House..It is all mine

House..It is all mine

So it has been a very long time since I have written on my blog but besides traveling this summer nothing much has been going on except I GOT A HOUSE yayayaya. So I wanted to inform you all in the way I purchased this home in-case any of you were looking to do a short sale or foreclosure in the near future. For those who do not know a short sale is when the house value of the home is less then the mortgage and this cause the seller to sell is short. This process is painfully long, mine took 11 and half months to be exact and many things can go wrong during this process that can cause you not to get the home. Some of those things are the bank cannot always accept your offer, the seller can refuse to sign the final paper and lets not forget you have to wait forever. Foreclosure are faster because the bank already has controls the property but who know the condition the house could be in and the house may have been vacant for a while or the former residence could really have done a number on the home like pulling out appliances or wiring, windows I have seen it all.
My experience was terrible with this process, but in the end I did get a great home which I love. Everything that could have gone wrong did and it did not help that my broker was playing both sides so lots of lies were spread between buyer and seller. But in the end I got the house but the time and effort to get there was painful. I truly thought even to the last day I was not going to get it maybe that is way I am so excited about it. So if any of you is thinking about doing these processes feel free to ask me about it, I have dubbed myself an expert and happy to share my experience or answer any questions.

The Raw Truth about Dating Season...

The Raw Truth Dating Season….

I know you have been waiting and finally I have had sometime to write about this years experience. I should start this by saying I am not opposed to being introduced to people and I think that Passover is a good time to meet. I have seen many people meet people this way and this is clearly my experience or what I have seen. For those who are reading this who don’t understand the concept of the way Passover works in Miami it is very simple, it is a time of year that many Jews from around the country and world come to Miami with there families to celebrate this long ass holiday. When so many Jews are together one should not be surprised that everyone has marriage on the brain. The way that you meet people is very simple every one knows some one who knows some one so that is how you are introduced. You meet in a variety of places, the hotels themselves (a few become kosher) on the boardwalk (or what I like to call Jew walk) and at some events held during the week. The week reminds me of a meat market and we are the products for sale in a way. This year I tried to go to some events to gain an idea about more what this “Dating Season” is like so I walked the Jew walk, sat at the hotel and even attended some events. I have to say I met some interesting people but the best part to watch everyone else. To me I broke people in to two categories, “fishing” and “caught”, fishing meaning they are looking and caught means they have someone. The caught people are the best, they pretend they know everything and love to give advice how to land some one, and those who know me I like to punch those people in the face. They also like to brag, and show how happy they are, please give me a sharp blade I want to end my life maybe, not so much. The fishing people just have this determined look on their eyes to meet and I think they have a good philosophy which is if you throw enough shit on the wall something is going to stick. So watching this is something out of a movie, but it in a way it is a nice to see. I am one that believes in tradition and to see my fellow members of my tribe trying to meet others in the tribe is something nice. So in the end Diane is 0 and (I am not saying my age) but this year I think by being out their more and trying to be a little bit more open minded to it I think I have learned a thing or two.

Dating Season....

Dating Season……


Ok many of you know I go on a lot of first dates (maybe not as many as others but a decent amount) this past week was Passover or what I like to call (dating season). It is the only time of year that I Diane Klein wish I live in another state, I mean who wants to be surrounded by wall to wall Jews (I get itchy thinking about it). So many people I have known have met there significant other during this holiday, I mean it makes sense, lots of young Jewish people equals lots of Jewish mothers who are trying to marry off there kids. I mean I feel like a cow up for auction with who is going to bid the highest for me. If any of you watch “Millionaire Matchmaker” Patti is nothing compared to these people they are amazing to watch. Usual I hide during this time of year but this year I have taken a different approach I am going to watch this madness as much as I can so I can reflect on it. So I hope all of you will read my blog later this week and hear the full account of the madness

Getting down with your bad self....

Getting down with your bad self…….

Recently in my life many things have changed, I am moving forward, settling down (somewhat) becoming more mature and taking on more responsibility (yayayaya). This is scaring the crap out of me; I never thought I would be able to handle all this. I was always the one who said they would never be this up tight such a workaholic and guess what I am. Sometimes I think it is important to let loose, escape, go away (I usually run away). I find myself wanting to do this more lately (maybe because I need a vacation) but I would like to escape to a time in my life when things were simpler. I think about some of the great memories of childhood (I was such a pain in the ass, ask someone who new me 15 years ago) that I have, hanging out with some of the greatest people I have known (you know who you are) and not having any drama or work or responsibility ohh the good old days. So every so often I have to “get down with my bad self” blow off some steam and maybe get in a little bit of trouble the good kind of course. But never the less I have to come back to earth, live my life, pick up where I am and join my life I have created for myself but every once in while I give myself a little break.

Sunrise....

Sunrise………..


The other day I was driving back to Miami from the west coast of Florida, (from visiting Holly from Canada yayaya Canada) and it was really early in the morning so I got to see the sunrise over the Everglades. It was amazing I have seen many sunrises from not sleeping very much and biking on the beach as much as I do all the time but it was different. There was so much fog as I got to the Everglades and you see the sun coming up slowly this hot, ball of fire and the fog burn away. It was so powerful and mighty and the fog just burnt away and a new day began. Maybe it was from sleep deprivation but it moved me tears and I just had to take some picture of it, which was completely unsafe because I was driving but I just had to and share it.

Free Bird......

Free Bird………

All of you must know the song by Lynyrd Skynyrd Free Bird. I love this song and not that I have a tattoo would love to get one though it would be the two words “free bird”. I live my life like the lyrics of the song, the part that is really how I feel most of the time is “and this bird you cannot change” I feel that is so representative of me because I feel, I cannot change not my inner self. The other free bird part at the end of the song I just think being a bird flying in the sky is just such an amazing feeling that I will never feel but aspire too.

If I leave here tomorrowWould you still remember me?For I must be traveling on, now'Cause there's too many placesI've got to seeBut, if I stayed here with you, girlThings just couldn't be the same'Cause I'm as free as a bird nowAnd this bird, you'll can not changeOh, oh, oh, oh, ohAnd the bird you cannot changeAnd this bird you cannot changeLord knows, I can?t changeBye, bye, baby it's been a sweet loveYeah, yeahThough this feeling I can't changeBut please don't take it so badly'Cause the Lord knowsI'm to blameBut, if I stayed here with you girlThings just couldn't be the same'Cause I'm as free as a bird nowAnd this bird, you'll can not changeOh, oh, oh, oh, ohAnd this bird you cannot changeAnd this bird you cannot changeLord knows, I can't changeLord help me, I can't changeLord I can't changeWon't you fly high, free bird, yeah?

Speech for Grandma

As manyof you know my grandmother was a very important part of my life. (she had so many great stories and moments that we shared) I wrote a speech for her unvailing memoral servcie this weekend and i just wanted to share it in her memory.

Grandma’s Speech



My grandmother has had a big impact in my life and even though she would not believe this if I told her she provided me with so many the important life lessons. She taught me the importance of kindness, the importance of presentation and valuing the small things.
Kindness can come in many ways and my grandmother always believed that one should take care of others before themselves. She truly enjoyed giving things away; always saying she didn’t need so much. She always made sure everyone had enough to eat or a little gift when she saw you and this always impressed me. She was never selfish and got a true charge out of giving rather then receiving.
Grandma always liked things to be neat a clean. She was particular about this and even after she passed away and I went through some of her things I could not believe the time she took to make everything nice and tidy. She never would allow you to see her unless she looked her best, ill never forget you always had to tell grandma you were stopping by other wise she would not open the door. This skill is something I have tried (sometimes not as successful as her) to keep in mind. And every day when I go to work I have the job of teaching students the best way to act or dress for career success. My grandma knew that presentation was important and the way people see you holds values.
Being a simple woman my grandmother always enjoyed the small things, I could not believe when I went through her papers recently that every card, note, and letter I sent her she saved. As we all know grandma was notorious for throwing things out but she kept all those simple things and they had so much value to her. She enjoyed a phone call or a short visit and when you bought her something she always wanted you take it back. I believe this is the most important lesson I have learned from her and from this I, too, every day, thank G-d for the small things.
I miss her very much. She was the source of so much laughter and smiles in my life. I hope she really knew which I am sure she did how much I loved her and continue to think about the wonderful, meaningful and long lasting influence she had in my life.

Taking you Somewhere

Taking you Somewhere….

I love music, I listen to almost anything from classical to heavy rock. I have been to many concerts from Andrea Bocelli to ADCD but music to me is a way to take me away with out going anywhere and remind me where I have been or where I am going. I plan theme songs for when I travel, and every morning in the trip I listed to the same song and what is great about this little thing I do is for the rest of my life whenever I hear that song it brings me back to the trip, that moment, I think you should try it. I wish I was musical but I have not been blessed to sings or the coordination to can play any instruments but I wish I could. I would love to be one of those people who goes on stage in those open mic nights a sing my song and watch the faces I impact. Music can make or break my mood or sooth a wound and I hope it does the same for you.

The art of beer....

The art of beer…..


I am writing this not to make myself seem like an alcoholic which I am not (they go to meetings lol) but I think there is an art to beer. I look for a few things that I believe make up the art of beer and it not hops, color or all that crap it is two very important things. One it s flavor some beers just taste like crap in my opinion (for me it is the ones that have flavors and that have fruit in them) the other is the beer needs to take me some where. Not like a mind altering drug but to a happy place where maybe I am sitting on a hammock listening to the ocean. You may all think I am nuts but those who truly enjoy ‘the beer” understand what I am saying. Beer has become more then a beverage for me it is life style. I plan trips around it (some of reading this may have been on one with me) it reminds me off a place that I have been a way to identify with it. For example, when I was in Prague a few years ago I saw many monuments and was in the Jewish Quarter but if someone asks me about my time there my first point of reference is the beer (Original Budweiser, Pilsner Urquel which is amazing) that is what I talk about and I can remember what I was doing the moment I had one. So for me drinking a beer has become a part of the way I remember things, the moments that make up my life.

The Life Long Dream....

The Life Long Dream……



I have been always some what of a dreamer. When I was a kid (not that I have ever grown up) I used to write down my dreams, ideas, I still do. I would plan out my life, where I would live what I would be doing etc. I would never have guessed what I am doing now and think people who know me a long time still can’t believe what I am doing. But the most interesting thing about this is that things that I said I wanted (even though I may have gotten there differently) and dreamed about many of them are coming true and maybe because I never made wishes that were out of line to some level but am impressed that at such a young age I could of planned my life out so much. I still keep on dreaming and adding more to the dreams to make them reality.

Lunch Room Tables

Lunch Room Tables-


It has not been so long ago since the days of sitting at the right lunch room table had weight. I think back to my days in high school the days where I really cared about social groups (well not really but maybe I was a little bit more aware then I am now) I recently was eating alone (which I frequently do) and I noticed even though I work in a college it still matters who people have lunch with and the same divisions of high school” nerds”, “popular”," jocks” etc. I feel that this happens because people feel the need to be around other people and feel they can not be alone they need to be always “in the know”. (what a pile of dog poo) I watch to my horror that professionals as well besides students divide themselves in to those same clicks that exist in high school and then I think of myself that I would be labeled as which would be the looser who eats a lone and reads the news paper. The truth is I love eating alone, taking time for myself during lunch. So lunch hour for me has become a time to be alone in my own thoughts instead of time to socializing is for others.

To be Young.......

To be young…………


I remember as a kid those commercials from toys r us “I don’t want to grow up I want to toys r us kid” I always thought yes that is the answer to never grow up. I believe I have done that quite well (I still have childhood incense in some things) of course we all have to take responsibility which I have and have excelled in. Don’t get me wrong I do enjoy being an adult it has it advantages but I think we are all our happiest when the simplest things make us smile. In my daily life now it consists of stress, work and worry and I think that a great new years resolution (much better then going to the gym) is remember that childhood of fun, freedom and dreams. I am making it my mission this year to do more of that wish me luck…….

traveling alone...

Many times over the years I have had people that have loved to travel with me and see the world and off-course share a pint a local pub. But sometimes I have to go at it alone, and as much as I am good at the traveling alone thing I am a very social person and it can get lonely. I usual feel the most alone when I have to travel for business then when I am traveling alone for vacation, I don't know why that is. As much as it can be very lonely it can be very freeing like when you have that cool breeze on your face and you close your eyes slightly. The more you travel alone the better you get at it and off-course the more interesting people you meet along the way, below is a true story that has happened to me on one trip alone.
I was traveling to Europe about 5 years ago and I had a stop in London(one of my favorite cities) for a few days before going on to another location. I get to my hotel check in and go to a pub for lunch. I sit at the bar and a young man sits next to me. We start chatting, he happends to be a very cool guy and I end up talking to him for a really long time. We exchange emails and say our goodbyes. We always kept in touch via email but never saw each other until recently when he had to come to Miami for business. He emailed me and asked to get together and I said sure and I brought a good friend with me and they really hit it off. From this meeting they started dating and this week I received a wedding invitation. I have many stories like this of amazing people I have met traveling alone or with another person over the years so I hope from this I encourage you to make that plane reservation and get out of here.

my secret power

I believe everyone has a gift, some people are extremely good a math ( I can barley add) some are great in spelling and writing (I have the spelling ability of 3rd grader thank god for spell check). My "secret power" as I like to call it is that I have a "pub 5th sense". You all must think I am nuts but I am not, I can find a great Pub. I get a feeling when I walk in a place that is right, it is like walking into grandma's house (OK maybe not mine she was not always not very nice to me but maybe yours) you know that smell that feeling of comfort that is what I get when I find a great pub. You may ask what is my criteria is that I use to find a great pub well here is a list:
1) Safe relax place
2)good choices of beer
3)people that are not raping you with there eyes (this is way more important to women I believe)
4) a bar tender that says his or her name when they take your order (this shows good manners)
To me these 4 steps are key to a good Pub and can be used any where in the world. I travel a lot and many times alone I use these steps and I always find a good place to drink and have some good conversation and is that what going to pub is about I believe so. So next time you want to go out any where in the world and want to find a good put use these tips and I am sure you will find a good place to drink.

New Beginning

New Beginning,

So I decided with my new year resolution will be to start a blog. Why would I start a blog? I am a normal 20 something with a simple life what will I have to say. I don't know but I will figure out somethings to share with the world. All of you will who read this know me and the name of the blog well you all know ducks are things I like to collect so I figured I would combine them. Don't judge me I know I am not creative. Well this is the introduction more to follow I hope I can come up with some interesting things to share with you all.