Monday, January 23, 2006

i am very sleepy but it was worth it

I woke up at 4:30am this morning in order to catch my 7:00am flight back to New York City. Why did I leave the City I love if it wasn't a holiday? After all I was just in Texas 2 weeks ago. Well, according to the CT it was a holiday. It was her birthday. Her 30th birthday. And I wanted to be there with her to celebrate.
Sometime ago, back in December, the CT emailed, asking me to offer my NYC fabulousness for her "you only turn 30 once" birthday party. I asked her if I could plan the party for her, though at the time I believed it would not be possible for me to attend. I would be the hostess from afar. I would take care of all the planning then recruit a co-hostess to ensure the party ran smoothly without me.
However, as I began to plan, I knew I would regret missing this milestone in one of my best friend's life. So I started searching airplane tickets just to see...
I love my friend, but could I truly justify spending several hundred dollars to fly home for 2 1/2 days? Then one day, I got an idea. I could use my miles to "buy" the ticket. Not longer afterwards, the pieces began to fall into place. I would surprise the CT. I would fly from NYC to attend her very fabulous birthday party.
I only told one person my plan. The biggest surprise might be that she managed to keep my secret. Well, for the most part. She did tell her husband and two other people. But the secret was never spilled to the birthday girl.
I arrived at her house the night of the party bearing pizza, cake and beer. I not only surprised the birthday girl herself, but most of the guests as well. In my opinion, it was the best birthday surprise. I loved being her birthday surprise present.
It was a great weekend. Though I left the City I love, I spent it with the people I love. Most especially a friend who has made such an impact on my life that I couldn't miss the chance to celebrate her 30 years of life.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

radio in the city

I've pretty much had no regard for the radio in New York. Apart from Christmas time, when I was without my Christmas CDs, I haven't much needed or wanted to listen to it.
Until now. Today I had lunch with a guy who told me about a radio station he thought I might like. I knew he would be right. After all, he and I are a lot alike in so many ways. Then he mentioned Wilco, and I didn't even question him. When I got home from class, I tuned the radio until I found the suggested station.
It's playing now, and I have a feeling that I will often be tuning in. It reminds me of a station in Austin. A city we agreed was a good alternative to New York City.
It's nice to know that the guy who shares the same thoughts about beer, education, cities and enjoying life, also has great taste in music.
I sure hope he calls again...

Monday, January 16, 2006

relationship kharma

Is kharma supposed to be a good thing or bad? I'm not really sure. I just know I have a fear of the reprecussions of my actions and choices. A friend of mine once said she believed in the idea of relationship kharma. Meaning that the choices we make in one relationship, will come back to affect our next one (usually in a most negative way).
Last night I initiated my first "talk". Not the kind where you define where the relationship is going, but rather where it is ending. I tried to avoid all cliches such as "it's not you, it's me" or "I think you are a really great guy, but..." Unfortunately for me, all such cliches were true.
I've never been the one to end a relationship. This isn't to say I'm always being dumped. Sometimes the dating relationship mutually ends. Both people grow bored. Or one person moves away. Sometimes to another country... There are lots of reasons a relationship or potential relationship is ended.
All I know is that as the one who ended it, I'm very worried about relationship kharma. If in fact, I've hurt someone, does it stand to reason that I might get hurt in my next relationship?

it's not the rythm that's going to get me...

First it was football, now basketball. That's right. I'm embracing sports. The very girl who gave up a potential soccer career at the age of 7 because she didn't like to run is learning to like sports. The key is adopting a team that makes being a fan exciting. I devoted my fall to cheering on the University of Texas Longhorns, and by the end of the Rose Bowl I had just as much enthusiasm as an actual graduate.
But now football is over and it is time for my basketball education/enthusiasm to commence. My suitemate is a HUGE Syracuse fan and graduate. My school once had a team before scandal, so now I'm left to adopt SU. They lost tonight against UConn, but all hope is not lost. After all, I was actively watching the game, and I am a lot closer to becoming a true basketball fan. Go Orange!

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

beyond acceptable

I'm going to take a moment to rant a little. Christmas decorations- not acceptable after New Year's. Don't get me wrong. I love Christmas. I love Christmas decorations. However, I believe the proper time span for trees, wreaths and lights is the day after Thanksgiving until New Year's Day. Sure, everyone has their own rule. But most adhere to nearly the same time period- or less.
Yet, I have noticed many Christmas decorations still up. Even yesterday, 9 days after the time in which they should have been taken down. On January 7th, I saw a Christmas tree at a mall, lights on a house, and a wreath on a car. The next day, I saw a Christmas tree at the airport. And yesterday I went to a bar in DC still adorned with wreaths, lights and garland.
It is my opinion that this is beyond acceptable. These Christmas decorations should have already been taken down. 10 days ago. Do you agree or disagree?

busy and important...

Once again I'm very busy and important. But this time I'm not at the fancy law firm. Instead I'm in Washington, DC. It's filled with lectures, policymakers and visits to the Hill. Yes, I'm very busy and important. I'll be here until Friday. Then I'm back to New York City where I'll be less busy and important, but instead resume my role as a student coupled with a very busy social life.

Thursday, January 05, 2006

I love DQ

No, I don't mean Dairy Queen. DQ is the nickname I gave my friend- the Drama Queen. I love DQ. Again, not Dairy Queen, though their blizzards are good. My friend, DQ, loves to tell stories. Even more so than me, if that is possible. Even more astonishing is the fact that when DQ tells stories she grows even more animated than me. The truth is, my calling her DQ, is like the pot calling the kettle black. I admit it. At times, I can be a bit of a drama queen. But that isn't going to stop me from calling this blonde, DQ, because she is my favorite drama queen.

Love Actually

I'm currently watching Love Actually. Mostly because we kept quoting it the entire time in Colorado ("I hate Uncle Jayme"). So now I'm getting my Love Actually fix. It is one of my favorite movies.
As I watch it, I can't help but wonder- do we feel compelled to be more honest, letting down barriers around Christmastime? And why is love often so inconvenient and/or complicated?

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

too busy to do nothing

My plan for the holidays was to do a whole lot of nothing. Instead, I feel I haven't had time for doing nothing. After successfully making it out of New York and back to Texas, I went straight to dinner then Two Rows with friends. The next day was filled with laundry and last-minute Christmas shopping. My family left that evening for Austin. Friday was packed with Christmas festivities- first with my mom's family followed by my dad's family. It was a day of family, presents and too much Mexican food. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day involved a roadtrip home, Christmas Eve Service at Journey, more presents, too much food, too many drinks, a movie and M&M girls' night.
I was exhausted. Yet Monday morning I woke up at 3:50am for my Colorado ski-trip. The week between Christmas and New Year's was spent with some of my favorite people in a small, Starbucks-less town in Colorado. My friend, the Cynical Tyrant provides a detailed account of the trip. It was very fun, even if I was sick most of the trip.
I arrived back in Texas just in time to spend New Year's Eve at a gas station. The next day I slept until afternoon. For the first time in 10 days, I began to feel less sick. I went to Journey, then dinner, then the Old Monk, then to Z's casa to watch one, very bad movie.
Yesterday started the week of Bowl games. I woke up in time to attend a Cotton Bowl watching party. Poor Texas Tech lost in the last few seconds of the game. It was the only exciting part of the game. I'm more looking forward to the Rose Bowl party/game tomorrow night. But in the meantime, I hope to finally do a lot of nothing.