Weekending

I had another wonderful weekend in the city this week. It all started on Thursday night when I met my new friend, Mindy, in Greenwich Village for dinner and a play. Mindy just moved up to NYC from Texas and is a Baylor grad and has joined my community group. She is super sweet and fun. We met up at La Lanterna, a tiny, cute Italian restaurant that I've been to and enjoyed. After dinner, another friend of mine, Amanda, who I know from The Journey experience, was in a play in a tiny theatre down the street. I'd seen her in a play there before that I loved and was excited to see something else of hers. This was actually a series of 5 short plays. I wasn't very excited about any of them. There were 2 that were okay and I didn't really like the other 3 at all. Afterwards, the 3 of us and 2 other guys who Amanda and I both know went out for a drink. My stomach dropped when we walked in the cute lounge and the VP debate was blaring very loudly on TV. I knew the 5 of us were pretty split on who we'll be voting for and didn't really want to be caught in an awkward debate of our own. Luckily, three of us felt the same way and talked amongst ourselves, trying hard to tune out the obnoxiously loud tv. It was a fun night and I can't wait to hang out with Mindy again!

Friday night after work, I met up with Rosella and Courtney and a friend of Rosella's to see the Off-Broadway show "Rock of Ages". It is a musicaly set to some of the greatest songs from the 80's. It was very upbeat and a lot of fun. We saw Lisa Loeb there seeing the show with her boyfriend. Afterwards we ate dinner at The Eatery - good food in my old 'hood! I tried their Mac&Cheese for the first time and it was excellent, but way too filling.

On Saturday, I met up with the Baylor group for a football watch party. We held a joint party with OU, which was partly my doing. The president of the OU/NYC alum club is a friend of mine, Sarah, and we decided watching together would be fun. We went in knowing that OU would demolish us...we were just happy to have scored 17 points against the #1 team in the US. It really was a big improvement for old BU!

After the game on Saturday, I hit the streets for some shopping. I found a top that may work for my big black-tie event next Tuesday, but am still on the lookout for something better. I also got a new top for work -- both were on sale at Ann Taylor, which is a store I rarely go into, but just happened to be in the mood for it (don't get confused though, I am a very frequent shopper at Ann Taylor Loft-there is a big difference in my opinion). I also went down to SoHo to check out out the Calypso Home store, plus their outlet and year-round sample sale stores. I've been wanting to check these places out for a while now - what great stores!! I got a new throw-blanket at the home store and had fun looking at the clothes in the outlet and samplet sale, but didn't buy anything.

Sunday led to more shopping - this time a big trip out to Brooklyn's Target. Sarah asked me to go out there with her. Most of you are used to being able to drive up to Target and run in and get what you need. Not so here in NYC. It's a long day excursion! We left my place at 11:30 and I didn't get home until about 3:30. It takes a while to get out there and once you're there, you want to look at everything to make sure you don't miss anything. I had a list, too, and hoped to get several things I needed. Unfortunately, they didn't have most of what was on my list. It was weird and sad, but their shelves were empty in a lot of places. I did get some toothpaste, a new day planner, and a 3 fun things that weren't on my list - including 2 items from the $1 section - love that!

I went for a run in the park on Sunday afternoon. It was packed full of people enjoying the crisp fall weather. I am picking back up on my running after not doing so well throughout the summer. I have some new running goals which I will share with you at a later date!

Sunday night was church....we're spending several weeks on a series which JR has titled "The Good Life". This week's lesson was on living a life of contentment...no matter what your current circumstance is. It was excellent!!! But, I may be biased because it was built around my personal life scripture, Philippians 4:10-13. I am ashamed to say it is one of the few passages I have committed to memory, but one I'd encourage any of you to memorize!