Shiba shiba shiba!

And, so we don't end today's blogs on a sad note, I thought I'd throw in some adorable pictures of some Shiba Inu puppies. My coworker was just telling me how her friend brought one over to her place last weekend. I want a Shiba Inu puppy. Sooooo bad. I neeeeed one!!! If I whine enough, do you think one will fall magically into my lap? And, while we're at it, take care of itself too? It could happen?!?

Myanmar Cyclone

The cyclone in Myanmar (Southeast Asia) is absolutely devastating. Over 20,000 have been killed and over 40,000 people are still missing. What a tragic natural disaster. Just awful. My heart goes out to all of those affected by this deadly event.

Call me naive, but I wasn't entirely sure of the differences between a cyclone, hurricane and typhoon. I knew they all deal with fast winds and water and what not, but wasn't sure of what sets these disasters apart. So I Googled it. I love Google.

In case anyone is interested....

The terms "hurricane" and "typhoon" are regionally specific names for a strong "tropical cyclone".

Once the tropical cyclone reaches winds of at least 39 mph, they are typically called a "tropical storm" and assigned a name. If winds reach 74 mph, then they are called (depending on the region in which they occur):

-"hurricane" (the North Atlantic Ocean, the Northeast Pacific Ocean east of the dateline, or the South Pacific Ocean east of 160E)
-"typhoon" (the Northwest Pacific Ocean west of the dateline)
-"severe tropical cyclone" (the Southwest Pacific Ocean west of 160E or Southeast Indian Ocean east of 90E)
-"severe cyclonic storm" (the North Indian Ocean)
-"tropical cyclone" (the Southwest Indian Ocean)

Now, you'll totally get that answer right if you're ever asked on Jeopardy.

If you're interested in helping those affected by the Myanmar cyclone, I found a couple of good sites to check out...

World Vision
Red Cross
International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Are you KIDDING me with this stuff?

Ok, all I gotta say is "Frozen Hot Chocolate" should be made illegal. Because it is THAT good.

I had a fabulous time back east. I wish I was back there now actually. I'm sooo not in work mode. Highlights included....

-Family fun day in the city with the cousins and our trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
-Cousin Annette's 90th birthday
-Celebrating a little Cinco de Mayo action at that one bar I can never remember...something like "El Norte" or "El Toro" or something...
-Going on the fabulous "Sex and the City" bus tour which I highly recommend to ANYONE who is a fan of the show and included pit stops at a the Pleasure Chest, Magnolia Bakery for some scrum-dilly-umptious cupcakes, Carrie's front door stoop, and Aidan/Steve's bar "Scout". So amazing.
-Seeing 4 foot Danny DeVito on the street. I'm not even joking. He can't be taller than 4 feet. Crazy
-Exploring the Central Park Zoo....I'm such an animal geek
-Shopping in SoHo...dangerous, but OH so fun!!!

One of the BEST parts was going to Serendipity and savoring the frozen hot chocolate though. I'm not even big on desserts, but MAN!!! That stuff is good. It's like liquid crack. So tasty. Made with 12 different types of chocolate. I know "frozen hot" is an oxymoron and all, but I don't even care. All I know is....it's GOOD! Do it. Do it.

P.S. Major diet time. Who's with me?!?!