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.