Estimated Departure Time: 7:30pm

Finally…our long awaited trip to Ireland is upon us! We depart this evening for Dublin, Ireland at 7:30pm.

To catch you up, a few months ago, for the ManBoy’s birthday, I purchased a vacation package for us to spend 5 days in Dublin. The ManBoy, having a love for all things Irish, could not have been more excited.

I must note here that the initial plan was to keep the destination of the trip a secret until our arrival at the airport this evening. But, if I’m being honest, I just can’t keep a secret like that... Thus, much to the chagrin of my fellow schemers, the ManBoy is well aware that we’ll be spending the next few days knee deep in stout! Be jealous.

Despite the forecast predicting a quintessentially Irish rainy 5 days, I cannot begin to describe how excited I am! Last night, true to form, I was up to the wee hours of the night, packing and planning my outfits, unpacking and repacking, weighing my bag, and checking off my alarmingly detailed To-Do-List. I’m pretty sure I’ve got everything now…and then some. I’m also fairly certain I’ve asked the ManBoy if he remembered his passport about 35 times. I’m an overzealous obsessive compulsive planner, what do you want from me?

Thus far, we have a few fun activities planned. Having studied abroad at Trinity College, the ManBoy has a few friends who live in Dublin, so of course we’ll be spending time catching up with them. We are planning on renting a car to drive to the Giants Causeway on Friday, and will take part in the Festival of World Cultures on Saturday and Sunday in Dun Laoghaire, near our hotel.

I will report back with stories and photos and promise to indulge in my fair share of Guinness! (Confession: I’m actually not a huge fan of Guinness, but I am painfully aware of the unending mockery that is bound to ensue should I return home having not consumed a pint or two).

All in all, I’m looking forward to a few days away with the ManBoy. It will be a unique opportunity for him to share with me a place that means so much to him and I cannot wait to see it through his Irish eyes.

Wish us well! Slán agaibh!

Needed To Share...

I had to share this...a co-worker sent it to me and it had me in tears laughing for a good 15 minutes...enjoy!

Random Thoughts of the Day:

· I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

· More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can’t wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own story that’s not only better, but also more directly involves me.

· Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

· I don't understand the purpose of the line, "I don't need to drink to have fun." Great, no one does. But why start a fire with flint and sticks when they've invented the lighter?

· Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.

· That's enough, Nickelback.

· I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

· The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard. This recently became all too apparent to me and consequently I will never be ending a work email with the phrase "Regards" again.

· Do you remember when you were a kid, playing Nintendo and it wouldn't work? You take the cartridge out, blow in it and that would magically fix the problem. Every kid in America did that, but how did we all know how to fix the problem? There were no Internet or message boards or FAQ's. We just figured it out. Today's kids are soft.

· There is a great need for sarcasm font.

· Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the fuck was going on when I first saw it.

· I think everyone has a movie that they love so much, it actually becomes stressful to watch it with other people. I'll end up wasting 90 minutes shiftily glancing around to confirm that everyone's laughing at the right parts, then making sure I laugh just a little bit harder (and a millisecond earlier) to prove that I'm still the only one who really, really gets it.

· The other night I hit a new low at an open bar. I had already hopped on highway blackout when, inevitably I had to find a bathroom. Eventually I decided it was probably on the other side of the bar so I tried to walk over there, but ran into a guy coming the other way. We played that, Both go left, Both go right game to no avail, so I finally put out my hand to guide myself past and that is when I realized, yup, that’s a mirror I just tried to walk through. And the guy on the other side is me. Even cats can recognize their own image.

· How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

· I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

· I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

· The only time I look forward to a red light is when I’m trying to finish a text.

· A recent study has shown that playing beer pong contributes to the spread of mono and the flu. Yeah, if you suck at it.

· Was learning cursive really necessary?

· Lol has gone from meaning, "laugh out loud" to "I have nothing else to say".

· I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.(Side note: This is the story of my life)

· Answering the same letter three times or more in a row on a Scantron test is absolutely petrifying.

· My brother's Municipal League baseball team is named the Stepdads. Seeing as none of the guys on the team are actual stepdads, I inquired about the name. He explained, "Cuz we beat you, and you hate us." Classy, bro.

· Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart", all I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart".

· How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?

· I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent a dick from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!

· Every time I have to spell a word over the phone using 'as in' examples, I will undoubtedly draw a blank and sound like a complete idiot. Today I had to spell my boss's last name to an attorney and said "Yes that's G as in...(10 second lapse)… ummm...Goonies"

· What would happen if I hired two private investigators to follow each other?

· While driving yesterday I saw a banana peel in the road and instinctively swerved to avoid it...thanks Mario Kart.

· MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

· Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

· I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.

· Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

· I would like to officially coin the phrase 'catching the swine flu' to be used as a way to make fun of a friend for hooking up with an overweight woman. Example: "Dave caught the swine flu last night."

· I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

· Bad decisions make good stories

· Whenever I'm Facebook stalking someone and I find out that their profile is public I feel like a kid on Christmas morning who just got the Red Ryder BB gun that I always wanted. 546 pictures? Don't mind if I do!

· Is it just me or do high school girls get sluttier & sluttier every year?

· If Carmen San Diego and Waldo ever got together, their offspring would probably just be completely invisible.

· Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem....

· You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren’t doing anything productive for the rest of the day.

· Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after DVDs? I don't want to have to restart my collection.

· There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

· I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

· "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this ever.

· I hate being the one with the remote in a room full of people watching TV. There's so much pressure. 'I love this show, but will they judge me if I keep it on? I bet everyone is wishing we weren’t watching this. It's only a matter of time before they all get up and leave the room. Will we still be friends after this?'

· While watching the Olympics, I find myself cheering equally for China and USA. No, I am not of Chinese descent, but I am fairly certain that when Chinese athletes don’t win, they are executed.

· I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Damnit!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

· I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

· When I meet a new girl, I'm terrified of mentioning something she hasn't already told me but that I have learned from some light internet stalking.

· I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.

· Why is a school zone 20 mph? That seems like the optimal cruising speed for pedophiles...

· As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.

· Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

· It should probably be called Unplanned Parenthood.

· I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

· I think that if, years down the road when I’m trying to have a kid, I find out that I’m sterile, most of my disappointment will stem from the fact that I was not aware of my condition in college.

· Even if I knew your social security number, I wouldn't know what do to with it.

· Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, hitting the G-spot, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I’d bet my ass everyone can find and push the Snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time every time...

· My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad what would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the hell do I respond to that?

· It really pisses me off when I want to read a story on

CNN.com and the link takes me to a video instead of text.

· I wonder if cops ever get pissed off at the fact that everyone they drive behind obeys the speed limit.

· I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

· I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.

· The other night I ordered takeout, and when I looked in the bag, saw they had included four sets of plastic silverware. In other words, someone at the restaurant packed my order, took a second to think about it, and then estimate d that there must be at least four people eating to require such a large amount of food. Too bad I was eating by myself. There’s nothing like being made to feel like a fat bastard before dinner.

Confessions of a 20-Something Drama Queen

It is the end of an era, my friends. The reign of the Bartlet Administration, which, for some, came to a close in May 2006, for me, ended late last night.

The ManBoy and I, as you may know, only days after Christmas, embarked on a journey that turned into an emotional roller coaster. We set out to watch the complete series of The West Wing. That journey is now over.

Over the last 8 months, I have dared to embrace a cast of characters comprising a democratic presidential administration. (For those of you who know me, you know that was a challenge in itself). I have come to know, and dare I say, love these characters. They’ve infiltrated my thoughts and my dreams, distorted reality, and taught me a host of new things about government. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, and I’ve sat at the edge of my seat in suspense and anticipation.

Perhaps an over dramatization, but I can assure you that I have forged a relationship with the show and its cast members – an unbreakable bond I fear will be replaced by no other.

Last night, the ManBoy and I sat down to watch the final episodes of the series. Upon realizing that we were about to witness the series finale, I began to weep uncontrollably. In fact, “weep” is the understatement of the century. I’m talking sobbing, like car-ran-over-my-dog (who you should vote for here as the cutest puppy) tears streaming down my face. They continued through my second glass of wine into the final episode and lulled me to sleep thereafter.

{If you must know, yes, the ManBoy could not keep himself from laughing at me…hysterically, I might add…but all that changed as the credits began to roll and I saw a tear trickle down his cheek. I kid you not!}

I woke up this morning with an unshakable feeling that a void was now present in my life. A void that Lost, True Blood, Californication, Rescue Me, and even Grey’s cannot fill.

I have entertained the thought of writing a letter to the producers of the show begging that they bring it back – needless to say, it will appear I’ve missed the boat by, ohhhhh call it three years.

So, with a heavy heart and puffy eyes I move on to far less satisfying means of televised entertainment. But, know this, The West Wing will always hold an immovable incomparable place in my life…

Marking a Milestone

This past weekend was one of a kind…yet another reminder of how lucky I am to have the ManBoy in my life, and how truly loved and cherished he is by the people who know him.

We travelled up to his hometown on the North Shore of Boston and spent the weekend with his family. I can say with confidence, the 8 hours of round trip driving and the exhaustion that has since set in were well worth it.

August 13th marked the 5 year anniversary of the ManBoy being diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. Though I didn’t know him then, my heart breaks at the thought of his struggling to cope with that news at such a young age. He fought hard to win a battle he should never have had to fight and in doing so, has unknowingly inspired others.

Given this auspicious occasion, to which the ManBoy himself would never draw attention, I thought it appropriate to throw an impromptu celebration of his life and his achievements since that day.

His family gathered around him for cake and Prosecco on Saturday and toasted his impressive accomplishments in the 5 years since receiving information that undoubtedly changed him forever.

With his permission, I’d like to share with you my thoughts on the occasion. The following is the text from my card to him:

My Dearest Tim,

You’ll never know the feeling that struck me the day you told me of your battle with cancer. That same feeling comes back every so often and sends me reeling (as you know) and yesterday was one of them.

Please take the time to consider yourself five years ago. You were a kid, not yet glimpsing the idea of becoming a man (or a ManBoy for that matter) and you were faced with an obstacle beyond that which you could have ever imagined. You were a star athlete, a student leader, and preparing to establish a new life at college in New York. The world was at your feet, and I can only imagine how it must have come crashing down in that instant.

To envision a time when that light inside you – the light that draws me closer to you every day, was in jeopardy of being snuffed out, breaks my heart. Sometimes, I wish I could have known you then. I wish I could have held you and taken on any of your fear and pain. I’d like to think I would have been strong enough, and I’m determined to continue to be as we travel down this “forever road” together.

Amidst our busy New York lives, I wanted to take the time this weekend to remember how important a milestone this and every August 13th is and will be. Remember, each year, your accomplishments and the blessings in your life. Stay strong in faith and find comfort in knowing that all the while, God has been looking out for you, guiding you through challenges that have shaped you in ways you may never understand.

You are my answered prayer – a great blessing in my life and the lives of others. Do not, for a moment, try to make light of the importance of this day. And, remember always, how deeply loved and cherished you are by those around you.

With my whole heart, I am faithfully yours,

Jaclyn
A Few Verses to Consider:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. - Isaiah 41:10

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. - Proverbs 3:5
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. - Matthew 11:28-30

Soooo Cute...

So I entered my puppy in the Cutest Dog Competition...please vote for her here!!!!

Good Luck Maggie!

Brave Enough to Follow Their Dreams...

Happy Friday All!
I hope your work week flew by and you are as excited for this weekend as I am.

Today, I want to share with you a tribute to four of my closest friends. These girls have seen me through it all; good times and bad, new beginnings and graduations, boyfriends and break ups they’ve been there, at my side.

We couldn’t be more different; in fact, some of them aren’t even really friends with each other. But, when I take the time to consider it, they are four of the most impressive women I know, and four of the bravest.

Last night I realized, these four girls are inspiring – they know exactly what they want, they’ve gone after it, and, they’ve succeeded. How many recent college graduates can actually say that going into their second year as “real people”, they are doing exactly what they wanted to do? Not many – and I know four of them.

One was accepted to graduate school at Oxford University (yes, the one in England). Another is rising rapidly through the ranks of an event planning firm that has her running events and working with power house pharmaceutical corporations all over the country. Still another was recently shipped to LA to run her PR firm’s satellite office – run, as in, she’s in charge. And finally, one is working as a legislative correspondent to a United States Congressman in Washington, DC. {I know, my friends are badasses, I’m well aware}.

I’ve never before felt such overwhelming happiness for someone else (let alone four someone elses). Their jobs have taken them all over the country and the world and about as far away from New York (and me) as you can get (sad face) and still I feel nothing but joy for their successes.

I am blessed to have these women in my life. I know that no matter how far they travel, no matter how high on the ladder they climb, they’ll always be there for me, and share in the same happiness over my successes.

So ladies, please know how proud I am to know you, to call you my best friends. Thank you for having the courage to follow your dreams and congratulations on all that you have already accomplished.

All My Love,

Jaclyn

Lovers' Getaway...Right Here at Home

I know, I know…I’m just asking to be ridiculed by the boys, but I don’t care. So ha! (Crosses arms and storms off…….no?)

Anyway, a long awaited New York City weekend is upon us! We’ve been traveling every weekend and are finally committing to staying put in the Big Apple.

Though summertime, in my book, conjures images of beaches, boats, and bathing suits, I realized I’ve not experienced a summer city weekend…there’s so much to do in this great town of ours, and frankly, I’ve been missing out.

So this weekend the ManBoy and I are making up for lost time. We’ll go to happy hour, sleep in, do brunch, have date night, go to church, take a walk in the park, and hang out at the Boat Basin. I. CANNOT. WAIT.

I must admit, I just can’t get enough of that (man)boy. I see him every day and yet, the hours we spend apart make me miss him more and more by the second. I sit at work and think about how excited I am to see him later. {Ok, vom, I know…but I mean it} I suppose that’s what they meant when they said “that’s how it’s supposed to be”.

The last few weeks seem to have gotten away from us; we’ve cancelled dinner dates, changed plans, and gotten caught up in our work. But, all that melts away when the love of your life says, “baby, I’m taking you to dinner this weekend”. Instant smiles.

So my advice to you this weekend is catch up with that special someone who may be there every day, but whom you feel you haven’t seen in ages…take time to remind them how much you love just spending time with them, no matter what the occasion.

Enjoy the weekend all!


Now…what to wear….

Finally...

Let me just say that it's about damn time! Go Yanks! 0-8 against the Sox was enough...

In case you live in a cave, the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 13 -6 last night at Yankee Stadium, and yours truly was there to witness the glory!

(As was Bruce Willis...The Officer John McClane of Die Hard fame...be still my heart)

Needless to say, the ManBoy is not pleased...sad face (in other words cry. me. a. river.)