Fave 20

Thanks to the good 'ol Facebook, some of my darlings recommended some children's books for me. Thanks to the genius of my amazing mom, I spent the best 20 minutes of my day with my nephew. She had this great idea that I could read bedtime stories to little Huddy when he was at their house! Genius! We had an agreed upon time and we tried to FaceTime so I could read to him after his bath. Now, it's not as easy as those commercials make it seem. But after 15 attempts, I somewhat read Huddy Goodnight Moon, watched him play ball, and had tears streaming down my face the whole time. I'll have a date with you any time Hudson. My boyfriend won't even mind! Gosh darn it, why does CA have to be so far away from NYC!? Tell me the best 20 minutes of your day!

I miss my family. Sniffle. 

Get along little doggie...

Weekly Roundup:

New Filmmakers premiere of Hunger+

Sold Out Showing of Spark at New Sounds, New Moves+

Karen O, Dave Birthday & Nighttime Carousel+

Dinner with Megan & Dan+

Deb & Dad at Joe's Pub+ 

My first for realzies paid baking gig!+

Pina at BAM. Oh Pina. Oh Wim=

Yeehaw!

Grateful Gratzies: Birthday Twins!

October 22nd celebrates two of my favorite dudes!

It's Double Trouble days of birth for two men that have each been an integral part of my life.

I met Jed Jackman (or as I always have called him, Jeddy) my first year at the University of Utah. He was my Resident Advisor at the crappy little dormitory halls. He would always make his rounds, and I would inevitably be home baking, cooking, or writing my homesick letters to my friends in California. He and our friend Ron St. Amant became my best friends there at the U.

I recently gave a phone recommendation for Jed for a job in his new home state of Colorado. The prospective employer wanted to know what I thought were Jed's best qualities. It was so easy for me to recommend him because his good qualities are abundant. He has been a true confidant since I've known him. My favorite memories are of Jed & I going on hikes. Our first outing was hiking the skiing trails (which in the summer and fall are open for hiking). We packed a picnic lunch and just talked and talked the entire day. He was always my date to the ballet, the Pope to my bad Catholic school girl for Halloween, a great travel companion to Moab and Mexico. He is a man who is so loyal, warm and caring. He has lived all over the country and in Canada as well for art school, but no matter where he's living, he always maintains our friendship. He picked me up from the depths of despair in Utah and continues to warm my heart whenever we manage to connect after a long game of phone tag.

I am so grateful for his honesty, his compassion, and his never failing support. I love you Jeddy. My own little Star Wars Jedi. You are amazing. I am so blessed to have you in my life and today I celebrate you. My forever friend.

The other Birthday Twin is Dave Scher.

Dave and I have known each other since my first year here in NYC. He and I have been all over the world together and he is someone who I know will be a lifelong friend.  He's never been big on celebrating his day of birth. Today, I celebrate the man who is still an encouraging friend and amazing travel companion.

My favorite memories with Dave I often find when I'm searching through my internal database of trips. We always had such a wonderful time traveling together and his willingness and eagerness to see new things and have new experiences have always been our best moments. He is always finding new & fun things to do in the city and thanks to his perceptive detective work, we always see the best music and shows together. I love thinking back about the first time we met; that "Summer of Dave" was my favorite time with him. We ended up taking a spur of the moment trip to the Islands of Tahiti and have memories that we will never forget.

We would have the best holiday parties. Our annual White Elephant Holiday Party was always a huge hit. I loved putting the whole party together, and Dave hated that damn chocolate fountain. He's always been by my side through all the storms that life has thrown us. He's the karaoke king, the borat, the Lloyd Dobler to my Diane Court. Dave, thank you for being you and always being there for me. You are amazing. I love you. Enjoy your special day.

I need a nap

Weekly Math:

BT Party at Eliot's+

Highline walk at night+

John Yan Birthday Fun+

Dinner at Dieci (my new fave neighborhood restaurant & a perfect date spot!)

Baking for Wine Tasting at Immi+

Rooftop & Backyard Bonfire Parties+

Sons of the Prophet+

Birthday Baking

chocolate chip cookies, vanilla bean custard, pumpkin cookies, vegan apple crisp, banana oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, Tammi Tiger Treats, inside out carrot cake cookies

 (how many people have bdays this month??!!)=

another busy and fulfilling week

 (but I now have a cold. Whomp whomp whomp).

Lilacs, Linen & Lace

October 1st was the beginning of my ninth year here in NYC.

It's been quite a life here. When I first moved here, I don't think I gave much thought to how long I would be here. I just went on vacation by myself for two weeks and then very soon after I moved to Brooklyn. I left behind a very stable, very secure, very adult life. I had a job I loved. A wonderful boyfriend. I lived in a four bedroom house all by myself with Lloyd Dobler. I was surrounded by my family and friends...and yet, somehow, I was driven to come to this crazy town. My life isn't that much different I suppose. I have a job I love, a wonderful boyfriend, amazing friends. The one component that continually draws me back to California is my wonderful family & friends (oh, that and the possibility of fantastic weather year round).

It's been eight years of:

Trips that included:

Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Australia, Mexico, St. Lucia, Barbados, Spain, England, Scotland, Wales, Thailand, Cambodia, Bali, Laos, Myanmar, Puerto Rico, Panama, The New SLC, Moab, Wilmington, Seattle, Tahoe, Monterey, Carmel, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, LA, San Diego

Hundreds of dollars shipping things from CA (including my beloved red glitter bar stools that I packed into my luggage, only to sell them when I moved from Brooklyn to the East Village. Whomp whomp whomp).

Acquiring more Kermie's than I know what to do with (the five footer has to go...). I did propose to him though...maybe he's still checking with Piggy.

Reuniting with Deborah Lohse after five years and then having the privilege of dancing with ad hoc Ballet in some amazing venues

Countless Jet Blue flights to Sactown

All my siblings getting married

Ten different teaching jobs

Three different boyfriends

Making new friends

Two new nephews

Three Flat Stanleys

Five Apartments

I kissed a frog, and I liked it.

Some of my favorite memories are hanging out the in backyard at Devoe St. with a building full of dancers. My annual white elephant holiday party with the chocolate fountain and enough food to feed an army. Ladies annual clothing exchange with Deb & Karen parading matching outfits. Dancing at Vig all night long. Performing Her at Joyce Soho. Silo Residency. Maine with Deb. Late night concerts with Greg Peterson. Halloween with Diana. I'd love to hear your favorite memory with me & NYC!

I am the most me and possibly the most crazy I've ever been. I currently live in the smallest apartment I've ever had.  On my favorite block of all time. I have a job and 150 kiddos I adore.  I have the best friends I could ask for. And you know what? I love it all. Every once in a while I think of what my life would be if I would have stayed in Roseville...I'm glad I am where I am. Who I am. Being the me that I'm meant to be. I think it all began in my seventh year of life when I wrote a simple sentence:

Travel alliteration from second grade.

Here's to more years of being nice & nasty in a city I love. 

Thanks NYC. I heart you major.