Happy Birthday, Jessica!!!!!!!!!

Today is your birthday!

Shout HOORAY!!!!!

Tulip and I want to sing to you today!!

One year older and wiser too!

Happy Birthday

TO YOU!!!!!!!!

Jessica, Happy birthday and I hope you have had a most wonderful day today! And today is only the beginning! Let the good times roll!!!!!!

XOXO,

Your ever adoring big sister,

Emily

We'll root, root, root for the home team!

And if they don't win it's a real shame! Tonight is the highly anticipated game against long-standing rival, LSU. I can't wait!

I can't wait for tomorrow to kick off the festivities

'Twas the night before J’s birthday
and all through the town
People were conspiring
Uptown and down

On how best to celebrate
Our most favorite girl
A dinner, perhaps? Bayona?
With our favorite Ann and Earl?

Or maybe a party
With neon aglow?
We'll whirl ‘round the rink,
(She loves that, you know!)

Or even, at a lovely new favorite,
A decadent brunch,
Followed by the kindest gift of all,
A snausage donated from the munch!

Why not do it all
And shower the one
Who day-in and day-out
Is a constant source of fun

With love and excitement
We’ve plotted and schemed
On how to make this year’s birthday
The stuff of dreams.

{Image by Elsa Mora}

Accidents happen

Last night, Tulip was involved in a bad accident at the dog park. It involved a game of fetch, a log and a pack of dogs. Somehow, our little munchie found herself on the receiving end of the log being launched into the air, and, well….you know the sound of a baseball getting knocked out of the park by a wooden baseball bat? Imagine that sound, against the puppy’s head. It was terrifying.

Even more horrible were her puppy cries; after the hit she cried and ran straight to us and continued to cry in pain for a good three minutes. That is a long time. We could tell that she had been hit on the right side of her face, as it had already swelled up considerably and her skin under her fur was red and broken.

Imagine this:


And this:

On this face:

After we got her calmed down slightly (and ourselves calmed down) we decided we absolutely had to take her to the vet. As we were carrying her off the levy (excuse me, the LEVEE), she sort of lifted her head up, waggled her tail a bit from between her legs and through the swollen, lopsided face gave us her best goofy puppy grin. The grin that says, “I want to play!” She’s a tough one, our Tulip.

Things got really hairy at the vet’s office, when she starting bleeding from her nose. I thought for sure at this point she was dunzo, because on Grey’s Anatomy, when patients start bleeding from noses, eyes, ears, etc, things are looking pretty grim for them. The vet was very concerned about her, but decided that the blunt trauma to her face was causing the bleeding, not brain damage. He gave her medicines and a shot for the pain and instructed us to keep her as quiet as possible, with a follow up scheduled for the next day (today).

Following the vet visit, we made a stop at Petco, to stock up on some soft, yummy treats to spoil her with. (Because, to add insult to injury, Tulip is teething right now and losing teeth left and right. She has several loose teeth in her mouth and she is clearly in pain when chewing things – us, treats, her food, anything.) So we stocked up on Snausages, puppy beef jerky chews and puppy Oreo cookies. (Yes, really.) The rest of the night, all she had to do was give us a wink from that bleeding, pouffy eye (not hard, as it was swollen shut) and we would shower her with kisses and treats.

The little miss is still down but most definitely not out. I love her resilience and how much she just wants to get back out there and run and play – even though something bad happened last time. It’s a good reminder for me to not let the memory of pain or hurt stop me from trying new things or trying failed things again, and most importantly, to never, ever give up.

And that an Oreo every now and then really can make things better.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

102!

Missouri, I didn't pick you and you've busted tons of brackets, but I think I am not alone in saying, WOW. Last night's game was fun and exciting and those last few points were amazing. Great work!!

"It made a waffle of my bottom"

Thus said Tennesee Williams of the giant wicker chair he was forced to sit in during the Drama Desk Awards (I didn't catch the date, but sometime in the 60's?)

Last night's Opening Gala of the Tennessee Williams Festival was wonderful. Joyful from beginning to end. The anecdotes, the memories, the laughter, Zoe Caldwell's mischevious face...this is what I love. It felt so good to simply be in a theater again, feeling pieces of myself wake up from a long, long slumber. It was wonderful to feel that joy.

E & A, thank you again so much!

(Note to self, must get James Grissom's book on TW when it comes out)

Wonder girl sets goal, works hard, perseveres and accomplishes breakthrough!!

Thank you, Dad, for the pumped up email!!

This is a great day.

Great days ahead

I am very excited.

The coming few days are going to be special. Tomorrow evening, we are joining E and A for the Opening Night Gala of the Tennessee Williams Festival. The show will feature Zoe Caldwell, Marian Seldes, Frances Sternhagen, and James Grissom. This will be my first trip to Le Petit Theatre and I simply cannot wait!

And then, Saturday night, Jessica and I are going to see the Houston Ballet perform Marie, thier new full-length classical ballet. It will be performed at the newly restored Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts, which just reopened in January following the damage it incurred during Hurricane Katrina. Jess and I are going to dinner beforehand at Murial's (the site of Dad's last birthday party!).

Two great nights! I am busy getting things done on my to do list so I can relax later and enjoy Thursday and Saturday completely!

Oh, yum

Last night I made roasted broccoli with shrimp for dinner. It was amazing. I highly recommend. (The only modification was cooking the broccs and shrimps separately, so we could each enjoy the dish as we liked. We also gave it a splash of soy sauce. It made the whole dish pop.)

(Photo from The Wednesday Chef)

I really, really miss this place!

There is a blog that I read, written by a girl who lives in New York. We've never met, and I can't even remember how I found her blog, but I love to read it, because I think that Kathryn is pretty cool and think that if we ever did meet in real life, we might be friends.

Last week, she wrote about exploring the boroughs of New York, and her recent trip to Williamsburg (NY, not VA). I used to live in Williamsburg, loved it, and decided to comment on her post and give her a tip about a restaurant there that I absolutely adore.

Well.

Not only did she and her husband and friends go there for dinner (yay!!!) but then she wrote an entire post about it!!!

I feel oh so in-the-know and just simply delighted by this. And my mouth is still watering from the recollection of what you ate. When I told my sister that you guys had gone to eat there, she immediately responded, "Oh, I want some of that rice and green sauce!" You are lucky, lucky people!

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Kathryn!!

In Audubon Park,

Near Egret Island, with white swans swimming about, I saw five turtles sunning themselves on a rock.

It was lovely.

I am unhealthily attached to my computer right now

I don't know what little {blue} devil gets in me during March Madness, but I just love it. Like a magpie to shiny things, this tournament draws me in every year. Here it sit, blissfully watching SI.com refresh itself and deliver its scores to me. I only wish I was at home watching the games myself, but tonight and tomorrow, it's game time. How are you doing with your bracket?

Today, we are

I started the day out fabulously, with a run in Audubon Park with my two favorite girls. I'm tied for third place in my NCAA pool. And it's Friday! Hope you have a great one!

Life is a Cabaret

What good is sitting alone in your room?

Come hear the music play.

Life is a Cabaret, old chum,

Come to the Cabaret.

Put down the knitting,

The book and the broom.

Time for a holiday.

Life is Cabaret, old chum,

Come to the Cabaret.

Come taste the wine,

Come hear the band.

Come blow your horn,

Start celebrating;

Right this way,

Your table's waiting

No use permitting some person of doom

To wipe every smile away.

Come hear the music play.

Life is a Cabaret, old chum,

Come to the Cabaret!

I used to have a girlfriend known as Elsie

With whom I shared four sordid rooms in Chelsea

I think of Elsie to this very day.

I'd remember how'd she turn to me and say:

"What good is sitting alone in your room?

Come hear the music play.

Life is a Cabaret, old chum,

Come to the Cabaret."

And as for me, I made up my mind back in Chelsea,

When I go, I'm going like Elsie.

Start by admitting from cradle to tomb

Isn't that long a stay.

Life is a Cabaret, old chum,

Only a Cabaret, old chum,

And I love a Cabaret!

Natasha Richardson was an iconic Sally Bowles. I listened to this album, and especially this song, over and over and over and over. I thought she was hugely brave, to take a lead in a musical on Broadway, when she had never sung before. She was magical. I loved her, looked up to her, learned bravery from her.

I am so sad for her family's loss of their wife, mother, sister, daughter.

Hey diddle diddle

To my little: I just bought your birthday present! I think you're gonna love it!

Today, I

Got to drive one of the company golf carts while escorting around a VIP. I briefly considered freestyling down St. Charles, but decided it would probably be a bit too conspicuous. Very, very fun!

What I miss about New York

Walking down the streets
Tiny moments of absolute silence, so rare and so amazing
The musicians in the subway stations
The catwalk in the Union Square station when you’re walking over the uptown 4/5/6 section
The subway
Window shopping while you walk
Lower Fifth Avenue. Newsroom Café, Club Monaco, Anthropologie, Sephora, Innovative. A lot of good things are in the neighborhood.
How you can literally walk from one end of the island to the other
Looking up the avenues and seeing all the stop lights changing color together
Looking across the streets and seeing the sun set
The temple
Lincoln Center, the ballet and the opera and the theatre
All the theatre, everywhere
The Met and its creaky floorboards on the 2nd floor hallway
The Frick
The Garden Court
The Rockefellar Christmas tree
Treats from Dean & Deluca while waiting for the tree to be light - 2 years!!!
Times Square
The movie theatres
The Subway by my office and the guys who worked there and would let me pay later if I didn’t have the cash
The Spanish rice and beans
The $7 manicures and $12 pedicures—and that I could walk one block to get the mani/pedi during lunch
Reading in line at the library
Spring
Summer
Winter
Fall
Central Park
Bryant Square Park
Washington Square Park and walking around NYU
NYU
Falaful
Sushi
Orange Japanese dressing
Eating with chopsticks
Jamba Juice
Chipotle, my manna of life
Eating McDonald's late at night at the 24-hour McDonald's on Fulton and talking about everything
The Westside highway and the jogging path on the pier
75 West - Sid, Anowar - I miss you guys!
Somehow, I even miss 33 Gold
Walking in the rain, wearing great rain boots
Walking in the snow, wearing great rain boots and a big poofy parka
Walking in the sunshine
Learning that all weather is good weather, as long as you’re properly attired
Riding the LIRR to the beach
Running into friends I haven’t seen in years, while I am walking down the street
Taking cabs to church
My ward
Cafeteria
Jane
Really really good pizza
Walking by the Plaza and Bergdorfs and remembering….remembering
Laughing on the inside as I walked past Abercrombie on Fifth and smelling the cologne…a block away and outside
Walking through Tiffany’s
Browsing for hours in Barnes and Noble
Sitting in Union Square late at night, watching the skaters
The Virgin Megastore
The Christmas bazaar in the red and white striped tents
Learning where (nearly) all the public restrooms are
Exploring Brooklyn and all the funny subway lines that go unusual places
Every roommate I’ve ever had—no matter the terms we parted on, I really enjoyed the time we had together and I remember you happily
My amazing, amazing friends
My wonderful job at Innovative
My awesome, awesome job at the AAMD
My truly, insanely, heavenly, wonderful bosses. Ladies, I miss you more than words can say.
All the dreams I had when I was in New York
Everything

I miss everything.

But, you know? I’ve realized, over the last seven months as I’ve been here and missed there (and managed to fall completely in love with here) that even though I miss New York so much that my insides ache and I when I talk to friends there I feel a blinding jealousy that they’re there and I’m not….I’ve realized how lucky I am. I am so lucky that I had a college experience and a life in New York worth missing. I am so lucky that I have amazing friends worth missing. I am so lucky that I’ve had two life-changing jobs worth missing. I am so lucky and so grateful for all of it. Even the missing of it part, because it helps me live here, in the moment, and love it that much more, because I know how lucky I am to be as happy as I am right now.

Weekend + Today

It was a quiet weekend for us here in NOLA. Rain, naps, snacks, etc. The most exciting was when we took Tulip to the doggie beach at the Levy and after much flirting with the water’s edge, she finally took a flying leap into the (slightly) deep end and SWAM!!! We were so proud of her. She was rewarded with a nice warm bath, as that Mississippi water is noxious. She hates baths very much, so it was a real treat for all of us.

Now it's a quiet, rainy Monday. I think I'm going to go peruse SI.com and learn all about the teams I want to pick for my brackets. I love March Madness!

Sickly....sniffle cough cough

I'm sick. Bleccch.

To paraphrase from Fifi Lapin, "I've got the dreaded lurgy... {cold} and pinkeye..."

No good.

I was home yesterday, back at work today, and am so, so, so glad it's Friday.

We just got season tickets to the Saints!!!!!!!!!!

Whooo loves ya??

Last night we channeled our inner Marthas and made the most amazing cupcakes. We made the batter, made the frosting, bought a pastry kit, studied the picture our mama sent us, found the candy bits, and then made our owl cupcakes. It took some practice, but by the fourth owl, we were on a roll and owl-making experts. I think they turned out super super cute. Don't you??

Yes, the little owlies are in the freezer....there was an unforseen "mudslide" of the frosting that kept happening. After a few minutes in the freezer, everything was dry and good to go!! I hope all the lucky recipients enjoy!

Thank goodness we didn't name her Athena

Last Saturday we met Zeus.

Yesterday we met Apollo.

Two of the most spectacularly huge dogs I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Both black labs, both *over* 100 pounds. (Zeus clocks in at 120!) Both (I swear) over 4 feet tall. Both owners cooed over Tulip and then said, "Ours was the EXACT SAME SIZE as her when he was 14 weeks old!!"

Every night before we go to sleep, I whisper into Tulip's ear, "Forty pounds. Fifty at the maximum!"

She's going to keep up her end of bargain, right?

It was amazing!

Getting ready for the show to start...

The crowd begins to go wild.....



Pandemonium is increasing......!!

She's almost here........!!!!!

IT'S BRITNEY SPEARS!!!!

The concert last night was so much and Britney did a great job. I don't think anyone loves her more than Louisianans, and she sang and danced the night away with us. What a great night!

And for the record, Hit Me Baby One More Time is still an awesome song!!!

OMG! It's B minus 4 hours!!!!!

Oh, Britney Spears. You crazy girl with the crazy dance moves and irresistably catchy tunes. We bought our tickets months ago. The concert night is finally here!!!!

Bon weekend everyone!

I am obsessed with this photo and will spend the weekend trying to figure out how to get these colors worked into my new bedroom! That plus teaching Tulip to sit, walking in the park, copious amounts of studying, rocking out to Britney Spears (the concert is on Tuesday!!!!!) and church on Sunday will comprise my weekend.

Hope you have a great one!

Tulip doing what she does best: CHEW

Which, unless she is chewing on your fingers or toes (or pant leg or sleeve), is very cute.

Memo to Tulip: We don't eat beads. Or chicken!

Last night was my first night of Mardi Gras. It was incredible! So far beyond what I had expected. Everything was amazing - the floats, the marching bands, the excitement in the crowds.

It was also Tulip's first Mardi Gras. Yes, we decided to take our nine week old puppy out and about in the wild crowds. You know, to socialize her. It actually turned out to be a great plan. Jessica knew that the Thursday night crowd would be the most benevolent of the bunch (and they honestly were really good). We packed a little backpack with water bottles, a doggie water bowl, poo bags, a camera and we were off. We were able to park at a friend's house (thanks again, Crawfords!) and set off to find the perfect viewing spot. As we walked, anyone and everyone who saw little Tulip cooed and stopped to pet her. She was quite the belle of the ball! I had tons of fun screaming and shouting and scrambling to collect beads and throws. It was so fun. When the first float went by, I waved and cheered and Jessica shouted from behind me (she was holding Tulip) "Scream louder! Wave bigger! No, BIGGER!!" She was not kidding. The more I screamed and jumped and waved, the more and better stuff I got. I ended the night with a wreath of beads so thick it practically went from my shoulder to my chin, two purple plastic water cups (I have a strange addiction to that particular sized plastic cup), a squishy football which will be conferred to Tulip for playing, AND a Jester's hat with bells!!!!!!! The hat was so fun and I wore it the rest of the night. (Note: all that cheering and waving and jumping is hard work! Arms and legs are very sore today. Maybe some stretching is in order.)

Tulip's favorite throw of the evening? The people down the sidewalk from where we were standing were having a nighttime picnic, and would casually toss aside their fried chicken bones and french fry ends, to her extreme delight. I didn't see her in action as I was up front waving and shouting, but Jessica said Tulip was in puppy heaven. When I returned back to them after the float had passed, Tulip still had fried chicken bits in her whiskers and on her face and was contentedly licking her chops. The rest of the night she was on the lookout! Too bad for her she's never going to get fried chicken at our house!

All in all, it was a fantastic night. Jessica and I wore the new Mardi Gras polos I bought for us as a treat. We each saw people we knew in the crowds. Tulip was so well behaved. And BONUS, she was so tuckered out that she slept in until 7:20 this morning! (And really only woke up because I needed to take a shower to get ready for the day!)

It was a late night, and I didn't have time to load my pictures. They will come, I promise!!!

Puppies like to wake up early. Me? Not so much.

My friend Chris once told me that since she had her baby boy four years ago (can't believe D is four!!), she no longer has any need for an alarm clock. I think I'm starting to understand what she means.

Along with standing up straight, my new year's resolution was to become more of a morning person. And by more of a morning person, I meant, like, not hitting the snooze button 3 times and not rushing to get to work on time.

hahahahhahahahahhahahahahha

If only. Tulip chirps every hour, on the hour, it seems, to please be let outside to do her ladylike business. She also wakes up at about 5:45 in the morning. And won't go back to sleep. Which means that I (because I have a very hard time hearing her in the middle of the night, quite mysterious) take her for her morning walk when she gets up while Jessica snoozes to make up for lost time during the night.

There are countless bonuses to getting up and outside in the morning. I'm teaching Tulip to run on the leash and she is the pefect running buddy (meaning, she likes to stop and rest about as often as my knee wants to). I've seen the sunrise two days in a row. I know what the weather is like, so can plan my outfits more accurately. And 5:45 is nearly three hours before I need to be at work, so I have plenty of time to not only walk the pup for almost an hour, but straighten my hair without rushing and drink my protein shake at a leisurely pace. I also go to bed much earlier now (because I'm tired much, much earlier), and manage put down the book (something I was never able to do before).

Except, sometimes, in the afternoon, maybe around 3:15 (meaning right now) I start to get a little sleepy. Think my boss would notice if I took a little puppy nap under my desk??

Home

I don't know if you can make out the word on that scuffed up blue key. It says "HOME".

Jessica made that key for me on a humid August night, and when she handed the shiny blue new key to me, I felt lost. I felt completely unsure about walking through the front door of that apartment. I felt completely unsure about walking out of the front door to my job interview. I felt frightened at night by the people walking past our windows, and was sure that something bad was going to happen to us. I felt hot (becuase it's hot here), I felt cold (because we blast the air conditioning). I felt like I had made the worst decision by moving here. I felt like I had made the best decision by moving here.

We moved into our amazing new apartment four days ago, and today I went back to that apartment to do the final close up. As I walked through the empty rooms, I remembered. I remember the first time I went to that apartment, during graduation last May (2008) and how we had all worked and cleaned and laughed and filled up the space with elbow grease and love. How merrily I cleaned that apartment, day dreaming about my new apartment in New York. What a different time that was. I remember the night Jessica asked me to live with her in that apartment. I remember our first night there, and how I didn't sleep because I was scared. I remember packing up literally everything we owned and driving away, evacuating for Hurricane Gustav. I remember learning which water handles made hot water and which water handles made cold water, because they were different at each faucet. I remember learning to deal with and get rid of all the extra roommates. I remember learning how to lock the front door, with its funny way of locking, and then learning to do it with one hand. I remember every time we made cupcakes. I remember learning how to make Jessica's amazing mashed potatoes. I remember learning which key went in the laundry room (the key closest to my car key) and which key worked on the second door (the one in the middle). I remember getting lots of practice parallel parking on the street, where the spots were usually smaller than I would have liked. I remember how awesomely big the bathroom was, and how conducive it was to two girls getting ready at the same time. I remember how much Drano we poured down the sink and when each of us learned how to use a plunger. I remember how we never sat down and ate a meal at the kitchen table (let alone off plates, we are bowl girls).

I remember all of it, each laugh, each tear, each excitement and each confused moment. I remember how many times I wanted to throw in the towel, and move back to New York. I remember how often I thought I had completely lost my mind. I remember that six months have passed since I moved here. I remember that I am a new person because I moved here.

Yesterday, walking home to the new apartment, someone stopped me and asked me for directions. I knew where they wanted to go and was able to communicate exactly how they should get there. I felt a huge sense of accomplishment from this simple exchange. I know that I am starting to belong here.

I can't wait to scuffle up my new, shiny key.

Nastia Liukin + BCBG = beautiful

I love Nastia Liukin.

I love BCBG.

Therefore, I love that Nastia Liukin has been asked to be the face of the Spring BCBG collection. The images are breathtaking. Enjoy!

Happy Monday!

I hope everyone had a splendid Valentine's weekend!

We packed and trollied and moved our belongings all night Friday night, in preparation for the guys from church coming move the big heavy items. They came, they moved, they assembled like champs, and we replenished them with juice and doughnuts. Everyone was happy.

E came to inspect our progress, bringing with him decadent Valentine's treats from he and A (thank you again! The raspberry chocolate mousse was especially scrumptious!) and then the three of us went on a rescue mission.

Any guesses what we were rescuing?

Anyone?

A puppy!!!!!!!!

I would like to introduce our little Miss Tulip Roberts!! We absolutely love her to bits. I'm sorry the photos are a bit blurry, but the pretty thing wouldn't pose for me.

She is 9 weeks old, loves to run wind sprints down the hall, loves to leap with abandon off the front porch, loves to flop on the floor by our feet, loves to earn treats by doing business outside, is learning to love her crate, and most of all, loves to play with sticks and leaves.

We are absolutely in love with her! She is the best Valentine's gift ever!

Hope all the celebs make it work!

I've just heard the most totally awesomely fun news that Tim Gunn is hosting this year's ABC Academy Awards Red Carpet special. He will be fantastic! I can't wait to hear what he has to say about all the frocks and jewels and lapels and shoes!

Tomorrow

We move into the new house!

Gimme an L!

Love that the weather is gorgeous.

Love that I made it to the gym today.

Love that it's Thursday.

Love you!

An open letter

Dear Restaurant Hosts and Hostesses,

I am very sorry that I am calling you three days before Valentine's Day, trying to make a reservation for the 7:30 seating. I am very sorry that everyone else in New Orleans made their reservations weeks ago and that I only got asked to make these reservations today. I am very sorry that I have to keep asking and pleading for you to fit in one more table-for-two for my boss's guests. I am very sorry that it's also Mardi Gras and by this weekend our city will be under seige by tourists.

Please stop laughing at me as soon as I start to say the words "this Saturday". It's not funny, actually, and since you are the 14th restaurant I've called today, I'm starting to get annoyed by it.

Thank you for your time, and you know what? I will have a great day - thanks for the well wishes.

Hugs and kisses,

Emily

Happy Monday

Hello all! Did everyone has a wonderful weekend? We did, down here in the balmy tropics. The weather this weekend was pretty magical - 75, sunny, not humid. Perfect driving-in-the-car-with-the-windows-down weather. I forget what I did Friday night...most alternated between reading the weekly mags and organizing/packing things to move. Saturday morning we met our aunt + uncle + cousins after L's tour of Tulane and swept them over to Sucre for gelato and giggles. It's always so nice to see family! After dropping them off downtown for French Quarter adventures, we began an adventure all our own, entitled, "Where to find lunch when you're starving and there's an hour wait everywhere." Ahh Mardi Gras (the first parade rolled Saturday night). We ended up logging a fair bit of the afore-mentioned window down driving, and ended up with Po'boys and cheese fries, a very nice treat at the end of a lengthy scavenger hunt. After that, we powered through Target and Lowe's for odds and ends for the apartment. The things large (like closets) and small (like striped bins for the bathroom that perfectly match the shower curtain) that will make our apartment just right.

Then we showered and gussied and tarted up for a fancy-schmancy art museum party. Loved the exhibit, a series of portraits of jazz greats by Frederick Brown.

Sunday morning, we met the fam for church (so fun having family to sit with!) and then we started the haul, which mainly consisted of our laundry because one of my favorite features of the new house is that the laundry is FREE!!!! We started running the laundry during the hauls, and we managed to get several loads over to the apartment and through the wash. (Except we forgot one critical part - which was that by washing all our towels and leaving them at the new house, we had nothing to use to dry off after our Monday morning showers. Yes, this was an awesomely fun realization to have last night at 11:30PM. We made do with paper towels and hair shammys. Go ahead, laugh, it's funny.) The weekend was finished off with Mexican food and Oreos and the Grammys, where we cheered on Jennifer Hudson, loved Justin Timberlake's impromptu performance, thought Kanye and Estelle were glitteriffic and were concerned for Rihanna.

{Photo by Mademoiselle Molly Fryxell's Flickr album}

I hope everyone is having a lovely Monday!

Exciting days ahead

One week from tomorrow we are moving! We are so excited. We have found a darling new apartment located right in the midst of a really fun, New Orleansy area. We stopped by last night just to say hi to the new rooms, and everytime we go we get happier and happier with our choice. I love new apartments because there are limitless choices and endless possibilities. What colors to choose, how to decorate. It's like you get to redefine yourself. The official moving day is next Saturday, but starting tomorrow we are going to deposit bins and boxes each day so that hopefully come next Saturday, the guys from church will only need to move the large furniture pieces. It'll be the best Valentine's Day ever.

Confidence, trust, respect, etc.

“Confidence grows at the rate a coconut tree grows; it falls as the rate a coconut falls.”

{Montek Ahluwalia, the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission in India}

Red + White

Image from Clementine Press

I hope everyone is having a wonderfully {love}ly day! I have a tutoring session this evening and perhaps afterwards I'll stay up too late to watch Top Chef. I did get 11 hours of sleep last night, so maybe I can pull it off. But I also want to pull off doing yoga in the A.M., so we'll see. Choices, choices.

I tweet you

A sigh of satisfaction

Today began bright and early at 5:45. Armed with an amaaazing blowout (thank you for making this a great hair day!) and my trusty black suit, I zoomed into the office at 7:15. Today was the day - the culmination of two months of planning and organizing. I can't divulge too much detail, so let's just say it involved a really famous person, Secret Service and a bomb dog. (Whose name is Madison and is so, so cute. And in high demand - just this weekend, she sniffed for the SuperBowl.) The event is all finished, and everyone has departed safely. I had a lot of help, but this was my project. And everyone has said what a wonderful job I did. I am a very, very happy girl.

January passes to February

Another great weekend has just passed and another great week has begun. At the end of last week, I started exploring a volunteering opportunity that I am very excited about. Friday night we went with E & A to listen to Shirin Neshat give a lecture on her art. She is an Iranian artist, who's work is feminist, political, strong and intense. She herself is a tiny hummingbird of a person, with the sweetest voice and wonderful sense of humor. It was great having the art explained by the artist, and I started to understand her point of view. Which is the entire point.

Photo from ISPhotography

And now February is upon us. We have big plans for Valentine's Day, yes indeed we do. Details soon to follow.

And the whole city is gearing up for Mardi Gras. Mile markers, portapots and special garbage cans are out on St. Charles. I've seen some grandstands, and the niftiest contraptions that involve ladders, wheels and bucket seats. Too hard to explain, I'll try to get a picture of them. And a few days ago in the park, we saw a group of people marching and dancing in rhythm. We could not figure out what they were doing, and then Jessica realized - they were practicing for the parade! Brilliant plan actually. Where else can a large number of people march around and around on a smooth surface while dodging other foot traffic? I can't wait for the spectacle that has been promised. And I've discovered that King Cake is delicious. Wickedly, addictingly delicious. Thank goodness it's not sold year round!