Shake Shack, anyone?

Last Saturday night the weather in New York was incredible! Beautiful, warm, spring-like, people buzzing around everywhere outside...so Pamela and I decided to take a nice 26 block walk to the new Shake Shack on the UWS. We opted for a seat on a park bench outside of the Museum of Natural History to eat dinner and chat. Then as we were leaving and went to throw out our trash, we noticed that everyone else in the city must have had the same idea as us! Check out this garbage can:

realizations I've had in the last week:

1. I need an apartment with windows.
2. I really don't like sleeping late, but when I don't have windows in my room, it's virtually impossible not to...
3. Getting up for work would be SO much easier if I had windows in my room OR my apartment.
4. Depression for people who don't have windows is likely a very real problem.
5. The next apartment I get WILL have windows - lots and lots of them, like Julie's apartment. No compromises.

how to peel an orange in one piece

A few weeks ago on the Redeemer retreat, Brendan taught me how to peel an orange in ONE piece. I thought it was impossible, but after successfully doing it this morning at work with a clementine, I was so proud of myself that I had to take a pic and post it here!

Impressed?

"I'm a therapist, and I actually had a panic attack."

Best quote ever from an article about the stupidity of someone ok'ing Air Force One to fly over NYC to do a photo shoot.

If you want to see the cutest pictures EVER, you should click this link!!!

a day in the park

Just another southern girl with a small Asian with small ideas!

(yes, this is a horrible picture. But, it is the only one me and my twin took that day.)

oink?

Queens, New York (28 cases)

Twenty-eight students from St. Francis Preparatory School in the Queens borough of New York City have tested positive for swine flu, officials confirmed Monday, April 27. Symptoms were described as mild, and none of the students was hospitalized.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said there is no sign of a citywide outbreak.


AHHH! This is so scary! RL told me we are due for a pandemic soon... swine flu? This could be it! The verdict is still out though... should I wear a mask on the subway?! I'm going with no, but have gotten very different encouragement from others. What do you think?

tulips

I want tulips. A huge beautiful, bright bouquet of tulips to sit on my desk in my room (in case anyone is looking to get me flowers anytime soon...and in the event that you aren't looking to get me flowers, just fyi so this blog will serve its purpose of relaying what I am thinking at this exact moment.)

RETREAT from the city

was just what the doctor ordered this weekend! I, along with about 65 other Redeemerites, headed up to West Cornwall, CT for a glorious break from the city and "bonding time" between other 21-25 year olds. Although, West Cornwall is unfortunately located in Lyme County, Connecticut (yes, lyme as in lyme disease...that comes from ticks) it was still a wonderful getaway with incredible weather, great fellowship and even better worship and teachings.

I didn't even get my camera out of my bag this weekend, so all of these posted are courtesy of friends from facebook...thanks for letting me swipe these!

This is my favorite picture from the entire weekend. Is that a guilty face or what?!

(yes, it is a guilty face because this was chocolate cake number FIVE for him at dinner on Saturday night!)

Our little retreat spot!

Emellia, me, Pamela and Ashlee before heading back to the city.

Brent said,

smile Tate so I can take your picture.

SO proud to have Miss California representing the USA

check this out:

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i have localized urticaria

yes, it's true. I've been diagnosed with this horrible disease by Dr. Rose. All those years and countless interior design presentations, I thought I was just nervous and had fair skin. Nope. I actually have what is called (in the pharmacy realm) localized urticaria. I call them splotches, but thanks to RX Farmer, I now sound much more educated and informed about the condition that continues to haunt me anytime I talk to someone new. Can you believe that?!

uncle sam wants your money!

30 more minutes to file your taxes! Happy tax day!

Quite possibly my new favorite picture - ever! LeeAnne is on a roll tonight with the color pics. Thanks again!! oh, and check out more where this came from!

Extreme Grooming

yes, it is. Thanks to Anna for this really awesome email with lots of poodles groomed into the shape of different things. A few of my favorites:

Fallen Soldier

Ninja Turtle

Cock-A-Poodle-Doo

happy birthday abbbbey!

Yesterday was Abbey's 2nd birthday. 2 already?! Where does the time go? Paige sent me this adorable picture of little Abigail waiting to chomp down on a cupcake. I wish I had been there to celebrate with them all, but was glad to talk to Abbey on her birthday. It felt like I was there when she answered the phone and yelled "HEY PEN" as soon as she started talking. Oh, how time flies...when you're having fun, and watching nieces and nephews grow up!

remember to take your daily dose of color

Yes. Certainly. Will do. No prob.

[photo courtesy of LA! thanks!!]

Easter brunch (because no one has lunch up here on Sundays...)

Today I had some girlfriends over for an Easter brunch. Let's face it, I was kinda bummed not to be at home in Alabama eating ham and deviled eggs with the family, so I decided to make the best of being in the big city on the holiday and had a fabulous time with so many friends around. In fact, it was one of the best Easter holidays I've ever had!

I'm not sure why my teeth are glowing in this picture (?) but all the lovely girls who came to brunch (minus Pamela's cousin who graciously took this pic for us)!

Yes, this was my plate alone. Julie made a lot of fun of me and made a lot of piglet-ish references, but then wouldn't let me take a picture of her plate...

My personal Easter FAVE - deviled eggs!

A delicious orange coffee cake, thanks Pamcakes!

One side of our buffet before everyone dug in.

Carrie, me, and Pamela.

LA and Julie... and yes, they are probably going to KILL me for putting this pic up, because they both told me I had to delete it, but I LOVE it!!

Happy Easter!

In remembrance of the meaning and significance of today, one of the most impactful verses for me over the weekend in thinking about the death and resurrection:

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:28-30

It is finished. Done. Completed. Nothing else. Not Jesus, "it". He didn't say "I am finished", he said IT is - his work, his ministry, his sole purpose in coming - to save sinners. It is finished just like our salvation. There's nothing else we can do to make it complete. No great work or acts of righteousness will add anything to something that is already done and completed. Jesus' death on the cross completed the gospel and gave us hope. He was hopeless, so we would never have to be. We have a much greater future to look forward to because of Him. Thanks to God for such a perfect and flawless plan. Happy Easter!

suburban saturday

It doesn't get much more suburban than this:




yes, the aisles of Target. (you couldn't see a much more excited person than I was when I walked into this store for the first time since I moved to NYC!)
a Target bargain...even happier!
wow, I've missed this! And to think... a Target and a TCBY in the same place, so of course LA and I HAD to stop!

Then when we got back to the city, we enjoyed a [gourmet] meal for lunch at Moe's with Pamela. As I said earlier, I can't think of a much more suburban Saturday than this! awesome.

the Gospel of Mark - recited

Last night on Maundy Thursday I went to a reciting of Mark that Redeemer held with the well-renowned Max Mclean. (He attends Redeemer, and does the reciting free of charge every Easter.) Yes, he recited the entire book of Mark, or about 2/3 of it he said. This was absolutely incredible. I can't even describe how moving and impactful it was. In a one-person monologue of the gospel of Mark, he successfully portrayed the varying personalities and emotions of the 12 disciples, Jesus, and many of his followers and scoffers. Most people who are reading this probably won't be anywhere near his shows anytime soon, but if you ever are (in Chicago in the next month or in NYC next Easter) please, please take my word for it and go see this!

my favorite quote from the Today Show this morning, while interviewing the "coupon diva" on saving money in a recession:

"If you don't have time to save [and use coupons], you haven't been broke enough."

advocate for stay-at-home moms?!

This is rare...especially on the Today show!

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two years too long

...is the much awaited reunion with A.Jicha (in the Redeemer cookie room, where is [almost] all began!) 4/5 of the Fab 5 was finally back together again! We missed you, Kat, but I still believe in my heart of hearts that the Big Apple will find us all together again... one day!

(yes, Pamela, I stole this pic from your blog...sorry!)

Reba

maybe one of the greatest blog posts ever! And the sad thing is, I actually remember having most of those albums on cassette. I'm getting old...

in honor of tonight...

CHI O GREEK SING 2008! (and yes, we WON! sorry, Cay!)

warning: you may find this offensive

If you do, I apologize. But if you do, you probably shouldn't be reading my blog to begin with. This is just too true not to post...

A little part of Brent was with us...

all the way in NJ! We wish you (and all your family had been with us this weekend, Brent!) but this definitely made us think of you!

another one, hooked

Well probably not realllly "hooked" but at least he tolerated it and humored me in making me believe that he somewhat enjoyed it.

Brendan's first trip to Chick Fil A (yes, ever)!

this is for you, Cay:

Yes, I'm enjoying my easter candy at my desk right now! Maybe not Chicks, Ducks, & Bunnies...but equally as good.

thank you, Chipotle (for causing my self-esteem to lower and my cholesterol and risk for heart disease skyrocket)

For your plain, standard Carnitas burrito!

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories 850	Cal from Fat 350
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 39g	59%
Saturated Fat 18g 90% Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 140mg	47%
Sodium 2090mg	87%
Total Carbs 74g	25%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8% Sugars 5g
Protein 47g
Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% • Iron 0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
INGREDIENTS: 13" Tortilla,Rice,Tomato Salsa,Cheese,Sour Cream,Carnitas (4oz)

You, too, can calculate your own nutrition label for your favorite meal at Chipotle.
I must warn though... proceed at your own risk.

another good one

Former Illinois Governor Blagojevich joins Perkins Eastman

With an offer we could not refuse, Rod now calls Perkins Eastman home.

"This is the next logical move for my career. My connections with developers and contractors will bring in some major profits. Taking the fall has allowed me to amass favors from government officials at every level. We will be unstoppable!" said Blago about the career change.

Submitted by: HR

Date Published: 04/01/2009

[this was posted on our company's intranet today]

i love a good joke

Today is one of my favorite days of the year. There's nothing better than coming up with a brilliant old-fashioned prank and executing it on a group of your closest friends and family. And the best part about April Fools Day, is that everyone in the world KNOWS that it's April Fools Day and is deliberately trying to come up with jokes and pranks to play on people, and yet it is still totally possible (and most of the time, probable) that you will be successful in the carrying out the prank. Glorious.

So here was mine:
I started out by sending a simple text to all of my siblings and siblings-in-law. It was short and to the point: "I'm engaged." and then I just waited for the texts to roll back in... I think that was the most number of texts I've ever received in such a short amount of time - ever...which I kinda loved.

All the responses back were great, and had me rolling in laughter at my desk, but this one, from my sister-in-law, Monica, was by far the best:
I am pregnant with twins! Just found out. So much for getting my tubes tied. Due in november. Congrats to you.

Even though when I talked to her later she said her heart did drop for a second when she first got my text...she quickly figured out what the date was and decided to dish it back at me. Annnd that's why I love April Fools Day.