My One & Only True Love

New York City.

These three little words send shivers up and down my spine.

The place I would move in a heartbeat if given the opportunity.

The place I have dreamed about immersing myself in for as long as I can remember.

The place where I will live one day, no matter what it takes.

My dream finally came true in 2007 when I made my way there when working for a luxury brand hotel company. Arriving at the airport, to the most exciting taxi ride of my life. The skyline took my breath away. The room nights were free, an incredible perk which totalled just over $3500 US. When I arrived, after the doorman opened the doors and welcomed me (by name) to the Four Seasons New York. I was notified there was a package waiting for me in my room. Once inside, a Tiffany blue box wrapped in white satin ribbon with a giftcard to thank me for all the hard work I had done. Tears of joy rolled down my cheeks, feeling incredibly touched and so special, this first time in NYC.

About thirty minutes after I had arrived, the doorbell rang and chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling water arrived with a card, letting me know to enjoy my time while I was there. Not only was I working for my dream company in my dream job, at that moment, I was experiencing the best first trip to NYC I think anyone could ever imagine.

I had high expectations, and they were exceeded. I always knew I loved New York from afar...tv shows, movies, print ads, music videos - to me it was / is the centre of the world. On that 2007 trip, I did many touristy things, had breakfast served to me in bed, went down to the steam room and whirlpool every morning, brunched at my favourite place and certainly enjoyed every moment I was there. So much to see and do, there was no chance to see everything. It would be impossible for anyone to try. That is only one of the many reasons why I love it so much.

I love New York City so much, that I am jealous of the squirrels in Central Park. Yes, weird, but oh so true. They get to live there. They get to live in the city that never sleeps. Pigeons have it good there too. I wonder if Duke, Meryl and the kids would follow me there.....mmmmm.

With my love for fall, I have never been there during this magical time, nor at Christmas. I have only visited in the summer months, and this past January - where it was so so so cold, I couldn't feel warmth no matter what and how I tried. I was there in April for a birthday celebration where I had the most fantastic time with some fabulous ladies....but again, New York needs me. To be honest, I need New York, now more than ever. I think The Big Apple will be very happy with the progress I have made and I need to represent. This is why I have decided to book another trip, the third one this year. I plan to enjoy every minute of it, yet again.

I will pack my bags and head down in December so I can see the gigantic Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Centre, the decorations throughout the city, sip on Starbucks Hot Chocolate while shopping for my friends and family for Christmas before going ice skating at Wollman Rink and again, Rockefeller Centre. Just thinking about this, brings tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart. I need to personally wish NYC a very Merry Christmas, so timing is perfect.

Saks Fifth Avenue, Top of the Rock, Tao for dinner (best dinner of my life), Pastis for brunch and my first stop, Tiffany & Co. at 727 Fifth Avenue - my very own tradition now. Rat on a stick is a possibility, but not probable. Can I say Fanta? I found out about a fabulous deal, so I will book my flight tomorrow and countdown the days until I meet again with my one & only true love, New York.

Zumba! Zumba! Zumba!

On a side note, you know, the whole reason I write this blog.....I have been eating healthy and again went for an amazing run the other night....but last night for a change, I attended a class called Zumba in Oakville. If you have never heard of Zumba, it is "an exhilarating one hour blast of body-energizing, calorie-burning, heart-racing, muscle-pumping, aw-inspiring movements that will captivate you for life". The Routines feature interval training, fast and slow rhythms and resistance training. You will love burning fat and sculpting your body while enjoying the Latin flavour and international zest that is Zumba!

I quite enjoyed this, compared to the monotony of my every other day run / walk. This was quite a good workout and a lot of fun. The class was huge, so there was a lot of energy and many different people, different ages, sexes - but all had the same intent - to have fun and get fit. I loved the class and would do it again - it started with "Let's Get Loud" from JLO which always gets me energized for a workout. It doesn't take long to follow the steps to the beat of salsa, meringue, latin, belly and bollywood dancing and work up a sweat. Two more classes and I will get the full effects - but all in all, a fabulous class for you to mix up the monotony of a workout. I had fun and will definitely do it again. A special thank you to Andrea for introducing me to Zumba, who kicked ass in the class by the way and will be my Zumba partner fo life, fo sho!
Like I told her last night, Zumba receives a 5* Starbucks Cookie rating.

Visit http://www.zumbacan.com/ for Oakville and Mississauga classes.

Exercise Today: Start my fight against Peanut Butter M&M's tonight. Fight the power like Flavour Flav.....off tonight, somehow fit a 13km walk / run tomorrow evening....

Blog Soon,
PFF