Best Long Weekend Ever!

This (long) weekend was exactly what I needed to unwind from a busy and crazy week at work. Long weekends that go from Saturday-Tuesday are the best because for that one week, Monday doesn't exist. Technically, Tuesday functions like a Monday, but because there are only four days of work this week, it's still definitely Tuesday. Hooray!

On Friday Robbie and I went to a delicious Austrian restaurant on the Lower East Side called Cafe Katja. We went over the summer and since we were going to a show nearby, decided to stop by again. Big beers and pretzels with spicy mustard were consumed. The pretzels are imported from Germany, and the restaurant receives them halfway through the baking process, so they're finished off in New York and super fresh and amazing. Yum! And we shared a sausage sampler, complete with dumplings, sauerkraut, pork belly, cheese-filled sausage and fresh frankfurters. Oh my god. I have died and gone to heaven.

I tried to snap a picture, but it was bit dark. Maybe you can make out a sausage?

After dinner we went to a venue called the Rockwood Music Hall and saw some random bands. Alex Berger was our favorite! We also saw a hipster band called Hurrah! A Bolt of Light. There was a lot of sexual tension between the singers, but after some stalking, apparently they're not dating. Robbie and I are creeps.

Hurrah! A Bolt of Light

Saturday was a lazy day, which I needed. I stayed inside and watched TV with Robbie and ate peanut butter sandwiches. I stayed in that night with a bit of a stomach ache, but was glad to be lazy for a full 24 hours. With the stomach bug going around the city, I wanted to be safe.

Sunday I went to Ollie's to work at the shelter. We've been recovering from a mild outbreak of ringworm, so the shelter was closed to visitors. The kitties all seemed a bit cranky from not getting as much playtime or love from new people, but I was glad to be able to let them into the playroom for a bit.

And Robbie and I decided to sponsor our two favorite kitties, Sebastian and Viola. They grew up together and ended up at Ollie's because their owner died. They're 11 and the sweetest little things, I just love them. They've been at the shelter a long time, and while I want to see them go to a loving home, I selfishly hope they hold out until I am living in a more cat-friendly apartment and can take them to their forever home with me.

 Sebastian is gingery, Viola is the smaller one.

Viola has been at the vet, hence the sign and Sebastian climbing up his cage. He seemed lonely so I gave him lots of head scratches and kisses. Purr purr.

When Robbie got back from his Sunday soccer game, I cooked up some chicken and pasta and we feasted. Plus there was still leftover cake from Valentine's Day, yum. We went out with Robbie's friend from high school and ate fried pickles with beer and cocktails. It was exciting to go out on a Sunday -- less crowds and I felt kind of a like a rebel, even though I didn't have work the next day. 

Yesterday Robbie and I saw "The Secret World of Arrietty" and it was fantastic. We watched another movie from the same director, "Howl's Moving Castle" last week and were really into the style. I'd recommend it entirely! But maybe go at a time when there wouldn't be lots of young kids -- we had some loud laughers and it wasn't the most comedic of movies.

Hope you all had an equally relaxing and fun weekend! Glad it's a four day week...I have many things to look forward to in the next few months :-)

Things With Blue Eyes, Snot, and You

I like oxford commas. I think they make sense.

Take from this song and the tags what you will.

Proving Myself Wrong

Every time I think I couldn't be happier, I get happier. My entire summer has been filled with constant smiles, late nights, clasped hands and butterflies.

I'm A Giant Ball of Cheese

Hello everyone! As per usual, I lied about putting up my sunflower pictures. I've been so busy that I'm rarely at my apartment during waking hours! Lots of dinner dates, happy hours, appointments, and all those kinds of fun things! I'm buzzing around like a little bee, but I couldn't sting someone if I tried--I'm just too happy and excited about everything. Summer is great and I love feeling like free time is really free and not meant to be spent thawing my fingers and toes. Though with all the heat and sunshine, a lot of it is spent trying to cool down and not get sunburned.

Friday night I was supposed to go the Yankee's game with Robbie, but it was rained out. So we missed stupid Jeter's 3000th hit and the stupid Rays didn't want to do a double header on Saturday. But, as luck would have it, we were able to buy tickets for Sunday's game, and it was a beautiful day. Lots of sunscreen was had...with a side of ice cream and hot dogs. Afterwards we went to a little barbeque at Jen's and ate hamburgers and drank sangria and it was kind of a hen fest but it was a wonderful day! It was the definition of a Sunday Funday, and I'm still exhausted. Sitting outside in the sun all day is hard work!

And as for this photo, well, I think y'all know. Cause I do. It really is that simple; I just know. I'm the biggest cheeseball in the world but I don't care. My head and my heart are filled with unadulterated and overflowing happiness. Deal with it.

Since You've Been Gone

It's been a seriously loooo-o-o-ong time since I last updated (as I was reminded by my mother...thanks to my mom for keeping me on blog-track!), and I promised I would be a better blogger (clearly I lied), so here is an update for you!

Last I updated, I had gone to see free Andrew Bird in Prospect Park (yes, it was a cryptic entry...deal with it. I was giddy), so that was about 3 weeks ago. June 16th-19th was the Northside Festival, which is an annual music festival in Brooklyn. I bought badges with my friends from work, Jen and Emma, and some other lovely people. Beirut headlined, and they put on one of the most amazing live performances I have ever witnessed. There were trumpets, french horns, tubas, cellos, and all the like. So many talented people were on stage together and they were simply incredible. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps!

Here are some pictures from Northside, courtesy of Emma's roommate Rebeca:

Beirut at McCarren Park

Emma, Jen and I waiting for Beirut!

Emma and I at Brooklyn Flea, enjoying our free food (we got coupons with our passes!)

The following week was spent busy with dinners and friends. I also started a new medication for my skin--Accutane. So far I've been doing just fine on it, and I know there are always concerns about people's state of mind while on this drug. I've had many, many conversations with people about all the risks and whether or not it was worth it, and I have to say, it is. It has to be. I've been self conscious about my skin since I was 13. I've tried every topical and oral medication in the book, and everything over the counter. I've had 2 allergic reactions (with hives on my face) because I was trying to clear my skin. I tried vitamins. I spend $50 a month on makeup so I can put things on my face that are natural and gentle and aren't bad for my skin. And who knows how long this could go on on its own? I just can't stand the thought of being so self conscious any longer. So I'm doing this.

This past weekend, fourth of July weekend, I had a half day at work on Friday and headed home. My mom cooked (and made me so many of my favorite foods!) and I snuggled with my dog. I spent most of Saturday afternoon sitting on the deck reading Game of Thrones, because I desperately want to finish the first one and start the second! Damn my subway commute for not being longer. Actually, on second thought, I take that back. I just need a little more free time.

And let's see...what do I have coming up? Surprise excursion on Friday, another long weekend next week, a potential trip to Ann Arbor! And my sunflower seeds are growing! I took some pictures, so expect those this week. I promise!

How are all of you? Did you make it to the bottom of this entry?

Do You Ever Feel Like You Couldn't Stop Smiling If You Tried?

Cause I do.

I've Got Nothing To Say

...except there isn't enough sunshine in the world for how wonderful I feel right now.

I'm seeing Manchester Orchestra tonight.
Andy Hull is everything that's right with the world.

I'm going to Terminal 5, dancing and screaming my face off, then hauling myself back to Brooklyn and sleeping as many seconds as possible.

Sleep? What's sleep?
I'll sleep in June.

Till then, I'll just skip down the street.
And smile.

All Smiles

New York City feels like home again.

I can't wipe this smile off my face.

Day 25 – Something You Crave a Lot

Um, hello, where have you been, survey? This is the most obvious answer in the world.

And my order is ALWAYS the vegetarian tacos, hard & soft, black beans, and a medium (sometimes small or large, depending on happy hour & money) frozen margarita with salt.

BOOM.

Day 23 & A Side Note

Day 23 – A picture of your favorite sport

That's a funny joke, guys. Pretty much everyone who knows me knows that I don't do sports. Tossing a frisbee around? Sure. A little blacktop kickball? Sure. But did I ever play a sport in high school? Absolutely not. Marching band nerd to the core (and honestly, I don't even want to get into the argument about whether or not it's a sport--especially if you call cheerleading a sport, sit down please).

And a side note!

Attention world: I have the best mom in the history of the universe. Everyone at my job is jealous and wants to be adopted. HAH! She's all mine. And my sister's, of course.

Yup, that's a package. Filled with Irish soda bread and spiced jelly beans.

Love.

Love.

Love.

Biggest Slacker in the World

Day 16 – A picture of someone who inspires you

 My sister! She's smart and funny and pretty and the nicest person ever. And generous and caring and honest and have I ever mentioned that I love my sister??

Day 17 – A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

The most beautiful place on earth (that I've been to so far), Israel. Filled with some of the most beautiful people on earth, both Israeli (I know for sure that at least 10 of them are beautiful) and American (you know, those 41 wonderful people I traveled with).

Day 18 – A picture of your biggest insecurity

Let's not get into emotional ones, because that's a whole other blog. But I guess it's typical and girly to say my "figure." Especially when I love Benny's Burritos as much as I do!

Day 19 – A picture of something you like to do

I like to take pictures! And print them myself, but that's not going to happen in the near future. Too expensive, weh.

Day 20 – A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

New Zealand! Please! I mean, come on, LOOK at THAT!

Day 21 – A picture of something you want to learn how to do

Be as good of a cook as my momma! Or really, I want to learn how to cook at all, by any definition, because right now, my idea of cooking is putting half a bag of pasta, a bag of previously-frozen vegetables, a can of tuna, and some Italian dressing in a container and calling it lunch.

Day 08 – A Picture that Makes You Laugh

Click to enlarge. It's worth it, promise.

Day 05 – A Picture of Your Favorite Memory

It's unfair how this asks me to pick one! So here are three:

 My 21st Birthday!

 Gobotron, Right Away, Great Captain!, Manchester Orchestra, Bad Books show

Tally Hall @ The Rugby Store and helping them pack their truck

"Everything Matters!" by Ron Currie Jr.

I was reading on the train back to the city from New Brunswick (another post for when I have the energy to be long winded) and I've grown so invested in it that when one of the characters received heartbreaking news, I cried. Like burning-nose, blurred-vision, punched-in-the-gut kinds of feelings.

I'm so unbelievably happy to feel so connected to a piece of literature. I don't know the last time I had that kind of reaction to something I was reading, other than news articles (the world can be a sad place).

I can't put it down. In fact, I gotta go read, because I'm still only about 2/3 the way through and I can't stand to not know what's about to happen.

CHICKA CHICKA YEAH

WHAT. YES.

New 322-Days Resolutions

So I took a survey at the end of 2010 and it asked me about resolutions. Unfortunately, because I'm lazy and kinda lame, I didn't really make any. "Save more money" might be a good thing to do in 2011, but it's not something that will really make 2011 a better year. Maybe 2012 or 2013, but I digress. Here are a few things that I want to do in 2011, for 2011 and for myself, inspired by some of the newer company I've been keeping.

Write. Not blog. They're very different things. Last night I went back to my old composition notebook I started freshman year and there are only a few blank pages left. I'm going to fill them and get into the journal I got for Israel. Yes.

Read. And not on the Internet!! Right after I graduated I went out and bought all these books because I was so stoked on leisure reading, but somehow between December and February, none of them were touched. Or loved. Or read. And I owe them that.

GO TO YOGA. At least twice a week! My beautiful sister got me a mat for Christmas and it's hardly been used, which is a shame. My walk to and from work every day does not qualify as exercise and I need to be nice to my body. It gets me places.

Breathe. Slowly and deeply, into my chest and my stomach and my toes. This is inspired by yoga (not very subtly) but there's something to be said about taking every breath all the way in. I think it'll make me more relaxed and more motivated. Maybe even more focused on things not on this glowing screen.

HEAT WAVE

Oh, And I Totally Forgot!

I was complaining to you guys about how I was waiting forever for my grades, right? Cause Albert will never be my friend, right?

Well guess what? (How many questions can I ask in one post?)

I waited patiently until I got back from Israel to check (even though I found wifi in a few places), and somehow I pulled it off!

I'm graduating Magna Cum Laude!!

Suck on that, NYU!

Am Yisrael Chai

I'm full of sadness. Family is the only word you can use for these people, and now it's over. I fell in love with a country and with 50 people and it's an experience I'll never, ever forget.

Leaving for Israel Tomorrow!!

"My favorite thing is to go where I have never gone."

-Diane Arbus