Ringing In The New Decade

Last night, galpal Rachel and I headed down to NYC’s Financial District for Lost Girls bloggers/co-authors Amanda and Jen’s fabulous New Year’s Eve bash.

Party Time: Amanda and I celebrating New Year’s

True hostesses-with-the-mostess, Amanda and Jen served up a first-class menu of fun, food and cocktails to the friendly crowd of about 30 people. I now have a new appreciation for vanilla vodka mixed with cranberry, not to mention Amanda’s sinful four-layer dip (cream cheese, refried beans, salsa, and shredded cheddar -- delish).

Rach and I chatted with M-Theory lead singer Courtney about her upcoming gigs and the promise of adventure that this particular new year seems to hold.

The fun really kicked into high gear when my friend Prince and his longtime buddies Eric and Chris showed up.

Good Times: Rachel, Eric, Prince, me and Chris

We shared plenty of laughs, good conversation and hugs all around at midnight.

Later, thanks to medley of Michael Jackson tunes, the ladies and I busted out a few 80’s moves -- including, of course, the “Thriller” routine. Some things you just never forget.

A good friend of mine says how you ring in the new year (and with whom) dictates how the following 365 days are going to unfold. If that’s true, then I can’t wait to see what 2010 has in store!

Singles Event Pick: New Year's Eve At Stitch

When you live in the Big Apple, finding a New Year’s event that won’t set you back at least $100 is no easy feat. Thankfully, the folks at Professionals In The City have the answer, with a Singles New Year’s Eve Party that’s only $50 per person.

The party kicks off at 8pm at Stitch, a lively lounge in NYC's Garment District. Ticket price includes light hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast at midnight, party favors, cash bar, creative and interactive activities, DJ & dancing.

There will also be door prizes, along with chances to win free adventures as well as private golf lessons, ski packages and a complete home theatre system.

“Dress to impress,” says the website.

Tickets are $50 if purchased by tomorrow (Friday) at 5pm, and sales for the event will close at 11am on Thursday, December 31st. Click here for more info.

The Aussie Has Landed

Tonight, I’ll be reunited with my favorite old flame from Down Under, Jason. Along with a few of our friends, Jason and I will be ringing in 2009 together.

When he called a couple of hours ago after he arrived, we fell right into the easy banter that was very much a part of our time together back in ‘02. Jason and I met through a mutual friend during my visit to Perth. He showed me the sights -- including a stunning sunset on Cottesloe Beach that remains the most memorable one I’ve ever experienced.

We reconnected six months ago through -- of course -- Facebook. I was delighted to discover that the geographical gap between us has narrowed, since Jason is now working as a diplomat in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. It amazes me that, after so many years, we’ll have the opportunity to catch up.

I’m wondering if we’ll manage to rekindle the old spark between us. Regardless of whether that happens, though, I have no doubt we’ll have fun. After all, it’s impossible not to when you’re ringing in a New Year in the Big Apple.

By The Numbers: Auld Lang Syne Edition

During a recent conversation with longtime family friend Helen, she recalled a New Year’s Eve when she donned a cocktail dress -- only to end up at a hockey game with her date.

Her tale of dashed expectations got me to thinking of my own New Year’s highs and lows. As articulated so poignantly in the “Sex and the City” movie, it’s a holiday that can be fraught with peril when you’re single.

Thankfully, in addition to the January countdowns I’ve experienced with significant others, I’ve shared several with family and friends that have made New Year’s Eve an occasion to remember. Here are some of the standouts -- By The Numbers:

Number of New Year’s Eves spent with significant others: 2
Number of New Years spent in Vegas with a boyfriend who later revealed he disliked crowds: 1

Ringing in '97: I donned a balloon animal hat during a new year's double date with my sister and our then-beaus, New York, December 1996

Number of New Years spent watching “The Princess Diaries” after an old flame cancelled at the last minute: 1
Number of New Years spent lining up in the cold with an Aussie galpal before partying at Central Park’s legendary Boathouse restaurant: 1
Number of New Years spent doing an SATC viewing marathon with my cousin and loving every minute of it: 1

Every so often, it's a welcome change of pace to ring in the new year doing something low key with family or friends. This year, I’m not sure what’s on the agenda for ringing in 2009, other than spending it with an Aussie old flame in town for the occasion.

If his visit is any indication, ‘09 is shaping up to be a year full of surprises -- including a few of the romantic variety.

The Australia Countdown Begins

In about two weeks, I’ll be heading to Australia on business, visiting the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef and then stopping over in Sydney for a combination of work and pleasure.

It’s been three and a half years since my last trip Down Under, a ten-day jaunt to Sydney that I spent brooding over my then-boyfriend not being Mr. Right and what I was going to do about it. I’m so thankful that I’ll have the opportunity to revisit one of my favorite parts of the world, this time with a clear head.

Along with my excitement about seeing the Great Barrier Reef and great state of Queensland for the first time, I’m eagerly anticipating my reunion with the two people responsible for my love affair with Australia -- my dear friends Suzanne and David.

All Smiles in Sydney: Australian friends Sue and Dave during my first trip Down Under, January 2002

I met Sue and Dave back in ‘94, during a whirlwind Contiki bus tour across Europe that covered something like 18 countries in about as many days. We all hit it off immediately and managed to stay in touch over the years.

After Sue came to New York twice -- including a memorable New Year’s Eve that found our faith in humanity restored when a cab driver returned the wallet she left in his car -- the time finally arrived for me to go Down Under. For the first time in seven years, Sue, Dave and I were all together again, effortlessly picking up where we had left off.

When I said goodbye to them at the end of my January 2002 Australian jaunt, I had a feeling it wouldn’t be for long. Sure enough, I returned in May -- just in time to celebrate the birth of Sue’s daughter, my gorgeous goddaughter Isabella. My five month stint as a Sydneysider brought us even closer and afforded some great times with Dave in Canberra, Australia’s capital, with his growing family.

I can’t wait to see Sue and Dave again. In the meantime, I have another reunion to look forward to -- with an Aussie old flame who’s heading this way for New Year’s. I can’t think of a better way to kick off 2009!

The Power of Suggestion

During a recent conversation with my PR client Tourism Queensland, I found myself reiterating how working with an Australian entity has been in my vision for years. While talking about making dreams a reality, I couldn't help thinking about the very mighty power of suggestion.

When Dreams Become Reality: My first trip Down Under (in 2002) launched a love affair with Australia that eventually led to my current work with Queensland

As the authors of “The Secret” articulated to great success, there really is something to the idea that what you seek, you will find. Back in ‘03, after deciding to exit the TV news world, I wrote a want ad for my ideal job. In the ad, I described a spirited, creative company that would tap into my dual passions of writing and travel -- a fortuitous description that summarized perfectly what I have found at Quinn & Co.

More recently, around this time last year, I decided that 2008 would be the year of finding Mr. Right. Within four weeks, I ended up in a whirlwind ship to shore romance with Jimmy, an adorable New Yorker I met on my first cruise.

Though we dated for only three months, the time I spent with Jimmy gave me a much clearer picture of what I’m looking for in a mate and led to something even more important -- being completely okay with singlehood.

That’s the thing about the power of suggestion, sometimes it delivers in a way that’s even sweeter than what you anticipate.

A few days ago, I mentioned a new optimism about the potential for romance during the holidays. The next morning, I heard from one of my favorite old flames that he’s heading this way for New Year’s Eve.

Like it did many moons ago during my Sydney job search, my Down Under preoccupation seems to be working its magic -- my old flame just happens to be from Australia.