Words of Wisdom

" A diamond is just a piece of coal that stuck to the job."

-Michael Larsen

Search Underwhelmed

Is anyone else sick of these obnoxious Bing! commercials? I mean hello?! We've all used Bing when it just happens to be linked to Internet Explorer. It really doesn't work well AT ALL. If these commercials are trying to advertise the random content, totally unrelated to what you are looking for? Then yes, they may be accurate. If they are trying to advertise how wonderfully Bing works as a search engine? Well, that's just wrong, and inaccurate.

Up in the Air

I really enjoy flying. I've never really understood people who are scared of it. Taking off and landing are my favorite. It's like a little roller coaster ride involved in getting you where you're going. Then there's the views. I always request a window seat so I can get a first glimpse of the new city I'm flying in to, and watch the one I'm flying out of turn into a patchwork of roadways, waterways, and quilts of fields. In the middle, you're surrounded by a blanket of puffy white clouds. And, it's an excuse to chew lots and lots of bubblicious to help keep your ears from popping too much. Can't beat that. Enjoy the view.

Oh You Fancy Huh

A couple weeks ago I got a raise and lots more responsibilities at work (Yay me!). As a result, for the next few weeks I'll be traveling for work Monday through Friday around New England. When I got my first check with my new pay rate this Friday, I decided it was time for some celebration and a some special treats. So, I scheduled a facial and have spent the past couple days picking up some accessories to make myself a real lady traveller.

For the facial (my first ever) I went to Mario Badescu  salon. They proclaim they have the best facials in NYC. I can't say it lived up to that, but it was relaxing. My beautician massaged my face, neck, and shoulders, put my hands in special hand warmers, and misted my face with steam in between treatments. I fell asleep a couple times to the tune of relaxing music with cucumbers on my eyes. Sigh. If only every Saturday afternoon could be like that. As a bonus, I scored some travel size samples of Mario Badscu's own Super Rich Olive body lotion, Botanical Body Wash, and Citrus cleanser. It's like they knew I needed mini products for my trips. I came out refreshed with a glowing complexion.

Next stop was Sephora to pick up travel size perfume. I will not go several weeks without smelling pretty. I chose Stella McCartney Rose Absolute, my go-to fall scent an a .33 oz roll-on.

While I was there I scored some travel size make up removing cloths and supported endangered animals with Josie Maran's Bear Naked Wipes. A portion of the proceeds from every sale goes to NCRD's Polar Bear SOS Initiative to keep the animals from becoming endangered.

Final stop was TJ Maxx for some lady luggage. I do not want the hassle of checking a bag every time I run through the airport, so I picked up an adorable mini hard side carry on by Travel Concepts in Fuchsia.

Lady traveller package complete. 

Song I'll have on repeat all weekend

NYS Latest Plan to Cut the Budget?

WIC is a federally sponsored program to provide nutritious food to pregnant women and their infants and children. It provides vouchers for specific supermarket items like cheese, fruit, and formula. I worked in a grocery store in high school. I rang up many of the vouchers. Lately I've been seeing all these WIC commercials extolling the wonders of breast feeding. Now, I agree that breast feeding is a wonderful thing for those who think it's right. It burns a TONs of calories for the momma, and can boost babies immunities. However, it seems like WIC sponsoring all these commercials is a thinly veiled effort to cut back on the formula vouchers they have to provide. Breast feeding is a very personal choice, not something the government should be pushing on mothers as the "right" thing to do. Is this how bad the federal budget has gotten?

Don't forget to get your Flu Shot

It's that time of year when everyone around you is dropping like flies. I've seen it my office already. I came down with a nasty cold myself, and countless people have been in and out of the office for colds and stomach bugs. Unfortunately viruses aren't all that preventable. I wash my hands regularly, I take airborne when I start to feel sick, and in general I'm a pretty healthy person, but sometimes I still get sick. That's just how it is.

There is one bug this time of year that's easy to prevent with a teeny tiny shot in your arm. The Flu. As someone who has had the flu many times (once twice in a year!), trust me. Even if you are afraid of needles, the small pain is much better than the chills, fever, vomiting, congestion, and other unpleasant side effects that come along with the flu. And no, you won't get the flu from the vaccine. I don't know why people keep spreading around that nasty little rumor.

This year's vaccine protects you against 3 different strains of the flu, INCLUDING last year's H1N1 virus. And if you don't have a doctor you see regularly, or insurance, many drug stores are offering flu shot clinics with cheap shots. If you're looking for a flu clinic near you, check out the CDC's flu shot finder at this site. You can stop stockpiling Tamiflu you bought off the internet now. I'm getting my shot tomorrow.