Into Fall & Winter

Wow! What a summer! Lots of Adventures and Changes.

We enjoyed the Spring and Summer in and outside of the city. We did some serious traveling outside the city this season. We went to China in April, did some camping in Lancaster, and NJ this summer, went to Atlantic city, New Hope, went to a Rodeo, and spent some quality time down the shore. In China we toured Beijing, Shanghai and a couple of beautiful small villages. What an amazing trip and experience we had!

We continue to enjoy the city by going to our favorite restaurants, outdoor events and festivals, picnics and BBQs. I have been doing a lot of walking and some yoga outdoors. I have rediscovered the Delaware River this past season and have spent a lot of time there. A beautiful area to spend time by the water.  Some highlights of the activities we attended in the city this past season include going to see comedian Gabriel Iglesias live, going to hear Jordan's mentor Alexa sing at Milkboys, going to North Shore swimming pool club in Northern Liberties, attending Comic Con and J1-Con with Jordan dressed as an Anime character, did a fun Escape Room activity, and attended the Stevie Wonder pop up concert.

Jordan did a significant amount of singing with School of Rock this past season. Jordan sang at The Rittenhouse festival, The South Street Festival, and the season Rap concert and 70s theme concert. He can rap...lol. He finished his junior year well and just started his senior year. I can't believe we are looking into colleges now. I am so proud of him. He has turned out to be a great person. My baby boy is not a baby anymore.....

My mom and dad are doing well. They are both getting older, with some health issues, but happy they are still fairly independent and healthy. I am blessed they are still here and I am cherishing the moments we still have together.

Some major changes occurred in my life this summer. My love relationship ended after a few years together (give or take a couple off months) and my job with the city ended as well. Both big changes, but both a very welcome change in my life. I was going in the wrong direction both in love and in work. I was not happy. It was time to better match myself with the right love and the right job. Unfortunately, we sometimes wait too long to make the needed changes to improve our lives. However, now I am on the right track again. I have healthy love and work in my life again. The future looks brighter than ever!

These changes have also brought about some thoughts about moving. Our time in the city has been grand. However, we are changing and the city doesn't seem as attractive and exciting as it used to 4 years ago. So, we are considering a move. We still have a year on our lease, since we signed a 2-year lease. However, we are making plans to getting back to a simpler life. Once that happens, this will no longer be the "Life in the City" blog. We will keep you updated on where and when we are moving. New life adventures in a new place are in the works. In the meantime, our travels and city adventures will continue, and we will continue to share them with you.

We have some exciting travel adventures coming; a trip to Puerto Rico in October, and a trip to Eastern Europe (Hungary, Czech Republic) in March, we are also visiting friends in Aspen and Chicago.

Looking forward to our travels and the fall and winter season in the city.

Spring is coming...but it's still cold!

Wow! It's been 5 months since my last post. Lots has happened.

Jordan is doing so well. He started 11th grade last fall. He is singing with School of Rock at the season shows and with the house band. He played at Underground Arts, Hard Rock Cafe, and Voltage Lounge. He will be playing at Milkboy and Johnny Brenda's this Spring. He sang Motown, Rock, and now Hip Hop & rap. The boy can sing! We are starting to look into colleges or tech schools. Can't believe he will be graduating high school soon. Amazing! He has turned out to be such a great person. So proud of him!

My Mom and Dad are doing pretty well. They are both in Norristown and in good health. Happy that they are doing well. I visit them every few weeks.

Since our last post we have been very busy. We moved into a new apartment close to the Northern Liberties area. We had to downsize on cost, mainly because we have to be getting ready for college kid soon. It's a smaller place, but it includes parking, and an extra small bedroom. We are still getting used to it. We did love our other apt., the location and space was very nice. But change is necessary. I do walk to work a few days a week. On those days, I stop by Reading Market or Chinatown and grab some goodies. The other days I drive since I have to get back to Jordan for his extracurricular activities.

We have slowed down since the fall, concentrating on school and work. Work has been tough since my change in position. My former director changed some areas at work before she left. A new director started and she has been even more challenging. Her style of management is a bit rough and I am having a lot of difficulty. It may mean it's time for a change in my work environment as well.

Haven't traveled much since the summer. Did a lot of traveling last Spring and Summer. Been saving for a big trip to China in a few weeks with Jordan. So excited! A dream come true for us. I did take a day trip to NYC in November. Did some bike riding and exploring there. Lots of fun! Spent Christmas with family and friends.......was very nice. Jordan turned 17 this past January and we celebrated big. Part of his birthday gift was the trip to China this April. We enjoyed the Mummer's parade on New Year's Day. We also enjoy movies out every couple of weeks, That is Jordan's and my favorite downtime activity. Jordan and I tried clay studio class. We created a few bowls. It was a new experience and we loved it. I continue to enjoy painting every month or so. We did visit the Franklin Institute and went to the Auto Show. I was on an oyster kick and checked out the Oyster House in Philly. I have gone to a couple of  PAFA -Art at Lunch seminars near my work. I also attend lunch church service -hour of power, near my work as well. I did discovered a new favorite place for brunch-Silk City. Yummo!

We have been enjoying other local restaurants for lunch and dinner, also some shows, and live music. Jordan and I discovered a Japanese BBQ house where we can grill our own meat and veggies at the table. Yum! I served on a jury for an injury case for the first time in Philadelphia. It was quite an experience.

This winter has been rough, lots of ice and snow. Looking forward to the milder Spring weather to come.

Fall Is Here!

We have had a wonderful summer!

We took advantage of the nice summer weather by spending a lot of time outdoors. I spent sometime at North Shore Beach Club by the pool on beautiful sunny days, went on a few boat rides on Delaware, Hispanic Festival at Penn's Landing, Wildwood, Atlantic City, Lancaster-Camping-well Cabin Camping...lol, and a lot nice walks in the city enjoying festivals and outdoor events.  Also been enjoying Tuesday nights at Warmdaddy's-All you can eat Crabs and Blues! Also enjoyed a lot of music shows and plays through Fillaseat program this summer.

Jordan is doing so well! He finished 10th grade with a 3.2 gpa. He has been singing at every seasonal concert with School of Rock, and now joined the School of Rock House Band, playing real gigs for the school. I am so proud of him! He has a beautiful voice! He also switched from Jiu Jitsu to Aikido. But we are looking for a new place for him to attend now that we are moving to the east side of the city, near Northern Liberties from the West side of center city. Now he is practicing for his SATs, working on his graduation project, and we are looking into college, tech school, or music school.

We went to see Wizard of Oz Show at The Academy. We also went to Comic Con and Jordan dressed up as an Anime character. Don't ask me who, have no idea how to pronounce the name...lol.  We went to see the Marvel Show at Wells Fargo Center. Very cool stunts!

I have been painting about once a month. I really enjoy it. I think I found a new creative outlet.
Did some serious traveling too these past few months. Went to Miami, South Beach, and Key West, New Orleans, Coney Island and Brooklyn, Orlando-Disney, Las Vegas & Grand Canyon, and Baltimore.

I also got my first tattoo this summer! The OM symbol on my back shoulder. Looks pretty cool! Started salsa dancing again too...love it!

I have also met someone special........enjoying it!

At work I had to take a lower position, with less responsibility, less stress and pressure, but same pay including an annual raise. Worked out well even though it was a very stressful time for me at work. Got through it!

Now we are looking forward to starting anew at our new apartment, and enjoying the fall weather, by slowing down our pace and enjoying the pre-holiday season.

New Adventure!

Wow! It's been February since I updated my blog. So much has happened. I went on my dream trip to Fiji, Steve and I finally called it quits, Jordan sang in a Spring concert and is preparing for another one this summer. He is finishing 10th grade, taking his finals this week, and is looking forward to the summer. We have two trips planned for the summer, one to Miami, and one to Disneyworld.

We took my dream trip to Fiji in February. It was heavenly. We stayed on Treasure Island for 5 days. Check it off my bucket list. We even got to spend a day at Universal Studios in LA before returning home from our trip to Fiji. Jordan loved it. I got to see a Flamenco show live at Merriam Theater, which I loved. I discovered all you can eat crabs at Warmdaddy's on Tuesdays...lol. We celebrated my mom's 66th birthday in March. I went to The Barnes for a native indian flute music event. Joined fillaseat philadelphia and now get tickets for a lot of cool events. What a great deal! I took a singles trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and had lots of fun! Saw Charlie Murphy (Eddie's brother) at Helium Comedy club, very funny guy and not as dirty as his brother. I have spending a lot of time with friends and family now as a single gal. Looking for a new love baby...lol. Or maybe not, enjoying my freedom to the max.

Went to Latin Night at the Kimmel Center and danced the night away! Discovered Reserve Wine Bar in Chinatown, they have Jazz meetup events. Tried Acupuncture for the first time-it was ok, nothing special. Spent weekend in NY-saw Motown Musical, Awesome performance! Joined North Shore Beach club in Northern Liberties. Love it!  I can spend some time there this summer by the pool. Signed up for bartending refresher course and hopefully get job placement right after. I went to Jazz event at Hotel Monaco with my pal Jeff. Took a Haunted Harbor tour on the Delaware and saw Roller Derby live for the first time, brutal..lol. I also took a paint class and it was so much fun! I have a painting in my bedroom..lol. I definitely want to do that again.

At work I went to a housing project opening where Jon Bon Jovi was a speaker. Discovered noon church service on Tuesdays close to work. Wow! Great stuff. They call it the "Hour of Power" and  it is that indeed. Having some difficulty at work, and may have to start looking elsewhere for employment opportunities. I love what I do, but my personality is more collaborative and easy-going, while others seem to be aggressive and confrontational, almost like sales, which I don't like. They seem to get ahead and are in good favor with superiors though. Oh well...we will see.

So much has happened. Looking forward to more adventures to come and perhaps falling in love again very soon. There's someone now that may be up to par...lol.

What a winter!

It's been quite a cold and snowy winter. We have had very low temperatures and lots of snow and ice these past two months. Lots of school closings, and some office closings. I understand there's more to come too.

We had a very nice holiday; lots of good food, family, and nice presents. We spent a quiet New Year's Eve at home with the kids. We had a nice party at work and spent Christmas Eve with mom. We went to see Dave Chappelle at the Tower Theater. I enjoyed his opening acts more than I enjoyed him. I attended a very nice Christmas Eve service downtown. We went to see the Pompeii Exhibit at The Franklin Institute, learned a lot about Pompeii. We went to a Comedy Sports Show with the kids. They loved it! We also took them to a monster truck show in Trenton. We were full of dirt and dust at the end...lol.

I visited a chiropractor out of curiosity. Interesting experience. Not sure that I would go back unless I had to. I did get to go to dinner with middle school classmates and my former middle school English teacher. We celebrated his 70th birthday. It was a wonderful experience to see them again after at least 25 years.

We celebrated Jordan's 16th birthday at Arnold's Family Fun Center in Oaks, PA. We rode go carts, played laser tag and lots of  arcade games. We had tons of fun! A week later we went back to celebrate dad's birthday and tried bowling. What a great place! They even had live bands playing both times we were there.

Work has been very busy, but good. I enjoy my work very much.

Jordan completed his first semester of 10th grade with very good grades. He signed up for a spring concert and will be singing Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty songs. He stopped going to Karate. The place we go to has changed their schedules many times. We are  looking for a new place for him to start in March, or have him try out another activity.

I set some New Year's resolutions, including; working out at least 4 times a week, reading a book for leisure a month, eating healthier, travel more, start writing, and do more things I enjoy doing. So far so good. I read a book in January, "The Hot Zone." Wow! Scary book about Ebola virus. Started a second book this month, " The Places that Scare You, " about Buddhism. I have been working out at least 4 times a week. Been feeling very good and energized. I did come down with a cold this past week and trying to recuperate. Will start working out again this weekend. I have been eating much healthier, healthier snacks, lots of veggies, leaner and smaller portions of meats, with a sweet or salty (bad) snack once in a while....lol. Can't go cold turkey. I also started writing, mainly my own story. It would be nice to give to Jordan before I die, so he knows where his mother comes from, and why she is the way she is.

We are getting ready for a once in a lifetime vacation. Another one of my resolution's is to do more of what I love to do, which includes travel to new places. We are going to Fiji in about a week, one of the places I have always dreamed of visiting. Very excited! I hope the weather cooperates.

Holidays 2013!

Its Christmas Time!

Enjoying the holiday season.

Some highlights of the two months; Jordan and I went on a segway tour of the city. We had a great time, even after I fell off ...lol. We also went to State Penn haunted Tour, which he closed his eyes through the entire walk and kept stepping on my boots. We watched some fun movies like Thor, Gravity, Bad Grandpa, Best Man Holiday, & Captain Phillips.

We all went to bbq at Steve's friend's house in Reading, PA. Ate a lot of food and had lots of fun. We tried a new Korean place,GIWA,  for lunch. It was very good. We enjoyed Bobby McFerrin in concert at the Kimmel Center. We attended the "Taste of Philly" event and tried a lot of yummy food. We went to dinner and good music at Warmdaddy's. We even went to see Beauty and the Beast show and had a nice dinner at Ruth Steakhouse. We got to see the Christmas tree lighting at Love Park. We joined the running of the Santas. After we went to Chinatown and bought some fresh lobsters and crabs for dinner. The apartment building hosted their annual holiday party with lots of good food and prizes. Dad has come to stay with us a few times and spent some quality time with us. We had Thanksgiving at home and just finished the last of the Turkey leftovers...yum. I went to visit mom a few times and enjoyed having dinner with her. I also spent some time working on the house prepping it for new renters.

Our area has been getting some snow and we are enjoying the wintery look. But we are missing the nice weather. I decided to book an exotic vacation for February to celebrate Jordan's 16th birthday. We are going to Fiji for a week...yippee!!

Work has been good and busy. I have attended a few ribbon cuttings, trainings, and conferences. We hired 3 new people in our unit and are training them now. Work hosted a great Holiday brunch with good food and music.

Christmas is only 10 days away! Wow! 2014 is upon us. I look forward to the adventures and experiences that the new year will bring. 

It's October!

I can't believe it's Fall and soon will be Christmastime again!

Some of the highlights the last few months include enjoying a menu sampler at Morimoto. We visited beautiful Longwood Gardens.  We went to see the show Wicked on the last night in Philadelphia and got to see them loading the trucks. We enjoyed a Northern Liberties neighborhood Festival where some of Jordan's music classmates were doing a concert. We took a couple of walks in Chinatown and through the Fairmount neighborhood. We attended a Blue October Concert and visited the Barnes Museum.

Jordan sang at two concerts in August for the first time. Jordan also spent a week at Zoo camp and had a great time. We also went to the Renaissance Fair. Some movies we watched include The Butler, Insidious 2, The Conjuring, and Cloudy with Chance of Meatballs 2. Jordan just started 10th grade and is doing very well.

I did some refurnishing of the bedroom, which created more space and organization. I did have some dental issues this past two months and had to get two root canals. Awful! I hope I don't have any more of that for a long time. I am getting ready to rent my house again. The last tenants just moved out.

Work has been great. I attended a meeting at the Horticultural Center and enjoyed a nice walk in the area. I also attended two trainings, which were really interesting, Sexual Harassment and Labor Relations.

I am looking forward to the holiday season and some hibernation time.