a little DOE ridiculousness

dear sally, you have to meet noel!

Living in New York City definitely has its perks—pretty reliable public transportation, delectable restaurants that can fit any budget, culture galore, diversity that makes the heart sing, and convenience at every corner.  Another perk for us common folk is the saturation of movie/television/music stars that live in or visit the city on a regular basis.  I’d like to say that I am not the type to get star struck, but let’s face it—my ability to crush on just about any type of good looking man makes New York City—a city crawling with beautiful faces and recognizable personalities—a perfect breeding ground for stars in my eyes and butterflies in my stomach.

A couple of months ago I had yet another stop-me-in-my-tracks moment.  I LOVE THIS CITY!!!

For those of you who know me, you might recall my deep love for the now decade old television series, Felicity.  (I actually blogged about my Ben vs. Noel dilemma awhile ago.)  Please note that I faithfully watch this 4-season series every year.  I don’t know why, but I love it.  And if I’m going to put it all out there…it’s part of the reason I wanted to move to New York.  Yes, I know it’s cliché.

Back to the story…I was out with my friends—Tami, Christian, and Scott.  We had decided to catch a movie after dinner at Momofuku’s one night (the Ginger Scallion Noodles were to die for) and found ourselves at the AMC theatre on 19^th and 5^th Ave.  I bought my ticket and was the first to enter the theater and then from across the room, I saw him by the concession stand.  I stopped.  I couldn’t breathe.  I couldn’t take my eyes off of this beautiful man.  His casual look and clean-cut hairstyle got me going in less than two seconds.  And though he wasn’t facing me dead on, I knew the second I laid eyes on his neck, shoulders, and back, that it was him.  Pathetic, but true.  In an effort to subtly tell Tami who I had just spied, I found myself getting that nervous/excited/throw-up feeling at the pit of my stomach, quickly working it’s way up.  Don’t worry, I didn’t hurl.  All I could say was, “It’s Noel, Noel.  It’s Noel.”  The room was loud as it was bustling with people for some premiere so it made it difficult to hear my sputterings.  Finally, I was able to link my brain to my words and I nodded towards where he stood and was able to articulate that Scott Foley was there.  Scott and Christian didn’t bat an eye.  Tami quickly rose to my level of excitement.  (In the picture below, he is one centimeter left of the stream of light coming from the center of the ceiling.  Brown hair, black shirt.  Kind of like Heaven parting and saying, "Here he is!")

Long story short, we weren’t in the same theatre—obviously—and I didn’t actually dream that we would see him again.  I convinced myself that the one time spotting was as good as it gets.  We left, as the credits began to roll in our theatre, and to my astonishment, the premiere crowd had just recently excited theirs as well.  Stars were lining up to for photo opps in front of the step and repeat and there didn’t seem to be any sort of security.  The famous and layman were all mixed in there together. 

My eyes, of course, were fixed upon only one person from the premiere, however.  He wasn’t in the movie, clearly just there for the screening, so he headed for the door pretty quickly.  We dutifully followed a few paces behind.  He ended up near some telephone booths right outside the theatre.  And the best part about this was that he was all alone.  Perfect opportunity for us to approach him.  In that instant, I turned shy.  I didn’t want to be one of those fans that annoyingly seek out and approach actors.  I was above that and I wanted to respect his privacy and attempt at a normal life.  One could argue, I suppose, that by going into this type of work, you automatically forfeit that right to normalcy, but hey, I like the guy so I wanted to give him a break.

Luckily, I was with Scott, who wasn’t as taken with him as I was and he stepped in for me.  (THANK YOU, SCOTT!!!) (Don’t be confused, we’ve got two Scotts in this story.)

“Hi Scott, this is my friend Malia (points towards me, Scott Foley looks in my direction and smiles).  She’s a huge fan.  Can she get her picture taken with you?”

I inched my way closer to Scott Foley.  “Of course, sweetheart.”  He smiled his crooked grin and stuck out his hand for me to take.  He looked deep into my eyes and in the sweetest Noel voice you can possibly imagine, he said, “My name is Scott.  Nice to meet you.”  “Hi, I’m Malia,” was my reply.  At this he put his arm around me while Tami readied her phone to take a picture.  I couldn’t get over how beautiful he was in person.  I mean, I knew he was gorgeous.  I’ve studied every inch of his face for years, but in person, he was beyond DREAMY! 

She snapped the picture.  I was ready to say thanks and give Tami her turn, but Scott asked me if I wanted to check the picture.  I was surprised by how thoughtful he was.  Again, I was starting to feel guilty impeding on his personal time, but I guess that comes with the territory.  Still the same, I was impressed that his kindness was genuine.  I took a look at the picture and quickly decided that I needed another attempt.  After all, this was a historic event and compared to him, I looked like I had just spent a night on the streets.

“Can we take just one more?” (I purposely turned to look up into those beautiful green eyes again.  I needed one more peek while I was this close.)  “Sure, sweetie,” was his once again melt-me-in-my-tracks reply.  A did a mental cha-ching in my head.  I got TWO terms of endearment!  Sigh.  Again, he put is arm around me.  I wanted to just nestle into him but decided against it.  He is a married man, after all. 

We snapped the picture and then Tami took her turn.  I still wasn't that pleased with the final product, but I'll take it.  I seem to always look like frump girl when I want to be opposite of frump girl.  Que sera, sera.  We thanked him whole-heartedly and walked away, in the opposite direction, giving off the air of “No big deal”, all the while DYING inside.  The Noel/Scott Foley high lasted quite a while and even now, if I think about it, it makes me grin from ear to ear.  Scott Foley, you are a dreamboat.  You made my night and you warmed my little heart.  Thank you!

waiting for superman

A few months ago, I saw the thought provoking film, "Waiting for Superman". It's a documentary directed by Davis Guggenheim ("An Inconvenient Truth") about the state of public and charter schools. Before you jump to any conclusions or automatically dismiss the film as propaganda, you have to admit that education in the United States needs some work.  If you can't agree to at least that, stop reading and go play your mindless video games.

Having been raised by two public school educators, I learned early on the value of a good education and have also gained some insight into the complexities of this system. My profession as a social worker has also provided me with insider knowledge about the failings or gains within the system. And thankfully, I have been the beneficiary of a positive school experience and higher education.

That being said, this film was scary, depressing, and a bit overwhelming. Clearly, it was slanted in favor of the privatization of schools. It highlighted the blockage of progress through bureaucracy, lack of resources, unions, and "bad" teachers. It made public education out to be the devil and worse yet, it inferred that public school educators were lazy, uncaring, sub-par in relation to performance, and unwilling to do what is best for their students.  Granted, there are those in the field who have legitimately checked out, those that are tired, those that are lazy, and those that are just plain bad.  But I would argue that they didn't start out that way.  I would assert that most people who go into education start with a passion for learning and have a sincere desire to make a difference in the life of a student.  How those few bad teachers get from point A to point B is another story.

I guess my frustration with the system is that it really isn't about education anymore.  It is about which political party can come up with the most ridiculous legislation and get it passed as law.  Teachers are being asked to do more with less.  They are being forced to teach to a test in order to keep their jobs.  They are being asked to take on more and more and are not being compensated nor respected.  It drives me nuts.  In other countries, educators are revered...in the US, for some reason, they are criticized.  I know that there are bad teachers, but I think that we forget about the good ones...and that to me is quite tragic.

reality check

I subscribe to a housing list serve because people are always asking me about places to live in NYC and let’s face it, it’s sometimes fun to see what is available and who’s moving in and out of the city.  I have to laugh, however, at the poor souls who have not a clue about the nightmare that is moving to and renting in NYC.  I feel sorry for the poor suckers who list things like this:

“Hi!  I’m looking for a really affordable apartment--$600 to $800. Doesn’t need furniture or anything else really.  But I would like a washer and dryer, one or two bedrooms, an elevator is preferred, and I also have a cat.”

I sometimes have to resist the urge to write to them despite not having any info on an apartment just to give them a dose of reality. 

Dear You Wish,

Most apartments in NYC are not affordable—furnished or unfurnished. Finding a one bedroom apartment for less than $1200 is nothing short of a miracle—don’t even think about getting a two bedroom for that. Washers and dryers IN the apartment?  Don’t count on it.  And your cat? You might actually have luck with that one.  For a budget of $600 to $800 anticipate sharing a bedroom and living in Inwood, Washington Heights, or in Harlem…hopefully your new roommie isn’t allergic to cats. If this is not affordable to you, you might want to consider living in an affordable city.

Best of luck,
Reality Check

five minutes of my life

4:35:00pm--Open Sephora compact to freshen up for cocktail party.  A chunk of dark green eye shadow shakes loose and spills onto my white blouse in the not-so-subtle location of my chest.

4:35:30pm--Brush it off causing it to smear and work it's way deeper into the material.  Pause.  Panic sets in.

4:36:00pm--Put down compact.  Reach for Clorox Bleach Pen in desk drawer.

4:36:15pm--Open bleach pen.  Contents from pen drip onto dark denim skirt.

4:36:30pm--Paralyzed by panic.  Can't decide what to address first.

4:37:00pm--Frantically grab a paper towel.  Open water bottle.  Spill contents onto keyboard and then onto skirt.

4:37:30pm--Mop up water paying particular attention to the bleach spot on my skirt.  (FAIL)

4:38:00pm--Use bleach pen to try to get eye shadow out.  (FAIL)

4:39:30pm--Use paper towel from above to wipe my arm.  Smear green eye shadow on the entire underside.

4:39:50pm--Laugh

never forgotten. forever grateful.

All eyes have been on the city this weekend.  And rightly so.  Ten year anniversaries are monumental.  I vividly remember September 11, 2001 and the deep sadness that I felt as the events of the day unfolded. Having just returned from New York City exactly one week prior to the attacks, I felt a tie to the city.  And having lost my father just one year before the attacks, I felt a tie to those who had now tragically lost loved ones.  I remember feeling, once again, a deep, deep sadness and intimately knew the pain and tears of those thousands of families left behind.  I knew that their story was different than mine, but the loss and heartache that came with that loss was the same.

I moved to the city less than 2 years later and have called New York City my home ever since.  My love for the city and my love for the people who reside here grows each year.  As I watch coverage of then and now, those feelings of sadness still well up.  But along with these sad memories, a sense of pride for those that willingly risked their lives on behalf of others also stirs and gratitude for the many miracles that took place & lives that were saved also surfaces.  I hope that this anniversary will remind us of what is really important--that we rededicate ourselves to love that knows no boundaries, to kindness withheld from no one, and a renewed and abiding faith in God.

mr. nyc?

I find it interesting that we herald sports figures as heroes when in fact the reason we honor them has nothing to do with true heroism.  Case in point, Derek Jeter of the NY Yankees recently became the 28^th player in baseball history to reach 3000 hits, with a homerun no less, on Saturday, July 9^th.  A tremendous accomplishment for sure, but does it earn him the title of Mr. NYC as one local paper printed this morning?  On the other hand, this type of stardom can lead to bigger and better things.  In 1996, Jeter founded The Turn 2 Foundation, a charity organization that helps children and teenagers avoid drug and alcohol addiction.  It also rewards those who demonstrate high academic achievement.  As a result of Jeter’s history making homerun, Gillette plans to donate $50K to this worthy cause.  To me, the foundation speaks more to heroism than does being an incredible athlete.  But perhaps you can’t have one without the other?  In the end, I still say that society’s priorities are a bit skiwampus. 

men who carry badges

I recently discovered a new category of men that—I’m not going to lie—kind of floats my boat…Men Who Carry Badges.  Now, granted, not every man that carries a badge will make me want to flirt shamelessly and have his babies, but the one I met last night certainly did.  I suppose it didn’t hurt that he was 6’ 2”, EXTREMELY easy on the eyes, quite the gentleman and HI-LARIOUS. 

We met last night through a mutual friend.  All four of us-- Mr. Badge, me, said friend, and another one of her friends all attended a taping of the Colbert Report.  Needless to say we had so much fun.  By the end of the evening my face hurt because I couldn’t stop laughing and at one point, I almost threw up because I was laughing so hard.  Good times.

Here’s a recap of one of my favorite parts:

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
5/16/11 in :60 Seconds
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

Anyway, afterward, we all went to dinner and I got to examine his badge.  I don’t know what came over me, but in that moment, he was the hottest thing on the planet.  (Oh, I will just DIE a thousand deaths if he ever finds this…)  Now, before you all get excited, nothing happened.  Too bad for him.  J But like I said, I’ve added a new category…or maybe it was just him.  J

late night with jimmy fallon!

I just may have attended the taping of Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, May 12, 2011.  And I just may have been selected to be on stage during Lauryn Hill's performances.  And if you look real closely, you just may see me and my friends (me, Matt Osmond, Courtney Young, and Betsy McPherson) on the right hand side of the stage, jamming, just as we were instructed....I mean, jamming as we were feeling the music. (But really, we were.  Lauryn Hill was pretty amazing and it was fun to watch the band.  We were right above the drummer.)

We also saw Maya Rudolph of SNL & Bridesmaids and Nick Offerman of Parks & Rec.

Best part of the taping, however, was Jimmy Fallon.  He's hilarious and very, very easy on the eyes...

Thanks, Courtney, for scoring tickets!!!

never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved...

Never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved...

This phrase ran through my head today, seconds after a brief encounter with one of my coworkers.  This woman was friendly, had always been kind and helpful.  We had worked together occasionally but not consistently, and I had always appreciated knowing her and the help that she had provided me in the past.  Her last day was today and her going-away party was two days prior.  I had signed a "Good Luck" card.

I searched her out today shortly after 5:00pm in hopes that I could wish her well in person but randomly ran into her in the restroom, making that search seem quite unplanned.  I had been meaning to and had actually started a more personalized goodbye note but never got around to sending it.  I had also failed to attend her goodbye party because of a difficult and extremely busy week.  After all, I had a million emails, phone calls, and two large events to be planned.

We chatted briefly and as always she was as kind as ever but one thing she said cut to the core.  Her intent was not malicious or condemning, but it deemed personal reprimand.  "You didn't come to my party."  Out of the throngs of employees that knew and loved her, she noticed that I wasn't there.  I fumbled over my words offering a flimsy excuse of getting caught up in work, having every intention of coming downstairs, blah, blah, blah.  I was able to recover quickly, wished her well, and gave her a hug.  But those words have stuck with me all day and I am ashamed.

I let a problem to be solved become more important than a person.  Yes, work is important.  The work that I was doing was important.  But I could have spared ten minutes.  Work could have waited.  And yet it didn't and I am left with regret.  Today's experience reminded me that our decisions define us and that when all is said and done, it's not going to matter if we closed that extra deal or if we sent out that email reminder according to schedule.  What really matters in life, is how we treat people and what we become as a result.  

it is a truth universally acknowledged...

It is a truth universally acknowledged that when a single woman in possession of a good mind is in want of a husband, and that man whom she has chosen is not in want of a wife, that woman may, if the situation necessitates, naturally turn to melancholy tunes and heart wrenching text while lying in the dark.

However little known the lyrics or melody of such music may be upon the first listen, this ritual, so well fixed in the minds of young females from the very beginning, is considered a God-given right in the face of what we call unrequited love.

To be continued...when I'm once again in the Jane Austen sort of a mood...

oh.......my........OH.......MY.....OH MY!!!!!

There are few times in my life where I can say that I have actually been stopped dead in my tracks, where my breath has caught in my chest and my brain function was impaired for a short moment.  The most recent occasion happened last Friday night (March 11, 2011--gotta remember this date, after all.).

Christian and I had just finished a phenomenal Peruvian dinner at Panca in the West Village.  We had stopped to buy mangoes, poked our heads into a cafe for a kitchen sink cookie at Amy's Bread and then decided to go back to that first market for some pomegranate seeds.  Arm in arm, we walked down the semi-crowded sidewalk.  A trio of men, walking in the opposite direction, approached us.  As they drew closer, my brain registered something incredibly familiar.  I knew that beautiful face, that chiseled jawline, and those piercing blue eyes behind black-framed glasses...

MATTHEW BOMER!!! 

 

Now for those of you who know ANYTHING about me, you would know how much I love this man!  Matthew Bomer plays the sexy conman turned FBI consultant on USA's White Collar.  I fell in love with him the moment he showed up on the screen.  I loved him then.  I love him now.  And I'm pretty sure that I will love him always.  Every time I watch the show, see a commercial or even see an ad on a bus, it feels like he is flashing that come hither smile just for me.   That's some serious star power.

Now, I usually don't get star struck, but I will admit, I was a little with him.  OK, fine.  Maybe I was a little more than just a little star struck.  Maybe I got so excited I almost threw up.  Maybe I made Christian turn around so that we could follow him for a few blocks...OK, more than a few blocks.  :)  Common sense got the best of me, however, and I finally decided to stop the stalking the poor man.  My one regret is that I didn't have any sort of interaction with him.  He was out with friends.  I didn't want to be that annoying fan that never lets a star have a personal life.  So close but so far away!!!  But oh my!  In the words of my mother upon telling her the news, "That must have been thrilling for you."  Yes....yes, it was.

by the sweat of thy brow

The other day in Relief Society (third hour of church for just the women in the congregation that are over 18) our lesson was on Work and Personal Responsibility.  People shared their thoughts on being actively engaged in a career, the sacred work of motherhood, and the importance of work in relation to well being.  Being raised in a family where we were taught to work at a very young age, I admit that I was almost shocked at some of the responses that some of the mothers in the ward (congregation) were giving. 

I remember working at a very young age--pulling weeds in the garden, hauling rocks, mowing the lawn, trimming the hedges.  I remember washing dishes, sweeping floors, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming the living room, and helping to organize the basement (yes, it was organized at one point).  I remember selling shaved ice in the summer, helping my dad cater luaus, working at the Orem Summer Fest, and practicing the hula so we could perform.  I remember helping with food deliveries, visiting my parents' older friends that didn't get out much, babysitting, babysitting, and more babysitting. 

I learned to work and I worked a lot.  I wasn't asked if I wanted to work.  I wasn't even asked what I wanted to do.  I was told to do it and was expected to do it.  I wasn't left to my own devices either.  Not only was I shown how to get the job done, but also, my parents worked alongside me.  Yes, there was complaining.  Yes, there were times when I HATED my life.  I remember many summer mornings sitting on a pile of lava rocks in the back yard, crying while I had to pull weeds out from among the thorny rose bushes while spiders and other creepy crawly insects brushed against my bare legs.  But it wasn't the end of the world.  I made it through.  And those days of hard work were often rewarded with a fun treat, outing, or even cash. 

Only with age and exposure to other people's growing-up stories, do I realize how lucky I am to have the parents that I do.  They taught me an invaluable principle and work ethic and I will be forever grateful for that. 

Some of the women in Relief Society were wondering how to teach their children the value of work.  They don't want to give their kids too much responsibility because they're kids are "SO BUSY", they don't know how to delegate, they would rather skip the complaining and do it themselves...because after all, it would be faster and the quality would be better.  But honestly?  Is that really how you want to raise your kids?  Do you want to teach them that other people will take care of their messes because of lack of time?  Do you want to send your children off to college without the knowledge of how to do laundry, make a bed, wash dishes, or keep a clean house?  Do you want to teach your kids that they don't have to shoulder any sort of responsibility in a familial setting...just because you don't want to hear them complain?  These types of responses scare me and anger me at the same time.  We wonder why children feel entitled and why there are so many societal problems.  I would venture to say that much of that comes because these younger generations (I sound old now) have not learned the value of work and the tremendous amount of satisfaction that comes from a job well done.  And don't even get me started on the invaluable skills acquired while you work!

I realize that I am not a parent.  My time is my own.  I don't have to maintain a household outside of myself.  I don't have kids that complain, throw tantrums, or make a bigger mess while attempting to help.  But I still maintain that parents have a sacred responsibility to teach this very principle.  And quite honestly?  There are parents who do it...then and now. 

So if your kids start to cry and throw a tantrum....let them cry.  If your kids' lives are too busy with soccer practice, piano lessons, ballet, and any other sort of extracurricular activity, free up an hour or two and drop one of those lessons.  Teaching your children the value of work will have a bigger payoff than a little league trophy.  I guarantee you that. 

End of rant.

brian boyle=love

Just wanted to post a few pictures of my new boyfriend.  Here he is...Brian Boyle of the NY Rangers.

Number: 22

Height: 6' 7"

Weight: 244

Shoots: Left

Born: Dec 18, 1984  (Age 26)

Birthplace: Hingham, MA, United States

According to one round of MASH, Brian and I will marry, honeymoon in New Zealand, have 4 kids, live in a Mansion in New York, and I will spend my days as a chef.  We're very happy.  Thank you, Children's Aid for the free tickets and for introducing me to my new love.

o-oh, livin' on a prayer!

There are quite a few strains of music that make my heart want to leap out of my chest, but even fewer that make me want to leap out of my seat.  On Thursday, February 24th 2011 at MSG, I learned that Bon Jovi's music does both for me.

I've always been a fan of Bon Jovi.  In fact, I remember the exact moment that I first heard his music and fell in love with it.  We were taking an extended family trip down to Mesquite, NV to visit my Aunt Susan and her family that lived down there.  For reasons I cannot remember, I rode with my cousins instead of my family.  The drive was a good 5 or 6 hours back then (read:  parents driving.  no speeding.)  and I recall that Aunt Brenda and Uncle Dan let the kids rotate music.  Greg, one of my older cousins had a Bon Jovi album (I think it was a cassette tape) and my younger cousin Diane, had Paula Abdul's "Forever Your Girl".  For some reason, I only remember those two being played.  But from the first strains of "Livin' On A Prayer" to the last, I knew that my life would never be the same.  (See the video here.)

So on the night of the Bon Jovi concert, when my ears heard the words, "Shot through the heart", my heart kicked me to my feet.  I wanted to scream louder than my body would actually allow me to but I did manage to get out a scream that showcased my approval and excitement. 

Now Bon Jovi puts on a great show.  He is keenly aware of his audience and what they want to hear.  He played for nearly three hours and took a measly five minute break.  And can I just say, that for a rock star who is in his late 40's he was looking really good! :)

My favorite part of the show, however, was his last encore number--"Livin' On A Prayer".  Everyone was on their feet, fist pumping, singing, clapping, and grinning wildly...or maybe that was just me.  It was as if a life long dream had been fulfilled.  For that one moment, I was a part of something universal and the world was a happy place.  Thanks, Tami, for wanting to experience the power of Bon Jovi with me.  It was all I ever hoped for and dreamed of....well, almost.  Had he sung "Always" it would have been perfect perfect as opposed to just perfect.

If interested, you'll find the set list below:

Last Man Standing

You Give Love A Bad Name

Born To Be My Baby

We Weren't Born To Follow

Lost Highway

When We Were Beautiful

It's My Life

Runaway

Superman Tonight

The More Things Change

Bad Medicine/Pretty Woman

Lay Your Hands On Me (Richie vox)

Make A Memory

I'll Be There For You (duet)

Something For The Pain

Someday I'll Be Saturday Night

Who Says You Can't Go Home                                                    

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead/Start Me Up

No Apologies

Have A Nice Day

Keep The Faith

In These Arms

Wanted Dead Or Alive
Livin' On A Prayer

jazzed

My mom is probably one of the biggest Utah Jazz fans I know.  I've always been a lover of basketball but I am almost certain that part of the reason I am so invested in the game...especially in my Utah Jazz...is because of her enthusiasm and yes, undying devotion for the team.

Example 1:  A little while ago, my mom recounted her first experiences with and thoughts on Jon, my sister's husband.  She recalls that he had started to come around quite a bit, that he seemed really nice, was a hard worker, liked the Jazz, and treated my sister well.  I found it hysterical that out of all the qualities that she could have mentioned about a potential son-in-law, one of the qualities that she felt so important to actually mention was his affinity for the Jazz.  So if by some off chance, my future husband is reading this, please note:  Make sure that you like the Jazz...or at least pretend to...or as a last result, at least like basketball.

Example 2:  Living across the country doesn't always allow me to get home as often as I would like.  Thankfully, I am able to go home about two or three times a year.  What I find to be really comical is that despite the distance that I have traveled and despite the limited time I have at home, if there is a Jazz game on, she would really rather just sit and watch that together than go out.  Again, it's a good thing that I like basketball.

Example 3:  For those of you who don't know, my mother is a first grade teacher at Cherry Hill Elementary.  It's the same elementary school that I attended starting in the second grade and is conveniently located about two blocks away from our home.  For the last 13 years the Utah Jazz have been encouraging and supporting literacy among school-aged children through a reading contest named "Be a Team Player--Read".  Cherry Hill Elementary has been participating for the last few years and is one of 58 schools in the state of Utah that decided to participate this year.  The top 10 schools that accumulate the most out-of-school-time minutes reading win an ice cream party and a visit from a Jazz Player.   Two years ago, Cherry Hill ranked among the top schools and happily received a visit from Ronnie Brewer (now with the Bulls).  None of us were there to witness this glorious moment, but a picture of my mother next to Brewer clearly indicated that she was on cloud nine.  I don't know if I've ever seen a bigger smile in one of her pictures.  As mentioned, Cherry Hill participated in the contest during the month of February.  I'm not going to lie, I wanted Cherry Hill to win so badly that I may have prayed for it a couple of times.  Happily, they won and will be rewarded with a visit from a player soon.  We're not sure who it will be now that D-Will has flown the coop (I know, he was traded.), but he will be a Jazz player still the same and I cannot wait to see the new pictures!

Example 4:  My mom and I text every day.  It's usually in the morning or if something really significant happens...or if something happens with the Jazz.  I usually hear about a win or a tough loss.  Needless to say, the day that Jerry Sloan resigned we exchanged quite a few...same with the D. Williams trade.  It was during the D. Williams trade text conversation that I realized how happy I was that this is something that we can share together.  It may sound silly or trite, but it is something that we both love and can talk about.  It's brought us closer and I kind of love that.

My hope is that one day I can take her to a Jazz game...and not just a nose-bleed seat Jazz game, but one that is really close to the court.  I guess I should start saving my nickles, eh?

you can't always have what you want

Human nature is such that we always want what we can’t have. Perhaps always is too strong of a word but I would say that fairly often, that is the case. Wanting something else is not in and of itself a bad thing. It is a contributor or a catalyst to change and progress. But if left unchecked, it can also lead to a myriad of other problems that range from feeling entitled, selfishly dodging responsibility, greedily seeking after something that is not rightfully yours, and being generally dissatisfied with life—all under the umbrella of “I want what is not mine.”

I experienced such a thought today as I was walking past the windows of Duane Reade and noticed that Easter candy is now lining their shelves. Normally, those types of sugary substances can’t tempt me but for some reason they did today. The reason? I am preparing to start yet another cleanse. I am not entirely sure how I will fair with this one compared to the last. This one is only 7 days but the restrictions are still pretty extreme. No dairy, no meat, no refined or processed anything. It’s basically a vegan/raw diet without the help of any outside manufacturer. I can eat as much fruit, vegetables, brown rice, nuts, beans/lentils, and herbs as I want, but again the trick is that everything must basically be natural and homemade.


You would think that with all of my experimenting, previous cleanses, self-imposed observances of Lent (Yes, I know I am not Catholic) and the like, that this would be a breeze…but I don’t think it will. While I have adopted several really good habits along the way—eliminating this and making sure that I make my own that—I still anticipate that this will be difficult. The level of torture is yet to be determined.


Back to the candy. I am nearly 100% certain that the reason I suddenly wanted to purchase bags upon bags of refined sugar is because I know that starting tomorrow I cannot have them. I want what I can’t have. Men want women they can’t have, women want men that they can't have and I want food that I can’t have. It’s a universal predicament, I think.


Wish me luck!

...and I say hello (to 2011)!

The new year is always a reflective time for me....as it is for most people who base their year on the Gregorian calendar.  It's a time where we review the past, let go of what we did or should have done, and try to look forward to a new year of opportunities.  It's exciting and uncertain, a blank page full of possibilities.  For me, energies are usually high in the first part of the year.  I am full of good intentions and I have my thorough and lengthy list of goals posted in more than one spot.  But, like many, I often lose some of that initial excitement that accompanies a New Year as I get bogged down in the daily routine of life...or if I find that my new or revolving list of goals is a little too lengthy.

It's now near the end of February and I can't say that I have been stellar at following my resolutions but I can't say that I have been horrible at them either.  I think that over this last year I have come to realize that change is a process.  It's not just letting go of something one day and completely adopting a new habit the next.  Much of life's progress happens a little at a time--baby steps, if you will.  More than likely, you will take your first step and then fall, but the trick is to get back up and take another step without beating yourself up for falling down in the first place.  Don't get me wrong, I am still pretty good about criticizing myself, but I have also become better at recognizing progress in its smallest of forms.

My list of goals is still lengthy and perhaps a bit ambitious, but I am working towards them still the same.  Without divulging my biggest weaknesses, here are three that I think are appropriate to share with the universe.  It's also a great way to ensure that I will be held accountable for the completion of them.  So make sure to check up on me!

1.  Get healthy--this is all encompassing.  I want to eat better, exercise regularly, learn about health and nutrition, and of course, the classic and never changing goal of...lose weight.

2.  Travel--since moving to New York, I haven't really traveled much.  Sure, I have taken some really great road trips (and yes, that does count as traveling) and I have traveled a bit for work (that was fun too) but I haven't taken a vacation that didn't include the SLC International airport for quite some time.  Despite not having the money, I have always been torn about how to use my vacation days.  I love my family.  I miss them.  Naturally, I want to use my time off to spend it with them.  But I won't lie, my heart has missed some of that adventure that comes with friends in other places outside of your hometown.  So this year, I am going to take at LEAST one trip.  There are talks of a cruise and perhaps one other destination.  Very excited!  And of course, I will still make it home a couple of times as well.

3.  Learn Me Something Good--I think that within each of us we have some sort of a desire to learn, to improve our minds in some way--whether it be through books, school, or by simply learning through the world around us.  I have a few topics of study and plans in mind.  I just need to muster the discipline to set a schedule and put those plans into action.  I'm looking forward to giving my brain a little exercise outside of the doldrums of work and articles posted in my Facebook newsfeed.

You say goodbye....(to 2010)

Dear Blog,

I have neglected you.  For that I am truly sorry.  I have been busy, too tired, too traveled, and haven't felt the creative juices flowing like they have in the past.  Though I've failed to capture some great experiences as they have happened, it's never too late to go back in time to highlight some of the best.  So here they are...in no particular order.

1.  Caldwell Family Reunion--It had been years since my family last had a family reunion that wasn't related to a death or the less-frequent marriage.  Talks about a family reunion had circulated for a while but nothing had come to fruition.  Since I was on a pretty heavy streak of event planning at work, I figured that it wouldn't take that much more effort to start the ball rolling for the family.  Emails were exchanged, dates were set, activities were planned, assignments were made and it all worked out.  We had a great turn out and had a lot of fun.  Some of our family was very much missed but it was good to be together.  I love my family.  I am grateful that I was able to spend some quality time with them this summer (reunion) and also at Christmas.

2.  Summer Lovin'--It was a summer of scandal and intrigue....well, not really.  I wish.  But I did receive innumerable inquiries from curious friends about this new man friend that graced nearly every Facebook album posted this summer.  Unfortunately, my summer was not as scandalous or love-filled as I would have liked it to have been.  (Can't say I didn't try though!)  Christian Ward, one of my closest friends, interned this summer at Amex.  We went to high school together but our friendship didn't really flourish until we moved to the city in August of 2003, literally 3 days apart.  We noticed each other at church on our first Sunday and became instant friends.  Despite the distance and the time apart, we have managed to stay pretty close and make every effort to see each other when I am in Utah or he is in NYC.  And if I can speak for both of us, we both love spending time together.  We lived it up this summer.  We went to the ballet, went out to fine restaurants, traveled to CT, hung out in Central Park, played Frisbee, shopped at Whole Foods, did Broadway, met random strangers, took walks, saw Maroon 5, made dinner together, went to the beach, laughed our heads off, you name it.  We had an fantastic time together and I must confess that as I sent him to the airport in a black gypsy cab, I did have a few tears well in my eyes.  Christian is one of my most favorite people in the world, one of my best friends, and he was part of one of my best summers to date.  It's a zen thing, like how many babies can fit in a tire--you know, that old joke.

3.  New York, NY--I have always prided myself in the fact that I have made the most out of living in one of the greatest cities in the world.  I have played both tourist and tour guide and I have, for the most part, enjoyed every moment of it.  But as life goes on, the novelty of living in a big city may wear off and those fun, touristy things of yester-year take a back seat to real life.  This last year, however, I revisited my habits of a newbie and took advantage of some of the city's most excellent offerings--including, but not limited to:  Palmyra road trip, Saturdays in Central Park, Movie on the Intrepid, US Open,  Jersey Boys, Procession of the Ghouls, Thanksgiving Day Parade, Christmas windows/tree/Santa Land.

4.  End of Apartment Nightmares--Hallelujah!  Oh blessed day!  I finally moved out of my hell-hole of an apartment.  After four years of inconsiderate neighbors, elevator floors covered in urine, blood stained walls, hallways that reeked of garbage and smoke, and a neighborhood that came straight out of an episode of CSI, I am finally free!  I'm in my new place.  It is lovely.  I am so happy.

5.  Raw--If any of you know me, you will know that for the last two years and change I have been exploring new ways of eating.  I have developed a keen interest in nutrition and have made concerted efforts to change my eating patterns to include more fresh vegetables, to eliminate processed foods, to avoid refined sugar (I do slip occasionally!  Don't judge!) and to be the one who makes my own food.  I've always had a passion for good food and have always been intrigued with the culinary arts.  There is nothing more satisfying than creating a perfectly balanced and creative meal from start to finish.  This year, however, I started to explore another facet of the healthy eating movement: Raw.  I had come upon such amazing information about raw eating that I wanted to explore it further.  Now I am far from living a raw lifestyle.  I still enjoy cooking and I will, occasionally eat meat.  But I have also dabbled quite a bit in raw cuisine.  Add to that an amazing and inspirational friend (The Raw Model--Anthony Anderson) that I made over the summer and you've got some good motivation to continue to dabble. 

6.  Work--For the most part, I really like my job.  Sure I have my bad days and deal with politics at varying levels that make life a little more difficult, but who doesn't have to deal with that?  I think what really gets me through is the people.  I have some really great co-workers and colleagues....people that I have come to trust and enjoy.  I also get to work with fantastic volunteers.  People who are busy and important but who still find the time to give back.  My heart is constantly warmed by the generosity and kindness of my volunteers.  And to top it all off, I really do get to participate in some fun events....things that I normally wouldn't participate in.   For example, I got to meet Elmo.  Not the fake Elmo or the giant sized walk around Elmo that you can find anywhere...the real, live muppet Elmo.  I swear I was more excited than the kids.  I could hardly contain myself but I managed to stay somewhat professional and allowed the young preschoolers an opportunity to hug him first.   Other highlights:  Manthropy (a bachelor auction), Toy Drive Party at Gallery Bar, free tickets to various sporting events and concerts, and innumerable volunteer projects throughout the year.  I'm grateful for my job and the wonderful people I have met because of it.

7.  Concerts--Despite my love for music, I haven't been much of a concert-goer.  It's not that I haven't ever wanted to be, it's just that my cash flow hasn't ever really allowed me to be.  I've been to a few--mostly boy bands, but nothing consistent or out of the pop genre.  (I am not counting symphonic or orchestral events here.)  This year, however, I was able to fulfill a life long dream of mine.  One day, my good friend Jane and I were walking in Times Square, looked up, saw that Harry Connick, Jr. was coming to the city for a short stint, and we decided to go.  I cannot tell you how excited I was to be seeing Harry.  I have loved him for more than half of my lifetime.  He instilled in the beginnings of my deep love for jazz.  Anyway, the concert was amazing.  Harry was amazing.  Not only is he a talented performer, but he is a talented musician.  He put on the best show ever.  And bonus!  Jane and I were happily seated in our seats about 15 minutes before the show was scheduled to start.  We were probably 5 rows from the top.  Then the house manager approached us and asked us if we wanted to move further down.  "Sure!"   I thought we would get bumped down a little further, but not much.  Imagine my surprise, however, when we were moved to Row J--ten rows from the stage.  We were dead center.  I was in heaven.  My face literally ached from smiling so much that night.  And double bonus:  sweet Jane waited with me to see Harry exit the theatre after the show.  I got some pretty great pictures of him.  Harry, I love you, baby!   Oh, and I also saw Maroon 5 (with Christian) at Beacon Theater, Dierks Bentley at a small venue in Brooklyn (with Dustin, Rustin, & Aubrey) and Usher at MSG (with Tami & the girls at work).  

8.  Cooking--Did I mention that I love cooking?  I think for a while there I was making at least 2 new recipes a week.  It was quite the adventure.  I also developed a slight crush on two chefs over the past year:  Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver.  Don't worry, still love Bobby, too!

9.  Glee & White Collar--Obsessed!  Love Glee.  Love White Collar.  I can't stop visiting iTunes after each episode of Glee and I can't help but feel that Matthew Bomer's piercing blue eyes are staring deep into my soul each time his image flashes on the screen.  Love, love, love!

10.  Friends & Family--I have amazing friends and family!  I feel so blessed to have the friends that I do.  They've helped me to learn about the world and myself.  They've been supportive and loving.  They've offered great advice or have lent a listening ear.  Again, I'm truly grateful for these wonderful people!