Jersey Trip

Wow! Sorry this took so long to post but it has been a whirlwind of school and work ever since we got back from NJ. Needless to say, we made it there safe and sound but in need of some chiropractic help after sitting for 11 hours with our knees touching our noses. Yeah, compact cars are not the best transportation choice for four grown adults and their four suitcases. We stopped at my Popop's first which is up in the mountains (yes there are actually mountains in NJ). It was great and I was soo happy to see him (He is probably the person I miss the most from NJ, I wish he would move closer to us). After that we headed to my cousins where I got to meet little baby Vincenzo!! And oh my goodness he is the cutest little munchkin I have ever seen! I held him for about two hours because he fell asleep in my arms! He really is the cutest thing ever! He was a little preemie when he was born and is only 6lbs now making him all the more precious!

Can you not get over his little hands or what?! Eeek so cute! My favorite things about babies are how tiny their little hands and feet are. Can you believe all of us once had hands that little? I just can't take the cuteness! And we can't forget about Vito... my cousins mastiff. He really is an adorable dog! I usually don't like big dogs too much, but Vito is an exception. He has the loudest, deepest bark I have ever heard (it's actually a little scary) but deep down he is just a little teddy bear that wants to be pet. My cousin even told us that sometimes when the baby is crying he will come grab her or her husbands arm and pull them over to the baby and then sit there and look at them like "You gonna do something about this?" Hilarious.

On Wednesday we headed to NYC via our local train. Our crew consisted of my mom, sister, my best friend Jill, her mom, sister, and of course me. We thought this was best because this way everyone had a "buddy" to hang out with. Little did we know that having six people would deny us from being able to take a cab. After eating a quick lunch we tried to hail a cab (we were aiming for one of the van ones because of our large group) but no one would stop. Jill and I have been to NY plenty of times and hailed cabs before so we really could not figure out why no none was stopping. We gave up after a while and started to head the fifty blocks to the Museum of Natural History.

Words of wisdom to anyone planning a trip to NYC anytime soon: DO NOT walk fifty blocks when you are going somewhere that requires you to walk through the entire thing. Yeah, we literally had to drag each other through the exhibits at the museum. Not that we didn't like the museum. I actually loved it! The dinosaurs were my favorite part!! I actually couldn't believe that after so many trips to NYC I had never been to the Museum of Natural History. I will always love the MET best, but this was a close second. I will need to go back again when I have a little more energy, but at least my Mom got to enjoy visiting the place where she used to spend so much time as a kid. She was literally bursting to see the "giant" whale that she insisted had to still be there. Thankfully it was and she even got a picture with it.

After leaving the museum we got the big bad news from a nice cab driver that no one, not even a van would take six people in it. So we headed off to the subway and took a ride back to Times Square. Once there we headed to Bubba Gump for some dinner partially because it had the least wait time. It actually was really nice, we had a great view looking down at Times Square while we ate. After we finished up we headed to H&M to do some shopping. I was unfortunately disappointed at the selection, we even went to the three story location in Herald Square. Oh well, maybe next time. After wrapping up at H&M we headed back to the train and got back to NJ around midnight. The rest of our trip was spent visiting friends and family which was really nice. I actually wound up getting sick the last couple of days because I was so tired, but I was tired before we left so I expected the sickness. Now I can't wait to plan our next trip back where I will be well rested and energized so I can enjoy every second of my NJ.

My Little Garden State

Have I mentioned I am from New Jersey...

The shore to be exact. I was technically born in New York, but my family is from the shore and that is where I have collectively spent most of my life. We have lived there on and off and it is the place that feels most like home. Yes, the rumors are true... We are Italian, most of our neighbors are Italian, we eat pasta every sunday, we are loud, we are tan (not orange those are the medigans that are trying to be Italian), we love the Yankees, we have an abnormal obsession with our motherland and have the need to put the Italian flag everywhere, The Godfather boxed set sits proudly on the mantel, and Frank Sinatra can be heard somewhere in the background of any major get together. I can not say that I have held onto all of the traditions of my Jersey now that we have moved down South, but I can say every once in a while I miss the chaos and delicious smells of my Grandma's house. Which is why I am excited that I get to visit my little state this week! I can't wait to get some coffee at Wawa, grab a poppy seed Manhattan bagel, have some lasagna, not have to pump my own gas, go to NYC, see my best friend, and meet my cousin's new little baby Vincenzo (Vinnie for short, too cute right)!! Hopefully this will be a great trip and I will be sure to share the stories when I get back! (If you are super curious how my trip is going I will probably post pictures and updates on my Twitter while I am there).

Oh! And let me explain the picture above. That is my best friend and I at the Jersey Shore house, yes Snooki has most likely stood in that very spot before... I actually wasn't a big Jersey Shore fan at first, but one night while flipping through the channels I saw my cousin on one of the episodes (he was "The Cop" in season one if you are curious) and I have been hooked ever since. Like everyone else it has become my guilty pleasure. I justify it by saying I need to watch because it reminds me of home and I have to see if I can spot anyone else I know. It has become a fun game of "Where's the Guido?"

Well, it was fun sharing a little about my life. I will be back to posting when I get back!! I hope everyone enjoys their Spring Break!

Seen It: Anatomy of a Murder

This Valentines Day I bought my mom a little old movie called Anatomy of a Murder. Not exactly Valentines Day themed, but still a terrific movie. I honestly love any movie Jimmy Stewart is in, and it doesn't hurt when there is a little eye candy involved (Ben Gazzara). You can def. file this movie under courtroom drama but don't worry the entire movie is not shot in a stuffy room. You will take the ride along with Stewart from the jail to Barney Quill's bar (the scene of the town's most recent murder). Jimmy plays a former district attorney who is hired by a young army lieutenant named Frederick Manion to clear him from the murder charge he has looming over him. Manion has found himself in need of a good lawyer after shooting Barney Quill, a bar owner who allegedly raped his wife. It is obvious from the start that Manion and his wife Laura are not going to be helping Stewart prove his innocence. Between Laura's scandalous behavior and dress, and Manion's hot head and jealous rage it looks like Stewart has his work cut out for him. Not only is this a very interesting story, but it is also one that keeps you thinking. I personally believe the ending is meant to keep you guessing about what really happened that day that a jealous husband found his promiscuous wife stumbling home with what proved to be a fatal story.

Owl Mug!

Is this not the cutest little mug you ever did see??!! It was a Birthday gift from my best friend and probably my new favorite earthly possession. Does she know me well or what?? Not only is this mug a-dorable but it is also massive! I love how much green tea I can fit in there. Anyways, I thought I would share this cute little guy with you while I work on some more blog posts "to be released" very soon!!