The Perfect Day Off

Today has been awesome. I hope if you had the day off from work/school/life, your day was fabulous as well.

I started my day off with a 7+ mile run in frigid Central Park. I got to give my new Garmin a spin and though the run wasn’t easy, I am so glad I did it.

After a deliciously long, hot shower, it was time to make moves. ABS did laundry and did some cleaning around the apartment while I ran (I was swooning when I returned from my run and he had tidied up his disastrous “ABS corner” where all his crap lives) and then we made our plan for the day.

First stop? Lunch!

We both wanted something warm, so we hit up Hale & Hearty. The crab bisque is my favorite and I was psyched they had it on today’s menu. Side of granny smith apple = Happy Ali.

Next on our agenda? Finally seeing Black Swan!

I’m kind of shocked ABS agreed to see it with me, but one of his friends said he liked it, and guys are better at convincing him than I am (clearly).

We went to a tiny theater near Lincoln Center, which I loved. In one of the film’s opening scenes, Natalie Portman’s character (Nina) is seen walking up the steps toward the David Koch Theater (where New York City Ballet is housed). I loved that it was literally steps from where we were seeing the movie!

There’s plenty to be said for the movie itself — but I’m so late in seeing the game that it’s all been said already. Overall, the movie plays some serious mind games. ABS and I were both in awe when we left the theater. I liked it and appreciated the themes the film brought up, especially those pertaining to dancers and young, driven women in general. Without spoiling anything, the film acknowledges that we get so in our heads sometimes — so focused on a single goal — that everything else becomes a blur. We lose sight of what truly matters (um, like relaxing sometimes…) in pursuit of that one thing.

Anyway. ABS didn’t love the movie. He was kind of freaked out by it. I thought it was good and really well done, though I don’t know that I’d be willing to sit through it again. That being said, Natalie Portman is a rock star, and she portrays frail Nina brilliantly. I liked Mila Kunis in the film as well. She’s super hot.

After collecting ourselves, ABS and I scooted over to Columbus Circle. Though the beautiful holiday decorations have been taken down, the lights on the trees outside are still lit, which I love.

We went to J.Crew so ABS could make an exchange, stopped into Godiva for a sweet treat(s) for me, then did some damage at Whole Foods.

I was happy to stock up on produce so that we can munch on better snacks in between meals. Witness:

We munched on grapes back at the apartment while playing Wii. We finally tested out the Dance Dance Revolution game my brother and sister-in-law gave me for Christmas.

I’m awesome.

ABS, not so much. But he gave it a solid effort and I was cracking up.

For dinner? Taco night!

We bought some wonderful lean beef at Whole Foods and it made for a fast, easy dinner.

Now we’ve retired to the couch — he’s watching tennis, I’m blogging — and I’m hoping to call it an early night.

Um, I have to go back to the office tomorrow? With these extended vacations, long weekends and work trips, I’m having a hard time remembering what it’s like to be on a regular schedule.

TELL ME: What does your perfect day off involve?