Sempre Primavera

fine fine, i'll tell you...

2010-03-11T11:59:00.000-08:00

Did you miss me??? Well I've been blogging, sorta... here is the new site where I put all of my blogs together: http://thesunnyorangery.blogspot.com/

Sempre Primavera was my first blog ever, then it was Sunny all the time, and now they're all together in one Sunny Orangery! :)

Enjoy... feel free to tell me how boring and grown up I've gotten... booooohhh!!!

2007-03-17T05:50:00.000-07:00

I decided to make sempre primavera (private) after the blog switch. So last chance to say bu-by to good ol SP. Another reason why is because I just love the name sempre primavera and I'm sooooo making t-shirts and selling them ALL OVER JAPAN. Japan - because all the ultra trendy stuff first happens in Japan.

Last minute...bubble bath indulgence!?

2007-03-15T20:57:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for the emails! I will be sending out the new link next week :) Figured that the first day of Spring, March 21st would be appropriate! :))

I need a manicure, and a long bath with some lilac scented bubbles! Why... why not first of all, secondly, I've been running around town trying to finish up collecting all kinds of stamps and signatures so I can be legal when I go to Nicoland. Yeah, I could have probably got started on it even before Nico and I officially decided what the heck we're doing (because the decision for ME was made a long time ago.) Though, it would have been so strange to admit that I was doing this kind of legal research even BEFORE I met Nico in real life for the first time... hehe HEY! a gal should always be PREPARED :)))) - I mean they tell the guys to always be prepared, why shouldn't WE BE!? eeehehe (Yeah, THAT'S why there is NO NEED for him to know about this lil blog here now is there.)

Anyway we are getting off track.... where were we?? Oh yeah! My bubble bath with lilac scented bubbles... ahhhhh niiiiice

The switch

2007-03-12T16:01:00.000-07:00

So here we are. I remember two years ago, as if it were yesterday, me standing outside of a UPS Store near Union Square during my lunch hour and talking on the phone with Cadiz. Well, YELLING would be more accurate since its a pretty bustling corner with passing by cars, loud NYU students and the regular hordes of lunch hour people ready to kill each other to win the race called 'who buys their lunch and gets back to their cubicle the fastest'. Anyway, there I was standing and yelling with Cadiz.

Ale: Something has GOT to change!!

Cadiz: Tell me about it girl, dungeon sucks!

Ale: Well, I'm supposedly in the center of the world right now, but I'll gladly switch with anyone anywhere.

Cadiz: you and your distaste of NYC...

Ale: I just CANNOT stand it!!

Cadiz: Well I know how you feel, I hate the dungeon... you know I've been thinking about starting a blog to bitch about it. Hey! YOU should start one to bitch about NY!

Ale: What the heck is a blog??! (come-on that was 2 yrs ago!)

(cadiz explains)

Ale: Hmm... writing about how much I hate NY would just be too easy, maybe I need to do one about how much I LOVE it.

Cadiz: haha! you're crazy!

Ale: Seriously, I can challenge myself to write everyday about something that completely pissed me off but turn it around by finding something beautiful about it. And maybe, this will help me to actually see NY in a good light... it's all about attitude.

Cadiz: oh, this I have got to see!

And so SemprePrimavera was started. "Spring Forever" to signify that if we want we can carry that spring time energy and the positivity all year long. Did it work? Yes in fact! In my efforts to change my perception of NY and to make myself like it, I found new friends, new appreciation of the city, actually went on dates.... basically really put myself in a good mood!

And you know what happens when you are in a good mood and think positively??? As the tagline above asks, "What exactly happens when you start believing that anything is possible?" Well now we can answer that: anything becomes possible!

I do confess to have "cheated" a bit, I did pray as well to get extra energy for all this positivity... but why not get some Devine help as well!?

Anyway to make the long story short, I'm shipping out to "Nicoland" next month! yeeeeha!

Its like that isn't it... once you let youself dream up all kinds of things... they start to happen... a month after I decided to just be positive... I found out work was sending me on a trip to Europe! Then, once let go of the idea that I'll never find the perfect guy, I started dating everyone and anyone letting even Grandma to set me up... I started concentrating on just having a good time and finding something good and positive in everyone... and then bam! comes Nico out of nowhere! Literally!!! That was just about a year after starting the blog and the "sempre primavera movement" :)

The reason I'm changing the blog is well, firstly, sempre primavera has served its purpose, we now know what spring time energy brings, now we'll need to work on everlasting sunshine? :) Fine, spring has taken the course, we are now moving into summer... we'll be discovering how to make it Sempre Sole! For which I already have a Memo to send out!

Secondly, Nico and a whole bunch of other people will now know about it. (Names will be changed again but you'll know who is who!) Since I'm not going to be revealing to them this blog, I figured I need to just start a brand new one! And this brings me to few ground rules if you want to play:

new blog "behavior protocol"

1. don't mention this blog, pretend we all just met ;)
2. it will be a lot more personal, with pictures and all... (GASP! I feel like a flasher)
3. don't talk about "ice cream" since my PARENTS will be reading it...
4. Oh and if you are planning to link my new blog, remove "sempreprimavera" from the links

waw... sounds like it'll be kinda BOOOORING! hahahaa, probably, it'll definitely be different... seriously, I told Nico I'll be starting a blog and he loved the idea saying he'll use the comment section to tell the "REAL" story...

So since it'll be more personal... I would prefer to receive a quick email from any of you that would like to follow the story. Even if you never ever commented (I see y'all on the statcounter) just drop me a line at alegolden78 at gmail dot com and I will email you back with the new blog address!! As simple as that!

I can't wait to just start the new one already! Since I keep messing around with the header picture and the longer it goes the more I keep messing with it!

2007-03-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

Something to play with... I saw it on Katerina's blog

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Two years ago...

2007-03-07T17:12:00.000-08:00

Waw thanks to Cadiz I am just now remembering that the two year anniversary of this blog has JUST passed! Ahh... March 5th, 2005! The glorious beginning... The time of great expectations and aspirations!

This is probably a good time to announce that this blog will be coming to a close very very soon. Why? Hmm... maybe you can even guess... Yes, in fact I'm SURE you can guess!

I do have to say that, there will be a

BRAND NEW BLOG!

And...

the grand opening party should be happening at the end of this month. The preparations have been going on already and thanks to our very own Viking who designed it based on my vague description "make it cute, but not too cute, yellow but not too yellow, fun! but not too fun..." it will be ready for unvailing!

Hehehe... a bit of mysterious air is in order... so I shall talk up a storm of explanations later on...

Good times roll in Bean Town

2007-03-06T15:22:00.000-08:00

Oh what a fun weekend I tell ya!

I drove into town, with just enough time to park at the economy lot of Logan airport (figured I'd leave the car there since parking in the city would be double!), run into the bathroom to check the hair, and attach myself sexyly to a wall and see Nico walk out of the sliding door. Actually, he caught me staring in disapproval at this couple making out in a disgusting fashion... only to find us do the same a minute later!!! hahaha! (We did at least walk off to the side a bit not just stand in the middle of other people coming out!)

Ahh Bean Town, what a joy of a town! Pretty and sweet like a cupcake!

Totally walkable, really! You can walk from the very beginning of Newburry st to the top of Little Italy in an hour or so. (note: it will take longer if you stop to have a beer on every corner.)

And you KNOW there will be plenty of pubs in a town with 68 colleges and universities! Isn't there some kind of national statistically derived ration of students to bars?

There was also a ton of place to do some serious shopping!

All that walking, drinking, and shopping will surely get you exhausted so a healthy dinner will be in order...

Trendiness is happening in all its glory all up and down Newburry street where "hip" wannabe's parade up and down. Now I say wannabe's because, there is something just which is just not happening for our Bostonites when it comes to fashion.

Fashion report:

Wearing all black is out! Has been out for a while!! And unless you're a New Yorker on Laundry day (at the Laundromat) do not wear an outfit that is all black!!
Square toe shoes are NOT in, and will NOT be in, ever! So just remove those carefully from your feet and back away. If you have matches and are outside in a designated area for barbecuing, please feel free to set fire to the removed items.
Cowboy boots, sorry to see them go, but they're gone!
All white suit is vulgar when worn in the winter. (Especially paired with square toed black boots.) Total ew!
Make-up: ladies please, crack that Vogue open!!! No brown lipstick!!! That was TEN years ago!!!! Actually more like FIFTEEN!
And guys, no its NOT cool to be wearing shorts and flipflops as you navigate through frozen puddles and patches of snow on the streets!!! Your frozen red chicken legs are NOT looking sexy!

On the other note: Sexy drinks with sexy views however touristy will never go out of style...

"Sophisticated comfort food" at Stephanies on Newburry really is VERY delicious!!! Don't even think about going there for brunch though. You'll be there waiting with the rest of Bean Town! For Lunch on any other day, is highly advisable.

We were there Monday and it was PACKED, but definitely a must at some point.

Very different inside too, fireplace, and a bit of an old world sitting room decor.

And here is a pick of a typical residential street in the poshness of Back Bay.

Fun Shopping Areas:

Faneuil Hall

Newburry Street

Prudential Center

2007-03-01T08:29:00.000-08:00

Jetting of to Bean Town!

Y'all have a great weekend!! (I daydream about being a southern belle... is that wrong?)

I'm bringing with me one of my mom's newest creations, raisin bread. I'll feed it to Nico and maybe he'll get fat too! :)

Oh and if he will think I'm fat and the words of Sofia Loren won't work. I'll just say what Kate (Winslet) said: "I am not plus size, if you think I am that's just rediculous bullshit!"

heeeehe

PS: Happy MARCH!!!!! In the old country this would be considered the first day of Spring! Primavera is magic!!!

Good news and Bad news.

2007-02-27T11:56:00.000-08:00

Ok, we'll start with the good news. This is after all SemprePrimavera where bad news are not even allowed...

So.

The good news about working from home is that I get to have this in the morning while sitting down calmly at the kitchen table with my complementary Business Week.

There are bad news however...

The bad news about working from home is that... I get to be FAAAAT!!!!!! (See above diagram.)

Oh, and if yummy breakfasts (lunches, dinners) are not problematic enough, mommy, decides to definitively tip the scales over with these!!!!

And I thought she WANTED Nico to like me and carry me off to Nicoland.

Sofia Loren was a skinny toothpick and all the kids made fun of her in her native Naples. Then at about the age of 16-18, she started developing her famous curves. When asked how she gets to be so hot she always answered.

"You sink diz iz so easy and natural for me??? Oh noh!! I work very ard on diz figure! I eatalotta spaghetti every day! Grazie alle spaghetti!" (See quote if you don't believe me.)

Well, I guess I'll try the same approach when Nico asks me why I got so fat...

"Well sweetie, it's because I try really hard, this doesn't just happen naturally you know! I eat alotta cinamonyapplishious fluffy squares dusted with sugar! Grazzie alle apple squares!"

mammamia, hope it works, hey if it doesn't I'll just ask him if he'd like some more ice cream...

My very own book shop!

2007-02-25T14:43:00.000-08:00

This is the coolest thing EVER! I can't believe I didn't know about this before... Amazon lets you create your very own book store where you can categorize and review the books you've read and keep it all in ONE PLACE! So fabulous, now it will be super easy to do my "immature book reviews", I added the link on my side bar.

I just started the store and already have the girly category, my favorite history novels and cookbooks... maaaaany more to add, after all the last few years reading has been quite a career since it takes me 2 hours to get to work (and 2 hours to get home) so I read FOUR hours PER DAY!!!

Anyway, my store is totally cute in Pink and Turquoise!!!

Anastasia strikes again...

2007-02-24T15:00:00.000-08:00

Am I the only one that gives myself a perfect manicure before going to my hair salon? Anyway Anastasia strikes yet again and my hair is now shorter and whiiiiiiiiteeeer while my complexion seems darker (yes I went to solarium). It's like Marlyn Monroe meets Sofia Loren... and yes there is absolutely nothing wrong with giving yourself such aggressive compliments ;)

They're my two beauty icons. I always try to realize blending these two styles... Ahhh a girl can dream can't she!?

note: I realized in my old post I named my hair lady Veronika, but then changed it to Anastasia. She is not really called either name, but both names could fit her perfectly. Just trying to paint a picture see it?

Sweet! ...and Fun!

2007-02-22T11:03:00.000-08:00

Yeah, yeah, ok, maybe I AM getting obsessed... and very prematurely at that!

But I've already decided what kind of wedding cake I want...

<-- tada! Gorgeous isn't it!? Now I know y'all gonna go and steal my idea, but that's ok! Oh and I totally want to make it myself. Well, when I say "myself" I really mean, I'll have my friends make it!!!! ;) And yes as for the actual place, I've narrowed it down already here!

Don't freak out, no one is getting hitched or anything, it's just amazing how I've never been interested in ANY of this stuff before. In fact, from about 16 to 19 I've had recurring nightmare that I'm getting married and at the last minute I run out of the building "Runaway Bride" style!

I should just admit it, I kinda, sorta like Nico... in that way... you know... :P

And you know the WORST part about all this!??? I'm not even making myself sick right now, I'm OK with being this way. Kinda new and fun!

lesson kids: Yes life IS all about FUN! It definitely SHOULD be!!

and now I leave you with Belle Perez song, she agrees that life should be fun for everyone:

What I can't believe is that I jumped on the youtube wagon... So addictive, just the other day I got Nicolanguage lessons and was taught to say all kinds of profanities! As far as I'm concerned I'm ready to take on Pancake land.

*** 10 minutes later ***

GET OUT!!! So I decided to actually LOOK UP Belle Perez and she is FROOOM Nicoland (well Belgium to be precise, but close enough.) I've had this song on my Italian summer compilation CD for years, so today was the first time I actually saw the video. I got curious because the scenes were strangely familiar!! Weirdness! Complete Madness!!

2007-02-20T12:43:00.000-08:00

These things are just so fun... I saw them on Annika's blog.

You Are a Golden Blonde

Men see you as flirty and fun, yet deep and thoughtfulYo've got all the pizzazz of a blonde...With the intensity of a brunette

How Blonde Are You?

I like what it says about Golden Blondes. Yey!

You Should Date A Swede!

You're a romantic, albeit an understated and practical one.It's more about a steady partnership for you, not unrestrained fallingYour Swede will give you the unwavering love you craveWhile making up some mean pancakes and meatballs on the side!

Which Foreign Guy Should You Date?

Hmm... a Swede eh? Haha, well I know someone who makes mean pancakes and he is not Swedish. Actually, Pancakes are the national food of "Nicoland"! ;)

I'm just glad it didn't say "Italian", I used to be so crazy about Italian guys. Then I realized, as much as I'd like to think I can, I really CAN'T handle such rollercoaster rides. Not when its an emotional one where you have no idea what the other person is thinking from day to day. Though obviously not every single Italian guys is like that, so it's really not fair to say that. Anyway, everyone must pick a good fit for themselves. What's exciting for some may be a turn off for others.

I guess it's true what they say, you really have to know yourself well and what you WANT before you can seriously be with another person.

Heck... Kaiya just said that a few days ago.

lesson kids: If you love strawberry ice cream but enjoy a chocolate scoop once in a while, it's perfectly OK. But you're still a strawberry ice cream person deep down no matter what.

2007-02-19T20:39:00.000-08:00

And this winter wonderland is going on literally in my back woods. Seriously, across the street. I just got a bit jealous looking at blogs from Sweden featuring wonderful snowy scenes. So I decided to prove (to myself) that here in Staten Island we too can have a winter stuff.

A little stream completely frozen!

To take the picture above I actually laid down on the ground, like I see all the photographers do. Hm... I don't know, did it make some kind of difference? Of course I didn't notice a bunch of little twigs right in front of my camera!!!

Ten days till Nico arrives..! I'm curious if this trip will bring new developments. As Kaiya pointed out our every trip had some sort of underlining theme; seeing eachothers' home towns, meeting families, romantic get-aways, so we'll see what this one will be about... :)

My little wish list

2007-02-17T08:01:00.000-08:00

Patagonia!
(I want I want!!)

Norway - Bondhusbreen Glacier... (I want!)

Iceland, I think its about time I stoped flying (over) it and stop by! (I super want!!)

India... (Have been wanting for a whiiiiiile!!!! Gimmiiii!)

And this photo is just magic. (Even though this is France, I still want!)

What place is number one on your wish list??

pics links: patagonia, norway, iceland, india, france

Relationship advice

2007-02-15T11:30:00.000-08:00

My friend Kaiya on relationships and the importance of communication and cultivating atmosphere that fosters mutual understanding:

"First of all, you have to know what you want because you're gonna want what you want weather you know what you want or not."

Kaiya you are freakin' BRILLIANT!

Care for a safari?

2007-02-14T11:20:00.000-08:00

Omg omg omg...

I'm having chest pains... experiencing lack of breath...

I always think being a princess is a piece of cake, but when I saw these bad boys I literally almost fainted!

24 always has been my favorite number!!!

I don't get stuff like that every day. Ok, fine... this was a FIRST for me actually!

Ok, now I will go back downstairs to continue being mesmorized!!!

Nico so rocks my world!

(Though to be honest I did give him a hint the size of Africa that I'm wishing for flowers...hehe)

Pasa por aqui!!

2007-02-13T13:13:00.000-08:00

How gorgeous is this young man, Kuno Becker? And he is actually 28! (I love gorgeous people in my age group). Originally from Mexico, and spent his childhood as a violinist.

Have you seen this movie!? You must. And its a movie you can watch with anyone and you'll be guaranteed a happy crowd.

It's about following your dream... there is soccer, rough play, romance you name it!

Perfect movie if you find yourself having to entertain a seven year old boy. There were however a few things I had to explain to him...

My young date: "Ale, how come when Santiago was talking to the old men in the cafe, they didn't know what he was saying??"

Ale: "Well because the old men are from England, and there soccer is called "football" so when Santiago said "soccer" they were confused. See, in England they sometimes have different words then us for the same thing."

MYD: "Ohh... so that's why Santiago was confused too!"

Ale: "Yep"

MYD: "Ok, so what do they call OUR football in England??"

Ale: "They call it AMERICAN football."

MYD: "Ahh cool. Hey! Maybe they should just call it SOCCER!!"

Ale: "Right ON!!"

Seriously! If only seven year olds ruled the world, I have a feeling things would be so much simpler!

PS: Part 2 is coming out THIS year, and Part 3 is currently filming! I'm definitely looking forward.

SemprePrimavera explains Valentine's Day

2007-02-12T11:18:00.000-08:00

Yeah it's way to early this Monday morning to be thinking about Valentine's Day (VD) but since I've been up for hours already, it's not too early for me to give an opinion.

Personally I think the whole concept is ridiculous! Having to be romantic on a particular day in a particular way basically negates the meaning of what Romance is!!! Romance is supposed to posses the three "S's": Sspontaneous, Ssurprising and Simply delicious! So I'm personally completely against this ridiculous thing that VD stands for.

However..!

We live in a society that places some kind of importance or status on this day weather we like to admit it or not. Ignoring the day... may just arise confusion. I remember my very first Valentine's with my very first boyfriend (at sixteen). I had the idea to take the day as a joke, so I gave him silly boxers with mickey mouse and hearts on them. His reaction: "oh no! now I won't be able to show your gift to my MOM!" Apparently his mom asked what he was giving me (which was a stuffed animal - why I don't know because I never liked stuffed animals) and would be curious as to what I gave as a gift. So basically Valentine's in our society is some kind of "show and tell" about what my girlfriend/boyfriend got me.

Now that we know the rules, we can play.

So:

Explanation: VD is a day on which you publicly confirm the fact that you have a girlfriend/boyfriend.

Now that we know VD has absolutely nothing to do with the romantic feelings that you both have for each other, we can pick out the GIFT accordingly.

Figure out at what stage of the relationship you are in and what would be an appropriate gift. One that you can talk about with all the nosey relatives, co-workers or friends that are looking out for your best interest and want to make sure your man/woman is treating you correctly.

BTW have you ever wondered why flowers get delivered to the girls' office instead of bringing them to the house in the evening? Easy- so she can display them on her table in front of co workers. Duh!

And guys, as always "the bigger the better" rule applies, yes of course women compare.

In case you are wondering, yes I did follow my own advice. My gift can be easily discussed in the office, with friends AND (as I learned my lesson) with MOM also!

Made 'em myself obviously, first time too!

2007-02-10T17:34:00.000-08:00

I'm not patient. I can ACT very patient, but I'm not ACTUALLY patient. At least if I want something I'll go make it happen, I'll beat it into happening, I'll BUY it... Unfortunately when another person is involved it's not really the course of action to take.

Nevermind... you didn't hear anything Ok? ;)

What I saw on the subway today.

2007-02-08T18:48:00.000-08:00

Ewww!

So I had a headache today and didn't feel like using layers of protection on the subway (such a s keeping my head in a book so I can spare myself looking at UGLIES.)

Anyway, so there I was, looking around and its amazing how its always a perfect mix of New York City characters represented on the subway. Lets have a look see:

(not really in any particular order)

1. The Token Crazy Person - the one who mumbles to him/herself, makes fast unnecessary movements with their arms, legs, head or any other body parts that are large enough to draw attention of everyone in the subway cart.

2. The Token Homeless Person - the one that sits/lies/snores/smells in the corner.

3. The Token Singing Person - who insists on belching sounds while walking around with their cup of pennies. (AND who sings the SAME freakin song EVERY DAY! My goodness, how hard is it to alternate your repertoire just a bit eh???)

4. The Token Smiling Girl that just had sex - yes the one that sits there smiling to herself like an idiot with disheveled hair, wearing sweats. Yes congratulations, you're officially a whore, I'm sure everyone in your village of North Dakota or wherever you came from would be proud.

5. The Token Little Smiling Asian girl - uffffff!!!! What's up with Asian girls always looking happy? I think that's why all men love them. They're small, thin, cute, and happy. Oh they make me so mad! Just cus they're probably making lots of money doing something financial, have lots of guys on their shiny black tail and have huge apartments (sponsored by Daddy in Tokyo) this does not give you the right to be all smug lookin'! ((yes some of my best friends are Asian, and once in a while I call them to bitch about being annoyed at little asian girls forgetting that they're in fact Asian... ooopsiii... you know what I meant..heeeeee))

6. The Token Jewish Princess - yes the one with a big nose and an even BIGGER FREAKIN ENGAGEMENT RING on her finger!!! Well I'm SO GLAD JDate worked out for you and that Ira/Moisha/Gosha/Matriosha will be now putting in a deposit on that big ass house in the gated jewish community.

7. The Token Loud Business Men - there is always two or three of them standing right next to each other SCREAMING at the top of their lungs to each other as if to compete some kind of pre-Ice Age competition of "The Animal with the strongest Lungs wins." Yeah, don't forget boys, your manager is most likely a woman! ...Now proceed with the yelling.

8. The Token Happy Immigrant - the ones that sit there with manila folders in hand usually coming or going to some kind of immigration appointment or office, picking up/dropping off some useless papers all for the pleasure and privilage to be FREE to ride the damn subway for the REST OF THEIR LIVES!!! Hmm... don't know, but being super poor living in a tiny village in Mexico somewhere on the river bank, getting together for fiestas with loved ones... sounds much better to me then being super poor in NYC riding the dirty subways and sleeping on bunkbeds in apartments with 20 strangers. But hey to each his own.

And probably the MOST annoying kind of all:

9. The Token Snob who thinks she(he) is better then everyone, sitting there rolling her eyes, sighing with disgust and spraying perfume around herself. Yes, I'm afraid that's the category I fall into. Well, if I wasn't me, I'd say: "If you're not happy to be here, GET THE F.. OUT! NYC is too crowded as it is, no need for ungrateful bastards like you to be here thinking you're above it all!!!!" But since I AM me, I'll just say: "I'm tryyyyying, I'm trying! "As soon as" I'll be OUTA here."

Shall I pour?

2007-02-07T11:43:00.000-08:00

Dulce's Birthday is coming up! First of all, WAW, has the year gone by already? I feel like I haven't really accomplished all that much since I go by how many states/countries I move in a period. I did however switch job twice (and looking to do it again right now). I'm telling you kids, job hopping is like drugs, once you're hooked you just can't stop yourself!

Well, the record for me so far, is 3 job changes in a year. Hmmm, if I hop again now, this will make it three, and if I hop again before summer is over, that would be 4 job changes in one year!

But hey, the good news is that if there was ANY doubt before about me working for myself, NOW it is definitely gone. That way I won't be able to job hop! Maybe my ideal career would be starting companies and selling them off. This way I can work for myself AND job hop!!!!

But yes, back to Dulce's Birthday... This is the illustration she sent out to us for "inspiration". This definitely looks like a job I can be happy doing!

Last year her birthday was a total trip.... and OBVIOUSLY we must top it this year!!!

On a totally unrelated note (as always)... I've been thinking... I don't feel blonde enough. I mean, I feel my blonde feeling is dwindling, and it just might be due to the fact that I'm in need of more highlights. Can this be possible?? And by blonde feeling I mean, the fuzzy peach, giggly, happy, sunny, I don't care that I'm about to switch my job for the third time this year, type feeling. You know what I mean?

Well. There is something to be done about it. Hopefully I can book myself an appointment with my shrink. I mean my hair lady.

On another totally unrelated note. I went to get some passport photos with all my family and the photographer totally asked my mom if she was excited for me to be leaving home.

"Her? Leave home??" my mom just waved her hand dismissively in my direction.

"Yeah! Why would I leave home!???" I asked the photographer lady

"Well, how old are you? 18? I imagine you'll be going off to college soon?" She looked confused.

"College??? Yeah, did that TEN YEARS ago!" I said

"Yeah, and she STILL came back to live with us!" Said my mom (is that a bitter note I detect?)

So there! Apparently I STILL look 18. And yes, I'm glad NICO was wrong but still not glad that I look so young. Apparently its the innocent eyes. What crap. Maybe its cus my girls Dulce and Wallstr look like they're 18 as well and its rubbing off on me!!!!

Ok, so I'm back at the initial point of this post, Dulce's upcoming birthday... Yeah, well, its POINTLESS to celebrate it girl, you still look 18. (Ok, maybe now we can try to say 19?)

Don't you just love cupcakes!

2007-02-06T05:50:00.000-08:00

So Highcontrast and I went to Ikea the other day. I drove so, Highcon decided to thank me by feeding me all day!!!

Starting with these INCREDIBLE Red Velvet cupcakes from Amy's Bread! (photo above from NYnewsday.com) Mine disappeared too fast for picture taking!

Endless free refills of Ikea coffee is just mandatory. Then, we OBVIOUSLY had to have some Swedish meatballs with lingdonberry sauce. (Obviously!)

After that more shopping insuid, and let me tell you it is SO nice in Ikea on a Monday since there is NO ONE THERE! However the few people that were there, still afforded us with plenty of opportunities to make fun.

Even on the return trip a bit of traffic was welcomed since we were having an in depth strategy session for our next game plan... One must always have the next step in life planned. It may not happen the way you plan it, but in any case you'll be better prepared.

In the evening some spicy Jambalaya...! I'm not eating ALL day today!

2007-02-03T18:49:00.000-08:00

I want to sell something on ebay, what should I sell?????

Now I'm not trying to make a big business out of it or anything, just want to sell a few things for fun... But don't know what??? I have a TON of books, but they're all in kinda yukky state with chocolate all over them and stuff. Cadiz said to paint something and sell it, but that requires "work". My furniture, which is only a few things, from my apartment in the city cost me pennies to begin with... What do I sell??

2007-02-02T12:22:00.000-08:00

How sweeeeeeeeet! How cute is Nico!?!!!

I was all giggly all day! Awww!! Don't you just luuuuuve being in luuuuuve!!?!!!!

(Yes my assistants are distributing barf bags and you'll get yours in a second.)

Guys in NY totally lack any kind of finesse. True, they're spoiled because lots of girls here just hang themselves on them, but still!!!

I remember from my wild times of living in the city, one guy decided to be elegant and after and evening full giggling on the roof of a popular local bar, to walk me home. On the way there he ducked into a local deli "to grab us a few Snapples" but emerged with a bouquet of little pink roses with red trim. Very nice! At that point I decided that should he ask me out, I would say yes! After all, he was cute, polite and now even sweet!

He apparently had different ideas, and thought the bouquet of roses would actually get him and invitation to come upstairs! Um... r-u-kidding!? Anyway, we had a nice good night kiss at the building door and after he tried a bunch of times to ask me what my apartment number was, he decided to give up. He did say that he'll be back to wait for me underneath the building and sooner or later I would agree to invite him up. At which point I was VERY glad that the building we were standing next to wasn't even MINE! (Always use the building around the corner for such purposes!)

Though the question still stands, what the heck was so difficult in asking me for my number and taking me out to a few dinners? Yes it would have been a bit of a time investment on his part, but that's just the bare minimum come on! Anyway, living in NYC and meeting all these boys that didn't even want to risk a time investment of 3 weeks and perhaps $300 worth of dinners, I realized that I would only take a guy seriously if saw some investments!

That's why it was SO easy to fall for Nico so fast, even to MEET me for the first time he had to cross the Big Water on an Iron Bird!

Fancy that?

2007-01-31T17:21:00.000-08:00

Ok I'm not one of those girls that obsesses about the kind of wedding she'd like, etc, etc, etc... BUT, since we're ALREADY on the subject why don't I share a few ideas that...JUST popped into my head...

So how about forgoing the traditional route, and instead renting out a quaint little chalet for your closest 50 friends and family.

Lets see, there should be some a way to cool down after dancing and drinking like crazies...

Oh yeah, and there'll be lots of food too...

And why not have a bit of a view!?

Now... all I have to do is pick out what I will wear!!!!

Oh yeah, this isn't really crucial or anything, but at SOME point I'll need to notify Nico of all this too. OR MAYBE it can be one huge surprise!!!!!?!!!! ....No wait, that won't work, since he'll be paying for it all too...

To read or not to read...

2007-01-29T17:30:00.000-08:00

I haven't done my immature book reviews in a while. Here are a few fun ones.

Air Babylon was really a ton of fun. I absolutely recommend this book ESPECIALLY for reading while on a plane. I got it for my flight back from Nicoland. On the way there I make myself get beauty sleep so I can walk off the plane looking like I'm descending from a quicky flight from St. Tropes (while the rest of the passengers totally hate me.)

Speaking of St. Tropez... check out the absolutely wonderful eye mask from St. Tropez Essentials incidentally :) I kinda let it fall out of my suitcase when I go to visit Nico, just you know, a subtle mental message...

Anyway, back to the book! Its hard for me to sleep on the way back this way because its usually a day flight, so I decided to make sure I have something entertaining to read. And this book does the trick. Its a fictional story of a day in life of airline manager at an airport, based on interviews of various airline employees (who obviously remain anonymous). It's funny and has everything, drugs, sex, deaths, and even romance... awww. Cute read.

The Witch of Cologne - I absolutely love novels that take place in a certain historical time. This one takes place in Belgium and Netherlands around mid 1600. I found it very interesting. Detailed description of the time and everyday life at that time. About a kibbalah, jews, formation of the free republic in Amsterdam, the inquisition, corrupt catholic priests and vengeful... well, everyone was vengeful in this book. And yes there is love as well! Ahhh.... (Another wonderful book taking place the same time, same place is The Coffee Trader, about the early days of the "stock market" and coffee in Europe.)

Interesting read.

My 'Dam Life by Sean Condon was absolutely hilarious! A bit too much on the self depreciating side... but still funny. About an Australian couple that move to Amsterdam and go through all kinds of trials and tribulations of getting work/live/apartment permits you can imagine. And at the very end when they FINALLY seem to have straightened out everything another misfortune happens and they're back to square one. And the book ends... I searched Sean Condon's website for some clues as to weather they have gone back to Australia or managed to stay in Amsterdam but find no clues there!!! I just HAVE to know!!!! Thou I imagine they left, I mean half way through the book I myself was ready to give up (if I was in their place, NOT reading the book) Funny read! Super super funny!

And just for the girls, Shopaholic and Sister. SO SO adorable! Another Sophie Kinsella book that will surely satisfy your need for sugar! (And less calories, actually reading BURNS calories, I'm sure like 1 in an hour but still.) I've read all her books and everysingle one is cute and sweet and just makes you feel nice and cheerful! Absolutely nothing wrong with that, we can't be reading depressing crap like Crime and Punishment ALL the time that would be crime and punishment literally! (aa..ha..ha... I'm so funny.)

Anyway, loved it, though I read it in ONE day, 'twas a rainy and cold saturday. AND hurray! Her latest book Shopaholic and Baby is coming out next month!

Well have fun ya'll!

(I so wish I could have Southern accent if I wanted!)

Is this telephone broken?

2007-01-28T07:26:00.000-08:00

And from a phone conversation with Nico (that's why I hate talking to boyfriends on the phone):

....Nico: You're older then me

Ale: Whatever! By 2 MONTHS! You're saying that cus you're jealous that I look 10 years younger then you!

Nico: You don't look 18...!

Ale: Well, everyone says I do and even if I don't, I still look way younger then you anyway!

Nico: People tell me I look 21, maybe 22.

Ale: Yeah RIGHT! Wait, so how old do you think I look?????

Nico: You look 28.

Ale: WHAT!!!!!!!...... Well GOOD!!!! I'm glad YOU THINK SO! I hate having people think I'm 18 and not take me seriously, I WANT to look my age!

Nico: Good, cus you do.

Ale: In fact, I TRY to look older because I look so YOUNG!

Nico: Well you're doing a good job.

Ale: (silence)

Nico: umm.. are you mad? why are you quiet?

Ale: Because I'm STICKING MY TONGUE OUT AT YOU!!!

Nico: well you definitely don't ACT 28 that's for sure...

.........

That's it, I'm going to request a chaperon to be present at our next phone conversation! We'll see how he'll like that!

The Laws of Attraction Primavera-fied.

2007-01-25T13:30:00.000-08:00

Again and again we keep addressing the mystery that are men and why is it that the most illogical things make them SO attracted to us.

Have you ever wondered why girls that seem a bit dumb get more guys then girls that are smart and are not "hiding it"?? Is that why our grandmothers tell us to: say LESS and just smile MORE? Have you ever thought about what is the TRUE message of the statement "Women are meant to be seen not heard"?

Well we're about to find out. (Courtesy of SPHQRT - sempre primavera head quarters research team.)

First lets revisit the most basic and PRIMARY rule of human interaction.

Make others feel important

We all want to feel important, respected and good about ourselves. We like people who make us feel smart and nice, and we stay away from those that are disrespectful to us. Just simple logic.

If you can remember that you're already half way through the laws of attraction.

Lets see what Sugarbaby suggests, a cosmetics company whose philosophy is centered around "pretty, pink, princess" basically all things super feminine:

a) purr like a kitten
b) pout like a baby
c) glow like a peach
d) bathe like a goddess

Purring like a kitten is basically a way of saying make your guy feel important. When a cute kitten purrs and rubs its head against your knee don't you just feel loved? Even if you're not a cat person, you can't help but want to cuddle and play with the kitten. Same thing with guys, they need to feel that we like them. (Just note: this does not mean call them 50x per day, it simply means act all HAPPY when they call you.)

Pouting like a baby is yet another way to stroke a guy's ego. If you exhibit little girl/baby behavior it makes them feel like they need to protect you since obviously you're incapable. And apparently that's an attractive quality in a woman, being incapable that is. For that reason men seem to be obsessed with younger women, strippers, drug addicts... and poor girls. The need to protect, rescue.... in other words fulfill THEIR need to feel important. So if you're one of the unlucky girls who is NOT 12, stripper or a druggie and gosh forbid, have money, you need to artificially create the illusion of needing "assistance". Simple example: ask to be picked up and dropped of in front of your house (since public transportation is scary and you forgot how to drive your car). Don't ask for expensive things - that's not polite, but do ask for things that will inconvenience him on your behalf just slightly but enough to make him feel the "pain". The more he does for YOU the more important he feels. You are doing him a favor!

Glowing like a peach is straight forward: take good care of how you look, and smile more. Make him feel like his presence makes you - well, GLOW. After all... who was it that said "The world is simply a mirror that reflects back what you feel inside". People reflect back to you what you show them. You smile, they'll smile back. (Unless you're on Staten Island Ferry, then you'll get smacked in the head.)

Bathe like a goddess is even more simple, it indirectly states: Respect yourself and demand respect from others. If you want your guy to treat YOU like a goddess, you must show him by example of first treating YOURSELF like a goddess. Pamper yourself and he'll know he has to pamper you too to be on the level. "High maintenance"? ABSOLUTELY! Its not as much for us, as for the guys! What guy won't feel proud and (IMPORTANT) if he is able to go out with a girl who everyone considers a princess. "Wow, he must be something if SHE wants to go out with him."

Simple simple simple!

And as promised what does "Women are to be seen not heard" really mean? It is simply a plea from men to us women to please not show our intelligence too much as they're not able to HANDLE it!

Sorry boys, we'll keep it down so you can keep it up ;)

Note to all men: this post was not meant to be insulting, don't be pissed. There is nothing wrong with wanting to feel important, and we WANT our guys to feel important because they ARE. We LOVE YOU GUYS! All this is just friendly and silly banter for entertainment! We'd be SO totally lost without you guys, you know that!!!

;) .....hehehe

2007-01-24T15:58:00.000-08:00

I've never posted more then once in a day... hmm... just wanted to see what would happen...

Out and about

2007-01-24T13:39:00.000-08:00

I always "yell" at other bloggers to post about what they ate, where they went... etc. So I guess I should do the same, I have been doing a bit of going out lately...

Besides, no better way to dissipate winter blues then hit it right between the eyes with FUNNNNN!!!!!

Ok, so last week Wallstr and I had a real casual pow-pow at everyones (her and mine) favorite brewery:

Always busy with tons of students, something about seeing their stressed out little faces makes me so glad that I'll never have to do homework again!

I LOVE spicy buffalo wings! Trying to extinguish the flames with beer works to every one's advantage.

Next to us was a couple that were discussing wedding plans with the guy's father. I don't know why (well I do) but it just SO annoys me to hear about people getting married.

Wallstr is going to yet another wedding and while I don't even know that girl I'm already annoyed at her choices of wedding hall, etc etc.

What is it about weddings that just makes everyone an award winning critic? Its like why do we pick at every little detail while we should just be happy to have been invited to a big party with lots of drinks!?

Jealousy? Sure, why not. But not about being married, I think just a natural reaction for people when they see others getting ALL the attention. If its your friend that's getting married, then its a simple straight forward hatred towards the both of them for ABANDONING us. Its like a big "Good buy" party. Maybe the people going away are happy but not their friends that are saying good buy. Blah! I guess if you are already part of a married couple and go to a wedding its like a "Welcome" party so obviously you're glad to welcome new people into your sphere.

Whatever lets not dwell on this.

Highcontrast, Jazz and friend we all went to take advantage of New York City Restaurant Week and went to a really lovely place, with lovely modern decor, where we had an incredibly lovely dinner (and drinks!) all served by very lovely waiter boys.... mmmmm delicious (the food of course).

After which a bit of bar hopping ensued. Standard procedure.

Mangez moi...mangez moi...mangez-moiiiaaaa

2007-01-22T12:25:00.000-08:00

I was grooming the Domestic Goddess in me again yesterday... and voila'!

First time I tried them, and they came out super yummy AND it was pretty easy. (Ok, fine, the truth is that I 'smoked' my cuisineart food processor, but it was old anyway, and the smell of burned plastic only lingered in the house for a few hours... anyway I ended up having to mix the almond paste with sugar by hand!)

I know you'all going to ask for a recipe, and I'm not even going to pretend to know what I'm doing. I just used goodle and looked around a bit. I choose my recipe based on shortness and ingredient count. The shorter and the less ingredients is the one I always choose. In this case I used this recipe. I liked it because it uses NO FLOUR! (And we all know flour is devil... especially white flour.)

I'm happy to find out that Nico thinks making cookies is magic. FINALLY! Really, him and I were literally fighting for elbow space in the kitchen. I realized his "I can't cook at all" basically equals mine "I'm a cook!". CAN YOU BELIEVE!?! So there I was thinking that impressing him will be a piece of cake, but after he orchestrated a gorgeous paella velenciana I realized this was going to be no easy task!! Whatever happened to the good old days when men set in front of the tele and watched whatever while us women would do our wonders in the kitchen and they'd totally WORSHIP us for making yummy food... Since when did they get off the couch migrate into the kitchen and started making suggestions!!!!????

haha JUST KIDDING! I'm not trying to revert us back to stone age...

Though why can't men understand that while we want them spending as much time in the kitchen as we do, we still would like to receive ALL the praise and worship for being domestic goddesses!!!!!! OKAY!???? Is that so difficult!????

I guess men would want the recognition for being good cooks too... but we ALREADY praise them for being: strong, smart, brave, rich....

There's the modern world for ya, both men and women are afraid to loose their spot in the world. We already don't have to talk or see each other to work, we don't have to touch each other to have children... soon we won't need to eat or breathe... we're done, we're allll soooo done!!!!

Yes, Mondays are dramatic and stressful days for me as you can see...

New town... new hair...

2007-01-21T08:21:00.000-08:00

It's 1 month, 1 week, 1 day exactly untill Nico and I meet up in Bean Town!

(New counter on the very bottom...)

I'm thinking up ways of how to drastically change my hair so that Nico doesn't recognize me. Why do I want to do that? Cus' its fun! According to the secret manual of all French Women, you're supposed to drastically change your hair every SIX MONTHS! Something along the lines of staying mysterious... (Again, my Grandma told me this.) And they don't mean getting a trim, they mean really different hair style, different color even...

I'm not sure what to try...

MRS for BT achieved!

2007-01-19T17:12:00.000-08:00

Oh Friday...

Today was strange. Usually Fridays are happy, sunny days filled with anticipation of a sweet weekend to come.

Today however was filled with various freak out moments due to unnecessarily stressful events at work. What was even more stressful is the fact that at around 2.30pm I was feeling a headache coming on and it was only about 3 more hours to go until Beer time.

Thus a quick emergency interventionary rescue plan has been instated to achieve maximum readiness status by 5.00pm.

2.35pm- to the shop I went for some high cocoa content substance (dark chocolate) - I did feed most of it to my office mates.

3.05pm- precisely half hour later the situation of stress increased due to heightened excitement caused by the high cocoa substance, and a complementary headache ensued...

3.15pm- was offered some decaf herbal tea by my office mate which seemed to help

3.45pm- rested my overworked brain cells (spaced out)

4.45pm- continued the above exercise

5.09pm- stayed late at the office writing a report (this post)

5.10pm- feeling good! Maximum Readiness Status achieved, operation "Full Preparedness for Beer Time" - Successful!

C YA and wishing you success in your weekend operations!

How to make yourself happy, secret REVEALED!

2007-01-18T13:36:00.000-08:00

Looks like the middle of nowhere right? But its actually abt 30 minutes outside of Amsterdam.

How gorgeous and wild looking!

You know what else is gorgeous?

Yep, Nico was the nicest host and fed me and decorated just like I dreamed!!! (and outlined in an email)

Here at sempreprimavera we always ponder the true meaning of happiness, how to get it and where.

Well again, I must say that happiness is really something that you have to MAKE, choose, decide... see all the action words? That's the main lesson kids. Happiness requires work, well, movement in the very least.

You have to go and get it, and not to give up because you're lazy, uninspired, scared it'll never happen, but rather go, do, get. OH! and its not like once you find happiness that's IT. NO! You gotta go, do, get EVERYDAY. It's work that never ends.

The good news is: that anyone can be happy! and all the doing that you have to do to get it, is the kind of action that makes you happy even before you reach that ultimate "happiness". (Just think ice cream: while eating it you're already happy even before that satisfactory last spoon full ;)

Ever wonder why construction workers always seem jovial? Cus they're MOVING and not sitting on their asses in front of computers all day long. Ever wonder why you'd rather drive 30 minutes longer rather then save the 30 minutes but sit in traffic most of the way...?

MOVEMENT and just action in general will already make you happy. And it makes perfect sense, because there is more chance of you being happy or getting what you want when you are in movement, you simply cover more ground that way.

What does any of this nonsense have to do with Nico and Nicoland? Hmm... I guess I was just thinking that as magical as this whole thing seems and how it is magically making me so happy, its actually not very magic at all!!! It's just part of a very simple formula: MOVE YOUR ASS and MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Thank you, and tomorrow we will meet to discuss world peace and ending hunger, there may be some time left so we'll get started on global warming prevention as well.

Joyeux anniversaire grand-mère!!!

2007-01-16T14:55:00.000-08:00

The weekend was absolutely fabulous and what better way to end it then a fancy-shmancy party!!! My Granmare really knows how to party it up, and what a number: EIGHTY!

The table was almost breaking underneath all kind of plates full of delicacies. There was crab salad, julienned mushrooms, roasted potatoes and a bunch of wild animals and fishes cooked to varying degrees in various sauces... OHHhhhhhh

Not to mention the cheese plates...

Drinks? There were so many drinks that if you poured them all together you could probably create a small-medium sized river, raise your sails and sail towards the sunset...

There was laughter, there was more laughter, and there was even some loud singing in a language I don't understand! (There is one like that... called Yiddish.)

Now I'm at work suffering the worst case of the "Mondays", the only consolation is that its already Tuesday!

au revoir mes petits amis!!

2007-01-14T10:05:00.000-08:00

Men... really, we honestly do have completely different

brains. It's as if men live in this world of denial and women have it right all along but second guess themselves.

But all in all, men just don't realize that whatever the woman wants, the woman WILL get! If it involves a man, that man will have to comply.

Weather it happens sooner of later depends on how smart the woman is, but the fact that it will happen is not up for discussion!

Knowing these here above truths, I just don't understand why men STILL insist on expressing their own opinions (without specifically being asked to share). Really now, do they actually think that it will lead to any kind of change in plan?? (The woman's plan of course.)

If a man wants to be with a particular woman, he needs to understand that he just gave up any say in anything. Men in a relationship in which they think they're the boss, are with VERY smart women who skillfully arrange all their plans so that their men think they're the ones with the ideas. I shouldn't be disclosing such things, but don't worry ladies we're safe since men will never believe this anyway.

Anyway, having said that... I have to admit that my of "craftiness" needs honing. I'm not that good at all this stuff and thus... my "plans" are taking longer to blossom then personally I think necessary.

Nico is coming here end of Feb, and we'll be going to Beantown. Though, honestly speaking, my bags are packed already. (And I'm not talking about Beantown.)

******

WHOOOOOOOH!

ENOUGH angry subcontext!!!! :) This is not what we do here!!! (actually sure it is)
What we are going to do is concentrate on having so much fun that we'll be receiving call from the Vatican to keep it down!

When SemprePrimavera doesn't get her way (immediately) we constructively use our angry energy, and we turbo up our fun schedule! In the next 2 months you will see so much fun here that you'll need extra sessions at your therapist to deal with the sensory overload.

Giddiup!

lesson kids: if the mountain doesn't walk towards you, you get your hummer out zoom-zoom it to ground level!!

2007-01-11T17:34:00.000-08:00

The obsession with scandinavian home decor and style continues...

Picked up a dozzen of magazines from all over the world (well, from the world's airports). As much as I try to develop some elegance and sophistication in taste, I still go and bust THIS out from Nico's closet and spead it on the couch for some comfortable movie viewing...

Now, what was such a happily printed comforter doing on the top shelf of his laundry room is a whole other story... I guess we really are a pair!!!

mooooouuuoooo!
happy thursday! off to see my girls Wallst and Dulce... gossip central!!! Hm... IS it gossip if we're dishing on stuff about ourselves??

Anyway... tataaaaa!!

oh and ps: I went through half of my posts and put labels on them thanks to the new Blogger...yey!!! So now we can see all my "treasures" such as lessons on life labeled "Sempre Primavera Teachings" all in one nice section!!! So enjoy the Categories on the side bar. Uff, and I noticed I write a lot about that Nico from Nicoland... anyway, that's exciting, I've been waiting to categorize my posts, now I have 250 more to go....

JUMP! ...if you wanna...

2007-01-10T12:40:00.000-08:00

View from my friend's place in Bruxelles.

When I visit a new place, I always play a game of asking myself if I should like to live there. What job would I do? What would my house look like? Where would it be? Who would be my friends and where would we hang out...? Those types of questions.

The problem (for me) with these games is that 99% of the time no matter WHAT country I'm in, I can come up with a pretty satisfying scenario which makes me start to seriously consider moving to those places and making the story into reality!!! As you can imagine after putting together a pretty detailed plan of real estate development while running a hotel and surf school in Costa Rica, it was hard to return to grey, rainy, cold NYC last winter.

Same thing happened when I traveled to Brasil with my friend, where I clearly invisioned living in a sweet little appartment on the Ipanema strip working for some big time American company in Rio. Going running on the most amazing beach and drinking lots of beers to samba beats at night.

In Panama, I would have worked as some kind of planner for the Panama Canal while living in a glitzy penthouse in one of those high rise buildings in Panama City. A given since I planned to marry one of those rich boys from Club Union (the oldest country club in Panama, with the most exclusive members, formed by the original families that helped to establish Panama).

In Italy... oh ITALY, this was perhaps most hard to get over... not only did I have the good story worked out, I almost went with it. I still have my italian accountant's business card in my walet.

But everytime, something stoped me. I think because there was always that curiousity of what other stories are out there?? How did I know that THAT story was really for me?

I guess the main thing is to really think about the story you really want and then to just do it! To just GO for IT! There can be lots of stories and countries in the world to see and experience, but its impossible to look through all the scenarios and then choose one, you have to just jump at some point.

A toast: to having the desire to jump, to jumping high and far, and ALWAYS landing softly with two feet on the ground.

I give you food! MUSIC! Don't say I don't give you anything!

2007-01-09T16:31:00.000-08:00

The mystery of the funky european table top grilling... anraveles.... right here in front of your eyes at SEMPRE PRIMAVERA!!!

(Yes, how DID you live without me before???)

Thank you Wall Str for sending me an emergency email to inform me that we infact DO have those table top grill thingis.... We just call them differently, thanks Un Swiss Miss for pointing it out. So here are the beauties!

The one above is from Wolfgang Puck, and this one is from Cuisine Art and comes with a nifty recipe/idea book.

I guess here we call these things a "Raclette" grill.

Personally, I think if someone started a restaurant with these things, it would become so popular that they'd make a ton of money and be able to retire on the islands within a year!

Just think of how popular fondue restaurants have gotten.

And as a BONUS: I bring you another wonderful discovery from Europe...

Lilly Allen, an adorable London girl who sings (and writes) very fun songs. Yes she is young, and her songs center around experiencing a first love break-up or discovering that the world really is yucky... but I love her voice, the lyrics are clever and you can CLEARLY hear the english accent as she sings! That's just brilliant!! As usually accents are lost when people sing.

2007-01-08T13:39:00.001-08:00

First post of 2007!

Waw, already? Really?

I'm completely sick, what a freakin great way to start of the year... and got sick on NYE since I thought it may be ok to go outside with wet hair, sure, no problem, I'm made out of platinum!

Anyway, how shall I sum up my trip? Well first of all the first week was all about FOOD! And I'm glad because most of the next week I was sick and the nose medication completely knocked out my sense of smell so I could not taste what I was eating... so basically I didn't eat much since it would have been a waste anyway.

Well, the party season got kicked of at Nico's friends. Now I pride myself on being all knowing world traveler (etcetcetc...) but I've never seen this thing below!!!!

Um... a table top barbecue stove??? Double deck portable grill? You can grill up various pieces of meat and make some potatoes and little omelets too... Anyway, its really popular over at Nicoland, I really wonder why we don't have it over here!?

Now for desert we had something that I am familiar with at least:

There was plenty more food (and more and more and more and more.........) but I was too embarrassed about taking photos at family dinner... "Hey Nico... what's wrong with your girlfriend? Don't they have food back where she comes from?" So yes, I just opted for "mental" photography. Though now that I think about it, it was silly, I'm sure they would have been flatered. I really did want to appear "normal".

Fun is good for you, and the more the better!

2006-12-30T20:55:00.000-08:00

Main square in Bruxelles.

Lots of partying going on!!! Europe in christmas time really is beautiful! I took a few days off from Nicoland and went to Bruxelles... was GORGEOUS!! Everything is going beautifully. Really. In fact, so beautifully that I'm holding my breath as if not to create too much wind.

I love it! and I still have a week here at Nicoland!!

And BTW, want to wish everyone great partying for new year's eve tonight!!!

Baci!

2006-12-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Hollidays Everyone!!!

Enjoy yourselves to the max. Enjoy the family, friends the food and the drinks!!!! (not too many drinks)

I used my own picture this time... Its Piggy and Froggy!! They're friends and they hang on my tree! (Get it.. hang, as in hang out- aaaaaahaha)

kisskiss!

2006-12-19T19:36:00.000-08:00

I'm completely incapable of having a serious conversation.

No, really, seriously!

Crema what!!???

2006-12-18T14:08:00.000-08:00

I've been busting out my cookbooks out of the cupboard and actually trying some recipes. "Practicing." Trying to gain as much "bargaining power" as possible... You know, since I'm trying to get Nico to do my laundry I'll have to sweeten the deal for him too.

Anyway, I made Crema Catalana... (which in fact is very sweet) and I know, I've had my issues with Barcelona but why mix politics with FOOD!? So, here is the result:

All I have to say... I'm looking forward to lots of progress this vacation. I am not sure how ambitious I should feel, but Grandma did tell me that one can get very far with sugar.

I need you... to do my laundry!

2006-12-14T16:52:00.000-08:00

I'm going all domesticated and stuff... What would some people call it? Trying to "make a nest". What the heck am I? A freakin BIRD?!?? I'm not a BIRD! I may be a fox... but even that doesn't go... I'm not trying to dig a fox hole...

Whatever "it" is, the symptoms are:

looking at Home Decor Magazines
acquiring cook books
opening those cook books

Its really becoming this new obsession of the moment type thing! Maybe I'm just realizing that my mom won't do my laundry forever... (and incorrectly she does it too!!!) So the survival instinct is telling me that it may be time to start securing the next person that will do my laundry. (Perhaps upgrading to someone who'll do it correctly.)

What does this nonsense have to do with Home Decor Magazines and cook books?? Hmmm... donno... Maybe its like a "set"; the moment you start thinking about the future... (as in who shall do my laundry in the future!???) a whole number of other questions and ideas start poping into your head... Who will cook for me? Who will clean my house? Who will decorate my house? Who will....

Beh! Yes I know I sound very "dependent". No, it's not being dependent, its just being SUPER LAZY, can't function unless someone is kicking my ass LAZY!!! Hey, everyone is different, you just have to know your weaknesses and make specific adjustments. That's what I'm trying to do.

Hm... I wonder how are Nico's launderer skills...

Its funny when your friends happen to be totally on the opposite page. Here I am trying my best to sign someone up for my laundry gig and Wallstr could not care less about answering such important questions about the future.

Like the other week Wallstr and I went out to this great bar in the city that has many international beers on tap. The bar was completely crowded inspite it being just barely 6pm. We were barely standing by the bar, hanging on to it actually... and there were these tall, good looking guys next to us.

I was curiously watching as the cutest one with a sparkling white shirt with rolled up sleeves kept trying his best to get Wallstreet's attention. He was talking really loudly, turning around trying to catch her eye, finally just simply BUMPING into her!!! I don't know but to me he seemed like a perfect candidate for providing some laundry services not to mention the possibility that he may just have an ice cream maker at home. (!!!!) Wallstr on the other hand was getting rather annoyed at his idiotic display of affections... since apparently one of his pushes caused her to spill her beer down her chest...

Ale: How's your Leffe Blonde Wallstr? Don't you just LOVE IT!

Wallstr: Oh, yeah... its great, just great... (then looking over to the tall admirer) Though it would be MUCH BETTER IN HIS FACE!!!

She said that pretty loudly... hahahaha... poor Romeo MUST have heard it because he immediately started sulking... awwwww... there went his chance to do Wallstreet's laundry!!!

Lesson #1: If you want to convince someone to do your laundry you must at least bring the detergent.

Lesson number 2: If you like to eat ice cream every day chances are SOONER OR LATER you'll get dirty and will have to do the laundry...

are you with me still? heheheeee

Behind the caffeine veil

2006-12-13T10:46:00.000-08:00

How cute is this? A pretty nice little gift for a hostess or so... And you don't have to go to the museum to buy it! The Moma shop is not even located in the same area as the museum! (Haha, just kidding, museum is not so bad too! ...or so I heard.)

I've been into 'designy' stuff lately... I think I'm just getting old and realizing that there are no GRAND schemes to life, just pleasure in details. EWWWWWW BARFFFFFF!!!

Don't worry, no depressing stuff here, but HEY! Why not chase down the grand schemes AND pleasure in details as well!?

Sempreprimavera is about having it ALL!!! That's right! No guilt, no excuses! FORWARD my people!

My coffee was especially strong and wonderful this morning! Aaaaahhh!

Give me a finger and I'll take your head off!

2006-12-11T18:15:00.000-08:00

I absolutely LOVE the holidays! I love the parties, the family get togethers, the decorations, food... just everything!!! Since I'm spending the holidays with Nico, I was trying to get a feel for how he treats the holiday season. (Never mind the overindulgent pet names...)

Ale: Sooooo sugar, do you usually decorate your house!???

Nico: am.... well, not really, I do like the decorations at other people's houses, but I don't really do much...

Ale: No tree? lights... anything??

Nico: ...well I DO have a little mini tree to put on a desk that my mom gave me... I coul'd set it up if you want

Ale: Oh noooooo darlin, I don't want to disrupt any of your ways... its OK, we can just celebrate the way you normally do! Its OK, I'm not picky or anything... but... if its not too much trouble and you don't mind, yes the little mini desk tree you have might be a nice touch, why not, bring it out!

Nico: Oh will not be ANY trouble!! For you, anything! I think I remember where it is...

Ale: Ohhh Yey! and can we also perhaps have just some lights around the window?

Nico: ...um... yeah.. sure, why not what the heck

Ale: YELLOW AND PINK AND BLUE!!!! YEEEEYYY!!!! AND maybe a BIG tree to match the little one! WITH BIG SHINY BALLS and fake SNOW FLAKES and GLASS BEED GARLANDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and GLITER!!!!! EVERYWHERE!!!! GLITTEEEERR!!!!!!!!!!

Nico: ..hm... you know, I'm gonna pop by the home mega store and pick up a few things I guess, anything else in particular you'd like to see on the BIG tree?

Ale: oh, just whatever you think looks nice honey, you have such great taste.... I'll send you a qick list of some of my suggestions though... will probably arrive in a few parts due to size...

***
OK, OK, perhaps I'm exaggerating just a liiiiiitle bit... the conversation went more like this:

Ale: can we have a tree, and lights and glitter and snowflakes!?!????!!!!!
Nico: No
Ale: Pleeeeeeeeeease!!!
Nico: ...No
Ale: PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeEEEEeeeEEEeeEEEEEESE!!!!
Nico: Ok
***

Speaking of cute holiday decorations, I'm so envious of my friend from Denmark... everyone knows that they're famous over there for christmas gorgeousness!!!

Check this out! Aura 4 Laura totally rocks.. look:

Well these vintage capuccino machines ornaments from Home Depot! are actually kinda cute:

note to guys: if a girl says I like ____! She basically says: Give me ____!
note to girls: if you want a guy to give you ____. You must tell him: Give me ____.

You're welcome! (once again)

To Wear or not to Wear

2006-12-10T10:56:00.000-08:00

Most of you are probably bored to tears by this subject and actually I am too in a way. Yes I'm talking about the 'outfit' scheduling for my Winter trip. This one is different since it'll be for 2 whole weeks and since it is the holiday season, many different parties will be involved. I'll just do a quick list of all various events and the look I'll be trying to project.

Festive:
1. quiet dinner party - nice, neat and friendly
2. large, family dinner party - very put together but still approachable
3. fancy family party - super polished yet demure
4. nye party - sexy but not too much
6. casual birthday party (though you know its never casual) - casual sexy
7. private dinner party ;) - very, very sexy

Other:
1. Museum day out in the city - sophisticated sexy
2. Sporty day biking - sporty sexy
3. Sightseeing day - comfortable sexy

Well, there is definitely a "sexy" theme going on. Basically any occasion outside of family get togethers is a chance for sexiness. Also, with longer trips like this, it is also very important to have 2 "surprise" just in case outfits. One a very dressy one, and the second a very casual one. You just never know what may come up... I also suggest to bring a bathing suit with you whenever you travel. There may be a sauna or a pool that you may not be able to resist. I'll be visiting my friend Rosalie in Belgium for a few days and she was good enough to tell me that we'll be going to the pool! (She knows I looove a casual dip in the pool for a lap or two!)

btw: that's an ikea closet on the picture- looks nice... and neat! I think the reason closets get messy is there is not enough room for all the stuff. But then again... my purses over the years have gotten larger and large and I still manage to accumulate a big mess in them regardless the size...

Frame of mind

2006-12-08T12:37:00.000-08:00

I started this blog because my never ending complaints about NYC were getting unbearable (for me and everyone else). I decided to start sempreprimavera to write only NICE things about NYC. Everytime I have something negative to say, I'd turn it into something positive in a post.

Many people told (tell) me that how I see New York just depends of my frame of mind. Obviously, I'd say, that's the only way to explain how people can LIKE nyc.

Sempreprimavera experiment definitely worked. And worked wonders, because I always say, being positive creates positive things around you! So its all good. But still I wonder, is it REALLY a frame of mind???

I mean, its a fact that there are WAY too many women in NYC. Its not that I'm in a negative frame of mind so all I see everywhere are annoying girls giddy with themselves and NO good looking guys, its just that in NYC there really is a 5:1 women to men ratio. Its not my negative imagination, its how it is.

The moment that I would step over the border, whether state or international, I'd immediately find PLENTY of guys to like. Especially if it was the border into Italy, where I found myself liking ALL the guys.

My 4 hour commute. Sorry, but there is just nothing to do to disguise the horror. Yes ok, the Staten Island ferry is pretty, but not THAT pretty. And I didn't like living in manhattan its just not my style. I like to be the crazy one, and here I feel like the only SANE one! (And that is scary trust me.)

Without further regurgitation of all the stuff I don't like about NYC. Let me just simply conclude: I think it sucks!

I say it with a sober mind and realize (with the help of sempreprimavera) that me not liking NYC has nothing to do with the "Frame of Mind" I just don't like it no matter how I frame it.

But in the words of Phillas Fogg (Around the world in 80 days) "There is a solution to any situation." And thank goodness for that truth!

Thus- the house in Florida is building... and building... and delayed... bastards! Otherwise honestly speaking I'd be over there 6 months ago. And not even Miami, a small town on the coast. Sunshine, beach, palmtrees and oranges! What else does one need!

And another thing! I hate when people say "Oh its just that grass is always greener on the other side" Well guess what!? GRASS IS GREENER in Florida!!!! OK!?!? And you don't have to frame it in any special frame, it IS GREENER!!

And with these encouraging thoughts I wish you a happy weekend!

Oh and today's lessons to remember:
1. certain things are NOT normal regardless the frame of mind
2. grass IS greener in someplaces
3. Mistakes are never time wasted, but time spent on proving yourself wrong - IS time wasted!!!

Fuzzzzyyy!!!

2006-12-06T15:53:00.000-08:00

How awesome! Went to the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park and actually they're splendid! But WARNING! They're VERY VERY CUUUUUTE! Don't go there unless you're willing and able to spend money! Excellent place to buy fun gifts for your favorite people... (that would be: me, myself and I).

So here is what I got:

Hand made from mohair and wool so its warm yet soft! And I like the bad-ass buttons! Raarr! Its going to match my super vulgar long white coat so I can resemble a snowflake! Wheee! :)

I just love the way it sits on my head and feels good to know there aren't 50 million other people in the world that wear it!

I should have asked what Volang meant... but didn't, and now I can't find anywhere on the internet a translation. I do believe its a Swedish word though. Anyway here is the website: www.volang.com and you can shop online!

I also got some very beautiful gold plated ornaments from Russia. Hey why not! The tree wants to be vulgar too!

On the other very important note... I'm going back to Nico's in just about two weeks. I would like to think up some crazy tasks for him to do/plan to keep him busy until my arrival (and make sure he is thinking of me 24/7). Hmm.... what shall I ask him??? What is something that's time consuming yet only mildly annoying??

Hmmm...?

Why I'm doing this? Just to instill the notion that being away from me is even more work and trouble then when I'm actually there! Simple Watson!!!

Fortresses, Castles, and Towers ... oh my!

2006-12-04T15:42:00.000-08:00

Nico: Lets buy a Castle!?

Ale: Nah... too cold and damp... (your apartment would do JUST FINE!)

Nico: Hmm... ok, how about that nice tower with canal views?

Ale: Well... a bit narrow... we won't be able to BOTH be in the same room at once.. (your apartment on the other hand is just FINE to accommodate both of us!!!)

Nico: Ok... how about the Grand Palace then, its spacious, I'm sure there are fireplaces to keep it warm!?

Ale: YOUR APARTMENT would be GOOD enough for ME OK!!!!!!????!!!!!!

Nico:....???...... wow... no need to get violent and aggressive... your highness...

Ale:... oh ops... was that out loud? ....

Ale: You know... maybe that big Castle won't be so bad after all, is it serviced well by Public Transportation?

(Yes in fact! Trolley B37 goes by!!)

Don't you just LOVE the Royal Life!?! Ahhhh....!

2006-12-03T09:29:00.000-08:00

Your Elf Name Is...

Freckles Tinsel Toes

What's" Your Elf Name?

Oh that Cousin, always comes up with something new!

BTW scroll all the way to the veeeeery bottom... new countdown!

2006-12-01T11:25:00.000-08:00

The main square... No these are not toy houses, they're real! They do look like they're made out of Gingerbread cookies!!

Just makes you want to crumble and crush doesn't it!?

Happy weekending everyone!
I'll be at the pool all weekend doing some laps to make sure I have a perfect body so that Nico will want to permanently install me in his house. (Um... and to work off all the beer calories I will get tonight!!!!!!!! Wallstr and I are going to have our own Belgian beer night!!!!!!!)

ps: wow, December 1st already!!!

New discoveries in the new land!

2006-11-30T12:24:00.000-08:00

I DID go shopping and got her! Haha, its a skirt with a style name "Bandaid"!! I have basically discovered my new favorite store!!

Funny enough they got started in Chicago as a Nautical company, making sails. Funny for two reasons: 1. Because there is no sea in Chicago, 2. It has been bought by the Italians in the 70's but they still carry out the American Nautical theme.

Anyway, their clothes simply ROCK! I later found out that the company that bought them is the Sixty Group, yes the creators of "Miss Sixty" brand which I LOVE because its the only brand of jeans that can fit me correctly!!! Its all about the fit. It shoud be called "the hug" really.

As for the Beers, the winner for me was Leffe Blond! The awesomest picture of Leffe here!!

Now something more relevant, one of my favorite bars here on the east coast in Phili, not too bad at about 20 Belgian beers on TAP with about a hundred others available bottled.

Chocolates... hmm... I going to get into it, but ended up completely ignoring them! Just not a big chocolate person. Plus if anything I like my chocolate hard and bitter! Non of that mushy sweet stuff for me. And I like biting it right of a big chunk! Non of those tiny truffle thingis that look like boobs... hmmpf!

2006-11-28T13:32:00.000-08:00

Inspite the fact that I bring my camera around and take lots of pictures, I usually steal other pictures on the internet of the very same thing just because they're better. Well, we were in such gorgeous towns that it was just not possible to mess up! Here is my very own "work".

*Info on the city here

More to follow, I'm just having post partum depression now... well, not "partum", I guess more post parting depression.

cha-chaaau!

2006-11-22T08:58:00.000-08:00

See ya'll next week!

Want to wish everyone a great Thanksgiving!!!

ciao belli!

ps: I'm so nervous I can't eat! Dieta Instante!

2006-11-20T20:23:00.000-08:00

Meet Karla and Lotti! (Yes I DID just name my boots!) They're my new darlings. They sleep on a silk cushion on the couch, they do not go into the closet nor do they actually touch the floor. I think they are perfect for an international rondevou! Oh heck, they're Perfect period. And the color! The COLOR!! I ran out this weekend to get me a RED lipstick just so that I can try to compete for attention with them.

BTW speaking of lipsticks. Actually I've never in my life wore lipstick, I'm more of a mascara overdose girl, but lately a number of circumstances made me go out and do it...

1. My matchmaking Grandma is always commenting how I NEVER wear any make up. (Cus I wear colors that are natural.) She is of the opinion that a pretty young girl must have enough color on her lips to be able to be seen from all the way down the block.

"Sounds like something out of a prostitute's handbook Grandma!" I would always protest.

"Well Sweetie, they must be doing something right if they get all the men. A young pretty girl must help the nice young gentleman notice her, she must wear bright colors so that he will be able to see her from afar, but once he comes over you don't have to actually act like a prostitute." My grandma would always say.

"Ok, grandma, got it, don't act like a prostitute, just LOOK like one, ok, got it!"

2. I read somewhere that red lipstick is not exactly appropriate for ladies over 30. I think that's just poppycock, but just in case, I might as well put the next two years to good use- like wearing red lipstick.

3. Highcontrast was giving me some tips on what men go crazy for. I believe the first thing he mentioned was Red lipstick. To my question of why? He said that the red color makes men's heart rate increase. "Like the bulls' in la corrida?" "Yes."

So I did it. Do you know how many different shades of RED there are in existence!?!?

PS: still haven't figured out what to wear but whatever it is I'm sure Karla and Lotti will be stealing the show...

PSps: I'm nervous, I don't know why? But hey, in the words of Marilyn Manroe in the movie "Some Like it Hot" she said: "Do you know what I do when I feel nervous... I just..." and she leans over to kiss Tony Curtis.

Dangerous liaisons

2006-11-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Some people drunk dial. Some people send drunk text messages.

Me on the other hand, I send drunk letters... Yes the kinds with stamps and envelopes and stuff.

First of all I have to comment that last December was the first time in about ten years that I've sent an actual letter! (I'm a huge fan of online banking, online dmv communication, online taxes etc etc.) There is something about the whole envelope sealing, stamp, postal address writing thing that just seems like way too many unnecessary movements.

Anyway, so last year I sent a letter for the first time in ten years, yes the price of the stamp was a shocker first of all. Another shocker was seeing my own handwriting again! Thirdly, I literally got a HAND CRAMP! I'm so not exaggerating!! I had to stop and breathe for a moment! It was a letter (card) to Nico, the first one and I wanted to make a good impression, especially since I received a nice neat one from him (I half jokingly asked him to send me a post card while he was on vacation).

Well, we've kept up this tradition of little letter exchange. The last one I sent... I don't remember what I wrote exactly. I know for sure it had some kind of combination of "I miss you"s and "Lots" in it, but what did it say exactly I can't remember. First of all I was having a glass of wine (Crios de Susana Balbo, Argentina), I also wrote maybe 3 versions of the letter and I just don't remember which one I finally decided on.

Now the trick to drunk letter writing is to SEAL the envelope immediately, so you can't re-read the letter! (Yes, brilliant!) Anyway whatever I wrote is one thing... but Nico mentioned that he especially enjoyed the heart shaped confetti that apparently spilled out as he opened the envelope... WTF!??? Now, I DEFINITELY don't remember THAT!!! Little multi colored heart shaped CONFETTI!????

Lesson kids: Keep all international postage stamps under lock and key while enjoying a glass (a bottle) of nice white wine from an international location. Again, please exercise caution while drinking, the reprecautions could be dangerous...! ... you know..confetti hearts!

Blonde moment dos cientos tres.

2006-11-15T23:25:00.000-08:00

Ale: Niiiiiiiccooooo....!!!!! I have NOTHING to weeeeaaahhhhhaaar!!!!

Nico: Really?! That's good news!

Ale: Ohhhh pooooo- you know what I mean! I need fun outfits to look cute and adooooorable!!!!

Nico: You're always cute and adorable, but if you want we can go shopping here for your "fun outfits".

Ale: But that's no fuuuhuuun! You will totally see what my outfits look like!!!!

Nico: But sweetie, I will see what your outfits look like anyway - when you'll wear them.

Ale: ....oh.... right... but... um.. anyway, so should I get more highlights??

I don't know, how, why, when, porque, but my blondest self comes out at first sight (hear) of Nico. Though he did say he sees right through my blond act... but I bet that's just a LINE.

Heheeeh... he totally does NOT see through the blonde act, I got him ALL confused!! ... wait, what... who?

The perfect life

2006-11-14T13:09:00.000-08:00

The 10 year high school reunion is coming up. I'm not going, not only because its in Chicago, but also because all the people that I really care to see and know, I DO see and know.

That whole thing however got me thinking. Is every thing in my life the way I want it to be? Wait, no, that's an irrelevant question really, because weather or not all things in my life are just how I want them, what is relevant is am I doing everything to make my life perfect??

Hm... ?

Well, lets see.

Things in my life that I currently do not like:

1. commuting to work with ugly people (if they were more stylish and cuter I don't think I'd mind it so much)
2. not having my own kitchen to conduct food related experiments in
3. not having enough occasions to wear dressy dresses

Things in my life that I like:

1. my job
2. living with people that give me hugs, make me fresh strawberry salad and peel my grapes
3. living in a place that is green and relaxing

Now how can I arrange not commuting with ugly people, having my own kitchen and living with people that peel my grapes? While living in a green and relaxing place with plenty of opportunities to wear dressy dresses??

Hm... well definitely NOT by sitting around asking dumb questions!!!!!

Ok, so I'm going to get up and get me some coffee so I can think this through with more clarity.

Maybe later go to a Sephora... I mean, I'll need fresh new colors to wear with those dressy dresses!

Lesson kids: its not about having the perfect life, its about THINKING that you have the perfect life!

(you're welcome!)

SOHO survival guide!

2006-11-13T13:01:00.000-08:00

It is always great fun to have an excuse to enjoy NYC without having to wear the usual "I'm slightly bored and unamuzed" look that is a must when walking around Manhattan.

Kaya was in town this weekend to entertain HighContrast and I. I mean, we were entertaining her... right, that's how it was... Anyway, the weekend was a blur of laughter, psychoanalysis, serious shop browsing... and of course food and drinks!

Here is what I suggest if you have an afternoon in NYC in which you just want to relax and have the sights pass you by (instead of you passing by to see them).

SOHO will provide you with plenty to laugh about on any given weekend afternoon! But keep in mind you'll need plenty of colorful drinks to help you handle the constant FLOW of people up and down Broadway.

So here is what you do: forget Balthazar for Bruch, there is honestly nothing super special about it, yes, the food is great but do you really want to be waiting outside for at least an hour to be seated!?!??? Come on! What is this? We are not in a town with only one IHOP on the main street. Just walk around the block and you can treat yourself to an excellent breakfast/brunch at an Indian chutney house (Hampton Chutney). There is a yummy selection of Dosas that will come with a fresh made chutney, and you can sip your cardamom coffee for complete bliss!!

We went there and it was SOOOO GOOOOD!!!!!!

Its not posh inside or anything but the food is delicious, you don't have to wait for hours nor will you be spending millions of dollars on breakfast! (You will still spend that money in all the boutiques though!!!)

For a quick drink pop into Cafe Bari and sit either downstairs on the bar stool and watch the crowds pass by, or go to the upstairs bar and grab a seat near the window for even more of a view! I had a Kir Royale, Kaya had a mimosa and HighCon opted for a Coka-Cola in one of those pretty vintage bottles. Here is the view from above.

After more shopping, more walking, etc etc etc... you'll not only get thirsty (again) but also be ready for some lunch. I say you go to Bar 89 on Mercer street (as in 89 Mercer st). Beautiful space with high ceilings to help you relax your eyes after browsing all those shops. Wonderful drinks and good eats. Do not forget to check out the bathroom upstairs! Transparent doors!!! (Fear not, as soon as you close the latch the window magically turns smoky white and you can pee in peace!).

Now, since we are hardcore shoppers (and drinkers) we went for yet another drink (6 more drinks actually- EACH), at Antique Garage, just down the street. Cozy and cute. (Unlike my hangover today.)

In Soho!

Hampton Chutney - http://www.hamptonchutney.com/
Cafe Bari, Broadway and Spring street
Bar 89 - http://www.worldsbestbars.com/city/new-york/bar-89-new-york.htm
Antique Garage - http://www.antiquegaragesoho.com

YO YO!

2006-11-10T20:08:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday!!!!
I'm at Highcontrast's and we're sipping champaign as we wait for Kaya to make her way over here from being delayed for 5 hours!! But like I said, we're drinking champaign, we can hold on for afew.

And now a word from Highcontrast himself.

"I would like to give a shout out to all my old female bloggas: Alana, my homegirl Jazz, of course Cadiz in the dungeon, or "home" as her gmail notifies.." ..."wassup b***chessss"

um.. his words, I call my girls "Princesses".

This afternoon I had ANOTHER very special treat! Got to meet up with VespaRosso!!! She is super adorable!!! Gosh, I just love to surround myself with super adorable people! Anyway, we were totally channeling "Ladies that Lunch" as we went to Cristanello for some sopa di giorno e tramezzini! Followed by espressos and a piccolo fruit tart. Was good to catch up!! In "real" life.
We discussed everything from men to murano grass necklaces! What great fun!

My fingers are beggining to numb... which means I should either drink more champagne or less...?

Well see ya, Highcon is about to do a "special dance" for me... and as for you all- you better be having fun!
Baciiiiiii

2006-11-08T23:59:00.000-08:00

For some strange and unknown reason, all day today I had this ardent desire to pick a fight with Nico.

I'm totally baffled, there is really no reason for this! Needless to say the day was spent in my avoiding opening my email account and hiding the blackberry on the top shelf in the office so that I don't accidentally send any nasty communications accross the ocean. I won, but maaaan that was weird.

I want to vacuum. Like, now!

2006-11-07T11:26:00.000-08:00

I feel like I'm in a vacuum. I don't mean the outer space kind, I mean a vacuum, like for vacuuming your house. I feel very focused and thankfully a strong "wind" is blowing me into the right direction. Actually scratch that. I feel like I'm in a leaf blower! Pretty soon I will be propelled out into the right direction! Ok, that's a better imagery, I obviously don't think getting sucked into the vacuum cleaner is the right direction to go.

I'm the kind of person that just CANNOT "float" through life. I work best either when I have to fight against the flow, or have a strong jet stream bring me to where I need to be going. But it may be noted that I always have to have some kind of GOAL and preferably a deadline. Otherwise, I literally cannot function. I'm not proud of it. I don't think there is anything particularly wrong with just floating and enjoying life. But I personally can't function unless there is something ahead of me that I need to accomplish.

I can directly correlate the times of my life in which I was the busiest to the times when I undertook extra hobbies, extra sports, boyfriend(s), and had the highest grades. This would explain why I always overloaded on courses in college and graduated early anyway. But this is very very sad, because the only bragging I can do stoppes with college. After that, everything was just one big unseasoned mashed potatoes mush. Just plain nothing bla.

The good thing is that now I feel very focused on a new task, and precisely that is helping me to start setting up for accomplishing my other goals. Though everything is still moving at what seems to be turtle speed. Even when I go running in the evenings I tend to sprint like a mad woman because I feel the need for speed.

I realize this is a bunch of abstract mambojumbo. So we're going to put together a list of things to actually DO right now:

1. Shopping for jaw dropping outfits for my trip.

2. Increase my mad woman dashings to twice a day.

3. Get a pink leather passport cover that says: "Princess"

4. Find a proper Album for my PICTURES!!!!!

That's not enough, but lets concentrate on geting this done well.

Ciao!

Closet blues

2006-11-05T08:21:00.000-08:00

Less then 20 days till my trip... and I realized that...

I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!!!

update (Sunday 7.42pm): ... um... STILL NOTHING TO WEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-11-03T14:45:00.000-08:00

Wallstr and I had a fabulous time sipping our beautiful martinis (hers: pomegranate, mine: dirty with three olives). The place has an unbelievable view and is more or less quiet where people can carry on nice intimate conversations and get all romantical. (NOT that that's what Wallstr and I were doing!) PiuPiu are you taking notes?? :) Here is the link.

This weekend promises to give me time for various activities that I've put off for months and years... for example putting my pictures from a trip I took 3 yrs ago into an ALBUM!!! We'll see... And I'd like to cook a new dish from my wonderful Beautiful Mediterranean Cookbook, no really, that's what its called.

They say a way to a man's heart is through the stomach, so I'm just trying to cover all ground. Plus, a girl's gotta eat too you know!

Oh, and MAJOR news flash: Kaya (aka the Bali Princess) is coming to town!!! She is not really from Bali, but she is so exotic she could be... Anyway, in accordance to her royal and exotic status she has gotten herself a FIRST CLASS ticket!!!! I just love surrounding myself with exotic and royal friends that fly first class! :) We'll try to keep our heads firmly screwed onto our bodies, because when the three of us get together: Highcontrast, me and Kaya things tend to get... loose... guys... I still have guilt pangs about robbing coffee joints... and kinko's...

2006-11-02T07:58:00.000-08:00

I was going to say how I've had a headache for two days in a row... or how everytime I walk into the Staten Island Ferry terminal and see the crowd of morning commuters and it makes me remember a scene in Godzilla where the main characters discover thousands of hatched godzillas all slobering green slime from their mouthes... But I won't talk about it! Because here at Sempre Primavera everything is ALWAYS perfect! ;)

SO! Instead, we are going to talk about the trully glamorous life that I lead. (Apart from green slime slobbering godzilla offsprings that I have to see everyday...)

Anyway... Just a few short weeks from now I'll be in the land of flowing chocolate and beer!!! Where the chocolate (and beer) will be... flowing!

Lets see some visuals:

Yeah I guess not only beer will be flowing...

Mostly ignoring Halloween except for these...

2006-10-31T13:43:00.000-08:00

They may not look too pretty now in my lunch box, but they tasted GREAT! (This is the recipe I used.) I was going to do a "styled" shot at home, but they were literally INHALED by the members of the family in flight from the stove to the dinning room table... thus, the very brief photo-op moment had escaped me!

Thank you Monz for participating in a cooking class earlier, and thank you Cousin for the wonderful coverage of the event. Since we WERE actually paying attention, we picked up on the tip of using wanton wrappers to make the raviolies. This resulted in extra light raviolies with more focus on the taste then dealing with the CARB-guilt.

Trick question: What language do the russian ladies speak when talking to a chinese lady in a chinese market? ...and... in what language does the chinese lady respond?

Answer: why of course! the russian ladies speak russian to the chinese lady and she in turn responds in chinese! Naturally!

I didn't stay long enough to find out if the russian ladies had success in finding the produce they were looking for. I myself had to ask where the wanton wrappers were which involved a long chain of various people translating to each other and similarly translating back to me what the answer was. Sometimes I wish I spoke all the chinese dialects! Shopping in Brooklyn would have been a brease!!!

Another, simpler question: Lately I've been wanting to have a drink after work... is this some kind of sign of budding alcoholism? I keep looking at the bottle of almond Champaign I got in Gillroy, California (which is so unfairly being overlooked, though has tremendous wine country potential! and pst... FREE wine tastings!!!! HELLOO!). Should I open it? And drink it?? By myself??? The whole bottle???

I have no more reports... or questions... I do need some new input! Can everyone just tell me a secret would you!? Just one!!!! I feel like Jonny5, that robot from Short Circuit... need input... need input... It can be a personal secret, a secret about some one else (gossip- yes!) a kitchen secret... anything!!!! Input!!!!!

swisskiss

Yummi this, yummi that... bla bla

2006-10-28T00:56:00.000-07:00

Finally had time to upload these pictures from the apple orchard Jaz and I went to a few weeks ago. It was gorgeous and the apples were SO GOOD. Eating of the trees for free made them even sweeter. Well you do pay $8 and they hand you a bag which you may fill up with as many apples as you can fit in. Well they obviously didn't know who they were dealing with... we ate lots of apples of the trees. The down side however was that I couldn't look at another apple for a WHILE.

Now check this out and imagine the irony; when Nico and I arrived at the hotel we were staying at, we were handed... what?... yes APPLES!!! That place had big bowls full of apples all over the lobby... that was kinda their thing. Its kinda smallish on this picture, but between the two white columns you can see one of the baskets with apples.

Anyway back to the orchard... Lovely location... and see, mountain in the background.

Here are the beauties up close... YUM! So, like a good girl (as in, NOT like a prostitute I guess) I wanted to make all kinds of applelicious things like pies and apple tarts... and so on and so forth... well I did NON of the things! Why? No reason, laziness. Ok, ok, and because I could not look at another apple in the eye! But still - Lazy! This weekend however, I want to make pumpkin raviolies. And I'm stating it here and now so I feel accountable to EVERYONE (as in EVERYONE). There, I said it, now I HAVE to make them.

GimmiGimmi!!!

2006-10-25T16:39:00.000-07:00

Nico: I think I'm getting promoted...
Ale: YEEEEEYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MORE PRESENTS FOR MEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! ...oh, I mean, that's wonderful darling, I'm so proud.

...somewhere in the background Madonna's The Material Girl is on full BLAST.....

BTW, has anyone noticed a new counter on the bottom?? We're counting down to Turkey day but what does that really stand for...? I'll let you ponder that one...

Look inside to see what's "cooking".

2006-10-24T12:52:00.000-07:00

I go through my "impatient stages". That's where I just get impatient for no apparent reason. (Probably the Aries nature.) There is nothing in particular or even in general that I want, but for some reason I just get impatient...

The danger of such "impatience" is that in order to rationalize it I tend to apply it (or assign it) to an actual thing or situation. Here is a perfect example of such impatience that really has nothing to do with anything, definitely had nothing to do with Nico, but I still applied it to an event since it was a way to explain it.

Well, I think its time for a quick reminder to get back to "basics" of SemprePrimavera which dictates:

There is really no reason for bad mood for no reason...
Though being happy and giddy is a must any season!!

Translation:

It is much better to have glittery anticipation of something really really good that cannot be explained... The anticipation of something great makes you happy and giddy and why should we not be happy and giddy for no reason!!!??? Its much better then feeling impatient, unhappy, angry (insert negative word). If we are going to choose how to feel for 'no reason' why not choose to be happy and giddy!!!

hurraaay! Problem solved!
Thank you,
You're welcome,

...what? you never talk to yourself? My drama teacher in 8th grade told me it was very healthy to talk to yourself... though my math teacher said I could find better company... ehhh whatever, always hated math anyway!!

Ciaocacao!

"The Princess Diaries" Part 2 - My lands

2006-10-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

So what! Don't you imagine when visiting a new city that you're simply looking over the developments in the far side of your kindgdom!? No...? Oh, well, it's just me then...

Haha

So we went for a ride around town, rivers, fields, cows, gardens, orchards, castles... yes EVEN castles!
The whole thing was unbearably romantic! Even the sun was smiling down on us in approval! It was unseasonably warm as we wore just t-shirts!

It really felt like the top of the world. What a great feeling it is when you have a whole beautiful day to do nothing but enjoy and have fun with a special someone... who is willing to make out with you in the courtyard of every castle you pass... or while sitting on any stone wall overlooking the river and a picturesque village on the other side...

Ahhhhh..... yes, aren't you glad you had your barf bag ready!?? :)

Just so this isn't all enveloped in some kind of mystery we were in this lovely town (and surrounding areas).

We are a genteel bunch alright!

2006-10-19T12:25:00.000-07:00

Just want to interrupt the "Princess Diaries" for a second. The other day Jazz, Highcontrast, and friend we went to the see La Boheme put on by City Opera. I like opera, though I must admit the last time I went, I was admitted with a child's ticket. Yeah, last year, no, I wish, maybe like 18 yrs ago...

Anyway, it was a rainy evening and I was already getting annoyed as it is due to having to beat and fight my way through the crowds with umbrellas on Fifth ave. Finally we made it to the theater where we also attended a lecture about opera. The lecture was ok, though the speakers were condescending in their ways of explaining the basic elements of opera, I mean COME ON! Everyone knows what an "Aria" is... if not, you can watch TV where our very own Mr. Highcontrast explains to us what it is. (Yes he was picked out of the crowd to be inverviewed because he is just so pretty.) It really wasn't bad, since before the lecture we were able to grab complementary drinks made with Fernet Branca. I was rather annoyed when server chick tried to explain to me what Fernet Branca was. Dude!!! Don't you know I'm a faux Italian!??? I know my aperatifs and digestifs Grazie very mucho!!!

It did calm me down, the drink I mean.

Ok, now as for La Boheme. I liked BEING at the opera, but the storyline was just NOT doing it for me. Its supposed to be a story about falling in love, though to me it looked more like a bunch of poor people looking for a cheap romp that turns out to be more expensive then thought.

Seriously, the play starts out with 2 guys in their little attic bohemian Parisian pad trying to conduct their bohemian activities (paint and write poetry) but its too cold and they have no money for heat... Then the 3rd guy shows up saying he just got paid and they all decide to go out to dinner, it is Christmas after all...

One of the guys Rodolfo (main guy) lingers behind... this is when the main chick, Mimi shows up at his door BEGGING FOR IT.

According to the story, she is supposed to be this shy, sweet girl who talks in a soft voice... YEAH RIGHT! Who does Verdi take us for?? Everyday fools???

This Mimi slut, shows up at Rodolfo's door under the pretext of lighting her candle that has gone out. Then she mentions that she is out of breath climbing all those stairs, so Rodolfo offers her a seat. Now WHY in the world she didn't knock on her next door neighbor's door instead of "climbing all those stairs" sure beats me! Rodolfo is still being a fidgety dumb ass, so Mimi decides to FAINT into his croch area to speed things up. The moran still doesn't get it, but when she comes to, he does offer her some wine. Ok, good.

She sings him a little "Aria" about how she is a nice, sweet girl who likes romance, hint, hint... who's real name is Lucia, but apparently everyone calls her Mimi (hmm... her prostitute nickname perhaps?) She proceeds to tell him that she lives alone... (Ahhh, ALL ALONE) HINT HINT.

Rodolfo the fool still doesn't get it and decides to sing her an "Aria" in return... after he is done, and after some awekward moments of silence Mimi finally decides to leave. But the shameless slut in her doesn't give up so easily!!! She comes right back and says that she dropped her house key in the apartment, then both candles go out cus she creates a draft in the apartment and both of them end up on their all fours on the floor looking for her keys (which she probably never had to begin with because I dont know about any whores locking up their rooms).

Ok, making long story short, she continues to be really annoying asking Rodolfo for presents and etc... then when he rightfully gets sick of her bony ass, she guilts him into staying with her because she gets sick. (Probably syphilis from all her previous whoring around.) At the end she dies. I don't know WHY, but I'm not sad for her, but extremely relieved for Rodolfo.

Hmmm.. maybe I should try Carmen, see if I like that better. She was a conniving seductress and was not afraid to admit it.

"The Princess Diaries" Part 1 - Royal Eats

2006-10-18T12:52:00.000-07:00

Yes I was (STILL AM) on cloud 9 after the trip to the wonderful world of Nicoland. Again, I must turn my head into the general direction of Hollywood and say: EAT YOUR HEART OUT! I felt like royalty, so I decided to entitle these next few posts as the "Princess Diaries"

I will start this merry story of royal indulgence of the senses, with the food! I don't know who came up with the saying: "A way to a man's heart is through his stomach" but I just have to say, it sure can be applied to women too!!!

There is just something about being in a warm, candle lit place with sipping glass after glass of wine... Carrying on with an animated conversation, flirting... making bedroom eyes at each other... while eating............:

!!!!!!!

YES WE DID!!! I wasn't going to at first... but it was this absolutely fancy shmancy place the one you must find in a secret alleyway, behind the secret door where you must ring the bell to be let in... a place that serves based on a full menu that you choose where all the courses complement each other in a special way that we simple mare mortals cannot possibly understand thus the super fancy shmancy chef must make all the decisions for us... So well, I decided to just trust it. And it was SO DELICIOUS! Hmm... deer!? Who knew...? (Not kosher, that's for sure.) But then again, lots of good things in life are not... ahem... kosher.

Here are some glimpses of the place.
I had no idea but Northern Europe really knows how to do their food experience really well.

And this was just the first evening...

Start your engines!

2006-10-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

I know I'm supposed to provide miss Jazz with the pictures of the GORGEOUS orchard we went apple picking at... I mean it was so pretty with rolling hills and even a mountain perfectly positioned in the background, whoever put that there is so smart! ;)

But wait, let me explain why I can't have the pictures ready... well its because I'll be jetsetting to a foreign land to do exotic and glamorous things with my very own exotic and glamorous boyfriend! Ahhhhh!!

I went for my usual run with a friend. We go just about everyday and talk about this and that, since he is a guy, I ask his opinion sometimes on certain men/women issues. Well, yesterday I was going on and on about various things that annoy me and how I was feeling especially violent on the ferry that day, and he just said: "Ale, just a note of advice, don't ever EVER let your foreign boy see this side of you."

Yeah! NO JOKE! Of course not! He thinks I'm sweet and adorable and love puppies... and even... OTHER PEOPLE! But still... wowww dude! How mean...!

Anyway, point taken. Though I wonder if Nico is hiding something super ugly from me!???
What my friend doesn't realize is that, I could never act that way around Nico, well, as long as he keeps bringing on the double churn ice cream.

Yes, the key to annoyance free life is in the ice cream! Ask your doctor!

Yumminess!!!! (did I spell that right?)

2006-10-06T12:43:00.000-07:00

The other day went to this place... Was soooooo delicious!!!!!!!!

You rip the big sourdough pancake and grab the different stuff on the place with it! Who said it is not proper to eat with your hands!??? In this place you must!

NYC got its good moments... Maybe next week I can go to a restaurant specializing in southeastern Tuva specialties...

Ok, just made myself hungry, lunch time!!!!

ps: omg!!! less then a week till nicoland!!!!

Grapes + Oranges = Apples!!!

2006-10-04T02:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, so all this talk about cooking and liking to cook and stuff, made me inspired to actually... am... cook!

I thought about the wonderful recipes I'd like to bring to life, opened my cook books and started looking. Ummm so many yummy things to make!!!! Well, all this activity made me kinda hungry so I decided to make myself a little something for energy!

I went to pick up the groceries (in my parents' fridge, where I do all my grocery pick-ups...) and saw a huge container of grapes! This gave me an idea to make a smoothie!!!! I grabbed an orange from the fruit bowl... I thought about grabbing an apple as well, but apples are complicated and involve pealing and taking the core out... too much work. So just the grapes and an orange! Perfecto!

Then I remembered that I bought Guarana powder from this AWESOME website (www.brazilianshop.com) where you can get all kinds of brazilian stuff. Food, clothes, etc. Let me tell you, I ordered some farofa, some cheese bread mix, flip flops (yes Havaianas) and the Guarana, and the box arrived promptly on time with every item so carefully and neatly wrapped in bubble wrap. It really felt that they definitely take pride in their business and want happy customers. EXCELLENT job!!! I felt the love!

Anyway, I threw in a double doze of the powder and a few ice cubes into the blender poured into my glass... Tasted... and... It tasted like APPLES!?!???!!! Whaaat? Weird.... did I do something wrong?? How did I mess up a recepie of TWO ingredients (unless you count ice cubes and guarana powder).

Anyway, it tasted good, guarana gave me a caffeine buzz and I decided to go for a run instead of cooking anything else.

The end~

Lesson kids: To remember that even if life gives you only Grapes and Oranges, it doesn't mean you can't make a smoothie that tastes like APPLES! If only the "angry bitches" from the book could have figured that one out!

Darling, tea will be served on the balcony...

2006-10-02T17:30:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I don't understand the big deal about women crying and whining how their husbands never want to help in the kitchen. I just finished reading this book "The Bitch in the House" and it really ANNOYED ME!!!! A bunch of women complaining how they do everything in the kitchen after a long day at the office and how they're tired and the men don't help.

Amm... ASK the man to help, nicely, and provide CLEAR instructions (preferably in picture form) on what exactly you want them to do. I don't see the problem...!???!!!??? If he straight up refuses or some nonsense, then order in! You're tired, he doesn't want to cook, so DON'T, no one is FORCING YOU! I'm sure the men in these womens' lives would much rather forgo a nice home cooked meal if it meant having a relaxed WIFE next to them for an evening. Instead of an elaborate dinner with the angry "bitch" (as the cover of the book suggests).

But seriously, when did it become uncool for women to LIKE to cook!!??? MAYBE if women would be a bit more enthusiastic about cooking and didn't make it sound so horrible then the men would WANT to join in the festivities in the kitchen...!?

The book talks about how over time these women became angrier and angrier at the situation and turned into bitches. Sorry, maybe I'm young and naive, but why did they allow this situation to continue? If the water is too hot why keep your hand in it???? I think the reason they all became angry is NOT because they didn't get any help in the kitchen, but BECAUSE they realized that they are INCOMPETENT to make things happen for themselves, to figure out how to drive the situation in their own way.

Well...thank goodness I'm here...! I won't write a book, its not necessary but I'll just summarize it here in a few words:

And I realize we must go back to the VERY basics here but we'll do what we must...

First of all if you want anyone to do ANYTHING for you, you must ask NICELY!
(Works even better if you can make the person see that helping you is really for their own benefit.) Here are some simple examples to try at home:

1. Cook in your sexy bra and underwear... peek out of the kitchen and say: "uff baby its so hot in there!!! don't come in, unless you're naked, otherwise you'll be too hot" I want to see what idiot is going to remain in front of that tv set after that display.

2. Do it in the kitchen, and often. On the counters, on the table, on the floor... on the ceiling fan, etc etc. Just like Pavlov's dogs, men will be conditioned to get excited the moment they enter the kitchen... thus, will want to enter it often.

3. Dumb blonde act- Tell him you need his help, men love to be heroes. (BTW men, if you think after all those hours in the gym we honestly can't open that jar of apple sauce, you're deluded!)

Here are some easy starters: "Babyyy- can you come in here and help me... work the can opener pleaaaase...?" "Babyyy- can you show me how to set the timer... its beeping angrily at meeeee....I'm scaaared" "Babyyyy- I know you showed me this before, but can you turn the stove on again for me... I'm so confused..."

and in order to execute the dumb blond act correctly, after you get him to cook the entire dinner follow up with some serious banging. While saying, "Ohhh BABY! I don't know how I would have been able to cook that dinner if it wasn't for your help!"

Ok, so I realize that I've never been married, and the fact that all my boyfriends cooked for me could be written off as them just trying to show off, but logically... I think the above 3 examples would definitely accomplish more then nagging and whining!?!???!!! There is always a way out of ANY situation, you just have to find the right approach. If the door won't open by you banging your head against it... TRY TURNING THE KNOB!!!!

(ok, that last comment was a bit vulgar, heeheee, but its much more fun to be vulgar then to be an angry bitch. no?)

Happy cooking!!!

I'm ready to go fishin'!

2006-10-01T21:44:00.000-07:00

...because... Today I got the funnest pair of fishnet stockings! Weeeeeeehhh! Just one problem... I have NO CLUE what to wear them with...

2006-09-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

First of all. THANK goodness its FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Secondly, my super secret new blog layout is COMPLETE! Do you know who translated my vision into reality...? The mighty Viking!!! I looked through so many "blogskins" and templates... but non of them were right. Its hard to choose when you already have exactly what you want in mind. I wanted something very clean looking, yet still have details that would bring out the new theme. It probably would have been useful for mr. Viking if I actually TOLD him the vision though... but that's OK since he just READ my MIND!!! That's truly amazing! Seriously, that should go in your resume under "Remarks".

BUT. I have not decided yet when I will switch over. It will be a brand new concept and I'm contemplating having links with pictures and all... PLUS Nico will actually know about it... which is better, cus I'd want to talk more about him (maybe) and I don't feel correct doing so if he doesn't know about it. I feel if I'm going to talk about someone, they should know about it and utilize the comments section if necessary for any smartass come backs. You know!? Any friend that I talk about on this blog has the address, so fair is fair.

So perhaps sometime very soon I'll do the switch... we shall seeeee...... ;)

...oh no you d'int!!!!!

2006-09-27T17:59:00.000-07:00

Omgoooodness!!!

Nico has been revealing to me some of the stuff that we are going to be doing... sounds like so much fun!!!! He knows he has to tell me what we are doing so I can put together an appropriate wardrobe ;) Don't you love a considerate, sensitive man!? (hehe)

Oh speaking of which, yeah, and I'll be meeting all his friends. Like all of them... like at the SAME TIME!!!

Nico: ...you're not feeling any pressure are you??
Ale: who me? Oh NOOOO... no problem, you know I enjoy being the center of attention anyway!
Nico: amm.. who said they'll be giving you any attention?
Ale: ..............................................ok, are you TRYING to make me feel the pressure???????!!!!!!!!

Ok, so I've been cranking up on my language lessons so that I can know what trash talk is going on about me! Hmmm... though... unless they are talking about ordering a coffee at the cafe, or discussing how to buy a train ticket... I'll be pretty much lost....

What part of "NOW don't you understand??

2006-09-25T17:28:00.000-07:00

Yeah yea yea...

Ok, so yes I am a total snob. I should explain that the reason I was getting all frustrated about shopping is because I hate stores/malls with tons of people around. I would LOVE to be able to shop in an empty mall!! This is partly due to my complete aversion to UGLY people, and partly because I function on New York City time which requires you to move, talk, walk, shop... with fast choppy movements, which is extremely difficult when you have UGLY PEOPLE walking at ELEPHANT SPEED IN FRONT OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (breathe...1,2,3...breathe...1,2,3..)

This makes me SO MAD that my Shimery Tea Rose Petal nailpolish starts to PEEL OF MY TOES!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes I realize that I'm the problem since I can't relax and shop at a normally accepted speed but since I am the BELLY-BUTTON of the universe this negates the fact that I can be doing anything wrong... So yeah back to ugly people in my way...

Yeah, I was SO FRUSTRATED that I HAD to drag WallStr (who is as big of a Diva-snob-bellybutton-chick as I am) to the nearest BAR, at a VERY New York City speed and order two HUGE bloodymary's to be inhaled immediately!!! Well as soon as the Bar girl decided to move her A$$ and bring it to us!!!!!!!! Which required me to prompt her to do so a few times... Gosh! and we were simply in New Jersey, close enough to New York, but apparently too far for them to comprehend the concept of "I want my drink NOW!"

Oh, yeah, don't even get me started on the sad use of space that is called New Jersey... Lets talk ROADS! If you've ever driven through New Jersey, you can agree that the ONLY CLEAR SIGN you're going to SEE would HAVE TO COME FROM the ABOVE!!!! Of course we got lost the moment we crossed the bridge. Upon asking people in cars while stopped at a red light, all we got are sympathetic smiles and eyes reverting to the sky as if to say: "You want to get to the mall... well how religious ARE YOU???" Religious!? "Yes, apparently that's the only way you'll see the signs..." Yeah, "beacon of Light" takes on a LITERAL meaning when driving in New Jersey.

I just remember the malls in Irvine, California... Huge, EMPTY, beautiful!! With fountains... and statues of golden angels.... heaven!!!

Oh, just to report, the drinks helped a lot! Nice feeling when you're head and legs go numb...
Oh and eyesight is blurred so you can't see ugly people...

PS kids: drinking to make your problems go away is NOT good! You must FACE your problems then realize the only way to eliminate them is to go to heaven... ok, or Irvine, California.

2006-09-24T22:44:00.000-07:00

What can I say, I miss the summertime already!!! I don't understand this "in between" weather. I want either hot so I can go to the beach, or give me cold, so I can wear my new outfits! Ok, I'm impatient. In a second when the weather will turn completely nasty, I'll really start to complain.

2006-09-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

So I was continuing to think about what should the look of the blog be and I came to a conclusion that I think I might be ready for a whole new BLOG!!! SemprePrimavera way of thinking has really instated itself as a reality so perhaps its time to introduce a whole new concept!?

Don't worry! The force feeding of positivity will continue SEMPRE! We just might kick it up a notch!? You know take it to the next level. Hmm.... must think about that one... Primavera, or Spring really signifies a beginning, a dawn, new energy, however for it to continue having the newness it has to be sustained by certain factors... we can't be stuck in "the beginning" without moving forward. And after all Spring Forever doesn't mean that everything has to feel like a new beginning all the time, just the ENERGY of a new beginning should stay through out. So... I'm thinking what is this thing exactly thats going to keep us chirping sempre, sempre, like happy little birdies on the window sill...

Weekend forecast:

It doesn't matter!

Because Wallstr and I are going to brave whatever elements necessary and go out into the world to indulge and have fun!!!! (As far as we know it doesn't rain inside a mall!... well... unless its an open air mall... oh whatever!)

I suggest you do the same!
1.. 2.... 3.... go!!!

Intermission...

2006-09-20T18:45:00.000-07:00

I'm getting rather bored with the look of this blog. I want new lay out, new colors...! I've been browsing around looking at different blog templates and of course there are TONS out there but not one in particular caught my eye! Lots of them are beautiful, but I haven't seen one that really looked like mine...

But I realized that probably the main problem why I can't seem to choose, is because I don't think I'm sure what exactly I'm trying to go for.

On the upside I'm glad blogger is giving us the ability to categorize posts! I was just thinking the other day of how nice it would be to put Nico in his very own file! :) He deserves his own file don't you think!? Though I do need to diversify a bit, lately I think all I've been talking about is him... Hey, its just when I "focus", I really focus. And like a bulldog's jaw which locks after biting-down, so am I totally locked on the issue.

I haven't mentioned my matchmaking grandma in a while. She is still at it! Every time I see her she gets the concerned look on her face and practially begs/threatens/reasons/commands me to accept a date with one of her set up boys. (She doesn't know about Nico). Hey, she is old, I don't want to talk till there is really something to concrete to tell. I'm afraid the suspense and the thrill of such international ordeal, while fun for me, would not be very fun for her. And I'm not helping matters when I tell her that she should just hope that sky will open up and spit a guy down to me. Haaaha, I'm a bad grand daughter. Nah! I got them some red bean ice cream last weekend so I'm ok!

There are free drinks at Gallery openings!

2006-09-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

I'm not big on cultural, educational stuff. I drink before going to a museum... (and during). I think its because I've gotten too much culture and museums when I was little when my parents took me out everysingle weekend to some kind of exposition. And I used to LOVE IT! I would read the inscription underneath every single rock, half-rock and rusty nail! And now days, I cross the street when I see a museum. I don't know why, but I think it just plays into my theory that people get dumber as they grow up. I think I've mentioned it before, but can't help to say again, in my almost year of residing in Italy, I successfully did NOT go to any museums, nor did I make time for the Sistine chapel in the 50+ odd times I've been to Rome. I know, DISGRACEFUL! Kids, don't be like me in this case.

Anyway, I took pains to go do something cultural last week and Dulce and Wallstr and I made it to a gallery to see some photography.

This was my absolute favorite. I could just stare at it for hours. The other photographs in the series are majestic as well. I went to the original gallery website www.galerie-poller.com that shows all of them. I was not impressed with the space that was dedicated for it in NYC. Such gorgeous work should not be displayed in tiny maze like corridors with poor lighting. Obviously just my feeble unprofessional opinion.

Here is the back story (full story on the website)...

"The viewer is surrounded by photographs of pine trees found at an ancient grave site near Kyong-Ju (Kyung-Ju, Gyeongju) taken from the central vantage point at which the viewer stands.

Kyong-Ju is located in the southeastern part of Korea about 60 km north of Pusan. It was the old capital city of the Shilla dynasty during more than 1,000 years from BC 57 to AD 992. A lot of historic monuments, especially numerous Siberian styled tombs, are scattered throughout the city.

The achievements of the Shilla people and their devotion to Buddha are evident in the stone images carved on cliff walls and the other stone monuments found throughout the area. It was appointed by UNESCO in 1995 as one of the world historic cultural heritage places. Currently, the population of Kyong-Ju is around 150,000, but in ancient times after Shilla dynasty unified Korea in AD 668, the population was estimated about 800,000, which was one of the most thriving cities of the world. Around that time, the city was the door of Korea to the world."

Yeah, that's why cultural/educational experiences are so depressing, like opening a can of worms. You can't just learn about ONE thing, all these OTHER things you should know about come up!!! Mommy, why didn't you ever tell me about the Shilla dynasty?! (When in doubt always blame the parents).

2006-09-17T23:01:00.000-07:00

Ohhh help me someone!!!! I hate Mondays!!! What's worse is that I start hating them Sunday night!!! Beeeh

On another note Nico and I were having a chat today:

Nico: I'm not treating you like a Queen this time...
Ale: Yes YOU ARE!!! Wheeeeheeee!!!!
Nico: No, I'm not! Seriously! I already treated you that way, the first time you came here!
Ale: Whatever, you so ARE treating me like a Queen, you know it! Stop fighting it. Yey!!! Spoil me spoil me!!!

Ale's yummy lunch

2006-09-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

In the honor of all good and yummy and all the education that I have received from the one and only original monzyummylunch! I bring you my very own yummy lunch!!! Oh the crispness of the bacon in the chicken BLT wrap was simply perfect, and the tomatoes... and the many mustard packets I've infused it with... was just AWESOME! Yeeeeaaah!

For those of you that always look for DEEPER meaning in my posts... there is one here as well! Do you see that big thing on my arm! Guess who gave it to me!!!!??? I so love it! And its cotton candy pink color!! I was actually concerned since it so happens I loose jewelry pieces all the time. I have lost every single piece that any guy has ever given me. Then I thought, its so HUGE! How can I lose it!!! :)

Oh pst... check out the NEW COUNTER ON THE BOTTOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ciao Bella!

2006-09-13T12:33:00.000-07:00

Waaahhhw! Have any of you seen anything more beautiful then her!????? And what rocks is that she has a TWIN SISTER!!!! Ohhhh mamma mia!!!

Yes people they're mine, all mine!!!! My precious......!!!

Ok, enough idolatry and praising of the Mamona, lets talk about something else.

Its really getting cooler and cooler here. I'm still resisting the arrival of Fall and am still planning on going to the beach this weekend! Aha, yes I am!

But what the heck, never to early to make plans for having fun! This fall on the agenda I'd like to make time for Apple Picking, Wine Tasting, but its not all about food, there is also hiking, rappelling!!! WallStr are you hearing me!? My friend WallStr is the one that throws herself of planes (with parachute) and does all kinds of outdoorsy rocky thingies.

I'd also like to get on a BIKE please. As I told Nico that next time I'm over in his neck of the woods I'd like to go for a scenic bike ride. Amm... yeah, so I need to make sure I remember HOW to bike ride! And don't tell me once you know how to bike ride you never forget, whatever, when I was little I rode my little red bike (funny... now I have a red car) everywhere, but about 10 yrs ago I got on a bike and crashed within minutes, yeah, I squeezed the wrong break (the front one).

Lesson kids: sheer ambition alone, is not enough to get your bike up a hill, you gotta paddle and keep that tush off the saddle!

Mangia mangia!!!

2006-09-10T14:53:00.000-07:00

My parents are awesome! They really are, but sometimes, like the times they're in public, they can act a bit... strange... Well, I didn't want any accidental mishaps during Nico's visit, so I preped my parents on some basic do's and dont's. Simple things like: pretend I'm super great and wonderful and you like me, don't make fun of me in front of him, don't make fun of him, don't make fun of each other. You may make fun of the neighbors cus that's appropriate. Anything you say must be in some way directly or indirectly complementary to me. When in doubt just smile. I told them to remember that I was going for the nice and wonderful girl thing and they should blend into the image of the parents of the wonderful and nice girl. They said it was obvious and that they would "behave" and I should not be so worried. I said, "no, YOU should be worried, if you want me out of your house, like anytime EVER, you best behave!" (Thunder in the background...)

Well, when Nico and I walked through the door, I immediately breathed easy. The table was set up gorgeously and my parents were smiling and easy going. I kept looking around to see where these clones stashed the real mom and dad. They even complemented me on my outfit. (Instead of the usual: that's kinda slutty... or that's not slutty enough...) They were excellent! Well, almost...

dad: So Nico, how many nuclear reactors do you guys have in your country?
Nico: ....Three
dad: ahamm... and where do you guys dispose of the nuclear waste?
Nico: ....you know, I'm not exactly sure... I believe we ship it to our neighboring countries...? and why do you ask?
dad: oh, no reason... just curious.

after about 10 courses of food...

mom: Nico! would you like some capuccino ice cream?? Yes you would! Of course!! I will give you some! Here you go! Oh, it's not enough, here is some more! Eat, eat!! And do you like whipped cream? Yes you do! I will at some to your coffee!

Needless to say we did not have any dinner, OR breakfast the next morning...

2006-09-08T16:39:00.000-07:00

Yes the sun DID come out!!!!

The night before coming back from going out having drunk many alcoholic beverages the varying kinds, we failed to notice that the wind has completely died down and the ocean was still. The storm just passed on to other fun things I guess.

Sunday the entire island made a mad dash to the beach! We were there all day making fun of kids, dogs, fake boobs, skinny lifeguard boys, etc..etc..etc..etc..etc...

For some reason there were signs everywhere saying that no food or drinks were allowed on the beach, so when we got hungry, we totally didn't walk over to get delicious crab wraps with lettice and tomato, nor did we walk back onto the beach with obvious "Thank You" grocery bags. We didn't proceed to sit down, we didn't comment on how crunchy the celery was. Then we didn't drink delicious and refreshing snapple ice tea, raspberry and lemon. We so didn't!

Anyway I think I'm beginning to really understand what romance is. Its not about what you do exactly, but who you do it with. If you really like someone everything seems like out of a movie...

(barrrrffff) - yes you may! :)

****
Ok I'm going to interrupt the sloppy love story and etc, to comment on how ANNOYING the Fashion Week non sense is. I'm a block away from Bryant Park where the Olympus Fashion Week is going on, it is impossible to walk!!!! All them models and celebrities keep getting in the freakin way! TRES annoying! Some skinny annoying girls had the BALLS to stop me and offer me a free make over in some pink trailer thing of theirs. I was like... "Have you SEEN me!? Are you even looking at it!???" Gesturing wildly around my face. "Does it look like I NEED a make over!? HUUUH!????" I think they pied their pink pants.

Too tired... and I still have the 'meeting the parents' "episode" to describe... tomorrow I guess...

Have a great weekend!

Ahhh La Dolce Vita!

2006-09-07T01:37:00.000-07:00

So it all started with a dramatic "run towards" each other in the Arrivals Hall.... Well, he was more like walking, and I was more like gliding since the SUPER high heels I was wearing did not really permit any other kinds of movements. My sweet darling BCBGs, I still remember the day I brought them home... Anyway, after that we headed directly to dinner since we had exactly 25 minutes to get there before the kitchen closed! We made it! Then realized no one was actually hungry...

Next day headed to Isla del Fuego. It was a bit dreary, but still warm and a bit humid. There is just something sexy about a brewing storm, all that energy in the air that you can almost taste. It was so nice to sit there with his arm around me... ...pause... (Yes, that was a specially designed pause to allow for involuntary gagging.) Don't worry, we did not look like a vulgar grouping couple, it was a bit windy and I was wearing the shortest skirt known to man, so the arm around me was seasonally appropriate indeed!

Seriously ladies, the right man is SUCH a wonderful accessory its unbelievable. Funny, men think that women are something to carry on the arm, when in fact, its THEM that are being worn around the shoulder, instead of nice shawls... Ahhhh... some things just work out so well!

Check out the wild beasts that roam the island... well besides Nico and I! Haaaa-ha...ha?

That evening we had dinner at this awesome seafood place, it stands right on the water and has a little pier for docking your boat while you eat. (Posh no!?) Well, needless to say with the rolling in storm there were no cute little boats docking... As we progressed with our delicious dinners... the only way to describe what was happening is to do an excerpt from our conversation...

Ale: (bedroom eyes) Hmmm... I wonder how long it will take for the waves to carry us off into the ocean..?

Nico: No, don't worry! The thin plastic covering that's separating us from the crashing waves seems to be working very well! (bedroom eyes) More wine?

Saturday was spent in much the same fashion. The picture above is what the beach looked like on Friday, and on Saturday the water basically engulfed the entire sandy part!!

...to be continued...

Still some questions to answer... Will Nico and Ale really be washed into the ocean? Will they have a yummy lunch?? What beer choices will be made by the diverse international couple on one rainy afternoon...? Will the sun EVER COME OUT????

over and out for now captain!

2006-09-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

It was amazing!!! What am I saying...!??? It was - SUPER AMAZING!!!

I'll be back tomorrow with a few pics, of the rain, strorm, Bambi and mother... etc... !

English lesson kids

2006-08-29T16:51:00.000-07:00

Ok kids, today we will learn 5 different ways to say the weather is (and will be for the next 10 days) TOTAL CRAP!!!!!!

Lets start with the simple observation that when we are using adjectives to describe something it is best to variate them, thus avoiding repeating the same thing over and over again which will diminish the power of description.

So, lets take the weather that is expected and pick out some nice adjectives to describe it.

For example, how would you say FREAKING RAIN for the next 5 days!!!!!?????

Well lets consult weather.com and see what they came up with.

According to them, CRAP WEATHER could be described by using the following:

"Partly Cloudy" - a safe optimistic way to say CRAP weather
"Cloudy" - see "Partly Cloudy" yet less optimistic
"Showers" - accenting Rain's benevolent functions
"Scattered Showers" - just another way to say RAIN all over the place
"Wind and Rain"- finally admitting that its CRAP weather yet somehow making it seem festive almost like a party... hey guys come on over! Wind and Rain will be here too! Bring Coronas!

This really sucks because I was really hoping to show off the surprisingly good NY september weather to Nico, and now baaaahhh! In fact I was really hoping to get some more bronzature going on too!!!! But fear not! Just another Sempre Primavera challenge... if it really does rain who cares! No one said you can't eat lobsters while it rains!! Or drink various beverages! (With little umbrellas in them!.. haha get it... umbrellas!!! hehehe)

Anyway, we'll see I guess... still plenty of time for the wather people to be wrong...

2006-08-28T22:33:00.000-07:00

I'm kinda stressed. Do you know how stressful it is to plan perfectly wonderful romantic weekends!?

Well, I've planned, even if I'll have to pass it off later as something that just luckily happened...

So currently the trunk of my car is just about prepared for anything:
candles
champaign glasses
eye drops
Advil
Terry towels
3 litter bottles of water
mini cooler
oh yeah and champaign....

And WHO else would you count on than your friends to help you through the stresses! My friend Dulce went even as far as booking herself and her guy into the very same hotel and eating at the very restaurant that I have reserved... All this just so I can have the reassurance that all is in "A" ok shape!!!! Well, that, and I guess she wanted to have a perfectly wonderful romantic weekend as well. Which it was, she confirmed.. weeehw.

But I'm still nervous about seing Nico... I don't know why!!!

wait... you think I like him... or something?

Sexy

2006-08-26T22:33:00.000-07:00

Got my hair done! I mean... went to have the sun kiss it! (Highlights)

Then Wall Str and I went to the famous Loehmans store where we cleaned up. Seriously, I walked out of there with extremely large bags. I felt the need for a butler named Larry. Ok, fine I'm exaggerating a bit, it was just ONE large bag, but since I haven't been shopping in a while like a big deal.

It was the Italian label sale, so I got the cutest Ellesse skirt, a Golfer's skirt! Kinda short...ish... Here check out their sexy commercial on the website... www.ellesse.it

That's it, I really have nothing more to say right now... My mind is already on the weekend when you know who will be here!

2006-08-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

So many things are in motion, all kinds of projects are swirling, and honestly that's how I like it! That's the only way I operate though. I did catch a cold from the over air conditioned office! Kaya suggested that it might be a virus. I said why would it be a virus and not AC? Well, new office, new people, new germs... she said. I said, sweet hart! DO YOU know how many people (ugly people) I come in contact with every single day JUST during my commute!?!?!? By 8.30AM I have propably seen EVERYBODY'S germs not only in NY but in the WORLD! Yeah! Its the AC!

ps: look at the counter on the very bottom... FREAK OUT TIME!!!! Aaaaaaaaa!!! Don't worry, I'm booked for hair on Saturday, after that vaxing (for my CAR).... then.... just relax and princessify my mind! 4 hour a day commute with ugly people...? Ohhh... haha... that doesn't bother me one bit... I love the easy breasy sunny ferry ride... I love... I love... I love everything... everything is puuuuurrrrfect.... miaaaauuu... miauu..... Ok, I'll be ready.... just keep repeating... miauuu... miauuuuuuuu...

Seduction at the beach...

2006-08-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

Since we here at SemprePrimavera spend a ton of time at the beach, we decided to share some tips on how to seduce your guy while catching some rays.

Firstly beach fashion is a wonderful excuse to wear UBER slutty short skirts and having it be perfectly OK. So take advantage and get on with that mini. Secondly guys are attracted to all our "girly" stuff such as special lotions, balms, little cute boxes with mystery substances etc... etc... Why? Why simply because they CAN'T have any, and they want some cus all that stuff smells pretty and sparkles. They'll roll they're eyes at you as you brush your hair, apply leave in hair hydrating sea mask, but once you close you're eyes they'll be trying to figure out where the heck the aroma of freshly peeled oranges is coming from.

But lets kid ourselves too much, all that spraying and applying may raise some curiosity, but the sure shot will come when you pull out that long neck from a mini cooler!

Anyone got any other techniques? And guys, do YOU do any seduction tricks on your ladies that I should be watching out for??
Cheers and happy seducing!

What would you do with an extra 20 hours...?

2006-08-17T23:00:00.000-07:00

Do you know how much one can get done in a week free of a 4 hour commute. That's like what? 20 EXTRA HOURS!!!

Well here is how I put those hours to use:

FINALLY drew up a proposal to a non-profit organization that helps poor kids in Latin America, something I've been meaning to do for months now. This proposal has been so warmly accepted that I got started immediately on its execution. And guess what it entail? A blog for them! :) Finally I can stop talking about volunteering and actually DO something.

Inspiration is like throwing a pebble into a lake, little circles expend and pretty soon you have one turbulent lake! Besides this new activity, I actually made some progress in the realm of my OWN work. Some plans that were in my mind we FINALLY put on paper and then in action. All in all this has been a hugely successful week in terms of progress!

Not to mention some SERIOUS pool time, running, making fruit smoothies... and all kinds of time consuming beauty regiments. Re-la-x-action!

Oh yeah, and I still put in my regular 40ish work hours at the "office".
Simply excellent! Another thing I realized is that I am perfectly capable of working from home. I didn't think I would be considering the fact that all through college I was not able to study "quietly alone". I sought out the liveliest spot in the Library and the local coffee shops.

So that's the positives... the negatives is that it is now officially confirmed that a 4 hour commute poisons your life. Its ok soon enough it will all be over if my projects go well.

Now, how about drewling a little bit... These pictures were taken by the always lovely and talented Kaya when the girls and I were in SARDEGNA!!! Oh the times!!! We were BOSSES overthere, a villa with such a view, a deep blue JAGUAR (it was the only car with automatic transmission available). Cadiz, are you having some memory flashbacks??? I say you tell everyone what you did with the keys to the Jag on the last day.... hmmm :)

Now imagine working from home... from THIS home!! waaaaw... just imagine how productive I would be! ;-)
Wishing you all a sweet weekend!