Running with Cherry Blossoms

The last 2 evenings I took advantage of the unseasonably warm and went for a Central Park run. The Reservoir is covered with cherry blossoms in full bloom, making it delightful to run on a track peppered with pink confetti.

Viva La Mexico

I just came back from a week in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico for my favorite married couple, Rob and Marisol’s wedding.
Adding to why they are my favorite couple, they had a “white trash” themed party a few nights before the wedding. Here are a few of me “in character”/bringing shame to my family.






The very classy bride and groom.





We did have moments of rock climbing, snorkeling, boat riding, volleyball and being classic tourists in town, but for the most part the rest of the week was spent on the beach consuming guacamole and endless cocktails.



And of course, the wedding.

Modern Dance

Last night I went to a Danspace Project performance to see Doug's boyfriend dance. I'm not a fan of ballet, let alone modern dance. It was only the second time that I've been to a modern dance performance and its the first time that I actually stayed to the end. Not being a critic or even someone who appreciates modern dance, the only word I can think of to describe it is entertaining.

When my niece, Grace practices modern dance however, mesmerizing seems the more appropriate description.


(I don't know what I like more about this video; my sister holding back the laughter or baby Madeline popping in the shot)

Gig ‘Em… whatever that means

This morning I gave up my seat on the subway for a very pregnant woman. I'm not writing this to sound like a good samaritan. I'm writing this because more than half of those seated around me were men and for the first time that I can recall, I miss the men in College Station, Texas.
Granted, they also say "ma’am" to 19 year old girls, they have no problem yelling at you should you accidentally walk on the grass, and their idea of a good time is chasing their dip with a pitcher of beer at the Dixie Chicken. Regardless, I spent 4 years riding Texas A&M shuttles and I think that its safe to say that I never stood while a man sat. Here in New York chivalry is dead; at least in public transport.

Smell

I don't have a picture to accompany this entry, which is actually quite appropriate.
Last night I went to a lecture by the New York Times perfume critic, Chandler Burr. The nerd side of me came out as it was an enlightening evening where I learned first hand the reason that Tide cost more than any other detergent (the patented added scent), why the process of creating perfumes is not too far off from prescription drugs, and why synthetics are more valuable than natural materials in perfume.
Most shockingly, we learned some of the "old school" processes of how a particular molecule was literally extracted from a tortured cat's rectum. I also learned that my nose smells Chanel No. 5 as "my Grandma; so either Chanel No. 5 or Oscar de la Renta", the additive to all detergents as "a clean floor" and the fragrance Cool Water as "a good looking man".
The evening inspired me to branch off from the only scent I've worn for over 6 years and to see (or smell rather) that there is an artist in a perfumer. It also made me feel normal surrounded by a room of people who also have way too much fun in Sephora or the Duty Free.

Erin Go Bragh

This is going to have to cut it since I have a hole in my wardrobe in the green department. If it weren’t for Heidi’s cookie delivery, I would have really been screwed.

Weekend Recap

Saturday began with endless mimosas (and a blue shot) at Bondi Road with Suzanne, Deena and the other Erin.

And it ended with 8 hours of drinking at Black Mountain wine bar in Brooklyn with Jamie, Maria, John and Gonzalo.

In turn, Sunday was spent on my couch with this fat guy.

The Armory

After dim sum, Doug, Deena and I went to The Armory Show on Pier 94 where we saw a lot of fantastic art.

And a lot of very strange art.

Berkleysitting

Sandwiched between brunches, dinners and finally running outdoors; I was a dog sitter for Donna and Kat’s puppy, Berkley. It was surprisingly enjoyable walking Berkley around the Lower East Side, going at a slow pace, looking in store windows and having an opportunity to talk to cute dog-owning boys.

Brooklyn Cooking

Last night I trekked out to Brooklyn to cook a wonderful dinner with Katie and Doug at Doug’s new apartment. Its big, has a proper balcony, 2 floors, overlooks a park, and is only $200 more than what I pay for a shoebox in the LES. Brooklyn has never looked better; until it came time to go home and it was impossible to find a cab (not to mention the lack of bars on every corner).

Pictured is our homemade feast. I don’t know why we don’t cook more. It’s a lot more fun and significantly cheaper than, say the Allen & Delancey evening Lisa and I had the night before.

Foam Finger

Last night I went to my first Rangers game with Scott, Kat and Ariel. Scott has amazing tickets that are 3rd row just behind the goal box, but after a few $12 beers, it was the foam finger that proved to be the biggest excitement.
(Thanks again Scott!)

Headshot

My office and I got a little less professional this week when they added a “picture wall” in the break room. I have absolutely no idea when they took this picture of me or why of all the identification/credential pictures they have of me they used this one. Regardless, I'm feeling very unprofessional with this picture up. And as my mom said, people who scan the walls will say “which one is the fun girl?!?!?!”

Jersey Girl

In the 5 years that I’ve lived in New York, I’ve been to New Jersey maybe 10 times; 2 of which occurred this week.
Last night I went to visit Eric, Paige and Baby Addison in Hoboken to see their fantastic new apartment and to get plenty of holding of possibly the cutest non-niece little girl I’ve seen.

I love her deer-in-headlight eyes next to my ridiculously squinty ones.

Showers in Jersey

Saturday I Suzanne and I rented a car and drove to New Jersey for Marisol’s wedding shower.
It was really nice to meet more of her family and help her get ready for her marriage, but I learned a lot of lessons the hard way:
1) 4 hours of sleep the night before isn’t the best way to look your best for old ladies at wedding shower
2) Having a wicked hangover isn’t the best way to look your best for old ladies at wedding shower
3) Don’t trust mapquest when driving through New Jersey
4) New Jersey is lacking street signs
5) Always pay for the GPS when renting a car to go to New Jersey

The Bourgeois Pig's Squeel

I'm only allowing myself to consume fruit and steamed veggies today- we’ll see how long that lasts.

Yesterday for lunch at Telepan, I had a 3 course menu of trout, scallops, custard and wine. Then dinner of gruyere tartines, crab fondue, and of courses plenty of French red at the Bourgeois Pig.
I'm going to be 10lbs heavier by the time Heidi’s birthday week is over.

¡Pura Vida!

Before going to Costa Rica, I had considered myself to be a person whose idea of the perfect winter vacation consisted only of laying on a lounge chair with a book in one hand and a frozen cocktail in the other.

Instead of the veggie trip, I met Max in Costa Rica where I zip lined through a jungle canopy and rafted through a rainforest. Fantastic fun and pura vida!

Look Up

I went with Heidi to see Fuerza Bruta last night. It was the second time for me to see it, but I could easily see it once a month. It’s a sensory overload, incredibly bizarre and just plain fun to watch and be apart of.
I’ve never been to Rio nor dropped acid, but Fuerza Bruta is what I imagine both are somewhat like.

Not-So Sweet & Lowdown

This weekend I consumed massive amounts of alcohol, and yet not a drop during Super Bowl time (I did make a large bowl of queso to take to Kim's party. But I'm the bad American that hates football and Bruce Springsteen).
Friday night I went to a new wine bar across from my apartment called Sweet & Lowdown with Donna, Kat and Kelly where I learned that when 4 girls consume 4 bottles of wine and a cheese plate for happy hour, I'm given at 9pm bedtime.


After boozing it up on Saturday with Kelsey at Schillers brunch we went back to Sweet & Lowdown then I met Suzanne for dinner at Double Crown, then a few more bars to end up with this bizarre clown at Marshall Stack.

I'm officially getting old and need to keep ibuprofen, not to mention sanity, in my pocket.

Homies

Last month I saw a homeless man pee on the subway during the morning rush. I mean, took his wiener out of his pants and peed right there in the moving train.
I wasn’t sure if it was that instance that made me more aware of the homeless or if it’s the cold weather that brings them to the concentrated underground, but I seem to encounter at least 5 homeless every time I swipe my metrocard.
Its not in my head; I just read that New York has 9,720 homeless, up from 5,192 in 2000.

(And yes, I occasionally take pictures of snuggled homeless. What else am I to do for entertainment when I forget my book at home?)

My Parents Win

Paul Simon’s new ‘Lyrics’ book and a batch of homemade/grown meyer lemon bars.



The best care package ever.
(thanks guys. love you!)