PERSONAL NEWS #278

April 2^nd, woke up to another mini snowstorm in northern Brooklyn.  Were for art thou oh Spring?  After 9 months at my job, I received a favorable review from my boss, and a nice raise in salary.

April 5^th, after work, I attended the monthly productive BFP Fundraising committee meeting.

April 6^th, after work, my yoga instructor stopped by with his work ladder for me to utilize while I paint my bedroom over the weekend.

April 7^th, after my much needed massage therapy appt, my yoga instructor stopped by apt to help move furniture out of bedroom, so I could prep/paint it.  Also went to the cleaners and grocery shopping.  Finished painting the bedroom a nice shade of baby blue around midnight.  After cleaning up, I went to bed at 1:30am.

April 8^th, after attending the SGI Buddhist district chanting/studying session, I did laundry, more cleaning up of apt, and my yoga instructor helped me put the furniture back.  Got much accomplished over the weekend, but it was exhausting work.

April 9^th, after work, I got a much-needed manicure in my hood.

April 10^th, after work, I headed uptown to the theater district area, to purchase tickets for me and two friends to see LOBBY HERO starring Chris Evans.

April 11^th, I attended the all-day Fred Pryor seminar for training in being an exceptional assistant.  Afterwards, I headed downtown to the office to catch up on work.

April 12^th, after work, I had a physical therapy session for my foot/ankle.

April 14^th, after my housekeeper took care of my apt; I went to my massage therapy appt.  Later I joined friends and acquaintances at Franklin820 bar / restaurant for a fun meetup. Afterwards, we headed over to Blue Marble ice cream parlor on Underhill Road before the weather got chilly. It was great hanging out with Nancy, Margaret, Irvin, Diana, Jonathan and others.

April 15^th, after purchasing a new mattress at a place in my hood, I headed to The Jungle Café for a late delicious lunch.  Then I did abit of shopping across the street at The Thing, which is a thrift shop.  Purchased two books and a DVD for $8.

April 16^th, after work, I rushed home to accept the delivery of my new firm mattress I had purchased over the weekend at a good sale price.

April 17^th, after work, I head up to the SGI culture center on 15^th Street to participate in the evening gongyo.

April 19^th, after work, I had a physical therapy session for my foot/ankle.

April 21^st, I volunteered with Brooklyn for Peace [ie: tabling] outside of a Foodtown store in the Prospect Heights hood from 11am to 1pm.  Gorgeous sunny spring day and great doing peace/political activism.  Afterwards, I strolled over to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens for 2 hours, and it was lovely.  Before heading home, I purchased some books on decorating from a vendor outside of the Brooklyn Museum and called a friend.

April 22^nd, enjoyed another lovely, sunny spring day and walked around different parts of my hood.  Stopped for a delicious late lunch at The Jungle Café before heading home.

April 25^th, today is Administrative Assistant Day, and I received a “thank you” balloon, flowers and small giftie from my boss.  Lovely surprise J   After work, I had a dental appt for a cleaning.  Then I headed to The Commons on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn to view the HBO documentary called “Mann vs. Ford”.  It was an interesting and informative film, followed by a Q&A.

April 27^th, after work, I went to see “Avengers – Infinity War” at the cinema. Wow, it was filled with action, humor, sadness and last 20 minutes were numbing.

April 28^th, after taking care of assorted errands / chores I got a much-needed manicure.

April 29^th, I joined some friends at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens for the annual Sakura Matsuri festival.  Enjoyable!  Gardens were lovely!  And always fun chillin with good friends.

 Sakura Matsuri Event

Brooklyn Botanical Garden

April 29th

 Spring has Arrived to NYC

Weekend of April 21st

Wednesday, April 25th

Administrative Assistants Day

Lovely Flowers from my Boss

 Northern Brooklyn

Morning of April 2nd

Were for art thou oh Spring?!?

PERSONAL NEWS #277

March 1^st, after work, went up to Port Authority to change my bus ticket from tomorrow to next week.  Then home to jump on the monthly BFP Fundraising conference call.

March 2^nd, took a sick day from work, as my lung situation was acting up, and the weather was nasty outside with a Nor’easter.

March 3^rd, after my private yoga class at my apt with Fabrice, I took care of many errands/chores

March 4^th, I saw the Broadway play Lobby Hero with a friend this afternoon [Thx for the ticket and enjoyed lunch at Cara Mia!] at the Helen Hayes Theater. It was an interesting play. Chris Evans is making his Broadway debut and did nicely in the role. [Photo below] The play is still in previews with “opening night” on March 26.  I recommend seeing it.

March 5^th, after work, I had a physical therapy session for my foot/ankle.

March 7^th, we had a “snow day” from work due to the inclement weather.

March 9^th to 12^th, urgent visit to upstate NY for my parents.  Mom was in the hospital and required a pacemaker implant.  Dad is still in rehab and his progress is slow.  Did many errands / chores while visiting them every day for hours at the hospital / rehab.  Weather was on and off light snow flurries.

March 14^th, after work, I had an appt with my Internal Medicine doctor as a follow-up.

March 15^th, during my lunch break I had an appt with my foot doctor.

March 16^th, after work, I did volunteer computer work at the WCW office.

March 17^th, after my cleaning lady took care of my apt; I took care of numerous chores and errands.

March 18th, after a much-needed manicure, I headed into the city for dinner with a friend.  Before meeting my friend for dinner, I stopped by B&N to pick up two DVDs and some books.

March 19^th, after work, I had an appt with my lung specialist and will be on new meds.

March 21^st, we had a “snow day” from work due to the inclement weather.  This was Nor’easter #4 and it dumped about 8 inches of snow on northern Brooklyn.  Watched some DVDs while chillin at home … “Thor – Ragnarok” and “Loving Vincent”.  Both were excellent films and the latter about my favorite painter, Vincent van Gogh.

March 22^nd, after work, I joined up with some HP friends at Salvation Tacos on East 39^th Street for dinner, plus catching up news and gossip.  It was a fun evening and got home abit late.

March 23^rd, at the office, we had a terrific visit from the secretary I replaced last year. Marianne visited from FL with her two daughters and it was great seeing them.

March 25^th, I attended Tolkien Reading Day at Simple Studios and afterwards a group of us went to SongKran for a tasty Thai meal.  I read one of my fav poems [below] from The Two Towers at the gathering.

Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing?
Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing?
Where is the hand on the harp string, and the red fire glowing?
Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing?
They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow;
The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow.
Who shall gather the smoke of the dead wood burning,
Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning?

March 28^th, after work, I had a dental appt for prep work on two partials, plus letting me know I will need work done for three cavities.  From there I headed to the productive and interesting monthly BFP PEJ committee meeting at The Commons.

March 29^th, I had lunch with a friend to catch up on gossip, and after work, I had a physical therapy session for my ankle/foot.

March 30^th to April 1^st … visited the parents in upstate NY over the Easter weekend.  Did many errands and chores for them, plus took them out for breakfast at their favorite place.  I also got a much needed hair treatment at the salon.