you go.

new year’s eve date

Our New Year’s Eve was pretty low-key, which is kind of the way I like it best, if I’m being honest (New Year’s Eve always seems to be overhyped, I think, and it just usually ends up in one big disappointment).

Mike and I took last minute reservations at an Italian restaurant, where I ate delicious food that absolutely made my stomach weep on New Year’s day (a Crohn’s Disease hangover, if you will).

Then we went back to the hotel and cuddled with Mikos. We fell asleep before the ball even dropped.

I’m so excited for 2012.

instagram, lately

These are just some snippets of life, lately. (1) the beautiful SU campus (2) Mikos. We call him pirate Mikos these days because he banged his eye against his crate door and it’s swollen and now he walks around with one eye half closed…(3) a hotel, and oh, now I part my hair in the middle. I like it. And I like hotels, and staycations (4) snowy train tracks. So pretty.

a recap in pictures

 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(1) a fancy night at the Hilton in Times Square, courtesy of Mike

(2) Mikos’ first trip to the big city!

(3) “Mikos, mommy is going to work here someday.” (RIGHT? RIGHT!? Some fancy editor will read my blog and hire me. Because I’m just so charming. You know. And my puppy is so cute.)

(4) fluffy puppy in the park. Albany, NY

(5) Mikos’ new big husky friend

(6) anniversary gifts from Mike

You guys, I’m zonked. I learned so much about myself and my relationship this weekend. I love Mike.

my baby mikos (i guess i’m on a video kick lately)

Wahhh I miss him! But I get to see him Friday. YAY.

Also, is my boyfriend the cutest or what?

my snippets of fall

I love fall.

But it’s supposed to snow tonight. I KNOW.

It was so cold out today I had to bring out the (faux) leopard fur coat. IT’S BACK, PEOPLE!

And speaking a cold, I think I’m getting one…meh. I can’t be sick over Halloween weekend! I’m in COLLEGE, guys.

Oh and also. Mikos went to the vet. He’s a healthy little thing. Except he has a small hernia that will be removed once we get him neutered. Nothing to worry about. I love my puppy.

mikos + the park

I just LOVE our new puppy. He’s such a good boy.

I would also like to add that I love my boyfriend Mike so, so much.

p.s. excuse my horrendous hair and face in the picture. I like to call it the “Crohn’s disease is kicking my ass and I really like my boyfriend’s sweatshirt” look.