Real Diet Challenge

See you soon !

Carol — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:29:42 +0000

New Year comes with a lot of new resolution. One of mine is to stop this blog for awhile. My life is becoming more like a routine and the main idea that was to help me lose weight was lost during the process.

It is sad but after 2 years I have the same weight (with some downs and highs) but I will keep trying. I of course got extra pounds in this Holiday Season and I will need extra effort and determination to lose weight. But I will keep trying.. never give up even though looks like impossible to reach.

I will have an intense, interesting year at work, with nice challenges. Jan will finally start his business plan. It is our couple’s challenge of 2012. My parents are coming for one month in February, and I can’t wait to have them here. We will try to go to Brazil in July, and who knows have a nice New Year in some warm and completely new place – maybe Australia!

More resolutions for 2012:

- talk to my friends more often, specially the ones in Brazil

- re-learn Spanish

- create my English version of Portal do Amor

- join a volunteer activity – I hope at AFTD – the association for my father disease

and have tons of good moments and a lot of positive thinking.

I am grateful for my friends that followed me here these 2 years:

- my mom – who will keep knowing everything since we talk almost every day

- my sis – that never had a lot of time to read, but sometimes would come here to see how I am doing

- Re – so much support from distance – thank you! Miss you and hope we can catch up soon via Skype

- Luisa – one of the most loyal readers and an amazing friend. We will keep in touch in facebook, bb messenger and emails….

- Dani – my cousin – I know you were getting addicted to that.. but I will keep sending some updates …

- Sarah – what to say? Always knowing my life from here… and always there for me!

I wish an amazing 2012 for all of us! Full of health, love, hapiness and great moments with our special ones!

I will always be here for you!

Carol

A day in Philly

Carol — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:19:03 +0000

we woke up late as usual, and until everyone got ready was already 2pm. We went to Philly to show his family around. Of course the first stop was a Philly Cheese steak – Jim Steak – the first one we went and much better than the most traditional ones.

we drove around and they really liked the city… later was time for some grocery and exchange presents… and finally a movie session! Entre Nos – beautiful real story movie.

Merry Xmas

Carol — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:50:37 +0000

Xmas weekend was great. A lot of food and family moments. Dinner last night was amazing: ham, potatoes, salad, peas etc. Before dinner we went to the church, a beautiful service in a Methodist church close to home. I got awesome presents : kindle fire, sonicare (electronic toothbrush), spanish classes, champagne glasses, spa gift card etc. Really great!

I missed a lot my parents, but was comforting to know they were having a great time with my sister. I had a lot of wine, and was pretty “happy” by the end of the night. I even slept before saying goodnight.

Today was basically about being home: I just went out to go to the gym! (today and yesterday). We had a good brunch at home, cleaned the presents mess, watched a movie (Unknown), played games (specially me in my kindle fire), talked to family, made dinner (bolognese pasta)… Tomorrow will be probably a tourist day! Cant wait!

and the office was empty

Carol — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 04:48:08 +0000

I woke up and went to work. For the first time I was able to park close to the entrance, and it was almost 9am. When I got to the mkt area everythign was dar,. Since the lights goes on with sensors, I was the person putting some light in this area. And a couple of times during the morning the light would go off.. and the dark would take place.

only one other ABM was there. So it was not so lonely, though I just stayed until noon. I got a second award, a recognition for my work. That is really special and I was very happy.

I came home in time for my lunch and my husband and sis in law breakfast. I worked more in the afternoon while they went out for grocery and pick my mother in law up in the airport.

Later I made a chocken strognoff that everybody liked a lot, and we watched some TV and had a great wine.

And in-laws start to arrive…

Carol — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:27:35 +0000

…This week does not look like pre holiday… it is unbeliveable. so busy .. but I loved any second.. the xmas spirit around the company, everybody happy… exchanging cards and small smiles.. so good. I really enjoyed. Tomorrow it is going to be empty there and I will go just for the morning..

I ate something with a lot of garlic and since yesterday I smell like a “Corean” in my husband’s word. Actually I cannot stand my own smell.. how such a small thing can make me so bad..

My sis in law and her partner arrived today.. we went in a bar for food and some beers.. and then came back home for some laughs and gaming. Great day.

Now laying down and get ready for Friday!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Carol — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:41:30 +0000

THat is my whole post! I am so glad you have an amazing day with people that cares for you!

Love you and wish I would be there!!

Online won again!

Carol — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:34:35 +0000

what a day! packed, so busy.. my to do list increase 2 items per minute… It really does not look like xmas is in 4 days. I am going to bed now, because tomorrow will be super busy again..

Jan and I went out to buy xmas gift and at the end we bought 2 presents and 1 gift card at the stores.. the rest ONLINE. it is cheaper, easier… and nowadays it is so fast….

Tomorrow is my mother Bday… one more that I miss.. But I am already thinking about you!!

The quickest dinner preparation ever

Carol — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:29:13 +0000

I was sad today… the reason is not important here, but mom thank you for listening to me… I don’t know what I would be without you in my life. I love you so much, and I wish i could be there with you…it was great feeling that the distance does not reduce the intensity of our relationship.

after a busy day at work, at 5h45pm I left the work to go buy wine and dinner … in two different stores since in PA regular groceries can’t sell alcohol. We were receiving a friend’s couple in our home at 7h30 I didn’t have any idea of what to serve them… so, I decided to go and buy ready pasta and sauce. It was good… I made my strawberry with vanilla ice cream dessert and we had some wine. i almost canceled the dinner, because I was tired and wishing my bed.. I am glad I didn’t cancel. It was a fun, great night. all the time we are with this couple we don’t feel the time … and we always have fun!

They just came back from a trip to BRazil (Rio, Salvador and Praia do Forte – my honeymoon destination). they loved it!

I went to the gym

NY for the weekend with friends.. what else could I ask for?

Carol — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:30:33 +0000

it was cold, really cold.. of course I was not prepared at all… It was packed.. traffic of people in the sidewalks close to Radio City Hall… a woman comment’s: “I live here for 11 years and have never seen it like that”. When we arrived around 2 pm on Saturday and I left the bus, I smelt it.. the smell I remembered from NY when I visited it with my parents in 1993. Yes, I am talking about 18 years ago. But the smell was just like yesterday. It was a good time; my first time seeing snow falling from the sky, the twin towers were there, and I was a naive young girl thinking life can be perfect…

I am not saying life is not good, but is far from perfect..

but let’s come back to NY! We had a blast, a gastronomic indulgence. Everything started at Bryan Park Grill, and adorable restaurant at Bryan Park. The park was full and the xmas village (kind of a lot of small stores together) was happening, full of people… great xmas energy. I met Sarah for one hour and was finally introduced to her boyfriend…

Later Isa and Joao were planning to take us to a nice restaurant, but instead we decided to stay home and make fondue (Cheese and chocolate). I just love to be with them.. I can be 100% myself, we laugh, we have fun, we talk.. and of course we eat! we watched a documentary about Senna.. and I cried.. (he died in an F1 accident in 1994 – the last fatal accident in F1). At 5am, I went to Joao and Isa’s bed and Joao came to ours.. hehehe the guys had to watch a soccer game that was really important.. and I wanted to keep sleeping…

LAter we had a real brazilian breakfast with pao de queijo, requeijao, coffee… amazing! After some walk in Soho and my first time in a nice store – Uniqlo – we went to Felix (a french – brazilian bistro)… delicious!

And then was time to come back home for the final real week of work. Thank you Isa and Joao for such a great time and I really hope you can make to Xmas here!!!

Great dinner with friends to end this weird week

Carol — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:49:56 +0000

We just came back from center city… after a great dinner with awesome place in a fabulous restaurant – Dandelion. It was fun, delicious and we had a great time. Today was a calm day – work in the morning, xmas holiday lunch with the whole Tylenol team and later some exams in a hospital. No, it is not serious, just some check ups. weird how I feel in a 3rd world country when I go to clinics and hospitals here, specially compared to the ones that I go in Brazil.

I came back took a nap and got ready to go to the dinner. We learned our lesson and decided to take the train instead of driving. It was easier and fast and cost the same as a parking lot. we can go talking, giving some kisses and searching things online. We miss sometimes not being living in the city – so much energy, people around and things going on.. but I need to say that when I arrive in my calm place I really love here.

Tomorrow we are going to NY! It is going to be a good weekend with special friends.

Miss you mom and family… and this xmas time has been the toughest so far outside Brasil. I am glad I have my best friend here with me.. my husband!