Happy Birthday to me!

Welp, if there is a way to live there the last few days of your 23rd year - and begin your 24th - I think I lived it.

Two weekends ago, I went home to celebrate my birthday with my family - which I saved to talk about until now so I could have one big birthday recap.  My Mom took my brothers, sisters and Tom and I out to dinner on Saturday.  We had a delicious dinner together and went home to a house full of my family members who were there to celebrate the beginning of a new year for me.  It was so nice to see everyone and it was even better that they came over to wish me a wonderful birthday!

Then, this past Friday night, I went out to my friends Sam and Theresa's apartment to meet up with a bunch of friends.  Little did I know, they had planned to go out for my birthday since they were not able to come out Saturday for the planned festivities.  We went a bar called 10th and Willow and pretty much owned the dance floor.  Since I was not really planning on going out - I unfortunately did not bring my camera so I do not have any pictures from that night.  But I had an awesome time and I want to thank them for coming out to celebrate my birthday with me!

On Saturday afternoon, Patrick and Karen came up to visit for my birthday.  They had never been to Hoboken before so I was so excited to show them my apartment and the new home that I have grown to love.  Patrick, Karen, Tom and I went to a little deli/diner place around the corner whose details must be saved for another post because there is a good story with every time I have been there...

And then the four of us walked down Washington Street so that they could get a feel for Hoboken.  We then went to mass and followed by dinner.  We went to a delicious Italian BYOB restaurant and had a perfect birthday dinner.  Then, we went back to my apartment to get ready for the birthday celebration.

My roommates Molly and Jess came out with us...

We went to Anthony, Brendan, Billy and Fahy's apartment to meet up with the rest of the group.  I was told by this blog's namesake creator - John Mac Attack himself - that he would not be able to make it for my birthday.  He is in law school and said that the week had been so stressful and he had too much work to do.  

But then, who do I see when I walk into the boys' apartment but Mac himself.  I was so excited to see him and he told me that this is the only the beginning of the surprises.  

I really didn't know what to expect.  My brother, sister-in-law, Tom, Loyola friends, some of the friends from the Jets and my roommates were there - I did not know what could be coming next.  

After getting to the bar and grabbing a drink, I was about to go into the next room and I turn and see my roommate from Ireland, Deirdre standing in the bar with some other friends.  After nearly screaming - and getting over the shock of seeing her - Mac simply gave me a look like - "told ya..." because this was a surprise that I was not even close to expecting!  The Ireland trio was back and ready to have a great time...

Mac - the hand placement is less than ideal... but still a great picture

Bachelor's Quay... back again!!!

The night progressively got better and better and I really had one of the most fun birthday celebrations I have ever had.  

Everyone certainly put on their dancing shoes that night...

And Tom and I worked the middle of the circle... 

                    

After a night like this, I cannot help to realize that I am a pretty lucky girl to have great friends and my family all around me as I began my 24th year. 

On Sunday, Patrick and Karen left to go back home and Tom had planned a wonderful birthday present for me.  We went to go see Avenue Q, a comedic Broadway show that features puppets.  Tom had another surprise in that Anthony and Liz came to the show as well.  They show was absolutely hysterical and I am so glad we got to see it! 

Then, the four of us went to dinner in Hoboken as a nice ending to a really fun weekend.

Unfortunately, my Mom was not able to come to Hoboken as planned - but we will soon plan another trip for her to come up and see my apartment now that it is more decorated than well, what this looked like.  

Thank you to everyone for helping making my birthday so special - if this is what 24 is going to be like - well then, I am very excited to see what this year has to bring!

Shake, shake - shake, shake, shake it!

You recall that Noonans are fans of shaking and jiggling - most especially at special occasions such as weddings and parties.  So rest assured, there will be some fierce dances moves in the bokes this weekend as I celebrate my 24th birthday with family and friends.   

Be sure to check back next week for a full birthday weekend recap!

Excuse me, miss?

Terrified, fish-out-of-water, tourist: "Could you point me in the direction of 32nd and 5th?"

Me (apparently looking more and more like I actually know where I am going): "Oh sure, just head this way since you are already on 5th Ave. and you should run right into it."

I think the real reason why people might ask me for directions is simply due to the fact that I am probably one of the least intimidating humans to walk this planet so the chances of me not answering them, sending them in the wrong direction or trying to steal the possessions is well - let's just say - slim to none (and heavy on the none).

So, here's to "walking the walk" - or, well - just having a friendly face.

THON 2011

Congratulations to Penn State and their students for raising $9.5 million for pediatric cancer.  Their motto "For the Kids" is quite evident.  Studnets have raised money each and every weekend for months in cities across the United States in hopes of erasing childhood cancer.  Then for an entire weekend, they dance at the event and bring hope to the children and their families who are affected with this awful disease.

"One day we will dance in celebration, until then we will dance for a cure."

Thank you for your dedication and work - it is an extremely wonderful accomplishment and I hope to attend the event one year! 

Goodbye, Jetta baby

This past week, I said goodbye to my beloved Jetta.  After working through a website to find someone who needed a car, the necessary paperwork was complete and the Jetta is now in good hands of someone who needs it more than I do now.

 

Having to say goodbye to my car was not easy but I know it was for the best.  Me and the Jetta baby have been to Loyola, to Penn State, back and forth from my shore house, as well as to and from Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York.  She was really good to me and I will always have great memories of the first car I had and paid for on my own.  

Beautiful sight...

Aces.

World Series here we come! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

I don't think there is a better way to begin a post on Valentine's Day post than with my parents.  I continue to realize that the love my Mom and Dad shared was really something special and that most do not get to experience such a partnership.  My father was the true definition of a family man and did whatever was needed to provide for our family.  My mother continues to be the rock of our family and she took on the role as caregiver better than I think anyone else I know could have.  Together the made decisions, together they raised children, and together they built a home and a life that revolved around not only equally loving one another but equally respecting one another.  

I will never stop realizing how lucky I am to have had such an amazing example of love.  This is one of my favorite pictures of my parents - which was taken the day of my brother, Patrick and Karen's engagement party (another great example of love that I have witnessed).     

At the end of the day, my parents always found a way to laugh.  I can remember my Mom saying time and time again that she couldn't ever stay mad at my Dad because he always knew what to say to make her laugh.  

I know there is not a day goes by that each person in my family does not fondly think about the love that my parents had and we miss my Dad more than can ever be articulated.  

Today and always, 

I love you, Mom and Dad.

This Valentine's Day I am also very lucky to have my very special someone.  We have the best time with one another - whether it is a night out on the town or staying in and making dinner together.  I truly believe that each day with him is better than the day before and I look forward to all that is to come.     

Happy Valentine's Day to you and your loved ones - may you treasure the love you have in your lives.  Thank you for being invested in the the happenings in my life and for lovingly supporting me in my new chapter!

Valentine's present from my Mom! :)

An email warning from my mom:

"Do not take the Staten Island Ferry!"

And this is the story why....

A young New York woman was so depressed that she decided to end her life by throwing herself into the ocean. But just before she could throw herself from the docks, a handsome young man stopped her. 

"You have so much to live for," said the man. "I'm a sailor, and we're off to Europe tomorrow, and I can stow you away on my ship. "I'll take care of you, bring you food every day, and keep you happy." 

With nothing to lose, combined with the fact that she had always wanted to go to Europe, the woman accepted. 

That night the sailor brought her aboard and hid her in a small, but comfortable, compartment in the hold.

From then on, every night he would bring her three sandwiches and make love to her until dawn. 

Three weeks later she was discovered by the captain during a routine inspection. 

"What are you doing here?" asked the captain. "I have an arrangement with one of the sailors," she replied. "He brings food and I get a free trip to Europe ." 

"I see," the captain says.  

Her conscience got the best of her and she added, "plus, he's screwing me." 

"He certainly is," replied the captain.  "This is the Staten Island Ferry."

Duly noted, Mamma Noons.

K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

The snowy weather always stirs up memories of Ireland for me - because I wish I was back on the Emerald Isle where the weather - ironically due to it's reputation - was absolutely lovely.  In the four months that I lived there, it rained all of about 15 times.  We had the most wonderful weather which enabled us to really enjoy Cork as well as all that Ireland had to offer.

One of the most famous Irish landmarks is the Blarney Castle - and it was about 15 minutes from our apartment.  Legend has it that if you climb to the top of the castle and kiss the wall up-side-down, you will be given the gift of gab and/or eloquence and will then soon find your true love.  

Naturally, I wanted to kiss the Blarney Stone when I found out how close it was to our apartment and the hopeless romantic in me didn't hate the fact that the gift of gab was a byproduct as well (although let's be honest, I am known to have some pretty good conversations with just about anyone...)!

So I climbed to the top - kissed the stone and well - I've moved in the name of love.  Gotta love the luck of the Irish!

Now - if only there was something you could kiss to make this snow disappear...