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As 2008 comes to a close, here's a little quiz to test your knowledge of some of the past events of this year:
http://rickie.typepad.com/simplyblogging/2008/12/simplybloggings-2008-quiz.html
Here's to a simply-fabulous 2009 - happy new year everyone!
Cheers!
Just a typical day on the New York City subway:
Here's a new favorite of mine - a climbing Santa Claus set to Xmas music, holiday decorations courtesy of my local diner. And the pancakes aren't bad either!
Meanwhile, check out these Christmas decorations in Florida. Who says you can't celebrate when it's 80 degrees outside? There was even snow! OK, so it was fake but that's alright - I encountered plenty of the real stuff when I returned from my vacation.
A palm tree with Christmas lights?? It's not the same as on an evergreen, but what the heck...
On the subject of my Florida holiday, it was the first proper vacation I've had all year. I got to relax by the pool, on the beach and catch up with some friends - old and new. In spite of it all, I still had that itch to stay connected online. While I didn't bring a laptop on the trip (gasp!), I did have my good 'ol BlackBerry allowing me to access Facebook and my expanding email inbox.
Call it a sign of the times but I could not sit still without a little electronic action. I was so bad that my friends threatened to hide my BlackBerry charger and throw it in the pool.
I just couldn't get enough of my Facebook status updates. If I had a cocktail in a tiki bar, I had to alert all my friends and loved ones.
I even provided weather updates, hoping to make New Yorkers green with envy at the balmy temperatures.
Work emails were answered (yes all of them) but happily I wasn't the only one staying connected while on holiday - even my Publisher got into the act as we started to think about site content and event planning for the new year. We're simply incorrigible!
On that note, here's to a Happy Christmas and to good communication in 2009!
As many of my blog readers know, my Brooklyn neighborhood is no stranger to festive Xmas decorations. However, this one takes the cake! (or shall I say, fruitcake?).
Happy Holidays!
What could possibly make this global editor put away her BlackBerry for two hours on a Monday afternoon? Two words: Earl Grey.
Yes, I'm talking about afternoon tea. Maybe it's the influence of my English colleagues but over the last few years I've developed a new appreciation for the beverage. This coming from someone who used to despise the stuff, only drinking it if I absolutely had to (like during a nasty head cold when I couldn't taste anything anyway).
There's just something so civilized about sipping tea in the middle of the afternoon, nibbling on charming little cucumber sandwiches and mini cranberry scones. Sure beats a Subway sandwich any day. Of course, the festive atmosphere at Lady Mendl's helped enhance the relaxing experience.
The Gramercy Park tea salon was all decked out in its Christmas glory as the tree twinkled, the fireplace glowed and holiday music gently played in the background.
Imagine how much more relaxed we'd be if we took regular tea breaks in the middle of a work day? OK, so the office isn't exactly as mellow as a historic tea salon; however there's something to be said for encouraging conversations at work and building relationships with more face-to-face communication. Instead of the 4pm Starbucks' runs, why not replace them with half-hour tea breaks? Brewing a little chamomile can go a long way while preparing your PowerPoint presentations.
Meanwhile, check out my ideas for surviving your company Christmas party...
