Painting the Town Pink

Marcel the Shell with shoes on

2011-11-15T16:36:00.004-05:00

Dear Marcel the Shell with shoes on,

Where have you been all my life?

Love,

Part 1:

Part 2:

"Guess why I smile a lot... Uh. Cause it's worth it."

-Marcel the Shell with shoes on

And That's Love.

2011-11-08T14:58:00.007-05:00

Well, isn't this just lovely?

A few excerpts from the Modern Love column "When the Words Don't Fit" are below, but really, you'll want to just go ahead and read the whole thing. I promise it will leave your heart smiling.

When the Words Don't Fit

by Sarah Healy

... He walked me to my car, and we kissed in the parking garage, under orblike yellow lights. It was a still kiss, a postcard kiss, a Disney princess kiss, the kind of kiss that makes blue cartoon birds chirp and swirl in the sky, their beaks holding garlands.

And this is exactly where the story should end. It should cut to credits, and the music should be triumphant but soft. Your last image should be of the young girl and the handsome poetry-writing boy frozen in a movie kiss. You should brush the popcorn off your lap and leave the theater smiling because everything worked out the way you knew it would. You can leave remembering that time when you were young and lovely, and things like that could happen.

Because it’s boring to say that things don’t work out like they do in the movies. Everyone knows that. Even 21-year-olds. But it’s hard to resist a great story. If we had lasted, we would have had one hell of a story.

[...]

“You have to believe that the Lord put you together in the first place.” That’s what my father said in his toast. That was his advice to my husband and me, his way of saying that what we had was preordained, that it was divine. And really, it was as good an explanation as any for love.

[...]

So, I suppose that’s the point: Love chooses us.

My husband and I don’t have a great “meeting” story. We met in a conventional way and had a conventional wedding. And in some sense, we lead a conventional life.

But my husband has seen me at my worst, at my most vile. And he has seen me at my best. He knows the things I don’t tell anyone, and the lies that I tell everyone but him. I have made sacrifices for him and been angry about it. Sometimes his flaws are so egregious, so blatant, they are all I see. And sometimes his kindness is so stunning that I am humbled.

And that’s love. Big, epic, fairy-tale love. The kind of love people write about. The kind of love that could inspire a poem.

Make yourself a New Yorker

2011-11-01T10:12:00.004-04:00

"Make yourself a New Yorker, declare yourself a New Yorker, and New York accepts you, and is glad to have you, and is the more glad the more you are worth the having."

Robert Shackleton, The Book of New York

Totally need to do this this weekend

2011-10-14T15:46:00.002-04:00

Seriously. It's been almost 7 weeks since I moved (and, you know, a few more than that since I've blogged... but who's counting?). And my beautifully large closet is still in a total disarray. That will all change this weekend though. No traveling. No holy matrimonies. No out of town guests.

Just me. And my closet.

Heaven, help me.

Some days...

2011-07-29T14:40:00.003-04:00

Some days, you just need to see a fluffy dog catching a ride on top of a turtle...

Today is one of those days. Happy Friday!

And now... The Epic Conclusion.

2011-07-14T14:18:00.005-04:00

10 years in cinematic making, and it all comes down to this... Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

Less than 7 hours until I'm sitting in Lincoln Square Cinemas for my very last midnight showing of this amazing series. I'm joining the thousands of die-hard fans tonight, along with my Potter-loving BFF and BF... and let's be honest, my new winged friend will likely be in attendance as well. :)

Thanks to Derek for this Look Back over the last 7 films... get ready for 5 minutes and 14 seconds of pure magical delight!

6 hours, 39 minutes and counting...

Mellow Yellow

2011-07-02T11:23:00.004-04:00

Nothing brightens a summer day quite like sunshiney yellow nails and a delicious lemony treat.

Happy Weekend, everyone!

Work/Real Friends

2011-06-29T15:42:00.006-04:00

When you start introducing someone as "my friend... who I met at work... but we're, like, real friends. Not just work friends. Real friends," you know you've crossed that unspoken line between professionalism and personal life -- and there's no turning back.

Today marks LJ's last day of working in NYC... the last 3 years and 10.5 months of which have been spent with yours truly.

Yes, it's true -- my co-worker-turned-BFFAEAEAE is making the big move back to Texas to start a brand new adventure in Dallas!

And while I'm so very excited for what's in store for her... to say I'm "an emotional mess" would be a gross understatement.

I'm trying to hold off on ~~anymore~~ tears for now, because I still have 4 whole days of twirly, winky-faced fun before she hops on that one-way flight to DFW. But that doesn't make today any easier... Honestly, the thought of coming to the office tomorrow and not having one of my best friends right down the hall is really... sad. And scary. And... unfathomable.

Who will join me for DDP breaks? And who will send me ~~walrus~~ wakeup texts to make sure I'm up after a near-sleepless Thursday night on the town? And who will I eat a romantic sushi and wine Valentine's Day dinner with after working until 10pm on a Monday... again? And whose office door will I slam closed when I just need to giggle... or, occasionally, cry?

There's a lot to say... and I will. Just... later. Because nearly 4 years of BFFAEAEAE-ship can't be summed up in the 45 minutes that I have left before we head to LJ's Farewell Happy Hour. So instead, I'll just leave you with some happy memories... of the day that we were reunited, along with Jamie, our third musketeer, here at our current agency. It literally seems like just last week and a lifetime ago... all at once:

Sweet Southern Comfort

March 18th, 2009

If you've had a conversation or two with me since I moved to NYC, you've probably heard at least a few of the many tales of adventure/awkward with my co-workers-turned-friends. Since my first day at my first "real" job, I had a feeling I would soon be thanking God for putting Jamie and Lauren in my life. And it wasn't just because they both hailed from below the Mason-Dixon Line (Atlanta and Dallas, respectively). The three of us, well, we just... clicked.

It would take quite a bit of rambling (yes, even more than usual) to recount all of the reasons these girls have helped to make my life in New York as simply fabulous as it is today (and as you'll see, many of the stories have already been detailed for your enjoyment on Lulled and La La La anyways). From Spy Adventures to Wee Mee's to Karaoke to countless hours spent discussing celebs and recapping the previous night's must-see tv, our work days were anything but mundane. (Disclaimer: While we were right on point with our green circled predictions, Jason No Longer = Muffin. GROWL. But that's another rant for another post.)

Needless to say, when the time eventually came for the Showtime Girls to part professional ways (technically for the second time, but we won't speak of The Dark Ages otherwise known as LJ's Eight Month Hiatus...), it could only be summed up as "bittersweet." I know that I for one was anxious to see what the future held, but the idea of not working with two of my best friends every single day?! Two words: womp wooomp.

So it will come as no surprise that my excitement for tomorrow is reminiscent of all those Christmas Eves I counted down the hours until Santa and his reindeer finally landed on my roof. In a strange, wonderful turn of events, tomorrow will mark the day that all three of us are back where we belong - embracing our media nerdiness together. In the same agency.

Love. It.

I have no doubt that our friendship would've easily stood the test of Midtown Separation - Goodness knows we'll always have Brunch Story Worthy Nights - but I am just oh-SO-happy for a return to the days of quarter collecting and puppets.

L.O.V.E.

Love you, LJ... more than any HR Department should allow. Here's to showing the Dallas Media World how we do it in a little place called New York City :)

Who's with me?

2011-06-15T18:42:00.003-04:00

via kate spade ny

Happy 5 Years, LJ!

2011-06-09T11:06:00.004-04:00

Happy Happy 5 Year New York Anniversary to my beautiful BFFAEAEAEEEEE!

Cheers, my love! So very blessed to have been a part of the last 3 years and 10 or so months of it :)

xoxo

A Special Delivery

2011-06-08T12:01:00.001-04:00

When I got a message that I had a package waiting for me in our mail room on Monday, I immediately tried to remember what impulse purchase I'd forgotten about over the past couple of weeks... Surely not another pretty handbag -- the kate spade sample sale did a great job of filling that void in my life. Or perhaps some new summery sandals? But no, even I have finally admitted that my overflowing closet is in need of an intervention...

So imagine my delight when it wasn't a FedEx box of bangles or baubles at all, but instead... a feathery messenger who you ~~had better be~~ may be familiar with...

Yes, it seems that Hedwig had been tasked with tracking me down at my office in SoHo to deliver a mysterious message.

But where did she come from? What a silly question -- all the way from Hogwarts, of course! Look, there's even an official 'H' seal and everything:

And what was so incredibly important that it required the attention of such a trustworthy owl? It seems that a certain sweet someone was hoping that I might be able to reserve time this weekend for a bit of magical fun...

It probably won't come as any great surprise that I gladly accepted the 'Harry Potter Day' invitation (especially given my handsome and oh-so-creative escort for the day)... but unfortunately Hedwig's wings were a bit too tired to make another journey all the way up town to deliver my response. Luckily, that sample sale I mentioned earlier came in handy -- who knew that kate spade made the very chicest of owl carriers?

Dandelions & Lollipops

2011-04-26T14:41:00.003-04:00

I heart NY. More specifically, I heart SoHo on this sunshiny spring day.

File under: True Things

2011-04-21T18:21:00.005-04:00

via Gayana's Etsy

Snuggles

2011-04-20T11:40:00.004-04:00

Dear CuteRoulette.com,

Where have you been all my life?

xoxo,

p.s. Happy Almost Easter!

Happy Wednesday Things

2011-04-13T10:09:00.010-04:00

Just a few things that are making this rainy Wednesday morning a little less dreary:

1. A "happy wednesday" email from my sister at 6:52 a.m. that contained nothing more than the following fluffy face:

2. The Civil Wars and a 5-shot Venti Americano with a dash of cinnamon. (No judging, please. Sometimes 5 shots of espresso are just necessary.)

3. Sharing a blueberry Special K bar with my new cubemate/bus buddy, Smam.

4. A new pair of cutie cute flats paired with a sunshine yellow cardi, because I refuse to accept that Spring isn't here to stay.

5. A sweet little card from my sweet little BFFAEAEAE.

6. Finally checking off the box on this pesky little Post-it that's been haunting me for the past few weeks:

7. And lastly (and really, the most happy of all these things), a notification from American Airlines telling me that I am now eligible to check-in for my flight to Austin tomorrow! Which means that I'm just a day away from celebrating the marriage of two of my very dear friends, Katie and ~~Bri Bri~~ Brian!! After watching these two lovebirds grow together for the past 6 years, this is sure to be a weekend filled with plenty of love, laughter, Theta Kites and champagne -- can. not. wait.

Love y'all! See you so soon :)

One day

2011-03-15T17:20:00.005-04:00

One day, I will spell ~~"enviornment"~~ "environment" correctly. On the first try. Without the aid of that pesky red squiggly line, taunting me and rubbing salt in my grammatical wounds.

Today was not that day.

Is it noon already?

2011-03-08T00:15:00.005-05:00

Well. What can I say? This is just the sort of conversation that happens on a Monday when you can ~~yell to~~ talk in a professional volume to your BFFAE through the wall that joins your neighboring offices...

B (upon receiving some extra stressy work-related news): Aaagghhh! Laaaaurennnn! Do you have any tequiiiilla?

LJ: Ohmygosh! Is it noon already?

B: Umm. Did you really just hear me?

LJ: Did you just ask for tequilla?!

Magic Warms My Heart

2011-01-19T23:12:00.006-05:00

Love this. I guess a little magic can go a long way...

Rep. Gabrielle Gifford Healing with 'Harry Potter'

"We also know that [Rep. Gifford's] husband has gotten large-print pages of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the first book in the J.K. Rowling series, 'for her to hold and read.' In a CNN story filled with reasons to tear up, for me, that was one of them... The series doesn’t sugarcoat what Harry faces to protect what he believes in. It’s about him standing up for himself and those he fights for, and overcoming the obstacles (and man) who would stop him.

Happy reading, Rep. Giffords. If this is your first trip to Hogwarts, here’s a spoiler: Harry’s a Gryffindor. So are you."

Let's Save This Cute Puppy Today

2011-01-13T16:53:00.004-05:00

For whatever (oh so very) loyal readers I have left, I'm joining gothamist's efforts to Save This Cute Puppy Today. Such a sad story (she was found tied to the Williamsburg Bridge's walkway during the snowstorm... I can practically hear my heart wrenching in two), but hopefully someone can offer this sweet girl a loving home!

See ScoutingNY for more information about this precious little pup.

Happy Heart = Happy Dance

2010-12-16T13:11:00.003-05:00

Sooo much Christmas cheer the past couple of weeks! And our office holiday party is tonight! And I just checked into my flight home to Texas in the morning! Aaand I'm already packed!

(Holy exclamation points, Batman...)

All this to say: I'm so giddy inside, I might just burst out into a spontaneous happy dance... or perhaps I just did in LJ's office... and perhaps it happened twice... and perhaps it looked a liiittle something like this (Oh, do be sure your speakers are on. Trust me.):

A special thanks to Liz for this little otter's stellar moves. There was really no better way to convey just how happy my heart is at this very moment... Wee!

Now. Go ahead and watch it again. You know you want to.

Every time a bell rings...

2010-12-09T22:06:00.002-05:00

George: Now, will you do something for me?
Zuzu: What?
George: Will you try and get some sleep?
Zuzu: I'm not sleepy. I want to look at my flower.
George: I know, I know, but you just go to sleep. And then you can dream about it, and it'll be a whole garden.
Zuzu: It will?
George: Uh-huh.

Thanks for the reminder on this cold Thursday night, George Bailey. It really is a Wonderful Life.

The Beginning of the End

2010-11-24T10:23:00.005-05:00

Among the most highly anticipated events that occurred over my aforementioned bloggy hiatus has to be something that I've been waiting about 11 years for -- ever since I finally gave in to my Grandmom's persistence and begrudgingly opened the cover of a "silly children's book" one summer at Bethany Beach -- the beginning of the end...

Yep, that's right: The first installment of the last movie in the Harry Potter series... The Deathly Hallows.

I couldn't have been more excited. Or more prepared... I dressed up as Hermione last Halloween. I re-read books 6 and 7 over the summer. I intently watched as sneak peeks were featured throughout several Harry Potter Marathon Weekends on ABC Family (even though I own all but two of the DVD's...). I eagerly awaited every single new trailer release, and replayed it until no details were left unnoticed. I spent a recent Friday night (ok, two actually) watching the 6th movie, The Half-Blood Prince, with friends. I purchased tickets to the first midnight showing of HP7.1. I nerded out with some of my favorite fellow wizard-wannabes and stood in line with all of the other crazies for over an hour on a Thursday night. And then...

I laughed. I screamed. I hid my eyes. I cried. I woke up the next morning after 3 1/2 hours of magical dreams and was quite disappointed when my thoughts of "Accio Starbucks!!" went unanswered... In short: I loved it.

Sure, some purists are upset with slight deviations from the novel. But as a loyal fan for over a decade, I think that overall the movie did JK Rowling proud. And now I'm left to find ways to get my wizarding world fix until HP7.2 is released in July 2011...

Luckily, little gems like the following keep popping up. It probably comes as no surprise that Daniel Radcliffe has been among my Top 5 celeb crushes for quite some time... and this giggle-inducing video may have just edged him closer to the #1 spot (watch out, Henry Cavill...):

I Am Harry Potter from Daniel Radcliffe

Sigh. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: If loving a teenage wizard is wrong, then I don't want to be right.

Well, hello there

2010-11-21T14:35:00.009-05:00

What is it about watching Christmas movies on TV? I mean, I can literally see my copy of The Holiday sitting patiently between Pretty Woman and the animated classic Frosty the Snowman (stop judging, please.), just waiting for me to drop it into the DVD player... But for some reason, I'd much rather stay snuggled on the couch under my fluffy pink blanket and watch it on TNT right now -- commercials and all.

First of all -- Jude Law, how do you still make me swoon? So. Dreamy. Sigh.

And secondly -- I want a friend like Arthur Abbott. Love this. Lots:

Arthur Abbott: So, he's a schmuck.

Iris: As a matter of fact, he is... a huge schmuck. How did you know?
Arthur: He let you go. This is not a hard one to figure out. Iris, in the movies we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason you are behaving like the best friend.
Iris: You're so right. You're supposed to be the leading lady of your own life, for goodness' sake! Arthur, I've been going to a therapist for three years, and she's never explained anything to me that well. That was brilliant. Brutal, but brilliant.

Oh, and p.s. I guess this means I'm back from my unplanned bloggy hiatus..? I'm sure I'll get to updates on the fun and frolic that's been happening over the past seven or so months (Did I mention I moved? And one of my best friend's got married?? And I discovered the deliciousness that is extra dirty vodka martinis?). But quite frankly, that's all a little daunting for one little lazy Sunday afternoon post...

... So for now... Hello, again :)

Hiatus

2010-06-08T09:19:00.004-04:00

B: So, apparently I'm on a bloggy hiatus. An unplanned one.

LJ: I know! What happened to you painting the town pink??

B: Oh, you know I'm still doing it! I just... don't seem to leave enough time to blog about it.

I'll be back though. And soon. With lots of stories. And pictures. And giggles.

Pinky promise.

Tonight Was Necessary.

2010-05-19T22:42:00.004-04:00

I'll sum it up for you with a guest bloggy from my dear friend/dinner date this evening. I couldn't have said it better myself... mostly because my mouth would have been full of a delicious chicken finger. Yeah... No shame.

Sometimes you need to meet your best friend at a diner and eat ridiculous amounts of fried food on a Wednesday night. I might be full for the next week, but damn, it was worth it.

Accidental Relationships

2010-05-10T18:18:00.005-04:00

twentysomething 1: PS - i think i may have found myself to be in a relationship

twentysomething 2: i just love the fact that we live the sort of lives that we can just happen to find ourselves in accidental relationships...

twentysomething 1: i would be freaking out about this except i love this kind of awkward

So much fun! So little time (to blog)!

2010-05-07T16:08:00.004-04:00

There's been a whirlwind of giggles, twirls, and happiness around these parts the past few weeks. Between visits from much-missed friends, wedded bliss, and pretty dresses (Oh, and work. That too...), I've barely had time to breathe -- let alone blog! I promise that some time soon I'll provide a much overdue update of details (and pictures!!).

But for now, I'll leave you with some motherly wisdom that will for sure be applied to the coming weekend. Below is an email from the oh-so-cute mom of one of my next two dear friends coming to the city TONIGHT (Yep. Theta Reunion in the City... Havoc will ensue. You have been warned)... Many moms faced with their daughter reuniting in Manhattan with three of her silly sorority sisters might be a bit worried and feel compelled to offer caution against leaving drinks in dark corners, or talking to ~~finance boys~~ strangers at bars. Perhaps even a reminder to look both ways for crazy cabs before crossing the 5th Avenue. But not our Mama Kath... She's always been one step ahead of the rest:

Hey there,

Seems they are a bit skittish in NYC about unclaimed packages in Times Square so be sure and stay away from anything that looks like a bomb. Really.

love you

mom

Stay away from bomb-looking items? Check and check. A life rule to live by, if I've ever heard one. As for not talking to finance boys... errrr, strangers... at bars? Not so sure I can keep the girls away from that dangerous peril all weekend, but I will surely do my very best....... well, best-ish. :)

America The Story of Us Premieres THIS Sunday!

2010-04-24T18:06:00.007-04:00

After months and months (and months) of working on the exciting media campaign for HISTORY's America The Story of Us... the time is finally here! The campaign has been going so well (check out an AdWeek article about it here and see a really cool video of the transformation of Grand Central in NYC, Union Station in DC, and the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in CA here. Pictures below :) ).

The Main Concourse of Grand Central Station, NYC

Union Station, Washington DC

Photo Credit: Matt Garbow

Union Station, Washington DC

Photo Credit: Matt Garbow :)

And now the premiere is this Sunday at 9pm on HISTORY... And y'all, I can't wait!

If you know me at all, you know I'm the first to admit to (and embrace) my inner nerd... But honestly, I'd be excited for this premiere regardless because it really is going to tell and depict America's history like we've never seen it before. It's a brand new look at the lesser known events and people who impacted the forming of a nation in a big way. Complete with tons of CGI and reenactments, HISTORY is really going to bring the story to life. You can see for yourself in the trailer below:

You don't even have to take my word for it - the series has been getting a ton of great press, from The New York Times to USA Today to a really great segment on The Today Show last week:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

President Obama is even introducing the first night of the six-part special event... I mean, how amazing is that?? You can see it here.

All this to say: Hope y'all tune in for the premiere and enjoy! America The Story of Us on HISTORY this Sunday April 25th at 9pm/8pm Central. :)

A Loved One at Their Sides

2010-04-16T14:28:00.009-04:00

Well, if this news doesn't make for a Happy Friday, I don't know what does...

Excerpts from The New York Times article "Obama Widens Medical Rights for Gay Partners" are below, and read the whole thing here.

“'Every day, all across America, patients are denied the kindness and caring of a loved one at their sides,'Mr. Obama said in the [April 15th] memorandum, adding that the rules [aimed at granting hospital visiting rights to same-sex partners] could also help widows and widowers who rely on friends and members of religious orders who care for one another. But he says gay men and lesbians are 'uniquely affected' because they are often barred from visiting partners with whom they have spent decades.

Richard Socarides, who advised President Bill Clinton on gay rights issues, said that while the memorandum on its own did not grant any new rights, it did 'draw attention to the very real and tragic situations many gays and lesbians face when a partner is hospitalized.'

[...]

In some instances in the past, hospitals have barred bedside visits by the person who held the medical power of attorney for a patient.

Gay rights advocates said the rules change was inspired by one of those cases involving a same-sex couple, Janice Langbehn and Lisa Pond, who were profiled in The New York Times last year. After Ms. Pond was stricken with a fatal brain aneurysm, Ms. Langbehn was denied visiting rights in 2007 by a Florida hospital. Although Ms. Langbehn had power of attorney and she and Ms. Pond were parents to four children they had adopted, the hospital refused for eight hours to allow her and the children to see Ms. Pond, her partner for 18 years. Ms. Pond died as Ms. Langbehn tried in vain to get to her side.

Ms. Langbehn, represented by Lambda Legal, a legal advocacy organization, brought suit against the hospital, Jackson Memorial in Miami, but lost. On Thursday night, Mr. Obama called her from Air Force One to say that he had been moved by her case.

'I was so humbled that he would know Lisa’s name and know our story,' Ms. Langbehn said in a telephone interview. 'He apologized for how we were treated. For the last three years, that’s what I’ve been asking the hospital to do. Even now, three years later, they still refuse to apologize to the children and I for the fact that Lisa died alone.'

[...]

The memorandum is intended to 'help ensure that patients will be able to face difficult times in hospitals with compassion, dignity and respect,' a White House spokesman, Shin Inouye, said Thursday night. 'By taking these steps, we can better protect the interests and needs of patients that are gay or lesbian, widows and widowers with no children, members of religious orders, or others for whom their loved ones are not always immediate relatives. Because all Americans should be able to have loved ones there for them in their time of need.'"

Goodbye, Betty

2010-04-14T16:13:00.007-04:00

I'm not even kind of ashamed to admit that I'm pretty darn upset that tonight is the series finale of Ugly Betty... I don't care how silly it makes me that I still watch it when it seems like the rest of my demographic has moved on -- Ugly Betty was one of the few shows left on broadcast that I could count on for quality story lines, smart writing, lots of laughs, a few tears, and (perhaps most importantly) pretty, pretty clothes... every. single. week.

EW blogger Tanner Stransky did a beautiful job of summing up Why It Mattered.

"That pilot, right down to the fade-out song I once loved so, “Suddenly I See,” felt like someone had taken the past couple years of my life, candy-coated it, wrapped it in a Guadalajara poncho, and given it an 8 p.m. time slot on national television. Granted, I was not Betty. I did not work at a fashion magazine. I was not fighting all the b*tchery and prejudice that she did. But I understood her plight in so many ways: her desire to reach her dreams, her wanton lust for writing, her near-constant feeling that she was an outsider. The show’s wildly successful run as the lead-in to on Thursday nights must have meant many other people did, too."

Thanks for the fabulous and entertaining four years, UB! Here's hoping tonight ends with the start of a very happily ever after for everyone... :)

"That's love, right? When you know somebody better than they do and you would do anything in the world to protect them."

-Hilda Suarez, Betty's older sister

I Know My Redeemer Lives

2010-04-04T11:22:00.006-04:00

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning
Who told the ocean you can only come this far?
Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives.

The very same God that spins things in orbit
He runs to the weary, the worn, and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory.

Now I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer, He lives

To take away my shame
And He lives forever I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive
And there's an empty grave.

And I know my Redeemer, He lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives.

-"Redeemer," Nicole Mullen

My heart is so full of happiness, gratitude and hope at the truth that He lives... What a wonderful reason to celebrate with dear friends and worship with my Apostles family tonight -- and we'd love to have you join us if you're looking for a service in NYC.

He is Risen! Hallelujah! Happy Easter to you all.

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
-Job 19:25

The Triumphal Entry

2010-03-28T23:19:00.009-04:00

As we enter Holy Week today, we celebrate Jesus... as the people of Jerusalem did so many years ago when he rode into the city on a colt, preparing his path by laying down their cloaks and palms. However, unlike those who cried out, "Hosanna!" that day, we remember Jesus and celebrate with the blessed knowledge that his reign would not end with his earthly life. We know that this day, this Palm Sunday, marks the beginning of the holiest of weeks when our Christ would die on a cross, our sins heavy upon him. And we know that on the third day after that, he would conquer all of those sins -- conquer death itself -- and rise again.

We know that we are saved. Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

The Triumphal Entry

¹As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples,²saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "

⁴They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, ⁵some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" ⁶They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. ⁷When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. ⁸Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. ⁹Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
¹⁰"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"

¹¹Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

-Mark 11: 1-11 (NIV)

It Was Bound To Happen

2010-03-25T13:05:00.007-04:00

I was about to write the following blog. And then LJ beat me to it... Which is just plain silly/ridiculous, considering the tale that follows... enjoy :)

well.

this is a funny story. ok, funny-ish. mostly because we tried to prevent how it ends. but let me back up. and start from the beginning.

a text conversation with BFF and co-worker bethany

last night, 10:55pm

and then, this morning. this conversation happened.

and then, a lil later, upon arriving at work this morning. this gchat conversation about our separate morning workouts happened. (might i suggest a little Zoom Screen action for this one? :) )

and then. i walked into her office. and this happened.

see, we really did try to prevent it. but neither of us clearly said whether or not we'd be wearing said flowery dress. i thought she said i could wear, she thought i said she could wear. you see how that could happen from our texts, right? no? oops?

so. here we are. at work. in the same dress. well, same outfit really. flowery dress, cardi, belt, tights, boots.

this doesn't quite help our argument for being different. does it?

meep.

Meep indeed, my friend. Meep, indeed.

Hot Fudge Sundaes & Duct Tape

2010-03-23T17:32:00.014-04:00

I woke up this morning with a random desire to look in the mirror and find my hair had magically turned back to the color it's been the majority of my life... my (nearly) natural shade of blonde. Which is strange, because I've really been loving my little adventure over to the "Dark Side" for the last few months. So at first I chalked up this strange longing for my go to Goldilocks look to the change in weather; a weekend spent in the warm sunshine that has me wishing for summer so badly I can almost taste the Mister Softee. But as the day has gone on, I've realized that there are quite a few other things from summers past that I'm missing more than usual today...

My beach, for one.

Funnel Cakes in South Bethany,

Dolle's Salt Water Taffy.

The feel of hot sand under my feet,

The smell of Coppertone sunscreen - SPF 30, to be exact.

Building sandcastles and searching for sea glass,

Then hot fudge sundaes and chocolate sodas at The Royal Treat.

Late evening walks along the ocean's edge

And running from the cold waves, into familiar open arms.

Waking up to the sound of jazz and NPR coming from an old radio,

Fruit Loops and Trix on the cozy screen porch.

Loose, faded newspaper clippings gathered on the table,

Amidst countless photos of memories over the years.

Marbles and wind-up toys in random corners of the house,

Golden retrievers and Wishbone.

Duct tape, and how it could fix anything.

Ireland, even though I've never been.

Rooting for the Baltimore Orioles,

Or hiding the remote because I wanted to watch cartoons,

And hiding cigarettes... because they're bad.

Extra chocolatey malted milkshakes straight from the blender.

Silvery white hair, topped with a decade-old Winnie the Pooh hat,

And a sparkling personality, with the brightest blue eyes to match.

My grandfather.

So I suppose what I've been missing most today isn't a thing - or a hair color - at all... It's my Papa. Today would have been his 87th birthday, and even though it's been more than five years since he was here to celebrate, I can still close my eyes... and smell pink peppermints and aftershave... and hear his infectious laugh... and admire his strength of character... and be grateful for the life my Grandmom and he made for their family... and feel his overwhelming love.

"You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.

You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy"

-Psalm 30:11 (NLT)

In case you need me in the middle of the night...

2010-03-22T20:14:00.004-04:00

... there's a good chance I'll be on E. 37th Street between Second and Third Aves from 11:30pm until 2:00am.

What's that? Why, pray tell, would I not be snuggled safe in my bed? What could possibly get me to wander the corners of Murray Hill during the wee hours of a Monday evening?? Well, I'm glad you asked... because I have a very logical explanation for my questionable nocturnal behavior:

Elephants.

Elephants walking through Manhattan.

That's right, friends! The circus is coming to town - my town! And cute little elephants, ponies, heffalumps, and the whole gang will be on parade from the Queens-Midtown Tunnel right on across 34th Street to MSG.

Sometimes I shudder at how much I hear this overused phrase in this crazy city, but in this case, I think I'm allowed to make an exception: Only. In. New York.

We're So Sporty

2010-03-18T16:42:00.004-04:00

Conversations like this just make it oh-so-terribly-clear why LJ and I are BFF... AEAEAE :)

me: also, any interest in going to a rep bowling thing tonight? and not bowling?

LJ: i have no socks

LJ: and a dress

LJ: and texas is playing bball tonight

LJ: so maybe not

me: don't be silly. we would NOT be bowling

LJ: ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

me: only cheerleading/drinking

LJ: HAHAHAHAHAHA

LJ: then. yes.

It's all about the outfit, really. :)

You. Are. Welcome.

2010-03-11T12:02:00.003-05:00

The first, of what we can ~~hope~~ assume will be many, full length trailer for Eclipse.

Le. Sigh.

Happy Belated, Bloggy!

2010-03-02T09:28:00.009-05:00

Ohmygoodness! I'm a horrible bloggy parent... Yesterday was PTTP's very first birthday and I didn't have a chance to write anything! 112 posts in the last year, and then yesterday of all days just completely slipped by me... Sigh. I do hope she forgives me for this sad, sad oversight.

My spaciness aside, I like to think that if this little blog had gone out to celebrate last night, she would have woken up this morning to a scene that looked a little something like the below... because, if you ask me, nothing screams of a fabulous evening quite like a killer pair of heels abandoned on your apartment floor, surrounded by the balloons you trailed in behind you the night before...

Audrey Hepburn Complex

Here's to another year of painting this crazy beautiful town the prettiest shades of pink! xoxo

Snow Globe

2010-02-26T16:24:00.006-05:00

Even though my office didn't close along with all of the public schools in Manhattan (and several agencies... sigh.), the snow sure has been pretty to watch today... The big, beautiful flakes made my morning commute feel like I'd woken up in my very own snow globe.

Hope y'all have a lovely, snuggly weekend. As for me, my fingers are crossed that some of the 20.9 inches of snow that's fallen in Central Park in the past 36 hours is still around for some frolicking... because wouldn't it just be an awful shame to go through my very first Snowicane without making even a single snow angel??

xoxo.

Snowicane

2010-02-25T21:01:00.008-05:00

There's a "Snowicane" headed our way. That's right. Apparently when enough snow meets up with 75+ mph winds, they have to come up with a whole new word to describe the situation... Eek!

So, here's hoping that my pretty pink umbrella survives the winds during my walk to work tomorrow. Oh, and that the city stays covered in its perfect white blanket long enough for me to make a cute snowman or two after work :)

Oh hello, Outlook Reminders...

2010-02-22T12:43:00.008-05:00

Thanks so much for filling my morning with sunshine:

After buying our tickets a month and a half ago, the Texas Independence Day concert is finally just around the corner! Only 5 days until a fab night with all of my Texas/NYC Loves (in case you hadn't noticed, there are quite a few of us)... Featuring pretty much my dream TX Country lineup: Reckless Kelly, Pat Green, Eli Young Band and Roger Creager!! Between those performances, and the many, many cowboys who are sure to dust off their very best boots and Levi's for the occasion, I'd say we're in for a pretty swoon-filled evening.

And "ATLANTA with the girls!!! Weeeeeee!!"... well, that pretty much speaks for itself. Just 10 short days - approximately 240 hours - until LJ, Angie and I are reunited with Miss Jamie in the ATL. There are no words to even pseudo-describe how happy the anticipation for this trip makes my heart. Can. Not. Wait.

Oh, and that silly Time Sheet reminder, you ask? Please just disregard. It's raining on my parade. And the particularly nasty "4 hours overdue" note...? We'll just go ahead and chalk it up as a tribute to the aforementioned trip to see Jamie, Queen of Overdue Time Sheets. :)

ReBlog: Gia's Situation

2010-02-19T17:20:00.008-05:00

An excerpt from a ridiculously funny Bachelor Recap blog, guyinaustin.blogspot.com, courtesy of the one-and-only Jamie. I don't often comment on dating in NYC on here, but this was just too entertaining to pass up:

"She [Gia, contestant on the current season of The Bachelor] tells Jake that she’s never met guy as deep as him. Considering the fact that she’s from New York and that the dating pool consists of guys like Pauly D and The Situation from Jersey Shore, I actually believed her. "

Happy Friday :)

Happy Birthday Noodle!

2010-02-18T10:37:00.008-05:00

A very happiest of birthdays to my lovely and lawyer-ly sister Stephanie, i.e. Noodle (don't ask why that's the nickname that stuck... Goodness only knows where we come up with some of our silliness)!! It's good to see we (or our hairstyles, at least :) ) have come so far over the years...

Since I sadly can't be there to bake you some delicious Betty Crocker Rainbow Chip Cupcakes and frolic around singing songs from Mama Mia! while we are in search of stationary stores, I figured this little diddy would be the next best thing... Please be sure to keep practicing so that we will be ready to grant our mother's wishes and perform it in a Talent Show one day. (True story.) However, I think that you should be adorned in purple feathers. I, obviously, will be in head-to-toe pink:

"Many men have tried to split us up but no one can

Lord help the mister

Who comes between me and my sister

And Lord help the sister

Who comes between me and my man" :)

Happy Happy Birthday, Sister!! I love you and can't wait until our next cross-country play date. xoxo.

Sweet Dreams!

2010-02-04T00:33:00.008-05:00

"Well, if you're going to be stranded... may as well be somewhere with cupcakes."

-Manny, Modern Family

p.s. If you're not already watching this new(ish) ABC comedy, please do yourself a favor and start... immediately. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

It's true. It really does.

2010-01-26T23:00:00.001-05:00

On the events of this weekend...

2010-01-24T15:13:00.007-05:00

... via a 3-day long Group BBM, which by the way, was probably our best discovery, ummm... ever:

twentysomething 1: Get out of the corner. Do the "bend and snap."

twentysomething 2: I should wear cardigans to bars more often, I guess!

twentysomething 1: The cardigan is totes the new little black dress.

twentysomething 1: You're dangling fun in my face like a tortured puppy.

twentysomething 3: You flirt with boys. I flirt with poles. NO. BIG. DEAL.

I think it's worth noting...

2010-01-20T23:28:00.004-05:00

(Part II)

... that I wore 3.5" heels today. For 14.5 straight hours.

And I walked at least 3 miles in them.

I didn't take them off once, actually. Not for a single second.

In my Texas/sorority days, this would have been pretty normal.

But in NYC... 14.5 hours and 3 miles in 3.5" heels when you work at a very casual ad agency...

... is not normal.

So I thought it was worth noting.

Perfectly Validated

2010-01-19T11:52:00.004-05:00

twentysomething girl 1: I like that I should really be preparing for this presentation that I have in an hour... But instead, I'm preparing for a fake vacation with my fake boyfriend.

twentysomething girl 2: HAHAHAHA yesssssss.

twentysomething girl 1: Well, really, it's for a fake/could-become-real vacation/boyfriend!

twentysomething girl 2: Yes! So could-become-real, in fact, that you really need a real passport!

twentysomething girl 1: It's good to know my priorities are in check.

twentysomething girl 2: Yes, you're perfectly validated.

This Movie Gets Me EVERY Time

2009-12-30T16:19:00.004-05:00

"Don't you think that daisies are the friendliest flower?"

... Why yes, Kathleen Kelly. As a matter of fact, I do.

The Shepherds and the Angels

2009-12-25T22:30:00.002-05:00

^{^"8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'}

¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
^14'Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'

¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'

¹⁶So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

-Luke 2:8-20 (NIV)

As this holiday season comes to an end, may we continue to be as the shepherds on that holy night over 2,000 years ago - struck with awe at the Lord's power, and moved to glorify and praise His wondrous name. Merry Christmas to each of you!

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

2009-12-24T21:10:00.007-05:00

^{I hope each of you is surrounded by loved ones this Christmas Eve, filled with excitement for what tomorrow celebrates - the gift of certain and unfailing hope that God sent to us in His Son so many years ago.

"26}In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.'

²⁹Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. ³¹You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.³²He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.'

³⁴How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?'

³⁵The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. ³⁷For nothing is impossible with God.'

^38'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said.' Then the angel left her.

- Luke 2: 26-38 (NIV)

I'm Watching You, Daughter

2009-12-23T01:24:00.007-05:00

You know that scene in Meet the Parents where Jack (Robert De Niro) looks menacingly at Greg (Ben Stiller), pointing his two fingers at his own eyes and then one back at Greg? And Jack says a few words that essentially strike the fear of God into Greg?...

Before going to bed just now, my own sweet mother just came out of her bedroom in a fit of giggles, and proceeded to reenact that exact scene to my sister and her boyfriend... That's right - "I'm watching you, Focker" and all.

It's times like this that I,

(1) really love my family. A whole lot.

(2) am particularly ok with not bringing a boy home for Christmas just yet. :)

The Boys Will Get the Wrong Idea

2009-12-21T01:44:00.009-05:00

Morgan (the six-year-old girl): Remember, when you go out not to put too much makeup on, otherwise the boys will get the wrong idea. And you know how they are...

Giselle (the princess-to-be): [wide-eyed stare of confusion]

Morgan: They're only after one thing!

Giselle: ... What's that??

Morgan: I don't know! Nobody will tell me!

-Enchanted

Goodness, I just love this movie. But I guess considering it's basically just a real life fairy tale that takes place in Manhattan, that may not come as such a huge surprise to, well... any of you. :)

Texas on My Mind / New York, King of All the Cities

2009-12-17T11:36:00.006-05:00

I woke up this morning with Texas on my mind... and I'm literally counting down the minutes until my flight to Dallas tonight. I can't believe it's been an entire year since I was standing in the Texas sun. Where on earth does the time go??

Despite my intentions to post a video of Pat Green performing this wonderful song that I'm quite delighted to have stuck in my head today, nothing I found on YouTube really did it justice. Luckily, Liz tweeted a link to this video earlier to fill the void... A nice little "Ta Ta For Now!" to New York, king of all the cities.

Jamie - this one goes out especially to you. I have to go ahead and say that from 01:43 on, Stephen comes pretty darn close to the glory that was his report on The Nights in Rodanthe. Wish you were here so we could do a few spins in our chairs together. xoxo

The Gospel is Personal

2009-12-16T11:29:00.008-05:00

“An historical gospel that is not personal and powerful is merely antiquarian; a theological gospel that is not received by faith and found to be transforming is merely abstract. In reality, the gospel is personal.”

-D.A. Carson, The Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-9)

via Of First Importance

I pray that the gospel is especially alive and personal for each of you during this Advent Season, as we wait in anticipation for Jesus' coming.

And if you'd like to hear some inspiring and thought-provoking words on the Season, check out Apostles Church (or the podcast!) for Pastor JR's current series Promised One: Advent 2009.

I wish I could plan a day like this...

2009-12-14T22:38:00.003-05:00

Walter: Listen Buddy, I want to talk to you.

Buddy the Elf: Good. I wanted to talk to you too. I have our whole day planned.

[Buddy looks at his list on his Etch-a-Sketch]

Buddy: First, we'll make snow angels for two hours. Then we'll go ice skating. Then we'll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse cookie dough as fast as we can... And then... we'll snuggle.

Winter Song

2009-12-11T13:53:00.007-05:00

Winter has slowly been settling into the city for a few weeks now - Christmas trees are lining the sidewalks, ready to overtake tiny apartments. Buildings from 5th Ave. to the West Village are covered in twinkle lights. The first snowflakes came down in perfect little flurries (on my birthday, no less!). And the second I stepped outside into the wind chill of 16 degrees this morning, all snuggled up in my puffer jacket, I knew winter was here to stay.

And thanks to Jamie, I have the perfect winter song for you, NYC:

Sara Bareilles - New Music - More Music Videos

Happy wintry Friday! I hope your weekends are filled with hot cocoa and cuddling. :)

NaBloPoMo: Check!

2009-11-30T18:45:00.004-05:00

Well, it's arrived: November 30th. 30 whole days since NaBloPoMo began. And by some unexplainable means, I actually managed to keep up with it. Every. Single. Day. 30 straight days of blogging! Can y'all believe it??

Sure, some posts were more thoughtful than others that were really just a lot of swooning. Some days were particularly giggle-worthy, a few were of happy memories I'd made, and there was even a handful of sportiness. Some words brought on the tears that I needed to stop holding back. And others were about His Word, the Word that truly matters most.

Regardless of how silly or serious the last 30 days have been here at PTTP, it's been great having this extra incentive to keep up with my little bloggy. And I hope y'all have enjoyed dropping in to catchup every now and then. Thanks for joining me in this 30 Day Blog-venture. It's always lovely to have you stop by!

xoxo

Just Call Me Sporty Spice

2009-11-29T22:01:00.010-05:00

Some people have dared to suggest that the recent rise in my "sportiness" is only in response to the Frogs' BCS-smashing success (12-0!! MWC Champs!! Wooo wooo!!). Well, while I do get particularly passionate for all things Purple, those claims are just plain silly. Take the last week, for instance:

Last Sunday, I went to my first NFL game ever! About 10 of us from work headed out to the Meadowlands to root on the Giants from some pretty fantastic seats in the 8th row. Not only did I love watching as the Giants beat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime, but I even tossed a football at the tailgate. At least 6 times. That whole spiral thing is kind of tricky, but I think I was really starting to get the hang of it.

Representing the Froggies at Giants Stadium, of course.

Go Blue!

Then today... ooooh, today! Only the Sportiest. Day. Ever. First, I returned to the Meadowlands bright and early for the second Sunday in a row. But this time it was to cheer on the Carolina Panthers while they played Jets. It takes a lot to get me to root against the home team, and the Panthers' ~~precious~~ outstanding long snapper, JJ Jansen, is just the ticket. I guess I might be a tad bit partial... I mean, his cutie wife has been one of my closest friends for the last 4 or 5 years, and his new sister-in-law is just plain fabulous... But even if the Panthers didn't quite win this one, I quite enjoyed every minute of the game - especially the company of the Bliss sisters :).

JJ (#44) looking back at his Cheering Section... or so we told ourselves.

Pretty Bliss Faces

xoxo. (... and apparently we made a new friend in the back...??)

After the game wound down, I was headed back to Penn Station and up the stairs to Madison Square Garden for the Knicks game! To say the courtside seats I won from work were "unbelievable" would be an understatement - Tracey and I couldn't have had a better view unless we'd been playing right alongside Nate Robinson and Danilo Gallinari ourselves. The only problem that we saw with sitting just a few rows behind Spike Lee and Mary J. Blige for our very first Knicks game is that it really doesn't leave us with a whole lot of room for improvement. :) No worries though, the waffle fries were delicious enough to keep us coming back regardless of the seats. Oh, and how could I stay away from David Lee after the obvious sparks that were flying between us all night?? Sigh... swoony swoon swooooon.

Date Night with Tracey at the Knicks!

The "Zoo-perstars" i.e. the most confusing Halftime Show ever

Best. Seats. EVER... and #42, my future boyfriend.

So after this action packed week, with nearly 12 straight hours of NFL and NBA games today alone, I think it's about time for this sporty little girl to finish catching up on my dvr and then get some beauty sleep. Even the very sportiest of us need a little balance in life, after all.

You May Say I'm a Dreamer

2009-11-28T19:00:00.005-05:00

Riley, Kate and I just finished watching this week's episode of Glee, and it was even more fabulous than usual (and not just because we were polishing off the leftover Jell-O Pretzel Salad from Thanksgiving... meep.). Even after watching the cast's performance of "Imagine" seven or so times in the last couple hours, it's still giving me goosebumps! L.O.V.E.

Side note/Lesser known fact about me: I took American Sign Language for a few years in high school and really, really loved it. I often catch myself wishing that I'd kept up with it, and now I'm wondering if I might need to look into taking some classes again... Hmmm... More on that to come, perhaps.

Missed Connections

2009-11-27T14:48:00.004-05:00

I love, love, LOVE this blog. I've been following Missed Connections for awhile, and Sophie recently posted this video about her project. I love her imagination and the way she brings these "unfinished stories" to life in such a unique way...

"I think there's that feeling for a lot of people that any tiny moment could set your life on a different course. And there's that 'What if?' that is enormously appealing, I think, and universal, that your morning commute might change... everything."

-Sophie Blackall, of Missed Connections

Psalm 100

2009-11-26T14:29:00.003-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you! I hope your days are filled with much love and laughter.

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving thanks.

¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

² Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

³ Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

I am truly blessed.

Reuniiiited...

2009-11-25T16:17:00.006-05:00

... and it feels sooo good! This weekend brings not one, but TWO of my dear friends to NYC - how's that for something to be thankful for?! I can't even begin to explain how giddy I am to be reunited with these two ladies over the next few days:

Riley's plane just landed and I'm about to head to Kate's to begin our lovely weekend of giggles, brunching, and Dark Chocolate M&M's. Maybe we'll even stop by Max Brenner in our matching tees - I hear it's close... but wasn't it closed..?!

Then ~~Miss Bliss~~ Mrs. Laura Jansen will be here with her cutie sister Carolyn. There's been much talk of snuggling, frolicking, and cupcake eating... and then of course watching Mr. Jansen and his fellow Panthers take down the Jets this Sunday!

It hasn't even started yet, and I think I'm in love with this weekend already. xoxo

I Spy... CHRISTMAS!

2009-11-24T18:15:00.005-05:00

Goodness gracious, I can't believe it's almost December! When did that happen?? My cab driver took me home down 5th Avenue the other night, and I had to pinch myself to make sure I hadn't dozed off when I looked up to see so many of the stores were already covered in lights and Christmas cheer!

Then I found this delightful and helpful Time Out NY list of when all of the NYC window displays will be up for the holiday season. Something tells me that this Thanksgiving weekend might be perfect for a cup of hot chocolate and a little stroll up to Central Park to see the windows that are already up... Yes, I think that would be the perfect way to welcome the holidays to Manhattan. Who loves Christmastime in the city?? THIS girl sure does! Yay!

Love-Hate

2009-11-23T17:50:00.003-05:00

Murph blogged this post from Overheard in New York last week. I can totally picture this cute older couple sitting on a bench on the UWS, sipping their coffee and just watching the world race by. I love how their conversation sums up the Love-Hate relationship that so many of us have with this crazy beautiful city... Lucky for me, the Love always wins out.

Elderly woman to elderly man, as a young girl narrowly escapes getting hit by a car: Oh my god, what is it with these crazy people!? I hate this city more and more each day.
Elderly man: Well then, why do you live here?
Elderly woman: Because I love it.

--83rd & Broadway

Overheard by: Dee Dee

Psalm 23

2009-11-22T21:48:00.004-05:00

Our pastor, JR, gave a sermon on Psalm 23 today, and it could not have come at a more perfect time for me - I can't wait until the sermon is uploaded to the Apostles site so I can share it with you. I've heard and read this beautiful psalm many, many times before, but hearing those words tonight was truly an answered prayer. It was a much needed reminder of my Shepherd's perfect love and the comprehensive care He provides. Christ already showed that he is capable of saving me by laying down his life - how can I possibly doubt that he has the ability to lead me through the days of this life? I have no reason to fear or worry because He is protecting and comforting me every step of the way.

Psalm 23 (ESV)
A psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
² He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
³ He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
⁴ Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

The Giving Tree

2009-11-21T18:59:00.003-05:00

Shel Silverstein narrating The Giving Tree... This book still makes me happy cry. I love a good happy cry.

Thanks for the find, Nickey!

It's Real

2009-11-20T16:25:00.001-05:00

Today is Jamie's last full day in New York. I haven't had nearly the time to process and write the post that has been running about my head for the past few weeks. Or maybe it isn't that I haven't had the time, but more that I think I've been avoiding it. Because actually writing it means she's really leaving. And, while I'm so extremely happy for her, in my selfishness, I still don't want it to be real.

Well, I suppose that's not really true... because when I'm honest with myself, and stop to think about how this all came together for Jamie - her life in Atlanta, to NY, to now - there's just no denying that this next step is very clearly God's plan for her. And I'm confident that He has great and amazing things in store for her in Atlanta - things that are far beyond her wildest hopes and dreams... and that Plan is one that I would never want to keep from being real for Miss Jamie.

All this to say, there will surely be some well-deserved reminiscing in the near future (after all, Jamie was the one who inspired me to start this little bloggy! :) )... But for now, I'm going to embrace that Jamie's one-way ticket to Atlanta tomorrow morning is indeed real. And that it's not just real - it's fantastic. Instead of spending my time tonight writing about all of the times over the last two and a half years that have filled my heart, and how much I'm going to miss my Little J, I'm going to head up to Apartment 9A for one last night full of giggles and memories before she leaves... Because these nights are real too. Real and fantastic.

I love you so much, J. Here's to many, many more kissy faces :)

The Time Has Come...

2009-11-19T16:05:00.005-05:00

New Moon!!! Official release!! TONIGHT!! At Midnight!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!

Ok, sorry. I promise to ~~stop with the~~ tone it down on the exclamation points. I started this post by babbling on about my love for all things Twilight/Robert Pattinson (Team Edward! Wee!), but goodness knows I've done that a time or three already. I think y'all get the picture by now. And if you don't, luckily my Twi-geeky friends have all been on top of their game this week, gushing about their excitement (Well done, ladies).

Oh, and p.s. who here thinks I should get a gold star (or twelve) for not taking today off of work to ~~stalk~~ innocently wander the streets of NYC in hopes of "bumping" into Rob?? I mean, he's here. In. The. City. For the NYC Premiere. And I'm... In. My. Office. Yeah, that took some serious restraint. Sigh.

Regardless though...

I get to see New Moon!! So soon!! Because it's finally premiering!!! TONIGHT!! Can. Not. Wait.

Sorry... I just couldn't resist. :)

"They will enter Zion singing..."

2009-11-18T12:39:00.002-05:00

In my very first post, I talked about my Grandmom, and how her encouragement to chase after my dreams inspired me to move to New York City:

Sunday, March 1, 2009

"A few years ago, my grandmother asked me what I actually wanted to do with the rest of my life. Not what made the most sense or what would be the safest route, but what I really, truly desired. She told me to look past all the logic and then gave me some of the most simple yet valuable advice I've ever received: 'You will have plenty of time to settle in your life. There is absolutely no reason for you to start now. I just won't allow it.'"

Today marks the third anniversary of when my sweet Grandmom passed away, and while remembering that she's gone still brings on a wave of sadness and fresh tears to my eyes, I find comfort in the Promise that she is in a much better place, a perfect place. I find comfort knowing that she left this world filled with people who were touched by her kind heart, including a family that she bound together with love. I find comfort knowing that for almost 22 years, she showed me how to live a life filled with faith and love and kindness and joy. And I find comfort knowing that so much of who I am, and who I will continue to become, is because of her.

"Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.

They will enter [Zion] singing,

crowned with everlasting joy.

Sorrow and mourning will disappear,

and they will be filled with joy and gladness."

-Isaiah 35:10 (NLT)

"Unless the debate is about whether or not it's ever too late for a second chance, I'm not interested."

2009-11-17T22:52:00.006-05:00

Not all friendships have to suffer when it comes to talking politics. No, many agree to sometimes disagree on certain issues. Others find common ground through intelligent and respectful discussion. Then there are those who take it a few steps further... say, by making cute puppets of candidates. Or maybe, I don't know... bonding over the reenactment of a particularly hilarious clip on a late night satirical political pundit tv show... in their cubicles... at work... Just a couple of possibilities, I suppose.

After I watched Stephen Colbert call for the suspension of the Presidential Debate right before the Election last year, I came into work the next day still in a fit of giggles. Much to my excitement, Jamie found Colbert's reasoning just as silly and fabulous as I did. After replaying the below clip many, many times, Jamie took to her chair and did the most perfect impersonation of what happens around 02:52...

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

"Nights in Rodanthe" Premiere

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

U.S. Speedskating

I won't ever hear Gavin Rossdale crooning "Love Remains the Same" again without picturing Jamie gleefully spinning around on her office chair, with her head thrown back, arms open wide, exclaiming "Ohhh... Oh! I LOVE LOVING!!" Yes, my readers. That is the picture of true friendship.

And tomorrow night, be sure to set your DVRs, because J and I have VIP tickets to the taping of The Colbert Report! I can pretty much guarantee you'll be able to pick our uncontrollable and constant laughter out of the crowd. I really can't think of a more perfect way to commemorate her last week in NYC...

... Oh and that song! ~~Jimmy~~ Jamie, that theme song! Give me another taste!!

Silly Cows

2009-11-16T17:13:00.012-05:00

I showed LJ, one of my fave little Longhorns, this very pretty screenshot a friend posted on Facebook earlier today. She was ~~offended~~ intrigued...

Then we were discussing the possibility of seeing New Moon this weekend, since it premieres Friday (weeee!!!). The following Gchat conversation is what happens when you use our ~~silliness~~ logic to address topics such as football:

Lauren: we [UT] have a night game Saturday. but i want to see [New Moon] with you. so i could be convinced to choose edward over colt

gasp! did i really just say that?@?!

me: BAHHHHH!!!!

Lauren: ok, that might be crazy talk!!! how could i possibly choose edward over colt?!? me: please see how my mathematical mind works:

LJ loves me > colt

which = LJ loves frogs > colt

Lauren: oh NO

me: it's siiimple math

Lauren: NO NO

NO NO NO

me: because bethany = frogs!AND colt = longhorns!! SO... LJ loves frogs > longhorns!!!

SIMPLE SUBSTITUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lauren: that cannot possibly be logical

me: LJ. there's no denying the numbers

Lauren: bahhhhh

numbers lie

me: no lj. numbers NEVER LIE

Lauren: fine. then substitution lies.

me: you lie.

about your love for the frogs

Lauren: i can't love the frogs. they are frogs. frogs and longhorns do not get along

ever.

longhorns stomp on frogs

me: horns are for frogs. not cows

silly cowsLauren: you are jealous of the hornsme: i have my own horns.prettier horns.

Like I said, it's simple math. However, if you'd like some more traditional reasoning behind the theory of loving the Frogs > Longhorns (or any of the current Top 3 ranked teams, for that matter), this article might just give my argument a bit more credibility. :)

p.s.

Dear LJ,

Here's some more simple math... JUST for you: xoxo. ILY. times 10.

Love, B

Fear the Frog! Part II

2009-11-15T22:27:00.007-05:00

In case anyone somehow missed the outcome of the Frogs' big game last night, I'll give you a little hint...

Yaaaay Frogs! As if there was ever any doubt! Rah Rah TCU!! I was celebrating the 55 to 28 domination over Utah at the Reckless Kelly concert with Kristen, Jim and a room full of Texas Country-loving New Yorkers. If I couldn't be one of the record-breaking 50,307 crowd at Amon Carter, I'd say standing within a foot of Willy Braun while he serenaded me for a couple hours was definitely the next best place.

"Her soul wide open I can see right through

Wears her heart on her sleeve but it's all for you

That girl's got love in her eyes"

-Reckless Kelly, Love in Her Eyes... Swoony swoon swoooooon!

Fear the Frog!

2009-11-14T17:28:00.008-05:00

I had a delightful brunch with the members of Apostles Church this morning, so I just finished watching College GameDay on my DVR (That's right - I recorded ESPN. Just call me Sporty Spice :) ). And no surprise here: they unanimously picked TCU over Utah for the big win tonight!! Get ready for some Horned Frog Football, y'all!

Pretty Pretty Purple Campus :)

Go Frogs!

"They've earned that #4 BCS ranking. They are daring to dream here about very, very big things."

-Chris Fowler, ESPN College GameDay

Painting the Town... Purple.

2009-11-13T13:25:00.000-05:00

Don't let all of the pink or the constant talk of cupcakes and cute fuzzy animals fool you. Sure, I may not always be the sportiest girl in the world, but when it comes to my Horned Frogs, I bleed purple.

As TCU has climbed the rankings all season and gained more and more attention, it's gotten harder and harder to not to be in Fort Worth for the games. This is the first year since I moved to New York that I wasn't able to make it back for Homecoming, and there's a Texas-sized hole in my heart without my fill of Horned Frog Football.

So after ESPN's College GameDay announced that they're coming to TCU this Saturday for the FIRST TIME EVER, I immediately started scouring the internet for semi-reasonable flights. Then Nike announced they designed snazzy new uniforms for the game, complete with a horned frog skin print and red lines symbolizing "the blood that shoots from the horned frog's eyes when under attack" (I know, precious, right?)! Mayor Moncrief even proclaimed today as "Go Purple Day" in Fort Worth! It seemed like missing the big game against #14 Utah just wasn't an option...

Sadly, my fiscally responsible side ended up prevailing (for once) so I won't be among the expected 47,000 plus fans in the sold-out Amon Carter Stadium. But you can sure count on me to be cheering my little heart out for our #4 Froggies right here from NYC. Pink might be my favorite color the rest of the year, but in the fall, there's nothing like the regal hue of TCU purple!

"Fort Worth has been waiting a long time. My goal is to someday get to where we don’t break Fort Worth’s and Frogs fans’ hearts. I’m going to try not to break those hearts in these next three weeks."

-Coach Gary Patterson

True Story

2009-11-12T16:34:00.004-05:00

Oh cardis! You really are the best.

(Thanks for the cute find, Melissa!)

Veterans Day

2009-11-11T17:30:00.006-05:00

I've been struggling to try to put together an expression of my thanks to our servicemen and women - those of the past and of today. Words won't ever be enough, but President Obama's remarks that he made during his visit to Arlington National Cemetery today come closer than I could ever begin to write. Below are a few excerpts - you can see the entirety and read more about his visit here.

"... In this time of war, we gather here mindful that the generation serving today already deserves a place alongside previous generations for the courage they have shown and the sacrifices that they have made. In an era where so many acted only in pursuit of narrow self-interest, they've chosen the opposite. They chose to serve the cause that is greater than self; many even after they knew they'd be sent into harm's way. And for the better part of a decade, they have endured tour after tour in distant and difficult places; they have protected us from danger; and they have given others the opportunity for a better life.

So to all of them -- to our veterans, to the fallen, and to their families -- there is no tribute, no commemoration, no praise that can truly match the magnitude of your service and your sacrifice.

... We call this a holiday. But for many veterans, it's another day of memories that drive them to live their lives each day as best as they possibly can. For our troops, it is another day in harm's way. For their families, it is another day to feel the absence of a loved one, and the concern for their safety. For our wounded warriors, it is another day of slow and arduous recovery. And in this national cemetery, it is another day when grief remains fresh. So while it is important and proper that we mark this day, it is far more important we spend all our days determined to keep the promises that we've made to all who answer this country's call.

... Ninety-one years ago today, the battlefields of Europe fell quiet as World War I came to a close. But we don't mark this day each year as a celebration of victory, as proud of that victory as we are. We mark this day as a celebration of those who made victory possible. It's a day we keep in our minds the brave men and women of this young nation -- generations of them -- who above all else believed in and fought for a set of ideals. Because they did, our country still stands; our founding principles still shine; nations around the world that once knew nothing but fear now know the blessings of freedom.

That is why we fight -- in hopes of a day when we no longer need to. And that is why we gather at these solemn remembrances and reminders of war -- to recommit ourselves to the hard work of peace.

There will be a day before long when this generation of servicemen and women step out of uniform. They will build families and lives of their own. God willing, they will grow old. And someday, their children, and their children's children, will gather here to honor them.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America."

To all who have served, are serving, and will serve: thank you.

Home. Again.

2009-11-10T11:49:00.009-05:00

I hope y'all enjoyed the Blog Carnival yesterday! I know I sure did. Nerdy, you say? Maybe a bit. But writing about my own thoughts on Home ended up being a great time of reflection that I didn't even know I needed. And reading the thoughts of the 25 other bloggers' - some of them are among my closest friends and others I haven't even met - was such a treat, not to mention pretty eye-opening.

After organizing this day-of-blogging-fun, Elizabeth put together the below post that brings all 26 of our thoughts together so perfectly, I just couldn't help sharing! So enjoy, and be sure to click through to the full posts from the Carnival if you haven't had a chance already - there's some pretty fantastic writing out there:

A few weeks ago Jamie and I had the idea that we’d do a blog carnival. And, honestly, I’m blown away at the response. 25 absolutely incredible bloggers participated and shared their hearts on home. I gave no boundaries as to what they could write about, but as i read through entry after entry i picked out a line or two that stuck out to me. I copied them all into my blog admin page so that i could quote from every single one, and as read through them all i realized something:

we just wrote a story. collectively. we don’t all know each other; some of us have never even met. however, we are intricately woven together as part of a Bigger story.

so this is what i did with it.

enjoy.

When you think about it, “Where are you from?” is asking so much more than to simply name a city. Where I am from isn’t as important as where I am going. Home is not defined by geography, and neither am I. It is not a geography of latitudes and longitudes. It is not just a bloodline or a shared surname. Home is where you ache from the violence of separation, however temporary or eternal that separation might be. Home is where I’m good at being [myself]. Growing up i was a participant in the home my parents had built… now i’m leading and defining my own version of home. My roots are there, but my heart is here.

It’s a place where you should always feel loved. there is ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS love. and that, right there in the middle of it, that is home. home is spending time in community. home is hope for what is ahead. Home…is where I learned that I could be myself (however crazy that may be) and still be loved just the same (and maybe just a little bit more). I feel like myself here. This is my home. For now. It’s relying on best friends who help keep me sane. it’s typically busy, it’s frequently crazy, it’s where i live. it is everything i love.

So in the meantime, i will fight to find meaning and a sense of belonging in each moment, each place. Home has a different meaning for me now than it did five years ago. It’s sitting around a table and sharing your life with someone. The table is just a device that draws us close. And yet it’s this coming together that makes home.

I’m really excited at the possibility that God could revolutionize my relationships with those people by revolutionizing my relationship with Him. I’m on a mission to know God and make Him known and sometimes that means I have to be a little embarrassed/uncomfortable/faithful/committed. We are all too often blinded to the reality of eternity. In our blindness we seek to construct, create or cultivate the most comfortable earthly homes and wonder when are hearts seem so restless. Isn’t home where we ought to be able to rest? Yet in the most wonderful homes there is a lingering homesickness for another place. It is Christ who remains. That is home. That is what we were made for.

I’ve been to these places and loved the people who live there now, yet not one location has been able to fill the empty spot I have reserved in my heart for a permanent “home.” The place that is so different from what I’ve always known, yet so comfortable and, somehow, familiar. This world is too large to live in one place for forever. whether it’s short- or long-term, i know i have somewhere else to discover someday. My fear is that one day I will meet someone that won’t know this part of me. They will not know that this experience has shaped me into who God is asking me to be. I have been challenged to go beyond so many comfort levels that I would have never thought possible; all the while learning that I can, in fact, appreciate the beauty in differences.

I love to write about home, but I also knew that it would come on the end of me leaving a place that I thought would become my permanent home. And when, in two weeks, I pack up my last suitcase and turn in my keys and hail a cab, I’ll be moving home, and leaving home, and going home, and missing home, all at the same time.

Home.

2009-11-09T09:30:00.006-05:00

"So, where are you from?"

It's a common enough question. Anyone who meets someone new and continues a conversation for more than a minute or so usually hears it. And I suppose it could be easy enough to answer. But it doesn't always have to be... When you think about it, "Where are you from?" is asking so much more than to simply name a city. To me, those four little words are asking something that goes a lot deeper: Where did you become who you are? Where is your family? Where is it that helped shape you throughout the years? Where is your heart? Where do you call... home?

Where do I call home?

... Montana, and its miles and miles of awe-inspiring land and towering, untouched mountains. Montana is rolling hills leading to a far-off horizon. Montana is the sort of place that has the power to make you stop in your tracks and praise God for His beautiful creation. Montana is where I was born. Montana is where my dad grew up and eventually met my mom. It's where they fell in love. Montana is where much of my family still lives. Montana is Hot Fudge Banana Nut Whips at Dairy Queen with my cousins. It's beading and scrap-booking and causing all sorts of trouble with my aunts. It's winters of snow drifts that reach up to the roof, and it's sunshine reflecting off the creek in the summer. Montana is picking apples at Grandpa Art's, and feeling so cozy by the fire in his log cabin-y house. Montana is big family dinners (and breakfasts, and lunches...) at Grammy's, filled with delicious treats and generations of laughter. Montana is home.

... Delaware, and a perfect little cottage on Indian Street in South Bethany, right across from the ocean. Delaware is countless happy summers with my grandparents. Delaware is splashing in the waves at my beach and walking the boardwalk after our trips to the Royal Treat. It's watching my little cousins stare out at the ocean with stars in their eyes, and knowing exactly how they feel. It's the wonderful fact that the Wiffle Ball Toss and the Teacup Ride at Funland will never get old. Delaware is where I painted my hair pink as a mischievous toddler when my Papa wasn't looking. It's where I gathered sea glass with my Grandmom, and helped her piece together a quilt that she would eventually finish and surprise me with 10 years later. Delaware is their house on Horseshoe Drive, every corner filled with our drawings and pictures from over the years. It's talking in the early mornings over Froot Loops and the humid nights on the screened porch, wishing our visit could last forever. Delaware is where I experienced the true heartache of watching someone you love slip away. But Delaware is also where I learned how to find comfort knowing that they're with Him now, and that I never actually lose the people who are so close to me - not really. Delaware is home.

... Washington, and its bustling Seattle suburb - Issaquah. Issaquah is where I grew up. Issaquah is where I spent 13 years in a sunshine-yellow bedroom in Brookshire on the Plateau. Issaquah is Discovery Elementary, Pine Lake Middle, and Skyline High. Issaquah is 10 years of piano lessons, and it's bike rides through the forest with Mariah, the most lovable and loyal dog a family could ask for. Issaquah is Friday night football games followed by trips to Red Robin for bottomless fries. Issaquah is Saturday nights in Seattle, racing back home to beat curfew. It's cheering on the Mariners with my dad in the Kingdome as they clinched the A.L. West Championship in 1995 (and why I'll never truly be a die-hard Yankees fan, I suppose). Issaquah is curling up on my mom's lap, as she reads to me from The House at Pooh Corner and The Little Witch. It's a pantry wall, with pencil marks that tell the story of Steph and I growing up through the years, and the excitement I had when my mark finally passed hers. It's childhood friends who I can go months without talking to, and it's still like no time has passed at all when we meet for a night of dinner and wine. Issaquah is where I first discovered His saving Grace. Issaquah is my first dance, my first straight A's, my first job, my first car, my first kiss. Issaquah is home.

... Texas, and its Horned Frogs at TCU in Fort Worth. Texas is where I found the independence I thought I was ready for, and soon realized that maybe I wasn't so grown-up after all. Texas opened my eyes and mind to new opinions, and helped me figure out exactly why it is that I believe what I believe. Texas brought me four years of learning - both in the classroom and out of it. It's where I went to my first rodeo, held (but didn't shoot!) my first gun, ate my first chicken-fried steak. Texas is where I spent 2 1/2 years living in the room above the awning at the Theta House in The Greek. Texas is theme parties and formals and tailgates and Spring Breaks. It's where I spent many sleepless nights - studying? Yes, but more important were the nights spent with my friends, laughing into the morning and making memories I wouldn't trade for anything. Texas is where I found the friends who have been with me through some of the happiest, and some of the most daunting, chapters of my life. It's where I finally realized that I could do more than dream big dreams - I could actually make them come true. Texas is where my parents live now, making it pull at my heart even more when I'm away. Texas is home.

... New York, and the city that never sleeps. New York is where I risked it all. New York is where I thought I'd spend a year or two, where I thought I'd just have a little adventure before going back to a "real" life. But New York is the place that captured my heart. New York is where I'm supposed to be. New York is Apostles Church, a community that loves the Lord and this city, and supports and challenges me in my faith. New York is long aimless walks through the Village that always seem to end with cupcakes. It's dates that I swear must have been written for one of my favorite sappy romantic comedies. New York is the advertising and entertainment industries, and the feeling I get every time I see my clients' campaigns lining the streets that makes all the late nights seem like a small price to pay. It's bumping into celebrities on the corner, brunches that last all day, and Broadways shows on a Wednesday, just because we can. New York is dreaming of the day that I can live on Gramercy Park, but loving my cute little apartment because for me, for right now, it's perfect. New York is watching each season's beauty come and go to Central Park. New York is painful, as I make dear friends, and then say goodbye. But New York is also knowing that we'll stay close across the miles and that we still have plenty more adventures in store. New York can be hard, really hard, but New York is worth it. New York is sitting on the East River as I write this, watching dusk settle in and turn the sky a perfect mix of pink, yellow, and blue. New York is home.

P.S. This post is part of a "Blog Carnival." Today, some blogger friends and I all writing something about "home." No other guidelines, just our thoughts on "home" - fun, right? You can find links to the rest of the bloggies at the end of this post, so be sure to check everyone out. Happy reading!

Live from New York!

2009-11-08T18:27:00.017-05:00

The short story: We camped out all of Friday night for standby tickets to see Taylor Swift host and perform on SNL. And we didn't get in.

The real story: We camped out all of Friday night for standby tickets to see Taylor Swift host and perform on SNL. And we didn't get in, but the entire experience ranks up there with some of my favorite New York adventures.

Jamie staked out a spot in line around 6 p.m. Friday, and was later joined by LJ, then Hannah. I met up with the ladies just before midnight and it was already a chilly 38 degrees. We were armed with chairs, layers upon layers, our puffiest puffer coats, and blankets galore. Not to mention the Papa John's we had delivered to 30 Rock, plenty of treats, and oodles of optimism.

As the hours wore on, the temperature went down, and the silliness ensued. By the time the wind chill had the thermometer at 31 degrees, Jamie was reading to us from Harry Potter, voices for each character and all (her "Ron" is ridiculously impressive, I must say!). Hannah burrowed down in her pile of plaid blankets, displaying her excellent survival skills. LJ documented my need to attempt to lay horizontally and I stared in disbelief at her impersonation of a snowman in need of a hug... Before we knew it, the sun had risen. It was almost 7 a.m. and time for us to collect our standby tickets - we'd survived!

After getting home and spending some quality time with my big comfy bed (I may or may not have slept until 2:30 in the afternoon. No judging.), it was time to head back to 30 Rock for our shot at the dress rehearsal. With tickets #42 - #45 in hand, we were nervous but convinced that the Country Music Fates were on our side. Heck, we'd been Tweeting to Taylor all night and day - maybe she would come out with special tickets for @BethanyNYC, @LaurenJ27 & friends! Right, not likely, but like I said: We had oodles of optimism.

So when they only had room for tickets #1 - #27, to say our bubbles were burst would be an understatement. But it didn't take us long to realize that the night was young and full of potential. With that, we set off for Jamie and Hannah's apartment on the UWS for a New Yorky movie night followed by watching our girl Taylor live. After a quick stop at the grocery store and wine shop for "supplies," we were happily watching Sex and the City, ooo-ing and aww-ing over the outfits and love stories we'd all memorized long before.

Taylor's fab performance on SNL was the icing on the cake (though Amy Poehler's surprise appearance for the Really!?! segment with Seth Meyers was decidedly more like salt in our wounds...). Her monologue and spoof on Twilight had me in exceptionally long fits of giggles... Goodness, I love her.

So that's the real story: A cold slumber party outside of 30 Rock and a weekend of memories with some of the best friends a girl could ask for. As LJ so eloquently put it Saturday evening as we were seeking out Puppy Chow ingredients, "This will no longer be the night we didn't see Taylor Swift on SNL. It will be the night we drank lots of wine and had a fabulous time with each other."

LOVE from New York, if you will.

12:30 a.m: Prior to the temperature dipping below freezing... i.e. sanity still intact.

2 a.m.-ish: Story time. It was about now that Jamie realized the true brilliance of the Snuggie: "I need a blanket... but one with arms!"

3 a.m., cold and silly: "LJ, I just kind of need to be horizontal for a moment."

"B... Will you hug me? I think it will make me warm..."

4 a.m., colder and sillier: "B! You're an elephant!!"

7 p.m. Saturday night: Back at 30 Rock, fingers crossed...

10 p.m. Saturday - 2 a.m. Sunday: A happy happy ending, indeed!

My view at 7 a.m. today...

2009-11-07T16:39:00.006-05:00

Well, Good Morning 30 Rock! So lovely to spend the whoooole night with you on the sidewalk. Even with the 31 degree weather, Jamie, LJ, Hannah and I had a delightful time waiting with you for standby tickets to SNL tonight.

More details to come on our Puffer Coat Party, but for now I'm going to rest up before meeting the girls - cross your fingers that we make it in to see the lovely Taylor Swift (She's the host AND musical guest... ahhh!!). But even if we don't make the cut, the company and giggles from last night were more than worth the risk of becoming a Popsicle... Side note: if I were to become a Popsicle, I think I'd want to be Cherry. Or maybe Root Beer.

Happy Friday

2009-11-06T17:33:00.006-05:00

It isn't very fall-ish, but my goodness, this picture makes me smile...

from flickr

Hope y'all have a very happy weekend!

Anonymity is Key

2009-11-05T14:09:00.009-05:00

twentysomething blogger girl 1: "... Do you think he reads my blog?"

twentysomething blogger girl 2: "Yes. I'd assume so... Wouldn't you?"

twentysomething blogger girl 1: "Yeah, I guess you're probably right... "

twentysomething blogger girl 2: "I mean, there's some good stuff on there! If I could anonymously stalk guys I used to date to that extent, I sure as heck would."

Keep Calm and...

2009-11-04T19:20:00.005-05:00

Confession: Life/Work have turned me into a little ball of stress lately. Ok... fine. To be fair, I suppose I'm often a little ball of stress. I guess it would be more accurate to say that lately, I'm just... a... a slightly bigger than my typically little ball of stress. Regardless, when I walked by a store this morning that displayed five of the below prints lined up in the window, I knew it would make the perfect post for today, if for no other reason than to remind me to, you know, breathe. At least every now and then:

from weheartit

It's nothing too earth-shattering - this "Keep Calm and Carry On" design has been floating around the blogosphere for quite some time now, but still... It's pretty. And the perfect little mantra for me to keep in mind. Well at least it was perfect... until I found THIS little gem:

from daydreamlilly

It's so true! It's simple math: Cupcakes = A Happier Bethany. And if worse comes to worst, and there's ever such an occasion in my life that things can't be made even a little bit better by a cupcake, then there's always... magic:

from weheartit

Brilliant! A Patronus Charm - THAT should surely do the trick! (Side note: This may or may not be a slightly obscure Harry Potter reference, for all of you silly non-wizard-loving PTTP readers. Which really, between Megan, Liz, and Jamie finally giving in and jumping on the J.K. Rowling Bandwagon recently, are there even any of you left??).

Alright, back to the madness and... Keeping Calm and... Such.