| Author | Message | ||
     Bella |
Who am I? Sounds like a horrible college admissions essay, but here goes... *I am 27 (ack, 30 is fast approaching), single, and a JAP  *while originally from Maplewood, I've live in Cincinnati for the last eleven years. Actually, I live in a suburb of Cincinnati, if you saw coverage of the tornado a few years ago, you saw my part of town *I've always wanted to move back to NJ, but the cost of living is prohibitive and my best friends are here in Cincinnati *I graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BA in history, I originally studied architecture but changed majors two and a half years through the program *I went to preschool at CHS, k-4 at Seth Boyden, 5th grade at Tuscan, MMS, and 9th & 10th at CHS *when I was a freshman at Columbia I hated having teachers ask me if I was related to Heidi (yes, she's my aunt) or Alan (which one? my father or brother?) I wanted my own identity- no comparisons to relatives. Upon moving to Cincinnati I realized how much I actually liked being part of a family and having people know who I was (even if it was only because they taught my father's English class) but it was too late by then. Okay, enough for now, I need to log off and leave work. - Susan | ||
| Dave |
Hi Bella, Welcome to "profiles" and back to Maplewood. I studied architecture first in college, too, and changed to English Lit. I like to think I was ahead of my time (or something like that). | ||
| Bella |
any way here's some more random information: *I am a klutz, as evidenced by the BIG bruises on my knees from falling done the stairs at a bar last night- TOTALLY SOBER! One of my friends laughed so hard he lost his pool game. *I tend to be more of a Democrat than a Repuplican, but I never vote a straight party ticket. *right now I'm in the process of deciding what I want to do with my life. I quit my job on 9/10, not knowing that everything would change the next day. I was with the same company for eight years, I started with them in college. For seven and a half years I loved it but I burnt out. So, right now I'm working for a company temporarily while I interview for other jobs and start the process of applying to grad schools. *the most important people in the world to me are my family and two best friends. my nephews are the most amazing things... they look just like their father and grandfather, and it is so neat to look at them and know that this is what my father and brother were like when they were kids *despite my mother's best efforts to instill a love of broiled chicken and steamed vegetables into us, I, along with my father and brother and sister, still love Taylor Pork Roll and Jimmy Buffs. so enough for now, time to cook dinner (chicken, blah) | ||
| Evm |
Bella- I remember your brother Alan- he married a really nice girl but I forget her name! | ||
| Bella |
Evm- Alan married Lisa, who is a sweetheart. How did you know Alan? I hope that you have good memories of him. He was really the best older brother you could hope for, he was always there for my sister and me. My favorite part of the day in kindergarten was when my brother and I would walk home together. His boys are so cute! They look just like him but with Lisa's coloring. I spoke to his 4 year old yesterday: "Aunt Susan, it's my dad's birthday. I made him a black cake and ghost cookies. Love you. Bye." | ||
| Bella |
I just got back from a 3 day weekend in Maplewood. It was so nice to be home. Yeah Delta webfares! $118 roundtrip! Now my family has a renewed cache of almond danish, onion boards, onion rolls, and rye bread with black seeds from Wigler's (Sonny Amster's). HAPPY HALLOWEEN! | ||
| Bella |
So I start my new job tomorrow. While new can be exciting, I also hate the whole first day thing. It's like taking every feeling of uncertainty from when you were 12 and reliving it. And so, let it be said, I hope the people are nice, I hope I do well at this, and I hope leaving my old job wasn't a mistake. | ||
| Librarylady |
Good Luck. We all know you'll do great!! | ||
| Bella |
thanks librarylady So the first day was okay, but it was just an orientation, it was odd to be the one filling out the forms, I'm used to be the one running the orientation. Tomorrow I go into one of the branches to observe. Next week I'll be in classes and then two weeks of training in a branch before I go to my own branch. Oh, I guess it would make more sense if I told you that I took a job as a personal banker for Provident Bank (headquartered here in Cincinnati, owned by the same guy who owns the Reds). What I thought was cool was that even though I (and the others at the orientation) just started today, I (we) got invited to the holiday party Carl Lidner does for all of his companies. Lionel Richie is performing at this year's party. Even though I'm not a Lionel Richie fan I do think that this is much better than the average office holiday party. Okay, that's all for now, I have to fill out benefits forms. | ||
| Dave |
Is it the same Provident Bank as the one here in Jersey? I know a few of the bank's directors. (I won't mention that how I got to know them was through a mistake I made as an editor for a business magazine editor. Thinking back, that was a good mistake | ||
| Bella |
No it isn't. New Jersey has The Provident Bank we are just Provident Bank. So far everybody seems really nice. Big relief. Now I have to go decide if I'm going out tonight or if I'm going to stay home. Or better put, will my friends make me feel guilty for ditching them or will they understand that I still have cooking and baking to do for tomorrow? | ||
| Bella |
So I got sucked in to going out on Wednesday night. Plans changed and my friends decided to go to my favorite place (http://partyatrumba.com/logic/). It was a late night event so I didn't get home till 5, then had to get up at 8:30 and start baking. Fun. Had a good Thanksgiving though and I hope all of you did too. | ||
| Bella |
ARGH, am so mad at myself... I just ate lunch with someone I used to work with who also works at Provident now. While talking about the old job I know realize exactly how horrible it was. WHY did I spend 7 years there? I am mad at myself for not listening to friends, family, and former co-workers who tried to tell me how much the company took advantage of its employees. I guess I should just be glad that I'm gone, but it still makes me see red. Thanks for letting me rant. | ||
| Bella |
Beautiful spring-y day here in Cincinnati, nobody is coming in to the bank besides people going to the tellers' side. I am so bored. I want to go out and play! | ||
| Bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 193 Registered: 7-2001 |
well, it's been so long since I've even checked out this part of the board I figured I should write something here. Well, unlike last year, I won't be home in Maplewood for the Fourth of July. Which is really dissapointing, because a) I love being home, b) Maplewood's celebration is Independence Day for me, and c) it's Maplewood's 100th celebration, how cool! My sister is flying to NJ today, so she'll be there, I am so envious. Well, I guess I should be getting back to work. Hope that every one has a fun and safe 4th. | ||
| Wendy Citizen Username: Wendy Post Number: 362 Registered: 5-2001 |
Thanks, Bella. What will you do in Cincinnati for the 4th? Have a fun and safe one yourself. | ||
| Bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 195 Registered: 7-2001 |
Thanks Wendy. I'll be going to a picnic and then to a party. I don't know what I'll be doing for fireworks. Here in Cincinnati, our big fireworks don't come till Labor Day, but gosh, they are impressive. Here's a peak at the Riverfest fireworks from 1999. http://enquirer.com/editions/1999/09/06/fireworks1_1024x768.jpg | ||
| Sparrow Citizen Username: Sparrow Post Number: 10 Registered: 6-2001 |
Great picture. Thank you | ||
| Wendy Citizen Username: Wendy Post Number: 367 Registered: 5-2001 |
I too say thanks. Happy 4th!!!! | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 3271 Registered: 5-2001 |
That is a great picture! Happy 4th. | ||
| Joancrystal Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 830 Registered: 5-2001 |
W}OW)  | ||
| Bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 196 Registered: 7-2001 |
 Glad that you all liked the picture. If you ever have the oppurtunity to make it out here for Labor Day, I highly reccomend going to Riverfest (or as we more commonly know it, the WEBN Toyota fireworks). It is an event of epic proportions. Cincinnati/Hamilton County's and northern Kentucky's bus systems divert most of their buses from their regular routes to bring people down to the river banks from the 'burbs and other points in the city. I can safely say that it creates a sea of people unlike anything else you'll ever see. Since you all liked the picture I'll try to find some more. | ||
| Thegoodsgt Citizen Username: Thegoodsgt Post Number: 76 Registered: 2-2002 |
Bella, I used to live in Cincinnati, too, in Batavia. I worked in your neck of the woods, which I think by the tornado reference you mean Blue Ash. I think Cincinnati is one of the most over-looked and under appreciated cities in America. | ||
| Bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 198 Registered: 7-2001 |
Thegoodsgt- My parents actually live in Symmes Township, near Fields-Ertel and Snider Roads, which got hit pretty hard by the tornado (Harper's Point was devastated). Blue Ash and Montgomery are directly south of them. I just moved to Hyde Park myself. I used to work in Eastgate, not too far from Batavia. | ||
| Bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 199 Registered: 7-2001 |
more pics for you!!!!!!!!!!!!  http://enquirer.com/editions/1999/09/06/fireworks4_1024x768.jpg http://enquirer.com/editions/1999/09/06/fireworks3_1024x768.jpg http://webn.com/featureBoomsday9904.html http://www.webn.com/featureBoomsday9942.html http://www.webn.com.fire99/p0002051.jpg | ||
| Bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 200 Registered: 7-2001 |
200 posts!!!! | ||
| Edmay Citizen Username: Edmay Post Number: 425 Registered: 9-2001 |
Watch out - Dave is threatening to fine posters as they reach milestones - I proposed rewards! | ||
| Bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 201 Registered: 7-2001 |
}Edmay- I like your idea much better. I propose that we get little replicas of the milestone that used to be (is it still there?) on Springfield near the Hilton Branch library. | ||
| jmfromsouthorange Citizen Username: Jmfromsorange Post Number: 4 Registered: 7-2003 |
bella- i'm new to posting here. have been reading the member profiles. i noticed you mentioned the chs pre-school. how long ago were you there? if you're 27 i'd say somewhere between 22 and 25 years ago. i remember child development 1 and 2 being very popular classes because it meant we got to spend the time in the pre-school playing with the kids. | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 318 Registered: 7-2001 |
Well, I'm 29 now. I was there in 1979. I remember that my babysitter's daughter used to wave to me through the window in the door. I can't remember her name, but she lived in South Orange, her mother was Maria, and she was a cheerleader. | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 365 Registered: 7-2001 |
I was just in Maplewood for a week and it was great. I got to go to St. James'Gate, I had the first steamer to be sold at NetNomads' new location (yumm, vanilla), I saw Tom Reingold walking his dog, I got to meet Hank Zona, and had a good time being home. | ||
| Hank Zona Citizen Username: Hankzona Post Number: 810 Registered: 3-2002 |
Bella, It was a pleasure meeting you, and seeing you repeatedly during the week...and nice to know I already knew some of your family here in town. I must admit though, when I saw "first steamer served at NetNomads" and that it was vanilla, I thought that was a pretty repulsive way to serve clams, but Im guessing its a coffee type drink, not what I always thought steamers were. | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 372 Registered: 7-2001 |
Hank, steamers (in a coffee joint) are steamed milk with flavoring. But since you mentioned it, I forgot to eat steamers (as in piss clams) when I was home. Is your son doing TV turnoff week? I have to call Rob and see how he's surviving it. Has Drew worn the Yankees hat yet? On Friday he wouldn't put in on. He was very insistent that it was "Hank's hat" not his. | ||
| Hank Zona Citizen Username: Hankzona Post Number: 813 Registered: 3-2002 |
TV Turn-Off Week is a snap because the World Series is on too late for my kids..and they have too much to keep them busy until bedtime these days. Knowing the Yankees would be in the Series, I myself did not sign up to join the kids in TV Turn-Off Week. Alot of Red Sux and Mets fans are also doing TV Turn-Off Week this week I understand. We're going to do the TV Turn-Off Year when the sign-up comes around. Drew wont take the Yankees hat off now...consider Drew another young mind I have helped to shape and develop (although Mets and Sux fans will want to report me). | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 374 Registered: 7-2001 |
Geez Hank, you just want to take all the credit don't you?  We are Yankees fans born and bred. (Don't you remember Zeke Bella from the 1957 team? He's from the Conn. branch of the family.) | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 509 Registered: 7-2001 |
So, I haven't posted in this section in quite a while; but what else to do at 12:30 in the morning, when you have to get up at 5:30? This weekend was a homesick weekend for me.  Since my parents have moved back to New Jersey, I am the only one still in Cincinnati. Usually I don't mind - between grad school, work, and friends. But, lucky me, I got to spend the whole weekend with my leg elevated - doctor's orders. Why don't I have cable?? What I thought was a spider bite on my calve or perhaps an ingrown hair gone bad has turned out to be a bug bite that has developed into a staph infection. Oh joy. I guess I'm just glad that I asked my dermatologist to look at my leg when I was there for my 'check up'. I've had this thing for about a month now, and my doctor informs me that if it had gone on for another week I would have been in the hospital. So now I get to take antibotics three times a day,and apply topical medicine and ice down my calve twice a day. Too much fun. All right, I guess I should try to get some sleep, but how tired can you be when you've spent all day on the sofa? | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 520 Registered: 7-2001  |
just testing to see if I added a picture to my profile correctly. | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 521 Registered: 7-2001 |
okay, so that's me as a baby to the left. it's soon to be replaced with something else | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 522 Registered: 7-2001 |
hmm, maybe I'll just stick with this image until I can find something better & small enough | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 5894 Registered: 5-2001 |
Bella: I feel your pain. Literally. I developed a similar type of infection on my wrist (from a bug bite) when I was on vacation in Alaska. Like you, I didn't think too much of it except that the swelling on my wrist kept getting worse not better. About a week later, I finally got to see a nurse practitioner in the Yukon who put me on a full month's worth of antibiotics, which did the trick. This too shall pass. You will be up and around in no time. In the meanwhile enjoy the down time as best you can. With your parents back in NJ, do you have someone who can look in on you from time to time and help with the essentials? | ||
| Rudbekia Citizen Username: Rudbekia Post Number: 151 Registered: 3-2004 |
Hi, first time reading your stuff here (I'm on bed rest for a pregnancy and have to find ways to pass the time myself so I understand how you feel in the middle of the night after having not moved all day) and I noticed the mention of Cincinnati right away. I was born and raised there in Heitmeyer Farms in Kenwood (my mom is selling the family house and will close on it in August--I was hoping to get back there one more time to take my kids but couldn't due to the preterm labor. I tear up watching the virtual tour of the house on the realtor's web site). I like Maplewood about 1,000 times better than Cincinnati though, and totally understand how you could be homesick. Think you'll ever move back? | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 524 Registered: 7-2001 |
I finish up grad school (at Xavier) next May. I hope to be back in New Jersey shortly thereafter. My best friend of 14 years is here and her family is like a second family, so I am well taken care of. It turns out that I don't have a staph infection, rather, it is a atypical mycobacterial infection. So I am back on my feet. OH, JOY OF JOYS. Rudbekia - I do know where Heitmeyer Farms is, I went to Sycamore for my last two years of high school, I think that you were in Indian Hill's school district. Maplewood is 10,000 times better - but it is home for me, so I can't help but feel that way. If you ever start to miss Graeters, Montgomery Inn, etc. and you are off of bedrest, Edward's in Tribeca does a Cincinnati night once a month. The owner is from Cincinnati, as well as the manager. From what I hear, tons of Walnut Hills alumni show up each month. The other day my picture was of me as a baby, but it has morphed, so the blue blob is not my baby picture. I didn't know changing my profile would change the pictures in my older posts, so please disregard the post refrencing the picture. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 5915 Registered: 5-2001 |
Bella: Glad to hear you are on your feet again (literally). Hope you will share the joy as well as the sorrow with us. | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 607 Registered: 7-2001 |
okay, so it has taken me a year to change my picture. let's hope it worked fingers crossed putting in username.... | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 608 Registered: 7-2001 |
hmm, profile shows that I have new picture, yet posts still, quite mysteriously, have old picture. | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 609 Registered: 7-2001 |
why isn't this working? help! | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 610 Registered: 7-2001 |
and, another try at the picture | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 611 Registered: 7-2001 |
and suddenly, it works. wooooooooooohoooooooooooooooo now I have no excuse not to go to bed | ||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 2417 Registered: 5-2005  |
It may settle down Bella. I changed my avatar one day and it was showing the new one on my profile but the old on my posts, within a few hours it settled down and the new one was up and running. | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 612 Registered: 7-2001 |
thanks soparents- it decided to work as you can see. the picture is kind of blurry when edited to be small enough for MOL. it should really look more like this (next post) | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 613 Registered: 7-2001 |
 | ||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 2418 Registered: 5-2005 |
Your avatar looks very clear on my screen - not blurry at all | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 614 Registered: 7-2001 |
oh, that soworked good night | ||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 2419 Registered: 5-2005 |
Good night! | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 621 Registered: 7-2001 |
I'm feeling quite devilish, so I thought it would be appropriate to change my picture. Plus a day at the pool has left my a tad more red than usual. My blog is now my spot of choice to test out things like new pictures. I apologize to anyone who felt compelled to see what I had written and found this instead. My luck is that you'll see the old picture rather than this:  | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 623 Registered: 7-2001 |
 This is one of the things that always makes me sad. Above is the newspaper article from when my Uncle Herbert died training for WWII. When I first found this online, I didn't know whether I should tell my grandmother about it. She was closer to him than the rest of her siblings. I let my mother tell her about it instead. The accident to which they refer was that the bomb hatch opened up and he was sucked out of the plane. Apparently, my greatgrandmother never really believed that and was convinced that there was some type of cover up. Even though I make fun of south Jersey, both of my gran | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 626 Registered: 7-2001 |
I am having too much fun now that I've figured out how to insert pictures into posts. Below is my dog- well to be fair he's my parents' dog- but I am his favorite. Gorgeous, isn't he?  | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 627 Registered: 7-2001 |
dear lord, that picture is HUGE below is a much smaller version  } | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 633 Registered: 7-2001 |
Okay, so I'm back from Prague and Budapest safely. I was on six flights in 10 days. I had decided that it isn't flying that I hate as much as it is flying on small planes. I was only freaked out when I was flying Comair between Cincinnati and Allentown/Bethleham. Then this morning's crash. Lexington just is so close to Cincinnati, and Comair is based just over the river in Northern Kentucky. It is just a little too close for comfort. When my avitar (?) finally updates, it will be of me in Prague. |
