June 17, 2015

Tanya's Daily Scoop
TRIP COUNTDOWN
Next Trip Departs In: 5 Days

Excuse the vent session!

So I'm gonna come right out and give you a few gripes. 

What the Heck is up with:
 
1.) Third Party Confirmation???
2.) Lack of Appreciation??? 
3.) Selfishness???

I am certainly not a perfect person, and so I admit that I don't have the highest (or even close to the highest) tolerance for "things" and the list I mentioned above are a few reoccurring pet peeves that I just cannot stand and ones that certain people close to me portray.

So I figured that I'd address these issues:

Third Party Confirmation - 
When you give advice to someone and it seems to go in one ear and out the other. UNTIL someone else gives the same advice and then they tell you all about it like it's a some great idea! 
Ya know what that is?
TOTAL DISRESPECT!

Lack of Appreciation -
We've all felt under-appreciated from time to time, and it SUCKS! 
If someone is doing something out of the goodness of their heart for you, then no matter what you should NOT be complaining about what they are doing for you.

For instance let's just say that you meal plan, do all of the grocery shopping, make all the dinners for a group of people (not just for your kids), and then you happen to be making a meal that isn't to the liking of a couple of these people, but happens to be something that the rest of the group really likes...

Well understand that the chef can't please everyone all the time!

Instead of telling the chef to make something different or else you aren't going to eat and/or you are going to raid the cabinets and use up ingredients purchased for other meals. 

Just don't eat. Don't complain, just don't eat. 
Or go out and buy your own food, and cook for yourself.

No one person is better than the rest of the people sitting at the table, and therefore not every meal is all about you!

Which of course kind of covers where I was going with this particular situation regarding selfishness!

I go out of my way in time and efforts to try and make as many people happy as possible and I truly DO NOT like being taken for granted (I mean really who does?!)

So am I having a day where I'm just feeling sorry for myself? 
Because I can't stand it when people feel sorry for themselves. Or is it that I really do TOO much and so everything that I do is expected of me rather than appreciated? 

Then I stop and think is it just a part of their personalities or do these people (yes there are a few people that I'm talking about here) treat everyone the same way - and the answer is no they do not! 
They save this "wonderful" behavior for me! 

Wow, I'm so lucky!

Alrighty O, I got that off of my chest and thank you for allowing me a little vent session.

Onward to other things...
My packing - nope I'm not done yet. 

I at least thought I was just about done with Cosette and wanted her to try on several items to be sure they still fit and not even one of the articles fit her! 
We were cracking up laughing at the situation and how these clothes looked on her. 
But in the end it was apparent that I needed to do some shopping! I managed to make some online purchases and once they arrive Cosette will add them to her luggage and she should be all set to go! 
Dominic and Cosette are leaving California with Dave B. on July 10th to meet me at JFK and I sure hope they don't forget anything!! 

I'm so glad that I started my HUGE PACKING CHORE.
I pretty much got all of the items packed for the Eastern Europe Trip and all of the Baseball activities (Pittsburgh Pirates Game, MLB ALL STAR Game and festivities, and a Toronto Blue Jays Game), and maybe a few more outfits. 
But I still need to put together over 10 more outfits for the trip. I also need to tackle Dominic's packing as well. 
Hopefully I can finish all of this today and only have the odds and ends left to toss into the luggage. 

Lastly, I'll help Dave out with his packing, but that should be pretty darn easy considering that he is only going to be away for a few days.

Finally here are my selections for W2GW:

This sure looks like a lot of fun:

Annual Irish Fair and Music Festival 
WHEN: June 20-21, 2015 - 10 am - 7 pm
WHERE: Eldorado Park, Long Beach

The BIG Irish Fair also features one of the largest Irish Step Dancing Feis's in America with over a 1000 Irish Step Dancers competing on 6 different stages.
Over 100 Irish, Scottish and British import shops and arts & craft vendors also are featured at the BIG Irish Fair.
Now in its 39th year - the BIG Irish Fair has become a landmark for Irish and Irish American culture and family entertainment.
The largest festival of its kind in the Western United States. The Fair highlights 16 entertainment areas featuring the very best in the music, song, dance and sport of the Irish, along with over 100 Irish, Scottish and English import shops and arts and crafts vendors along with sheepherding shows, Irish horse shows, Irish dog shows and one of the largest Irish Step Dancing competitions in California. 
Over 30,000 people attend the event annually. It has been described as the happiest and most fun filled event in all of Southern California.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

BTW have you read the list of the Top 15 Places to Visit in Ireland?

Next option:

Thai Fest by the Beach
WHEN: Saturday, June 20, 2015 - 10am-9pm
WHERE: Santa Monica Pier

The event is family oriented with plenty of Thai food, products, live entertainments and giveaways! 
Visitors will enjoy live music and cultural shows which include Muay Thai Ayothaya shows, fashion shows of Thai fabrics in modern designs, cooking shows and more. And of course live music entertainment!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

And my final selection of the week is:

America's BBQ & BREW Festival
WHEN: Saturday, June 20, 2015 4pm-9:30pm
WHERE: 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena, CA 91103 

Taking place on the field from end zone to end zone and sideline to sideline at The Rose Bowl!
There will be Gourmet BBQ Food Trucks and BBQ Restaurants featuring authentic Texas Style Plates complimented by a variety of sides including Mac and Cheese, Beans and Cole Slaw.
Additionally, Draft Beer will be flowing at the 50 yard line.
Taking the main stage in the end zone will be Rockabilly Great Bassist, "STRAY CAT LEE ROCKER". Grammy Nominated Rocker and Stray Cats sold more than 9 million albums worldwide and garnered Twenty-Three Gold and Platinum Certified Records, including the monster hits "Rock This Town" and "Stray Cat Strut".
Supporting the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank,
a portion of every ticket sale will be a direct donation to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in support of their ongoing work with partners in the community to mobilize resources to fight hunger in Los Angeles County.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

And that's about it for today folks!

I've gotta get back to packing...

See ya back here for TBT,
-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
TRIP COUNTDOWN
Next Trip Departs In: 8 Days

Computer Drama on W2GW

Well, hello there!  

What a morning this has been - that is truly an understatement!!!

Personal Technical Problems...
Last night, Gianna used my laptop to work on her video assignment for school. The kid doesn't have a Mac computer of her own, so she needs to use my Apples in order to utilize iMovie.  

In the past, she has used my Desktop Mac, but we are having a "lack of storage" problem with that computer (in spite of the fact that I purchased an exterior hard drive - we have not been successful in connecting it as of yet.)

So, I let her borrow my laptop and she tells me how my laptop, as well, is out of space!

Okay, so I figure that it's just a problem for her doing her video. NOT!!!!

As it turns out, I cannot get on!  I get a total white screen and cannot get into anything!  This is at like 6:30 AM. I start to freak because I have my blog to write and this little electronic device has MY ENTIRE LIFE ON IT!!

I immediately try to get an appointment at the Apple store, via their website.  But, the soonest appointment is for Sunday!  So, I decide to get to the Apple store and wait till it opens.  

And that is precisely what I did.  Me and about 9 other people were outside the store bright and early, waiting for the doors to open.

Luckily, I was able to lock into an appointment (within an hour from the time I checked in with "Steve", the store tech).  

I walked around the mall for a while, amidst the tremendous construction effort going on, grabbed a quick snack and before I knew it, I received a text from the store advising me that they were ready to see me!!!

I'm happy to report, that as of 11AM today, my laptop was back in business!! So, here I am folks.

I was so afraid that I was going to have to write and email my Daily Scoop to Tanya and have her post it for me today.  (Thanks anyway Tanya!!)

And not until I just sat down, did I realize I should have taken a picture of myself having a breakdown in the Apple Store for the full affect on my blog today!! Sorry Folks - I was in such a state.  My entire life is on this little notebook!!!

AHHH - so glad that is behind me!!

W2GW: Hot Air Balloon Rides in New York City!!

Yes Folks, you read that right!!  Hot Air Balloon rides - there I said it again!

Recently I was giving some thought to what it is I would enjoy doing and I realized, I had never been on a hot air balloon ride in my life!! 

Although, I went to world's largest Hot Air Balloon Festival (click here for details) - The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta last October, 
I never actually took a ride and experienced the sensation of floating high above the world below!

Well, folks here are a few of the finds my research resulted in:

*Hot Air Balloon Rides In New York City
Imagine flying high above with an inspiring view of the trees, lakes and streams!
According to their website, Long Island City Hot Air Balloon Rides are something special in comparison to other forms of flight. You don't feel the wind... You are a part of it! You may not even realize that you are moving. Hot air balloons drift gracefully above New York at heights of up to 10,000 feet. However, most hot air balloon flights are 500 to 3,000 feet above ground where peace and tranquility reign in the gentle low-altitude breeze. As the balloon rises, your bird's-eye view of New York's beautiful landscape, and all who inhabit it, is put into a perspective that you won't soon forget.

For additional information call:
1-800-611-1298

CLICK IMAGE for New York Balloon Rides

New York City Balloon Rides is another company that offers Hot Air Balloon rides around the New York City area.  According to their website, Hot Air Balloon Rides in New York City most hot air balloon baskets can hold anywhere from 2-8 passengers during a single ride. A shared balloon ride in New York City is just as it sounds; you will share the basket with as many people as it takes to reach capacity.  

Now, while there are a number of other Hot Air Balloon companies in and around the tri-state area, I was intrigued with the idea of taking one of these around New York City!

This is definitely on my list of things to do this Summer!! 

For more information call:  
1-646-741-5426!

Wow, did time go fast during the past hour!  I have to get myself going to get to the last Brownie Meeting of the year for Kelsey's Troop.

The girls will be "bridging" to Juniors today and we'll be having a little celebration with goodies for everyone!

Can't wait to catch you back here tomorrow!!!

Keep it flying high today!!

-E
xoxo