Things I love: enjoying the beautiful weather by eating on the balcony, watching Heroes on netflix online, hanging my teacup picture over the sink (Tom’s suggestion, I think its the perfect spot for it), getting use imacs at work, driving around Raleigh without using the navigation system, pre-ordering my new phone – a HTC Incredible,  and getting high scores on my tests at my new job.

I love this wine, for several reasons; when Tom would come visit me in Wilmington we would get dinner, then go somewhere else for drinks or dessert.  If we wanted drinks we’d go to the sofa bar in downtown since they were close and had great martinis. One of the times we went Tom treated me to a glass of this wine, a vintage port. I loved it so much he bought me (a very expensive) bottle of it for Christmas 2008.  I drank a little bit here and there since then, but had just enough for Tom and I to toast with it to celebrate my moving to Raleigh and us getting back together again.

Also: My new job – being excited about my potential there, having DVR to record LOST for me since I work nights, being able to watch LOST after working all night, finding a good home for Lucky and Tama, homemade grilled (organic, free range) chicken sandwiches,  not letting frustrating situations discourage me like they used to, learning to drive around Raleigh without getting lost, watching Heroes on Netflix, and last but not least Tom – for a million reasons, but right now for knowing me so well and being so good for me.

I took this one yesterday with Tom’s camera while I was downtown. Can I just say how hard it is to take a picture of yourself while holding a heavy Canon DSLR in one hand while trying not to drop it?

and since I was busy unpacking and forgot to do it, I”ll also make this a Things I Love Tuesday post:

Number one… Moving to Raleigh! I can’t say enough how excited and happy I am to be here permanently with Tom. I’m finding new things I love about Raleigh every day and am looking forward to finding more.

Also: playing and winning the lottery ($4 woo!), exploring downtown Raleigh on my own, apple crumb cheesecake, meeting new people, seeing interesting artwork, rereading The Ordinary Princess (my favorite childhood book), getting myself un-lost after forgetting where I parked, when my pets make me laugh, and hopefully getting to see some of the Azalea Festival this weekend.

It’s a little late but I wanted to post a quick TILT before I went to bed… Today I decided to wear my Tarina Tarantino Hello Kitty necklace (and my new roses sweater, I love it).  I love how ruffles, lace, and roses are back in style. The romantic look has always been my favorite.

Also, flowing skirts and dresses, fun with friends, finding the asian market near Tom’s house, retail therapy, seeing positive changes in my life, buying and watching New Moon on DVD, Earl Grey with vanilla and milk, enjoying working the night shift so far, putting pictures in my photo album, spending time with Tom’s parents, warmer weather, listening to the train while lying in bed, and feeling the pieces of my life fall into place.

Daffodils!

More daffodils!

I came home after a week away for my vacation and I was surprised with the first daffodils of the season blooming in my front yard!  They’re so pretty.  Warmer weather is finally starting to come back and so are the flowers and happy singing birds.

I love Spring.

Also: lazy Sundays, alone time, new beginnings, more free books, learning to let go of old things to allow new blessings to come, sitting on my bed with 4 cats cuddling around me, finding a new breakfast spot, making plans, being able to help friends, Hello Kitty jewelry, and having a sweet understanding boyfriend who puts up with me.

Tom found this book for me while we were in Barnes and Noble’s the other day, and said he’s read other books by the same author and thought I might like this one, I’m about a third of the way through and it’s pretty good so far.

Also: birds singing in the morning, girl time with Jackie, being lazy, pho, noodles, sitting by a fireplace, day trips, cupcakes, Chapel Hill, Franklin Street, interesting or funny fridge magnets, recording memories through photographs, remembering to wear boots when its a rainy day, looking forward to a week off of work, having good conversations, feeling the pieces of your life fall into place, feeling peace where you thought you never would be able to, and being optimistic about the future again.

Sarah, Jeremy, Anne, and Hodie

Sarah put together another great tweetup tonight, I got there kind of late due to work but still had time to see everyone and mingle a little bit.

Dawn and a friend (I didn’t catch your name, sorry!)

*edit – I found out Dawn’s friend’s name, it’s Elizabeth, great to meet you!*

I caught a quick picture of Dawn before she had to leave, I wish I had a chance to spend more time with her before she left, we had  fun talking at the last tweetup I attended.

Anne and Katherine, the hosts of the TweetUp at Pomegranate Books

I always enjoy catching up with people I’ve met before but tweetups are also about making new connections.  Tonight I had the pleasure of meeting Anne and Katherine. Anne and I had a great conversation about counseling and social work, it’s inspiring to meet someone who’s passionate about making a difference in the lives of others.

I am also the proud owner of a Buy Local ILM sticker! Thanks Gayle and Jennifer, it was great to see you tonight!

So in keeping with the Things I Love Tuesday tradition:

Twitter – I love being able to connect with people I wouldn’t normally get to meet.

Buy Local ILM – supporting our local economy is and businesses is SO important!

Networking – even though I don’t do it for business I love making connections with interesting people.

Also: great conversations, meeting new people, the first days of warm weather at the end of winter, a glass of white wine at the end of a long day, books, cool dogs in bookstores, laughing,

]]> http://www.nicolecarina.com/2010/02/23/things-i-love-tuesday-ilm-tweetups/feed/ 2 http://www.nicolecarina.com/2010/02/16/things-i-love-tuesday-21610/ http://www.nicolecarina.com/2010/02/16/things-i-love-tuesday-21610/#comments Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:54:22 +0000 Nicole http://www.nicolecarina.com/?p=182

UNC basketball – They’ve been losing a lot lately but I still enjoy getting into the game.

Root Beer Floats – I know I’ve mentioned them before but they’re SO GOOD.

Snow – I get to see it so rarely that I love it when we get snow here.

Valentine’s Day – I’ve always loved this holiday, whether I’m single or in a relationship, and this year mine was wonderful.

Watching 30 rock, Writing in my Journal, Pretty Stationary, Gorging on Valentine’s Day Chocolates, Watching Rockzilla Play,  The New Season of LOST,  Making Grilled Shrimp at Home with Butter and Seasonings, and Brownies with Ice Cream.

Enakei artwork. I love the pictures by this artist, I think they’re just so pretty and girly.

Blogging with Wordpress – this was probably the best thing I’ve ever done concerning my blog. It’s sooo much easier to use than blogger, vox, or anything else. I wish I’d done it ages ago.

Discovering Raleigh – I’ve always loved visiting the mall and museums but now I’m learning about all the interesting little places that make Raleigh unique. Places that I would frequent all the time if I lived up here.

Battered and Fried Mushrooms with Tom’s Wing Sauce – my new favorite vegetable. Probably not too healthy but they’re delicious!

Letting go of my seriousness and acting like a kid, root beer floats, my cat greeting me at the door, new beginnings, Samurai Matte chai tea from Teavana, awesome deals at the thrift store, old Eddie Murphy stand up shows, and making a photo album for the first time in a long time.

]]> http://www.nicolecarina.com/2010/02/09/things-i-love-tuesday-292010/feed/ 0 http://www.nicolecarina.com/2010/02/02/things-i-love-tuesday-2210/ http://www.nicolecarina.com/2010/02/02/things-i-love-tuesday-2210/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:52:46 +0000 Nicole http://www.nicolecarina.com/?p=131 Thought I’d start another weekly tradition, Things I Love Tuesday.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance – this is my new favorite makeup item, a little bit keeps my eyeshadow from creasing for hours.  Thanks to Brandy for recommending it to me!

LOST – I just saw the season premiere it was so good! I  can’t wait to watch the rest of the final season.

And last by not least, my father.

Today is my Dad’s birthday.

I love him more than I can say on this little blog.

Thank you for always being there for me.

I love you so much Dad,  Happy Birthday!

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