New Years Eve 2011

I had big plans for New Years Eve this year- going to see New Years Eve (the movie) in the theater but no I am sick in bed with a cold and a neck ache. Best luck ever- you betcha!

So It's New Years Eve and I thought I should reflect on one of the best years of my life. (this is probably going to be VERY LONG, my apologizes)

JANUARY

• I turned 23
• I had 2 interviews for internships
• I ended my internship at the legislative office which was wonderful
• I got an internship at the Surrogate's Court

FEBRUARY

• Started my internship at the Surrogate's Court

MARCH

• St. Patrick's Day fiasco lives on

APRIL

• Dad retired from the Fire department- 33 years!
• Bought a bed

MAY

• Went to a fundrasier for a local firefighter who was badly burned 
• Got my iPhone
• Graduated College ( distinugished honors!!)
• Disney World
• Kick off to Summer Celebration at the beach
• Memorial Day Parade- Honoring those who gave it all for our country

JUNE

• Networking with Emily at Bamboo 52, St. Marks Hotel and Bar None (Hi Jack the Red Sox Fan from Boston!)
• Michael Buble Concert in Atlantic City
• Living Gluten Free became my life. literally.

JULY

• 4th of July on the Beach
• NKOTBSB concert in Atlantic City
• Beach days

AUGUST

• Mommy and Daddy's 30th Wedding Anniversary
• Exciting news from the Surrogate's Court
• Hurricane Irene (sitting in Home Depot for 5 hours)

SEPTEMBER

• Even more exciting news from the Surrogate's Court
• 10 year anniversary of September 11
• Mommy's Birthday
• Last day at Victoria's Secret

OCTOBER

• Dad's Birthday
• Started my (big girl) job at the Surrogate's Court

NOVEMBER

• Got my name plate
• National Adoption Day went Wonderful
• Got the hang of the office (and how to dismantle paperwork that had exihbits up to EEE)

 DECEMBER

• Happy Birthday Frank Sinatra Celebration
• Christmastime in the Office
• Christmas Day at home
• got the best christmas gift EVER

WOW! what a crazy year 2011 was.

Here is to another wonderful year filled with laughter, surprises, family, friends and joy.

xoxox Elle

Best Present EVER

Merry Christmas everyone. I hope everyone got what they wanted. I wanted to share this one photo.
My Favorite gift this year- yup 3 old keys with a ribbon tying them together.
My parents gave this to me as my very last gift. along with it came a note- on parchment paper and it read:

Dear Gabrielle,
We want to first tell you how proud we are of you. We are proud of the person you have grown into. We are also so proud how level headed you are as a young adult. You have set goals for yourself and applied yourself and achieved those goals. We are also very aware you have a dream which you have shared with us. The dream to someday own your own home . We want to help you achieve this dream.
Enclosed are three keys. These keys are actually keys from the turn of the centry. Dad searched high and low for these keys. He lovingly sprayed them for you so they shine as bright as your personailty.
The first key is the key to our heart. You have our unconditional love and support and always will. The second key is the key to unlock your future. You have so many opportunities waiting for you- don’t let a great opportunity pass you by. The third key represents the key (someday you will actually hold in your hand)…. they key to your FIRST HOME. We want to start your HOUSE FUND with a contribution from us to you…. WITH LOVE!
Love,
Mom & Dad
ps. We read somewhere you are more likely to achieve your dreams and goals if you actually visualize them… we thought these keys and your HOUSE FUND should help you do just that! XXOO

I was so touched and taken aback by this gift. My parents are so amazing and this was so amazing.
THANK YOU MOM AND DAD!

All I want for Christmas is...

So I just got back from lunch and I see an older man walk by with a younger woman. As he walks by he takes one look at me and says the following:
Man: I want you under my christmas tree this year
Woman: dad you don't have a tree
Man: I will get one just for her

I have the most Uncontrollable giggle fit. Well I'm glad my demographic didn't change.

Merry Christmas y'all!
Elle

Heaven looks a lot like NEW JERSEY

From the JSHN Facebook

This is one of the many reasons why I love NEW JERSEY. JON BON JOVI

International

Switzerland, Ireland, France. Gosh my voice has traveled more places than I have!

Bonjour belle

Nothing beats talking to someone from Paris and being called mademoiselle over and over. That can make a girl very happy on a very rainy day.

Not a normal monday

Today was so unexpected funny. I forgot my lunch. I parked in the garage expecting to be able to walk the overpass to get into the justice complex WRONG! I was greeted by 3 very quizzative guards. The questions included but not limited to : " how are you today?" " you work here?" "where?" "why are you over here?" " open you jacket please?" "what is your name?" yes I played 20 questions in about a minute. We received a ton of mail today. One Christmas card was from a very nice house which happens to be white. Yup, that's right we got a Christmas card from the POTUS and family plus the dog. It was precious.

That was about the extent of the day- other than more crazy questions.

Your station is so happy and cheerful!
One of the best!- a note from the cleaning lady.
-Elle

I'm going to be a little weepy

Today was interesting. Our computers were down for a bit and it was slow which I was happy about. I received a few phone calls that were very sad which in turn made me very sad.
1. A mother whose first words to me were "I'm sorry I'm going to be a little weepy" which I didn't understand at first but then she started to tell me that her son was killed in Afghanistan last month. I believe I remember seeing the procession on the local news station. He was 19 or so.
2. A mother called saying over the summer her 9 year old daughter drowned in a pool. I believe this was on the news as well bc she drowned in a local hotel pool
3. A young woman came in about 27-30 with a very curious young boy; the look on her face told the whole story. The look of sadness that filled her face was deafening. She tried to speak and as she spoke her voice trembled and she tried so hard to be strong for her and her son. She sat down and she tried so hard to not cry. She must have really loved him.
One of the highlights of the day was this olde man came in pretty early this morning asking if his paperwork was ready. Unfortunetly it wasn't because our computers were down. He was going back to michigan tomorrow and he wanted to settle some affairs before then. So I told him that we can mail him the paperwork so he could go home as planned. I suggested he could call back a little later to see if it was ready. Later that day, the older man called back and he paperwork was ready. He came in and I handed him his paperwork and he was amazed. He looked at the envelope and then at me. He finally said "I bet you had something to do with this being ready. " I just smiled and said have a good holiday. He walked away smiling whig was a nice surprise for me after all of the sadness.

I came home to stress and thinking to. Myself- wondering why do we bother with love if it doesn't last? My parents marriage is hanging on by threads. All my relationships have ended up in sadness. I posed this question to a friend: "Do you think everyone has someone out there? Do you believe that there is an invisible red string that connects 2 people together? "
His response : "I'll be honest with you. I think there is someone for everyone. I think there are a few people for someone, that if things go wrong you can still find someone and be happy. I also believe that some people, no matter how happy they are with another person, some people are destined to live their lives without someone by their side. It's fate and chance and love and it's all a big mess."
I was intrigued by his answer because I sometimes think I can live my life without anyone. I like being by myself. I am more comfortable alone. I am not a showy person and I am quiet.


Life is funny.
-Elle

Monday Monday Monday

It's Monday. I have my new Zara dress on. It's sunny and beautiful out. I am loving this week already. More later

Flashback

So I was sitting at my computer, reading my quote book, and I had this flashback.
Spring 2008 West Virginia Spring Break nighttime. I was doing a habitat for humanity type of spring break project and we were staying at this church- it wasn't small but it wasn't very large. I felt very comfortable here from the moment we stepped in. Now I was never a big fan of church and I always felt weird being inside of one. This one I didn't feel weird I felt at ease. At night after we talked or have an activity we would have some free time. I really didn't have a friend there with me. I was a little bit of a loner and I knew everyone on the trip very well but I kept to myself and at night I found myself coloring (daddy bought me a curious George coloring book and new crayons before the trip), having a snack or (this even surprised me) sitting in the mini chapel that was inside of the church by myself with george ( Leah I think was my secret buddy and she found me my own curious George) just thinking sometimes writing nonsense in my journal. For me it was so peaceful- I sat there some nights wishing I would become close to some people there; other nights I would think about my grandmother, pray that my father was okay at work and pray my mommy was feeling okay. One night I think it was one of the last nights- I was sitting in one of the last pews and Andrew, a boy who was on the trip, a senior, who happened to be very religious. I guess he was making sure everything was locked up and he noticed the mini chapel lights were on. He was surprised to see me, of all the people on the trip, sitting by myself in the chapel at night. He sat in the pew behind me, a little stunned that i was there. He asked if I was okay and we made some small talk. After a bit, he left, leaving me sitting there just as peaceful as I was. We never spoke about him seeing me in there or why I was in there. After a bit, george and I left, shut the lights and went to bed. I never talked about this with anyone but for some reason it popped into my head. The trip itself was wonderful but that was one of the pivotal moments in that trip.

Also one of the nights sitting in the chapel one night, I found a pencil, one of those silly golf pencils. It was red, and it had a saying on it- Prayer Changes Things. I kept that pencil and I still have it.

Prayer changes things, Yo!
-Elle

Thankful, Grateful and Awe

Thanksgiving this year was by far my favorite. It was just my parents and I relaxing all day; my mom and I cooking the mashed potatoes, homemade (gluten free stuffing) and the pork lion ( we have turkey all the time so its really not that special for us). We ate when we got done cooking and we didnt rush to finish nor did we do anything we didnt want to do. With our white cranberry cosmo (mom), Red Wine (dad) and Mikes lite hard lemonade (me) we toasted (salute) to our wonderful life and our gave thanks for everything we had.

The past 5 years or so I have not really enjoyed Christmas but this holiday season I am in LOVE with everything besides decorating a Christmas Tree. I am listening to Christmas music and really enjoying it. I think because I am not working in retail anymore and I can finally enjoy my holidays without being aggravated with the crazy holiday shoppers. My shopping was/is done online and it's mostly done! I think this career was a good choice for me.

to conclude:
being thankful and grateful once a year isnt enough for me- I am thankful each and everyday for my life, my job, my family and the people who I surround myself with. Happy Thanksgiving!


-elle

5 years ago...

I was dating this boy and he had me totally smitten. He held doors open for me, picked me up at my house (in this white car), always paid (even when I offered to pay), watched Disney movies and silly cartoon with me...you can see where I'm going- he was the perfect guy in a Taylor Swift song. When we came home for thanksgiving- we lived in the same town we went to see happy feet. It was a sweet movie but since we decided to go to a late showing, we assumed (you know what happens when you assume) it would be empty. Well we were SOOO wrong An eight year old little girl decided to have a birthday party at the movies and decided to stay up late and watch yup you guessed it- happy feet. It was precious and we laughed about it afterwards. It was a perfect date.
Unfortunatly it didn't work out and years went by and he admitted to me that he had made a mistake hurting me and it has eaten away at him for the past four years. Sweet right?! Well , not really because he graduated and moved outta state. Sounds like another Taylor Swift song right?
We still keep in contact, wishing each other happy birthday but that's it.

SO the whole point of this post was that Happy Feet 2 came out or is coming out this weekend and I got a fit of giggles when I realized that
1. It's been 5 years since we dated
2. Happy feet 2 is out
3. How much I want to call him and see if he wants to go see happy feet 2 this weekend for old times sake.

I will not be doing #3 but it would be nice.

God I feel old. 5 years is a long time.

A whole new world for you and me.
-Elle

I spy

I saw a lot of unique things today. Prisoners outside my window; people in a store I never seen open; I saw other funny things that I just cannot remember now :/
I have the hiccups right now- I do not like it.

So goodnight moon,
And goodnight you,
When you're all that I think about.
-Elle

Disappointed.

Boys have broken my heart in the past. I get it- boy breaks my heart, I mope around, I eat junk food for a week or so, I'm find. But when boys say hurtful and mean words that essentially make me cry- I break. And boys have broken me in the past. This boy said some of the most hurtful things- saying that I don't have my life together because I am not comfortable with driving somewhere at night by myself. Then he went on to compare me to his ex girlfriend who is in med school becoming a doctor- she has her life together and I don't.
I am me that is only who I can be. I know you might look down on me because I don't have clients all over the world And I have a job that pays good (in my opinion), I have an AAS degree which I'm very proud of and yes I did live on a college campus- for 3 years.
You have not only embarrassed your self by what you said but you have lost my respect. And to think I thought you were a good guy.
But I'm not a vindictive person- I am not going to smear you name all over the Internet; I'm not going to talk badly about you to my friends; I am a good girl who will hold her head high and bounce back from this hiccup in my life because that is what I do- I always bounce back and I'm always stronger than I was. THANK YOU for showing me that you are NOT the man of my dreams. The man of my dreams is out there somewhere and I won't lose hope even in my darkest days.

-Elle

Smiles, wishes granted and teddy bears

This week was filled with an array of emotions. Monday I felt frazzled and a little overwhelmed. Tuesday I felt a little less overwhelmed. Wednesday I felt calm and relaxed. Thursday I was nervous and upset. Friday excited nervous and relaxed.

That is eight yes 8 different emotions. In one week. It was beyond crazy and I am so proud because of what I accomplished.

Today is National Adoption Day. I was super prepared and only a little hiccup happened which wasn't really something bad but some unsureness. All the children were Adopted and there were tears (of happiness) laughter, joy, relief and happiness. It was a wonderful day to be part of.

Keep your head up.
-Elle.

It's finally here- national adoption day!!!! Eek. I'm excited but a little nervous but hopeful at the same time. Update later xoxo

Snails, turtles, paint dry

Today is slow (the name that should not be spoken) EXTREMELY slow. All the mail is done, no one is coming in, the phone calls are sporadic and it's quiet as a mouse in here. BUT I'm not complaining one bit!

The sunset was so beautiful last night on my drive home. It started out as pastel pinks and yellows then it transitioned into brilliant bright yellow, orange, hot pink then into deep oranges, reds, and deep purples. It was wonderful to such a brilliant show on my way home from work. It was quite a crazy day but that made my day a little better.
What made my day even better? Mommy made chicken Parmesan with zucchini in these fun little tin foil packets. It made me smile.

The boy texted me this random text:

8 to 9...9 to 10 we are meeting for the first time we might never meet again you and me we are meeting for the first time can't you see 7 6 5 4 3

I had no idea what he was talking about. We have been trying to meet and it totally confused me.then it hit me its a coldplay song. Typical.

I slept like a baby again. I had a weird dream that included skiing in Montana and a mutual friends son. Weird.

It's almost lunchtime! Maybe a stroll over to the library will wake me up.

Wake me up before you go-go
Wake me up before you go-go
-Elle

Its beginning to look a lot like.... FALL

This weekend was relaxing and non productive.

I got to speak to the boy this weekend which was nice because it was more than just 5 minutes.  Our mutual friend, might be right about him. BUT im not counting my chickens or jumping the gun or anything like that but I am hopeful about the future.

I have a full week this week unlike last week- where I had 2 days off. BUT the most exciting part of this week is NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY on friday. Technically it on Saturday but we dont work on Saturday so its on Friday for us. I am very proud to be part of this- which me only having 72 hours to learn EVERYTHING there is about adoption for someone who has been doing it 23 years?! Its pretty impressive in my book. It was a lot of work and I still ahve a lot to do this week. But I can do it!

Tuesday is going to be 5 months gluten free!!! I have been feeling a whole lot better than May. I have my mother to thank for that!

Well, off to prepare for another crazy week.

You need to have a little faith, not everyone you love is going to leave you.

-elle

Lucky ducky

Hi all the anonymous people out that visit my blog. I don't know you but you get to know a little about me and my crazy life.

Today is Veterans day. I tear up every time I read about a veterans coming home, a photo of a veteran etc. I am so proud of our troops and what they do. Risking their lives for our freedom I am old enough to know friends who are veterans.

I got the red, white and blue flying high.

I am proud to be an American today, tomorrow and forever.
-Elle

11.11.11

It's official. My 3 day weekend starts as of 11 minutes ago.

It's 11/11/11. The luckiest day of the decade. It's a popular wedding day too.

I want to pose a question to you: what are you wishing for today?

I asked a good friend the same question before and he answers "inner peace". He poses the question back to me and I was stumped. I answered "creativeness". But honestly I don't know what I would really wish for. Of course I would love to be a millionaire or have a house of my own or a range river or I could go on forever. I have every thing I need right now. Family, health, shelter, employment- I'm pretty content. Life is good for me right now- I feel very blessed.

Life makes love look hard.
-Elle.