Making Things Fun

Let's just say that I have a 'knack' for making a joke out of anything. Give me a slice of pizza and reality TV and I'm good to go. While I have a long list of 'favorites' to keep me entertained, there is one that stands out among the masses that never seems to fail me - America's Funniest Home Videos. To some, it's just a show that fills a 6:00 pm time slot on any given channel. To me, it's hilarity. Believe me, I know what you're asking...what is it about young children learning to ride a bike that is so funny? Does it ever get old to watch people fall at weddings? I don't know, and no.

With that being said, I'd like to think that I take the same approach to life. Let's talk vacations. Everyone loves them, yet few indulge in them. If you're anything like me, It's just not practical. One minute I am riding the high of pay day, and the other I am eating ramen out of a paper cup. I say this, not for your to feel sorry for me, but to reason with you. Sure I'd take a trip to the Bahamas, but realistically, it's just not in the cards. Between gas prices, baggage charges, new trip outfits (let's be real here) and various 'extras,' a girl struggles just to visit her family! So here's my advice, make something out of nothing. For instance, this weekend in NY had few prospect. Everyone seems to be leaving town, the heat is rising and my budget is falling. So instead of just meandering around the city, aimlessly spending money in an effort to entertain myself, I have decided to take a trip...out to Jersey! Let me explain myself. It started as a joke. One of my closest friends, Ol' Rob, was asked to come to NY for work. They agreed to put him up in corporate housing (translation: free/large/clean/new/etc), if he agreed to work for them. The hitch: instead of a luxurious Manhattan pad, he was put in Weehawken. *collective 'womp womp'*

All summer I have heard the 'woes' of Jersey life. The schlepping, the transit, etc. So last weekend, I had to see for myself. In an effort to 'spice' up our Saturday night, Alyssa and I grabbed hot dogs and headed to the Garden State. The trip was two-fold, go see Robbie and pick up a few items at Target:) So we set sail, grabbed our items, met Rob at Houlihan's (the finest suburban dining around) and headed to his apartment. We walked in, and to say that we freaked out was an understatement. We are talking bay windows, incredible view of the city, brand new appliances, a second floor, and most importantly, central air! I kid you not, I did a cartwheel in the living room! I think he was surprised by our reaction, and to be honest with you, we were too. You can take the suburban kids out of suburbia, but you can't take the suburbia out of the kids!

Needless to say, our next weekend was planned. Dinner at Houlihan's, tennis at his complex, a trip to the beach, a stop by the mall and we are in heaven. While it's not the vacation destination of a lifetime, I can guarantee that there will be many laughs, a picture or two and several good memories. Who knows, maybe one day while I'm sitting on the beach in Greece, I'll think fondly on my days of cheap thrills...

Ps. Stay tuned for fun-filled photos!

*Update: Photos from the weekend*

Houlihan's. The greatest chain on earth:




Alyssa & I hyped about our cheese fries:



"Hi New York!"



Just a day at the beach: