rachelpink rides the bus

SexyBack

I can't get this song out of my head. The worst part? I don't know the words. I just sing/shouted "sexy back" throughout the day. God bless the poor soul who sits outside my office. Poor poor girl.

This is all about to get worse because I just downloaded the song. Chuck is already annoyed, and I'm feeling like I want to dance. Pop and lock. Sing outloud.

What I Should Be Doing Right Now

Knitting.
Making sock monkeys.
Knitting.

Print-O-Rama

There's Jen Corace magic in the air--and I have the scoping talents of Meg to thank for it. First, I got this special 8 by 10 print called "Oceans Don't Freeze."

Then tonight I bought this new little print called "Dress'm Up."
These are early birthday presents to me. And they prove that patience pays off--I've been waiting for a year for a Jen Corace to go on sale.

Recognized

I'm in Old Greenwich, CT at sales conference. This morning, someone from the hotel staff stopped me. "Didn't I see you on TV yesterday?" No joke! Recognized by a stranger--wow, it's time for me to start wearing dark sunglasses and wrapping myself in layers of pashmina.

Wow--I guess a lot of people watch The Today Show

This message just came in to the PR inbox:

Please forward this to Rachel K3mpster.

Dear Rachel,

I believe that I recognize you and want to say that you certainly have followed your dreams.

Sincerely,

Mrs. K3mp

Teacher, WMI, Grade 1

How awesome is that!! My first grade teacher recognized me. Cool cool cool.

Me on Today

Here's the link to my Today Show appearance--I'm pretty happy with it. I think it may be my best work yet :)

Oh Man, Can't Sleep

I can't--I just can't. I've woken up every half hour since I went to sleep at 10. It's torture! I've been so non-chalent about the Today Show thing this year--up until Saturday. Then I started practicing a lot and mildly freaking out. Apparently, I'm nervous. I didn't have a speck of caffeine past 1pm today, and still I can't get a good night's sleep. Double argh.

Thankfulness Abounding

There's so much to be thankful for this weekend. I overscheduled myself a bit, but it didn't kill me. And I feel good and tired and happy.

Thanksgiving was low-key and lovely. I volunteered for three hours that morning, came home, did 3 loads of wash, and then heated up our Fresh Direct Thanksgiving. Lauren was there, and Kambri and Paquita came down for dinner. Food was great--so was the Guitar Hero II. Kambri is damn good. Lauren went from newbie to awesome in under an hour.

On Friday I volunteered again. Cleaned all the cat cages and helped with some of the dogs. Rushed home in time to say bye to Lauren and get ready for a haircut. I splurged for color too--a girl needs to have good hair for her Today Show appearance. Came home, nicely coiffed, and collapsed on the couch. Chuck Netflixed "The Big Lebowski."

On Saturday I met up with Caren and we took the train to A.R. and Amy's house for a party. It was great to see A.R.'s house--it's big and adorable and completely cozy. I got to hold Lylablu for a bit. Caren and I invented a new lullaby about bourbon. And we had the pleasure of eating tons of good food and hanging out with the ever-incredible Phoebe (7) and Amelia (3). They're such cool kids. Phoebe beat me at Guitar Hero, and Amelia danced like a rock star while everyone played the game. It was fun and relaxing and the train ride to Ossining was gorgeous--the trees were so pretty and orange.

And now it's Sunday. I made it. This morning started with some more time at the pet shelter, and then I came home, took a hot shower and tended to my wounds (Jasmine the cat ripped me to shreds--my fault, not hers). Chuck and I did our usual Sunday routine --brunch at Valverde followed by pool. But today there was a twist--I won at pool! Chuck played some great games, but lady luck was on my side. And now here I sit at--?--oh yes, PANERA, doing my writing homework and preparing for sales conference. Tomorrow I go from The Today Show to work to Connecticut for sales conference. It's going to be a busy start to the week. Busy and a little terrifying! I just hope I don't do anything YouTube worthy on TV tomorrow. . .

On The Brighter Side

Oh who cares that I'm broke. I'm happy and thankful.

Today I'm thankful for:
-Crafting with Meg in two locations
-Ordering a really nifty xmas present for my mom and dad
-Getting out of work early
-Playing a few good games of brickbreaker on my Blackberry
-Learning how to make collard greens
-Chuck's thorough apartment cleaning
-Apple cider
-Not having to shop for Thanksgiving
-Spending a few hours alone in the apartment
-Guitar Hero play-offs at A.R. and Amy's house this weekend
-An easy commute into the work

And those are the things that came to me right away.

Broke

I am so broke. Brokity broke broke. What are the chances that I'll get an unexpected check in the mail for a few thousand dollars when I get home? Worse yet, I'm taking home a $100 less per paycheck next year so I can pay for my ridiculously expensive dentail procedure--the money will go into my flexible health spending account at work.  It costs so much to live in NY.