Highway to hell?

So anyone who knows me will tell you that I have a bizare fear of wheels. Yes you read that right, WHEELS. I am an amazing driver... as long as there are no other cars or people to worry about. I should probably explain before someone shows up to my office with a hotwheel car, chasing me down the hall.

While I enjoy riding anything with wheels, please do not let me be in control of the thing. I am certain to crash and take out a good couple of people with me. If you remember from a previous blog, I am quite clumsy (refresher: http://imhavingameimeimoment.blogspot.com/2012/02/i-dont-need-to-flirt-i-will-seduce-you.html) and therefore am certain to have a hiccup or two in my future. Roller blades jammed my funny bones, I was thrown from a bike down a gravel hill scrapping up my stomach and face and a skateboard just plain ejected me without so much as a warning.

Driving a car then should be forbidden to me. But the grand state of New York gave me that privilege after only THREE months of practice. I'm telling you they hand out licenses like candy with just a simple smile and wink. The first time I was on the highway, I was forced ushered off by a very mean large truck, almost smacking right into the guard rails. Needless to say, after that all my routes follow a strict back roads route even if that adds 30 minutes to my commute. I even only rent cars, never getting behind the wheel of a friend's car. Insurance premiums are no joke dude!

I will admit the only time I felt complete freedom was those two glorious hours in Punta Cana two years ago while riding an ATV. Soething about giant wheels is a little more comforting. Maybe I'm meant to be a monster trucker.

So anyway, last week I needed to attend a conference in Boston and left my poor confo mate to do all the driving with the exception of actually picking up the car. But then this past weekend my company had this huge event to attend in which we were sponsors. It involved us bringing 20 someodd boxes and bags of awesome goodies to hand out at the site. My co-worker was quite convinced he could fit all this plus 5 people into his range rover. Yea... right....

He then proceeds to tell me I had to drive the santa fe I rented... not only from White Plains to Flushing, but to mid points for people pick up - Washington Heights, Midtown and Chinatown. This involved not only numerious highways in which I must signal and switch lanes, but battling cabbies and crazy pedestraians on the awesome streets of NYC. Oh yea... NO PROBLEM.....

Well I must admit that I rather slowly walked to the bathroom with the excuse of switching out my glasses for contacts. I calmly went into a stall, slid to the floor and balled my eyes out for about 5 minutes. Yes, very adult of me. I still maintain the contacts made me tear up...

I'm proud to say though that I survived and became quite the road warrior over a two day period. To the point where I wanted to keep my rental indefinately. Alas my company wasn't having it.

Bear hugging on the river.... Woman overboard!!

While many women opt to never reveal their age... I don't think I've quite reached that point where it bothers me. I think I'm getting dangerously close though. My friends have begun celebrating their 30th birthdays... much to my delight, even with my upcoming birthday, I don't cross that hump until next year.

My best friend's husband turned 30 last week and the usual jeers ensued with the adopted mantra of "30 sucks!" But then he goes and does something awesome by organizing a white water rafting trip and thus landed himself into the "30 rocks" realm. Of course I was down - it is number 22 on my bucket list, which gets me up to 19 out of 110. (If you did not read the list, find it here: http://imhavingameimeimoment.blogspot.com/2012/01/lets-get-some-drops-in-this-bucket-list.html)

So off to Lehigh River 5 of us went... and this ONE was pushed fell into the river... butt first. Of course I had to "fall in" butt first to qualify this properly as a Mei Mei Moment... but I feel the need to defend myself and yes, even pat myself on the back. The instructors called them "friendly"... rocks, friendly?? Trust me, they lied. Those dang rocks tossed us around that river with a vengeance reserved for mortal enemies. One such rock sneaked up on my friend, who instead of embracing said rock and bearing into it, threw his hands into the air all superman-like and aimed straight at me. And thus into Lehigh River I went... BUTT first. My bestie said she was amazed how calmly I went in - trust me, I WAS NOT welcoming death or accepted my fate in any way. I figured if i made sweet love to the river, it'd at least spit me back out onto my boat. Well.... at the very least it let me come up for air. After finally getting my oar back into the raft, I very calmly urgently reminded my boatmates that they needed to "bear hug" me into the boat. Perhaps they weren't listening to me... so it kind of became a chant of sorts: "Bear hug... bear hug... bear hug... BEAR hug... BEAR HUG!!" You get the idea.

Needless to say I'm quite sore, even two days later. This rafting business is manual labor dude!! But it got me another drop into that bucket and am gearing up for the next adventure.

It's kind of been my year!

My best friend told me a couple of weeks ago to prepare myself - that she read somewhere that when a person turns 29, it's their year to shine. I think it's more than a theory!

In 6 days I'm walking across that stage to finally wrap my hands on my degree, I'm waiting on approval for a promotion at work and I'm fast approaching the pre-pregnancy weight I've been chasing for years (29 of the 40 pounds, whoo!) The most surprising thing this year though, even to myself, is the fact that I find myself suddenly in a relationship!

I will not taint or jinx it, but I'm happy. In a very dorky way I might add. I guess it's true that when you stop looking for it and just focus on bettering yourself, you'll eventually find it. It could be an epic love story or another heartache... but I'm feeling good about it. And I'm genuinely cheesing in my office right now... = )

Professional student status revoked

I can't even begin to describe how unbelievably elated I am that I am done with school! I slept like an effing baby this weekend. I took my last two finals Friday night and spent all day Saturday writing my last term paper.  Saving things to the last minute is kind of my MO. I like to pretend I work best under pressure. I've yet to be proven wrong anyway. My whole world just shifted after clicking that "save" button one last time. I passed out hard after that and slept for hours.

Slowly my grades are coming in, but I guess I can't officially say I'm a graduate yet... but I'm so much more calm these days. In addition to work and my crazy 8 year old, I was taking 4 classes and doing an internship. I don't know what to do with my free time now. Dating? New project? BUCKET LIST!!! I'm going to end up causing way too much trouble either way. I do like the thought of coming home and not feeling guilty about turning on the TV though or having happy hour drinks with the co-workers.

I know I have to start researching my MBA or MS, but I have months to tackle that. In the meantime I am ready to rejoin society and happily turn in my student ID. Look out summer, Mei Mei is on the loose!

Invincible summer

I've come to learn over time that falling out of love is just as liberating as finding love - it grants a freedom from the chains that love can create. Chains you were or weren't even aware of. From the kind of love that suffocates and blinds a person. The type of love that only takes without a thought of giving. You never really realize just how much your own emotions can cripple you. How much joy it takes away, especially when you think you are the happiest you've ever been.

I've been lucky to find love, even if it was short lived or perhaps a pretty lie. At least in that moment I was elated. But I've also experienced heartache that completely shut me down. It's amazing how in one minute love can create this moment of pure ecstasy that we wish would never leave us and then in the next becomes stifling and uncontrollable. Letting go gives us a strength that holding onto something can't do. You see the world with fresh eyes, are aware of new possibilities. I want to dwell in the possibilities of life and not be narrowed by only seeing what's just in front of me. I'm pretty excited to see what life has in store for me!

I think Albert Camus said it best: In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.

Maybe I should move to Canada, eh?

It took me two years to take a vacation and I must say that regardless of my future situations, I fully plan on pulling aside time and money every year to go on a vacation. My mind is so at ease. (Even though finals are  right around the corner.) My biggest concern during my trip was whether I was going to tan on the beach or by the pool that day, or if my brugal was going to be light or dark for that next drink.

I traveled to Punta Cana for the destination wedding of an old high school friend I was lucky to rekindle with 5 years ago. It was amazing, she was gorgeous and the tropical waters were healing. I have decided that this will be the LAST time I go there though - I've only traveled internationally three times, and it was always to the Dominican Republic. (People honestly need to pick a new place to get married dude, the second time I went was for a wedding as well.) I honestly believe that customs is going to eventually question my passport and think me a mule one of these days!

I literally spent the whole week just tanning, eating, drinking rum and sleeping. Even the beautiful island of DR didn't want me to leave - the sun shone the ENTIRE time I was there, but the sky opened up and poured down on me as I checked out that morning. The past few days here in NY have been gloomy as well - you would think I was in London the way mother nature has been acting.

As I've said before I am a freakishly shy person. You can NOT take the opinions of my friends because they know me too well and I am far too comfortable with them at this point. But truth be told when I first meet a person, I probably won't say hi to them or attempt to start a conversation. My flirting is quite awkward honestly. Now it could be the concept I'm on vacation (or the rum), but I'm just NOT a shy person when I go away. It's like I'm a different person - I have no issue talking to people or dancing like a fool. (although I think I normally look like a fool when I dance anyway.) The island was COVERED with Canadians this whole week. Literally everywhere I went I saw either a Dominican or a Canadian. And I have to say, after meeting these Canadians, New York men better watch their back. They could take a lesson or two from Canadian men. It was SO NICE to talk to someone who actually wanted to TALK. They had to be the most genuine, friendly, respectful men I have ever met. And yes, I will say it: sexy! I met a Bradly Cooper body double and was completely lost in his blue eyes. Too bad he was short and lived in Vancouver.

Excuse me Sir, but you must be this tall to ride this ride!

I hit the town this weekend with a few friends of mine - a house party in the city and a little bar hopping after. The pick up lines I encountered were pure hilarity. Please note that I do NOT give out bonus points for creativity... you MAY get a chuckle or two, but that's about it. Although I guess that also depends at which point in the night you catch me and how many drinks in I am. So if, for example, you try picking me up on the subway on my way into the city, you're more likely to just get the evil eyes. My girlfriend was a little more forgiving and friendly to that poor man than I was. Maybe she felt sorry... I'm thinking she wanted to see how far he was going to push it. But honestly... who opens with "Has anyone ever told you two look like the Kardashians?" I mean really? THAT'S what you're going with? Even if that was true, that's who you're comparing me to? Vomit. Here's the kicker: he then proceeded to ask me "I have to know, you're not 17, are you?" Was that your way of checking if I was legal? Or your way of saying you wouldn't care if I was that young? Double vomit in my mouth.

The night only got better and much more entertaining: "Have you ever partied in the desert?" Yes, he asked me that. Why no, I never partied in the desert. I actually like to be close to a water source, thank you. And in this day of technology and social media the concept of dating and flirting has completely changed. Instead of asking someone for their number, they want you to look them up (or stalk them) on Facebook. This same guy kept saying to me "you just don't know about me, you have to friend me on Facebook, you just don't know." Um... gag. Call me old fashioned, but I like phone calls! I like hearing a ring tone and being excited because I know who's calling me - having those three hour conversations about everything and nothing. I like smiling from ear to ear because I'm looking forward to hearing his voice. Now everything is contained to 140 characters and the posted pictures that chronic your life. No mystery, no more butterflies. I like the butterflies, I like being giddy. *SIGH*