2007...2008

The holidays are such a great time but also become hectic and time consuming, hence my lack of posting lately. Happy New Year. Haola Maka Heeki Hou (Happy New Year in Hawaiian...spelling questionable).

I spent a week in FL for Christmas and spent a good majority of it in my pajamas doing crossword puzzles, reading, drinking coffee and conversing with my family. We took the week to just relax...I didn't even meet up with old friends. It was quite nice to be honest...to just escape and mentally relax. I got a few minutes of sun although it was overcast a good portion of the trip and according to my mother there hadn't been a cloud in the sky for weeks...go figure.

My horse Krunchy

A highlight of the FL adventure was our trip to Busch Gardens for a day of roller coasters and bad food. My parents are such kids...they love rollers coasters! The only one they didn't get on was the newest one with a 200 foot, 90 degree vertical drop...yes, your face is parallel to the ground for a good 2-3 seconds...it was intense. A fun day was had.

After our upside down ship ride.

The day after returning from FL, Walter and I took a trip up to Montreal for the night to enjoy a little city fun. We walked around for a while, had some food and drink and narrowly escaped falling on the ice multiple times on the walk back to the apartment. We sadly missed out on the museums the next day as they were closed for the holiday.

A nice NYE was had at Becky and Ewen's with some close friends, good food and drink. Many people left before the stroke of midnight (are we really getting old this quickly??) but we stayed for the ball to drop.

Becky and I

Walter and I

2008 is here with a nice snowfall happening as I type this. Who knows what is in store for all of us but one can only hope it is full of fun, fortune, friends and family.

All Hallows Eve

I remember being young and getting ready to Trick or Treat on Halloween. My mom always made some elaborate and amazing costume for me and my sisters. Black cats, mermaids, Cleopatra, belly dancer, Toucan. Generally, aside from decorations, Halloween only took place on October 31st. We'd trick or treat then race into our rooms to escape seeing our dad looking quite frightening in his hunchback costume and creepy mask. There was, however, the year we threw the amazing Halloween party at my house complete with a fortune teller, dry ice, a haunted house, face painting and crazy games...I think I was 10.

Now that I'm older, Halloween seems to span the length of a full week, depending on when October 31st falls. This year, it falls on a Wednesday so the Friday and Saturday before provided plenty of costume party options. I hate to say it, but Halloween's have been lacking for me since leaving college. This year, however, could prove to change that. On the official day of ghosts, goblins, ghouls and everything in between, I will be attending the Village Halloween Parade in NYC with a good friend of mine. It has been voted as one of the Best Events in the World, and something I look forward to checking off the list of Festivals to see before I die.

On that note, Festivals I hope to see before I die (list continuing to grow):
- Carnaval in Rio. Check
- Village Halloween Parade, NYC. Soon to be checked
- Full Moon Festival, Thailand.
- Burning Man, Nevada.
- Oktoberfest, Germany.
- Mardi Gras, New Orleans
- St. Patricks Day, Dublin.

Stay tuned for photos from my upcoming NYC Halloween.

Note: A "ghoul" is the original word used to describe what we now call a "zombie"...in case you were confused.

Case of the Mondays

I've been really into the blog lately, and am loving it.

At the current moment, I'm sitting at my desk, looking out the window at what is one of the most beautiful days all year, yesterday being it's toughest competition. Days like this make me have a serious case of the Mondays. When it's raining and ugly out, I don't mind being stuck at a desk, starring at a computer screen all day. When there's a soft breeze, that crisp fall air, mid 70's and not a cloud in the sky, my desk is the last place I want to be. Sitting outside on Church w/a cup of tea and a good book. Taking a little drive, maybe doing a short hike. That is what I want to be doing right now.

At any rate. This past weekend was one of the more fun weekends of Fall so far. It began with one of my favorite things - Round Tha Hood, the south-end block party that is in it's 2nd year. The themes this year were Fireside at Emi and Kev's, Fraternity Party at Jessica's, Jazz Lounge at Sheehan's, Shotsville at Soe and Colin's and the British Pub at my place.

Fraternity Party!

House Hopping Ladies

Kev enjoying the wood bench at the Jazz Lounge

Scenes leading up to my finger being engulfed in a blue flame

It was a very successful event despite the torrential downpour and various other antics including, but not limited to a wood bench photo scene, Zima's and wine coolers, Colin poking people in the eye, Christina sliding down stairs and handles of Scotch.

Saturday was pretty much a wash due to Fridays antics, although I did manage to witness a french fry eating contest between Bannister and Isaac. My money was on Bannister and she came through in the end consuming just over 28 ounces of McD's fries (GROSS).

Isaac looked like he was experiencing serious vertigo at ounce 26 so called it quits.

After surviving witnessing that event, I met up w/Becky and we enjoyed a very delicious dinner at Tiny Thai. Apparently the host really liked us as he ended up seating us before people that had been waiting for 20 minutes. Good laughs and great convo, as always.

Sunday was one of those days that can't be beat. I woke up early, cleaned the house, walked to New Moon for coffee and a muffin and reading my NY Times, strolling and shopping on Church, riding a horse, baking and cooking then a little soiree at the Square for Mr. Wasuck's 31st. Good times rehashing the Round Tha Hood and listening to Bannisters words of alcohol wisdom - "Every season is drinking season".


Epic weekend complete. I'm in pretty much an amazing mood and feeling really great, really happy. I love fall.