March really has been Madness!

The title of this post say it all - March has been mad crazy! (I’m so New York using this lingo)

The madness began with Patch, Set, Hit, the company volleyball team I started in the fall of 2010. Our first season was fun, but nothing compared to our second season. Every Thursday for 8 weeks about 10 of my co-workers and me put our game faces on and rocked the volleyball court. We had so much fun during the games and at the post-game bar celebrations. We not only made it to the playoffs, but based on our record, we were seeded #2 which means we got a bye the first round and headed straight to the semi-finals. Unfortunately, we fell just short of a victory, but redeemed ourselves in the next game taking the 3rd place bronze medal. In addition to medals, we won a $50 bar tab at a nearby bar so we celebrated our season with a couple of pitchers. It was a lot of fun and let’s just say, we were all a little bit sluggish the following Friday at work!

Patch Set Hit - 3rd place bronze medalists

Celebrating with free beer!

March 11 was Alex’s Birthday and to celebrate I took him to a really swanky Puerto Rican restaurant called Sazon. We had a delicious meal upstairs, complete with desert and a birthday serenade by the waiters (despite the fact that Alex told me not to tell them it was his birthday!) and then headed downstairs to the club part of Sazon. I enjoyed a few pina coladas while Alex enjoyed some Coronas and we danced the night away. Ok, so we only danced for about an hour, but it was still really fun. I’m slowly but surely getting the hang of salsa. I love the fact that Alex can dance, and actually enjoys it. I’m used to dating guys that refuse to get out on the dance floor at weddings unless they are drunk and busting some ridiculous moves. It’s the first time I have ever dated a Hispanic so I’m excited to take Alex to family functions where we listen and dance to Spanish music, he’ll fit right in! I also love that he enjoys teaching me things and for the most part, is patient with me. In addition to salsa, he is also teaching me how to play pool. A few weekends ago we had dinner and then headed to a pool hall in the Bronx where we had a few drinks and Alex taught me “how it’s done” (as he said it). I’ll be honest, I’m not all that great, but we still had fun. That’s one thing that is definitely not lacking in our relationship – fun. We honestly have so much fun together, even on the nights we don’t really do anything, we end up laughing and having a good time no matter what. Can you tell I’m totally smitten!?

Alex & me out for his birthday

The Birthday Boy enjoying his tres leches at Sazon

In true March Madness news, I enjoyed watching KU games either at home or at the Village Pourhouse, a Kansas bar in Manhattan. We started the tournament off strong, but unfortunately couldn’t pull out a win in the Elite 8. I was SO bummed when Cinderella Story VCU beat KU to make it to the Final 4. I seriously wanted to shed a tear, but I didn’t. This year’s tournament was full of upsets, which is why my hopes to win this year’s bracket challenge at work went out the window. Overall, the Jayhawks had a great season so I can’t complain; we can’t win it every year!

Even though I love March Madness and look forward to it every year, it wasn’t the highlight of my month this time around. This year, March was special because my 2 sisters and brother-in-laws came to visit me in NYC! Starting March 1 I literally counted down the days until they arrived on March 16. I spent the entire evening before their arrival cleaning my entire apartment so it could be ready, and partly because I wanted to waste the time away to make it go by faster, the anticipation was just killing me! The time finally came and they were at my door step, I couldn’t have been more thrilled. We didn’t get to bed until about 2 am and then woke up Thursday morning, St. Patrick’s Day to take a NY Waterway cruise around the harbor. This was just the first of many adventures we had during their 4-day visit. You can read all about it on my sister Andrea’s Blog (Days 1 & 2 - Days 3 & 4). What I can tell you is that it consisted of A LOT of walking, sight seeing, talking, smiling, laughing, a little bit of eating (they say I was a slave driver who walked them to death and deprived them of food, lol) and a whole lot of fun!

Here is their visit in pictures!

Visiting my office in SoHo

Stopped at the famous Ferrara's for some italian desserts

Subway smiles!

Brooklyn diner breakfast

Time Square

Central Park

Radio City Music Hall

Andrea & George at Rockefeller Center

Empire State Building

Jersey Boys on Broadway!

Sisters, Best Friends!

Kim & Michael in Hoboken, NJ, NYC in the background

Carlo's Bake Shop from Cake Boss

Stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge

Statue of Liberty

NYC Harbor Cruise

I was so sad to see them go, but considering it was 5am on Monday and I had to be at work in a few hours, I was too tired to shed any tears. I bid them farewell, but knew I’d see them for Easter in April so it wasn’t as hard as some previous goodbyes. Overall, we had a fabulous time together in NYC and I’m so thankful they took the time, money and sacrifice of leaving their kiddos behind to come visit their little sister in the big apple. I appreciate and love my sisters (and brother-in-laws) very much!

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I decided to try Nutrisystem in addition to my exercise program to help achieve my Project Get Fit goals. It has definitely been a challenge, especially considering I cheated during the weekend my sisters were in town, but overall, my first month has gone well. The month of April is going to be a bit crazy, explanation to come next post, but I plan on continuing NS for another month or two. Wish me luck!

As March concludes, so many things conclude with it. A lot of change is going to take place in the coming months and April will no doubt be a crazy and exciting time. Details to come very soon! ;-)