Day of Days

It finally happened. Like for real, happened. Officially official … the whole deal.

As of 5:47pm, April 21, 2011, I have officially been hired. That’s right, HIRED! Besides being beyond thrilled at the idea that I am working for a real deal company, doing something that I like, and having a group of co-workers, I am so relieved. Relieved that I don’t have to job search anymore (at least for a long while). For the first time in about three years, when I got my daily Cynthia’s Cynopsis, I deleted it. Like totes trashed it, not to be seen from or heard from again. No reason to keep it, want to know why? Because I am gainfully employed.

There is a real ring to that. It’s music to my ears. I woke up this morning and thought, is this a dream? How could this even be? But alas, I pinched myself and it was not a dream. The phone call I had the night before was real! Really, real! As you can tell, I am very excited. I don’t know the last time that I felt this jubilant. There are no words that would aptly describe how I feel right now, but I know for sure that there has been a significant change in my life. This will forever be what I refer to as my first job. As my launching pad, as some kind of life shaping step that I took. Maybe that is a bit of a stretch, but at this exact moment, that is how I am feeling. I feel like I might burst with possibility. It’s unlike anything I have ever experienced. The only thing that I even equate it to would be going away to college Freshman year. Even that though is not exactly the same because it was totally time-bound. This feels infinite.

In less than 20 hours my entire outlook has changed. Doesn’t it seem sunnier and more lovely than usual? Weren’t there bluebirds chirping at your window this morning? I think they even came into the apartment, helped me clean up AND get dressed this morning! (Or maybe that was the cleaning lady, Ruby). I feel like I am a walking advertisement for those depression drugs. I used to have a dark cloud hanging over me, but now, it’s gone! Just like that, MAGIC. No pill necessary, just an offer letter.

Everyone keeps saying that they are so proud, that I deserve it, and you know what?, I DO. I fucking deserve this. Sorry if my foul language has offended someone, but it’s true. I am modest in so many ways, but not about how hard I have been working toward this moment. I really do deserve it. This is the way that it was meant to be. Working the past three years and not being totally happy has made me feel grateful, humbled, and totally lucky that I have this opportunity now.

When I went to my cousin’s wedding last year, I looked really nice. I knew that I was looking good too (by the by, I spent a fortune to look that way, but that is neither here nor there). Anyway, I told myself that if anyone complimented me, I would say ‘thank you.’ Not, ‘oh, no’ or ‘you don’t have to say that.’ And it was the right thing to do. When someone compliments you, you thank them. It’s not being self-centered or conceited ... it's being respectful of them and their opinion. So the next time someone says to me, ‘Nina, congratulations on the job,’ I am just going to say, ‘thanks so much – I really appreciate that.’

And I do. I really, really, really do.

Nas - If I Ruled the World

God, I forgot how much I love(d) Nas. This is one of my favorite jams. He played at Cochella today and I think I might have died if I saw him. I already decided that I am going to go next year. Between now and then I am going to work on how to be a better hipster.

Perhaps I should spend more time in Brooklyn. It will be good practice for me.

Week of April 12: Essie, Velvet Voyeur

I had my fill of the light colors and had to go back to my dark roots. I wanted to get a new hue and the lovely lady at my nail place helped me pick this one out. My dad called me once and said, "Hi, is this the voyeur?" In his defense, I had just told him that I was toates watching the people in the hotel next door doing it ... so it was a bit fitting that this color suited me (and my favorite weekend activity) so well.

I think they are finally getting the idea that I like my nails short. Like, real short. In order to illustrate how short I like them, I say that I don't want to see any nail if I am looking at the back of my hand. That is understood, by any nail technician anywhere, without a doubt.

La Dolce Vita: 2011 Trip to Italia

This post might be a little overdue, but I gots thangs going on! MV, Sissy, and I recently returned from our latest trip to Rome, where we had the most fabulous time. Although things got off to a rocky start (I locked myself in a bathroom at Fiumicino Airport and then almost passed out at baggage claim), we were able to rally right away to enjoy the rest of our vacation.

This was to be a slightly different trip than we had ever experienced. We actually stayed at a friend's apartment in Monteverde which is a little outside of Centro Storico. The name of the game was to save money where we could (e.g., accommodations and travel) and splurge on the things that were important, mainly, FOOD. And we did just that. On travel days, I opt out of food and drink all together. I find it better not to test the limits of my body because lord knows, it just not the time. So by about 1pm Rome time, I had about almost a full 24 hours with no food. We went to Trastevere first and I put the most delicious pizza in my mouth. I can't be sure what was on it exactly because I literally stuffed it into my mouth without properly appreciating it, but it was hella-good. Like, life changing good. Or maybe that was just my belly talking.

The trip was a bit of a blur (especially remembering it 2 weeks later) because we packed so much stuff in, but we still did the things that we wanted to and they really revolved around restaurants. Whether it was fiore di zucca and penne alla carbonara in Campo di Fiore, or spaghetti alle vongole and roasted lamb at Trattoria da Luigi, the Volpe gals did not go hungry. We started every morning/afternoon at Al Forno where we had pizza that would consistently make me cry, and ended every day at Giolitti, where I tried to add as many flavors of gelato on a cone as humanly possible. When they asked if I wanted it 'con panna' the obvious answer was yes, but what I really wanted to say was, let me back there and I will bathe in that fresh cream ... smear it all over myself and save it for later. I can't imagine I was the only one to feel this way.

In between all the eating, we even made time for a short trip to Siena, where we had a private tour lady take us all over the city. For one night we splurged on a hotel room. It had a giant whirpool tub and I took a bath for the first time in about 10 years. It was glorious (both the jets and the city), although I have a mental picture burned into my brain of Sissy in the tub with bubbles strategically positioned over her lady parts. Apparently she was 'having trouble washing her hair,' but I think she just wanted to see what my reaction would be to this bizarre request. (For those that are wondering, me washing my older sister's hair was equal parts horror and sick love.)

We met up with friends, and made some new ones, watched endless amounts of Sex and the City, had a shower that was possessed by the devil, and were completely shut off from the real world. A Jo Bro and the girl from Twilight broke up!!! Can you even believe it?!?

It was such a great trip and I am already looking forward to our next one. MV has gotten it in her head that she wants to buy a little apartment in Rome. I am totally pushing her in this direction because I envision myself heading there for a long weekend, or week, or a month, or running away for good and setting up shop. I feel Italy, and Rome in particular, in my bones. It's a place that is so special to me. I almost defy people to say they don't like it. And if they do, then they are clearly not people that I want to know.

Week of March 27: Essie, Tomboy No More

I don't know if today's weather has me channeling spring, but I feel my winter blues fading away. Baseball season has started and that reminds me of beers and sunshine. With that as my mindset, I opted out of the dark color this week and went with Essie's Tomboy No More. I don't typically go for red, but this was calling my name. It's just so darn ladylike and sweet. Long red nails are a little too vampy for me, so I made sure I had her cut them short.

I am actually excited about going to work this week - only for the sheer reason that I can't wait to see these nails tapping along on my keyboard. Actually, excitement might be an overstatement, but at any rate, I lam looking forward to incorporating some brighter colors into my repertoire this season.