Happy Election Day everyone! Get out there and get your democracy on! :-)

This year is my first year voting at the polls! I was able to vote in the 2008 election, but did so via absentee ballot since I was in Oregon for college. Now that I live in New York, I had to re-register to vote. I’m kind of a gypsy in sense of IDs because I have an Oregon Driver’s License, my car registered in Washington, and now I’m a registered voter in New York!

To kick off Election Day, my boss got us some Election Day donuts! Not a bad way to start the day! Now if only.. there were maple bars! lol

I heard some horror stories of people waiting hours at the polls to vote in the city, but I was taking my chances after work. Lucky for me, I was in and out in 20 mins! Plus, the polls was at a church right around the corner from my apartment.

Only thing missing from my voting experience? A “I voted” sticker! Apparently they didn’t give them out at most poll locations in NYC. Bummer right? So, instead I took to Photoshop and dressed our office dog, Teddy, up for the occasion.

Now the only thing left to do is sit back, watch the vote tallies, and celebrate all that is America!

The hurricane may be over, but several places in New York and New Jersey will be recovering for months to come. I ended up being very lucky during the storm, but I know several people who were badly affected, some of which their families lost everything. Here’s a look at the historic storm by the numbers.

To do my part in help with the aftermath, I’ve helped out with local charities sorting donations and supplies to go to some of the hardest hit in Staten Island. We also started a donation at my office that my boss has been delivering supplies across the river to Little Ferry, New Jersey.

Thank you again to all of those who have reached out to me or done their part to help those in need.

It’s officially 8:30 p.m. and according to the news, the center of the storm is 110 miles south of NYC. I thought they said we would be getting the worst of it from 6-8 p.m. but apparently she’s still coming! I’m finding out about other areas of the city just like you guys, by watching the news. The winds are definitely picking up out there and I can hear sirens, but other than that we are all good. We decided it would be a good time to make some dinner… What was on the menu? What else than mac and cheese!

A LOT of mac and cheese. By the way, that bowl is much bigger than it appears. 

Also, here is a view at Chris’ kitchen. Taking one-man-kitchen to a new level!

And, last but not least the weenie says hi! My posts will also probably become more random as we’re going stir-crazy! I guess that’s what happens when they lock you down in your apartments 36 hours before the storm actually hits! So the good news is we have food, still have power, and we aren’t flooded. Also, update as I’m typing.. the storm just got downgraded to a tropical storm, so that’s another bit of good news!