by mapgirl on August 2, 2010
So my company has me on pins and needles about my next assignment. It means I will be paying a premium to fly into Santa Barbara for my cousin’s wedding as well as the wedding after that. If I am lucky, I’ll be able to cash out some airline miles. I’ve already forked out $1500 [...]
by mapgirl on May 14, 2010
Not to sound like a total corporate shill here, but Hilton currently has a ‘Double Dip‘ program so you can get both hotel and airline points. Better yet, if you use Delta this summer, you can 3x airline points. Charge the hotel & airfare on your American Express and that’s even more points! (And none [...]
by mapgirl on May 12, 2010
My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last week. It’s a big effing deal at a time when few people stay married to the first person they picked to tie the knot with them. I took them out for a lovely meal at a local restaurant in suburban Philadelphia. (My mom refused to drive into [...]
by mapgirl on March 30, 2010
I’ve got a new baby niece so this warrants a trip to California. I’m excited. It’s just for a few days for $350. I am a big fat dorky auntie but I cannot wait to cuddle her. SQUEE! Like her older brother, I have to be reminded that she is not a doll, but a [...]
by mapgirl on December 4, 2009
Menu:
Turkey (16.5lb that I told Boyfriend would be too small and I was right!)
Cornbread stuffing with Sausages, Green Beans, Apples and Chestnuts
Glazed Carrots
Cranberry Fruit Compote (Boyfriend’s recipe, keep reading for an explanation)
Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes (Boyfriend’s doing)
Sweet Potatoes w/Mini-Marshmallows (My mom asked for them. It’s crazy but she loves them.)
Asian Pears (My parents brought an [...]
by mapgirl on November 24, 2009
Dear readers,
I just wanted to wish everyone heartfelt Thanksgiving joy. It’s not an easy holiday, combining travel, logistics, catering and whatnot. Just remember that next year it doesn’t have to be this way.
For me, I am playing hostess to my parents, 3 cousins who have moved to America from Korea in the past 2 years [...]
by mapgirl on September 25, 2009
No, not from work this time. Generally, when something good happens, I shout,’Bonus!’
Last night I had dinner with my cousin, her husband, and her parents who are visiting from Korea. (My other cousin’s wife bore their first grandchild, always worth a visit.) Dinner was great and we got to play with their new puppy. At [...]
by mapgirl on July 29, 2009
My boyfriend’s mother was laid off recently. It’s sad because she works for a prominent national charity as a fund raiser, and busted her chops to bring in the money in a down market, but even so, they let her go in a mix of layoffs and office politics. This is her second lay off [...]
by mapgirl on July 21, 2009
Comment from Reader Slinky:
My mum recently asked me for a loan (and isn’t THAT weird?) and I felt really bad to say no. If I had the money and felt secure, she’s one of the few people that I’d give that money to in a heartbeat. But the economy is iffy, my job was [...]
by mapgirl on June 29, 2009
Many years ago when I was underemployed and living hand to mouth, a fairy godmother dropped $2K into my lap. I had missed a car insurance payment and been dropped by the insurer like a stone. I had to buy into Maryland’s state auto insurance for bad brownies, but it would cost me more than [...]