Mike's Coming Home!!!

Finally, after two grueling months of non-stop work, Mike my hubby is coming home. As most of you know, Mike's job requires an extensive amount of travel and he's been on trial in Pensacola, Florida since January 27th. Geez...it seems like an eternity since we've had dinner together at our dining table in our apartment! It's nuts!

Although this time apart has been really difficult, I think that it has also brought us closer in many ways. We both now realize how important spending time together is. Not only spending time together, but the importance of being able to hug each other, which I think we take for granted. We've also had to learn to provide support to each other in ways that we never had to before. It's not as easy to provide support and show someone that you care and that you're thinking about them when you haven't seen their face in over 60 days!

Mike recently told me that he's actually learned a lot about himself in these few months in terms of career versus family. We are both extremely career oriented individuals and we both want what's best for each other with regard to career goals, but at the same time, we both want to spend time together and have a family and a life.

Obviously in life there must be balance between work and play, and between career goals and family. What makes me really happy is that I think Mike and I now understand that we can both have great careers and also have a life full of priceless moments spent together as a family, and I can't imagine anything better than that.

In love with a Vampire?

I got home today from helping our good friends Matt and Josh move yet once again, and the movie Twilight was on so I decided to watch it for the second time. Then, feeling in the mood to see a little more of Edward Cullen I decided to watch New Moon for a second time.

You see, when I was reading the Twilight series, I thought something was wrong with me. Why was I obsessed with Edward Cullen? Why could I not put these freakin books down? Turning page after page to hear Edward utter the words "I love you" to Bella. P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C.

I remember telling my co-workers that I had a date with my vampire boyfriend before running home after work to continue reading my vampire saga. Mike thought I was acting like a teeny-bopper idiot. I also think he was a little bit jealous, which was hysterical. I even asked him to take me to Forks since he's originally from Washington. I thought it was so cool that I could someday actually visit La Push (where Jacob is from)...

Anyway, after watching both movies for a second time today, I realized that the reason we all love Edward Cullen is because he symbolizes the perfect man, um vampire, you know what I mean...the perfect love story. His love for Bella is so torchered, romantic, painful, lustful, sincere, and magical. It's the kind of love that every girl dreams about. And the best part is that he's immortal, and he's HOT!

So I will have to wait until June to see Edward again in Eclipse, the third installment of the Twilight series, but for now I will continue to fantasize about my vampire boyfriend and live happily with my husband Mike, who by the way, is the human equivalent...how lucky am I?

Best Shopping Experience Ever!

Over the weekend in NYC I had the best shopping experience of my life. My good friend Tema who I work with in DC, but who lives in NYC, told me about this store called Malawi in Queens. At first I was shocked that Tema, who lives in the Upper West Side a stones throw away from Zabars and H&H Bagels, would ever venture into Queens to shop. But now I understand why.

Malawi is a store where dreams come true. They carry awesome brands like Hero Crane, Three Dots, Splendid, AG Jeans, LaRok, and Vince. And really, thats just naming a few. So I bet you're thinking, so what? Well the magic begins when they start pulling clothes off the racks and off the shelves for you to try on. Essentially you become a model for them.

While my mom and I were there I must have tried on at least 50 pieces. Ranging from fancy sequined tops, to buttery black leather bomber jackets, to the most amazing dresses, to deggings (denim leggings, aka jeggings), to casual wear, belts, boots, necklaces, scarves...the list goes on and on. The coolest part about it, is that they teach you how to style yourself and how to layer pieces in the right way so you look put together and like it was effortless.

The women are so friendly and so excited to dress you. The best part is that there's no pressure to buy and they totally understand if you say, I just can't afford that right now. Trust me though, if I was a rich girl I would have walked out with every single item of clothing they had me in!! I'm still dreaming of these two dresses, and this leather jacket, as well as this amazing navy, cashmere Vince cardigan, and the most luscious cobalt blue sequined LaRok vest...

Just fabulous period. I can't wait to go back...I'd better start saving my pennies.

Springtime in NYC

I'm heading home to NYC this weekend with little Bella Boo. We're hittin the road tomorrow afternoon and are so excited! Spring has definitely sprung here in DC, which is great, so I'm hoping that the weather is going to be just as nice a little further north.

One of the things I miss about being in NYC in the spring is the ice cream truck. When I was a kid, we all knew that nice weather was headed our way, and that the school year was almost over when we heard the Mr. Softee truck singing it's tune. I can still hear it now...

They don't have ice cream trucks here in DC (sad face).

My favorite thing to get from Mr. Softee to this day, is the chocolate dipped vanilla cone. It's a waffle cone with delicious, creamy vanilla ice cream, that is then dipped in chocolate goodness - to DIE for!!! Mr. Softee, I'm comin home!!!

What's your favorite ice cream memory?

How Annoying Are: Fitted Sheets

I have decided to start a new category on Friday's With Cilantro called "How Annoying Are." They will be similar to "Today's Gripe", and "I Endorse." Simply put, these posts will focus on things that annoy me. They could be big things, they could be small things, but I promise you they will be centered on things that annoy me and possibly annoy you too!

I begin with the fitted sheet. I mean, how annoying are fitted sheets? They are impossible to fold! I was cleaning the apartment yesterday, as I do every Sunday, and was folding the sheets that I had just taken out of the dryer, and I nearly had a coronary trying to fold that damned fitted sheet. OMG it was infuriating! After a while, I basically said to hell with it, and rolled it up into a ball and shoved it into the closet.

I once saw Martha Stewart fold a fitted sheet into a beautiful flat square. She made it look soo easy! Simply take the corners and put them together and fold in half, and then again. Well, obviously I am not Martha Stewart because I cannot for the life of me fold the fitted sheet into a neat little square.

I also hate how the fitted sheet shrinks a little each time you wash it so that it pops off one corner when you're trying to pull it over the next corner....so annoying!! And I never know which end is up, so I inevitably spend FOREVER trying to get the stupid thing to stay on the bed.

I hate you fitted sheets!!!

Well then, I hope you've enjoyed this edition of "How Annoying Are." Tune in again soon, as I'm sure to be annoyed by something else in the near future.

Spring Fever!

Here it is. I feel it coming on! Spring FEVER!!! The past two days here in DC have been lovely. In the 60's, bright blue sky, sun shining down, and smiley people everywhere. It makes sense. This winter has been terrible. Snow storm, after snow storm, people without power, school closures, the whole nine yards. Ugh. Now that it's March and the sun is out and the temperature is on the rise, people are happy and smiling, and want to be outside. Everyone is in a better mood.

I am definitely one of those people. I'm sick of my puffy black coat. I'm sick of my snow boots. I'm ready for light sweaters, bright colored cardigans, flouncy skirts, cotton dresses, and sandals! I'm also ready for a tan. I am so pale, it's frightening.

I love layering in the spring. Skinny jeans or leggings, or, if I muster up the courage, jeggings (don't judge me) with long striped tops and either a light sweater, cardi, or jacket. If I get hot, I take the sweater off, if I'm a bit chilly I add a light scarf....it's perfect!

Anyway, I hope that wherever you are, you are enjoying the glorious sunshine and getting excited for spring! Hooray!

Alex Trebek is an Asshole!

Okay, I'll keep this short and sweet. Mike and I watch Jeopardy whenever we're home in time to watch it, and every time it's on, I am reminded of how much I hate the host Alex Trebek. He's such an asshole! He acts like he knows all the answers, when really he just knows them because they're right in front of him.

He also acts like he speaks every language known to man. I hate how he pronounces French or Spanish words with a flair or how he rolls his rrrrr's. I'd love to punch him in the face when he does that. He's also really snotty when a person doesn't decide to make it a "real" daily double. He'll say something, like "oh only $500, okay." What a jerk!

It also really annoys me when he tells a contestant that they're wrong in a condescending way like, "oh no, the Gobi desert is in Asia, you were in the completely wrong continent..."

Anyway, the point is that the man is a snotty, know-it-all jerk and I loathe him. Apparently I'm not the only one that feels this way...

For more hating on Alex click here.

Bella my Angel

I don't know what I would do without my Bella Boo. For those of you who don't know who Bella is, she is our wonderful miniature dachshund who is now 4 years old! My how time flies. We got Bella as a puppy when she was just 8 weeks old and she is so much a part of our family now. Everyday I tell her how much I love her, and she does the same by giving me kisses and being soo excited to see me when I get home.

Since Mike has been away on his trial, Bella has really stepped up and kept me company. She makes me feel better when I'm sad, or feeling lonely. I've been sick all weekend, and she's been patient with me and has made me feel better by cuddling with me and watching movies. She also hasn't said anything about the way that I look (which hasn't been good).

Bella is the sweetest pup you'll ever meet. She loves everyone once she gets to know them, and she's so happy when everyone is together having fun. And even though she misses her daddy, she knows he'll be home soon and stays strong for mommy's sake.

So this post is a tribute to Bella. I love her so much and am so thankful to have her in my life. She really is my best friend.

It's Go Time!

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is Michael Watling and I represent the United States of America.