Vegetarian vs. Carnivore

Tonight Jessica and I shared a pomegranate for dinner.

Tulip ate a cow's trachea.

Yes, really.

Geaux Saints Geaux!

This game was amazing. From our perch high above the endzone, we screamed, cheered, booed, and contributed to the absolute madness, choas, pandemonium of everyone in New Orleans cheering for the home team. We wore our new jerseys (Brees for me, Shockey for her) and Jessica completely "out-Sainted" me with a pair of gold lamé leggings. They were amaaaaazing. I know several of you have requested photos but...gold lamé is a sight that must be seen in person.

So now we're 5-0. It's pretty great. Can't wait for the next game!

There and back again: the Wedding

The driving force behind my trip to New York was Jessica and Kevin's wedding. Since the trip fell over my birthday, I decided to stretch out my vacation time so that I could play in New York after my bridesmaidly duties were fulfilled.

First up, the wedding.

Jessica and Kevin's wedding was simply wonderful! Fun, joyful, easy, relaxing, full of loving families and friends - it was truly a joyous celebration of love and commitment.

It was an absolute delight to witness my friend marry someone who cares so deeply for her, and who is kind and loving and attentive and just about the sweetest person in the world. Jessica and I have been talking and daydreaming for a very long time about her wedding to Kevin and it was such an honor to be a part of their special day.

After the beautiful ceremony - which included Jessica's sweet mother and Kevin's amazing parents - this crew got down! I've never seen dancing like I did at this party. My dates has some smooth moves, and he whirled me around the dance floor all night. Jessica and Kevin stole the night with a salsa number that blew everyone away. The DJ had the coolest set-up that included giant screens on which he projected the music video of the song he was playing. It was great - and when "Thriller" came on, he stopped the whole thing and taught the crowd the dance. It was so fun.

And now for the pictures...

Waiting to go down for the ceremony

{This is a candid shot, taken on an iPhone, can you believe it?}

Jessica has never looked more beautiful, or Kevin more handsome

My dashing date

{Who carried all of Jessica's essentials and my flat shoes - what a trooper!}

Us on the Princeton campus

Another shot on the Princeton campus - it's so stunning. I wish I could go to undergrad again!

The bridesmaids with Jessica and Kevin. Doesn't Jessica look so beautiful??!

{Also, how on earth am I the tallest one of the bunch?}

Reception!

Jessica and Kevin laughing at the toast.

Jessica and Kevin - here's to your happily ever after!!!!!

Yes, I watch SYTYCD

You standing here is a sign of victory.
-Lil' C

SYTYCD filmed auditions in New Orleans this year, and the episode aired tonight. As I watched the entire episode, I was pretty much alternating between bouncing out of my chair with excitement for these incredible dancers and sitting, crying in awe of their triumphs. So many of these dancers have never had formal training - dancing is just part of the cultural fabric of this city. Dancer after dancer just brought serious heat, but what else would you expect from NOLA? One kid even introduced the "New Orleans Bounce" which blew everyone away. I mean, seriously, it was some of the fiercest stuff I've ever seen. He was there with his best friend, his mentor, who had taught him to dance when he was a little kid and had woken him up at 3:00 in the morning the day of the audition to make sure he was there on time.

And he's just one example. This city is filled to the brim with passion, talent, and soul. It's everywhere you go, everyone you meet, every song you hear sung on a street corner. Music is the heartbeat of this city, and it seems like everyone, from tiny children to old-timers and everyone in between, carries that heartbeat.

I love this city so much. It sets me on fire, and every day I feel like new things are possible. Each person here has had their heart broken, made sacrifices to come back, and keep going. This city taught me that. It has taught me to be alive, to be honest, to try every day, to be strong. Just like each one of those dancers, and just like this gorgeous city, each of us still standing here is a sign of victory.

Macro. Hmmm.

My friend sent this email to me from across the classroom today:

This is a lot of Y=C+I+G / F(K,L) I (r) MPL * MPK all finished off with a nice WTF.

Exxxxactly.

{am I so busy that I can't get pictures anymore? apparently}

Today has been full of loveliness. The weather is vaguely crisp, it's cooler than it's been in weeks and it almost maybe awesomely makes me think that fall has fallen. I just love fall.

A great something I've been obsessing over for weeks literally fell into my lap today. This is why overthinking and obsessing pays off! Because when the opportunity presented itself, I was able to articulate my ideas and {just maybe} move my personal agenda forward a step. Major hooraying is happening in my head.

Someone that {I thought} had forgotten about me suddenly resurfaced, and another opportunity has come from it.

Someone cut down one of my ideas this afternoon, one that I'm so excited about. She deflated me a bit, but it also reminded me why I am so determined to make it happen.

And of course, someone is getting married in 4 days, and I am just beyond thrilled.

Ok, must go back to reading my econ book. I forgot how long it takes to read textbooks...

My plan for zen appears to have worked

Maybe it was the yoga.

Maybe it was the fun-with-friends.

Maybe it was taking a night off from homework.

I'm going to go with D, all of the above.

I'm feeling refreshed, with renewed calm and positivity.

Happy Friday!

Her Highness, the Queen!

Look at our little snickerdoodle!!!!!!!
Front page of the NewWave.

Win the title for sheer loveability, while unicorns covered in bacon jam frolick around Joel Robuchon's backyard

No, I didn't write that title, but it made me laugh out loud, which was extremely welcome on this {very tired} Thursday.

Things are wild and hairy-scary these day. A lot is happening really, really fast, and it's definitely hard to keep my head above water. Sometimes it's just the tippy tip of my nose that's above water...

I had a final on Tuesday, which I am 98.5% confident I rocked. I know it's not about the grade, but I just can't help my inner Hermione from rearing up inside me with a ferocious desire to be the best.

I'm going to yoga tonight. I am in need of some serious om-ing.

And in case it's another two weeks before I post again:

Jessica: 10 days!!!

I will always heart NY

What I experienced and witnessed on this day 8 years ago made an indelible mark on my heart. I am sad I am not in the city today to leave flowers for firefighters and join together with other New Yorkers to celebrate and remember the ones that were lost. But no matter where I am, this day is a part of me, and I am a part of it. I love my New York. It is the place that makes my heart beat faster, the place that inspires my artistic swoons, the place that I will always, always feel is home. I miss it. I love it. I will always remember this day.

Tonight

There is a thunderstorm raging outside and I'm tucked up in my house with a proper dinner of roast chicken, freshly baked cookies and a new movie to watch.  Have a lovely evening!

Multi-tasking

On this lovely, end-of-summer Saturday night in New Orleans, I'm at home with my puppy as I study for my first exam. It's tomorrow {Sunday} morning, 9:00AM. I keep trying to get Tulip to hold up the flashcards for me, but she's more interested in snoozing on my bed. In the meantime, I'm breaking in a pair of stilettos for a friend's wedding in October {so excited!!!} and baking cookies. Can anyone help me out with an HLOOKUP? Call me. Thanks!

Whoa

I did my very first MBA, grown-up-girl presentation today. So, so scary! Somehow I managed to create the best slides of my whole class. Me? {Sammy, Mike, Ray, Jessica, Meaghan - thank you for helping, proofing, teaching, editing!} Somehow, I got up, gave an MBA - worthy presentation that I wrote all on my own, was organized, didn't trip over my feet, and even got a smile and a nod from my professor. They sure don't waste any time in grad school - this was only the third time the class had met! Now I've done it and next time it'll be a bit easier.

It really is the happiest place on earth!

Congratulations on your fairy tale engagement!!!!!!

And I've got miles to go before I sleep...

When life lessons re-manifest themselves to you

I am busy. So busy that I've been feeling like I barely have time breathe. I'm taking advantage of a wonderful opportunity to be in school and work really hard and look for opportunities to do more and push myself. The honest truth? I am overwhelmed. I'm tired. My brains needs a vitamin. I haven't pulled these kinds of non-stop hours since my days at NYU. Personal discipline is at an all-time peak. Time management is becoming my new favorite word. I also went to the dentist a few days ago and my teeth really hurt.

I was feeling overly overwhelmed a little bit ago and sort of complaining to myself about how much I need to get done and as I was waiting {impatiently} for the elevator, a girl on crutches walked up to me. She had a lot of difficulty walking from {what I've since learned is cerebral palsy} and made her way slowly over to where I was standing. I asked her if she was coming for the elevator and she smiled and said no, she was looking for a certain classroom and did I know where it was located? The classroom was unfortunately located on the complete other side of the school. I have her the information, and she gave me a big smile and thanked me for my help. My elevator arrived and I got onto it and she turned and walked/limped away.

I don't know - it just helped snapped me back into perspective. My teeth still hurt. I still have too much to do. I still don't have enough time. Maybe this is one of those "you had to be there" moments, but it was beautifully refreshing to remember that a smile makes things better, and that while it's tough, by golly, we're all going to make it through. Running, walking, limping, no matter what, we'll all make it through. And one of the greatest ones of all: that it's supposed to be hard. The hard is what makes it great. If it weren't hard, everyone would do it.

Tonight is a school night!

Tomorrow is my Orientation day. I'm so excited...I've been waiting for this for a year. I've set up my new laptop, packed my school bag, picked out my outfit...I can't wait!!!!!!!!

It's game day baby!

The first pre-season game is tonight and I am so excited! We got out our tickets this morning and I'm dressed in my finest

{and chicest and most work appropriate} black and gold.

Go Saints!

{I can't think of a title}

A week ago today I got news that a colleague died in an accident. Horrible news. Since then, I've been working non-stop with others in my office on all the logistics that need to be dealt with after something like this. I've helped her family locate documents, get her pets adopted, plan a memorial. It's been a shocking and devastating time for everyone involved. That's what I've been up to lately. Thank you to everyone who's helped me out recently - I've really needed it and appreciate it so much. xoxo.

Kindness

Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.

Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.

Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.

Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
it is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.

Naomi Shihab Nye

Fantastic news about release of American journalists

Read about it here.

Ode to my weekend

{Photo from Naturally Nina}

During lunch today, I bought a great new pair of workout shorts that make me want to get out there, shake my buns and go for a run. I also bought the latest issue of The Economist and read and read and read. A gentleman I used to work with is the former CEO of The Economist and he got me hooked on it. I just love that magazine {and him}.

On the docket for the weekend is a slurry of fun - farmer's market, new library books, workouts, movies, SatchmoFest, White Linen Night, riverwalks with Tulip followed by baths with Tulip, church, tidying and shopping. Should be wonderful!

She punctuated dinner with lovely blue hydrangeas

Last night I watered our basil plant and then we picked enough basil leaves to make an heirloom tomato + bufalo mozzarella + basil salad and a delicious pesto sauce to put on our fresh pasta noodles. Oh, and then after that we made homemade oreo cookies. It was wonderful. I just love having dinner guests!

On the menu

Last night's dinner party was fantastic! Great company that helps in the kitchen and makes you laugh plus amazing food - what more can you ask for on a Wednesday night?

On the menu:

Salad of Hearts of Romaine and Curls of Parmesean dressed with Lemon Oil

Fresh Homemade Pasta with Homemade Marinara Sauce

Homemade Parmesean Butter and Bread

Angel Food Cake topped with Fresh Whipped Cream and Peaches

Thanks for coming over, we had a wonderful time!

{So apparently, the plums we were stewing got left in the oven. Overnight. Ooops!}

The best kind of equation

Freshly laundered sheets

+

A crisply made bed

+

{a half-dose of Benadryl}

=

Delicious sleep

Coming soon to a theater near you

The Very Hungry Puppy
The Very Thirsty Puppy
A Puppy Walks Around the House

and my personal favorite,

The Barking Puppy

Classics, each and every one of them.

Nightly showings at 1:00am, 2:00am, 3:00am, 4:00am......

A two ton hippo slept on my back

No, not really {I don't even have Tulip to blame, as she "slept" in Jessica's room last night} but how else can I explain the dreadful knots in my neck today?

Sigh. I still haven’t managed to recover from the world’s worst night of sleep, which was complete with an unhappy, wandering puppy, nightmares which resulted in real tears, a spastically chirping and braying fire alarm and being eaten alive, burrito-style, by my bedding.

I’ve felt rather creature-from-the-black-lagoon today. I did try. I went running at lunchtime, drank a few diet cokes, but…sometimes you’ve just got to know when to say uncle.

UNCLE.

I have 3 lovely evening activities planned for tonight, so the day is looking up. Now, if only I could look up….but my neck seems incapable of such a motion at the moment. Maybe tomorrow?

And we're off!

We are off to the airport to jet off for vacation with my family at Lake Tahoe. {Little Tulip is at sleep-away puppy camp and will be safe and happy until we return.} We are celebrating my beautiful grandmother's birthday, and I cannot wait to see everyone! I am really lucky to have such a loving and kind family. We always have so much fun together and I'm sure this trip will be the same. Birthday parties, fancy luncheons with lady friends, hiking, white water rafting, barbequing....it's going to be wonderful!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just scootin' along

I think that a tangerine-colored Vespa would be the perfect mode of transportation here, especially in the summer. Breezing down St. Charles would be so much fun! Who's with me? We could admire the beautiful homes, then zip down to Cafe du Monde for beignets. Summer dreaming at it's finest!

I heart Harry Potter

So good. So funny. So sad. One of my favorite books in the series and the film really did it justice. I'll be seeing it again. Want to come?

Even more treats

Yesterday my "welcome package" arrived at the house and inside was a treasure trove of Tulane goodies! My very own Tulane shirt, the beginning of what I'm sure will become a large collection. {The collection of mine is already quite large, but those shirts were all inherited from Jessica, who after 5 years has quite the epic Tulane shirt collection.} Baseball t's are one of my favorites and you better believe this little cutie got packed for the trip to Tahoe!!

Inside the bag was this booklet, full of fun facts about Tulane. Very cute and interesting!

Monday afternoon, these treats mysteriously appeared at the house. Tulip is trying to take credit for them but I think she had some assistance from a Miss J.A.R. Sucre makes my heart go pitter-patter and this surpise was a great one! Thank you again!!!!!

Yummy yummy macaroons. The chocolate ones are the very best, I think!

Oh and this little sweetie treatie? Raspberry chocolate mousse topped with a pink macaroon? Heaven. I ate it last night when I got home from Harry Potter and it was absolutely scrumptious.

Thank you to everyone who has cheered for me and celebrated with me! I have had so much sharing this with you and thank you for helping me along the way!!!! I am so excited to start this new program and see where it leads!!!

Lady treats

When I bought these beautiful new tins of tea this past weekend, I had no idea that I would be celebrating such wonderful news this week. My darling friend Meg also had no idea when she bought a dainty and delicate vintage hankie that she would have the perfect opportunity to celebrate my good news with me! Meg, thank you so much for standing next to me while I opened the news and thank you also for the lovely hankie! You are so thoughtful! I think a tea party is in order. All are invited! Peppermint or ginger tea?

I danced and cheered with joy!

I am shout-it-from-the-rooftops, hire-a-plane-to-write-in-the-sky, fireworks-finale HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I GOT INTO TULANE'S MBA PROGRAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh look

It's a new day.  Isn't it great how that happens?

Have a fantastic weekend.

2:00 A.M.

Couldn't sleep.  Didn't want to sleep.  Turned on my iPod {blasted it, the neighbors are on vacation}.  Turned off all the lights.  Had an impromptu dance party with Tulip.  

Feel like part of myself has come back.  Replacing melancholy with hope and whimsy that hasn't been here for a long time. 

Welcome back, self.  So good to see you again.  

{Ok, super tired.  Going to bed now!}

Why haven't you texted me back yet??

Happy Birthday/Father's Day/My Dad is Brilliant day!

I have no pictures of us together. What?

Friends who call you from Grand Central Station at 4:30 on a crowded Friday afternoon and make you laugh for 20 minutes are the best. THE BEST. I miss your face so much! Give that four year old gentleman of yours the biggest hug in the world and please wish on a star for me. I am so lucky I know you!

I've decided I love them again

I can't decide how I feel today. Most of the time I am fine. But then sometimes I get very sad. Sometimes very angry. Sometimes I go days without thinking about it and sometimes it's all I can think about. Last night I treated myself to a massage and freaked out the masseuse when I started to cry. Deep tissue work is painful, whether it's your neck or your heart.

Afterwards I walked to the flower shop to buy myself a little bouquet for my desk. I looked through everything and was just about settled on some yellow sunflowers when a small section of peonies caught my eye. Pink and white. Pink and white, my very favorite. Pink and white, the kind I was going to hold. Pink and white, the kind that for the last year have made me nauseous. Suddenly I wanted to buy the entire bucketful. Next to the pink and white ones I saw a few bunches of deep burgundy wine colored peonies. They were stunning and different than anything I'd ever seen before. So I bought them and carried them home. And smile when I look at them. And that is a good thing.

Remember

{Make your own card here}

Making me happy

• Woke up shockingly early this morning. On my own. So relaxing.
• Sunglasses fogged up when I went outside. Still novel enough that I find it funny.
• Got my favorite parking spot. Love when that happens. Miracle when it does!
• Am wearing white today. Always puts me in a good mood.
• Walked past these gorgeous pink tree blossoms on my way into the office.
• Everything here {except the flowers, of course} is green, green, green!
• Am having lunch with a friend.
• Am treating myself to a massage tonight after work.
• Am having dinner with another friend.
• Life is good.

Morningscape

Dreamland.

For her too.

The ride home from doggie day care was quiet

Pick up was at 5:00

and then she slept for the rest of the night.

And DON'T SLIDE DOWN THE BANNISTER!

{Photo by my mama. Isn't it gorgeous?}

{Major bonus points to the person who can tell me what movie the title is from.}

Today Tulip is at her trial day of doggie day care. Meaning that if she is good/cute/fun/friendly she can board there during our trip to Tahoe. Meaning that if she is bad/wild/uncontrollable alternate plans will have to be made. Oh dear.

Please send all your most calming, well mannered, chew-with-your-mouth-closed thoughts in her little direction.

Many thanks!

UPDATE:  Our girl is in!  Boarding is set to commence next Thursday!!!  Good job, T, we are so proud of you!!!!  {The little dear is so tired from her day of non-stop fun t hat she collapsed with happy exhaustion the moment she hit the car and, except for a short walk inside, has been asleep since 5:15.  This day care thing is amazing.}

's wonderful!

{Photo by suebeehb}

a wonderful little mrs. got married to her mr. and some wonderful person got invited to the wedding. the wedding was just beautiful and everyone there was full of love for the new mr. and mrs.

the new mrs. said to her friend, "some wonderful person gave some wonderful baking pans to the wonderful mr. and mrs. m."

the friend said, "oh?"

the mrs. said, "mr. and mrs. were wonderfully surprised to receive such a wonderful gift."

the friend said, "some wonderful person thought a wonderful mrs. would love to use the wonderful pans to make her mr. some wonderful treats because the mrs. is so very very wonderfully martha."

the mrs. said, "how wonderful!"

the friend said, "i just adore that mr. and mrs!"

the mrs. said, "they just adore you!"

the end.

xoxo.

A little sunshine for a rainy Wednesday

It's grey.....drizzly.....Mom leaves today.......so for some cheering-up eye candy:

Feel better? Me too.

A love letter to my Mother

My mom surprised me at work today with these pretty blue hydrangeas, two vegetable tamales and a pineapple popsicle. What is sweeter than that?

My mom leaves tomorrow. She’s been here for a month and it’s been a really good time. Lots of fun, lots of doing New Orleansy things, a few times when our lil’ 4-room shotgun home and 3 girls + puppy was just way too small, some wonderful conversations and a whole lot of love.

My mom is just wonderful. Full of joy, always up for a good time, and capable of making even a midnight run to Circle K completely magical. She is a puppy whisperer and has Tulip completely under her spell. What will she do without her Goddess to keep her in line???

I know you believe in me ten thousand percent and that knowledge means the world to me. I’m so grateful you are always there for me, even when I exhaust you, even after a fight, especially after a fight. I needed this time with you, to feel loved and daughterly again. I especially needed it on the days when I was particularly beastly. Your patience with me is steadfast, and for that I am so grateful. I know I am not always a picnic to be around, and thank you for not letting me push you away. Thank you for being strong when I need strength. Thank you for listening and talking and helping me see and learn and grow and become stronger.

I love the curly curly curlicue hair you gave me, the love of pink flowers you gave me, the midnight owl tendencies you gave me. I am so proud of the person you are, the artist you are, the kindest most loving most giving best teacher most amazing woman that you are.

I love you!

Ohhh Miss B!

This girl is un-freaking-believable.

Her voice is the voice of an angel. A very, very powerful angel.

Her dance moves? Like nothing I've ever seen before.

Utter fandemonium in the jam packed, sold out Superdome.

The show was amazing and unforgettable!

Thank you again for the tickets and coming with us, Mom!!!!

July 3 + 4

Last year on July 3 I started my day at the South Street Seaport with friends, admiring the lovely and artistic waterfalls that bedazzled the Brooklyn Bridge. My favorite four year old friend gifted me a Swedish Fish and a kiss and told me everything would be ok. I didn’t really believe him. I spent the afternoon hiding in my office, crying. I made a last-minute decision to fly home for the holiday weekend. I was crumbling, and so very certain I was going to die of heartbreak.

Last year on July 4 I woke up and within an hour my life had turned upside down. I made the hardest decision of my life, and followed it with the decision to leave New York. What a one-two punch to myself. Plans were dismantled and new, emergency, contingency plans put in place.

This year on July 3 I took my puppy to play in the Mississippi River and went to the {amazing} Beyonce concert.

This year on July 4 I baked a cake and decorated it with berries and cream and made it look like our lovely American flag. I went to the river with a friend and watched the glorious fireworks. We wandered around the French Quarter afterwards and as I walked I thought about things. Everything.

More than once I’ve cried, remembering. More than once I wanted to call and see how things are. More than once, I can’t believe a year has passed. This was a rough weekend, to say the least, but the days come and go and we get through it. And more than once, I’m so grateful for loving family and friends. I never expected that this is where I would be in July 2009. But I am happy and working hard and still doing my best to keep moving forward every day. I wish you the very best.

Happy July!

There are so many exciting things happening this month! Beyonce, fireworks, baseball, cake-making, Harry Potter, birthdays and Tahoe! I just can't wait!