Most improved writer?

Last night, a conversation with friends prompted me to dig out my old diary. I got the diary on my 9th birthday (1989), and used it on and off through middle school. Many of you know one of my dream jobs is to be a travel writer, and apparently I started at a very young age. I thought I would share my 1989 trip to Florida:

Saturday, June 17, 1989

Dear Diary,

Today we drove a lot. At the H. Inn we saw a drunk jump off a 2 story rail.

Bye, Bye!

[I totally remember this night. It must have had a big impression on me! And I love that I abbreviated "Holiday."]

Sunday, June 18, 1989

Dear Diary, 

I'm in Florida now! It is fun. We drove around. Then we played golf. We went to the beach, too.

Bye, Bye!

Monday, June 19, 1989

Dear Diary,

Today was rainy. We went to see Ghostbusters 2. It's funny. There was a roach in our room. It was grose. [sic]

Bye, Bye!

Tuesday, June 20, 1989

Today we went shopping. I got a shirt and lots of postcards. Then we went to M.S.A.P. It was fun. 

Bye, Bye!

[I have no idea what MSAP is... anyone?]

Wednesday, June 21, 1989

Today was fun. We went to the beach and we went shopping. Then we went to golf. It was fun.

Bye, Bye!

Thursday, June 22, 1989

Today we went to Shipwreck Island. It is fun.

Bye, Bye!

[Apparently I had a lot of fun on this trip!]

Friday, June 23, 1989

Today was fun. We rented a trike for the ocean. We went on bumper boats and golf. It's almost time to leave Florida. I guess I'm ready.

Bye, Bye!

Saturday, June 24, 1989

Today was our last day in Florida. All we did was go to the beach, and swim, and pack.

Bye, Bye!

Winter Weekend Getaway 3 of 3: New York City

What does a single girl do for Valentine's Day? Why, head to the top of the Empire State Building with a girlfriend, of course! Jess and I decided last fall that we should get outta town for the sometimes-dreaded holiday, and New York City was our getaway of choice. It was a fantastic weekend!

We arrived Friday afternoon and headed to the tkts booth to pick up some half price tickets for Pal Joey that evening. On Saturday, we slept in, went to the top of the Empire State Building, and then met up with my friend Christopher. We ate at Penelope, then we did one of the most fun things I've ever done... ever. We went to Little Korea, to the fourth floor of a random building, and rented this tiny room where we sang karaoke for an hour. Just the three of us. There was a couch, two flat screens, and a giant book of songs for us to choose from. Some highlights were my version of "All By Myself" (think Bridget Jones), Jess' "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Footloose." And many, many more!

Jess and I had a late dinner at Asia de Cuba, which was way trendier than we are. It was a good time though, with excellent food. On Sunday morning, we did the Sex and the City tour, and got to see some of Carrie Bradshaw's favorite spots! Then there was shopping, and one final meal with Christopher before heading home.

Here are some photos:

What DO people do all day?

I've always wondered that, myself. I'll be sure to ask Emma next time I talk to her.

Salad's Dirty Little Secret

For years, salad has been living a lie. It has been trying to convince you that it is synonymous with "healthy." Besides, when someone asks you what you had for lunch, doesn't it just sound good to say, "I grabbed a salad?" 

But the truth is, many salads are just the opposite of healthy. Let's consider my three favorites:

Southwest Chicken Caesar | Paradise Bakery

I eat this one for dinner almost every Tuesday. Really it's more like chicken nachos with a side of lettuce. It includes chicken, those little tortilla strips, cheese, and dressing with a little kick. Oh yeah, on a bed of lettuce.

Champps Americana Chopped Salad | Champps

... and by "Americana," they mean bacon and candied pecans. But on the bright side, it contains apples and dried cranberries.

Chicken Cantonese | When Eddie Met Salad

This may be the healthiest of the three. It does have carrots, oranges and almonds on it, after all. But the sauce the chicken is cooked in probably isn't so great. And I'm sure that mandarin ginger dressing can't be good, either.

At least cookies don't try to be something they aren't.