Fallpalooza 2011

 A few months ago I went to New Hampshire with some friends.  I hadn't been there since I was about 11, so it was nice to head up to New England for some prime leaf-peeping and good times with friends.  These photos are fairly self explanatory, so here goes.  I should also note that most of these photos are not mine.  Thanks to those who actually took photos!

Kayaking after breakfast on Webster Lake

Drew

Tyson

Flag football.  I was quite happy to be the head cheerleader in this game.

On Saturday afternoon we went apple picking and a photo shoot in a tree.  Please note that the apples that we sampled (and bought) were delicious.  

Cute Jane

What I didn't get photos of: 

• Playing Murder in the Dark with a group where 95% of us are over the age of 30.  We sure don't need alcohol to act like idiots.
• Taking a long Sunday walk along the lake
• The cute B&B where we stayed.  
• The hilarious road trip home

Oh, Canada

Last summer I went to a funeral of a family friend, as mentioned here on this blog.  At the funeral, there were some Royal Canadian Mounted Police there because the person who died was one of them.  Random.  

A week later, I was in Vancouver, Canada on a work trip and no kidding, I was walking through the convention center and saw a Mountie who looked a little too familiar.  So I walked up to him and asked him if he just happened to be at a funeral in Utah a few weeks earlier.  He said yes.  And BAM - just like that, it hits you.  I really do have magical powers to remember people that I have barely met.  This story is about to get weirder.

A few nights ago I am watching TV with a neighbor - and suddenly, what do I see on the screen?  I seriously stopped the tv, rewound it and took this photo.  Please tell me that I am not insane and confirm that this is the same Mountie.

The point of this story is to prove to you that I have strange magical powers.  Let's start taking bets on where I'm going to see him next.    I mean -  you never know when you are going to run into a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, right?  

ha

Canada, I'm watching you.

Palm Reading & Other Nonsense.

Have I ever told you about the time that I accidentally-ish had my palms read?

A few months ago I was in Houston for about a week at a work conference.  I went out a few days early to go on a tour of Galveston Island with other meeting planners and so in consequence ended up making a few friends.  When I say that I made a few friends I typically don't mean that my friends are even close to my own age.  There is usually a huge age gap with people in my industry - you are either straight out of college, have grandkids, or are a gay man.  Ok maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but not by much.  Anyway - a lot of the friends that I make on work trips are much older than me.  For those who know me well, this is no huge shock.  

I became friends with 3 ladies in particular who were all grandmothers and from various parts of the country.  They loved me.  They told me constantly things along the lines of: "If my son weren't married, I'd set you up with him!"  Old ladies are always entertaining and I frequently get invited to do things with them.  So I spent 5 days with these ladies and the last night they invited me to dinner.  I overheard two of them talking before we went to the restaurant that the other one had read their palms earlier that day.  I was surprised to say the least.  I mean - I don't know any other women with 5 grandkids who lives in Palm Beach with her third husband who reads palms.  Maybe I am just ignorant.

Over dinner one of them brought up the palm reading and curiosity got the best of me.  I asked my friend if she would read my palms.  She got very serious and grabbed my hands.

*Related Tangent* - I shouldn't don't believe in psychics.  I used a ouija board when I was in the 6th grade with my best friend and when I told my mom about it, she said two things:

1. Don't do that ever again.
2. I used a ouija board with my friends when I was in elementary school and it told me I'd marry Bill.  

My dad's name is Bill.  Also, needless to say, my best friend in the 6th grade did not marry her crush, Hunter, as we were told by the ouija board.  Obviously I am thereby curiously skeptical about their powers.  I also think that psychics in general are creepy and I have no interest in giving anyone my money to tell me something that may or may not be true.  When someone that you have come to mildly trust over a 5 day period is looking at your palms though, it is harder to be skeptical.  Also, I was not paying her for her services.  

Back to having my palms read:

I don't remember a lot of what she said to me, but a few things stick out in my mind.  She told me that my life line was the longest she had ever seen.  My mom's great grandmother lived to be 104.  My dad's mom is going to be 98 next month and unless her gangbuster neighbors take her out in the next 2 years, she's going to make it to 100 quite easily.  I just might live forever with those genes.  Then she started looking very closely at some lines on my palm and held them over the candlelight to get a better view and got very excited.  She said to me: "I have never seen this before!  Wow!  What a lucky girl!"  I was obviously very curious at this point and then she looked into my eyes and said "You are never going to get married.  How fun!  You'll never have to be tied down to a man!  But you will have one child."  Then she dropped my hands and picked up her glass of wine and asked someone a question like she had not just shattered my eternal life plans.

Now you should know that I'm not blogging about this to get sympathy comments and emails.  It happened about 6 months ago and I haven't shed any tears or had any sleepless nights.  I don't think about it very often because even if it is true, I still like men and how will I ever get pregnant if I give up completely?

What are your thoughts on this?  Fess up if you've ever used a ouija board and had something come true.  Just be anonymous in case your mom reads this.

My latest dating rant

Today I read an excerpt from Mindy Kaling's new book.

When men hear women want a commitment, they think it means commitment to a romantic relationship, but that’s not it. It’s a commitment to not floating around anymore. I want a guy who is entrenched in his own life. Entrenched is awesome.

So I’m into men now, even though they can be frightening. I want a schedule-keeping, waking-up-early, wallet-carrying, picture-hanging man. I don’t care if he takes prescription drugs for cholesterol or hair loss. (I don’t want that, but I can handle it. I’m a grown-up too.)

Obviously I bought it.  I shouted "Amen" in my head when I read it.

And for my lady readers, here is a great link to an article I saw on my friend's facebook page recently.  50 universal truths about men.  I found it interesting.

An Anniversary

Two years ago today, I sent out the following email:

Friends & Family-
I don't want to make this long, but I wanted to share with all of you that I finished my first marathon today. Most of you knew about it, but yes. Read that sentence again. I ran a marathon. (And am alive to tell you about it!) ha! When it was pouring down rain at 6am when we got in the bus to go to Marathon, I was slightly discouraged. We had a two hours wait in the rain before the start and took refuge in a burned out apartment building. And the pouring rain didn't stop until at least mile 10. Starting a race like that isn't ideal for sure. True to form I made a few friends along the way - John from Canada who is a Team Diabetes coach ran about 5 or 6 miles with me when we were going up the worst part of the hill, and Melanie from France and I ran/walked the last 5 miles and even finished at the same time.
My time was horrible and we can talk about that later, but I just wanted to send out a huge thank you to everyone who encouraged me along the way. I felt so much love today and I'm just grateful that even though I was running "alone", I had so many people cheering me on from around the world. Few people are as lucky.
Oh - I've also learned that getting emotional when I'm at mile 20 might lead to a temporary case of asthma. That's what I like - to constantly learn new things about myself. We're off to Santorini tomorrow - should be awesome.
Love you all.

This has caused me to reflect on a few things. Initially this race always makes me think of this. Which then of course makes me think of this and this. And which then how can I not remember this and THIS. Time to lay down? Yes, I think so.

Conversations with Uzi

This is an excerpt from a conversation I had with Kristy a few days ago about how my day went.

I thought about transcribing this more, but with very few edits, here you go.


me: so this morning i worked from home

which means not working and running errands, obviously

so i wake up around 7:30

and decide to go running

not sure how far i went

a few miles

we'll say around 3

i put some laundry in before i left

i get home around 8:30 and take a shower

i had a call at 10

so i get ready

finish the laundry, etc

at 10 i get online

and my boss says that i missed the call - it was at 9

Kristy: shut up!

me: so then i send him a screenshot of my appointment request that said 10am

so that he doesn't think i just missed it

not my fault

anyway

so then i have a chiro appointment at 10:30

so i throw my pink hoodie on and run out the door

meanwhile i text whatshisname to see if he wants to grab lunch at 11:30 before i get on the train 
my chiropractor was running late or something bc i laid there forever before she came in  

so i get out of there around 11:10

whatshisname has now called and texted

i tell him to meet me at chipotle by my house and i will meet him there

btw - i have not yet packed

then i realize that i have to drop something by the office - a gift for my boss since he is running the marathon on sunday here

(oh hells bells!)

so i run by the office and drop my stuff off

then i literally run to the subway

just miss the express

hop on the local

there is a delay

ugh

so i finally get out of the subway and luckily find whatshisname walking the wrong direction from chipotle

my train was at 12:25

at this point it was 11:45

he runs over and is like - forget food - lets just get you on the train

so we go to my apartment and he puts some soup in the microwave

while i am PACKING

hahaha

i have clean laundry all over my bed

so then we start eating soup at 12

he is panicked

i'm like - whatever! i'll make the train!

Kristy: haaaa ha ha haaaa

me: so we leave

he carries my suitcase 

so i hop on the subway

and he goes to get a bus

then i start realizing that i might not make the train

HAHA

i get to penn station, try to print my ticket, and it won't let me

so i get in the customer service line - its like 12:24

there are like 12 people in front of me

so i call the lady who booked my ticket to tell her there's some problem and i'm missing my train

so i finally get up to the window and by then the lady has rebooked my ticket for the 1pm train

and the guy at the window prints it out for me and tells me that my train was actually at 12

of course it was

Kristy: HAAAAA, shut up!!

this is hilarious!

me:here is my text exchange with whatshisname:  me: so. my train was at 12. got confused with my train back to new york. haha. they put me on the 1pm with no problem. oh we could have finished our soup. LOL

whatshisname: haha well you are having a very consistent day at least :)

me: so true.

Not-so-breaking news!

A few things have happened recently that has made it clear to me that maybe people aren’t aware that I moved to New York...more than a year ago. 

1.     The congregation I attended for church in San Francisco has a new twitter feed.  Two weeks ago I got a notification that they were following me.  Last week, I got a notification that I had been mentioned in a tweet.  Sorry kids, won’t be making it to a church activity in San Francisco.

2.  On my birthday, I got a call from an unknown number.  Since I answer all calls on my birthday, I was surprised to hear my old bishop’s voice on the other line.  To be clear, he did not know who I was when I lived in San Francisco.  Very nice man – but seriously wouldn’t be able to pick me out of a lineup if his life depended on it.  I told Rachael to mention to his secretary that my birthday should be taken out of his calendar.  I’ll let you know next year if this has been done.  Help me, Rachael-wan-kenobi, you're my only hope {to avoid future awkward phone calls with someone who doesn't know me}

3.  A few months ago I went camping in Pennsylvania for a few days.  On my way out to the sticks, I noticed a phone call from a lifelong friend who reads this blog.  I listened to the voicemail and in it, my friend started talking about a restaurant in San Francisco that I have mentioned several times and then he said he was in San Francisco for work and wanted to know if I wanted to go grab dinner.  Yep - but it will take me a few hours to get there.

Moral of the story is: If you have been wondering why you haven't seen me in San Francisco lately, it is because I no longer live there.  I know that I traveled a lot when I lived there, but I have been alarmed at maybe how much I was gone if people don't even realize that I haven't been around for the past year.  I have my moments when I wish I were there with all my friends, but I currently live in New York City.  And I want to kiss it on the mouth almost every day.  Well, every day but last Saturday but that is something that I don't even want to talk about.

Improved Celeb Sightings

A few weeks ago my coworker burst into the office after lunch claiming to have ridden in the elevator with Beyonce.  It wasn't that I didn't believe her, but I figured it was a fluke.  Well, you should know that the two photos below were taken outside my office building in the past week and I have seen Beyonce and her baby bump with my own two eyes on both of these occasions.  Apparently she has an office in my office building.

And my one chance at talking to one of the most famous people in the world?  Of course I said something.  Remember that one time that I sat next to Scott Wolf during the taping of American Idol?  I totally talked to him and only told him that I loved him all through high school in my head.  Back to the story.  About two weeks ago I was waiting for the elevator at the end of the day with two of my coworkers and we were talking about what we were going to eat that night for dinner.  One of my coworkers was complaining that her future mother-in-law was making her corned beef that night when the elevator stopped and three people got in the lift with us.  All of a sudden we all realized that Beyonce was one of them and we just got huge eyes and tried to act totally normal.  So I said to my coworker "Corned beef, huh?"  Then I looked over at Beyonce's fingers texting away on her iphone and said "I like your nails! They look like little watermelons!"  I give myself an F.  Not sure if it is for FAIL or FREAKING AWESOME! For the record, she smiled and said thank you.

If I see her again today I will make sure to tell you what she will be wearing in her PEOPLE photo tomorrow.  She is for sure here again  - Pappa - Pappa - Pappa-RATZI  are all around the building.  Carry. On.

Live from New York, It's Stephanie's Life!

We all need weeks where we hit the recharge button.  This week has been one of those for me.  I went to bed at 8 o'clock on Monday night because I could barely keep my eyes open.  I was crafting while pretending to watch a baseball game with our neighbor and he had to cheer me on so that I could finish my craft before passing out.  Not even diet coke could help at that point.  I surrendered to my bed and it was delicious.

Waking up at 3am was not delicious.  But I digress.

We all know you are here for the photos.

Without further ado: This past week (or so) in photos!!

Slept in a bar.

Went to a floral design class.

Occupied Wall St.

Took a pic of my friend sleeping on the subway while listening to a homeless man sing "If you think I'm sexy"

Spent lots of hours sitting outside at Shake Shack enjoying the weather. 

Bought this fancy thing for my bedroom wall.  It is perfect for my room.

Added some adornments in the living room as well. 

Happy Fall!

Sky writing in Central Park on Sunday afternoon.  I'm glad I didn't see the more "threatening" messages!

Me with my new friend Jill.  She is all sorts of awesome.

Exciting things:

• I am heading to New Hampshire this weekend to do some leaf peeping, apple picking, and dance partying.  Huzzah for Fall!   
• Beyonce has an office IN MY OFFICE BUILDING.  I have seen her twice now.  We should talk about that some time.
• I got the new iPhone.  AEAEAEEAE
• San Franidazzle 2011 is happening.  eeek!

Three months late - San Francisco trip!

A few months ago I went to San Francisco and I just recently realized that I never put the photos up from that great/too short trip.  I was really lucky that my sister and her kids happened to plan a vacation there the same time that I was there, so I was able to see my always adorable niece and nephews and give them too much candy.

Can you blame me?!  Hannah - age 4.

My Uncle Mike.  He is the best.  I am his number one niece, after all.   

I asked Hannah to smile for the photo and this is what I got.  I would like to put her in my pocket so I can take her with me wherever I go.  She is a hoot.  

"Daniel, be sad!"

Sam & Ryan climbing in the tree outside Gram's house.  Lots of generations of Zundels have climbed those trees!

Me and my sis.

Gram & Hannah

Hannah is also the only child who will sit still long enough for a photo.  Can you tell?

Auntie Ilene & Daniel

My awesome Gram.  She is going to be 98 in December.  Can you believe it?

Deb & Blair.  Aren't they darling? 

Andrea!!!!!!

I already had this photo on my blog in the last few months, but I love it so much, that here it is again.  Cannot wait to see you in a few months!

Silvia drove up to see me from Santa Cruz - at the time she was about 7 months pregnant.  Isn't she the cutest pregnant lady?  Sil - thanks again for making the drive.  Gold star.

I'm not sure how well you can see this photo, but it is the fog rolling over the hills off the 280.  Oh, nostalgia.

Making the familiar drive over the Golden Gate Bridge on the way to my Gram's house. 

 Breakfasting with Jane.  

Lunching with some of my favorite old coworkers.  These ladies are the best.  

I will fully admit that when I walked into the lobby pictured below (my old office), I ran into an old coworker and started crying when she hugged me.  I think I just realized how much I really loved working for the Academy.  I still feel like they are my family and I am now for sure an eye doctor snob.  Walking down the hallway, people would say hi to me as if I was there every day and then a few steps later they would stop and say "Wait! You don't work here anymore!"  Speaks volumes for a company where hardly anyone leaves.  I miss you guys.

And last but not least, the view from Rachael's apartment at night.  I'm considering quitting my job and just occupying Rachael's living room.  I hear she makes good desserts, too.

 I'm going back to San Francisco in approximately 2 months and I can't wait.  Just, you know, visiting the pieces of my heart that I left behind.

Split Screen Sadness

You know in the movie "500 Days of Summer" when Tom is going to Summer's party and you see the split screen of reality vs. expectations?  I have felt recently in my life that a split screen like that would be applicable in many aspects.  As you can probably tell from my last post, I have been extremely frustrated with dating recently.  With LDS guys, with non-LDS guys.  Yep, I have been on dates with both flavors lately.  And now you want details.  I can tell.

The hard thing for me in this aspect is that you, my readers (fans), aren't all LDS or not.  So let me paint a picture for you of what some aspects of a given date are like:

Greeting with an LDS date:
We see each other and there might or might not be a hug that is definitely not super affectionate.  Things that might be said at this time - "How are you?"

Greeting with a non LDS date:
We see each other and there is a hug and a kiss on the cheek followed immediately by a "You look great!"  Then possibly a "How are you?"

During dinner we both have good conversation.  There might be an awkward moment with the non-LDS guy when I don't order an alcoholic beverage.  I will also say that in my most recent experiences, the LDS guy paid for me and the non-LDS guy didn't.

We leave dinner to go to our after-dinner activities.

LDS guy either has a plan that for some unexpected reason doesn't work out or hasn't made a plan and is now fumbling, trying to figure something out.  I make a suggestion.  We do that.

Non-LDS guy asks me if I want to go get another beverage.  I agree and we end up at a bar where we watch "the game" on TV and talk more while he puts a very G-rated move on me.  I am now drinking sparkling water, just to be completely clear.  Still awkward for my date that I am not drinking something a bit harder.

Saying goodbye with LDS guy: In my head I am wondering if he is going to escort me to either a) my home or b) the closest subway station.  Neither happens.  We have a very awkward goodbye that feels very much like "See ya, buddy!"  I walk myself to the subway very confused.  And upset.

Saying goodbye to the non-LDS guy: He has already asked me out on a second date while he is holding my hand walking me to the subway station without being asked.  He gives me a nice kiss goodnight and I go into the subway station and go home, not wondering what just happened.

The funny thing about BOTH of these scenarios is that they both ended up in the same result.  A few days later, it was either "I don't think that we are a great match" or "I didn't feel our relationship moving to the next level."  I will let you guess which response went with which scenario.  What I'm saying is that the result was the same in the end, but the delivery was totally different.  I think that both of the guys are really nice and I had fun with both of them.

There is a singles conference this weekend here in New York and let me tell you in my most monotone voice how excited I am to go to it.  Get me to a nunnery, STAT.  I think that I am just in a funk but it is nothing that a bunch of hummus and games of hearts can't cure.  Good thing I have a plethora of those in my life thanks to Costco and a very social roommate.  Thanks, friends.

Sad faces all around

Today I got caught in the rain on my way back to the office after lunch.

It fit my mood so I went with it.

I am having a hard time understanding why dating has to be so hard.  Someone said to me today that being single is like not having a job.  You find temp jobs and have lots of interviews, but never land the job.  I've been at this game for 12 years now.

Uncle. ?!

Crying on and off since I got on the subway this morning is not good for my makeup.  Or my morale.  Let's go dancing and hook up with strangers.  Sound good, everyone?  I thought so.

where i been

Last weekend I was in Toronto for work and the only thing I did outside of work was go to the Yankees/Blue Jays game on Friday night with a gaggle of colleagues.  You might be surprised to find that cheering for the Yankees helped me make some friends - a Canadian in front of me turned around and wanted to know why a girl like me was cheering for the Yankees.  We chatted for a while and of course the conversation turned to hockey - we were in Canada, remember - and then I tuned out and tried yet again to explain to my British friends how baseball is different than Rounders.  

Yep. It was exciting.

A few gems from my trip:

I was sitting in a hotel lobby at a registration desk helping people get their badges for a conference.
Man runs up to me like he is about to pee his pants - at least that is what it looks like is happening
Man: in a foreign accent Can you tell me where the &$*&#$# room is?!
Me: Are you looking for the restroom?
Man: NO NO NO! (Doing pee pee dance) THE WASH ROOM!!!!
I put this story on facebook, but it cracks me up every time.  Lost in translation, apparently.  Then it happened again, about 30 seconds later with another guy.  

I also decided on my halloween costume.  Let's just say that I'm rocking a princess costume this year.  Just. You. Wait.    

This weekend I am going to Utah to visit my parents - the first time since their accident back in June.  We have fun plans like getting my hair did with my mom and going fishing with my dad up at Strawberry.  I'm also having a birthday dinner with my nephews and niece.  Tons of fun packed into one weekend.  Maybe if I'm lucky my mom will make me tuna casserole or tacos.  And see some of you?  Have your people call my people, if you know what I mean.

Zundel out.

Day of Remembrance

Hard to believe that 10 years ago I was in Logan, Utah, and now I actually live in New York City.  A lot of lives have been changed due to those events and I hope that we can feel more love towards our fellow men always.

Since we are remembering things today, last weekend my girlfriends asked me re-tell them the story of the time that my ex-boyfriend rode in an avocado truck as a stowaway in Mexico ON A FERRY to spend the weekend with me.  

Click here to check it out.  Please keep in mind that it was written over 3 years ago and the story itself actually happened in 2006.   Also, it is awesome.

Alive. Barely.

Well, it is official.  I'm no longer in my 20's.  The night of my birthday, I was laying in bed with one of my best friends and she said "Do you feel different?"  I looked at her and said "Nope" and she said "See? Not so bad, right?"

I will post all the gory details of my birthday celebration in the next few days, but for now, I just wanted you to know that I made it.  I'm not exactly sure how I got here, but here I am and 30 feels just fine.

This week I was sitting on the patio of my new apartment with friends, playing hearts and I seriously thought to myself: "Life. is. good."

Someone told me a few months ago that I didn't seem settled in New York.  I didn't know exactly what he meant by that and after doing a lot of thinking and soul searching and purging,  I'd like to officially announce that I am settled.  And it feels so good.