Happy 5 Years, LJ!

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

Happy Wednesday Things

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 :)

It's true. It really does.

It's Real

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 :)

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

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

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

I'm in a glass case of emotion.

My heart is very very happy for a dear friend of mine right now.

It really is.

Girl Scout's Promise and all that.

But maybe, just maybe, I'm the teensy tinsiest bit sad.

Just a bit though.

Ok, I suppose it's a rather big bit...

You know, as far as bits go.

But even still, it doesn't outweigh the happiness I have for her.

Honestly, I would really like to lock my friend up and throw away the key...

But I won't.

Because of that whole very happy heart thing.

Also, I suppose it's illegal.

Le sigh.

Kites, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

As many of you might recall, NYC lost a couple of its really good ones this past Spring. I pretty much started a countdown to Kristen and/or Alyssa's return the second their planes took off.

So when Alyssa told me a couple months ago that she: A. got a great new job (wee!), and B. wanted one of her first big splurges to be a trip back to the City, well, let's just say there was much skipping and squealing down Third Avenue that day. And the best part? She was coming in for the weekend of Megan's Half Marathon in Philly! This clearly meant only one thing, two syllables:

Road. Trip.

By the time our double decker bus rolled out of Penn Station at 9:15 the Saturday morning before last, Meg had an entourage of 8 of us girls. We were ready for a touristy-and-fun-filled trip to the City of Brotherly Love, armed with Pumpkin Spice Starbucks and maybe just a bit too much luggage for an overnight trip. As we flipped through our NY Mag's, Glamour's, and In Style Weddings' (ok, I guess that was just Amy...) we tallied up our collective goals for the trip:

• Carbing up with Megan Cheering Megan on, obviously!
• Pictures. Lots. Of. Pictures.
• The Liberty Bell (more specifically, "Kiting" it with Tracey and/or Amy, my fellow Thetas on the trip. Kidding. But not.)
• Reid Rosenthal (See him? Hug him? Marry him? All of the above him?)
• Running up the Rocky steps, even though I'm pretty sure none of us have seen any of the movies... meh.
• Philly Cheesesteaks? For sure. Cheez Whiz? Undecided.
• Avoiding any and all people dressed in costumes
• Brunchy brunch brunch

I'm happy to report that in our 29 or so hours in Philadelphia, we successfully checked just about everything off our lists, and then some. These photos can't possibly do all of the giggles and delicious calories justice, but here's a peek at one of the best weekends ever:

Oh, well hello there, Reid. Thanks for welcoming us to Philly... Alyssa and I will now fight for your affections.

Despite our best efforts, we hadn't been wandering historical Philly for more than 20 minutes when we ran into our first Costume Situation. Sorry Meg. We tried.

Oh yes. Yes, we did. Theta Love.

I really do love history.

"Hey guys. Give me your best Patriotic Pose..."

I may or may not have Googled "Chick-fil-A, Philadelphia" within 10 minutes of checking-in to our hotel... NYC doesn't know what it's missing.

Cheers to Meg! Sure, she may have been in bed at this point, but it's the thought that counts.

Check out those pink (Meg) and blue (Stephanie) shorts go!

The Cheering Section

Theta Love for Megan! (p.s. two Kites in one trip?! Oh, I'm a happy girl.)

Meow (Video to come... Get excited.)

xoxo

Delicious Ambiguity

Another Day, Another Crush

"Well crap. Now I have to find a new, never-going-anywhere Office Crush to creep on."

-A friend, upon learning that her current Office Crush has put in his two weeks notice... This, my friends, is Twentysomething Professionalism at its finest. Gotta love it.

"Her heart glowed with a degree of happy assurance."

My mom first started sending me these super cute cards a few years ago "just because" (she's pretty fantastic like that :) ). They never fail to make me smile! These are a few of my favorites - they just fill me with all sorts of deliciously happy thoughts... Enjoy!





And if you like these, there are a ton more that you should definitely check out at Curly Girl Design. Love it!

Happy Music

I haven't seen Away We Go yet, but if it's even half as delightful as the movie's "Road Trip Mix" on Pandora that I'm currently listening to, then I will be a happy, happy girl.

Seriously. These twirling-in-Central-Park-worthy songs almost made me forget that I've spent 7 hours (and counting...) of this beautiful Sunday at the office... almost.

And even if this adorable sponsored playlist ends up being misleading, let's be honest... John Krasinski in glasses is definitely presh enough to justify the $12.50 ticket.

"When it comes to settling down... Never Settle." -Away We Go

MTV Wins At Life Tonight

After the debacle/foolishness that was the last MTV Music Awards, thank GOODNESS MTV is seeming to redeem itself with the Movie Awards tonight. I'm still watching on my DVR, but after I rewound the World Premiere of the New Moon trailer several times, I noticed Ryan Seacrest posted it on Twitter!!

... Wait. I'm sorry. Did that last sentence REALLY just happen? Rewinding for New Moon? Ryan Seacrest? Twitter?? Who am I??...

Sigh. Ok. Aaanyways, I couldn't wait any longer to share this fabulousness. Between Rob in his dreamy suit and a shirtless Taylor who is apparently all grown up, I dare you to watch just once... :)

Cute Overload

After hearing about the Surprise Baby Panda that was born in Thailand yesterday, I may or may not have gotten a little carried away with finding pictures of the little cutie pie:

With her mom, Lin Hui.

Look - she's smiling!

This silliness quickly led me to an ENTIRE gallery of adorable Zoo Babies!! O.M.Goodness. This all adds up to entirely too much preciousness for one day... if there is such a thing.

Wanty Want Want...

If this dress doesn't scream, "I want to live in Bethany's closet! And frolic about the City with her this Spring! And every Spring there after!!"... then I don't know what does...

Ahhhh, presh times 10! The sale ends in 4ish days... Ha, any bets on how long I can resist bidding??

(Thanks to Jessica at what i wore for pointing it out, which btw, is a fabulous daily fashion blog that y'all need to check out. My lovely Mallory follows it too and told me recently that a lot of Jessica's outfits remind her of me... scroll through her blog a bit and I'm sure you'll see why that pretty much made my week! :) )

It's Easy Being Green

I guess it would be an atrocious betrayal to my Northwest roots if I failed to recognize all of the glory that is Earth Day - Have y'all hugged a tree yet today?! They're a little harder to come by in the City, but I'm considering heading to Central Park for the occasion...

Ok, just kidding... but in place of trees, I certainly wouldn't mind hugging THIS Environmentalist Love Muffin. Sigh, I love a man who loves the Earth:

Ha! Earth Rocks, indeed! Oooh Paul Rudd... Be still, my Washingtonian heart. :)

Hold the Cereal, Darling

If there was ever a conversation to sum up Jer's and my friendship, this just might be it:

Jeramey: i love cereal because you don't have to wait to eat it.
Me: except for when you don't have milk. then it's a sad, sad day.
Jeramey: yeah. then you have to use water
Jeramey: or beer.
Me: what are you? a frat boy?
Me: champagne, darling. clearly, champagne.
Jeramey: oh who are we kidding? hold the cereal.

Ok, ok... To have truly defined our friendship, I suppose it should also have involved discussion of brunch, Ab Fab, fake engagements and cute celebs... But still. This was pretty darn close.

Sweet Southern Comfort

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.

Sydney Bristow and Jack Bauer at the Get Smart Screening

Karaoke Queens out on the town.


L.O.V.E.