Feliz Cumpleaños Mario!

Though I begged him not to, my amazing friend Mario turned 25 today.

Happy happy birthday to my dear old (punny) friend!

Laughter and drinking is what comes to mind when I think of you.

So that means you're pretty great! Maybe, even awesome!

(photo of Mario and his last birthday cake and his hero "Mayor McCheesy")

ps- do you remember our 3 hour dance party tribute to Michael Jackson? yea, me too.

i.love.snow

maybe it's because I'm originally from Texas (where people break out their North Face when the temperature drops below 70 degrees)... but I LOVE snow. Like looooove it. Like can't get enough of it. 

I love the magical feeling that I get when it falls around me,

I love how soft and fluffy it is, but you can still manage to mold it into big round people,

I love how the white color makes everything it touches look so pretty and classic.

I don't mind the slush that you get after the storm and it makes the 20 degree weather outside worth it.

i.love.snow

NYC has only gotten one real snowfall so far so this giant snowflake floating on 57th Street will have to do for now.

Conversation with my Sister

Picture: Post-Thanksgiving meal. Christine and I are sitting on the couch. We are feeling stuffed and "watching" my brother, uncle and dad watch football.

Me: is there a football game every Thanksgiving?

Sister: Jennifer, there is Sunday night football and Monday night football.

Me: it's Thursday.

Sister: oh, um....

cannot wait to visit Dallas for Christmas!!

photos from our 2009 white christmas

Gobble Gobble

Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving! I'm back from Texas where I ate everything in front of me and filled up on phamily time. It was great and I was definitely sad to leave (mainly because of my crying mother). But I get to come back in one month for Christmas!!

Speaking of my mother- she got me a Tofurkey to eat on Thanksgiving... not the boxed kind that you get at a traditional grocery store. She found a soy meat that was molded into a shape of a little piece of chicken! Don't believe me? Don't worry- I took a picture. It tasted delicious (and you will have to trust me on that one because it's all gone).

#GobbleGobble

Did you think I was crazy when you read that I already put my Christmas tree up? Well, my dad put up our tree before Thanksgiving too. The Phams do not mess around with our Christmas celebration, it's in our blood. So I guess we're all crazy.

My adorable cousin Ivy...

And my mom's favorite child, Lucky.

Holy crap, it's going to be December soon!

christmas tree, my christmas tree

Thanks to the lovely standby schedule at work, I get to see the Phamily in Dallas for Thanksgiving this year! My foodie sister will be handling our not so traditional dinner and she tells me that we will have a 12-course meal. So I need to pack my eating pants (read sweat pants).

But before I travel down south, I had to make sure that my apartment was going to be ready for the Christmas season upon my return because I cannot miss a day. I present to you, the Christmas Tree of apt 5FW. My roommate think I'm crazy because it's not December yet. I said I wanted a menorah too. He said no.

#holycrapicantbelieveitsgonnabedecember

fall love

the weepies

On Wednesday, I went to see one of my favorite bands, The Weepies, in concert and they were wonderful!



The Weepies are an indie/pop (oxymoron!) husband and wife duo and they are the absolute cutest! They both play acoustic guitar and sing whimsical lyrics that fill your head with crazy imagery. They are a little on the emo side (but you probably guessed that from their stage name...) but in a very happy way. Oh, and they write all of their songs. Very cool.

I first discovered them from the fabulous Mandy Moore movie Because I Said So, which featured their song "World Spins Madly On." I then quickly downloaded their album "Say I Am You" and didn't look back.

In between sets, they told stories about their little family and you could just tell that they were very real people and humbled by their success. It was so amazing, their show was probably one of the top 3 concerts I've been to.

My pictures weren't that great because I had a late night at work that day and couldn't get there early for a good spot. So I will leave you with a video of one of my favorite songs by them. Enjoy!

Halloween!

Guess what I was for Halloween?

A dead doll!

Some girl asked if I was supposed to be a "geisha or something." But that's OK because she clearly wasn't the brightest star in the sky. :)

A close-up:

I love Halloween in the city. Everyone is so creative and really go all out. My favorite were these three girls that dressed up as loofahs. They took tulle and wrapped it around themselves and wore a loofah on their head. Wish I had taken a picture!!

(Venetian, magician, dead doll)

Dreams Do Come True II

Did anyone watch Oprah today? The hot topic of the hour was Teen Heartthrob Surprises and the Backstreet Boys were on, so of course I watched. The show started with Oprah's staff surprising her by bringing Oprah's teen crush Jackie Jackson to the studio and then taking her out to dinner!



She was obviously FLOORED. I especially loved how at first she couldn't even get near him because she was in such a state of shock. And then, she said that it was a dream come true for her. And then it struck me. She is OPRAH. One of the most influential women in the world. And her dreams are still coming true.

Lately, I've been feeling like I'm running out of time for everything and that I need to accomplish certain things before a certain age. I even made a bucket list (but I think that's more for memory purposes... )

To see that Oprah still has dreams that are coming true...It gave me a lot of hope for my dreams and made me really happy.

And then the Backstreet Boys (with Kevin!!!!) came on and I almost threw up because I got extremely giddy.



#KTBSPA!!

the leaves are changing colors

I get to walk across central park everyday to go to work. And today was a wonderfully crisp fall day.

(photo taken with my iphone)

Speaking of fall, I am so excited for Halloweener!! I think Halloween is secretly one of my favorite holidays. What's not to love about dressing up and getting wasted? Oops, did I just say that?

Happy happy weekend!

#ilovefall

boopies

Let me introduce you to my wonderful high school friends...

We were all on dance team together (called the Pacesetters, in case you were wondering) and that experience on its own has held together our unbreakable bond. We are all so different. We have different beliefs, personalities, interests and dreams... but I think that's what makes us so great. Spectacular, really.

Rarely are we all together because we are grown-ups now and are scattered across the country. The special occassion was Emily's engagement party, and it felt so great to have EVERYONE together and to be there for Emily.

I love us.

Lady Gaga Cake

This inspires me to take professional cake decorating lessons!

*photo and cake from cake hero

Happy World Peace Day!

A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is a
reality.

-John Lennon (my favorite Beatle)

I BELIEVE.

I believe that we can all live together and coexist peacefully one day.

I think it is something that we all strive and hope for, but ultimately struggle with.

But if we all take a deep breath together and not take anything too seriously, I think we can do it.

I hope I live to see the day!

Long live absolute world peace.

apartment hunting...

...doesn't bring out the best in people, or so I've learned.

Don't get me wrong, I am just equally as guilty as my new roommate. Looking for an affordable home in a city where rent is unreasonbably inflated requires a lot of disposable time that neither of us have. Just another lovely perk of living in Manhattan.

We've found 3 really great apartments that fit our budget and are considered "steals" and have lost them all.

I just stumbled across this article that sums up the hell that is apartment hunting in the Manhattan area and it is so funny yet so on point. Read here.

Ah, laughter amongst stress.

We just applied to a great apartment and our application is pending. Cross your fingers!


**And just to show you that we're not that miserable and we still love each other, here is a picture of Darien/roommate and me with a heart-shaped ice sculpture in Times Square... Another wonderful perk of living in NYC. :)

intelligentsia

I'm not a big coffee drinker, though I find myself constantly surrounded by them. Maybe my phamily and friends need the caffeine to catch up with my energy? Who knows.

While in Chicago, we had Intelligentsia Coffee. I had never had it before, but it is supposedly one of the best coffees according to Morgan and Sasha.


Speaking of...



I'm not a big coffee drinker, but it was a pretty good, decent cup of coffee.

First we went to Floriole Cafe & Bakery where they also serve Intelligentisia.

Cappuccino was good. But the macarons were better! They had three flavors: chocolate, orange blossom (?) and lemon lavender. The lemon lavender macaron stole the show! The texture and flavor combination was delicious and is worth a trip back to Chicago. I'm serious! It even had real lavender leaves on top of the macaron.

Next, we visited the actual Intelligentsia Coffee. My cappuccino was excellent and made with care. I forgot to ask for soy at the register and the barista accommodated me in the nicest way possible! #kindnessgoesalongway

I tried their chocolate, vanilla and pistachio macarons and they were OK. A bit on the chewy side and not as light as the ones from Floriole. But they steamed a soy heart in my cappuccino. So life balanced itself there, like it always does.

Lollapalooooooza

Last month, I flew to Chicago to see some old college friends #omg, I can't believe I can say that now?


But also to attend Lollapalooza ... and it was such an awesome time!!

My musical highlights were Lady Gaga's Monster Ball set, the crowd chanting to "Wake Up" after Arcade Fire's colorful performance, swaying to Stars and dancing to Kaskade in a field completely dedicated to raving. Awesome.

But really, all the acts we saw were great and it was such an amazing experience. Probably not the same as it was back in the early 90's ... but still lots of fun.

An unexpected surprise was the culinary lineup! There were two food courts that featured a lot of delicious organic, vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free options. It also made me very happy to see that a lot of items sold out, meaning that there is a demand for particular eaters like me!

Things I'd like to see change: Budweiser was the official sponsor so naturally that was the only beer that was sold. I don't know anyone that would want Budweiser to have a monopoly on such a grand scale.

Well, maybe my daddy. :)

Dreams Do Come True

So yes, I saw the Backstreet Boys again. And yes, it was just as amazing, if not better.

Not because it was the same exact show. And not because they replaced their awkward opening act with their super cool dj who spinned a set and basically turned the concert into a mini rave.

It was because Nick Carter touched and acknowledged me!!!

After the concert, we waited on the other side of the building for the boys to come out. We saw the tour bus and strategically stood near the bus door. When Nick came out, he stopped where my friend Jenna and I were standing and that was when I touched his hand!!! Our fingers intertwined and I felt him wriggle his fingers free from mine. :)

That's not all. We started following the bus down the street and Nick turned down the window and started staying stuff like "AJ has pink eye!" I screamed, "I want AJ's pink eye!" He laughed and said, "No, you don't!"

*photo of Nick and AJ on the bus talking to me :)

This was seriously a dream come true!!

ps- I've washed my hands since then. I didn't want to, but I did.

Controversy

Have you heard about this Florida pastor's plan to burn the Koran on 9/11?

I love Lupe Fiasco's response on his twitter:

"If they burn a book have no worries...the book will feel NO pain so neither should you! Rules 2 Rule"

No matter how deeply you feel, hate crimes are never OK.

Religion is scary sometimes.

I wish everyone could just get along.

photo taken during a leisurely walk through the upper east side of manhattan

Airport Visit

When I landed in Dallas way back in July, La Beast was supposed to be flying out to London that same day. So she came way early to the airport so we could spend some quality time together before we parted ways again. She's such a great friend.

Ever since we graduated high school, we don't ever get to spend as much time together as we'd like due to college and first jobs. But we make it work with these little visits. One day, I am confident that we will find a way to live in the same city as adults. Because life is always better when she is around!

Is this part of growing up? Having to leave behind your childhood friends and phamily to chase your dreams? During interviews, I am frequently asked "What is the biggest sacrifice that you have had to make so far?" And I always answer with not being able to be around my phamily and friends all the time.

During college and even into my first job, I make frequent and lengthy phone calls/emails punctuated with visits during the holidays. And I think that's enough for me (obviously, I would love more) because things don't seem "different" or "awkward" when I visit home and it's almost like I never left. I think that's the best part.

I'm Not Your Babe

Last Friday, Kat, Darien and I woke up at 5AM (I know) to go see Lady Gaga perform at Rockefeller Center for the Today Show. Apparently over 18,000 people showed up, but we braved the crowds and the big fat raindrops, and it was so worth it.


You can always count on her to make an entrance!


This is Darien hiding under a stranger's umbrella to protect his delicate curls. Haha, seriously couldn't resist posting this picture. Love you Mama! xoxo

Home

Picture is of my mom and my two darling little cousins, Gene and Ivy, from this past weekend in Dallas, my hometown. I visited for my parents' anniversary and got to hang out, watch fireworks and eat my weight in my mom's cooking. It's always so great to visit home. I miss it already!

Happy 25 years to my parents and the Phamily!

Don't get me wrong, the Phamily has had its ups and downs. But it's nice and comforting to know that there are those that will be there for you in the end. I guess this is what some would call a commitment. Still can't believe we made it to 25! I say 'we' because I was there for 24 of those years. :)

Here is something that I learned. 25 years is silver. 50 is gold. 75 is diamonds. My mom obviously is holding out for the diamonds.

This was my contribution to our dinner that my sister and I made for Trinh (mom) and Son (dad). Who doesn't love Bruschetta? Do such people exist?

KTBSPA!!!

I love music. Music speaks to me. Sometimes it magically lets me know how I'm feeling. And it almost always puts me in a great mood.

So there shouldn't be any shame in that right??

I love the Backstreet Boys. Like L.O.V.E. them. Even through their days of straightened hair, notable weight gain and drug addictions. (I understand fussing over hair; who doesn't love a huggable teddy bear; and recovering from addictions show us that we're human). And this love affair that started when I was 10 has shown no signs of stopping.

I recently saw them two weeks ago in New York at Hammerstein Ballroom. It was general admission so a couple of us got there early. We waited while the clouds shifted slowly and gave us some shade from the hot sun and then some rain. But it was OK. Because we sang BSB songs and played BSB trivia and friended other life long fans. I felt so safe. The show began and I loved every second of it. They played their new album and integrated all their classics; while not taking themselves seriously at all. It brought back so many fond memories and good feelings. I wish I could say more to describe how amazing it was.

They are doing another show in August and I just got my tickets in the mail. I canNOT wait!!!

Is there anyone that you have seen a billion times and can't get enough of?

KTBSPA!!!

I'm Back!!!

Hi All,

After a brief stint with mobileme's web account, I've decided to go back to my blogger home. Now with this fancy new and improved layout, I hope to update more. If not, feel free to ask me to :)

But seriously, sorry I'm so MIA and I promise to blog more frequently.

Love love,

jen