Love In Vegas

This weekend, my girlfriend and I took a road trip to Vegas for a quick getaway.  We got in Friday night and had dinner at Julian Serrano at Aria because we were craving tapas.  We actually do not recommend this restaurant as the food was below par and the waiter was not very helpful.  He suggested that we could order one more dish, when in actuality, we ordered way too much!  I feel like I'm writing a Yelp! review.

Saturday, we hung by the pool, gambled a bit (we were both losers), window shopped, and had dinner at Mastro's before heading to Mirage to watch Love.  Love was actually the highlight of our trip as we both enjoy Cirque De Soleil shows.  I think that overall, the show was entertaining, but I would have liked to see more acrobatics than dancing.  I like the Beatles.

We stayed at Vdara - nice rooms, but no tables and valet parking only, which resulted in a madhouse of people lingering in the hotel lobby trying to leave at the mandated 11AM check-out time.  Don't think we'll stay there again!

 Mastro's (too bad we didn't get to sit in the tree because we were in a hurry)

 Being silly with my friend's broken sunglasses

At Love

Sun-kissed

A group of us headed out to Manhattan beach this weekend for a little bit of sun bathing and beach volleyball.  The sky and ocean were a perfect blue and the temperature was comfortably warm.  Moments like these fill my heart with gratitude for the city I live in and for the wonderful people in my life.

Bitter Sweet Endings

Today marks the last day with a firm I have known my entire career.  A firm that I have dedicated myself to for over a decade.  I am sitting here staring at my good-bye email I crafted a week ago, yet am unable to put the final nail in the coffin and hit send.  I find myself reminiscing over the last ten years...

• I have met amazing people who have become my closest friends
• I have traveled to countless countries and cities that have opened my eyes to a world much greater than mine
• I have been challenged in every way possible, pushing me to build patience, tolerance and see people through less judgmental, but more loving eyes
• I have felt the adrenaline rush of nailing a presentation, the pride from doing a job well done, cried tears of frustration when all seemed dark, and laughed uncontrollably with colleagues who have journeyed with me along the way
• I have eaten at the fanciest restaurants, stayed at the most luxurious hotels, sat in First class for business trips, and gotten the royal treatment wherever I've traveled
• I have been yelled at, talked down to, judged, misunderstood, and stereotyped, but I have also been uplifted, loved, praised, recognized, and encouraged.  All of which have made me a stronger individual, both professionally and personally.

Ten and a half years ago, I started out as a naive Analyst, bright-eyed, a sponge ready to learn and conquer whatever came my way.  Now reflecting back as a Manager, I'd say I did just that...and more.  

At package training in Waltham, MA in 2001

I am ready as I'll ever be to begin a new path in my career.  It is now or never, so here goes nothing...

Sent.

Photobooth Fun!

I seriously love my girls.  I've known these two for 15+ years now and some things never seem to change.  Put us in front of a camera and we literally go crazy.  Great times ALWAYS!
 

See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil

 

Bimbos!

 

Musicians!

 

Rollercoaster ride!  Weeeeeee!

 

Sci-fi photo

Smile, Sad, Serious, Gangsta (fail - again)

Someone Like You - Adele

Sometimes, in one of life's most beautiful moments, you hear a song that is so powerful it captures everything you are feeling and thinking at the very core of your being.  This is it for me.  Right here, right now.  I'm speechless.