In my humble opinion, life is partially about managing your expectations. Things meet your expectations, exceed your expectations, or fall wayyyyy below your expectations. 

In going with this, I will say the past 10 days have been a whirlwind of all kinds of things. So, I figured, it would be good to do a quick review of how things played out & where they fell on the expectation meter.  I'd be interested in your thoughts too - please comment here or on my FB page - I really do love to know what's up with everybody.  As a side note, that's one of the things I love about Facebook - you can follow everybody's adventures.

Here goes:

MEETS EXPECTATIONS

1. The Bolt Bus to/from NYC.  A round trip ticket cost me $27...Yeah, we were an hour late leaving on the way back and the queue to get on the bus at 34th St is a bit of CF but, for $27, I got exactly what I needed.

2. Courtyards by Marriott - clean, comfy, and free Wifi.  It's no Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town but it didn't have that Sleep Number bed I deflated & couldn't reinflate at the Pittsburgh Radisson...which is a plus.  And, by the way, who knew the Sleep Number was just a froofy air mattress? Lame!

3. Eataly - Mario Batali's Italian Marketplace.  It's exactly what I thought it would be - very European and very delicious...and very easy to impulse buy Alessi & Guzzini housewares.

4. Sex in the City marathon on the telly when you don't feel like leaving the house after a long day at work.

FALLS SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS

1. 2nd degree burns on my right hand from spilling boiling water all over me while trying to make tea at work

2. Medication for above injury that left me really nauseous & tired.

3. Trying to listen to Crozby fill in for me but I couldn't stay awake. Boo hiss. I miss hearing him on the air.

EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS

1. Phil - he's my partner in crime

2. Top notch emergency room care for above burn from a 4th year Harvard Med Student from the UK who was SO nervous about taking care of me.

3. Super nice concerned co-workers, especially Crozby, who filled in for me without hesitation and Carla who brought me flowers!

4. Hanging with some of my most favoritest people ever.  It's so good to feel & give the love...It never gets old and always feels better than I remember

5. Wild mushroom pasta at Babbo (Thank you, Ken!!!) - creamy sauce, earthy mushrooms, al denta pasta...really satisfying in the way that only high fat and pasta can be

6. Kinokuniya - My new Japanese text book was $20 less than what I was going to pay for it

7. Birthday cake truffles from the Milk Bar - yes, I know they're a fancy take on Betty Crocker's Funfetti cake but, trust me, they're incredible.

8. Momofuku Ssam Bar - We just ambled in & got seats.  I've never been so blown away by a meal EVER EVER EVER!  Duck dumplings, duck buns, broccoli caesar salady thing, seasonal veggie pickles that had sunchokes (!!!), and sparkling riesling.  You need wine to cut through the fat & spice. Ohhhh my god.  I can't stop thinking about it.

So, it looks like when all is said & done, I am ahead of the game...which is a good place to be.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY, EVERYBODY!!!!